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 Hundreds of vehicles can be seen travelling across the Queensland sand at any one time. But many continue to break the simple rule. At this time of year, sometimes hundreds of 4WDs can be seen driving along the dunes on Bribie Island in Queensland. Source: Supplied/Darren Jew As the weather warms, more and more Aussies might consider visiting one of the country's many beaches. But for those hitting up the 4WD tracks on Queensland's iconic Bribie Island, there's a common mistake that must be avoided. At this time of year, the desired spot, located 68 kilometres north of Brisbane, is often populated by vehicles travelling up and down the sand in droves. But there's a certain driving habit frequently witnessed across the island that can have a devastating impact on the area. When speaking with Yahoo News Australia this week, Darren Jew from the environmental protection group BIEPA revealed that driving on the dunes is a no-no, so too is travelling as the sun begins to set. Photos shared with Yahoo show a line of vehicles wrongly making their way across the sand on Bribie Island as the shoreline nudges closer to them. It's at this time, during high tide, when the most damage is done, he said. Driving on dunes a 'big problem' on 4WD beach Not only does driving on the dunes "affect their structure" and "destroy" the beach over time, but it can have a significant impact on the island's turtles. From November to January each year, marine turtles can be seen frequenting our shores to lay their eggs. ADVERTISEMENT "The biggest problem is at night and at high tide. People are not allowed to drive on the dunes then," Jew said. "Queensland National Parks recommend that you drive at low tide but people generally don't take much notice of the authorities." "When people drive at high tide just before the evening time, they leave the giant ruts in the sand," he explained. "And when it comes to the hatchling emergence time, they want to run straight down to the water but they get stuck in the ruts." Tyre tracks on the sand can cause turtles to get stuck, endangering their lives. Source: Supplied/Darren Jew Jew said the baby turtles are often found the next day "hundreds of meters away from their nest". "They're exhausted, often perished and sometimes predated by predators that have had a longer chance to get them because they haven't been able to get to the water," he said. Another reason to avoid night driving is because turtles need dark beaches to nest successfully. Light from vehicles and torches can disturb nesting turtles, authorities warn. ADVERTISEMENT When is the best time to drive on the Bribie Island beach? While visitors are prohibited from driving at night, current legislation doesnt allow the rule to be enforced, so not much can be done when it occurs, Jew said. To help spread the message, the team at BIEPA has created a "tide planning tool" which helps alert visitors of the best time to drive. "It's an active way people can schedule their day knowing that they're going to be having the least amount of effect on the turtle habitat as possible," he explained. "If they're going to drive, they need to drive this time. We'd like them to certainly think twice about driving [at the wrong times] during turtle season." Advice for drivers on 4WD beaches during nesting season. Source: BEIPA If driving on the beach is unavoidable, then be alert, slow down, stop and wait for any marine turtles crossing the beach, it's advised. Drivers are also encouraged to follow "established tracks" rather than creating new tracks of their own. Concerns over vehicles causing harm on 4WD beach This week, while enjoying camping on the beach at Bribie Island, a group of schoolies discovered a clutch of eggs buried in tyre tracks on the sand. The school leavers remained on watch until help arrived to relocate them to a safer spot. ADVERTISEMENT But the issue goes beyond Bribie and is stressed by councils and authorities in surrounding areas. In September, Mackay Regional Council voted to close access to vehicles at Harbour Beach, a popular beach among the four-wheel drivers and motorcyclists, to help protect the area's flora and fauna. "The impact of that damage over many years is threatening the ecological integrity of this area," Mayor Greg Williamson said. Those who break the rules will face "huge fines" of $774. Queensland's Bribie Island has several popular 4WD beaches that are populular among visitors. Source: Supplied/Darren Jew Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte threatened an assassination of the president if she herself gets killed. She made matters even worse after she insisted that it was not a joke read more In a dramatic turn of events, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte said that she had contracted an assassin to kill the countrys President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife, and the House of Representatives speaker. In a brazen public threat given on Saturday, Duterte threatened an assassination of the president if she herself gets killed. She made matters even worse after she insisted that it was not a joke. The warning rattled the Philippine government with Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin referring to it as an active threat against the countrys president. He went on to ask the elite presidential guard force for immediate proper action. However, it is unclear exactly what actions will be taken against the vice president. Advertisement Meanwhile, the Presidential Security Command immediately ramped up Marcos security and made it clear that it considered Dutertes threat a national security issue. We are coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and defend against any and all threats to the president and the first family, the security forces said in a statement. The root cause of all evil It is pertinent to note that Marcos ran with Duterte as his vice-presidential running mate in the May 2022 elections. The team managed to clinch landslide victories after basing their campaign calls on national unity. Over the years, the two leaders had a bitter falling-out over key differences, including in their approaches to Chinas aggressive actions in the disputed South China Sea. Duterte eventually resigned from the Marcos cabinet in June this year. She was serving as the education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body. After stepping down, the Philippine VP became an ardent critic of Marcos, his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos, and House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the presidents ally and cousin. She accused them of corruption, incompetence, and politically persecuting the Duterte family and its close supporters. The tension between Duterte and Marcos escalated after the House members allied with Romualdez and Marcos decided to detain her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, who was accused of hampering a congressional inquiry into the possible misuse of her budget as vice president and education secretary. Lopez was eventually transferred to the hospital after falling ill and was seen weeping when she heard the plan that she would be sent to womens prison straightaway. Following the incident, Duterte went on to accuse Marcos of incompetence as a president and of being a liar, along with his wife and the House speaker in expletives-laden remarks. The 46-year-old firebrand also hinted at an unspecified plot to kill her, _The Associated Press_ reported. Dont worry about my security because Ive talked with somebody. I said If Im killed, youll kill BBM, Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez. No joke, no joke, the vice president said without elaborating and using the initials that many use to call the president. Ive given my order, If I die, dont stop until youve killed them. And he said, yes, she added. Advertisement Amid the chaos, the Philippines Military Chief Gen. Romeo Brawner issued a statement with an assurance that the 160,000-member Armed Forces of the country will remain non-partisan over the matter. We call for calm and resolve, Brawner said. We reiterate our need to stand together against those who will try to break our bonds as Filipinos. Duterte is the daughter of Marcos predecessor, Rodrigo Duterte, whose police-enforced anti-drug crackdown led to the death of thousands of mostly petty drug suspects. The International Criminal Court is currently investigating the matter as a possible crime against humanity. With input from _The Associated Press_. A recent legislation passed in Russia will allow recruits and their spouses to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles ($96,000) read more Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to individuals who enlist to fight in Ukraine, a measure to bolster military recruitment as the Ukraine war enters its third year. The legislation, published on a government website Saturday (November 23), allows recruits and their spouses to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles ($96,000). The law applies to debts already under court-ordered collection and enforcement proceedings initiated before December 1, 2024. Advertisement It points to Russias increasing reliance on financial incentives to meet its manpower needs in the prolonged conflict. Why is Russia focusing on financial incentives? The September 2022 partial mobilisation prompted widespread panic, leading tens of thousands of men to flee Russia. To sidestep another such backlash, the Kremlin has focused on voluntary recruitment, incentivising enlistment with a variety of financial measures. Monthly earnings for soldiers fighting in Ukraine often exceed 200,000 rubles ($2,166), nearly 2.4 times the average salary in Russia. Additionally, Moscow has offered a one-time payment of 1.9 million rubles ($22,000) for new recruits. Recruiting foreign nationals Russia has also turned to international sources for manpower. Reports indicate over 10,000 North Korean troops have been deployed to Russia, with some already engaging in combat. Foreign nationals from countries like Yemen, Nepal, and even India had been recruited with promises of high wages and Russian citizenship. The prolonged war has strained Russias resources, prompting Putin in September to call for an increase of 180,000 troops. Increasing arms production Moscow has also ramped up arms production, introducing advanced weaponry to the battlefield. Last week, the Kremlin launched a new intermediate-range ballistic missile at Ukraine, which Putin claimed was in retaliation for Kyivs use of US and UK-supplied missiles capable of deep strikes into Russian territory. The recruitment measures show Russias pressing need to sustain its military ranks amid an intense and costly conflict, as both sides endure mounting pressures on the front lines. With inputs from agencies Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for national security advisor, is known as a foreign policy hawk and has criticised Russia, he aligns with Trumps cautious stance on increasing aid to Ukraine read more US President-elect Donald Trump has picked Congressman Mike Waltz to be his National Security Advisor (NSA). AP Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trumps pick for national security advisor, on Sunday (November 24) urged an end to the escalating war between Ukraine and Russia. We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace, and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it, Waltz said in an interview with Fox News. The call for negotiations comes as tensions rise following Washingtons approval of Kyivs use of US-supplied missiles for strikes inside Russian territory and the provision of landmines to Ukraine. Advertisement In retaliation, Moscow deployed an experimental medium-range ballistic missile, further escalating hostilities. While Waltz is known as a foreign policy hawk and has criticised Russia, he aligns with Trumps cautious stance on increasing aid to Ukraine. President Trump has been very clear about the need to end this conflict, Waltz said. We need to be discussing whos at that table, whether its an agreement, an armistice, how to get both sides to the table, and then whats the framework of a deal? The war, now nearing its third year, began with Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukraine, with significant backing from the United States, has fought to reclaim territory in the east. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly opposed ceding any land to Russia, warning on Tuesday (November 19) that losing US funding would lead to Ukraines defeat. Waltz, who has met with outgoing NSA Jake Sullivan, assured continuity during the transition period. For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity to play one administration off the othertheyre wrong. We are hand in glove, he said. Turning to the Middle East, Waltz praised Israels resolve in its campaign against Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis. The subsequent Israeli offensive in Gaza has claimed at least 44,211 lives, mostly civilians, according to local authorities. Now is a moment to craft some type of arrangement that doesnt just put a pause for future October 7ths but truly brings stability to the Middle East, Waltz said, urging diplomatic efforts to ensure long-term peace in the region. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Russia struck Ukraine with a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile on Thursday in response to Kyivs use of U.S. and British missiles against Russia, marking an escalation in the war that began when Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022 read more Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday during his visit to Ankara, a Turkish official said on Sunday. Russia struck Ukraine with a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile on Thursday in response to Kyivs use of U.S. and British missiles against Russia, marking an escalation in the war that began when Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Advertisement NATO member Turkey, which has condemned the Russian invasion, says it supports Ukraines territorial integrity and it has provided Kyiv with military support. But Turkey, a Black Sea neighbour of both Russia and Ukraine, also opposes Western sanctions against Moscow, with which it shares important defence, energy and tourism ties. On Wednesday, Erdogan opposed a U.S. decision to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles to attack inside Russia, saying it would further inflame the conflict, according to a readout shared by his office. Moscow says that by giving the green light for Ukraine to fire Western missiles deep inside Russia, the U.S. and its allies are entering into direct conflict with Russia. On Tuesday, Putin approved policy changes that lowered the threshold for Russia to use nuclear weapons in response to an attack with conventional weapons. During their talks on Monday, Erdogan and Rutte will also discuss the removal of defence procurement obstacles between NATO allies and the military alliances joint fight against terrorism, the Turkish official said. Kogan was living and working in the UAE as a representative of the Chabad Hasidic movement, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group known for its outreach efforts worldwide read more The United Arab Emirates said Sunday it arrested three people for the murder of an Israeli rabbi, which Israel has condemned as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack. The Ministry of Interior announced that the UAE authorities have arrested in record time the three perpetrators involved in the murder of Tzvi Kogan, a statement carried by the official WAM news agency said. The ministry described Kogan as a Moldovan national according to his identification documents at the time of entry into the UAE, where he lived as a resident. Advertisement The 28-year-olds body had been found by security services in the Gulf Arab state, the Israeli prime ministers office and the foreign ministry said earlier Sunday. UAE normalised relations with Israel in 2020 alongside Bahrain and Morocco. The Israeli-Moldovan national was living and working in the UAE as a representative of the Chabad Hasidic movement, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group known for its outreach efforts worldwide. This murder was carried out in the UAE. The murder of an Israeli citizen and a Chabad emissary, is an abhorrent anti-Semitic terrorist attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting. Neither Emirati nor Israeli officials provided any details about the circumstances of Kogans murder. Great pain Israeli President Isaac Herzog in a statement said this vile anti-Semitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the enemies of the Jewish people. Herzog said the murder would not deter us from continuing to grow flourishing communities in the UAE or anywhere. Moldova said earlier Sunday its embassy in Abu Dhabi was cooperating with local officials and closely monitoring the situation, providing the necessary support. It only mentioned Kogan was missing and did not refer to his death. In a message on X, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement expressed its great pain alongside a photo of the rabbi, adding that he had been murdered by terrorists after being abducted on Thursday. Advertisement Israel renewed a warning for Israelis to avoid any non-essential travel to the UAE, and advised citizens already in the Gulf country to take extra precautions. Ayoob Kara, a member of Israels Druze community and a former cabinet minister, called the killing a surprise. Speaking outside a kosher market in Dubai which he said Kogan managed, and which was shut Sunday, Kara told AFP: Everything is beautiful here, everything is in control here. Oasis of stability The oil-rich Gulf state, whose population is made up mainly of expatriates, opened an interfaith centre last year in Abu Dhabi housing a mosque, a church and a synagogue. UAE presidential adviser Anwar Gargash insisted Sunday the country remained an oasis of stability, a society of tolerance and coexistence, in a post on X, but made no direct reference to Kogan. Advertisement There is no official figure for the number of Jews in the UAE, but the World Jewish Congress estimated between 500 and 3,000 Jews live there, most of whom are foreigners. But the war in Gaza, triggered by Palestinian militant group Hamass attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has sparked rising anger in the Middle East. In Jordan, a man was killed Sunday after opening fire on and wounding three members of the security forces near the Israeli embassy in the capital Amman, state media said, in an incident described by the government spokesman as a terrorist attack. Investigations were underway to uncover the circumstances and motives behind the attack. Advertisement The accusations come as tensions between Russia and the West have escalated dramatically, with President Vladimir Putin warning last week that the war in Ukraine had the characteristics of a global conflict read more Russia is exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm and no one should underestimate the threat to NATO, a senior UK minister will warn in a speech Monday. Pat McFadden, whose portfolio includes national security, will tell a NATO cyber security conference in London that Moscow wont think twice about targeting British businesses, according to excerpts of his address released Sunday by his ministry. He will also note that unofficial hacktivists given impunity by the Kremlin are committing increasingly frequent, and in some cases, increasingly sophisticated attacks around the world. Advertisement That includes the recent targeting of South Korea in response to its monitoring of the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, McFadden will claim. The accusations come as tensions between Russia and the West have escalated dramatically, with President Vladimir Putin warning last week that the war in Ukraine had the characteristics of a global conflict. The growing frictions have sparked fresh unease in London and other Western capitals that Putin may step up cyber attacks and other non-military measures. Given the scale of that hostility, my message to members today is clear: no one should underestimate the Russian cyber threat to NATO, McFadden will say, noting the threat is real. In the last year, both the Russian military and its unofficial army of cyber criminals and hacktivists have not just stepped up their attacks, but widened their targets to a number of NATO members and partners. Watching McFadden will warn that Russia has previously targeted the UKs media, our telecoms, our political and democratic institutions and our energy infrastructure. He is set to claim that Russian state-aligned groups have taken responsibility for at least nine separate cyberattacks of varying severity against NATO states. They include unprovoked attacks against our critical national infrastructure. Advertisement These groups are unpredictable, they act with disregard for the potential geopolitical consequences, and with just one miscalculation could wreak havoc on our networks, he will say. The UK minister will call out a Russian military unit dubbed Unit 29155 that allegedly carried out cyber attacks in the UK and Europe, according to the Cabinet Office. Highlighting Russias use of cyber attacks over the course of its nearly three-year war on Ukraine, he will note that the tactics can turn the lights off for millions of people. It can shut down the power grids. This is the hidden war Russia is waging with Ukraine, McFadden will say. Advertisement But he will insist that Britain and Western allies are countering their attacks both publicly and behind the scenes. Be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and others in this room are watching Russia. We know exactly what they are doing, McFadden will say. After winning the 2024 US elections, President-elect Donald Trump is trying to pull all strings possible to have a sway in the Congress. However, this is not sitting well with some of the Republican lawmakers who would like to keep the two branches of the government separated read more After winning the 2024 US presidential election, President-elect Donald Trump is pulling every string possible to have a strong influence in the US Congress. Some of his recent moves indicated that the Republican firebrand is intending to bend the GOP-led Congress to his will. One of the major reasons why Trump is looking for greater influence in both chambers is because he wants the lawmakers to accept his Cabinet picks along with his federal spending. Advertisement Round one of the tussle between Congress and Trump was won by the Republican lawmakers after some senators from the party suggested that Matt Gaetz should withdraw his consideration for the post of US Attorney General as he struggles with a plethora of scandals. The Senate also has a responsibility for advice and consent and in this particular case, I think there was advice offered, rather than consent, Sen. Mike Rounds said shortly after Gaetz announced his withdrawal. However, the interesting aspect of this tussle was the fact that the GOP senators pushed back against Trumps pick privately and not publicly. Confirmation of appointments and federal spending at the heart of it all Many believe that Gaetz would not be the last example to test the tussle between Trump and the legislative wing of the government. Even incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune has a slew of problems over Trumps controversial Cabinet nominees including sexual assault allegations against Pete Hegseth, whom Trump tapped to lead the Department of Defense. Another issue that Trump might face with Congress is getting approval for federal spending. While US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson has been a close ally of Trump, he has been in limbo as he defers to the President-elect on his preferences for a funding deal. Some Republican lawmakers maintained they would go by the authority enshrined in the US Constitution in regard to determining federal spending. I think we should defend Article One. Were an equal branch of government. I support probably 80 per cent or 90 per cent of the policies, but its going to be in the Article One vs. Article Two framework, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) said about the relationship between Trump and Hill Republicans. Advertisement However, Trumps anticipated return to the White House is much different than his stint in 2017. This time Republicans have sway in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Not only this, even the US Supreme Court has a conservative majority. Over the years, Trump has also managed to fill Congress with his allies. There will be no daylight between us and President Trump on policy, and moving forward with foreign policy, funding or anything else, Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a close Trump ally, told reporters in the Capitol recently. You just have a very Trump House, because most people that came in came in with him at the top of the ticket, another GOP lawmaker told Politico on the condition of anonymity. Advertisement While Trump loyalists will push his agenda in both chambers, there are plenty of Republicans who disagree with some of Trumps plans on immigration and tariffs and would like to keep the two branches of government separated. Three unidentified drones were spotted over three UK airbases, the US Air Force confirmed on Saturday. The authorities from both nations are now determining whether these drones were hostile read more On Saturday, the US Air Force shocked authorities in the United Kingdom by reporting that a number of unidentified drones had been spotted over three British airbases. The USAF confirmed that Small unmanned aerial systems were seen over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk between November 20 and 22. The American authority that uses the bases said it was unclear whether the drones should be considered hostile. It also declined to comment on whether any defence mechanisms were used to deal with them. However, the USAF maintained that it has the right to protect installations. Advertisement We can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems [UASs] were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell between 20 and 22 November. The number of UASs fluctuated and they ranged in size [and] configuration," A spokesperson for US air forces in Europe said in a statement, The Guardian reported. The UASs were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure. To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation. We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets, the spokesperson furthered. UK reacts Meanwhile, a British Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated that they are looking into the matter. We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites. This includes counter-drone security capabilities," the British spokesperson averred. We wont comment further on security procedures," he added. According to BBC, RAF Mildenhall is primarily home to the USAFs 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Lakenheath stations USAF F-35A and F-15E fighter jets, while RAF Feltwell is mainly concerned with logistics and offers housing for military personnel. After releasing the statement, the British authorities kept hush-hush about further details. We wont comment further on security procedures, the UK defence ministry said. With inputs from agencies. A group of Western nations released a statement, insisting that Tehrans decision to expand its nuclear program has no credible, peaceful rationale. The countries also backed the IAEAs resolution against Irans nuclear programme read more The Qader cruise missile is seen during the annual military parade in Tehran, Iran, September 21, 2024. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)Enlrage image The Qader cruise missile is seen during the annual military parade in Tehran, Iran, September 21, 2024. File Image: AFP Amid the brewing tensions in West Asia, western nations endorsed a resolution passed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) against Irans nuclear plans. The United States, France, the United Kingdom and Germany backed the resolution and expressed concerns about Irans plan to further its nuclear program. On Saturday, the group of nations released a statement in this regard, insisting that Tehrans decision to expand its nuclear program has no credible, peaceful rationale, The Jerusalem Post reported. In the resolution, the UN nuclear watchdog mentioned Irans failure to cooperate on the clarification of issues related to undeclared nuclear material. Advertisement The newest resolution was issued by the IAEAs Board of Governors, following a previous resolution in June that stated further action would be necessary if Iran did not cooperate. The West raises alarm In the Saturday statement, the countries reminded Iran of its obligation to the rest of the world. Iran is legally obligated under its Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Safeguards Agreement to cooperate fully with the IAEA and account for all nuclear material and activities, the joint statement reads. Meanwhile, the IAEAs request for cooperation was reportedly met with threats and provocations from Iran. In the statement, the group of nations insisted that Iran failed to provide the cooperation needed to address the agreement. They also expressed concerns that the Islamic Republic had instead provoked the IAEA Board of Governors. We hope Iran will take the opportunity between now and that report to finally provide the information and cooperation needed to resolve these issues, the countries added. In the resolution, the board demanded IAEA to make an updated assessment regarding Irans lack of cooperation after five years of investigation. Iran ramps up its program instead Meanwhile, Tehran announced on Friday that it was activating new advanced centrifuges which will enrich uranium for the countrys nuclear program. Iran will activate a noticeable number of new and advanced centrifuges of different types, IRNA reported. Irans Foreign Ministry and its Atomic Energy Organization also released a separate statement in this regard. The steps are being taken to protect the countrys interests and further develop the peaceful nuclear energy, in line with national needs and within Irans rights," the statement said. It is pertinent to note that injecting gas into centrifuges is part of the process of enriching uranium, which could ultimately be used to develop a nuclear weapon. However, Iran has frequently denied that it has any ambitions to build a bomb. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. A video of Trudeau dancing at the concert on the same day clashes broke out in Montreal went viral, sparking major outrage. What makes the matter even worse is the fact that the Canadian premier himself represents a district in Montreal read more Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was spotted dancing at a Taylor Swift concert amid violent protests in Montreal. A video of Trudeau partying at the concert went viral online, sparking major outrage. What makes the matter even worse is the fact that the Canadian premier himself represents a district in Montreal. The video was from when Trudeau attended the Swift concert in Toronto on Friday night. A viral video posted on X shows the Canadian politician dancing and singing along to the song You Dont Own Me before Swift took the stage. Toronto is roughly 280 miles west of the Canadian capital of Ottawa and 330 miles west of the Montreal district that Trudeau represents. Advertisement Terrorism on our streets and Trudeau doesn't care. Pro-Hamas riots are taking place in Montreal, meanwhile Trudeau is at a Taylor Swift concert displaying his cringe dance moves. pic.twitter.com/0wpXUgRNFa Canada Proud (@WeAreCanProud) November 23, 2024 However, during the same night, an anti-NATO demonstration broke out with demonstrators hurling smoke bombs and marching through the state. Some of them were also carrying the Palestinian flag in condemnation of the Canadian governments response to the ongoing Gaza crisis. The irony of it all According to Canadian news outlet Montreal Gazette, things started to escalate quickly after rioters set cars on fire and clashed with local police. Protesters reportedly threw small explosive devices and metal items at officers. At one point, some of the demonstrators went on to burn the effigy of Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Visuals of Trudeau enjoying the concert while Montreal was in shambles sparked major outrage. Some social media users even compared Trudeau to Nero, the infamous Roman emperor known for fiddling while Rome burned. Canadian Member of Parliament Don Stewart who represents parts of Toronto went on to call out the Prime Minister on X, formerly known as Twitter. Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances, Stewart wrote in the post sharing the side-by-side videos of the Montreal protest and Trudeaus dance. Advertisement Lawless protestors run roughshod over Montreal in violent protest. The Prime Minister dances. This is the Canada built by the Liberal government. Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in the Canada we once knew and loved. pic.twitter.com/PVJvR6gtmf Don Stewart (@donstewartmp) November 23, 2024 This is the Canada built by the Liberal government. Bring back law and order, safe streets and communities in Canada we once knew and loved, he added. Meanwhile, a day after the whole saga, Trudeau denounced the protests and called them appalling. Advertisement What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling, the Canadian leader said. Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them. The RCMP [Royal Canadian Mounted Police] are in communication with local police. There must be consequences, and rioters held accountable, he added. Police have urged drivers to proceed with extreme caution if they encounter such a situation with Fairy Grass completely taking over one rural highway. When it comes to driving, visibility of the road is usually an important prerequisite. But that has been a tricky thing for motorists in one Aussie state this week thanks to a "crazy" influx of native grasses that have been on the move prompting a warning from authorities. Police in Swan Hill, in the north of Victoria, warned drivers this week after capturing a wild scene in which a road had become completely overwhelmed by Common Blown-grass, also referred to as Fairy Grass or simply tumbleweeds. "I'd never seen anything like it," local woman Brooke Williams told Yahoo News Australia, saying she was forced to drive though sections of the road where the dry grass was higher than her ute. "You always see little bits of Fairy Grass and rolly pollys in the country but this was actually unbelievable to see, and a bit like you had to see it to believe it." ADVERTISEMENT Heading from the nearby town of Kerang, she was driving to Melbourne with her daughter to attend a concert. There had been large patches of the grass along the drive before she and her daughter arrived at the "crazy" scene police had warned about. "The right lane heading north to Kerang was completely covered and there was a clearance on the left lane (southbound from Kerang) that you could drive through," she explained. "Having grown up in Kerang my whole life, Ive never seen anything quite like it!" Brooke and her daughter were forced to drive through the unusual hazard. Source: Supplied "They [the tumbleweeds] weren't moving, they were like a massive pile stuck there, even in the wind," Brooke said, adding that there was about a 20 to 30 metre stretch of the highway where the grass was "higher than a metre". A short video taken at the time shows the tumbleweeds clearly visible up against the windows of the car. ADVERTISEMENT An officer at the Swan Hill Police station told Yahoo News the tumbleweeds have "certainly" been an issue of late. "As the weather becomes drier, tumbleweeds start to move around," they said. "If drivers cant see the actual road surface due to the tumbleweeds that in itself poses a huge risk for all motorists." Understandably, they urged people to exhibit immense caution in this situation. "Slow down, [put your] hazard lights on to warn others of the potential risk ahead and proceed with extreme caution," the officer said. 'Eerie' scene raises Fairy Grass fire concerns The grass and its very combustible nature has certainly caused concern for increasing bushfire risks for summer. And it's a danger authorities were keen to remind people of during a brutal heatwave in Victoria, with extreme fire danger alerts in place heading into the weekend. ADVERTISEMENT Reacting to the photo posted by Swan Hill police, many locals voiced concern about the potential fire danger it posed. "That is highly flammable. Cars should be checked after driving through it. Caused a fire that burnt a building and a bus that parked on it down this way a few years ago," one person commented. "I drove through this the other day. It felt like driving through flood waters as it was impossible to see the road ahead. Eerie sensation," another local said. Incredible images from February this year show piles of 'hairy panic' grass blocking the exit at Dubbo Airport (left) and blocking roads in regional NSW (right). Source: ABC A similar tumbleweed grass inundated the NSW town of Dubbo earlier this year, commonly known in the region as "Hairy Panic", which also raised wildfire fears in February. Dr Anthony Young, a senior lecturer in crop protection, told Yahoo News at the time the weed earned the nickname "kero grass" because "it is super dry and can stack up beside buildings such as sheds, and a spark will make it go up like kerosene". Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. This past week has seen the most significant escalation in hostilities that Ukraine has witnessed since Russias full-scale invasion and marks a new chapter in the nearly three-year war one tinged with uncertainty and fear. read more Ukraine has endured nearly 500 drone strikes, 800 guided aerial bombs and over 20 missile attacks in the past week, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Sunday, accusing Russia of using Ukraine as a testing ground for its weaponry. The intensified assault included the first-ever deployment of Russias Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, which struck Dnipro on Thursday, drawing international attention. Zelenskyy, however, emphasised the scale of the Shahed drone onslaught, with 73 Iranian-designed drones launched on Sunday night alone. Ukrainian forces intercepted 50 of them, bringing the total to 460 drones downed over the past week, he said. Advertisement Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state. But Russia continues its efforts to kill our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us, he said. Zelenskyy said that Ukraine needs to strengthen its air defences to protect people after its air defence units shot down 50 of 73 Russian drones launched overnight over many regions. An air alert has been sounded almost daily across Ukraine this week, he said on Telegram messenger. Over the past week Russia used more than 800 guided aerial bombs, about 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles of various types, Zelenskiy said. The Ukrainian military said earlier on Sunday that air defence units had destroyed more than 10 Russian drones that were targeting Kyiv in an overnight attack. This past week has seen the most significant escalation in hostilities that Ukraine has witnessed since Russias full-scale invasion and marks a new chapter in the nearly three-year war one tinged with uncertainty and fear. It began with U.S. President Joe Biden reversing a longstanding policy by granting Kyiv permission to deploy American longer-range missiles inside Russian territory and ended with Moscow striking Ukraine with a new experimental ballistic weapon that has alarmed the international community and heightened fears of further escalation. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. One person's Australian dream is another person's slowly unfolding nightmare. Source: Harry Cunningham It's a modern house with a nice grass lawn and three large, four-wheel drive vehicles parked out the front. To many people, it's the Australian dream. But to Perth resident and photographer Harry Cunningham, it's visual evidence of a creeping malady at the heart of the city. And it's one that is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The West Australian capital has the unique (and arguably unenviable) title of being "the world's longest city" and is forecast to stretch to 220 kilometres with areas that were once just holiday towns slated for new developments. "I knew urban sprawl was one of the largest issues facing Perth but when I found out it is literally the world's longest city, I thought 'What does this say about us?'," Harry told Yahoo News Australia. ADVERTISEMENT "I knew it was something I should document." Over the course of a couple months, he carried out the difficult task of trying to capture the feeling that urban sprawl creates on the emerging frontier of a city. Perth is considered the world's longest city, and it's showing no signs of slowing down. Source: Harry Cunningham/@Harry.digital "We have beautiful beaches, endless coastline ... but theres always something thats felt disconnected in Perth. Its a very wealthy city but its almost like its missing a lot of soul that you find in other cities around the world," he told Yahoo. The scene with the three 4WDs out the front of a new build is symptomatic of the malady. "We have this urban sprawl and we have to compensate for the distances we have to drive, so we get bigger cars," Harry said. The city is defined by isolation. Not just from the rest of Australia, but increasingly, from other residents. "If you want to meet a friend its half an hour by car," he said. ADVERTISEMENT When he released his photo series titled The World's Longest City and shared the photos online, he received multiple messages from other Perth residents saying they could relate to the unsettling problem he was documenting. It might sound dramatic, but the issue of urban sprawl was even cited in a parliamentary inquiry this month by the director of the Australian Association of Psychologists as a contributing factor to a loneliness epidemic among both younger and older Australians today. Native bush cleared for 'cookie cutter' homes and fake grass One of the striking things in many of the emerging outer suburbs Harry visited was the lack of greenery and tree canopy. "When I went to suburbs like Landsdale or Ellenbrook, I saw mature forests on one side of the fence and on the other where they had been cleared for cookie-cutter homes, with plastic turf front lawns replacing native plants," he said. ADVERTISEMENT "The houses might look nice at first glance, but the suburban design is painfully obvious once you step back and see how disconnected everything is." RELATED: 'Dangerous' problem caused by Perth's continuous urban sprawl According to Trillion Trees Australia, data shows Perth has the least tree canopy of all the Australian cities, and alarmingly, it's actually been declining in recent years. Earlier this year, WA Planning Minister John Carey announced a new 'Urban Greening Strategy' to improve the state's poor tree canopy cover, promising better measurement, reporting and awareness of the issue. Meanwhile the City of Canning Council, located in Perths southeast, is even considering the possibility of providing homeowners with a financial incentive to protect trees on their property. The repetitious nature of the homes and the lack of greenery stood out to Harry. Source: Harry Cunningham/@Harry.digital The photographer noted how you could see inside people's living rooms while you pumped petrol. Source: Harry Cunningham/@Harry.digital There are growing calls for Perth to come to terms with its growing urban sprawl. Source: Harry Cunningham/@Harry.digital Perth's 'out of control' urban sprawl under the spotlight Calls have grown increasingly loud this year for WAs auditor-general to investigate the true cost of continued urban sprawl and the ongoing expense of providing infrastructure to support new housing developments in Perths outer fringe. ADVERTISEMENT Many have pointed to a NSW Productivity Commission report from August last year which found that it costs as much as $75,000 extra in infrastructure costs per home to build in Sydney's outer western suburbs compared to the inner west or CBD. Limnios Property Group managing director James Limnios said it was high time for Perth to face the cost of its own world-beating urban sprawl. "Such a study is long overdue in Perth with our city nearly the geographic size of London despite having a population of just over two million," he told WA Today in June (compared to London's nine million population). "Urban sprawl in Perth is out of control," he said, noting that even though the state government had an infill target of 47 per cent, it was falling dramatically short of that. The North Western corridor of Jindalee has experienced rapid growth with Aussies looking for proximity to the beach, while maintaining a connection to the greater Perth region. Source: Urban Growth Index Calls for more thoughtful city and suburban designs For Harry, he believes the culture around property ownership and city planning needs to change if his home state is going to buck the trend and produce better outcomes for the younger generation. ADVERTISEMENT When his work was shared on a local Perth forum this month, many other locals online agreed, lamenting the city was effectively designed for cars and developers, rather than communities. "Urban sprawl is a cultural blind spot as Australians want a big house and a backyard. People buy into these cheap developments, thinking they're the solution. They love it, and so do the government and developers," Harry told Yahoo. "Its not sustainable, it ruins our environment, it's often ugly, and it doesn't lead to better community outcomes," he argued. "I think this is one of Perths biggest issues but it's hard to see on the ground, which is why I wanted to make it clear in my photos." Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Calling All Genea-Musings Fans: It's Saturday Night Again - Time For Some More Genealogy Fun!! Come on, everybody, join in and accept the mission and execute it with precision. 1) Today's challenge is to answer the question " Who Is the Earliest Ancestor In Your Maternal Family Tree?" 2) Tell us about your earliest maternal ancestor in your family tree on your own blog post, in a comment here, or on your Facebook page. Be sure to leave a link to your report in a comment on this post. [thank you to Linda Stufflebean for suggesting this topic!] Here's mine: AZERBAIJAN: Its a joke: $250bn climate finance offer met with scorn at COP29 Vulnerable nations are seeking $1.3 trillion annually to deal with the damage caused by climate change and to adapt. Negotiations at the COP29 climate conference have extended into overtime after an offer by wealthy countries to provide $250bn a year in climate financing for developing countries was roundly rejected. The presidency of the global talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, released a draft finance deal on Friday, which it insisted was a result of an extensive and inclusive consultation process. Keep reading Mapping the impact of climate change on global displacement UNs Guterres pushes COP29 negotiators to seal deal after draft spurned COP29 negotiators seek climate finance deal as deadline looms It said developed countries would provide $250bn annually by 2035 to developing or poor nations to deal with damage from climate change and to adapt to that change. But the figure, which came as a modest upgrade to the $100bn annual pledge that was agreed 15 years ago and is ending this year, angered many representatives of developing countries who said their rich counterparts are refusing to take responsibility for the climate crisis they have caused. Vulnerable nations are seeking $1.3 trillion annually. The annual two weeks of United Nations climate talks were scheduled to end at 6pm (14:00 GMT) on Friday, but the negotiations were continuing into the evening with little sign of an agreement in sight. Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez, the representative for Panama, described the $250bn offer as outrageous and said it is a spit on the face of vulnerable nations like mine. Similar expressions of indignation, disappointment and concern came from envoys of other countries from across the globe, including some of the island nations that would likely be first to fall victim to rising sea levels and other adverse impacts of climate change. There was also no guarantee that the money, which is expected to be raised by both governments and the private sector, would flow through grants. That could mean more loans that accrue debt for developing countries. Nongovernmental organisations and campaigners were also unhappy with the offer. The Climate Action Network International, a network of 1,900 civil society groups in more than 130 countries, described it as a joke. Some representatives from richer countries signalled they were unwilling to go higher than $250bn while others like Australia described the draft put forward by the Azerbaijani presidency as a genuine attempt. This is not a landing ground yet, but at least were not up in the air without a map, Germanys climate envoy Jennifer Morgan said. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who was back in Azerbaijan after a trip to Brazil, has been trying to push the negotiators to seal a deal. COP29 lead negotiator Yalchin Rafiyev, who is Azerbaijans deputy foreign minister, said the presidency hopes to push for a higher number because the $250bn figure does not correspond to our fair and ambitious goal. The summit is taking place as extreme climate-related phenomena, including floods and storms, are claiming lives, displacing countless people and inflicting damage across the globe. This year is on track to become the hottest on record. The Paris climate agreement in 2015 set a goal to cap rising global temperatures at 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, strengthen climate resilience and ensure financial investments. To read the original news, please click HERE 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 two sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have two dogs: Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel Russo-Ukraine War - 23 November 2024 - Day 1004 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 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 since the beginning of the day, there have been 224 combat clashes, Russian forces launched 37 air strikes using 48 KAB, more than 270 kamikaze drones strikes, and over two thousand shells to positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements using different types of weapons. 13 combat clashes with Russian zagarbnikami took place in the Kharkiv direction. Eleven attacks in the areas of vovcans .k and tihogo vidbili Ukrainian warriors, two more - continue. In the Kupyansky direction, Russian forces tried 12 times to push Ukrainian units out of occupied positions near Glushkivka, Sinkivka, Zagrizovy, Novoplatonivka, Kindrashivka, Sand and Green Grove. Seventeen times, Russian forces attacked in the Lyman direction, trying to advance in the direction of Druzhelyubivka, Tverdohlibovy, Novoyegorivka, Grekivka, Novomikhailivka, Cherneshchyna, Kopanok, Yampolivka and Terniv. To the same time, the enemy carried out aerial strikes with unmanned missiles on the settlement of Tverdohlibove. In the sivers komu direction in the area of bilogorivki, Ukrainian defenders repelled one enemy assault. Assigning aerial strikes with unguided missiles in the Kramatorsky direction, the Russian enemy carried out three attacks on the positions of Ukrainian defenders. The activity of the occupiers was manifested in the areas of Stupochok and Time Yar, all Russian attempts to improve their position were stopped by Ukrainian soldiers. By launching air strikes on Toretsk, Nelipivtsi, Katerinivtsi and Ivanopil, Russian forces twice tried to infiltrate Ukrainian defense in the Toretsk direction in the area of the settlement of Toretsk. Intensely attacks the enemy of Ukrainian defenders in the Pokrovsky direction. Here, during the day, the Russian aggressor committed 55 offensive actions. The largest activity of the Russian occupiers is kept in the areas of Rumin, Lisivka, Krutiy Yar, Mirnograd, Grigorivka, Myrolyubivka, Dachenskie, Zhovte, Pushkine, Petrivka and Pustinka. In total, 49 attacks in the direction of Ukrainian defenders have already been repelled, six more clashes continue. The situation is complicated, but controlled by the Defense Forces. Ukrainian soldiers are making efforts to prevent the advancement of the Russian opponent into the depths of Ukrainian territory. According to the information available at this time, 167 people have been killed and injured as of today's Russian aggressor loss in this direction. Destroyed two armored transporters, one infantry fighting machine, two units of car equipment. In addition, three anti-enemy infantry fighting vehicles were damaged. In the Kurakhiv direction at this time of the day there are 47 combat clashes. Russian zagarbniki maintain high activity, trying to advance in the areas of Berestkiv, Dalnyi, Romanivka, Sontsivka, Zory, Novodmitrivka, Kurakhovogo, Katerynivka and Antonivka. Russian forces caused aviation strikes controlled air bombs in the areas of dachnogo, romanivka and ulakliv. In this direction, the opponent lost 64 persons killed and injured. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed one tank, one engine unit and six blinders, significantly damaged two armored enemy infantry vehicles. Twenty-five boezitknen took place in the Vremivs komu direction. All enemies of assaults are stopped in the areas of Velika Novosilka, Novodarivka, Trudovogo, Dry Yaliv, Rozdolny, Konstantinopil sky and Rivnopil. In the direction of Gulyajpils komu, Russian forces did not perform active actions. The settlements Temirivka and Zelene Pole in the Orihivsky direction were bombarded by six controlled aviation bombs. In the Pridniprovsk direction, Ukrainian soldiers five times repelled attacks of Russian zagarbnikiv on the position of Ukrainian army. In other directions, there have been no significant changes in the environment. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that The Sever Group of Forces in Kharkov direction engaged formations of 43rd Mechanised Brigade, 57th Motorised Infantry Brigade, and 95th Air Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Volchansk, Liptsy (Kharkov region), and Kharkov. The AFU losses amounted to up to 40 troops, an armoured personnel carrier, two motor vehicles, a 152-mm D-20 gun, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer. Units of the Zapad Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops engaged 14th, 60th, 67th mechanised brigades, 115th Territorial Defence Brigade, and 27th National Guard Brigade near Kucherovka, Novoosinovo, Senkovo (Kharkov region) and Ivanovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 410 troops, two armoured personnel carriers, five motor vehicles, a U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, two 122-mm D-30 howitzers, a 120-mm Nona self-propelled artillery system, an Italian-made 105-mm Melara Mod 56 howitzer, and a 100-mm Rapira anti-tank gun. Two Anklav-N electronic warfare stations, a U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery control station, and four field ammunition depot were eliminated. The Yug Group of Forces continued advancing to the depth of enemy defences. Russian units hit 24th, 54th, 56th mechanised brigades, 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade, and 81st Airmobile Brigade near Chasov Yar, Orekhovo-Vasilyevka, Seversk, Kramatorsk, and Grigorovka (Donetsk People's Republic). One counter-attack launched by an AFU assault detachment was repelled. The AFU losses amounted to up to 490 troops, a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, five motor vehicles, a Croatian-made RAK-SA-12 MLRS, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two U.S.-made 105-mm M119 howitzer. One ammunition depot was wiped out. The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. Russian forces hit 23rd, 100th, 132nd mechanised brigades, 152nd Infantry Brigade of the AFU, 109th, and 111th territorial defence brigades near Shcherbinovka, Dzerzhinsk, Shevchenko, Druzhba, Yablonovka, and Sukhaya Balka (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled. The AFU losses amounted to more than 400 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, two motor vehicles, a 152-mm D-20 gun, a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers. A U.S.-made AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery warfare station was eliminated. The Vostok Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian formations engaged 32nd Mechanised Brigade, 113th, 118th, 127th, and 241st territorial defence brigades near Volnoye Pole, Razliv, Oktyabr, and Novy Komar (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 troops, three tanks, two of them are German-made Leopard tanks, six motor vehicles, a 122-mm Grad MLRS, a U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, and an Anklav electronic warfare station. The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces damaged manpower and hardware of 110th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU, 103rd, 118th territorial defence brigades, and 15th National Guard Brigade near Novopavlovka, Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region) and Kazatskoye (Kherson region). The AFU losses amounted to more than 40 troops, four motor vehicles, Bukovel-AD and Anklav-N electronic warfare stations. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the infrastructure of military airfields, as well as clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 149 areas. One MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force was neutralised on the ground. Air defence systems shot down three French-made Hammer guided aerial bombs, eight U.S.-made HIMARS projectiles, and 59 aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 649 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 36,559 unmanned aerial vehicles, 586 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,491 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,492 MLRS combat vehicles, 18,405 field artillery guns and mortars, and 28,661 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region. The units of the Sever Group of Forces Group of Forces engaged formations of 41st, 47th, and 115th mechanised brigades, 5th, 17th tank brigades, 82nd Air Assault Brigade, 36th Marines Brigade, 112th, 117th, and 129th territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Aleksandria, Gornal, Daryino, Kruglenkoye, Leonidovka, Mirny, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryno, Novoivanovka, Plyokhov, and Sverdlikovo. Operational-Tactical and Army aviation and artillery inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and hardware near Aleksandria, Viktorovka, Guyevo, Daryino, Zelyony Shlyakh, Kazachaya Loknya, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Malaya Loknya, Martynovka, Melovy, Nikolayevka, Nikolsky, Staraya Sorochina, Sudzha, Cherkasskoye Porechnoye, as well as Basovka, Belovody, Zhuravka, Loknya, Miropolye, and Yunakovka in the Sumy region. The AFU losses were over 360 troops during the day. Russian troops destroyed two armoured fighting vehicles, German-made Marder and Swedish-made CV-90 combat vehicles, two armoured fighting vehicles, 25 motor vehicles, three artillery guns, eight mortars, and two electronic warfare stations. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses amounted to more than 35,050 troops, 215 tanks, 149 infantry fighting vehicles, 120 armoured personnel carriers, 1,192 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,017 motor vehicles, 300 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 70 EW stations, 13 counter-battery warfare radars, four air defence radars, 27 units of engineering and other materiel, including 13 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, six armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Washington, D.C., New York and Boston are witnessing the end of sprawl -- and several other cities may soon join them, according to advocates who studied job centers in pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods.This is a major change in how we build the country, said Christopher Leinberger, one of the researchers who surveyed the countrys most populous 30 metropolitan areas. The shift from car-friendly suburbs to foot-friendly urban areas is as significant, he said, as the closing of the American frontier in the 1890s.One indicator of that change is the development of pedestrian-friendly city centers in the suburbs, said Leinberger and fellow George Washington University real estate professor Patrick Lynch.That is true in the Virginia and Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., where office buildings and condos crowd around Metro subway stations. A sprawling suburban shopping complex known as Tysons is even trying to free itself from car-dependency with the help of new parks, trails and four Metro stations.In fact, nearly half of the walkable office or retail space in Washingtons metro area is located outside of the central city, the researchers found.But the spread of walkable urban spaces to the suburbs is happening in less likely places, too, like Birmingham, outside of Detroit and Pasadena near Los Angeles.Were seeing a lot of suburban office parks are really struggling today, because companies are wanting to attract new employees, said Rod Lawrence, a partner with JBG Companies, a major developer in the D.C. market. New employees want to be in these walkable urban places where they can walk out and have lunch options.The suburban development of walkable neighborhoods blur the distinction between urban and suburban regions, the professors wrote in a report released today. The report was backed by Locus, a group of real estate developers who focus on pedestrian-friendly projects, and Smart Growth America.New development patterns suggest this old dichotomy is less meaningful today. Now, the only reason to use the old dichotomy is to show how far we have moved beyond it, the professors said.To get a better sense of the changes, the researchers ranked metro areas based on how likely it is that people could get to their jobs or go shopping on foot. Washington, D.C., came out first, with 43 percent of its office and retail space in walkable areas. New York (38 percent walkable), Boston (36 percent), San Francisco (30 percent), Chicago (29 percent) and Seattle (27 percent) have the next-highest rates.The order could shift dramatically in coming years, the researchers said, after looking at how much extra landlords charged for rental space in walkable areas and other indicators of potential growth.Boston could overtake Washington, D.C., they predicted. Cities such as Miami, Atlanta, Detroit and Denver would climb. Chicago could drop below Tampa, Los Angeles and Houston, because the Windy Citys suburbs largely have not embraced walkable development.Some of the resistance to pedestrian-friendly development in Chicagos suburbs could be attributed to its balkanized system of local government, the researchers suggested. The Chicago area has 388 local jurisdictions controlling land use, compared to just seven in the Washington area.Many of the cities expected to add the most walkable commercial space are also adding more transit options. Los Angeles is rapidly expanding its subway; Atlanta is planning a system of streetcars and light rail; and cities such as Phoenix and Houston are adding or expanding light rail.Advocates say interest among public officials in building walkable neighborhoods has accelerated over the last decade.What the political leaders are seeing is that this can be much more efficient model for growth and much more efficient for their tax base. They use less land. They get more out of their infrastructure, said Lawrence, the Washington-area developer.A significant downside, though, is the lack of affordable housing that often results from these projects, cautioned Leinberger, the professor. In our country, our unofficial affordable housing strategy has been Drive til you qualify. That does not work in an urban environment. Mayors and county officials have two tough missions as they lobby Congress on transportation.First, they want federal lawmakers to find an elusive source of new money so that federal highway and transit funding does not dry up.Second, they want Congress to revisit changes it made two years ago in how that money is divvied up. Local leaders say the changes, instituted under the law called MAP-21, disproportionately hit cities and counties. Under the law, Congress not only cut money available for local roads, it also gave local leaders less say in deciding how federal money should be spent by putting states in charge of more of those decisions.Now that the law is about to expire, localities hope Congress will require states to coordinate with local officials when deciding how to spend the money.We want to be partners with our governors, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed told a U.S. House panel earlier this year. We understand that will mean being junior partners. But wed like to have a seat at the table to ensure that cities have a voice as well.The 2012 federal law put more money toward big highways and less toward local roads. It cut money for bridges and roads that are not part of the National Highway System by 30 percent. Local governments own more than half of those smaller roads. The law also gives states a greater role in determining how to spend federal money on everything from run-down bridges to bike lanes and sidewalks.Chris Abele, the county executive of Wisconsins Milwaukee County, said this week that the current funding system is like federal and state officials passing an envelope full of taxpayer money for transportation along a line, with localities at the end. Sometimes, by the time the envelope gets to us, theres nothing left, he said.Local officials, especially those from urban areas, worry that their top priorities could be lost or ignored at the statewide level.Many of the legislators are in rural counties (and have) different needs, different visions, said Sharon Barnes Sutton, a commissioner from Georgias DeKalb County. (Theyre) very heavily invested in pavement, and not considering transit-oriented projects in the metropolitan areas.Tony Dorsey, a spokesman for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, declined to comment on the localities push for more control of transportation spending.Despite years of discussion, there is no consensus in Congress on where to find extra money for transportation. The idea of raising the federal gas tax which has been at 18.4 cents a gallon since 1993 is politically toxic on Capitol Hill. Other proposals to pay for infrastructure with corporate taxes or general funds also have not gained much traction.While funding debates have stalled at the national level, many counties have raised property or sales taxes to pay for transportation improvements. Some states prevent localities from doing so.Either way, residents get frustrated when they do not see their state and federal taxes return to their neighborhoods, said Commissioner Sallie Clark of El Paso County in Colorado. Theyre already paying income tax. Theyre already paying gas taxes. What theyre saying is: Why isnt a fair share coming back to us?But if Congress were to find money, there is a chance it might reconsider how the funds are allocated. Two members of the U.S. Houses Transportation and Infrastructure Committee are sponsoring legislation that would require states to set aside a portion of the federal transportation money they receive for competitive grants, for which localities could compete.David Goldberg, a spokesman for Transportation for America, which supports greater local involvement in transportation decisions, said that approach would allow the federal government to set national priorities. Then states and localities could decide which projects best meet those national goals.That way, cities and states could focus on spurring economic development, creating links between different modes of transportation or attracting private money to a project, rather than simply just building and maintaining highways, Goldberg said.Were not saying local communities would get unilateral control over a state highway. We are saying there has to be more acknowledgement of the needs of localities, he said.The competitive grants would be similar to the federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (or TIGER ) grants, first created under the 2009 stimulus law. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $4.1 billion to more than 200 projects under the program, but demand has been far higher. In the most recent round, for example, the agency received $9.5 billion in proposals for $600 million in funding.Localities can apply directly for the grants, which have been used to help build light rail between Minneapolis and St. Paul; improve pedestrian safety in and around Ft. Myers, Florida; and increase the capacity of the port in Wilmington, Delaware. Escape from Ghana - Occasional Kwatriot Kwesi Yankah writes Kwesi Yankah Opinion Nov - 24 - 2024 , 15:48 3 minutes read The past week found me shivering in the freezing temperatures of Scotland; far above the cold on Kwahu mountains which is sometimes blamed for rapid population growth. Aberdeen cold was higher, and hit so hard you were compelled to frequently touch your ears to ensure they have not been nibbled by rodents. Hello my ears, are you still there, I asked myself in Aberdeen. But putting Ghana behind you in November 2024 may be for good reasons. The dreaded voting was three weeks away, and you may have joined large droves of Ogyakromians heading towards London with one-way tickets. With rising election heat at home, what about a freezing cold experience elsewhere? It was not surprising the Accra to London Flight BA 078 was jammed that Saturday night with no empty seats, not even for lizards. Advertisement Rather than steal glances at mammoth crowds in Kumbungu on social media, why not distance Ghana and tell your doctor your blood pressure returned to normal as soon as the flight touched down at Heathrow? Besides intimidating crowds pulled by rival parties, the worst offenders are the so-called pollsters, who wake up hallucinating on lotto numbers, but compel an entire Ashanti region to sleep on empty stomachs, only because they saw on TV the face of Global Analytics? How a single face on TV, can induce curfew in Ashanti is yet be to be explained. But my visit to Aberdeen had nothing to do with Global Analytics whose critics hope the dreadful pollster does not apply for the position of Electoral Commissioner before December 7. The University of Aberdeen having heard of noises made by Yours Truly, invited me to appear on the annual distinguished speaker platform of Elphinstone Institute, to commemorate through a lecture the work of a great ballad scholar, David Buchan who established the Institute. With my interest in language, rhetoric and ethnography of communication, I decided on a theme I had quietly investigated since the HIV/AIDS outbreak of mid 1980s, followed recently by COVID-19. The lecture attracted a wide variety of scholars from communication, folklore, language and the medical sciences. It was also streamed live on Zoom and Youtube. But my one-week flash also enabled me to dialog with graduate students and faculty of the Elphinstone Institute, and meet the Principal of the University to explore future collaboration with Ghanaian universities. I ended this all with a meeting with Ghanaian students of University of Aberdeen on issues about their progress, welfare, and life after graduation. How else can I extend appreciation to the Elphinstone Institute for a great honor and warm hospitality. Let me mention Nick Le Bigre, Frances Wilkins, Allison Sharman of the Institute, but also my Ghanaian pal Michael Okyere who gave me all support needed. What a temporary escape from December 7! My return Flight from Heathrow to Accra was similarly jammed. From various whispers and color codes encountered, I realized passengers had mostly arrived to cast their votes early morning, 7th December. They would then return to Europe with the next available Flight, only to be surprised that December 7th has been the most peaceful in Ghanas electoral history. kyankah@ashesi.edu.gh Prophet, 3 others in court for attempted murder, causing harm Alberto Mario Noretti Nov - 24 - 2024 , 11:04 2 minutes read A self-styled prophet and three other men, said to have inflicted multiple cutlass wounds on a driver, mutilated his genitals, hit him with rods and clubs and then tied him to a vehicle which was driven for well over 500 metres with his body dragging on the tarred road have been arraigned at the Ho District Magistrate Court. The accused persons are Abraham Kwami Atidama, 30, an auto-electrician; Francis Atsu Adzasu, 24; auto-electrician; Patrick Agbeshie, 39, auto-mechanic; and Johnson Togoe, 49, auto-mechanic and prophet. They were arraigned before the court on Thursday (Nov 21, 2024), charged with causing harm and attempted to murder. Their pleas were not taken. Police Sergeant Kwadwo Otibu-Gyan, told the court presided over by Albert Anno-Owusu that the incident took place on August 11, 2024 along the road between Ho and Adaklu- Kodzobi. Advertisement The prosecution said the accused persons finally dumped their victim in a nearby bush. Miraculously, however, the victim (name withheld) survived the ordeal, the court heard. The prosecution said the victim, who was a driver, was returning from Ho to Adaklu-Kodzobi at about 1:00 am on a motorbike when he had a flat tyre. He then managed to push the bike to the nearest mechanic workshop where the accused persons, except the prophet worked, hoping to have the fault repaired, the court heard. On reaching the workshop, however, the first accused emerged from nowhere with a cutlass and slashed the forehead of the victim, whose loud cry attracted some people to the scene, said the prosecution. As if that was not enough, the first accused then shouted thief, thief, before he was joined by the other accused persons to subject the victim to more physical torture with metal rods, cutlasses and other implements. Not satisfied, the prosecution said, the accused persons then tied both legs and arms of their victim before tying him to the rear of their Mazda vehicle, with registration number, GT 2408-Q, which was driven by the third accused from the Ho GETFund Hostel to SSNIT Flats Junction, during which the victim screamed in agony before finally falling unconscious. It was there that the third accused threw the victim into the bush. The court heard that the victims forehead, buttocks, cheeks, chest, arms legs and genitals were terribly maimed during the horrific ordeal he suffered at the hands of the accused persons. Later, some compassionate members of the public rushed the victim, who was bleeding profusely, to the Ho Teaching Hospital. The prosecution said the accused persons were arrested in an operation on November 14 and November 15, 2024. The court was told the accused persons admitted the offences in their police caution statements. They have since been remanded in prison custody and the case has been adjourned to December 12, 2024. First Lady inaugurates CHPS compound for Gboloo Kofi Rebecca Quaicoe Duho Health Nov - 24 - 2024 , 16:28 2 minutes read The First Lady, Rebecca Akufo-Addo on Friday inaugurated a Community-based Health Planning Services (CHPS) compound for residents of Gboloo Kofi in the Akuapem North Constituency of the Eastern Region. The facility, constructed with funding support from the Infanta Malaria Prevention Foundation (IMPF) is to promote access to quality and equitable healthcare services as part of efforts to achieve universal health coverage (UHC) in country. Fitted with an out-patient department, a labour ward, laboratory, pharmacy and consulting rooms, the CHPS compound is expected to serve the about 30,000 inhabitants within the sub-district. Inauguration Inaugurating the health centre which brought together traditional rulers, health officials within the regional and district directorate, development partners and scores of party faithfuls, the First Lady said the idea to construct a CHPS compound for Gboloo Kofi was to improve general health outcomes at the primary level of care. Advertisement She said some few years ago, Infanta Malaria Foundation decided to invest in CHPS to improve health outcomes especially for women and children to specifically help reduce malaria prevalence and deaths, specificaly for pregnant women and children as means of achieving the UHC goal. Mrs Akufo-Addo expressed confidence that the inaugurated CHPS compund would help ease pressure on the three already existing health centres that served the entire sub-district. As we are all aware, CHPS compounds promote access to quality and equitable healthcare services to all Ghanaians, particularly those in rural and deprived communities and the Gboloo Kofi CHPS will ease the pressure on the three centres that serves the over 30,000 residents of this area which creates pressure on these health facilities, limiting care for many women and children. The First Lady entreated management of the District Health Directorate and health staff to take good care of the facility and its equipment, snd also urged the residents to patronise the services provided at the centre. Internet access The New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary aspirant for the area, Sammy Awuku pledged to further complement the efforts of the First Lady and the IMPF by ensuring 24 hour security as well as internet access at the facility to facilitate service delivery. When I become the MP for this area, it is on my heart to institute an award scheme for health workers who work in rural areas like Gboloo Kofi to motivate them. With support from our flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, we will continue the good works of President Akuffo-Addo to make life more comfortable for Ghanaians, he assured. Nene Teye Gbolooo III, Odikro of Gboloo Kofi, expressed gratitude to the First Lady and the IMPF, stressing the timeliness of the centre to advance healthcare delivery in the area. Writer's email: rebecca.quaicoe@graphic.com.gh Leukemia patient: Ibrahim Mahama flies 10-year-old Lisa Laryea to South Africa for $110,000 treatment Graphic.com.gh Health Nov - 24 - 2024 , 16:09 2 minutes read A 10-year-old student whose battle with leukemia has touched the hearts of many has received assistance from businessman Ibrahim Mahama to undergo a $110,000 treatment in South Africa. Lisa Laryea, together with her mother have been flown to South Africa for the treatment. They left Accra on Sunday [Nov 24, 2024] Leukemia is cancer of the body's blood-forming tissues, including the bone marrow and the lymphatic system. It is a malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leucocytes. These suppress the production of normal blood cells, leading to anaemia and other symptoms. Lisa Laryea was on admission at the Greater Accra Regional Hospital [Ridge]. Advertisement Aside paying for the $110,000 cost for the treatment, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama personally ensured that Lisa, accompanied by her mother were flown to South Africa via an emergency charted Air Ambulance. "When we learned about Lisa's condition on social media, we knew we had to step in and help. Every child deserves the opportunity to live a healthy and happy life. When it comes to saving human life, our father and boss, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama doesnt consider the cost. He has unlimited empathy towards humanity. He gives the instructions to everyone and we work to make sure we get the job done properly. Because the flight was 6am scheduled chartered flight, I got to the Ridge hospital at 3am today, we wanted to make sure we get everything done properly, with regards to conveying Lisa from the hospital to the airport. The Doctors are on standby in South Africa. By Gods grace, Lisa ll come back stronger," an aide to Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, Rafik Mahama explained. The young girl's mother, overwhelmed with emotion, expressed her deep gratitude to Mr. Ibrahim Mahama. She said they never imagined that someone of his stature would care so deeply about our daughters health. He has given Melissa the gift of hope, and we will be forever grateful, she said. China-US relationship. Illustration: Liu Rui/GT (Global Times) In the latest response to the absence of a meeting between Chinese and US defense ministers on the sidelines of the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), Wu Qian, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said the responsibility lies entirely with the US side. Wu said the US cannot undermine China's core interests by selling arms to Taiwan island on the one hand while pretending that nothing happened and seeking to engage in military exchanges with China on the other. He urged the US to immediately correct its mistakes, earnestly respect China's core interests, and create favorable conditions for high-level military exchanges between the two sides. Previously, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin complained about the Chinese side's refusal to meet with its defense official, expressing "regret" and saying that "it was unfortunate" and "is a setback for the whole region." The US perhaps knows better than anyone else why the Chinese side "refused to meet with its official." Just last month, the US Department of Defense approved $2 billion in arms sales to the island of Taiwan. This, the largest arms sale to the island under the Joe Biden administration, includes weapons, such as advanced surface-to-air missile defense systems and radar systems. Many US media outlets have noted that the missile defense system "has been battle-tested in Ukraine" - what that means is self-explanatory. China has repeatedly made it clear to the US that the Taiwan question is the first red line that must not be crossed in China-US relations. Despite this, the Pentagon insisted on standing on the periphery of China's red line and continuing to provoke China, instead of creating the conditions for dialogue. Some people in the US even act innocent: They talk about "dialogue," but what they do is create a "communication" in the sense of "I can hit you but you can't hit me back." China will never tolerate such behavior. Since the beginning of this year, the defense ministers of China and the US have had face-to-face communication, while the China-US Defense Policy Coordination Talks, the working group meeting of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement and the theatre-level commander talks have resumed one after another. If the US side really is trying to blame "China's lack of willingness to communicate," how can these interactions be explained? On the one hand, the US continues to undermine China's interests, creating trouble regarding the Taiwan question and the South China Sea issue. On the other hand, it emphasizes the so-called "crisis management" by presenting itself as "responsible" - It claims it seeks dialogue with the Chinese side, but still publicly shifts the blame to China and gives it the label of being "unwilling to communicate." This type of performance was quite a failure, and the fact that almost no regional country has responded to such an "awkward performance" from Austin actually says it all. This is not the first time that this kind of manipulation has occurred, and its purpose has long been clear to the international community. During this meeting, China's proposals, such as "building a closer security community," were widely welcomed by participating countries, with many seeking dialogues with China. In recent days, China has held discussions with defense officials from Malaysia, Thailand, India, Japan, and others. Notably, after the much-anticipated China-India defense ministers' meeting, India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the talks as "extremely productive" on social media, stating that both sides "agreed to work together towards a roadmap for rebuilding mutual trust and understanding." During the 14th China-ASEAN Defense Ministers' Informal Meeting, ASEAN countries also expressed their desire to further enhance pragmatic security cooperation with China. A Global Times editorial last year remarked that China's diplomacy is very busy and has no time to receive insincere people. The current situation is no different. The critical importance of military dialogue in China-US relations is undeniable and is often referred to as the last "safety valve" between the two nations. The purpose of such dialogue is to promote cooperation, build trust and resolve misunderstandings. China has consistently advocated addressing issues through dialogue on the basis of mutual respect and has followed through with this approach. Why, then, can so many countries successfully engage in talks with China's defense minister, while the US cannot? Shouldn't this prompt some serious reflection on the part of the US? We hope the US can tone down its "awkward performances" and focus more energy and effort on genuinely advancing regional peace and stability. What truly constitutes the region's well-being, and what represents its setbacks? At the 11th ADMM-Plus, the Chinese side called for the firm consolidation of ASEAN centrality and support for the improvement and upgrading of the existing cooperation framework, opposing "starting all over again" or creating "small circles"; we should firmly maintain the unity of regional countries and oppose the introduction of bloc politics and camp confrontation into the region; we are firmly committed to resolving issues through dialogues, and oppose provoking disputes, resorting to force, ganging up or even soliciting external forces. This reflects the common aspirations of countries in the region. Regional nations can clearly see who is sincerely contributing to peace and who is promoting division and confrontation in the name of peace. Corrections and clarifications: This story has been updated to reflect that the total area of potential land condemnations is 42 acres. Other information was previously provided by the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority. The Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority could condemn about 42 acres of land in Mangilao for the site of a new hospital and medical complex, but at least one of the landowners involved says hes prepared to sue if his property is taken through eminent domain. GHURAs board of commissioners on Nov. 26 will decide whether to approve the condemnation of seven different parcels of land in Mangilao. The seven properties are next door to a 48-acre parcel meant for the hospital that GHURA announced the acquisition of last month. Two of the parcels considered for condemnation are owned by veterinarian Dr. Joel Joseph of Wise Owl Animal Hospital. Five are owned by Hong Yi Tian, Inc., a licensed general contractor, according to property tax rolls and GHURA Deputy Director Fernando Esteves. Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero on Friday stressed that Guam law requires the landowners to be compensated at fair market value or with a property exchange, but deferred to GHURA for the details of the negotiations. In order for us to provide more space for our medical complex and to also move towards our vision of assisted living senior centers, maybe even a veterans assisted living living area we need more land space, she said. The governor said there were many discussions of how to move the project forward. Were not taking this lightly, Esteves said of the move. Weve made offers from the appraised value up to the max we could offer without abandoning our fiduciary responsibility. And we couldnt come to terms on a voluntary sale. Total land area sought was about 54 acres, Esteves said. A full presentation justifying the need for the land will be made at Tuesdays meeting, he said, and the final decision will be left to the GHURA board. The taking will bring the property, which sits off Route 15, up to about the 100 acres envisioned for the hospital, he said. Landowner says offer unfair But landowner Joseph said he does not believe the government gave him a fair offer on the property, before moving to condemn it. Joseph said hes invested a large amount of resources over more than a decade. Its supposed to be my retirement, he said. Joseph said hes prepared to take the government to court if he is not justly compensated for the land. The veterinarian said he was only contacted by GHURAs land agent about six weeks ago, a timeline Esteves corroborated. Meanwhile, Ive got half a million dollars of equipment sitting there (and) construction supplies, Joseph said. He said he was basically ready to start construction on several projects on the land, and has cleared building plans with the Department of Public Works. A new house, potentially a veterinary clinic, and a special pet crematorium with a cemetery and chapel were all planned for the land before GHURA moved to condemn it, he said. He said he went through the effort of getting all of the property rezoned, and has a $210,000 specialized cremation unit, called an aquamation unit sitting in his yard. Joseph said he refused an initial purchase offer of $1.3 million for his propertiesseven acres on either side of the backroad to Andersen Air Force Base. At that price, as soon as I pay capital gains taxes, Ive lost money, Joseph said. A final purchase offer was $4.2 million, before GHURA turned to eminent domain, he said. The landowner said he has his own land appraisal in the process, but it wouldnt be done until after the new year. Tax rolls list the value of each of the veterinarians properties at about $1 million. But Joseph said he paid that much money over a decade ago for the land, and that he believed the new hospital project alone would drive the value of the properties up. He said hes willing to sell the properties for at least $6 million, with an allowance for him to keep 1 acre. The other landowner facing possible condemnation, Hong Yi Tian Inc., could not be reached Friday. A phone number listed with the Contractors License Board went straight to voicemail. Fair market value However, Esteves said the government had offered a fair price for the land. Theres his perceived value, and then theres the market value. Unfortunately, we cant do anything about his perceived value, Esteves said of Joseph. We dont just come up with, make up a number...we base our acquisitions based on the appraisal value, which is the market value, and its done by a certified appraiser, he said. Josephs appraisers would likely return the same value as GHURAs, Esteves said. Theres only one other commercial appraiser on Guam, and they follow the same standards, he added. GHURA legally could not offer Joseph more money than it had put forth, as regulations capped the purchase at fair market value plus another 10% of the value, he said. The purchase will be made using federal American Rescue Plan funds. I think hes under the impression that because were building a hospital there, his property is worth a trillion dollars, Esteves said. Thats just not the case, and we cant justify that to the feds. The GHURA deputy director said federal regulations prevented the appraisal of a piece of land from factoring in the possibility of the government project that the land was being acquired for. Unfortunate or stupid Its just unfortunate weve gotten to this point, Esteves said. At the end of the day, this hospital and medical complex is going to be a benefit for the entire community. This is why these powers exist. Housing areas in Sinajana, Asan, and Yona had all relied on the use of eminent domain and community planning to set up easements, utilities, sidewalks, and community space, he said. Its given opportunities to families to grow, and build, and communities to flourish, Esteves said. The new hospital would be a replacement for the only public facility on the island, he noted. Leon Guerrero said the government had been fair. We dont just condemn lands just to condemn lands. We do eminent domain in areas that we need access to homes, also if there is a public service that needs to happen thats very critical to livelihood of our people, she said. Joseph called the condemnation stupid. The veterinarian said he had purchased the properties after the government of Guam returned it to ancestral landowners. They gave it back, and now theyre buying it back. What a stupid freaking government is this, he said. You have your own land. You couldnt do it on Eagles Field because you couldnt get your...together, and now you want to take my property. The veterinarian is no stranger to the courtroom. He successfully spent years fighting a 2011 suspension of his controlled substance registration license and a suspension of his veterinary license by the local licensing board. He then took several government employees to court for allegedly denying him due process throughout the ordeal, though it ended with a not guilty verdict in 2021. If they drag this out in court, they take me to court, our best guess is four more years. They want their hospital built right away, Joseph said. The law is the law. Hes free to do whatever he believes he needs to do, Esteves said of the threat of a lawsuit. Leon Guerrero has set a target of breaking ground on the hospital by 2025. Nearly five years after the public Hagatna pool was closed for health code violations related to its water quality, a renovation project for the pool has finally gone out to bid. An invitation for bidders on the project went out Wednesday, and will be open for 60 days, according to Department of Public Works Director Vince Arriola. DPW is handling the renovation. Im sure were going to get a couple contractors coming after that project, which is good. We want that, Arriola said. Designs for the upgrade include repairs to the main pool, a new childrens pool, new water filtration and chlorination system, and new canopies and bleacher seats with storage, the Office of the Governor announced last November. Total construction time is about a year, Arriola said Friday. But he wouldnt put a definite date on just when the first swimmer will be back into the water at the pool. Opening time will depend on how quickly DPW can get a contractor to break ground on the pool upgrades. We have the bid we got to review that contractual stuff. And, you know, the government procurement process takes long, Arriola said. Beyond that, there are all the uncertainties of construction to think about, he added. All kinds of things could happen, because were still having supply and production issues for materials, supplies and stuff like that, the DPW director said. Pumps, pipes, engine pumps, chlorination systems and other equipment related to the pool are very specialized and take a long time to obtain, according to Arriola. With all that in mind, its possible the pool could be open by the summer of 2026, he said. The Hagatna pool was shut down by the Department of Public Health and Social services on Jan. 17, 2020 because of problems with chlorine levels and the presence of coliform bacteria, Pacific Daily News files show. Parents of young swimmers and adults using the pool reported getting very sick from the pool, in letters of concern sent to the Guam Legislature that month. It was later found that the contract to maintain the pool did not meet local Public Health standards. The pool was the only public, Olympic-sized swimming pool on the island prior to its shutdown, and was host to a number of swimming programs for youths, adults, and the elderly. Plans to reopen the pool were abandoned for a time over government cost concerns, and at one point, construction of a replacement in Dededo was floated. Ultimately, plans to reopen the pool were revived, and designs for the upgrade reached 60% complete as of last November, PDN files show. Implementing a conversion from a wholesale gross receipts tax to a retail sales tax will be one of the top priorities of the incoming Republican legislative majority, according to Sen. Chris Duenas, the newly announced chairman of the 38th Legislatures appropriations committee. Definitely tax relief is something the Republicans ran on and were going to have to implement in some form or fashion, Duenas said. In a Friday interview with the Pacific Daily News, Duenas said he expects a bill will be introduced and a hearing will be held on it right away. We need to put it on the table, he said. I think this is gonna be an intense discussion and something that we need to have and that we havent had in order to make this conversion. He said its really tough for people to understand that when the business privilege tax was rolled back, the prices didnt go down. (Businesses) also feel the complaints of when the taxes go down and customers complain how come your prices havent, the senator added. Duenas said it would be more transparent for consumers if Guam converted from a hidden gross receipts tax to a sales tax that they will be seeing it on their receipts. We have leakage of tax revenue and there are other areas where leveling the playing field is needed, he added. Duenas said tax relief will probably be a larger conversation than just a simple rollback. I think the policy, overall, were looking to reform, he said. The incoming appropriations committee chairman also said he plans to hold agencies more accountable for their spending, and will make sure that the priorities are addressed first. We have a very big task ahead of us, but were ready to go, Duenas said. My intention is to convene the (budget) hearings much earlier. Duenas said he will insist that an audit hearing on agency budgets will precede their budget hearings, and he recently met with Public Auditor Benjamin Cruz who was extremely excited this will be my approach. (Cruz) is a firm believer in the audits predicating the budget process, Duenas said. He added that the audits will tell the real story on how moneys being spent. Im really hoping that the GovGuam wide audit will be ready by June like its supposed to, but thats gonna take some heavy lifting, Duenas said. Duenas said his committee will maintain the Legislatures posture over the last four or five budgets of being conservative. He credited the Legislatures Office of Finance and Budget for what has resulted in GovGuam ending the past few fiscal years with millions of dollars in excess revenue over adopted levels. Duenas said his bottom line is to make sure that agency priorities are funded at the levels that they need, especially public education, public safety and health care. In addition to Duenas, the Republican majority also announced other committees and their chairpersons for the 38th Legislature: Committee on Rules: Sen.-elect V. Anthony Ada Committee on Health and Veterans Affairs: Sen.-elect Sabrina Salas-Matanane Committee on Public Safety and Emergency Management: Sen.-elect Shawn Gumataotao Committee on Education, Communications, and Public Broadcasting, Chair: Sen.-elect Vincent A.V. Borja Committee on Child Welfare, Youth Affairs, Senior Citizens, Womens Affairs, Disability Services, the Arts, Culture, Historic Preservation, and Hagatna Restoration: Sen.-elect Shelly V. Calvo Committee on Transportation, Tourism, Customs, Federal and Foreign Affairs, Utilities, and Infrastructure: Sen. Jesse A. Lujan Committee on Economic Investment, Military Buildup, Regional Relations, Retirement, Regulatory Affairs, Technology, and Justice, Chair: Sen. Telo T. Taitague Committee on Land, Housing, Environment, Agriculture, and Parks, Chair: Sen.-elect Anthony Ada The Republicans also announced that Speaker-elect Frank Blas Jr. will be a voting member in every committee. The committee chairs will announce their committee members at a later date. Trader Joes stores will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving. All of the grocers locations will be closed so that Crew Members can spend Thanksgiving with family and friends, according to an announcement on the Trader Joes website. If you havent decided where youre buying your turkey yet or want to spice up your holiday sides, consider trying Trader Joes offerings. The companys Thanksgiving items include turkey, cornbread stuffing mix, gluten-free turkey gravy, cranberry orange relish and Nantucket style cranberry pie. You can refer to Trader Joes Fearless Flyer Thanksgiving Guide for featured products, cooking tips, recipes and more. Trader Joes has 564 stores across 42 states, including 21 stores in Texas, 25 in Florida and two in Louisiana. Just in case you do need to run out to the grocery store for last-minute items on Thanksgiving Day, several stores will be open. Here are their hours on Thursday, Nov. 28: H-E-B H-E-B stores will be open 6 a.m.-12 p.m. on Thanksgiving, according to the holiday hours page on the companys website. H-E-B pharmacies will be closed for the holiday. Curbside will be open 7-11 a.m. and home delivery will be available 7-10 a.m. Central Market Central Market stores will be open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. Contact your local store to verify hours. Kroger All Kroger stores will close at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, according to the companys website. Kroger pharmacies will be closed for the holiday. Sprouts Farmers Market Sprouts Farmers Market will be open 7 a.m.-2 p.m., according to the grocers website. Whole Foods stores Whole Foods stores will be open for modified hours on Thanksgiving. The company recommends checking your local stores web page to find out their specific hours. Randalls Randalls stores will close early at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving, according to the holiday hours page on their website. The Fresh Market The Fresh Market will be open 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, according to The Florida Times-Union and the Treasure Coast News. Contact your local store to verify their hours. Bravo Supermarkets Bravo Supermarkets will be open 8 a.m.-6 p.m., according to the Treasure Coast News. Contact your local store to verify their hours. Haiti - Heritage : Partial collapse of Fort Saint-Joseph The Organization for the Management of the Northern Destination of Haiti (OGDNH) regrets to inform that the retaining wall of Fort Saint-Joseph located on Boulevard Carenag (Cap-Haitien), built between 1730 and 1745, one of the historical jewels of Haitian heritage, has partially collapsed, compromising the structural integrity of the fort. This retaining wall had been showing cracks for several months and we had alerted the competent authorities. However, although identified as vulnerable for some time, it has unfortunately not benefited from the necessary conservation and restoration work. This situation increases the risks of a more serious collapse, which could lead to irreparable losses for this historic site. Despite the considerable efforts made and the administrative structure put in place, the sustainability of the site remains compromised. The OGDNH recalls that in 2022, Fort Saint-Joseph benefited from a major renovation, made possible thanks to an exemplary collaboration between the private sector of Cap-Haitien, represented by Fatima Group, and the OGDNH, with the technical support of the National Heritage Preservation Institute (ISPAN) Video : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-40250-icihaiti-tourism-fort-saint-joseph-is-officially-open-to-the-public-video.html Faced with this situation, the OGDNH calls on the competent authorities, local and international organizations, as well as all citizens sensitive to the preservation of heritage, to mobilize for immediate intervention. Concerted action is necessary to: Stabilize the weakened areas of the fort; Proceed with the reconstruction work of the collapsed retaining wall; Strengthen surveillance and preventive maintenance mechanisms. Every day that passes without prompt and appropriate intervention risks worsening the damage, increasing the cost of repairs and the certainty of losing a precious part of our national heritage. See also : https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-40250-icihaiti-tourism-fort-saint-joseph-is-officially-open-to-the-public-video.html https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-37358-haiti-tourism-site-visits-of-reception-infrastructures.html HL/ HaitiLibre - War and Peace Tolstoys greatest work chronicles the two migrations of the early 19th century during the Napoleonic era - the first east to west invasion of Russia headed by Napoleon, and the subsequent west to east push back headed by Emperor Alexander. His characters are reinforcements of the reality of war, conquest, and the home front; they oppose the simplistic archetypes that stem from the glorification of conflict, and present a detailed picture of the oftentimes conflicting emotions at the core of mankind. Over the course of the novel, they shed their simple and shallow desires throughout the story and embrace their mortality, with the search for the meaning of life being a primary theme in the book. They move as if connected by threads of destiny, as they struggle with their fates and positions in life. Yet even though the great and small individuals in Tolstoys masterpiece move in relation to underlying grand themes, Tolstoy is able to poignantly portray everyday human passions, along with domesticity and marital relations. At its core, War and Peace seeks to forward two main ideas: the first is about the movement of history, and the second about the search for the meaning of life. Tolstoy dissects these ideas slowly as Napoleons invasion unfolds, unafraid to depict the painful disillusionment many characters face as they recognize the emptiness and artificiality of earthly life. Tolstoys philosophy of the movement of history is one that is not driven by the actions of a singular being; instead, hidden between the pages of War and Peace is an in-depth analysis of the realistic limits to leadership. War and Peace displays the actions of men, not gods, and Tolstoy makes that clear while the lofty leaders Napoleon and Alexander are revered to the point of self-sacrifice for the awe-struck citizen, they are but ordinary men, just like Platon Karatev, a humble peasant. Whether Napoleon is bluffing and puffing his chest out with pride within his salon, boasting to a messenger, or sitting on a camp-stool at the Battle of Borodino, miniscule and detached from the heat of the fray, it is clear he is not the great emperor he imagines he is. History is not his creation, to be molded as he sees fit, but rather the results of millions of individual chains of cause and effect too small to be analyzed independently, millions of chances that provide him power and the agreement of men to cooperate and confirm that power by acting on behalf of him. For instance, many historians believe that the French did not win the battle of Borodino because Napoleon had a cold, and so in logical extension of that if that colds existence never came to be, the orders he gave before and during the battle would have been even still more full of genius, and Russia would have been lost. The problem with that statement, as Tolstoy writes, is that if Napoleons will to fight depended on the manifestation of a cold, so too would a valet omitting to bring Napoleon his boots, or a horse falling behind in pace, or the sun rising later in the day. In that sense, the course of human events is not formed from the will of one man, but rather is predetermined to be dependent on the wills of all who take part in that event - so one mans perceived influence on those events is purely fictitious. Just like the man who perceives Napoleon as the last link between victory and defeat, the man who perceives the movement of a locomotive as the movement of the wheels and the whistling of the vehicle may see that as the final irrefutable cause, but has no right to conclude that what is observed is the cause of the movement of the locomotive. If that is the case, how can one define the force that moves the nations? Tolstoy gives this definition through two lenses - that of chance and power. The first is relatively simpler to comprehend; chance accompanies Napoleon throughout his life, from Malta surrendering without a shot, to slipping past the enemy fleet, to being untouched from the plague, to being welcomed by the shrewd rulers of France, instead of turned away. This notion of chance gives him power, the same chance that forms the characters of the rulers of France who submit to him, forms the character of Paul I of Russia who recognizes him, defends him from defeat at Austerlitz. However, chance does not equate power. For Napoleon or Alexander to have commanded such respect, they would have needed some measure of this power - but from where? To a religious individual, this power could be satisfactorily distinguished as divine intervention - a power given by God. However, if one does not admit that, as Tolstoy does not, then it can be further reasoned that this power could not be from some Herculean physical might, nor a distinct intellectual or moral quality, as seen from the Louis XIVs and George IIIs of the world, although they might represent an opposite extreme of the spectrum. If that is the case, as Tolstoy reasons, this source of power must then lie in the relations of the man who wields the power, rather than the man themselves - and thus power is better understood through jurisprudence. Then, given that power is the collective will of the people transferred to one person, under the conditions that that person represents the will of the whole people, Tolstoy defines the movement of history as one that occurs from the relation that exists between the expression of someones will and the execution of that will by others, rather than a force that exists from the will of the hero, defined by rules beyond human comprehension. Before discussing the search for the meaning of life, it is important to note the fickleness of said search; Tolstoy makes a point to repeatedly emphasise the irrationality of human motives throughout War and Peace. The irrational actions within the book, from General Kutuzovs constant revision of his plans, to the seemingly improbable love that manifests between Natasha and Pierre, shock the reader with their sudden decisiveness. Yet, Tolstoy makes it clear that the vast majority of these irrational actions in the novel turn out successfully - in accordance with his thoughts on the greater meaning of destiny and human life, these asinine decisions correspond to human instincts that frankly, the reader will never comprehend. After establishing this irrational thought process intrinsically linked with human desire, Tolstoy creates the majority of his characters as individuals suffering with a panging hunger for unattainable, Sehnsucht, with a gnawing dissatisfaction with the artificiality of their lives. Andrew is disillusioned with his empty life and the shallow people around him, while Pierre is simply unable to find any meaning behind his life. Focusing on the latter, Pierre attempts multiple times to inject a sense of vitality back into his everyday life, rejecting his superficial wife, and turning to Freemasonry, although quickly finding himself bored with the passivity of their approach to life. Falling prey to his id, Pierre grasps at a crazed obsession with assassinating Napoleon, believing his heroism will open his eyes to the truth of his existence. But that too, fails. Even though it seems Pierre and Andrew are doomed to a life of apathy, Tolstoy presents the solution to the infinite dilemma through two facets - Love and Death. While the experience of real love with Natasha finally gives meaning to Pierres life, Andrew requires close encounters with death in order to have a spiritual epiphany. If the meaning of life for Pierre grounded him to the beauty of the world, the revelatory power of death stripped away all earthly values from Andrews shoulders, as the external world faded in importance to the dying man, who, as Tolstoy reveals, is finally at peace with himself. Within War and Peace, Tolstoy displays the questions at the core of human existence in their full, unashamed, honest selves - how has human existence been powered through centuries of history, and what is the meaning of that existence to begin with? And while Tolstoy might not have necessarily answered those questions, is that not also the whole point? Our questions will remain answered, and yet humanity will continue to thrive through its irrationality, through love and death - and War and Peace is fundamentally about humanity. Microsoft has used its US in-house trade fair Ignite to reposition its hybrid cloud offerings under a new product name and with expanded functions. Customers who want to use Microsoft's cloud services in their own data center or directly on site in production facilities for technical reasons or driven by compliance or regulatory requirements, the manufacturer wants to pick up on this with its hybrid infrastructure services dubbed "adaptive cloud". Anzeige Microsoft previously offered separate services for this purpose, which the manufacturer now wants to standardize under one roof and equip with an extended range of functions. At the same time, customers who are willing to switch following the takeover of VMware by Broadcom are to be picked up. Azure Local instead of Azure Stack The new service, dubbed "Azure Local", replaces the on-prem offshoots of the Azure Cloud previously known as Azure Stack and Azure Stack HCI, with control being provided directly from the Azure Cloud. The Azure Arc service, which has been available for several years, will play a central role in this . It will act as a bridge between the Azure Local instances distributed in data centers, edge locations or other cloud environments and the actual Azure Cloud. This should enable customers to operate sophisticated applications that go beyond pure virtual machines, such as large enterprise applications, applications containerized in Kubernetes and AI services in environments of their choice. To this end, the manufacturer is making a subset of Azure services available locally. The necessary server systems are controlled by OEM hardware partners such as Dell, HPE and Lenovo at with flexible designs ranging from the smallest servers to large machines. The "Azure Local" range of functions therefore naturally goes far beyond the operation of a simple Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager environment, which was given a new lease of life with the recent release of Windows Server 2025. Of course, this is also due to the changed market conditions since the VMware takeover by Broadcom. Microsoft now uses the term Azure Local to describe all services running locally or outside the Azure Cloud at the customer's premises that are under the management control of Azure and appear there as resources in the Azure Portal. Anzeige Simplified updates These can also be bare-metal servers with Windows or Linux, which then appear as resources in the Azure portal via the installation of the Azure Arc Agent and are controlled completely from the Azure cloud via the Azure APIs with regard to various operationally relevant functions such as software provisioning, configuration changes, deployment of updates or monitoring. Administrators can therefore dispense with conventional local management tools such as Microsoft's System Center products. Microsoft wants to greatly simplify the unpopular deployment of updates: Updates can be bundled into monthly packages via the Azure Update Manager, for example, where drivers and firmware updates can also be delivered if the hardware manufacturers cooperate. Flexible configuration for VMs The vast majority of critical applications currently run in virtual machines. With Azure Local, customers should be able to use flexible configuration options depending on the specification of resources such as CPU, memory, network and storage, VM images from the Azure-side marketplace can be used or their own customer-specific images. In an Azure Local environment consisting of several server nodes, VMs can be made highly available with storage replication and automatic failover. Microsoft has also thought about tooling All new VMs created on Azure Local are immediately prepared for management integration into the cloud with Azure Arc and have tools such as Microsoft Defender for Server or Azure Monitor pre-installed. Migration help for VMware customers Microsoft also took a swipe at Broadcom in its announcement: A preview version of Azure Migrate helps to convert existing VMware VMs and their virtual hard disks to Azure Local completely in their own data center, with the actual data remaining local. Only metadata has to migrate through the cloud. According to Microsoft, this should enable customers to reduce their "Broadcom footprint" and dependency on their license model without having to extensively rebuild applications. Microsoft provides initial details on the migration tool, which is currently in beta, here. Server recommendations Microsoft also recommends suitable server hardware at Dell's Apex Cloud Platform MC-4000r/z or Lenovo's ThinkAgile MX455 V3 Edge PR Server are listed as "Premier Solution", where firmware updates can also be delivered via Azure Local. Many of the qualified servers should also allow the integration of Nvidia GPUs such as A2, A16 or L40 to accelerate virtual desktops or AI applications. Thanks to GPU Partitioning (GPU-P), administrators can divide the expensive GPU resources between VMs together with hotpatching for Windows Server () are probably the most interesting technical features of Azure Local. (mack) The first phase of the tram line, named Viima, will connect Kallio to Malmi, passing through Kumpula, Viinikkala, and Malminkentta, with a final stop at Malmi Hospital. HELSINKI IS SET to build a new light rail line, with construction expected to begin between 2028 and 2032. The new route will improve public transport in the rapidly growing northern districts of the city. The second phase would extend the line to Jakomaki and possibly further into Vantaa. The project is part of Helsinkis broader strategy to expand its rail network and encourage urban development. City officials anticipate that the new tram line will support the construction of thousands of new homes and workspaces along its route, with the ultimate goal of supporting population growth in northern Helsinki. The areas population is projected to more than double by 2050, from 46,000 to over 100,000 residents. The first phase of the tram line is estimated to cost approximately 339 million, while the second phase is projected to cost an additional 99 million. The city has already secured state funding for the design of the Viinikkala-Malminkentta section. Rikhard Manninen, Helsinki's director of urban planning, explained that the new line would not only improve public transport but also stimulate significant urban development. "Investments in rail infrastructure are not just transport investmentsthey open up major opportunities for city growth," he said. The proposed tram line will also enhance the Viinikkala university campus, linking it with two other tram lines. The expansion is expected to increase the attractiveness of Jakomaki as a residential area. Helsinkis City Environment Committee will review the general plan for the tram line on Tuesday, with the final decision to be made by the city council. HT The updated wartime preparedness guidelines by Sweden and Finland for their citizens were covered in an article by CNN on November 18. Here is a selection of what the international press has published about Finland in the last week: The article elaborates on the efforts by these Nordic nations to ensure civilian readiness for potential crises, including military conflicts, natural disasters, and disruptions to essential services. International media have seen the move as reflecting heightened security concerns in the wake of the ongoing Ukraine conflict. However, the move is part of broader regional efforts to bolster resilience amid increasing geopolitical and environmental instability. In Finland, the Ministry of the Interior released new guidance designed to prepare citizens for various crises, including long-term power outages, water shortages, and communication disruptions. The advice also covers coping with extreme weather events and potential military conflicts. The updated guidance reflects Finlands growing emphasis on civilian preparedness as a cornerstone of national security, particularly in light of the countrys proximity to Russia and the evolving security landscape in Europe. Similarly, Sweden has begun distributing a revised version of its wartime preparedness booklet, Om krisen eller kriget kommer (If Crisis or War Comes), to all five million households. The fifth edition of this booklet, which was first introduced during World War II, places a stronger focus on readiness for war and extreme crises. It provides citizens with practical advice on stockpiling essential items such as water, diapers, medication, and baby food, as well as growing food at home. New sections include tips on managing evacuations, administering first aid, caring for pets, and supporting vulnerable populations. The guide also offers advice on how to talk to children about crises and cope with anxiety during emergencies. Original story was published by CNN on 18.11.2024 and can be found here. Educating young people about social media would be far more effective than a ban Finland can show us how The debate around Australias proposed social media ban for under-16s was covered in an article by The Conversation on November 22. The article compares the move with Finland, as the Nordic country has been seen as a model for addressing digital literacy and online safety. While the ban in Australia aims to protect children, critics argue it is a reactive policy rather than a long-term solution. Concerns include the potential for social media platforms to become less regulated spaces where harmful content proliferates, and the risk of young people being unprepared to navigate digital risks once they turn 16. Finland integrates digital literacy into its national curriculum, teaching responsible online behaviour from a young age and embedding these lessons across all grade levels. Beyond schools, public libraries and community centers offer programs for adults, fostering lifelong digital skills. Finlands anti-fake news initiative, launched in 2014, has also equipped citizens to counter misinformation. The article highlights how the Finnish education system emphasizes critical thinking, teaching students to identify bots, recognize manipulated images and videos, and detect half-truths or false profiles. This practical approach has consistently positioned Finland as a global leader in digital media literacy, ranking first out of 35 countries in resilience six times in a row. Original story was published by The Conversation on 22.11.2024 and can be found here. Finland withdraws from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council Finlands decision to withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council (BEAC) after 2025 was covered in an article by High North News on November 21. The article explores the rationale behind the decision, citing changes in the European security landscape and the international environment, particularly in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine. The Barents cooperation, established in 1993, was once an effective forum for regional collaboration, especially between Finland, Russia, and neighbouring Nordic countries. However, after Russias withdrawal from BEAC in 2023, Finland, along with Norway and Sweden, is reconsidering the utility of this format. Finlands Foreign Minister, Elina Valtonen, emphasized that the Barents cooperation no longer meets contemporary needs and has led to overlapping structures. Before Russias invasion of Ukraine, Barents cooperation was an effective channel for Finland to interact with others in the northern regions. However, this form of cooperation no longer meets todays needs, and it creates overlapping structures. Finlands goal is a stable and prosperous Nordic region, and we will continue to invest in it through various forms of cooperation, Elina Valtonen, Minister of Foreign Affairs, said. Moving forward, Finland plans to invest in strengthening cooperation with Norway and Sweden through other platforms, particularly through the Nordic Council of Ministers. A key initiative will involve developing a joint strategic agenda for the northern regions of Finland, Norway, and Sweden, focusing on security and regional stability. Finlands exit from the BEAC will also include a departure from the agreement that established the International Barents Secretariat. Original story was published by High North News on 21.11.2024 and can be found here. Finlands government is Robin Hood in reverse The austerity measures and tax reforms implemented by the Finlands current government were covered in an article by Jacobin on November 21. The article observes how the Prime Minister Petteri Orpos coalition government has embraced "authoritarian neoliberalism," characterized by a combination of austerity measures, social spending cuts, and tax reforms favouring the wealthy, all while undermining trade unions and civil liberties. The government, including the conservative National Coalition Party and far-right Finns Party, has drastically reduced spending on social services such as healthcare and social security, while introducing tax cuts for high earners. These cuts are expected to push tens of thousands of Finns into poverty and exacerbate inequality. This approach has been justified by the government as necessary to stimulate economic growth and reduce unemployment, but critics argue that it will only harm the most vulnerable sectors of society. The government has also targeted labour unions, weakening their power through new legislation designed to limit strikes and protests, which is seen as a way to curb workers rights and suppress collective action. The governments anti-immigrant stance is also highlighted, particularly through legislation that gives authorities the power to block asylum seekers and tighten the requirements for migrant workers. Another concern highlighted in the article is the funding cuts to NGOs and public media, seen as serving the interests of private businesses and limiting dissenting voices. The article reflects how these austerity measures and far-right policies are becoming normalized in Finland, undermining the countrys social democratic foundations. Original story was published by Jacobin on 21.11.2024 and can be found here. Finland suspends foreign aid to Somalia over refusal to take back refugees Finlands decision to temporarily suspend its foreign aid to Somalia due to the countrys refusal to take back refugees was covered in an article by The European Conservative on November 21. The article highlights the reason for this action as Somalias refusal to cooperate with Finland on the repatriation of Somali nationals who are living illegally in Finland. The decision was announced by Finlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, on November 20, 2024. This suspension applies specifically to the development cooperation aid program, which typically allocates 8-9 million annually. However, it does not affect humanitarian aid, and certain funding programs may still be exempt from the suspension. The Finnish government has emphasized that the aid could be resumed if Somalia makes progress in cooperating with Finland on re-admissions cooperation, which involves the return of illegal migrants. Return cooperation has not reached a sufficient level, Ville Tavio said. States must naturally strive to ensure that all those illegally in their country are returned when that can be done safely, Tavio added. Original story was published by The European Conservative on 21.11.2024 and can be found here. HT Protests under way in razor-thin NC Supreme Court contest Hattie Street, a 92-year-old registered Democrat, voted early this year. It was one of the last things she did. Street made her way to the Granville County polls on Tuesday, Oct. 22, four days before she died. Her funeral took place two days before Election Day. Street is one of thousands of voters whose eligibility is being challenged in an election protest, one of a series that Republican runner-ups have filed in close races this year. Other challenged voters include suspected felons, overseas and military voters who have never lived in North Carolina or didnt attach photo ID copies to their absentee ballots, people whose voter registration was denied in recent weeks after failed mail verification and, chief among all, voters whose registrations did not include a drivers license or Social Security number. Each protest will take time to resolve. At best, county boards of elections and the State Board of Elections will make their determinations in the 308 election protests by early December. But appealed decisions may take a lengthier journey through the North Carolina court system or the General Assembly. Meanwhile, recounts are underway in nearly all North Carolina counties. All are set to be completed by Nov. 27. Recounts rarely change results, former North Carolina Supreme Court justice Bob Orr told Carolina Public Press. The State Board of Elections will conduct its canvass Nov. 26, despite pending election protests. But neither the State Board nor county boards will certify the results of the implicated elections until each protest in those races is resolved, either by a board of election or the courts. 4 close races, 7 issues, 100s of protests On election night, Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffins future looked bright. He appeared to have ousted incumbent Democratic North Carolina Supreme Court Judge Allison Riggs by a hair, resulting in a future 6-1 Republican majority on the states highest court. But 10 days later, that future slowly dimmed as each county completed its canvass. Over several days, Riggs bridged the gap with provisional ballots and Election Day absentee ballots that were not included in initial, unofficial election night results. When the dust settled, Riggs was up by 722 votes, or 0.02% of total votes cast in the race. While Griffin had a 79,000-vote margin among in-person Election Day or early voting voters combined, Riggs won among absentee voters by 78,000 votes and among provisional voters by about 2,000. Shortly after, Griffin campaign consultant Paul Schumaker said the campaign would request a recount. He also warned of plans to protest, saying to expect a long, protracted legal fight. Theres a lot of questionable things done in this process, he said. Sure enough, Griffin filed 307 election protests Tuesday. Republican runner-ups in three close legislative races Frank Sossamon in House District 32, Ashlee Bryan Adams in Senate District 18 and Stacie McGinn in Senate District 42 filed a total of 22. Sossamon is behind in his race against Democrat Bryan Cohn to represent Granville and Vance counties by 233 votes. If the results of his election were flipped, the North Carolina Republicans would retain their veto-proof supermajority in both chambers of the legislature. As things stand, they are on track to lose it. Adams has a smaller margin of 134 votes between her and Democrat Terence Everitt. McGinn is currently losing to Democrat Mrs. Woodson Bradley by 204 votes. In each case, the candidates lodging the protests do not in fact know for certain how any of these people voted in their race, so they could potentially lose votes by winning the protests. McGinn essentially acknowledged this, saying, Were not distinguishing whether theyre Republicans or Democrats. These are just lists of names. So some will be voting Democratic, some will be voting Republican. The point is they just, in our view, they should not have been allowed to vote. Each protest covers one of seven separate categories of voters. The State Board will handle protests in the categories that deal with legal issues, while the county boards of election will take care of protests involving more factual, record-based challenges. The first category of protest includes people who voted early in-person or by mail but died before Election Day. Some counties, like Wake County, counted some of those ballots. Wake County Board of Election member Gerry Cohen said it was unclear to him what part of North Carolina law required election officials to void these votes. Counties send notices in the mail to these voters addresses with a hearing date listed, in case they were improperly identified as a deceased voter. The Friday of canvass, Wake County heard testimony from three next of kin of deceased voters. It was emotional, Cohen said. (The first two) each testified about how their parent, their 96- and 76-year-old parent, had been so excited about voting as one of the last things they wanted to do in life, and they were dying, and they knew they were dying, he said. The third one we reversed on was an 18-year-old woman, first time voting, who had brain cancer and died the day after voting. And I said at the meeting that this was unspeakably cruel. The other 68 deceased voters identified in Wake County were removed from the count. North Carolina law states that registered voters will remain registered until they become disqualified through death. In some election officials eyes, its unclear whether being registered at the time of casting a ballot is the same as being registered by the time the election is over. The Department of Health and Human Services gives the State Board names of dead people every week to distribute to county boards and remove from the voter rolls. In most counties, there were at most a few dozen deceased voters implicated in election protests. County boards of elections have jurisdiction over these protests. The second category makes up the lions share of challenged voters. It includes registered voters who do not have a drivers license or Social Security number on file, candidates allege. This complaint originates from a snafu with voter registration forms uncovered by a North Carolina citizen in October 2023. For a period of time, the voter registration form did not clearly indicate that registrants must provide a drivers license or the last four digits of their Social Security number, if they had either. If they didnt have either, they could check a box attesting so. Those voters are still eligible to vote, as long as they present certain accepted forms of documentation with their current name and address the first time they vote, in accordance with the federal Help America Vote Act. While the State Board fixed the form, they did not honor the citizens request to contact and verify the identities of an estimated 225,000 voters who registered using the unclear form. In August, the North Carolina Republican Party and the Republican National Committee sued over this issue. Part of the lawsuit, alleging that the State Boards inaction violated the North Carolina Constitutions right to vote, is ongoing in federal court. Election protests in the legislative races included lists of thousands of voters in this category. They also made up the majority of Griffins contested voters. The State Board has jurisdiction over these election protests. The third election protest category includes people who may have voted despite serving a felony sentence. Felons are not allowed to vote in North Carolina until they have completed their sentence, any probation or parole, and re-registered. In one of his election protest filings, Griffin said they believe most, but not all, counties removed felon voters from the count before their canvass. Sossamons filing acknowledged that they did not have complete information, so it was possible that they may have misidentified felon voters. Candidates did not file election protests regarding felon voters in most counties, and when they did, there were a few dozen potential felons implicated at most. County boards of elections will oversee these election protests. Fourth, some people who used same-day registration during early voting have since had their registration denied or removed. One of the final steps before being an accepted voter is passing a mail verification test. County boards sent un-forwardable mail to the address listed on the voter registration application, and if it comes back as undeliverable, those voters may be removed from the count. These protests will be handled by county boards of elections. The fifth and sixth category involve overseas and military voters. Candidates allege that some of these voters did not attach a photocopy of their photo ID or an exception form to their absentee ballots, and are therefore invalid. These protests will be decided by county boards of elections. Other overseas voters have never resided in North Carolina, but have parents or legal guardians who were last eligible to vote in the state. North Carolina law allows this, but each candidate protested these voters on grounds that the state law itself, in their view, violates the North Carolina Constitutions residency requirement for voting. This issue is also already being addressed in an ongoing court case filed against the State Board of Elections. The North Carolina Court of Appeals ruled that these so called Never Residents would be allowed to vote in this election, but the RNC and NCGOP appealed it to the state Supreme Court. Finally, McGinn filed her own independent election protest challenging the eligibility of certain absentee voters she believes do not actually live in her district, and therefore do not meet residency requirements. An initial review implicated at least 3,000 voters, she said. I believe that made the difference, that that contains enough voters that would make a difference from the 204 margin that currently exists, she told Carolina Public Press. In McGinns race, absentee and provisional ballots flipped the race against her. She is concerned about the increase in these voting methods since COVID, and whether eligible voters are being disenfranchised by ineligible voters. We need to be more vigilant about figuring out who these people are and determining, do they or dont they meet our residency requirements? she said. Should they be casting votes here? How does an election protest work? Election protests can extend an election far beyond the first week of November. The election space has also become more litigious than in past generations, Orr said. Orr co-chairs the North Carolina Network for Fair, Safe and Secure Elections. Both political parties were heavily lawyered up and prepared in a race as close as the Supreme Court race and maybe a couple of these legislative races, Orr said. If there was any legitimate grounds for challenging the process or particular votes, you go in and do it. Whether under the county board or State Board of Elections jurisdiction, election protests start with a preliminary review to determine whether there is probable cause to believe that a violation of election law, irregularity or misconduct has occurred. If there is, a hearing is scheduled. Election officials can subpoena witnesses or documents to help them make factual findings and legal conclusions in the case. During a county-level hearing, the elections board will decide whether to dismiss a protest from lack of evidence of a violation that would cast doubt on the election results, send it to the State Board or declare that there was sufficient evidence that an election law violation or other irregularity or misconduct occurred that was sufficiently serious to cast doubt on the election results. In the latter case, the board has several remedies. They can recount the votes, correct the vote total and declare new results, send the case to the State Board for further action or take any other action within their authority. The candidates filing protests asked for two remedies: correct the vote count, and notify voters impacted by the faulty voter registration form to inform them that they have a certain period of time to fix the issue or be removed from the count. State Board hearings work similarly, with more schedule flexibility. In rare cases, they may call for a new election. This year, theyre asking protesting candidates to file legal briefs by Nov. 27, and for the opposing candidate to respond by Dec. 6. Orr said people should trust the process. Every provisional and absentee ballot is certified by local boards of election, which are bipartisan. Random audits take place in each county with hand counting of ballots in randomized races to make sure the results match the voting machine tabulation. While board members may disagree about politics, Orr said in his experience they look past that out of dedication to following the law and getting it right. You dont approve provisional ballots or absentees if there isnt a Republican and a Democrat board overseeing it, he said. So for anybody to say in this day and age that theres some sort of partisan misconduct or mischievousness, would just simply defy the facts. How far might appeals go? Candidates adversely impacted by county-level hearing decisions can appeal them. The first appeal is to the State Board, which can use the county hearing record, call its own witnesses, get additional evidence or conduct its own hearing. The proper venue for an appeal of the State Boards decision depends on the contest. For judicial contests, the State Boards decision would be appealed to Wake County Superior Court, and may run its course through the court system. However, the state Constitution states that Supreme Court judges hold office until their successors are elected and qualified, so even if a protest leads to Riggs election loss, she would remain in office until any litigation is over. Under a North Carolina law, legislative election protests will be appealed to the General Assembly, where the respective chamber makes the final determination of who received the most votes. In the case of a council of state appeal, a joint session of the General Assembly decides. If the General Assembly cant reach a conclusion, it may order a new election or other relief deemed necessary and proper. The legislatures decision is not subject to further appeal, according to state law. Orr said hes not aware of the General Assembly provision ever being used, and doubts it would be used to select the legislatures preferred candidate as winner. The local boards have certified X number of votes for each candidate, the audits have been done, all the bells and whistles and boxes have been checked, Orr said. Where do you go if youre the General Assembly to find a different vote count? Three developers are battling over a waterfront site in North Tonawanda that used to house the citys fire-training facility, after a proposed $22.7 million affordable housing project by a national developer fell through because it couldnt get the state financing it needed. VisoneCo Site Development, Savarino Properties and Nostra Development all submitted proposals this summer to construct mixed-use projects at the Bridge Street property, featuring a combination of new residential apartments, retail or commercial space and public access to the Niagara River waterfront, on what is known as the Little River. A selection committee made up of various city officials, a county representative and a city lawmaker reviewed the options and recommended Visones concept. But instead of going with that choice, the Common Council balked and decided to do their own interviews, throwing the process into uncertainty and prompting public lobbying by the three firms. Were grateful for the review committee to unanimously recommend us and do not know why the Council tabled their decision, said Tom Celik, chief operating officer for Visone. We believe this property is crucial to the community, and we do not want to see it go undeveloped. But any new project at the Tonawanda Island waterfront property could first require significant upgrades to the citys sewer system, which is already strained and may be at or near capacity in that area even before adding 80 or more apartments. The final cost of those improvements isnt certain, but developers say it could be at least $2 million. Without that, they say, any new development could be threatened. We understand there may be some capacity constraints with sanitary lines, said North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec. But its nothing that were nervous about. We understand that were going to have to make improvements. Were willing to work with various property owners on the island, not just the one that gets selected for our public parcel. A final decision could be made at the next Council meeting Dec. 3. And at least one major neighboring property owner wants the Council to make a decision. Weve waited for years upon years, decades upon decades, for something to happen, and I would like to encourage you to push the process along and get something to happen, said Brad Smith, owner of Smith Boys Marine Sales. Lets make a decision. Lets push it along. At issue is a 3.32-acre vacant property at 78 Bridge St., on the eastern side of the island. Owned by the city, it had previously been used for lumber and boat storage, and most recently was used for fire department training. The only structures that remained were the three-story fire-training tower and an adjacent smokehouse building, but the tower was demolished last spring. The island is just off the citys downtown, accessible through the Taylor Drive Bridge, and is mostly vacant except for some manufacturing, warehousing, a restaurant, two marinas and boat storage. The citys water treatment plant is on the south end, while Smith Boys Marina is to the north. The city has been seeking to redevelop the property for more than six years, and issued a call for developers that resulted in the selection of Philadelphia-based Pennrose LLC in November 2020. Pennrose a 54-year-old affordable housing developer that is also working on the Commodore Perry Homes and the North Aud Block at Canalside planned to construct a three-story, 72,000-square-foot building with 70 workforce housing apartments and commercial space. The Covid-19 pandemic contributed to delays for Pennrose. But its project also relied on obtaining 9% low-income housing tax credits from New York State Homes and Community Renewal. Thats a competitive application that is available only once or twice a year. And state officials were concerned that the site wasnt conducive for affordable housing; theres no public transportation on the island and just one bridge. So despite three attempts, Penrose failed to get approval for the tax credits. That was quite a long endeavor. They just kept getting denied by the state, Tylec said. The project just wouldnt work. So we had to cut ties on it. After going back to the drawing board, the city issued a new request for proposals in May, seeking a multistory or even multibuilding development with market-rate apartments, first-floor commercial space, possibly a hotel and public waterfront access. It would be the first major housing project on the island, in keeping with the citys Momentum Plan. The site includes a public benefit area at 96 Bridge with 295 feet of shoreline along the Little River. North Tonawanda also received a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award from the state in 2022, including $750,000 specifically to develop the Little River frontage into a public amenity with passive recreation like a sidewalk, handrail, seating and landscaping. The island is prime for the picking. Its prime real estate, Tylec said. The city received three proposals by the July 1 deadline, including from developers that submitted the first time. The good news is theyve got plenty of people interested in a market-rate project at the site that would activate the area along the river and provide luxury living for folks there, said Samuel Savarino, one of the three developers. Thats a testament to all thats been going on there. Clarence-based Visone said it would put up a three-story mixed-use development of 100,430 square feet, including 73 market-rate apartments mostly one- and two-bedroom units, with a few studios and three-bedroom apartments plus seven vacation rental or residence-style hotel units. It would also feature a waterfront commercial space for a cafe or coffee shop, public-access riverwalk and a public benefit area. Visone already has a track record in North Tonawanda, having redeveloped 11 acres of waterfront brownfield sites at 600 and 624 River Road into 205 apartments and townhomes, and two commercial spaces, across nine buildings. That includes the most recent expansion at 624 River, with a four-story apartment building with 108 units. It offered to pay $400,900 for the Bridge Street property, which had been appraised in 2018 at $230,000, and would spend $21.88 million on the project. Savarino also proposed a 100,000-square-foot building, with 64 one-bedroom and 16 two-bedroom apartments, 9,300 square feet of commercial space, and 60 covered parking spaces on the first floor of a five-story building, with 124 surface spaces. The plan includes public pop-up space for vendors, passive recreation space, a patio and a partial roof deck, public docks and kayak launch, a dog park and at least one restaurant along the river. The project was designed by CJS Architects and C&S Engineers. They wanted a development that, when you came over the bridge, you noticed there was something important going on at Tonawanda Island. So that was part of our thinking, Savarino said. Officials from Nostra Development, a new firm that is owned by Bodami family, which also owns Total Wrecking & Environmental, did not respond to a request for information about its proposal. But Nostra is already involved in another project on the island, after buying 21.46 acres on the west side for an as-yet unspecified development that could include a large number of apartments, commercial space or even a boutique hotel. The citys review committee which included representatives from the citys community development office, engineering department, mayors office, Common Council, Lumber City Development Corp. and Niagara County Brownfields Program chose Visones concept, dubbed Bridge Street Landing. Visone would have 60 days to sign a purchase agreement, then 18 months to get financing and approvals, then six months to start work, and 24 months to finish. This project will be the first step to establish residential density on Tonawanda Island, and a unique design approach that will set a high standard for future Tonawanda Island development projects, wrote Laura K. Wilson, director of community development for the city, in an Oct. 31 letter to Tylec and the Common Council. We hope that the city follows the steering committees recommendation, Celik said. Were really excited about this project, and we want to see things in the city of North Tonawanda grow. Instead, to Tylecs surprise, the Council tabled the proposal Nov. 6 without discussion, citing a need for more information based on comments that were raised. In particular, Savarino raised the infrastructure question, saying that the sewer system on the island was already at capacity, so any development of 78 Bridge would put an unfair burden on future development. That includes Nostras larger planned project, which has led to pressure on the Council as Nostra tries to protect its previous investment. Whatever happens on the island, whether its our project or any future development, its going to require an investment, Savarino told the Council. Youre facing that situation right now. Celik, though, said his firm and the city had concluded there was just enough capacity for the current project, but not beyond. With this development, it would put it at its peak, he said. The city is aware, and theyre trying to come up with a plan to increase capacity for future developments and potential weather events. But for this, we believe we can work with the city to make it happen. Joseph Ciffas threatening telephone scripts frightened thousands of people across the country into paying back millions of dollars in payday loans, even on debts that were already paid. It was the unscripted face-to-face encounter last summer that punctuated his shame. Ciffa was making friendly small talk with a stranger outside a ninth-floor courtroom as he waited to testify in another debt collectors court case. They chatted about chicken wings and Buffalos buildings. Then he realized he was talking to one of the borrowers flown into Buffalo to testify about the words left in voicemails or spoken in phone calls that are sending him to prison. I felt horrible, Ciffa recalled as he addressed U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara at his sentencing Tuesday. She was one of the victims. Ciffa became the seventh person to be sentenced two in the past week as part of a federal investigation into debt collection businesses whose illegal schemes date back to 2015. Arcara sentenced Ciffa, 56, of the Town of Tonawanda, to 37 months in prison, the stiffest punishment so far for the group, for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and filing a false tax return. The day after punishing Ciffa, Arcara sentenced Damario Turpin, 43, to two years in prison for conspiracy to commit wire fraud and failure to file a federal tax return. Ciffa processed the debtors payments using Turpins MoneyGram and bank accounts. Last month, the judge sentenced Erica Lounsberry, a manager of other employees, to prison for 21 months on her plea to wire fraud. Arcara previously sentenced four others targeted in the investigation to between one and three years in prison. Another sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 9, when Angela Burdorf, 48, formerly of Niagara Falls, learns her legal fate for her fraud convictions. In 2016, Burdorf went to Ciffas debt collection agency to see it in action and adopt its methods for her own business. Prosecutors want an 11-year prison sentence for her. Burdorf, a mother of four young children who now lives in New Port Richey, Fla., faces a longer prison sentence because she chose to go to trial, unlike others who pleaded guilty like Ciffa and Burdorfs former business partner Greg MacKinnon, whos now imprisoned. I was absolutely amazed by the amount of money and number of victims, Arcara said at Ciffas court proceeding. Ciffas operation Ciffa ran a debt collection business out of shops in Niagara Falls and Kenmore, as well as from his former home office on Grand Island. His collectors threatened debtors with felony charges and warned that sheriffs deputies would arrest them in their homes or workplaces, prosecutors said. His employees posed as attorneys during the calls to intimidate unsophisticated debtors. Its easier to collect when you threaten people with arrest, said Assistant U.S. Attorney Franz T. Wright. Ciffas debt collectors tricked people into paying debt they had already paid or over-collected on debts actually owed, the prosecutor said. Between January 2015 and December 2016, Ciffas operation collected approximately $3 million from victims, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office. Lounsberrys restitution order shows the scope of the illegal collections. She owes $905,945 in restitution, equally responsible for most of it with Ciffa and others. The judges order lists abbreviations of 1,109 people owed the restitution. The average restitution is $817, with more than half of the debtors owed more than $738. The most owed to a debtor is $2,830. Only nine debtors are owed less than $100. Arcara called the impact of the illegal collections horrendous. The judge said Ciffas debt collectors were zeroing in on vulnerable people, further describing the victims as salt of the earth people. A 37-year-old woman from Las Vegas said she borrowed $750 from her mother to settle the $100 loan she took out to buy groceries. I was pregnant. I had no money, she said at Burdorfs trial last summer. I was scared. An Austin, Texas, man said he paid $1,436 even though he had already repaid his $750 loan. He said he went into panic mode when threatened with arrest, mistakenly believing he owed money from a prior run-in with law enforcement over a check forgery. A 35-year-old Nebraska woman testified she borrowed $350 from her grandmother after she received a call at work. I didnt want to be arrested, she told a federal jury. Im ashamed of what I did Until Ciffa met MacKinnon, he was a law-abiding, honest and hardworking family person, said attorney Herbert Greenman, who with attorney Daniel J. Dubois, represents Ciffa. He took a job in collections and, unfortunately, was taught the wrong way to collect money, Greenman said in his sentencing recommendation. MacKinnon hired Ciffa to purchase and sell debt to other debt collectors. For a while, he placed debt for MacKinnon, according to Greenman. Eventually, MacKinnon convinced Ciffa to open his own office, even though Ciffa told him he knew nothing about collections. Ciffa purchased payday debt paper for himself but found it almost impossible to collect on that type of debt, Greenman said. He soon found that the only way to collect on the loans was to lie and eventually threaten the debtors, Greenman said. I should have known better, Ciffa told the judge. Dubois noted how Ciffa previously lost his landscaping business and home when he lost a major contract. Following the depression that set in after that, he found that the illegal tactics enabled him to rebound financially. In 2015, his income reached nearly $1.3 million. I got greedy, an apologetic Ciffa told the judge. Im ashamed of what I did. Ciffa trained workers in his debt collection shop to follow the scripts he provided them. It took three steps to frighten borrowers into paying. And each step had its own script. First, a point caller would call and leave a message about fictitious court filings, cases, complaints, charges or arrest warrants. If the debtor answered the call or called back, the point caller would transfer the debtor to another employee, known as a collector or live server, who escalated the threat. At that step, the debtor was told he or she was the subject of a felony complaint and that when the criminal charges were filed the debtor would be arrested by law enforcement officers who would come to their home or workplace all false and fraudulent assertions. Just trying to scare them into believing they would be arrested for this, Ciffa said at Burdorfs trial last summer. After this, the debtors were routed to a third employee, referred to as the attorney, for the final step. These employees would instruct the borrowers how to make a payment in order to obtain a court release number that would avert a court case, another fictitious element of the script. Those reading the scripts for the third step pretended to be lawyers. And they pushed debtors to make MoneyGram payments, rather than paying with debit or credit cards. It was easier for debtors to stop payment on a debit or credit card once they discovered there was never a threat of an arrest. Crashing to the ground In a letter to Arcara, Lounsberry told the judge how she got involved in the scheme. I grew up very poor with a single mom and survived with next to nothing for most of my life, she wrote. After giving birth to four children over five years, she said she found herself trapped in a toxic relationship where she was a stay-at-home mother who had to beg the childrens father just to buy the basic necessities. After separating from the father, she took a retail job working long hours but struggled to pay her bills deciding each month what to pay and what I could default on. So she answered an ad for the collections agency job. And she met Ciffa. He saw me struggling and offered me not only a job opportunity, but the chance to make more money if I took on more roles within his company, she wrote. I was in a dark place and Joe Ciffa was giving me the chance to make it possible to give my kids what I thought they needed to be successful in life, she said. I felt like I was living in a dream. I had money to pay my bills. I was able to move to Grand Island and send my kids to a great school. I was working hard, but I was home more and I felt like I had it all because of Joe. When the criminal charges came, I watched as my life came crashing to the ground. My job was gone, everyone I worked with was also charged and I looked at my babies and I was devastated because we were right back where we started, she wrote the judge. Except it will be worse than before. She will be separated from her children. Like Ciffa and Turpin, shes to report to the Bureau of Prisons after the first of the year. I look back now and realize that I chose to look away from the things I was doing because I told myself I was doing it for the right reasons, she told the judge. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe Amazon is doubling its investment in Anthropic to $8 billion in a deepened collaboration on artificial intelligence, the companies said Friday. The e-commerce and technology behemoth will remain a minority investor in Anthropic, having pumped an initial $4 billion into the artificial intelligence developer late last year and becoming its primary cloud computing provider. "The response from AWS customers who are developing generative AI applications powered by Anthropic in Amazon Bedrock has been remarkable," said Matt Garman, chief of AWS cloud computing division. "We'll keep pushing the boundaries of what customers can achieve with generative AI technologies." Amazon is investing the additional $4 billion in Anthropic as part of an expanded alliance that includes working together on "Trainium" hardware to optimize machine learning, according to the companies. "We're looking forward to working with Amazon to train and power our most advanced AI models using AWS Trainium, and helping to unlock the full potential of their technology," said Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei. The announcement came just days after Britain's competition regulator cleared Google-parent Alphabet's investment in Anthropic, following a probe. The Competition and Markets Authority concluded that the big tech giant had not acquired "material influence" over Anthropic as a result of the deal, which was reported to have cost $2 billion. The British regulator is one of several global regulators concerned with reining in big tech companies and their partnerships with AI firms. In September, the CMA cleared Amazon's initial investment in Anthropic, saying it did not believe that "a relevant merger situation has been created." Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said Saturday that his company will balance legal compliance and technological advances under the incoming administration of Donald Trump, and nothing will stop the global advancement of artificial intelligence. The US chipmaking giant this week reported record high quarterly revenue on the back of strong AI chip demand, though investors are wary of US-China tensions reheating during a new Trump term. The Taiwan-born entrepreneur was in Hong Kong to receive an honorary doctorate in engineering from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. "Whatever happens, we'll balance simultaneously compliance with laws and policies, continue to advance our technology, and support and serve customers all over the world," Huang told reporters on Saturday. "We'll continue to do that and we'll be able to do that just fine." The Biden administration has restricted Nvidia from selling some of its top AI chips to China, which it sees as a strategic competitor in the field of advanced semiconductors. Huang said Saturday that "open science and open research in AI is absolutely global... nothing that I see in the future is going to stop that." Huang said in a speech that the "age of AI has started" and lauded China's "significant contributions" to the scientific research that push forward AI technology. "AI is certainly the most important technology of our time, and potentially of all times," he said. Tech giants around the world have invested tens of billions of dollars into Nvidia's technology to train their generative AI models and support their heavy computing needs. Nvidia surpassed Apple early this month to become the highest valued company in the world as the artificial intelligence boom continues to excite Wall Street. We Can be Thankful for Vermont's Wild Turkeys MONTPELIER, Vt. One of our native wildlife species historically played an important role on Thanksgiving Day. North America's native wild turkeys were the ancestors of the Thanksgiving turkey on our dinner table. Originally found only in the wild, turkeys now exist as meat-producing domesticated varieties -- the broad breasted white, broad breasted bronze, white Holland, bourbon red, and a host of other breeds all of them descended from our native wild turkey. More than 140,000 servings of Vermont wild turkeys are harvested each year that's 140,000 servings of free-ranging, wild and sustainably harvested protein. Wild turkeys exist throughout Vermont today, but that was not always the case. Wild turkeys disappeared from Vermont in the mid-to-late 1800s due to habitat destruction when land was cleared for farming and only 25 percent of the state was covered by forest. The wild turkeys we see in Vermont today originated from just 31 wild turkeys stocked in Southwestern Vermont by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department in 1969 and 1970. Vermont's forest habitat was once again capable of supporting turkeys. State wildlife biologists moved groups of these birds northward, and today Vermont's population of turkeys is estimated at close to 50,000. This is just one of many wildlife restoration success stories we can be thankful for in 2024. Funding for Vermont's wild turkey restoration was derived from the sale of hunting licenses and a federal tax on hunting equipment. No Paws Left Behind Executive Director Noelle Howland, left, with one of her charges and volunteer dog-walker Alison Mulcahy. While the shelter mainly deals with dogs, it does have area for cats. Howland and her volunteers try to get the dogs out of the kennels as much as possible. She took on effort to bring a shelter to North County after Sonsini closed in Pittsfield. The Sonsini memorial bench is now outside the city's DPW facility, where the shelter is located. PreviousNext Community Hero: Noelle Howland Noelle Howland is committed to keeping alive the late Pittsfield ACO Eleanor Sonsini's mission of helping animals ... albeit farther north in North Adams. NORTH ADAMS, Mass. No Paws Left Behind Executive Director Noelle Howland has been selected as the November Community Hero of the Month. The Community Hero of the Month series honors individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact in their community. The series sponsor, Haddad Auto, has extended this initiative for one more month. Howland breathed new life into the mission of the former Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter, which closed in August 2023. The shelter in Pittsfield operated under the mission established by Eleanor Sonsini, a local animal rights activist and longtime animal control officer in Pittsfield, to be a no-kill shelter committed to finding surrendered and abandoned pets new forever homes. Howland's love for animals, dedication to their well-being, and expertise in animal behavior and training and shelter management brought this mission to new heights at No Paws Left Behind, a new shelter for dogs located at 69 Hodges Cross Road. "I want people to understand that I know it's hard to surrender. So, my biggest thing is [making sure] people know that, of course, we're not judging you. We're here to help you," Howland said. When Sonsini announced its closing, Howland, who was the shelter's manager, worked to save it, launching fundraising initiatives. However, the previous board decided to close the shelter down and agreed to let Howland open her own shelter using their mission. Howland designed protocols that prioritize the well-being of the dogs and provide a supportive experience for the adopters, ensuring a smooth transition. Unlike its predecessor, No Paws does not allow visitors to directly see the animals in the kennels. Howland explained that constant public access and interaction can be very stressful for the dogs, especially those who are newly surrendered or in a shelter environment. Limiting direct public access creates a calmer and less overwhelming environment for the animals, she said. "A lot of these dogs are amazing outside of the kennel, but when you're in the kennel environment it's very difficult for them," Howland said. The reason for not allowing visitors into the kennels is difficult for some to understand, but Howland wants them to know that they are doing what is best for the animals. The shelter allows potential adopters to see the dogs during meet and greets in a managed environment where adopters can get a better sense of their true temperament and behavior. She has also implemented a 72-hour trial period, during which adopters can take home the pet to see how they are in a home environment. Howland stays in contact with the adopters to provide support and guidance, such as ways to maintain training, in an effort to help the animals thrive in their new homes. The shelter has also made a conscious effort to minimize the dogs' time in the kennels and provide them with ample opportunities for exercise, enrichment, and decompression throughout the day. "We also do quiet time here between 11 and 12. So, we always shut the lights off, I give them enrichment and we play a sound machine. It just gives them time to decompress," she said. In addition, she has made training and behavior management a key priority at the shelter, utilizing both in-house and external trainers work dogs to improve its behavior. Alison Mulcahy, a dog-walking volunteer, said she loves the protocols Howland implemented, highlighting how it helps reduce the dogs' anxiety and creates a calm and happier environment. "A kennel in and of itself, and not being in a home environment is a stressful environment. So anytime that you can lower that stress level is just going to make them a happier animal," she said. A community hero is someone who is selfless and does things to make the environment better for those who live in the community. Howland has gone above and beyond in telling protocols and procedures in the adoption process to make sure that there is the best bond for both the animal and the family, Mulcahy said. "For her age, she is wise beyond her years when it comes to what she's doing and she's taken a huge endeavor on and, from what I've seen, she's succeeding at it," she said. Debbie Melle, volunteer for the cats, said Howland's endeavor in opening No Paws Left Behind has brought the community together and has helped it through both the shelter and its pet pantry. There are so many pieces involved in running a shelter. "It's a juggling act," Melle said. Melle said when the former shelter closed Howland "swooped in" as a 20-something-year-old, and said, "I am not letting this shelter go. I'm going to fight to bring it back and to bring it back better, and to not let Eleanor Sonsini's mission go." Howland and the former shelter's core staff members persevered and "and look where we are. Every day, I'm amazed at the community," Melle said. The conditions at the former location were disappointing and not fair to the animals and staff, Howland had said. When a new board of directors was established, they decided to look northward for a new home. "I think for me, knowing that North Adams has never had a real working shelter like this, it made me want to do it even more, because when I worked at [Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter] a lot of the animals would come from North Adams, or Williamstown, or Adams," Howland said. Howland said she has a good relationship with North Adams and works to make the shelter an accessible resource for the local community. During their search, Mayor Jennifer Macksey recommended the space in the former aluminum anodizing plant on Hodges Cross Road. The Department of Public Works is located in the building and a pound had been created for an animal control officer. "I knew the second I saw it, that this is where I wanted to be. I did look at a few other smaller places but I knew, once I saw those kennels back there that was everything I wanted," Howland said. After a few renovations to the space, the shelter has 14 kennels, a quarantine area, an area for cats, an office and garage to both store the animal control vehicle and create a secure area for transporting animals. "I absolutely love this organization," said the mayor. "They have been an excellent partner with our animal control officer to ensure our animals receive the best care until a safe and stable home is found. They are helpful, professional, and most of all willing to ensure safety for our four-legged friends. "Noelle is a rock star, very knowledgeable in her trade, and wants the best not only for the animals but the adoptive families. I couldn't ask for a better organization to partner with in helping the city navigate our homeless animal situation." No Paws Left Behind collaborates closely with the city's animal control officer to streamline operations and care for strays. The AOC handles the initial intake and holding of stray animals, while Howland and her staff focus on the care and rehabilitation of the animals. After the 10-day holding period, if no one claims the animal, it becomes the responsibility of the shelter. Howland comes from a lineage of animal lovers and her passion from animals started from a very young age. She knew she wanted to work with animals after seeing her mother has foster multiple dogs, and kept one from the program after the veteran who was supposed to take him passed away. There were multiple times when a dog was supposed to go back home, but it ended up staying with Howland's family. This experience made her realize that she really wanted to at least foster dogs someday because it gives them a second chance at a happy life, she said. "So, I think it's good to see that you are able to give the dogs a second chance. And that was very big for me that I knew I at least wanted to foster, but I just landed into something even bigger than that," Howland said. In high school, she interned for Greylock Animal Hospital, where she was able to observe the veterinarians and vet techs at work. She began her studies at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, where she pursued a biology degree with a pre-veterinary concentration. Later, she transferred to Unity College in Maine, allowing her to complete her degree online. During this time, she gained hands-on experience in the animal field by working at Northern Berkshire Canine, a dog daycare and training facility. There, she learned extensively about animal behavior and management. News / National by Staff reporter The Government has stepped in to address the growing concerns regarding the conduct of Tendy Three Investments (TTI), the parking management company contracted by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC), following a surge of complaints from the motoring public. These complaints revolve around the behaviour of TTI marshals, who have been accused of rowdy, unprofessional conduct, and a lack of basic etiquette in their interactions with drivers.Local Government and Public Works Minister, Daniel Garwe, confirmed the Government's intervention, revealing plans for a comprehensive stakeholder engagement to address the ongoing issues. In a recent interview with Sunday News, Minister Garwe stated, "We need to have a stakeholder engagement. This meeting will involve private sector players in parking management, the local authority (Bulawayo City Council), our Ministry, and representatives from residents' associations. We will look at the issues, interrogate them, and proffer solutions before the end of the year."Garwe emphasized that the goal is to foster a harmonious working relationship among all stakeholders to avoid a situation where one party feels harassed or mistreated. His comments come as tensions between TTI and the motoring public have intensified, with calls for more oversight and regulation of the parking management system.The issues raised by the Bulawayo public are not isolated. Similar allegations have surfaced in Harare, where City Parking Private Limited, a subsidiary of the City of Harare, has also faced accusations of misconduct.In Bulawayo, recent events have escalated tensions, particularly following an incident where a diabetic motorist, feeling faint and fearing he could cause an accident, temporarily stopped at a no-parking zone. His vehicle was clamped, leading to widespread outrage. The incident prompted an investigation by the BCC, with Mayor David Coltart denouncing the behaviour of the TTI marshals as "unacceptable."In a joint effort to address the rising dissatisfaction, Mayor Coltart and Town Clerk, Mr. Christopher Dube, met with TTI senior management to discuss the ongoing complaints. In a statement following the meeting, Dube outlined key issues, including the conduct of TTI staff and the response times for cases involving elderly, disabled, and ill motorists whose vehicles had been clamped."The Mayor emphasized the need to ensure that the dignity of the motorists and the value of fair treatment were upheld at all times in parking management," Dube said. "There was a strong emphasis on ensuring that the parking project and the implementation of the by-laws were done in a fair and non-discriminatory manner across the city."One of the significant outcomes of the meeting was the agreement to introduce a Complaints and Grievance Handling mechanism. This new system aims to streamline the process for addressing parking-related complaints and will allow residents and motorists to formally voice their concerns. Additionally, an independent ombudsman will be appointed to investigate more serious complaints and ensure accountability.Public discontent with TTI has been mounting, with many motorists expressing frustration over the treatment they have received. There have been numerous reports of individuals having their vehicles clamped for relatively small unpaid fines, such as US$5 tickets. In response to public pressure, TTI made the decision to dismiss over 200 employees last December for indiscriminate clamping and violating company policies. However, the public's frustration persists, with several individuals taking legal action against TTI, and some of the cases resulting in favorable outcomes for the complainants.Despite previous efforts, including meetings between TTI and BCC to improve parking enforcement and discussions about better implementation of by-laws, public discontent has continued. In an attempt to enhance parking management, BCC has also introduced a camera surveillance initiative to boost safety and improve parking practices in the city.The Government's intervention, alongside the newly approved clamping and tow-away by-laws passed last November, aims to strike a balance between enforcing regulations and ensuring respectful treatment of motorists. The upcoming stakeholder meeting is expected to play a crucial role in restoring trust and cooperation between TTI, the local authorities, and the motoring public.As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen whether these efforts will result in lasting improvements and a more professional and respectful parking management system in Bulawayo. Hancock students invited the town's seniors to a community celebration last week for Thanksgiving. PreviousNext Hancock School Celebrates Thanksgiving by Highlighting Community The children perform music and a play during the luncheon. HANCOCK, Mass. For many, Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude and unity. Hancock Elementary School embraced this spirit on Thursday by hosting a community Thanksgiving feast for seniors. The children had a major role in organizing the event, from peeling the potatoes to creating the centerpieces to performing. "Thanksgiving is a time to be thankful for what we have. To be thankful for the communities that we live in. Thankful for the families that we have, our friends," Principal John Merselis III said. "And by opening our doors and inviting people in, I think we just embrace that idea." More than 50 seniors visited the school for a Thanksgiving lunch prepared by the school's students. In addition to those who attended, the students made enough for 40 takeout orders and to feed themselves and the school's staff. The lunch was kicked off with student performances on the drums, playing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" using boomwhackers, and a play showcasing the preparation of a Thanksgiving feast, which caused rumbles of laughter. "[The event] gives [students] a great opportunity to practice their life skills such as cooking and creating things for people, and also [build] their self-confidence and just public speaking," said Samantha Lincoln, first and second-grade teacher. Seniors are not connected with the school on a day-to-day basis, so an event like this gives the school the chance to let them and see what they do, Merselis said. "I think it's also a time where we do have the opportunity to give thanks specifically to the community that supports us, the community that really has a commitment day in, day out, to support the school and to make sure that the school provides an outstanding education for all the Hancock residents," he said. Jennifer Mills, a fifth and sixth-grade teacher, echoed these remarks, adding that events like this are unheard of anywhere she has worked before. "Hancock is a very special place. The school seems to be the center of the town. It's good for the students to have jobs to do, to plan, and to have that piece where they're doing something for the community that does provide them with the school and their education," Mills said. Marjorie and Melvin Feathers have attended the luncheon since it started and founded the drumming program as volunteers. Once a week, the students practice with the duo and will perform for several school events. The event is "wonderful. We get to see people that we don't see very often or never have seen before and it's community. We love this school. We love the town and the townspeople," Marjorie said. The younger students in first and second grade performed the play and described the process as "hard work" but also fun. They said they enjoyed wearing costumes and performing in front of the audience. In addition, they highlighted how it helped them learn the need to speak clearly and loudly so the audience could hear them. The older students, from fifth and sixth grade, performed the drumming. They highlighted how drumming in an of itself is similar to the theme of Thanksgiving because it brings people together. "I like drumming very much because I learned a lot of history on it and I like to do music stuff," six-grader Quinn Kryskow said. "When you're drumming, you're all together, and Thanksgiving is about being with your family and friends." Sixth-grader Sophia Cerrada explained that drumming comes from many parts of the world including Senegal, Guinea, and Mali. "Thanksgiving is about being thankful and in some parts [of the world], drumming is used for freedom. In some of those countries that I listed, drumming is used for being known as being free," she said. The older students also emphasized the importance of the friendships and positive memories they've made at the school over the years. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Strictly Come Dancing star Amy Dowden has said she would do anything in the world to be dancing again with her former celebrity partner JB Gill. Earlier this month, the 34-year-old Welsh professional dancer was forced to pull out of the competition after sustaining a stress fracture in her shin. She has been replaced by fellow Strictly pro Lauren Oakley. Gill and Oakley have been powering through despite the circumstances and came joint top of the leaderboard during Saturday nights show alongside Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec, with each couple scoring 46 points. The pair scored an impressive 39 for their energetic Charleston to Yes Sir! Thats My Baby by Firehouse Five Plus Two. Afterwards, they were victorious in the special Samba-thon competition, scoring first place, which gave them an extra seven points. Dowden watched on from the studio balcony alongside her fellow professional dancers, dressed in a pink sparkly dress. Dowden shared photos of herself with Gill following the live show, writing: So proud of you @jbgill. Would do anything in the world to be out there on the floor with you but you are shining and everyone is seeing your talent! Thank you @laurenmayoakley. When she found out about her injury, Dowden had previously said she hoped to return to the dance floor in some capacity after a couple of weeks of rest. Its unknown whether she will be able to dance again this season. The Welsh dancer had returned for this years series after missing out last year while undergoing cancer treatment. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free In May 2023, Dowden was diagnosed with an aggressive form of stage three breast cancer finding a lump in her breast the day before her Maldives honeymoon with fellow professional dancer Ben Jones. JB Gill and his replacement pro partner Lauren Oakley dancing the Charleston ( BBC/Guy Levy ) She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment in those nine months and experienced a series of major setbacks in that time, including doctors finding a blood clot in her lung, getting sepsis and undergoing fertility treatment. On 9 November 2023, Dowden celebrated after she had completed all eight rounds of chemotherapy. She was told she had no evidence of disease in February 2024. At the time, she told fans she couldnt wait to get back on the dancefloor. Reflecting on missing out on the rest of the 2024 series, Dowden told Lorraine Kelly it would be tough to watch Gill perform without her. Dowden said: I am going to do my best not to cry, as tears filled her eyes. I am gutted its had to end this way, she added. I feel I have let JB down. Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Strictly Come Dancing week 10 saw the competition heat up following a tense week at Blackpool, with just seven couples remaining. This weeks leaderboard has a special twist: week 10 included a Samba-thon. This dance challenge is based on an actual dance-a-thons, which involves all pairs dancing at the same time, before the judges begin to eliminate the weakest couples one by one, until only the winners remain. While the scores up for grabs are lower than those possible for the celebs main routines, the Samba-thon can change the leaderboard. This is because each contestant was awarded two scores: one for their main dance, and another for how well they placed in the Samba-thon. The highest-scoring regular dance of the night was performed by Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec, who delivered a show-stopping American Smooth to Lewis Capalds Someone You Loved, which scored the first full marks of the series. The dance, which Skorjanec dedicated to his young daughter, saw the pair execute a range of intricate lifts and moving storytelling. It was so good that it left both Anton Du Beke and Pete Wicks with tears in their eyes. They came second in the Samba-thon though, while JB Gill and Lauren Oakley won. When added on to the 39 they won for their energetic Charleston to Yes Sir! Thats My Baby by Firehouse Five Plus Two, the seven Samba-thon points were enough for Gill and Oakley to go joint top of the leaderboard. In third place on the overall leaderboard, and the Samba-thon, were Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe, who performed a joyous Quickstep to Get Happy by Ella Fitzgerald. Douglas was called quite delightful by head judge Shirey Ballas, while Anton praised Montell for improving every week. Propping up the table were Pete Wicks and Jowita Przysta, who danced a Tango Phil Collinsand Phil Baileys 1984 song Easy Lover. They were awarded a not-so-impressive score of 29. They didnt perform very well during the Samba challenge either, and were the third couple to get sent off the dance floor by judges. Heres weeks leaderboard in full with the individual marks from judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, plus the Samba-thon scores: JB Gill and Lauren Oakley: 9 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 7 = 46 Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec: 10 + 10 + 10 + 10 + 6 = 46 Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe: 8 + 10 + 9 + 10 + 5 = 42 Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola: 8 + 8 + 10 + 10 + 4 = 40 ( BBC/Guy Levy ) Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell: 7 + 8 + 9 + 9 + 1 = 34 Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas: 8 + 8 + 7 + 9 + 2 = 34 Pete Wicks and Jowita Przysta: 6 + 7 + 8 + 8 + 3 = 32 Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter for all the latest entertainment news and reviews Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter Sign up to our free IndyArts newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Strictly Come Dancing has eliminated its ninth celebrity contestant from the 2024 series. BBC Ones popular dance competition continued on Saturday (23 November) night, which saw the remaining seven couples take to the dance floor for a main routine, followed by a special Samba-thon dance competition. The highest-scoring regular dance of the night was performed by Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec, who delivered a show-stopping American Smooth to Lewis Capalds Someone You Loved, scoring the first full marks of the series. They came second in the Samba-thon, though, while JB Gill and Lauren Oakley won. The pair scored seven Samba-thon points, which, added on to the 39 points they won for their energetic Charleston to Yes Sir! Thats My Baby by Firehouse Five Plus Two, put them at joint top of the leaderboard. Propping up the table were Pete Wicks and Jowita Przysta, who danced a Tango Phil Collins and Phil Baileys 1984 song Easy Lover. They were awarded a not-so-impressive score of 29, and were unsuccessful during the Samba challenge they were the third couple to get sent off the dance floor by judges. During Sunday nights results show, it was EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and his partner Michelle Tsiakkas, along with Gladiators athlete Montell Douglas and her partner Johannes Radebe who were voted into the dreaded dance-off. Both couples performed their routines again; Borthwick performed the Foxtrot to Stand By Me by Ben E. King. Douglas danced a Quickstep to Get Happy by Ella Fitzgerald. open image in gallery Jamie Borthwick and his partner Michelle Tsiakkas faced Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe in the dance-off ( BBC/Guy Levy ) Ultimately, the judges voted unanimously to save Douglas and Radebe, meaning that Borthwick was booted from the competition. Borthwicks elimination comes after judges told him on Saturday night that his Foxtrot was a bit slow and monotone. Motsi Mabuse said: It had an old school vibe but maybe that can look a little bit slow and monotone. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Shirley Ballas told Borthwick he was one of the front runners among the male contestants in the competition, but echoed Mabuses comments. I liked it but I agree with Motsi, it seemed a bit monotone, all on one level. But keep working on it, we all believe in you. open image in gallery Borthwick said his Strictly experience was magic ( BBC/Guy Levy ) When asked by host Tess Daly about his time on the show, Borthwick said: Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic. Not just everyone who you see in front of the camera, these four here [the judges], but everyone who works on this show. He said he could ramble all day about his partner Tsiakkas, adding that shes been the most amazing teacher. Shes a new pro and shes absolutely been the most amazing teacher, he said. We have laughed like you wouldnt believe. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone on the show, so thank you. Tsiakkas praised Borthwick for being an amazing dancer, telling him that he improved so much week by week. open image in gallery Jamie Borthwick on Strictly ( BBC/Guy Levy ) Hes worked so hard to get to where he is. Its my first year with a partner and Ive realised that its so much more than just the dancing and the technique, its the bonds and the friendships that you make, she said. I waited two years for a partner and I wouldnt have had it any other way. Borthwick joined the 2024 competition after taking home the festive trophy on Strictlys 2023 Christmas Special edition, alongside pro dancer Nancy Xu. The remaining Strictly 2024 contestants include Douglas, Sarah Hadland, Pete Wicks, Chris McCausland, JB Gill and Ghouri. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Indian billionaire Gautam Adani has been slapped with criminal fraud charges in the US for allegedly orchestrating a $250m (198m) bribery scheme to secure lucrative renewable energy contracts in his home country. Federal prosecutors in Brooklyn, New York, unsealed the five-count indictment on Wednesday, alleging Mr Adani and seven other associates, including nephew Sagar Adani, bribed Indian public officials, concealed the scheme, and made false statements to raise $3bn (2.4bn) from American and international investors. Mr Adani, one of the worlds richest people, has faced fraud allegations earlier as well, but denied wrongdoing. He is regarded as a close ally of Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. What is the indictment about? Mr Adani, 62, has been charged with conspiracy to commit securities and wire fraud, directly advancing the bribery scheme, and obstructing investigations that began in 2022. The contracts to sell 12 gigawatts of solar power that his conglomerate obtained between 2020 and 2024 in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh allegedly through the bribery scheme are expected to generate over $2bn (1.58bn) in profit. On several occasions, Gautam S Adani personally met with an Indian government official to advance the bribery scheme and the defendants held in-person meetings with each other to discuss aspects of its execution. The defendants frequently discussed their efforts in furtherance of the bribery scheme, including through an electronic messaging application, the US Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of New York said in a statement. It said the defendants meticulously documented the bribery scheme. Sagar Adani, 30, used his phone to log details of the alleged bribes. Another accused, Vineet S Jaain, 53, photographed documents summarising bribe amounts owed while Rupesh Agarwal created and shared analyses via PowerPoint and Excel outlining strategies to pay and conceal the bribes, the indictment alleged. How has Mr Adani reacted? The Adani Group has said the allegations are baseless and vowed to seek "all possible legal recourse". Our stakeholders, partners and employees know that we are a law-abiding organisation, fully compliant with all laws, a spokesperson said. Lawyers representing Mr Adani have not issued a statement. How has India reacted to the indictment? The indictment against Mr Adani has jolted debt and equity markets in India. Adani Group bonds fell in value after the news broke, but the stocks of the conglomerates companies stabilised on Friday after having lost nearly $27bn in market value. Indias main opposition party, the Congress, has called for an investigation into Mr Adanis ties with the prime minister. When a top ranking Indian businessman is indicted by a foreign country, it tarnishes our image at the global stage, the partys president, Mallikarjun Kharge, said. The Indian National Congress has been continuously objecting to unethical business practices, which profiteer and promote certain individuals by implementing Modi governments policy of creating monopolies in key sectors and concentrating wealth in the hands of few by giving undue favours. Senior Congress member Jairam Ramesh said the indictment is consistent with a long record of fraud and criminality carried out with impunity with the obvious protection of the prime minister. Adanis legacy in India Mr Adani has risen from making a fortune in the coal business in the 1990s to becoming one of the richest and most influential people in India. His Adani Group has expanded vastly in the past decade or so, with interests ranging from defence manufacturing to infrastructure to selling cooking oil. In recent years, the group has made big moves in the renewable energy sector, marketing this with the slogan, Growth with Goodness. The group has a clean energy portfolio of over 20 gigawatts that includes one of the worlds largest solar power plants in the state of Tamil Nadu. The Adani Group has said it wants to become Indias biggest player in the sector by 2030. Mr Adani said in 2022 the company will invest $70 billion in clean energy projects by 2032. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A last-minute $300bn climate finance deal has been secured at Cop29 after a dramatic day of prolonged negotiations, which saw walkouts by vulnerable nations and protests echoing through the corridors. Countries agreed to the annual finance target to help poorer countries deal with the impacts of climate change, with rich countries leading the payments, according to a hard-fought agreement clinched at the United Nations summit in Azerbaijan on Sunday, which saved the talks from collapse. It is not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, but it is three times the $100bn a year deal from 2009 that is expiring. The treaty acknowledged the need for $1.3 trillion and called for mobilising that amount annually through various sources. The fresh agreement was criticised by developing nations, who called it insufficient, but UN climate chief Simon Steill hailed it as an insurance policy for humanity. "It has been a difficult journey, but we've delivered a deal," Mr Steill said after the agreement was finalised. open image in gallery Activists participated in demonstrations for climate finance at the Cop29 summit ( AP ) This deal will keep the clean energy boom growing and protect billions of lives. It will help all countries to share in the huge benefits of bold climate action: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all. But like any insurance policy, it only works if the premiums are paid in full and on time. Fiji delegation chief Biman Prasad said: Everybody is committed to having an agreement. They are not necessarily happy about everything, but the bottom line is everybody wants a good agreement. US President Joe Biden said that while substantial work remained to be done, the conference had set an ambitious international climate finance goal. He added: While some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution thats under way in America and around the world, nobody can reverse it nobody. The Cop29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital Baku had been due to finish on Friday, but ran into overtime as negotiators from nearly 200 countries struggled to reach consensus on the climate funding plan for the next decade. At one point delegates from poor and small island nations walked out in frustration over what they called a lack of inclusion, worried that fossil fuel producing countries were seeking to water down aspects of the deal. An initial proposal of $250bn, drafted by Azerbaijans Cop29 presidency on Friday, was denounced by vulnerable countries and campaigners as a joke and insult to the victims of climate disasters. We walked out because at the moment, we dont feel that we are being heard, said the representative from Samoa. open image in gallery The Cop29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital Baku had been due to finish on Friday ( AP ) In the early hours of Friday, negotiators were wrangling over every word of the text to be able to provide assurance to vulnerable nations of the delivery of the finance they need. Rich countries have repeatedly failed to provide the previous $100bn climate finance, with the target only completed for the first time in 2022. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, said the commitments must quickly become cash. Developing countries swamped by debt, pummelled by disasters, and left behind in the renewables revolution, are in desperate need of funds. I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome but this agreement provides a base on which to build. It must be honoured in full and on time. Andreas Seiber, associate director of policy at climate advocacy 350.org said the new fund is a step forward compared to where we stood before on climate finance but falls far short of what is required for true climate justice. Rich nations, led by the EU, USA, and Japan, took steps that were long overdue, but their actions remain insufficient to meet the scale of the crisis or to uphold their historic responsibilities, he told The Independent. After the deal was formally adopted by consensus, India strongly objected to the agreement. I regret to say that this document is nothing more than an optical illusion. This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face, Indian delegation representative Chandni Raina told the closing plenary session of the summit. Campaigners had been calling for developing countries to reject the proposal. The fast-emptying corridors of Baku Stadium, which were once filled with thousands of people walking around at pavilions and cafes, were just echoed by chants of pay up. open image in gallery John Podesta, the US climate envoy, was met with demonstrators shouting shame as he walked out of a meeting ( AP ) John Podesta, the US climate envoy, was met with demonstrators shouting shame as he walked out of a meeting. The Cop29 summit had been dampened by tricky geopolitical challenges since its start, with Donald Trumps election victory in the US putting it on track for another withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Several Western leaders were absent from this years conference and many countries have challenging elections. Wopke Hoekstra, the EU commissioner for climate action said: We are living in a time of truly challenging geopolitics so seeing a deal truly is exceptional. The summit cut to the heart of the debate over financial responsibility of industrialised countries whose historic use of fossil fuels have caused the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions to compensate others for worsening damage wrought by climate change. It also laid bare divisions between wealthy governments constrained by tight domestic budgets and developing nations reeling from costs of storms, floods and droughts. On Saturday evening, countries also agreed on rules for a global market to buy and sell carbon credits that proponents say could mobilise billions more dollars into new projects to help fight global warming, from reforestation to deployment of clean energy technologies. Countries are seeking financing to deliver on the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C (2.7F) above pre-industrial levels beyond which catastrophic climate impacts could occur. The world is currently on track for as much as 3.1C (5.6F) of warming by the end of this century, according to the 2024 UN Emissions Gap report, with global greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuels use continuing to rise. News / National by Staff reporter A dramatic no-show by 12 out of 16 regional leaders at the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) extraordinary summit convened by Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has sparked concerns about the bloc's credibility and the confidence regional leaders have in Harare's leadership.The summit, which was one of Mnangagwa's first major tasks as Sadc chairperson since assuming the role in August, was initially expected to address the political turmoil in Mozambique following disputed elections. However, the meeting ultimately shifted focus to the ongoing conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).What was meant to be a critical moment for regional cooperation and solidarity ended up with only four heads of state in attendance, a decision that surprised many political analysts and observers. Among the missing leaders were South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan, and Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, all of whom sent lower-level representatives in their stead.The absence of key figures such as Ramaphosa, who is at the helm of Southern Africa's most powerful economy, raised doubts about the summit's significance. Ramaphosa prioritized the G20 summit in Brazil, sending his deputy, Paul Mashatile, in his place. Without Ramaphosa's presence, the weight of Sadc's decisions was questioned by many.Political analyst Ibbo Mandaza described the poor turnout as "unusual" for such an important meeting. "For a purported extraordinary and emergency meeting, it is highly unusual that there should be such poor attendance of heads of state," Mandaza told the Zimbabwe Independent.The absence of Tanzanian leader Hassan, chairperson of the Sadc Troika, was particularly notable. Hassan instead sent Zanzibar leader Hussein Mwinyi. Also missing was Zambian President Hichilema, who had already skipped the August summit in which Mnangagwa assumed the Sadc chairmanship, highlighting the ongoing strain in relations between Zimbabwe and Zambia following Zimbabwe's disputed 2023 elections.Planning and Coordination IssuesWalter Mzembi, former Zimbabwe Foreign Affairs Minister, pointed to poor planning as a key factor in the low turnout. He said that such an extraordinary summit should have been preceded by checks with regional leaders to confirm their availability. "I think there is an element of being presumptuous, thinking that once an extraordinary summit is called, everyone will automatically respond," Mzembi commented. He noted that the summit clashed with other major international events, such as the G20 summit, which further complicated attendance.Mzembi emphasized that Zimbabwe should have lobbied heads of state more effectively and coordinated with embassies to ensure the availability of regional leaders. He argued that the summit's lack of sufficient attendance pointed to a fundamental flaw in its planning and execution.Reuben Mbofana, another analyst, suggested that the low turnout reflected the lack of seriousness within Sadc. "The low turnout shows that the region doesn't take these meetings seriously," Mbofana said, adding that many leaders are likely aware that Sadc summits often result in little to no substantive outcomes.Regional Leadership and ConfidenceBeyond logistical missteps, some analysts have suggested that regional leaders may be withholding support for Mnangagwa's leadership due to concerns over his handling of domestic and regional matters. "The fact that only four leaders attended from a 16-member group is dismal. It may indicate that fellow heads of state have no confidence in Mnangagwa's leadership," Mbofana said.This skepticism may also stem from Mnangagwa's controversial actions in Mozambique, where he prematurely congratulated Frelimo's Daniel Chapo on winning the presidential elections. His early endorsement came before the final results had been announced, raising questions about Zimbabwe's influence and impartiality in the region. The unrest that followed the disputed election results, which saw at least 30 people killed in clashes between Mozambican forces and civilians, further complicated Mnangagwa's position as Sadc chairperson.Despite the controversy surrounding his leadership, Mnangagwa received some praise at the summit for his commitment to regional peace and stability. A communique released after the summit acknowledged his efforts, stating, "The Summit extended its appreciation to His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, and Chairperson of Sadc for hosting the extraordinary summit and for his commitment towards regional cooperation and attainment of peace, security, and stability in the region."The low attendance at the Sadc extraordinary summit highlights ongoing concerns about the effectiveness and relevance of the bloc, as well as the challenges facing Mnangagwa's leadership. While the summit's agenda shifted from Mozambique to the DRC, the absence of key regional figures and the lack of substantive outcomes have raised questions about Sadc's ability to address pressing regional issues and maintain its credibility moving forward. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A mother broke down in terms after a passenger refused to give up their seat in Economy Plus so she could sit with her son. In a recent post shared to the popular Am I The A**hole? Reddit forum, a traveler asked if they were in the wrong for making a seat swapper cry. They explained that once they were settled in their seat in the Economy Plus section of the plane, a mother came up to her about doing a seat change. A woman approaches and asks me to change seats to 32b so her nine-year-old son can sit with her. I ask how much cash she has to repay me for the money I spent on the seat, the traveler explained. She says Im cruel for leaving her son with anxiety sitting alone. Traveler says a mother accused them of being cruel because they wouldnt change seats for her son (stock image) ( Getty Images ) When they asked the mother if she offered to switch seats with the person who was next to her son, she said no because she needed the legroom in her Economy Plus seat. In response, the Reddit user made claims about the mothers parenting tactics, which upset her. I said clearly she cares more about her own comfort than her sons well-being, the post continued. If she cared, she would give up her seat and move to the back. She breaks out in a screaming wail, filled with HOW COULD YOU. However, 10 minutes after the incident, the mother wasnt sitting in her Economy Plus seat. Instead, the Reddit user noticed a man happily sitting next to her, as he was grinning about his sweet seat upgrade. The traveler concluded that after this flight, their partner accused them of questioning the mothers parenting in public and making her cry. In the comments of the post, the traveler made a few clarifications about when they booked their ticket and doubled down on why they said no to changing seats. When I booked my seat, hers was already taken so she booked first. Didnt look like poor planning, looked like she only wanted to pay for one premium seat and wanted to guilt me into giving up my seat, they explained. The Reddit post has quickly gone viral, with more than 21,000 upvotes. In the comments, multiple people criticized the mother for not buying a seat next to her child on the plane beforehand. Shes in the wrong for one - not being able to plan and book ahead of time so her son isnt left alone two - not being able to put aside her comfort ahead of her precious son and three - thinking that anyone owes her anything for being a poor planner, one person wrote. Her tears dont change the fact that she prioritized comfort over her sons needs. Thats on her, another claimed. A third person responded: Whenever ANYONE is asking to swap seats, its ALWAYS for a better one and they always throw a fit like this to try and get what they want when told no. People like this should be removed from the plane. This isnt the first time that a passengers experience on a flight has gone viral. Last month, a traveler in the middle seat shared her female rage when two men on either side of her had stretched their legs far enough that she appeared squished into her seat. Why would anyone EVER need that much room??? I tried to get him to move but he wouldnt, she wrote in the caption of her video. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Paris Hilton has shared whether shes had any cosmetic surgeries done. During a recent episode of the Zach Sang Show podcast, the 43-year-old DJ spoke candidly about aging and her skincare routine. She explained that shes kept her skin looking great on her own, specifically without the help of cosmetic procedures. I feel really proud that Im all natural, she told Zach Sang. Ive stayed out of the sun. Ive never done any Botox, injectables, no surgery, nothing. Parison Hilton says shes never had any botox or cosmetic surgeries done ( Getty Images ) The mother of two children, who she shares with her husband Carter Reum, also shared that her skincare ritual and advice were inspired by her mother, Kathy Hilton. My mom told me when I was 8 years old, Paris, stay out of the sun, she explained. And then she taught me this amazing 10-step skincare routine. So Ive literally been doing that since Im eight. She continued: Ive also built a spa in my house called the Sliving Spa. It has the most epic LED lights, hydrafacial machines, hyperbaric chamber, cryotherapy. Its basically a real spa that you would see. When Sang quipped that Hilton was going to live forever, she hilariously agreed. My husbands like, Forever is not long enough so we need this Sliving spa at the house, Hilton added. The Simple Life star has previously shared her beauty advice, telling Allure in May that she stayed out of the sun because her mother said it would destroy [her] skin. However, she clarified that she doesnt avoid getting tan, as she had launched her own self-tanner with Tan-Luxe. At the same time, I never wanted to be pale. Ive been spray tanning since I was a teenager. she said, Back in the day, there were times when I literally looked orange. Earlier this month, Hilton even took to her Instagram to share that her latest business project was a skincare line. Who says you cant run a media empire, sliv as a mom, drop beats on stage, make hits in the studio and launch a beauty companyall while staying true to yourself? she wrote in an Instagram post, shared on November 20. Being taken seriously doesnt mean giving up what makes you shine. AND today, Im so excited to announce the launch of my new beauty company, 11:11 Beauty! she then shared. I cant wait to share more about our first products launching next Spring. Along with her career ventures and skincare routine, Hilton has also opened up about her responsibilities as a mother. In April, she took to Instagram to share her first-ever photos of her daughter, London, who she welcomed via surrogate. The post also included a snap with Hiltons husband and their one-year-old son, Phoenix. Ive dreamed of having a daughter named London for as long as I can remember. Im so grateful she is here. I truly cherish every moment I spend with her. Together with Phoenix, my angel babies have shown me a love that I never even knew could run so deep before I became their mother, the reality star wrote in the caption at the time. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A womans Ancestry DNA kit solved a nearly 30-year-old cold case, but it resulted in her grandmother facing a possible life sentence in prison. TikTok user Jenna recently went viral after she explained how the results of her Ancestry DNA kit led to her grandmothers arrest. She began her video with a bit of background on her family, noting that she never met [her] grandmother and didnt even know her name until she was about 15. She then explained that her grandmother was a suspect in the unsolved Baby Garnet case, which was very popular in the town she grew up in. Back in June 1997, the Mackinac County Sheriffs Office and Michigan State Police opened the investigation after the remains of a deceased infant were discovered in a campground pit toilet at the Garnet Lake Campground in the Upper Peninsulas Hudson Township, according to the Michigan Department of Attorney General. At the time, an autopsy determined the decedent to have been a term or near-term infant of a gestational age of 36-42 weeks. The deceased infamously became known as Baby Garnet for the next 27 years. However, it wasnt until May of this year that Nancy Ann Gerwatoski was charged with one count each of open murder, involuntary manslaughter, and concealing the death of an individual. open image in gallery Woman says her grandmother was identified as a suspect in the 1997 Baby Garnet case ( @__jennarose__ / TikTok ) Shell now go to trial for the cold case murder, and is facing a life sentence in prison if shes found guilty. In her TikTok video, Jenna noted that while she couldnt share everything that happened to her grandmother, she could share her story about getting an ancestry DNA kit two years ago. She explained that she received a phone call from a police officer in Michigan one year after she got back her Ancestry results. [He] was like, I just want to let you know I re-opened a cold case from like 25 years ago... and your DNA is a direct match to the victim of this case, she said, referring to the Baby Garnet case. As Jenna spoke with the officer, he said he wanted to connect her with a woman from Chicago, Illinois, who runs a worldwide database. However, Jenna admitted she had a few concerns when she spoke to the woman from Chicago after she was asked for a password. The TikToker felt like she was being scammed, so she hung up the phone. It wasnt until a week later that her mother had called her, telling her to come home. When she arrived, Jenna saw one of her cousins, who had told her that the phone call with the woman in Chicago was not a scam after all. When Jenna called the woman back, she agreed to put her DNA into the worldwide database. From there, her DNA came back as a distant relative to someone involved in the Baby Garnet case. After her mother also agreed to offer her DNA, Jenna soon learned that her grandmother was a suspect. [They] ended up finding out that its not a distant relative to my mom, but a direct relative, Jenna told her TikTok followers. And the only other people it could have been was my moms mother. They kind of started doing their own investigation and figured out thats who it was. So we were mind blown. Jenna added: Mind you, Ive never met this woman before. She is literally the f***ing person that theyve been looking for for 25 years. And its all because of a f***ing Ancestry DNA kit. Despite detailing how the investigation unfolded since receiving her Ancestry DNA results, Jenna revealed that she was unable to discuss anything else about the incident. The Independent contacted Jenna for comment. According to local Michigan news outlet Wood TV, Nancy Ann Gerwatowski was arrested in July 2022 and placed in the Mackinac County Jail on an open murder warrant as the suspect in the 1997 Baby Garnet case. Her arrest came after investigative efforts were renewed in 2017, when a Michigan State Police detective sargent initiated familial genetic genealogical tracing with the assistance of a private laboratory and the Federal Bureau of Investigations, who by this time had possessed the skeletal remains of Baby Garnet, as noted by the state of Michigan. A lab received remains to test in 2020, and in 2022 a DNA profile was developed and returned indicating a specific familial lineage, the state reported. These results led investigators to Nancy Gerwatowski, who was then living in Wyoming. The Michigan attorney generals office stated that additional DNA testing of Gerwatowski obtained through a search warrant had indeed confirmed her parentage to Baby Garnet. The state also claimed that Gerwatowski was alone when she delivered her baby, who died due to asphyxiation. However, the babys death could have been prevented by medical intervention, which Gerwatowski reportedly did not seek. A hearing is scheduled for December 12, according to court records, to decide if Gerwatowskis statement, abortion consideration, and her lack of prenatal healthcare can be used in the trial. The hearing will also determine if her concealing the death of an individual charge can be dismissed. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hezbollah fighters on Friday in different areas in south Lebanon, including a coastal town that is home to the headquarters of U.N. peacekeepers. A spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL told The Associated Press that they are monitoring heavy clashes in the coastal town of Naqoura and the village of Chamaa to the northeast. UNIFILs headquarters are located in Naqoura in Lebanons southern edge close to the border with Israel. We are aware of heavy shelling in the vicinity of our bases, UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said. Asked if the peacekeepers and staff at the headquarters are safe, Tenenti said: Yes for the moment. Several UNIFIL posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded. The fighting came a day after the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defense minister and a Hamas military leader, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity over their 13-month war in Gaza and the October 2023 attack on Israel respectively. The warrant marked the first time that a sitting leader of a major Western ally has been accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity by a global court of justice. Israels war has caused heavy destruction across Gaza, decimated parts of the territory and driven almost the entire population of 2.3 million people from their homes, leaving most dependent on aid to survive. Israel launched its war in Gaza after Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third of whom are believed to be dead. Israel has also launched airstrikes against Lebanon after the Hezbollah militant group began firing rockets, drones and missiles into Israel the day after Hamas attack last October. A full-blown war erupted in September after nearly a year of lower-level conflict. ___ Heres the Latest: Crowds desperate for bread amid food shortages and huge price hikes in Gaza DEIR AL-BALAH, The Gaza Strip Large crowds of displaced people crammed themselves in front of a bakery in the Gaza Strip for the second day in a row, desperate to get their share of bread after bakeries closed for five days due to a flour shortage and the lack of aid. I am a 61-year-old man. This is the third day that I have come to Zadna Bakery and I still cannot get bread I have children to feed, said Majdi Yaghi, a displaced man from Gaza City. The price of a small bag of pita bread increased to $16 by Friday, a stark increase from about 80 cents last month. A bag of pasta now costs $4 and a small bag of sugar costs nearly $14. That has left many Palestinian families surviving on one meal a day and reliant on charitable kitchens to survive. In Khan Younis, women and children lined up at the al-Dalu charitable kitchen for bulgur, the only food available at the makeshift charity. One of the workers there, Anas al-Dalu, told the AP that they cook ten pots every day of either rice, beans, or bulgur. But that hardly fills the need for the thousands of people displaced in the area. The charity here is in a difficult situation. It is a drop in the ocean, and there is no aid or charities. There is nothing," said Nour Kanani, a displaced man from Khan Younis. It is a crisis in every sense of the word. There is no flour, no charities, and no food. UN monitoring heavy clashes in south Lebanon locations BEIRUT Israeli troops fought fierce battles with Hezbollah fighters on Friday in different areas in south Lebanon, including a coastal town that is home to the headquarters of U.N. peacekeepers. A spokesman for the U.N. peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL told The Associated Press that they are monitoring heavy clashes in the coastal town of Naqoura and the village of Chamaa to the northeast. UNIFILs headquarters are located in Naqoura in Lebanons southern edge close to the border with Israel. We are aware of heavy shelling in the vicinity of our bases, UNIFIL spokesman Andrea Tenenti said. Asked if the peacekeepers and staff at the headquarters are safe, Tenenti said: Yes for the moment. Several UNIFIL posts have been hit since Israel began its ground invasion of Lebanon on Oct. 1, leaving a number of peacekeepers wounded. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The first cold weather payments of 2025 have been triggered as snow falls on neighbourhoods across the UK and temperatures continue to plunge. To help support people during cold snaps like these, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) runs the cold weather payment scheme for qualifying households. This is a one-off payment of 25 that is triggered for every seven-day period where the temperature in your area is at or below zero degrees. However, all the affected postcode areas are eligible for double this and can expect a payment of 50. This is because the cold snap has been so long-lasting that the criteria was triggered twice. Drivers brave the snow in the Peak District ( AFP/Getty ) An estimated 6,000 people across 23 postcode areas can now expect a payment. These areas are split across the country, with 16 in northern regions and seven near the southwest coast. Heres everything you need to know about the scheme: Am I eligible for a cold weather payment? You are eligible for the payment if you receive any of the following: Pension Credit Income Support Income-based Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) Universal Credit Support for Mortgage Interest You must also live in an area that has experienced seven days of zero or sub-zero temperatures. Here is a map of all the latest areas to qualify: The DWP uses its own equipment to measure temperatures across all UK postcodes. If you disagree with the judgement, it is possible to appeal directly to the department. You do not qualify for this scheme if you live in Scotland, as the Scottish government has recently replaced the scheme with Winter Heating Payments. When will I get the payment? If youre eligible, you will get these payments automatically. They should arrive in the same bank account you receive benefit payments, within 14 working days of the cold period. If you believe you are eligible but have not received the payments, you should contact the DWP. Full list of postcodes eligible for cold weather payment Here are all the postcode areas where cold weather payments have been triggered since November: Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A historian has said it feels like the UK is going backwards after four events promoting his new book have been cancelled due to fears of far-right violence. Joe Mulhall, an expert in far-right extremism, told The Independent venues had been forced to call off events after getting calls and emails from members of the far-right. The cancellations happened after the leader of the National Front Tony Martin turned up at his book launch at Waterstones in central London, he said. Mr Mulhall, whose new book is called Rebel Sounds: Music as Resistance, explained the book shop on Gower Street called the police in response to Mr Martin attending the launch. The historian, who is director of research at leading anti-fascist charity Hope not Hate, recalled how Mr Martin had just sat there quietly before leaving. open image in gallery Anti-migration protesters try to go into Holiday Inn Express Hotel housing asylum seekers on 4 August in Rotherham ( Getty Images ) He explained Mr Martin posted on social media site X, formerly known as Twitter, with the details of an event promoting his book and urged people to ring up the venue and politely tell about Joe. Mr Mulhall added: Post the riots, people are just understandably really terrified of the far-right. They have seen what that politics looks like for these people. And so, even if we dont know if anyone was actually going to turn up to these events, there is the risk or the fear of people turning up. I dont think there should be any street, town, or bookshop in the country where people cant meet because of the far right and if we are in that situation, that means its bad news. Joe Mulhall Mr Mulhall said the event cancellations had been really frustrating as he explained he thinks he is being targeted for his work with Hope Not Hate. It is quite sad in the sense that it feels like we are going backwards, he added. Its like we are back at the stage where the far right are strong enough and scary enough that its not possible to sit in a bookshop and give a talk about music and history. He said it was difficult to work for years on the book and now be struggling to discuss it in person. Its out in the world and you want to be able to tell the world about it, Mr Mulhall added. And the book is about that - the way that music can be used to fight oppression, fight racism, fight dictatorships. It comes after the BFI London Film Festival (LFF) cancelled a screening of a documentary called Undercover: Exposing The Far Right - which follows campaigners from Hope Not Hate - over safety fears last month. I dont think there should be any street, town, or bookshop in the country where people cant meet because of the far right and if we are in that situation, that means its bad news, Mr Mulhall said. I dont blame the bookshops - especially after the riots, people are scared. Its a sadness of where we are. He explained threats against him and Hope not Hate have worsened since the explosion of far right anti-immigrant violence across the UK over the summer. Rioters attacked mosques, ambushed riot police, set fire to a hotel housing migrants and torched a public library and Citizens Advice Bureau building in the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club in Southport at the end of July. There were multiple incidents of ethnic minorities being attacked on the streets. In the aftermath of the Southport stabbing, false information spread rapidly online, wrongly claiming the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker who came to the UK on a small boat crossing. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Monkeys flown into the UK for laboratory testing were so badly injured that their crates were smeared with blood, photographs suggest. The long-tailed macaques endured journeys of up to 25 hours from Mauritius and Vietnam, transported in cramped wooden crates too small for them to stand upright. After quarantine in the Netherlands, the macaques were driven to Brussels airport before being flown to Manchester airport. Activists, who said the animals would have been terrified on the journeys, slated the cruel conditions and the fact the UK still conducts experiments on primates. open image in gallery ( Animal Rights ) Long-tailed macaques are the main primate species used in toxicology tests for drugs and chemicals by research organisations for pharmaceutical and chemical companies, as well as by universities. Dogs, pigs and rodents are also used. Toxicity testing involves placing monkeys in restraining devices and dosing them with drugs or chemicals through a tube inserted into their stomachs (gavaging). The substances may also be injected, often without anesthetic, or inhaled. This may be daily, and studies show side effects include vomiting, convulsing, internal bleeding and death. Importing monkeys is quicker and easier than breeding them in the UK, insiders say. The photos, which were brought to light in freedom of information requests by the Dutch-Belgian group Animal Rights, sparked renewed criticism over the ethics of animals in research. Group members who tracked the journeys of the planes and vans believe the monkeys were destined for a drug developer. The company did not respond to a request for comment. open image in gallery A macaque with blood on the crate ( Animal Rights ) The FOI replies revealed that one animal, imported on 28 May, suffered an anal prolapse a potentially fatal condition. A Belgian animal welfare inspectors checklist stated no animals were wounded, yet photos appear to show an injured monkey with the condition. On another occasion, blood was seen in a monkey crate transported on 30 April, but the injury was deemed minor. UK Home Office guidelines state that sick or injured animals should not normally be considered fit for transport. In July last year, 80 long-tailed macaques were transported in a planes hold at just 10C, despite warnings from Flemish officials that such conditions were unsuitable. Officials also flagged that prolonged loading times in Brussels risked causing significant stress to the primates. open image in gallery Crates carrying macaques. Some details are blacked out for legal reasons ( Animal Rights ) In a separate case, a monkey died on a flight to New York after reportedly suffering an adverse reaction to sedation. The animal was among hundreds flown from the Netherlands, France, and Spain. In 2021, more than one monkey died en route to the US. Animal rights organisation Action for Primates described these cases as the tip of the iceberg, highlighting that between July 2022 and May 2023, 10 flights from Mauritius and Vietnam delivered macaques to the UK via European airports. Research confirms air travel as a major stressor for primates. According to Ned Buyukmihci, emeritus professor of veterinary medicine and adviser to Action for Primates, flight-related stress could exacerbate injuries, leading to severe pain, shock or even death. open image in gallery Last year, 80 long-tailed macaques were flown in a planes hold that was just 10C ( Animal Rights ) Sarah Kite, co-founder of Action for Primates, said: Shipped as cargo, primates are forced to spend many hours confined in small single transit crates and may have to endure poor ventilation, unfamiliar and loud noise, temperature fluctuations and delays en route as they are shipped around the globe. However, the Understanding Animal Research organisation says experiments involving non-humans have provided many treatments for conditions such as cancer and diabetes as well as human vaccines. It argues that hundreds of millions of human and animal lives have been saved or improved as a direct result of research on animals. A spokesperson for Cheshire Animal Rights Campaigns and Animal Welfare Party called on Manchester airport and shareholders to end monkey imports. An airport spokesperson said that, like other airports, it could not take a stance on the import of any cargo, adding: There are clear laws, set by government, that define what can and cannot be brought into the UK as cargo, and it would not be appropriate for the airport to act independently of those laws. open image in gallery More than 10 shipments were imported in a year ( Animal Rights ) The Belgian government said: In our opinion, there was no failure. An assessment of the situation was made and what seemed to be the best option for the animals was acted upon. They said the injured monkeys were otherwise in good condition, adding: It was decided that given the short duration of the transport it was better to allow the animals to travel. They added that on arrival no further problems were found and the inspector reminded workers to avoid low temperatures in future. A separate freedom of information request has shown 2,118 primates were imported last year, and UK government statistics show there were 2,169 procedures on primates. open image in gallery An animal welfare inspector stated no animals were wounded ( Animal Rights ) While they are not believed to have received the monkeys in the latest incident, some of the leading institutions conducting animal research include the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, the Francis Crick Institute, University of Edinburgh, UCL, the Medical Research Council and Imperial College London. A spokesperson for the governments Animal and Plant Health Agency said: Its upsetting to receive reports of animals in distress; we always take reports of breaches in animal welfare regulations very seriously and we are looking into the exact details of this case. When animals are transported, it is the responsibility of the vet in the country of origin to decide if the inspected animal is fit to travel. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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 policy Leading academic experts in the fields of health, end-of-life care and the legal system have joined together to sign an open letter opposing the assisted dying bill which MPs are due to debate on Friday. The bill tabled by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater would for the first time allow for the NHS to assist people to take their own lives. Ms Leadbeater and supporters of the legislation claim the bill would provide the strictest safeguards anywhere in the world to prevent the system being abused and ensure it only applied to terminally ill patients. Among these are that any requests to end life would need to be signed off by two doctors and a judge. However, in an open letter to MPs the 73 academics have fuelled concerns that the safeguards are not strong enough and could open the doors for coercion of the vulnerable to end their own lives. open image in gallery Kim Leadbeater says the bill will help give autonomy to terminally ill patients ( PA ) This follows concerns raised by 11-time Paralympic gold medallist and now member of the House of Lords, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson in a devastating intervention in The Independent last week. Her concerns were echoed by Liberty and the former head of the family court division. The academics say Ms Leadbeaters private members bill is an inadequate parliamentary process for an issue of such ethical and legal complexity. They also wrote that the central argument in favour of the change of the law, on the need to provide choice, is too simplistic. The letter warned: Laws must be concerned for the safety of the whole population, especially the most vulnerable. It also noted that research has shown that a persons stated wish to die is frequently unstable and depends on the care and support they receive. The academics also cited data which suggests that end-of-life care provision notably gets worse once a country or territory, such as Canada, Switzerland or the US State of Oregon, adopts assisted dying or euthanasia. The decrease in the rankings in terms of palliative care of countries with assisted suicide or euthanasia is worrying in this regard. Such care, not the offer of assisted suicide, is the ethical imperative. Turning to the bill itself, they demanded much greater scrutiny on the safeguards. open image in gallery Tanni Grey-Thompson opposes the bill ( PA ) The letter warned: Coercion would be a reality with a change in the law. To deny this is to ignore the 400,000 cases annually of domestic abuse for older people in England and Wales. If the law were to change, we would see people with terminal disease feeling they should accept assisted suicide because (as has been the case for over 47 per cent of those seeking assisted suicide in Oregon and over 59 per cent in the State of Washington) they would feel they were a burden to friends and family. The letter went on: Experts in the subtle field of mental capacity and disability can err in their assessments and non-experts would have to spot where a question about decision-making capacity arose in the first place. Capacity assessments would not assess whether someone felt they were a burden. And being informed about palliative care by a non-expert is very different from receiving it. Even a High Court judge would find it difficult to investigate all such complexities. Looking at the ethical dimension of the debate, there was a danger the bill undermines the Western legal, ethical and common-sense approach by introducing a provision for killing. The proposed bill relies on worrying differences between, on the one hand, providing, preparing a medical device to assist a person to take lethal drugs (all of which are regarded as legal in the bill) and, on the other hand, inducing another person to take the lethal drugs (which would warrant up to 14 years in prison). They warned that the example of the State of Oregon, which is used by proponents of the bill, actually underlines its dangers. Oregon, often held up as the paradigm where eligibility criteria have not expanded, has in fact shown slippage. The definition of terminal turns out to include non-terminal conditions where the person has refused treatment, which would include anorexia and type-1 diabetes. The academics also supported the argument put forward by Health Secretary Wes Streeting to oppose the bill that introducing assisted dying when palliative care is not in a fit state would be wrong. It lacks prudence to allow such a radical change to healthcare practice at a time of crisis for the NHS, especially given the increased financial pressures on general practice, hospices and care homes. The argument supports the intervention made by former Gordon Brown last week calling for a commission into palliative care treatment before any decision to support assisted dying. The academics added: To allow assisted suicide would be to upend the ethics of healthcare. As Lord Walton (a neurologist) said, the prohibition of intentional killing is the cornerstone of law and of social relationships. Assisting suicide should have no place in medical practice or in a civilised society. Among the medical signatories are Dr Matthew Dore, honorary secretary of the Association for Palliative Medicine for Great Britain and Ireland; Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, professor of intellectual disability and palliative care at Kingston University, London; Mari Lloyd-Williams, professor of supportive and palliative care at University of Liverpool; Dr Robert Barber, consultant in old age psychiatrist and honorary clinical senior lecturer at Newcastle; John OBrien, professor of old age psychiatry at the University of Cambridge School of Clinical Medicine; Alan Thomas, professor of old age psychiatry, director of Brains for Dementia Research at Newcastle University; Dr Paul Keeley, clinical associate professor and consultant at Glasgow Royal Infirmary; Professor Sheila the Baroness Hollins, emeritus professor of psychiatry of disability at St Georges University of London. Legal experts include Professor Charles Foster, Faculty of Law, University of Oxford; Dr Philip Murray, fellow and director of studies in law at Robinson College, Cambridge University; Dr Mary Neal, reader in Law (healthcare law and ethics) at the University of Strathclyde. Academics in ethics include Dr Nigel Biggar, professor emeritus of moral theology at the University of Oxford; and Joshua Hordern, professor of Christian ethics, University of Oxford. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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 policy Campaigners have hit out at a woefully inadequate financial package for developing nations agreed at Cop29 with one charity condemning it as a death sentence for millions. A $300bn (239.5bn) deal to help combat the impact of global warming was announced at the summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. It falls far short of the $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, but is three times the $100bn a year deal from 2009 that is expiring. UN climate chief Simon Stiell hailed it as an insurance policy for humanity, while energy secretary Ed Miliband described it as a critical 11th-hour deal at the 11th hour for the climate. But Christian Aid said people who needed a life raft had been given a plank of wood instead. And the charity WaterAid said it was a death sentence for millions and a mere fraction of what was needed. COP29 Climate Summit ( AP ) Lesley Pories, lead policy analyst for WaterAid, said: While experts touted needs around one trillion dollars annually for the new collective quantified goal (NCQG), an agreement for $300bn was reached a mere fraction of the finance we all know is desperately needed. They said that from hurricanes and flash flooding to wildfires and worsening drought, the global water crisis was a growing tragedy and that it was deeply shameful that governments could not set aside their differences for the sake of the most vulnerable. Jasper Inventor, head of the Cop29 Greenpeace delegation, said: The agreed finance goal is woefully inadequate and overshadowed by the level of despair and scale of action needed. Our true opponents are the fossil fuel merchants of despair and reckless nature destroyers who hide snugly behind every governments low climate ambition, he said. Their lobbyists must be disallowed and leaders need to summon the courage to get on the right side of history. But Joe Biden said that while substantial work remained to be done, the conference had set an ambitious international climate finance goal. While some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution thats underway in America and around the world, nobody can reverse it nobody, the US president said. Friends of Earth head of policy Mike Childs credited the UK delegation for playing a productive role in the talks, but warned that they failed to solve the question of climate finance. Instead they have again kicked the can down the road. Developing countries are being hammered by climate extremes now, predominantly fuelled by the current and historic polluting activities of rich nations, like the UK. A spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion said Cop29 has failed, adding: The clue is in the name. Next year countries will try for the 30th time. What is clear is the era of oil and gas must end: fast, fairly and forever. While the fossil fuel industry thrives, billions suffer. Rich nations must stop imposing loans on the poorest who have done the least to get us where we are today, and instead provide grants. Anything less is a death sentence for the planet and people on it. The Cop29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital had been due to finish on Friday but ran on as negotiators from nearly 200 countries struggled to reach a consensus on a climate funding plan for the next decade. The outcome is reflective of the harder geopolitical terrain the world finds itself in, said Li Shuo of the Asia Society. He cited Trumps recent victory in the US with his promises to pull the country out of the Paris Agreement as one reason why the relationship between China and the EU will become more consequential for global climate politics. The Cop29 text included a call for all parties to work together using all public and private sources to get closer to the original trillion-dollar-per-year goal by 2035. That means also pushing for international megabanks, funded by taxpayer dollars, to help foot the bill. It is also a step toward helping countries create more ambitious targets to limit or cut emissions of heat-trapping gases that are due early next year. That is part of the plan to keep cutting pollution with new targets every five years, which the world agreed to at the UN talks in Paris in 2015; the Paris Agreement set the system of regular ratcheting up climate-fighting ambition as a way to keep warming under 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. The world is already at 1.3C and carbon emissions keep rising. Reuters and Associated Press contributed to this report Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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 policy British spies will seek to counter Russian cyberwarfare with a new laboratory for artificial intelligence, with a senior government minister warning that Russia will not think twice about targeting the UK. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden will speak at the Nato cyber defence conference at Lancaster House on Monday night. Vowing never to let Vladimir Putin deter the UK from supporting Ukraine, Mr McFadden will say the UK and its Nato allies are watching Moscow and combating its attacks both publicly and behind the scenes. Mr McFadden will warn that Britain learned long ago not to appease dictators and that Mr Putin will not be successful in attempting to weaken backing for Ukraine. open image in gallery Pat McFadden is to address the Nato conference on Monday ( PA ) And the minister, responsible for UK national security, will announce a new Laboratory for AI Security Research aimed at helping the UK stay ahead in the new AI arms race. The centre will bring together GCHQ, Oxford University, the National Cyber Security Centre, the Alan Turing Institute and numerous government departments, and be handed an initial 8.22m. Mr McFadden will say: Be in no doubt: the United Kingdom and others in this room are watching Russia. We know exactly what they are doing, and we are countering their attacks both publicly and behind the scenes. We know from history that appeasing dictators engaged in aggression against their neighbours only encourages them. Britain learned long ago the importance of standing strong in the face of such actions. Thats why we support Ukraine in its fight to decide its own destiny. Putin is a man who wants destruction, not peace. He is trying to deter our support for Ukraine with his threats. He will not be successful. Mr McFadden will also warn that cyber interference enables Russia to turn the lights off for millions of people by shutting down power grids and represents the hidden war it is waging against Kyiv. open image in gallery Russian president Vladimir Putin records a televised address in Moscow ( AP ) But while AI can amplify existing cyber threats, it can also create better defence tools for security agencies to use to collect, analyse, and produce more useful intelligence, he will say. Cyberwar is now a daily reality, Mr McFadden is to tell allies. One where our defences are constantly being tested. The extent of the threat must be matched by the strength of our resolve to combat it and to protect our citizens and systems. He will add: AI is already revolutionising many parts of life including national security. But as we develop this technology, theres a danger it could be weaponised against us. Because our adversaries are also looking at how to use AI on the physical and cyber battlefield. Alongside the new laboratory, the minister will also announce a new 1m incident response scheme designed to share expertise so that allies can counter cyberattacks more effectively. open image in gallery On Thursday, Moscow used a new ballistic missile in Ukraine ( AP ) Mr McFadden and senior national security officials will also meet business leaders next week to discuss how they can protect themselves as he warns Russia will not think twice about targeting British firms. The intervention comes amid a dramatic escalation in tensions between Russia and the West, with Mr Putin lowering Moscows threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and suggesting the Ukraine war is becoming a global conflict. The Russian leader has said he is entitled to target the military facilities of countries which have supplied weapons to Kyiv. On Thursday, Moscow used a new ballistic missile in Ukraine, which Mr Putin said was in response to the UK and US allowing missiles they have supplied to be used to strike targets in Russia. Ministers have declined to explicitly confirm that British missiles have been used across the border, but the UK is widely believed to have allowed its Storm Shadow weapons to be used by Ukrainian forces within the Kursk region. Meanwhile, the US has given permission for its ATACMS weapons to be fired at targets in Mr Putins country. Moscow sent 73 drones into Ukraine overnight into Sunday. According to Ukraines air force, 50 drones were destroyed and four lost, likely having been electronically jammed. In Russia, the defence ministry said 34 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight into Sunday in four regions of western Russia, including Kursk, Lipetsk, Belgorod and one over the Oryol region. News / National by Staff reporter A 34-year-old Chitungwiza man, Cuthbert Maoko, was arrested at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport for attempting to smuggle five rhino horn pieces out of the country. The incident occurred on September 12 when Maoko, a clearing agent at the airport, was found with the contraband hidden inside a plastic sculpture.Maoko appeared before Harare Magistrate Sheunesu Matova on Friday and was remanded in custody until December 6 for routine remand. He was advised to approach the High Court for bail.According to the prosecution, Maoko was attempting to facilitate the illegal shipment of the rhino horns to China by processing fake export papers. He had arrived at the Airport 7 Aviation Services with a 13kg owl-shaped plastic sculpture, which he claimed was the item he intended to ship. However, during a routine physical inspection, authorities discovered something suspicious.Upon closer examination, the sculpture was found to contain five rhino horn pieces wrapped in newspaper and transparent plastic. Maoko was unable to provide any legal documentation or permits for the rhino horns, prompting his immediate arrest.The prosecution further alleges that Maoko later implicated his accomplice, Lin Wang, in the smuggling operation. The authorities are continuing their investigation into Wang's role in the illegal activity.Rhino poaching and wildlife trafficking are significant issues in Zimbabwe and across the African continent, with rhino populations dwindling due to the illegal trade in rhino horns, which are highly valued in some markets for their purported medicinal properties and use in traditional remedies.Maoko's arrest has highlighted ongoing efforts by Zimbabwe's wildlife authorities to curb illegal wildlife trafficking and protect endangered species. He will return to court on December 6 for further hearings. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email 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 policy The Jewish Leadership Council has hit out at the so-called charity tax measures in the Budget and has warned the chancellor that the tax hikes will damage the fight against antisemitism. Extra costs from a shock rise in employers national insurance contributions will hit Jewish charities fighting bravely against a rise in antisemitism in Britain, they warn. While ministers have spared the NHS and the public sector from the tax rise, they have refused to extend the exemption to charities and others. Reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK reached a record high in the first half of this year. Between January and June, the Community Security Trust (CST) charity recorded 1,978 anti-Jewish hate incidents, up from 964 in the first half of 2023. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves has been warned Jewish charities will be hit ( EPA ) In a letter to The Independent, Claudia Mendoza, the chief executive of the Jewish Leadership Council, which represents the largest Jewish organisations in the UK, warns antisemitism has risen to unprecedented levels since the attacks on Israel in October 2023, when Hamas terrorists killed 1,200 people. The tax hike will damage the essential work done by Jewish charities and lead to contractions across the whole sector, including all those Jewish charities who are fighting bravely against antisemitism. She added: Charities of all faiths as well as secular charities will be forced to reduce the support they can provide to their beneficiaries, given the charity sector as a whole faces an additional 1.4bn tax bill. The chancellor must urgently consider an exemption from this tax rise for the charity sector. Without this, the services provided by British charities will be reduced in some cases critically. open image in gallery Keir Starmer has said his party has changed after it was engulfed by a series of antisemitism scandals under previous leader Jeremy Corbyn ( PA ) Sir Keir Starmer has made much of changing the Labour Party after it was embroiled in a series of rows over antisemitism under its previous leader, Jeremy Corbyn. Last year he described it as an evil that had to be rooted out. A Treasury spokesperson said: Our tax regime for charities, including exemption from paying business rates, is among the most generous anywhere in the world, with tax reliefs for charities and their donors worth just over 6 billion for the tax year to April 2024. We have protected small charities and businesses by more than doubling the Employment Allowance to 10,500, meaning more than half of them with NICs (national insurance contributions) liabilities either gain or see no change next year. Charities will still be able to claim employer NICs reliefs where eligible and are still exempt from business rates." Ms Reeves move to increase employer National Insurance is designed to raise more than 25bn which Labour says will be used to help fix the UKs broken foundations. 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 Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Two people were killed and one was injured after a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed near Storm Mountain in Colorado. Authorities responded to a report of a plane crash roughly 80 miles north of Denver shortly after 11 a.m. on Saturday, the Larimer County Sheriffs Office said. Emergency crews and deputies found three passengers on board. Two were confirmed dead while the third was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries, the sheriffs office said. The plane belonged to the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian auxiliary of the US Air Force. The plane, which the National Transportation Safety Board identified as a Cessna 182, was conducting a routine aerial photography training mission when the incident occurred, Colorado Civil Air Patrol confirmed. Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten lost their lives in the crash while co-pilot Randall Settergren suffered injuries, the states Governor Jared Polis announced Saturday. open image in gallery Aerial photos show the wreckage from the crash ( Fox31 Denver ) These individuals served the Civil Air Patrol as volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all. The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten, the governor said. The sheriffs office is still working on recovery operations, which it expects will take several days due to the extreme, rugged terrain, authorities said. An investigation into the crash is also ongoing. Major General Laura Clellan, the Adjutant General of Colorado of the states department of Military and Veterans Affairs, also issued a statement in the wake of the tragedy. The volunteers of Civil Air Patrol are a valuable part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they do on a daily basis directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state, she said. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of those involved in the crash. I would also like to thank all of the first responders who assisted with rescue efforts. Colorado Civil Air Patrol missions range from search-and-rescue of lost hikers or hunters, location of downed aircraft, and transport of emergency personnel or medical materials, the statement said. Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS, UCHealth LifeLine, Larimer County Parks Rangers, Loveland Police Department, the United States Forest Service, and the Colorado Air National Guard also assisted with the incident response. 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 Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Georgia mother who believed she was pouring evil into her baby when breastfeeding her has been convicted of killing the child. Chloe Driver, 24, brutally stabbed her 13-month-old daughter Hannah to death. Prosecutors alleged throughout her trial that Driver was motivated to kill Hannah because she wanted her husband, the babys father, all to herself. Chief Assistant District Attorney Katie Gropper told the court that Drivers husband had two other wives and that their polygamist group had radical views and lived a lifestyle of alternative healing practices that included drinking their own urine. A jury heard how Driver struggled with an unstable childhood, a history of mental illness and was enduring an abusive and oppressive marriage when she said she finally snapped and stabbed her baby and herself in December 2020. Defense attorneys attempted to paint a picture of a woman who was abused and coerced by her alleged cult leader husband. They claimed a combination of her mental illness and extreme beliefs resulted in the babys death. Driver had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity to charges of malice murder, felony murder, first-degree cruelty to children, and aggravated assault. But at the end of a six-day trial, and just three hours of deliberation, a jury found her found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt but mentally ill on all charges which means they rejected Drivers insanity plea and found her criminally responsible for her actions. open image in gallery Chloe Driver pictured at the time of her arrest for murder in 2020. Her neck was bandaged up from where she had stabbed herself in the throat ( Cherokee County Sheriff's Office ) The murder of baby Hannnah Police responded to a home in Canton, Georgia on December 8, 2020, to find a mother and her baby daughter with stab wounds inside a bedroom. Driver was lying on a mattress next to blood covered baby Hannah, holding her hand. Both were rushed to the hospital where the baby died from her injuries. Police said Driver had taken a knife from the butcher block in the kitchen, locked herself and her baby in the bedroom and stabbed her repeatedly. They were found by the babys father, Benyamin Ben Michael, also known as Brian Joyce or Z who allegedly let out a blood-curdling scream as he cried to Driver, what did you do? Driver was married to the man who also had two other wives. Dr. Carli Blomquist, an emergency room doctor who tended to Hannah, told the court during Drivers trial that the baby was empty of blood when she was brought in. She wanted him to herself A letter allegedly written by Driver was shared in court during her trial that revealed her chilling confession about the murder. He didnt do it. I did it, she had written, referring to her husband, Ben Michael. I was going insane and no longer wanted to be with his friends but kept coming back for him. I only wanted my baby and husband but he refused. The prosecution told the court that, she wanted to be with him and he was never going to give up his polygamist cult lifestyle that they had adopted. open image in gallery Driver watches from the defense table as a video of her police interview is played in court ( Court TV ) But the defense said the claim that Driver killed the child to get Ben Michael all to herself defies logic because she would have also killed the other wives. If she wanted him to herself, wouldnt she have gotten rid of the competition? the defense pointed out. Before the jury was sent out to make a decision, the defense urged them to find her guilty by reason of insanity, arguing that Driver was in a delusional state at the time of the babys death and that she was not able to distinguish right from wrong. Justice for Hannah in this case is getting her mother the treatment she needs, they said. Did a polygamist cult drive Chloe Driver to murder? In the months leading up to the murder of baby Hannah, Driver said she was seeing signs that convinced her Ben Michael and the other wives wanted her to kill herself and her child, according to Dr. McLendon Garrett. Dr. Garrett, a forensic psychologist who conducted an interview with Driver following the murder, testified for the defense, arguing that the mother suffered from paranoia and had experienced delusions before her babys death. Driver was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, borderline personality disorder, and cannabis use disorder. She attributed Drivers mental health struggles to a traumatic childhood and abusive relationships. She had a very unstable childhood, Dr. Garrett said. "Her family was cold, and she left them multiple timesliving with boys, even leaving the state to move in with one. She experienced suicidal ideation early on and engaged in self-harm, including cutting and attempting to overdose on sleeping pills. Driver then met her husband when she was just 17 years old and he was 38, and then became part of a nomadic religious group led by her husband, who Dr. Garrett said she believed played a pivotal role in her mental state. She was incredibly isolated, Dr. Garrett said. She wasnt allowed to speak to others unless it was for recruitment purposes. She couldnt go to stores, use money, or have a phone without supervision. Her only jobs lasted about two weeks, and those were out of necessity. open image in gallery Driver appeared emotionless as a jury found her guilty of murder ( Court TV ) The group are strict vegans who followed unorthodox health practices that included drinking their own urine, according to witness testimony. Driver also told the doctor about the control she was under and how she would face punishment, which included dark therapy, where she was confined to a bed, the windows covered, denied bathroom access, and forced to urinate on herself. After Driver gave birth to Hannah, she began to question the groups teachings, specifically about the lack of the childs care, including vaccinations, and simply - a birth certificate. She was concerned her baby wouldnt have a normal life, Dr. Garrett said. But realized she wasnt going to get that with Ben Michael. Drivers paranoia and delusions intensified, but when she asked the other wives for help, they reportedly gave her CBD oil, which allegedly only intensified the tendencies, Dr. Garrett said. She felt like the wives ganged up on her and made her believe that she and the baby were sinful. She believed she was downloading her sin all the bad parts about her into her child through breastfeeding, Dr. Garrett said. She also talked about pouring her sin into the child. There was a lot of evidence that she really believed by having a child with somebody who was married -- by having the child in this sort of open relationship -- that it was a sin and that she passed that sin on to her daughter, Dr. Garrett added. And so they shared that -- that they were both embodiments of sin. When asked what Dr. Garrett believed to be the specific trigger that pushed her over the edge, she said Driver told her she was upset when Ben Michael threw a dirty shirt at her when she said she needed something clean so she could change Hannah. open image in gallery Baby Hannah was just 13 months old when her mother stabbed her to death in December 2020 ( Cherokee County Sheriffs Office ) That incident was potentially the straw that broke the camels back after months of delusions, Dr. Garrett said. "She was incredibly isolated and mentally unwell," she added. "Her relationship with the group and its dynamics created a perfect storm." A perfect storm that eventually led to Hannahs tragic death. From that moment on, I snapped, Driver told Dr. Jacquelyn Zahm, who also evaluated her after the murder. Disturbing claims of dark therapy and urine drinking In a bizarre portion of testimony, Drivers friend took the stand in an orange prison jumpsuit and told the court of Drivers polygamous lifestyle and their unorthodox health rituals. Jason Spillars, who faces charges in a separate case in North Carolina, painted the household of Ben Michael as harmonious and supportive, but a patriarchal one with the man in charge because men are better decision-makers, they can regulate their emotions in a way that women cannot, and theyre just better leaders, he said. Spillars gave an inside look at the groups polygamous lifestyle, with shocking claims that they participated in rituals such as drinking urine and the isolating dark therapy. Despite this, he said all three women who were married to Ben Michael were content in their roles and that Drivers involvement was voluntary and based on shared beliefs, not coercion. open image in gallery Jason Spillars gave an inside look at the groups polygamous lifestyle, with shocking claims they participated in rituals such as drinking urine and isolating dark therapy ( Court TV ) Spillars testified that his friend had previously gone through cycles of mental distress, and that in the months leading up to Hannahs murder, her delusion and paranoia had increased. He then became emotional on the stand as he recounted what he witnessed on the day of the babys murder. He recalled walking into the room to find Ben Michael doing CPR on Hannah and seeing blood everywhere. As he applied pressure to Drivers stab wounds, he said he remembered his friend telling him, Stop, Im supposed to die. Spillars then broke down in sobs as he insisted that Driver was a good mother who loved her daughter. Her mom begged her to come home Drivers mother Renee said she and other family members tried desperately to convince her to leave Ben Michael, but nothing could sway her. I did everything I could to get her to stay with me, but it didnt work, Renee told the court as she became emotional. After baby Hannah was born, their contact was minimal, but Renee said she knew Driver was a very good mother and she loved her daughter. Driver wiped away tears and her lips trembled as her mother testified. After Hannah was born, Renee said shed reiterated that her daughter and granddaughter could move in, but Ben Michael was not welcome because Renee didnt want anything to do with him. Renee said in July 2020 she started noticing changes in her daughter, describing her as being in a zombie-like state and not herself. Nothing really changed with Hannah -- just her, Renee said. She was just falling apart. I mean, she was literally just falling apart, but at that time, I wasnt so much paying attention to her because, I mean, I had Hannah, too, and I was just so excited every time I got to see Hannah. The verdict For six days, jurors listened to testimony from 21 witnesses and viewed graphic crime scene photos before being sent out to decide Drivers fate. The young mother appeared emotionless as the verdict was read in court on Wednesday. She was found guilty, but mentally ill, of murdering her baby girl. The guilty but mentally ill verdict means that the jury rejected her insanity plea and found her criminally responsible for her actions. Driver will be sentenced on December 12. Until then, Driver will be in the custody of the Georgia Department of Corrections, which will be responsible for addressing her mental health needs. 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 Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The life of every member of the Ramsey clan changed forever when 6-year-old JonBenet Ramsey was found viciously killed in the basement the day after Christmas in 1996. But the life of an investigator and subsequently the rest of his family was about to change, too; Lou Smit just didnt know it yet as he drove to Boulder from Colorado Springs in the months immediately after the murder. The retired veteran detective had been called in by Boulders district attorney to advise as local police grappled with media chaos and infighting while attempting to investigate a sensational murder an almost unheard-of crime in the well-heeled, leafy community. Smit, however, already had more than 200 murder cases under his belt. Hed also helped score high-profile convictions, including after the investigation into the 1975 killing of Karen Grammer, sister of Frasier actor Kelsey, and the murder of a woman whose killer later confessed to taking 47 other lives. Smit a married father of four and grandfather known for his habit of perennially carrying a toothpick in his mouth threw himself into the investigation. He applied the same dedication that had earned him near legendary status among his colleagues, even agreeing to take on the case despite difficult family circumstances. open image in gallery Lou Smit, a detective who worked in Colorado Springs law enforcement for decades, came out of retirement at the request of Boulder authorities after the 1996 murder of JonBenet Ramsey ( Cindy Marra ) A week or two after he started, he moved to Boulder, Smits daughter, Cindy Marra, tells The Independent, detailing how a local couple let him use a spare room as his base during the week. We had to all get together as a family, because my mom had been dealing with cancer, and so we had to have some kind of a plan to take care of her. Despite her illness, Smits wife, Barbara, also lent a hand. We have his journal; he dictated into a recorder every day, and my mom would then transcribe it, Cindy says. And within the first couple of days, in that journal, he already said: Something is not right. Something is not right. Here I see evidence of an intruder. Cindy caught up with her dad by phone when he finally could come up for some air as he pored over the case. I remember just saying to him: So, who did it? The mom or the dad? Because thats what we had been fed by the media, she tells The Independent. He goes, Well, I dont think it was either. I dont think it is a family member. I think an intruder broke into that home and killed her. So that was really surprising to me. Smit, who at the time had grandchildren of similar ages to JonBenet, became convinced that the perpetrator entered the home through a basement window. He proved it was possible by climbing into and out of the window himself. Smit believed the killer used a stun gun on JonBenet, pointing to marks on her body as evidence. open image in gallery Smit, posing with his four children, was devoted to finding JonBenets killer and asked his family and friends to continue the investigation after his 2010 death ( Cindy Marra ) In accordance with the investigative transfer theory that a killer brings or leaves something to a crime scene he posited that JonBenets attacker brought with him duct tape, cordage and a stun gun as part of a kidnap kit, then left with the evidence. Smit also pointed to DNA collected from under the childs fingernails and on her underwear that was ruled by a lab report from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to be foreign and male, excluding JonBenets parents and nine-year-old brother, who were home at the time. All of this put him at odds with Boulder police, who seemed dead-set on their theory that someone within the Ramsey family was responsible. (Within four years of JonBenets murder, one former Boulder detective went on national television to claim she feared for her life when she looked into John Ramseys eyes after he discovered his daughters body in the basement; another detective wrote a book placing blame squarely on Patsy, hypothesizing she killed her daughter in anger over a bedwetting incident.) Eighteen months after he joined the JonBenet investigation, Smit resigned, writing in his September 1998 letter that the Ramseys did not do it. There is substantial, credible evidence of an intruder and a lack of evidence that the parents are involved, he wrote. Smits friends and family note the toll the case took on him as he hit repeated obstacles with Boulder authorities. He had to fight to present evidence to a grand jury looking into JonBenets murder. Years after Smits 2010 death, it emerged that the grand jury had voted to indict the parents on child abuse charges, but its important to note that grand juries only hear arguments and evidence hand-picked by prosecutors. There is no defense. It was just hard for him to think that people were just proactively trying to thwart his investigation or his observations, Cindy says. It always made us angry, because we knew he didnt deserve it. We knew these people just were on their own page. open image in gallery Smits friend and former law enforcement colleague, John Wesley Anderson, published a book last year about the detectives quest to get justice for JonBenet; he is among the group working to continue Smits effort to solve the case ( WildBlue Press ) Calling him a delusional old man or anything like that was just so off. It just was so wrong. Smit had dedicated his life to family, faith and the force, applying in 1966 to the department where his cousin, Bill, already served as a police officer. The problem was the 5-foot, 9-inch minimum height requirement Lou was only five feet 8 inches, writes John Wesley Anderson, a fellow Colorado Springs detective who asked Smit to be his best man at his 1997 wedding, in Lou and JonBenet: A Legendary Lawmans Quest to Solve a Child Beauty Queens Murder. Lou really wanted to be a police officer and told Bill to whack him over the head with his nightstick. Later, at his medical exam, Lou measured exactly 5-feet 9- inches tall, including the bump on his head. Within a decade of joining the department, Smit proudly brought his children to the trial of Freddie Glenn, who was convicted in 1976 of the murder of Karen Grammer and two other victims. Glenn later confessed to dozens more. We didnt know who Kelsey Grammer was at all, but I just remember going to that trial and being just so impressed, Cindy says, who calls her father my hero. Filmmaker Joe Berlinger, whose three-part documentary Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet premieres on Netflix Monday and lays out much of Smits work, uses the same word to describe the detective. open image in gallery Smits wife, Barbara, was suffering from cancer at the time he agreed to help with the JonBenet investigation; Barb assisted in the effort, too, transcribing notes he dictated into a recorder ( Cindy Marra ) Smit was a total hero a really smart cop who became personally attached to this case who was horribly mistreated by the Boulder police, Berlinger tells The Independent, adding that he believed the then-Boulder DA did the smart thing: hired a well-regarded investigator, somebody who had tremendous respect. And the Boulder police were okay with it, until he came up with the wrong conclusion for them, and then they smeared him and said hes like a delusional old man looking for fame and fortune, Berlinger continues. The opposite was true. I wish Id had the pleasure to meet him in person he struck me as somebody who was deeply dedicated to his craft and deeply dedicated to the truth. Smit is described in the documentary by law enforcement friends in similar terms; one compares him to a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. He continued to work the case on his own and with the Ramseys; as he was dying of colon cancer, he enlisted help. He was trying to get the evidence in front of more and more people, but he just ran out of time, his friend Anderson tells The Independent. Anderson is among a group of family and friends carrying on Smits mission in his memory after the detectives death 14 years ago at the age of 75. Weeks before Smit entered hospice, while he was still in the hospital, Cindy recalls her father reiterating his hope that the investigation go on after his death. open image in gallery A new Netflix documentary puts forth much of the investigative work done by Smit, who was known for perennially carrying a toothpick in his mouth ( Cindy Marra ) My husband and I were in the room at that time, and he again, just said, Just make sure that somebody continues to follow up on this. And he said, Get a pen, get a pencil and paper and write this down, she says. And he gave me a name, and he goes, Start there. That was his number one person of interest at the time, Cindy says; following her fathers death, she convened a dedicated group that did exactly what her father asked, and theyve been working their way through his list of likely culprits ever since going to so far as to obtain DNA from individuals across the country. They have a GoFundMe to help defray the costs; in the days before the release of the Netflix documentary, donations totalled nearly $64,000. It speaks to the impact that my dad had on not only his children and grandchildren, but on the people that he worked with, because we have just been on a mission to fulfill his dying wish and I think that, if he wasnt who he was to all of us, we would have given up a long time ago, Cindy says. Anderson, who says he served as an advisor for the new Netflix documentary, considers whether Smit would find the continuing efforts to solve JonBenets murder bittersweet . Having known Lou most of my life, Im sure he would be from a professional perspective very thankful that theres so much attention to the investigation, to the facts of the case and keeping the case alive, he says. He had a wonderful quote, and he would often say, on cold cases that we had or cases that were waiting to be solved, he said: If nothing else, you have to stir the pot. To me, what that always meant was, if nothing else, lets go re-interview some witnesses, lets do something we havent done, lets keep that pot from growing cold on the stove. And I think, with this Netflix documentary, its really a big spoon to stir that pot. I think its going to have kind of a ripple effect where other people will say, I thought that was solved, or Ive been waiting to share this information or I thought it was the mother, but now its not so were hoping that more significant leads will come out. 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 Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Connecticut couple has been arrested for allegedly stealing $1 million in Lululemon products in a three-month span. Jadion Richards, 44, and Akwele Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested earlier this month in Woodbury, Minnesota and each charged with one felony count of organized retail theft, court documents show. The alarm sounded at Lululemon in Roseville, Minnesota on November 14 when the couple left the store, prompting employees to call police about the couple potentially shoplifting, a probable cause statement says. The couple denied the shoplifting claims, Richards said he was being racially profiled and accused employees of setting the alarm off on purpose. The alarm didnt go off when they exited the store for the second time, and they drove off in a rented Hyundai Tucson. At some point, the responding officer realized that the day prior, he had received a text from a Lululemon employee that a large theft had occurred involving three people he later learned that theft involved Richards, Lawes-Richards and an unidentified man, the statement says. A couple is accused of stealing $1 million in Lululemon products from September through November at stores across the country ( Getty Images ) An organized retail crime investigator for Lululemon said the trio are accused of stealing 45 items worth nearly $5,000 on November 13. The couple is responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss to the athleisure-wear store across the country by fraudulently returning stolen items to different Lululemon locations, the investigator said. When arrested the next day at a Woodbury Lululemon, officers recovered a wallet with different credit and debit cards that Richards had concealed in his buttocks, the filing says. He also had a key card for a room at JW Marriott in Bloomington. Hotel staff checked three of 12 suitcases in his room to see who they belonged to, finding each contained Lululemon clothing with their tags still attached, the document states. After obtaining a search warrant, investigators recovered the suitcases, estimating that they held Lululemon clothes worth more than $50,000. From September through November, the couple is accused of committing thefts in Minnesota, Colorado, New York, Connecticut and Utah; they are accused of stealing more than $30,000 from Lululemon stores in Minnesota and at least $32,000 in Colorado. The group worked together using specific organized retail crime tactics such as blocking and distraction of associates to commit large thefts, the filing says. For example, in Colorado, the duo held up coats and jackets as if they were eying them, but were in reality blocking the view of staff and other customers while they concealed the items and removed their security sensors, according to the court document. Typically Richards would walk into the store first, purchase a few cheap items with his credit card, and go back out to the sales floor where he and Lawes-Richards would remove a security tag from another item and instead place it onto a recently purchased item. Lawes-Richards and an unidentified woman then concealed the items in their jackets or under their shirts, the filing says. The women then led the group out of the store. When the security tags set off the alarms, Richards, in the back, would stop and show Lululemon the bag with his purchased items as the women left the store unscathed. The total loss to Lululemon from Richards, Lawes-Richards and their group is close to $1 million, the investigator said, according to the filing. They were being held at Ramsey County Jail until they were released after Richards posted $100,000 bail on November 21 and Lawes-Richards posted $30,000 bail on November 19, court documents show. They are next due to appear in court on December 16. Lululemons vice president of asset protection, Tristen Shields, told NBC News in a statement that the company is committed to creating a safe and secure environment. This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable, Shields continued. We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue. 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 Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Hyundai and Kia are recalling over 208,000 electric vehicles to fix a problem that can cause loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash. The recalls cover more than 145,000 Hyundai and Genesis vehicles including the 2022 through 2024 Ioniq 5, the 2023 through 2025 Ioniq 6, GV60 and GV70, and the 2023 and 2024 G80. Hyundai is recalling certain electric vehicles because the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) may become damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery, which can result in a loss of drive power, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The agency estimated that 145,235 vehicles were affected. Dealers will inspect and replace the ICCU and its fuse, as necessary, free of charge, NHTSA said. This recall expands on a previous one. Even if those vehicles were previously repaired, they will need to have the new remedy completed, the agency said. Hyundai vehicles were not the only cars affected. Kia, which is partly owned by Hyundai, is also issuing recalls. This recall includes nearly 63,000 Kia EV 6 vehicles from 2022 through 2024. Around 1 percent of cars are estimated to have the defect, according to the NHTSA recall report. The affiliated Korean automakers say in government documents that a transistor in a charging control unit can be damaged and stop charging the 12-volt battery. If the driver ignores the warnings associated with the discharging battery condition and continues to operate the vehicle in a reduced power mode, the vehicle may eventually experience a complete loss of motive power, the agency added. Dealers will inspect and replace the control unit and a fuse if needed. They also will update software. Owners whose vehicles were recalled earlier this year to fix the same problem will have to visit their dealer again, according to the agency. Owners will be notified by letter in December and January. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy While the Department of Justice no longer has to contend with the prospect of Attorney General Matt Gaetz, it still is likely to face a lot of the same directives under the direction of Pam Bondi. The 59-year-old former Florida attorney general has a much better chance of getting through the Senate confirmation process than the now-former congressman ever did. But while some Justice Department employees may have breathed a sigh of relief with the abrupt exist of her fellow Floridian, they are still in all likelihood going to have a disruptive force at the top of the agency. None of the baggage, but still the same orders, one department attorney told CNN. If Bondi, a loyal Trump ally, follows the president-elects likely wishes, she will become one of his top lieutenants on immigration, reproductive health access, and exacting the political retribution he promised on the campaign trail. Trump remains irate at the investigations he faced from the department under special counsel Jack Smith, including criminal indictments for his alleged mishandling of classified documents and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. During a TV appearance last year, Bondi declared that at the Department of Justice, the prosecutors will be prosecuted the bad ones. The investigators will be investigated, she added. Because the deep state, last term for President Trump, they were hiding in the shadows. But now they have a spotlight on them, and they can all be investigated. open image in gallery Pam Bondi is likely to become one of Trumps top lieutenants as he tries to remake the Department of Justice ( Getty Images ) With Gaetz no longer in the running, some career staffers believe that conservative lawyers may be willing to return to the department after serving in previous Republican administrations, according to CNN. Career staffers hope that Bondi alongside Trumps criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche, who is nominated for deputy attorney general will be able to hire attorneys who know the ins and outs of the department and enact the presidents agenda while also retaining the departments independence. Trump nominated another one of his personal attorneys, Emil Bove, to be the principal associate deputy attorney general. He also nominated D. John Sauer, who managed to convince the Supreme Court that Trump and other presidents have immunity for official acts, to be the solicitor general. Prosecutor Nick Cox was one of Bondis top deputies in Florida. While calling her effusive and sweet when speaking to CNN, Cox also said, If you crossed her in court or pissed her off, run for the door. Shes going to do everything she can, Im sure, to remain loyal to what [Trumps] desires are and what his needs are, he told the network. But he added that he didnt think she would cross the line and bring politically motivated charges. When it comes to criminal prosecutions, we have nothing to worry about, he said. open image in gallery If confirmed, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will likely oversee a Justice Department with its historic independence tested by Trumps administration ( REUTERS ) Palm Beach County state attorney Dave Aronberg told the network that Bondi will not intentionally violate the law to round up Trumps enemies. But he added that Bondi is likely to order more special counsel investigations, such as those conducted by attorney John Durham, who probed possible misconduct in the FBIs Russia investigation. I know she will do controversial things like John Durham-like investigations, but we have been through that, and it will be okay, Aronberg told CNN. Pam Bondi is the best attorney general that Donald Trump is going to nominate, he added. We should pick our battles. Bondi was one of the top surrogates for Trump in Florida during his 2016 campaign and she has been a strong supporter of the former president ever since. During Trumps first impeachment, Bondi was part of the defense team for his Senate trial and she made unfounded claims about President Joe Biden having had illicit business dealings with his son Hunter in Ukraine. During her speech at the Republican National Convention in 2020, she once again railed against the Biden family. She also pushed baseless claims about election fraud. She serves as the chair for the Center for Litigation at America First Policy Institute, where she spearheaded its work against what conservatives call the weaponization of the Justice Department. On a number of occasions, she has appeared in the press railing against the departments focus on the cases against Trump. Bondis nomination to lead the department comes amid reports that Trump set to attempt to fire the attorneys who worked with Special Counsel Jack Smith investigating the former president for his alleged mishandling of classified documents and for his connection to the Capitol riot. Those affected are likely to include career professionals usually shielded from such revenge efforts, according to The Washington Post. open image in gallery Bondi represented Trump during his first impeachment as she amplified allegations of corruption involving Joe Biden and his son Hunter ( REUTERS ) Trump is also set to put together groups to look for evidence that the 2020 election was riddled with fraud. The president-elect continues to falsely allege that the 2020 election was stolen from him as he remains steadfast in his baseless belief that Smiths investigations investigations are evidence of the weaponization of government for which he is now seeking revenge. For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans, Trump said in his statement announcing Bondi as his new pick for attorney general following the departure of Gaetz. Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. Smith is set to reveal in court filings on December 2 how he plans to wind down the cases against Trump in adherence with department policy not to prosecute sitting presidents. Trump and his allies have yet to provide any evidence of widespread fraud. He wrote in September that there was rampant cheating in 2020 and that those responsible would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, which will include long-term prison sentences. Please beware, that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials, he wrote on Truth Social. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Elon Musk has indicated that he may be interested in buying the liberal cable news network MSNBC. Donald Trump Jr. shared a post on X following news that the networks parent company Comcast is spinning off cable TV channels into a separate company. Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!! Trump Jr. wrote. How much does it cost? the worlds richest man asked. The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely, Musk added, along with a laughing emoji. The SpaceX and Tesla CEO may have been joking, but he made a similar comment regarding what was then Twitter years before purchasing the social media platform now known as X in 2022. Musk shared his love for Twitter, with a user replying: You should buy it then. How much is it? Musk asked at the time in December 2017. Years later, he spent $44 billion to buy the platform. He returned to that post in April 2022, adding an upside-down smiley. There are already concerns about the possible purchase, however serious Musk may be about the prospect. open image in gallery Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, jokingly suggested that he may buy MSNBC ( via REUTERS ) The social media landscape was forever changed by Musks purchase of X. One of his first acts was to reverse a ban on former President Donald Trump, whose account was locked after he failed to stop a mob of his supporters that stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Bluesky, an alternative to X, has seen a growth in new users who are leaving the Musk-owned platform after Trump appointed him to a role in the president-elects administration. MSNBC and other channels are already targets for the president-elect, who has threatened to push the Federal Communications Commission to revoke broadcast licenses for networks he has deemed, while calling on lawmakers to vote agaginst legislation to protect press freedoms. Musk is also proposing slashing federal dollars to publicly funded news outlets, and Trumps pick to lead the FCC has signaled a readiness to punish networks. Trump is also suing CBS for $10 billion, arguing that its 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was deceptively edited, amounting to election interference allegations the company has adamantly rejected. Trump has also accused MSNBC of election interference, once referring to it as a 24-hour-hit job. The former president sued as many as 20 news organizations last year for supposedly overestimating the losses he made on his Truth Social platform. open image in gallery Comcast Corp. announced on November 20 that it is beaking off its television assets to form a new, publicly traded company with its cable channels, including MSNBC ( AFP via Getty Images ) Comcast revealed plans earlier this week to spin off a number of its channels, including MSNBC and CNBC, into a separate company. Boston University social sciences professor Thomas Whalen told The Telegraph that the notion of Musk buying MSNBC was a bombshell on the broadcasting landscape. I think how Vladimir Putin and oligarchs have been buying the free media in Russia, he added. MSNBC is still a network which is providing real criticism of Trump and his policies. CNN is now playing both sides against the middle. Musks move seems like a hostile takeover and it bodes badly for the media moving forward. Craig Moffett of media analysts MoffettNathanson told CNN: There are only two media entities that Donald Trump dislikes more than CNN. One is MSNBC and the other is NBC. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Republican senator has warned his colleagues must step up to appoint Donald Trumps cabinet picks or face recess appointments. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee was on ABCs This Week that the idea of recess appointments is and should be on the table, adding that previous presidents in modern history including Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had utilized the constitutional clause allowing appointments when the Senate is not in session. The process would likely set up court battles and fray Trumps relationship with GOP leaders all while allowing him to confirm controversial choices despite concerns. open image in gallery Bill Hagerty, left, with Ted Cruz Donald Trump and Elon Musk ( Getty Images ) This is a constitutionally available tool, Hagerty told Jon Karl. What we want to see is the Democrats co-operate with us. But if the resistance movement gets as heavy as it was... Ive been through the confirmation process myself. I turned in my paperwork on the 21st of January, I didnt get confirmed until July. But when Karl pointed out that Republican votes were the issue, and asked if the president-elect would use recess appointments to force through major positions, Hagerty reiterated his point with a message to other GOP senators. What he [Trump] wants to do is see these appointments made quickly, Hagerty replied. I think everything should be on the table. I think if my colleagues understand that they will know they need to step up and move expeditiously to get these cabinet members confirmed. When asked by @JonKarl if President-elect Trump is still considering recess appointments to confirm members of his Cabinet, GOP Sen. Bill Hagerty says the move "should be on the table. This is a constitutionally available tool." https://t.co/9PjeFpCbdw pic.twitter.com/qrIqMDK2lC This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 24, 2024 The concept of recess appointments is a controversial one, and comes with restrictions: the appointments are temporary, and only last until the end of the applicable calendar year. They would also require the Senate to not be in session something that members of the upper chamber of Congress could resist. The Senate has never triggered a recess simply for the purpose of allowing a president to make such appointments. But it still leaves open the possibility that Trump could make recess Cabinet appointments during one of the Senates scheduled breaks, including the August recess later in 2025. And the president-elect himself has made clear that he plans to utilize the tactic. Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner, he wrote on Truth Social. Republican Senator John Thune was chosen to be the GOPs new majority leader when the Senate convenes in January. An ally of Mitch McConnell, Thune is an institutionalist and is not likely to wield the power of the Senate to suit Trumps whims. On policy matters and most votes, however, hes expected to toe the White House line. open image in gallery John Thune is set to head up the Republican majority in the Senate next year ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The Senate is set to be held by a solid GOP majority come next year; the presidents control is not absolute, however, and he has already seen his pick for attorney general go down in flames. The chamber wont vote on his picks until next year, but resistance from almost a half-dozen Republicans sunk the bid of Matt Gaetz to lead the Justice Department. None of Trumps other nominees have withdrawn yet, though a number of Republican senators appear publicly skeptical towards the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence (DNI). Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense, is also coming under increased scrutiny as new revelations have come out surrounding a sexual assault case he was involved in. Hegseth has denied that the encounter described in the allegations was nonconsensual. On the right, Trump is also taking flack from traditional conservatives over his nomination of a candidate for secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemerm, who supported the Pro Act a piece of pro-union legislation that failed to pass Congress under Joe Bidens presidency. News / National by Staff reporter Zimbabwe has voted in favour of a United Nations (UN) resolution calling for the global abolition of the death penalty, further demonstrating the country's commitment to limiting the use of capital punishment. The vote, which took place during the UN General Assembly's Third Committee session, saw the draft resolution receive overwhelming support, with 131 votes in favour, 36 against, and 21 abstentions.Amnesty International has praised Zimbabwe's decision, noting that the vote reflects the country's ongoing efforts to limit the use of the death penalty and its alignment with international human rights standards. In a statement, the global human rights group emphasized Zimbabwe's progress in restricting the death penalty, including an unofficial moratorium on executions, frequent commutations of death sentences to life imprisonment by the president, and the introduction of a bill aimed at abolishing capital punishment."Zimbabwe's vote demonstrates its commitment to abolishing capital punishment, as outlined in Article 6.2 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," Amnesty International said in a report. "Zimbabwe has made significant strides, including the cessation of executions since 2005, despite the continued imposition of death sentences."The country's constitution still maintains the death penalty, but it excludes women, men under the age of 21, and men over the age of 70 from facing execution. Currently, Zimbabwe has 62 inmates on death row, according to official figures.In response to growing calls for abolition, legal think-tank Veritas has proposed a model law for the retrial of all death row inmates, marking a significant step in Zimbabwe's ongoing debate over the death penalty. Veritas' push for reform aligns with broader regional and global trends, with many nations increasingly moving toward abolition.Amnesty International has urged Zimbabwean authorities to permanently dismantle its execution machinery, joining the ranks of over 170 countries that have either abolished the death penalty or introduced a moratorium on executions in law or practice.By voting in favour of the UN resolution, Zimbabwe is now poised to join the growing number of southern African nations that have abolished the death penalty for all crimes. These countries include Angola, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, and Zambia.The call for abolition has gained significant momentum, with global support building for a worldwide shift away from the death penalty, which remains controversial due to its irreversible nature and its potential for wrongful convictions.As Zimbabwe continues to make strides toward limiting capital punishment, the next step may be the full abolition of the death penalty, reflecting the nation's increasing commitment to upholding human rights and international norms. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Firebrand Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is gloating about cuts she could help enable as part of Elon Musks government efficiency drive. MTG told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures what she has in store for her new subcommittee covering the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The subcommittee will operate under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, headed by Rep James Comer of Kentucky, and will work alongside DOGE, led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, ostensibly to recommend major cuts government spending when Donald Trump becomes president. Greene promised a deep dive into every government department and program, with one recommendation being to have leaders of so-called sanctuary cities, whose policies protect immigrants, explain why they deserve federal funding. Georgia Rep Majorie Taylor Greene is interviewed by Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News on November 24, 2024 ( Fox News ) Id like to talk to the governors of sanctuary states and the mayors of sanctuary cities and have them come before our committee and explain why they deserve federal dollars if theyre going to harbor illegal criminal aliens in their states and their cities, she said. Asked by Bartiromo whether such cities and states would lose federal funding, she reiterated: If they use their police officers and resources to harbor and protect illegal criminal aliens, then absolutely. Greene specifically mentioned the death of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens in February. Her murderer was convicted and sentenced to life in prison this week. Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant who was in the country illegally, was allowed to leave New York City in September 2023 and traveled to Georgia. In laying out other ways to slash the federal budget, Greene said: The way to do that is to cut programs, contracts, employees, grant programs, you name it, that are failing the American people and not serving the American peoples interests. She also proposed making good on Musks wish to defund NPR, claiming it spread nothing but Democrat propaganda although the public radio broadcaster gets less than one percent of its funding from federal grants. Greene also promised to target grant programs that fund sex apps in Malaysia and toilets in Africa and to ask the Pentagon why they cannot find billions of dollars of funding each year and fail their audit. Asked about the possible suspension of government contracts and how that would impact private sector publicly traded companies, the congresswoman said that is where the subcommittee would work hand-in-hand with Musk and Ramaswamy to look deeply at these contracts to see if they still make sense. She claimed in many cases the cause and purpose of many contracts had expired and people should not have to pay for them but their budgets still get reauthorized. Greene also said they would target waste, fraud and abuse from government employees continuing to work remotely long after the Covid-19 pandemic and the many government buildings sitting empty. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin claims Donald Trumps pick for defense secretary was falsely accused of sexual assault, defending his claim days earlier that Pete Hegseth had just been flirting with his accuser. A recently released police report from the 2017 incident revealed that the woman, who has not been identified, told police that Hegseth blocked the door to stop her from leaving his hotel room and took her phone away before sexually assaulting her. Hegseth has maintained that the encounter was consensual. Earlier this week, the Oklahoma senator told reporters in the Capitol that he had read the police report: If you read it, you can clearly see that it was two people flirting with each other. On CNN Sunday, Mullin defended his previous claim and said that be believed Hegseths insistence that the encounter was consensual was accurate, he said. There was no case here. He was falsely accused, he added. She was being the aggressor. Pete wasnt even flirting with her. He was flirting with a different girl, and [the Jane Doe] was trying to flirt with Pete. In the police report, another woman told authorities that Hegseth had invited her back to his hotel room, but she politely declined. open image in gallery Senator Markwayne Mullin defends Pete Hegseth, calling Hegseths accuser the aggressor ( CNN ) CNN host Dana Bash pressed Mullin: From your perspective, you believe his part of the story and not hers? I absolutely do. He wasnt charged. He wasnt even kind of charged in this. There was no crime committed. The police dropped everything, he replied. While he did not face charges, Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to prevent a potential lawsuit, which he labeled as baseless. Whats unfortunate in todays world is you can be accused of anything. And then especially if its something like this, you are automatically assumed to be guilty, Mullin told Bash. Investigators in Monterey, California were first notified about the alleged incident by a nurse, who told police a patient came to the hospital requesting a sexual assault exam for an incident that had occurred five days earlier, according to the newly released police report. The patient, identified as Jane Doe in the report, said she struggled to remember what happened, but recalled being intoxicated and even speculated something may have been slipped into her drink because of her memory lapses. Although she didnt remember how, Jane Doe said she wound up in Hegseths hotel room. She told police that Hegseth took her phone from her hands and when she tried to leave his room, and that Hegseth blocked the door with his body, according to the report. She recalled saying no a lot but did not remember much else, the report says. open image in gallery Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on November 21. ( REUTERS ) Meanwhile, Hegseth told police that when they went back to his room, the woman sat down in the room and did not leave, which he found odd. The sex was consensual, they had discussed him wearing a condom, and he continuously asked Doe if she was [OK] because he did not want Doe to get in trouble, according to the report. Hegseth is among several of Trumps cabinet picks who has been accused of sexual misconduct. Most of the scrutiny has focused on now-former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, Trumps initial pick for attorney general who later withdrew his name from consideration. Gaetz stepped aside after details emerged from two probes, including allegations that he had sexual encounters with a 17-year-old girl. Records obtained by The New York Times and ABC News suggest that Gaetz paid more than $10,000 to two women who testified before the a House Ethics Committee Following Trumps election, a startling trend emerged: men started posting the phrase your body, my choice on womens social media posts. Some of Trumps own sexual assault accusers have also warned that his return to the White House marks a troubling time for survivors. This is not a good time for survivors or victims, one woman told The Independent in the days after Trumps victory. People are not going to speak up because, look, its falling on deaf ears. No one cares. Trump has denied all the accusations against him. Trumps transition team was reportedly caught by surprise when the details of the sexual assault allegation against Hegseth and the reports of his settlement became public. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A US senator and combat veteran who lost both of her legs in a helicopter crash in Iraq has slammed Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Department of Defense for his stance on women in combat roles. Pete Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, claimed allowing women to serve in combat roles like Duckworth was not providing any benefits to the armed services and argued it was making warfare more complicated. Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic senator from Illinois, tore into Hegseth during an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation on Sunday. open image in gallery Senator Tammy Duckworth lost both of her legs and some function in one arm when her helicopter was hit by a rocket fired by an insurgent during her deployment to Iraq in 2004. ( CBS Face the Nation ) Mr. Hegseth is not qualified for the position because he doesnt understand apparently, even after having served, that women are actually vitally important to an effective military, she said. With the recruiting challenges were having right now, if we were to pull all those women out and say, you cant go into combat, we would face a severe personnel crisis in the military. She then targeted his military record: He was a pretty low-ranking guy in the military, and he never had a command position ... He was a platoon leader, I think, once or twice, but he never even commanded a company. And so this is a man who is inordinately unqualified for the position. Military veteran senator Tammy Duckworth rips 'unqualified' Pete Hegseth Duckworth retired from the military after being one of the first women to fly combat missions during the Iraq War; her rank upon retiring was lieutenant colonel. Hegseth retired at the rank of major. Her comments came after Hegseth said on a recent podcast: Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, means casualties are worse. Im straight up just saying that we should not have women in combat roles it hasnt made us more effective, hasnt made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated. Access to all combat roles in the US military was expanded to women by Defense Secretary Ash Carter in 2016, authorized by then-President Barack Obama. open image in gallery Hegseth has been criticized for saying woman should not be in combat roles ( REUTERS ) The scuffle over Hegseths past comments is likely to take center stage in the coming days as he becomes the Trump Cabinet nominee facing the most scrutiny from both senators who will determine the fate of his confirmation as well as reporters, who have begun digging into an allegation of sexual assault for which Hegseth was not charged criminally. Hegeseth later settled with his accuser in a civil case. He has denied any wrongdoing, and claimed that a sexual encounter with his accuser was consensual. Trumps transition team, already dealt a blow by the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from contention for attorney general, was reportedly blindsided by the release this week of a largely-redacted police report detailing two accounts of the encounter between Hegseth and his accuser. Gaetz pulled out of the running to lead the Justice Department on Thursday; his announcement, according to CNN, came 45 minutes after the news channels reporters contacted him for comment on the revelation that the House Ethics Committee had heard testimony about a second alleged sexual encounter between the ex-congressman and a 17-year-old high schooler at a drug-fueled party in 2017. Like Hegseth, Gaetz strongly denies the allegations. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In the waning hours of his first administration, Donald Trump enacted one of his final executive orders on January 20, 2021 and granted clemency to 143 individuals, including former aide Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne. Four years on, its Joe Bidens turn. On Sunday December 2, the president sparked controversy when he pardoned his own son, Hunter Biden. In late October, Trump had hinted that he might consider pardoning the political scion, calling him a bad boy. Biden, meanwhile, previously insisted he wouldnt intervene in his sons criminal cases. Presidents can issue pardons (removing a punishment after a court decision) and commutations (a reduction in punishment for a crime) as they see fit for federal convictions, but not for state crimes. Now, Trump, with his own felony conviction, is just weeks away from returning to the White House and a raft of fellow convicted felons are already knocking at the door begging him to pick up his pardoning pen. Disgraced politicians, January 6 rioters and reality TV celebrities are among those already clamoring for a Trump pardon. Here are the key names who have asked to be on the list: Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs open image in gallery Joseph Biggs walks from the George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse in Orlando, Florida, in January 20, 2021 ( AP ) In a Truth Social post in March, the president-elect vowed that one of his first acts in office would be to free January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned. On Sunday December 2, after Biden announced his pardoning of Hunter, Trump once again mused over pardons for his supporters charged for their roles in the Capitol riot. Joseph Biggs is hoping to be one of them. Biggs is one of four Proud Boys leaders currently serving a prison sentence after he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy last year. At least 70 other members of the far-right extremist group were charged for participating in the violence. Last month, Biggss attorney Norm Pattis requested that Trump grant his client a complete pardon. These are divisive times, Pattis wrote. The divisions were acute in 2020, when millions believed the election was stolen and turned out to make sure electoral integrity was preserved. Suspicions and bitterness about the election lingers to this day. He compared it to pardoning confederate supporters after the Civil War. A pardon of Mr. Biggs will help close that wound and inspires confidence in the future, he said. Tiger Kings Joe Exotic open image in gallery Joe Exotic was the star of Netflixs hit series Tiger King ( Netflix US/AFP via Getty Images ) The infamous star of Netflixs Tiger King penned Trump a letter from Fort Worths Federal Medical Center, a federal prison for those with medical needs. A lot of people went to bat for you in 2021 who have been living in hell ever since then, he said, according to an excerpt of the letter obtained mid-November by Radar Online. Everyone hopes you keep the promises you made during your campaign, which include pardoning everyone sooner than later in January 2025. Joe Allen Maldonado, aka Joe Exotic, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for a murder-for-hire plot against his arch-enemy Carole Baskin and charges of animal abuse. The 61-year-old former exotic animal keeper had one more request for the president-elect: to be hired as the Federal Fish and Wildlife director. It is time to bring some honesty to this department because the former director, Dan Ash, only looked out for himself and his position within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, he continued. A recent Saturday Night Live skit mocked Exotics request, but the reality television personality appeared unphased and told TMZ the exposure may help him with his pardon request and, as the outlet puts it, his genuine request to be appointed to the cabinet. Former Ohio House Speaker open image in gallery Larry Householder sat at the head of a legislative session in Columbus, Ohio, as speaker on October 30, 2019 ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) In March last year, a jury found former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder guilty of leading a racketeering conspiracy which involved pocketing $60 million in bribes in connection with FirstEnergy Corp. Just 16 months in to a 20 year prison sentence, Householders lawyer Scott Pullins has said his client is seeking a pardon. Larry has a long history with Donald Trump, Pullins told News 5 Cleveland on November 15. I think hell be particularly receptive to this clemency request. Pullins said that Householder and the president-elect have kept in touch over the years after he spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention. When the lawyer was asked whether Householder was seeking a commutation or pardon, the lawyer told Cleveland.com that they will take whatever we can get. He added: We are pursuing all legal avenues to bring Speaker Householder home. Julie and Todd Chrisley open image in gallery Julie Chrisley and her husband Todd Chrisley were convicted of conspiring to defraud banks ( 2017 Invision ) Todd and wife Julie Chrisley, both 51, went from TV stars in their 2014 reality series Chrisley Knows Best to serving prison sentences in under a decade. In November 2022, the couple were sentenced after being found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans and are both serving a combined 19-year sentence. The dad of five apparently rejoiced hearing about the incoming second Trump administration. Todd is jumping for joy in prison and is so optimistic that he will be able to walk out of there when Trump takes office, a source close to the family told the Daily Mail after Trumps election victory. Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, truly believes that Trump will pardon her parents, the source added. Savannah has attempted to keep close ties with the president-elect, and in the summer spoke at the Republican National Convention, lambasting a so-called two-faced justice system which she said had also ensnared Trump. Boosie Badazz open image in gallery Boosie Badazz attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2019 at Cobb Energy Center on October 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia ( Getty Images ) Rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black were on Trumps clemency list in 2021 and another rapper is hoping he will be too. Torrence Hatch, who is known more commonly as Boosie Badazz or simply Boosie has also asked the president-elect for a pardon. Hatch, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was arrested during a traffic stop for possession of a firearm, shortly before he was due to perform in San Diego, California. While the original case was dismissed on July 12, new charges brought against him in July 19 connected the initial case, and included a second charge of drug dealing. CAN U PARDON ME ON MY FED CASE ?, Hatch wrote on X on November 6, just hours after Trump had garnered the 270 Electoral College votes needed to confirm his return to the White House. im a NON VIOLENT FELON. Hatch had previously served time in prison after 2009 felony convictions for gun and drug charges. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy In the summer of 2015, three Syrian girls who had narrowly survived an airstrike some weeks earlier stood before Tulsi Gabbard with horrific burns all over their bodies. Gabbard, then a US congresswoman on a visit to the Syria-Turkey border as part of her duties for the foreign affairs committee, had a question for them. How do you know it was Bashar al-Assad or Russia that bombed you, and not Isis? she asked, according to Mouaz Moustafa, a Syrian activist who was translating her conversation with the girls. open image in gallery Tulsi Gabbard has been accused of being a Russian asset ( Getty ) It was a revealing insight into Gabbards conspiratorial views of the conflict, and it shocked Moustafa to silence. He knew, as even the young children did, that Isis did not have jets to launch airstrikes. It was such an absurd question that he chose not to translate it because he didnt want to upset the girls, the eldest of whom was 12. From that point on, Im sorry to say I was inaccurate in my translations of anything she said, Moustafa told The Independent. It was more like: How do I get these girls away from this devil? Even before Gabbard left the Democratic Party, ingratiated herself with Donald Trump and secured his nomination to become director of National Intelligence, she was known as a prolific peddler of Russian propaganda. In almost every foreign conflict in which Russia had a hand, Gabbard backed Moscow and railed against the US. Her past promotion of Kremlin propaganda has provoked significant opposition on both sides of the aisle to her nomination. Her journey from anti-war Democrat to Moscow-friendly Maga warrior began in Syria. The devastating conflict was sparked by pro-democracy uprisings in 2011, which were brutally crushed by the Assad regime. It descended into a complex web of factions that drew extremist Islamists from around the world and global powers into the fray. open image in gallery Gabbard on a congressional fact-finding mission to southern Turkey in June 2015 ( Mouaz Moustafa/The Independent ) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group with a network of sources on the ground, documented the deaths of 503,064 people by March 2023 . It said at least 162,390 civilians had died in that same time, with the Syrian government and its allies responsible for 139,609 of those deaths. But Gabbard, a veteran of the Iraq War, viewed it all as a regime-change war fueled by the West and aimed at removing the dictator from power. She saw Assad and Russia, when it entered the conflict as legitimate defenders of the state against an extremist uprising. In 2015, when Russia entered the Syrian war on the side of the dictator Assad, Gabbard expressed support for the move, even as the civilian toll from Moscows devastating airstrikes grew into the thousands . Al-Qaeda attacked us on 9/11 and must be defeated. Obama wont bomb them in Syria. Putin did. #neverforget911, she wrote on Twitter. It was precisely because of her support for Assad and Russias war that Moustafa was keen for her to attend the congressional delegation to southern Turkey to meet the victims of the conflict. From experience, everyone that we bring over to the border, and they see the victims, they always come back with a realistic view of whats happening and who is behind the mass displacement and killing and atrocities and so on, and so that was the objective, he said. What was shocking was her lack of empathy. Shell sacrifice the facts, even when it came to little girls in front of her telling her they got bombed by a plane it didnt matter. open image in gallery Gabbard at a campaign rally for Donald Trump during the 2024 election campaign ( Reuters ) Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute who testified twice on Syria to the House Foreign Affairs Committee when Gabbard was a member, spent years debunking her various conspiracy theories about the war. Her consistent denial of the Syrian regimes crimes is so wildly fringe that her potential appointment as DNI is genuinely alarming, he told The Independent. Lister said her views appear to be driven by a strange fusion of America First isolationism and a belief in the value of autocratic and secular leaders in confronting extremism. They included a suggestion that Syrian rebels staged a false-flag chemical weapons attack against their supporters to provoke Western intervention against Assad something the US intelligence agencies she will soon lead had concluded was false. She declined to call Assad a war criminal when pressed , despite masses of evidence, and used a video of Syrian government bombings to criticize US involvement in the war. Her descriptions of the crisis in Syria read like they were composed in Assads personal office, or in Tehran or Moscow not Washington, Lister added. Gabbard was not swayed by meeting the victims of Assads airstrikes in 2015. In fact, two years later, she went to Damascus to meet the Syrian president in person and came away even more convinced of her opinions. The congresswoman said her visit to meet Assad the first by a sitting US lawmaker since the conflict began was aimed at bringing an end to the war. I felt its important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then weve got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we could achieve peace, she told CNN at the time. open image in gallery Fire rises following a Syrian government airstrike in Aleppo in 2016 ( AP ) Gabbard was forced to defend her embrace of Assad and other dictators during her 2020 run for the Democratic presidential nomination. During the Democratic primary debate, she clashed with Kamala Harris, who accused her of being an apologist for an individual Assad who has murdered the people of his country like cockroaches. She has embraced and been an apologist for him in a way that she refuses to call him a war criminal. I can only take what she says and her opinion so seriously and so Im prepared to move on, added Harris, who would subsequently drop out of the race and later be selected as Joe Bidens running mate. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard again defended Russian aggression. This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/Nato had simply acknowledged Russias legitimate security concerns, she posted on Twitter in 2022. Gabbard appeared to fall for various conspiracy theories about the conflict that were promoted by Russia, as she had done in Syria. One of those conspiracy theories was a Russian claim about the existence of dozens of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine that were supposedly producing deadly pathogens. She later walked back on those remarks, suggesting that there might have been some miscommunication and misunderstanding. Gabbards frequent echoing of Kremlin talking points has earned her praise in Russian state media. Indeed, an article published on 15 November in the Russian-state controlled outlet RIA Novosti went so far as to call Gabbard a superwoman. The possibility that Trump would tap someone with Gabbards history to be Americas top intelligence official shouldnt be a surprise to anyone who followed the president-elects first four years in the White House. During his 2018 summit with President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, the then-president was asked if he believed the US intelligence communitys assessment, which stated that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election on his behalf. That assessment was based on analysis of what was determined to have been state-sponsored campaigns of fake social media posts and ersatz news sites to spread false stories about his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, as well as cyberattacks targeting the Democratic National Committee and prominent operatives associated with the Clinton campaign. But Trump, whod just spent several hours in a closed-door meeting with Putin, stunned the assembled press and the entire world by declaring that he trusted the Russian leaders word over that of his own advisers. open image in gallery Gabbard has repeatedly defended Vladimir Putin and has been accused of using Kremlin talking points ( Getty ) "President Putin says its not Russia. I dont see any reason why it would be," he replied. Trump would go on to repeatedly clash with his own intelligence appointees during the remainder of his term. He sacked his first DNI, former Indiana senator Dan Coats, after Coats repeatedly declined to back away from the governments assessment of what Russia had done during the 2016 presidential race. Larry Pfeiffer, the director of George Mason Universitys Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security, said Gabbards apparent susceptibility to foreign disinformation and her affinity for strongmen will give pause to American allies with whom the US routinely shares intelligence on common threats. Intelligence services, he explained, are notoriously territorial and tight-lipped on sources and methods particularly when it comes to so-called human intelligence, or Humint, which refers to information collected by and from spies and sources within hostile governments. Pfeiffer said foreign allies are likely already concerned about how a second Trump administration will handle intelligence, given the president-elects record. He also predicted that Gabbards confirmation as DNI would cause even more problems among skittish partners. I think they wouldnt feel like theyve got an American confidant that they can deal with on a mature level, he said. I can guarantee you that the foreign intelligence services of Europe, including the Brits, are all having little side conversations right now about what is this going to mean, and how are we going to operate, and what are we going to do now. open image in gallery Gabbard has taken the side of Syrias Bashar al-Assad as well as the Russian president ( AP ) The former US intelligence veteran also said Gabbards record of spreading foreign talking points calls into question whether she will be able to carry out the DNIs important responsibility of briefing the president on threats to the nation. He told The Independent: Somebody like Tulsi Gabbard, you look at her long history of statements that seem to come out of the Kremlins notebook, her propensity to be influenced by their viewpoint [it] raises questions as to whether she has the ability to present the intel communitys perspective as it is, or is she going to be one whos going to want to discount it, influence it, color and change it, or ignore it and just present her own view? I think it also raises questions of judgement. You know, heres an individual who seems very prone to misinformation, prone to conspiracy theory. That should worry anybody whos worried about Americas national security, he added. Trumps selection of the former Hawaii congresswoman could be a problem for the senators tasked with confirming her, on several different levels. For one, the position is unique among cabinet agencies in that there are strict requirements for who can serve in the directors role. The text of the 2004 law which established the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington and the intelligence communitys failures leading up to the US invasion of Iraq, specifically states that any person who serves in the DNI job shall have extensive national security expertise. open image in gallery Formerly a Democrat, Gabbard is now described as a Russian puppet The first person to serve as DNI, John Negroponte, was a widely respected foreign service veteran who had served as US ambassador to Iraq, Mexico, Honduras and the Philippines, as the countrys ambassador to the United Nations, and as a deputy national security adviser during the Reagan administration. The next three people to hold the office were flag-rank military officers with significant intelligence experience. Pfeiffer, a US intelligence veteran of three decades standing who once ran the White House Situation Room and served as chief of staff to then-CIA director General Michael Hayden, told The Independent that Gabbards experience in the House and her military service, while admirable, do not match the standards envisioned by the authors of the 2004 law which established the office. Thats national security experience but she was a freaking military cop operating at a largely tactical level, not that strategic, long-term national security perspective that one would expect, he said. Gabbard may have left the Syrian conflict behind, but Moustafa still works with its victims every day. And he believes the connection between her views on Syria and Ukraine is clear. What happened in Syria is what allowed the Russians to feel that they could do the very same in Ukraine, he said. And what she is doing with Ukraine shows that it goes beyond her maybe misunderstanding one conflict. She is, hook, line and sinker, a Russian puppet. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tens of thousands of Spaniards marched in downtown Barcelona on Saturday to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living" and The people without homes uphold their rights. The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. Organizers said that over 100,000 had turned out, while Barcelonas police said they estimated some 22,000 marched. Either way, the throngs of people clogging the streets recalled the massive separatist rallies at the heigh of the previous decades Catalan independence movement. Now, social concerns led by housing have displaced political crusades. That is because the average rent for Spain has doubled in last 10 years. The price per square meter has risen from 7.2 euros ($7.5) in 2014 to 13 euros this year, according to the popular online real estate website Idealista. The growth is even more acute in cities like Barcelona and Madrid. Incomes meanwhile have failed to keep up, especially for younger people in a country with chronically high unemployment. Protestor Samuel Saintot said he is frustrated and scared after being told by the owners of the apartment he has rented for the past 15 years in Barcelonas city center that he must vacate the premises. He suspects that the owners want him out so they can renovate it and boost the price. Even looking in a 20- or 30-kilometer radius outside town, I cant even find anything within the price range I can afford, he told The Associated Press. And I consider myself a very fortunate person, because I earn a decent salary. And even in my case, I may be forced to leave town. open image in gallery Demonstrators march to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in Barcelona, Spain, Saturday, Nov. 23 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) A report by the Bank of Spain indicates that nearly 40% of Spaniards who rent dedicate an average of 40% of their income to paying rents and utilities, compared to the European Union average of 27% of renters who do so. We are talking about a housing emergency. It means people having many difficulties both in accessing and staying in their homes, said Ignasi Marti, professor for Esade business school and head of its Dignified Housing Observatory. The rise in rents is causing significant pain in Spain, where traditionally people seek to own their homes. Rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Many migrants to Spain are also disproportionately hit by the high rents because they often do not have enough savings. Spain is near the bottom end of OECD countries with under 2% of all housing available being public housing for rent. The OECD average is 7%. Spain is far behind France, with 14%, Britain with 16%, and the Netherlands with 34%. Carme Arcarazo, spokesperson for Barcelonas Tenants Union which helped organize the protest, said that renters should consider a rent strike and cease paying their monthly rents in a mass protest movement. I think we the tenants have understood that this depends on us. That we cant keep asking and making demands to the authorities and waiting for an answer. We must take the reins of the situation, Arcarazo told the AP. So, if they (the owners) wont lower the rent, then we will force them to do it." The Barcelona protest came a month after tens of thousands rallied against high rents in Madrid. The rising discontent over housing is putting pressure on Spains governing Socialist party, which leads a coalition on the national level and is in charge of Catalonias regional government and Barcelonas city hall. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez presided over what the government termed a housing summit including government officials and real estate developers last month. But the Barcelonas Tenants Union boycotted the event, saying it was like calling a summit for curing cancer and inviting tobacco companies to participate. The leading government measure has been a rent cap mechanism that the central government has offered to regional authorities based on a price index established by the housing ministry. Rent controls can be applied to areas deemed to be highly stressed by high rental prices. Catalonia was the first region to apply those caps, which are in place in downtown Barcelona. Many locals blame the million of tourists who visit Barcelona, and the rest of Spain, each year for the high prices. Barcelonas town hall has pledged to completely eliminate the citys 10,000 so called tourist apartments, or dwellings with permits for short-term rents, by 2028. 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 Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest insight SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Angela Merkel has revealed that she was tormented over the Brexit vote result and saw it as a humiliation for the EU. The former German chancellor wrote in her new autobiography Freedom that she ruminated on whether she could have done more to help the then-British prime minister David Cameron prevent the UK from leaving the bloc. However, in the extracts from the book, which is set to be published on Tuesday, Ms Merkel, who left office three years ago, concluded it was only himself that Mr Cameron could blame. Upon reflection, she said Brexit was a possibility as soon as he suggested in 2005 that Conservative Party MEPs should quit the European Peoples Party (EPP) over the parliamentary allliances support of the Lisbon treaty in 2009 which they did, with Eurosceptics criticising the changes the treaty introduced as undemocratic. In the five pages she dedicated to Brexit in her 700-page memoir, the Guardian reported Ms Merkel wrote: To me, the result felt like a humiliation, a disgrace for us, the other members of the European Union the United Kingdom was leaving us in the lurch. This changed the European Union in the view of the world; we were weakened. Risking the ire of other EU leaders, Ms Merkel disclosed that she tried wherever possible to help David Cameron, including reaching out to him as he attempted to secure changes over freedom of movement and trade with a view to pitching a reformed EU. open image in gallery The former German chancellor wrote in her new autobiography Freedom that she ruminated on whether she could have done more to help the then-British prime minister David Cameron prevent the UK from leaving the bloc ( Getty Images ) Referring to an EU summit in February 2016 at which a deal over the UKs renegotiation demands was hoped to be reached, she said: My support of him rendered me an outsider with my other colleagues The impact of the euro crisis was still lingering, and I was also being repeatedly accused of stinginess. And yet, during the summit, I steadfastly remained by David Camerons side for an entire evening. In this way I was able to prevent his complete isolation in the council and eventually move the others to back down. I did this because I knew from various discussions with Cameron that where domestic policy was concerned, he had no room for manoeuvre whatsoever. However, Ms Merkel said there reached a limit at which point she could no longer help Mr Cameron. She argued the UK had not helped itself, making the mistake of not introducing restrictions on eastern European workers after 10 new countries joined the EU in May 2004. The then-Labour government vastly underestimated the number of people who would come to the country, and following the influx of workers, the Eurosceptics were able to cast freedom of movement in a negative light. open image in gallery Angela Merkel dedicates around five pages to Brexit in her 700-page memoir ( PA Archive ) France and Germany, on the other hand, gradually phased in eastern Europeans rights to work, only giving them full access to their labour markets in 2011. Ms Merkel then described Mr Camerons proposal the Tories to leave the EPP as the final stop on the inevitable road to the referendum outcome. He therefore, from the very beginning, put himself in the hands of those who were sceptical about the European Union, and was never able to escape this dependency, she wrote, concluding the Brexit, demonstrated in textbook fashion the consequences that can arise when theres a miscalculation from the very start. Although she said she was still pained about whether there was more she could have done. After the referendum, I was tormented by whether I should have made even more concessions toward the UK to make it possible for them to remain in the community. I came to the conclusion that, in the face of the political developments taking place at the time within the country, there wouldnt have been any reasonable way of my preventing the UKs path out of the European Union as an outsider. Even with the best political will, mistakes of the past could not be undone. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Turkish doctor at the center of an alleged fraud scheme that led to the deaths of 10 babies told an Istanbul court Saturday that he was a trusted physician. Dr. Firat Sari is one of 47 people on trial accused of transferring newborn babies to neonatal units of private hospitals, where they were allegedly kept for prolonged and sometimes unnecessary treatments in order to receive social security payments. Patients were referred to me because people trusted me. We did not accept patients by bribing anyone from 112, Sari said, referring to Turkeys emergency medical phone line. Sari, said to be the plots ringleader, operated the neonatal intensive care units of several private hospitals in Istanbul. He is facing a sentence of up to 583 years in prison in a case where doctors, nurses, hospital managers and other health staff are accused of putting financial gain before newborns wellbeing. The case, which emerged last month, has sparked public outrage and calls for greater oversight of the health care system. Authorities have since revoked the licenses and closed 10 of the 19 hospitals that were implicated in the scandal. I want to tell everything so that the events can be revealed, Sari, the owner of Medisense Health Services, told the court. I love my profession very much. I love being a doctor very much. Although the defendants are charged with the negligent homicide of 10 infants since January 2023, an investigative report cited by the state-run Anadolu news agency said they caused the deaths of hundreds of babies over a much longer time period. Over 350 families have petitioned prosecutors or other state institutions seeking investigations into the deaths of their children, according to state media. open image in gallery An activist holds a baby toy and a banner with Turkish writing that reads, "If I had not been killed this would have been my sleeping friend" during a protest outside the courthouse where dozens of Turkish healthcare workers including doctors and nurses go on trial for fraud and causing the deaths of 10 infants, in Istanbul, Turkey, Monday Nov, 18, 2024 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Prosecutors at the trial, which opened on Monday, say the defendants also falsified reports to make the babies condition appear more serious so as to obtain more money from the state as well as from families. The main defendants have denied any wrongdoing, insisting they made the best possible decisions and are now facing punishment for unavoidable, unwanted outcomes. Sari is charged with establishing an organization with the aim of committing a crime, defrauding public institutions, forgery of official documents and homicide by negligence. During questioning by prosecutors before the trial, Sari denied accusations that the babies were not given the proper care, that the neonatal units were understaffed or that his employees were not appropriately qualified, according to a 1,400-page indictment. Everything is in accordance with procedures, he told prosecutors in a statement. The hearings at Bakirkoy courthouse, on Istanbuls European side, have seen protests outside calling for private hospitals to be shut down and baby killers to be held accountable. The case has also led to calls for the resignation of Health Minister Kemal Memisoglu, who was the Istanbul provincial health director at the time some of the deaths occurred. Ozgur Ozel, the main opposition party leader, has called for all hospitals involved to be nationalized. In a Saturday interview with the A Haber TV channel, Memisoglu characterized the defendants as bad apples who had been weeded out. Our health system is one of the best health systems in the world, he said. This is a very exceptional, very organized criminal organization. It is a mistake to evaluate this in the health system as a whole. Memisoglu also denied the claim that he shut down an investigation into the claims in 2016, when he was Istanbuls health director, calling it a lie and slander. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said this week that those responsible for the deaths would be severely punished but warned against placing all the blame on the countrys health care system. We will not allow our health care community to be battered because of a few rotten apples, he said. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Russia has fired a new intermediate-range ballastic missile at Ukraine in what Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky called a severe escalation of Moscows invasion. Initally, Ukraine suggested an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) had been launched against the city of Dnipro, would be the first known use in the war of a weapon designed to avoid defences travel thousands of miles, with the potential to carry nuclear warheads. The new missile was experimental, but not an ICBM and Russia likely possessed only a handful of them, US officials said. The Pentagon said the missile was fired with a conventional warhead but that Moscow could modify it if it wanted. It could be refitted to certainly carry different types of conventional or nuclear warheads, Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh said. Here, we discuss what ICBMs are, and how many Russia has. open image in gallery The test firing of an ICBM belonging to Russias nuclear deterrence forces in March ( Russian Defence Ministry/AFP via ) What are ICBMs? Intercontinental ballistic missiles are strategic weapons designed to deliver long-distance nuclear warheads and are an important part of Russias nuclear deterrent. ICBMs have a range of more than 3,400 miles. While the range of an ICBM would seem excessive for use against Ukraine, such missiles are designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads - a reminder of Russias nuclear capability. Although defence systems like the US Patriot have proven effective against advanced short-range and intermediate-range missiles, they are not designed to counter ICBM threats. How many ICBMs does Russia have? According to an Arms Control Centre report published in 2022, it is estimated that Russia has roughly 306 strategic ICBMs, that together can carry up to 1,185 nuclear warheads. These include the SS-27 Mod 1 (Topol-M) and the SS-27 Mod 2 (Yars), both capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. Additionally, Russia is reportedly developing the Sarmat (SS-X-30) missile that is advertised as larger and more capable than previous designs. Alongside the Sarmat, Russia is also said to be developing a hypersonic glide vehicle known as Avangard. open image in gallery The test firing of a new solid-fuel Hwasong-18 - North Koreas own type of ICBM ( EPA ) open image in gallery A test-fire of a Hwasong-17 intercontinental ballistic missile ( AP ) During the Cold War, the Russians developed hundreds of ICBMs named Satan, Stiletto and Sickle. Since Putin came to power in 2000, the Kremlin has worked to upgrade the Soviet-built components of the triad, deploying hundreds of new land-based missiles, commissioning new nuclear submarines and modernising nuclear-capable bombers. Russia is said to have re-equipped its land-based strategic missile forces with mobile Yars ICBMs and recently began deploying the heavy, silo-based Sarmat ICBMs labelled Satan II missiles in the West to gradually replace about 40 Soviet-built R-36M missiles. Sarmat has had only one known successful test, and reportedly suffered a massive explosion during an abortive test last month. What is a RS-26 Rubezh? Ukraine had initially identified the missile fired at Dnipro as a RS-26 Rubezh, Ukraines Ukrainska Pravda media outlet reported, citing anonymous sources. The US military said the Russian missiles design was based on the design of the RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). According to the Arms Control Association, the RS-26 has a range of 5,800 km and can reach supersonic speeds of around 4,000mph. The speed makes it extremely difficult to intercept for existing missile defence systems. The RS-26 Rubezh is designed to carry a warhead weighing up to 1,200 kilograms, a payload equivalent to three Iskander missiles combined. News / National by Staff reporter A sales assistant from Bulawayo, Samuel Chifana, appeared before Harare Magistrate Dennis Mangosi on Friday facing allegations of fraud amounting to over US$38,000. Chifana (31), who works at Hyperfeeds Animal Nutrition (Private) Limited, was granted US$100 bail and remanded to appear in court again on January 13, 2024.The complainant in the case is Hyperfeeds, represented by Archford Muyambo, which operates a branch in Waterfalls, Harare. According to the prosecution, on September 30, an internal audit at the Waterfalls branch revealed discrepancies amounting to US$14,114. Further investigations on November 8 uncovered additional irregularities, including goods worth US$5,209 that could not be accounted for.A subsequent physical stocktake conducted at the branch also revealed a stock shortage valued at US$19,038. These findings led to Chifana's arrest, with the company alleging that he was responsible for the discrepancies.The case has raised concerns regarding internal controls at the company, with authorities continuing to investigate the full extent of the fraud. Chifana, who denies the charges, is expected to return to court in the new year to face the allegations. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A British man who was fighting for Ukraine has been captured by Russian forces, according to reports. Describing himself as a former British army soldier, the man identifies himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, in a video that was first posted on Telegram before being widely circulated on Sunday. Russian state news agency Tass reported that a military source said a UK mercenary had been taken prisoner in the Kursk area of Russia. The UK Foreign Office told The Independent it was supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention. The man in the footage is dressed in combat fatigues and speaks with an English accent while appearing to have his hands tied. He said to the camera: I was in the British army before, from 2019 to 2023, 22 Signal Regiment. Just a private. I was a signalman. One Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment, 252 Squadron. He explained that he signed up to fight for Ukraines International Legion after losing his job. When I left, I got fired from my job, I applied on the International Legion webpage. I had just lost everything. I just lost my job, he said. I see it on the TV, he added, shaking his head. It was a stupid idea. He described how he had travelled to Ukraine from Britain, saying: I flew to Krakow, Poland, from London Luton. Bus from there to Medyka in Poland, on the Ukraine border. The UK Ministry of Defence declined to comment. 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 Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israel has killed over 100 Palestinians across Gaza in just the last 48 hours and dozens more in Lebanon, local authorities said on Sunday. At least 120 people have been killed in Gaza in the last two days, the local health ministry said, as the Israeli forces have intensified attacks on the besieged territory. Seven of them were killed in a strike on a residential building in Gaza City and six, including three children and two women, in an attack on the southern city of Khan Younis, the Associated Press reported. Suddenly we woke up to dust, smoke and fire. We found him dead and his brother injured, one grieving father, Ahmad Ghassan, said of his children. The death toll from Israels 13-month ground and air war on Gaza has crossed 44,000, with over half the dead being women and children, according to the health ministry. open image in gallery An injured Palestinian man is transported to the emergency ward of the Kamal Adwan Hospital ( AFP via Getty ) Israels invasion has also displaced nearly 90 per cent of the besieged territorys 2.3 million people, leaving them without shelter and on the brink of starvation, according to the UN and many humanitarian organisations. The UN has said its attempts to deliver aid to the starving Palestinians who remain in northern Gaza have been denied or impeded. The UN has seen nearly 281 of its workers killed in Gaza, more than in any conflict before. open image in gallery Hossam Abu Safieh, director of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, is treated by colleagues for his injuries following an Israeli strike ( AFP via Getty ) The death toll from the Israeli strikes on Beirut, which flattened an eight-story building, rose to at least 20 on Sunday. The attacks on Saturday also left over 60 people injured, according to the countrys health ministry. Lebanon: Strike on infrastructure used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons In the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre, an Israeli drone strike on Saturday killed two people and injured three, according to the state-run National News Agency. Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon so far and forced over a million to flee from their homes, according to the health ministry. open image in gallery Smoke rises after an Israeli strike on Al-Farooq mosque in Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza ( Reuters ) Meanwhile, western diplomats have reportedly proposed a two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon. The proposal also calls for Hezbollah to end its armed presence along the border south of the Litani river. Israel has reportedly said it would not agree to any deal that does not explicitly give its military freedom to strike in Lebanon if the Hezbollah group is found to be violating it, the Associated Press reported. open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images ) In Jordan, police shot dead a gunman near the Israeli embassy. The lone gunman fired at a police patrol in the Jordanian capitals affluent Rabiah neighbourhood, state news agency Petra reported, adding that investigations were ongoing. Tampering with the security of the nation and attacking security personnel will be met with a firm response, communications minister Mohamed Momani said. Police have reportedly cordoned off an area near the heavily policed embassy. Sign up for the Independent Women email for the latest news, opinion and features Get the Independent Women email for free Get the Independent Women email for free SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israel has pledged to bring to justice those responsible for the murder of a prominent rabbi in the United Arab Emirates, denouncing his killing as a heinous antisemitic terrorist act. Zvi Kogan, who ran a Kosher shop in Dubai and worked for the Orthodox Jewish group Chabad, vanished in Dubai on Thursday. The 28-year-olds body was found in the city of Al Ain, which borders Oman, though it is not clear if he was killed there or elsewhere. The UAEs interior ministry said three suspects had been arrested, but gave no details. His disappearance came as Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, had been threatening to retaliate after a wave of airstrikes Israel carried out in October in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack. The Iranian embassy in the UAE said it categorically rejects the allegations of Irans involvement in the murder of this individual. A statement from Benjamin Netanyahus office called Kogans death a heinous antisemitic terror incident and said Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death. Kogan had entered the UAE on his Moldovan passport and was a resident in Dubai, said the UAE statement. His wife, Rivky, is a US citizen who lived with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. open image in gallery Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu ( EPA ) The Chabad movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of Orthodox Judaism, is based in Brooklyns Crown Heights neighbourhood in New York. Jews have grown more visible in the UAE since 2020 when the country became the most prominent Arab state in 30 years to establish formal ties with Israel under a US-brokered agreement dubbed the Abraham Accords. Ties have been maintained during the 13-month Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. However, informal synagogues in Dubai were closed after Hamas 7 October assault, with Jews instead gathering to pray at home amid heightened security concerns. A single government-approved synagogue remains open, in Abu Dhabi. Kogans shop was shuttered on Sunday. Outside, Israeli Druze politician Ayoob Kara said the UAE's Jewish community was in shock at the news of Kogan's murder, but that Israelis and Jews would still visit and build ties in the Gulf country. I am sure that lots of Jewish [people] will continue to invest here. No way to stop this relationship and this cooperation, said Mr Kara. open image in gallery Ayoob Kara outside the Rimon Market kosher store which was managed by Zvi Kogan ( Reuters ) Kogans body will be repatriated to Israel hopefully on Monday, an Israeli foreign ministry official said. Although Israels public statements on Sunday did not mention Iran, western officials believe Iran runs intelligence operations in the UAE and keeps tabs on the hundreds of thousands of Iranians living across the country. Iran is suspected of kidnapping and later killing British Iranian national Abbas Yazdi in Dubai in 2013, although Tehran has denied involvement. Iran also kidnapped Iranian German national Jamshid Sharmahd in 2020 from Dubai, taking him back to Tehran, where he was executed in October. Additional reporting from Associated Press and Reuters Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Apple has released a new software update with important security fixes for iPhones, iPads and Macs recommended for all users to protect devices from cyberattacks. The tech giant noted in an advisory on its website that the security bugs, considered zero day vulnerabilities, may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems. These software bugs were unknown to Apple at the time they were exploited, the company said. The fixes are available across a variety of Apples platforms with new updates including iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1. It is not yet clear who was behind the attacks targeting Mac users, but a report by Googles Threat Analysis Group suggests a government-backed entity may be involved. Apple's 2024 Surprise! The software bugs were found to be related to web engines WebKit and JavaScriptCore powering Apples Safari browser for running web content. Apple is aware of a report that this issue may have been actively exploited on Intel-based Mac systems, the company said. This update provides important security fixes and is recommended for all users. Such bugs may create an opportunity for hackers to take control of devices when they encounter malicious content on the web. Processing maliciously crafted web content may lead to arbitrary code execution, the tech giant warned. These kinds of vulnerabilities have been known to be used for breaking into core computer software to enable access to private user data. This method has been used previously by government-backed hackers to plant commercial spyware on target devices and steal or upload information. Earlier this year, the tech giant cautioned iPhone users in nearly 100 countries, including India, about a potential new mercenary spyware attack similar to Pegasus. Apple released the new update fixing the software vulnerabilities for macOS, iPhones, and iPads, as well as for users running older iOS17. The issue was addressed with improved checks, the company said. The latest software update could also be the last one before iOS 18.2 arrives in December, which may bring in a second wave of Apple Intelligence features. Apple did not immediately respond to The Independents request for comment on Wednesday. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A former flight attendant with terminal cancer has lived out her dying last wish of taking flight one last time. Janet McAnnally, a 79-year-old hospice patient living in California, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Over time, the cancer spread to her spine, causing her to undergo several rounds of treatment. However, McAnnally chose to stop all her treatments in recent months so that she could live her final days to the fullest. I just decided, you know, I dont want to feel like that. I want to have a good time, she told CBS affiliate KOVR-TV in a recent interview. So when I stopped that and signed up with hospice, it really changed my outlook and my health around. Ive had a lovely life, she continued. I made that decision to stop the treatments and the physicalness of stopping made my life so much more... able to enjoy it and do things and not just sit huddled in a chair all day. open image in gallery Janet McAnnally was granted her last wish to fly in a plane after being diagnosed with terminal cancer ( KOVR-TV ) I know its going to end. Ive accepted that. Im not fighting against it, McAnnally said. Its just something thats happened and Ive got to deal with it. McAnnally first dreamt about traveling the world when she was in fourth grade. She then lived her dream working as a flight attendant for Trans World Airlines in Chicago for seven years. When she settled into the Calaveras County hospice center, McAnnally participated in its Last Wish Program by asking to board one final plane ride. The center then reached out to United Airlines pilot Rob Davids, asking if he could help organize a flight for McAnnally around the county. open image in gallery McAnnally piloted the plane with United Airliness Rob Davids ( KOVR-TV ) Not only did Davids oblige, but he allowed McAnnally to help pilot the aircraft for the hour they were in the air. He even gifted her a flight log book to mark their first trip together. Speaking to KOVR-TV, Davids said: I just felt lucky to be part of it and give her that chance. I just appreciate every flight like its the last. While McAnnally was initially excited about the trip, she later became emotional once they had landed and she realized what we had just done. It had rained earlier and so the land just looked beautiful. All the sudden, the moon began to come up and that got me, I think I got a little emotional, she explained. Theres no point, even if its only a month or two left, to sit around and do nothing and moan and cry about it; better to cry happy tears and enjoy as much as you can. Meanwhile, Melissa Justice the hospice centers director of community relations told KOVR-TV: Moments like these remind us of the profound impact we can have on our patients lives. We are committed to ensuring that every individual can create lasting memories during their time with us. When I was young, I wasnt even the only Chris Wright at my local dentist. I had horrible teeth as a child, but whenever I went for a check-up, Id have to tell them my address as there were three of us in the neighbourhood. Even last month at my local swimming pool, I found out that not only am I not the only Chris Wright on its books, but also that staff had the gall to ask if I was the Chris Wright born in the 1960s or the 1990s? But the most annoying mistaken identity moment happened this week at Cop29. I arrived for a keynote speech at the conference in Baku to news that my name will forever be synonymous with the man who could tip the scales of climate destruction and rip apart Joe Bidens clean energy reforms. Chris Wright isnt just someone else with bad teeth or a swim centre membership it is now the name of the fracking fanatic who, in January, will be handed the keys to the worlds biggest oil and gas-guzzling supertanker: he is going to be Donald Trumps US energy secretary. As CEO of Liberty Energy, Wright is currently the head of the second-largest hydraulic fracturing company in North America. In 2019, in order to demonstrate its safety, he went on camera to drink fracking fluid, a mix of water and various chemicals that is used to flush out oil and natural gas from deposits deep underground. I didnt think anything could surprise me about this guy. But perhaps even more shocking is that, if his appointment is confirmed, he would be in charge of developing Americas energy plans, directing investment and scientific innovation in energy, and coordinating the federal government to energy transition (or lack of) plans. He may also sit on Trumps new decision-making super-council on national energy matters. Which is a lot of power for someone who doesnt believe in climate change. Nor does Wright believe that the energy transition the shift from fossil fuels to renewable and clean energy sources is happening, despite him being at the very centre of one of the most transformative energy markets on the planet. He must surely know how much the domestic gas market has expanded over the last two decades, and just how much the US coal market has declined, perhaps to the point of no return. In the early 2000s, more than half of the electricity generated in the US was from coal power. Since 2008, that share has dropped dramatically, generating less than 16 per cent of electricity in 2023. Wind and solar power have since produced more electricity than coal, for the first time ever. This energy transformation has also had a dramatic impact on coal mining in the US. The thermal coal mining sector is largely focused on supplying domestic demand, and has been falling by 5 per cent per year, on average, since 2010. This shift was ignited during Barack Obamas presidency, but the rate of decline only accelerated during Donald Trumps first term. By the end of Trumps four years in office, the sector was mining less than half the amount of coal it was when Obama took office in 2008, and an estimated 10,892 coal miners had lost their jobs. The US coal sector is now at its lowest point since the Beatles, thermal coal prices are falling, and a new wave of countries are looking to avoid the stranded asset and climate risks of digging new coal mines. These are the undeniable realities of the global energy transition. While my new namesake might want to drill, baby, drill for oil and is keen to increase fracking for shale gas, even he cant bring back US coal. Japans SoftBank acquired stake last year that valued firm at more than 900m Cubic Telecom, the Irish internet-of-things software developer, saw adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) before a share-based payment charge more than double last year to 12.6m from 6.1m. The companys directors including CEO Barry Napier have described 2023 as an earnings transformation point that is expected to continue this year. It made a 7.2m operating loss last year, compared with a 6m loss in 2022, newly-filed accounts show. Cubic Telecoms software is used in the automotive and broader transportation industry. This time last year, Japans SoftBank bought a 51pc stake in the company for 473m, putting a valuation of more than 900m on the Irish firm. The partnership will aim to pioneer software-defined high-value assets globally, and to capture a greater share of the rapidly growing connected car market with an estimated 95pc of new vehicles sold in 2030 being connected, noted Cubic Telecom of its deal with SoftBank. Cubic Telecoms software connects more than 20 million vehicles around the world, and processes more than one billion transmissions every day in more than 190 countries. Its products allow vehicle manufacturers to monitor, manage and update multiple aspects of a vehicle or a device in real-time, all over the world, via mobile connectivity. Its customers include car makers such as Audi, Porsche, Harley-Davidson, Seat, Volkswagen and Skoda. The accounts for the company show that turnover rose last year to 66.2m from 56.3m in 2022. Its operating loss, before interest, was 7.2m last year compared with 5.3m in 2022. The gross margin percentage of 77pc has increased by 10 percentage points from prior year reflecting the continued trend towards Platform as a Service (PaaS) revenue and less reliance on airtime revenue, the directors note in the accounts. Cubic hit a milestone of 18 million devices connected through its platform in March 2024, adding approximately 450,000 vehicles per month in 2023. The accounts note that this year, Cubic Telecom addressed a lending agreement inked with the European Investment Bank (EIB) in 2019. That provided for finance of up to 23.5m, of which 7m had been drawn down. A put option gave the EIB the right to require Cubic to repurchase warrants associated with the finance contract at a price equal to the then-current fair market value of the underlying shares. In March this year, the EIB exercised its put option and received a price equal to 19.8m. The warrant liability was paid in full. Sales at the Skibbereen group soared 25m to over 77.1m in 2023, but its a challenging time for the sector overall, says director John O'Connell Director and co-founder John O'Connell said sales of its ingredients for the ready-to-drink sector in the US and North America had helped drive growth West Cork Distillers recorded a 6m boost to its pre-tax profits last year as sales surged almost 50pc following high demand for its alcohol ingredients in the US ready-to-drink industry. Sales at the Skibbereen-based alcohol group, known for its whiskeys, vodkas and gins, soared to over 77.1m in 2023, up from above 51.7m the previous year, according to its recently published financial results. Pre-tax profits at West Cork Distillers grew to over 7.2m last year, a considerable jump from 1.36m in 2022. John OConnell, who co-founded West Cork Distillers in 2003, said it had been a super year for the business, noting sales of its ingredients for the ready-to-drink sector in the US and North America had helped drive growth. It also secured new distribution agreements for its whiskeys with Frances second-largest spirits group, La Martiniquaise, and Nordic spirits and wine company Anora. Despite the strong performance last year, OConnell said 2024 had been challenging for the whole sector. Maintaining the status quo would be a positive. Earlier this year, West Cork Distillers acquired Donohoe Drinks, a Waterford-based contract bottling and blending company My own feeling is that the sector got a huge boost during Covid, which was quite exceptional. People, including ourselves, the penny didnt drop with us that the Covid boost was not sustainable. We were all using the Covid couple of years as a base point for further growth. In Covid, you couldnt make it quick enough. Covid set the spirits sector off on a hugely upward trajectory. People, including ourselves, thought that was the new norm. It wasnt the new norm. It was just a blip. It makes sense: People during Covid werent going to restaurants, they were buying premium products because they had more disposable income. Earlier this year, West Cork Distillers acquired Donohoe Drinks, a Waterford-based contract bottling and blending company, saving around 105 jobs following a period in examinership. OConnell said the business had been performing well, noting customers had felt the benefits of synergies realised through the deal. O'Connell says he isn't worried about US president-elect Donald Trump's threatened trade tariffs. Photo: Getty While OConnell was confident about 2025 for West Cork Distillers, he added that there were concerns, particularly if tariffs were to be introduced on sales to America. US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to hit imports with new tariffs. Despite the trade threat, OConnell is ready to get on with the job. West Cork Distillers has seen a lot of challenges over the years, this would just be one more. In Covid, you couldnt make it quick enough. We thought it was the new normal. But it was a blip West Cork Distillers also distils spirits for other Irish and international brands. Its latest distillery on Marsh Road, Skibbereen, opened in 2020 on a 12.5-acre site. OConnell co-founded West Cork Distillers alongside friends Denis and Ger McCarthy. In April 2023, Thin Lizzy and the Philip Lynott Estate revealed plans to launch a Thin Lizzy whiskey brand in collaboration with West Cork Distillers. In 2015, it also released a whiskey in collaboration with The Pogues. Katja Mia will be hosting the Naughty or Nice Christmas Spa Party at Fota Island Resort, tickets 55 via eventbrite.com Pamper party Naughty or Nice Christmas Spa Party is a celebration at Fota Island Resort hosted by Katja Mia. The evening will include skincare presentations from Ground, Comfort Zone and Voya, a Prosecco and canapes reception, gift shopping, a Q&A session with skincare experts and raffle prizes. LH Tickets 55pp, available on eventbrite.com Abandoned Ireland 2 by Rebecca Brownlie, 24.99, published by Merrion Press NECESSITY Beautiful buildings There is something ghostly but gorgeous about photographer Rebecca Brownlies new book Abandoned Ireland 2, which preserves in print forgotten and forlorn buildings around the country. The book captures beautifully the details, big and small, of deserted cottages, dance halls, factories, convents and even shopping centres, all of which have a whisper of the life they once contained, now long gone. SC 24.99, published by Merrion Press I sense autumn coming on by Rob van Hoek (2024), oil and wax on canvas, see thedoorwaygallery.com NOTION Picture this Next Saturday, November 30, from 2-5pm, the Doorway Gallery in Frederick Street, Dublin 2, will host its annual viewing day of their Christmas Stocking Fillers, comprised of canvasses by more than 50 artists and selling for 500 or less. If you cant make the exhibition day, canvasses can be viewed and reserved online. SC See thedoorwaygallery.com Una Burke leather bag, 479, for details follow @irishpopupcollective NECESSITY Pop-up shop The Irish Pop Up Collective has two events next month with over 50 brands at each event on December 1 at Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Co Kildare and December 8 at Royal Marine Hotel, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. New brands include Callan Knitwear, make-up brand Anam Cosmetics, Polly & Andy sensory socks for kids, regulars Una Burke Leather, Cleo Prickett, Begley & Bowie and Kopper Kreation homewares. LH For details follow @irishpopupcollective Men's double-hooded jacket, 112.50, available at regatta.com/ie NOTION Collab creations Following on their AW23 collaboration, Christian Lacroix X Regatta Great Outdoors returns this season with a line of padded jackets, coats, changing robes and leggings. Alongside typical darker winter-collection shades, we love the bold prints and blue and orange pieces. LH Available at regatta.com/ie Lennon and Courtney Aran jumper, 120, and metallic skirt, 80, see kilkennydesign.com NECESSITY Metal magic For anyone looking for party wear with a little more longevity than your average sequin, Lennon Courtney & Kilkenny Designs latest line, the Siren Collection, is full of gems in their signature combination of rich colours and bold silhouettes. We love this metallic Aran jumper, 120, and metallic skirt, 80. LH See kilkennydesign.com For Hygiene Hub drop-off locations, donation details and hygiene drive information, see hygienehub.ie, Instagram: @hygienehubire. Photo: Melanie Mullen NECESSITY Christmas clean-up The Hygiene Hub, who collect and distribute personal care products to people who need them, has launched their Christmas #ItsInTheBag campaign, with the goal of providing at least 2,000 bags of essential and luxury items this season. To help out, you can donate at one of their drop-off points, host a hygiene drive with friends, family and colleagues, or make a monetary donation up to December 15. Think everything from toothpaste and shampoo to the non-essential niceties. SC For drop-off locations, donation details and hygiene drive information, see hygienehub.ie, Instagram: @hygienehubire Butternut Box dog advent calendar, 12.50, see butternutbox.com NOTION Canine countdown Your dog is not just for Christmas, but this advent calendar is and its just for your dog. It has a Butternut Box treat behind every door, in either pork and sage triangles, turkey and cranberry circles, or duck with venison rectangular bites. Perfect for the hound who has everything. SC 12.50, see butternutbox.com News / National by Staff reporter South African gospel musician Marino John Mvala, popularly known as MJ Mvala, has expressed deep admiration for Zimbabwean musicians, praising their unwavering spirit of resilience and perseverance despite challenges.Speaking in an interview, MJ Mvala highlighted the indomitable will of Zimbabwe's artists, saying, "Zimbabwe's determination amidst adversity is a sign of a bright future ahead. Just like gold is purified in fire, Zimbabwe will emerge stronger and more radiant."MJ Mvala, who has experienced his own share of hardships, drew parallels between his life and the struggles faced by Zimbabwe's musicians. Born in 1984 in Schweizer Reneke, North West province, he endured a difficult upbringing after losing both of his parents at a young age. He credited these early challenges with strengthening his character, adding, "Those challenges strengthened my character. I learned that adversity can refine and prepare us for greater things."The gospel musician also emphasized the unity between South Africans and Zimbabweans, underscoring the shared experiences of the two nations. "We live together, share experiences, and are one people, despite borders," he said, highlighting the strong cultural and historical ties that bind the two countries.From his humble beginnings, MJ Mvala's journey to success is nothing short of inspiring. Now a director at a local private company, he continues to stay grounded in his music, using it as a platform to spread a message of hope and resilience to his fans. His story of overcoming adversity serves as a beacon of hope to many, particularly those facing challenges in their own lives. COP29 president Mukhtar Babayev and Simon Stiell, executive secretary of UNFCCC, attend the closing plenary meeting during the COP29 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in Baku, Azerbaijan. Photo: Reuters A deal that would see rich countries aim to provide $300 billion a year to help fund climate action in poor nations has been struck at Cop29 despite criticisms that the sum was insultingly low. The figure is triple the amount the developed world currently makes to developing states annually but their demand was for at least $1 trillion. Environment Minister Eamon Ryan who represented Ireland at the talks in Azerbaijan said the deal was far from perfect but was a hopeful starting point for financial fairness. There was an imperative on us all to deliver here in Baku, he said. To walk away would have been unforgivable and shameful given the scale of the crisis we all face. The agreement was reached in the early hours of Sunday morning in Baku, 32 hours after the summit was scheduled to finish. Threat of failure loomed to the last hour with alliances of poor countries walking out of negotiations after rejecting outright an initial offer of $250 billion. After it was gavelled through at the final gathering of country representatives, India voiced objection, arguing the Azerbaijani presidency in charge of the proceedings had denied it an opportunity to speak before formally declaring the deal agreed. This has been stage managed, Indias spokeswoman said to loud applause. The goal shall not solve anything for us. It is abysmally poor. Cuba, Bolivia and Nigeria were among the countries that described the deal as insulting. EU climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra urged them to see it as the start of a new era in climate finance. He said the talks were taking place in a truly challenging geopolitical environment that showed no signs of improving soon. Sealing a deal truly is exceptional, he said. UN climate chief, Simon Stiell, warned developed countries they must deliver on the deal. This new finance goal is an insurance policy for humanity, he said. But it only works if the premiums are paid in full, and on time. There was further upset at the talks conclusion after failure to agree a statement on the phase-out of fossil fuels. Last years summit secured a landmark agreement that countries would begin to transition away from fossil fuels. Hopes that it would be strengthened this year were dashed early on when the Arab group led by Saudi Arabia objected. In the end, the only proposal on offer was a reference to the number of the paragraph in last years agreement which contained the fossil fuel commitment. Developed and developing nations objected at the final meeting and the matter was deferred to further talks. Friends of the Earth Ireland member Sean OLoughlin who was in Baku described the entire deal as a rejection of climate justice. COP29 has failed those who have done least to cause climate change and who are most vulnerable to climate breakdown because the process is still in thrall to fossil fuel bullies and rich countries more committed to shirking their historical responsibility than safeguarding our common future, he said. My cousin raped me and told me to keep it a secret. I was only nine years old Dylan Gallagher on finally getting justice The Mayo man spoke out about the abuse his cousin inflicted. He hopes it can inspire more men to share stories Dylan Gallagher carried a devastating secret for many years. Photo: Conor McKeown Ali Bracken Sun 24 Nov 2024 at 08:30 For 13 years, Dylan Gallagher kept his cousins secret. He was just nine when 15-year-old Noel raped him in a shed on the family farm. Tears and screams in court as young mothers among dozens of squatters who are told they will be jailed before it emerges they were held illegally Adrian Weckler: What I witnessed at Dublin riots, though horrific, was less racist rage and more an appetite for destruction Theres a streak of lawlessness in usually decent Dubs that can be activated if given the right push A bus and car on fire on O'Connell Street last November. Photo: PA Adrian Weckler Sun 24 Nov 2024 at 03:30 Put it in the car! Put it in the garda car! Convicted murderer James Kilroy is refusing to relinquish executorship of his dead wifes estate, ensuring the case must now go to court and making matters more difficult for the couples three young sons. I had one of Irelands most expensive pints of Guinness at 9.20 so, was it worth it? Theres little between the parties in terms of ideology but there are big differences in identity Presenter Katie Hannon, Roderic OGorman of the Greens and Peadar Toibin of Aontu on the RTE leaders debate last week. Photo: Naoise Culhane The RTE debate last Monday featured 10 party leaders: eight of them, by their own accounts, on the left. After all, Micheal Martin has described Fianna Fail as being a bit to the left, and Aontu is economically left-wing, but socially conservative. All the parties want to build more social housing and a free public health service. None is calling for conservatism in public spending. All are pro-Palestine. All are pro-Ukraine, but anti-militarism. Even on the most controversial domestic issue of the past year, the language is inflected by liberalism: all claim to be pro-immigration, but in favour of managing it better. Much has been made of the volatility in recent Irish elections, but viewed from the perspective of the politics to our west and east, this is a picture of extraordinary consistency and, superficially at least, a left-liberal consistency at that. In binary electoral systems, fear of the right brings the left together and vice versa Yet no party of the left has ever led a government, nor does the one contender Sinn Fein look likely to break that run now. In binary electoral systems, fear of the right brings the left together and vice versa. Fear of Trump drove the divided Democrats behind Biden in 2020. Fear of Corbyn and the dilution of Brexit drove a fractured British right behind Boris Johnson in 2019. Fear of Le Pen brought the French left together in the New Popular Front last July. Holly Cairns of the Soc Dems on Turk Head Pier in west Cork. Photo: Michael Mac Sweeney Without the pressure of that binary choice, the Irish left wallows in the luxury of faction. This becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy: faction begets faction. The first thing on the agenda is the split. But now two of the main players on the left have placed the opposite on the agenda alliance. The Greens Roderic OGorman and Labours Ivana Bacik have both called for their parties and the Soc Dems to present a common front in government negotiations. This raises the question of the curious, paternal/filial relationship between Labour and the Soc Dems. The latters two co-leaders, Roisin Shortall and Catherine Murphy both of whom are retiring at this election were left-wing TDs who had previously fallen out with the Labour Party. Shortall represented Labour in Dublin North-West for 20 years. In Kildare North, Catherine Murphy holds the seat formerly held by Labours Emmet Stagg. In Dublin Central, Gary Gannon holds the seat formerly held by Labours Joe Costello. In Wicklow, Jennifer Whitmore holds the seat formerly held by Labours Anne Ferris, and Liz McManus before her. In Dublin Bay North, with Labours Aodhan O Riordain now an MEP, Cian OCallaghan is likely to become the sole standard-bearer for the centre-left, again replacing a Labour tradition. Labour from 2011 was one of the most influential junior coalition parties ever. The problem was, what it did wasnt popular Only party leader Holly Cairns, in Cork South-West, can claim to have created a centre-left seat anew, though Labours Michael McCarthy did hold it from 2011 to 2016. To use a metaphor more favoured on the right than on the left, success should lie in growing the pie, rather than just redistributing it. The Soc Dems success, coming on the back of Labours post-2016 failure, does not signify any broader advance for the social-democratic agenda. But the Social Democrats might argue, in response, that they saved the social-democratic agenda. Roderic OGorman was wrong when he argued last week that the Greens had been more influential in government than Labour. Labour from 2011 was one of the most influential junior coalition parties ever. The problem was that what it did wasnt popular. In government, Labour broke key campaign pledges, but the issue that has haunted them was not so much the breaking of promises, as the cynicism of those promises in the first place. Labour leader Ivana Bacik in Leinster House. Photo: PA The Labour Party that the Soc Dems in part replaced was one that had been, in the eyes of many, utterly discredited. Still, 2011 was 13 years and four leaders ago. It seems anachronistic to still be blaming them. There may be little between the Soc Dems and Labour on ideology or policy, but there are clear differences in identity. The Soc Dems are younger, more female, more digital- native. They are rooted more in the civic activism of the past decade than in the labour movement of the past century. They are not hostile to Sinn Fein (which is itself partly a generational issue). The differences between the two parties, then, are cultural akin to the difference between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Were you a left-wing strategist playing three-dimensional chess in 2011, you might have advised that precisely what the centre-left cause would need in 2016 would be a party that shared Labours ideology, but not its brand. Roderic OGormans determination to embed the Greens more firmly in their (undeniable) left-wing roots is a mistake So its not as obvious as it may seem to outsiders that the two soft-left parties should merge yet, in any case. As for a tripartite alliance? I think Roderic OGormans determination to embed the Greens more firmly in their (undeniable) left-wing roots is a mistake. The clue is in the name: the Greens great moral imperative, their unique selling point, is the green agenda. The left already suffers from blurred identities; the Greens should be trying to separate themselves from that. Like the Progressive Democrats, they have proved you can be successful with just a few members of government and a clear agenda. Left-wing parties entering government negotiations should follow that model precision of focus rather than the parity-of-esteem model pursued by Labour in 2011. With no major surges nor ruinous collapses, now could be the time for Independents to fully exploit nations ennui Despite Simon Harriss undoubted energy, it is not clear what that 'new energy' is working towards. Photo: Bloomberg The Fine Gael candidacy of John McGahon, who was found civilly liable for a nightclub assault, took some wind out of his leader's sails. Photo: Mark Condren McDonald has struggled in some of her media performances to show the energy she had before, though she seems to be doing well on the trail With just a few days left in the Election 24 campaign, there is still a sense that it hasnt yet taken off, bar the odd viral video such as Simon Harriss interaction with a care worker in Cork on Friday. Broadcasters frequently lead new bulletins with non-election stories unheard of in times past. Is it because we dont know what the election is about? No single party or leader has taken hold of it and defined it for us. If in 2020 we saw a Sinn Fein surge with its emphasis on housing and Mary Lou McDonald, no such surge or collapse has happened yet. Although research shows that about half of voters make up their minds in the last few days or on the day of the election, even those late deciders have probably formed views well before now. It is unlikely that the remaining days of campaigning will be sufficient to shift opinion radically. How have the parties campaigns gone? Campaigns usually emphasise certain things: people, issues and choices. Some parties have people who are well liked, or, if not liked, respected as competent. Those parties will focus on their people and highlight that they would make a better government. A party may also have policies or a reputation on certain issues that make it popular, in which case it pushes hard on those in the hope that when the voters make their minds up, that is what theyre thinking about. Parties campaigns also try to frame the vote as choices. The Tories framed the 2017 election as one of stability under Theresa May or chaos under Labour. Most often and Ireland in 2024 is no exception elections are framed as a choice between more of the same versus change. Fine Gael would like us to fear change with its secure your future-themed campaign. It chose the timing and length of this election campaign when it was riding high in the polls, and the main opposition party was floundering. So it should be in the best position to do well. Yet the last two weeks havent seen Fine Gael do well. Its campaign focuses on the leader. Despite Simon Harriss undoubted energy, it is not clear what that new energy is working towards. The Fine Gael candidacy of John McGahon, who was found civilly liable for a nightclub assault, took some wind out of his leader's sails. Photo: Mark Condren There is no strategy to its campaign. The election in the US of Donald Trump seemed a perfect basis on which to run a campaign that emphasised the precarity of the Irish economy. But if Fine Gael wanted to secure our future, and suggest that Sinn Fein is a threat to the public finances, a giveaway budget seemed an odd foundation to build a campaign on. Harris is a good communicator and well able for the rough and tumble of campaigns, but some things have gone wrong. That exchange in Cork, for which he has apologised, has done him absolutely no favours. The candidacy of John McGahon, who was found civilly liable for a nightclub assault, took up some of that energy. Pedantically claiming that Harris didnt actually sign the contract for the National Childrens Hospital hardly screams accountability where government waste could become important. The early fights with Fianna Fail might have been deemed necessary, but these were surely more necessary for Fianna Fail. Its main problem is how to distinguish itself from Fine Gael. By ruling out coalition with Sinn Fein, there seems an inevitability of a return of a same-ish government. Micheal Martin is a competent campaigner and people tend to trust him, but exciting he is not. The Fianna Fail slogan, Moving Forward. Together is so anodyne it seems to have been written by artificial intelligence. Its hard to pinpoint what the Fianna Fail strategy is. It may be relying on a ground game with experienced candidates in constituencies doing the work, rather than basing its efforts on a national campaign. McDonald has struggled in some of her media performances to show the energy she had before, though she seems to be doing well on the trail The main effort to distinguish the party from Fine Gael is veiled criticism of Helen McEntees stewardship of justice. In Darragh OBrien the party has one of its more combative performers who has been unafraid to take on Eoin O Broin, Sinn Feins self-described expert on housing. O Broin and housing have been important in the Sinn Fein campaign, though not as important as last time. The party strategy is firmly based on framing the election as a Vote for Change. That makes sense when there is a mood of dissatisfaction. But the vote for change is not built on a plausible alternative coalition. Four years ago Mary Lou for Taoiseach became a slogan after the 2020 election. Eighteen months ago we expected it would be a slogan going into this one. Her star has fallen. McDonald has struggled in some of her media performances to show the energy she had before, though she seems to be doing well on the trail. But it was notable that an article last week by Gerry Adams making the case for Sinn Fein didnt mention McDonald, and she shares space with Pearse Doherty on the partys election literature. McDonald didnt feature in Sinn Feins election broadcast either. If Sinn Fein picks up in the last week, it might be that it becomes an avatar for change, but it will be Sinn Fein, not Mary Lou McDonald. The smaller parties usually struggle for attention in elections, but the Greens are getting plenty. Most of it is negative, from their erstwhile coalition colleagues as well as from opposition parties. In an election with almost no focus on its core issue, climate change, it could push its leader. Despite Simon Harriss undoubted energy, it is not clear what that 'new energy' is working towards. Photo: Bloomberg But because Roderic OGorman lacks the charm or likeability of Eamon Ryan, the Greens focus on their competence in delivering in government. Though it might remind some of why they hate the Greens, it is a smart strategy to shore up some support from those who voted Green in 2020. The SocDems are doing well, even without the partys leader. Holly Cairnss substitute, Cian OCallaghan, looks a little shell-shocked from all the attention, but it can stay on the change bandwagon, hoping that the middle-class who are abandoning the Greens come to it instead. Labour is trying to tie itself to the SocDems. Ivana Bacik lacks any appeal outside certain constituencies, but the party has focused all its resources on these constituencies, which might save the party from a devastation so many expected 18 months ago. If Sinn Fein picks up in the last week, it might be that it becomes an avatar for change, but it will be Sinn Fein, not Mary Lou McDonald Aontu came into the election with a significant advantage and a disadvantage. Peadar Toibin is a good performer. But as a party with just one TD, its hard to sustain the idea it is a party. If elections are lost by governments, not won by opposition, then the Government seems to be leaking support to Independents this time, who even without a unified campaign might do best. Fine Gael should be true to the standards they set for other parties over Cllr Patsy OBriens expulsion, according to Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald. The Sunday Independent today reports Fine Gael chief whip Hildegarde Naughton campaigned alongside the former party councillor after she was allegedly told he sent inappropriate messages to a party staff member. Mr OBrien was suspended from the party in March 2020 before being ultimately expelled in October of the same year for what Taoiseach Simon Harris has described as gross misconduct. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said Fine Gael has had a lot to say about other political party wrongdoings and should step up to the plate within its own organisation. Where behaviour falls beyond standards, where you find wrongdoing in your organisation, in any organisation, you have to step up to the plate and deal with it. So Fine Gael should be no different than any other organisation in that regard, she said. The Dublin Central TD said she is not familiar with the details of the Cllr OBrien case. Certainly, I imagine, there would be an expectation that any political party, particularly one that has had a lot to say about others, would actually be true to the standards that they were expressing when it was around other people, she said. When Sinn Fein were facing scrutiny over how they handled internal party issues, Simon Harris and his Fine Gael ministers demanded transparency from Mary Lou McDonald, which resulted in her making a Dail statement. Cllr OBrien also hasnt answered questions on why he was expelled. Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said last week his party did not disclose why Mr OBrien was expelled from the party because Fine Gael wanted to respect the privacy of those involved. A person made a very serious allegation and I think its really important to respect the privacy of an issue that was raised that the party then acted on, Mr Donohoe said. I want us to be in an environment where people can feel confident that if they raise issues, they will be treated seriously and in a confidential way and that for me is the top priority. Ms McDonald said that support for her party is ahead of already favourable poll numbers, adding that Sinn Fein was in it to win it five days out from polling day. The Sinn Fein president said that over the past week, an energy for the party had come back very, very strongly. A poll by the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks published on Sunday indicates that Fine Gael is down four points to 22pc, Sinn Fein is up two points to 20pc, and Fianna Fail is holding steady on 20pc. I think the weather reflects our mood, Ms McDonald said when asked about the poll on Sunday. You know, this might be a winter election, but we have sunshine today. I know talking to people, particularly over the last week, this sense of purpose now, this sense of energy has come back very, very strongly. For us, this is very reminiscent of the last general election, where, when people had the space, cleared the space to assess what to do next, that appetite for change grew and grew, and I think thats whats going to happen. I think the polling results reflect that to some extent. But I actually think the mood is even ahead of those polling numbers, if Im honest with you. Were out on the ground. Were meeting people. Were picking it up everywhere and the people are ready for this historic change, and more to the point, people are filled with dread at the prospect of five more years of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Aontu is up two points to 5pc, the Social Democrats are down one to 5pc and Labour has seen no change on 4pc. Meanwhile, the Greens are down one to 3pc, Solidarity-PBP has seen no change on 2pc, and Independents or other parties are up three points to 19pc. Campaigning efforts across 43 constituencies are ramping up ahead of polling day on Friday November 29. Ms McDonald, flanked by the Sinn Fein frontbench at CHQ Dublin on Sunday, called on working people to come out in their droves next Friday and back Sinn Fein. She defended criticisms of her partys proposed housing plan and pledged the party was in it to win it. I feel very, very strongly that the momentum that has grown behind us will continue to accelerate, and I believe that we can deliver that government of change, and I would hope to to lead that government. Party staff member claims Chief Whip had been informed about controversy Hildegarde Naughton was on the campaign trail with Patsy OBrien Government Chief Whip Hildegarde Naughton campaigned alongside former Fine Gael councillor Patsy OBrien after she was allegedly told he sent inappropriate messages to a party staff member. Ms Naughton posted an endorsement from Mr OBrien on social media during the 2020 general election campaign after she was allegedly informed about the messages that eventually led to him being expelled from Fine Gael. News / National by Staff reporter Incarcerated Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Edwin Ndlovu has formally challenged his arrest on bribery allegations, calling the circumstances surrounding his detention "strange" and his arrest "illegal."Ndlovu, who was arrested alongside Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, is facing charges of allegedly demanding a US$20,000 bribe from a Chinese company, Labenmon Investments, which was allocated land by the Bulawayo City Council for a cement manufacturing plant. The two councillors are accused of soliciting the bribe in exchange for facilitating the allocation of land for the project.In his application for bail pending trial filed at the High Court on Friday, Ndlovu described the events surrounding his arrest as unusual. He claimed that he had been contacted by Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube, who informed him that Councillor Moyo had been arrested. In response, Ndlovu said he went to the Mzilikazi Police Station to inquire about Moyo's situation.Upon arrival, he was allegedly detained by detectives from the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) without being informed of the charges against him. Ndlovu maintains that his arrest was unjustified and that he was not properly briefed on the nature of the allegations.In his court application, Ndlovu further denied any connection to Labenmon Investments or its representative, Tsitsi Mapfumo, the alleged complainant in the case. He stated that he had never met Mapfumo and had no personal dealings with the company beyond official council matters. He also pointed out that the land allocation to Labenmon Investments followed the proper procedures set by the council."The arrest was very strange to say the least," Ndlovu said in his application. "Apart from not knowing Tsitsi Mapfumo, the allocation of land to Labenmon Investments followed council due procedures and processes. I am actually on public record welcoming such developments in Bulawayo."ZACC detectives claim that Ndlovu and Moyo were arrested after they received "trap money" from Mapfumo, although Ndlovu has denied any involvement with the alleged bribery. He also refuted claims that he had ever been to Mapfumo's home or engaged in any unlawful dealings."The issue gets complicated because the list is allegedly written on a Labenmon Investments letterhead. I have never had in my possession the letterhead of that company," he continued. "I have no relations whatsoever with the company save for the official council business that was conducted and concluded at council chambers."Ndlovu also emphasized that the case against him was weak, stating, "The trap does not involve me in any way... the case against me is sinking sand."As part of his bail application, Ndlovu argued that he was a suitable candidate for bail, noting that he had no prior criminal record and was a well-established businessman in Bulawayo. The deputy mayor has continued to assert his innocence, claiming that the charges against him are baseless.Both Ndlovu and Moyo, who were elected on the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) ticket, remain behind bars, while Labenmon Investments plans to establish its cement factory near Cowdray Park, a high-density suburb in Bulawayo.The arrest of the two councillors has attracted significant attention, particularly as Bulawayo City Council is controlled by the opposition. The case continues to unfold as the legal process progresses. Exclusive | Poll reveals Harris hop is now history, as Fine Gael falls four points in tight race Taoiseach is forced into apology after encounter with carer on campaign trail Sinn Fein up two points, level with Fianna Fail The state of the parties: Ireland Thinks poll - 24th November 2024 Philip Ryan Sun 24 Nov 2024 at 03:30 Support for Fine Gael and for Taoiseach Simon Harris has slumped significantly, with just five days to go until the country votes, according to this weekends Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll. Fresh after absorbing the punch of a bruising poll in todays Sunday Independent and still reeling from the viral clip of his encounter with Cork care worker Charlotte Fallon, Taoiseach Simon Harris was back on the campaign trail in Mayo on Sunday. The latest opinion poll showed Fine Gael is down four points in opinion polls and Mr Harriss personal approval rating has hit a low of 47pc, placing him on a par with Micheal Martin. The poll was carried out last Thursday and Friday, before a video emerged of Mr Harris being challenged about disability services by a voter while on the campaign trail at a supermarket in Kanturk, Co Cork. Speaking at a Fine Gael members rally at Ireland West (Knock) Airport where former taoiseach Enda Kenny gave a rousing speech to delegates, Mr Harris said he unconcerned about polls. "I think we always know the polls reset from the elections, because I've heard lots of people talk about that right back to Bertie Ahern who makes that point on a regular basis, he said. And it's been very clear to me, really since day one of this election campaign, that this is going to be a very tightly contested, close general election. And really makes it all the more important that I talk to the people of Ireland about our plan and what we want to achieve over the next five years. But also about the need to be able to put together a stable Government with a clear majority after this election. We are living in very difficult and challenging times there is economic uncertainty growing in the world and I want my party to be in a position to play a leadership role in that government and lead that government. And that is why right up until 10pm on Friday night I will be asking people to vote number one for Fine Gael. It is also why I think, and I will make this point too, there is national polls and then there is 43 individual contests. And if you look at a number of polls we have seen on constituency levels it has been very good news. I am standing here with four incredible candidates in Mayo. A recent poll showing we have a shot at three seats in Mayo so everything is to play for. It is a very tight election and we are going to work even harder between now and Friday, Mr Harris added. Asked if he was worried about his personal approval rating dropping, the Taoiseach said: I think the poll today shows my rating continue to be the joint most popular leader in the country. But I dont take that for granted at all. Id make the point this election is never about me, about Fine Gael, Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein it is about the people of Ireland. I am so looking forward to this week to the opportunity to explain to the Irish people our economic plan and explain how my party wants to help them in the here and now in the cost of living. And wants to invest in infrastructure and crucially wants to put money aside as a buffer. Asked if his apology to care worker Charlotte Fallon could overshadow his campaign and place Fine Gael in a position where they wouldnt have the success they thought they would, the Taoiseach again apologised. The Taoiseach has said he is human and made a mistake" but he owned that mistake. "I mean, there have been far too many occasions during general elections in this country and abroad where something goes wrong on the campaign trail and people dilly-dally and debate for days, he said. Mr Harris said: I was wrong simple as that. I spoke to Charlotte. But much more important to me now in my engagement with Charlotte and people across this country is what I am going to do for people with disabilities. Mr Harris said he was not "over-analysing" the impact the incident could have on his campaign. The Taoiseach would not be drawn on a report in the Sunday Independent that party chief whip Hildegarde Naughton campaigned with Cllr Patsy OBrien when she allegedly knew he was accused of sending inappropriate messages to a Fine Gael staff member. Cllr OBrien was subsequently expelled from Fine Gael for gross misconduct. Asked specifically if he had anything to say about Ms Naughton campaigning with OBrien before his suspension from the party the Taoiseach said: My party follows due process. "A complaint was made to our party, the now independent councillor was suspended, was expelled, and has contested the local elections a Seanad election and now a general election against Fine Gael," Mr Harris said. "I've been very clear that my party took the right action in acting to expel them on the basis of gross misconduct. Due process obviously has to be followed. "My party is in touch with the complainant. If the complainant has asked media, as well as my party, to keep that engagement confidential, I want to respect their privacy." Marine Institute says fish either migrated to the sea or succumbed to predatory mammals Seals may have feasted on an estimated 7,000 to 8,000 farmed salmon that escaped from a damaged pen in Connemaras Killary Harbour. An unpublished preliminary report by the Marine Institute states that the empty stomachs of a small number of recaptured farmed fish suggest they were unable to adjust to feeding in the wild. The report said the low number of fish recaptured to date would suggest most of those that escaped either migrated to sea or succumbed to predation by marine mammals, including seals and dolphins. Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) has so far confirmed that 59 fish from the farm have been recaptured. The incident happened on August 11 when a well-boat treating fish to freshwater baths to prevent amoebic gill disease at the farm in Rosroe tore a net on one cage during deteriorating weather. The Mannin Bay Salmon Company farm, which is licensed to Docon Ltd of Mulranny, Co Mayo, estimated that between 7,000 and 8,000 fish escaped before the net was repaired and then replaced. The Marine Institutes preliminary report said the farmed salmon were not sexually mature, and seasonal factors, such as spawning periods, mean not all escaped fish found in rivers will reproduce and hybridise with native wild salmon. It is likely that a number of escaped salmon were predated on by the seals observed in Killary Harbour, the report said. An inspection report by an engineer for the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine said fish farm staff noticed the tear on the morning of August 12 and divers repaired it before it was replaced with a new net. It said the damaged net had been relatively new. The department was informed of the incident by the operator, but not until August 13, outside the 24-hour notification period for reporting such incidents. The engineers report, issued to the Connacht Tribune under Freedom of Information, stated that no inspection records from the well-boat, diving operations, weather, stocking information, mortalities and CCTV footage were made available during the site inspection. Farmed salmon. Stock image/Getty Department officials accepted the operators estimate that up to 8,000 fish escaped, mainly non-mature salmon of one-and-a-half to two kilos each. The IFI set traps on two major rivers, the Erriff and the Delphi, which feed into Killary Harbour, and its staff were deployed with draft nets along the northern shores of the lough. The Marine Institute began fishing with specialist nets to the west of the site. In the week after the incident, Galway Bay Against Salmon Cages (GBASC), a non-governmental organisation, described the escape as massive and estimated that between 10,000 and 30,000 fish had escaped from a cage holding about 38,000 salmon. The group forecast it would have a devastating impact on the Erriff and Delphi rivers and others nearby, including the Kylemore, Clifden, Culfin and Ballynahinch if the escaped fish were not recaptured. However, the Marine Institute report played down the potential for these fish to survive and inter-breed. The institute also said the operator had maintained low levels of sea lice on this farm for all of 2024 and a sea lice inspection carried out later that month, on August 21, on a sample of 30 fish from the affected pen found no sea lice on them. This would indicate there is very little risk related to a sea lice infestation to wild salmon populations from these escapees, the institute said. Salmon Watch Ireland (SWIRL) questioned whether the escape was a risk to human health due to antibiotic use in farmed fish, but the Marine Institute said it was not. SWIRL said the low numbers recaptured is more indicative of the lack of a co-ordinated recapture plan by the salmon farm operators, rather than death of the escaped fish due to predation or losses at sea. The only recapture was by anglers and the Erriff research traps, it continued. The notion that these escapees will not inter-breed with wild salmon is speculative, and not consistent with the international experience, SWIRL said, referring to experience of inter-breeding in Norway. The Sex Workers Alliance Ireland (SWAI) has said that a delay in releasing a review of anti-prostitution laws are convenient ahead of the election. In a statement, SWAI has said that the review, promised by Minister for Justice Helen McEntee to be published by the end of 2024, was now due to be released in early 2025. The review was initiated to examine the consequences of new prostitution laws that decriminalised sex work, but criminalised the purchase of sex, and made brothel keeping illegal. The review could result in Gardai being given more powers to arrest and convict men who are paying for sex under the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017. The review was called for by Ruhama, a charity for survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation, and Minister McEntee confirmed in September that it would be ready in the coming weeks. SWAI said its own study as shown a correlation between the laws and the rising levels of violence sex-workers are exposed to. Brothel-keeping laws criminalise shared workspaces, leaving sex workers vulnerable to eviction, exploitation, and homelessness, the group said. Criminalisation isolates sex workers, limits access to peer support, and erodes trust in Gardai, with only 1 percent of sex workers reporting crimes compared to 81 percent of the general population. The Ireland-based alliance criticised Irelands adoption of the Nordic Model of sex work laws in 2017 which does not allow for sex workers to live together in brothels forcing workers to prioritise client safety over their own, exacerbating risks and undermining their autonomy. Spokesperson for SWAI, Linda Kavanagh, questioned workers ability to believe Minister McEntees word after being misled about the release date of the review report. We learned this news through the media, which has been a feature of this farcical process over the past four years, she said. This review will be five years delayed come 2025. The can has been kicked down the road because there is a lack of political support, unlike other laws that have experienced strong public backing, such as the abortion law. However, this does not mean that health, safety, bodily autonomy, and lives are not at risk, just as they are at risk without access to abortion. Will the new government formed after November 29 ignore marginalised communities as much as the current one has? She said the Department of Justice has given assurances that sex workers were engaged in the review process. "We await evidence of this claim because when we engaged with the former independent reviewer, who has since stepped back, we were informed that there was not enough time to consult more sex workers. That was in 2022. The alliance criticised what it said was the deeply flawed legal framework around sex work that prioritises ideology over evidence. SWAI said the number of incidents of abuse and crime being reported to the app UglyMugs.ie by sex workers in the Republic of Ireland has greatly increased. The app allows sex workers to report abusive or violent clients. Ms Kavanagh said: The Irish governments inaction and contempt for sex workers lives is a disgrace we will not stand by while their harmful laws continue to maim, silence, and kill. Telling the Limerickmans redemption story after his release from prison felt straightforward until the doubts began to emerge The first time I met Pat Sheedy he was on day release from prison. It was January 2023 and he was in the last year of a three-year sentence he was serving on the back of various scams he had committed, including selling fraudulent tickets for rugby matches. The system at Loughan House, the open prison in Cavan where people often see out the last 12 months of their sentences, meant Pat could go home to Limerick for a few days, once or twice a month. It was kind of a half-in, half-out situation. We met for lunch near the IFSC in Dublin. Pat was well-dressed, confident, interesting. I didnt know much about him then, only the little my colleague Nicola Tallant had told me: He had been involved in some fraud, he had a history of gambling addiction and he was working on a book about his life. Nicola had been anonymously contacted a few months before this, given Pats number and told to call. He was locked up with Brian Kenny, another prisoner Nicola had a long-standing interest in. Pat was surprised to hear from her, but he told her what he knew and they got talking about what landed him in prison. The gist was that Pats problems with gambling led him to commit crimes in order to fund his habit, but he was turning his life around. After talking with him, Nicola suggested his story might make a good podcast series. Problematic gambling is widespread in Ireland and not well understood as an illness and here was someone who could tell us what it was really like. Someone who had hit rock bottom and just about lived to tell the tale. My goal was simple: to better understand what drives someone to do the things Pat has done I found out more about Pat when we met again in Limerick a few weeks later. We recorded a long interview, in which Nicola asked him questions about his life, work, and crimes. Afterwards, we got into my car and drove around the city with Pat as our tour guide. He showed us the house in Moyross where he grew up in the 1970s and where he and his mother still live. The mood was light and everyone was excited by the possibilities of the project. Over the following months we spent a lot more time getting to know Pat. One day we even drove him back to Loughan House. It was strange and sad to watch him walk through the gates, away from freedom. Pat Sheedy. Photo: Mark Condren I read drafts of the book he was working on in prison. I was with him the day he was offered a publishing deal and when it came out I read it multiple times. My goal was simple: to better understand what drives someone to do the things Pat has done. After all, he was clearly a smart, competent guy. He went to a good school, had a stable family life, a good career. Pats crimes were not violent but they were certainly serious and numerous. When we met him he had over 100 convictions. This was a guy who couldnt seem to stop. The mood began to sour over the summer. It was small stuff at first, but it added up. Why would he invite two journalists into his life and expose himself to scrutiny in this way? We would arrange to meet Pat with his friends or family and then the meeting would be cancelled, last minute. He promised us documents his charge sheet, his data from betting companies, bank statements that were no longer forthcoming We were having trouble finding people who could talk to us about Pats life. Stories from the book didnt always tally completely with what he told us in person, or what his victims told us. We heard stories he hadnt told us at all. We developed a sense that Pat was trying to shape the narrative in a way that painted him in a flattering light. We really werent sure what we could believe. We decided to do a little sleuthing. We werent exactly surprised when we caught him in a lie, but it made us double-down on a question we had been asking for a while: Why was he doing this? Why would he invite two journalists into his life and expose himself to scrutiny in this way? In our most cynical moments, we talked about it being potentially his biggest scam of all: going public with his story, making this podcast with us, spinning a yarn to reap the rewards of turning your life around. Should we be party to that? What is our responsibility here? These questions guided us through the next 12 months as we tried to figure out how to tell the story of a man a conman, a gambler, an addict whose problems are undoubtedly serious, but whose testimony is just so hard to trust. We interviewed addiction expert Dr Colin OGara for the podcast and he said living with addiction was like juggling hundreds of balls, with the addict trying to keep everything in the air at once. A friend of mine had another take: gamblers want to lose. There is something that feels right in the universe, he said, when things fall apart. And when I thought about this I realised it could explain something weve been struggling with for the whole time that weve known Pat: Which comes first, the gambling or the scamming? Which is the real addiction? My friend showed me there is no difference. You cant separate them. Both are manifestations of this deeper tendency to self-destruct. Only time will tell if Pats recovery will last. We dont know what path hes on now. I dont think even he knows. Listeners will have to decide for themselves how much of his story to believe. I dont know what effect making this podcast will have on him. I dont know what effect being more in the public eye will have on him. I think his friends and family knowing more about him and his problems, having at least some of his story be more out in the open, might help him. It might make people notice issues quicker than they would have before; it might make people step in a little earlier and more effectively than they would have before. I dont know. I hope for his sake it does. I hope something good comes of all this. I honestly wish him the best of luck. I believe hes going to need every ounce of it he can get. Episodes 1-3 of The Gambler, a new eight-part podcast series presented and produced by Ian Maleney and Nicola Tallant, are out now Visionary psychiatrist Ivor Browne leaves over 1m in his will along with a treasure trove of books, music and recordings Browne requested that his ashes be scattered on Dalkey Island, which he described as a spiritual home Dr Ivor Browne photographed at his home in Ranalagh in 2020. Photo: Frank McGrath Niamh Horan Sun 24 Nov 2024 at 03:30 Psychiatrist and author Professor Ivor Browne left more than 1m in his will. The key to all magic tricks is distraction, which is the best way to understand Russian president Vladimir Putins latest round of nuclear sabre-rattling, including the first use of a new experimental ballistic missile to hit a target in Ukraine on Thursday. After an initial statement by Ukraines air force that Russia had fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM, Putin later said in a televised address to his nation that the strike had in fact tested a new, shorter range, hypersonic one called an Oreshnik. These are primarily designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads and would require missile defence systems Ukraine doesnt possess to shoot down. Nikita Hand speaks to the media outside the High Court after winning her case against Conor McGregor. Photo: Collins Courts In a celebrity-driven culture, big names like Conor McGregor have influence and power. The mixed martial arts fighter, known as the Notorious, has stood on the pinnacle of such global fame and success. But the courage, character and strength of Nikita Hand has clearly thrown a shadow over the strutting, confident strongman and dimmed the lustre of his stardom. In her civil action for damages, Ms Hand had alleged she was raped by McGregor. The mother of one told the jury at the High Court that McGregor would not take no for an answer. She was awarded over 248,603 in damages. During the three-week trial, a doctor told of Ms Hands bruising on her body. A nurse said Ms Hand had been on the receiving end of one of the worst beatings she had ever seen. Ms Hands senior counsel, John Gordon, had told the jury that McGregor had subjected her to a savage assault and described him as a devious coward. It was also claimed Ms Hand had been held in a stranglehold by McGregor, after which she basically surrendered to him. Understandably, the case has shocked and appalled people around the country. Many will be puzzled by the fact that Ms Hand had to bring a civil action on her own. But her perseverance and steely determination to get justice has been vindicated. Her indomitable stance has sent a strong signal of zero tolerance for toxic masculinity. Speaking after the verdict, Ms Hand said she had hoped to show every other girl and boy that you can stand up for yourself. If something happens to you, no matter who the person is, justice will be served. To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder that no matter how afraid you might be, speak up. You have a voice and keep on fighting for justice, she added. Such a message has never been more urgent: 52pc of Irish women have experienced sexual violence either as a child or as an adult. It is a double indictment of our modern world that although its recognised that violence against women is the most shameful form there is, it is also the most pervasive. We must make it easier for sex assault survivors to get justice. Last year a Council of Europe committee found our provision of legal aid does not meet the current demand for victims of sex-based violence. However, research published by the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre in 2021 gathered over a three-year period found that only 14pc of rapes that are reported actually end up in court. Ms Hand refused to be silenced or to surrender. In selecting their role models, young men should recall the words of Archbishop Desmond Tutu: It is by standing up for the rights of girls and women that we truly measure up as men. Kerry Library has received a donation of a framed photograph of Kerry native and Irish revolutionary, barrister, politician and judge Fionan Lynch. It was presented by his grandnephew Professor Tim Lynch to the County Librarian Tommy OConnor in the Kerry Library Archives on Thursday, 7 November. Also present were former Minister Jimmy Deenihan and Professor Maurice Bric Director, Daniel OConnell Summer School, Cahersiveen. The photograph, which includes a bi-lingual account of his life on either side of it, will be placed on permanent display at Cahersiveen library. Fionan Lynch was born in Cahersiveen on 17 March 1899, the fourth son of Finian and Ellen Maria Lynch, both primary teachers. He was educated at Saint Brendan's College, Killarney, Rockwell College and Blackrock College. He qualified as a teacher in Swansea, South Wales where he formed a branch of the Gaelic League and taught the Irish language there. On his return to Dublin in 1909 he trained as a primary school teacher and joined the Keating Branch of the Gaelic League. He was recruited into the Irish Republican Brotherhood, joined the Irish Volunteers and became captain of F company Battalion of the Dublin Brigade. He was actively involved in the Easter Rising and was subsequently imprisoned a number of times. In a varied career he was a Sinn Fein TD for South Kerry in 1918 and for Kerry-Limerick West in 1921. Fionan was involved in the Treaty negotiations and later became Minister for Education in the provisional government. Post Civil War he served in the national army and was later elected a Cumann na nGaedheal TD. He was Minister for Fisheries from 1922-28 and Minister for Lands and Fisheries 1928 -1932. In 1931 he qualified as a barrister and served as Leas Ceann Comhairle of the Dail until 1939. He retired from politics in 1944 to concentrate on his legal practice and was subsequently appointed Circuit Court judge in the northwest district, retiring from the bench in 1959. Mr Lynch died suddenly at his home in county Dublin on June 3 1966. His papers are on permanent loan to the Kerry Library archives. A couple from Carnew in Wicklow recently travelled to Uganda with World Vision Ireland to meet a child they sponsor and see the impact of their support first hand. Sarah and John Osborne had a heart-warming and transformative experience in Uganda as they had the opportunity to meet their sponsored child, Yazidi, and described the meeting as an emotional and unforgettable encounter. Meeting Yazidi, whom we have known for many years through World Vision, was indescribable, said Sarah. Standing beside him on his home ground and shaking his little hand was a moment we will always cherish. Despite the language barrier, Yazidis pride was evident as he showed them around his home and his fathers smallholding. One highlight was the Tippy Tap, a simple yet ingenious hand-washing device made from sticks and a plastic drum, introduced by World Vision. Seeing the pride and joy on Yazidis face as he demonstrated the Tippy Tap was unforgettable, Sarah said. I thought how ingenious for this family with no running water to construct this simple hand-washing idea out of sticks and a plastic drum, but I was told this idea came from World Vision, and this family had been given the tools to help themselves. Sarah and John shared a bit of Ireland with Yazidi by gifting him a jersey from their local GAA club, Carnew Emmets, personalised with his name. John even brought along a hurl and sliotar for Yazidi, and the duo had an impromptu training session. John Osborne playing hurling with their sponsored child Yazidi in Uganda. The trip included a tour of local schools, where Sarah and John said they were welcomed like royalty and regaled by the children as they sang their songs and danced for us. Sarah and John were particularly impressed by the new latrines, a significant improvement from the old ones that lacked privacy and were shared by boys, girls, and teachers. Thanks to World Visions WASH programme, the school now has running water for hand washing and separate latrines for girls, boys, and disabled students. Sponsors also got to visit a literacy centre, where children from levels 1 to 3 study with the help of reading club facilitators during holidays and weekends. The Literacy Centre blew me away, said Sarah. The happiness and joy that emanated from this place was something else. The children were eager to learn, and the teaching methods through song and games were a joy to watch. Seeing the impact of their support first-hand was a profound experience for the couple. Before we travelled to Uganda to meet Yazidi and see the work that World Vision is doing, we received regular reports on Yazidi's progress and health. So, we already knew that our sponsorship was worthwhile. But after travelling to Uganda, we saw first-hand the difference our sponsorship makes, not only in one little boy's life but the ripple effect that sponsorship has on his school and community. Their experience has prompted them to become advocates for child sponsorship with World Vision, as they shared that they have no hesitation in encouraging anyone to get involved and become a child sponsor through World Vision. It is so worthwhile and the feedback you get about and from your sponsored child is so uplifting and rewarding. Nothing gives you that same feeling you get when you open that card at Christmas or that report during the year. To become a child sponsor, please visit World Visions website or call 01 498 0800 for more information. News / National by Staff reporter Residents of Bulawayo have been urged to take responsibility for their surroundings by avoiding littering, in a bid to prevent the clogging of the city's already problematic drainage systems.Recent heavy rains in the city have highlighted the inadequacies of Bulawayo's storm drainage infrastructure, as evidenced by waterlogged roads and flash flooding in several areas. The situation has caused concern among local residents, with many calling for action from the municipality to address the drainage blockages that are exacerbating the flooding.During a meeting held by the Ward 9 Bulawayo Residents Association, one resident suggested that the municipality consider outsourcing labor to clear the clogged drainage systems to ensure that water can flow freely during rains.Can you outsource labor to clear the drainage systems for the network to properly function and for rainwater to flow easily? one concerned resident asked during the meeting.Winos Dube, the chairperson of the Bulawayo United Residents Association, acknowledged the municipality's role but also pointed out that residents themselves were contributing to the problem.While we are appealing to the council to clear clogged drainage systems, residents should also stop being careless by littering in trenches, which is what is clogging the drains, Dube said. This is a shared responsibility between residents and the local authority.The blocked drainage systems have led to artificial flooding in the streets, creating a breeding ground for water-borne diseases and posing a risk to public health. The flooding also increases the danger of road accidents, as vehicles and pedestrians struggle to navigate the inundated streets.Bulawayo, particularly its older neighborhoods, is known to be prone to flash floods during the rainy season due to the poor state of its storm drainage systems. With the rainy season in full swing, residents are being urged to work with the municipality to ensure the city is better prepared to handle future downpours. This musical mobility was made possible because of the Carnew schools Erasmus+ programme which is going from strength to strength. The Carnew students had prepared a selection of Catalan music in advance and the Spanish students had prepared an Irish dance especially for the occasion. The Escola Pia students performed traditional Catalan dances to the accompaniment of the Colaiste Bhride musicians. The collaboration continued onto the streets of the old town, culminating in a visit to the Town Hall and a performance for the Mayoress and her entourage. A recording of the experience, created by a group of senior students who were studying media from Escola Pia is available on YouTube. The Colaiste Bhride students also participated in some of the Creative Connexions Festival Sitges activities which included musical workshops and performances. The highlight for the Colaiste Bhride students was the opportunity to perform in the Jardins de Prado which representatives from the Irish and British Embassies attended. It was planned for all thirteen Irish youth group musicians to parade through the old town of Sitges playing music. Unfortunately, a storm blew in and this big musical experience was cancelled. Despite all, the enthusiasm of all the young musicians present never waned and a super impromptu collaborative musical session under shelter ensued. Colaiste Bhride is fortunate to have been given Erasmus+ accreditation. The funding through the Erasmus programme has been extensive for the past year and this will continue going forward for the next four years. The school has also taken part in exchanges in both French and German, from the funding. Individual students have travelled on a language mobility to France. There have been two music trips in the past twelve months, to France and Spain. Teacher professional learning mobilities have taken place and have offered significant learning opportunities for those who participated. Tensions were raised in Im a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! jungle as contestants Dean McCullough and Alan Halsall clashed over chores. In Saturdays episode, the celebrities were in good spirits after Love Island star Maura Higgins and broadcaster the Reverend Richard Coles secured them a junk food buffet in reward for eating animals body parts and creepy crawlies. However, BBC Radio 1 presenter McCullough had a heated exchange with Coronation Street star Halsall later in the programme over how the actor had handled waking him up. 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 After the camp had their feast, McCullough took a nap but was later awoken by camp leader Halsall as he needed to do his chore of collecting firewood alongside Loose Women panellist Jane Moore. After a sleepy McCullough hardly stirred, soap star Halsall asked him: You dont fancy it? No? Halsall then went to help out Moore himself as camp rules state Moore was not allowed to do it by herself. Northern Irish presenter McCullough followed afterwards and told him Halsall could go back now. The actor told him: I was trying to wake you up as soft as I could, to which Dean replied: Listen to me. If youre going to wake me up, you need to give me a minute, alright? It takes me a couple of minutes for my contact lenses to get back working again, all right? So you dont need to turn around to me and say: Do you not fancy it? OK? And then turn around and walk away. McCullough then repeatedly asked Halsall to listen to him, with the later explaining: I didnt say it how you think I meant it, but if you took it that way, then I apologise. Alan Halsall (ITV/Yoshitaka Kono) The actor confirmed he was not trying to have a dig at the radio DJ, to which McCullough said he understood but that he felt he didnt get a chance to respond. McCullough later said in the Bush Telegraph: I opened my eyes and wee Tyrone from Coronation Street is like: Come on, mate, you need to go down to the bottom of the creek. He didnt even give me a chance to say yes or no because he went: You dont fancy it? No? and ran. He was being a real camp leader. I was like: Whoa, whoa, whoa dont dig me out like that. And I had to say to him: If youre going to say: Dont fancy it? give me a chance. Because, of course, I fancy it. I want to help Jane. I went straight down and helped her. McCullough was later seen apologising to Moore before joining her in carrying the wood for the campfire. In his own Bush Telegraph moment, Halsall said: It was a flippant comment, Im sorry if you took it in the wrong way. Wasnt actually meant like that, it was just a bit of a joke. If I was asleep and you woke me up, I wont fancy it either. Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! continues on ITV1 and ITVX. Irish News Kim Jong-un has friends in the North. . . of Kerry, that is Uddhav Thackeray takes dig at Eknath Shinde after Maharashtra polls results. Photo courtesy: Facebook Mumbai/IBNS: After being decimated in the Maharashtra Assembly election, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray has a message for his ex-close aide stating that the latter will have to work under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Devendra Fadnavis. On being asked if this result has decided who represents the 'real' Shiv Sena, Thackeray told reporters: "You have to work under (Devendra) Fadnavis. First, figure out which bungalow you will get." Maharashtra's ruling coalition, Mahayuti, on Saturday turned the tide by securing a strong mandate in the Assembly elections months after facing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. In the Lok Sabha elections, the alliance managed to win only 17 of the states 48 seats. The alliance headed by Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde, BJP led by Devendra Fadnavis and NCPs Ajit Pawar has returned to power with a thumping majority. During the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won nine seats, Shiv Sena secured seven, and NCP won just one seat. These results covered 125 Assembly segments, falling short of the 145-majority mark. The Shiv Sena (UBT) chief also referred to the ongoing legal battle over which faction has claim to the Sena's symbol and name and lamented that the case had not concluded yet. On the other hand, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured 30 Lok Sabha seats13 by the Congress, nine by Shiv Sena (led by Uddhav Thackeray), and eight by Sharad Pawars NCPspanning 153 Assembly segments. The striking contrast in performance between Lok Sabha and Assembly elections is notable. However, these Lok Sabha trends shifted significantly in the Assembly elections. The BJP emerged with the highest strike rate, securing 132 seats compared to 105 in 2019a significant improvement. This performance is being viewed as Mahayutis resurgence in Maharashtra following the Lok Sabha setback. The Shiv Sena won 55 Assembly seats, while Ajit Pawars NCP claimed victory in 41 constituencies. This time, the Mahayuti retained all but eight of the 125 Assembly segments it had won during the Lok Sabha polls. The result, however, has raised a big question of whether Eknath Shinde will remain Chief Minister. When he joined hands with the BJP after the 2022 mutiny, he toppled the Uddhav Thackeray government, and became the Chief Minister despite the BJP being the bigger party in the coalition. Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis agreed to accept the Deputy Chief Minister post then. The MVA struggled to retain its strongholds from the Lok Sabha elections, while the ruling Mahayutis campaign strategies resonated strongly, enabling it to capture those segments. Criticizing the INDIA bloc for its disappointing performance in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked, "They fail to grasp the shifting sentiment of the nation. Not only do they refuse to accept the reality, but they continue to underestimate the wisdom of India's common voters. The electorate stands firmly with the principle of 'Nation First' and has little regard for those fixated on 'chair first' ambitions." Delhi cop murdered during patrolling duty, prime suspect killed in police encounter. Photo courtesy: Pixabay New Delhi/IBNS: A Delhi cop was murdered as he tried to stop drunk drivers during his patrolling duty in the national capital, media reports said on Sunday. The incident happened in the early hours of Saturday when Constable Kiranpal was on his patrolling duty near Arya Samaj Mandir in Govindpuri. 28-year-old Kiranpal came across three drunk men during his patrol and blocked their escape by positioning his bike in front of their vehicle. He even managed to seize the keys to their scooter. However, this routine check took a violent turn when the men attacked him, stabbing him to death before fleeing the scene. Kiranpal, who joined the police force in 2018, was found in an unconscious state and gravely injured by his colleague. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead. The investigation promptly identified the assailants, sparking a manhunt. Delhi Police and the Crime Branch tracked two suspects, Deepak and Krish, to the Kalkaji area. As they attempted to evade getting caught, Deepak fired at the police team but was shot in the leg during the ensuing encounter. He was arrested along with his accomplice, Krish. The police then pursued the third and primary accused, Raghav alias Rocky, who had evaded capture. A joint team from the Special Cell and Narcotics Cell moved into Sangam Vihar late Saturday night. The team closed in on the area connecting Sangam Vihar and Surajkund Road. When officers asked him to surrender, Raghav fired on the advancing police team in a desperate bid to escape. The officers returned fire in which Raghav sustained gunshot injuries. Despite being immediately rushed to a hospital, he died of his injuries. Police recovered Raghav's loaded pistol with two live cartridges. No police personnel were injured during the operation. Uddhav Thackeray expresses shock over BJP win in Maharashtra polls. Photo courtesy: Uddhav Thackeray Facebook Mumbai/IBNS: After tasting defeat at the hands of the Mahayuti Alliance comprising the Bharatiya Janata Party and his friend-turned-foe Eknath Shinde, Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray said the country is marching towards "one party, one nation." Speaking to reporters on Saturday evening, after poll results were declared, a visibly shocked Thackeray said: "Cannot believe Maharashtra, which listened to me as head of family during COVID, will behave with me this way... How could they (the ruling alliance) win so many seats in just a matter of four months? Where did they light candles for such a result?" Maharashtra's ruling coalition, Mahayuti, on Saturday turned the tide by securing a strong mandate in the Assembly elections months after facing defeat in the Lok Sabha elections. In the Lok Sabha elections, the alliance managed to win only 17 of the states 48 seats. The alliance headed by Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde, BJP led by Devendra Fadnavis and NCPs Ajit Pawar has returned to power with a thumping majority. Claiming that the Vikas Aghadi rallies were better attended than that of the ruling alliance, he said, "People listened to us, not to Modi and Amit Shah. The people said they don't need to listen to them. Did they decide to vote without listening to them?" he said, then added in a sarcastic vein, "How can an empty chair turn into votes". During the Lok Sabha elections, the BJP won nine seats, Shiv Sena secured seven, and NCP won just one seat. These results covered 125 Assembly segments, falling short of the 145-majority mark. On the other hand, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) secured 30 Lok Sabha seats13 by the Congress, nine by Shiv Sena (led by Uddhav Thackeray), and eight by Sharad Pawars NCPspanning 153 Assembly segments. This time, the BJP emerged with the highest strike rate, securing 132 seats compared to 105 in 2019a significant improvement. This performance is being viewed as Mahayutis resurgence in Maharashtra following the Lok Sabha setback. The Shiv Sena won 55 Assembly seats, while Ajit Pawars NCP claimed victory in 41 constituencies. This time, the Mahayuti retained all but eight of the 125 Assembly segments it had won during the Lok Sabha polls. The result, however, has raised a big question of whether Eknath Shinde will remain Chief Minister. When he joined hands with the BJP after the 2022 mutiny, where he toppled the Uddhav Thackeray government, Shinde had become Chief Minister despite the BJP being the bigger party in the coalition. Former Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis agreed to accept the Deputy Chief Minister post then. Earlier, criticising the INDIA bloc for its disappointing performance in Maharashtra, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked, "They fail to grasp the shifting sentiment of the nation. Not only do they refuse to accept the reality, but they continue to underestimate the wisdom of India's common voters. The electorate stands firmly with the principle of 'Nation First' and has little regard for those fixated on 'chair first' ambitions." Mahayuti leaders will choose the new CM in consultation with the BJPs central leadership in Delhi. (Photo courtesy: x.com/Dev_Fadnavis) Mumbai: A day after sweeping victory in the Maharashtra Assembly elections and amidst deliberations over the Chief Minister's position, Mahayuti alliance partnersBJP, Shiv Sena, and NCPare holding key meetings with their newly elected MLAs on Sunday to elect their respective legislative party leaders, media reports said. NCP leader Ajit Pawar has been chosen as the Legislative Party Leader during a meeting held at his official residence in Mumbai. Meanwhile, the BJPs core committee is set to convene at Devendra Fadnavis official residence in the city, while Eknath Shinde has scheduled a gathering with Shiv Senas MLAs at a hotel in Bandra. On Monday, all Mahayuti MLAs will come together for an alliance meeting to finalize the selection of Maharashtra's next Chief Minister. The Mahayuti alliance delivered a landslide win, securing 233 out of 288 seats and severely weakening the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which managed only 49 seats, leaving them without the numbers to claim the Leader of the Opposition post. The BJP emerged as the largest party with a historic 132 seats, while the Shiv Sena and NCP also bolstered their standings, winning 57 and 41 seats, respectively. Devendra Fadnavis, who led the BJPs campaign to this remarkable victory, is a leading contender for the Chief Ministers post. Eknath Shinde, who solidified his reputation as a prominent Maratha leader with an impressive strike rate of 81 percent, is also being considered for the role. Sources indicate that the final decision on the Chief Ministers position will be made by Mahayuti leaders in consultation with the BJPs central leadership in Delhi. The swearing-in ceremony is anticipated to take place on Tuesday, November 26, at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, the same venue where Fadnavis was sworn in as Chief Minister a decade ago. The event is expected to be attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several distinguished guests from various fields. KTR slammed Congress, saying people of Maharashtra rejected its false propaganda. (Photo courtesy: KTR facebook page) Hyderabad: Telangana's Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) working president, KT Rama Rao (KTR), launched a scathing critique of Congress and Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing them of spreading "false propaganda" that was decisively rejected by the people of Maharashtra, media reports said. KTR's remarks came in response to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) resounding victory in Maharashtra, reported India Today. "The people of Maharashtra have seen through Congress' betrayal in Telangana, where it failed to fulfill its poll promises, and have rejected the party outright," KTR alleged, the report said. He criticized Congress for spending Rs 300 crore of Telangana taxpayers money on "false advertisements" that, according to him, failed to sway Maharashtra's voters. KTR also accused Congress of making contradictory promises in Telangana and Maharashtra. "While they pledged Rs 3,000 in Maharashtra, they couldn't deliver Rs 2,500 to 1.6 crore women in Telangana," he remarked, reported India Today. Turning his attention to the Jharkhand elections, KTR noted that Congress failed to form a government independently and had to rely on the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM). In the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, Chief Minister Hemant Soren's JMM-led INDIA bloc crossed the majority mark to form the government. Speaking to the media about the Assembly results, KTR highlighted the growing importance of regional parties in Indian politics. "The outcomes in Maharashtra and Jharkhand demonstrate the public's dissatisfaction with national parties like the BJP and Congress. They underscore the significance of respecting regional aspirations," he said. Amidst the tumultuous upheaval of the 1947 Partition, Gurdwara Dera Sahib, a revered Sikh shrine in Lahore, Pakistan, became a tragic emblem of the violence and destruction that engulfed the region. This sacred site, commemorating the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Guru of Sikhism, was subjected to relentless attacks, bearing witness to the horrors of communal strife. From the very outset of the Partitions chaos, Gurdwara Dera Sahib found itself under siege. Despite its proximity to the Lahore Fort, a stronghold of the Additional Police and military, the gurdwara remained vulnerable to the relentless onslaught. Water supplies were deliberately cut off, leaving the approximately 150 devotees trapped within its walls, facing the agonizing prospect of succumbing to thirst. As the attacks intensified, the gurdwaras sanctity was violated with impunity. Gunfire rained down upon the premises, transforming the serene atmosphere into a scene of terror. The adjoining building, engulfed in flames, cast an ominous glow over the gurdwara, casting a chilling shadow of destruction. Seeking refuge in the mausoleum of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, situated a mere ten yards away, a group of Sikhs hoped to escape the marauding mobs. However, their sanctuary was shattered as the frenzied cries of Pakistan zindabad echoed through the air, accompanied by vile slurs directed against the Sikhs. The gates of the gurdwara and mausoleum were riddled with bullets, leaving no doubt about the malicious intent of the attackers. The atrocities at Gurdwara Dera Sahib were not isolated incidents. The Baoli Sahib gurdwara, nestled amidst densely populated Muslim neighborhoods in Dabbi Bazar, was set ablaze on June 4th. The tranquil gurdwara was transformed into an inferno, trapping the unsuspecting Sikhs within, leaving them to face a gruesome fate, either burned alive or mercilessly shot dead. Gurdwara Janam Asthan, another revered Sikh site, endured relentless attacks from June onwards. The Muslim police pickets, ostensibly stationed to protect the gurdwara, instead facilitated arson and assaults on the sacred premises. On August 11th, the Baulch Military entered the gurdwara under the pretext of searching for concealed bombs. Their presence proved deadly, as they ruthlessly killed 13 innocent Sikhs. The desecration of Gurdwara Dera Sahib and other sacred Sikh shrines stands as a stark reminder of the devastating human cost of the Partition. These acts of violence not only shattered the physical structures of these revered places but also inflicted deep wounds upon the collective psyche of the Sikh community. The echoes of the gunshots, the crackling flames, and the anguished cries of the victims continue to reverberate through the corridors of history, serving as a poignant testament to the resilience of the Sikh spirit. (Image and Text courtesy: Khalsavox.com) Manisha Koirala speaks on Heeramandi experience during IFFI appearance. Photo Courtesy: PIB Actress Manisha Koirala on Sunday said the set of her OTT release Heeramandi was the biggest she has worked in her career. Speaking at an event held during the ongoing 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI), Manisha said: "In my thirty years of career, Heeramandi was the biggest set Ive ever worked on." Manisha revealed she enjoys watching movies both in the cinema halls as well as on OTT platforms. "I binge-watch OTT content," she said. When asked if actors still hesitate to work on OTT shows, Manisha candidly replied that there are ongoing discussions in the industry about it. "Anything new and unfamiliar is often met with doubt initially," she said. Manisha said: "But good results encourage people to embrace it." Manisha made her OTT debut with Heeramandi:The Diamond Bazaar. News / National by Staff reporter Opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislators are calling for greater involvement in the distribution of agricultural inputs in their constituencies, claiming that this is necessary to ensure fairness and prevent political bias in the allocation process.The legislators argue that the current system of distributing farming resources, such as seeds and fertilizers, has shown signs of unfairness, particularly in constituencies led by opposition representatives.Nkayi South legislator, Jabulani Hadebe, expressed concern over what he described as inequitable distribution of agricultural inputs. "The government has failed to fairly distribute resources to constituencies which are under our leadership," Hadebe said, suggesting that the distribution has been skewed in favor of regions controlled by the ruling party.Tsholotsho North legislator, Lisbon Sibanda, also voiced his frustrations, noting that his constituency has not received any agricultural support, including stock feeds. "In my constituency, we have not received anything including the stock feeds," Sibanda said. "We hope our people will receive the farming inputs."The CCC lawmakers are now urging the government to allow them to take an active role in the distribution process to ensure that all citizens, regardless of their political affiliation, are treated equally.Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka, when contacted for comment on the issue, did not respond to the questions raised by the opposition legislators. The call for transparency in the distribution of agricultural resources comes amid growing concerns over fairness and political manipulation in the allocation of critical resources for farmers. Photo Courtesy: PIB The 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) featured two remarkable films in the Cinema of the World category: Canadian film, Bassimas Womb and Polish film, Loonies. Crafted by visionary directors and producers, these films delve into profound themes such as societal pressures, the quest for identity, redemption, hope and the pursuit of a better life. During the media interaction, Babek Aliassa, Director and Actor of Bassimas Womb, revealed that the film was inspired by Indian surrogacy stories. When asked about the absence of music, he explained that it was a conscious decision to avoid manipulating the audience. In comparing Indian and Canadian cinema, he noted that Canada produces fewer feature films than India and emphasized the need for more Indo-Canadian collaborations to promote artistic films. Actress, Maxine Denis described the story as intense, with her character Bassima representing a young woman full of hopes and aspirations. She explained that the lack of music was an artistic choice, aimed at pushing boundaries rather than relying on an easy addition. She also shared that preparing for the role involved watching many surrogacy documentaries and learning to speak French and Arabic with a Syrian accent, which was both challenging and fun. Actress, Nicole-Sylvie Lagarde, who plays the antagonist, described the film as a personal journey for her character, who bears scars and seeks healing. She also mentioned the difficult weather conditions faced while shooting in Canada. Actress, Alicja Stasiewicz, from Loonies, shared that her role required significant physical transformation, including weight changes, making it a demanding part. She credited her 11 years in theatre which helped her emotionally prepare for the character. Actor, Lech Mackiewicz, spoke about the central theme of love in the film, calling it a powerful force in life. On the film's music, he noted that it aligns with the characters emotions. He also contrasted the vibrant, epic style of Indian cinema with the more subdued tones of Polish cinema, expressing a desire to create films in the style of India. Prabhas Kalki 2898 AD emerged as one of the biggest hits of the year and received rave reviews from most critics. It ended with a major twist, setting the stage for the sequel. During a recent interaction with the media, Swapna Dutt the films producer revealed that some portions of Kalki 2 have already been shot. She also provided an update about Deepika Padukones role in the second installment of the franchise. Swapna Dutt shares updates about Prabhas' Kalki 2 Kalki 2 is one of the most eagerly-awaited Indian films in recent years. It explores the fight between good and evil and is touted to be grander than the first part. In a recent interaction with the media, Swapna Dutt revealed that the makers have already shot nearly 35% of the film. She added that pre-production work for the remaining portions is already underway. Dutt also confirmed that Deepika Padukone will play an expectant mother in certain portions of the sequel as well. Additionally, she confirmed that the makers plan to release the first part in international markets to help it reach a wider audience. About the Kalki franchise Kalki 2898 AD, directed by Nag Ashwin, is a sci-fi actioner that centres on a bounty hunter who locks horns with the immortal Ashwatthama during a mission. The film features Prabhas as Bhairava and Karna. The cast includes Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Deepika Padukone, Anna Ben, and Disha Patani. Kalki 2898 AD grossed over Rs 1000 crore globally to emerge as a game-changer for Indian cinema. It also received favourable reviews with critics lauding the performances and the references to The Mahabharata. The sequel is expected to explore the conflict between the forces of darkness and the protectors of light. It will feature Kamal Haasan, who had just two scenes in the first part, in a central role. The Hey Ram actor is likely to have intense scenes with Big B and Prabhas in Kalki 2. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Chuck Woolery, the beloved American game show host and television personality, passed away at the age of 83. He is best remembered for his iconic roles as the original host of Wheel of Fortune and as the charismatic emcee of the popular dating show Love Connection. Chuck Woolery dies at 83 Chuck Woolery has passed aged 83. The website TMZ confirmed the news, reporting the veteran passed away at his Texas home after having trouble breathing. Mark Young, Woolery's close friend and co-podcaster, shared the news on X (formerly Twitter), sharing it is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother @chuckwoolery has just passed away. Life will not be the same without him, RIP brother. Rip. He was a fantastic guy. And pic.twitter.com/iRoZWyatkF Captain James Heise (@OvertempMarine) November 24, 2024 Fans pour in tributes The news of Chuck Woolery's passing has sparked a wave of nostalgia, prompting an outpouring of heartfelt tributes and condolences on social media. Fans and admirers have shared fond memories and anecdotes about the beloved host, celebrating his life, legacy, and enduring impact on popular culture. Prayers up for a patriot: rest in peace @chuckwoolery hope to see you in two-and-two on the other side. pic.twitter.com/bAK3pTJnNJ Gregory T. Angelo (@gregorytangelo) November 24, 2024 In the early '70s, my Dad was at a gas station in LA and realized he locked his keys in his car. A nice young man offered to help. He pulled a paper clip out of his pocket and had the lock picked in about two minutes! That nice young man was Chuck Woolery. True story! RIP Chuck pic.twitter.com/4lAlRXYpG7 Robby (@robowski5951) November 24, 2024 Chuck Woolery was everyone over 50's Babysitter when you were home sick, when we weren't watching Bob Barker. Hope you're making good whoopie in the sky Chuck! pic.twitter.com/MtnqnOwvnp The Bloodstone (@BS2KZ) November 24, 2024 Chuck Woolery has died at 83. I'll remember him from the VERY early "Wheel of Fortune" days, and "Love Connection," rather than ... you know. https://t.co/esDRAXgmKN pic.twitter.com/7m3iUzYOA6 Matthew Rettenmund (@mattrett) November 24, 2024 Chuck Woolery: A beloved but controversial figure Though beloved, Chuck Woolery was a highly controversial figure who often ignited a social media frenzy with his controversial tweets. A passionate Donald Trump supporter, the right-wing podcaster stirred up a heated debate after claiming Coronavirus was just a 'flu'. "The most outrageous lies are the ones about Covid 19. Everyone is lying. The CDC, Media, Democrats, our Doctors, not all but most, that we are told to trust," Woolery wrote in his 2020 tweet. "I think it's all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. I'm sick of it," he added. His tweet was retweeted by Donald Trump. When Woolery claimed supporting Donald Trump destroyed his career In another tweet, he wrote that supporting Trump pretty much destroyed his career. He said that being open about his support for Trump and his conservative views has had a significant impact on his career. While it's been challenging at times, he said that he stands by his decisions and is willing to accept the consequences. To answer your question. Yes I have pretty much destroyed my career by openly supporting Trump and letting all know, I am a conservative. Painful at times, but true. After all is said and done. It was my choice and I can live with it. I would do it all again. Chuck Woolery (@chuckwoolery) November 7, 2019 Despite his controversial stand, Chuck Woolery remains a Hollywood icon. His extensive career was marked by numerous notable hosting gigs, including Lingo, Greed, and his own self-titled show, The Chuck Woolery Show. He also briefly revived the classic game show The Dating Game from 1998 to 2000, and made a foray into daytime television with a short-lived talk show in 1991. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Elon Musk, the worlds richest person and CEO of Tesla, recently admired Indias electoral system for its speed and efficiency. He shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), pointing out how India counted 640 million votes in just one day, compared to the delays seen in California, USA. Musk commented on an X post sharing an article titled, How India Counted 640 Million Votes in a Day. The post included a caption that said, Meanwhile in India, where cheating isnt the primary goal of their elections." India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes https://t.co/ai8JmWxas6 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024 Referring to this post, Musk stated, India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes." Musk Takes a Jibe at Californias Voting Process Musk also responded to another post on X, which highlighted, India counted 640 million votes in a single day. California is still counting 15 million votes18 days later." California, the most populated state in the USA, has been criticised for its slow election results. With around 39 million residents, the state had approximately 16 million voters in its latest elections. Despite this smaller number of voters compared to India, Californias vote-counting process remains slow. Why is California Facing Vote Counting Delays? Reports reveal that over 300,000 ballots in California are still uncounted, weeks after the elections ended. This delay is largely due to Californias heavy reliance on mail-in voting. Unlike in-person voting, where ballots can be quickly scanned and counted, mail-in ballots require individual verification and processing. This method takes much longer and involves more effort. According to election officials, delays like this are common in California, with similar issues occurring during the 2020 elections. India's Voting System Sets a Global Example Indias electoral process stands out as an example of speed and organisation. Despite its vast population of over 1.4 billion people, the countrys election results are delivered swiftly and accurately. Counting 640 million votes in a single day showcases the efficiency of the Indian system. Elon Musks recognition of Indias voting process highlights the remarkable achievements of the countrys election management. His comparison with the USAs slower process, particularly in California, shows how India leads in this area. Elon Musks Views on Global Issues This isnt the first time Musk has shared his thoughts on governance and societal matters. As a prominent entrepreneur from the USA, he frequently comments on global developments. His praise for Indias voting system sheds light on the importance of innovation and organisation in managing large-scale elections. Elon Musks appreciation for Indias electoral efficiency is a proud moment for the country. It demonstrates how India handles large elections with speed and precision. In contrast, Californias delays, caused by its reliance on mail-in voting, highlight the challenges in other parts of the world. Musks remarks open up discussions on how countries can improve their election systems for better results. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. Lyle Menendez is making headlines again, and this time, it's not about another documentary on his life. The convicted murderer, who is currently serving a life sentence, has reportedly found new love while behind bars. Lyle, 56, is reportedly dating Milly Bucksey, a 21-year-old woman he reportedly met through a Facebook fan group. Lyle Menendez, one of the main subjects of the Netflix documentary series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story, has been married before, to Rebecca Sneed, a magazine editor, in 2003. His new prison romance has also ignited rumours of a cheating scandal; however, Rebecca has now cleared the air with a Facebook post. Everything we know about Lyle Menendez's new prison romance Ahead of the re-sentencing of the Menendez brothers, who were convicted of murdering their parents in 1989, Lyle is making headlines for his love life. It's been reported that Lyle has found new love with Milly Bucksey, a 21-year-old British student. Yes, you read that right - 21 years old! This new union has raised eyebrows, especially considering the significant 35-year-age gap between Lyle, 56, and Milly. #LyleMenendez (56) started an affair with British university student Milly Bucksey (21). She flew from Manchester to visit him in prison on September 14. The two allegedly met in a Facebook group started by none other than Lyles WIFE. #MenendezBrothers pic.twitter.com/pZQCdZlWMg SoJo (@TheSoJoFiles) November 22, 2024 Who is Milly Bucksey? Milly Bucksey is a 21-year-old British student, currently pursuing a degree at the University of Manchester. She reportedly met Lyle through a Facebook support group for him. Ironically, the group was created by Lyle's wife Rebecca as part of her ongoing advocacy for his freedom. Bucksey, who lives in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, travelled thousands of kilometres to visit Lyle in San Diego more than once. Lyle adores Milly, a source told the Daily Mail. And she refers to him as her boyfriend even though hes married. How did Lyle and Milly meet? Lyle Menendez reportedly initiated contact with Milly under a pseudonym earlier this year, eventually revealing his true identity. Their online exchanges allegedly evolved into a romantic connection, with Milly visiting Lyle at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego in September, where he is currently serving his sentence. Despite the significant distance between them, Milly's considerable effort to travel 5,000 miles to see Lyle confirms the pair's transatlantic connection is serious than internet imagined. How did Lyle keep in touch with Milly? The Daily Mail reported that Lyle Menendez has allegedly used contraband phones to communicate with Milly while incarcerated. Lyle is going all out for his new ladylove and is not afraid of authorities. When one of his phones was confiscated, Lyle reportedly obtained another device to continue their conversations. Is Lyle cheating on his wife with Milly? Lyle has been married to Rebecca since 2023, and she has been at the forefront of leading campaigns advocating for the release of the Menendez Brothers. The new reports suggested that Lyle is considering breaking up with his wife and going official with Milly amid rumours of cheating on his part. Someone has to introduce Lyle to the Hot/Crazy matrix Lyle Menendez caught cheating on second wife Rebecca Sneed with British university student The convicted murderer is said to have started the new relationship earlier this year after first noticing Bucksey in a Facebook pic.twitter.com/vgAo8aZ5a1 Nights With Ping (@NightsWithPing) November 22, 2024 However, Rebecca has now publicly addressed the swirling rumours of her husbands alleged affair, insisting that the entire situation has been misunderstood. 'NOT a cheating scandal' Rebecca Sneed took to social media to address the recent news surrounding her husband, Lyle Menendez. "Guys! This is NOT a cheating scandal," she clarified. Rebecca explained that she and Lyle have been separated for some time but remain close as best friends and family. Aunque no es les permite la visita conyugal en prision, ambos se han casado dos veces Lyle Menendez esta casado con la editora Rebecca Sneed Y Erik Menendez con Ruth Tammi Saccoman pic.twitter.com/yZYWs7eCuC La Marla Sabrina (@lamarlasabrina) September 24, 2024 She reassured followers that she will continue to manage Lyle's Facebook pages, with his input, and remains committed to advocating for the freedom of Lyle and his brother Erik. Rebecca also respectfully asked supporters to remember the page's purpose as a platform for abuse survivors and updates on the Menendez brothers' case. She concluded her message with the promise, "I will never stop fighting for them. Please continue to join us in this fight!" For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Days after biding an emotional adieu to Liam Payne at his funeral, Zayn Malik paid tribute to the former One Direction member during the opening night of his Stairway to the Sky tour. Towards the conclusion of his concert held at the O2 Academy Leeds in West Yorkshire, England, on November 23, Zyan posted a sweet message for Payne, who tragically passed away last month. Zayn Malik honours Liam Payne at Stairway to the Sky tour Zayn Malik paid a heartfelt tribute to Liam Payne with a poignant display on stage. A message that read "Love you bro" accompanied by a heart emoji, Payne's name, and his birth and death dates was projected onto a blue-toned stage amid light-adorned trees. Love you bro Zayns tribute to Liam Payne during his first #ZaynSTTSTour show in Leeds : @stardustpas pic.twitter.com/FKLNHa5lco Zayn Malik Updates (@ZaynReport) November 23, 2024 As the emotional note displayed on the screen, Stardust, a song by Malik featuring lyrics that seemed especially fitting, played in the background. Emotional videos from the concert show fans tearfully singing along to the song. Zayn left his song Stardust till last with a beautiful tribute for Liam. I love you bro #ZaynSTTSTour #STTSTourLeeds #ZAYN chanavarromartin pic.twitter.com/u0neU8JzSF For the Love of OT5 - Update Account (@OT5loveupdate) November 23, 2024 About Zayn's Stairway to the Sky tour Zayn Malik's headlining tour, produced by AEG and SJM, will make stops in 11 cities across the UK and US. Malik, 31, postponed the US leg of his tour in October Payne's death. The former 1D star recently pushed his Edinburgh, Scotland concerts to December due to unforeseen circumstances." His Stairway to the Sky tour will wrap up in the UK on December 9, before heading to the US in 2025, with dates running through February 3. Zayn finds support in Gigi Hadid after Liam's death A recent report revealed that Zayn has found strength in his girlfriend and mom to his 4-year-old daughter Khai after Liam's death. A source revealed to Page Six, Gigi reached out to Zayn to offer her condolences after Liams passing. The insider explained that Hadid was there to listen and offered her support if Zayn needed anything at all or just wanted to talk. His emotional note for Liam A day after Liam Payne's death on October 16, Zayn took to his Instagram account to pay a heartfelt note to his late bandmate. Accompanied by a nostalgic photo of the two friends sleeping as teenagers, in the emotional message, Malik expressed his regret for never thanking his friend for being a constant presence during some of the darkest moments of his life. Malik reunited with former bandmates Harry Styles, Niall Horan and Louis Tomlinson for the first time since band's split in 2015 to pay his respects to Payne on Wednesday at his birthplace in Southeast England. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Dr NSE Sunday Umoh, the principal of Presbyterian Senior Science College in Ididep, Akwa Ibom State, has been suspended following allegations of improper student feeding. The Commissioner for Education, Mrs. Idongesit Etiebet, announced the suspension in a statement issued in Uyo on Saturday. She explained that the decision followed the circulation of a viral video showing students consuming poorly prepared and non-nutritious meals. Advertisement While condemning the crime, Etiebet ordered a thorough investigation into the occurrence, as well as the quality of boarding facilities at the school and the states other 25 boarding secondary schools. She stated that the permanent secretaries of the Ministry of Education and the State Secondary Education Board will collaborate to monitor the investigation, which will focus on hostels, dining halls, recreation areas, menus, kitchens, and sanitary facilities. READ MORE: Bauchi Police Apprehend Robbery Suspect, Recover Stolen Motorcycle She said: Following the very disturbing video where students were fed with unpalatable and innutrious meals at Presbyterian Senior Science College, Ididep, I paid an unscheduled visit to the school. I have directed a comprehensive investigation into the state of boarding facilities in the school and the other 25 boarding secondary schools across the state. Consequently, I have also directed the immediate suspension of the principal of the school, Dr NSE Sunday Umoh, pending the outcome of the investigation. The Ministry is committed to ensuring that all public school facilities meet irreducible minimum standards that uphold the well-being of both learners and staff. The commissioner stated that, while the state governments free education policy only covers tuition and not boarding fees, the welfare and dignity of all students, particularly those in public schools, remain a top priority for the government, and he urged parents to support their children. Emeka Rollas, the president of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has ecplained his decision not to file a lawsuit against actress Adanma Luke regarding the death of the late actor Junior Pope. It should be noted that the late actor died alongside four crew members on April 10, 2024, after their boat capsized on the River Niger in Asaba, Delta State, while on their way to movie location. Junior Pope starred in the ill-fated film The Other Side of Life, which was produced by actress Adanma Luke. Advertisement After the sad incident, the AGN suspended Adanma. READ MORE: Portable Engages In Public Dispute With Event Organizer At Canadian Mall, Presses Charges Providing an update on the matter, AGN president Emeka Rollas explained that it became unfeasible for the guild to take legal action against the movie producer because Junior Pope was not a dues-paying member. Rollas also reviewed the late actors contract with the producer and emphasised that only Junior Popes direct family or wife had the ability to sue. In a recent interview on Arise TV, which was posted on X on Saturday, Rollas revealed that he is in the process of reorganising the guild. Update on Junior Pope, you know I was here and I said that we are about to sue. In the course of interacting with our legal adviser, he said that from the contract that Junior Pope signed with the producer, the AGN did not have the locum to sue. He said either the direct family or the wife should sue the producer. Now we go back to the structure that we are talking about. Because we just came back from Los Angeles now, we are trying to change a lot of things. From the structure we are creating, tapping from the practice, we are going to begin licensing actors because we also find out that even the Junior Pope, as of the time of his death was not a due-paying member of the guild. He was just an actor who is big and has not paid dues in the last one year before his death. The Anambra State Police Command has arrested two suspects, including a native doctor, for alleged kidnapping and armed robbery. The command also recovered a pump action gun, the victims vehicle, and other incriminating items from the suspects. Advertisement According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Commands spokesman, the arrest was made possible by the testimony of a rescued kidnapped victim. Ikenga stated that joint security forces comprising police and Anambra Vigilantes busted a shrine of a native doctor at Uru, Abagana, and arrested two suspects. The suspects, identified as Maduabuchukwu, Ikechukwu Okafor (30), and Nweze Chijindu (38), are all natives of Abagana. READ ALSO: Angry Mob Set Two Revenue Collectors Ablaze For Allegedly Causing Mans Death In Anambra Two other suspects, Supuluchukwu Nweze and Sunday Nwakanze (30), are currently at large. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was lured to the location by a phone call allegedly initiated by Nwakanze. The victim was abducted at gunpoint, dispossessed of valuables, and transported to a shrine where he was restrained using ropes and had his mouth sealed. Ikenga stated that the two suspects confessed to the crime and are currently assisting the police with information for the possible arrest of other gang members. He assured that the command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in the State. News / National by Staff reporter A survivor of the Gukurahundi massacres, Hlanganiso Sithole (76), from Sikhale line in Tsholotsho district, has shared the harrowing memories of the torture he endured at the hands of the Fifth Brigade in the 1980s. His story, like that of many others, is one of pain, loss, and a relentless demand for justice and accountability.Sithole vividly recalled the tragic events of June 1984 when soldiers came to his family homestead, accusing him and his brothers of being dissidents. While they were interrogated, one of his brothers, Oscar, went to the toilet. Upon his return, the soldiers turned their attention to him, accusing him of being a dissident."They started firing immediately," Sithole said, choking back emotion. "My three brothers were killed instantly, and I survived by the grace of the Lord. It felt like I was in a dream, but it was God's hand at play that kept me alive."Sithole, along with other survivors, is among those demanding an apology and compensation for the suffering they endured at the hands of the Fifth Brigade, the notorious military unit deployed to suppress alleged insurgencies in Matabeleland and Midlands during the early 1980s.In July 2024, President Emmerson Mnangagwa officially launched a Gukurahundi outreach programme in Bulawayo, with plans for chiefs to lead the process of addressing the trauma. However, the programme has failed to gain traction, with no funding allocated to date, leaving survivors like Sithole feeling abandoned by the government.During a visit to Tsholotsho this week, Southern Eye on Sunday spoke with villagers who remain haunted by the events of the massacres. Many survivors continue to grapple with the emotional scars left by the violence, which included torture, rape, and widespread killings.One elderly woman, who wishes to remain anonymous for her safety, recounted a brutal attack by the Fifth Brigade. "They tortured my husband and left him for dead," she said, her voice trembling. "They found me in a maternity dress, given to me by my daughter who had just given birth. One soldier tried to spear me, accusing me of bearing a dissident child, but his colleagues stopped him. Later, he came to my hut every night to rape me."The woman's husband succumbed to the injuries from the torture, leaving her with both physical and emotional scars that remain to this day.Sithole, like many others, is calling for compensation for the wrongs they endured. "I am an innocent man, and I need compensation for the pain we went through," he said, emphasizing that justice must be served before it is too late for those affected by the massacres.The Gukurahundi massacres, which took place between 1983 and 1987, are believed to have claimed up to 20,000 lives, though no official death toll has ever been established. The Fifth Brigade, a unit trained by North Korean military instructors, was responsible for widespread atrocities, including extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations. At the time, Mnangagwa was Zimbabwe's State Security Minister and is widely accused of having orchestrated the violence.As survivors grow older and their calls for justice intensify, they continue to seek both a formal apology and compensation for the horrors they experienced, hoping that the government will finally take responsibility for the atrocities of the past. The Kogi State Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) has arrested Hassan Abdul, a 25-year-old notorious motorcycle thief who had been declared wanted for months. He was caught in the act while attempting to steal a motorcycle at the GSM Village in Lokoja. On Saturday, the Lokoja Commander of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), Hassan Yusuf, announced that the suspect, Hassan Abdul, is linked to a syndicate involved in motorcycle theft. Advertisement The group is said to be based in Ayingba, located in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State. READ MORE: Akwa Ibom: Navy Intercepts Cameroon-Bound Petrol Smugglers, Arrests Three Suspects The suspect, who confessed to the crime while speaking to journalists, said: My name is Hassan Abdul. I am 25, Igala by tribe, from Ayingba in Dekina Local Government of Kogi State. I have a master key, which I use to open any type of motorcycle. My operational base includes Computer Village, Zenith Bank, First Bank and Old Market Lokoja. I sold all the motorcycles I stole to one Kabiru, who resides behind Our Ladies in Ayingba, Dekina Local Government. My comrade in crime was a guy called Ogbe before he was arrested. We both have stolen several motorcycles within the Lokoja metropolis. Unfortunately for him, he is currently in Koton Karfe Correctional Centre. Addressing journalists, Salihu Abubakar, the chairman of the Association of Phone Technicians and Accessories Dealers in Kogi State, praised the courage and prompt response of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria in apprehending the suspect. He also called on the public, particularly customers, to stay alert and report any suspicious behavior to the authorities to ensure a safer and more secure business environment. He urged the relevant authorities to ensure that all criminals, including Hassan Abdul, whom he referred to as a notorious motorcycle thief, are brought to justice. Let the other owners of corner pizza shops try to make a fortune. Aaron Gordon, owner of the mobile catering company 13th Street Cocktails, said he is going a different way with Agricola, the homey corner shop he opened at 10th and Federal Streets in the former SliCE Pizza. Its a partnership with SliCE founders Marlo and Jason Dilks, who also own a SliCE in Washington Township, as well as Nipotina and Punk Burger in South Philadelphia. Advertisement Gordon calls Agricolas business plan more product-focused than profit hes milling local wheat and farro for the dough and making his own duck prosciutto for toppings. I cant lose money, obviously, but this place will never clean up, he said. I mean, its pizza. Its simple food. Even when you make it the way I do, its cheap. It shouldnt be 25, 30 bucks. Eight thin-crust, 14-inch pizzas (all available gluten-free) are on Gordons menu: $14 for the Plain Jane to $18 for the duck prosciutto-topped Duck It and the mushroom-and-truffle-topped Shrooms. There also will be a pizza whose proceeds are donated to a charity. Production is limited to 100 or so pies a night. Agricolas Jimmy the Saint ($17), with tomatoes, Calabrian chile sausage, oregano, sweet peppers, caramelized onions, and a mozzarella and Parmesan cheese mix, is a tribute to chef Jim Burke, who died of cancer in 2022. Burke and Gordon met at Wm. Mulherins Sons five years ago, when Burke was executive chef. Gordon asked Burke how he got his pizza so tasty. He was like, I put some farro in the dough, Gordon said. I never asked him how much. I just started winging it. That experimentation improved the rest of Gordons pizza repertoire. Also on the menu are meatballs (also gluten-free), a salad, truffle and black garlic-flavor knots, a butter board, and two frozen pastas to go from Gordons friend Jason Cichonskis Little Noodle Pasta Co. at Messina Social Club . The fryer, left over from SliCE along with the utilitarian two-deck, gas-fired Blodgett oven, sits unused. On Friday and Saturday, Gordon offers three batched $9 cocktails, created by his 13th Street Cocktails, which uses spirits offered by distilleries who lend it their catering licenses. He wants his neighbors to be able to pull up a bar stool along the rail Gordon, a woodworker, created the front counters, the kitchen counters, the shelves, even the trash can by the front door and share a pizza, a meatball, and a cocktail. And theyll have to pull up: Theres no delivery. I dont want scooters outside, Gordon said. I dont want Doordash or GrubHub. What I sell my food for, I cant afford to lose 20%-30% [the services cut]. After dinner service Sunday, everythings garbage. So Gordon gives away the leftovers on Mondays while cleaning up, or donates them to a food bank. Gordon, 39, envisions opening other small passion projects along the lines of Agricola, which brings him full circle. He started in the business as a teenager at his local pizzeria, Big Johns in Cherry Hill. Im not tall now, but I was like 5 feet tall then and I couldnt reach in the oven, he said. Every time, I burned my arms. He later worked at Montagnaros in Voorhees before moving away, with bartending stops in New York and Miami. A dozen years ago, Gordon moved back to the Philadelphia area but said he couldnt crack the job market. When his cousin was planning a wedding, he converted a horse trailer on the family farm into a cocktail bar. That led to his working at charity events. He started his catering company from his apartment at 13th and Chestnut Street hence the companys name. The catering business is lucrative, Gordon said, allowing him to volunteer last year, he donated pizza parties at $5,000 a pop for Freds Footsteps , which helps families struggling with the costs associated with caring for a seriously ill, injured, or disabled child. He also works with the KB Foundation, which teaches cooking to young people. For now, Gordon is keeping a cool head about the hype surrounding his little corner artisan pizzeria with the batch cocktails. Itll get exciting in the beginning and then people wont care anymore, he said. Therell be another [buzzy] restaurant opening and in like two weeks, then its the neighborhood. This [shop] is for this block, and that block over there. Agricola is open now Friday to Sunday, but will add Thursday hours in December. Health officials around the world are alarmed over the likely impact of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. a longtime vaccine skeptic who was tapped for the health secretary role on global health. Experts from Samoa have been particularly vocal in sounding the alarm, citing the destructive impact of Kennedys rhetoric on the tiny Polynesian island nation. Warning that Kennedy will empower the global anti-vaccine movement and may advocate for reduced funding for international agencies, Aiono Prof Alec Ekeroma, the director general of health for Samoas health ministry, told the Washington Post that Kennedy will be directly responsible for killing thousands of children around the world by allowing preventable infectious diseases to run rampant. Advertisement I dont think its a legacy that should be associated with the Kennedy name, Ekeroma said in an email. Ekeroma recalled a disastrous epidemic in 2019, when measles spread rapidly across the small Pacific Ocean country. Of Samoa's population of 200,000, more than 5,700 were infected and 83 died, many of them young children. Hospitals were overrun, and the nation declared a state of emergency. To stop the outbreak, Samoa launched a massive vaccination campaign, and unvaccinated families were asked to hang red flags outside their homes. The island nation already had a lagging measles vaccination rate of only about a third of infants, plummeting from 90% in 2013. Health experts attributed that drop in part to a public health scandal in which two nurses improperly mixed the measles vaccine with the wrong liquid, resulting in the deaths of two infants. Both nurses were sentenced to five years in prison, and the vaccination program was temporarily suspended but the accident also opened the door to a wave of vaccine misinformation, including from Kennedy and his anti-vaccine nonprofit. Kennedy had visited Samoa only four months before the outbreak and met with anti-vaccine advocates. He later characterized the outbreak in Samoa as mild. A representative for Kennedy did not respond to a request for comment. Among the lessons Samoa learned from the outbreak was that low vaccination rates for infectious diseases are an invitation to disaster, the Health Ministrys Ekeroma said. Vaccine confidence in the population is of utmost importance. The short-term impact of influential anti-vaccine rhetoric is the loss of trust in public health authorities, said Helen Petousis-Harris, a New Zealand-based vaccinologist and co-director of the Global Vaccine Data Network, who worked on vaccine safety information and advocacy during the Samoa outbreak. The long-term effect is the inevitable resurgence of diseases, she added. It always happens. Global health officials worry that Kennedys nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services will have far-reaching effects, given the U.S. governments outsize role in setting the global health agenda. Lawrence O. Gostin, a leading expert in public health law at Georgetown Law, said that he has never seen a darker day for global health than after the election of President Trump. Scientific recommendations and guidelines from U.S. government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration have long been seen globally as the gold standard. The FDA, for instance, said Petousis-Harris, is a big and powerful regulatory agency, whose standards, because its so big, can be relied on by smaller markets. She cited her home New Zealand as one such example: No way could we go through the same process independently for the same medicine. I dont think people realize how vital that is. If countries can no longer trust that our scientists are experienced and wise, and that theres [not] politics intertwined with science, therell be no gold standard to look toward, Gostin said. If the U.S. health agencies that are looked to for reliable medical research and guidance are headed by Trump loyalists who are not respected scientists, who have skepticism of evidence, and their funding will be hollowed out, Gostin said, thats a very dim future for public and global health. Kennedy has for years questioned federal agencies charged with vaccine production and safety, promoted debunked claims linking vaccines to autism, and challenged the CDCs recommended list of vaccines for children. He founded and chaired one of the nations most prominent anti-vaccine groups, Childrens Health Defense, a prolific and lucrative spreader of anti-vaccine misinformation online. President-elect Donald Trump and Kennedy have similar core values, Gostin said, citing a hostility to science as well as skepticism of vitally important public health interventions. Both have also embraced America First isolationism and an antipathy toward international public health agencies such as the World Health Organization, he said. That suggests to me that theres going to be a huge assault on international cooperation in global health, Gostin said. Kennedys spokeswoman previously told the Washington Post that Kennedy is not anti-vaccine, and in early November, Kennedy told NPR that he would not take vaccines away from anybody. The science on vaccine safety particularly has huge deficits, and were going to make sure those scientific studies are done and that people can make informed choices, he said. Globally, falling vaccination rates have already resulted in a rise in measles cases in recent years, spurred in part by rising vaccine hesitancy. Global measles cases surged by more than 20% to an estimated 10.3 million last year, the WHO and the CDC said last week. About 107,500 people, mostly young children, died an unacceptable death toll from a disease thats preventable through two doses of the measles vaccine, the health groups said. More than 22 million children missed their first dose of the measles vaccine in 2023, they said. Even when people survive measles, serious health effects can occur, some of which are lifelong. The idea that vaccination would be simply a matter of personal choice will put so many people at risk, said Richard Besser, president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation health nonprofit and a former CDC acting director. One of the things that RFK Jr. has been a leader in has been instilling mistrust in public health as a system and the people who do that work, Besser said. I worry about the health of people in America and those around the globe who rely on a public health system for their health. New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin at a news conference at his office on Dec. 12, 2023 in Trenton. Read more New Jersey prosecutors balked at George E. Norcross IIIs efforts to recast tactics he used to prevail in Camden waterfront land deals as nothing more than hardball business negotiations and urged a judge to allow a jury to decide whether the Democratic power broker had broken the law in his pursuit of lucrative property. That argument, laid out in a 146-page court filing late Friday, came two months after Norcross an insurance executive and board chairman at Cooper University Health Care pushed Mercer County Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw to toss a 13-count racketeering indictment brought against him and five others this summer, arguing the charges were fatally flawed. Advertisement But prosecutors, in their court papers, insisted those claims were better suited for a jury and maintained the indictment was clear in its description of how Norcross and his codefendants criminally profited from their control over Camden government and gained the upper hand in business deals. By exploiting Norcrosss reputation for untrammeled control over local government and overpowering political influence across New Jersey, the Norcross Enterprise essentially took the Camden waterfront for itself, Assistant New Jersey Attorney General Michael D. Grillo and Deputy Attorney General Adam D. Klein wrote. They later added: That is not hard bargaining by any stretch, and the grand jury was well within its rights to call it extortion. How Warshaw decides in the coming months will determine the future of one of the most ambitious corruption probes the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office has pursued in years. The judge has set a date in January to hear arguments on whether to allow the case to proceed. A grand jury indicted Norcross and the others in June, alleging they manipulated a state tax credit program to benefit themselves and used threats and intimidation to muscle out rivals in pursuit of Camden land deals. Since then, Norcross and his allies have relentlessly attacked the case in court and in the press and accused Attorney General Matt Platkin of carrying out a legal jihad against them. They maintain hes abusing his power to criminalize normal business negotiation tactics and lawful lobbying of government officials. This indictment has no business in a court of law, their lawyers wrote in September. It is both too trite and too generous to call it an indictment in search of a crime. READ MORE: A crime thriller with no crime: George Norcross lawyers urge judge to throw out racketeering case At this stage in the case, prosecutors must only show that the indictment lays out theoretical crimes that if proven at trial would constitute violations of state laws. Arguments over whether the evidence backs up the notion that Norcross and his codefendants committed those crimes are typically reserved for the jury phase of the proceedings. In their court papers Friday, prosecutors said that the conduct of the unelected Norcross and his allies far exceeded the bounds of the law and accused them of using their raw political power and functional control over the levers of government to threaten rivals and gain leverage in business negotiations. Nowhere should the promise of a level playing field be more straightforward than with elected government yet the Norcross Enterprise extorted property and coerced action by intimating to its victims that, unless they did what George Norcross wanted, they would forfeit any potential business opportunity in Camden and indeed suffer harm at the hands of the City, they wrote. They also rejected Norcross claim that many of the charges which are based in part on allegations that date to 2012 are time-barred under state law. They said the Norcross-led racketeering conspiracy continued to profit from their illegal activities to this day chiefly through the obtaining and selling of tax credits tied to many of the business deals implicated in the indictment. Also charged in the case are Norcross brother Philip, CEO of the law firm Parker McCay; former Camden Mayor Dana L. Redd; William Tambussi, an attorney who has represented Norcross and local government entities; and businessmen Sidney R. Brown and John J. ODonnell, who partnered with Norcross on waterfront development deals. Each has pleaded not guilty. The Attorney Generals Office on Friday also responded to the defense teams disclosure last week of a 2023 letter from the U.S. Attorneys Office in Philadelphia showing that federal prosecutors declined to pursue a case against Norcross last year. Lawyers for Tambussi wrote in a court filing that the letter said Norcross and his codefendants had committed no crime and cast the current case against them as one built on evidence previously rejected by federal authorities. The N.J. attorney generals office noted that the letter included no such language. That defense counsel would suggest that the federal prosecutors letters say no crime occurred signals his intent to circumvent the legal process and indoctrinate the press, the public, and, worst of all, the prospective jury pool, with a slanted version of the investigations, prosecutors wrote. They added that the attorney generals probe generated new evidence entirely distinct from other investigations by federal prosecutors in Philadelphia and New Jersey. Read the New Jersey Attorney Generals Offices filing: Amy Gutmann, left, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the Special Olympics at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin in 2023. Read more The last thing former University of Pennsylvania president Amy Gutmann ever imagined was becoming U.S. ambassador to Germany, the country from which her Orthodox Jewish father barely escaped with his life. Born in the tiny town of Feuchtwangen in Franconia, 23-year-old Kurt Gutmann realized shortly after Adolf Hitler came to power that he had to flee his homeland once he saw his formerly friendly Christian landlord give the Nazi salute. Gutmann made it to India, started a metal factory, and managed to rescue his parents and all four siblings two of whom had already been sent to the Buchenwald concentration camp. Advertisement My dad died when I was 16 and I always asked how I could live up to my father, Gutmann told me recently. We met in her new office at Penns Annenberg School for Communication, to which she returned this summer after more than two years in Berlin. So when I was asked to be ambassador to Germany, she recalled, I said to myself, I have to do it, even though I had never planned for this. Yet in some sense I had prepared because my whole scholarship has been about defending democracy and not letting tyrants take over. As she waited to present her credentials to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on Feb. 17, 2022, she thought, What would my father have thought to see me sitting in the presidential palace? Then Steinmeier told her, how meaningful it was to him that my fathers daughter was the new ambassador. It took all my strength not to cry. What Gutmann could never have imagined when she accepted the position was that one week after meeting Steinmeier she would be enmeshed in the greatest challenge to Western democracy since World War II: Russias invasion of Ukraine. Or that she would be involved in the biggest shift in relations between Germany and the U.S. since the fall of the Berlin Wall. From the moment she arrived in Berlin, she was at the center of this drama, which has reached a climax with the reelection of Donald Trump who wants to cut aid to Ukraine. Thoughts of her father ran through her mind every day of her ambassadorship. They color her views of how to save Western democracy and the U.S. European alliance today. Four days before Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his troops into Ukraine, Gutmann was being driven down the Autobahn at more than 110 mph to meet Vice President Kamala Harris, along with top German and European officials at the high-level Munich Security Conference. She was there to help deliver declassified U.S. intelligence that an invasion was imminent. One senior German official told her: How can you believe Putin would be so irrational as to invade? She replied, How can you not believe that someone with absolute power would be tempted? We thought that unless we could get the Europeans with us, Gutmann explained, Putin would decimate Ukraine. There was no reason to believe if we went it alone, we could enable them to resist. Germany delivered. On Feb. 27, only three days after the start of the war, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz made a historic speech stating that the Russian invasion was a turning point a Zeitenwende in European history and German foreign policy. For decades, Germany had relied on increased economic ties with Moscow to preserve peace with Russia, notably with the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline deal. The invasion was a wake-up call for Berlin. Scholz, whose Social Democratic Party was historically pacifist, recognized that Germany could no longer assume war had been banished from Europe, or that it could rely mainly on the U.S. defense umbrella. The chancellor announced an end to the Nord Stream 2 contract, and a plan to modernize the German military and spend over $100 billion to do it, along with a commitment (now fulfilled) to meet the NATO target of 2% of GDP for defense spending. It was truly a historic turning point, Gutmann said. After a rocky start when Berlin offered only to send 5,000 helmets to Ukraine Germany has become the second-largest contributor of military aid to Kyiv, the largest contributor of humanitarian aid, and host to one million Ukrainian refugees. Germany went from being one of our biggest problems vis a vis Putin to lock step together with the United States, she said. I saw a huge shift in thinking from Russia as benign to Russia as an existential threat to Germany. During her tenure, Moscow upped its criminal operations inside Europe, including in Germany. From assassinations on Russian exiles, including one in a Berlin park, to cutting key European pipelines, engaging in massive disinformation campaigns and cyberwarfare, and serious efforts to manipulate European elections. There was even a thwarted attempt to murder a top German businessman. Russia clandestinely acts as a terrorist organization against the United States and its allies, Gutmann said. The only way we can defend against this is by sharing intelligence with key European partners. I saw firsthand how critical this sharing was. While she was ambassador, Eighty percent of Congress came through Germany, many to my dining room with German officials, a lot of Republicans as well as Democrats, and to a person they were all pro-Ukraine, she said. What encouraged her further was a Germany whose democratic institutions have withstood the Russian challenge, so far. The biggest and most basic bulwark against German extremism, she told me, is the robust system of civic education. Something, Id add, that Americans can only dream of. Every schoolchild takes required courses in the history of the Holocaust, of antisemitism and all forms of hatred and bigotry, Gutmann noted. They identify support for Ukraine as a way of defending their own freedoms and democracy. About 80% of Germans oppose the far right, anti-Ukraine, pro-Putin Alternative fur Deutschland (AFD) party, she says; leaders in all four leading parties have agreed not to form a coalition with the AFD when Germany next holds elections in February. Any likely coalition will assuredly continue to support Ukraine. (I believe a conservative-led coalition might even be more willing to send Kyiv its much-desired Taurus missiles, now that the U.S. has authorized use of American-made long-range ATACMS on Russian soil.) They wont turn back, Gutmann said about German support for Ukraine. Will we? She referred of course to German angst about the result of the U.S. presidential election and the very real possibility that President-elect Donald Trump will cut off aid to Ukraine if it wont capitulate to Putin. When I asked if Europe could go it alone in helping Ukraine push Russia back, perhaps led by Germany, her answer was sharp and simple: No. Although Europe gives more aid than we do to Ukraine, it doesnt have the weapons production capability or key systems that only the U.S. can deliver. Nor has it succeeded in unifying weapons production systems between key countries. Moreover, added Gutmann, Germany doesnt want to lead alone because of its history, nor does it have U.S. backing to do so. Europe alone cannot win against a rising flood tide of autocratic aggression, she said. If Putin is permitted to swallow Ukraine, he will seek to undermine the United States (irrespective of any bromance with Trump) and threaten allies with expansion. What Germans fear most, is that he will start with Moldova, Poland, and the Baltics, then move on from there. Without U.S. backing, the strongest defensive alliance in history, NATO, would come apart. We would be foolish to underestimate the Russian level of threat to democracies, Gutmann insisted. Europe has long taken its cues from the U.S for security and on outside aggression, Gutmann explained. If Europe has to go it alone, Ukrainian democracy loses out big time to Russias brutal, unprovoked aggression. Energy prices rise, democratic security declines worldwide. Never has the need for allies been greater. We allies must hang together, she added, paraphrasing Benjamin Franklin, or assuredly we will all hang separately. Germanys anxious query is whether this matters to Trump. That question turns Gutmanns thoughts again to her father. He would say inaction and silence is injustice. We have to combat Putin. We have to make sure he doesnt win. He would be amazed that Germany has become one of our best allies and would insist that we not give that up. He would say Ukraine is fighting for freedom like those who fought the Fuehrer. Ukraine is fighting for its democracy and ours. Once its too late, its too late [to confront autocrats or dictators]. Its not too late now. Editors note: A previous version of this column included a photo with an incorrect image credit. It was take by Michele Tantussi/AFP. 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 News / National by Staff reporter The Citizens Coalition for Change party led by Welshman Ncube will receive funds under the Political Parties (Finance) Act in a major snub to two other factions, it was reported on Sunday.Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi was petitioned by three rival CCC factions all claiming they were entitled to the money, and each submitting their own bank account.Ziyambi has now decided the "windfall" will go to the Ncube faction, The Standard reported, rejecting bids by the Jameson Timba-led group and a third led by Sengezo Tshabangu, the self-styled CCC secretary general who appeared to have successfully hijacked the party and enjoys favour in the Zanu PF government.Ziyambi professed ignorance about the development, however, telling ZimLive: "I'm not sure who has been given. I'm out of the country and I don't even know if the money has been disbursed."Ncube, meanwhile, said "not yet" when asked if they had received the money. He, however, insisted that they were entitled to the cash."There should be no controversy there because the money is due to CCC by law, and we are CCC," he said.The funds, paid annually, are allocated to political parties based on their performance in the last election.The government announced in May that the CCC would receive ZiG 22,116,500 (about US$870,000 at the official rate) and Zanu PF ZiG 70 million (about US$2.7 million).The Timba group failed in a court bid to block the disbursement of the money, which in court papers they had assumed would be released to Tshabangu. A judge said the application lacked urgency.The Standard reports that Tshabangu perhaps realising Zanu PF will not prop him up this time made overtures to Ncube about jointly managing the money, which were rejected out of hand.One of the conditions was that the money would be deposited into the bank account registered by Tshabangu, and that Tshabangu would be a joint signatory with Ncube and the party's interim treasurer.Zanu PF won 137 parliamentary seats in the August 2023 general elections, with CCC picking up 73. With proportional representation, women's quarter and youth quota seats, Zanu PF controlled 177 seats in the National Assembly to CCC's 104.CCC's failure to wrest power from Zanu PF sparked internal bloodletting. Tshabangu, an ordinary member of the party, seized on its lack of clear structures and declared himself the party's interim secretary general.Tshabangu was immediately recognised by Zanu PF before embarking on a campaign to decimate the party, including recalling over 100 councillors, MPs and senators. Zanu PF won most of the by-elections occasioned by those recalls but those results are not a factor in determining monies due to each party.Tshabangu later made himself a senator for Matabeleland North and is recognised by parliament authorities as the leader of the opposition. 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Conor McGregor and partner Dee Devlin leave the High Court. Laura Witherow, who was sexually abused as a teenager by her stepfather, said Ms Hand is a hero to women everywhere. She is to be treasured among Irish women for showing us how to keep fighting against all odds, she said. I cannot commend Nikita enough for standing her ground against that bully and monster Conor McGregor. As with all other survivors I stand with Nikita, I support her, and I have always believed her. I hope this gives some hope to other victims out there to stand strong and speak out." Ms Witherow and her two sisters Emma and Vanessa reported their stepfather John Joe Patterson to gardai for sexually abusing them, in 2010. Lauras case was heard in 2014 but later collapsed due to a missing Garda file. Patterson was later found guilty by a unanimous verdict at Nenagh Circuit Court in 2015 of 39 counts of sexual assault on Emma. He pleaded guilty to one of three counts of sexually abusing Vanessa, who was nine when the assaults began. Ms Witherow said she knows how it feels to not have her case heard in a criminal court, given how the gardai lost my file. I think its questionable as to why the DPP didnt bring charges in Nikitas case based on the evidence we have heard. As I have said many times in the past a sexual offender can be anyone including the likes of high-profile Judge Gerard OBrien. This case not being taken by the DPP has done untold damage to victims of sex crimes both men and women who are already so scared to speak out and fear not being believed. Ms Witherow was forced to endure her mother taking the side of her abuser during his court case. Frances Patterson said she had given birth to Satans daughters and that she never believed that her husband had abused them. I have had to watch wives and partners standing by these monsters for years, she said. My own mother did it." Shaneda Daly, who was raped by her father Harry Daly, a former prison officer, also paid tribute to Ms Hand. The mother of six set up the support group Survivors Side By Side, following her fathers conviction. In 2010, Harry Daly was convicted of raping his eldest daughter from February 1, 1982, to November 30, 1992, and signed 227 pleas, 103 of indecent assault, and 24 of sexual assault. Her mother Rose Daly has remained in a relationship with her husband despite the horrific abuse. We dont talk enough about women supporting rapists, and it happens every day, Ms Daly said. I completely admire and respect Nikita Hand for taking on Conor McGregor in a civil case when the DPP let her down so badly. Nikita Hand speaking to the media after winning her case on Friday. It took immense courage and strength to get through the court process and I hope she gets the proper support and respect that she deserves. I know the Dublin rape crisis centre has been with her all the way and that is so helpful to survivors. Nikita took the case to the civil courts, knowing she would lose her anonymity, and that her case would be reported everywhere. That is an extremely brave step to make, she has spoken up for all survivors by doing what she did. Her case highlights just how hard it is for any survivor to take action; it is nowhere near easy to do what she did, and she must be commended. Conor McGregor has denied the claims and said he would appeal the decision. The issue of costs will be decided this Friday. In this episode Colin Sheridan Irish Examiner writer and former member of the Irish Defence Forces - sets out what he feels needs to be done by the next government, whoever they may be, to help resolve the growing crisis in the middle east. 'My message to the next Dail' is an Irish Examiner General Election 2024 podcast series in which activists and commentators from various fields set out a solutions focussed 'Message to the next Dail' on an issue close to their heart. Listen here and wherever you get your podcasts for new episodes throughout our Election 2024 coverage. Irelands Climate Minister has said the Cop29 agreement struck late on Saturday is far from perfect, but is a foundation that can be built on in an uncertain world. Eamon Ryan, the former Green Party leader, said it was a hopeful step towards ensuring financial fairness for the countries that need it most. Groups have criticised the climate conferences $300bn (287.94bn) funding agreement designed to help developing nations combat the impacts of global warming as insufficient amid already-rising seawaters. Mr Ryan, who along with his counterpart from Costa Rica was charged with negotiating on adaptation, said he was proud of the Irish teams work in the talks. He said: We protected the aim to transition away from fossil fuels reached in Dubai last year, despite attempts by fossil fuel countries to disrupt the process and we overcame real difficulties in the negotiation process to still get a deal over the line. I am particularly proud of the role our Irish team played in the negotiations. We have a proud record in climate finance for adaptation and can help build bridges between north and south in our world. Many in attendance were less than impressed with the multi-nation financial commitment, with the final sum more than 125% less than the $1.3 trillion per year impacted nations had said was needed. The new climate bursary is, however, three times more than the $100bn (95.98bn) a year 2009 deal that is soon to expire. There was an imperative on us all to deliver here in Baku, Mr Ryan said. To walk away would have been unforgivable and shameful given the scale of the crisis we all face. This agreement is far from perfect and it does not go nearly far enough, particularly on mitigation, gender and human rights but it keeps the core principles of the Paris Agreement alive and it gives us a basis to work from as we move forward to make Cop30 in Brazil transformational. He added: Importantly, it maintains north-south collaboration and co-operation. If this had broken down, particularly against the spectre of geopolitical uncertainty we are all facing in the coming months, it would have done incredible damage. We have to avoid division on climate at all costs. We have to keep the needs of the most vulnerable at the centre of everything we do. This Cop was all about bringing development and climate justice together, and I think weve left Baku with this in a stronger place. Negotiations have not been easy here with a lot of fossil fuel interests looking to stop a deal, particularly on mitigation, but multilateralism has prevailed and the world has stood firm together for climate and financial justice. I dont know if Darragh OBrien took the whole thing of needing to build houses quicker, sooner seriously, Roisin Garvey says. Traversing the constituency of Clare on the campaign trail, the Green Party deputy leader is her usual outspoken self, pointing to the failures of the outgoing coalition, of which she is a member. Garvey is probably the best prospect of a gain for the party in the more rural constituency of Clare, with a four-year Seanad term increasing her profile nationally and locally. Driving through the Clare countryside out towards Ennistymon, Garvey acknowledges the failures within government particularly on housing. She says that, while the coalition has overseen increased housebuilding which has been a win, the increased level of homelessness must be seen as a failure of government. Excuses such as population increases and the war in Ukraine can be made, she says, but the State did adapt well to finding homes for Ukrainian refugees. The Green Party's Roisin Garvey speaking with Ennistymon Community College students while canvassing in Co Clare earlier this week. Pictures: Eamon Ward In particular, she questions outgoing Housing Minister Darragh OBrien and his role in the crisis. When asked if OBrien failed in his job, Garvey walks it back slightly saying that he didnt because he built loads of houses. I dont think hes failed. Im not sure his priorities are the same as my priorities. In particular, she highlights cost-rental as an issue, with it being pushed on a national level, but the development of it in Clare is yet to start. She hits out at council chief executives who arent answerable to anybody. Its a cold afternoon in Ennis as Garvey pounds the pavement in Willsgrove, knocking on doors with her team of canvassers. Hailing from Inagh, a village nestled between Ennis and Ennistymon, Garvey comes from a political family, with her father Flan having served as a Fianna Fail councillor until 2009. She did not make it over the line in 2020, amid a green wave that washed 12 Green TDs into the Dail. But, after four years in the Seanad and two seats now empty with the departure of both Michael McNamara and Joe Carey, her prospects are certainly not bad. Green senator Roisin Garvey with members of her canvass team pounding the pavements in Ennis, Co Clare. Picture: Eamon Ward The only negativity I really get is online and I think two doors out of the whole campaign so far have verbally attacked me and abused me, Garvey says. Its not bad, considering. On the doors, an issue that continually crops up is housing, with one woman, Angela Connaughton, raising the lack of suitable accommodation for people looking to downsize. Connaughton says her family members would prefer to move to a smaller apartment from their four-bedroom house, but that there simply isnt accommodation available to them. The canvass comes in the hours after the first RTE leaders debate, with one voter asking Garvey how she thought it went. Shouty, Garvey replies, saying she believed her party leader Roderic OGorman performed well in the clashes, but that he was very polite. Garvey does single out one party leader for criticism however, saying that Independent Irelands Michael Collins just makes stuff up. Id argue with anybody based on facts, but when they just start making up stuff, Garvey says, adding that the Greens have put more money in farmers pockets than the Independents ever have. Garvey says she believes Collins is living in denial about climate change. I think his head is in the sand, sure the farmland is saturated, she adds. Garvey says farmers all over the country are struggling, while accusing Independents of only offering farmers more of the same. What are their solutions, apart from bashing the Greens that are coming up with actual solutions? As the team of canvassers wander up the road further, Garvey turns into a house where John Gannon opens the door, revealing that she is the first caller so far in the campaign. Garvey sounds thrilled, before asking Gannon if hed give her a number one vote off the back of her visit. Well you might get something, he tells her. Well, Ill take it, Garvey responds, before explaining how her father had once opted to climb Croagh Patrick for a vote in a local election. The Green Party's Roisin Garvey speaking with Siobhan King in Ennis who raised the lack of affordable housing being built in the area. Picture: Eamon Ward He points to the cost of living as a key issue for him in the election, while later on up the road Siobhan King raises the lack of affordable housing being built in the local area. She points out that there isnt an equitable split between the amount of social houses being built and the amount of affordable houses being delivered, saying that her two children will face difficulties affording a home. Health is also brought up by King, with the ongoing issues at University Hospital Limerick raised as a major concern. She says that while her daughter is training to be a nurse, she wouldnt step foot in UHL. Its one issue shared by Garvey, with the senator describing how she spent four nights on a trolley in the hospital previously, saying that it was hell. UHL is the most famous hospital for nightmares, Garvey says, as she pressed for further investment in primary care centres in Clare with just one established in Ennis. As the canvass ends, Garvey is back in her car on route to Ennistymon where she is scheduled to speak to students about the importance of voting. As the afternoon wears on, Garvey pulls in to the Ennistymon Community School, built atop a hill in the town, and hops out to speak to students. Gathering all the students in the main hall of the school, Garvey climbs up on a table to address the students before quickly stepping back down after a glare from the principal. She urges the students to get out and use their voice come polling day. When you dont vote, somebody else gets to decide for you I dont care who you vote for, you can hate me for all you want, you dont have to vote for me. But if you have a vote, I beg you to go out and use it. Sinn Fein's sunny side It's all blue skies for Sinn Fein as Mary Lou McDonald said the mood on the ground is now "very reminiscent" of the last general election, during which Sinn Fein enjoyed a surge in support. I think the weather reflects our mood. You know, this might be a winter election, but we have sunshine today. I know, talking to people, particularly over the last week, this sense of purpose now, this sense of energy has come back very, very strongly." Red line on the red line Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman braved the cold alongside Patrick Costello at the Luas Red Line terminus at the 3Arena on Sunday morning, making it clear that a 10 billion investment in public transport will be an essential commitment in any government formation talks. A Luas system for both Cork and Galway, metropolitan rail services in Limerick and Waterford, Dart West, as well as increased local links around the country, are key demands. "This is a red line issue for us. For too long in the previous decade, public transport was the poor relation when it came to transport spending in this country. We can't allow backsliding on these big projects that are going to make such a difference to people's lives," Mr. O'Gorman said. Harris is human Taoiseach Simon Harris was forced again on Sunday to apologise for his interaction with carer Charlotte Fallon last Friday. Speaking in Mayo, Mr. Harris said he was "holding his hands up" on the incident but was not "over-analysing" it. "I'm human; I make mistakes. But you know what I do when I make a mistake? I own it. I mean, there have been far too many occasions during general elections in this country and abroad where something goes wrong on the campaign trail, and people dilly-dally and debate for days. I put my hands up. I got it completely wrong. I was wrong, simple as." Asked if he was worried about the incident overshadowing his candidates, the Taoiseach said he was focused on the campaign itself. A family affair Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has roped in his family to support the Fianna Fail election campaign. His son, Micheal Aodh Martin, has taken a leading role in a video posted on the party's social media, talking about his father and pucking about on the GAA field with him. Describing his father, he said: "Am I allowed to say he is late for everything? That's probably one trait. "He's very hardworking; that's probably one thing he has tried to pass on to us. There is no such thing as a day off in his job, and that's the way it has been for as long as I can remember. "The last thing is, he's probably fairly calm." My dad Micheal Martin - Micheal Aodh Martin pic.twitter.com/Yt6wBvREQU Fianna Fail (@fiannafailparty) November 23, 2024 Poll position The general election race has tightened just days out from polling, as Fine Gael's support drops in a new poll. The Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll shows that Fine Gael is down four points to 22% support, with Sinn Fein and Fianna Fail on 20% each. The poll also shows that Independents and others are up three points to 19%, while Aontu is up two points to 5%. The Social Democrats drop one to 5%, Labour remains unchanged at 4%, the Greens drop one to 3%, and Solidarity-People Before Profit stays at 2%. Shameful record Labour has launched a children's charter, with party leader Ivana Bacik hitting out at overdue assessments of need, homelessness figures among children, and child poverty rates. Given the level of exchequer surpluses being recorded, she said the governments record was shameful. Few of us can boast that they live in a museum, but staunch Michael Collins enthusiast Noel Scannells home has become just that. Having started the collection during his Leaving Cert year in 1969, the former Dairygold employees cottage in Kilworth Co Cork has, over time, morphed into a shrine to Irelands most revered revolutionary leader. Nestled in a quiet cul-de-sac, one would never anticipate the hefty historical treasure trove that lies inside 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 Photographs pepper the walls. The collection is dominated by correspondence from the period leading up to the death of the big fella at Beal na Blath during the Irish Civil War, as well as stacks of newspapers. Noel Scannell in the hallway of his home in Kilworth, Co Cork, with items related to Michael Collin. Picture: Larry Cummins Noels passion for the historical figure is not only written all over his face. Its also emblazoned across his T-shirt. The quote from the statesmans father Michael Collins Sr sums up their relationship well: One day hell be a great man, hell do great work for Ireland. It comes at a time when memorabilia once owned by the historical figure is fetching tens of thousands of euro at auctions, including his famous walking stick. The stick was purchased for 52,000 (62k) recently, five times more than its original estimate. This set a record for Bloomfield Auctions in Belfast, whose lots also included police files tracking Collins activities during Irelands War of Independence. These sold for the slightly more modest sum of 6,800. One of the most memorable collectors items, however, came in the form of a lock of hair which was sold for 4,400 at Fonsie Mealys Auctioneers in Kilkenny last summer. It had been taken for safe keeping as the late Collins lay in state back in August of 1922. A rare edition of 'The Path to Freedom' by Michael Collins, part of Noel Scannell's extensive collection. Picture: Larry Cummins While some collectors might be tempted to cash in, Noel has vowed never to part with his most prized possessions. Its not just the pieces themselves, but the memories and sentiment they conjure up that remain most valuable to him. A book gifted by Aine Broy titled Dysert-Diarmada; or, Irish Place-names, Their Beauty and Their Degradation serves as a curious focal point in his collection. Aines father, Eamon Ned Broy, had received the keepsake as a gift from Michael Collins back in 1919. Collins signature adorning the artefact significantly raises its value. Broys work as a double agent within the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) cemented his friendship with Collins. The detective sergeant (DS) had worked as a clerk inside the G Division, the intelligence branch of the DMP. While here, he copied sensitive files for Michael Collins, many of which were passed on through a librarian at Capel St Library named Thomas Gay. Mr Broy, who went on to become both an advisor and bodyguard to Collins once smuggled him into G Divisions archives in Great Brunswick St (now Pearse St). This allowed Collins to identify G-Men, six of whom would be killed by the IRA. Aine presented me with this in recognition of all the work Ive done to promote Michael Collins. Noel Scannell with 'The Path to Freedom' by Michael Collins, part of his extensive collection of Michael Collins memorabilia. Picture: Larry Cummins "The book was a special gift and I would never betray her or the Broy family by making money from it. For me, its worth a lot more than 20k and money wouldnt buy it from me anyway. Aine is such a wonderful person and I was honoured that she wanted me to have the book. Michael Collins means an awful lot to her. If it wasnt for Collins theres a chance that she might not be here today. When her father was imprisoned and told that he would be shot, the message relayed by Michael Collins was clear: 'If Eamonn is shot, then you will be gone soon after.' It was these choice words that ended up saving his life. Noel delights in showing the book to anyone who pops by. 'He had lovely handwriting' I really love showing the book to people because they are always so interested in the story behind it. So many people have copied the signature. Michael Collins had really lovely handwriting. Collecting has helped Noel through difficult times, particularly during battles with cancer which he fought twice between 2012 and 2016. I can remember buying two prints at Adams Auctioneers of Dublin. One of them was signed by Michael Collins. I got them for 4,000 each even though the same ones recently went for 11,000. Noel Scannell says he finds it hard to pick just one niece or nephew to bequeath his collection to, and, with a laugh, says: 'Ill probably leave them all to fight over it when Im gone.' Picture: Larry Cummins "Ill never forget coming back because I had to stop four times. I was in such an awful state from chemo. Noel revealed he began his collection to ensure that Collins was never forgotten. He was written out of Irish history. Eamon de Valera made sure of that. "I started school in 1956 and I finished in 1969. During these years we hardly ever heard of Michael Collins. I noticed that I when I was doing history. After school I joined Macra na Feirme. I was doing a lot of debating and public speaking. "In 1972, I joined Fine Gael and spent 52 years with them. I was director of elections during Garret Fitzgeralds time for the years he was Taoiseach. "The more political leaders I got to know the more I learned about Collins and realised that he will always be a true hero. We would have achieved nothing without him. Michael Collins bicycle sculpture However, Noel is not just a collector. One of his proudest achievements was forming part of the team of Collins enthusiasts who assisted Fine Gael councillor Shane OCallaghan to erect a statue of Collins on Grand Parade in Cork. Michael Collins' grand niece Fidelma Collins with Margaret Kelleher, Noel Scannell, and Connie Kelleher, members of the Michael Collins 100 centenary committee, at the Michael Collins statue on the Grand Parade in Cork in October. Picture: Jim Coughlan This was inspired by an iconic image of Collins standing with the bicycle he rode around Dublin as he led the military resistance to British rule and managing the finances of the outlawed Dail. The work of art was funded through a crowd-funding scheme spearheaded by the Michael Collins 100 Committee a non-political organisation dedicated to honouring his legacy. Noel has travelled the length and breadth of the country to give lectures about Michael Collins. He has also penned a book on the topic. I often bring some of my collection to lectures but after one of my books was stolen a few years back I have become that little bit more cautious. It was signed by the cabinet during Endas time. "If the thief tries to sell this they will have huge problems doing so publicly as I have made so many friends through auction and collector circles so I know I would be notified straight away. Noel hopes his collection can be enjoyed by Michael Collins enthusiasts for generations to come. I have one nephew and three nieces. I wouldnt want to pick just one to leave the collection to so Ill probably leave them all to fight over it when Im gone, he laughed. Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election which could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff. Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and Nato member country, with the vote expected to go to a second round on December 8. Polls opened at 7am local time and will close at 9pm, with Romanians abroad able to vote since Friday. By 2pm, 4.8 million people about 27% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who is backed by Romanias largest party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Elena Lasconi, the Save Romania Union candidate, smiles and waves while casting her ballot in Bucharest (Andreea Alexandru/AP) The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on December 1 that will determine the countrys next government and prime minister. Mr Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of US President-elect Donald Trump and has long been a figure of controversy. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him from entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighbouring Ukraine. I would like that in the next five to 10 years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products, he told reporters in the capital, Bucharest. As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests. Mr Ciolacu said one of his biggest goals is to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries. George Simion, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians candidate, accompanies his wife Ilinca at a voting station in Bucharest (Andreea Alexandru/AP) Romania has a huge chance to become a developed economy in the next 10 years, where honest work is fairly rewarded and people have the security of a better life, he said. But for this, we need balance and responsibility I am running for the Presidency of Romania because we need a change. Other key candidates include Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, former Nato deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana, who is running independently, and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the centre-right National Liberal Party, which is in a tense coalition with the PSD. Romania has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. But Mr Simion of the AUR party said he opposes Romania which has sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine contributing further military aid and that he hopes Mr Trump can stop the war. In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9% in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. Opponents have long accused Mr Imion and AUR of being extremists, charges he denies. We are sort of a Trumpist party in this new wave of patriotic political parties in Europe, Simion said. Pakistan suspended mobile and internet services in areas with security concerns on Sunday as supporters of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan geared up for a protest in the capital. The government and Interior Ministry posted the announcement on social media platform X, which is banned in Pakistan. They did not specify the areas, nor did they say how long the suspension would be in place. Internet and mobile services will continue to operate as usual in the rest of the country, the posts said. A cotton candy seller walks past police officers standing guard on an entry point to the motorway leading to Islamabad (KM Chaudary/AP) A spokesperson for the Interior Ministry was not immediately available for comment. Mr Khan has been in prison for more than a year and has more than 150 criminal cases against him. But he remains popular and his political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf or PTI, says the cases are politically motivated. His supporters rely heavily on social media to demand his release and use messaging platforms like WhatsApp to share information, including details of events. Pakistan has already sealed off the capital Islamabad with shipping containers and shut down major roads and highways connecting the city with PTI strongholds in the provinces of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The government is imposing social media platform bans and targeting VPN services, according to monitoring service Netblocks. On Sunday, internet-access advocacy group Netblocks said live metrics showed WhatsApp was restricted in Pakistan, affecting media sharing on the app. Last month, authorities suspended the cellphone service in Islamabad and Rawalpindi to thwart a pro-Khan rally. The shutdown disrupted communications and affected everyday services such as banking, ride-hailing and food delivery. Opinion / Columnist The situation at Mazowe Jumbo Mine is complex and marred by corruption, violence, and illegal activities. At the center of the controversy is a man named Knowledge Rutavi, who claims to be a representative of former employees but has been accused of being a criminal with connections to high-ranking politicians.Rutavi's background is questionable, with reports suggesting that he was dismissed from the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP)due to corruption and misconduct. Despite this, he has managed to exert significant influence over the mine, allegedly using his connections claim, his closeness to second Vice president cde Kembo Mohadi , politibiro member Senator Cde Omega Hungwe , CIO high ranked official Tapomwa and the ZRP Deputy comissioner general Steve Mutamba to mention but just a few. Intimidating, terrorizing ,interfering with mazowe metallion gold Mine cooperation operations hence exploitation of the precious mineral resources is the hit Christmas song of self opointed untouchable prefect at mazowe Jumbo mine Mr Knowledge Rutavi .The mine has been plagued by illegal mining activities, with gangs of machete-wielding individuals terrorizing the area , surprisingly, crimes of serious nature such as killing of people are happening under gaurd and watch of the Zimbabwe Republic Police suport unity whose constittutional core mandate is to protect and savegaurd lives and properties. allegedly the ZRP suport unity was contructed to provide mine security services in a deal amounting 18 k plus per month in return of the coperate security services by Mazowe metallion gold Mine cooperation. The police response has been inadequate, to anextend where by senior ZRP suport unity Chief Supretendent Marange has been fingered out in corruption and working with criminals in the illegal mining activities at mazowe metalliongold Mine. The Ministry of Mines' instructions and recommendations such as closing of illegal mining pits and rehabilitation of usable mining shafts have been discarded and ignored due to criminals and political influence putting lives of the innocent at risk and making mazowe metallion corporation compliance and adherence to the mining laws difficult if not impossible.From 2018 to date several deaths have been recorded due to ground degradation as a result of illegal mining activities by criminals claiming to be zanu pf youths and other part official such as cde Chawana and his counterpart loice chenjerai who was convicted for contempt of high court order by the Magistrate ,concession court sometimes in July 2024 she is now playing her her cards from a distance. Loice Chenjerai is also known for her controversy in the Mash Central ZANU PF part circles.Furthermore, there are concerns about corruption and name-dropping, with politicians and criminals allegedly working together disguised and misquarreding as representing the former employees interest in a justified political will, in actual fact disregarding and undermining the fundermental principals of good governance,that's Zimbabwe is open for business mantra, in line with the vision 2030 SDGs by his exallence the president of Zimbabwe Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa.The concerns of Mazowe Jumbo Mine's former employees are multifaceted and alarming. It appears that these criminal individuals masquerading as former employees the likes of Knowledge Rutavi, Makotore and their colleagues committing fraud, and sabotaging investments and economic development. These criminals are reportedly enjoying the spoils of the mine's precious gold production, selling it on the black market without paying taxes or contributing to the government's national fiscas.Furthermore, the claims of unpaid salaries and terminal benefits dating back to 2018, have been long resolved by the Labour court . Criminals hiding under former employees made several attempts appealing agirnist Labour court running in favor of the company ,fraudulent attempt s of creating liability for the company to pay in usd not rtgs currenncy ot the time . Some appeals and dubious coperate rescue application were disregarded and dimissed by the Supreme Court of zimbabwe, some where removed off the role by the Comercial court of zimbabwe some time in August 2024 and some pending in the labor court. The company, Metallon Gold, committed to pay the owed salaries using bond notes ,pay ment was made in the employee legal practitioner account in 2019 but some employees rejected to collect demanding payment in US dollars instead.The mine was first established in 1896, during the colonial era, and was initially operated by the British South Africa Company.The mine changed hands several times, with various companies operating it until the 1960s.The mine was nationalized by the Zimbabwean government and operated by the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation (ZMDC).The mine was privatized and acquired by Metallon Gold, a company owned by Mzi Khumalo, a South African businessman.Mzi Khumalo, a South African businessman, acquired Metallon Gold in the 2000s and expanded the company's operations in Zimbabwe.Under Khumalo's leadership, Metallon Gold became one of the largest gold producers in Zimbabwe, with operations at Mazowe Jumbo Mine, among others.In 2023, Nambi Investments, a Zimbabwean company, acquired the Mazowe Jumbo Mine from Metallon Gold. The acquisition marked a new era for the mine, with Nambi Investments promising to revitalize operations and ensure the mine's sustainability.However, despite the changes in ownership and management, the mine has continued to face challenges, including:- Illegal mining activities- Corruption and name-dropping- Violence and intimidation- Labor disputes and unpaid salaries- Environmental degradationAs the head of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Regional Block, it is essential to address these challenges and ensure that the Mazowe Jumbo Mine operates in a responsible and sustainable manner. Chuck Woolery, the smooth-talking US game show host who later became a podcaster accusing the Washington government of lying about Covid-19, has died aged 83. Mark Young said on Sunday that his podcast co-host and friend died at his home in Texas with his wife Kristen by his side. Chuck was a dear friend and brother and a tremendous man of faith, life will not be the same without him, Mr Young said. With his good looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, Woolery was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. In 1983, he began an 11-year run as host of TV show Love Connection, for which he coined the phrase: Well be back in two minutes and two seconds, with a two-fingered signature dubbed the 2 and 2. In 1984, he also hosted Scrabble, and simultaneously presented two game shows on TV until 1990. Love Connection, which aired long before the dawn of dating apps, had a premise that featured either a single man or single woman who would watch audition tapes of three potential mates and then pick one for a date. A couple of weeks after the date, the guest would sit with Woolery in front of a studio audience and tell everybody about it. The audience would vote on the three contestants, and if the audience agreed with the guests choice, Love Connection would offer to pay for a second date. Woolery told The Philadelphia Inquirer in 2003 that his favourite set of lovebirds was a man aged 91 and a woman aged 87. He recalled: She had so much eye make-up on, she looked like a stolen Corvette. He was so old he said, I remember wagon trains. The poor guy. She took him on a balloon ride. Other career highlights included hosting the shows Lingo, Greed and The Chuck Woolery Show, as well as hosting the short-lived syndicated revival of The Dating Game from 1998 to 2000, and an ill-fated 1991 talk show. In 1992, he played himself in two episodes of Melrose Place. Woolery began his TV career at a show that has become a mainstay. Although most associated with Pat Sajak and Vanna White, Wheel Of Fortune debuted on January 6, 1975, on NBC with Woolery welcoming contestants and the audience. Woolery, then 33, was trying to make it in Nashville as a singer. Chuck Woolery was a supporter of Donald Trump (PA) Born in Ashland, Kentucky, Woolery served in the US Navy before attending college. He played double bass in a folk trio, then formed the psychedelic rock duo The Avant-Garde in 1967 while working as a truck driver to support himself as a musician. The Avant-Garde, which toured in a refitted Cadillac hearse, had the Top 40 hit Naturally Stoned. After The Avant-Garde broke up, Woolery released his debut solo single Ive Been Wrong in 1969 and several more singles with Columbia before transitioning to country music by the 1970s. He released two solo singles, Forgive My Heart and Love Me, Love Me. After his TV career ended, Woolery went into podcasting. In an interview with The New York Times, he called himself a gun rights activist and described himself as a conservative libertarian and constitutionalist. He said he had not revealed his politics in liberal Hollywood for fear of retribution. He teamed up with Mr Young in 2014 for the podcast Blunt Force Truth and soon became a full supporter of Donald Trump, while arguing minorities do not need civil rights and causing a firestorm by tweeting an antisemitic comment linking Soviet Communists to Judaism. During the early stages of the pandemic, Woolery initially accused medical professionals and Democrats of lying about the virus in an effort to hurt the economy and Mr Trumps chances of re-election. In July 2020, he wrote: The most outrageous lies are the ones about Covid-19. Everyone is lying. The CDC, media, Democrats, our doctors, not all but most, that we are told to trust. I think its all about the election and keeping the economy from coming back, which is about the election. Im sick of it. Mr Trump retweeted that post to his 83 million followers. By the end of the month, nearly 4.5 million Americans had been infected with Covid and more than 150,000 had died. Just days later, Woolery changed his stance, announcing his son had contracted Covid. Before his account was deleted, he posted: To further clarify and add perspective, Covid-19 is real and it is here. My son tested positive for the virus, and I feel for those suffering and especially for those who have lost loved ones. Woolery later explained on his podcast that he never called Covid-19 a hoax or said its not real, just that weve been lied to. Woolery also said it was an honour to have your president retweet what your thoughts are and think its important enough to do that. In addition to his wife, Woolery is survived by his sons Michael and Sean and his daughter Melissa, Mr Young said. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. The measure underscores Russias needs for military personnel in the nearly three-year-old war, even after it fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile last week. According to Russian state news agency Interfax, the legislation allows those signing up for a one-year contract to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles (77,000). The law applies to debts for which a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings had commenced before December 1 this year, and it also applies to the spouses of recruits. A man looks at fragments of a new Russian rocket which struck Dnipro on November 21 (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Russia has ramped up military recruitment by offering increasing financial incentives, in some cases several times the average salary, to those willing to fight in Ukraine. The strategy has allowed the military to boost its ranks in the conflict zone while avoiding another mobilisation order. A partial mobilisation in September 2022 sparked an exodus of tens of thousands of Russian men who fled the country to avoid enlistment. The intense and drawn-out war has strained Russian resources, and Mr Putin in September called for the military to increase its troops by 180,000. The US, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia in October, some of whom have recently begun engaging in combat on the front lines, piling more pressure on Ukraines also weary and overstretched army. The push for recruits coincides with a new intermediate-range ballistic missile the Kremlin fired at Ukraine on Thursday. Mr Putin said it was in response to Kyivs use of American and British missiles capable of striking deeper into Russia. Ukraines Security Service on Sunday showed the wreckage of the new experimental ballistic missile, which struck a factory in the central city of Dnipro. The fragments of the missile called Oreshnik Russian for hazel tree, and which the Pentagon said is based on Russias RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile have not been analysed yet, according to security officials on site in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. They were shown to the media before they were taken by investigators. The weapon can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Charred, mangled wires and an ashy airframe the size of a large snow tyre was all that remained of the weapon, which can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. It should be noted that this is the first time that the remains of such a missile have been discovered on the territory of Ukraine, said an expert with Ukraines Security Service, who did not want to be named. Ukraines main intelligence directorate said the missile was fired from the 4th Missile Test Range, Kapustin Yar, in Russias Astrakhan region and flew for 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. The missile had six warheads, each carrying six submunitions. The peak speed was 11 Mach. In light of the missile strike, US President-elect Donald Trumps incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Sunday that the incoming administration wants to get both sides to the table and is concerned about escalation. Mr Waltz made clear on Fox News Sunday that he has met with Mr Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, to discuss US policy and options in Ukraine, and the Florida congressman assured that those conversations will continue. For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other, theyre wrong, Mr Waltz said. We are hand in glove. We are one team with the United States in this transition. Mr Waltz seemed to endorsed Mr Bidens decision to send anti-personnel mines for Ukraine forces to use in the conflict. We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it It is a step towards somewhat solidifying the lines, and we also needed to stop Russian gains, Mr Waltz said. The congressman also emphasised Mr Trumps desire for the conflict to end quickly. Mr Trump, who has praised Mr Putin over the years, avoided throughout the campaign setting conditions for an end to the conflict, suggesting he would be open to considerable annexations of Ukraine. Mr Waltz avoided discussing any terms Mr Trump might pursue once he takes office. The president-elect has been very concerned about the escalation and where its all going, Mr Waltz said. We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it. Meanwhile, Moscow sent 73 drones into Ukraine overnight into Sunday. According to Ukraines air force, 50 drones were destroyed and four lost, likely having been electronically jammed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Russian forces over the past week had struck Ukraine with more than 800 guided aerial bombs, about 460 attack drones and more than 20 missiles. In Russia, the defence ministry said 34 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight into Sunday in four regions of western Russia, including Kursk, Lipetsk, Belgorod and one over the Oryol region. Hezbollah fired at least 185 rockets and other projectiles into Israel on Sunday, wounding seven people in the militant groups heaviest barrage in several days, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut as negotiators pressed on with ceasefire efforts to halt the all-out war. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army centre killed one soldier and wounded 18 others on the southwestern coastal road between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanons military said. Israels military expressed regret and said the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah, adding that its operations are directed solely against the militants. An Israeli bomb squad policeman in Kibbutz Kfar Blum, northern Israel, carries the remains of a rocket that was fired from Lebanon (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The strike was under review. Israeli strikes have killed more than 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanons military has largely kept to the sidelines. Lebanons caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati condemned the latest strike as an assault on US-led ceasefire efforts, calling it a direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts to end the war. Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamass October 7 2023 attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. It has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. Israel has launched retaliatory air strikes at Hezbollah, and in September the low-level conflict erupted into all-out war as Israel launched waves of air strikes across large parts of Lebanon and killed Hezbollahs top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several top commanders. The Israeli military said some of the projectiles fired on Sunday were intercepted. Journalists take pictures of a damaged building in Haifa, Israel (Francisco Seco/AP) Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated seven people, including a 60-year-old man in severe condition from rocket fire on northern Israel, a 23-year-old man who was lightly wounded by a blast in the central city of Petah Tikva and a 70-year-old woman who suffered smoke inhalation from a car that caught fire there. In Haifa, a rocket hit a residential building that police said was in danger of collapsing. It was unclear whether the injuries and damage were caused by rockets or interceptors. Israeli air strikes without warning on Saturday pounded central Beirut, killing at least 29 people and wounding 67, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. Smoke billowed above Beirut again on Sunday with new strikes. Israels military said it targeted Hezbollah command centres in the southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, where the militants have a strong presence. Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanons population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardments in northern Israel and in battle following Israels ground invasion in early October. Around 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from the countrys north. The Biden administration has spent months trying to broker a ceasefire, and US envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week. The European Unions top diplomat called on Sunday for more pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to reach a deal, saying one was pending with a final agreement from the Israeli government. Josep Borrell spoke after meeting with Mr Mikati and Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who has been mediating with the group. Mr Borrell said the EU is ready to allocate 200 million euros (165.8 million) to assist the Lebanese military, which would deploy additional forces to the south. The emerging agreement would pave the way for the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon below the Litani River in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution that ended the month-long 2006 war. Lebanese troops would patrol the area, with the presence of UN peacekeepers. Lebanons army reflects the religious diversity of the country and is respected as a national institution, but it does not have the military capability to impose its will on Hezbollah or resist Israels invasion. This year's UN climate summit delivered a deal on climate finance two days past deadline, after two weeks of tense negotiations. Here are some of the takeaways from the Cop29 summit held in Azerbaijan's capital of Baku: CASH FOR CLIMATE REMAINS TIGHT The summit's main agenda item - setting a new annual target for global climate finance - had nations wrangling for two weeks. Even after reaching a deal for $300bn a year by 2035, many developing countries said the amount was far too low. They also warned that the deadline for a decade away in 2035 would hold back the world's transition to clean energy. Some including India also lambasted wealthy nations for seeking to include contributions by developing countries in the annual target. TRUMP TAMPS THE MOOD Though he has yet to take office, climate denier Donald Trump's victory in the November 5 presidential election soured the mood at Cop29. President-elect Donald Trump speaks at meeting of the House GOP conference, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) Trump has vowed to remove the United States from global climate efforts, and has appointed another climate skeptic as his energy secretary. Trump's election meant the US could offer little at Cop29, despite being the world's biggest historical polluter and most responsible for climate change. It also curtailed ambitions on the finance target, with the world's biggest economy unlikely to contribute. GREEN LIGHT FOR CARBON CREDITS After nearly a decade of efforts to establish a rulebook for carbon credits, Cop29 reached a deal to allow countries to begin establishing these credits to bring in funding and offset their emissions, or to trade them on a market exchange. There are still some smaller details to be worked out, such as the registry's structure and transparency obligations. But proponents hoped the boost to carbon offsetting will help draw billions of dollars into new projects to help the climate fight. COP PROCESS IN DOUBT Despite years of ballyhooed climate agreements, countries raised alarms about the fact that both greenhouse gas emissions and global temperatures are still rising. Countries have been hit by increasingly extreme weather, making clear that the pace of progress hasn't been fast enough to prevent a climate crisis. Attendees embrace while attending a closing plenary session at the COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) This year is on track to be the warmest ever on record, with evidence of climate impacts spiraling faster than expected. Widespread flooding has killed thousands and left millions hungry across Africa; deadly landslides have buried villages in Asia. Drought in South America has shrunk rivers - vital transport corridors - and livelihoods. And rain-triggered floods in both Spain and the United States have killed hundreds of people while wiping out billions in economic value. TRADE TENSIONS TO THE FORE Developing countries pushed hard at Cop29 to open discussions about climate-related trade barriers, arguing that that their ability to invest in greening their economy was undermined by costly trade policies imposed by the world's wealthiest economies. In focus was Europe's planned carbon border tax (CBAM). But equally worrying is the prospect of Trump introducing broad tariffs on all imports. The the UN climate body agreed to add the issue to future summit agendas. FOSSIL FUEL INTERESTS This year's COP was the third in a row to be held in a fossil fuel producing country, with both the Opec secretary general and the president of host country Azerbaijan telling the summit that oil and gas resources were "a gift from God." In the end, the summit failed to set steps for countries to build on last year's Cop28 pledge to transition away from fossil fuels and triple renewable energy capacity this decade. Many negotiators saw that as a failure - and a sign that fossil fuel interests were overpowering climate talks. Support Local Journalism Now, more than ever, the world needs trustworthy reportingbut good journalism isnt free. Please support us by subscribing or making a contribution. Subscribe or contribute Opinion / Columnist 44 years on, The Zimbabwean liberation struggle was fought to end the exploitation and marginalisation of the majority. Central to this was the pursuit of fairness, equality and the eradication of unjust systems that disproportionately burdened ordinary citizens. However, some of the recent policy changes in Zimbabwe, such as the requirement for vehicle owners to pay for radio licenses even when the radios in their cars are non-functional, non-existent or incompatible with Zimbabwean broadcasting frequencies, betray the values that liberation fighters laid their lives for.According to the highlighted amendment of Section 38B of Cap 12:06, the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (ZINARA) and insurance companies can only issue vehicle licenses and insurance policies to individuals who either hold a valid radio license issued by the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) or can provide proof that their vehicle lacks a radio receiver. This policy assumes that all vehicles are equipped with functional radios or that car owners actively use broadcasting services.This blanket requirement ignores several realities:Non-Functional Radios: Many vehicles, especially older models, have radios that no longer work.Japanese Imports: A significant number of vehicles in Zimbabwe are imported from Japan, where radios are tuned to frequencies incompatible with local broadcasting systems.No Radios at All: Some vehicles, such as certain commercial trucks, are manufactured without radios altogether.Mandating payment for a service that many vehicle owners do not use amounts to institutional exploitation. Vehicle owners are already burdened with high costs for fuel, maintenance, licensing, and insurance. Adding an unnecessary and arguably irrelevant cost for a radio license further strains their finances. For the ordinary Zimbabwean, this is not just a financial inconvenience it is a betrayal of the promise of a liberated Zimbabwe where systems would be just and equitable.The policy's provision for applicants to sign a declaration if their vehicle lacks a radio adds bureaucratic inefficiency without addressing the core issue: why should citizens have to justify not using a service to avoid being charged for it? This process risks creating bottlenecks and opportunities for corruption, as officials may exploit the situation to solicit bribes for approvals.Policies should be grounded in fairness, practicality, and consideration of citizens' realities. Instead of imposing blanket requirements, the government should explore alternative ways to fund broadcasting services. These could include:Voluntary Contributions: Encourage those who actively use ZBC services to support the broadcaster through voluntary subscriptions.Usage-Based Models: Introduce fees only for individuals or entities that actively consume ZBC content.Modernisation of Revenue Models: With declining radio listenership, ZBC should pivot toward digital platforms and seek funding through advertising or partnerships, rather than taxing non-users.The liberation struggle was a call for justice, fairness and the protection of citizens' rights. Policies like this radio licence requirement undermine these values, perpetuating systems of exploitation that the struggle sought to dismantle. Zimbabwean leaders must revisit this policy and ensure it aligns with the principles of liberation, fairness, and the empowerment of the majority. Only then can the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom be honoured. For the First Time, Finance Takes Center Stage at COP The COP29 climate talks held in Baku marked the 29th occasion in 32 years for nations worldwide to convene and discuss strategies to address climate change.For the first time in history, climate finance stood out as the primary focus on the agenda. The fallout from the disputes and divisions that emerged will significantly influence climate politics for years ahead.Prior to the actual negotiations, it was widely acknowledged that approximately $1 trillion annually would be required by 2030, escalating to $1.3 trillion by 2035.This funding would enable nations to transition to low carbon emission strategies, benefiting everyone. Throughout the discussions, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell consistently stressed that climate finance should not be viewed as charity.Given our shared atmosphere, diminishing emissions in developed countries holds little value if emissions continue to grow in emerging markets and developing nations with the highest population increases. This message was echoed multiple times by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, who urged negotiators to reconsider their rigid positions.UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged negotiators to soften their hard lines. In principle, all negotiating parties recognized the need for additional financing, with no dissent.The central debate revolved around ensuring the provision of such vast sums. Key questions arose: Who will contribute, who will benefit, and how much should originate from governments, the private sector, the World Bank, and other multilateral development banks? Should China, categorized as a developing country on a 1992 listing, be exempt, or expected to contribute?The wealthy Arab oil states also remain on that list and resist any attempts to remove them. Discussions also included the prospect of implementing new global taxes earmarked for climate finance, such as levies on air travel, shipping, or especially on oil and other fossil fuels. Perhaps the most contentious topic was the extent of public finance to contribute to the $1 trillion target. Many poorer nations preferred public finance as their primary funding avenue. Funds from governments, like ours, are typically provided as grants rather than loans, avoiding imposing heavy debts on developing nations that could hinder their progress. Numerous non-governmental organizations advocating for the so-called Global South argued that the full $1 trillion annual funding goal by 2030 should come solely from the public finances of Western nations. They insisted that any other arrangement would be unacceptable and a betrayal. Mary Robinson, a climate champion and member of the Elders, informed them upon her arrival last week that they would need to adjust their expectations. If an annual commitment of $300 million for climate finance from government sources by 2030 could be secured, that would be a significant achievement, she said. The remainder would need to be sourced from other avenues, including the private sector. However, this did not dampen the demands from civil society organizations or the criticisms directed at wealthy nations. Laurie van der Burg from Oil Change International stated that a commitment for only 300 million in climate finance from government sources would be shameful. She argued it would allow affluent countries to evade the climate debt owed to the Global South by leaning on the private sector to cover the remaining financial needs. This approach would potentially trap the most vulnerable nations in debt, exacerbating their struggles during the climate crisis. Wealthy nations must significantly increase their contributions and repay the trillions they owe to the Global South. They have the potential to raise over $5 trillion annually for climate action by ending fossil fuel subsidies, taxing the ultra-wealthy, and reforming inequitable global financial regulations, she asserted. Robinson identified Saudi Arabia and its Arab coalition as the foremost obstructionists hindering a comprehensive agreement. Russia, another significant oil producer, was also impeding progress for geopolitical reasons, according to her. Oil states obstructing the agreement are shielded, claimed Germanys Foreign Minister. Annalena Baerbock, Germanys Foreign Minister, expressed her frustration on the final day of negotiations, accusing the oil-producing states of being shielded and supported by the COP29 Presidency, Azerbaijan, which is also a major oil producer. Read more: COP29 clinches $300bn for poor nations in climate deal We are in the midst of a geopolitical struggle led by a few fossil fuel nations. Their battleground is the plight of the poorest and most vulnerable nations. As the European Union, we will not endorse a deal that adversely impacts those most affected by the climate crisis. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that oil states obstructing the agreement were being protected by the COP29 Presidency, Azerbaijan. She characterized the situation during the most contentious phase of negotiations as the last stand of the old fossil fuel paradigm, vowing that the EU would not let the most vulnerable, particularly small island nations, be exploited by a handful of wealthy fossil fuel emitters. She declared, Climate finance and CO2 reduction are intricately linked. Thus, we in the EU have enhanced our financial commitments through 2035. We continue to strive to build bridges. We are fulfilling our responsibilities, particularly as past CO2 emitters. No deal is preferable to a bad deal, reinforce activists. This sentiment resonated with civil society organizations that consistently demonstrated outside the expansive COP29 plenary halls until the very last moment. They rallied under banners, urging negotiators to represent the global south. Their rallying cry was simple: No deal is better than a bad deal. These civil society groups expressed their outrage at the failure of the global north to compensate for the climate harm inflicted on poorer nations through their carbon emissions. They continue to devastate our lands, charged Haneen Shaheen, an Arab World Member of the Climate Action Network. We must clarify obligationsthose relating to ecological debt, environmental collapse, and transgressing planetary boundaries, she insisted. Our lives, our present, and our future are at stake. A youth representative from Africa articulated feelings of frustration, anger, and disappointment. Activists demanding public climate finance for impoverished countries at COP29. We convene year after year at COP summits, listening to promises and declarations. However, the reality is betrayala betrayal of the planet, a betrayal of vulnerable communities, a betrayal of the younger generation. Meanwhile, politicians congratulate themselves. We comb through these texts and draft decisions for COP, only to encounter a disheartening repetition of unfulfilled promises and pledges from a system designed against those in need. The needs are astronomical. We require trillions, not billions. Where are the funds, and where is the justice? Activist Tetet Lauron was even more fervent in her criticism. She labeled the climate negotiations as a farce that has continued for the past 30 years. She lamented, Our people are dying. They are being displaced. The climate crisis is here, and we are not the cause. Activists protest against fossil fuels and advocate for climate finance at COP29. People are silenced, killed, and harassed for defending environmental rights. This is the way wealthy countries of the global north, along with their corporations, employ dirty tactics to confuse everyone while perpetuating the myth that fossil fuels are clean and that corporations can genuinely solve these issues, and that multilateral development banks are delivering climate finance. No, they are not. We are mired in debt, and their actions waste our time while lives are lost to floods. They are destroying our world, jeopardizing our future, and threatening generations to come. If they believe we will accept private sector control over our future, guiding our adaptation strategies and dictating our actions, then we are saying no. The intensity of these sentiments capped a grueling fortnight at the climate talks in Baku. It is evident from the passion expressed by civil society groups that the struggle for climate justice will persist. Israels Airstrikes Result in Dozens of Fatalities in Gaza Within 48 Hours, According to Palestinian Medics Israeli military strikes across Gaza have resulted in the deaths of at least 120 Palestinians over the past 48 hours, including an attack on a hospital at the northern edge of the enclave that injured medical personnel and damaged equipment, according to Palestinian medics. Among those killed were seven members of a family whose home was struck overnight in the Zeitoun suburb of Gaza City, as reported by health officials. The remaining fatalities occurred in various Israeli strikes throughout central and southern Gaza. Meanwhile, Israeli forces intensified their incursion and bombardment of the northern edge of the enclave, marking their primary offensive since early last month. At Kamal Adwan Hospital, one of three barely operational medical facilities in northern Gaza, director Hussam Abu Safiya stated that the ongoing Israeli bombardments seemed intended to compel hospital staff to evacuatesomething they have consistently refused to do since the incursion began. Yesterday, from the afternoon until midnight, the bombardment directly targeted the entrance to the emergency and reception area several times, he said in a statement, noting that 12 staff members, including doctors and nurses, were injured. Palestinians search for belongings in front of a severely damaged building following Israeli attacks in the Zeitun neighborhood. The strike also caused extensive damage, disrupting the electrical generator, oxygen supply network, and water supply. In response to Abu Safiyas remarks, the Israeli military stated that after an initial review, it was not aware of a strike in the area of the Kamal Adwan Hospital, asserting that it takes every possible measure to avoid civilian casualties. Israel contends that Hamas uses hospitals and civilians as human shields, supporting this claim with public videos and photos. Hamas denies these allegations, asserting that it does not exploit the civilian population or facilities for military purposes. Read more about the conflict in the Middle East Israeli hostage dies in Gaza According to Gaza officials, Israels 13-month campaign in Gaza has claimed over 44,000 lives and displaced nearly the entire population of the enclave at least once. The conflict was initiated in response to an attack by Hamas-led fighters who killed 1,200 individuals and captured over 250 hostages in Israel on October 7, 2023, as stated by Israel. A spokesperson for the armed wing of Hamas, Abu Ubaida, later announced that a female Israeli hostage in the groups custody had been killed in northern Gaza amidst ongoing Israeli attacks. The life of another female prisoner who was previously with her is in imminent danger, he added, holding the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responsible for undermining efforts to conclude the war. A group representing the families of the hostages did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Attempts to negotiate a ceasefire over the past few months have made little progress, and negotiations are currently on hold, with mediator Qatar suspending its efforts until both sides are ready to make concessions. Hamas seeks a resolution that concludes the conflict and leads to the release of both Israeli and foreign hostages held captive in Gaza, as well as Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, whereas Netanyahu has asserted that the war can only conclude once Hamas has been eradicated. Prosecutors in Venezuela have initiated a treason investigation against opposition leader Maria Corina Machado, as stated in an announcement, claiming that she has supported US sanctions aimed at President Nicolas Maduro following his disputed re-election in July. The prosecutors office indicated that the inquiry was launched because Ms. Machados advocacy for stricter US sanctions amounts to treason to the homeland, according to article 128 of the penal code, (and) conspiracy with foreign nations. The office expressed its commitment to combat any individual, group, or national or international entity that poses a threat to the stability of the nation. On Monday, the US House of Representatives passed the BOLIVAR Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that prohibits US federal agencies from engaging in business with the Maduro regime or its affiliates. This bill still requires approval from the Senate and a signature from President Joe Biden to become law. During Donald Trumps first term as US president, spanning from 2017 to 2021, he implemented a maximum pressure campaignintensifying financial sanctions and establishing an oil embargoin an attempt to remove Mr. Maduro from power. Nicolas Maduro asserted his victory and dismissed both domestic and international demands to provide detailed polling data to support his claim of having won. Following the election, President Joe Biden chose to ease some of the earlier measures, yet his administration still refused to acknowledge Mr. Maduros assertion of winning a third term in the elections held in July 2024, which were once again marred by allegations of fraud. Mr. Maduro claimed victory and ignored calls for transparency regarding the polling figures backing his statement. The opposition contended that its candidate, Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutiawho was rapidly selected to run in Ms. Machados stead after her disqualificationsecured over 67% of the vote. In light of widespread criticism both domestically and internationally, former bus driver Mr. Maduro, handpicked by the late Hugo Chavez, is currently navigating his third term in a resource-rich country facing severe economic turmoil, where citizens are suffering from acute shortages of food, medicine, and basic goods. Mr. Maduro is accused of presiding over an oppressive leftist regime characterized by a systematic crackdown on the opposition. Since the election, Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia has fled to Spain due to an active arrest warrant, while Ms. Machado has gone into hiding. For the first time this week, the United States has refrained from recognizing Mr. Maduros victory and has stated its acknowledgment of Mr. Gonzalez Urrutia as Venezuelas president-elect. ( RFE/ RL ) Iran and Saudi Arabia have been bitter rivals for decades, vying to lead competing branches of Islam and standing on opposing sides of conflicts in Syria and Yemen. But Tehran and Riyadh have taken major steps to de-escalate tensions and boost cooperation, a move that appeared unthinkable until recently. The rapprochement has coincided with growing fears of an all-out war in the Middle East, where U.S. ally Israel is engaged in wars against Iranian-backed groups in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon. The detente process has intensified since Donald Trumps decisive victory in the U.S. presidential election earlier this month. The president-elect has pledged to bring peace to the region. I dont view this as a warming of relations but rather as a cautious detente, said Talal Mohammad, associate fellow at the Britain-based Royal United Services Institute. Reassuring Iran The first signs of a thaw came in March 2023, when Iran and Saudi Arabia restored diplomatic relations after more than seven years following a surprise Chinese-brokered agreement. But it was Israels invasion of Gaza in October 2023 soon after the U.S.- and EU-designated Palestinian terrorist group Hamas carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel that gave real impetus to Iran-Saudi rapprochement efforts. Since the war erupted, Iran and Israel have traded direct aerial attacks for the first time. The tit-for-tat assaults have brought the region to the brink of a full-blown conflict. Saudi Arabia is concerned that these escalating tensions between Israel and Iran could spiral out of control and lead to a broader regional conflict that may impact their interests, said Hamidreza Azizi, fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Azizi adds that Sunni-majority Saudi Arabia and Shia-dominated Iran are still far from friends, despite the recent rapprochement, and they remain rivals vying for influence. Over the past year, Saudi Arabia has stopped conducting air strikes in neighboring Yemen against the Iran-backed Huthi rebels. Riyadh has also made attempts to negotiate an end to the 10-year conflict pitting the Huthis against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The Huthis have also ceased cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia. In 2019, the rebels managed to shut down half of the kingdoms oil production. The Trump Factor Trumps victory in the November 5 presidential election has injected more urgency to the Iran-Saudi rapprochement, experts say. Saudi Arabias top general, Fayyad al-Ruwaili, made a rare trip to Iran on November 10 to meet Armed Forces Chief of Staff Mohammad Baqeri in what Iranian media dubbed defense diplomacy. The following day, Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman accused Israel of committing collective genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and explicitly condemned Israels attack last month on Iranian military sites. Azizi says there are fears in the region that Trumps electoral victory will embolden Israel to intensify its attacks on Iran and Tehrans interests. During Trumps first term in office from 2017 to 2021, his administration pursued a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran that included imposing crippling sanctions against Tehran. At the same time, Trump struck a close relationship with Riyadh. He helped facilitate normalization between several Arab states and Israel under the so-called Abraham Accords. Before Israel launched its devastating war in Gaza, Saudi Arabia was reportedly on the verge of a historic deal to normalize relations with Israel. Experts say that the Huthis attacks in 2019 on Saudi oil facilities convinced Riyadh that Washington will not come to its aid if it is attacked. Given Trumps tendency toward unpredictable shifts in policy, Saudi Arabia may seek to play an influential role by encouraging Trump to adopt a balanced approach that ensures regional stability without triggering escalation with Iran, Mohammad said. By subtly guiding U.S. policy toward calibrated sanctions rather than aggressive pressure, Saudi Arabia could help maintain regional security while avoiding the risks of open confrontation, he added. Israeli Normalization Normalization talks between Saudi Arabia and Israel have been indefinitely postponed. Saudi officials have recently said that a deal was off until the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Mohammad says Riyadh has significant strategic incentives to normalize relations with Israel, including security and economic cooperation as well as access to U.S. nuclear and defense technology. But analysts say Saudi Arabia will only resume talks when the Gaza war is over, given the current public sentiment in the Muslim world toward Israel. Normalizing relations without achieving tangible rights for Palestinians could weaken Saudi Arabias normative influence within the Islamic world a position they are keen to maintain, Azizi argued. The Saudis will also have to take into account Iran, which staunchly opposes Saudi normalization with Israel. Riyadh may consult with Tehran and seek assurances that normalization with Israel would not heighten hostilities or undermine the balance achieved through recent diplomatic outreach to Iran, Mohammad said. Copyright (c)2024 RFE/RL, Inc. Used with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty Bonus video added by Informed Comment: Al Jazeera English: Iran-Saudi defence meeting: Generals discuss bilateral relations and cooperation RFE/ RL Trabzon, Turkey (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) The U.S. presidential elections are among the most consequential for the Middle East, second only to elections within the region itself. Donald Trump secured a substantial victory against the current U.S. Vice President, Kamala Harris. While U.S. elections have always held significance for the Middle East, heightened tensions, including the current Israeli war under the pretext of fighting Hamas or Iranian proxies on Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and other regions, made this election even more critical. The Middle Eastern public was not optimistic about either outcome. In recent decades, Democrats have been more willing than Republicans to rein Israel in. However, the Biden administration demonstrated no determination to curb Israeli aggression, widely regarded as genocidal. The charge of genocide against Israel was even brought by South Africa to the International Court of Justice. In the region, therefore, ambivalence and hesitation to openly support the Democrats was not an endorsement of Trump but rather a sign of disillusionment with the current administrations grant of impunity to Israel. For example, US President Biden bear-hugged Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu in his visit to Israel to show his support, which Netanyahu and his cabinet took, along with the following unconditional support from Biden, as a green light to commit genocide. Gaining courage from the Biden administration and European governments, Netanyahus ministers and officials began to reveal their plan of genocide openly. For instance, one headline read, Israeli commander vows to flatten entire Gaza Strip. A UN Special Committee found Israeli actions since October 7 in Gaza consistent with the characteristics of genocide. What waits for the Middle East in Trumps Second Term? The first test for Trumps second term in the Middle East will be his response to Israeli aggression. During his campaign, it was reported that he does not want war, neither in Ukraine nor in Gaza. During his campaign, Trump expressed a desire to avoid war, whether in Ukraine or Gaza. Reports indicated that Trump informed Netanyahu he would end the Gaza conflict if elected, even before taking office in January. Following his victory, Trump reportedly called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, expressing a willingness to end the war. Art of the Deal? Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3, 2024 Despite his historically pro-Israel stance, there is a tenuous optimism in the Middle East rooted in Trumps unpredictability. However, this hope has been steadily eroded by the names emerging for his cabinet. Dr. Mehmet Rakipoglu, Assistant Professor at Mardin Artuklu University, commented to the author, Trump is the most pro-Palestinian member in the cabinet he announced. This reflects a grim outlook, as his cabinet appointments have been characterized by a strong Israel First orientation. Any optimism among American Muslims and the Middle East began to dim with the cabinet and roles that Trump announced. His appointments were dubbed Israel First, among many. Key appointments, such as Secretary of State, Defense Secretary, and ambassadors to Israel and the UN, exemplify this pro-Israel tilt. Marco Rubio, nominated as Secretary of State, had criticized Trumps first term for not providing enough support to Israel, despite significant moves like relocating the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, recognizing the Golan Heights as Israeli territory, and brokering normalization deals between Israel and Arab states.. Rubio also criticized Bidens policies as insufficient, even though Biden backed Netanyahus genocide to the hilt. This Biden appeasement policy was a reason for many Muslims and progressives not to support Biden. Trumps nomination of Pete Hegseth, a Fox News host, as Defense Secretary also signals a hawkish stance against Iran, which Hegseth has labeled an evil regime. He has always shown his support for Israel and displayed pro-Israeli coverage in his shows and documentaries asking for support for Israel. He considers the conflict biblical and has a fundamentalist view on the issue. Trump nominated Mike Huckabee as US Ambassador to Israel. Similarly, Mike Huckabee, nominated as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, rejects the existence of Palestine, referring to the West Bank by the ideological names of Judea and Samaria. Similarly, Trump nominated Elise Stefanik, a Congress member known for advocating the defunding of UNRWA, as US Ambassador to the United Nations. Despite these appointments, Trump may manage Middle Eastern crises more effectively than Biden. While he will not adopt a pro-Palestinian approach which one cannot expect, given U.S. presidential historyTrump could handle the situation in a way that favors Israel without abetting the entire destruction of the Palestinians in Gaza. His unpredictable leadership style could also open doors to negotiations with Middle Eastern powers. Middle Eastern Diplomacy Under Trump Trumps America First policies place significant responsibility on Middle Eastern leaders. Trumps preference for personal diplomacy could provide an opportunity for these leaders to influence his approach. By emphasizing that unconditional U.S. support for Israel could damage bilateral relations, regional powers might prompt Trump to adopt a more balanced stance. Conversely, silence from Middle Eastern leaders could result in a presidency even less favorable to Palestinians than Bidens. The stakes are high for Middle Eastern rulers. Continued violence and devastation in the region could provoke large scale domestic unrest, threatening not only regional leaders but also U.S. interests in the area. If widespread dissatisfaction escalates, the U.S. risks losing friendly governments in the region. Prolonged unrest could tarnish Americas global image and jeopardize its strategic influence in the Middle East. Thus, regardless of his cabinets pro-Israel leanings, Trump may consider that halting the destruction of the Palestinians aligns with U.S. interests. Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Another scandal has rocked Bishop Ben Kiengeis JCM church after Jeff Mathai, a former elder, alleged that his life is in danger after exposing alleged dark secrets within the church. Mathai alleged that he left Kiengeis church after he discovered that it was a cult. They reportedly went to Mombasa for dark spirits and formed a Brotherhood Group. After the Mombasa visit, his life took a turn for the worse. He would give all his money to Kiengei to the extent that his businesses almost collapsed. He also almost abandoned his family to concentrate on church activities. Mathai alleges that Elias Njau, a church elder at Kiengeis church and a member of the alleged brotherhood, wanted to sacrifice his wife for riches and powers. Njau was also in Mombasa when they went to get dark spirits. Mathai now claims that his life is in danger after he left Kiengeis church and exposed the dark secrets. He has reported the threats at Ruiru Police Station after some unidentified people started sending him death threats and following him. Here is the live stream where the former church elder exposed dark secrets about Kiengeis church. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, November 24, 2024 Adani whistleblower Nelson Amenya has ruled out the possibility of returning to Kenya any time soon. This is after he exposed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and KETRACO deals with Adani Holdings, forcing President William Ruto to cancel them after a public uproar. Speaking to an Indian news channel, Amenya said he would not return to Kenya soon, having created enemies with his expose. He revealed that he had been in receipt of threats from unnamed businesspeople and proxies of government officials involved in the deal. The same was extended to his family and friends in a bid to silence him. "Two months ago, I received threats on my life. They were looking for me, went to my parents, sent detectives to my friends. They have been snooping on my bank and following my money trail, trying to find something illegal to charge me with...The environment at the moment is very hostile. If I were in Kenya, they would not have sued me but arrested and jailed me without any charge," said Amenya. He said he would be staying out of Kenya until he can be sure of his security when he returns. Amenya appreciated the magnitude of the matter, adding that he was extra careful not to land in the trap of his new-found enemies. "It is not safe to be in Kenya. To bring down a deal worth over $3 billion, I have obviously made a few enemies, and they would want to get back at me," he said. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, November 23, 2024 - A 27-year-old man linked to the fatal shooting of Abdirahim Abdullahi Ibrahim which occurred on November 9, 2024, at DD Plaza in Nairobi's Kamukunji area has been arrested. The suspect, identified as Paul Odhiambo Owuodho alias Fazul Muhamed, was arrested last evening in an intelligence-led operation conducted jointly by Shauri Moyo detectives and their DCI Hqs counterparts. According to a report booked at California Police Station, a security guard had on the fateful night of November 9 heard a gunshot, before informing the police who rushed to the scene and found Abdirahim's body lying in a pool of blood, dead. He had a bullet shot through his neck. After days of investigations and relentless pursuit, the suspect was last night traced to his hole within Kiambiu slums and taken to custody. Shauri Moyo detectives have taken up the investigation ahead of Odhiambo's arraignment on Monday. In the ongoing investigation, the detectives seek to establish the links between the suspect and the gang of three that in August 2023 accosted and gunned down DCI officer David Mayaka at the Mihang'o area of Kayole. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Nominated Senator Veronica Maina has dismissed allegations that she is opposing President William Rutos administration. This is after it emerged that she had opposed various government projects. According to unverified reports, Senator Maina warned the President against dismissing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office. The posts on social media also alleged that she cautioned Ruto against proceeding with deals involving the Adani Group. Additionally, it was claimed that the UDA Senator had advised the president against implementing the Social Health Authority (SHA). Despite these warnings, it is said that Ruto chose to ignore her advice. I had warned President William Ruto on impeaching Deputy President Rigathi, bringing the Adani, SHA, and university funding models. Now see, everything is falling apart, read part of the flagged post. "Today I have visited various parts of Murang'a County, and sincerely, President William Ruto, ground ni mbaya. I think for us to be re-elected, we must have our own party and not UDA in Mt Kenya," the fake post read further. However, in a statement yesterday, Maina described the allegations against her as false propaganda. She emphasised that she remains clear-minded and is focused on addressing the challenges within the legislative branch of the government. Additionally, the nominated senator expressed her commitment to supporting President Ruto's administration in ensuring the nation's success. While clarifying the allegations, the lawmaker noted that she would not spend her energy addressing the fake reports that she claimed were skewed to taint her image amidst close ties with the Head of State. Senator Veronica Maina was forced to clarify the allegations following concerns by a section of Kenyans who took to social media to question the credibility of the online posts shared using the senator's name. The Kenyan DAILY POST Saturday, November 23, 2024 - Flamboyant city car dealer Khalif Kairo has reportedly been arrested for obtaining money by false pretense. Kairo entered into an agreement with a client to import for him a car worth Ksh 2.52 million through his Kai and Karo Company. He was to deliver the car within 45 days after signing the agreement. However, Kairo has been taking the client in circles after receiving the money and ignoring his calls, prompting him to report the matter to the police. This is not the first time that Kairo has been accused of defrauding clients. Last month, several clients exposed him on social media for failing to deliver cars to them after receiving millions of shillings. It is alleged that Kairo is in huge debt despite flaunting a lavish lifestyle on social media, with reports indicating that he has not paid his staff for months. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has disappointed her political enemies spreading rumours that she is planning to retire from politics in 2027. Speaking in Kirinyaga, Waiguru affirmed that she will not hang her political boots when her second term ends in 2027. The second-term governor stated that some people were alleging that she would retire, something that she denied. There are people who have been saying the governor is finishing then she goes home. Who told you Im going home? Do I look like someone who is going home? Waiguru posed. The governor was speaking during the official opening of the NCBA Kerugoya Branch. During the event, Waiguru urged investors to consider investing in Kirinyaga, even as she boasted of the county's rich potential. We are the number one producer of aromatic rice in the region, not just in Kenya. Pishori is only grown in Kirinyaga. That Pishori rice earns our farmers in excess of Sh25 billion every year. So if youre thinking about where should you open a branch, Im giving you the hints without telling you where. You know for me I need to get votes from everywhere, Waiguru remarked. The governor was first elected in 2017 and became one of the few women governors in the country. She has since served as the Chairperson of the Council of Governors for two terms, making her one of the most influential women leaders in the country. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Florence Wanjiku, a 33-year-old businesswoman, has recounted the harrowing ordeal of being brutally assaulted by her estranged lover, Elias Njau, an elder at Bishop Ben Kiengeis JCM church. Speaking from her hospital bed, Florence said on the fateful day, they met at a hotel in Nakuru to discuss their personal issues. "The meeting started at around 5.30 pm on Thursday. We had business and personal issues to discuss. "The conversation went on smoothly and we arrived at some agreements, said Wanjiku. At around 10 PM, she left Elias at the hotel drinking with friends, and drove home. When she arrived outside her house, she realized that Elias was behind her in his car. She tried to turn back and hit his car. He angrily got out and grabbed her car keys through the car window, which she had rolled down. He viciously yanked her out of her car while assaulting her. When she fell to the ground, he started stabbing her in the head. "When I fell to the ground, he started stabbing me in the head. I shielded my head with my hands, but he continued. "He proceeded to stab me in the legs as I called for help, she recounted. She got back on her feet and walked to a deserted home where Elias followed her and continued stabbing her. I was unable to move further, because of the injuries on my leg. Mutugi caught up with me. He moved on to the second leg. The stabs tore through my flesh. He aimed the weapon at my stomach, but I turned around. "Unfortunately, I sustained a deep wound on my back, she recalled. Florence was rescued by security guards and neighbours who rushed her to the hospital in critical condition. Elias followed her to the hospital baying for her blood and even accessed her room but he was ejected by security guards. Wanjiku says that the attack is likely to incapacitate her from performing her job normally. The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, November 24, 2024 President William Rutos Senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, faced a harsh reception in Murang'a, where he was heckled and chased away from a burial ceremony over the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Kuria was met by an irate congregation at the funeral service of Mark Gicheru, a Member of the County Assembly (MCA) who recently passed away. Irate mourners reacted angrily to Kuria as he spoke at the late MCAs funeral at Wangu Kiharu. To quell the rising tensions, the priest presiding over the service resorted to leading a worship hymn. Despite this, the angry congregants could still be heard voicing their fury. Kuria was left in a state of confusion as the scenario unfolded, resulting in his speech being cut short. Consequently, Kuria had to leave the podium to avoid further aggression from the congregants. In a sign of defiance to the government, the crowd further expressed their frustrations by heckling a representative of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki off the stage. The representative was set to read a speech from the DP. The clergy, clearly under pressure to control the situation, advised the representative to hand the speech to the family of the deceased MCA to manage affairs. Over the past few months, the political landscape in Mt. Kenya has pointed to a region in limbo after the impeachment of Gachagua. During that period Kuria was vocal about Gachagua, voicing his criticism of the former second-in-command. This is level of petty is admirable. Moses Kuria ameanza kuongea upuzi wakaanza kuimba wimbo za golden bells. pic.twitter.com/yDNog52biF Eve Maina (@evenmaina) November 23, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Former Prime Minister Raila Odingas spokesman, Prof. Makau Mutua, has fired an indirect salvo at members of the Kikuyu community, implying that they view themselves as more entitled to Kenya than other communities. Since independence, some members of the Kikuyu community have exhibited a sense of entitlement to Kenya over the other 44 tribes. For instance, since the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kikuyus have been behaving like they owned the Presidency, issuing threats to President William Ruto for overseeing the impeachment process. In fact, some Kikuyus have been heckling President Rutos emissaries sent to represent him in the vote-rich region. In reaction to the latest development, Prof Makau Mutua stated that some communities should not think that they are entitled to Kenya more than others. Kenya BELONGS to ALL those who live in it. No single individual or community should be so entitled as to think that they are Kenya and that Kenya is them. Nyet!," Prof Makau wrote on X. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, November 24, 2024 - Muranga County residents on Saturday rejected speeches from President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, delivered by their emissaries during the burial of nominated MCA Mark Wainaina. The procession and service at the Kirogo grounds had been smooth until a representative of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki took the stage to convey the DP's message of condolence. Kindiki's emissary faced protests from the mourners, who jeered as soon as he mentioned the tribute was from the deputy president. He was determined to bulldoze the tribute through the noise, but the hecklers got out of hand, prompting intervention from a member of the clergy presiding over the funeral service. The clergyman, after calming the audience, asked the speaker to hand Kindiki's speech directly to the family. Perhaps on noting the hostility, Governor Irungu Kang'ata also handed President William Ruto's speech to the family, which he would have otherwise read in front of the mourners. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, November 24, 2024 State House is in serious panic. This is after Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah hinted at challenging President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential election. Omtatah appointed a 10-member Committee, which includes activist Hanifa Adan, to explore his potential candidacy for the 2027 presidential elections. In a Gazette Notice dated Friday, November 22, the Senator announced that the Presidential Exploratory Committee will assess the viability of his presidential bid in the upcoming general elections. Hanifa Adan will serve as the Public Relations/Media Consultant for the Committee, where she will be responsible for managing public relations and coordinating with the media. Hanifa, an activist and journalist, was at the forefront of the Gen Z protests between June and July. She led an initiative to raise funds for victims of police brutality who were injured during the protests. The Committee will be chaired by Mary Kathomi Riungu, who is responsible for coordinating its activities and ensuring the timely delivery of outputs. Charles ole Kabaiku will serve as her deputy. David John Bwakali has been appointed as the Political and Grassroots Strategist. His primary role will be to provide insights into political trends, electoral dynamics, and strategic opportunities. Victor Kipngetich will act as the Committee's Legal Advisor, ensuring compliance with electoral laws and providing legal advice on various matters. Jude Ogulla will serve as the Analytical Lead, conducting opinion polls, surveys, and data analysis to assess political viability and public sentiment. Purity Ndambuki and Emmanuel Baraka will be the Joint Secretaries, responsible for supporting the Committee and maintaining its smooth functioning. Kevin Migwe Kimwatu will act as the spokesperson, and Engineer Julius Okara will serve as the patron of the Committee. The Committee will remain in office for a period not exceeding 18 months from November 22, 2024. The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, November 24, 2024 - President William Ruto's Chief Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, faced a cold reception in Muranga during the funeral service of the late nominated MCA Mark Wainaina on Saturday. It all started when Kuria was allowed to address mourners during the funeral service of the late politician. While Kuria was midway through his speech, mourners started heckling him forcing a pastor to interrupt by singing a hymn, cutting off his address. Kuria persisted in delivering his message, but the clergyman continued singing the popular hymn 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus', disrupting his speech even further "No, I will keep talking. I will talk," Kuria kept saying. The senior economic advisor's attempts were in vain as the clergyman's singing drowned out his voice. Sensing the mood, the mourners rose to their feet and joined the preacher in singing the hymn. At the same event, an emissary for Kithure Kindiki faced jeers from the mourners as soon as the written tribute was linked to the Deputy President. This is level of petty is admirable. Moses Kuria ameanza kuongea upuzi wakaanza kuimba wimbo za golden bells. pic.twitter.com/yDNog52biF Eve Maina (@evenmaina) November 23, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST Sunday, November 24, 2024 - A business owner is counting losses after two robbers broke into his gaming shop at night and stole TVs. In the footage, the robbers, are seen gaining access into the shop, before making away with the huge TV screens. The victim has reported the theft incident to the police and a manhunt for the robbers is underway. Sharing the footage on his X account, Nyakundi wrote, The owner of a gaming shop in Ongata Rongai near Nazarene is seeking help after robbers broke into the premises and stole TVs. "The victim has requested the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the culprits responsible for the theft, The owner of a gaming shop in Ongata Rongai near Nazarene is seeking help after robbers broke into the premises and stole TVs. The victim has requested the public to come forward with any information that could help identify the culprits responsible for the theft. pic.twitter.com/9im7UMJBa4 Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) November 23, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Sunday, November 24, 2024 - A wife of a rogue DCI officer drawn from a special team formed to execute extrajudicial killings during the previous regime is struggling to raise their kids after her husband was detained without trial over the brutal murder of two Indian poll experts linked to Ruto and a taxi driver. Narrating her story to renowned social media personality Nelson Amenya, the distressed woman said her husband is behind bars for more than two years after they arrested over the brutal murder, leaving her with the burden of taking care of their kids. She wondered why an action has not been taken against former DCI boss George Kinoti, yet her husband was taking orders from him. She further warned rogue police officers used by the state to carry out extra-judicial killings, following her husbands predicament. Other family members of the DCI officers also lamented over the delay of the case. They claimed that their loved ones have been jailed for more than two years without trial, leaving their families devastated. Some of the DCI officers were the sole breadwinners. Detention Without Trial? Families of 15 police officers formerly attached to the disbanded Special Service Unit (SSU) are calling for justice. The officers, who have been in custody since 2022, are yet to face formal charges.#NTVatOne @theninashaban pic.twitter.com/dvrPgOsF4l NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) November 24, 2024 The Kenyan DAILY POST. Michael Lyng Motors was named the 2024 Kilkenny Business of the Year at the prestigious Kilkenny Business Awards held at the Lyrath Estate Hotel last night, Saturday, November 23. Hosted by popular broadcaster Marty Whelan, the event brought together over 600 representatives of local enterprise, to celebrate success, innovation, and excellence across the county. The overall Business of the Year was presented to Michael Lyng Motors by Therese Bourke from main sponsors Vhi. Michael Lyng Motors are a family-owned Ford and Hyundai dealership, committed to providing exceptional service for many years in Kilkenny. The judges commended the business on its ethos of prioritising both customer and staff well-being and acknowledged it for its support with their local community. The prominent business is renowned for its commitment to quality and its longstanding position in local commerce. Kilkenny Business Awards were presented to 20 outstanding local businesses during the gala event, as well as the Presidents Award which went to Marian Flannery in recognition of her work on Festivals in Kilkenny and the Lifetime Achievement Award which went to Kathleen Leadbetter, from Jerpoint Glass. President of the Chamber, Anne Barber; It is a special privilege to be recognising the best of Kilkenny businesses. Winning aside, all shortlisted businesses should be proud of their tremendous achievements in getting through the rigorous judging process. Therese Bourke, Head of Customer Service at Vhi (main sponsor), commented; Vhi is proud to be the title sponsor of the Kilkenny Business Awards, celebrating excellence and innovation within our local business community. As one of Kilkennys largest employers, and with 24 years in the county, we are committed to supporting both local enterprises and the broader community. "These awards showcase the vital role businesses play in strengthening Kilkennys economy, and we commend the Kilkenny Chambers leadership. Congratulations to all finalists on their achievements and we wish them all continued success. Kilkenny Chambers chosen charity for 2024 was the Cois Nore Cancer Support Centre. CEO John Hurley paid tribute to the sponsors, who make the Awards possible, and thanked John Masterson, Fastlane Audio Visual, Mycrofilms, A Digital Medial Hub and the Lyrath Estate Hotel, the Chambers partners in the presentation of the night. First-time candidate vying for a seat in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency, Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats) has claimed gardai need laws to support them when investigating cases of domestic violence. In a discussion moderated by local broadcaster Sue Nunn at the River Court last week, candidates Adrienne Wallace (People Before Profit), David FitzGerald (Fine Gael), Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats), Malcom Noonan (Green Party), Sean O hArgain (Labour), John McGuinness (Fianna Fail) and Waterfords David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) made their positions known on a number of issues ahead of polling day on Friday, November 29. Speaking at the event, both male and female candidates present were in unanimous agreement on the need for additional laws to protect women experiencing domestic abuse. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Patricia Stephenson of the Social Democrats commented that laws need to empower gardai in such situations with the survivor approach required rather that protecting the perpetrator. Fine Gaels David FitzGerald stated it should be the victims choice whether they stay in the family home or not, while Sinn Feins David Cullinane, who unlike the other candidates will compete for a Dail seat in the Waterford constituency rather than Carlow/Kilkenny, commented, culture is massively important, adding, men should have to leave (in those circumstances). Also at the meeting, each candidate was given an opportunity to outline how they can relate to the public. Further supports for people with disabilities, a reform of Citizens Assemblies and the need for a mental health budget. Brooke Rollins, president and chief executive officer of the America First Policy Institute, attends a summit in Washington, DC, on July 25, 2022. By Jun Ji-hye The sector with the highest level of foreign ownership shifted from electronics to telecommunications this month. Foreign investors have begun purchasing shares in KT after selling off their Samsung Electronics stocks. This significant shift is largely attributed to the combination of the high dividend appeal of telecommunication stocks and their potential inclusion in the Korea Value-up Index. According to financial information provider Yonhap Infomax, Sunday, the foreign ownership ratio in the telecommunications sector of the countrys main bourse, the KOSPI, stood at 42.94 percent, as of Thursday, ranking first among all 21 sectors. The electronics sector ranked second with 42.47 percent, followed by finance at 37.1 percent, insurance at 36.3 percent, transportation and equipment at 34.35 percent and manufacturing at 33.97 percent. The paper and wood sector had the lowest level of foreign ownership at just 2.44 percent. The rise of the telecommunications sector has been particularly notable this month, as its foreign ownership ratio reached 42.92 percent on Nov. 1, surpassing the electronics sectors 42.77 percent for the first time in one year and five months. Since then, the gap in foreign ownership between the two sectors has steadily widened, reaching 0.58 percentage points on Wednesday and 0.47 percentage points on Thursday. Among telecom operators, KT had the highest level of foreign ownership at 48.96 percent as of Thursday, followed by SK Telecom at 42.39 percent and LG Uplus at 35.36 percent. KT's foreign ownership has steadily increased from 42 percent at the beginning of the year, approaching the 49 percent cap set by the Telecommunications Business Act. This marks the first time KTs level of foreign ownership exceeded 48.9 percent since Oct. 8, 2019, when it reached 48.91 percent. In contrast, the foreign ownership ratio in the electronics sector has been declining since reaching 48 percent on July 18, continuing its downward trend through Thursday. This decline is largely attributed to the ongoing selling spree by foreign investors in Samsung Electronics, the leading stock in the sector. During that period, the foreign ownership ratio in Samsung Electronics dropped from 56 percent to 51 percent. The telecommunications sector has also seen a rise in stock prices. From the beginning of the year to last Friday, KTs stock price increased by 29.36 percent, while those of SK Telecom and LG Uplus rose by 14.17 percent and 8.4 percent, respectively. Typically, in the lead-up to the end of the year, foreign investors target high-dividend stocks such as telecommunications and financial stocks in anticipation of dividend payouts. This year, the expectation that telecommunications stocks are likely to be newly included in the Korea Value-up Index next month has further fueled the buying momentum in the sector. Telecom companies are expected to see healthy profit growth over the next two to three years, NH Investment & Securities analyst Ahn Jae-min said. With profit growth and an increase in shareholder returns, a favorable environment for investors has been created. The Financial Services Commission (FSC) chief said Sunday the government needs to closely monitor unfair transactions in the cryptocurrency market. "The price of virtual assets has recently been shooting up in a very short period of time, and with heavy volatility of the market itself, the government needs to closely monitor possible unfair transactions," FSC Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan told public broadcaster KBS. Last week, the combined value of transactions in the domestic virtual asset market surpassed that of the Korean stock market. Regarding the country's policy direction on cryptocurrency, Kim said the priority is on connecting the virtual asset market with the traditional financial system and protecting its investors. (Yonhap) Kim-Putin camaraderie hinges on developments in Ukraine war By Lee Hyo-jin North Korean leader Kim Jong-un may visit Russia early next year, analysts suggest, as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has solidified the "blood alliance" between the two nations. The visit, if it occurs, would be another public display of the growing camaraderie between Kim and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But experts were divided on the timing of Kim's possible visit, as developments in the war in Ukraine could significantly impact the trajectory of the two nations' relationship. Putin and Kim have held three summits so far, with the latest in Pyongyang in June, during which they signed a landmark military treaty that includes a clause to offer military assistance without delay if either is attacked. South Koreas National Intelligence Service (NIS) said Wednesday that it is closely monitoring for signs of the North Korean leader's potential visit to Russia. This assessment, shared during a meeting with lawmakers, was based on a meeting between Putin and Choe Son-hui, North Korea's top diplomat, during her visit to Moscow on Nov. 4. Putin greeted Choe on a national holiday. We believe the meeting addressed important issues, including a possible visit by Kim Jong-un. It seems likely that both sides discussed more than just pleasantries, the NIS said, according to lawmakers. While the spy agency did not specify a timeline, analysts viewed that the visit could coincide with Russias Defender of the Fatherland Day, which falls on Feb. 23. The annual holiday honors the nation's military forces. Defender of the Fatherland Day is celebrated by parades and performances, where Kim could appear alongside Putin to boast their friendship. Also, Feb. 24 marks three years since Russia launched its so-called special military operation in Ukraine. The timing would carry symbolic weight, further solidifying the nations blood alliance, said Doo Jin-ho, a senior analyst at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses. According to Doo, the visit could include a bold gesture from the two leaders, such as a joint appearance in Russias Kursk region on the border with Ukraine, where North Korean troops have been deployed. My cautious prediction is that after a meeting in Moscow, Putin and Kim may visit the Kursk region together in a symbolic display of their military partnership in the sacred war, as described by the North Korean leader, the analyst said. South Korean and U.S. authorities estimate that North Korea has deployed around 12,000 troops to the Kursk region, with some reportedly engaged in combat. Neither Moscow nor Pyongyang has confirmed these reports. A recent increase of high-level exchanges could be another sign that the two nations are preparing for a leaders' summit. Senior Russian and North Korean officials have been meeting on a fairly regular basis. The North Korean leader met with Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Ecology Alexander Kozlov in Pyongyang, Nov. 18, during which the two sides discussed cooperation in trade, economy and technology. This followed earlier visits by top Russian trade officials in August and a military delegation in July. The Kremlin did not dismiss speculation about Kim's potential visit to Russia. "Of course, close neighbors constantly exchange visits at the highest levels," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said in October, in response to reporters' query about a potential summit next year. The spokesperson also said Russia is developing strong ties with North Korea "in all areas." The timing and exact location of Kim's trip could depend on developments in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, said Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies, as Moscow considers peace talks mediated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. According to a Reuters report, Wednesday, Putin has expressed willingness to discuss a cease-fire with Trump, although he opposes major territorial concessions and insists Ukraine should abandon its NATO membership aspirations. If Kims visit occurs before a peace agreement, it would likely take place in the Russian Far East, rather than Moscow. Kim wouldnt risk traveling too far during wartime, as his movements could be tracked. But if a cease-fire is reached, he might make the trip to the capital, marking his first official visit to Moscow," Yang said. However, if a cease-fire is reached, the Russian leader may not be as willing to meet his North Korean counterpart. Once Putin secures what he wants from a peace deal and the war recedes, North Korea may lose its strategic importance to Russia. In that case, Putin could delay any further summits with Kim until the latter half of next year, while Kim may push for an earlier meeting to make sure that Putin keeps his promises, Yang said. South Korean officials suspect that the Russian leader may have promised financial and military assistance to the Kim regime in exchange for sending troops to support Russias efforts. Its unclear what Putin has promised, but whether he will keep the agreement after the war ends remains uncertain. The two leaders will likely have very different calculations once the Ukraine war recedes, Yang added. South Korea's top security adviser said Sunday he saw a high possibility that North Korea is likely to launch another spy satellite before the end of this year, though signs of an imminent launch have yet to be detected. "There is a high possibility that North Korea will launch a reconnaissance satellite before the end of this year," National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik said in an interview with Yonhap News Television. The assessment came as North Korea has vowed to launch three satellites this year following its successful launch in November last year. The North launched another satellite in late May, but the rocket exploded shortly after takeoff. Noting that it has taken time for the North to integrate the command system for a new satellite launch system since its latest attempt in May, Shin said that final preparations are under way. On North Korea and Russia's deepening ties, Shin said the possibility of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visiting Russia cannot be ruled out. "It could be a reciprocal visit for Russian President Vladimir Putin's trip to North Korea in June, or it could be a visit for Putin to thank the North on its troop deployment," Shin said, adding the possible visit should be closely monitored as "sensitive matters" could be addressed. Last week, South Korea's spy agency said that North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui engaged in sensitive discussions with Putin during a visit to Moscow and added the North's leader could make a visit to Russia. During their meeting in Pyongyang in June, Kim and Putin signed a comprehensive strategic partnership, a landmark pact that includes a mutual defense clause. Shin said the recent assessment by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that the uranium enrichment facility Kim visited in September appears to be an undeclared extension inside its main nuclear site near Pyongyang is "mostly true," adding more analysis is necessary. On the possibility of President Yoon Suk Yeol holding talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Shin said Trump has suggested at least three times meeting before his inauguration. "I understand that Trump's side has established the rules on not meeting foreign leaders before inauguration in consideration of appointment, domestic issues and preparations for inauguration," Shin said, stressing both sides have been engaging in close communications. On relations with China, Shin said the possibility of Chinese President Xi Jinping visiting South Korea on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum (APEC) meeting set to be held in South Korea next year is high. "Because China is the host country for 2026, it further raises such possibility," Shin said. (Yonhap) A Ukrainian media outlet has reported that about 500 North Korean soldiers were killed in a missile strike by Kyiv in Russia's western Kursk region. Citing Global Defense Corp., a defense news publisher, RBC Ukraine said the North Korean soldiers were killed "as a result of the Storm Shadow missile strike on the Kursk region." South Korean and U.S. officials said North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia in support of its invasion against Ukraine. (Yonhap) A memorial ceremony honoring forced labor victims, including Koreans, at an old Japanese mine complex kicked off as planned Sunday, with Korea boycotting it over Tokyo's pick to send a senior official with hard-line views on history to the event. Korea's foreign ministry has said it will not attend the memorial ceremony, in response to Tokyo's decision to send Akiko Ikuina, a parliamentary vice minister at Japan's foreign ministry, as the government representative to attend the ceremony. The decision was seen as stoking doubt over Japan's sincerity in honoring the victims given that Ikuina has visited the Yasukuni Shrine, regarded as a symbol of Japan's militaristic past, and has been a source of tension, with Korea strongly opposing visits or offerings made by Japanese government officials. A committee overseeing the ceremony pushed ahead with the memorial at 1 p.m. on Japan's Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, attended by Ikuina, as well as regional and civic group officials, including the governor and mayor of Niigata and Sado. Nine of the eleven family members of the Korean victims are already in Japan, and they are set to hold a separate event at 9 a.m. on Monday honoring the victims at a site near the mine complex that used to be a dormitory for Koreans. The memorial ceremony, which will be attended by Korea's top envoy in Japan, is expected to comprise an address honoring the victims and a silent tribute, followed by laying wreaths for the victims. Japan has promised to host a memorial event as a condition for Seoul's consent to the location's designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with Sunday's memorial marking the first such event. More than 1,500 Koreans are estimated to have been forced to toil at the Sado gold and silver mines during World War II, when Korea was under Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule. Seoul has stressed to Tokyo the importance of holding the ceremony to honor the victims in a sincere manner, requesting the attendance of a high-level official, possibly at a vice minister level. However, the lack of details about the ceremony's arrangements, even in the days leading up to the event, has sparked speculation in Seoul that negotiations with Tokyo may not have gone smoothly. The Japanese government on Sunday expressed regret over Korea's decision not to attend the ceremony in response to a question by Yonhap News Agency. The Japanese Embassy said Seoul and Tokyo had been in "polite communication" over the memorial event, but it "would be regrettable" if Korea does not attend the memorial service. The latest development adds to concerns that trilateral security cooperation between the two nations, also involving the United States, which had been a catalyst in strengthening bilateral ties between Seoul and Tokyo, could dampen with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's win. "Korea-Japan ties could advance on the back of Korea's efforts," said Choi Eun-mi, a research fellow at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. "Japan should have reacted in a corresponding manner, but unfortunately it didn't happen." (Yonhap) Seoul to hold separate memorial service near the site Monday morning By Lee Hyo-jin Korean officials skipped Japan's memorial service held near the Sado mine site, Sunday, in an apparent protest against Tokyos "insincerity" in addressing the dark history related to the site, where approximately 1,500 Koreans were subjected to forced labor during Japans 1910-45 colonial rule. Critics view that this latest incident, which could reignite historical disputes over the forced labor issue, could undermine the Yoon Suk Yeol government's efforts to foster closer cooperation with Tokyo. Diplomatic friction with Japan has been rare under Yoon, whose administration has prioritized mending ties with the neighboring nation after years of strained relations over historical grievances. The memorial service, held at the Aikawa Development Center on Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture, was attended by Japanese government officials and members of civic groups, with no Korean officials present. Akiko Ikuina, a parliamentary vice minister of Japan's foreign ministry, represented the government. Organizing the memorial ceremony was part of an agreement reached between Seoul and Tokyo during the UNESCO World Heritage designation of the site in July. Koreas consent was critical to the sites inscription, and in return, Japan pledged to acknowledge the history of Korean forced labor through an annual ceremony honoring those who worked there. Koreas top envoy to Japan, Park Chul-hee, and several descendants of forced labor victims had been expected to attend the event. However, on Saturday, just one day before the planned event, Koreas Ministry of Foreign Affairs abruptly announced its withdrawal, citing unresolved disagreements with Japan over the ceremonys arrangements. The ministry said it would instead host a separate memorial service near the site on Monday morning, with the families of forced labor victims who had already landed in Japan. A total of nine families arrived there for a three-day stay, with their expenses covered by the Korean government. While officials in Seoul did not provide a detailed explanation for the sudden decision, it appears to be closely related to Japans pick to send Ikuina as its representative. Her attendance, announced by the Japanese foreign ministry on Friday, immediately sparked controversy due to her previous visit to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site seen by Seoul as glorifying Japans wartime aggression. Ikuina's involvement drew criticism that her presence was inappropriate for the ceremony meant to honor Korean victims of forced labor. During the memorial, Ikuina delivered a speech in which she stated that "laborers from the Korean Peninsula worked in dangerous and harsh conditions in the mines, far from their homeland, thinking of their beloved families." But the speech did not address the coercive nature of Japan's forced mobilization of Koreans to the mines. The Japanese government expressed regret over Koreas lack of participation. We have been working in cooperation with local officials who are hosting the event and have conducted polite communication with the Korean government. It is regrettable that Korea decided not to attend, the Japanese Embassy in Seoul said in a statement, Sunday. The embassy also said it believed Ikuina had not visited the Yasukuni Shrine since taking office. However, previous Japanese reports indicate that she visited the shrine on Aug. 15, 2022, shortly after being elected. Critics have pointed out that Japans lack of sincerity and Koreas subsequent boycotting of the memorial service were foreseeable, as tensions surrounding the ceremony had been simmering for months. Initially scheduled for August, the event was delayed for months, with the date and venue confirmed only in November. The lack of clarity about key details fueled further speculation of discord between the two governments. Last Wednesday, Koreas foreign ministry held a closed-door briefing to confirm its participation but disclosed little information about crucial arrangements, such as the representatives from both countries and the content of the memorial addresses. By Thursday, with just three days left, officials were still unable to provide specifics. A follow-up briefing scheduled for Friday was canceled abruptly, hours after Japan announced Ikuinas attendance. The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) labeled the fallout from the memorial as a diplomatic disaster. This no longer seems like mere diplomatic incompetence but rather a calculated plan by a pro-Japanese administration, DPK spokesperson Rep. Kang Yu-jung said Sunday, denouncing the Yoon government for making too many concessions in its diplomacy with Japan. The ceremony was intended to honor our ancestors who endured suffering. Yet Japan chose to send a representative who has glorified wartime aggressors. The Yoon administration, realizing this far too late, made a hasty decision to withdraw just a day before the event." A Gwangju-based civic group supporting the victims of Japan's forced labor blamed the "diplomatic disgrace and humiliation" on the Yoon administrations apparent pro-Japanese stance. Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul stressed the importance of preventing the issue from escalating into a broader diplomatic conflict, particularly as the two nations prepare to mark the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties next year. Strengthening cooperation between Korea and Japan is crucial for our national security. Both countries should ensure that such issues do not disrupt the overall momentum of bilateral relations, Cho said in an interview with MBN, Saturday. President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee have stopped using their mobile phones and replaced them with new phones, an official at the ruling bloc said Sunday. The move came after Yoon said in a Nov. 7 press conference that both he and his wife should have changed to new mobile phones after his inauguration, in response to criticism over the first lady using her personal phone for communications linked to controversies surrounding her. "I was given advice on changing the mobile phone that I used as a prosecutor," Yoon told the press conference. "I did this since there seemed to be benefits, despite the risks. Going forward, I will try to minimize the risks and take measures so that it will not concern the public." The presidential office later said Yoon and the first lady will get new numbers for their personal phones. (Yonhap) By Eugene Lee It has been a while since I've touched upon Central Asia, so this one is due. Moreover, even if I write about Central Asia in general, this time I'll write about a country I rarely mention: Uzbekistan. Some will say what is important about it, as we already know much about it. Plus, it is one of the countries that Korea has been working most closely with in Central Asia. Well, not everything has been properly mentioned, especially what Uzbekistan is doing, which is an example of unequivocal importance to Korea. First of all, let's look at Uzbekistan's recent history. Between former Soviet republics, it is one that has been developing most steadily, and it is primarily due to the choices that the government, led by President Karimov, made several decades ago. If his choices came after studying Korea's development experience, namely planned development, then today the current administration, led by President Mirziyoyev, is looking even further at what should and shouldn't be a part of the plan. One standout feature of these choices is the emphasis on comprehensive strategic planning. For example, the 2030 Strategy, enacted in 2023, lays out specific targets for education, health care, environmental sustainability and economic diversification, ensuring accountability and, most importantly, measurable progress. The current administration took the matter further by adjusting the plan from 5 years to 7 years, and now the country is also preparing to align the length of the presidential term with it. That means energizing its development by annual assessments reported directly to the people by the president himself at the end of each year. Uzbekistan's approach in its commitment to decentralization and local governance simply echoes the traditional social structure of Korean villages in the past. By empowering local councils and community organizations, Uzbekistan seeks to create solutions to regional needs and strengthen grassroots participation. Uzbekistan's focus on economic diversification is another area of interest. This strategy emphasizes transitioning to a more value-added economy by encouraging private sector growth and supporting innovation. Just last month, the government enacted a law supporting start-ups, creating "sandboxes" and innovation "incubators." The most important difference, as I see it, is the government's special emphasis on its young generation. Uzbekistan's vision of the future is for it to be in the hands of educated future generations, so it creates it by modernizing curricula, expanding vocational training and creating public-private partnerships in education. It happens not just domestically but also internationally. You'd be asking what makes this approach different from any other, as there are many countries taking this course. The answer is in the starting point of this education embedding cultural traditions and the history of the country. The outreach of this education goes all the way to foreign policy it emphasizes cultural diplomacy and national identity at its core. By promoting its heritage and cultural exports, the goal for Uzbekistan is not just about its image but its global presence. Going beyond societal and economic spheres, Uzbekistan' strategy sets ambitious environmental sustainability goals water conservation, renewable energy adoption and reforestation particularly relevant as climate change cataclysms have become more acute in the last decade. So, what is in Uzbekistan's development for Korea? As it was for Uzbekistan a couple of decades ago, Korea needs to learn from it in order to advance it is an example. A key takeaway from this little glimpse at what Uzbekistan is doing is an incredible vigor and resilience. What Korea took to achieve in several decades, Uzbekistan is trying to compress the time. In some cases, it took almost half of that. Korea needs a comprehensive roadmap for socioeconomic, political and environmental reforms. This ambitious plan, focused on measurable goals across multiple sectors, presents valuable lessons for countries like Korea, which, despite its advanced development, continues to wrangle with issues like regional disparities, low birthrates and an aging population. Korea, already experienced in long-term planning, could refine its strategies further by integrating clearly defined, outcome-based goals in areas such as addressing demographic decline and bolstering regional equity. Uzbekistan's example highlights how clearly articulated objectives can rally public support and focus efforts across sectors. Now, Korea must learn from others it can adopt similar measures to invigorate its economy and rural areas, many of which are experiencing population decline and economic stagnation. With greater autonomy and resources to local governments and rebalanced regional development must come specially designed solutions to springboard regional resilience. Korea, with its heavy reliance on "chaebols," or large family-owned business conglomerates, could benefit from policies aimed at supporting small and medium-sized enterprises and diversifying economic drivers. Emerging industries like green energy, biotechnology and digital services would strengthen sustainable economic growth while reducing dependency on traditional manufacturing sectors. Yes, Korea's reality and priorities differ significantly, but certain aspects of Uzbekistan's strategy could provide fresh perspectives on addressing its own pressing issues. Korea, already renowned for hallyu or the Korean Wave, could enhance its soft power by diversifying its cultural diplomacy to include traditional arts, literature and historical narratives alongside contemporary pop culture. A balanced cultural promotion strategy could deepen global appreciation for Korea's rich history and traditions. Another compelling lesson from Uzbekistan is its push for regional integration and cooperation. Uzbekistan prioritizes strengthening ties within Central Asia through economic, environmental and cultural collaboration. Korea could benefit from adopting a similar mindset in Northeast Asia, creating regional partnerships in trade, environmental initiatives and cultural exchanges. Expanding cooperative efforts with neighboring countries could stabilize relations with the North and create a foundation for mutual trust in the region. To conclude, Uzbekistan's 2030 Strategy shows how a country can address systemic challenges through planning, governance and forward-looking policies. For Korea, with all its differences, the principles of transparency, sustainability and inclusivity embedded into a similar strategy can strengthen its own policies and become more resilient in the face of the complexities ahead. Eugene Lee (mreulee@gmail.com) is a lecturing professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Specializing in international relations and governance, his research and teaching focus on national and regional security, international development, government policies and Northeast and Central Asia. Floor assembly takes on new level By Ko Dong-hwan Korea Land & Housing Corp. (LH) is realizing its mission to introduce noise-proof apartment units to residents in the country as noise disturbances caused by neighboring residents in an apartment or residential building sometimes causing conflicts that lead to fatal casualties has been a chronic issue, according to the state-run public housing provider, Thursday. The company under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport plans to introduce LHs first-grade noise-proof technology to newly designed apartment buildings starting in the second half of the next year. By further advancing the technologies, LH said it will be able to reduce costs of implementing the technology in any apartment construction project and prevent it from becoming a financial burden to those wishing to live in a quiet, "library-like" apartment unit. At the core of the technologies are advancing qualities of cushioning materials and mortar above a concrete slab so that any noise that transmits through a floor becomes low enough to be almost inaudible. LH anticipates that with the technologies, noises that transmit through floors below will be 37 decibels or lower. According to LHs noise categories, establishing soundproofing of 37 decibels or lower are first-grade quality, while 37-41 are second grade, 41-45 third grade and 45-49 fourth grade. Any sound above that can be unbearable for apartment units below. Lowering apartment noise requires raising the density of cushioning materials and mortar. Using high-quality materials for the sections helps, but they pull up the overall construction costs. Another method is raising slab thickness from the current minimum of 21 centimeters to 25 centimeters. Installing water pipes within each apartment unit instead of through a floor to lower units is another way to achieve the purpose. Implementing those technologies can achieve first-grade noise-proof quality, according to LH. In existing apartments in the country with fourth-grade quality, density of cushioning materials and mortar is low and the slab is no thicker than 21 centimeters. There is more than one way to improve density of cushioning materials and mortar. Not only LH but private construction companies are doing research for the same purpose, having introduced different solutions. LH has selected six of them and, by adding its own technologies, it plans to commercialize the solutions for new apartment construction projects starting next year. Testing the solutions takes place at DB35Lab which is LHs new noise-proof testing facility for apartments in Sejong. The facility consists of 10 apartment units in three mock apartment buildings. The buildings were built in either bearing wall structure an aged method currently being phased out in Korea or rahmen structure, an increasingly in-demand method nowadays. The facility showcases different solutions for floor layering which have been developed by private firms. At a mock living room and kitchen inside the facility, various noise-generating activities running on a treadmill, dropping a heavy rubber ball on the floor, dragging a chair, turning a kitchen fan on at varying strengths are tested to observe how many decibels they generate through the floor. We have conducted more than 1,347 tests to achieve our first-grade noise-proof floor model, Jung Wun-seob, vice president of LHs smart construction division, said in Sejong. Weve been testing them since 2022. The technology is applicable to various apartment types including modular structures. The facility will be completed next March. LH said it will enable noise-proof technologies certification in the country to take less than six months. Currently, the process takes more than a year. DB35Lab will be open to private companies so that it can provide support particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises with low budgets by allowing them to test their own technologies and share LHs own advancements as well. Since LH had ushered in apartments in Korea decades ago for the first time, its our duty and top priority to achieve noise-proof apartments, LH CEO Lee Han-joon said during a press conference in Sejong. "Apartment construction methods must change. Now, all apartments must be demolished after 30 years and rebuilt. Instead, we need longer-lasting apartments. Rahmen, for example, lasts for 100 years. The noise-proof technology will raise the costs of apartment construction but not too excessively on the builder's part. We might come up with technologies that allow making even thinner floor layering that still guarantees the same noise-proof quality." By Lee Min-hyung HD Hyundai has presented the grand prize at its annual honorary awards, known as the HD Hyundai Honor Awards, to the Purme Foundation, recognizing the nonprofit for its 20 years of dedication to supporting the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, the company said Sunday. The HD Hyundai Honor Awards was established last year by the companys charitable arm, the HD Hyundai 1% Nanum Foundation, to amplify the positive social impact of the award recipients. The awards are presented in three categories: Grand Prize Award, Excellence Award and 1% Nanum Award. The Grand Prize includes a cash prize of 150 million won ($106,000) for the recipient. Established in 2005, the Purme Foundation has been actively involved in various social programs, primarily supporting the physically disabled. In 2016, it opened its first rehabilitation hospital for children, followed by a workplace for young people with developmental disorders in 2020. Purme plans to allocate the entirety of the prize money to social projects that support people with disabilities and enhance the job skills of its employees. We have appreciated the foundations long-lasting efforts to help the disabled play a crucial part in our society for the past two decades, an official from HD Hyundai's charitable foundation said. HD Hyundai Chairman Kwon Oh-gap, who also leads the foundation, expressed his commitment to spreading hope by continuing to present the awards to more organizations and individuals. I was deeply moved by the stories of award winners who have dedicated their lives to creating a warmer society, Kwon said. We will continue to promote this spirit of sharing, helping more people feel a sense of hope. Along with the Purme Foundation, another nonprofit organization supporting single mothers received the Excellence Award in the organization category, while Kim Byung-rok was honored with the Excellence Award in the individual category for his three decades of voluntary service, including repairing old shoes and providing haircuts for the socially vulnerable, according to HD Hyundai's foundation. Kim also won the 1% Nanum Award. The HD Hyundai 1% Nanum Foundation was established in 2011 as part of the companys commitment to strengthening its corporate social responsibility. The foundation is supported by employees' voluntary contributions, with each donating 1 percent of their base salary. The award ceremony is scheduled to take place in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, Dec. 17. The 2019 social unrest in Hong Kong may have soured relations between the public and police, but for Jeff Wong Lok-ching, it prompted him to join the force despite his family expressing concerns and friends cutting ties. "I did not give up the idea of joining the police force because I believe that through my hard work and dedication, I can bring a positive impact to society," said the 28-year-old, now a fresh graduate inspector from the Police College. He was among 192 officers 34 inspectors and 158 constables who completed 36 weeks of training at the college this week, becoming part of the growing number of locals choosing to pursue a career in law enforcement. Before Wong attended the police college, he was investigating financial crimes at a multinational bank. He had also earned a master's degree in criminology in the United Kingdom. The city's chaos marked a key turning point that "deeply unsettled" him, Wong said. "Born into a police family, I deeply understand the harm caused by violence, which not only destroys social peace but also tortures everyone's soul," he said. Wong's family expressed concerns about his decision to join the force as it was not an easy job. The unstable social situation in 2019 and tensions that arose between police and residents added to their concerns, he said. But Wong saw it as his duty to ease that tension. "I will listen carefully to what opinions [residents] have about us," Wong said. "I will try my best to cooperate with them, and do my job well." Constable Leung Wai-shing also wanted to improve the relationship between police and residents in the wake of the turmoil. "After experiencing the social events in 2019, I feel filled with sadness and anger," Leung said. "I hope that after joining the police force, I can protect other people, including my own family, maintain and uphold law and order." Leung graduated from Jinan University in Guangzhou in mainland China, majoring in French. His last job was as a member of ground staff at the airport, where tackling daily incidents for passengers was greatly satisfying, Leung said. "I want to join the police because I can help more people," he said, adding that there should be more platforms or activities where police and residents can communicate with each other to "eliminate misunderstandings." Another constable, Wong Ching-yi, 28, was a dancer at two Disneyland theme parks before joining the police. Having performed ballet for 15 years, she was exhausted from the repetitiveness of her work at the parks and wanted a fresh start, she said. "Teacher, dance troupe member, and dancer at Shanghai and Hong Kong Disneyland I have done them all. I feel I have done a lot in this field in my youth and hope my future life can be more exciting, so I decided to join the police," she explained. But dancing since she was a child had honed her willpower, stress tolerance and ability to work in a team, she added. "Dancer and police officer are similar to me," Wong said. "The reactivity, team communication skills and teamwork spirit that I learned from dancing helped my training at the college to become a Hong Kong police officer." To deal with manpower shortages, the force in May removed height and weight requirements for recruitment and introduced its own English and Chinese-language tests for candidates who had failed the subjects in public exams. Police data showed that application numbers had increased since the relaxation of requirements, with the force receiving 6,798 applications for both inspectors and constables between April and October this year, up from 6,684 in the same period last year. Hirings also increased, with 633 inspectors and constables recruited in the first half of the 2024-25 financial year, a 32 percent year-on-year increase from 479 recruits. As of November 1, there were 6,612 vacancies in the police, according to the Security Bureau. The starting monthly salary for a constable is about HK$28,000 ($3,580). Inspectors earn about HK$50,000. Read the full story at SCMP. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Windy with showers and thunderstorms likely. High 69F. Winds SSW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. Tonight Cloudy with periods of rain. Low near 40F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall may reach one inch. A MAN who allegedly drove the wrong way down a motorway near Portlaoise has accused the prosecution of acting the bol**x due to repeated delays in the case. The 45-year-old made the remark at Portlaoise District Court last Thursday when he appeared by video link from prison, where he has been in custody on remand since he was arrested last July. Peter Brazil of 7 Rosse Court Grove, Lucan, Dublin is facing 16 charges, which include nine counts of dangerous driving on the M7 motorway. He is also charged with a hit and run at Cappakeel, causing criminal damage to a road sign at Cappakeel and driving without insurance, as well as endangerment by driving against the flow of traffic on the M7 at Togher when he allegedly travelled westbound in an eastbound lane. Mr Brazil was arrested in Cappakeel at 11.55pm and was subsequently remanded in custody at Portlaoise District Court, after gardai objected to bail. He made no reply when charged with the series of offences. Detective Garda Paul Kelly told the July hearing that a large volume of evidence would have to be compiled for a book of evidence, including statements from garda witnesses, members of the public and dashcam footage. Judge Andrew Cody granted legal aid and remanded Mr Brazil in custody until 25 July, when he appeared again by video link from Mountjoy Prison. The case was subsequently adjourned a number of times for preparation of a book of evidence for a circuit court trial. The book was due to be served on the defendant at Portlaoise District Court last Thursday. However, Sgt JJ Kirby told Judge Cody that a further two-week adjournment was needed to complete the substantial book of evidence. Mr Brazil told the judge: They are acting the bol**x now. Im nearly five months in custody at this rate. Allowing a final adjournment until 5 December, Judge Cody told the defendant that he would mark the case as peremptory against the State, meaning that a book of evidence would have to be produced on that date. Thank you, your honour, Mr Brazil replied. Negotiators have agreed to 'at least' $300 billion in climate funding at the UN climate summit after two weeks of tense negotiations that highlighted sharp divides between rich and poorer nations. But is it enough?Rarely has a climate summit venue so accurately reflected the mood and unfolding of negotiations. Also Read | World News | Rich Nations Offer USD 300 Billion Annually After 10 Years to Global South. For two bumpy weeks, the labyrinthine corridors in Baku's Olympic Stadium have echoed with the hurried footsteps of negotiators rushing from one windowless meeting room to the next, avoiding dead-ends and wrong turns among the endless passageways. Also Read | World News | Trump Taps Rollins as Agriculture Chief, Completing Proposed Slate of Cabinet Secretaries. Further characterized by missing global leaders, major disagreement and shifting geopolitical dynamics, the talks stretched deep into overtime before there was finally light at the end of the tunnel. And an agreement that sets a goal of at least $300 billion in climate financing per year by 2035 flowing from developed to developing countries. Failure in Baku was "not an option," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, speaking on Thursday. But that failure looked possible late on Saturday when delegates from AOSIS (Alliance of Small Island States) and LDCs (Least Developed Countries) walked out of talks on the grounds their concerns were not being heard. "What is happening here is highlighting what a very different boat our vulnerable countries are in, compared to the developed countries," said Cedric Schuster, the Samoan chairman of the group. "After this COP29 ends, we cannot just sail off into the sunset. We are literally sinking." What have nations agreed and is it enough? COP29's core aim was getting the near 200 countries to agree on a new climate funding target that could replace the current goal of $100 billion (about 95 billion) per year. This financial packageis intended to help developing countries tackle emissions, transition away from fossil fuels and adapt to a warming world. But the size of the finance pot and which countries should foot the bill were huge sticking points in negotiations. Developing countries pushed for at least $1 trillion per year, a sum leading economists have said is necessary for them to respond to the climate crisis. Anything else was lowballing and "divorced from the reality of what was needed," according to Champa Patel of environment non-profit Climate Group. But industrialized countries held off specifying concrete figures until the very last day and said they couldn't raise the money alone without private sector involvement. The $300 billion promised is far lower than what developing countries were hoping for. "At COP29, developed nations once again coerced developing countries into accepting a financial deal woefully inadequate to address the gravity of our global climate crisis," said Harjeet Singh of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative. "The deal fails to provide the critical support required for developing countries to transition swiftly from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy systems, or to prepare for the devastating impacts of the climate crisis." Low-income countries are seeing increasingly extreme floods, droughts, heat waves, storms and rising sea levels and do not have the resources to deal with them. Developed countries are responsible for the majority of historical emissions causing the planet to heat up. By 2050 climate change is expected to cause $38 trillion in damages around the world, according one estimate. But the new text released early Sunday morning, attempted to reassure progress to the $1.3 trillion would happen. It referenced a "Roadmap from Baku to Belem," which calls on "all actors" to "scale up" climate finance to developing countries and includes access to finance through "grants, concessional and non-debt-creating instruments." Observers said negotiators from Africa and other developing countries had pushed for the changes to be included in the hope of creating a meaningful process to align the global financial system with the $1.3 trillion target by 2035. To date, much of the international climate finance has been provided to developing countries in the form of non-concessional loans. Organizations such as Oxfam have criticized this, pointing out that this increases the debt burden of some of the LDCs. Developed countries also pushed for China and wealthy Gulf states that are heavily dependent on oil and gas to contribute to the $300 billion climate fund and share the burden. China is the world's biggest carbon emitter. And although it's a major economy, the UN still classes it as a developing country. The final agreement didn't widen the donor base to include China, but it did introduce a fudge that would officially recognize the country's contributions. The new mechanism allows for voluntary recognition of cash flowing from developing countries through development banks as climate finance. What does the outcome mean for global emissions? When it comes to fossil fuels the primary source of global emissions and drivers of climate change proceedings this year didn't get off to a good start. The Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev used COP29 as a platform to describe oil and gas as a "gift of God." But negotiators did reach a deal on controversial carbon markets that would allow polluting countries to buy carbon-cutting offsets. Supporters say the new rules would help boost investment in local-income countries, where the carbon projects are usually located. But critics say they could be used for greenwashing climate targets. "These decisions were taken behind closed doors," Tamra Gilbertson of the US-based non-profit Indigenous Environmental Network told DW. "We know that other carbon markets have completely failed to address climate change and emissions." Many were hoping for more progress to build on what was achieved at COP28 in Dubai last year, which concluded with a hard-won final agreement on "transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems." But oil producer Saudi Arabia, tried to derail progress on moving away from fossil fuel, and was described as a "wrecking ball" to the agreement. "We are in the midst of a geopolitical power play by a few fossil fuel states," said Germany's foreign minister Annalena Baerbock Saturday as talks spiraled. As with previous COPs, there were strong criticisms regarding the presence of over 1700 oil and gas lobbyists. They received more passes to COP29 than all the delegates from the 10 most climate-vulnerable nations combined, according to one report. Richard Folland, head of policy and engagement with independent financial think tank Carbon Tracker said the talks in Baku had been "strangled by the second highest attendance of fossil fuel lobbyists on record" and that the summit had "taken us dangerously backwards on collective climate action as extreme weather events take their toll." The core goal of the Paris Agreement is to hold global average temperature increases well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 Fahrenheit) compared to pre-industrial levels, and to strive to stay under 1.5 C. The science is clear that this requires urgent and deep cuts to global emissions. However, global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels have hit new heights this year and 2024 is set to be the hottest ever on record. Dubbed the "finance COP," this year's conference highlighted the difficulties in reaching global consensus on climate action, and also drew calls for reform. In an open letter to the UN, a group of scientists and former leaders said COP was "no longer fit for purpose," and required a shift from negotiation to implementation to "deliver on agreed commitments and ensure the urgent energy transition and phase-out of fossil energy." With reporting from Giulia Saudelli and Tim Schauenberg in Baku, Azerbaijan. Edited by: Jennifer Collins and Tamsin Walker (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2024 05:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Srirangapatna (Karnataka), Nov 24 (PTI) The Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly R Ashoka on Sunday said the Congress party's victory in the bypolls held for three assembly constituencies is not a clean chit to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in the MUDA scam. He said the case is still going on in the court of law. Also Read | Parliament Winter Session 2024: Government Open To Discuss All Issues, Says Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. MUDA case against Chief Minister Siddaramaiah is still in court but he is calling the bye-election result itself as a clean chit. Only courts can give clean chit and not the elections, Ashoka said while addressing a gathering in Taggalli in Srirangapatna. Later, speaking to reporters, Ashoka said results of the bypoll held for three assembly constituencies of Channapatna, Shiggaon and Sandur is a victory of money and not a victory of Congress. The BJP leader said his party's fight will continue against the corruption of the Congress government. Also Read | Volkswagen Stands by German Factory Closure Plan. Separately, in a post on social media X', Ashoka said the ruling Congress is under the illusion that they have won three worlds just by winning the by-election by diverting money and winning the votes of one community through appeasement politics. He took a dig at Siddaramaiah for his statement that the opposition had spread lies with regard to the allegation of "Rs 89 crore embezzlement" in the Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribe Development Corporation. Didn't you yourself admit in the Karnataka assembly that crores of money were misappropriated in the Valmiki Corporation, is that a lie? Ashoka questioned. He has also asked the CM whether returning of 14 sites by his wife Parvathi B M in the MUDA scam was an indirect confession of his crime. Is it a lie when the Karnataka High Court loudly said that an investigation is needed against you in the MUDA scam? the BJP leader asked. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 24 (ANI): The Deputy Election Commissioner of the Election Commission of India (ECI), Hirdesh Kumar, and Chief Electoral Officer of Maharashtra, State S Chockalingam, called on Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan at Raj Bhavan, Mumbai on Sunday. They presented copies of the Gazette containing names of members elected to the Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra and ECI's notification. The results of the General Elections to the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly were declared on Saturday, November 23. Also Read | Parliament Winter Session 2024: Government Open To Discuss All Issues, Says Union Minister Kiren Rijiju. The names of elected candidates in the election were published in the Maharashtra Government State Gazette vide Election Commission of India's Notification dated November 24. This was done as per the provisions contained in Section 73 of the Representation of People Act, 1951. The Deputy Election Commissioner, ECI and the State Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra presented copies of the Gazette containing ECI's Notification to the Governor. Also Read | Volkswagen Stands by German Factory Closure Plan. Additional Chief Electoral Officer from the office of Chief Electoral Officer, Maharashtra State Kiran Kulkarni, Joint Chief Electoral Officer Manohar Parkar and Secretary, ECI Suman Kumar Das and Section Officer Niranjan Kumar Sharma from Election Commission of India were also present. In the recent Maharashtra Legislative Assembly elections, Mahayuti secured 230 seats out of the total 288 constituencies. The BJP won 132 seats while its allies- the Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde won 57 seats, and the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, won 41 seats. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a rude jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray winning 20 seats, Congress securing 16, and NCP(SP) led by Sharad Pawar managed just 10 seats. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Kochi (Kerala), Nov 24 (PTI) The Indian Navy's sail training ship, INS Tarangini, participated in joint sailing with the Italian sail ship Amerigo Vespucci here, Defence officials said on Sunday. The exercise conducted off the Kochi coast highlights the Indian Navy's commitment to global seafaring traditions and fostering international partnerships, it said. Also Read | Odisha Road Accident: Container Truck Driver Burnt Alive After Vehicle Hits Divider, Catches Blaze in Laxmannath. In a post on 'X', the Defence PRO said: "#INSTarangini & Italy's Amerigo Vespucci showcased maritime camaraderie during a Joint Sail off #Kochi on 22 Nov 24. Enhancing training, interoperability & friendship, this collaboration reflects a shared vision for global seafaring excellence." The ships jointly exercised various sail manoeuvers, enhancing training cooperation, interoperability and sharing of best practices, a Defence release said. Also Read | Jaipur: Man Attempting Suicide Saved in Rajasthan After Friend Saw His Facebook Livestream. The sight of majestic ships sailing in unison symbolises enduring friendship and a vision for collaboration between both Navies, it added. INS Tarangini has been pivotal in the training of Naval cadets and has participated in various goodwill missions across the globe, the release added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rajouri (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], November 24 (ANI): Thousands of devotees from various religious communities participated in the 50th annual Urs of Baji Mian Ghulam Nabi Naqshbandi celebrations in Trimili Sharif Kanthol, which is 50 kilometres from Rajouri district headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir. "I have come to this area for the first time. The Urs happens every year for the Sufi saint. People are encouraged to learn from the Sufi saint who promoted brotherhood and knowledge all his life. All this is done so that people take inspiration to be a better human being and a follower of not only their religion but humanity as well," Islamic Scholar Abdul Rashid Dawoodi told ANI on Saturday. Also Read | Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Survey: Stones Pelted at Team Arrived for Mosque Survey, UP Police Use Tear Gas to Control Situation (Watch Videos). The celebrations were held in the Kotranka sub-district yesterday where people from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian communities participated in the event that was marked by spiritual devotion and unity. The program was attended by prominent Kashmiri scholar Raheed Dahoodi who presided over the event and Kotranka MLA Iqbal Choudhary. Baji Mian, a revered Sufi saint from Kashmir, arrived in this region many years ago and settled in Trimili Sharif, where he passed away. His shrine, located in the heart of Trimili, has become a symbol of spiritual solace and unity. It is said that anyone who came to him with a sincere wish or request had it fulfilled, earning him a special place in the hearts of people from all walks of life. Also Read | Assembly Elections Results 2024: Mahayuti Sweeps Western Maharashtra Sugar Belt, Bagging 53 of 70 Seats; Big Setback for Maha Vikas Aghadi. The shrine remains a place of communal harmony, where people from all religions come together, sharing meals in the same 'langar' as an expression of brotherhood. However, despite its spiritual significance, the region remains remote and underdeveloped. Located approximately 50 kilometres away from the Rajouri district headquarters, Trimili Sharif and Kotranka are hilly and difficult to access, with limited connectivity. Due to the area's sensitive nature, extensive security measures were put in place during the event, including the deployment of central forces and local police officials, ensuring the safety of all attendees. The 50th Urs was not only a celebration of faith, but also a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of Baji Mian Gulam Nabi Nakshbandi, whose teachings continue to inspire unity and peace across religious divides. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ramgarh, Nov 24 (PTI) AJSU Party's lone MLA Nirmal Mahto on Sunday offered to resign from his seat Mandu, so that party chief Sudesh Mahto who lost the polls from the Silli constituency could get elected to the assembly. AJSU Party, a BJP ally, fought the assembly elections in Jharkhand on 10 seats but won only one and that with a wafer-thin margin of 231 votes. Also Read | Odisha Parba 2024: PM Narendra Modi Highlights Govt's Efforts To Make State Prosperous and One of Fastest-Growing States (Watch Video). "I have sent the letter resigning as an MLA to Sudesh Mahto with a request to accept it so that he can contest from here in the bypoll that would be forced and get elected to the assembly," said the newly-elected Mandu MLA. Sudesh Mahto lost the Silli seat by a margin of 23,867 votes to JMM candidate Amit Kumar. Also Read | Winter Session 2024: INDIA Bloc To Hold Parliamentary Floor Leaders Meeting To Decide Strategy on November 25. In Mandu, Nirmal Mahto defeated Jai Prakash Bhai Patel of the Congress. He polled 90,871 votes, while Patel got 90,640 votes. In 2019, Patel fought on a BJP ticket and defeated Nirmal Mahato with a margin of around 2,000 votes. After Patel joined the Congress ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, the BJP left the Mandu seat for the AJSU Party in this election. AJSU Party's central committee secretary Jaleshwar Mahato said Sudesh Mahto has received the resignation letter and will take a call on it. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) A day after the fatal stabbing of a Delhi Police constable, the main accused in the case was shot dead in an encounter with the personnel of the force in south Delhi's Sangam Vihar area, officials said on Sunday. Constable Kiran Pal was stabbed to death by three people on Saturday while on night patrolling duty in southeast Delhi's Govindpuri area. Two accused -- Deepak Max and Krish Gupta -- were arrested later in that day. Also Read | Elon Musk Hails India for Counting '640 Million Votes in 1 Day', Takes Jibe at US Electoral Process. The third accused, Raghav -- who stabbed Pal with a knife -- was hiding in Sangam Vihar, a senior police officer of Special Cell said. Acting on specific information, teams of NDR of Special Cell and Narcotics Cell of South East District, went to the area connecting Sangam Vihar and Surajkund Road late on Saturday night, the officer said. Also Read | Subhadra Yojana: Odisha Deputy CM Pravati Parida Announces Third Phase of Subhadra Scheme to Benefit 80 Lakh Women. The accused was identified and asked to surrender. He, however, opened fire at the police personnel who retaliated in self-defence and injured the accused. "He was immediately taken to the ESIC Hospital, Okhla, where he died," the officer said. A pistol with two cartridges have been seized, the police officer said, adding no police official was injured in the encounter. Constable Kiran Pal, posted at Govindpuri Police Station, was on night patrolling duty when he stopped three people riding a scooty in the early hours of Saturday. The accused threw stones at the constable to evade arrest but he managed to waylay them by putting his bike in front of their vehicle, the officer said. The constable also took away the keys of the scooty and started questioning the trio during which the accused stabbed him, the officer added. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Imphal, Nov 24 (PTI) Schools and colleges in Manipur's Imphal Valley and Jiribam district will reopen on Monday after remaining closed for a week, an official said. The schools and colleges were shut in Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching, and Jiribam last week due to prohibitory orders issued in view of fresh violence in the state, he said. Also Read | Maharashtra Assembly Elections Results 2024: 30 MLAs Who Joined Eknath Shinde in 2022 Rebellion Register Victory; 5 Suffer Defeat. An order issued by the Directorate of Education - Schools said, "Normal classes will resume for all schools of the state, government, government-aided, private and central schools from November 25." In a separate order, the Higher and Technical Education Department said, "It is hereby ordered that all government educational institutions/government-aided colleges under Higher and Technical Educational Department, including state universities, shall resume classes from November 25." Also Read | Sambhal Shahi Jama Masjid Survey: 3 Killed in Clashes During Violent Protest Against Mughal-Era Mosque Survey (Watch Video). (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], November 24 (ANI): Union Minister and Republic Party of India's (Athawale) President Ramdas Athawale on Sunday expressed desire to get a ministerial post for his party in Maharashtra government as "Mahayuti has received a majority of Dalit votes" in the state polls. Athawale presently served as the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. Also Read | Volkswagen Stands by German Factory Closure Plan. "Earlier also we had demanded one ministerial post for RPI. This time Mahayuti has received a majority of Dalit votes...So, I feel that RPI should get a ministerial post. Our society also has this hope. Giving ministerial post to RPI will also benefit Mahayuti," the Union Minister told ANI. Athawale also criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut for saying that the swearing in ceremony shouldn't happen in Maharashtra but at the Modi Stadium in Gujarat, and said that Raut has caused the most damage to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. Also Read | Bhopal: Jobless Woman Dons Fake Cop Uniform, Claims Act Done to Cheer Ailing Mother; Detained. "We have got a big benefit from Sanjay Raut's statement. If Sanjay Raut keeps giving such statements, we will benefit more. People do not take him seriously now. Sanjay Raut has caused the most damage to Uddhav Thackeray. He is also responsible for taking Uddhav Thackeray to Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (SCP)," he said. On being asked about the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, he said the decision will be made collectively by the leaders of three parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). "The leaders of the three parties (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) will decide who will become the Chief Minister. Earlier, Eknath Shinde came with the BJP with 50 seats and then he was made the CM. But now BJP's demand will be that Devendra Fadnavis should be made the CM. They have got the full majority," he said. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls by winning 230 (BJP-132, Shiv Sena-57, NCP-41) out of total 288 seats. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback. The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, won only 20 seats, Congress managed 16, and the NCP(SP) led by Sharad Pawar won just 10 seats. The BJP demonstrated an impressive strike, winning 132 of the 148 seats it contested in Maharashtra. The party's allies, the Shiv Sena and NCP factions, also performed well. The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20 and the results were declared on November 23. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Noida, November 24: The daughter of spiritual leader Kripalu Maharaj was killed on Sunday after a truck rammed into her car here, police said. Vishakha Tripathi (75) along with her two sisters and five others was travelling to Delhi from Vrindavan via Yamuna Expressway, in two cars. From there, they were to travel to Singapore, police said. On Sunday morning, a canter driver hit both cars in the Dankaur area. Eight people including Maharaj's three daughters were seriously injured in the accident, a police spokesperson said. The spokesperson said that the victims were admitted to hospitals in Noida and Delhi for treatment, where Vishakha Tripathi died. Seven other people, including the deceased's sisters, Krishna Tripathi and Shyama Tripathi, were seriously injured and are undergoing treatment. Jagadguru Kripalu Maharaj Daughters Accident: Prem Mandir Founder's Eldest Daughter Vishakha Tripathi Killed, 2 Other Daughters Injured in Car Mishap on Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida. The police have sent the body for post-mortem. Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat in a condolence message said that it is with great sorrow that it has to be informed that the President of Bhakti Dham, Dr Vishakha Tripathi has unfortunately passed away and her last rites will be performed in Vrindavan. (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, Nov 24 (PTI) A fire broke out at Seemapuri police station in the national capital on Sunday as seven fire tenders were rushed to douse the blaze, officials said. No one received any injuries due to the fire, a Delhi Fire Services official said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for November 24, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. "We received a call regarding a fire at the 'malkhana' (where items seized during probe are stored) of Seemapuri police station at 8.42 pm," said the officer. Seven fire tenders were pressed into service and the blaze on the first floor of the building was completely doused at around 9.40 pm, he said. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for November 23, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Bhubaneswar, November 24: Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced that more than 80 lakh women will receive benefits under the third phase of the Subhadra Yojana by Sunday morning, with the remaining beneficiaries scheduled to receive the funds in the fourth phase in December. "More than 80 lakh women will get the benefit of the Subhadhra Yojana by tomorrow morning. The remaining beneficiaries will receive the money in the fourth phase in December," Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said. Notably, earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated 'Subhadra,' the flagship scheme of the Odisha government, in Bhubaneswar. According to a government release, it is the largest women-centric scheme in the state, aiming to benefit over one crore women in Odisha. Under the scheme, all eligible beneficiaries aged 21 to 60 years will receive Rs 50,000 over five years, from 2024-25 to 2028-29. Beneficiaries will get Rs 10,000 annually in two equal installments, credited directly to their Aadhaar-enabled, DBT-linked bank accounts. During the launch, Prime Minister Modi initiated the transfer of funds to the bank accounts of over 10 lakh women. Subhadra Yojana: Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi Announces SOP for Scheme, 1 Crore Women To Get INR 10,000 Annually. On another matter, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo commented on the Maharashtra and Jharkhand exit polls. He stated that no party other than the NDA could provide a stable government in these states. Speaking to the media, Deo remarked, "The wait is just for two more days. The people of India want a stable government, and I believe only the NDA can deliver that stability." On Thursday, Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida announced that the state government will launch the third phase of its cash transfer scheme, 'Subhadra Yojana,' on Sunday, November 24. Speaking to ANI on Thursday, Parida said the scheme will be launched in the Sundargarh district, highlighting that it will benefit more than 20 lakh women. Odisha Government Issues Toll-Free Number To Help Beneficiaries of Subhadra Yojana for Welfare of Women. "We will launch the third phase of Subhadra Yojana on the 24th (November) in Sundargarh, and this time we will include more than 20 lakh women. As per our promise to include over one crore women in the Subhadra Yojana, I believe we will achieve this target by December," stated Deputy Chief Minister Parida. (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Baku, November 24: India on Sunday rejected a new climate finance package of USD 300 billion for the Global South at the UN climate conference here, saying it was too little and too late. Nations agreed on the USD 300 billion climate finance deal for Global South at the UN climate talks taking place here in Azerbaijan. Making a statement on behalf of India, Chandni Raina, Adviser, Department of Economic Affairs, said they were not allowed to speak before the adoption of the deal. "USD 300 billion does not address the needs and priorities of developing countries. It is incompatible with the principle of CBDR (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities) and equity, regardless of the battle with the impact of climate change," she said. From a US$300 Billion Climate Finance Deal to Global Carbon Trading, Here's What Was and Wasn't Achieved at the COP29 Climate Talks. India Rejects New USD 300 Billion COP29 Climate Finance Deal View this post on Instagram A post shared by Asian News International (@ani_trending) "We are very unhappy, disappointed with the process, and object to the adoption of this agenda," the Indian negotiator said. Supporting India, Nigeria said the USD 300 billion climate finance package was a "joke". Malawi and Bolivia also lent support 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) Islamabad [Pakistan], November 24 (ANI): The The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is gearing up for a major demonstration at Islamabad's D-Chowk on Sunday, despite the federal government's strict security measures aimed at preventing the protest, reported The Express Tribune reported.(PTI) party, led by former Prime Minister Imran Khan, is gearing up for a major demonstration at Islamabad's D-Chowk on Sunday, despite the federal government's strict security measures aimed at preventing the protest, reported The Express Tribune reported. The protest is called by Imran Khan. PTI's leadership has mobilised large contingents from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a caravan led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur departing from Swabi and heading towards the capital. The caravan is expected to arrive in Islamabad by 11 am, where the party plans to stage a defiant show of strength at D-Chowk, asserting their right to protest. Also Read | Storm Bert Update: Air India Issues Travel Advisories for UK Passengers Due to Tropical Storm Bert. In response to the call by Imran Khan, PTI has organised a significant mobilisation of supporters, particularly from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Gandapur, in a statement, declared that PTI would not back down in the face of security obstacles. "We will bring our private machinery to remove obstacles and reach Islamabad," Gandapur affirmed, highlighting the party's determination to continue with the protest despite any barriers placed by authorities. Also Read | Israel-Hezbollah War: 34 Killed, 80 Injured in Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon. Although Imran Khan's wife, Bushra Bibi, has chosen not to participate in the protest, she will oversee the movements of the convoys from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister's House, reported The Express Tribune. The government, however, has taken strict measures to prevent the protest from proceeding as planned. Islamabad has been heavily fortified with security measures, including the sealing off of key roads and the placement of containers across the city. Critical routes leading to the Red Zone, where government buildings are located, have been blocked. This includes the Srinagar Highway, GT Road, and the Expressway, which limit access to strategic areas like D-Chowk, Islamabad Airport, and the A-11 point at New Margalla Road. Additionally, Rangers, police, and Frontier Constabulary (FC) have been deployed to maintain law and order in the capital. The government has made it clear that no public demonstrations will be allowed, warning of legal consequences for any participants who violate judicial orders. In an official statement, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi informed PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar that the government would not grant permission for any sit-ins or rallies due to security concerns during a visit by a high-ranking Belarusian delegation. Naqvi emphasised that Islamabad High Court guidelines prohibited public gatherings that could disrupt the safety of international delegations, presenting a conflict with PTI's plans. Gohar responded that the party would consult with leadership to determine their next steps. PTI Secretary Information Sheikh Waqas Akram reiterated the party's resolve to press forward, asserting that they would "break through any barriers to reach their destination at D-Chowk." He further emphasised the constitutional right to peaceful protest, stating, "The Constitution gives us the right to peaceful protest, and we will not surrender under any circumstances. On November 24, the entire nation will be on the streets," The Express Tribune reported. In a post on X, PTI said, "The illegitimate military-backed government in Pakistan is so terrified of the public responding to Imran Khan's Final Call that they have blocked the entire country and erected walls of shipping containers to prevent marchers from entering Islamabad. Now, reports are emerging of containers in Islamabad being set ablaze. Corrupt police officials may have deliberately started these fires to falsely blame PTI supporters or stage another May 9th-style false flag operation, for yet another brutal crackdown on PTI and its supporters, who represent over 80 per cent of the country's population. This is the extent to which this fascist government is willing to go to keep Imran Khan silenced and out of the public eye." https://x.com/PTIofficial/status/1860384831911206942 Adding to the tension, the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has issued a security alert, warning of the potential for terrorist attacks during the protest. The alert cited the possibility of militants from the "Fitna al-Khawarij" group, formerly known as the TTP, attempting to disrupt the demonstration. To ensure security, the government has implemented measures such as potential suspensions of mobile data and internet services in high-risk zones, though services will continue elsewhere in the country. As authorities prepare for possible disturbances, the situation remains volatile, with both government forces and PTI supporters anticipating significant developments throughout the 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) Punjab [Pakistan], November 24 (ANI): Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken decisive action against the medical staff at Nishtar Hospital in Multan, following an alarming HIV outbreak among dialysis patients, attributed to gross negligence in adhering to infection control protocols. The incident has been attributed to serious lapses in following the hospital's infection control protocols, leading to the suspension of the hospital's Medical Superintendent (MS) and several key staff members for criminal negligence, The Express Tribune reported. Also Read | Israel-Hezbollah War: 34 Killed, 80 Injured in Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon. The inquiry report confirmed that required standard operating procedures (SOPs) for infection control were not followed, directly contributing to the spread of the virus. The suspended staff include doctors MS Muhammad Kazim, Ghulam Abbas (Head of the Nephrology Department), Poonam Khalid (Associate Professor), Mohammad Qadeer (Senior Registrar), Maliah Johar, Mohammad Alamgir (Medical Officer in Nephrology Ward), and Head Nurse Naheed Parveen. Also Read | Singapore Shocker: Teacher Groomed Student, Had Sex With Her Before She Turned 16; Sentenced to 14 Years in Jail. Despite the confirmation of HIV cases, hospital staff reportedly attempted to conceal the outbreak, worsening the situation. The most concerning aspect of the investigation was the reuse of disposable dialysis kits and dialysers on multiple patients, a practice which directly violated health and safety guidelines. Additionally, senior doctors failed to conduct regular visits to the nephrology ward for several weeks, further contributing to the negligence. During her visit to Nishtar Hospital, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz expressed grave concern over these lapses, calling the use of reused syringes a primary cause of the outbreak. She stated, "We have ended a decade-long wait and unlocked a critical tool for keeping 1.5 degrees in reach," emphasising the urgent need for proper healthcare protocols to avoid similar incidents in the future, The Express Tribune reported. The Chief Minister has ordered the Secretary of Health to take strict action under the Peda Act against the responsible officers, and she instructed the doctors to compensate the affected patients. While the decision to suspend the medical staff has led to protests by hospital doctors and paramedical staff, the Chief Minister remains firm in her stance, calling for better implementation of healthcare protocols to ensure the safety of patients. The investigation by the health department is ongoing, with a report yet to be submitted by the committee formed by Nishtar Hospital to probe the HIV cases among diabetic patients. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Multan [Pakistan], November 24 (ANI): Pver 1200 Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers, including members of national and provincial assemblies, were in the Multan division of Pakistan, as the former Prime Minister Imran Khan-founded party was gearing up for its massive nationwide protests. Around 1257 workers have been detained, with over 200 detained while marching towards Islamabad in response to the party's call, as reported by ARY News. Also Read | India's Image Now Transformed Into World's 'Deep Tech Hub' From 'IT Outsourcing Centre' Due to Government's Reforms: Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri. Those detained include leaders such as Zain Qureshi, Amir Doggar, Nadeem Qureshi, Waseem Badozai, Moinuddin Qureshi, and Rana Tufail Noon. The arrests were made near Qadirpur Raan, where PTI members of the assembly and other leaders and workers had gathered to start their march towards Islamabad from outside a local hotel. Also Read | Chinese Man Sues Company He Worked at for 20 Years After He Was Fired for Sleeping at Desk, Awarded INR 40 Lakh in Compensation. According to the ARY news, the arrests were made while PTI leaders were leading a convoy to Islamabad for the protest on Sunday. The arrests were made amid heightened political tensions and preparations for PTI protests across the country. Authorities have sealed the entry and exit points of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and police conducted raids throughout the night to detain party workers. PTI had announced to hold a countrywide protest on Sunday on the call of its founder, Imran Khan. The party has been actively preparing for this protest, despite the government's efforts to prevent it. Police conducted raids throughout the night in a crackdown against party workers. Notably, mobile and internet services are expected to remain suspended in several areas of Pakistan, especially in Islamabad, ARY News reported. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said that mobile internet services will be halted starting November 22, with firewalls being implemented to reduce internet speeds and disrupt access to social media apps. The sources also indicated that authorities could shut down internet and mobile services in certain areas based on the evolving situation. Earlier, Section 144 was imposed in Rawalpindi due to reports of potential unrest ahead of a Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protest. This decision was made during a district intelligence committee meeting chaired by Rawalpindi DC Hassan Waqar Cheem. The notification stated that public gatherings, rallies, and assemblies of more than four people have been prohibited in Rawalpindi due to reports of potential 'unrest,' 'extremism,' and 'terrorism.' The decision came in the wake of Imran Khan's call for nationwide protests on November 24. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Rawalpindi [Pakistan], November 24 (ANI):The Sindh Rawadari Committee held a rally from the Old Campus area and made its way to the Hyderabad Press Club on Saturday, condemning the federal government's proposal to construct six canals on the Indus River and the police's inability to apprehend the killers of Shahnawaz Kunbha. A significant number of women took part in the rally and the protestors chanted slogans opposing the canal construction plan. Several members and supporters from PPP-Shaheed Bhutto, JSQM, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, as well as other civil society groups and organizations, took part in the Sindh Rawadari rally, as per News International. Also Read | Hezbollah-Israel War: Hezbollah Fires Over 180 Rockets, Other Projectiles Into Israel, Wounding at Least 7. According to the report, on this occasion, Alia Bakhshal, Asda Butt, Irfana Mallah, Amar Sindhu, Niaz Kalani, Iqbal Mallah, and others stated that they would not compromise on Sindh's rights and would not allow any disturbance to peace and order. They called for the arrest of Shahnawaz Kunbhar's killers and demanded the halt of the plan to construct six canals on the Indus River, warning that the protest would intensify if their demands were not met. Meanwhile, the Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had announced plans to hold a rally in Hyderabad, prompting the police to arrest TLP workers on Friday night. Also Read | Colorado Plane Crash: Civil Air Patrol Aircraft Crashes in US; Pilot and Aerial Photographer Killed. On Saturday, as the Sindh Rawadari rally participants arrived at the press club, TLP workers also gathered at Hyder Chowk but were halted by the police near the DC House. To manage the tension, police were stationed around the press club and Hyder Chowk, and the area was barricaded with barbed wire. DIG Tariq Dharejo and SSP Farrukh Lanjar closely monitored the situation. The police used tear gas, batons, and made arrests to disperse the TLP rally. Later, TLP leaders held a press conference at the Hyderabad Press Club, where they criticized the administration and police for permitting a rally by liberals while stopping a religious party, calling it unjust. (ANI) (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], November 24 (ANI): After the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) convoys arrived in Islamabad for the party's planned protest, defying a court order and government warnings, the party claimed its workers were being arrested and dispersed using teargas, Dawn reported. https://x.com/PTIofficial/status/1860687466635678100 Also Read | Sex Scandal Rocks Norway: Gynaecologist Rapes 87 Women Over 20 Years, Films Act; 6,000 Hours Of Video Evidence Recovered. PTI shared a video on X condemning the extreme shelling by the Pakistani government against its own citizens at Islamabad Express. "These are visuals of the extreme shelling by the fascist regime against own citizens at Islamabad Express! It's absolutely disgusting and shameful how inhumanly this government is treating Pakistanis!," the post said. Also Read | Hezbollah-Israel War: Hezbollah Fires Over 180 Rockets, Other Projectiles Into Israel, Wounding at Least 7. The Sunday protest, called by Imran Khan on November 13, aims to denounce the "stolen mandate," unjust arrests, and the 26th amendment, which Khan claims has strengthened a "dictatorial regime." The Islamabad High Court had ruled the protest 'unlawful', directing the government to maintain law and order without disrupting public life, especially with the Belarusian president's scheduled visit over the weekend with a high-profile delegation. However, PTI supporters began arriving in Islamabad, prompting the party to claim that police were detaining its workers and using teargas to disperse them, as per Dawn. Further, the Dawn stated that mobile internet services were down across the city, while major roads, including motorways, were blocked with containers. Pictures shared by the Dawn showed mostly deserted roads and people on motorbikes making their way from a narrow corner of a road blocked by trucks. Following the chaotic situation in Pakistan, the office of the district magistrate in Islamabad ordered the closure of all public and private educational institutions in the capital territory on Monday. In another post, the PTI shared a video without specifying the location, saying that "The fascist regime has started, as expected, tear gas shelling against peaceful Pakistanis." Imran's party, in a separate post on X, claimed that the convoy of National Assembly opposition leader Omar Ayub was targeted near Taxila and shells were fired at it. While criticising the PTI protest, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said, "One option is that we let them come and [...] paralyse Islamabad. The other option is to protect Islamabad, adding that "the area where they (the PTI) have called the protest is a protected area of Islamabad, monitored by the IG and DIG," referring to the Red Zone. "Any protesters who enter that area will be arrested," he warned. Referring to the arrival of a Belarusian delegation in the capital, Naqvi said PTI supporters were coming on to the route through which the delegation was supposed to pass. He criticised the PTI for organising protests instead of attending the funerals being held in Kurram, referring to violent clashes there in the past few days. "If you wish to protest, that is your right, but you know exactly who is coming and you have been blocking off roads and causing trouble." The violence was the latest to rock Kurram, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, just days after a deadly attack on a convoy in the same area killed dozens of people. On Friday, protests and rallies took place throughout the Sindh province, echoing those in other major cities across Pakistan, to condemn the assault on a convoy of passenger vehicles in Lower Kurram, which led to the deaths of at least 42 individuals, Dawn 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) Liu Kuan-ting with his Golden Horse Award in 2019. (Facebook,/ Golden Horse Film Festival photo) Taipei [Taiwan], November 24 (ANI): The 61st Golden Horse Awards, celebrating excellence in Chinese-language cinema, took place in Taipei on Saturday, November 23. The prestigious event brought together talent from Taiwan, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and beyond, recognising achievements in 26 categories, Taiwan News (CNA) reported. Also Read | Singapore Shocker: Teacher Groomed Student, Had Sex With Her Before She Turned 16; Sentenced to 14 Years in Jail. Taiwan's premier film awards show was hosted at the Taipei Music Center, with actor Liu Kuan-ting serving as the evening's host. Liu, known for his Golden Horse-winning role in the 2019 Taiwanese drama "A Sun," led the ceremony. The show highlighted the best in Chinese-language filmmaking, drawing international attention. Also Read | Pakistan Violence: 15 Killed, 25 Injured in Fresh Sectarian Clashes in Kurram, 2 Days After Attack on Passenger Vehicles. This year, the Taiwanese film Dead Talents Society has garnered the most nominations, competing in 11 categories. Directed by John Hsu, the film is a contender for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, and several other honours. Its strong presence in the nominations underscores the impact of local talent on the Chinese-language cinema landscape, reported CNA. A historic moment for the awards was marked by the inclusion of Thailand's Wanlop Rungkumjad in the Best Actor category, the first Thai nominee for this prestigious honour. Rungkumjad, recognised for his performance in Singaporean filmmaker Chiang Wei-liang's Mongrel, competed against a line-up of accomplished actors, including Taiwan's King Jieh-wen, Chang Chen, and Zhang Zhi-yong, as well as Hong Kong's Yau Hawk-sau. The Best Actress category featured a similarly competitive line-up. Taiwan's Sylvia Chang and Kimi Hsia faced off against Hong Kong's Au Ga-man, Chung Suet-ying, and Sandra Ng. Each nominee has demonstrated exceptional talent, promising a closely watched contest in one of the night's most anticipated categories. Audiences can view the full list of nominations on the official Golden Horse Awards website, CNA reported. Taiwan Television (TTV) also provided a live stream on its website, allowing fans around the world to join in celebrating the achievements of the nominees. (ANI) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Montevideo (Uruguay), Nov 24 (AP) Uruguayans will return to the polls on Sunday for a second round of voting to choose their next president, with the conservative governing party and the left-leaning coalition locked in a close runoff after failing to win an outright majority in last month's vote. The election has turned into a hard-fought race between Alvaro Delgado, the incumbent party's candidate, and Yamandu Orsi from the Broad Front, a coalition of leftist and center-left parties that governed for 15 years until the 2019 victory of center-right President Luis Lacalle Pou. It oversaw the legalization of abortion, same-sex marriage and the sale of marijuana in the small South American nation. Also Read | Elon Musk Hails India for Counting '640 Million Votes in 1 Day', Takes Jibe at US Electoral Process. Orsi's Broad Front took 44% of the vote while Delgado's National Party won just 27% in the first round of voting Oct. 27. But the other conservative parties that make up the government coalition in particular, the Colorado Party notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Delgado an edge over his challenger this time around. Congress ended up evenly split in the October vote. Most polls have shown a virtual tie between Delgado and Orsi, with nearly 10% of Uruguayan voters undecided even at this late stage. Also Read | M-Pox Remains Public Health Emergency: WHO. Analysts say the candidates' lackluster campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have helped generate extraordinary voter indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about taxes and social spending but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power elsewhere. The question of whether Frente Amplio (the Broad Front) raises taxes is not an existential question, unlike what we saw in the U.S. with Trump and Kamala framing each other as threats to democracy," said Nicolas Saldias, a Latin America and Caribbean senior analyst for the London-based Economist Intelligence Unit. That doesn't exist in Uruguay. Both candidates are also appealing to voter angst over a surge in violent crime that has shaken a nation long regarded as one of the region's most safe and stable. Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, campaigned on a vow to continue the legacy of current President Lacalle Pou in some ways making the election into a referendum on his leadership. He campaigned under the slogan re-elect a good government." While a string of corruption scandals briefly tainted Lacalle Pou's government last year, the president who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term now enjoys high approval ratings and a strong economy expected to grow 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Delgado served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency for Lacalle Pou and promises to press on with his predecessor's pro-business, market-friendly policies. His coalition would likely continue pursuing a prospective trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries that promotes regional commerce. Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as an heir to iconic former President Jose Pepe Mujica, a former Marxist guerilla who boosted Uruguay's profile as one of the region's most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations during his 2010-2015 term. He was born from ordinary workers," Mujica said in a closing campaign ad for Orsi. He represents, precisely, the average type of what Uruguay is. Promising to forge a new left in Uruguay, Orsi has proposed tax incentives to lure investment and industrial policy to boost Uruguay's critical agricultural sector. He has also floated social security reforms that would buck the demographic trend in lowering the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguay's unions. The contentious plebiscite on whether to boost pension payouts failed to pass in October, with Uruguayans rejecting generous pensions in favor of fiscal constraint. This is a normal election, which is rare, said Saldias. It's indicative of Uruguay's strength as a democracy. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Peshawar, Nov 24 (AP) Shiite and Sunni Muslim tribes in Pakistan's northwest have agreed to a cease-fire, a government spokesman said on Sunday, days after 42 Shiites were killed in an ambush. The attack on the convoy last Thursday in Kurram district triggered retaliatory attacks and rampages that killed dozens more people from both communities. Also Read | Hezbollah-Israel War: Hezbollah Fires Over 180 Rockets, Other Projectiles Into Israel, Wounding at Least 7. A spokesperson for the provincial Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Muhammad Ali Saif, said the two communities agreed to a seven-day cease-fire after a government delegation held talks with Sunni and Shiite elders. The parties also agreed to exchange prisoners and return the bodies of the deceased, he said. The prisoners include women. Also Read | Colorado Plane Crash: Civil Air Patrol Aircraft Crashes in US; Pilot and Aerial Photographer Killed. Shiite Muslims make up about 15 per cent of the 240 million people in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Although the two groups generally live together peacefully, tensions remain, especially in Kurram. Although the area has a history of sectarian conflict, with militant groups previously targeting the Shiite minority, the current violence is connected to a land dispute. Nobody has claimed responsibility for Thursday's convoy attack. (AP) (This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body) Ranya Rao Gold Smuggling Case: Kannada Actress Stepfather DGP Ramachandra Rao Sent on Compulsory Leave by Karnataka Government Gujarat: 4 Children, Aged Between 8 and 14, Drown in Village Pond in Kutch District; One Missing Gas Leak Tragedy in Uttar Pradesh: Couple Dies of Asphyxiation Caused by Geyser Gas Leakage in Hapur Amritsar Temple Blast: Two Assailants Hurl Explosive at Thakurdwara Temple Complex in Punjab; Police Claim Pakistans Involvement (Watch Videos) A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a probe into the indictment of billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani who has been charged in the US for alleged bribery and fraud, saying the move "unveiled malpractices carried out by the conglomerate". Sydney, November 24: Australia has reportedly dumped its plan for fines on social media platforms for spreading misinformation. The Australian government previously said it would charge 5% of its global revenues from internet platforms as it failed to prevent online misinformation. The decision was introduced by the government via a bill as a part of "wide-ranging crackdowns" by Australia, said a report. Reuters said in its new report that Australia dropped the idea of imposing a fine on social media platforms for misinformation on the internet. Australia's Communication Minister Michelle Rowland stated that based on the public statement and engagement with Senators, there was no clear pathway to take the proposal further to legislate through the Senate. Social Media To Be Banned for Children Under 16 in Australia, PM Anthony Albanese Vows To Bring Legislation To Ban Kids From Social Media Platforms Michelle Rowland reportedly said that if the bill had been passed, it would have ushered in unprecedented transparency. She said the bill would have held the big tech companies responsible for the harmful misinformation and disinformation online. It could have held the systems and processes of these companies accountable. Australia has been trying to take steps against social media platforms that harm the country with misinformation and children. This month, Australian PM Anthony Albanese announced that social media platforms would be banned for children under 16 in the country. He said he was worried about the kids' safety online as the platforms harmed them. AMD To Invest USD 400 Million in India With Companys Design Centre in Bengaluru for 5 Years To Promote R&D: CEO Lisa Su. The legislation that was aimed to fine social media for misinformation was opposed by the Liberal-National coalition, Australian Greens and also the crossbench senators. The option was called the "half-baked option" by Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young. While Australia may want to bring down the misinformation by imposing 5% fees on global revenues of social media companies, it may need to find another way to achieve its target. (The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 24, 2024 03:55 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com). Soul Sore Lunar Opposition to Neptune Its a unique ache to possess a talent that others appreciate while feeling that the essence of who you are remains unseen. Youre not alone in your wish that someone would recognize and desire the real you. Of course, who you are is a constantly evolving concept. Seeking a deeper understanding of others will help us draw closer to accepting and revealing what is essential within ourselves. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Appreciation gives value to lifes small, overlooked gifts. As you pause to notice the way light falls, a strangers smile, the warmth of a favorite spot, gratitude fills your heart and attracts a premium of ordinary beauty to your life. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Youll get practice meeting situations as they are. Once you recognize just how much of this is out of your hands, you can detach, observe and relax into the peace and clarity there is to be found in what you cant control. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Generosity of small acts is the theme. A word of encouragement, a little extra attention, an unspoken kindness; youll give freely and brighten paths wherever you see the opportunity, and youll see them everywhere. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Maybe independence isnt trying to be whole in yourself but in recognizing that interdependence is human nature. A paradox: Its good relationships that make you stronger and more self-sufficient. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Patience doesnt mean waiting passively; its an active force. By cultivating calm amidst uncertainty, you become more resilient. Slow down today, trusting that some things need time to ripen before they reveal their full value. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). No interaction is ever truly neutral. However subtle someones energy, youll always leave their presence with a little more or less than you arrived with. Choose your company carefully, mindful of each persons potential to drain or energize. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Plans change, stances shift, the unexpected rolls in. Flexibility isnt giving up on goals; its dancing with whatever comes. Youre the pro whose first instinct is to adapt rather than resist, so youll snatch up opportunities the rigid will miss. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have charismatic power to wield, if so inclined, but what is the point in mesmerizing your subjects if you dont even know what you want? So as not to waste your powers, think about what youd really like to experience. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). For a lifelong learner like you, learning isnt limited to books or classrooms; its woven into every experience. Today brings another example of the good that happens because you stay curious and open. Youll be touched by a balmy breeze of insight. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The truth is not one thing. Today, the truth will land like a messy blob -- many truths blended together, sticky and indiscernible. Leave it alone awhile. Come back later to see how it all settles and what emerges from the slime. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Grace is a flexible kind of strength, an intelligent balance that knows when to push and when to rest. Honor your ambitions but also take the pressure off. No need to race to the end when the journey is open-ended. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even when youre not actively searching for love, youre always open to welcoming more of it into your life. Today, love will be searching for you -- and before long, youll be calling yourself found. TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Nov. 24). The universe seems to know what you long to hear, and the stars hum those promises that delight your ear -- sweet, plausible and, because you believe them, you work with the forces that be to make it all happen. More highlights: a financial investment teaches you skills of management and beyond, an old friendship rekindles, and celebrations twist the plot. Taurus and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 11, 13, 39 and 42. CELEBRITY PROFILES: Actress and pop star Sarah Hyland recently starred in the stage revival of Little Shop of Horrors, a performance that earned critical praise and highlighted the vulnerability and charm her sun sign is known for. A show business pro since she was 4 years old, Hyland had dozens of credits before she landed the role of Haley Dunphy on Modern Family, and her fun-loving, forward-thinking Aquarius moon and natal Jupiter in Leo suggest the hits will keep coming. Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com. COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM Now is the time. Thats what Alvis Diaz, general manager at Ideal Food Basket, said when community members asked for a grocery store in the West Ward neighborhood. He said theyll see one in a few months. Ideal Food Basket, a grocery store chain, will soon open a new location in Easton. The store, which already operates in Bethlehem, will bring a full-service grocery option to the West Ward. Its planned for 901 Northampton St., formerly a Rite Aid. Diaz said the store is aiming for an April 2025 opening. Diaz said he has received requests from residents who have long sought a full-service grocery store in the area. He said other West Ward stores offer non-perishable or frozen food products, but arent a supermarket with fresh fruits and vegetables. The community was kind of aching for something offering fresh [produce], he said. Theyd always ask us about it. City officials have discussed the need for a West Ward grocery store in recent months. Dwayne Tillman, who was promoted to director of planning and codes, previously said he wants to see one in the West Ward. Right now, theres really nothing, besides small markets, he said previously. Ideal Food Basket held a ribbon cutting on April 28, 2023, at 410 Montclair Ave. in South Bethlehem. According to Diaz, Ideal Food Basket is designed to serve communities with diverse needs, offering a blend of both traditional American grocery items and specialty foods from around the world. Its a grocery store that is more inclined to serve communities that are demographically varied, Diaz said. So we host all the traditional goods that you would find at Weis or Giant, but we also include foods that people from other countries that may have immigrated to the United States cant find. Diaz is the general manager of the Bethlehem location and will serve in this role at the Easton location. The store takes pride in its fresh food, Diaz said. He said the store sources produce from Hunts Point in the Bronx, home to one of the largest food distribution facilities in the country. So its the freshest quality produce you could possibly find, he said. Theres an in-store butcher, where customers can find freshly cut meats, including pork chops, steaks, ribs, hot dogs and cold-cuts. None of that is pre-packed. All that stuff is brought in fresh, cut up, with a normal lifespan on the product. Diaz said. Ideal Food Basket serves Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. It has several stores in Florida, too. The location in Bethlehem opened in April 2023. It replaced Aharts Market, which closed in 2021. Chelsea Kun can be reached at ckun@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on instagram at @chelsealehighvalley. Pick a social media platform and a fishing-related hashtag, say #patroutfishing on Instagram. Itll turn up thousands upon thousands of posts. Anglers have long posed for photos with their latest and biggest catches, but the phenomenon of being able to pull out a smartphone and share your achievement globally is unique to the past 10 or 15 years. Its something thats been on Travis Pantaleos mind since the coronavirus pandemic drove so many of us into nature for socially isolated recreation and it was the focus of his masters research thesis in fisheries management at Oregon State University. Wednesday night, he brought his look into Fish Out of Water to Lost Tavern Brewing in Hellertown, as part of the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valleys Tap Talk series. What impact, if any, does the use of social media have on recreational angling from a catch-and-release or even a mortality perspective? is the question he posed. And the reason that this is important is because some of your most dedicated anglers will do everything that they absolutely can to make sure that a fish swims off. But theres still a 10% mortality assigned to any catch-and-release angling . Travis Pantaleo, a member of the Cooks Creek Watershed Association in Bucks County and the Board of Directors for the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, discusses catch-and-release fishing and snapping fish photos for social media during a coalition Tap Talk on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at Lost Tavern Brewing in Hellertown.Kurt Bresswein | For lehighvalleylive.com Numerous managers of fisheries across the United States offer tips online, of course on how to practice safe catch and release. The intersection of the internet and fishing isnt necessarily a bad thing, Pantaleo said. Anglers can visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commissions GIS site for maps of trout streams; where-and-when details on the 4.4 million trout stocked this year in Pennsylvania, including 1.2 million stocked by cooperative nurseries that help raise trout for anglers to go out and catch; and more. Those who manage fishing can draw on information gleaned from social media to influence decision making on stocking and conservation, he said. Pantaleo admits to taking photos of some of the fish he catches while out on Cooks Creek in Upper Bucks or other local steams. But his research has shown the extra time to snap a shot can increase the risk to the fish. When you go to take a photo, the chances are the percentage and times that youre keeping that fish out of the water multiplies by 1.6, he cited. So keeping a fish out for 30 seconds just became 45. Keeping a fish out of water for 60 seconds just became a minute and a half. And so it kind of extrapolates the possibility of harming that fish without even really thinking about it. And when you see a lot of photos online, they look pretty good. You know, if youre anything like me, if you go take a picture of a fish, youre rushing. Like for me its quick, its awful because the photo comes out really bad because Im just trying to get it back in the water and Im not a good photographer. Pantaleo is a member of the Cooks Creek Watershed Association and a board member at the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley, a nonprofit organization that encompasses 13 waterway groups in all. His research shows that the time a fish spends out of water, assuming its being released, can cause serious damage. Its not too different from if you were to try to hold your breath under the water for 60 seconds or more, he said. The only thing is where we would asphyxiate because we would take in too much water, fish kind of have the opposite: They have a large buildup of carbon dioxide. When theyre reintroduced into the water, to put it simply, the oxygen moves through their body so fast that it causes cardiac issues. That sudden exchange can kill a fish, or cause difficulty righting or balancing itself, or lead to reproductive problems, Pantaleo said, voicing particular concern for native populations of brook or brown trout. There can be injury to the fish, Pantaleo said. So depending on how you hook it, if you hook a fish relatively deep inside of its throat with its gills, theres a good chance its going to swim away bleeding and ultimately die from loss of blood. You can scrape it, it can get infected. Some examples of best practices for catch-and-release fishing include using barbless hooks, going with a silicone or rubber-mesh net instead of nets with knots, and wetting hands or gloves to reduce harm to the protective slime covering the fishs skin. Anglers are good partners in conservation, said Stefanie Green, who coordinates the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valleys Tap Talk series. Rod and gun clubs promote coalition events. They organize stream cleanups. Pennsylvanias fishing license sales estimated at 782,989 in 2023-24 help protect native species, conserve the outdoors and enhance waterways, according to Fish and Boat. Pantaleo cited examples of anglers calling others out on social media, over pics of fish that have been dropped or which are covered in dust or dirt. And on the opposite side of that, you have other forums where people are very encouraging of folks to go out and experience this type of experience for themselves, he told about 18 people gathered for Wednesday nights Tap Talk. So it goes back to that idea that social media can both be a positive and a negative. The Watershed Coalition started its Tap Talks in spring 2019 at Birthright Brewing Co. in Nazareth. Theyre held in conjunction with the Penn State Extension, whose master watershed steward coordinator for Lehigh and Northampton counties, Shannon Frankosky, was in attendance Wednesday. The series grew out of visits to local businesses that use Lehigh Valley water, and the talks dont always take place at beer breweries. The members have held events at Portch Tea, a kombucha-tea maker in the Emmaus area; Taylor House Brewing Co. and Blockers Coffeehouse in Catasauqua; Seven Sirens Brewing Co. in Bethlehem; and Black River Farms Vineyard & Winery in Lower Saucon Township. Give us something delicious with local water and were there, said Green, who is president of the Bertsch-Hokendauqua-Catasauqua Watershed Association. For more tips on safe catch-and-release fishing, including to keep both the fight and the fishs time out water as brief as possible, visit the websites of the National Park Service website or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife is blunt in its recommendation: Photos can be so stressful. SKIP SOCIAL MEDIA! But if you feel you must get a picture, prepare for taking photos with your fish safely under the water surface. When lifting the fish out of the water, do it for 5 second intervals or less. Try to get the shot (within reason), but return your fish to the water for a rest between attempts. Take it slow down below. More tips from keepfishwet.org include making sure your camera is easily accessible and ready to use and being mindful of conditions where a photo simply isnt a good idea, like if the water is warm or the fish is deeply hooked. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat also offers a video on How to Handle Fish for Safe Catch and Release: Next Tap Talk Learn more about the Watershed Coalition of the Lehigh Valley on Facebook. Wednesdays event was free, though participants were asked to register at eventbrite.com. President Rebecca Hayden says its next Tap Talk is planned for January on pollution trapped in snow and its year-round effects on both surface water and groundwater. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. A woman appeared before Portlaoise District Court for falsifying a no claims bonus document. Katrezyna Grabowska OBrien (42) of Clondeglass House, Clondeglass, Lacca, Mountrath admitted using a false instrument which was proof of no claims bonus from 123.ie at her address on August 2, 2024. Solicitor Brian Duffy said his client was pleading guilty at the sitting of Portlaoise District Court. Garda Sergeant JJ Kirby said the accused had taken out an insurance policy on a Honda Civic with Liberty Insurance and told the insurer she had a nine years no claims bonus. He said the bonus resulted in a policy reduction of 992 and the insurer requested proof. He said the defendant had provided a no claims document from 123.ie that she had altered herself. He said the woman had attended Portlaoise Garda Station, was fully cooperative with gardai and had no previous convictions. Mr Duffy said his client was a Polish national who was extremely remorseful and accepted responsibility. He explained that she had moved to Sri Lanka with her family in 2021 and returned to Ireland in July 2024. On her return she applied for a job as a healthcare worker and she needed a car. Her no claims bonus had lapsed while she was away, he explained. He said the lapse of the no claims bonus had meant the cost of her insurance had doubled. Judge Susan Fay noted that it was an attempt to defraud Liberty Insurance of 900. She said she would give the woman a chance to pay 900 to the court poor box by June 26, 2025 and if it is paid she would strike the matter out. However, if it wasnt paid she said the penalty would be a conviction and a 1,000 fine. Ahead of next Friday's General Election polling day, the Leinster Express / Laois Live visited Portlaoise Men's Shed headquarters on the Timahoe Road, to hear their experienced views, and they had plenty to share. Tom Jacob is a member of the shed, and also a retired local Fianna Fail councillor, serving for 35 years. There will be no change, thats my opinion. The odds are stacked against everybody else. When you look at the base for the others, they have no history. Willie Aird is the single Fine Gael nominee, it would be unbelievable if he didnt make it. Tom Jacob in Portlaoise Men's Shed headquarters at the equestrian centre on the Timahoe Road. "Brian Stanley on his previous election got 16000 votes including Offaly, he has a very good track record in Laois. I dont see him being put to one side. Sean Fleming has been there and the Fleming Fianna Fail base in Laois is strong enough to elect him. Retired Irish Rail worker John McIntyre is a Dublin native living in Laois for 19 years. John McIntyre, member of Portlaoise Men's Shed. I dont have faith in the present incumbents. Im left wing and always have been. The present two parties are twins separated at birth, in power since the foundation of the state. They say if we keep going we will sort out the crises in housing, health and transport, but theyre the ones who caused them. Law and order is in chaos in the country and they caused it, our defence forces can barely put one ship to sea, we depend on foreign powers to protect our skies. Ill be voting Brian Stanley, Id prefer if he was still in Sinn Fein, Ill vote Sinn Fein number two. I want more public transport, I wouldnt normally support the Greens but theyve made a statement that they will invest in public transport. The Portlaoise bus service was supposed to be running by this year, its still not. I live in Fairgreen and the only ones to come to my door were Brian Stanleys people, he said. John is supporting the SIPTU campaign to increase the old age pension up to 34% of the average industrial wage. The next Government must keep this promise. Fine Gael went two years giving us nothing so we are falling behind, he said. On the other side of the tracks, fellow Portlaoise Men's Shedder, retired prison officer Joe Murphy from Portlaoise says he is totally opposed to Sinn Fein. Im Labour but theres no candidates in Laois so Ill be voting Greens. I got involved with Labour to give people an alternative in Laois that was not Sinn Fein. I want Sinn Fein to lose their seat in Laois and Brian Stanley to lose his seat because they are both the same colour, he will go back to Sinn Fein eventually. The provos years back blew up a bomb in Garryhinch that killed a Garda and injured another who lived in Portlaoise. Stanley marched his troops past his house every year. Theres only one Oglaigh na hEireann in this country and thats the Irish army. We need to stop the privatisation of services. The choice of candidates in Laois is poor, theres only one I think could make a difference if they break through, Aisling Moran," he said. He won't be choosing fellow former prison officer Austin Stack either, who is running for Fianna Fail. Fianna Fail blew up the economy twice," Mr Murphy said. Im extremely content with the way the country is. There are issues in housing but every country in the developing world has that issue. Its hard to buy a house in Australia too. Emigrants now have a choice, they go and come back with experience. I would ask that Portlaoise Main Street be pedestrianised, and the courthouse be taken out, at least the criminal courts, that would increase footfall, Mr Murphy said. Healthcare is a big issue for Men's Shed member Michael Doran, below. Michael Doran. He wants more money invested into health services, especially in free dental care. Its a joke they way they promise you this and that. The health system is a joke. They promise you free dental care but you dont get it. I have type 1 diabetes. The problem in Laois is if you have a medical card, there is no dentist to take it. Whats the point? If you get a tooth out its nearly 200. Im on disability allowance, I cant afford it, he said. 'Nothing ever changes' Ronnie Gaunt is a Glaswegian living 20 years in Portlaoise and sees no big change ahead. Its the sameness, nothing ever changes. Its like Glasgow used to be. Blue collar workers voted Labour Conservative and white collar voted Conservative. Here its Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. I dont agree with any of them. They are only interested in money and power. They make monumental promises and back pedal with excuses once theyre in. The pension format here is a damn sight better than in the UK, but money for Mens Sheds is being cut back, its hard enough to get money now. Its a rigmarole to get grants. We are doing all the construction for the new parklets project for Portlaoise Tidy Towns, making all the flowerbeds and seats. Elaine Mullally came around to chat to us and I was quite impressed by her, he added. See next Tuesday's Leinster Express newspaper for a 20 page election special including in-depth interviews with all 12 Laois candidates. Portlaoise mother of two, Maria McCormack is contesting her first General Election for Sinn Fein in Laois, quite unexpectedly due to Brian Stanley's shock resignation from the party. Having run in her first local election unsuccessfully last June, she told the Leinster Express / Laois Live what the reaction is to her on the doorsteps. From the length and breadth of the constituency, no-one is happy. From housing to healthcare, disability, cost of living, education places, services, farmers, rural communities; nobody is happy. Everyone is looking for change. The two main topics are housing and healthcare, inclusive of disabilities. They're 70% of the time coming up on the doors. I feel Sinn Fein's new policies are in a position to change this. Their housing policy is to extend the eviction ban, and put the largest investment ever into building social houses. There is a constant waste of money in the Government, like the overrun in the children's hospital. There's a big focus on lack of services in Laois. Not enough special education places. No dental service, to get an OT or speech therapist, even to get any assessment for any child. They're just totally left behind. The healthcare plan Sinn Fein have will transform the system, to get rid of the two tiers of public and private, she said. Ms McCormack describes what she could bring if elected as a TD for Laois. Being a female, there has never been a female TD in Laois, I don't know how we are at this stage in 2024. I really think it's important that a female gets to represent the mothers of Laois and have a voice. I'm a mother of two children in the community, it's lived experience that I have. I have a child with Autism so I understand the different battles that parents have to go through. I know how children with special needs are treated like second class citizens here. I've always been involved with the community from my healthcare profession as a pharmacy technician and a healthcare assistant out in the community. Then in my community activism, from volunteering with Laois Civil Defence, Portlaoise Action to Homelessness, the new Community First Responders group, Women's Shed. I'm on the ground and I'm accessible, and I'm willing to be held accountable. It's not that I'm going to keep coming back, the same narrative, knocking on people's doors in five years again promising the same things over. I will be accountable to people. I will be a voice in the Dail, a champion for carers, for disabilities. See full list of Laois General Election candidates by clicking below photograph. I will be accessible and listen to people. I feel Sinn Fein is the only alternative party that has all the costings ready to go. I have the backing of that big party behind me to bring the change that the people in Laois want, Ms McCormack said. She claims that despite the prominent resignations from Sinn Fein of Cllr Aidan Mullins and Deputy Brian Stanley, membership in Laois has actually increased. Four new memberships actually came in yesterday. Membership is increasing every week. People are coming out to campaign, Sinn Fein are definitely getting more support than we had been. We have more members in Laois than we had for 20 years so we are in a really good position. Aidan Mullins has always been fully supportive, he had his own reasons for leaving but he helps in the background with my campaign. Overall morale is great, I have support, a massive team effort and great energy. Yes it's been a big change but you have to be resilient. My focus is to retain the Sinn Fein seat in Laois that has been there and been fought for by so many for so long. I don't stand by Brian Stanley, none of the core candidates stood with him. He definitely will get votes. I'm under no illusion that this is a massive challenge but there's a lot of strong candidates. But what voice can an independent really have? She said rural transport is a massive issue. It's like we're back in the stone age. When I was in Mountrath last week they were talking about one bus a certain time of the day. For people that don't drive it's absolutely appalling. There's big investment Sinn Fein wants to put in to community buses. It was interesting at the IFA meeting with the farmers, our rural and small farmers are the backbone of the community. Derogation was a massive issue. Sinn Fein fully supports that we try keep the nitrates derogation there as long as possible. When it comes to water pollution, farmers are being scapegoated and blamed for a lot of climate issues. It's really important for me if elected to be on the ground with people like Henry from the IFA and giving them a voice and be involved in decisions. It was a similar narrative as at the special needs meeting in Portlaoise. Farmers feel blamed when we need a whole new Teagasc review. There seems to be money spent in the wrong areas when farmers are trying their best. Small farmers fear they will not be able to hand the farm to future generations. In business support, Ms McCormack says Sinn Fein's healthcare improvements would create more jobs. On emigration in Ireland, she said it is in crisis. We need stricter controls on our border. The system is broken. Two thirds of people who apply for asylum are refused but it takes 13 months for deportation and they're not followed through. It's not acceptable. Genuine refugees of course we want to support them but that they are not placed in areas that cannot support them like Portarlington. Speaking to Laois voters, she said we're getting a really good reaction, I'm almost afraid to say it. There's a positive reaction, I suppose people want a woman. You never know. I didn't expect to step up this quickly but it's massive experience and an opportunity, she said. See next Tuesday's Leinster Express newspaper for a 20 page election preview special with interviews of all 12 candidates. The election will take place on Friday, November 29. Former Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley has said a campaign of character assassination was continuing and he wouldnt rule out taking a civil action in the wake of his dramatic departure from the party. He left Sinn Fein last month after an internal inquiry draft report indicated a finding of gross misconduct and a determination that his behaviour had amounted to sexual harassment. He fully denies any wrongdoing and said Sinn Fein has created a false narrative in relation to the matter and lied about a barrister overseeing the internal inquiry. The Independent Republican candidate said his wife, Sinn Fein Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, and children had been targeted in the campaign in recent days. In the wake of his departure from Sinn Fein, Mr Stanley said nuns had been praying for him and priests had sent him good wishes. Since the controversy happened the amount of people that have contacted me. I have nuns stopping me and telling me why I need to run. I have messages from nuns telling me they are praying for me but I also told them I needed a few votes. I have had mass bouquets from priests. I have had good wishes from protestant ministers. I have had all sorts of people sending in stuff, he revealed. Speaking last Monday, November 18, he said: The campaign of character assassination against me continues. It continued yesterday. It continued right up to in the last 24 hours it was still happening. It has been handled in such a way as to target Caroline and I do know in one instance to target my children. I dont mind political combat in the sense of people contesting on policies, contesting on track records, thats all fair game but the stuff that is the creation of Sinn Fein now, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, I dont ever recall them in the 40 years that I am involved in elections, both campaigning for other people and campaigning for myself, I dont believe I have ever seen it happening. Thats a question for the leadership of Sinn Fein, is that the type of organisation that they have? he asked. Should we really be surprised? We have a leader of Sinn Fein that lied about the dates the complaints were received. That lied about the fact that there was a Barrister overseeing it. There was no Barrister. The only day they consulted a Barrister was on the day I resigned, he claimed. When the political potato got too hot they ran around and dropped it on the counter of the garda station, much to the surprise and the amazement of gardai, he said. Mr Stanley said the party sat on the complaint for ten months and only lodged it on the date nominations opened for applications for a Sinn Fein candidate to run in Laois. He accused Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald of misleading the public about the dates, something he said he could prove. The Sinn Fein false narrative that was put out that it wasnt received till a week later but I have confirmation, a copy of confirmation from her party chairperson, that it was received a week earlier. I have a copy of the Sinn Fein documents dated the 26th of July and in them documents it states clearly no less than three times that the purpose is the removal of Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley. Thats what it said at the start and the beginning, he said. Sinn Fein has stated that the complainant contacted them on July 26 but didnt submit a statement of complaint until August 2 and this marked the date of commencement of the disciplinary process. Because of what Sinn Fein had allowed in the party I had to come to the conclusion that it was no longer a safe place to be as a TD and that is regrettable. That is a matter for Sinn Fein to deal with, said Mr Stanley. When asked whether he was referring to physical safety he said: No. There are a small group of people who have proven that they are fit for anything. Whats also been proven is that the leadership are incapable or doesnt want to deal with it. Thats fine. They have lost TDs over it. It was no longer a safe place to be a Sinn Fein TD. The so-called complaint that was lodged with the party. It was never any criminal allegation made against me, he pointed out. When asked about his wife remaining in Sinn Fein while he had left the party he said: Caroline will deal with all that in her own good time. I am confident of that and she has been a tower of strength as have all my family and Carolines family indeed. We couldnt ask for better, they have absolutely been wonderful over the last five months. In relation to taking civil action, Mr Stanely said: Legal matters all remain under consideration. The consideration at the moment is the General Election. Theres no rush. The Leinster Express has contacted Sinn Fein in relation to Mr Stanley's claims. Cummins Motor Group, Main Opel Dealer in Portlaoise, County Laois, has been awarded the Opel Aftersales Dealer of the Year 2024 accolade. Dealer Principal, Michael Cummins, was presented with the trophy to much applause at the annual Opel Dealer Conference, held this year in Frankfurt, Germany. The 3-day conference took in a visit to the Opel Classic Collection in celebration of Opel's 125-year milestone in 2024, together with an exciting future product reveal, at Opel's headquarters in Russelsheim. Operating in the automotive trade for over 20 years, Michael Cummins began his motoring career as an apprentice mechanic from the young age of 17. He started his own business in Portlaoise 16 years ago, building a successful dealership at Cummins Motor Group and earning a well-deserved reputation of trust in the Laois community. Appointed to the Opel Dealer Network in late 2021, in less than three years, Michael has both grown Opel market share and aftersales business in the county exponentially, and cultivated a local Opel customer base, service by his team of experienced personnel. Cummins Motor Group topped the polls across set criteria to win the Opel Aftersales Dealer of the Year 2024 title, to include parts sales performance and growth, recall management, technical training, and Aftersales customer satisfaction. No stranger to awards, Cummins Motor Group were crowned SEAI EV Dealer of the Year 2023 for County Laois, more recently enjoying an Irish Enterprise Award for Automotive Dealership of the Year 2024 for County Laois. Garreth Wilson, Head of Aftersales at Opel Ireland said "I am whole-heartedly delighted to present Michael Cummins and his staff at Cummins Motor Group with this deserved award. In just a few short years not only has Cummins Motor Group become synonymous with the Opel brand in County Laois, but the team has also consistently and enthusiastically embraced every facet of aftersales business in 2024, to deliver a healthy Opel performance in the county. I wish them every continued success." Michael Cummins, Dealer Principal, said at the Opel Dealer Conference, "I am absolutely delighted to bring the Opel Aftersales Dealer of the Year trophy home to Laois. I am equally thrilled to know that our team's continued efforts are recognised by Opel and Gowan Auto, and I personally thank all my team for their absolute dedication to our company and to Opel." He added: "I cannot accept this award without acknowledging our very valued customers. We thank them sincerely for all their support throughout the years and we very much look forward to seeing everyone in 2025 at Cummins Motor Group." House prices will continue to rise until 2029 if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael return to power, Sinn Feins housing spokesperson has said. Eoin O Broin urged voters to end the two Civil War parties stranglehold on housing policy and called for a greater focus on social and affordable home delivery. The reason homelessness is rising is because Simon Harris is Taoiseach, Micheal Martin is Tanaiste and Darragh OBrien is minister for housing, Mr O Broin said at an event at the Teachers Club in Dublin on Saturday. If we want to end homelessness, weve got to end their stranglehold on housing policy. The housing spokesperson said that the proportion of young people who own their home has collapsed compared to the 1990s, from 60% to 30%, and that this was forcing young people to either emigrate or stay at home with their parents. He also said the rise in house prices since the government formed in 2020 had been astronomical, and claimed that average house prices in Dublin had increased by 125,000 euro. Sinn Feins Housing for All plan pledges to deliver 31,500 affordable homes through local government housing bodies at prices of 250,000 euro or slightly above that, he said. Sinn Fein is also vowing to phase out schemes for first-time buyers the Help to Buy and the First Home schemes arguing that they are adding to house prices. The government parties have said the schemes are vital for helping first-time buyers afford to buy a home amid inflated prices with the latest figures showing prices are increasing by 10% a year. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have also questioned Sinn Feins housing plan, which includes a proposal to build affordable homes through the state retaining ownership of the land on which the houses are built. The two main coalition parties have questioned the practicality of this and whether removing the first-time buyers grants would pull the rug from under young people. Mr O Broin said that projections by the Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Mr Harris and the Tanaiste and Fianna Fail leader Mr Martin on when house prices would fall shows the extent to which neither Micheal Martin nor Simon Harris understand anything about housing. Mr Harris said on Friday that house prices would become more affordable or fall when 50,000-60,000 homes a year are being built, while Mr Martin has said house prices would begin to moderate when 45,000-50,000 homes a year are being built, estimating this would be around 2027 or 2028. Housing Minister Darragh OBrien said he did not disagree with the assessment of Mr Martin, his party leader, but was wary of making predictions. Mr O Broin said of the predictions: If you go back to the Celtic Tiger, 2006, 90,000 homes were built that year, highest number of homes in the history of the state house prices kept rising. This idea that housing delivery, in and of itself, will bring down prices is simply not the case. In fact, the vast majority of housing economists and housing policy experts around the world tell us that what you have to do is not only increase the number of homes but its the type of homes and the price of the homes that is key. My view is if Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are left in government for the next five years, house prices will rise throughout that period, as they have done not just throughout the last five years but since 2011. He added: One of the reasons why homelessness has continued to rise over the last two to three years is because exits from emergency accommodation into the private rental sector have collapsed, and the governments delivery of new social homes hasnt been sufficient. Fine Gael is proposing to keep the target at about 10,000 a year out to 2030, maybe have about 12,000 then. Fianna Fail is suggesting maybe an average of 12,000. At an absolute minimum, we need to get an average of 15,000 that would mean by 2027, 2028, youre hitting 16,000, 17,000, 18,000 new-build social homes a year. Asked about how fast a change in housing there would be if Sinn Fein were in the next government, Mr O Broin said things can be done at pace. We will be delivering affordable homes for working people to purchase at a price of 250,000, 260,000, 270,000 in year one, as well as two, three and four, ramping up to that 32,000 (affordable homes) over the six years. Weve set out very clearly how you could end homelessness for the over-55s in one year, and year on year dramatically reduce the number of families with children in emergency accommodation. So things may not be done overnight, but things can be done at pace and at that speed, but only if you have the political will, he said. 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. Ten year-old Leila Byrne from Kilcock has been cast for the second year running in Cinderella Christmas panto in the Liberty Theatre, Dublin this December. She was successful once again following her audition in Dublin during the summer. The show opens December 19 and runs until December 30, with two shows per day. Xfactor's Mary Byrne stars in this years panto alongside other familiar names and faces. Leila has been very busy rehearsing twice per week in North County Dublin. Leila attends school in kilcock, and is in fifth class. She is the youngest female dancer in this year's panto. The director of the panto is Michael Courtney. When she's not at panto rehearsals shes busy on set filming for various TV productions, she has been recently filming in rte for fair city and she has been featured in advertisements. Leila filmed a documentary this year that will be on TV in 2025. Leila is a student of Maureen Ward performing arts. Leila says she is happy to be back for the second year running with Liberty Panto. She is enjoying every minute of it, and says her happy place is on stage or filming. Leila has a good future in acting ahead of her. Log on to www.libertyhalltheatre.ie or phone Phone: 01- 858 6354 for further information. Taoiseach Simon Harris has said he was focusing on outlining his election pitch to help people with disabilities instead of dwelling on his encounter with a care worker in Cork. Mr Harris spoke to Charlotte Fallon, a disability worker with St Josephs Foundation, after a clip of an exchange between them on Friday went viral. RTE footage posted to the social media site X shows Mr Harris on a canvass in Kanturk when Ms Fallon tells the Taoiseach carers were ignored and the Government has done nothing for us. Mr Harris responds by saying: No, not at all, and thats not true, several times before shaking her hand. When asked whether he thought the clip would overshadow the Fine Gael campaign, Mr Harris said people would vote for the best plan on offer. I hope people like to see humility in politics and if you get something wrong, you come out and you own it, he said. Im human, I make mistakes, Simon Harris said. But you know what I do when I make a mistake? I own it. Theres been far too many occasions during general elections in this country and abroad where something goes wrong on the campaign trail and people dilly dally and debate for days. You know what? I put my hands up. I got it completely wrong. I was wrong, simple as. Spoke to Charlotte. But much more importantly to me now, in my engagement with Charlotte and my engagement with people right across this country, its what Im going to do for people with disabilities. Asked about the encounter, Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that Ms Fallon had spoken truth to power. The unfortunate thing is, in this case, power didnt want to hear the truth, and thats hugely, hugely problematic. You hear all sorts of things out on the campaign trail, and I think a wise leader, a person who would wish to be taoiseach, listens and accepts that when somebody is telling you that your policies are hurting, hurting them, hurting the people that they represent and work for you should hear that lesson. If youre not hearing that lesson, youre not going to change your approach and in that meeting that happened in Kanturk, I think people just got a glimpse of actually what it would mean for Fine Gael to be back in government with Fianna Fail, because thats their approach. They dont listen, they dont respond, and they seem to think, astonishingly, that people ought to be grateful for their efforts, rather than hearing, reflecting and changing. Disability, housing and animal welfare were among the issues raised with Mary Lou McDonald while on a canvass in a Dublin shopping centre on Sunday. The Sinn Fein leader appealed to voters to lend their support to the main opposition party and told them that the only way to improve various services was to change the government. A 25-year-old teacher from Dublin told the Sinn Fein leader that she cant afford to do anything and felt guilty going shopping when she cannot afford to buy a house. You cant sustain a life that you want in this country the way it is at the moment. You just cant, were being pushed out the way it is, everything is too expensive whether its groceries, shopping. Ms McDonald said: I want you to know at the heart of our efforts is housing, its young people in particular, and its not just the young people we want to come out to vote for your future, we want your parents, your grandparents. Ms McDonald spoke to two mothers about access to services for children with additional needs. She said it was important to keep speech and language therapist graduates in the country and attract young people who had emigrated back. If we have five more years of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael back in government together, it is not going to get better. Were asking for a chance and were very, very acutely conscious of families like yours, she told one mother. Another mother became visibly upset when speaking about her four-year-old son and how she had to stop working. We have a real real problem with timely assessment of needs and then access to the therapies and the supports that children need, Ms McDonald told her. The truth is all of this needs to change and the government needs to change to drive it forward. Several people raised with her why enough candidates were not put forward by the party in the 2020 general election. One man raised an issue with Sinn Feins housing plan, claiming it still involved vulture funds, to which Ms McDonald said you need to get the mix right. I dont see that we do need that mix, he said, to which Ms McDonald said well, then we disagree before shaking his hand. One woman, Sonya Barrett OConnor, raised animal welfare issues and funding for the greyhound racing industry with Ms McDonald, who told the woman she has a rescue dog. Ms McDonald said: We are asking for a chance and then you will adjudicate and judge how we deliver, but we have to be given the chance to demonstrate what we can do. Earlier on Sunday, Ms McDonald and the Sinn Fein frontbench called on working people to come out in their droves next Friday and back the party in enough numbers to become Irelands largest party. Asked if she would be open to a rotating Taoiseach arrangement in the next government, Ms McDonald said it happened so often in the last coalition it left the population pretty dizzy. For me, personally, Im acutely conscious of the responsibility and the great honour that it would bring to be Taoiseach and, of course, a lot of hard work. Thats ultimately it. When the the excitement subsides, youre left with with hard work. I have, as my colleagues will Im sure confirm, a work ethic second to none. So my biggest feeling around will be the opportunity to get stuck in. In todays fast-paced business world, the ability to capture and organize information quickly and efficiently is essential. 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In conclusion, Photes is a powerful tool that leverages AI technology to streamline the note-taking process and enhance productivity for business professionals. Whether youre looking to improve organization, collaboration, or efficiency in your work, Photes offers a comprehensive solution to meet your needs. Pricing Photes offers three pricing plans: Hobby (free), Pro ($6/month, $72 billed annually), and Basic ($3/month, $36 billed annually). Each plan allows users to generate notes from photos, with varying amounts of credits per month and export options. Visit photes.io for more. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter , Facebook and Instagram. Two of Ireland's most prominent weather forecasters are in agreement that the coming week is likely to see a major improvement in the weather. In recent days, Met Eireann has issued a series of weather warnings for every county in Ireland as Storm Bert made its way across the county. While there has been snow, ice, heavy rainfall and strong winds, the coming week looks set to be much more settled according to two of the country's leading weather experts. READ ALSO: Gardai launch investigation after man dies in road crash in County Clare In an update, this Sunday, Alan O'Rielly of Carlow Weather deliver a positive outlook. "Some sunny spells on Monday after a windy start in Northern areas the wind will ease through the day. Showers mainly in the West and North. Good news for Tuesday and Wednesday with plenty of sunshine after any fog clears but cooler in light winds," he wrote on x, formerly Twitter. Separately, Cathal Nolan of Ireland's Weather Channel says he's also optimistic for the weekend ahead. "Our weather looks like settling down through Monday with high pressure offering a respite from the inclement weather of late as we go through the first half of next week. Good sunshine is expected, though frost may return by night under clear skies with a slight risk of some icy patches," he wrote. Click here for the latest Met Eireann forecast. Qatar Development Bank announces strategic investment in global Islamic FinTech, Wahed DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Qatar Development Bank (QDB) announces a strategic investment in Wahed, a global Shariah-compliant fintech. Wahed currently manages over $1 billion in assets and has attracted over 400,000 clients worldwide. The company is built on the principles of democratizing access to financial services and offers clients access to Shariah-compliant investments in its mobile app. Wahed removes the barriers to sophisticated investment management services that have been traditionally reserved for high-net-worth investors. Khalid Al Jassim, Executive Chairman of Wahed MENA said: 'We are delighted to welcome our new shareholders, QDB. We believe Qatar is fully aligned with our mission in creating a technology-first Islamic finance leader that unlocks a financial ecosystem free from Riba. We look forward to supporting the Qatar National Vision 2030 of becoming a leading knowledge-based economy. Ali Rahimtula, Partner at Cue Ball Capital said: "Qatar Development Bank's strategic investment is a clear signal of the faith the industry has in Wahed and its ability to create the future of Islamic Finance." About Wahed Founded in 2015, Wahed is a financial technology company that is advancing financial inclusion through accessible, affordable, and values-based investing. The company has made significant inroads in the world Shariah compliant investing by creating an easy-to-use digital platform that provides a suite of Shariah compliant investing products including managed portfolios and venture and real estate investments. Wahed caters to over 400,000 customers globally and manages over $ 1 billion in assets. For more information, visit: www.wahed.com About Qatar Development Bank Qatar Development Bank's mission is to advance the economic and innovation development cycle of Qatar, supporting and contributing to the nation's economic diversification. As well as a focus on the development of Qatar's private sector, QDB is a powerful catalyst for socio-economic development in the country, empowering the local economy and bettering living standards. For more information, visit: https://www.qdb.qa/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566075/Qatar_Development_Bank_Announcement.jpg 24 november 2024 at 00:00 News published onand distributed by: WINNERS of the 15th annual Limerick Burial Grounds Awards have been announced, sharing a prize fund of 21k. Springfield Burial Ground was the overall winner in the modern category and was awarded 1,500, while Crecora Old Burial Ground took the overall prize in the ancient category, also awarded 1,500. All of this years winners shared in a prize fund totalling 21,000, up from 7,000 in 2023. At the ceremony, a special acknowledgement was given to the communities, burial ground committees, caretakers and parish councils responsible for the upkeep of Limerick's 267 burial grounds. READ MORE: Collection of rare materials on Irish literature, art, culture and music launched at University of Limerick Councillor Jerome Scanlon, who represented Mayor John Moran at the awards ceremony, said: Limerick City and County Council extends heartfelt gratitude to all those who tirelessly maintain the local burial grounds across Limerick. Your time and effort do not go unnoticed, and these awards are a tribute to your selfless commitment to community service. Each graveyard, memorial, and cemetery serves as a testament to our shared history, bearing witness to the lives and contributions of those who came before us. Limerick City and County Council is actively seeking sites for new cemeteries in the Metropolitan and Cappamore/Kilmallock Municipal Districts. In 2024, work was completed on an extension to the Ballylanders cemetery. The Askeaton cemetery extension will be completed by the end of 2024. A programme is in place for repairs to 97 ancient structures throughout Limerick, which is funded by the Community Monuments and Development Funds. The awards took place at Knockaderry Community Centre on Wednesday, November 13. All winners in the modern category were: Stradbally Burial Ground of Metro, Fedamore New Burial Ground, Beagh New Burial Ground and Banogue Community Burial Ground of Adare/Rathkeale MD, Ballylanders New Burial Ground, Ballingaddy Burial Ground, St. Fintans Burial Ground, Doon and Knocklong New Burial Ground of Cappamore/Kilmallock MD and Auglish Burial Ground, Tournafulla Burial Ground and Castlemahon Community Burial Ground of Newcastle West MD. Prizewinners in ancient category were: Clounanna Burial Ground of Metro, Mountpleasant Burial Ground, Croagh Old Burial Ground and Nanintan Burial Ground of Adare/Rathkeale MD, Caherelly Burial Ground, Kilmallock Burial Ground, Kilbreedy East Burial Ground and Ballybrood Burial Ground of Cappamore/Kilmallock MD, Kilmeedy Burial Ground, Ardagh Old Burial Ground and Killoughlehane Burial Ground of Newcastle West MD. The award for most improved burial ground and a prize of 600 was awarded to Fanningstown Burial Ground. PRIAMRY schools across Limerick can now register for the award-winning Care Aware Crew programme, a free initiative that teaches primary school children essential health knowledge, including emergency skills, about the human body, and health literacy, while introducing them to the idea of careers in healthcare. The Care Aware Crew programme offers schools a series of interactive videos and workbooks on health topics like making a 999 call, first aid, and brain health. The programme, already piloted with over 1,000 students across 20 Mid West schools, has received enthusiastic feedback from teachers and students alike. Developed by local healthcare professionals and informed by teachers, Care Aware Crew is a partnership between Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, HSE Mid West-Health Sciences Academy, and University of Limerick. Following initial funding from QExchange in 2022, the Health Sciences Academy recently secured additional funding of 88,000 from HSE Spark Innovation enabling the programme to reach all primary schools in the Mid-West region. This expansion ensures that more students can gain invaluable, lifelong skills and confidence in handling health emergencies. READ MORE: Boston-based CEO returns to his native Limerick and former school to honour students "As a principal who has delivered the Care Aware Crew programme, Ive seen our students gain essential, lifelong skills for handling emergencies with confidence and care, says Seamus Barry, principal of St Joseph's National School, Ballybrown. I highly recommend the programme to schools across the Mid-West. Miriam McCarthy, Health Sciences Academy manager, adds, "Were thrilled to have secured this funding, allowing us to bring the Care Aware Crew to every school in the region. This fun, engaging programme teaches health knowledge and life skills, and we hope to expand access nationwide by next summer. Donncha O Treasaigh, Chief Executive (Acting) of Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board stated "We're thrilled to expand the Care Aware Crew program to reach every primary school in the Mid West. This initiative empowers young people with essential life-saving skills, equipping them to handle emergencies with confidence. Through our partnership with the HSE Mid-West Health Sciences Academy and University of Limerick, we are bringing vital health education to schools. The Care Aware Crew program is a testament to the power of collaboration in improving the well-being of our young people." (Bloomberg) -- Bitcoin has spent the weekend so far trading well shy of the landmark $100,000 level, once again dashing enthusiasts hopes that the oldest of digital assets would breach that significant financial and psychological threshold. Cryptocurrencies ranging from Bitcoin to memecoins have been on a tear since the election of Donald Trump to a second term in the White House. Investors are betting on friendlier regulations in the US and an expansion of mainstream interest and awareness driven by the president-elects own avowed support for crypto. The crypto market as a whole has gained about $1 trillion since Trumps election win. But the momentum hasnt quite been enough for the largest crypto token to set a major new milestone. While Bitcoin came within $300 of the $100,000 mark on Friday afternoon, it seemed unable to push past $99,000 on Saturday. Inflection Point Trumps transition team has begun to hold discussions over whether to create a new White House post dedicated to digital-asset policy, Bloomberg reported earlier. Crypto is seeking a direct line to the president-elect, who has shaken off his earlier skepticism of digital assets and is now seen as an industry cheerleader. This perceived inflection point in the official US attitude to crypto is filtering across Wall Street. Charles Schwab Corp.s incoming Chief Executive Officer Rick Wurster said Thursday the firm will get into offering spot crypto trading once regulatory changes materialize. Bitcoin accumulator MicroStrategy Inc.s plans to accelerate purchases of the token, and the debut of options on US Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, also lifted sentiment this week. We can focus on news that SEC Chair Gary Gensler will step down on Jan. 20, sizable inflows into the ETFs, and the role that options play in driving prices higher, but this is an out-and-out momentum rally, and $100,000 is acting as a magnet, Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone Group, wrote in a note. Advocates of Bitcoins claimed role as a modern-day store of value cherish the $100,000 level as a symbolic rebuttal of skeptics who see little utility in crypto and decry its links to crime. While the token has more than doubled in price this year, many experts still question its fitness for investment portfolios. Very Volatile Bitcoin is not something you can value, Themis Themistocleous, EMEA chief investment officer at UBS Wealth Management, said on Bloomberg Television. Its very volatile, and we think you can have in your portfolio other hedges like gold, that all the time prove to be a much more effective hedge. On Friday, a report from the US Federal Reserve sounded a note of caution about another popular type of digital token: stablecoins. Stablecoins are typically designed to avoid the volatility for which other types of cryptocurrencies are known. These digital assets are structurally vulnerable to runs and lack a comprehensive federal prudential regulatory framework, the Fed said in its semi-annual financial stability report. (Updates prices in third paragraph.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com New Delhi [India], November 24 (ANI): The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has advised all taxpayers to carefully review their foreign income and assets and report them accurately in their Income Tax Returns (ITRs). Income Tax department in its special edition of 'Samvad' raised awareness on proper disclosure of foreign assets and income by taxpayers. The session aimed to raise awareness among taxpayers about the need to accurately report their foreign income and assets in their Income Tax Returns (ITR). During the session, Shashi Bhushan Shukla, Commissioner (Investigation), CBDT explained that all Indian residents are required to declare their foreign assets, which can include real estate, bank accounts, shares, debentures, insurance policies, or any other financial assets where they are the beneficial owner. He said that Income Tax Department has provided a detailed step-by-step guide in the ITR form, specifically in the "Foreign Assets and Income" schedule, where taxpayers can report their foreign income and assets. He emphasised that this rule applies specifically to resident taxpayers, as defined under Section 6 of the Income Tax Act. Defining the resident taxpayers, Shukla clarified that a resident taxpayer is someone who has lived in India for at least 182 days during the previous year or who has stayed in India for 365 days during the previous four years. Taxpayers who do not meet these criteria are either considered non-residents or not ordinarily residents, and they are not required to declare foreign income and assets. He added that only resident taxpayers need to report their foreign income and assets in their ITR. The discussion moved towards the common confusion regarding taxpayers who own foreign assets but do not earn any income from them. Shukla explained that even if a resident taxpayer has a foreign asset, such as property purchased years ago, which does not generate income, they must still declare it in their ITR, regardless of the absence of rental income or interest. He provided an example of someone who bought property abroad in 2010 but is not earning any income from it. Even in this case, as long as the individual is a resident, they are obligated to declare this property. Answering about the situation where a taxpayer holds foreign assets, like an investment property or a bank account abroad, but the income generated from these assets is below the taxable limit, Shukla confirmed that every resident taxpayer with foreign assets must report them, regardless of the amount of income generated. Not reporting foreign assets or income can lead to penalties under the Black Money Act, including fines of up to 10 lakh. Talking about the returning Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) who had foreign assets when they were living abroad, he said that even if these individuals return to India and become residents, they must disclose their foreign assets and income for the years they qualify as residents. The same rule applies to any foreign citizen who becomes a resident in India, as per Shukla. The requirement to disclose foreign assets applies to both residents and those who transition into residency status. On discloser of foreign stocks and investments, he informed that that any dividends or capital gains earned from these foreign stocks must be reported in the ITR under the appropriate schedule. Shukla also touched on the topic of Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs), which India has signed with various countries. These agreements ensure that taxpayers do not end up paying taxes twice on the same income. If foreign taxes have already been deducted on income earned abroad, Indian taxpayers can claim a tax credit under the DTAA to avoid double taxation, he added. The US indictment of billionaire Gautam Adani in a $250-million bribery case has brought attention to both the Adani Group and US Attorney Breon Peace. The statement announcing the indictment also included a statement by Peace which said, My office is committed to rooting out corruption in the international marketplace and protecting investors from those who seek to enrich themselves at the expense of the integrity of our financial markets. The indictment came about a week after Adani congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on social media, and announced plans to invest in US energy and infrastructure projects. Peace was appointed by President Joe Biden as the 48th US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York (EDNY), with strong endorsement from Democratic senator Chuck Schumer, who also acknowledged his support on social media during Peaces investiture. Earlier, Peace had also successfully prosecuted pro-Trump social media influencer Douglass Mackey for conspiring to intervene in the 2016 elections. Peace did not respond to the emailed queries. The department of justice media guidelines prohibit us from commenting on matters after the announcement of a criminal case or answering questions that go beyond whats in the public record, a spokesperson for the US Attorneys Office said. The Adani group has denied the allegations in the indictment as "baseless". It also said it will explore legal recourse in the matter. The indictment is only the first step after an investigation, to be followed various other steps. The US authorities will also need to present evidence of wrongdoing to press their case. Peace's achievements Lawyers, meanwhile, have praised Peace for his professional achievements. Russell A. Stamets, partner at law firm Circle of Counsels, highlighted Peace's strong reputation and diverse background, making him a formidable opponent. As a young prosecutor, he tried financial fraud cases that were modest in dollar terms but impacted ordinary people. In private practice, he was a partner in an elite Wall Street firm, handling complex matters for companies preferring to manage issues quietly, Stamets said, adding Peace has the knowledge and experience to face the upcoming legal challenge. Nilesh Tribhuvann, managing partner of White & Brief Advocates and Solicitors, praised Peace's expertise in handling complex issues such as white-collar crime, public corruption, and civil rights. "During his tenure, his office prioritized prosecuting high-profile corporate fraud cases and ensuring accountability in public office to uphold government integrity. In civil rights, Peace has been instrumental in addressing systemic inequities, focusing on protecting individuals from discrimination, hate crimes, and unlawful practices." Peace's leadership style Tribhuvann also emphasized Peace's collaborative leadership style and efforts to modernize prosecutorial practices. His reforms included strengthening measures against corporate fraud, enhancing public anti-corruption efforts through cross-agency task forces, expanding civil rights programmes, and promoting diversity and inclusion within his office. According to the website of Peace's former firm, Cleary Gottlieb, he made history by becoming its first African American partner. Mint's inquiry to Cleary for comments regarding its former partner went unanswered. Peace is known for handling pressure with ease. Its hard to fully grasp how culturally challenging it would be for a Black American from Brooklyn to seamlessly manage a partnership at one of the worlds top law firms, but Peace has done it successfully. There is no cultural aspect to this case that will challenge him or his team, Tribhuvann said. Complex cases He also highlighted that the federal prosecutor's office for the Eastern District of New York is known for handling complex cases, from a celebrity sex cult to the Chinese telecom giant Huawei. The sex cult case gained widespread attention in 2017, when an expose shed light on Nxivm, a cult-like organization which branded women with the founder's initials and coerced them into sex. In 2021, its founder Keith Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in federal prison for sex trafficking and other crimes. Several high-ranking members, including Smallville actress Allison Mack, were also convicted of various offenses. Also read | Adani indictment: FCPA cases take long to conclude The case against Huawei began in February 2020, when the company was charged with stealing trade secrets and assisting Iran in tracking protesters. Huawei denied the allegations asserting there was no evidence of a conspiracy and labeling the Department of Justice's charges as misguided China Initiative, aimed at prosecuting individuals and companies with connections to China. A trial is set for 5 January 2026. Crime and civil rights Peace was appointed to the Attorney Generals Advisory Committee (AGAC) in October 2023, which advises the Attorney General on policies and procedures. He chairs the AGACs White Collar Fraud Subcommittee, working to combat crimes such as securities fraud and identity theft. He also serves on the AGACs Civil Rights Subcommittee, focusing on civil rights issues across US Attorneys Offices. Born in 1971 in Brooklyns Crown Heights neighbourhood, Peace began his legal career at Cleary in 1996. After a year, he served as a law clerk to Sterling Johnson Jr., a judge for the US District Court for the Eastern District of New York. He then transitioned to the US Attorneys Office, where he handled criminal cases, while also teaching clinical law at New York University School of Law, mentoring future prosecutors. Also read | Mint Explainer: The Adani bribery charges and the US legal process Peace returned to Cleary in 2003, where he represented corporations in sensitive internal investigations and complex litigation involving federal and international authorities. Among his notable achievements, he served as Special Master in a case addressing racial discrimination in the NYC Fire Department and played a key role in securing the exoneration of a wrongfully convicted man in 2016. Elections explained in six big numbers: Maharashtra and Jharkhand had their 2024 state assembly election results announced on November 23. In the western state, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance saw a landslide victory, while in interior Jharkhand, the JMM-led INDIA bloc scored a big win. Further, results for the bypolls in Assam and Bihar also saw the NDA show up in good stead, while in West Bengal, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) dominated; and in Wayanad, Congress' Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made her grand parliamentary seat debut. Notably, by-polls were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states. Here's we take a comprehensive look at the recent elections and results in six big numbers. Top six 2024 Election Updates in Numbers The NDA or Mahayuti in Maharashtra logged wins in 236 out of 288 assembly seats, with the BJP registering its best-ever poll showing in the state with 132 seats. Meanwhile, the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA bloc won 56 out of 81 seats in the state Assembly, improving its 2019 score. Further, the new Jharkhand assembly has elected most women in the state's 24-year history. The assembly has 12 women MLAs, constituting 15 per cent of the 81-member house. According to Newsweek, India counted a total of 640 million or 64 crore votes on November 23, 2024. Elon Musk used this number to mock the US elections process as counting still continues in some states after November US presidential elections which saw Donald Trump defeat Kamala Harris. EC data showed that of the 81 assembly constituencies in Jharkhand, women voters outnumbered men in around 68 across both phases of the state elections. As many as 1.76 crore voters cast their ballots, including 91.1 lakh women who exercised their franchise, compared to the 5.52 lakh men who showed up, EC said. EC data also showed that Priyanka Gandhi secured 6,22,338 votes in Wayanad 4,10,931 votes over her closest competitor, CPI candidate Sathyan Mokeri (trailed with 2,11,407 votes). Also Read | Israeli airstrikes kill 20 in Beirut as ceasefire talks falter Maharashtra Assembly Elections 2024 were a complete surprise for the opposition, as the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance achieved a resounding victory in the state. The trio of Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar has received praise for Mahayuti's performance. Apart from the three, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh's general secretary, Atul Limaye, also played a crucial role in ensuring Mahayuti's victory. Who is Atul Limaye? The 54-year-old Limaye left a high-profile job at a multinational company at a very young age and joined the RSS as a pracharak, reported News18. Later, he worked as chief of the RSS's western region and then as the joint general secretary. During Maharashtra Elections in 2014, he was responsible for the party's campaign in the western Maharashtra region. Atul Limaye's role in Mahayuti magic in Maharashtra According to a Hindustan Times report, Atul Limaye, the former chief of the RSS's western region was responsible for collaborating with prominent BJP leaders, including Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and former chief minister Devendra Fadnavi. He even tried to gain Marathas's support for the BJP. He was the primary coordinator behind the Mahayuti-RSS campaign in the state, which also involved other senior leaders from Delhi like BL Santosh, the national organising secretary, and Arun Kumar, the coordinator between the RSS and the BJP. According to News18, Atul Limaye had closely studied the Maratha reservation-related agitation and its complexities. He had worked at the grassroots level to regain the confidence of the community leaders, reclaim the party's OBC vote bank and consolidate voters on the line of the Hindutva ideology of RSS. He also ensured that the BJP didn't sideline the Marathas during their campaign, as he and his team also reached out to various Maratha leaders. During his interaction with Maratha leaders, Limaye assured them that the party genuinely supports reservation for Marathas without categorising them as OBCs, reported HT. Election Results: The Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance in Maharashtra and the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDIA Bloc in Jharkhand recorded significant victories in the assembly elections. Out of all the factors contributing towards sweeping victories of both the alliances in Maharashtra and Jharkhand, pre-poll promises have been a critical factory. In Maharashtra, the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance won 236 seats out of 288. Whereas in Jharkhand, the JMM-led INDIA Bloc secured 56 out of 81 seats. According to a report by Emkay Global Financial Services, which has been titled India state elections Incumbent sweep riding on freebie wave', pre-poll promises have been a crucial factor in electoral success in the last 18 months. Freebies have been a key issue for every election in the country. However, this trend has been more persistent since the last assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh. One key contribution to the Mahayuti alliance's thumping victory was the Ladki Bahin scheme, which provided 1,500 monthly financial assistance to women. Similar schemes were introduced by other state governments in the last 18 months. Hemant Soren led JMM government implemented a similar scheme in the state by providing 1,000 financial assistance for women every month. Both these schemes have significantly contributed towards poll victories, the report said. With this winning trend, similar schemes are likely to be implemented during election season in other states as well. Mahayuti's win will be beneficial for Maharashtra in the medium term, as the state has been dealing with a political imbalance in the last few years due to frequent changes in the mandate. This hampered the growth and development of the state. With the BJP in power in both the Centre and the state, it will allow to address issues of the state and improve infrastructure spending, the report said. However, the state may face challenges in terms of fiscal balance due to the implementation of poll promises. The Mahayuti alliance has promised to raise the aid of the Ladki Bahin scheme to 2,100 per month from the present 1,500 per month. This will increase budgetary expenses by 40 per cent to 644 billion from 460 billion, adding an additional cost of around 70-90 billion. Also Read | Hemant Soren stakes claim to form govt, to take oath as Jharkhand CM on Nov 28 JMM, too, has promised an increased allowance in a similar scheme to 2,500 per month from 1,000, bringing the expenditure to 90 billion from 60 billion initially budgeted in FY25. The fiscal metrics of Maharashtra have worsened over the years. However, the first half of FY25 has witnessed a comfortable situation for both Maharashtra and Jharkhand, mainly due to limited expenditure on capex, the report said. Remote work is here to stay and in Australia, businesses are embracing this shift at a rapid pace. A recent survey found that 58% of Australian workers now work from home at least once a week, with 35% working remotely full-time. But for business owners and managers, this shift can pose challenges, especially when it comes to onboarding new remote employees. With no physical office space to walk into, no chance to casually bump into colleagues in the hallway, or chat over coffee, how can you ensure new hires feel welcome, supported, and part of the team? A study by the Boston Consulting Group found that companies with effective onboarding strategies experience 2.5 times more revenue growth than those without. So, if your business is making the transition to remote work, now is the perfect time to rethink your onboarding process and set it up for success in the virtual world. Onboarding remote employees might come with its own set of challenges, but with the right approach, it can be a seamless and engaging experience. Whether your new hire is a seasoned remote worker or someone new to working from home, creating a process that fosters trust, clarity, and connection is key to success. Lets explore how to make remote onboarding personal, productive, and truly connected. Before we dive in, lets talk about the X factor here. The big idea is that remote onboarding shouldnt just be about getting through the basicsit can (and should) be engaging, personal, and connected, even if youre not all in the same office. Its about turning onboarding into a memorable experience that builds trust, keeps communication clear, and ensures your new hires feel like they truly belong from day oneno matter the distance. Heres what makes it stand out: Human Connection in a Virtual World: The focus here is on making remote onboarding feel personal, even if theres no face-to-face interaction. Its about creating those water cooler moments virtuallyfostering real relationships, and making employees feel supported, not just informed. Tailored Experience: Onboarding shouldnt be a one-size-fits-all process. Its about customizing the experience to match each remote employees work style, preferences, and needs. By doing this, you ensure new hires feel valued and heardsomething that standard onboarding practices often miss. Clear Expectations & Flexibility: Remote work offers freedom, but it also requires structure. The X factor here is balancing flexibility with clear boundaries. Your onboarding should go beyond just teaching the jobits about setting expectations that help employees thrive in a remote environment, while still keeping things productive and balanced. Revamp job descriptions & handbooks Remote work is all about flexibility, so make sure your job descriptions, welcome emails, and employee handbooks reflect that. Consider: Flexible Schedules: Emphasize the freedom that remote work offers while ensuring employees understand how this fits into your companys structure. Emphasize the freedom that remote work offers while ensuring employees understand how this fits into your companys structure. Digital Handbooks: Move your employee handbook online. PDFs, videos, and easy-to-access software make it easier for new hires to find important info and stay engaged. Move your employee handbook online. PDFs, videos, and easy-to-access software make it easier for new hires to find important info and stay engaged. Clear Communication: Ensure your policies and expectations are transparent and easy to digest from day one, helping new hires feel confident and informed. At the heart of remote onboarding should be trust, clarity, and connection, ensuring employees feel like part of the team even from miles away. Understand Their Remote Work Style Not all remote workers are alike. Some have years of experience working from home, while others might be new to the gig. Its key to have a conversation early on about: Work Preferences: Do they thrive with set hours or prefer flexibility? Tailoring their schedule to match their work style can boost productivity. Do they thrive with set hours or prefer flexibility? Tailoring their schedule to match their work style can boost productivity. Communication Preferences: From Slack messages to Zoom calls, understanding how they like to communicate ensures smoother interactions. From Slack messages to Zoom calls, understanding how they like to communicate ensures smoother interactions. Workspace Setup: Help them create a productive home office. A comfortable, functional environment can make all the difference. By getting clear on these points, youll help new hires settle in without any confusion. Set Expectations from the Start Remote work can blur the lines between work and personal life. Without the physical separation, employees can easily experience burnout or feel disconnected. To avoid this, set clear expectations from day one: Daily Check-Ins: Regular catch-ups, whether daily or weekly, keep everyone aligned and make employees feel supported. Regular catch-ups, whether daily or weekly, keep everyone aligned and make employees feel supported. Core Working Hours: Even in a flexible remote environment, its crucial to establish the hours when employees are expected to be online and available. Even in a flexible remote environment, its crucial to establish the hours when employees are expected to be online and available. Reliable Communication Channels: Make sure everyone knows how and when to reach out for support, whether its through email, chat, or video calls. These boundaries help employees stay productive while ensuring they dont feel isolated or overwhelmed. Tackle Common Remote Work Challenges Remote work comes with its own unique set of hurdles. Here are some challenges to address during onboarding: Productivity Struggles: Without the structure of an office, some employees may struggle to stay focused. Provide tools, clear tasks, and regular check-ins to keep them on track. Without the structure of an office, some employees may struggle to stay focused. Provide tools, clear tasks, and regular check-ins to keep them on track. Isolation: Remote work can leave employees feeling disconnected. Foster camaraderie by encouraging informal chats and virtual team-building activities. Remote work can leave employees feeling disconnected. Foster camaraderie by encouraging informal chats and virtual team-building activities. Communication Barriers: With the absence of non-verbal cues, misunderstandings can happen. Be extra clear in your communications and encourage feedback. Equip your new hires with the tools and resources they need to tackle these challenges head-on. Keep Onboarding Personal and Meaningful The best way to make a remote worker feel at home is to add a personal touch to their onboarding experience: Welcome Package: Send a thoughtful package with company swag, a personalized note, or a virtual lunch to make them feel valued. Send a thoughtful package with company swag, a personalized note, or a virtual lunch to make them feel valued. Mentorship: Pair them with a mentor who can help them navigate the ins and outs of your company, making them feel supported from the start. Making the process personal is key to making remote employees feel like they belong, no matter the distance. Create a Virtual Breakroom for Casual Chats Building connections is easier said than done when youre working remotely. Set up a casual Slack thread or group chat just for light-hearted banter. Encouraging informal conversations mimics the water cooler chatter that can often build strong workplace bonds. When employees feel connected, the sense of teamwork and company pride grows. Employment law considerations Do Australian Minimum Employment Standards Apply? In Australia, employees are entitled to the National Employment Standards (NES) under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (FW Act). These include protections like unfair dismissal and adverse action. The FW Act applies to national system employers, including constitutional corporations (which also cover foreign corporations), provided they have sufficient ties to Australia. For the FW Act to apply, two conditions must be met: The employer must be a national system employer. The employment relationship must have a sufficient connection with Australia. Applicability of the FW Act and NES to Remote Workers The FW Act applies when there is a clear connection between the employment relationship and Australia. If key factors like the employees residency, the location of the contract, wages, and tax are linked to a foreign country, the FW Act and NES may not apply. Do work health and safety laws apply? The Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) (WHS Act) applies to all businesses, including those with international employers, ensuring health and safety for workers, even when working remotely. If employees are working remotely in Australia, the WHS Act still applies to employers, requiring them to ensure the safety of their remote workers. You can read more here. Income tax implications for remote employees If a remote employee becomes an Australian tax resident, their worldwide income will be subject to Australian taxation. However, temporary residents may not be taxed on foreign income, except for salary or wages earned outside Australia. If the employee remains a non-resident or is a temporary resident, foreign income is typically not taxed, but any income earned in Australia is subject to Australian income tax. Double tax treaties may impact the right to tax income. Under these treaties, Australia can tax salary or wages if the employee is in Australia for more than 183 days, is paid by a resident employer, or the salary is paid by a permanent establishment in Australia. PAYG & Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) If a treaty prevents Australian tax on the salary, the non-resident employer wont need to deduct PAYG tax or pay FBT on benefits related to the Australian posting. If no treaty exemption applies, PAYG and FBT may apply. Superannuation Employers must make superannuation contributions to avoid the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC). The current contribution rate is 11%, increasing to 12% by 2025-26. Superannuation applies even if the employer is foreign, unless theres a social security agreement with the employees home country. Payroll Tax Payroll tax is levied by Australian states/territories on wages paid to employees, including commissions and fringe benefits. International employers may be liable if their wages meet certain thresholds in a particular state/territory. The threshold is calculated on a group basis, so foreign employers with operations in Australia may exceed it. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax advice. Please consult with a qualified tax advisor for advice tailored to your specific situation Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Election Result: The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led INDIA bloc won 56 seats, retaining power in the 81-member Assembly in the elections, the results of which were declared on November 23. The ruling alliance, comprising the JMM, the Congress, the CPI(ML)L and the RJD, has improved its 2019 score in the Jharkhand assembly. The JMM, led by Chief Minister Hemant Soren, has won 34 seats. The Congress won 16 seats, the RJD won four seats and the CPI(ML)L won two seats , according to Election Commission of India data. The RJD won four seats. Election Result: The comparison of seats won by different parties in 2019 and 2024 assembly election in Jharkhand In the opposition National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) 24 seats, the BJP won 21 seats, and the AJSU, LJP and JD-U won one seat each. In the 2019 Assembly elections, the JMM emerged as the largest party with 30 seats, while the BJP bagged 25 seats. The Congress won 16 seats. The JMM formed a government with the support of Congress and RJD. This election marks a significant milestone in our journey towards gender equality in politics. Jharkhand has had five assemblies since 2000 when it was bifurcated from Bihar. The new, 6th assembly, has elected highest-ever women MLA's, according to analysis by PRS legislative research (PRS). Key features of the new Jharkhand Assembly The new assembly has elected most women in the 24-year history of Jharkhand. The assembly has 12 women MLAs, constituting 15 per cent of the 81-member house. The outgoing fifth assembly had ten women members, and the fourth assembly (2009) had 9 women MLAs. Election Result: The assembly has 12 women MLAs, constituting 15 per cent of the 81-member house. The education profile of MLAs has remained the same in the last decade. About 40 per cent of members have studied up to higher secondary school, about 37 per cent are graduates, and 22 per cent are postgraduates. About 70 per cent of MLAs are politicians or social workers by profession, as per PRS analysis. The assembly is getting older, with the median age of MLAs increasing from 43 in 2009 to 53 in 2024. Election Result: The assembly is getting older, with the median age of MLAs increasing from 43 in 2009 to 53 in 2024. 47 per cent of MLAs in the new house are in the 41-55 age group, while 31 per cent are in the 56-70 age group. In the 2019 assembly election, 60 per cent members were in the 41-55 year age group while 22 per cent were in the 56-70 year age group. Election Results: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Mahayuti alliance scripted a landslide victory in Maharashtra by bagging 235 seats in the 288-member assembly in the elections, the results of which were declared on November 23. The BJP registered its best-ever poll showing in the state with 132 seats. The opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) won 49 seats, while four seats went to others. Apart from the BJP, the Mahayuti comprised Ajit Pawar-led NCP and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. The Shiv Sena (UBT), the NCP (Sharad Pawar) and the Congress are part of the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance. In the 2019 assembly election, the BJP-Shiv Sena (undivided) won the majority. The alliance didn't last long as the Shiv Sena pulled out, unleashing political turmoil in the state. The state saw three different chief ministers in the last five years: BJPs Devendra Fadnavis, Shiv Senas (UBT) Uddhav Thackeray, and Shiv Senas (SHS) Eknath Shinde. In the 2024 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP lost ground in Maharashtra. It won just nine of the 28 seats it contested, compared to 23 of the 25 seats it contested in the 2019 general elections. Key Features The BJP registered its best-ever poll showing in the state with 132 seats. Here are some key features the new Maharashtra assembly: The new, 15th assembly in Maharashtra, has lesser women MLA's than before, according to analysis by PRS legislative research (PRS). The assembly has 22 MLA's, two less than 24 in the outgoing assembly. In 2014 assembly polls, Maharashtra elected 20 women MLAs. At least 59 per cent MLAs in the new Maharashtra assembly have college degress. In the outgoing assembly, 55 per cent MLAs had college degrees. At least 17 per cent of elected members have post graduate dedrees as opposed to 15 per cent in 2019. The Maharashtra assembly is getting older with 40 per cent members in the 56-70 year age group. 34 per cent members in the outgoing assembly were in this age group. Just 8 per cent MLAs in the new assembly are in the 25-40 years age group. This number was 14 per cent in 2019 and 20 per cent in 2014. AT DUKES BAR in London there is a limit of two martinis per person. Enrico Chiappini, one of the bartenders, says that in his 16 years he has made almost no exceptions. That is because the bars martinis, made with chilled gin or vodka and vermouth, are famously dangerous: each contains 120ml of booze. Two hold ten shots. As James Thurber, an American humorist, warned, two martinis may be too manybut three are not enough. That thrill has attracted drinkers for more than a century. Ian Fleming, a British novelist and frequent patron of Dukes, invented the Vesper martini for James Bond, who ordered his shaken not stirred". Ernest Hemingway, also a committed drinker, extolled the macho tipple in his novels, including A Farewell to Arms". A boozy cultural prism" is what Alice Lascelles, who writes a column in the Financial Times, calls the drink in a new book, The Martini". It is resilient and adaptable. As distilling improved in the 20th century, drinkers started to request dry cocktails. In the 1980s tastes swung the other way, with fruity froths and coffee liqueur filling the Y-shaped glasses. Yet the martinis basic recipe has always been simple. It requires no specialised equipment. That makes it a kind of perfection thats well within ones grasp", writes Ms Lascelles. During Prohibition in the 1920s in America, martini-making moved from bars to homes. A century later, covid lockdowns once again enticed many to experiment with mixology at home. A basic formula can be endlessly personalised. That taps into the trend across lifestyle industries, from fragrances to fashion, of tweaking a product to express something about yourself. You may have a rotating repertoire of spirits. (In your correspondents case, it is a potato vodka from Poland.) Or it may be the garnish: citrus rind or olives? Franklin D. Roosevelt would add both, along with a splash of the olive brine. Hemingway had a fetish for adding onions: both frozen and raw. A study by Claire Warner and Tristan Stephenson, two mixologists, identifies at least 21 variables yielding 6.9 quadrillion possible martini combinations. Meanwhile, bartenders use the drink to show off their skills. Tayer + Elementary in London, one of the worlds best bars, riffs on its form by serving a green olive stuffed with blue cheese in a bite-sized vodka martini. As people drink less, they want to drink better. That is especially true among young drinkers; last year a survey of millennials in America and Britain showed that 30% opted for homemade cocktails to start the nightalmost double the share five years ago. They might even drop 25 ($33) on a martini at Dukes, which is made tableside to their specifications and poured theatrically into an ice-cold glass. It is a ritual rich with historyand potential for sharing on Instagram. #Cheers. The current week brought a new wave of challenges stemming from both international and domestic political conflicts. The Russia-Ukraine conflict intensified after U.S. Democrats approved the use of American arms against Russian territory, potentially in response to Moscow's decision to deploy North Korean soldiers to the Ukrainian frontlines. This move appears to be a last-ditch effort ahead of the planned White House transition in January 2025. The heightened geopolitical tensions, compounded by nuclear threats from President Putin, triggered instability in global markets, including Indias, which was already underperforming. However, the markets regained stability as the situation de-escalated, with no further escalation of the conflict. The domestic political landscape also faced turmoil during the Maharashtra and Jharkhand assembly elections. Historically, state election volatility has had little impact on the medium to long-term trends of the Indian stock market. However, this time, the intensifying rivalry between the BJP and Congress brought the Adani bribery case to the forefront, reported by the U.S. Department of Justice. This added to the market's woes as there was some sign of slowdown in FII selling, which surged again this week. Along with the Adani group, stocks of financials & industrial sectors were also affected. The market showed resilience by the end of the week, signalling that domestic political turmoil is unlikely to have a significant long-term impact on the Indian stock market. However, high exposure of foreign investors in the Adani Group and exposure of PSU financials and banks on the project will have to bear the brunt, before judicial & project feasibility clarity emerge. The legal case in the U.S. is expected to restrict the Adani Groups access to international funding, evidenced by Adani Greens cancellation of a $600 million bond issuancethe second such withdrawal in the last two years. Mockery the strength of the trial depends on the bribery taken in the BJP opposition states. Domestic politics dogfight will be held on the international judiciary. Adani Group was able to recover most of the lost ground done by the Hindenburg report in Jan 2023. However, this time it will be a challenge, as the DoJ has accused after an investigation of 2yrs. Also Read | What should equity mutual fund investors do amidst the market slump? Round-the-clock trading is becoming a reality. Individual investors say it is about time. For years, investors were confined to traditional Wall Street trading hours between 9:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. ET on weekdays and extended hours" starting as early as 4 a.m. and ending at 8 p.m. Now, brokerages seeking to meet the growing global appetite for U.S. stocks are extending their timetables. Since Robinhood Markets and Interactive Brokers unveiled overnight trading in single stocks last year, other platforms have raced to expand their offerings. The New York Stock Exchange recently unveiled plans to extend trading on its all-electronic exchange to 22 hours a day. Charles Schwab plans to add individual stocks and hundreds of additional exchange-traded funds to its off-hours session. Webull recently expanded its 24-hour trading platform to include U.S. users, and Firstrade is launching overnight trading next year. Investor appetite for stocks has been voracious in 2024. The S&P 500 has jumped 25%, driven by the artificial intelligence boom and expectations for interest-rate cuts. And investors have piled into funds tracking U.S. stocks since Donald Trump was elected president. Deutsche Bank said its measure of equity positioning posted its biggest weekly jump on record following the election, based on data going back to 2010. Proponents of 24-hour trading say it gives investors more control over their portfolios and allows them to react faster to news outside regular trading hours. That, in turn, also lets investors manage their risk in real time, they say. If a door flies off a Boeing plane over the weekend, you dont have to wait for the stock exchange to open up in the morning," said Brian Hyndman, chief executive of Blue Ocean Technologies, the parent company of a platform that powers overnight trading for U.S. brokerages. Late-night trading can expose traders to dangers, too. Thin volumes can leave markets vulnerable to sharp price swings, whereas huge volumes can lead to kinks in the platforms plumbing. Blue Oceanwhich powers off-hours trading for Schwab and Webull, among otherssaw an hourslong outage during the global markets rout in August. Blue Ocean says it has since upgraded to a new technology platform. Most of the enthusiasm for 24-hour trading has come from amateur traders and those in Asia where market hours dont overlap with those of the U.S. Some institutional investors, on the other hand, have called for a shortened trading day because so much activity now takes place at the opening and closing bells. Individual investors often take bigger, riskier bets than their institutional counterparts. Schwab and Webull are among brokerages that permit only limit orders" for certain overnight trades, where investors set a maximum and minimum price at which to buy or sell. That is a strategy often recommended by advisers to ensure investors limit their risk if markets unexpectedly melt down. For some traders, making supersize late-night bets has paid off. Long Hoang, a 30-year-old software engineer in the San Francisco Bay Area, raked in more than $1 million on a series of trades last month. He bought shares of Trump Media on Oct. 25, ahead of Trumps interview with podcaster Joe Rogan and sold them when the stock popped during an overnight session days later. On Wednesday, he bought shares of bitcoin holding company MicroStrategy at 10:15 p.m. PT, suspecting the market would rally following Nvidias strong earnings report. He sold his entire position a minute after Thursdays open, pocketing a roughly $450,000 profit. Overnight trading has been kind of like a godsend," said Hoang, who often stays up late to monitor trading opportunities around events such as speeches from China President Xi Jinping. Its felt like the power is in our hands now." Trading platforms say much of their off-hours activity is event-based. Blue Ocean facilitated a record $3.3 billion in trades in the off-hours session following Election Day. The trading platform typically sees about $1 billion in trades during an overnight session, according to Hyndman. Some of Robinhoods busiest overnight sessions have been around Federal Reserve policy meetings, key earnings reports and developments in the Israel-Hamas war. The off-hours session following Nvidias earnings report last week was Robinhoods sixth-busiest on record. Steve Quirk, Robinhoods chief brokerage officer, said individual investors want the convenience of trading what they want, when they want. Although the pandemic-era trading boom has faded, robust online communities and the rise of remote work have allowed Americans to be plugged into the market like never before. Plus, 24-hour trading in assets such as cryptocurrencies has raised investors expectations for when they can trade other assets, said James Kostulias, Schwabs head of trading services. Write to Krystal Hur at krystal.hur@wsj.com 2024 will go down as a special year for kanjira exponent V. Selvaganesh. In February, Shakti, the (regrouped) world music band hes a member of along with John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Shankar Mahadevan and Ganesh Rajagopalan won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album for their album, This Moment . This was the first Grammy win for the band for the first studio album theyve released in 46 years. There were some memorable concerts - at NMACC and the Mahindra Percussion Festival that saw him perform along with his father, ghatam maestro Vikku Vinayakram, his brother V Umashankar, and son Swaminathan Selvaganesh as part of the family ensemble, Ghatam Symphony. As the year draws to close, Selvaganesh's keeping the good vibes flowing by performing at Bandland 2024, an all-out rock music festival organised by Bookmyshow Live. I know that Bandland is a rock music festival and everyone must be wondering what a classical musician like me is going to do there. That is the challenge, but my son (Swaminathan Selvaganesh) and I have created some electronic stuff that well be trying out there. I am really excited about it," says the 57-year-old Carnatic percussionist. In this email interview with Lounge ahead of the concert, he also speaks about his big responsibility" to make kanjira more popular, the cities he likes to perform in and that one time he had to borrow a kurta from band member and mentor, Ustad Zakir Hussain. Edited excerpts: You are a part of Shakti, which can easily be counted as one of the best World Music ensembles. Would you say winning the Grammy this year was the best validation of that? As a member of Shakti, winning the Grammy made me so happy. My father, who was a founding member of the band when it first formed in 1973, would return from tours with cassettes of the live music hed recorded at their performances/shows. Hed play these cassettes at home and so, as a kid, it was Shaktis music that I always heard. 50 years later, the bands Grammy win for a global music album feels so well-deserved; especially when I have seen John ji, Zakir bhai, Shankar ji and dad work so hard for it. How would you describe your experience of being a member of Shakti? Every time I am with the band be it for practice, playing a concert or studio recording I feel like its a learning process for me, especially when I am around John ji and Zakir bhai. With them, I realise that theres a lot more for me to learn, and I am still finding my way. You've taken an instrument like the kanjira to the big stages of the world. Now, do you view it as your responsibility to make the instrument more popular? Kanjira is my life, it's my everything. The instrument has given me so much in life, so now, its time for me to give back to it. To answer your question, yes, I view it as a big responsibility of mine to take the instrument further, in terms of popularity and accessibility. One achievement in this regard is that I got the American (percussion innovation and design) company Remo to craft a traditional kanjira based on my design. You are constantly travelling for concerts. What are the pluses and minuses of this aspect of your life? I think traveling the world to perform is always a plus. There are absolutely no negatives here because you are constantly learning, you get to meet new people, and you get to live your music with the audience. My dad always says that each concert you perform at be it in Chennai, Mumbai, New York or someplace in Europe is an exam, because every concert teaches you to understand the vibe of the audience and to play accordingly. This helps you to constantly hone your craft. What are some of your favourite concert venues? It's very tough to select venues because I believe that every platform or every stage one performs on should be a favourite. That said, I can talk about my favourite cities to perform in. In India, Pune and Bengaluru are my favourites because the audience vibe I get there is different. Among international venues, Germany and New York, in the US are top picks. Any funny anecdotes you can share of a concert trip that went wrong? I recall this one time, in 2016, when I had to travel to Brazil to perform with Zakir bhai for the Masters of Percussion concert. Pakhawaj player Bhavani Shankar ji and I had to take a long flight from Chennai to Brazil with transits in Frankfurt and New York. We reached Brazil safely, as did our instruments, but our suitcases didn't arrive. We were told the baggage would arrive a day later but the day of the concert arrived and there was nothing to wear! Zakir bhai lent me one of his kurtas, it was long and tight for me (laughs), but we performed the concert and left for India. And guess what? The luggage reached home a week after I'd reached Chennai. I am just glad our instruments didn't get lost. Now, when I look back, I laugh thinking about this. Kanjira is my life, it's my everything. The instrument has given me so much in life, so now, its time for me to give back to it. Why do trees weep leaves without warning? Why do the old choose to die in their mountain hamlets? Why did his people turn to terror? In Robin Ngangoms verse, Poet, part of his collection of poetry, My Invented Land (Speaking Tiger, 2023), the questions are both real and surreal. The bilingual poet, who writes in English and Manipuri, retired from North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, in January this year. He had planned to return to his hometown of Imphal but with the roads blockaded for months, he has not been able to make that journey just yet. Meanwhile, his poetry often acts as a witness to ethnic conflict and the tension between state and non-state actors, which has tormented the people of Manipur for decades. While Poet was written much before the present conflict between the Meitei and the Kuki-Zo communities that has been raging in the state for 18 months, it does reflect the sombre nature of the moment. The tensions have not ebbed with time earlier this month, the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was reimposed in Manipurs six police station areas, including Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai and Jiribam. For visual artists, theatre practitioners, poets and writers, these everyday realities of Manipur are finding expression in their work. Some are creating portraits of memories, a few are offering art as a means of healing. And some, like Ngangom, stand as chroniclers. Also read: One Hundred Years of Solitude: The challenges of adapting Marquez ARTIST AS WITNESS Having lived in the hills of Shillong for most of his professional life while also witnessing growing ethnic aggressiveness, marginalisation, and displacement in Manipur, Ngangoms poetry features a vivid lyricism combined with a sense of social immediacy. The 65-year-old recalls the lines from the poem In Memory Of W. B. Yeats by W. H. Auden, Mad Ireland hurt you into poetry/ Now Ireland has her madness and weather still...", in which the latter reflects on the impact that the Troubles" (a decades-long insurgency movement) in Ireland had on Yeats and how such pain continued to inspire poets over time. The word hurt that Auden used is important. It is the violence and suffering in Manipur that often hurt me into poetry. There is a universal and local context in these themes of vengeful violence, tragedy, and grief," says Ngangom. Manipur has a painful history of living with blockades, protests against AFSPA, and more. What happens when one grows up with a pervading sense of unease? Does it inure one to violence? Theatre practitioner Joy Maisnam, who hails from the village of Pungdongbam and currently lives in Delhi, believes a certain gravitas enters the subconscious. If you see plays that emerge from Manipur, they are always serious. You will hardly find comedies. Theatre practitioners such as Ratan Thiyam responded to the environment, and a lot of us followed suit. As I grew up watching these works, I became socially and politically more aware," he says. So he enrolled at the National School of Drama, graduating in 2008. He recalls his initial days at the theatre institution in Delhi, when someone started bursting crackers at Mandi House. I started running, thinking those were gun shots. People had to assure me that they were crackers. I have never been able to do a comedy in my life. Zindagi mein hasna samajh nahi paaya (I havent understood how to laugh)," says Maisnam, who has moved to Delhi to ensure a better education for his young daughter. The creative community has been processing these events at a subconscious level for decades, and expressing it through art. Thiyams 1976 play Karnabharam, for instance, cast Karna and Duryodhana as heroes instead of antagonists. When seen in the backdrop of Manipur, where security forces have been engaged with insurgent groupsthe plays become a powerful comment on rethinking our notions of heroes and villains," wrote Dipannita Nath in her 2020 piece for Indian Express. Also read: Hinduism is something of a conglomerate: Manu S. Pillai Heisnam Kanhailal and Heisnam Sabitri Devi, veteran stage artists from the state, staged Draupadi in 2000, based on a novel by Mahasweta Devi, but placed it in context of the women of Manipur. The play created a furore when Sabitri Devi revealed her naked body at the end in an act of defiance. Four years later, happenings on the stage were reflected in real life as women of the Meitei community staged a nude protest against the custodial killing of Thangjam Manorama. View Full Image For Joy Maisnam, the Mahabharat has become a conduit to connect people with contemporary realities. Seen here, a scene from 'Draupadi'. Courtesy: META Today, the symbol of Draupadi has been taken up by Maisnam, 48. His AgniSuta Draupadi, which was performed as part of the Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards this year, looks at womens rights through the lens of a female character wrongly blamed for the bloody Kurukshetra war. The play is likely to be staged at National School of Dramas upcoming Bharat Rang Mahotsav. For Maisnam, the Mahabharat has become a conduit to connect people with contemporary realities. Violence results in nothing but loss. No one wins or loses everyone suffers," says Maisnam, who staged Andha Yug, based on Dharamvir Bhartis text on the mythological 18-day war, in 2017-18. His new play, Endless Nights, is about women who keep vigil in villages at night, and how they are the worst sufferers in this conflict. For performing artists such as Thoudam Victor, the body has become a site to store information and pain as well as articulate it. He uses the body to represent the struggles of displaced and indigenous people and chronicle changes in Manipur, including massive deforestation in catchment areas and the repercussions of six mega hydro projects on the local ecology and people. His plays, The Departed Dawn and The Aboriginal Cry, are non-verbal, and have been described as physical poetry". When we speak, he is in the midst of rehearsing for his latest play, The Aboriginal Cry, which will be staged in Itanagar soon. Thoudam calls it one of the toughest things he has done so far. For one, rehearsals can only take place in early hours to adhere to the curfew timings. Second, every time we start rehearsing, disturbing pieces of news come in. The mind is not at ease. But as an artist, I want to take stories of Manipur to other people, and so we carry on," says Thoudam. Also read: Our messy association with elephants I ask him if his plays are evolving as the conditions in the state change. Thoudam says he needs time to understand and process all that has been happening in the past 18 months. People who were impacted by World War II would not have been able to articulate their feelings about it immediately after. The body and the mind take time to understand these things," he says. View Full Image A scene from Thoudam Victor's 'The Aboriginal Cry' Just like Thoudam, visual artist Thamshangpha Merci" Maku is still processing all that has been happening in the state. Hailing from the Naga tribe in Chandel, Manipur, he is currently based in Vadodara, where he completed masters of visual arts in 2022. Maku, who grew up in the hills of Manipur, feels his relationship with his home is complicated. He left Manipur in 2016 and since then has not gone back to stay for a long period. Though we are a close-knit family, in a way we are also a little apart. We have all been out of home for some reason or another, and this time when we meet in January it will be a reunion of sorts after a decade," he adds. However, Makus works are not direct expressions about the unrest in the state. They are based on information that he gleans from news and phone conversations, lives and struggles of friends and family back at home, notions of identity, and of memories and connections. I have not had a direct brush with violence, and I dont want to appropriate that pain," says the 25-year-old artist. He faced a tough time this year when he had to head home to get his passport to travel for a show. He was not able to return for sometime," says Saloni Doshi of Space 118, which offers residencies to emerging art practitioners in Mumbai. She showed his work at the residencys annual showcase last year, in which he had stitched Naga motifs on to the canvas of a landscape of his hometown. His work, spanning painting, sculpture and performance, is all about memories of home and his childhood," she says. Also read: 'Gods, Guns and Missionaries' excerpt: When Jesuits met devils and monsters in India ART FOR HEALING Ronid Chingangbam, musician and founder of the folk-rock band Imphal Talkies, who goes by the name Akhu, uses art as a means of healing. His work, over time, has been informed by the disconnect between the mainland and the North-East. Through grants by not-forprofits such as Bengaluru-based India Foundation for the Arts, he has travelled extensively to collect oral histories, literature and stories to consider the idea of Manipur beyond its geographical boundaries. This has always been part of my music. Ethnic tension in Manipur has been a reality but never on this scale. Such drastic demographic changes have taken place in the last 18 months that I feel the state might never be the same again. As an artist, as a musician, I am trying to make music to express what we feel," he says. In 2015, Akhu started a music project A Native Tongue Called Peace, as part of which he worked with children from different ethnic backgrounds at a shelter home in Imphal. The project seems even pertinent today as it continues to highlight shared histories and connections. We are using music to find hope, to heal ourselves in difficult times," says Akhu. Earlier this year, he met 20-25 children at relief camps in Imphal, and together they put out a song on 3 May to commemorate one year of the conflict in Manipur. Let them express their voice," he adds. During difficult times such as these, it is voices such as theseof grief, solidarity and succourthat can act as balms over the fractures and frisson that seem to be running through the state today Savings are meaningless if you cannot access them. When Dhairya Tanna, 33, tried to withdraw 3 lakh from his EPF account, the Employees Provident Fund Organisation rejected his application. The chartered accountant wanted to withdraw some money from his EPF account to purchase his first house. Despite submitting all the relevant documents, he says his claim was rejected on grounds of improper cheque image. Last year, the EPFO rejected 24% of part-withdrawal claimsTannas being one among 8.7 million rejected applications. Not just that, it also rejected one in every three EPF final settlement claims in 2023, according to the EPFO annual report. That was the highest in five years. Following the rejection, Tanna approached his companys human resources department to reduce his monthly EPF contribution. The HR department declined his request, stating that the company had a standard policy of deducting 12% of the basic pay plus dearness allowance for all its employees. I didnt want to put more money in EPF anymore," said Tanna, who works in internal audit. I wanted to invest in MFs as EPF rules are complex and withdrawal is an issue." Many employees, like Tanna, are realising that they have limited options when it comes to not contributing to the EPFO from their monthly salary. View Full Image (Mint Graphics) Compulsory contributions By law, companies with more than 19 employees are required to register with the EPFO. The Union government uses a huge chunk of the money it gets through EPFO inflows to buy government of India securities, which in turn helps finance budget deficits. The only time a person can opt out of the scheme is when they join the workforce for the first time, and their salary is more than 15,000 at the time of joining. Typically, medium to large-size companies pay 12% of an employees basic pay (plus dearness and retaining allowances) to the EPFO every month, as required by the EPF Act. Alternatively, companies can pay just 1,800, or 12% of a 15,000 basic salary, towards an employees EPF account every month. The EPF Act allows companies the flexibility to choose either model. To be sure, this flexibility does not extend to employees. In reality, almost everyone ends up subscribing to the EPF through their company," said Anurag Jain, co-founder and partner of ByTheBook Consulting LLP. Once registered with the EPFO, employees have to contribute to it compulsorily. Most companies deduct 12% of an employees basic pay plus dearness allowance and retaining allowance as the monthly EPF contribution. Both employer and employee have to chip in equal amounts towards the EPF account. Corporate policy When Thanigai Ravindrans wife joined a new company as a French translator her EPF contribution dropped fromRs 6,000 to 1,800 per month. The Tamil Nadu-based employee wondered if his company could do the same with his EPF contribution, which was 16,000 per month. He had opted for the new tax regime under which he could not claim a tax deduction under 80-C of the Income Tax Act for EPF contribution. Even the interest was fully taxed for contributions beyond 2.5 lakh in a year. But he was told the company couldnt lower his EPF contribution. Also read |EPFO alert! How to avoid, deal with rejections, delays Some companies allow employees to switch from 12% of actual basic pay to 1,800 towards the monthly EPF contribution. But for large companies with thousands of employees, it would be an administrative challenge if many people request this. Thats why, in practice, many companies follow a uniform policy of EPF contribution," said Bisen Jeswant, partner, employment law practice, at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas, a law firm. In a few instances, companies have been allowed to change their EPF policy. In the caseof Marathwada Gramin Bk.Karmch.Sangtn.& ... vs Mangt.Of Marathwada Gramin Bank & Ors on 9 September, 2011, the Supreme Court allowed the company to reduce employees contribution to the statutory limit when the banks finances were in a crisis. That said, the courts decision should be treated as an exception and not the norm, said Adarsh Vir Singh, founder of social-security consulting firm Nidhi Niyojan Inc. Reducing EPF contributions Employees have two ways to reduce their EPF contributions when changing jobs. One is if their new company has a policy of restricting employee EPF contributions to 1,800 per month. In this case, even if the previous employer was deducting a higher amount, the employee has to accept the new companys policy. The other option is withdrawing all the money in an EPF account linked to a Universal Account Number and creating a new UAN while changing jobs. When opening a new UAN, employees have a one-time option of choosing whether to restrict their EPF contribution to 1,800 or pay a higher amount. Also read |EPF interest delays: How it impacts compounding and tax filing However, for a fresh UAN, a person should have been unemployed for a minimum of 60 days, which is the time required to withdraw the corpus from an existing EPF account. Singh of Nidhi Niyojan said this was not a recommended path as continuity of provident fund or pension service offers benefits at a later date. On the other side of the EPF spectrum, employees can opt to increase their monthly contribution to up to 100% of their basic pay by informing the companys HR department at the start of the financial year. However, companies have no obligation to match an employees voluntary provident fund (VPF) contribution, unlike in EPF, which requires an employer to match an employees monthly contribution. Also read |No interest on National Savings Scheme from Oct 1: What it means for you Elon Musk praised India's election process on Saturday and flagged the painfully slow vote-counting process in many American states. While lauding the counting of nearly 640 million votes in India during the Lok Sabha Election, the Tesla CEO also took a jibe at the US Presidential Election vote counting, which is still underway in California nearly 20 days after it began on November 5. The SpaceX CEO's comment on India's electoral system came a day after vote counting for Maharashtra and Jharkhand state assembly elections and by-elections concluded on Saturday. India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes, wrote Elon Musk on X, while sharing a screenshot of an article on Indian election vote counting. The tech billionaire's post comes after California is still counting votes for the US Presidential Election 2024 held on November 5. According to the Los Angeles Times, citing the Secretary of State's office, an estimated 570,500 ballots statewide were yet to be counted. Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections Maharashtra and Jharkhand Assembly Elections voting were held in a single phase on November 20. The vote counting was held on November 23. According to the Election Commission of India, BJP won 132 seats in Maharashtra. Shiv Sena won 57 seats, Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won 41 seats, Congress was limited to 16 seats, and Sharad Pawar's NCP bagged 10 seats. Meanwhile, in Jharkhand, Hemant Soren's Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) emerged victorious on 33 seats, BJP won 21 seats, Congress won 16 seats, and RJD secured 4 seats. US Presidential Elections in California California is one of the most populous states in America. Elections in the state are normally held by mail and require more time and effort to verify mail-in ballots than the votes made in person. The US follows a completely different process for election and vote counting than India. The vote-counting data is also released differently in the two states. In the US, the news agency AP and a few other media outlets provide the vote counting data, according to The Hindu. Jharkhand: JMM chief Hemant Soren on Sunday met Governor of Jharkhand Santosh Gangwar and submitted his resignation from the post of Jharkhand Chief Minister as he staked claim to form the new government in the state. Moments later, leaders of the INDIA bloc unanimously elected him as the legislature party leader. Hemant Soren handed over the letter of support of alliance partners to Governor Santosh Gangwar, a day after JMM-led alliance steered the INDIA bloc to victory with 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. Meanwhile, BJP-led NDA which managed to garner only 24 seats. Also Read | Jharkhand Mukti Morchas Hemant Soren to take oath as CM on Nov 26 The Mahagathbandhan met the Governor and I have resigned as the CM. We have handed over letter of support of alliance partners to the Governor and staked claim to form the government, said Soren. He added that the oath-taking ceremony will be held on November 28. JMM chief, who made history by ousting anti-incumbency that was witnessed since the formation of the state in 2000, will be sworn in as the 14th Chief Minister of the state. Earlier in the day, JMM executive president Hemant Soren convened INDIA bloc meeting. As can be seen in the video footage given below, INDIA bloc leaders at Hemant Soren's residence. BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom lost to Hemant Soren by a margin of 39,791 votes in Barhait seat. The JMM chief retained the Barhait seat by securing 95,612 votes, while BJP candidate stood second in the vote tally with 55,821 votes. Hemant Soren in his victory address through a post on X had said, "Greetings to all people of Jharkhand, let us walk together and take resolve for building Golden Jharkhand." Acknowledging that the state sidelined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), former Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur said, Winning is in the hands of the public. We have got the mandate of the people. In a democracy, people are always superior. We have got the mandate of the public. We do not care about those making allegations against us," reported ANI. INDIA bloc needs to focus on the work that needs to be done, he added. Rumen Radev, President of the Republic of Bulgaria, and his spouse arrived in Hanoi on Sunday, beginning their official visit at the invitation of State President of Vietnam Luong Cuong. Vietnam's Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son (middle) greets Bulgarian President Rumen Radev (second from the left) and his spouse (leftmost) at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Nov. 24, 2024. Photo by VNA This is the first trip to Vietnam by a Bulgarian president in 11 years and also the first to the country by Rumen Radev since he took office in 2017. The trip is expected to run from Nov. 24 to 28. According to Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang, the trip takes place amidst the robust development of the bilateral relations across multiple sectors. The bonds between the two countries officially began in 1950, when Bulgaria was one of the first nations worldwide to establish diplomatic relations with the Southeast Asian country. Over the recent past, the two countries have maintained regular delegation exchanges, particularly at high level, as well as closely coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums. They have seen progress in the economic and trade ties, with trade volume reaching US$200 million a year during 2021-2023, nearly doubling the figure during 2019-2020. Educational cooperation stands as a cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. Bulgaria has played a crucial role in Vietnam's human resources development, helping the country train 3,600 Vietnamese scientists and around 30,000 skilled technicians. Labour cooperation is also a potential area while locality-to-locality collaboration has been bolstered with twinning ties established between localities of both nations. New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) Seeing India as a place that offers "enormous growth" opportunities, SriLankan Airlines aims to increase flights to the country as well as attract more tourists, including with the Ramayana Trail package, according to a top airline official. The Ramayana Trail will help people connect with 20 significant locations in Sri Lanka that are linked to the Ramayana story. SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall said growth in the number of tourists from India has been stellar this year but still below the pre-Covid numbers. He was speaking at a function in the national capital for the launch of the Ramayana Trail package on Saturday evening. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Kshenuka Senewiratne was also present. Till the end of October this year, around 20 per cent of the tourists who came to Sri Lanka were from India. "We have been looking at how to lift and rejuvenate tourism from India to Sri Lanka to the next level," he said while mentioning the Ramayana Trail and added that it was time to do something different. Currently, the airline operates 88 flights a week to nine destinations in India -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Trichy and Madurai. Emphasising that the airline sees India as a place of "enormous growth and possibilities", Nuttall said it wants to be part of that growth and is working with its Indian partners. He said the airline aims to have more frequencies to the Indian cities that it already operates and offer more flights at convenient times. In due course, he said the carrier will look to add more destinations. Kshenuka Senewiratne said Ramayana is not merely a story, it is a tapestry encapsulating culture, spirituality and heritage. "For centuries it has been a source of inspiration and guidance fostering connections between India and Sri Lanka through mythology, traditions and values in which people to people's ties have always been at the core," she said. Through Ramayana Trail package, she said SriLankan Airlines is not only offering an opportunity to redefine the significant locations but also to celebrate the country's rich cultural and natural heritage. New Delhi: India has rejected consignments of apples, nuts, alcoholic beverages and sushi from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Japan, China and Turkey this year because they fell short of the standards set by it. The apex food regulatorFood Safety Standard Authority of India (FSSAI) has made public the names of the countries on their recently launched Food Import Rejection Alert (FIRA), a portal which enables rapid exchange of information among authorities worldwide on food safety & health risks derived from rejected food. FIRA enables relevant food authorities/stakeholders to take immediate action for prevention & control of risk before it causes harm and ensures enhanced traceability & transparency. Also read | Lab grown meat, dairy, and egg products issue reaches Indias top food regulator Regulation 11(7) of the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulation, 2017 empowers the Food Authority to issue food alert notification. India imports food items from more than 100 countries. According to the FIRA portal , FSSAI rejected cinnamon flower bud (dry) from Sri Lanka on 24 May at Bangalore. The product needs prior approval as it is not allowed as per FSS, Act, 2006. Sri Lankan Arecanut consignments were rejected on 22 April at Tuticorin port due to the presence of visible moulds and various other defects. Three-tier verification As per the Food Safety and Standards (Import) Regulations, 2017, any food article, when referred to FSSAI for import clearance, is subject to a three-tier system of verification i.e. scrutiny of documents, visual inspection, sampling and testing. On 25 June, FSSAI rejected tea bags, in the category of health supplements & nutraceuticals, from Japan at Bangalore saying 'Rooibos' is not listed as a permitted plant/botanical ingredient. In India, in order to regulate the imported food items for their safety and quality, FSSAI has notified Authorized Officers for various Points of Entry, through which Import of food item is allowed by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Also read | Regulator plans real-time surveillance of food Routinely, the major reason for rejection of product is quality or safety criteria, other criteria are labelling declaration, accompanying document deficiency and any other product or country specific requirement. Broadly, safety parameters include pesticides, heavy metals, colors, flavours etc. and quality parameters include moisture, fat content, total ash etc. Fresh red apples from Turkey were rejected on 31 July at Kolkata Port because of short shelf life. The food regulator rejected Budweiser non-alcoholic beer (GREEN APPLE) from China on 31 May at Mumbai-JNPT Nhava Sheva port saying its pH value is less than the prescribed limit for alcohol-free beer. Similarly, sushi nori, a seaweed from China was also rejected in May at Delhi port due to the presence of heavy metal and Arsenic. Arecanut (Betelnut) whole was rejected from Bangladesh. Queries sent to the Indias health ministry spokesperson, FSSAI and high commission of Sri Lanka, Japan, China, Bangladesh, Turkey remained unanswered till press time. A Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue will be held on January 11-12 in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday and said the initiative was part of efforts to connect youngsters having no political background with politics. In the 116th episode of his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio broadcast, Modi said that Swami Vivekananda's 162nd Jayanti on January 12 would be celebrated in a very special way. Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue On January 11-12, the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, he said. From the ramparts of Red Fort, I appealed to such youth to join politics whose entire family has no political background. To connect one lakh such youth with politics, many special campaigns will be run in the country. The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue is one such initiative, Modi said. Also Read | Israeli airstrikes kill 20 in Beirut as ceasefire talks falter On NCC, Discipline and Leadership The prime minister also hailed the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and noted that the NCC name reminded one of their school and college days. I myself have been an NCC cadet, so I can say with full confidence that the experience I got from it is invaluable for me. The NCC instils a spirit of discipline, leadership and service in the youth, he said. On Indian Diaspora Preserving Heritage During his radio broadcast, Modi also called on people to celebrate inspiring stories of the Indian diaspora who made their mark globally, contributed to freedom struggles and preserved our heritage. Share such stories on the NaMo App or MyGov using the hashtag 'Indian Diaspora Stories', he said. The compassion and energy of India's "Yuva Shakti" in helping senior citizens is commendable, Modi said and cited the example of a young person from Lucknow helping the elderly submit digital life certificates. He also talked about a person from Ahmedabad who is warning and making the elderly aware about cybercrimes, including digital arrests. Key events on November 23 include the Mega IPL auction in Jeddah, an all-party meeting before Parliament's Winter Session, and protests against the Waqf Amendment Bill. The IPL auction features 577 players, while community leaders plan a march to oppose the bill on November 24.Check full details here: IPL auction The highly anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) player auction will be held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 24th and 25th November, 2024. A total of 577 players are set to be featured in the Mega Auction. However, KL Rahul, Rishab Pant, Arshdeep Singh and Shreyash Iyer are expected to clinch mega deal this year All party meet ahead of winter session The government has convened a customary all-party meeting on Sunday ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said in a post on X on Tuesday that the meet has been convened on November 24 morning "in view of the coming Winter session of Parliament." The session begins on November 25 and concludes on December 20. To mark the 75th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution, an event will be held in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan or the old Parliament building. Anti Waqf Bill march Muslim scholars and community leaders in Jaipur have declared plans for a march to Delhi on November 24 to protest the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill ahead of the upcoming parliamentary session. They argue that the bill seeks to seize properties owned by the community. The announcement was made during a protest event in Jaipur, which saw participation from Waqf Board members, representatives of the Ajmer Dargah, a Congress MLA, among others. BJD to protest Waqf Bill The BJD intends to stage a demonstration outside Raj Bhavan today in protest against the proposed Waqf Amendment Bill. Moreover, it will "strongly oppose" the Waqf Amendment Bill if it was tabled in the Winter Session of Parliament, which would commence on November 25. The decision was taken at a meeting of the BJD's parliamentary party, chaired by its president Naveen Patnaik here. The Mahayuti alliance swept Maharashtra polls, winning 53 of 70 seats, while the JMM-led alliance retained power in Jharkhand with 56 of 81 seats. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra triumphed in Wayanad, marking her political debut. Meanwhile, US prosecutors charged Adani Group with fraud, and India faces Australia in the first five-Test Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at Optus Stadium. Check the biggest news this week. Mahayuti wins Maharashtra Mahayuti alliance bagged 53 of the 70 assembly seats in Maharashtra to mark a stupendous victory. The Mahayuti, comprising the BJP, Shiv Sena of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and NCP, emerged as a formidable force, leaving the MVA with just 12 seats in the western Maharashtra region, comprising constituencies across Pune, Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur, Solapur, and Ahilyanagar districts. The results of the November 20 state polls were announced on Saturday. JMM makes stunning comeback in Jharkhand In a stunning comeback, Hemant Sorens JMM-led alliance on Saturday stormed to power in Jharkhand for a second consecutive term, winning 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, despite an all-out blitz by the BJP-led NDA which managed only 24 seats. The majority mark in the state assembly is 41 seats. The BJP was confident that it could turn the tide in its favour through an aggressive campaign that targeted CM Sorens leadership, and raised issues like "infiltration" from Bangladesh and the governments alleged corruption. Priyanka Gandhi makes political debut Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Saturday won the Wayanad Lok Sabha bypoll with a thumping margin of over four lakh votes, surpassing her brother Rahul Gandhi's victory margin in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, in her electoral debut. The 52-year-old Congress leader defeated Sathyan Mokeri of the CPI(M)-led LDF by securing more than six lakh votes to succeed her brother, Rahul Gandhi, in the hill constituency, which he had won twice since the 2019 elections. Mokeri got 2,11,407 votes while BJP candidate Navya Haridas finished third with 1,09,939 votes. US charges Adani of fraud US prosecutors on Wednesday charged Indian billionaire Gautam Adani with involvement in a plan to pay more than $250 million in bribes to Indian government officials to win solar energy contracts, and concealing the plan as the group sought money from US investors. In a five-count indictment, the prosecutors also accused the billionaires nephew Sagar R. Adani and Vneet S. Jaain, both executives at Adanis renewable energy company Adani Green Energy Ltd., of breaking US laws. The charges are related to one contract of Adani Green, which is about 10% of the overall business of that firm, Singh said in the post, adding the group became aware of the specificity of the allegations two days ago. Adani Group has denied any wrongdoing and said it would seek all possible legal recourse to defend itself. It scrapped a $600 million bond sale on Thursday. India playing Australia in BGT India is currently playing the first test match against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy of the 3-match series starts today at the Optus Stadium. A Chinese man named Zhang was sacked after surveillance footage showed him napping at his desk during working hours. The employee had been working with the chemical company in Taixing, Jiangsu province, for more than 20 years as department manager. The company's human resources (HR) department issued a report two weeks after the napping incident, SCMP reported. The document alleged that Zhang had been caught sleeping at work due to exhaustion." Also Read | Tesla fires employees in retaliation to union campaign: complaint A viral conversation between the employee and an HR staff member revealed that Zhang had slept for almost an hour in the office. The firm issued a formal dismissal notice after consulting with the labour union. It alleged that Zhang's behaviour was a violation of the company's strict zero-tolerance discipline policy. The notice stated, Comrade Zhang, you joined the company in 2004 and signed an open-ended employment contract. However, your behaviour of sleeping on the job is a serious breach of the company's zero-tolerance discipline policy," SCMP reported. The notice further mentioned that the company decided to terminate Zhang's employment with the union's approval. Also Read | Finfluencer Sharan Hegde promises no more layoffs after first cost-cutting step It added, The company has decided to terminate your employment, ending all labour relations between you and the company. Why did the firm pay 41.6 lakh compensation to Zhang? Considering this dismissal notice to be unjust, Zhang took legal action against the firm. Notably, the employee was involved in a work-related drive that extended until midnight, a night before the day he was found sleeping at work. The court observed that employers' right to terminate contracts must meet certain conditions, such as causing significant loss to the company. It decreed that sleeping on the job was a "first-time offence and did not result in serious harm to the company." It acknowledged the employee's outstanding service as indicated by promotions and salary increases. Also Read | Microsoft sacks employees for organising vigil for Palestinians killed in Gaza Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, is reportedly preparing for Thanksgiving to make it memorable. In a new interview with Marie Claire, the 43-year-old Suits actress revealed details of the upcoming family feast with husband Prince Harry and two children, 5-year-old Archie and 3-year-old Lilibet, reported Elle. Were always making sure we have something fun to do, Elle quoted Meghan Markle as saying. Adding that she loves holidays, the Duchess said, Like any other family you spend time having a great meal and then what do you do? Play games, all the same stuff, someone brings a guitarfun. As she mentioned that with growing age, kids tend to appreciate the special traditions, she said, every year it gets better. Giving a sneak-peak into her understanding about children's behaviour, she said, At first, I think as a mom with children youre just enjoying having them there, but theyre not understanding everything thats happening yet." Notably, the couple prefers to keep their Thanksgivings low-key. However, the number of invited guests on this festive occasion has been increasing over the years. Expressing anticipation in the cherished moments that may arrive soon, Meghan Markle stated, But now were at the age where I just cant wait to see it through their lens every year. While reflecting on how the holidays have become even more special as her children are growing older, Meghan Markle shared that the feminist icon Gloria Steinem was among the guests who spent a memorable Thanksgiving with the Sussex family. She also emphasised the importance of creating a welcoming space for those without family during the holidays. I was thinking about, in the past few years of having Thanksgiving here, like many of us, I think you always make sure theres room at the table for your friends who dont have family, which is really key, she said, adding one year writer Gloria Steinem joined them in their Montecito home, where Meghan Markle's friendship with Gloria Steinems blossomed after the two crossed paths in their Montecito neighborhood. Their relationship deepened after Meghan sought Gloria help to make thanking calls to voter-registration organisers. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are in the midst of a professional separation and they have opted for separate experimental PR route to overhaul their struggling image. Reports have claimed that their work relationship is in a very bad state and hence, they are using the new tactic. This is obviously a new tactic. As in every brand the Sussexes want to promote their brand as best as they can, royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams told GB News and further added, They have tried something that has worked with the so-called royal tours of Nigeria and Colombia. Then we have got the solo engagements, so they are experimenting. The Sussexes need to keep their profile as they cant attack the royal family at the moment, so now they have to think up new devices, he also said. Harry and Meghan are attending events solo Currently, both Harry and Meghan have been attending several events solo. This week, Harry attended Invictus Games events in Vancouver, Canada. Meanwhile, Markle joined her celebrity friends at a beauty launch event without him. However, earlier this month, the couple appeared together in a Veterans Day video. Harry acknowledged they had been at a crossroads with work recently. In their joint video appearance, the pair discussed prioritizing childrens safety online through their Archewell Foundation. There is no question that when it comes to Invictus and the personal touch, this does work, it definitely works with Harry, Fitzwilliams said and adds, Clearly, they are finding that going solo works well at the moment. It depends on what their aim is, Harry has got his Polo series coming out soon. The pair are expected to attend the 2025 Invictus Games in Canada, which will take place from Feb. 8 to Feb. 16. The event comes 18 months after the 2023 event held in Germany. At last years games, Markle hinted that the pair will bring their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, to the next event. American Airlines has announced the expansion of its new boarding technology aimed at curbing the issue of gate lice. The airline said it will implement this technology at more than 100 airports across the US during the busy Thanksgiving and Christmas travel periods, following successful trials in Albuquerque, Washington, and Tucson. "Gate lice" refers to passengers who crowd the gate, eager to board the plane before their assigned group is called. How the technology works American Airlines' newly introduced software ensures passengers cannot board before their designated group is called. If a passenger attempts to scan their boarding pass prematurely, the system will trigger an audible alert for the gate agent, notifying them of the violation. The technology also displays a message on the screen for airline staff, who can then politely ask the customer to step aside and wait for their group to be called. For passengers traveling with a companion in an earlier boarding group, the gate agent has the ability to override the alert and allow the pair to board together, ensuring a smooth process for those traveling together. Successful trials and customer feedback The new boarding system was successfully tested in Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and Tucson International Airport (TUS) in the US last month. American Airlines reported positive feedback from both passengers and team members, with the system proving effective in managing gate congestion and ensuring that boarding occurs in an orderly fashion. Also Read | Canada airlines to highten security checks for Indian traveller Efficient boarding for the holiday rush Julie Rath, Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, Reservations, and Service Recovery at American Airlines, expressed her satisfaction with the initial results. Weve heard from our customers that the ability to board with their assigned group is important to them because its a benefit associated with their AAdvantage status or fare purchase. Americans Senior Vice President of Airport Operations, Reservations and Service Recovery. The initial positive response from customers and team members has exceeded our expectations, so we are thrilled to leverage this technology to deliver for them ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday, said Rath. Donald Trump's former US attorney general pick, Matt Gaetz, stated on Friday that he does not plan to rejoin Congress. He withdrew from the post amid sexual misconduct allegations. "I'm still going to be in the fight, but it's going to be from a new perch. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress," Gaetz said in an interview, reported US media outlets. Also Read | Trump Chooses Ex-Aide Brooke Rollins for Agriculture Chief Gaetz further added that it seems like a pretty poetic time to allow that great new blood to come in, to allow my district to have high-quality representation, reported NBC News. What is Matt Gaetz's plan? Once known as the Trumpiest Congressman in Washington, Gaetz was first elected to Floridas state House when he was 28 years old. He has held the position for 14 years. Reportedly, Donald Trump's former US attorney general nominee currently plans to spend more time with his family, and focus on other goals of his. While Matt Gaetz does plan on joining the 119th Congress, he, however, will continue to obey whatever Trump says. "Im going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have. But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress, Matt Gaetz said in an interview with conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Allegations against Matt Gaetz Gaetz became involved in a federal sex trafficking investigation targeting his former associate, Joel Greenberg. The two were part of a group of Florida Republicans reportedly attending parties where drugs were used, and women who had been paid were involved in sexual activities. More about Matt Gaetz Matt Gaetz attended William & Mary Law School and is married to Ginger Gaetz, the sister of technology entrepreneur Palmer Luckey. Luckey is the founder of the companies Oculus and Anduril, and has been a supporter of Republican political causes. Also Read | Donald Trump names Pam Bondi as Attorney General as Matt Gaetz steps down One of the tough questions facing the Administration of Joe Biden is how to deal with Venezuelas illegitimate Maduro government, and the humanitarian crisis caused by the repression and corruption of Nicolas Maduro and his cohorts. The overriding goal of the Biden-Harris administration is to support a peaceful democratic transition in Venezuela through free and fair presidential and parliamentary elections, and to help the Venezuelan people rebuild their lives and country, said State Department spokesperson Ned Price: Venezuelans have a right to democracy and a government that promotes and defends it, just like everyone else in this hemisphere. President Biden, you have heard him say this even before he was elected President Biden. He understands the pain that the current crisis in Venezuela has inflicted on the people of Venezuela and their families. Again, Maduro is a dictator. His repression, corruption, and mismanagement have created one of the most dire humanitarian crises this hemisphere has seen. Spokesperson Price noted that in dealing with Venezuela, the Biden Administration will follow four basic principles: One, designating, as appropriate, Venezuelans Venezuela for temporary protected status. Number two, addressing the humanitarian concerns of millions of Venezuelans with international partners. Number three, targeting regime officials and their cronies involved in corruption and human rights abuses. And number four, again, aiding and restoring a peaceful, stable, democratic future for Venezuelans and the regime, both through free and fair elections and a long-term economic recovery. Nicolas Maduro is a dictator, there is no doubt about that, said spokesperson Price, adding that he [does not] expect this administration to be engaging directly with Maduro. Instead, he said, the United States will work through allies and partners. We will do that with our partners in the region, we will do that with our European partners and allies, well do that with the OAS, we will do that through the Lima Group, through a number of fora, likeminded fora that share the same goals of bringing about democracy and human rights and an end to this corrupt dictatorship in Venezuela. The United States continues to recognize the 2015 National Assembly as the last remaining democratic institution in Venezuela, said Spokesperson Price, and consistent with that, the person chosen by the National Assembly to be its president as the interim president of Venezuela, Juan Guaido. A fresh plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking an inquiry into the indictment of Adani group founder and chairman Gautam Adani, who has been charged in the US for alleged bribery and fraud. The plea, filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, is an interlocutory application in the batch of pleas in the Adani-Hindenburg row over allegations of stock price manipulation by the Indian company. The US Department of Justice has accused Gautam Adani of being part of an elaborate scheme to pay $265 million (about 2,200 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange for favourable terms for solar power contracts in four Indian states. In his plea, Tiwari contended that the allegations against Adani are of "serious nature" and should be investigated by the Indian authorities. "The SEBI has to inspire confidence by concluding the investigations and placing on record the report and conclusion of the probes. As there were allegations of short selling in the SEBI investigation and the present allegations levelled by the foreign authorities might have connection or may not have, but SEBI's investigation report should clear this so that the investors may not loose confidence," the plea said. US SEC summons The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has summoned Gautam Adani and his nephew Sagar to explain their stand on allegations of paying $265 million ( 2,200 crore) in bribes to get lucrative solar power contracts. Summons were sent to Adani's Shantivan Farm residence and Sagar's Bodakdev residence in Ahmedabad. The regulator has asked them to reply within 21 days. Also Read | Why SECI struggles to find buyers for its renewable energy tenders "Within 21 days after service of this summons on you (not counting the day you received it)...you must serve on the plaintiff (SEC) an answer to the attached complaint or a motion under Rule 12 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure," said a November 21 notice sent through the New York Eastern District Court. "If you fail to respond, judgment by default will be entered against you for the relief demanded in the complaint. You also must file your answer or motion with the court," it added. 62-year-old Gautam Adani and seven other defendants, including Sagar, who is a director at Adani Green Energy Ltd, allegedly agreed to pay about $265 million in bribes to Indian government officials between approximately 2020 and 2024 to obtain lucrative solar energy supply contracts on terms that expected to yield $2 billion of profit over 20 years, according to an indictment unsealed in a New York court on Wednesday. Also Read | Sanjay Wadhwa of SEC to lead probe against Adani Group over bribery indictment Separate from the indictment brought by the US Department of Justice, the US SEC has also charged the two and Cyril Cabanes, an executive of Azure Power Global, for "conduct arising out of a massive bribery scheme". An indictment in the US is basically a formal written allegation originating with a prosecutor and issued by a grand jury against a party charged with a crime. However, Adani group has denied allegations and said it will seek all possible legal resources. "The Adani Group has always upheld and is steadfastly committed to maintaining the highest standards of governance, transparency and regulatory compliance across all jurisdictions of its operations. We assure our stakeholders, partners and employees that we are a law-abiding organisation fully compliant with all laws." Prosecutors said the investigation started in 2022 and found the inquiry obstructed. They alleged that Adani Group raised $2 billion in loans and bonds, including from US firms, on the backs of false and misleading statements related to the firm's anti-bribery practices and policies, as well as reports of the bribery probe. Also Read | Sebi investigating if Adani group flouted disclosure rules "As alleged, the defendants orchestrated an elaborate scheme to bribe Indian government officials to secure contracts worth billions of dollars and... lied about the bribery scheme as they sought to raise capital from U.S. and international investors," US Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement announcing the charges on Wednesday. Listeria monocytogenes infections in the United States, linked to ready-to-eat meat and poultry products from Yu Shang Food Inc. is under investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak has resulted in 11 confirmed cases across four states, leading to nine hospitalizations and one death, prompting urgent public health warnings. Investigation overview Epidemiologic and laboratory data indicate that contaminated Yu Shang Food products are making people sick. The CDC reports that, as of November 22, 2024, 11 individuals across four states have been infected with the outbreak strain of Listeria. Illnesses range from October 2021 to July 2024, suggesting a prolonged exposure period. Nine of the infected individuals from Listeria bacteria required hospitalization, and one death has been reported. Tragic outcomes in California Among the confirmed cases, a pregnant individual and their twin infants in California, US, were severely affected. Both infants died, though only the mother and one infant are included in the confirmed case count due to testing limitations. Another infant affected by Listeria in a separate case has recovered. Unreported cases likely Officials warn that the true number of cases may be higher than reported. Many individuals recover without seeking medical care or undergoing diagnostic testing for Listeria. Moreover, due to the time it takes to confirm cases, recent infections may not yet be included in the outbreak data. Recalled products Yu Shang Foods ready-to-eat meat and poultry products have been recalled. Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators for items labeled "Yu Shang" with establishment numbers "P46684" or "EST. M46684." These products should be discarded immediately or returned to the store, CDC said. Listeria risks and symptoms Listeria monocytogenes is a harmful bacterium that poses significant risks to certain groups, including: Pregnant individuals: Risk of pregnancy loss, premature birth, or life-threatening infections in newborns. Older adults (65+): Higher likelihood of severe illness or death. Immunocompromised individuals: Increased risk of invasive listeriosis, where the infection spreads beyond the gut. Symptoms typically begin within two weeks of consuming contaminated food but can appear as early as the same day or as late as 10 weeks later. Common symptoms include fever, muscle aches, and fatigue. Severe cases may involve confusion, stiff neck, loss of balance, or seizures. What consumers should do Avoid Consumption: Do not eat recalled products. Dispose of them or return them to the point of purchase. Clean and Disinfect: Thoroughly clean refrigerators, containers, and surfaces that may have come into contact with recalled foods. Listeria can survive refrigeration and spread easily. Seek Medical Attention: Contact a healthcare provider if symptoms develop after consuming recalled products. Guidance for businesses Businesses should immediately cease the sale or service of the recalled items and follow FDA guidelines for safe food handling and cleaning practices to prevent contamination. Meghan Markle ushered in the holiday season with a community dinner for Afghan women resettling in the US earlier this month. The development came even as Prince Harry travelled to Canada and New York to promote the 2025 Invictus Games. I think part of why we wanted to make sure we had this opportunity to all be together againso many of usright now is that as the holidays come upit brings up so much emotion for people. You miss home, you miss your country, and also can find comfort in the new community that you have here, Marie Claire quoted the Duchess as saying. The group shared stories and read poetry during the event as Soho House chef Shane Fatemian served up Middle Eastern-inspired dishes. Archewell Foundation founded by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had launched the Welcome Project in 2023 to support Afghan women resettling in the United States. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had previously visited the San Antonio branch of the initiative in March. The Suits alum once a fixture in newspapers across the world has been mostly missing from the spotlight in 2024. The Duchess of Sussex has only made a scant handful of public appearances in recent months while Prince Harry travelled solo to various countries in a bid to recreate his public image. Markle has made a few local appearances in recent months and appears to be venturing out solo with increasing frequency. Earlier this month she was spotted partying with friends during a launch event for Highbrow Hippie her first major public appearance since attending the biennial Children's Hospital Los Angeles Gala in early October. Next week, several popular series and documentaries will make their way back to OTT platform Netflix in the United States (US), offering a mix of true crime, animation, and culinary exploration. Netflix is set to re-release Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, a gripping docuseries revisiting the infamous murder case, along with the fourth season of the animated kids' series The Creature Cases. Additionally, Chef's Table returns with Volume 7, taking viewers inside the kitchens of renowned chefs from the United States. These re-releases promise to captivate audiences with compelling storytelling across various genres. November 25, 2024: Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey Platform: Netflix Year: 2024 Genre: Documentary | True Crime Director: Joe Berlinger Synopsis: A gripping three-part docuseries revisits the unsolved murder of JonBenet Ramsey, the child beauty queen whose death in 1996 shocked the world. With nearly 30 years since the tragedy, the series uncovers fresh insights into the case, featuring interviews with key figures such as Ramseys father. The docuseries explores the media frenzy, police missteps, and the decades-long quest for justice, offering a thorough look at one of the most controversial and mysterious cases in American history. The Creature Cases - Season 4 Platform: Netflix Year: 2022 Genre: Animation | Kids | Action | Adventure | Comedy Directors: Jeremie Guneau, Sebastien Le Neve Starring: Nneka Okoye, Shash Hira, Teresa Gallagher Synopsis: The fourth season of The Creature Cases brings back Sam Snow and Kit Casey, two young agents solving thrilling mysteries that combine zoological facts with wild detective adventures. This animated series is designed to educate and entertain kids, taking them on exciting escapades as the duo unravels complex cases involving various creatures from around the world. November 27, 2024: Chef's Table United States 2015, Volume 7 Platform: Netflix Year: 2015 Genre: Documentary | Cooking Directors: David Gelb, Clay Jeter, Brian McGinn, Andrew Fried Six tourists, including two Australian teenagers and a British woman, tragically lost their lives in Laos, likely due to methanol poisoning from contaminated alcohol. An American man and two Danish nationals also died under unclear circumstances, while a New Zealander fell ill. The U.S. State Department has cautioned travelers to stay vigilant about the risk of methanol poisoning. The Laos government has said it is profoundly saddened and is investigating the deaths of six people from suspected methanol poisoning, including a British lawyer. In a statement released to the media, the Laos government said it was profoundly saddened over the deaths of foreign tourists and offered its condolences to their families. It added that is has been investigating to find causes of the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Here is all you need to know about methanol poisoning What is methanol? There are three main types of alcohol: ethanol, methanol and isopropyl. Ethanol is what is found in consumer spirits and is the only one intended for consumption. Isopropanol is the main ingredient in rubbing alcohol and hand sanitizers. Methanol, commonly called wood alcohol because it is the byproduct of wood distillation, is frequently used as fuel and in products such as antifreeze and solvents. What happens if you consume methanol? According to the Methanol Institute, the global trade association for the industry, drinking just 25 to 90 ml (0.7 to 3.0 ounces) of methanol can be fatal without proper medical treatment, but can be successfully treated if caught early. Methanol poisoning can cause headaches, dizziness and decreased consciousness including coma, seizure, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision and multiple other symptoms, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The CDC recommends seeking medical attention immediately if methanol poisoning is suspected. Individuals vary in their response to methanol, said toxicologist Alastair Hay from Britains University of Leeds. Some will be able to tolerate more than others because we all have variability in the capacity of our enzymes to detox. But small quantities ... might be fatal for individuals; others may survive slightly more. Why would it be in drinks if it's not meant for consumption? Methanol is sometimes added deliberately by unscrupulous bars to mixed drinks to give them more kick and to save money on using higher-priced ethanol-based spirits such as vodka or rum. This practice is not specific to Laos or Southeast Asia, but occurs wherever taxes on legitimate alcohol or the cost of legitimate alcohol is perceived as being too high, according to the Methanol Institute. President-elect Donald Trumps pick to head the US intelligence community is likely to face tough questions during confirmation hearings, including over her meeting with Syrias leader, Republican Senator James Lankford said. Tulsi Gabbard, the nominee for director of national intelligence, is a Trump loyalist and former Democratic representative from Hawaii who switched parties. Shes expected to face scrutiny for comments sympathetic to Russia and a 2017 visit to Syria where she met President Bashar al-Assad. Well have lots of questions, Lankford said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. She met with Bashar Assad. Well want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was as a member of Congress. Gabbard contradicted US intelligence assessments by questioning whether Assad used chemical weapons on his citizens after a visit to the country in 2017. Well want to get a chance to talk about past comments that shes made and get them into full context, Lankford said. Several of president-elect Donald Trumps cabinet nominees have faced scrutiny notably now-former Representative Matt Gaetz, who dropped out as nominee for attorney general after bipartisan concern over sexual misconduct allegations reached a fever pitch. Attention has turned to Gabbard and defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, who has faced sexual assault allegations he denies. The Fox News host and Army National Guard officer also has said women shouldnt serve in combat. Republican senators have sought to rally behind Hegseth since a newly released police report last week revealed graphic details about a 2017 sexual encounter that Hegseth said was consensual. Markwayne Mullin, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Hegseth has the qualifications to be defense secretary and signaled on Sunday hell support Trumps Pentagon nominee for confirmation. It is clear there was nothing there and that there was no crime committed, Mullin said on CNN. And so that doesnt prevent Pete from moving forward in this. US policy toward Ukraine is expected to shift under Trump, who has at times promised to end the war sparked by Russias full-scale invasion before he takes office in January. Representative Mike Waltz of Florida, whos in line to be Trumps national security adviser at the White House, said the president-elect is incredibly concerned about the carnage and the escalation in the war. We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it, Waltz said on Fox News Sunday. He also warned US foes against thinking they could exploit the presidential transition, saying he met with Jake Sullivan, President Joe Bidens national security adviser. For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other, theyre wrong, Waltz said. We are hand in glove. We are one team with the United States in this transition. With assistance from Ian Fisher. At least 20 people have been killed on November 23, in continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon and its capital city Beirut, according to an AP report. Citing officials, the report said that Israeli airstrikes in central Beirut continued without warning, while there is yet to be any agreement around a ceasefire deal. Further, Lebanon's Health Ministry said 66 people have been wounded in the city due to the strikes. Saturday's attack was the fourth in central Beirut in less than a week, it added. The Attack The strikes took place at 4 am on November 23 and shot down to rubble an eight-storey building in central Beirut. The attack also impacted the facade of nearby buildings and crumpled cars, the report said. Walid Al-Hashash, a first responder with the Lebanese Civil Defense told the news agency, The area is residential, with closely packed buildings and narrow streets, making the situation challenging. Hezbollah legislator Amin Shiri confirmed to AP that none of the outfit's officials were inside the targetted building. The Israeli Defence Forces did not comment, it added. Full-on War The escalation comes amid United States envoy Amos Hochstein's visit to the region to has out a ceasefire deal to end what started as an Israel-Hezbollah fight into full-on war, the report noted. Over 3,500 Lebanese have been killed and 1.2 million (a quarter of the country's population) has been displaced, the ministry has said. Also, 90 Israeli soldiers and 50 citizens have died due to the conflict. Besides Beirut, there was also an Israeli drone strike on the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre on November 23, the country's National News Agency reported. Mohammed Bikai, spokesperson for the Fatah Palestinian faction in the Tyre area told AP that the dead were Palestinian refugees out fishing. You cant tell someone who needs to eat that you cant fish, he added when asked about Israel's warning to keep away from south Lebanon coast. The ministry also said that another eight people, including four children, were killed in Shmustar town (east Labanon), five in Roumin village (south), and five in Budai village (northeast) Cease-fire Talks in Limbo The report cited two Western diplomatic officials who described the disputed points between Israel and Lebanon. The present proposal calls for a two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. Thousands more Lebanese army troops would patrol the border area with United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, and an international committee would monitor the deal's implementation. The officials said Israel wanted more guarantees that Hezbollahs weapons are removed from the border area and said they refused to sign a deal that would not allow them to strike in Lebanon in case of violations. But Lebanese officials say such a clause would violate their country's sovereignty. Condemning the murder of a Rabbi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel on Sunday called it an anti-Semitic "terrorist attack" and vowed to use all means to deal with his murderers. The body of Zvi Kogan, who had gone missing on Thursday, was found by security services in the UAE, Israel prime ministers office and the foreign ministry said in a joint statement. The Israeli-Moldovan national was living and working in the UAE as a representative of the Chabad Hasidic movement, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group known for its outreach efforts worldwide. "This murder was carried out in the UAE. The murder of an Israeli citizen and a Chabad emissary, is an abhorrent anti-Semitic terrorist attack," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting. Also Read | Israel Has a New Operational Freedom After Crippling Hezbollah "The State of Israel will use all means, and will deal with these murderers, and those who dispatched them, to the fullest extent of the law. None of them will get away," he added. In a post on social media platform X, the Chabad-Lubavitch movement to which Kogan belonged expressed its "great pain" alongside a photo of the Rabbi, adding that he had been "murdered by terrorists after being abducted on Thursday". "This vile anti-Semitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the enemies of the Jewish people," Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement. Also Read | International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Israeli PM Netanyahu The murder would not "deter us from continuing to grow flourishing communities in the UAE or anywhere", Herzog added. On Saturday, Netanyahu's office said that Israel was investigating Kogan's disappearance in the UAE and treating it as a "terrorist incident". In a post on X, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz described Tzvi Kogans killing as a "cowardly and despicable anti-Semitic terrorist crime". Moldova said its embassy in Abu Dhabi was cooperating with local authorities and "closely monitoring the situation, providing the necessary support". President-elect Donald Trump selected Brooke Rollins, who heads a policy institute created to promote his agenda, as his nominee for US secretary of agriculture. Rollins commitment to supporting farmers, food self-sufficiency and the restoration of agriculture-dependent American small towns is second to none, Trump said Saturday in a statement. Rollins is president of the America First Policy Institute, which she founded in 2021 to lay the groundwork for Trumps eventual return to the White House. Its tasks included creating how-to guides for incoming staffers and policy recommendations from people who served during the first Trump administration. The institutes chair is Linda McMahon, a longtime Republican donor and head of the Small Business Administration during Trumps prior term whom he chose on Tuesday to lead the Department of Education. By picking Rollins, who grew up in a small town in Texas, Trump turned to an adviser who served in his first administration. Brooke was on my 2016 Economic Advisory Council, and did an incredible job during my First Term as the Director of the Domestic Policy Council, Director of the Office of American Innovation, and Assistant to the President for Strategic Initiatives, the president-elect said. The Agriculture Departments role goes beyond farm policy it also manages food stamps, school lunches and other nutrition programs, and its responsible for forest conservation, food inspections and rural development. Project 2025, the Heritage Foundations manifesto for conservative policy seen by many as a guidebook for the incoming administration, called the departments mission overly broad. That blueprint calls for reducing farm subsidies, slashing environmental regulations and cutting spending on nutrition programs, which would move to the Department of Health and Human Services. Trump has distanced himself from Heritages work, but hasnt put forward a detailed agriculture policy of his own. Trump cited Rollinss experience, including her agriculture studies at Texas A&M University and her familys farming background. She will spearhead the effort to protect American Farmers, he said. Agriculture is likely to be swept up in other Trump priorities, including the threat of higher tariffs that could prompt foreign retaliation against US farm exports. Trump papered over the issue in his last presidency by raiding billions in leftover funds from a crop insurance program. The next secretary will also have to shepherd a long-stalled farm bill through Congress after the 2018 reauthorization, which expired last year, received a short-term extension. Rollins name emerged after CNN reported Friday that Trump was expected to select Kelly Loeffler, a former senator from Georgia and prominent donor. His ultimate choice was a reminder that no nominee is final until announced by Trump as evidenced by the contest for Treasury secretary, which spilled into public view and ended up with the president-elect picking hedge fund executive Scott Bessent, who beat out rivals in a dramatic competition after starting off as the front-runner. With this years global summits on biodiversity (CoP-16) and climate change (CoP-29) done and the one on desertification (CoP-16) fast approaching, the consequences of the climate emergency are evident everywhere. Floods have ravaged central Europe, super-typhoon Yagi has just struck Southeast Asia, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton have wreaked havoc in the southeastern US. Hotter, drier conditions have created ideal conditions for wildfires like those that have raged across Brazil, South Africa and Colombia, while droughts have pushed people into food insecurity this year in Africa. If the scale and speed of our response to climate change are inadequate to the threat, this new normal will get only worse, jeopardizing hard-won development gains in low- and middle-income countries. In addition to curbing emissions from burning fossil fuels, one of the biggest priorities must be to protect and conserve the worlds remaining tropical forests. Tropical forests store significant amounts of carbon, and their demise would result in a massive 1 Celsius increase in global average temperatures, not to mention the loss of untold biodiversity and the depletion of ecosystem services such as atmospheric rivers that supply water to food crops around the world. Scientists warn that the degradation of several of these forests is approaching a tipping point where the remaining forest will be unable to sustain itself or recover. Individuals, countries and NGOs are stepping up to protect and preserve the worlds forests from devastation. But we will need a combination of economic and environmental solutions to address the complex, rapidly changing factors driving illegal deforestation. Fortunately, such solutions are at hand. In Brazil, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silvas administration has already significantly curbed deforestation. Between August 2023 and July 2024, tropical forest loss in the Brazilian Amazon was cut by 46%, compared to the previous 12 months. And at the global level, Brazil, which holds the G20 presidency this year, has emphasized nature-based solutions to climate challenges as part of its agenda, paving the way for further progress at next years CoP-30 in Belem. For its part, the World Bank Group is supporting similar public and private efforts across developing economies. The goal is to design strong policies, build credible institutions, and mobilize investments in the infrastructure that is needed to conserve and manage forests sustainably. Making forest finance more widely available and more affordable is key. The World Bank Group is also working to turn the vast potential of carbon markets into an income stream for developing countries that are committed to reducing emissions and conserving their forests. Already, 15 countries are benefiting from a pipeline that could produce more than 24 million carbon credits by the end of 2024a win for both the climate and development. But those engaged in these efforts have long been dogged by the question of how to support the conservation of standing forests over the long term. While forest carbon markets have created new revenue streams, they usually reward only those countries, communities or project developers that are focused on reducing their emissions from deforestation. Thus, forests that are not under immediate threat offer no financial reward. One solution is the proposed Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), a large performance-based mechanism that would use blended finance to generate financial returns and reward countries for protecting their standing forests. Instead of carbon credits, the TFFF would provide predictable long-term financial support linked to a countrys hectares of standing forests, thus aligning economic incentives with environmental outcomes. Led by the Brazilian ministry of finance and ministry of environment and climate change, and in partnership with other tropical-forest countries, developed economies, and non-traditional sponsors, the TFFF aims to leverage sovereign and philanthropic funding to mobilize more private capital, thus expanding forest finance beyond purely public-sector tools. Crucially, it would allow private investors to support a global public good by quantifying and verifying the underlying asset on terms aligned with their business models. This is the kind of bold, innovative solution that we need if we want to make a real difference in the fight against climate change. One of the biggest advantages of the TFFF is that it is not expected to depend on scarce donor grants and recurrent replenishments. Instead, it would require a one-time, fully repayable investment from potential sponsors, who therefore would be presented with a conceptually novel development-aid model. Those designing the TFFF are also studying how to simplify disbursement models (without any loss of rigour) through digital monitoring, reporting and verification systems, and how to disburse enough annually to tip the scales away from deforestation. Finally, another important question that is coming into focus is how to improve access to such mechanisms for indigenous peoples, local communities and other forest owners and stewards. The countries working on the TFFF intend to address these issues by CoP-30. Forests are vital not just for the carbon they store, but also for their role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting environmental health and promoting economic growth and human development. The period between CoP-16 in Cali and next years CoP-30 in Brazil could be the perfect time to launch the TFFF and set the stage for a new era in forest-conservation finance. We must start properly rewarding countries that have controlled deforestation and redouble our efforts to conserve existing forests for future generations. 2024/Project Syndicate The authors are, respectively, president of the World Bank, minister of finance of Brazil and minister of environment and climate change of Brazil The United States supports the Lebanese people in their continued calls for accountability and reform in Lebanon. On February 4, Lokman Slim, an activist who courageously advocated for freedom of expression and civic participation, was found dead in his car in southern Lebanon. He had been shot five times. The United States condemns the brutal murder of Lokman Slim. A publisher and a documentary filmmaker, Mr. Slim was a Shiite who spoke out against the violent tactics of Iranian-supported Hezbollah in Lebanon. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Dorothy Shea noted the dangers he faced: Lokman Slim publicly and privately acknowledged that there were threats being made against his life, and yet he bravely continued to push for justice, accountability; and the rule of law in Lebanon. Secretary of State Antony Blinken referred to Mr. Slims killing as a heinous assassination. In a statement, he said, It is cowardly and unacceptable to resort to violence, threats, and intimidation as a means of subverting the rule of law or suppressing freedom of expression and civic activism. We urge Lebanese officials, including the Judiciary and political leaders, to hold accountable those who commit such barbaric acts without delay or exception. Lokman Slims body was discovered six months to the day after the horrific August 4, 2020 explosion in Beirut that killed hundreds and wounded thousands of people. The domestic investigation into the explosion resumed this month. It is important the Lebanese judiciary demonstrate that it can act to ensure respect for the rule of law. In a joint statement, Secretary of State Blinken and French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, reiterated their countries full unambiguous support to the Lebanese people, including by extending urgent health, education, housing and other assistance. The two officials added, however, France and the United States also expect rapid results on the inquiry into the causes of the explosion. The six-month anniversary of this tragic event underscores the urgent and vital need for Lebanese stakeholders to finally act upon the commitments they have made to form a credible and effective government and to pave the way for the implementation of necessary reforms, in accordance with the aspirations of the Lebanese people, wrote Secretary Blinken and Foreign Minister Le Drian. Such concrete actions remain crucial for the engagement of France, the United States, and their regional and international partners to provide additional, longer-term structural support to Lebanon. In todays digital landscape, improving womens internet access does more than increase connectivity. It is a catalyst for women-led development, a gateway for gender equity, and a key to transform their lives. According to a 2022 report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), increasing digital literacy and connectivity could potentially add $100 billion to Indias gross domestic product (GDP) by 2025, with women benefiting disproportionately more. Digital platforms and electronic payments offer leapfrogging opportunities in the form of skill training, access to employment and added income, thereby improving womens standard of living. However, only a third of Indian women (33%) have ever used the internet, compared to more than half (57%) of men. The 78th round of the National Sample Survey (NSS), for 2020-21, also highlighted the stark difference between mens and womens access to smartphones: 49% of adult men in rural India had smartphones compared to only 26% of adult women. A study by the Internet Society Foundation in 32 countries including India estimated that womens exclusion from the digital world has led these countries to miss out on $1 trillion in GDP. The digital gender gap not only directly contributes to lost economic potential, but also acts as a roadblock in the delivery of interventions such as social security benefits intended to empower women. However, to bridge this gap, we must look beyond device ownership as a singular matrix and understand the complexities of womens relationship with technology in rapidly changing societies. Our recent visit to the interiors of Pali district in Rajasthan informed us that while most women had shared devices available at home, access to those devices was restricted and their online behaviour was frequently supervised by male members. The men of the household knew how to navigate the internet and spent time reading the news and watching content online. In this community, mobile phones are considered a risk to womens reputation before marriage and an interruption to care-giving responsibilities after marriage. Women avoid using their phones in public due to established social standards and fear of being judged. Constant reiteration of common beliefs like women being technologically challenged has also led to women feeling under-confident while using technology, despite possessing the requisite skills. Grassroot organizations working in Uttarakhand identified a similar trend. Male students had fairly unsupervised access to devices distributed under a state government scheme, while access was limited to a little over an hour per day for female students, with additional supervision on their activities. Both these examples indicate that digital inclusion is not synonymous with digital access, but is a combination of access, digital agency and digital literacy. While efforts are underway to bridge gaps in access, we must also pay attention to digital dynamics within households and how to increase womens digital agency. This brings us to an important question. What interventions are required to improve womens participation in the digital and the creator economy? The United States Agency For International Developments (USAID) Gender Digital Divide Risk Mitigation Technical Note and Resource Toolkit recommends customizing information and communications technology (ICT) outreach and digital literacy campaigns to include family and community gatekeepers, especially men and other influential local leaders, while discussing the possible hazards and benefits of access to digital technologies. Two-SIM combosone for a female member and another for a malelaunched by Telenor under Project Sampark in 2014 led to a 33% uptick in first-time female mobile users. Similar incentive-based initiatives can be coupled with sensitization and awareness generation through chosen female digital champions in families, schools and communities to encourage behavioural shifts among households and communities. Building on programmes such as Computer Sakhis in Rajasthan and Digital Sakhis in West Bengal, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha, self-help groups can also serve as hubs for basic digital upskilling. Similarly, Internet Sakhis can teach each other how to use the internet for tasks like account book-keeping and learning the details of new schemes like Mahila-e-Haat to expand their small businesses. Plus, incorporating basic digital skills, cyber hygiene and knowledge of tools available online in school curricula would empower girls to confidently and safely explore the digital world. Initiatives like Be Internet Awesome, YLAC Digital Champions Program and Digital Nagrik Program aim for exactly that. Grassroot organizations with strong local ties and a deep understanding of the community context should be leveraged for implementation, so that they are able to address social norms around the use of technology. Also read: Digital infrastructure is aiding women too unevenly Even as we expand digital access, equal attention should be paid to systemic interventions that address inequitable social norms around the use of technology. This is essential for Indian women to be equal and empowered participants in Digital Indias success. The authors are, respectively, senior officer and officer, programs, at Young Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) Canada: Amid escalating tensions with India, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his own intelligence officials had got wrong stories of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and foreign minister S. Jaishankar being related to the violence in Canada. "We have seen, unfortunately, that criminals leaking top-secret information to the media have consistently gotten those stories wrong," said Trudeau while addressing the media on Friday, at Brampton. "That's why we had a national enquiry into foreign interference, which has highlighted that criminals leaking information to media outlets are unreliable on top of being criminals," Trudeau added. Justin Trudeau's statement came after Canadian government carried out a fact-check on Thursday and uncovered false reports of PM Modi and S. Jaishankar being related to violence on foreign soil, stated multiple reports. What was the fake Canadian report? This week, a report by Globe and Mail newspaper claimed that Canadian security agencies believed Prime Minister Modi was aware of violent plots, and that foreign Minister S. Jaishankar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval were also involved. Also Read | Canada airlines to highten security checks for Indian traveller The report, however, had also mentioned that the source admitted that Canada does not have direct evidence that Mr. Modi knew" Canada says report was inaccurate The Canadian government later clarified that the controversial report linking Modi to Nijjars killing was speculative and inaccurate". The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of evidence, linking Prime Minister Modi, Minister Jaishankar, or NSA Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada. Any suggestion to the contrary is both speculative and inaccurate," it said. Also Read | Canadas provincial leaders want a free trade deal with the US that excludes Mexico With a barrage of news pouring in every week, keeping up with the biggest stories can be challenging. To make it easier for the readers, weve compiled the Weekly Tech Recap, highlighting the top developments making waves in the world of technology. This weeks top news include reports of Google potentially being forced to sell its Chrome browser and decouple key services from Android, hints at a more conversational Siri in iOS 19, the rollout of WhatsApps new voice note transcription feature, and more. 1) Google could be forced to sell Chrome browser, decouple Android: US Justice Department is set to request a judge to mandate that Google divest its Chrome browser, according to Bloomberg. The department may also propose additional measures targeting artificial intelligence and Googles Android operating system. Judge Amit Mehta might also consider imposing data licensing requirements on the tech giant. If these proposals are accepted, it would mark an unprecedented legal action against a big tech company. This development follows an August ruling in which the court found Google guilty of violating antitrust laws by maintaining monopolistic control over the search and advertising markets. After having carefully considered and weighed the witness testimony and evidence, the court reaches the following conclusion: Google is a monopolist, and it has acted as one to maintain its monopoly," the ruling stated. Currently, Google Chrome leads the global browser market with a commanding 65% share, while Apples Safari trails at 21%, according to SimilarWebs October 2024 data. 2) iPhone 17 Air may feature a revamped camera module: In an early report, The Information highlighted that the iPhone 17 Air might feature a significant shift in camera placement, moving from the traditional left-hand corner to a top-centre position. Over the years, Apple has maintained its signature corner placement for the camera in single, dual, or triple-camera setups, giving its devices a distinctive look compared to the competition. However, the iPhone 17 Air is expected to deviate from this, likely as a measure to accommodate the device's slim profile and ensure better weight distribution. A recent video from Apple Track on YouTube has given us a closer look at what the iPhone 17 Air could look like. According to the render, the device would sport a dual-camera setup positioned at the centre-top of the rear panel, with the LED flash placed directly below. This central positioning, though, has raised eyebrows, as it seems to compromise the phones aesthetic, especially when compared to earlier rumours suggesting a single rear camera setup. 3) LLM Siri set to make debut with iOS 19: After giving a major overhaul to Siri with iOS 18 earlier this year, Apple is now planning to develop a more conversation version of the voice assistant akin to OpenAI's ChatGPT and Google's Gemini, according to a report by Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. The new Siri is said to use a more advance large language model (LLM) that could potentially improve back and forth conversations and allow the voice assistant to handle sophisticated requests more quickly. Reportedly, the new voice assistant, which will eventually replace the current Siri, is being dubbed as LLM Siri by the people working on it. The new Siri overhaul is likely to be announced as part of the iOS 19 and macOS 16 update, internally named Luck and Cheer, in 2025. However, much like the upgraded Siri features in iOS 18, the new Siri isn't expected to come packed with iPhone 17 next year and instead the Cupertino based tech giant is planning to release the revamped digital assistant some time in Spring 2026, as per Gurman. 4) WhatsApp gets new Voice Note Transcription feature: WhatsApp has introduced a new transcription feature that allows users to read the contents of voice messages without needing to listen to them. This new voice transcript feature is especially useful in noisy environments or during busy meetings. WhatsApp has announced that the feature is rolling out globally today for both Android and iOS users and will be available to all users in the coming weeks. WhatsApp doesn't provide details on whether the company is using AI to transcribe voice messages into text. However, the Meta-owned messaging app has revealed that transcripts are generated on the device itself, ensuring that voice messages remain end-to-end encrypted. This means no one, including WhatsApp, can listen to the voice messages. 5) TRAI takes key steps to combat spam calls: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has taken several decisive steps to tackle the ongoing issue of spam calls and SMS, reporting significant progress in reducing complaints and enhancing message traceability. In a move to clamp down on unauthorised promotional calls, TRAI issued directives on 13th August 2024 mandating stringent actions against violators. Penalties include disconnection of telecom resources, blacklisting for up to two years, and bans on new resource allocations during this period. President Joe Biden outlined his main foreign policy goals for the near future. Chief among these is to end the war in Yemen. Yemen is the poorest of all Arab countries. The country has long suffered with endemic poverty, much of it the result of lack of water and other resources, high population growth, periodic local conflicts, and chronic food insecurity. On top of that, a civil war that began in 2014 soon turned into an indirect conflict between Iran and a coalition of Arab countries, headed by Saudi Arabia. And as is usual in armed conflict, it is the civilian population that suffers the most. Today, over 24.3 million people in Yemen qualify for some sort of humanitarian aid and protection. Since 2015, tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and some 3.6 million have been displaced from their homes. Were stepping up our diplomacy to end the war in Yemen--a war which has created a humanitarian and strategic catastrophe, said President Biden: Ive asked my Middle East team to ensure our support for the United Nations-led initiative to implement a ceasefire, open humanitarian channels, and restore long-dormant peace talks. At the same time, President Biden announced the appointment of long-time diplomat and Gulf expert Timothy Lenderking as the U.S. Special Envoy to Yemen. He will oversee U.S. diplomatic efforts to end the war: Tim has lifelong experience in the region, and hell work with the U.N. envoy and all parties of the conflict to push for a diplomatic resolution. And Tims diplomacy will be bolstered by USAID [and the State Department] working to ensure that humanitarian aid is reaching the Yemeni people who are suffering unendurable devastation. Finally, President Biden said that the United States is ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen, including relevant arms sales. However, the United States will not abandon its campaign against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, much of which takes place in Yemen, nor will it cease its support of Saudi Arabias defensive capabilities: Saudi Arabia faces missile attacks, UAV strikes, and other threats from Iranian-supplied forces in multiple countries. Were going to continue to support and help Saudi Arabia defend its sovereignty and its territorial integrity and its people. This war, said President Biden, has to end. Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables are inviting members of the local community to a series of upcoming public consultation sessions regarding the proposed new Coolnagun Wind Farm project. This project is the latest development proposed as part of Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables joint venture partnership. It is to be located on Bord na Monas landbank across the Coolnagun, Milkernagh and Coolcraff Bogs in Westmeath and Longford. The sessions, to be held in Abbeylara in Co Longford and Coole, Multyfarnham and Streete in Co Westmeath, will offer members of the public a chance to engage with the project team and provide feedback on the proposed development. Also read: 459,775 CLAR funding for twelve Longford projects As part of their community engagement programme for Coolnagun Wind Farm, Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables have appointed a Community Engagement and Stakeholder Team, including a dedicated Community Liaison Officer. This team will be present at the upcoming consultation sessions to gather feedback from the public and address any questions. Details of the upcoming public consultation events for the Coolnagun Wind Farm Project: Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables will develop a draft layout for the wind farm in the coming months. Further public consultation events will take place next year to gather additional insights from the local community in advance of submitting a planning application in 2026. If delivered, the Coolnagun Wind Farm would bring a range of benefits to the local area, including a dedicated Community Benefit Fund. Also read: Longford Boutique to host fundraiser with TV's Lorraine Keane Karina Dennigan, Community Relations and Advocacy Manager for Bord na Mona, said: We invite all members of the local community to attend these important consultation sessions regarding the proposed wind farm project. These consultations are an essential part of the project, providing an opportunity for members of the community to meet the wider project team, share opinions and their views on the proposed development. The Communitys feedback is important in helping to ensure that the proposed wind farm is developed in a way that contributes positively to the local communities, local economies, and climate change. If delivered, Coolnagun Wind Farm would play a key role in supporting the supply of green electricity to our national grid and ultimately help Ireland achieve its ambitious climate targets for 2030 and beyond . Jeff Nattress, Development Project Manager from SSE Renewables, said, "We are eager to meet with the local community to get their feedback on the proposed Coolnagun Wind Farm. This joint venture project would bring investment and a range of benefits to the area and support the local community who are key stakeholders in the project. If delivered, the project would also have a dedicated Community Benefit Fund, something both SSE Renewables and Bord na Mona are proud to have been delivering at our operational sites for many years. We look forward to meeting the local community and getting their feedback on our early-stage plans. Also read: Longford Councillor calls to address "ghettoization" of county Bord na Mona and SSE Renewables announced their joint venture earlier this year, one of the largest onshore renewables joint ventures in the history of the state. If fully delivered, it is expected the portfolio of windfarms will generate 800 MW, enough renewable electricity to meet the average annual energy demand of around half a million homes, while displacing half a million tonnes of carbon emissions each year making a substantial contribution to Irelands 2030 renewable energy goals set out in the national Climate Action Plan 2024. Longford County Council members congratulated Abbeyshrule on winning a gold medal in TidyTowns and Longford Town who also took home a gold medal. Councillor Seamus Butler kicked off the applause saying, Id like to congratulate the first-ever gold medal for Longford TidyTowns. It's been 22 years since it was founded in 2002 and weve got several bronze but just one silver and now to get gold I think its a fantastic achievement. Also read: Abbeyshrule scoops county's top TidyTowns award as dedicated Longford groups increase marks Sometimes we cant see the wood from the trees when were here ourselves but when visitors come to the town they get a much more positive view than they did in the last 10 to 20 years. Councillor Mick Cahill then chimed in saying, Its great to see the support that TidyTowns are getting from the Local Authority and we need to encourage that more." Also read: Longford and Abbeyshrule celebrating gold medal SuperValu TidyTowns success Councillor Peggy Nolan then congratulated the TidyTowns winners and highlighted the importance of the win for Longford. All too often we are at the butt-end of bad news and criticism and antisocial behaviour and all that goes with it. Its time that we put Longford first and talked it up. What my colleagues have outlined is very very special but what happened over the Halloween weekend was unbelievable and Id like to thank all who were involved. Also read: Longford TidyTowns groups attend insightful engagement event in Edgeworthstown library There were thousands of people on the streets of Longford and the streets of Longford have been maligned and talked down for so so long it's about time we talked Longford up. The TidyTowns, the gold medal and the other achievements throughout our county, what our young people achieved in the National Community Games all of this is positivity. Also read: Longford public consultation session on proposed new wind farm None of this could have happened without the community spirit and volunteerism that Longford is known for. Mary Lou McDonald has said that support for Sinn Fein is ahead of poll numbers which show her party and the two main coalition partners close to a three-way tie. The Sinn Fein president said that over the past week an energy for the party had come back very, very strongly after slumps in support earlier this year. She said it was reminiscent of the 2020 election when the party achieved a historic result. A poll by the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks indicates that Fine Gael is down four points to 22%, Sinn Fein is up two points to 20%, and Fianna Fail is also on 20%. Aontu is up two points to 5%, the Social Democrats are down one to 5% and Labour has seen no change on 4%. Meanwhile, the Greens are down one to 3%, Solidarity-PBP has seen no change on 2%, and Independents or other parties are up three points to 19%. I think the weather reflects our mood, Ms McDonald said when asked about the poll on Sunday. You know, this might be a winter election, but we have sunshine today. Finance spokesman Pearse Doherty said the polls confirmed the what they are hearing on the doors. He said there were only two choices facing voters to return Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to power or to vote for a new government, and Sinn Fein were the only party that could stop the two Civil War parties returning to power. Ms McDonald continued: I know talking to people, particularly over the last week, this sense of purpose now, this sense of energy, has come back very, very strongly. For us, this is very reminiscent of the last general election, where, when people had the space, cleared the space to assess what to do next, that appetite for change grew and grew, and I think thats whats going to happen. I think the polling results reflect that to some extent. But I actually think the mood is even ahead of those polling numbers, if Im honest with you. Were out on the ground. Were meeting people. Were picking it up everywhere and the people are ready for this historic change, and more to the point people are filled with dread at the prospect of five more years of Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. In the 2020 general election, Sinn Fein cruised to its greatest ever Dail election, garnering 24.5% of first preference votes and winning 37 seats. Despite topping the poll in several constituencies, it did not win enough seats to form a government and instead a Fianna Fail and Fine Gael coalition formed for the first time, along with the Greens as junior partners. Speaking on Sunday, Ms McDonald said if Sinn Fein emerges as the largest party after Friday, it could form a government for working people. She also called for people who were considering voting for an independent candidate to think again. Our proposition is to change the government, we can lead that effort an independent candidate cant and in fact, evidence of past elections reflects that in all likelihood, independents might, in fact, prop up Fianna Fail and Fine Gael together all over again. Asked about a drop in poll numbers for his party, Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said it was always clear to him that it would be a tightly contested, close general election. He suggested that national polls may not reflect the electoral battles in individual constituencies. I think the poll today shows my ratings as continuing to be the joint most popular leader in the country, but I dont take that for granted at all, he said. What I would say to the Irish people is this: we need, when the results are are out and the ballots are counted on Saturday, we need to be able to put together a strong, stable government, because we are living in very difficult and challenging times. He emphasised the importance of economic stability and on explaining how issues like housing could be improved. He said the RTE leaders debate between him, Ms McDonald and Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin on Tuesday would be important to speak to voters who had not yet made up their minds or who are open to changing their minds. Campaigning efforts by all parties and independents across 43 constituencies are ramping up ahead of polling day on Friday November 29. Aontu said on Sunday it was the fastest-growing party of the election campaign and has increased its number of target seats from seven to 10. Green Party leader Roderic OGorman boarded the Luas Red Line to set out his partys red line on public transport investment in any future coalition. Labour leader Ivana Bacik launched the partys childrens charter in Harolds Cross Park, pledging that a second tier of child benefit, a guarantee of school places for children with special needs, and free GP care for children were non-negotiables. People Before Profit pledged to expand the basic income for artists pilot to all eligible applicants and expand the definition of artists to include most forms of creative arts. To fund 9,000 applicants would require an additional 109 million, it said. At a glance Expert's Rating Pros Cross-platform software that offers macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Windows Intuitive user interface that follows modern design guidelines Completely free to download and use on macOS Cons Mac client doesnt support proper PDF editing Questionable user data collection Wonky annotation tools Our Verdict SwifDoo is free to download and use, but Apples built-in Preview app performs most of the tasks offered, including proper PDF editing, which SwifDoo doesnt do. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Swifdoo PDF for Mac Retailer Price SwifDoo PDF For Mac Free View Deal Product Price PDF editors are essential for Mac users living the paperless lifestyle. While macOS can view, annotate, and sign PDFs natively, the OS provides little control over the files core content. So, those wishing to tweak the text or images of a certain PDF document will have to rely on third-party solutions. With so many apps out there, however, finding the right pick may be tricky. SwifDoo PDF for Mac is one of the options you may come across when hunting for an editor. Is it any good, though? Pricing and availability SwifDoo PDF supports macOS, iOS, iPadOS, Windows, and Android. Notably, however, the feature sets differ depending on the platform youre using. So, for example, the Windows app packs distinct capabilities unavailable on macOS or the mobile clients. Similarly, the price differs based on the OS youre running it on. In this review, we will be evaluating SwifDoo PDF for macOS specifically. The rating, pros, cons, and overall specifications only apply to this particular client. SwifDoo PDF for the Mac is available to install and use for free, and theres no premium tier to unlock additional features. To get started, you can head to the companys website, where you can download the installer. First impressions Foundry Before installing SwifDoo PDF on my Mac, I checked the iOS/iPadOS clients listing on Apples App Store. I was shocked to find in the privacy disclosure section that the app collects users location data and uses it to track them. Theres absolutely no excuse for a PDF editing app to collect and use this kind of information, especially when iPhone and iPad users have to pay recurring fees to unlock all features. (Swifdoo said it is the same login system used to display local prices to Windows users and their program does not collect location data.) I then had ChatGPT read and analyze the privacy policy on its website and compare it to those of some reputable PDF editors. Unsurprisingly, SwifDoo PDF seems to collect a broader range of data than some other solid options out there. In short, I wouldnt trust this PDF editor with my data, especially highly sensitive documents. Whether you do depends on your personal preferences, though. Features Foundry While SwifDoo PDF was designed for Intel Macs and seemingly hasnt been optimized for Apple silicon chips, it runs pretty smoothly on my MacBook Air M2. It features a clutter-free main page where you can interact with recently viewed files or open a different PDF via Finder. Once you load a document, you can tweak it using the standard annotation tools. These include highlighting, inserting notes, underlining, striking through, drawing, adding text boxes and shapes, stamping, and more. While the UI is generally modern and the app performs fluidly, using the annotation tools can be a bit wonky. For example, Id have to tap the highlight tool and select the text multiple times to get it to work. Otherwise, SwifDoo PDF for Mac doesnt typically lag or misbehave. Other SwifDoo PDF perks include page rotation, printing, and an auto-generated index that lets you quickly jump between document sections based on their headings. While these utilities are all great, the Mac client doesnt offer text or image editing. So, you cant add or remove sentences or manipulate the actual document beyond basic annotation. Should you use SwifDoo? Apples built-in Preview app performs most of the tasks offered by SwifDoo PDF for macOS. While the third-party Mac software is free to download and use, it doesnt support proper PDF editing. So, if youre unhappy with Apple Preview, SwifDoo PDF likely wont cater to your needs, either. For basic annotation, I recommend using the native tools provided by the operating system. To actually edit your PDF files, consider relying on a premium offering from a reputable company. Regardless, I advise you to stay away from SwifDoo PDF for Mac. Update November 26: Swifdoo says they do not collect location data but uses it to to display local prices to Windows users. The United States has suspended and initiated the process to terminate the Asylum Cooperative Agreements with the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras as the first steps on the path to greater partnership and collaboration in the region laid out by President Joe Biden. The agreement signed with Guatemala in 2019, allowed the U.S. to send asylum seekers from El Salvador and Honduras who crossed the U.S. southern border to first seek refuge in Guatemala. Similar agreements were signed with El Salvador and Honduras but never implemented. The February 2 Executive Order is aimed at creating a comprehensive regional framework to address the causes of migration, manage migration throughout North and Central America, and provide safe and orderly processing of asylum seekers at the U.S. border. To be clear, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement, these actions do not mean that the U.S. border is open. While we are committed to expanding legal pathways for protection and opportunity here and in the region, the United States is a country with borders and laws that must be enforced. He added, We are also committed to providing safe and orderly processing for all who arrive at our border, but those who attempt to migrate irregularly are putting themselves and their families at risk on what can be a very dangerous journey. The Biden administration believes there are more suitable ways to work with its partner governments to manage migration across the region. The United States will build on its strong relationships and support these governments efforts to address forced displacement without placing undue burden on them, especially as they seek to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. Our approach, said Secretary Blinken, will continue to provide support for their national action plans under the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework through international humanitarian partners. The U.S. is committed to addressing the root causes of forced displacement and irregular migration, including by combatting corruption and impunity, upholding its obligations to protect refugees, and working with partners to promote opportunity and prosperity for people and communities across the region. A lucky Massachusetts State Lottery player bought a winning Powerball ticket worth $50,000 at a variety store in Boston on Saturday. The ticket was purchased at Cummins Market on Cummins Highway in Roslindale. In Powerball, players select five numbers between 1 and 69 and one Powerball number between 1 and 26. They then choose how many drawings they want to use those numbers for. Players that match all five numbers and the Powerball number win the jackpot. They have 1 in 292,201,338 chances of winning this way. Players that match four numbers and the Powerball number win $50,000. They have 1 in 913,129.18 chances of winning this way. The Powerball jackpot prize stands at $184 million as of Sunday. Powerball drawings take place every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Overall, at least 243 prizes worth $600 or more were won or claimed in Massachusetts on Saturday, including two in Springfield and five in Worcester. The Massachusetts State Lottery releases a full list of winning tickets every day. The list only includes winning tickets worth more than $600. So far, the largest lottery prize won in Massachusetts this year was worth $1 million a year for life. The prize was from the lotterys Lifetime Millions scratch ticket game. The winner claimed their prize through a trust on July 10, and opted to receive a one-time payment of $15.4 million. Hearst Magazines has instituted a layoff as part of an apparent restructuring. The company did not release the number of affected employees, but The Wrap puts the number at around 60. After a thorough review of our business, weve decided to reallocate resources to better support our goals and continue our focus on digital innovation while strengthening our best in class print products, said Debi Chirichella, president of Hearst Magazines, in a memo to the staff, according to the Hollywood Reporter. We will scale back in areas that do not support our core strategy and will eliminate certain positions as we reimagine our team structures to drive long-term growth. The move was promptly slammed by Sam Wheeler, director of the Writers Guild of America East. He called the layoffs needless, irresponsible, and cruel, and accused Hearst of being consistently anti-union. Wheeler added: Unsurprisingly, the small army of senior executives with make-work jobs and self-important titles, who add little to nothing to build Hearsts brands, apparently made it through today relatively unscathed. Frequent tantrums in young children may be early signs of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), highlighting the need for early intervention. Trusted Source Early emotion regulation developmental trajectories and ADHD, internalizing, and conduct problems symptoms in childhood Go to source Trusted Source Difficulty controlling emotions in preschoolers can predict #ADHD and behavioral issues later on? New research sheds light on the early signs. #childdevelopment What is ADHD Advertisement Advertisement Early emotion regulation developmental trajectories and ADHD, internalizing, and conduct problems symptoms in childhood - (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/development-and-psychopathology/article/early-emotion-regulation-developmental-trajectories-and-adhd-internalizing-and-conduct-problems-symptoms-in-childhood/4116A3DABB3C1E9637D064DFACE94DC3) Preschoolers with difficulty managing their emotions and behavior are more likely to exhibit attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms by age seven. (Children aged between three and seven who are slower at acquiring skills to manage their intense emotions were also found to be at risk of displaying more conduct issues.They were also more likely to show internalising behaviours, such as sadness and worries, at age seven, experts say.The study, led by the University of Edinburgh, is among the first to examine the links between early patterns of emotion regulation and school-age mental health.ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) is a common neurodevelopmental condition that affects both children and adults. It is characterized by symptoms such as inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which can impact daily activities, school performance, and relationships.While the exact cause is still unclear, genetics, brain structure, and environmental factors are believed to play a role. Early diagnosis and intervention, including behavioral therapy, medication, and lifestyle adjustments, can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life. If you suspect your child may have ADHD, consult a healthcare professional for an evaluation.The findings could help tailor targeted support for children who may benefit from enhanced preventative care before mental health issues emerge, researchers say.Researchers at the Universities of Edinburgh, Northumbria and Oxford analysed a large dataset to test whether the progression of emotional development among children aged three to seven is related to the risk of common mental health issues.They examined data from the UK Millennium Cohort Study which follows the lives of around 19,000 young people born in 2000-02.The researchers analysed questionnaires and interviews which surveyed parents on their childrens conduct, social behaviours, and emotional regulation skills.They used statistical techniques to measure the link between emotional problems, conduct problems and ADHD symptoms at age seven.This was the case even when other factors such as data on any pre-existing neurodevelopmental and mental health issues were taken into account.Dr. Aja Murray, of the University of Edinburghs School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, who led the study, said: Emotion regulation skills are acquired from early in life and are thought to strengthen gradually over childhood.""Children, however, acquire these skills at different rates and slower acquisition may serve as a marker for neurodevelopmental and mental health issues. Our findings suggest that monitoring trajectories of emotion regulation over development could help identity which children are at risk of mental health issues.Source-Eurekalert HALIFAX, Nova Scotia (AP) The first woman to command Canada's military called out a U.S. senator on Saturday for questioning the role of women in combat. Gen. Jennie Carignan responded to comments made by Idaho Republican Sen. Jim Risch, the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, who was asked on Friday whether President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, should retract comments that he believes men and women should not serve together in combat units. I think its delusional for anybody to not agree that women in combat creates certain unique situations that have to be dealt with. I think the jurys still out on how to do that," Risch said during a panel session at the Halifax International Security Forum on Friday. Carignan, Canada's chief of defense staff and the first woman to command the armed forces of any Group of 20 or Group of Seven country, took issue with those remarks during a panel session on Saturday. "If youll allow me, I would first like maybe to respond to Senator Rischs statement yesterday about women in combat because I wouldnt want anyone to leave this forum with this idea that women are a distraction to defense and national security," Carignan said. After 39 years of career as a combat arms officer and risking my life in many operations across the world, I cant believe that in 2024, we still have to justify the contribution of women to their defense and to their service, in their country. I wouldnt want anyone to leave this forum with this idea that this is that it is some kind of social experiment. Carignan said women have participating in combat for hundreds of years but have never been recognized for fighting for their country. She noted the women military personnel in the room. All the women sitting here in uniform, stepping in, and deciding to get into harms way and fight for their country, need to be recognized for doing so," she said. So again, this is the distraction, not the women themselves." Carignan received a standing ovation at the forum, which attracts defense and security officials from Western democracies. Hegseth has reignited a debate that many thought had been long settled: Should women be allowed to serve their country by fighting on the front lines? The former Fox News commentator made it clear, in his own book and in interviews, that he believes men and women should not serve together in combat units. If Hegseth is confirmed by the Senate, he could try to end the Pentagons nearly decade-old practice of making all combat jobs open to women. Hegseths remarks have generated a barrage of praise and condemnation. Carignan was promoted to the rank of general during the change-of-command ceremony this past summer, after being chosen by Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government to become Canadas first female defense chief. Carignan is no stranger to firsts. She was also the first woman to command a combat unit in the Canadian military, and her career has included deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, Bosnia and Syria. For the last three years, she has been the chief of professional conduct and culture, a job created as a result of the sexual misconduct scandal in 2021. Her appointment this year comes as Canada continues to face criticism from NATO allies for not spending 2% of its gross domestic product on defense. The Canadian government recently said that it would reach its NATO commitment by 2032. Risch said Friday Trump would laugh at Canadas current military spending plans and said the country must do more. Jamie plots his political future while his siblings discuss the future of the Dutton ranch in a new episode of Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 on Sunday, Nov. 24, at 8/7c on Paramount Network. Dont miss a moment of the series final season. Stream the episode live, for free with a trial from Philo. Choose to watch live or set it to record the show so you can watch later. About the show: Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, who own and run the largest contiguous ranch in the country. The series has constantly shifting alliances, unsolved murders and plenty of open wounds. Between corrupt politicians, billionaires looking to buy out property, Americas first national park and a Native American reservation with historical ties to the land, there is always some trouble at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch borders. Based in Montana, patriarch John Dutton was in charge until recently. If you missed Season 5 Part 2 episode 10, you can still catch up before tonights episode. Read a recap of the episode here, or find out where to watch episode 10 now. Remember that Yellowstone is not on Paramount+ despite being on Paramount Network. In tonights episode, Three-Fifty Three, Beth discusses the fate of the ranch with an unlikely ally. Meanwhile, Kayce takes the investigation into his own hands, and Jamie looks to advance his political agenda. Tune in tonight, Nov. 24, for Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 episode 11 at 8/7c on Paramount Network. As always, find in-depth information about the entirety of Yellowstone, casts, plot lines, spinoffs, recaps and more on our MLive Yellowstone guide. Where to watch Yellowstone Season 5 part 2: $28/month , ditch cable and unlock 70+ channels of reality TV, movies, and more. Get access to over 70,000 movies and shows on-demand, plus AMC+. Philo (start free trial) - For, ditch cable and unlockof reality TV, movies, and more. Get access to over 70,000 movies and shows on-demand, plus AMC+. Click here to watch. $7.99/month ($13.99/month for ad-free Premium Plus), register for Peacock and unlock more than 80,000 hours of reality shows, live sports, movies, and next-day streaming on new NBC and Bravo releases. Watch all old episodes on Peacock. New episodes will be added at a later date. Peacock - With plans starting atfor ad-free Premium Plus), register for Peacock and unlock more thanof reality shows, live sports, movies, and next-day streaming on new NBC and Bravo releases. Season 5 part 2 cast: WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI Crafters, artists and artisans have been hard at work creating unique items for holiday markets across Washtenaw County. Forget about big-box shopping craziness. Talented makers from the local area have all sorts of fantastic items to give to loved ones or buy for yourself. Here are 5 great holiday markets to check out. Outside Riverside Art Center, 76 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti on Wednesday, May 12, 2021.Jacob Hamilton | The Ann Arbor News Riverside Holiday Art Fair has unique creations The final day of Riverside Arts Centers annual Riverside Holiday Art Fair runs 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 24, at 76 N. Huron St. in Ypsilanti. Nearly 60 vendors include fine artists, jewelers, and potters. Crocheted creatures, handmade books and cards, bath and body products, chocolates and snacks are among many creations featured at the fair. And theres a bar for beverages. Downtown Milan has two shopping events Two holiday shopping events will feature vendors and special deals at local businesses in downtown Milan. Pop on Main is downtown Milans way of celebrating Small Business Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. The event includes pop-up markets and vendors of art, jewelry and holiday wreaths, among other artisans, along with food trucks and other happenings. Participating local businesses will offer special discounts and deals to entice people to shop local. More information about the Downtown Milan Development Authority event is available on its website and on social media. In addition, Moonlight Madness is coming to downtown Milan from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. The event will feature special shopping deals, music and vendors. MLive File Photo. Ypsilanti Artisans Market.Provided by Toiya Etchison Ypsis Freighthouse hosting three holiday markets The Ypsilanti Freighthouse, 100 Market Place in Ypsis Depot Town, is hosting markets throughout the holiday shopping season. Ypsilanti Artisans Holiday Market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. Nov. 30, Sunday, Dec. 1, Saturday Dec. 21, and Sunday Dec. 22. The market features dozens of vendors, including craftspeople, small businesses and organizations. Krampusmrkt: Handmade Holiday Bazaar runs 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7. It is a holiday market with a dark twist, according to organizer Holy Bones Festival and Events. More than 50 vendors will sell handmade items, including Krampus-theme crafts. Holy Bones will also present The Memento Merry: A Dark Holiday Artisan Market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15. The market promises dark arts and gifts for people who enjoy the macabre. Shoppers visit Kerrytowns KindleFest in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Friday, December 1, 2023.Christina Merrill | MLive.com Holiday markets enliven Ann Arbor Two shopping districts in downtown Ann Arbor will host special events during Midnight Madness shopping on Friday, Dec. 6, and other markets are planned in town that weekend. Kerrytowns KindleFest returns from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, with artisans and vendors of holiday wares, food and drinks, along with activities for kids and live music. Business and restaurants in the district also stay open late. Merry Market will be held by the State Street District 5 to 10 p.m., Friday, Dec. 6, on Maynard Street. The market will feature local businesses, vendors and artisans, along with food and drinks. The Winter Artisan Market is returning from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Argus Farm Stops Packard Market, 1226 Packard Road in Ann Arbor. The event will feature about 20 local artists selling fiber arts, pottery, body care products and more. The Homegrown at the Cobblestone Farm and Country Christmas holiday art show returns from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, in the barn at Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Road in Ann Arbor. About 20 artists will sell artworks, ornaments, woodworking, jewelry and other wares. More holiday shopping in small towns In addition to these events, no holiday list would be complete without a mention of celebrations featuring vendors in towns across Washtenaw County. Here is what else to check out. Chelsea Hometown Holiday Craft Show and Bake Sale will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the First Congregational Church, 121 E. Middle St. in Chelsea. It will feature baked goods, crafts, wreaths and more. It is one of many Hometown Holiday events happening in Chelsea in December. Craft shows abound during downtown Manchesters Ginchmas in the Village. A long list of locations will host daytime craft shows on Saturday, Dec. 7. The two-day downtown celebration runs Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7. Dexter Heritage Guild Holiday Bazaar run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the Dexter Area Museum, 3443 Inverness in Dexter. The bazaar will feature ornaments, pillows, wreaths and other handcrafted items, along with baked and canned goods. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. KALAMAZOO, MI Tuan Williams was an entrepreneur, a father and friend who is remembered for trying to help others including the man who allegedly killed him. Williams, 44, was stabbed to death in Kalamazoo on Aug. 5. Travon Ahmaray-Trenton Blakely, 26, is charged with open murder in the death. He was found mentally incompetent to stand trial in October and the case is scheduled for an internal review in January. He remains in custody. Williams was trying to get Blakely help before their paths crossed for the last time, Williams sister Quinn Menendez told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette. The one person who was trying to intervene and do the most is the one who got murdered, Menendez said. The criminal justice system failed her brother, Menendez said. His alleged killer is also accused of two other assaults using weapons in the months before Williams death. She questions why no one prevented him from attacking someone again. Why was he free? she said. History of violence Around 10:30 p.m. May 4, police were called to the Citgo Gas Station, 502 W. Michigan Ave., and found a man bleeding from the head. The man told police Blakely struck him in the head multiple times with a piece of a vehicles tailpipe. Police redacted the location where the victim said the incident occurred, per a police report MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette obtained through the Freedom of Information Act. The homeless man suffered a major laceration of about 6 inches to his head and significant blood loss. He was taken to the hospital, the police report says, and he asked for prosecution in the case. Blakely admitted to hitting the man with the tailpipe and said it was accidental, according to the police report MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette received through the Freedom of Information Act. Blakely, 26, was charged with felonious assault. The case was set for a preliminary examination May 22, but it was dismissed by the court after a necessary witness in the case did not appear for the hearing, according to the county prosecutors office. The witness later contacted the prosecutors office and said they did not appear as requested because they were hospitalized. The case was then reissued by the prosecutors office and it is now pending in district court, awaiting the result of a competency examination, per the prosecutors office. Eighty days after the pipe attack, around 4 a.m. July 22, Blakely allegedly struck again. Blakely allegedly stabbed a homeless man in the face with a pair of scissors, causing superficial wounds to the right side of his face and his forehead, a police report said. Officers found the victim sitting by a fuel pump at the Shell Gas Station, 491 W. Michigan Ave. Blakely told officers the scissors he used were in his apartment and officers could get them, but there was an aggressive dog inside. Officers opted not to enter the residence, the police report says. Blakely was not charged with any crime in that case. He was found to have a mental health pick-up order and was cooperative with officers, the police report says. He was taken to Bronson Methodist Hospital for an evaluation. The victim did not desire prosecution for the assault, the police report says. The report was not submitted to the prosecutors office for review, according to the prosecutors office, and an official there declined to comment on it. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen said some cases depend on the victims willingness to have criminal charges filed against the attacker. People can be scared to testify or dont show up in court for other reasons, Boysen said, which can lead to charges dismissed. Thats a huge issue were trying to work through and I think we can do a better job supporting our victims, and thats what we want to work at, Boysen said, though he was not talking about this specific incident. The homicide victims sister wishes something would have been done to stop Blakely before his attacks allegedly escalated. How are there no safeguards? Menendez said. As she dug through allegations of violence in Blakelys past, she found warning signs she thinks should have been spotted. Boysen said law enforcement is also frustrated with the broken system. He said theres a nationwide issue. Police are seeing more people in severe mental health crises and officers have limited options to help them. Unfortunately, were the ones who have to respond to these calls, Boysen said. Were the ones who have to deal with these victims and its just sad. KDPS is involved in efforts to improve the system, he said, like working with mental health professionals to connect people to services. But the system needs more changes, he said, such as more capacity to address substance abuse, which goes hand in hand with mental health. Menendezs brother knew of some of the things Blakely was going through, related to mental health struggles, she said. RELATED: New sober living home will open in Kalamazoo this winter Thats why my brother was here for this man, Menendez said, because he saw no one else was. Williams had spoken with a mutual contact about getting Blakely help, she said. When word got around to Blakely, the situation turned deadly, she said. She still has questions about how he was killed. One minute hes at home with all the family eating, and the next minute hes murdered, she said. Williams owned businesses in Southwest Michigan, she said. He was living in Grandville and came to Kalamazoo on the day of his death. Menendez, who lives in Florida, has regrets about not taking action when she heard he was trying to help the man. She visited her brother in July and they spoke briefly about his concerns involving Blakely. The siblings visited the mall in Portage and other old hangouts. She bought him a plain black hat and they drove around. She could tell he was stressed, but she didnt press him. I kind of cut it short, even though I didnt want to, because I knew in my heart something was wrong, she said. But I was like, My brothers going through a lot, Im just going to let him go. She hugged him and left with a bad feeling. It was the last time she saw him alive. Violence erupts at Kalamazoo apartment Police were called at 9:54 p.m. on Aug. 5 to an apartment at 1101 Portage St. Williams was found suffering from stab wounds with no pulse. He wasnt breathing, police said. First responders tried to save his life as Williams was rushed to Bronson Methodist Hospital. He was pronounced dead at 10:27 p.m. Police would later charge Blakely in the deadly attack. Blakely fled from the apartment on foot, the police report said, and police used a tracking dog to find him near Veterans Memorial Park, over a mile away. Detectives told the family Williams was stabbed about 20 times. They had to buy special gloves for him to wear in the casket because of injuries to his hands, Menendez said. Menendez and Williams were best friends, Menendez said. Its hard for her to be around knives now. Its crazy how something can happen and just changes everything, she said. Caring and humble Williams was born Jan. 25, 1980, to Lisa Jackson and Amos Williams, in Kalamazoo, his obituary says. He leaves behind five sons, two daughters, a wife and grandkids. He worked in metal fabrication, making car parts and other things, and in real estate. Met Tuan and his family when we were very young, a friend posted on his online memory wall. We started off as neighbors, friends, and became family! Tuan was such a caring, smart, and humble person. Tuan Williams and his sister, Quinn Menendez, pose for a photo. Williams was killed in a Kalamazoo stabbing in August 2024. His sister wonders why the man with an alleged violent history was allowed to be free to stab him.(Courtesy | Quinn Menendez) His sister said she tries to remember all the good things about him, like how they would seek out restaurants featured on Diners, Drive Inns and Dives, while traveling together. He loved watching and talking about movies and he had a great singing voice, Menendez said. She wishes they could make more memories together. Its hard not to focus on his tragic death, Menendez said, and how it could have been prevented. RELATED: Ripples felt in Kalamazoo: What happens when no one talks after a homicide Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. No media source currently available The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. The United States is deeply concerned by Russian authorities decision to sentence opposition figure Aleksey Navalny to two years and eight months in prison. SAGINAW, MI Here are a few headlines from Saginaw County last week that attracted reader interest: Michigan man receives 60-hour face transplant operation at Mayo Clinic Ten years after a suicide attempt nearly ended his life and left his face disfigured, a Thumb-area resident became the recipient of the Mayo Clinics second-ever face transplant operation, officials said. I lived for a reason; I want to help others, Derek Pfaff said in a statement. I am so grateful to my donor, his family and my care team at Mayo Clinic for giving me this second chance. Pfaff, of Harbor Beach, does not remember the 2014 suicide attempt that nearly ended his life, but the former Saginaw Valley State University student since then has used the opportunity to serve as a suicide prevention advocate along with his parents, Lisa and Jerry Pfaff. The younger Pfaff now 30 was a college freshman home from spring break in March 2014 when his father discovered him laying motionless in a snowbank outside their home. Pfaff had attempted suicide, using a shotgun. Read more here. Accusations of racism, misogyny aimed at Michigan politician over deleted Facebook post A Saginaw County Board of Commissioners members attempt to make a point about performing better research on political candidates has backfired after he learned his own research was faulty. Now, after apologizing to a cross-town politician who was the target of his faulty research, Saginaw County Commissioner Rich Spitzer said he was crushed by the mistake that has led him to deny accusations of racism and misogyny, as well as mounting calls for his resignation. I am so overwhelmingly sorry for what has happened, the Republican said. That apology was in large part directed at Amaya Bradley, a Democrat who was elected for the first time to the Saginaw Township Board of Trustees earlier this month. Read more here. Saginaw juvenile lifer who killed man in 1991 gets chance at freedom In the summer of 1991, 18-year-old James H. Ruth was selling crack cocaine on a Saginaw street corner. When a dispute arose with a potential customer, Ruth drew a pistol and fired into a crowd, mortally wounding an older man. A jury subsequently found Ruth guilty of murder, resulting in a judge sentencing the convicted killer to die in prison. Now 51, Ruth is likely to walk free again after a judge imposed a new, lighter sentence in accordance with rulings from the state Supreme Court. Wearing a blue Michigan Department of Corrections jumpsuit and shackles, Ruth appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Andre R. Borrello for resentencing on Wednesday, Nov. 20. The jury in Ruths trial deliberated for two days before finding him guilty of first-degree murder, felony firearm, assault with intent to rob while armed, and carrying a concealed weapon in connection with the homicide of 26-year-old Leon D. Clemmons. Then-Saginaw County Circuit Judge Patrick M. Meter in January 1992 sentenced the 19-year-old Ruth to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Meter also sentenced Ruth to a consecutive two-year term. Borrello resentenced Ruth to 32 to 60 years, with credit for 10,702 days or 29.3 years already served. Read more here. Deer barges into Michigan furniture store on fourth day of firearm season Perhaps seeking refuge from armed hunters, a Jane Doe crashed through the window of a Saginaw County furniture store. About 3:40 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19 the fourth day of Michigans firearm season for deer hunting a female deer leaped through a large front window at Gardner White Furniture & Mattress Store, 2660 Tittabawassee Road in Kochville Township. The bleeding deer ran to a corner of the store near a pair of bedroom displays, as shown in footage recorded by responding Saginaw County Sheriffs deputies body-worn cameras. The seemingly confused deer was trapped inside the business for about 15 minutes, at times hunkering down on the floor. Deputies Cameron Helwer and Evan Johnson responded to address the curious situation. As shown in their cameras footage, the addled deer frequently darted from them and jumped onto furniture, slipping and sliding on its spindly legs. When the animal eventually rested, the deputies picked it up by its legs and carried and dragged it through the business. They brought the deer to a loading bay door. After taking a few moments to get to its wobbly feet, the deer scampered outside and took off. Read more here. Officials determine cause of fire at former Arthur Hill High, building closed until Dec. 2 The careless disposal of sawdust by a flooring contractor led to a weekend fire that damaged the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy building, forcing its closure, Saginaw Public Schools officials stated. In a message shared Wednesday, Nov. 20, on platforms including the districts social media pages, Saginaw Public Schools officials stated the floors at the Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy building formerly Arthur Hill High School were being sanded by a flooring contractor Saturday, Nov. 16. Although the fire did not enter the interior of the building, several areas were impacted by smoke and soot exposure has forced the school to close its building for the week, the message stated. Crews cleaning and restoring the facility will prepare the school for reopening on Monday, Dec. 2, district officials announced. Read more here. Brenda Moore once again chosen as Saginaws mayor, city council appoints new mayor pro tem For the third consecutive nomination cycle, Brenda Moore earned her status as Saginaws mayor. The nine-member Saginaw City Council, in its first meeting since three incumbents were ousted in the November election, overwhelmingly favored experience when choosing its mayor and mayor pro tem for the next two years. The council first tapped Moore as Saginaws mayor in 2020; then she repeated the feat two years ago. Her deputy will be different this time around, though. The council voted Priscilla Garcia as Saginaws mayor pro tem. Read more here. Man stood ground after Saginaw gunman jumped out of hotel closet during massage session In late October, a local man visited a Saginaw hotel to pay a woman for a massage. After paying the woman for her services, the man was surprised by a gunman popping out of a closet. Even so, the man stood his ground and called 911. Such was the account the man shared from the witness stand in the Tuesday, Nov. 19, preliminary examination of his alleged assailant, 23-year-old Kyle J. Jackson. Jackson, dressed for court in a graphic T-shirt, gray sweatpants, sandals, socks, and an ankle tether, is charged with felonious assault and felony firearm. Jacksons alleged victim testified he called 911 the night of Oct. 26 from a room within the Ramada by Wyndham Saginaw Hotel & Suites, 3325 Davenport Ave. He went there as he had agreed to pay a female $200 for a half-hour massage, saying he has back issues, he said. He had met the female earlier that day on a massage website, he said. He did not know her name or age, he said. When he entered the hotel room, he handed the female the money, after which she told him she was going into the bathroom to get her supplies. A moment later, the gentlemen jumped out of the closet with a pistol, the man testified. He was holding it directly at me, he said, demonstrating with his arm fully extended. Jackson told the man to leave. The gun appeared to be a 9mm Glock with a laser sight, the witness said. I was scared he was gonna shoot me then, the man testified. After I wasnt shot, I figured he wasnt gonna shoot me. The man said he was doing nothing illegal, so he would not leave and called 911. The caller was in a hotel hallway when police arrived. He was not physically injured during the incident. Read more here. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. The top Vietnamese legislator stressed the point while addressing the opening ceremony of the 11th Plenary Session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 24. Joining hands to boost sustainable and inclusive development and to address the root causes of poverty and inequality is also a way to create a sustainable foundation for a peaceful and tolerant world, Tran added. He called for respecting international law and upholding multilateralism, especially the central role of the United Nations, describing it as the most civilized approach to prevent wars and conflicts. Cambodia's success story in consolidating peace, reconciliation and national development is a testament to the noble goal of building a peaceful, better and more civilized world where people live tolerantly with each other, Tran noted. He emphasized that peace can only be achieved if we understand and sympathize with each person, regardless of skin color, religion or ethnic origin. Peace is to ensure that each person deserves to live a prosperous and happy life in a safe environment, without discrimination. As a peace-loving nation that has undergone many wars for national independence and reunification, Viet Nam especially treasures the values of peace, stability and friendship so that every citizen can enjoy independence, freedom, prosperity and happiness, said Tran. Viet Nam supports initiatives that contribute to peace and stability in the region and the world and it also backs the promotion of the resolution of international conflicts and disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law and the United Nations Charter, without the threats or use of force, said the top Vietnamese legislator. He called on parliaments and parliamentarians will play an active role in promoting the rule of law, building trust and mutual respect, and finding sustainable peaceful solutions to regional disputes and urgent global challenges today. Tran expressed his belief that Cambodia's success experiences in national development and building friendly and cooperative relations with neighboring and regional countries will certainly contribute to promoting peace and cooperation in the region and the world./. President Xi Jinping meets Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan in Casablanca, where he made a technical stopover on his way back to China after the 19th G20 Summit and a state visit to Brazil. [Photo/Xinhua] President Xi Jinping has underscored China's commitment to supporting Morocco in maintaining its national security and stability, and expressed the country's willingness to work with the North African nation to continue to firmly support each other on issues concerning their own core interests. Xi made the remarks on Thursday evening during a meeting with Moroccan Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan in Casablanca, where he made a technical stopover on his way back to China after the 19th G20 Summit and a state visit to Brazil. Upon instructions from King Mohammed VI, the crown prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch received Xi at Mohammed V International Airport, where a welcoming ceremony was held. Xi had a cordial conversation with Hassan, asking him to convey his sincere greetings and best wishes to the Moroccan king. Xi noted that China-Morocco relations have been developing well, with fruitful pragmatic cooperation and increasingly active exchanges in various fields. He recalled King Mohammed VI's state visit to China in 2016, when they held fruitful talks and elevated China-Morocco relations to a new level. China is ready to work with Morocco to implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the 10th Ministerial Meeting of the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum, and deliver more achievements in pragmatic cooperation under the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative, Xi said. He called on both countries to expand cultural exchanges to solidify the foundation of friendship between the two peoples, and promote greater development of the China-Morocco strategic partnership. Hassan conveyed King Mohammed VI's sincere greetings and warm welcome to Xi, and said that Morocco-China relations have maintained good development momentum. He expressed gratitude for China's valuable support for his country during the COVID-19 pandemic, which, he said, the Moroccan people will never forget. The Moroccan royal family and government are committed to further developing Morocco-China relations, maintaining high-level exchanges between the two countries, and strengthening cooperation in various fields, the crown prince said. Noting that the Chinese language and culture are well received by the Moroccan people, he expressed hope that the two countries would strengthen cultural exchanges. Saying Morocco and China share similar positions on many issues, the crown prince expressed his country's willingness to work with China to firmly support each other in maintaining national sovereignty, security and stability. China has stepped up investments in Morocco's infrastructure, railway and electric vehicle sectors in recent years. On Nov 13, Chinese EV battery manufacturer Gotion High-Tech signed an agreement with Morocco's state-owned investment fund CDG in Hefei, Anhui province, to advance the development of an electric battery gigafactory in Kenitra, Morocco. The Kenitra gigafactory project will receive an initial investment of 13 billion dirhams ($1.3 billion), with the first phase focused on producing 20 gigawatt-hours of lithium-ion batteries and cathode materials, according to media reports. The project is expected to create approximately 2,300 jobs, contributing significantly to local employment and economic growth. Xi is expected to return to Beijing on Saturday after his Latin American tour starting on Nov 13, which also took him to Peru for the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and a state visit to the country. BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 24. US President Joe Biden has conveyed gratitude to Azerbaijan for hosting successful COP29, Trend reports. I congratulate the Parties and the COP29 Presidency on reaching this outcome. While there is still substantial work ahead of us to achieve our climate goals, todays outcome puts us one significant step closer. On behalf of the American people and future generations, we must continue to accelerate our work to keep a cleaner, safer, healthier planet within our grasp, President Biden said in a statement. He pointed out, at COP29, the world reached agreement on another historic outcome. Together, countries set an ambitious 2035 international climate finance goal. It will help mobilize the level of finance from all sources that developing countries need to accelerate the transition to clean, sustainable economies, the president added. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 24. The volume of oil transportation through the system of main oil pipelines amounted to 57.8 million tons of oil from January through October 2024. Data obtained by Trend from the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan reveals that, as of the end of October, more than 26 percent of the transported oil, or 15.1 million tons, was delivered to domestic oil refineries. Approximately 46.3 million tons of oil were transported through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium pipeline. It is also noted that the volume of oil transportation through the Atyrau-Samara section amounted to about 7.2 million tons. In January-October 2024, 1.2 million tons of Kazakh oil were sent to Germany. By the end of 10 months, more than 3.1 million tons of oil were transported from the port of Aktau, including 1.6 million tons of oil shipped to the port of Makhachkala and 1.2 million tons shipped to the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline. The Atasu-Alashankou pipeline transported more than 1 million tons of oil. Additionally, for the first 10 months, oil transit through the territory of Kazakhstan amounted to 8.4 million tons, of which 8.2 million tons were sent from the Russian Federation to the People's Republic of China and 217 thousand tons from the Russian Federation to the Republic of Uzbekistan. Kazakh oil is exported to countries such as Italy, the Netherlands, China, South Korea, Romania, France, Greece, Turkiye, Singapore, and Germany. According to the European Statistical Agency, Kazakhstan entered the top three oil exporters to the European Union last year, trailing only the US and Norway. Rajni Pandey 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. 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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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, November . On November 29, deputy foreign ministers from Iran, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany will meet to discuss issues related to Iran's nuclear program, according to Trend. This was announced by the spokesperson for the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ismail Baghai, in an interview with local media on November 24. He stated that the meeting would involve an exchange of views on bilateral, regional, and international matters. Baghai also highlighted that the talks at the deputy ministerial level are a continuation of the discussions held during the annual United Nations assembly. The ministry spokesperson emphasized that Iran remains committed to dialogue and cooperation with other nations. It is important to recall that in January 2016, Iran and the 5+1 group (the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany) signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on Irans nuclear program. In May 2018, the United States withdrew from the agreement and reimposed sanctions on Iran later that year. Iran has since declared it would no longer abide by the restrictions set by the nuclear deal starting in 2020. Furthermore, at the end of 2020, the Iranian parliament approved a strategic plan aimed at lifting sanctions, citing the imposition of such measures against Iran. As part of this, Iran suspended the implementation of additional steps and the additional protocol outlined in the nuclear deal starting February 23, 2021. As a result, the IAEA's monitoring mechanism was reduced by 20-30%. Saira Banu reveals the real reason why she decided to separate from AR Rahman; requests media to STOP tarnishing his name M Snehanjali 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 101Reporters 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 Mahesh Gowande has 19 years of experience in Time Cycle influence, Responsive Behavior Analysis of events & capital markets. Anishaa Kumar 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. 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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 Batenge to Katenge: How a campaign slogan got Yogi Adityanath his mojo back Parimal Peeyush 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 Priyanjali Ghose 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 November 24, 2024 / 20:52 IST Rafael Nadal's relatively low-key retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup was defended by the head of the International Tennis Federation on Sunday as being dictated by the 22-time Grand Slam champion's wishes. Rafa is an amazing player and has a legacy of tennis that he will leave behind, inspiring millions of players around the world to play tennis, to continue to play. We felt it was very important to listen to what Rafa wanted and how he wanted to be celebrated. That's exactly what we did, ITF President David Haggerty said at a closing news conference at the site of the Billie Jean King Cup and Davis Cup in southern Spain. We took his lead, and we delivered on that," Haggerty added. "People can have whatever opinions they want of whether it was right or not, but to me, the most important thing was we delivered a ceremony that was what Rafa wanted and, being who he is, was a great evening, and it was much appreciated. Feliciano Lopez, the former player who is the Davis Cup Finals tournament director, deflected a question about the way Nadal was feted after his team, Spain, was eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarterfinals Tuesday. Smriti Mishra 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 25. Iran must build an atomic bomb and withdraw from the non-proliferation treaty (NPT), the country's MP Ahmad Bakhshayesh Ardestani told reporters, Trend reports. According to him, if Iran were to build an atomic bomb, the maximum level of pressure on the country would last for six months. "Western countries would ask why Iran is building an atomic bomb. Iran could respond by saying, you have imposed enough sanctions on Iran, and there are no more sanctions to apply. Iran has no choice but to build an atomic bomb, he said. Ardestani mentioned that a majority of the Iranian population already believes that the country absolutely needs an atomic bomb. Iran cannot afford to abandon this capability to enhance its deterrence, he explained. Acquiring an atomic bomb is essential for Iran. Thats why I fully agree with some deputies who wrote a letter to the Supreme National Security Council regarding a change in the countrys nuclear doctrine, he also said. The MP pointed out that Iran could further develop its nuclear program by withdrawing from the NPT. "Iranian officials have stated that in response to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopting a resolution against Iran, the number of centrifuges would be increased, and new generation centrifuges would be used. This would help increase the percentage of uranium enrichment, and ultimately, this path leads to the production of an atomic bomb," he added. To note, the IAEA adopted a resolution on November 21 with 19 votes against Iran, in favor, 12 abstentions, and three against. The resolution invited Tehran to cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency on a number of issues and also called for a credible document on uranium residues at two undeclared locations on Iranian territory. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi visited Tehran on November 14 (2024) and held talks with a number of senior Iranian officials, including President Masoud Pezeshkian. In January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program. However, in May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran. Two years later, Iran responded to the sanctions by implementing a strategic plan in the nuclear sector to counter the sanctions. This decision was made by the Iranian parliament at the end of 2020, resulting in the suspension of additional measures and the Additional Protocol per the nuclear agreement. Consequently, the IAEA faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent. The Iranian parliament's 39 members have petitioned Iran's Supreme National Security Council to review the country's defense doctrine regarding the production of nuclear weapons. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 'Didn't expect win margin to be so huge', says BJP's Ramveer Singh 101Reporters 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. 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I Accept No hope of SP coming to power till 2047: UP Dy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya Siddharth Chakravorty 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 Over six lakh devotees visit Sabarimala in nine days; revenue touches Rs 41 crore 101Reporters 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. 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I Accept Parimal Peeyush 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 BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 24. COP29 will usher in a new era of climate finance, said the European Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, at the closing plenary session of COP29, Trend reports. "The European Union and its Member States will continue to play a leading role in this process. We have worked actively with all participants to significantly increase the volume of financing. We have tripled the target of 100 billion dollars and consider this target ambitious, necessary, realistic and achievable," he noted. The European Commissioner stressed that all countries with the capacity should contribute to climate finance. "We are working hard to support those who are most vulnerable. Access to finance will be easier, and we have agreed to increase funding for adaptation measures. This is especially important, since public funds are the key driver in this area. Increasing the donor base on a voluntary basis is an important step, given the scale of the problem. We also see a historic increase in the role of multilateral development banks in supporting this transition, which in turn will attract significantly more private funds. This is the approach we need to achieve the $1.3 trillion target," Hoekstra concluded. Harsh Goenka on Jaguar's new 'copy nothing' ad: 'What does that even mean?' Ankita Sengupta 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 Jaguar MD Rawdon Glover defends new ad against 'vile hatred' online: 'We shouldnt turn up like...' Ankita Sengupta 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. 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I Accept Iran is preparing to 'respond' to Israel, says adviser to Supreme Leader 101Reporters 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. 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I Accept Jenn An, a contestant on America's Next Top Model, has filed a lawsuit against controversial rapper Kanye West for allegedly choking her and putting his fingers down her throat during the filming of La Roux's "In for the Kill" video in 2010. In a lawsuit filed in a New York federal court, the star accused the 47-year-old artist of sexual assault. ADVERTISIMENT The document, which was obtained by a number of media outlets, according to People, states that An was working as a supporting actress for the video and was wearing only "revealing underwear" when West pointed her out to the crew and asked them to "give him an Asian girl." The model claimed that she responded to Kanye: "I don't have a lot of clothes on," to which he allegedly replied: "That's why I picked you," and she recalls him ordering the other supporting cast members to leave the room. Later, the rapper began to put on his own show, committing sexual violence by imitating obscene movements and sounds. "On camera, Defendant West began to choke the plaintiff with one hand. He then wrapped his other hand around her neck and continued to choke her with both hands," the lawsuit says. "He then shoved several fingers down her throat, moving them continuously back and forth, and gagged her. In the process, the performer himself claimed that "this is art." ADVERTISIMENT "The plaintiff was having difficulty breathing and felt that she had temporarily lost consciousness. When defendant West decided he was done with plaintiff, her face was covered in saliva and smeared makeup," the document says. Universal Music Group (UMG) is also named as a co-defendant in the case, as An claims that the company "failed to investigate" the incident. The lawsuit states that "West's gender-based, hateful, and offensive scandals were a brand that was too profitable for defendant Universal Music to intervene despite his unlawful behavior." Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about how Kanye West, who publicly supported Putin and the war in Ukraine, was set up in Moscow: the scandalous rapper's concert was canceled. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk listens as President-elect Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with House Republicans at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 13, 2024. Pro-Russian collaborators and gauleiters in the temporarily occupied territories have stolen the funds allocated by the Kremlin for the "reconstruction" of Mariupol. To hide this, they came up with a twisted scheme. ADVERTISIMENT In order not to pay the migrant workers from Central Asia, who were brought to Mariupol, they were given a part of the "rebuilt" apartments, leaving the native Mariupol residents on the streets once again. This was reported by the National Resistance Center. "Since there are no funds allocated by the Kremlin for the 'reconstruction' of Mariupol left (local gauleiters and collaborators made use of them in the first days), there is no money left to pay salaries to the builders either. And these workers were brought from the most remote Russian regions to give rise to the so-called "new regions" (read: successful Ukrainian cities destroyed by Russian terrorists). As a result, the migrant workers were left without a penny, and a rebellion was allegedly brewing among them," the Center described the situation. ADVERTISIMENT In order to conceal the truth about the "reconstruction" of Ukrainian cities destroyed by Russia and the lack of funds that have already paid for someone's luxury cars, the dishonest collaborators came up with such a twisted scheme. "The Kremlin's money-hungry henchmen found a way to get out of it. In the temporarily occupied Mariupol, several dozen 'rebuilt' apartments were given away to migrant workers from Central Asia. And the owners of the destroyed apartments have been left homeless for three winters now," the Center said. They called on residents of the occupied territories of Ukraine to join the movement. "We can stop the abuse of civilians in the TOT of Ukraine together. If you have information about the enemy and collaborators, their locations, hideaways, or addresses, send them to our official anonymous chatbot," the message says. Earlier, the National Resistance Center said that Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov was planning to forcibly send 84,000 Chechens to help Russia in its war against Ukraine. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close The American Film Academy has published qualifying lists of films that have a chance to be nominated for the 97th Academy Awards to be held in March 2025. The list includes five films created by Ukrainian filmmakers or in collaboration with Ukrainian artists. ADVERTISIMENT It is worth noting that most of the films deal with the topic of the Russian-Ukrainian war. This became known from the official website of the Oscars. Currently, you can see the probable nominees for the International Feature Film, Animated Feature Film, and Documentary Feature Film categories. In total, they include 169 works. La Palisiada According to representatives of the Ukrainian Film Academy in September 2024, the film La Palisiada by Philip Sotnychenko will compete for an Oscar in the International Feature Film category. The events of the film take the viewer back to 1996, after the restoration of Ukraine's independence and shortly before the death penalty was banned. The plot centers on two friends, a detective and a forensic psychiatrist, who are investigating the murder of their police colleague. The story turns out to be confusing, and the deceased's wife, who does not give the police peace of mind, adds fuel to the fire. ADVERTISIMENT Under the Volcano In early fall, the Polish Oscar Committee presented the film Under the Volcano by Damian Kocur as an Oscar nominee in the International Feature Film category. The film, starring Ukrainians, tells the story of the Kovalenko family, who have planned a vacation to Tenerife. However, the news of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine catches the characters there. From tourists, the Kovalenko's turn into refugees, finding refuge on the resort island. The story is told from the point of view of their teenage daughter Sofia. After the Rain: Putin's Stolen Children Come Home The film by Canadian director Sarah McCartney and Ukrainian producers, which may be nominated in the Feature Documentary category, tells the story of children who were illegally taken by Russian barbarians. The young Ukrainians managed to return to their homeland, but now the main characters of the film are recovering from their traumatic experience. ADVERTISIMENT Porcelain War A likely nominee in the Feature Documentary category, Porcelain War by Brendan Bellomo and Slava Leontiev depicts the story of three Ukrainian artists - Leontiev himself, his wife Ania Stasenko and their friend Andriy Stefanov. The artists stayed in Kharkiv, which has been under constant rocket fire since the first day of Russia's full-scale invasion. Intercepted Another possible nominee in the Feature Documentary category, Oksana Karpovych's documentary Peaceful People consists of intercepted conversations of the Russian occupiers. The filmmaker listened to more than 30 hours of recordings, which were previously published on social networks of the SBU and special services. Earlier, OBOZ.UA wrote about how the popular Netflix series featured a Ukrainian folk song: how Petra's Aria from the opera "Natalka Poltavka" sounds. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Overthinking what you said? Its your lizard brain talking to newer, advanced parts of your brain Medical Xpress If MMT is wrong, why is it so much better at predicting the economy and economic disaster? Dougald Lamonts Substack 2,000-Year-Old Psychedelic Potion Found in Ancient Egyptian Mug SciTech Daily Climate/Environment Water Pandemics Some good news Novavax just released animal data on their H5N1 vaccine. It both worked as a priming vaccine and as a single dose on top of existing influenza vaccines in primates And as a intranasal and intramuscular in mice. Take the intranasal data with a grain of pic.twitter.com/8U31nVAQDU Don Ford The Peoples Strategist (@DonEford) November 22, 2024 *** New research shows younger and middle-aged adults have worse long COVID symptoms than older adults Northwestern Medicine Healthy elbow room: Social distancing in Neolithic mega-settlements Phys.org China? Old Blighty European Disunion Syraqistan New Not-So-Cold War The message Biden Admin got from Russias IRBM missile strike is that Putin will escalate if the US/NATO fire ATACMs missiles into Russia. Thats what Biden wants. So today, more US ATACMs hit Russia, in the expectation that Putin will further escalate.https://t.co/Q1jovjU4gt Mark Ames (@MarkAmesExiled) November 24, 2024 The Russians are taking Zelenskyys declarations seriously. Recently, the Russians struck the legendary Yuzhmash with six high-explosive warheads, raising questions, especially: What is Yuzhmash? Yuzhmash is the largest and oldest military space factory, and during Soviet pic.twitter.com/QHNqoGJQNg Patricia Marins (@pati_marins64) November 23, 2024 Imperial Collapse Watch Graham: So to any ally, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, if you try to help the ICC, were going to sanction you. pic.twitter.com/skSkAWiLp8 Acyn (@Acyn) November 23, 2024 Trump Transition Trump named Sebastian Gorka as a Senior Director for national security policy. Heres a discussion we had on X Spaces, with a special appearance from @aaronjmate Gorka calls Putin a KGB killer with whom no negotiated settlement can be reached to resolve the war Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/MePBnOiJWI Michael Tracey (@mtracey) November 23, 2024 2024 Post Mortems Brunch, Interrupted The Gauntlet The impact on Michigan voters was more notable pic.twitter.com/8siEur6Fn9 Polling USA (@USA_Polling) November 22, 2024 Realignment and Legitimacy Vaticanista Sandro Magister on the Ascendance of the Postliberal Right. Postliberal Order Obama Legacy The State of Health Insurance Coverage in the U.S. Commonwealth Fund. 23% of working-age U.S. adults are underinsured and 9% are uninsured. Healthcare? Supply Chain How supply chains fuel transnational conflict in the Middle East Chatham House Groves of Academe AI The Bezzle Antitrust The Proposal to Break Up Google Is Finally Here Matt Stoller, Big Tech on Trial Class Warfare Antidote du jour (via): See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. I always appreciated techno-feudal lord Peter Thiels obsession with the blood of the young being used in pursuit of eternal life for himself. It seems a perfectly upfront metaphor for our late-stage capitalism in which the pursuit of profit drains the life of an ever increasing number. Thiels lust for the fountain of youthful blood came to mind recently when reading about Sequoia Capitals return to Israel. Sequoia is one of the largest venture capital firms in Silicon Valley and it invested early in the likes of Apple, Google, and Oracle. It also sprang the PayPal Mafia to prominence, a group that includes Thiel and President-elect Donald Trumps current sidekick and worlds richest man, Elon Musk. Unsurprisingly, as a citadel of capitalism built on eugenics, bombs, and hatred of the working class, Silicon Valley is now among the upcoming Trump Administrations biggest backers and helps push for the US ongoing involvement in the Gaza genocide. Sequoia left Israel in 2016 because, according to partner Shaun Maguire, Israeli founders looked to sell early in the hundreds of millions of dollars range while the VC firm prefers to invest in companies that could be worth $50 billion or more. So why is Sequoia back? Maguire says that The founders here today are among the most ambitious in the world, and we believe that the country will produce companies large enough to suit the fund. Oct. 7 and the ensuing genocide play a large role in that calculation. Sequoias dozens of investments are centered around defense tech and cybersecurity and are oftentimes headed by veterans of the Israeli Defense Forces Unit 8200, the central collection unit of the intelligence corps, and the Israel Air Forces Shaldag Unit, which specializes in clandestine operations and military intelligence. Israeli tech is of course being used and tested in the genocide: WATCH: Israel is using facial recognition technology to organize how it conducts mass arrests and forcible displacement in Gaza. Some Palestinians say the technology is also being used to carry out field executions. pic.twitter.com/HDeQgElJez Mondoweiss (@Mondoweiss) November 19, 2024 That doesnt trouble the likes of Maguire at Sequoia. In his telling hes a profile in courage for his support of Israel that is under attack from all sides, including the Biden administration. By making such comments hes presumably implying that the jump on the right of the following graph should go much higher: He expects Trump to accomplish that. Its not just Sequoia. Others like Greylock, another Silicon Valley behemoth, and New York City-based Lux Capital, which specializes in deep tech startups, are getting in on more action in Israel. Heres the co-founder of Lux with more details that Friedrich Flick could be proud of: Just on with @cnbc @MorganLBrennan + @jonfortt -American defense tech, Palantir, Anduril, Israel, US -The necessity of scientific + tech superiority -Luxs $1B investment in hard power -Luxs funding of soft power with our launch of Lux Labs pic.twitter.com/NlLihvKi7X Josh Wolfe (@wolfejosh) October 28, 2024 Lux claims to champion companies that work at the intersection of the new and the not-yet-imagined, looking decades into the future to create a world most of us can barely imagine. Thats one way of putting it. Maybe its not a bad bet on these Companies helping bring that world into being are doing quite well. Israeli defense tech firm Elbit Systems, for example, has a record order backlog worth $22 billion at the moment. American big tech has long supported the Israeli apartheid regime where its products can be tested, and they continue to do so despite the genocide being perpetrated. Sequoia, Lux, and the others, are of course betting that these technologies developed in Israel can be brought to scale around the world. Is it just the tech being exported? While Israel is effectively a colonial laboratory for tech of surveillance, control, and extermination, what does that portend for its benefactor, the US more specifically our ruling class inclinations? An interesting if terrifying thought: Gaza already prepared the world for nuclear war. To experience death, destruction and suffering beyond the scale of any meaningful subjective comprehension. Now no one can claim the value of human life. There is now no going back. May God have mercy on us all. pic.twitter.com/HSdX40N0BR Haz Al-Din (@InfraHaz) November 19, 2024 Hopefully not. Nuclear war would, after all, harm the plutocrats as well. Even if they have their bunker, with new Russian missiles they wouldnt have time to get there. Even if they did, what about their staff? Possibly in preparation for the most likely state to go nuclear: Israel. Perhaps it is not for nuclear war but for a further radicalization of our government and forms of capital extraction that will require more surveillance, control, and violence. What could that look like? The Israelization of America is one possibility. There is, after all, clear ideological overlap between the ruling classes of both countries. Silicon Valley tech billionaires dream of a world where democracy is stamped out. According to Netanyahu, the future belongs to authoritarian capitalism. The future would appear to be here. Authoritarian Capitalism in Israel Its important to note how racial and religious apartheid in Israel has always been inextricably intertwined with if not driven by by economic factors. Before Israel even came into existence, Zionists embarked on a campaign to convince the government in London that a Jewish homeland would be in service to British capital whether in Africa, industrial agriculture in Iraq, or that European Jewish labor could claim Palestine for European empire. During WWII as the US tried to figure out how it could dominate the world without the cost or bad optics of colonial occupation, Zionism ironically offered an answer. As professor of history at Penn State University Laura Robson writes in her 2023 book Human Capital: A History of Putting Refugees to Work: Zionisms vision of remaking geopolitical territory and claiming land for empire through racially conscious settlement practices and intensive industrial development represented a central model for this American-led vision of population engineering. From its very beginning, Israel was about turning a profit for global capital even if that meant turning on Jewish survivors of Nazi concentration camps. In the battle for Latrun during the 1948 war, the Israel Defense Forces deployed just-arrived Holocaust survivors in battle with as little as three days military training, dooming many of them to instant death. The national solution to mass displacement, it was transpiring, could be every bit as inhumane as the imperial one, at least for those who could not contribute as workers. During the June 1967 war,which resulted in the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip Israels defense minister Moshe Dayan summarized the economic incentives of occupation: a supplementary market for Israeli goods and services on the one hand, and a source of factors of production, especially unskilled labor, for the Israeli economy on the other. Prior to Oct. 7, 2023 there were more than 200,000 Palestinian laborers, including those without permits, who work inside Israel and the occupied West Bank. According to Dr. Ofer Cassif, a member of the Knesset from the Hadash Party, which supports Jewish-Arab cooperation and workers rights, the Gaza genocide is a product of late-stage capitalism: Here, it is a class issue. It is between the oppressed and the oppressor, between the exploiter and the exploitedNational hostility serves the economic and political interests of the ruling classes because that way they can divert the rage, the frustration, the alienation from a class-based one to a national-based one In order to justify the crimes that an occupier does, occupiers always, eventually, deteriorate into crimes because, eventually, occupation leads to resistance. In order to refrain from seeing yourself or recognizing yourself as a monster, you have to justify the crimes that you do. You do that by demonizing the occupied. Its the same everywhere. Its not something that was born under the Israeli occupation. The slave orders in the United States of America did so. The Germans did so, too, with the Jews. The Apartheid regime in South Africa did that with the non-whites, especially with the blacks; of course, there was a hierarchy of different so-called races. It is the same here, a language of occupation. There are other economic factors to consider, of course. Israel tests out surveillance, population control, and military technology on the captive population and is reportedly using artificial intelligence to aid its genocide. Theres also the issue of natural resources: Israel gives exploration licenses for natural gas in locations that are considered to be within Palestines maritime boundary in preparation for occupying these areas Concerns raised over potential violation of international law and humanitarian consequences pic.twitter.com/lAhQKoiPCZ Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) February 15, 2024 And theres the Gaza 2035 vision, which is part of the wider US-backed India-Middle East-EU Economic Corridor: What of the Palestinians in Gaza 2035? throughout the three phases explained in the document, it becomes clear that the Palestinians permitted to live among the ruins of their homeland would provide cheap labour in this new regional trade and energy hub intended for Israeli business interests. Displacing a population and destroying their existing social, architectural and economic fabric under the guise of modernisation harks back to colonial ideas about certain races and societies being apparently unfit or incapable of extracting the maximum profit from land an argument favoured by nineteenth-century colonisers from South Africa to North America. Three hundred years of this thinking has landed us in our grotesquely unequal present, yet former colonial powers in Europe and settler colonies like the US continue to finance the militarisation of Israel. We can turn to President-elect Donald Trumps son-in-law and former senior foreign policy adviser and property dealer, Jared Kushner, for a glimpse into the real estate potential of such a plan. Im sitting in Miami Beach right now, Kushner said. And Im looking at the situation and Im thinking: what would I do if I was there? For Kushner, the solution is simple: I would do my best to move the people out and then clean it up. And thats probably a good point to segue to the US. American Parallels Theres been a lot of analysis about what Trumps Israel-first cabinet picks mean for Israel, Iran, and the Middle East at large. Less so of what that means for the US. To be clear, the following is not an argument that Trump represents a unique threat. If anything, his warranted quest for revenge against certain neocon factions and Blob outfits could produce net positives. On the other hand, he is the product of our plutocrat-controlled capitalist system just as Biden, Trump I, and Obama before him. And so short of overhauling the system, the question becomes how will it make use of the Trump administration at this time? Lets remember that it was mere months ago that Silicon Valley was largely aligned with the Biden Administration. How quickly things can change. Tech, finance, government, and Israel are set to be aligned again under Trump, as they are with most every administration. Maybe one difference between Biden and Trump is that we switch out the extreme identity politics for the more old-fashioned religious fanatics: And, sure enough, Hegseth has 2 Crusader tattoos: a Jerusalem Cross, the symbol of the Crusader kingdom of Jerusalem on his chest, & Deus Vult the Crusaders theological cri de coeur (God wills it) on his bicep. Deus Vult means God mandated Crusaders violence. 13/ pic.twitter.com/kAGwqjToyE Matthew D. Taylor (@TaylorMatthewD) November 13, 2024 Together theyre all marching in lockstep with Israel: JUST IN Trumps incoming National Security Adviser, Waltz: Come January, expect a strong response for both the ICC and the UN. https://t.co/jRVlXzBsez pic.twitter.com/iFauLKUceh Open Source Intel (@Osint613) November 21, 2024 Maguire, the above-mentioned partner at Sequoia is an example. He used to be a Democrat. Now hes ready to go to the mattresses for Trump. And should a Democrat prevail in 2028, hell likely be on that team too. With both parties openly corrupt, its always easy to be where action is as its only a question of how much. And theyre certainly hoping for action with Trump. Dovi Frances, an Israeli-American founding partner of the Los Angeles-based venture capital firm Group 11, is a major Trump backer. Hes also being tapped to set up an AI National Directorate in Israel under Netanyahu. An AI directorate already exists in the Israeli Innovation Authority, but the new program is intended to coordinate all the governments AI activities and might have some big-name backers despite is stated mission being so mundane. From Globes: Senior figures who are familiar with the plan that has been presented by Frances to Netanyahu say that the two men are expecting the involvement of several senior personalities in the international business community to help realize the plan. Some of these personalities are close to President Donald Trump including Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, who founded PayPal with Musk, OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever who after leaving the ChatGPT developer has founded SST, a new AI company that will be based in San Francisco and Tel Aviv. Of course, the Americans arent the only ones taking a keen interest in Israeli AI at least according to Frances. Here he is writing in The Jerusalem Post about all the opportunities the Trump Administration could usher in: Gulf investors have quietly begun to join Israeli-related tech companies cap tables, injecting capital into Israeli firms, often without public announcement. These activitiesboth sales and investmentshighlight the growing economic ties between Israel and the Gulf and the immense interest from both sides in fostering deeper technological collaboration. Under the Trump administration, with the expansion of agreements to include Saudi Arabia, Israeli AI companies could serve as platforms for entire industries in the Gulf, including education, banking, healthcare, and cybersecurity. The political instability in the Middle East, the AI revolution, and the US political landscape are not isolated from each otherthey are intertwined. Two months ago, I met with Donald Trump in Washington, DC, where we discussed the AI revolution and how his administration, if re-elected, could help Israel maintain its technological superiority in the region. We agreed that once he won the election, we would revisit the topic in a future meeting. And so we will. And so the rest of us are faced with the next level of fusion between tech, finance and government an agreement to protect profit and tech superiority and one written in the blood of genocide. Whether or not the Gulf states are on board (hard to believe theyd rely on Israel/US for such tech considering how it has been weaponized recently, but what do I know?), Israeli tech is still an export industry. And whats the motto? Move fast and break things. More of the Same in the US? The reasons behind the synergy between Tel Aviv, Washington, and Silicon Valley isnt hard to see. The surveillance and population tech used in Israel is going to be welcomed home with open arms as described by Tech Policy Press: Big Tech firms and venture capitalists are well positioned to exploit the techno-nationalist mood. During the campaign, Silicon Valley figures like Elon Musk and Marc Andreessen helped shape the President-elects tech policy agenda. To take the lead over China on AI, campaign allies said the new administration will discard Bidens AI guardrails and go full steam ahead on autonomous weapons, intelligence, and cybersecurity. To meet the vast energy demands of data centers, Trump has called for a boom in fossil fuel production. Swell. What could that look like in practice? It ranges from the extreme (the government watchdog Public Citizen came out with a report on Friday warning about the Pentagon developing AI weapons that can deploy lethal force autonomouslywithout a human authorizing the specific use of force in a specific context) to the more mundane (especially with Lina Khan and company no longer pushing back): New workplace dystopia just dropped. AI monitoring software now flags you if you type slower than coworkers, take >30sec breaks, or checks notes have a consistent Mon-Thu but slightly different Friday. Bonus: Its collecting your workflow data to help automate your job away. pic.twitter.com/Nkq0AkS7sp Deedy (@deedydas) November 23, 2024 Maybe nowhere is Silicon Valleys opportunity bigger than with Trumps plan to deport millions of illegal immigrants. The US has long used the border area as a testing ground for surveillance technology, and that looks set to increase dramatically as the Trump-aligned and spook-led dark money and charity organizations sounding the loudest alarms about the border are also set to be the biggest winners financially. These include companies like PenLink, Ltd., a tech firm that sells surveillance tools to law enforcement, including software that can track cell phones without a warrant. The tech has been purchased by ICE, the DEA and Texas DPS, among other agencies. The Trump administrations heavy focus on deporting illegal immigrants reminds me of the Biden administrations foreign policy for the middle class. Built on half truths, it maintained that taking on transnational threats was going to help rebuild American industry and provide good-paying jobs. It ended with few of the jobs and desperate attempts by the administration to tout the production of weapons being used to kill thousands in the Middle East and Ukraine. If you dont correctly identify the true threat to the American working class, the solutions arent going to work. And that threat is that the American ruling class does not view the rest of the population as fellow citizens, nor fellow human beings. They are vessels to be used for profit extraction or according to Thiel, potentially blood extraction depending on its purity. Just to name a few recent examples, we only have to look at Obamas foreclosure jamboree while banks were rescued, the opioids mass murder, ongoing rises in deaths of despair, ever-increasing homelessness and more draconian efforts to punish the unhoused, mass imprisonment as the result of viewing crime as a problem of too many criminals rather than too few well-paying jobs, the entire US healthcare system, and an ongoing pandemic that harms working class Americans most. Will Trump take on the forces causing this carnage or will he blame illegal immigrants and provide more of an innovative testing ground for Israeli-style surveillance and detention tech on immigrants? My bet would be on the latter. For comparison we can look to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who rode to power two years ago based in part on strong opposition to illegal immigration and asylum and despite howls of fascism. Meloni quickly backed down on her deportations pledge and ended up increasing the supply of cheap foreign labor at the request of Italian capital. Shes made a big show of it all, however, and now has a nearly $1 billion detention facility in Albania sitting empty after courts blocked the plan. As Yves pointed out recently, the easiest way to deal with illegal immigration is to make it difficult for these migrants to get paid work. But that doesnt seem to be the point, which is instead to find a scapegoat for all the problems plaguing working class Americans ones driven by rapacious capital. After all, the exploitation of immigrants and resulting wage pressure is the result of government and capital conspiring to make sure it is available. It is the result of the US destroying immigrants home countries with coups, sanctions, and other means. And how about the NGOs flying them in. Lets not forget that Biden presided over plenty of deportations and kept working on the border wall. On genocide in Gaza, economic issues at home, and immigration theater the two political parties are in tacit agreement. Maybe we have more of this to look forward to, though: Will they do this with keffiyehs now that orange man bad is back? The Ruling Class Not as Dumb as They Seem Lets briefly examine the other major bloodbath fueled by Washington these days. In the case of the war in Ukraine, the West is unprepared, unwilling, and impotent to affect change on the battlefield, yet the support continues to flow to Kiev and escalation continues. There are many potential explanations. Mentally impaired potentially by repeated Covid infection and really believe that Russia is going to collapse any day now? Are they simply trying to get past the Inauguration Day finish line before allowing Ukraine to collapse and then blame Trump? Flailing about as its curtains for the New American Century only a quarter of the way in? Or maybe our plutocrats and their political representatives are not as dumb as they seem. Maybe they know that there are no more easy wars left to fight, and are resigned to turning inwards and doubling down on profit extraction in territory they do control. In Europe, at least, the endless gaslighting over the Russia threat certainly serves a purpose. Look at what its helped accomplish: Political, economic, and security subservience to the US. More power to the Queen Ursula-led European Commission, which enacts Washington will. Enrichment of multinational fossil fuel and weapons companies at the expense of Europeans who are seeing their standard of living fall as a result. An erosion of freedoms. In the US, the relentless Trump fear campaign alongside the denigration of Trump supporters largely divides the loudest among us into two camps: those who believe hes the reincarnation of Hitler and those who think hes the savior. Meanwhile the majority just want their economic concerns addressed, and all signs point to them being disappointed. The mainstream media and political figures have an interest in looking for monsters like Russia and Hitler under all the wrong beds. Were not looking at their benefactors, the real enemy who is the same as it always was: bi-partisan economic warfare waged by the richest. The US might lose every military confrontation, but thats a war it still knows how to fight and win. And while theres clearly a lot of infighting going on among the US ruling elite these days, theres at least one unifying force that helps them hold hands and sing Kumbayah: US support for the Israeli genocide grows out of domestic pressures and imperial logics. But we should not underestimate the importance of this foreign policy as a venue for elite reconciliation, after eight years of unusually intense inter-elite conflict. https://t.co/74jI9E9TPh Tim Barker (@_TimBarker) November 18, 2024 Unleashing Silicon Valley in a quest for more productivity and profit will also no doubt sooth many wounds. Going back to Haz Al-Dins thought in the tweet above that we are being prepared for much wider devastation, which is unsurprising. Capitalism and neoliberalism means a disaffected population as every last drop is squeezed from Peter Thiels blood providers. Inequality is everywhere a growth industry and with it the fear that if wealth is controlled by a minority but political power is controlled by the majority, well, then it wont be minority-controlled wealth for long. And so along with financing directed toward programs to maximize profit we get the same towards systems of control, which can help maximize that profit and deal with any pestering side effects like a restless population. Perhaps this go-round America First means that as a result of being frustrated abroad, the ruling class will turn inwards with Israel as the model (which also serves as a global reminder to weaker nations looking to rid themselves of Western extractive capital). What to do? We can return to Dr. Ofer Cassif for one potential solution. Hes talking about Israel (where Im not sure it still applies since the country is so far gone military defeat might be the only option), but the underlying message could still be useful elsewhere: The exploited Israelis, especially the proletarians, will not see their own employers as their exploiters and class enemies but as the Palestinians. Who benefits from that? Whos going to benefit from that? The exploiters. So, ending the occupation, besides being an end in itself because it involves direct oppression and exploitation, will also reduce, using the language of Lenin, the hostility between the peoples. In that sense, it will not only give us a better future to live as good neighbors but will also allow us to make it easier for us to divert our rage against our so-called domestic exploiters. Is it May Day, 2028 yet? ICC issues arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant for war crime of deliberate starvation and crimes against humanity The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Galant over allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity The ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Mohammaed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, better known as Mohammed Deif, head of Hamas' military wing, the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades. He is presumed dead. In its ruling to issue the arrest warrants, the ICC cited reasonable grounds to believe that Netanyahu and Gallant are responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare as well as for the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. (Related: Netanyahu says IDF will still carry out operations against Hezbollah even if there is a ceasefire deal with Lebanon: "Nobody can guarantee it will hold.") In its statement, Netanyahu and Gallant are accused of "intentionally and knowingly [depriving] the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival" including food, water medical supplies, fuel and electricity. The ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, consisting of a panel of three judges, accused Netanyahu and Gallant of playing a role in impeding the free flow of humanitarian aid, disrupting the ability of humanitarian organizations in Gaza to distribute said essential aid and cutting off electricity and reducing fuel supplies in the Strip. Israel is also accused of only increasing humanitarian assistance to Gaza under certain conditions, often at the request of the United States or under pressure from the international community, and not because Israel is obligated to do so by international humanitarian law. The ICC noted that the lack of food, water and other objects indispensable to the survival of Palestinians in Gaza "created conditions of life calculated to bring about the destruction of part of the civilian population," noting that there is clear evidence that these policies of deprivation resulted in the death of civilians, "including children due to malnutrition and dehydration." Intentionally limiting the flow of medical aid into Gaza meant that Gallant and Netanyahu bore the responsibility "for inflicting great suffering through inhumane acts on persons in need of treatment." ICC ruling prevents Netanyahu, Gallant from traveling to most ICC signatory nations The ICC was formed by the Rome Statute in 1998. As of November 2024, 124 states in the world are party to the statute. Per the Rome Statute, all of its signatories who have ratified the treaty are compelled by both national and international law to arrest Netanyahu and Gallant if they ever set foot in their nations and hand them over to the ICC's headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. The ICC's trial can't commence in absentia, and the court does not have enforcement powers. Both Israel and the U.S. non-signatories to the Rome Statute have condemned the arrest warrants, accusing the ICC of being biased and going beyond its mandate. However, many other nations, including France and Ireland, have stated that they would honor the arrest warrants and immediately take Netanyahu and Gallant into custody if they traveled into their nations. Watch this clip from "Palestine Deep Dive" as journalist Ahmed Alnaouq speaks with international law expert Tayab Ali regarding how the ICC's arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant could lead to "the most significant international humanitarian law ruling in human history." This video is from the alltheworldsastage channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: 24-hour bombings in Gaza kill at least 47 civilians and injure nearly 200 others. Human Rights Watch accuses Israel of war crimes in Gaza, citing deliberate forced displacement of Palestinians. Netanyahu under investigation for allegedly altering cabinet meeting minutes amid ICC, ICJ scrutiny. Yoav Gallant: Israel's Gaza presence driven by political motives, not security concerns. UN warns that "everyone in north (Gaza) at imminent risk of dying" as Israel's ethnic cleansing operation forges on. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net JPost.com Brighteon.com Matt Gaetz WITHDRAWS his name as potential U.S. attorney general nominee Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) has withdrawn his name from the list of potential nominees for U.S. Attorney General (AG) the head of the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to The Sun, his withdrawal from the list followed a federal sex trafficking probe launched by the House Ethics Committee (HEC). The probe was based on a chart compiled by the DOJ and published by the New York Times. The chart outlined a web of payments the former congressman and his associates made to women during drug-fueled flings from 2017 to 2020. Gaetz, 42, took to social media Thursday, Nov. 21, to announce his withdrawal: "While the momentum was strong, it is clear that my confirmation was unfairly becoming a distraction to the critical work of the Trump/Vance transition. "There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as AG. Trump's DOJ must be in place and ready on day one. "I remain fully committed to see that [President-elect] Donald J. Trump is the most successful president in history. I will forever be honored that President Trump nominated me to lead the DOJ, and I'm certain he will save America." (Related: Gaetz appointment as U.S. attorney general triggers PANIC in the Washington D.C. swamp.) Following Gaetz's withdrawal, Trump expressed his appreciation for the former congressman. "He was doing very well but, at the same time, did not want to be a distraction for the [incoming] administration, for which he has much respect," the real estate mogul wrote. "Matt has a wonderful future, and I look forward to watching all of the great things he will do." Will Gaetz return to Capitol Hill as a U.S. senator? Trump nominated Gaetz as his attorney general on Nov. 13, with the congressman resigning soon after. That representative for the Sunshine State had been under investigation by the HEC since 2021, but the committee paused its probe after learning of a separate investigation by the Justice Department. The DOJ decided not to bring charges against Gaetz. But after the DOJ ended its probe, it was the HEC's turn. Gaetz, who has not been formally charged with any crime in relation to the committee's investigation, denied all the accusations. While the former congressman's road to being U.S. AG has ended, it's not the end of his political career. The Sun pointed out that he could return to Capitol Hill, this time as a member of the Senate. According to the tabloid, questions have swirled on whether Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will nominate Gaetz as the state's next senior senator. The Sunshine State's chief executive must appoint a replacement for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL), who Trump nominated to lead the Department of State, if the senator is confirmed to the position. Under the U.S. Constitution and Florida state law, the governor has the power to fill vacancies in the Senate. Meanwhile, voters will decide the next person to take over empty seats in the House of Representatives in this case, Gaetz's now-vacant seat. DeSantis said Monday, Nov. 18, that he was gathering names and conducting "preliminary vetting" after receiving "strong interest" from several potential picks. Some of the names being floated include Republican National Committee Co-Chair Lara Trump, Florida AG Ashley Moody, Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner. "Florida deserves a senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate; be strong on immigration and border security; take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state; reverse the nation's fiscal decline; be animated by conservative principles; and has a proven record of results," the governor said. Head over to Trump.news for more stories about the president-elect's cabinet for his second term. Watch this video about former Florida AG Pam Bondi being named as the replacement for Matt Gaetz. This video is from the Lori Colley channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: We need to take a wrecking ball to the DOJ. Matt Gaetz is just the man for the job. Rep. Gaetz leading charge to dismantle illegal government mass surveillance scheme. Gaetz Vindicated! Man criminally charged in $25 million extortion plot targeting congressman Matt Gaetz. Rep. Gaetz calls for investigation into allegations that federal agencies purposely hid information from Trump. Sources include: The-Sun.com Brighteon.com UK military scraps aircraft and warships to save money as it tries to stay afloat The UK military is hurting financially, and the situation has become so dire that they are resorting to scrapping warships and aircraft in a bid to save money and the timing couldnt be worse given the numerous serious threats from abroad due to rising geopolitical tensions. Defense Secretary John Healey announced that the military would be able to save as much as half a billion pounds during the next five years by getting rid of the outdated equipment. He told parliament that the decision was part of a restructuring and modernization program for the UK's armed forces. However, the military has already been reduced dramatically after decades of cuts aimed at saving money. He said that although the country is facing rising global threats, serious financial pressures are impacting the country's defense budget. "War in Europe, growing Russian aggression, conflict in the Middle East and technology changing the nature of warfare. As a result, defence needs increased resilience and readiness for the future," he said. The Defense Secretary reiterated the governments intention to lift the defense budget to 2.5% of the national income but did not supply a date or timeline. To ensure that Britain is kept secure at home and strong abroad in a changing world, defence needs to make changes too. Difficult decisions are required," he clarified. What is being scrapped? The UK Defense Ministry said it has chosen equipment for accelerated retirement that is outdated so they can focus their limited resources on weapon systems that are more appropriate for modern warfare even though Russia has been successfully using older tanks, helicopters, artillery and guns following the destruction of their newer weapons in its war in Ukraine. Here's a look at what is on the chopping block. First, the Royal Navy intends to take out a pair of amphibious assault ships, the HMS Bulwark and the HMS Albion. Removing them at the end of this year will be a decade earlier than planned and marks a serious blow to the Royal Marines' capability of launching land assaults from the sea. They are said to cost millions of pounds per year to maintain despite being held at reduced levels of readiness. Scrapping them means the UK will not have any remaining amphibious assault ships. They'll also be taking out a fleet of 17 Royal Air Force Puma helicopters and 14 of their oldest Chinook helicopters. In addition, less than six years since entering service, they'll be retiring 46 Watchkeeper drones worth around 5 million each. They're also pulling a pair of large Royal Fleet auxiliary ships known as the RFA Wave Ruler and the RFA Wave Knight. These ships have been bringing the supplies and fuel needed by the Royal Navy's aircraft carriers for their operations around the world. A Type 23 frigate that needs expensive repairs is also being pulled, the HMS Northumberland, although it is worth noting that it is already operating past its out-of-service date. The army is believed to be scrapping the aircraft as part of a shift in focus on the development of newer and more innovative drone capabilities. It doesn't look like they will stop there, either. Healey told MPs: "These will not be the last difficult decisions I will have to make, to fix the defence inheritance that we were left with." The Director of Military Sciences at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, Matthew Savill, told the BBC that some of what is being scrapped was approaching retirement. "But the fact that defence either cant crew them, or is prepared to cut them to make very modest savings over five years is an indication of just how tight resources must be in the MOD right now," he added. Sources for this article include: RT.com News.Sky.com https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2k0292v0w1o Why these new Russian missiles are real game changers In response to a U.S. decision to arrange for ballistic missile attacks from Ukraine into Russia, the great magician and President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin pull a rabbit from his hat. (Article republished from MoonOfAlabama.org) Yesterday the six independent war heads of a new intermediate range ballistic missile hit the Yuzhmash missile plant in Dnipro Ukraine. Until now the new missile and its mission profile had been unknown. It is the clear counter to decade long efforts of the U.S. to gain supremacy, especially in Europe, over Russia. Missiles can be classified by the range they are able to achieve: Short-Range Ballistic Missiles (SRBM) are designed to target enemy forces within a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers. Typically employed in tactical scenarios, they allow for rapid response to regional threats. Medium-Range Ballistic Missiles (MRBM) extend the operational range to about 3,500 kilometers. These systems enhance a nations deterrent capabilities by allowing strikes on targets further away without resorting to intercontinental systems. Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) represent the longest range category, with capabilities exceeding 5,500 kilometers. These missiles serve as a strategic deterrent, capable of delivering payloads across continents and significantly impacting global security dynamics. The U.S., Russia and China have developed all three types of weapons. In the late 1980s, on the initiative of the Soviet leader Mikhail Grobaschev, the U.S. and the Soviet Union signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty): The INF Treaty banned all of the two nations' nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and missile launchers with ranges of 5001,000 kilometers (310620 mi) (short medium-range) and 1,0005,500 km (6203,420 mi) (intermediate-range). The treaty did not apply to air- or sea-launched missiles. By May 1991, the nations had eliminated 2,692 missiles, followed by 10 years of on-site verification inspections. While the deployment of missiles of a certain range were prohibited missile development continued. Around 2008 the Russian Federation used the base design of the RS-24 (Yars) intercontinental missile to develop a more flexible version with a lighter payload. The result was the easier to handle RS-26 missile. While this could and did achieve the range needed to be classified as an intercontinental missile its payload was too small to be really effective. In early 2018 the Russian Federation decided to halt all further development of the RS-26 and invested its money into the more promising hypersonic glide vehicle Avanguard. A few month after Russia had taken the decision to mothball the RS-24 development the U.S. withdrew from the INF-treaty. While the U.S. claimed that certain cruise missile developments in Russia were in breach of the treaty the real reason for the withdrawal was elsewhere: [T]he US need to counter a Chinese arms buildup in the Pacific, including within South China Sea, was another reason for their move to withdraw, because China was not a signatory to the treaty. US officials extending back to the presidency of Barack Obama have noted this. However the U.S. withdrawal from the INF aligned with the 2002 withdrawal of the U.S. from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty which had limited missile defenses. Shortly thereafter the U.S. announced to build 'anti missile installations' in eastern Europe. These installation can be easily re-purposed to fire offensive cruise missiles towards Russia. In July 2024 NATO announced that the U.S. would, starting in 2026, deploy nuclear capable intermediate range missiles in Germany. This would recreated the dangerous situation Europe had seen before the INF treaty was put into place. A nuclear war within Europe, without the involvement of the continental U.S., will again become a possibility. Russia had to finally react to the threat. A few weeks after the NATO announcement Vladimir Putin responded to those plans: The US administration and the German government made a noteworthy statement concerning their plans to deploy US long-range precision missile systems in Germany in 2026.The missiles could reach ranges of major Russian state and military facilities, administrative and industrial centres, and defence infrastructure. The flight time to targets on our territory of such missiles, which in the future may be equipped with nuclear warheads, would be about ten minutes. The United States has already conducted exercises to practice deployment of Typhon missile systems from its territory to Denmark and the Philippines. This situation is reminiscent of the events of the Cold War related to the deployment of American medium-range Pershing missiles in Europe. If the United States implements these plans, we will consider ourselves free from the previously assumed unilateral moratorium on the deployment of medium and shorter-range strike weapons, including increasing the capabilities of the coastal troops of our Navy. Today, the development of such systems in Russia is nearing completion. We will take mirror measures to deploy them, taking into account the actions of the United States, its satellites in Europe and in other regions of the world. Yesterday's attack on the Yuzhmash complex in Dnepropetrovsk (video) was the first demonstration of the new Russian capability. The new missiles, named Oreshnik (hazel), is a RS-26 variant with a shorter range and a payload of six (instead of the previously four) multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRV). Each reentry vehicle can carry six sub-munitions. The payload can be inert, destroying the target by the shear power of its kinetic energy, high-explosive or nuclear. The missile uses solid fuel and is road mobile. It can be fired on short notice from camouflaged positions. Launched from Russia the missile can reach any target in Europe in less than 20 minutes. On reentry into the atmosphere the warheads of the missile reach hypersonic speeds of 3-4 kilometer per second. There is no air defense system in the world that could stop them. The surprising and successful demonstration of such an enormous capability is a wake-up call for European strategists. Lulled in by neoconservative talk of western supremacy and presumed Russian inabilities the Europeans were eager to connect their fate to a proxy war against Russia. Having been defeated in the fight for the commodities of the Donbas region they have pushed for extending the reach of their weapons into Russia. The results are now in. Europe is defenseless against new Russian weapons which can reach every political and industrial center of Europe with devastating power and with just minutes of notice. Luckily there is still time to change course. While announcing the new capabilities the Russian president also made an offer (video) to limit their deployment: We are developing intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in response to US plans to produce and deploy intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. We believe that the United States made a mistake by unilaterally destroying the INF Treaty in 2019 under a far-fetched pretext. Today, the United States is not only producing such equipment, but, as we can see, it has worked out ways to deploy its advanced missile systems to different regions of the world, including Europe, during training exercises for its troops. Moreover, in the course of these exercises, they are conducting training for using them.As a reminder, Russia has voluntarily and unilaterally committed not to deploy intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles until US weapons of this kind appear in any region of the world. To reiterate, we are conducting combat tests of the Oreshnik missile system in response to NATOs aggressive actions against Russia. Our decision on further deployment of intermediate-range and shorter-range missiles will depend on the actions of the United States and its satellites. Should the U.S. and its European lackeys commit further offenses against Russia, more severe Oreshnik 'tests', under field conditions and potentially aiming at targets beyond Ukraine, will be pursued: We will determine the targets during further tests of our advanced missile systems based on the threats to the security of the Russian Federation. We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military facilities of those countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, and in case of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in mirror-like manner. I recommend that the ruling elites of the countries that are hatching plans to use their military contingents against Russia seriously consider this. Let's hope they will do so. Read more at: MoonOfAlabama.org Russia retaliates for Western seizure of its assets as war escalates and Putin signs new nuclear doctrine Russia plans to retaliate in kind against the West for expropriating their foreign assets, according to Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine ramps up significantly. Speaking to Rossiya-1 TV this week, he said Russia intends to use the income earned on assets it has frozen belonging to Western investors. He announced: We are doing exactly the same. If Western countries have decided to use our assets and income from our assets, the Russian side will also implement appropriate actions. Therefore, we have also frozen the resources of Western investors, Western financial market participants and companies. The income from these assets will also be used. So far, America and its Western allies have frozen around $300 billion worth of Russian central bank assets since February 2022, when the Russia-Ukraine conflict began. Around $207 billion of these funds are currently held in the Euroclear clearinghouse. They reportedly generated more than $5.4 billion during the first three months of this fiscal year. Despite repeated warnings from Russia that seizing its funds would be considered theft and a violation of international law, the U.S. announced that it would be using the proceeds from the assets to finance a hefty loan to Ukraine. In October, G7 states finalized a $50 billion loan to Kiev backed by the profits of the Russian assets. It is not known just how much the Western assets currently being held in Russia are worth, although previous estimates place it somewhere close to the size of the Russian funds that have been frozen abroad. At the end of 2022, RIA Novosti reported that the direct foreign investments in the Russian economy by the G7, EU, Switzerland and Australia totaled $288 billion. Tensions rise in Russia-Ukraine conflict after Biden loosens restrictions on use of U.S.-supplied long-range missiles The news comes as tensions between Russia and the U.S. ramped up significantly this week after President Biden gave Ukraine permission to fire American-made and supplied long-range missiles for attacks inside of Russian territory, something that has previously been banned. It didnt take long for Kiev to fire them, with one missile strike on southern Russia causing a fire at an ammunition depot and killing and wounding security personnel. Moscow warned the U.S. and NATO allies that such a move would cause a major escalation, but Biden nevertheless decided to allow the strikes this past weekend. America and its allies argue that Putin has escalated the war recently with actions such as deploying more than 10,000 North Korean soldiers to help support Russian forces. Not surprisingly, Russia reacted quickly after Ukraine fired ATACMS into Russia. Russian missiles targeted several Ukrainian cities, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said that they fired new intermediate-range ballistic missiles that American air defense systems would not be able to stop. Named Oreshnik, or hazelnut tree, he claims that they fly at ten times the speed of sound and that their use wont just be reserved for Ukraine; any of Kievs allies whose missiles are used for attacking Russia could also be targeted. It is reportedly capable of carrying conventional or nuclear warheads. He stated: We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow the use of their weapons against our facilities. Putin has also signed a new doctrine permitting a potential nuclear response to attacks on Russia, even conventional ones, that are carried out by nations supported by nuclear power, essentially lowering the threshold for its use of nuclear weapons. Sources for this article include: RT.com APNews.com On the night of November 24, the territory of the terrorist country of Russia was attacked by kamikaze drones. Kursk, Lipetsk, Belgorod, and Orel regions came under attack. ADVERTISIMENT The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the air defense forces allegedly destroyed 34 Ukrainian aircraft-type UAVs. This was stated by the press service of the terrorist agency. In their traditional manner, the invaders claimed that the Kyiv regime was "attempting to carry out a terrorist attack." The invaders also reported that more than three dozen kamikaze drones were destroyed over four Russian regions. "27 UAVs were destroyed over the territory of Kursk region, four UAVs were intercepted over the territory of Lipetsk region, two UAVs were shot down over the territory of Belgorod region and one UAV was shot down over the territory of Orel region," the Russian terrorists said in a statement. Propaganda Telegram channels complained that the UAV attack began at 21:00. In particular, residents of Lipetsk said they heard "pops" in the sky above the city. Residents of Kursk also complained about powerful explosions. As a reminder, explosions were heard in the Kursk region on November 20. Ukraine used Storm Shadow cruise missiles for the first time to strike Russian territory. The target of this missile strike was probably an underground command post of Russian troops. Earlier it was reported that on the night of November 20, a large-scale drone strike was carried out against military and defense-industrial facilities in the Voronezh, Belgorod, and Novgorod regions of the Russian Federation. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! These SEVEN studies point to the inescapable conclusion: VACCINES DO CAUSE AUTISM and other chronic health conditions There is no incentive for scientists and researchers to investigate whether vaccines cause autism. Merely asking the question causes scientists and health care professionals to be ostracized by their peers. However, there are a few instances where scientists have gone against the grain and compared health outcomes between vaccinated and unvaccinated populations. While mainstream narratives are quick to dismiss any connection, several studies published over the past decade present compelling statistical evidence suggesting a strong correlation between vaccines and autism diagnoses. These studies, often suppressed or ignored, are now sparking debate about the negative effects of vaccines on child health. This research is just the beginning. The vaccine-autism connection is about to go mainstream. The brilliant Steven Kirsch has compiled over 300 documents, voice-recordings, emails, hand-written notes, diagrams and data, proving that weve all been lied to and there is a serious connection between autism and vaccines. Here are SEVEN studies that have been ignored by the corporate media and the medical establishment: The Paul Thomas study One of the most striking studies was conducted by Dr. Paul Thomas in 2020. Thomas examined the health outcomes of 561 unvaccinated children, finding zero cases of autism among them. In contrast, among 894 children who followed the CDC-recommended vaccination schedule, 15 cases of autism were documented. With a p-value of 0.0008, the results were statistically significant, revealing an extraordinary disparity between the two groups. The odds ratio (OR) was calculated as infinity, with a 95% confidence interval suggesting a high likelihood that the vaccinated group faced significantly higher risks of autism. The vaccinated children were also more likely to struggle with a host of other chronic health issues, including asthma, developmental delays, reoccurring ear infections, chronic sinusitis, etc. Although the study was later retracted after critics argued that increased autism rates could be attributed to more frequent doctor visits in the vaccinated group, this claim was later disproved by further research from Lyons-Weiler and Blaylock. Still, the retraction left many wondering about the motivations behind the coverup. Supporters of Thomas argue that the findings were suppressed because they did not align with the prevailing narrative that vaccines are safe and effective. Interestingly, Thomas's pioneering research is now being replicated by pediatricians across the country. Liz Mumper reduced the incidence of autism in her practice six-fold by simply limiting the number of vaccines given to children. The Generation Rescue study In 2007, the Generation Rescue (GR) study, which looked at the health outcomes of vaccinated versus unvaccinated children, also found that vaccinated children fared worse in every category tested. Despite being a small study funded with minimal resources, the results raised serious concerns about the safety of vaccines, prompting the organization to question why similar studies have not been conducted on a larger scale by institutions like the CDC. GRs study, which was conducted by a third-party survey firm to ensure unbiased results, found significant differences between vaccinated and unvaccinated children, including higher rates of autism, allergies, and other chronic health issues in the vaccinated group. "We surveyed over 9,000 boys in California and Oregon and found that vaccinated boys had a 155% greater chance of having a neurological disorder like ADHD or autism than unvaccinated boys" the study authors reported in June 2007. The studys findings, however, have never been replicated by government agencies, and critics argue that the lack of follow-up studies on the issue is suspicious. Hooker's and Mawson's research Another key study, led by Dr. Brian Hooker and Neil Miller in 2021, found a 5.03 times higher odds ratio for autism in vaccinated children compared to their unvaccinated peers. Hookers research reignited concerns over the safety of vaccines, particularly given the increasing rates of autism diagnoses in recent decades. Hookers study, alongside another by Dr. Tony Mawson in 2017, also found an increased risk of autism among vaccinated children, with Mawson's study reporting a 4.2 odds ratio for autism in vaccinated children. Mawson's latest dataset (not yet published) includes a much larger dataset (50,000 children) and shows the same odds ratios for chronic diseases in the vaccinated children. Perhaps the most alarming aspect of these studies is that they seem to challenge data from larger institutions like the CDC, which continue to affirm the safety of vaccines. Hookers findings in particular led to his access being revoked by the CDC, further fueling suspicions about transparency and data manipulation within government agencies. The Garner control group study In 2022, Dr. Paul Garner and colleagues published a groundbreaking study that revealed an astonishing 82 times higher odds ratio for autism in vaccinated children compared to unvaccinated children. This study, which involved a large control group, found that among children who had zero exposure to vaccines, the rate of autism was effectively zero. Garner's team conducted a comprehensive analysis using data from 10,000 children, finding a statistically significant association between vaccinations and autism, with a confidence interval ranging from 5.12 to 1315. The findings of Garner's study were particularly noteworthy because they aligned with those of the Control Group study, a long-running research initiative focused on unvaccinated children. Researchers noted that the Control Groups data showed not only lower autism rates but also better health outcomes across a range of conditions. Together, these studies point to the simple truth -- vaccines do have a major role in the autism epidemic. And, vax freedom leads to fewer health issues in children, including autism. Sources include: KirschSubstack.com Pubmed.gov IJVTPR.com FLCCC.com [PDF] LynnesHealth.com [PDF] OaText.com [PDF] OaText.com [PDF] IJVTPR.com Vance reveals Trump is now interviewing candidates for the FBI director role Vice President-elect J.D. Vance has revealed that President-elect Donald Trump is now vetting candidates to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after he was criticized for his absence from a Senate vote confirming a judicial nominee. On Nov. 18, Grace Chong, the chief financial officer of Steve Bannon's "War Room," criticized Vance and Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio for missing a vote on outgoing President Joe Biden's controversial judicial nominee, Embry J. Kidd. "You guys better show up and do your one fricken job!! @JDVance @marcorubio," Chong posted on X. Vance sharply responded and called Chong a "mouth-breathing imbecile" before dropping the bombshell that he and Trump were busy interviewing candidates for key government positions, including the next FBI director. "When this 11th Circuit vote happened, I was meeting with President Trump to interview for multiple positions for our government, including for FBI director. I tend to think it's more important to get an FBI director who will dismantle the deep state than it is for Republicans to lose a vote 49-46 rather than 49-45. But that's just me." Vance posted, along with the retweet of Chong's now-deleted post. (Related: Trump names Tulsi Gabbard to be the next Director of National Intelligence.) Kash Patel, Mike Rogers could potentially replace Christopher Wray as FBI director Interviewing candidates for the FBI director role means replacing current FBI Director Christopher Wray, appointed by Trump in 2017, who is supposed to serve a 10-year term. The tension between Wray and Trump over the years could affect this term. For instance, Trump has accused Wray of political bias, citing investigations like the Mar-a-Lago raid in 2022. Tensions escalated in July when Wray questioned the severity of the assassination attempt against Trump at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally. That incident led Trump to claim investigators neglected to examine his injury. Trump also accused Wray of lying to Congress about his views on the cognitive and physical fitness of Biden. "Wray said that 'it is not something I observed during my interactions with him, which were uneventful and unremarkable,' essentially stating that he found nothing wrong, mentally or physically, with 'Joe,'" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "If that is the case, Director Wray should resign immediately from the FBI." Trump argued at the time that "anybody can see that Joe Biden is cognitively and physically challenged, and if you can't see that, you sure as hell can't be running the FBI." Kash Patel, a former Pentagon official and author of Government Gangsters, could be a potential replacement after Trump praised his book as a "blueprint" for his second term. Patel advocates for a sweeping overhaul of the FBI and the Justice Department, including firing top leadership. Another candidate could be Mike Rogers, a former Michigan congressman and House Intelligence Committee chair. Roger has an extensive experience in intelligence and national security. BigGovernment.news contains stories related to the government's abuse of power to push its agenda. Watch the video below that talks about the FBI raid of anti-war pundit Scott Ritter. This video is from the Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Trump to immediately focus on deporting immigrants and resuming construction of border wall. Trump demands $10B in damages from New York Times and Penguin Random House over "false and defamatory statements." Trump is paying back wealthy international donors with near-total Zionist occupation of government. Trumps sentencing INDEFINITELY POSTPONED by NY Judge Merchan following Supreme Court ruling about presidential immunity. Trump confirms a national emergency is coming so he can carry out mass deportations with the help of the U.S. military. Sources include: YourNews.com NYPost.com Brighteon.com Ukraine war going GLOBAL after West launches long-range missiles into Russia, crossing Putins red line Vladimir Putin, Russia's longtime president, addressed the world this week, announcing that the war in Ukraine has become a "global war" now that Kiev used long-range missiles against Russia. President Biden gave Ukrainian President Zelensky the green light to launch U.S.-made missiles deep into Russian territory, which Putin has warned crosses a "red line" and will not be tolerated. "Kiev has launched a long-range missile strike against military facilities located within internationally-recognized Russian territory," Putin said in his address. Putin confirmed that the weapons used were U.S.-made HIMARS in addition to British-made Storm Shadow missiles, which were launched at Russia's Bryansk and Kursk regions. "A regional Ukraine conflict instigated by the West has acquired elements of a global one," Putin continued, explaining that military specialists from NATO had to have also been involved since only they know how to use these advanced missile systems. So, that's what you wanted? Well, you've damn well got it! A hypersonic ballistic missile attack pic.twitter.com/lsKQHhMnif Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) November 21, 2024 (Related: Moscow is promising a "devastating response" if Zelensky continues to send long-range missiles deep into Russian territory.) Will Trump stop WWIII? According to Putin, the rockets were successfully intercepted and the mission derailed. Nonetheless, Moscow is on the ready to deploy its newest missiles if necessary missiles that Putin says no Western systems can counter. "The use of such weapons by the enemy cannot affect the course of the situation in the Special Military Operation zone," Putin said, noting that it was a big mistake for the United States to pull out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 2019. ??President Putin issues warning to the West: 'We will act decisively in cases of escalation' pic.twitter.com/0FvoHy5vU8 RT (@RT_com) November 21, 2024 The fact that all of this is happening in the between period of Donald Trump being reelected and Joe Biden leaving makes this all the more precarious. Could World War III really break out before the inauguration in January? Time will tell. The president-elect has indicated that he plans to start working now, even before reentering office, so perhaps he has a surprise up his sleeve to create peace like he promised? His supporters seem to think that is his plan while skeptics grow more concerned about the volatility of this situation. It is unclear what to believe about which side might be winning the war since Ukraine says it is hitting Russian targets and Russia claims it is intercepting Western rockets. Is it all just a show, some are beginning to wonder a show with potentially nuclear ramifications? In the comments, someone pointed out how different times are today compared to back during the Vietnam War with regard to the way the American people are responding, or rather not responding, to all this war. "And still ... No peace marches ... No songs of 'All we are saying is give peace a chance' ... No die-ins in front of government buildings ... No Green Party politicians talking of the environmental damage of this war and what may be to come ... No peace concerts with all the top bands ... No Cindy Sheehans ... No Pope looking for peace ..." "It's because the Democrats support this war," responded someone else. "Since 2016, Dems are the war party." "Russia ain't playing," suggested another. "Ironically detached Westerners must learn that war and geopolitics are not a game. They are serious business with very serious consequences." "Right on time," wrote another. "Have to start WWIII to cover up all the COVID crimes and more." Will the Russia-Ukraine war turn into World War III before Trump takes office next year? Find out more at WWIII.news. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com NaturalNews.com WAR CRIMES: ICC issues arrest warrants for Israels Netanyahu, Gallant, in legal condemnation of western countries support for genocide It took six months for them to arrive, but the International Criminal Court (ICC) has finally issued the requested arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Six months ago, chief prosecutor Karim Khan requested the arrest warrants from the ICC for crimes against humanity committed by the Israeli regime in Gaza. This marks the first time in the court's 22-year history that arrest warrants have been issued for Western-allied senior officials. The Hague-based international criminal court also issued arrest warrants for Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, also known as Mohammed Deif, Hamas' military chief, even though Israel claims that Deif was already killed in Gaza by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Israel appealed the original ruling using a jurisdiction argument, only to have it rejected by the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber I, a three-judge panel. While the panel classified the arrest warrants as "secret," it decided to release them anyway because "conduct similar to that addressed in the warrant of arrest appears to be ongoing." "Moreover, the chamber considers it to be in the interest of victims and their families that they are made aware of the warrants' existence," the chamber further said. (Related: Did you know that most American "news" is written by Israeli lobbyists pushing a Zionist agenda?) Lawyer representing Palestinian victims calls warrants "a historic decision" While the arrest warrants may not ever lead to any actual arrests, their issuance is still considered a victory by Triestino Mariniello, a lawyer representing Palestinian victims at the ICC. Mariniello called the warrants "a historic decision," adding that the ICC has had to endure "pressure and threats of sanctions" from the U.S. government, and yet still followed through. "That's an important step for its legitimacy and credibility," Mariniello said. "It's important for Palestinian victims. It's a history day for anyone who believes in justice for every victim independently of the power of the culprits." Prof. Leila Nadya Sadat, a former ICC special adviser on crimes against humanity, likewise welcomed the decision as one that she says is long overdue. "The referral dates back several years already, with new State referrals having been added over the course of the past year, and it was important for the Prosecutor to investigate and for the Court to issue the warrants if the evidence supported them," said Sadat, who teachers international criminal law at the Washington University School of Law. It was officially announced back on May 20 that Khan's office had filed an application for arrest warrants. A couple months after that, Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political wing, was assassinated. Then Israel claimed it killed Deif, though Hamas denies this. Haniyeh's arrest warrant was subsequently withdrawn while Yahya Sinwar, his successor, was killed in Gaza, his death having been confirmed by Hamas. "It is deeply unfortunate that two of the Hamas indictees were executed by Israel rather than turned over to the Court, depriving victims of the possibility of seeing them tried for the acts of 7 October," Sadat further said. "It is appropriate, in my view, that the warrants targeted the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister of Israel, as opposed to individuals of lower rank, given the scale of the crimes alleged to have been committed, and the significant death and injury tolls arising from them, as well as the ongoing humanitarian crisis and impending starvation." UN special rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese would now like to see the ICC issue even more arrest warrants for additional Israeli soldiers involved in the genocide. There are "reasonable grounds," according to the ICC judge, to pursue the arrests of many Israeli soldiers for violating international humanitarian law as stipulated in the 1949 Geneva Conventions, to which both Israel and Palestine are parties. The latest news about the situation in the Middle East can be found at Prophecy.news. Sources for this article include: MiddleEastEye.net NaturalNews.com We want an arrest warrant for Biden: Activists call for wider accountability for Gaza war The International Criminal Court's (ICC) arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Yoav Gallant have emboldened organisers to push harder for an end to the war on Gaza , anti-war activists and pro-Palestinian advocates told Middle East Eye. (Article by Azad Essa republished from MiddleEastEye.net) At the same time, they say the warrants are a grossly inadequate development, given the carnage still unfolding in Gaza. With the death toll in Gaza said to be anywhere between 44,000 and 186,000 or even more, activists in the US said the development would be a step forward in making Israel a pariah state, though the priority remained to find a way to halt the flow of weapons to Israel, which the US government refuses to do. On Thursday, human rights groups were scampering to respond to a failed Senate vote led by Bernie Senators to block new arms sales to Israel the previous night, as well as to the other development later in the morning that saw Congress vote in favour of Resolution 9495; which, if passed by the Senate, would make it easier to criminalise and target charities and pro-Palestinian nonprofits in the US. Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace, called the bill "a five-alarm fire for anyone who seeks to protect free speech, civil society and democracy". Hours before the ICC's announcement on Thursday, Israel killed close to 100 Palestinians in separate air strikes, in what signalled Israel's intent to continue its devastating bombing campaign in northern Gaza. While the prospect of a ceasefire seems more remote than ever, organisers said the warrants would go a long way towards influencing the world to isolate Israel for its ongoing crimes. "Israel, across the world now, even in the United States, is being seen as the pariah, racist, white supremacist, settler-colonialist Zionist state that it is," Hatem Abudayyeh, an organiser with US Palestinian Community Network, told MEE. "I think that is what this represents: the continuation of Israel's isolation in the world. I would love to see them come outside the confines of their bunkers and challenge these warrants," the Chicago-based Abudayyeh added. Sober and measured responses While activists welcomed the news of the warrants, several expressed a measured and sober response to the developments' significance. Abdullah Akl, a long-time political organiser based in New York City, said the warrants for Netanyahu, while notable, would once again distinguish those who respected the rule of law and those who would find ways to disavow it. For months, the US has found ways to shield Israel, refusing to support a ceasefire or an arms embargo, even as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) said Israel's actions in Gaza amount to a "plausible genocide". Akl said it was inconceivable that American names could be excluded from the charge sheets. "Where are the rest of the arrest warrants for the people who were just as complicit as Netanyahu, the people that were just as complicit like [President] Joe Biden, like [Vice-President] Kamala Harris, and the list goes on and on with [Secretary of State] Tony Blinken and others?" Akl asked rhetorically, adding, "We want an arrest warrant for Biden." "The Biden administration made sure to sign off on the weapons deals. They made sure to play the back door conversation." Akl's cynicism of the ICC was echoed by other organisations and activists' measured reactions to the warrants. In its statement, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee's Abed Ayoub said the warrants for Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Gallant represented "a critical step toward accountability for grave violations of international law". "The Biden administration's complicit backing of Israel has fuelled this genocide and violated international norms, isolating the US from the global community and undermining its credibility. The United States' refusal to hold perpetrators accountable sends a dangerous message of impunity." Ayoub said the ICC's decision to issue warrants reaffirmed the principle that no one is above the law. Other groups, like the Jewish youth-led group, IfNotNow, said the warrants for Netanyahu, Gallant, and al-Qassam Brigades commander Mohammed Deif were a "step in the right direction towards holding them accountable for their role in crimes against humanity". The group said the warrants won't bring back the Palestinians or Israelis killed, but it's a step in the right direction. "We hope it may bring a measure of justice and enable the world to avert catastrophes like this again. Political leaders in the US should support the ICCs efforts instead of threatening, sanctioning, and delegitimizing the court," the group said in a statement. However, Akl said he was sceptical about the ICC's decision to issue warrants for Deif alongside those for Netanyahu and Gallant. Deif, whose real name is Mohammed Diab Ibrahim al-Masri, was included for his role in the 7 October Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel, even though Israel claims he was already killed in Gaza. Akl said there can be no equivalence made between the actions of Hamas and the Israeli state with regard to intent or scale of violence, and it made no sense for him to have been included. "It's also very clear that the ICJ knows that by putting out these warrants at the same time, it makes it sound like both sides are equal. And that's very problematic here because even when we look at the situation from October 7 to now, it is very clear that the proportions are not the same at all," Akl said. "What's really important to show is that Israel had a very clear intention to murder as many Palestinians as possible in so many different kinds of ways," Akl added. The anti-war movement in US Israel's war on Gaza has ushered in the most significant anti-war movements in the US since the Vietnam War. For the past year, hundreds of thousands have taken to the streets in several American cities to protest against the war and lead disruptions at train stations, on highways and bridges, and even within government buildings, in an attempt to draw attention to the carnage being unleashed on Gaza. In the spring of 2024, students set up encampments at more than 100 campuses to pressure their universities to disclose and divest from Israel and to call for an end to Israel's war on Gaza. Universities responded by calling in the police to clear up the protest sites, censoring students and faculty as well as portraying student protests against Israel's war on Gaza as antisemitic. On the streets, too, protesters have been met with increasing police brutality and restrictions. Tensions are already boiling, with President-elect Donald Trump promising to up the ante when he takes office in January 2025. Akl, from New York City, says the movement for Palestine would not hinge on Netanyahu being imprisoned for his crimes or not. However, the call by the ICC to have him arrested and tried does help, he says. "It does not mean that our calls for divestment are over because we know that it isn't just Netanyahu. We are looking for something larger ... and so Netanyahu is really just the start, and our work is long from over until Palestine is, of course, free, and until the land has returned." "The goal is to continue this work now more than ever, now that more people are watching it," Akl added. Read more at: MiddleEastEye.net The protest of Polish protesters blocking the border with Ukraine may end on November 25. They are demanding that the government return the benefits they were promised and terminate the free trade agreement with South America. ADVERTISIMENT According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, in general, Poles can block the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint for 48 hours with possible extensions. This means that at least it will last until 10:00 on November 24. It is noted that they do not restrict the movement of cars and buses, but 10 trucks have accumulated in front of the protesters to enter Ukraine from the Polish side. Meanwhile, there is no queue of trucks leaving Ukraine. "The trucks that had been between the protesters and the Polish checkpoint Medyka since yesterday have proceeded to enter the territory of Ukraine," the border guards said. According to the Polish media outlet RMF FM, on November 24, Polish Minister of Agriculture Czeslaw Sekerski met with the blockers. They explained to him that the border was blocked for two reasons: ADVERTISIMENT Failure to comply with the requirement to maintain the level of agricultural tax in 2024 at the level of 2023; Fears over the signing of a free trade agreement between the European Union and the Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay). Sekerski assured the protesters that his ministry opposes the agreement with Mercosur, but they agreed to end the blockade only if farmers made a specific proposal. The Polish Minister of Agriculture has already discussed the issue of the agreement with Mercosur with his French counterpart Annie Genevere. Poland and France agreed to take joint steps to block the agreement. As for agricultural subsidies, Czeslaw Sekerski explained that the payment formula has changed and the funds were paid to those farmers who suffered losses in their farms due to bad weather - frost, hail or heavy rains. Meanwhile, according to Polish journalists, a half-kilometer-long queue of 37 trucks has accumulated at the border. As OBOZ.UA reported, Polish farmers wanted to resume protests at the border in early October. However, the local authorities did not give them permission to do so. Only verified information is available in our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Mumbai, Nov 23 : Hritik Roshan who assisted his father Rakesh Roshan in Karan Arjun shared his fond memories about the film and its shoot. rnTaking to Instagram, Hritik wrote, The Karan Arjun experience Ha, I look like a young Kabir with Karan and Arjun . Kabir is Hrithiks character from the movie War . Hrithik continued As an assistant , I remember Minerva being the main theatre on release day. Me and dads other assistant Anurag ( 2nd pic in the white sweatshirt)), screened the print before the release and we were all incredibly disappointed . The print looked dark and dull. We got the the entire screen washed and as the dirt and grime dissolved into the large washcloth, we heard the manager say. The screen has been washed after 15 years." Hrithik also highlighted another interesting fact and wrote, Another fun fact , during the song bhangda paale, one late night, a more than merry team of Shahrukh and Salman decided to leave Sariska by car and drive to Delhi promising to be back by morning.I was flabbergasted and jumped ( literally ) on the bonnet of the car to stop them. The call time was 6am and I had to make sure my dad didn't lose the day. He didnt. Hrithik ended the post by revealing how Shahrukh and Salman together made a great impact on him Watching Salman and Shahrukh act was a huge learning for me as a 17 yr old. Best on set practical acting school ever. KARAN ARJUN is running in theatres again. Hrithik also shared some nostalgic pictures from the sets of 'Karan Arjun'. In the first black-and-white picture, he can be seen posing with Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) and Salman Khan. The second picture is from the song 'Bhangda Paale', where SRK and Salman are dressed in kurtas and black pyjamas, and Hrithik can be seen smiling on set. Mumbai, Nov 23 : MahaYuti comprising BJP, Shiv Sena NCP has not only recorded a landslide victory but its development plank with an assurance of continuity in governance convinced voters. Barely five months after the dismal performance in the Lok Sabha elections, the five major factors that helped MahaYuti to score major victory include Ladki Bahin Yojana and other welfare and development schemes, RSS' planning and Batenge To Katenge slogan, hard work by Devendra Fadnavis, aggressive campaign to counter opposition's communal and divisive politics and promise to increase the pace of state's development by carrying out a slew of infrastructure projects and keeping the state's most favour destination status intact. Voters thereby preferred MahaYuti over Maha Vikas Aghadi. Ladaki Baheen Yojana played a major role in the victory of MahaYuti. The Grand Alliance government changed the picture by introducing this scheme four months before the elections. More than 2.36 crore women got Rs 7,500 (Rs 1,500 each from July to November) with the assurance to increase the financial aid to Rs 2,100 and later to Rs 3,000 per month. Due to the flawless implementation of the scheme, women's faith in the MahaYuti increased. In Madhya Pradesh too, BJP got success with the Ladli Bahna scheme. The BJP had accused Congress-ruled Karnataka, Telangana and Himachal Pradesh of failing to implement welfare schemes. The opposition, especially the Congress, could not respond to this. After the shock in the Lok Sabha results, the BJP made meticulous planning in Maharashtra ahead of the assembly election. RSS and its affiliated organisations united and implemented the 'Sajag Raho' campaign (Remain Alert) appealing to the voters to vote and increase the voting percentage. It got a big response in the cities, but in the rural areas, it was clear from the results that the preachers stood with all their might in favour of the BJP. Slogans like 'Batenge to Katenge' and 'EkHai to Seif Hai' stirred the state. BJP and MahaYuti leaders cornered the Congress party to play appeasement politics, especially after its support to Ulema over the reservation to the Muslim community. The Congress and Maha Vikas Aghadi tried to counter the Batenge To Katenge and Muslim reservation issue but failed to get voters' support. In urban-rural areas, Hindu voters stood behind the MahaYuti across castes. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Aditynath was the first to give the Batenge to Katenge slogan that helped the BJP to aggressively lure Hindu voters. BJP won 84 per cent of the seats it contested. The role played by DCM Devendra Fadnavis was quite crucial in BJP's victory and increase in its strike rate. The pro-Maratha reservation activist Manoj Jarange Patil consistently targeted Fadnavis but instead of replying to him, the latter reminded the Maratha community voters that during his tenure as the state chief minister the state government had provided reservation in jobs and education to the Maratha community. His meticulous planning in the selection of candidates and campaigning yielded positive results for BJP. After Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah hinted that Fadnavis would be the next chief minister, Jarange stepped up attacks against Fadnavis. Jarange-Patil held meetings with Muslim, Dalit and Maratha leaders to checkmate the BJP but it worked in favour of the BJP and MahaYuti to garner votes from OBCs. Moreover, urban voters overwhelmingly supported BJP and MahaYuti for undertaking a slew of infrastructure projects worth over Rs 8 lakh crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's MahaYuti Jithe Ahe Tithe Pragati Ahe (where there is MahaYuti there is progress) call created magic as urban voters voted for MahaYuti in a big way. Nearly, 40 per cent of the seats in the state are urban-semi-urban of which 95 per cent were won by the MahaYuti. The effective marketing of projects like Samruddhi Marg, Atal Setu, Mumbai Coastal Road, and Metro projects worked wonders for the MahaYuti. The mega victory has boosted the BJP and MahaYuti especially ahead of civic and local body elections as they will make every effort to consolidate their positions. On the other hand, the Maha Vikas Aghadi faces a tough challenge to stay relevant in state politics and counter the BJP-centric politics. (Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in) New Delhi, Nov 23 : President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday graced the 'Sahitya Aaj Tak' programme here, and also presented the 'Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Samman', an official said. Speaking on the occasion, President Murmu congratulated the winners of 'Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Samman'. "She specially congratulated Gulzar Saheb on getting the Aaj Tak Sahitya Jagriti Life Time Achievement Award. She appreciated him for his dedication to the world of literature and art," a statement read. According to the statement, the President was happy to note that the award-winning works of today's awardees reflect the diversity of India from the past to the present and introduce several generations of writers together. President Murmu said that "the pan-India consciousness was always present in our country's regional works of literature". "This consciousness has been visible throughout our journey, from the times of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, to our freedom struggle, and can be seen in today's literature as well," she said. The statement also noted that the President appreciated India Today Group for organising the event. "She appealed to the Group to work to enhance regional literature's reach to the masses. She also requested them to encourage the literature of other underprivileged classes - called subaltern literature. She said that this Group should bring the hidden gems of literature to the fore. The literary magazines can do the work of literary service with great difficulty. But this Group can do this work on a very large scale through technology," the statement read. President Murmu also urged everyone to encourage children's literature. She said that enriching children's literature through original writing and translation will help enrich the country and society. The President said that it has been observed that the work of those writers who remain connected with the joys and sorrows of the people, is liked by the readers. She said that society rejects those writers who consider the experiences of the society as raw material. The work of such writers remains confined to a small literary establishment. "Where there is intellectual pomposity and prejudice, there is no literature. Sharing the sorrows and pains of people is the first condition of literature. In other words, literature must connect with the flow of humanity," the statement cited the President as saying. The President said that literature empowers humanity and makes society better. "Literature moulds the eternal values of humanity according to the changing circumstances. Literature gives new life to society. Many saints and poets influenced the thoughts of Mahatma Gandhi. Such influence of literature must be respected." New Delhi, Nov 23 : Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra expressed her gratitude to the people of Wayanad on Saturday as she became the third member of the Gandhi family to be in Parliament simultaneously after emerging victorious from the Lok Sabha constituency in Kerala for which by-election was held on November 13. Her mother, Sonia Gandhi, is a Rajya Sabha MP, while her brother Rahul Gandhi, is the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha. With Priyanka Gandhi winning the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, she is all set to join her brother Rahul as his colleague in the Lower House of Parliament. In Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency, the Congress General Secretary won her debut election with a massive margin of 4,10,931 votes. Reacting to her expected victory, Priyanka Gandhi took to social media and wrote: "My dearest sisters and brothers of Wayanad, I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the trust you have placed in me. I will make sure that, over time, you truly feel this victory has been your victory and the person you chose to represent you understands your hopes and dreams and fights for you as one of your own. "I look forward to being your voice in Parliament! Thank you for giving me this honour and even more for the immense love you have given me." "My colleagues in the UDF, leaders from across Kerala, workers, volunteers and my office colleagues who worked incredibly hard in this campaign, thank you for your support, for tolerating my 12 hour a day (no food, no rest) car journeys, and for fighting like true soldiers for the ideals we all believe in. "To my mother, Robert and my two jewels - Raihan and Miraya, no gratitude is ever enough for the love and courage you give me. And to my brother, Rahul, you are the bravest of them all... thank you for showing me the way and having my back, always," wrote Priyanka. State unit Congress president and Kannur MP (Lok Sabha) K. Sudhakaran said the people of Kerala have broken the back of the BJP and voted against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's governance. "This is a vote against Vijayan as in Palakkad you see the huge margin of votes for Rahul Mamkoothathil, and the reduced margin of victory for the CPI-M at Chelakkara," said Sudhakaran. In the Palakkad Assembly constituency, though touted to be a thrilling triangular fight, eventually, state Youth Congress President Rahul Mamkoothathil won with 18,840 votes. In the Chelakkara Assembly constituency, on expected lines, the CPI-M retained their seat when former legislator U.R. Pradeep won with a margin of 12,201 votes. While the Congress and the CPI-M retained their seats, the BJP did not win any seat. However, it managed to keep second place in Palakkad, though with around 10,000 votes less. Mumbai, Nov 24 : Actress Celina Jaitley is celebrating her birthday on Sunday. The actress, who is known for films like 'No Entry', 'Golmaal Returns' and others, has shared her plans for her birthday. The actress also said that over the years the meaning of birthday celebrations has changed for her. Though the actress was never in favour of ostentatious birthday celebrations, she now likes to travel and explore different places on her birthday. Talking about her birthday plans, the actress told IANS, "This year, the plan is for a birthday celebration surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of the Austrian Alps. Just the thought of spending the day with my family, taking in the crisp mountain air, and marvelling at the snow-capped peaks would be most magical." She continued, "I will be starting the day with a cosy breakfast, then explore the charming alpine villages together. It's the simple moments, warm laughter, scenic views, and the company of loved ones, that make birthdays truly special." The actress shared that earlier birthdays used to be very ostentatious for her even, though she has never been drawn to ostentatious birthday celebrations. She shared that the glitz and glamour feel empty compared to the warmth of being surrounded by family. She said, "Simple moments with loved ones, heartfelt laughter, and genuine connection mean far more to me than any grand display. To me, true celebration is about love, not a luxury. I mostly now like to travel with my family on my birthdays. They are all I want." "There is nothing happier than sitting against the backdrop of the pyramids in Egypt or the Burj Khalifa in Dubai or the Vineyards of Florence with your children who have unconditional goodwill of love in their eyes, as for my fans they send me enough love and positivity via social media to feel immensely blessed," she added. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Sunday said that not only it is the right but also the responsibility of the judiciary to review the law enacted by Parliament. Former CJI Chandrachud, who arrived as a special guest in NDTV's special programme 'NDTV INDIA Samvaad - Samvidhan @75, said while making laws is the job of the Parliament, to review them is completely in the hands of the judiciary. Not only is it a right, but it is also our responsibility. To test the constitutional validity of the law is our responsibility, he said. On appointments through the Supreme Court Collegium in the constitutional judiciary, the 50th CJI said that the things going on in social media should not affect its functioning. "Look, there are many misconceptions about the Collegium system. But this is a very good system in the federal system. In this, the appointment process goes through many stages. All sections have been getting representation under this, former CJI Chandrachud said. In a farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, former CJI Chandrachud said that the SC Collegium never had a difference of opinion while it made tough choices and decisions in recommending appointments to the constitutional judiciary. "I owe an eternal debt of gratitude to my Collegium for the way we have worked. We sat through the Collegium making tough choices and decisions. We never had a difference of opinion on Collegium. All meetings were conducted with a sense of humour, smile and some snacks," he had said. After a two-year-long stint in the highest judicial office of the country, ex-CJI Chandrachud retired on November 10 attaining the age of 65 years. He was first appointed as judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, and also served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court since October 31, 2013, until his elevation as an apex court judge on May 13, 2016. Justice Chandrachud passed BA with honours in economics from St Stephen's College, New Delhi and completed LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. In June 1998, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Bombay High Court. He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 till 2000. Mumbai, Nov 24 : Actors Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, who are reportedly dating, were seen gorging on yummy delicacies as they went out for a lunch date. Pictures, taken by a fan, from their sunny lunch date have made their way on social media adding more fuel to the already relationship rumours. Rashmika too had shared a picture of herself on social media, where she was seen indulging in a scrumptious meal. In the image, the actress is seen wearing a blue crop-top paired with high-waisted denims. Sitting across the table was Vijay, who looked dapper in a jacket and a bucket cap. According to media reports, the picture was reportedly clicked during Vijay's VD 12 shoot in Sri Lanka. On the work front, Rashmika will reprise her role as Srivalli in Pushpa: The Rule. The film releases on December 5. Meanwhile, Vijay is shooting for his next film with Gowtam Tinnanuri of Jersey fame, tentatively titled VD 12. Talking about Pushpa: The Rule, the makers unveiled the trailer on November 17 in Patna, Bihar. The sequel to the film promises a high-voltage action-drama with Telugu superstar Allu Arjun at the forefront. It opens with a person in the background introducing Allu Arjuns titular character of Pushpa as the one who is not afraid of power, and has no greed for money. Directed by Sukumar, 'Pushpa 2: The Rule will be released on December 5. Last week, an eight-year-old engagement video of actress Rashmika Mandanna started doing the rounds on social media. It featured Rashmika with actor-filmmaker Rakshit Shetty and the Animal star flaunting their engagement rings. The video in question is almost eight-years-old. It was in 2017, when the actress exchanged rings with Rakshit. According to media reports, the actress was just 21-years-old, when she got engaged to Rakshit, who was 34 at that time. It is also said that the two started dating after working on the 2016 film Kirik Party, which marked the actress debut in cinema. A year later, the two got engaged. However, it was in 2018, when their love story came to an end. The two never discussed the reason behind their split. The two may have split but share a cordial relationship. Ukrzaliznytsia has launched a direct daily train between Kyiv and Budapest. It will make its first trip on December 15, with tickets valued at about UAH 3,000. ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by the carrier itself. They noted that train No. 9/10 will feature standard sleeping cars: compartment (4 seats) and suite (2 seats). "The announcement of this route was preceded by a lot of diplomatic work to ensure that wide cars in the amount of at least 8 per one departure could deliver Ukrainians from and to the capital of Hungary. It is here that the Ferenc Liszt Airport, the largest airport in the region, is located, so many of its flights are now synchronized with the Ukrainian trains," the statement said. Schedule According to Ukrzaliznytsia, the train will run daily. It will depart from Kyiv at 10:16 and arrive in Budapest at 06:00. ADVERTISIMENT The return train will depart from Budapest at 22:40 and arrive in Kyiv at 19:11. "The schedule is designed so that passengers can conveniently make train transfers in the direction of Vienna (the journey will take less than three hours), Salzburg, Munich, Innsbruck, Zurich, as well as in the direction of Romania, Slovenia and other European countries. The waiting time between transfers is no more than two hours," Ukrzaliznytsia said. Another route will be temporary Ukrzaliznytsia also announced the launch of a new train from Kyiv to Truskavets, a popular tourist destination. However, it will be temporary - the routes are scheduled only for November 30 and December 7. According to the carrier, the train will depart from Kyiv on November 30 and December 7 at 10:18 and arrive in Truskavets at 19:35. The return train will depart from Truskavets at 8:52 and arrive in the capital at 18:10. Train tickets will be available for purchase in the Ukrzaliznytsia app, as well as: on the website; in chatbots; at the station ticket offices. As previously reported, Ukrzaliznytsia has added stops at the most popular stations. This is expected to make transportation more convenient for passengers. The new stops will be available, in particular, for trains running between Kyiv, Lviv, and Kovel. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! New Delhi, Nov 24 : Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, who demitted the highest judicial office of the country 15 days ago, on Sunday said that living the life of a private citizen feels very good to him. Former CJI Chandrachud, who arrived as a special guest in NDTV's special programme 'NDTV INDIA Samvaad - Samvidhan @75, said that for twenty-four years, he had "no other work in life" except waking up in the morning and reading case files, going to court, coming back in the evening and dictating the judgment and then reading the next day's files at night. "During the last 24, I could not have any lunch with my family. Many times I used to be in the office even at dinner time. There are many things that I want to do and am doing these days. Living the life of a private citizen feels very good," he said. On appointments through the Supreme Court Collegium in the constitutional judiciary, the 50th CJI said that the "things going on in social media" should not affect its functioning. "Look, there are many misconceptions about the Collegium system. But this is a very good system in the federal system. In this, the appointment process goes through many stages. All sections have been getting representation under this," former CJI Chandrachud said. After a two-year-long stint in the highest judicial office of the country, Justice Chandrachud retired on November 10 attaining the age of 65 years. He was first appointed as judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, and has also served as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court since October 31, 2013, until his elevation as an apex court judge on May 13, 2016. Ex-CJI Chandrachud passed BA with honours in economics from St Stephen's College, New Delhi and completed LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. In June 1998, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Bombay High Court. He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 till 2000. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi returned to India on Sunday after a five-day official visit to Nepal during which he interacted with political and military leaders of the neighbouring country to solidify defence cooperation, bilateral relations and cultural ties. General Dwivedi's visit underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Nepali Armies to fostering peace, security, and partnership in the region. He held high-level meetings with Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Defence Minister Manbir Rai. The Indian Army chief also held talks with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, along with other senior military officers. The discussions focused on enhancing military bonds, joint exercises, training cooperation, and capability development, reinforcing the shared commitment to global peace and security. As a gesture of friendship between the two armies, the Indian Army presented Valour Mount horses and Sentinel dogs to the Nepali Army. General Dwivedi was conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Paudel, at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu. This unique tradition underscores the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the Indian and Nepali Armies. The COAS also paid tributes to Nepal's bravehearts by laying a wreath at Bir Smarak, Tundikhel. Later, he reviewed a Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters. General Dwivedi also addressed the future leaders at the Nepal Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri on "The Changing Character of War". He emphasised on strengthening and deepening the engagements for building competencies and capabilities of both the Armies. The COAS also attended an Ex-Servicemen Rally at the Pension Paying Office in Pokhara, interacting with Gorkha veterans and Veer Naris of the Indian Army. During the rally, he interacted with Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Gopal Bahadur Thapa (retd) of the 18th Battalion, the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, a Subedar Major of his own unit, reflecting an emotional connection with the veterans. He also reiterated the Government of India's unwavering commitment to their welfare, including the announcement of an increase in the number of ECHS empanelled hospitals besides addition of two ECHS polyclinics, one each at Butala and Dungadhi. Jeddah, Nov 24 : Indian veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was sold to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday. Entering with a base price of Rs 2 crore, the former CSK stalwart seemed destined for a homecoming. CSK wasted no time in bidding, but Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) offered early resistance. Ashwin, currently in Australia with the Indian side for the Border-Gavaskar series, saw his price quickly escalate as LSG bowed out and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) entered the fray. The familiar CSK vs RCB battle unfolded again, but RCB soon stepped back, making way for Rajasthan Royals, whom he represented last year as well. The Royals and CSK engaged in an intense tussle, with Ashwin's price soaring to Rs 9.75 crore. Royals eventually tapped out, leaving CSK to secure Ashwin in an emotional reunion. The veteran spinners return to his original IPL team promises a wealth of experience and leadership for CSK. Ashwin represented the Men in Yellow from 2009 to 2015 and won the IPL twice with the side. With stints at Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and RR during his 15-year career, the 38-year-old has played 212 games and claimed 180 wickets to his name. The auction also witnessed CSKs strategic move for New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. Starting at Rs 1.5 crore, Ravindra attracted early bids from CSK and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The Kiwis versatility, offering runs at the top or middle order and left-arm spin, made him a sought-after prospect. PBKS led the bidding at Rs 3.2 crore, seemingly sealing the deal, until CSK exercised their Right to Match (RTM). This prompted PBKS to escalate the price to Rs 4 crore, but CSK held firm, reclaiming Ravindra for the same amount. Jeddah, Nov 24 : The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) acquired the services of Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday. With a base price of Rs. 2 crore, Iyer was expected to fetch a good price, but no one could have predicted the astronomical heights his auction would reach. KKR, the team he helped lead to glory in the previous season, opened the bidding. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) quickly joined in, trying to snatch Iyer from KKR. The bidding escalated steadily, with LSG pushing the price to Rs 6 crore. However, they bowed out as KKR raised their bid to Rs 7.75 crore. But just when it looked like Iyer was heading back to KKR, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) entered the fray. A fierce bidding war ensued between KKR and RCB, with the price soaring past Rs 12 crore, then 14 crore, and continuing to climb. Paddles were raised rapidly as the two franchises showed no signs of backing down. The bid crossed Rs 18 crore, then Rs 19 crore, with KKR momentarily in the lead at Rs 19.25 crore. KKR raised the bid to Rs 20.75 crore, but RCB still wasnt done. The battle continued until the bid hit an astonishing Rs 23.75 crore as KKR claimed the services of their former all-rounder. He had debuted for KKR in 2021 and immediately made an impact with a prolific season, scoring 370 runs in just 10 matches at an average of 41.11. His exploits with the bat and ball earned him a spot in the Indian national team in both T20Is and ODIs. Over his IPL career, Iyer amassed 1,326 runs in 50 matches at an average of 31.57, with one century and 11 half-centuries, his highest score being 104. In IPL 2024, Iyers value as a match-winner was undeniable. His T20 batting strike rate of 137.64 and his tight bowling economy under seven underscored his all-around capabilities. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder had also hit 121 fours and 61 sixes in his IPL career, solidifying his reputation as a power-hitter. In another purchase, Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was sold to Punjab Kings for Rs 11 crore. Stoinis entered the auction with a base price of Rs. 2 crore, and it didn't take long for the bidding to heat up. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) initiated the proceedings, swiftly followed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Bengaluru escalated the bid to Rs 4.40 crore, but CSK wasn't backing down, pushing the price to Rs 6 crore. The back-and-forth continued as RCB took the lead at Rs. 6.75 crore, only for CSK to momentarily retreat before returning with a bid of Rs 8.50 crore. The stakes rose as Punjab Kings (PBKS) entered the fray, making a strong bid of Rs 9 crore. RCB held firm, refusing to concede, but PBKS upped the ante with a commanding Rs 11 crore offer. At this point, RCB hesitated, eventually pulling out of the race. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who had the option to use their Right to Match (RTM) card, surprisingly chose not to exercise it. With that, Marcus Stoinis was sold to Punjab Kings for a staggering Rs. 11 crore. Stoiniss acquisition was a testament to his impact in the IPL over the years. Since making his debut in 2016, he had become one of the most reliable all-rounders in the league. Across 96 matches, Stoinis had amassed 1,866 runs at an average of 28.27, including a scintillating century and nine half-centuries. His highest score of 124 not out showcased his ability to single-handedly turn games around. With 150 fours and 91 sixes to his name, Stoinis also brought versatility with the ball, often providing breakthroughs in crucial moments. It was this dual skill set that made him a sought-after player. Rome, Nov 24 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday inaugurated the new Chancery of the Embassy of India in Rome, a few hours after he arrived in Italy on a three-day visit to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting where India has been invited as a guest country. "It befits the continued expansion of India-Italy partnership in recent years. Will also help us serve better the Indian community in Italy," the EAM posted on X after inaugurating the new premises of the Embassy of India in Rome. Jaishankar is also scheduled to participate in the 10th edition of the MED Mediterranean Dialogue in Rome, being organised by Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The conference will be inaugurated on Monday with a speech by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani. Besides EAM Jaishankar, the event will also be attended by high-level representatives from all over the enlarged Mediterranean region, as well as representatives of numerous relevant international organisations, including Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General, Arab League; Taher al-Baour, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Libya; Abdallah Bou Habib, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Lebanon; Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauritania; Shaya Mohsin Zindani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Yemen and Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria. In Fiuggi, which is hosting the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, EAM Jaishankar is expected to hold discussions on major regional issues and global topics, including the stability of the Indo-Pacific -- a priority region for political balances and world trade. He is also expected to meet his counterparts from Italy and other participating nations in the G7 related engagements and hold bilateral discussions during the visit. India and Italy, both ancient civilizations with rich cultural heritage, enjoy strong people-to-people connect propelled by a large Indian diaspora and long standing Indological Studies tradition in Italy. In their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (November 18), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni had reiterated their commitment to advancing the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and announced a Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 which outlines their vision for the next five years. The Action Plan will pursue joint collaborations, programmes and initiatives in key sectors of trade and investment, science and technology, new and emerging technologies, clean energy, space, defence, connectivity and people-to-people linkages. Meanwhile, the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Fiuggi will be the second to be hosted in Italy in 2024, after the one held in Capri from April 17 to 19. Under the Italian Presidency, the G7 Foreign Ministers have also met, in recent months, on the sidelines of major international events in Munich, Washington and New York. "As in Capri, the agenda of the Fiuggi Ministerial Meeting will focus on the main issues at the heart of the international debate, starting with the situation in the Middle East following Hamass brutal terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October 2023. Among the topics under discussion will be the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the situation in Lebanon, the one in the Red Sea, and the need to promote a credible political horizon for the region that guarantees peace and security, from the perspective of 'two Peoples, two States'," stated the Italian G7 Presidency, earlier this week. Jeddah, Nov 24 : Afghanistan's Noor Ahmad and Sri Lanka's Wanindu Hasaranga were the hot sellers in the capped spinners set in the IPL 2025 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday. Ahmad was the most expensive in the set with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) acquiring the spinner for Rs 10 crore after a bidding war with Mumbai Indians (MI). However, Gujarat Titans used the Right to Match (RTM) option at Rs 5 crore but CSK had doubled the bid to get the player in their squad. On the other hand, Hasaranga was sold to Rajasthan Royals (RR) for Rs 5.25 crore which also saw interest from Mumbai Indians. In the last, MI pulled out as the Royals added the versatile player to their setup. The capped spinners set opened up with Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana with a base price of Rs 2 crore. MI and RR showed interest in the player and pushed the price to above four crore before the former opted out of the bidding as Royals bought him for Rs 4.40 crore. India spinner Rahul Chahar and Australia's Adam Zampa were acquired by Sunrisers Hyderabad for Rs 3.20 crore and Rs 2.40 crore, respectively in the same set. Afghanistan spinner Waqar Salamkheil remained the sole unsold player in the set. Seoul, Nov 24 : The Financial Services Commission (FSC) chief said on Sunday the government needs to closely monitor unfair transactions in the cryptocurrency market. "The price of virtual assets has recently been shooting up in a very short period of time, and with heavy volatility of the market itself, the government needs to closely monitor possible unfair transactions," FSC Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan told public broadcaster KBS. Last week, the combined value of transactions in the domestic virtual asset market surpassed that of the Korean stock market, reports Yonhap news agency. Regarding the country's policy direction on cryptocurrency, Kim said the priority is on connecting the virtual asset market with the traditional financial system and protecting its investors. Last week, South Korea confirmed that North Korean hackers were behind the theft of 58 billion won ($41.5 million) worth of cryptocurrency in 2019. The National Office of Investigation of the National Police Agency announced the finding, saying North Korea's state-sponsored hacking groups Lazarus and Andariel were involved in the theft of 342,000 Ethereum tokens from the cryptocurrency exchange Upbit in November 2019. The tokens, valued at 58 billion won at the time, are now equivalent to 1.47 trillion won. This marks the first time a South Korean investigative agency has confirmed North Korea's involvement in cryptocurrency hacking crimes, though similar charges have been raised by the United Nations and other countries. North Korea sold 57 per cent of the stolen Ethereum tokens at 2.5 per cent below market price in exchange for bitcoin tokens on three cryptocurrency exchange websites presumably established by the North, according to police. The remainder of the Ethereum was distributed to 51 overseas exchanges and laundered, they said. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Rain showers along with windy conditions. High 66F. Winds SW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 60%. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph.. Tonight Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 31F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%. The newly elected US President Donald Trump, who will take office in January 2025, is likely to try to end the Russian-Ukrainian war through negotiations. Therefore, at the end of his term, the current US President Joe Biden is trying to improve Ukraine's position by making a number of decisions that will help Ukrainian soldiers weaken Russia's military capabilities. ADVERTISIMENT The Biden administration also considered making a public call to invite Ukraine to join NATO. Bloomberg reports this, citing sources. Given Trump's promises to "immediately end the grinding war" between Russia and Ukraine, and the fact that the newly elected US president is likely to try to do so by bringing Kyiv to the negotiating table with Moscow, Biden is ending his term with a series of steps to strengthen Ukraine's negotiating position and the country's army. For example, he recently authorized Ukraine to strike military targets deep in Russia, which caused outrage in both Moscow and the Trump camp, which mentioned "needless escalation." In addition, Biden approved the transfer of anti-personnel land mines to deter the advance of Russian troops, "forgave" Ukraine almost $5 billion in debt, and imposed sanctions on one of the largest Russian banks through which payments for Russian gas are made. ADVERTISIMENT The source notes that this is only part of Biden's broader plan to strengthen Ukraine as much as possible before Trump takes office. "The strategy is intended to help Zelenskiy by showing that Ukraine has the potential to retaliate against Russia if it continues hostilities," Bloomberg quoted the source as saying. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin reacted to these steps by approving a new nuclear doctrine that expands the list of grounds for the use of Russian tactical nuclear weapons, and also ordered a strike on Dnipro with an experimental ballistic missile Kedr/Oreshnik, which can carry nuclear warheads. Bloomberg writes that Biden's latest moves do not necessarily run counter to Trump's interests. After all, the latter could benefit from a stronger Ukraine during the settlement, which could be presented as a victory for the United States. ADVERTISIMENT "Some of the decisions Biden is making now could help Trump, by likely putting Trump in a stronger place to end the war, with Ukraine in a stronger position for any negotiations," said Shelby Magid, deputy director of the Atlantic Council's Eurasia Center. Meanwhile, the White House and the Pentagon are actively using the remaining funds allocated by Congress for Ukraine's defense as about $9 billion is left. "President Biden has committed to making sure that every dollar we have at our disposal will be pushed out the door between now and Jan. 20th (Trump's inauguration date - Ed.). Were making sure that Ukraine has the air defenses it needs, that has the artillery it needs, that has the armored vehicles it needs," Secretary of State Anthony Blinken told reporters at NATO headquarters earlier this month. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, Bloomberg writes that Biden's ability to increase arms supplies to Ukraine is limited, as most of the remaining money can only be used for weapons that are available in the Pentagon's warehouses. Delaying too long would jeopardize the US's own defense. "The Biden administration had also considered publicly calling for an official invitation to join NATO, but decided against it given the slim likelihood of success in the short term. Putin has also framed membership, which the allies said in July was inevitable, as a casus belli. Instead, a series of bilateral security arrangements would be cobbled together to provide Ukraine with assurances," the newspaper states. Earlier, The Hill published an article stating that Biden had finally stopped being afraid of Putin's threats. This opinion comes after he authorized Ukraine to use ATACMS long-range missile systems against targets in Russia. Biden's lifting of restrictions on the use of American weapons gave the green light for the relevant decision regarding the British Storm Shadow and French SCALP. Because of this, The Hill believes that at the end of his term, the US president decided not to hold back because of the Russian nuclear threat. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Since 7 October 2023, 47% of attacks on health care 65 out of 137 have proven fatal to at least one health worker or patient in Lebanon, as of 21 November 2024. This is a higher percentage than in any active conflict today across the globe with nearly half of all attacks on health causing the death of a health worker. In comparison, the global average is 13.3%, based on the SSA's figures from 13 countries or territories that reported attacks in the same period, 7 October 202318 November 2024 among them Ukraine, Sudan and the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt). In the case of oPt, 9.6% of the total number of incidents has resulted in the death of at least one medical professional or patient. According to the SSA, 226 health workers and patients were killed in Lebanon and 199 injured between 7 October 2023 and 18 November 2024. In the same period, the SSA registered a combined total of 1401 attacks on health in oPt, Lebanon and Israel 1196 in oPt, 137 in Lebanon and 68 in Israel. Civilian health care has special protection These figures reveal yet again an extremely worrying pattern. It's unequivocal depriving civilians of access to lifesaving care and targeting health providers is a breach of international humanitarian law. The law prohibits the use of health facilities for military purposes and even if that is the case, stringent conditions to taking action against them apply, including a duty to warn and to wait after warning." Dr. Abdinasir Abubakar, WHO Representative in Lebanon International humanitarian law states that health workers and facilities should always be protected in armed conflicts and never attacked. Health facilities must not be used for military purposes, and there should be accountability for the misuse of health facilities. "There need to be consequences for not abiding by international law, and the principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality should always be adhered to. It's been said before, indiscriminate attacks on health care are a violation of human rights and international law that cannot become the new normal, not in Gaza, not in Lebanon, nowhere," said WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean Dr Hanan Balkhy. The majority of incidents in Lebanon impact health workers The majority (68%) of incidents in Lebanon registered by the SSA impacted health personnel, a pattern seen repeatedly in the last few years, including in Gaza in the past year. In Lebanon, roughly 63% affected health transport and 26% affected health facilities. Attacks on health care hit twice. First, when health workers lose their lives or when a health centre is obliterated, and again in the following weeks and months when the injured can't be treated, those who are dependent on regular care don't receive it and when children can't be immunized. "Casualty numbers among health workers of this scope would debilitate any country, not just Lebanon. But what the numbers alone cannot convey is the long-term impact, the treatments for health conditions missed, women and girls prevented from accessing maternal, sexual and reproductive health services, undiagnosed treatable diseases and, ultimately, the lives lost because of the absence of health care. That is the impact that's hard to quantify," said Dr Abubakar. 1 in 10 hospitals in Lebanon directly impacted The greater the blow to the health workforce, the weaker the longer-term ability of a country to recover from a crisis and deliver health care in a post-conflict setting Lebanon is a lower middle-income country with a fairly advanced health system that's been hit hard by multiple crises in recent years. After hostilities in Lebanon escalated in September 2024, the growing number of attacks on health have caused further strain on an already over-burdened system. Today, the country's health system is under extreme duress, with 15 out of 153 hospitals having ceased to operate, or only partially functioning. Nabatieh, as an example, one of Lebanon's 8 governorates, has lost 40% of its hospital bed capacity. "Attacks on health care of this scale cripple a health system when those whose lives depend on it need it the most. Beyond the loss of life, the death of health workers is a loss of years of investment and a crucial resource to a fragile country going forward," Dr Balkhy concluded. So far this year, between 1 January 2024 and 18 November 2024, a total of 1246 attacks on health care were registered globally, in 13 countries or territories, killing 730 health workers and patients and injuring 1255. A new study from Northwestern Medicine reveals a troubling rise in severe maternal health issues and birth complications in Illinois from 2016 to 2023, closely linked to increases in chronic health conditions affecting pregnancy, such as high blood pressure, gestational diabetes, mental health disorders and especially obesity, which saw the largest increase in annual rates. The study highlights significant racial and socioeconomic disparities, finding that non-Hispanic Black mothers faced more than double the rate of severe complications compared to non-Hispanic white mothers, and that living in high-poverty neighborhoods elevated maternal health risks across all racial groups. Despite significant recent statewide quality-improvement efforts, these birth outcomes are worsening for all ages, reflecting the worsening pre-pregnancy health of the reproductive-age population in Illinois." Dr. Mugdha Mokashi, corresponding author, resident physician in obstetrics and gynecology at the McGaw Medical Center at Northwestern The findings reflect national trends demonstrating the increasing prevalence of conditions such as obesity, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes among pregnant people of all ages, she added. The study provides the most updated data on maternal morbidity and delivery complications within the state of Illinois. The findings were published Nov. 21 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology Open. Our findings underscore the role of social determinants of health - such as race and income - in driving disparities in maternal health, suggesting that efforts to reduce maternal morbidity need to address both racial inequalities and economic hardship." Dr. Lynn Yee, study co-author, associate professor of obstetrics and pulmonology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and Northwestern Medicine maternal fetal medicine physician Breaking down of the findings: In the study cohort of 988,480 births at 127 Illinois hospitals between January 2016 to June 2023, the overall rate of severe maternal morbidity rose from 1.4% in 2016 to 2% in 2023. Vaginal birth complications increased 22.4%, and cesarean birth complications increased 48.9%. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and anemia - both of which increased over the study period - were significant risk factors for severe maternal morbidity and birth complications. The largest increase by far was in annual rates of obesity from 2016 to the first six months of 2023 (7.8% to 22.3%). Additionally, there were increases in gestational diabetes (4.2% to 5.5%), depression (2.5% to 6.6%), anxiety (3.1% to 10.4%) and other chronic comorbidities (4.7% to 7.4%). Non-Hispanic Black patients had more than double the severe maternal morbidity rate (2.6%) compared to non-Hispanic white patients (1.1%). Health counseling before pregnancy is important Maternal health affects almost everyone, and those thinking about pregnancy should be sure to check in with their health care provider to screen for any chronic conditions they may have before getting pregnant, the study authors said. "Pre-conception counseling is such an important way to make sure that all of your health conditions are optimized prior to pregnancy," Mokashi said. "There are many important policy and public health initiatives in Illinois that people may be interested in learning more about." 'It's not just because the people getting pregnant are older' While not the original aim of the study, the scientists did additional analysis that found the increased prevalence of maternal health issues and birth complications is not simply because the people getting pregnant are older. The findings reflected an increase in hospital coding for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, gestational diabetes, anemia, depression, serious mental illness and other chronic conditions, especially obesity, even among those giving birth who are younger than 30. "In brief, even young pregnant patients have more medical conditions and complications in pregnancy," Mokashi said. What can be done? Policies for poverty alleviation - such as the proposed refundable child tax credit in Illinois, House Bill 4917, if passed - have demonstrated improvement in maternal health, the study authors said. Perinatal quality initiatives in California have reduced postpartum hemorrhage-related morbidity. Similarly, the Illinois Perinatal Quality Collaborative is working to reduce cesarean births and address racial disparities through Promoting Vaginal Birth and Birth Equity initiatives. Increasing access to doula support and patient navigator programs could also be useful supports, Mokashi said. In 2024, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services adjusted reimbursement for doula services. At Northwestern, research on patient-navigator programs have shown promise in reducing care disparities for low-income minoritized patients postpartum. And at the federal level, passage of the 13 bills comprising the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act re-introduced in 2023 would provide critical funding support to increase data collection and quality initiatives for prevention of maternal morbidity. Researchers at University of Tsukuba analyzed data from middle-aged workers who had received Specific Health Guidancea revolutionary system implemented by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare to improve lifestyle habits for individuals with metabolic syndrome and those at presumptive risk of metabolic syndrome. Using machine learning approaches, they explored the factors that affect the acquisition of exercise habits. The results revealed that the most crucial factor that positively impacts the acquisition of exercise habits is "the higher stages of lifestyle behavior based on the transtheoretical model." Physical inactivity is the fourth leading mortality risk factor, following hypertension, smoking, and hyperglycemia. Therefore, acquiring an exercise habit is crucial to maintain and improve health. In Japan, Specific Health Guidance is provided to support the improvement of lifestyle habits, including exercise habits. To develop more efficient health guidance, it is important to identify factors that influence its effectiveness (e.g., characteristics and lifestyle of the target population). In this study, data from middle-aged workers who received Specific Health Guidance were analyzed using machine learning to explore the factors associated with the acquisition of exercise habits, and the importance of each factor was evaluated. The researchers conducted a secondary analysis of data obtained by health insurance societies and other organizations through health projects in 2017-2018. They found that the most critical factor associated with the acquisition of exercise habits was "the higher stages of behavioral change toward lifestyle improvement," followed by "high level of physical activity" and "high density lipoprotein cholesterol level being within the reference range." In contrast, "daily alcohol consumption of 60 g" had a negative effect on the acquisition of exercise habits. This study revealed the factors related to the characteristics and lifestyles of middle-aged workers who received Motivational Health Guidance under the Specific Health Guidance program that positively associate with the acquisition of exercise habits. The results of this study may contribute to developing more efficient health guidance. This work was supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (grant numbers 21ek0210124h9903 and JP23rea522107). If You Had Invested Rs 1,000 in Bitcoin in 2010, It Would Have Turned Into Rs 244.8 Crore Today Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: November 25, 2024, 20:38 IST Bitcoin's price remained highly volatile in the past 14 years, testing the patience of even most dedicated holders. Currently, the price of one Bitcoin stands at nearly $98,000. How Much Could You Have Earned If You Invested Rs 1,000 In Bitcoin 10 Years Ago? Bitcoin, launched in 2009, was an obscure digital currency with virtually no value in its early days. In 2010, Bitcoin was traded for the first time, with its price starting at fractions of a rupee. Fast forward to 2024, Bitcoin is a global financial sensation, with its price scaling to $100,000. Had you invested Rs 1,000 in Bitcoin in 2010, the returns would have been astronomical. Lets break down the numbers. related stories Bitcoin Price in 2010 In 2010, Bitcoin traded for about $0.08 per coin, which equates to Rs 3.38 per coin (using the average dollar-rupee exchange rate of Rs 42 in 2010). With Rs 1,000, you could have purchased: Rs 1,000 Rs 3.38 = 295.85 BTC. Bitcoins Price Today As of November 2024, Bitcoin is trading at around $98,000 per coin. Using the current exchange rate of Rs 84.45 per dollar, the price of 1 Bitcoin is: $98,000 Rs 84.45 = Rs 82,76,100. The value of your 295.85 BTC today would be: 295.85 BTC Rs 82,76,100 Rs 24,47,32,78,185 (Rs 244.8 crore). Return on Investment Your initial Rs 1,000 investment in Bitcoin would now be worth a whopping Rs 2,447 crore. Thats a jaw-dropping 244,732,78,085 per cent (24.47 billion per cent) return over 14 years! To put this in perspective, an investment in the stock market, gold, or real estate during the same period wouldnt even come close to these figures. Key Milestones in Bitcoins Journey 1. 2010: Bitcoins first real-world transaction saw 10,000 BTC used to buy two pizzas, marking its first valuation in fiat currency. 2. 2017: Bitcoin hit its first major milestone, crossing $20,000 per coin during the crypto boom. 3. 2020-2021: Institutional adoption grew, with companies like Tesla and Square investing in Bitcoin. 4. 2023: The US SEC allowed the Bitcoin ETFs, which push institutional investments into the latest financial instrument. 4. 2024: Bitcoin reached a new all-time high of $98,000, following Donald Trumps victory in the US in expectations of crypto-friendly policies during his tenure. What This Means for Investors Though the exponential growth of Bitcoin highlights the potential of early investments in revolutionary technologies, the journey wasnt smooth. Bitcoin was extremely volatile during the period. Risks 1. High Risk, High Reward: Bitcoins growth came with extreme price swings, emphasising the importance of understanding risk tolerance. 2. Long-Term Perspective: The staggering returns were only possible for those who held onto their investment for over a decade. The price volatility in Bitcoin tested the patience of even most dedicated holders. 3. Diversification: While Bitcoins returns were extraordinary, investing all your money in one asset is risky. 4. Regulatory: In India, the regulation is not clear in India. While the RBI has called for a complete ban on it; the finance ministry, on the other hand, has imposed a hefty tax on the crypto. Currently, a 30 tax is applicable on crypto profits, with no provision of offsetting any loss. A 1% TDS is also applicable on crypto sell after a certain amount. How To Buy Bitcoin? There are various platforms through which Indian investors can buy Bitcoin. These are Binance, CoinSwitch, CoinDCX, and Zebpay. All these app requires KYC and charges fees for crypto transactions. Bitcoin Price: What Is The Outlook? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Global investment firm Bernstein expects Bitcoin to touch $200,000 by 2025, $500,000 by 2029, and $1 million per token by 2033. In its latest report, it said the cryptocurrency could be headed for the stratosphere. According to Yahoo Finance, Ark Invest CEO Cathie Wood also expects Bitcoin to hit $1 million by 2030. First Published: November 24, 2024, 13:47 IST CAT 2024 Exam Analysis: Slot 1 'Tricky' Compared To Last Year, High Cut Offs Expected, Say Experts Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 15:40 IST CAT 2024 Slot 1 Exam Analysis: Compared to last year, the questions were a bit tricky this year. Two extra questions were added in the DILR section making it 68 questions up from 66 questions last year, said experts CAT is an entrance exam held for admission into top B-schools, including 21 IIMs. (Representative/File Photo) The Common Admission Test (CAT) 2024, conducted by IIM Calcutta is being held today, November 24, 2024, in three different slots. Compared to last year, the questions were a bit tricky this year. Two extra questions were added in the DILR section making it 68 questions up from 66 questions last year. The time frame of the exam remained 120 minutes with 40 minutes allotted to each section. The difficulty level of CAT 2024 Slot 1 was comparatively tricky to the CAT 2023 paper, said Gautam Puri, Co-Founder & MD of Career Launcher. The overall difficulty level of this years exam was higher than that of the first slot of CAT 2023. The section-wise level of difficulty for the VARC (Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension) section was easy in difficulty level, the DILR (Data Interpretation and Logical Reasoning) was between easy to moderate and the QA (Quantitative Ability) was moderate in difficulty level," he said further adding that the QA section proved to be more challenging this year. related stories Ramnath Kanakadandi, Senior Course Director, T.I.M.E. said, The only surprise in the examination was that the number of questions marginally increased to 68 (there were 66 Questions last year). This increase was done by adding two more questions to the DILR section. In the Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension section, the questions were on similar lines as was seen in the last three CAT exams. There were questions on Reading Comprehension, Para odd one out, Para Summary, and sentence placement, Kanakadandi added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Bhushan Bapat, Head of Academics, CAT Division at Supergrads, Toprankers says slot 1 of the CAT 2024 exam was easier than last year. The VARC section was moderate, DILR was manageable, and QA was also moderate. Students reacted positively, noting a little surprise in the exam. Overall, the difficulty was moderate, and higher cutoffs are to be expected this year." CAT is an entrance exam held for admission into top B-schools, including 21 IIMs. First Published: November 24, 2024, 15:18 IST Hemant Soren's Oath As Jharkhand CM On November 28; 6 Congress, 4 RJD MLAs May Join Cabinet Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 16:34 IST JMM-led INDIA bloc stormed back to power in Jharkhand with a huge majority in Assembly polls. Jharkhand CM Hemant Soren with his wife Kalpana Soren (PTI Image) Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Hemant Soren will take the oath as Chief Minister of Jharkhand on November 28. He is set to be sworn into the office for the fourth time. On 28 November the oath ceremony of the new government will take place," Hemant Soren said. related stories Top leaders of the INDIA bloc, including Rahul Gandhi, and Arvind Kejriwal, are likely to participate in the swearing-in ceremony. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav have also been invited to the event, sources reported. Who Are Likely To Join Cabinet? According to sources, six MLAs from the Congress and four from the RJD are likely to join the Soren Cabinet. Notably, the INDIA bloc returned to power in Jharkhand winning 56 seats in the 81-seated state Assembly. Hemant Soren steered the alliance, which was under the heat due to allegations of corruption and appeasement politics in the run-up to the polls, to a massive victory. Jharkhand Assembly Election Results The ruling INDIA bloc in the state crushed the BJPs hopes of a return to power as the saffron party put in efforts to consolidate the Hindu votes with Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai" and Batenge Toh Katenge" slogans. The saffron party also raised the issue of infiltration in the state, however, the JMM-led alliance decimated the BJP, restricting it to 21 seats in the state. The JMM won 34 seats and thus emerged as the single-largest party in the alliance. Its allies Congress and RJD secured 16 and 4 seats respectively, propelling the alliance past the majority mark of 41 in the 81-seated Assembly. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hemant Soren thanked the people of Jharkhand for the mandate and said that his party has passed the exam of democracy". We have passed the exam of democracy in Jharkhand; we will finalise our strategy after the election results," Soren said at a press conference as the trends showed his party winning yesterday. Location : Ranchi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 12:48 IST AIMIM Scores 1 Of 16 In Maharashtra Polls, Malegaon Central Seat Saved By Just 162 Votes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 14:31 IST AIMIM's lone winning candidate Mufti Mohammad Ismail got 1,09,653 votes, defeating Asif Sheikh Rashid of the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi | File Photo/PTI The All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM), which contested 16 seats in the November 20 Maharashtra elections, managed to secure only oneMalegaon Central that too with the narrowest victory margin of mere 162 votes. Asaduddin Owaisi-led partys lone winning candidate Mufti Mohammad Ismail got 1,09,653 votes, defeating Asif Sheikh Rashid of the Indian Secular Largest Assembly of Maharashtra, who recorded 1,09,491 votes. related stories Samajwadi Party candidate Nihal Ahmed came third in the race with just 9,624 votes and Congress Ejaz Beg managed 7,527 votes, ending fourth. Another interesting fact that emerged was that nine of the candidates who were in the fray from the Malegaon Central constituency got fewer votes than None of The Above (NOTA). On November 20, NOTA received 1,089 votes, according to the official results announced by the Election Commission on Saturday. Owaisis party secured only 0.85 per cent of the vote share, eventually ending his hopes of playing the role of kingmaker in the case of a hung assembly. Owaisi Praises AIMIMs Lone Winner Owaisi, who has been constantly vying to expand his partys political footprints in Maharashtra since last decade, congratulated Ismail on victory from the Malegaon Central seat and thanked the voters for placing their trust in AIMIM. Congratulations to Mufti Ismail sahab on being elected as Malegaon MLA for a second time. I am thankful to the people of Maharashtra who voted for us in large numbers. To our candidates, party workers and supporters, I urge you all to not lose heart and work with renewed resolve. Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) November 23, 2024 In the 2019 elections, AIMIM contested 44 assembly seats and won two. In the 2014 elections, the party competed in 22 seats and secured four victories. Of the 16 seats AIMIM contested this year, two are seats the party won in 2019, while the remaining 14 were previously held by BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP, Congress, Samajwadi Party, and others in the 2019 polls. Mahayuti Delivers Stunner top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance has come back to power in Maharashtra with a surprising victory on 230 of the 288 Assembly seats, defeating Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadi which managed to win just 46 seats. The BJP emerged as the single-largest party, winning 132 seats, while Eknath Shindes Shiv Sena won 57 and Ajit Pawars NCP bagged 41 seats. In the MVA, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) won 10 seats, the Congress won 16, and Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) won 20 seats. Location : Maharashtra, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 13:31 IST Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 22:21 IST Maharashtra Assembly Election Results 2024 Updates: The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance on Saturday scored a massive and astonishing victory over Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The unprecedented electoral sweep is a record win as no alliance has ever crossed the magic mark of 200 seats in the Maharashtra polls. The ruling Mahayuti has won 234 of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra elections, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, winning 132 seats on its own. Shiv Sena bested the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction with a tally of 57 seats, while Shiv Sena (UBT) managed to win 20 seats. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar suffered the worst political defeat in his career, as his party won only 10 seats and lagged far behind his nephew Ajit Pawars camps tally of 41. With the scenes of celebrations being seen at the BJP, Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCPs camps as the Mahayuti won a massive mandate, all eyes are on who will become the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Maharashtra Election Results: 5 Factors That Resulted In Landslide Win For Mahayuti Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 15:18 IST The simplicity and good governance of Eknath Shinde, the excellent execution and strategy of Devendra Fadnavis and the sharp administrative skills of Ajit Pawar have brought the Mahayuti back to power with a bigger mandate Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar address a press conference following the Mahayuti's victory in Assembly elections, on November 23, 2024. (PTI) The scale of the BJP-led Mahayutis victory in Maharashtra elections has been so massive that it has left the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi alliance with an embarrassing question does any of its parties even have the numbers to put up a Leader of Opposition? The Mahayuti bagged a stunning 230 of the 288 Assembly seats, while the Congress-led MVA managed just 46 seats. The BJP won 132 seats, the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) won 57, while the NCP (Ajit Pawar) got 41 seats. related stories In the MVA, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidates won 10 seats, Congress won 16, while Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) won 20 seats. Here are five factors that led the Mahayuti to triumph over the MVA: No Internal Bickering The Mahayuti saw hardly any internal conflicts during seat-sharing talks or ticket distribution. The leaders of all three parties ensured the ticket distribution was smooth, and wherever further discussions were needed, they met top BJP leaders like Amit Shah. A common manifesto and common campaign helped the alliance take its message to the masses. Even post-results, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar have maintained that the call on the chief ministerial pick shall be taken mutually after discussions with the BJP high command. The picture was stark opposite in the MVA camp. Despite multiple rounds of meetings, it could not begin ticket distribution as early as needed. Election Management The BJPs focus on booth management helped the alliance as did the management of the RSS cadre on ground. In fact, top leaders from both RSS and BJP campaigned for all the three parties in the alliance. A key strategy was to bring voters out of their homes to cast their ballot. Setting The Agenda The Mahayuti focussed on the issues that mattered to the electorate. It emphasised on development and keeping the growth engine running. Its Ladki Bahini Yojana was also a big hit among women voters, forcing even the MVA to include it in the manifesto after initial opposition. The opposition leaders referring to women voters as freeloaders" did further damage to the MVA. Apart from this, the narrative of unity set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi did not find any counter from the Opposition. This campaign was taken to the ground by Devendra Fadnavis in particular. The oppositions alleged intent to ban the RSS also struck a chord with the public. Positive Campaign The Mahayuti alliance ran a positive campaign, highlighting the work done by the Eknath Shinde government in the last 2.5 years, including the completion of crucial infrastructure projects like Metro expansion and the coastal road project. Walked The Talk top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Mahayuti also effectively countered opposition allegations that it would alter the Constitution or scrap the reservation. It took its message of development and good governance to every strata of the society with examples of projects completed for public good. From farmers, youth, women to the poor and marginalised, the manifesto covered every section of the society. The alliance had also put in place a vision plan for the first 100 days of the new government. The manifesto drew inspiration from the vision of Narendra Modi for India by 2047, in which Maharashtra will have a significant role to play. The simplicity and good governance of Eknath Shinde, the excellent execution and strategy of Devendra Fadnavis and the sharp administrative skills of Ajit Pawar resulted in a landslide victory for the alliance. Location : Maharashtra, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 15:18 IST Maharashtra Poll Results: Ajit Pawar Got More Seats But People Know Who Founded NCP, Says Sharad Pawar Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 19:47 IST Ajit Pawar defeated Yugendra by a margin of over 1 lakh votes to win the eighth term in Baramati. Sharad Pawar and Ajit Pawar (PTI Image) In his first reaction over Maharashtra Assembly Poll results, Nationalist Congress Party (NCPSCP) patron Sharad Pawar on Sunday said that the mandate not on the expected lines but stressed that it was a decision given by the people. The NCP veteran further acknowledged the fact that the faction of NCP led by his nephew and Deputy CM Ajit Pawar won way more seats than the NCPSCP and said that everyone knew who founded the NCP. related stories While speaking to the reporters in Karad, Pawar said, I must agree that Ajit Pawar has got more seats than us, but Maharashtra knows who is the founder of NCP." Responding to a query on his retirement from active politics, Pawar tersely said he and his party colleagues will decide. Speaking on the Baramati battle where Ajit Pawar defeated Sharad Pawars grandnephew Yugendra Pawar, Sharad Pawar said there was no comparison between them. He said fielding his grandnephew on the home turf wasnt a wrong decision as someone had to contest the elections. Ajit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar cannot be compared. We were aware of this fact. Ajit Pawar has been in power for a long time" Ajit Pawar defeated Yugendra by a margin of over 1 lakh votes to win the eighth term in Baramati. Pawar suffered the worst-ever defeat in his political career in Maharashtra polls with the NCP faction led by him winning only 10 seats in the 288-member House, while the Ajit Pawar-led NCP bagged 41. Pawar further said that the poll outcome he had witnessed in his public life was unprecedented. He said the MVA was more confident after achieving success in Lok Sabha elections, adding that more work needs to be done. We have been in public life for many years, we have never had such an experience, but now that we have, we will think about it, understand why it happened and will go in front of the people with a new enthusiasm. I have travelled to different districts of the state during election campaigning, whether it is my party, Shiv Sena (UBT) or Congress, everyone made collective efforts, but the result did not match the efforts we made, there was no lack of coordination anywhere," he said. Responding to a query on EVMs, a day after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut expressed doubts over the verdict in Mahayutis favour, Pawar said he would speak about EVMs only if he has official data. Ladki Bahin scheme worked for Mahayuti Sharad Pawar further emphasised that the Ladki Bahin scheme, womens participation in voting in large numbers, and religious polarisation might have played a major role in BJP-led Mahayuti alliances landslide victory in Maharashtra assembly polls. The Ladki Bahin scheme and religious polarisation played a role. Womens participation in large numbers could be the reason for the Mahayuti sweep in Maharashtra. We will study the reasons for the debacle and take necessary steps," he said. Sharad Pawar also said that MVA did not have the strength to stake claim to the Leader of Opposition post. Maharashtra Assembly Poll Results 2024 The Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance on Saturday scored a massive and astonishing victory over Maha Vikas Aghadi in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. The unprecedented electoral sweep is a record win as no alliance has ever crossed the magic mark of 200 seats in the Maharashtra polls. The ruling Mahayuti has won 234 of the 288 seats in the Maharashtra elections, with the BJP emerging as the single largest party, winning 132 seats on its own. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shiv Sena bested the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction with a tally of 57 seats, while Shiv Sena (UBT) managed to win 20 seats. Meanwhile, Sharad Pawar suffered the worst political defeat in his career, as his party won only 10 seats and lagged far behind his nephew Ajit Pawars camps tally of 41. (With inputs from PTI) Location : Karad, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 19:47 IST In the war against Ukraine, Russian troops are using the so-called "siege" tactics described in Russian textbooks, which leads to the destruction of the economic and moral state. Europe is not yet ready to counter this strategy as it does not want to leave its "safe space." ADVERTISIMENT This is what the former Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and now Ambassador to the United Kingdom Valeriy Zaluzhnyi said. In an interview with the media, he pointed out the nuances of such tactics and Putin's threats to European countries. "We are now seeing that there are no deep breakthroughs on the battlefield, it is more like a gradual squeezing of our soldiers. Russia are losing many, many people to achieve this. They are targeting our economy and civilian objects. There is also an information campaign aimed at undermining mobilization. It includes tactics aimed at changing the attitude of Ukrainians towards the war," said the former Ukrainian army chief. As a result, he said, the Defense Forces "have problems with personnel" on the front line. In his opinion, this ultimately leads to Ukraine gradually losing ground. ADVERTISIMENT At the same time, he is convinced that the occupiers are not ready to incorporate large-scale fakes to expand their campaign, as this would require huge resources, which the aggressor no longer has. "Therefore, it is the combined actions aimed at the war of attrition that leads to what we see on the battlefield, and to what is happening with mobilization, to what people think of war itself. This is a set of measures that fit perfectly into the said strategy. We can see that almost all elements of this strategy are being implemented," Zaluzhnyi said. According to him, Western allies are not ready to counter such danger coming from Russia. He believes that there is no such country in the world that has enough resources to conduct large-scale military operations to resist Russia for a long period of time. ADVERTISIMENT "I even doubt that China is ready to engage in large-scale actions now. If we are talking about short-term actions, European countries are most likely ready for them. But the most important question is whether they are ready for a war of attrition," said the official. He estimated that in October, Ukraine had to deal with about 1,643 Shahed drones and up to 200 missiles, a part of which destroyed or damaged energy and civilian facilities. In November, the number of Russian targets hitting civilian objects in Ukraine will reach three thousand, and the month is not even over yet. "So, the number of targets is growing, while the countermeasures are limited and too expensive. I believe that neither Britain nor European countries will be ready for such numbers. Even though they have enough F-16s, which have excellent air defense capabilities, the whole air defense grid can be completely drained in two to three months," the ambassador stated. ADVERTISIMENT He also shared how many guided bombs Russian troops use at the front. In particular, in October and September, the occupiers dropped about 4,500 such bombs along the entire front line (the weight of the warhead of one bomb is 500 kg; for comparison - the weight of Iskander's warhead is 480 kg). "Does any European country or Britain have at least 5,000 missiles for Patriot systems to shoot down so many guided bombs? I doubt it. They are very expensive and, as a result, it is impossible to produce a lot of them. Therefore, in terms of this danger, we can say that they are probably not ready," Zaluzhnyi said. He added that ongoing military actions are important in the seige strategy, but it is not the main component. After all, there are several other important areas the Kremlin is active in, namely information and psychological operations, the influence of which is very strong. "Europe is in its safe space and will not dare to leave it anytime soon. Therefore, in my personal opinion, if they say they are ready for a war of attrition, a lot of restrictions may pop up along the way," the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK summarized. As reported earlier, Valeriy Zaluzhnyi made an alarming statement that World War III began in Ukraine in 2024. He emphasized that North Korea, Iran and China fully support Russia in its full-scale aggression. Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! The 'Pennsylvanias' That Decided Maharashtra, Jharkhand Elections Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Nitya Thirumalai Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 09:17 IST Whoever won Vidarbha and Marathwada, and Santhal Parganas, had the best chance to win Maharashtra and Jharkhand elections. In the end, the result in these regions proved to be decisive Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis prepares jalebi at the BJP office during celebrations after the party's win in Assembly elections, in Mumbai, on November 23, 2024. (PTI) These were the Pennsylvanias, or election deciders, of Maharashtra and Jharkhand whoever won these regions of Vidarbha and Marathwada, and Santhal Parganas, had the best chance to win the state. In the end, the result in these regions proved to be decisive. The Mahayuti won 48 out of the 62 seats in the Vidarbha region, and 40 out of the 46 seats in Marathwada notching up 88 seats from the 108 seats in these eastern regions of the state at an 80% strike rate. This was significant as the Mahayuti had won just three out of the 19 Lok Sabha seats in these two regions just six months ago and these regions have completely flipped for the Mahayuti now. related stories Similarly, in Santhal Parganas region in Jharkhand, which is adjoining West Bengal, 18 seats were up for grabs. This was the tribal-dominated region where the BJPs infiltration campaign was the strongest as the party drummed up how infiltrators were grabbing tribal land here. But this campaign fell flat as the BJP could win just one out of the 18 seats here, with the JMM-Congress-RJD alliance sweeping the region with 17 seats, and the state as well. The flip in Vidarbha and Marathwada has brought us to power in Maharashtra with both the Marathas and the farmers of Vidarbha returning to our fold. But we could not get the tribal voters of Santhal Parganas in our fold and that is where the election of Jharkhand has been lost," a senior BJP leader in Delhi told News18. In the Lok Sabha elections six months ago, JMM had won two out of three Lok Sabha constituencies in Santhal Parganas region. The BJP needed the region to flip in its favour in the assembly elections but the same did not happen. The BJP lost five out of the six Assembly constituencies falling in the sole Lok Sabha seat that the party won in Santhal Parganas six months ago Godda, which is held by BJP MP Nishikant Dubey. He was also at the forefront of the infiltration campaign of the party. Possible Reasons top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The popular woman scheme run by governments in both the states seems to have prevailed in the results. While women seem to have transcended caste barriers to vote for the Mahayuti in Vidarbha and Marathawada due to the Ladki Behan Yojana, the women voters in Santhal Parganas seem to have rewarded the JMM for the similar woman scheme launched by Hemant Soren a few months ago. Also, Mahayutis moves to appease the cotton and soyabean farmers of Vidarbha with sops on MSP as well as a promise of a full loan waiver seems to have done the trick. The issue of tribal pride also prevailed in Santhal Parganas, bringing the JMM alliance rich dividends. Location : Maharashtra | Jharkhand, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 09:17 IST Ramveer Thakur, Only Hindu Candidate In UP's Kundarki Seat, Helps BJP Win After 30 Years Curated By : Edited By: Ronit Singh Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 09:51 IST Kundarki, one of the nine UP Assembly seats that went to by-polls, has remained a SP stronghold as the BJP last won the seat in 1993. BJP's Ramveer Thakur Singh | Image/CNN-News18 As the counting of votes concluded for by-election to nine assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, BJP threw a major surprise in the Kundarki assembly constituency, where the partys candidate Ramveer Thakur Singh emerged victorious defeating 11 contenders from the Muslim community. Thakur, who was the only Hindu candidate in the fray in the Muslim-majority constituency in Uttar Pradesh, won the seat with a margin of over 1.4 lakh votes, helping BJP to reclaim the seat after a gap of 30 years. related stories Kundarki, one of the nine UP Assembly seats that went to by-polls, has remained a Samajwadi Party stronghold. The BJP last won the Kundarki seat in 1993. Why Kundarki Was A Unique Challenge Thakur was pitted against SPs Mohammad Rizwan, Aazad Samaj Party (Kanshi Ram)s Chand Babu, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeens Mohammad Varnish and Bahujan Samaj Partys Rafatullah. Kundarki constituency, part of west UPs Sambhal Lok Sabha seat, consists of 2.23 lakh (62 per cent) Muslim voters out of the 3.83 lakh total voters. Political observers attributed the BJPs unexpected victory in the seat to a strategic decision to field a Hindu candidate, Ramveer Thakur Singh, which resulted in a split of the Muslim vote. BJPs Historic Win In Kundarki Singh defeated the Samajwadi Party candidate with over 1.4 lakh votes as he recorded 1,70,371 votes, while Rizwan secured a mere 25,580 votes. I am thankful to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ji and all my seniors from the party for choosing me as a candidate from Kundarki. I was not at all expecting such a huge win," said Ramveer Thakur Singh. UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath called Kundarkis mandate a victory of nationalism and expressed his gratitude towards the people of the constituency, giving credit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What Led To BJPs Victory? The political observers credited the BJPs surprising victory to the partys strategic move of fielding a Hindu candidate in a Muslim-dominated constituency, which led to a split in Muslim votes. While a few also credited Singhs famous skull-cap look behind BJPs massive victory in Kundarki. BJPs Ramveer Thakur was the lone Hindu candidate from Kundarki while others including that of SP were all Muslims. The data from the ECI hints at the split in Muslim votes, which led to the BJPs victory and the downfall of the SP candidate," said Shashikant Pandey, political observer and head of the Department of Political Science at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Lucknow. SPs Mohammad Rizwan got 25,580 votes, Aazad Samaj Partys Chand Babu got 14,201 votes, Bahujan Samaj Partys Rafatulla got 1099 votes while there were seven other Muslim contestants who contested as independent candidates. Hence, Ramveer being a lone Hindu candidate got all Hindu votes," he added. While some attributed BJP candidate Ramveer Thakurs victory in Kundarki to the split in Muslim votes, others pointed to his strategic use of symbolism, particularly his skull cap look, as a key factor. Kundarki, like other poll-bound constituencies, saw extensive campaigning, but what set the BJPs campaign apart was Ramveers visible effort to connect with the Muslim community. Spotted wearing a skull cap at several events, this approach resonated with a section of Muslim voters. Political analysts believe this symbolic outreach played a significant role in diverting Muslim votes to Ramveer, contributing to his unexpected win in the Muslim-dominated seat. Some also pointed out anti-incumbency sentiments, and reports of factionalism among local leaders, as another reason behind SPs downfall in Kundarki. Highest-Voter Turnout In Kundarki In the recently held by-polls, Kundarki stood out with the highest voter turnout among the nine UP Assembly seats. The constituency, part of the Sambhal Lok Sabha seat, has a 60 per cent Muslim population, making it a long-standing stronghold for the Samajwadi Party (SP). However, the BJP managed to break this 31-year record, marking its first win since Chandra Vijay Singhs victory in 1993. The BJPs strategy of fielding the only Hindu candidate, Ramveer Thakur, against 11 Muslim contenders, including SPs Mohammad Rizwan, proved pivotal. Rizwan, a seasoned politician with over 40 years of experience and a three-time MLA, faced a significant challenge despite his track record of victories in 2002, 2012, and 2017. The BJPs focused campaign, high voter turnout, and Ramveers symbolic gestures, like donning a skull cap, effectively consolidated non-Muslim votes while swaying a portion of Muslim voters. This victory not only shattered the SPs dominance in Kundarki but also signalled a significant setback for SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, raising questions about the partys future strategy in its bastions. Demands Of Repolling Surface On November 20, the day of voting in the Kundarki bypoll, Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Mohammad Rizwan raised serious allegations of electoral malpractice, demanding a repoll. Rizwan claimed there were systematic efforts to prevent minority community voters from exercising their franchise and accused the administration and police of acting with bias to intimidate SP supporters. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In his letter to the Election Commission, Rizwan stated, Since morning, the administration and police acted with bias and intimidated our supporters. I request you to cancel the poll and conduct a repolling on the seat. The SP is boycotting the poll due to this rigging." Meanwhile, SP chief Akhilesh Yadav posted on X, The tactics of those who have made election synonymous with corruption have been captured in photographs and exposed before the world. The world, the country and Uttar Pradesh saw the most distorted form of electoral politics in this by-election. There may be a time for falsehood but not an era. Now the real struggle has begun clench your fist, tighten your fist and make the PDA proclaim Judenge toh jeetenge! Location : Uttar Pradesh, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 09:51 IST 'We Stopped BJP, Why Couldn't You?': TMC's Poser After Congress Beating In Maharashtra Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Nitya Thirumalai Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 13:51 IST Not only did the Congress fail in arresting the BJP juggernaut in Maharashtra, but stood second in its own alliance. In comparison, the Trinamool Congress swept the bypolls in West Bengal, retaining five seats and wresting Madarihat from the BJP Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has called for the National Executive Committee meeting of the TMC on Monday evening to discuss the strategy for Winter Session of Parliament. (PTI/File) Following the anti-climactic loss in Haryana, the poor performance in Maharashtra elections has further eroded Congresss standing as the de-facto leader of the INDIA bloc, with the Trinamool Congress flexing muscles. Not only did the Congress fail in arresting the BJP juggernaut in Maharashtra, but stood second in its own alliance. It won just 16 of the 101 seats it contested in the state, a dismal strike rate of 15.84%. related stories In comparison, the Trinamool Congress swept the bypolls in West Bengal, retaining five seats and wresting Madarihat from the BJP, further cementing its political dominance in the state. Its leaders didnt forget to remind the Congress of the same, signalling growing unease within the alliance over grand old partys big brother status. Mamata Banerjee has blocked the BJP in every election. Hemant Soren has also stopped the BJP in Jharkhand. But in Maharashtra, they (Congress) could not stop the BJP. The Congress should analyse themselves. If it can happen in Bengal and Jharkhand, why did the Congress fail to stop the BJP in Haryana and Maharashtra? The Congress should analyse why it lost. Whenever the responsibility has fallen on Congress, it has been unable to stop the BJP," said TMC general secretary Kunal Ghosh. The Trinamool Congress is part of the INDIA bloc at the national level, but is not in a seat-sharing agreement with the Congress in the state. The Trinamool convincingly won all the six Assembly seats that went for bypolls. Other than the BJP, we were also facing two of the INDIA bloc parties, Congress and CPM, who put up candidates in every seat," senior party leader Derek OBrien said on Saturday. Echoing his party colleagues, TMC leader Jayprakash Majumdar said: The Congress needs to look into its organisation and policy more deeply, more meaningfully. The TMC and Mamata Banerjee are at the forefront of defeating the BJP." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It would be interesting to see how the drubbing in Maharashtra affects Congresss equations with INDIA bloc partners, particularly the TMC, when the Winter Session of Parliament commences on November 25, Monday. Chief Minister and party supremo Mamata Banerjee has called for the National Executive Committee meeting of the TMC at her residence on Monday evening. Sources say the gathering which would comprise committee members Abhishek Banerjee, Derek OBrien, Sudip Banerjee and Susmita Dev will discuss the partys Parliament strategy. It will also delve into the strategy for the West Bengal Assembly session and early preparations for the 2026 state elections. First Published: November 24, 2024, 13:51 IST Bengal: TMC Workers Break Chairs, Fistfight While Planning Childrens Fair With MP Dev Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 17:57 IST Party sources said chairs were broken and food meant for distribution strewn across the venue as supporters of Dev and former MLA Shankar Dolui clashed Cops escort MP Dev outside the venue in Paschim Medinipur. TMC workers, allegedly belonging to different factions, came to blows in front of actor-turned-politician and the partys local MP Deepak Adhikari during a meeting called for organising a childrens fair at Ghatal in Paschim Medinipur district of West Bengal on Sunday. Party sources said chairs were broken and food meant for distribution strewn across the venue as supporters of Adhikari, better known as Dev, and former MLA Shankar Dolui clashed with sticks and fists. related stories Ghatal, West Bengal: A clash erupted between two factions of the Trinamool Congress during a meeting about the Shishu Mela. MP Deepak Adhikari (Dev) witnessed the fight, which resulted in bloodshed. Despite police presence, the situation escalated, and Dev had to leave the pic.twitter.com/jcGDvly1XF IANS (@ians_india) November 24, 2024 Police said a scuffle broke out during the event and further investigation is underway. Party sources said that the two factions had a long-standing rivalry over appointment of organising committee members for Shishu Mela, an annual event held in Ghatal for over 30 years. The meeting, which was attended by both Adhikari and Dolui to resolve the issue, turned violent after a disagreement. Despite a decision being taken to jointly manage the fair, tensions escalated during the discussion, culminating in a physical confrontation, they said. Adhikari left the venue, Arabinda Stadium, shortly after the incident. Adhikari expressed shock over the incident, stating he had come to the meeting after getting instructions in this regard from the top party leadership. He wondered how such an incident could take place despite his successful meeting with Dolui. He said his intention was to keep stall costs low to ensure affordable goods for fairgoers. He asserted that the fair would go ahead and that this isolated incident should not overshadow Ghatals positive image. State Irrigation Minister Manas Bhunia said that the party has sought a detailed report on the incident and police have been instructed to maintain peace. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all BJP leader Sajal Ghosh, on the other hand, alleged, This is a clear example of infighting in the TMC. Their fights are rooted in greed." This was not the first time tensions erupted between factions of Adhikari and Dolui. A recent audio clip highlighting their differences had caused a stir, though Adhikari had dismissed it at that time, describing Dolui as his political mentor". Location : Ghatal, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 17:57 IST Delhi Police Constable On Patrol Stabbed To Death In Govindpuri, 2 Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 14:40 IST A 28-year-old Delhi Police constable was stabbed to death allegedly by three men during his night patrolling near Sant Ravidas Marg in the Govindpuri area. Representative Image of Delhi Police/ PTI A 28-year-old Delhi Police constable was stabbed to death allegedly by three men during a night patrol near Sant Ravidas Marg in the Govindpuri area, said officials on Sunday, adding that two of the attackers were arrested and one was killed in an encounter. It comes just 24 hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah reviewed the law and order situation of the national capital in a closed-door meeting with the top cops. related stories Kiranpal Singh, 28, who hails from Bulandshahr in Uttar Pradesh, was inducted into Delhi Police as a constable in 2018 and was initially posted at Kishan Garh Police Station. He was later posted in the Delhi Armed Police 4th Battalion until October 2021. He then served in the Southwest district until February when he joined the Southeast district and was posted at Govindpuri police station. What Led To The Incident? The incident occurred early Sunday morning when Singh was patrolling with two more constables and noticed three men riding a scooter in Govindpuri, allegedly intending to target individuals or a house for theft. He then decided to confront the suspects near Lane 13 in the Sant Ravidas Marg at around 4:30 am. Initially, they tried to flee by throwing stones at Singh. However, he blocked their scooter with his bike and removed the scooters key to prevent their escape. In retaliation, they attacked Singh with a sharp object and left him bleeding on the street, said officials. Around 7 am, locals discovered the policemans body lying in the street and promptly alerted the police control room. The body was then taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead. Deepak Max (20) was apprehended by the crime branch following an encounter and Krish Gupta (18) was taken into custody by the local police. While the third accused Rocky alias Raghav, who was on the run, was killed by the Delhi Police in an encounter. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 07:58 IST 'Ensure Smooth Functioning Of Parliament': Rijiju Appeals To All Parties Ahead Of Winter Session Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 15:08 IST Ruling party leaders met floor leaders of political parties ahead of the start of the Winter session on Monday. Union parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju | File Image/PTI Amid demands from the opposition to discuss bribery charges against the Adani group, the government on Sunday said the business advisory committees of both Houses will decide on matters to be discussed in the Winter session and appealed to parties to ensure smooth functioning of Parliament. Ruling party leaders met floor leaders of political parties ahead of the start of the Winter session on Monday. related stories After the meeting, Parliamentary Affairs minister Kiren Rijiju told reporters that the government appealed to all parties to ensure smooth running of Parliament. Responding to a question on oppositions demand for taking up the Adani issue, he said the respective Business Advisory Committees of the Houses will decide on matters to be discussed in Parliament with consent from Lok Sabha speaker and Rajya Sabha chairperson. At the meeting, Congress members raised the issue of bribery charges against the Adani group as well as the situation in Manipur. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said the party wants discussion on Adani as well as ethnic strife in Manipur. He said while the chief minister of Jharkhand was arrested, the government still has confidence in the chief minister of Manipur despite bouts of ethnic violence. The opposition party also sought a discussion on the issue of rising pollution in north India and train accidents. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari said his party wanted the issue of Adani to be taken up in Parliament as the first thing when it meets on Monday. It is a grave issue involving the countrys economic and security interests as over Rs 2,300 crore were allegedly paid by the company to politicians and bureaucrats to get favourable deal for its solar energy projects, the Rajya Sabha MP said. Billionaire Gautam Adani has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay USD 265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange of favourable terms for solar power contracts. The group has denied the charges. The Congress, he said, also wanted a discussion on issues like severe air pollution in north India, the Manipur situation, which has gone out of control", and train accidents. The meeting was convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju. BJP president J P Nadda, Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Gaurav Gogoi besides T Siva, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Anupriya Patel attended the meet. The Winter Session of Parliament, beginning Monday, is scheduled to last till December 20. The government has listed 16 bills, including the Waqf Amendment Bill, for consideration in the session. The bills pending in the Lok Sabha include the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has been listed for consideration and passage after the joint committee of the two Houses submits its report to the Lok Sabha. The panel is mandated to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the Winter session. Opposition members on the panel are demanding an extension in the timeline to submit its report. They have alleged that committee chair Jagdambika Pal, a BJP MP, is bulldozing the committee meetings and has sought the intervention of Speaker Om Birla. Rijiju said there is a provision to extend the tenure of the joint committee but as of now, thee have been no discussions. He underlined that that the business advisory committee of the Lok SSbha is the platform to discuss the issue of extension of time for the panel. The presentation, discussion and voting on the First Batch of Supplementary Demands for Grants for the year 2024-25 has also been listed. The other bill listed by the government for introduction, consideration and passage is the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill to enhance the pecuniary (defined as the monetary value of a case) appellate jurisdiction of Delhi district courts from the existing Rs 3 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. It also includes the Merchant Shipping Bill that seeks to ensure compliance with Indias obligation under maritime treaties to which New Delhi is a party. Besides, the Coastal Shipping Bill and the Indian Ports Bill have also been listed for introduction and eventual passage. As many as eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, are pending in Lok Sabha. According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, two bills are pending with the Rajya Sabha. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Rajya Sabha bulletin said an additional bill The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, passed by the Lok Sabha is pending with the Upper House. A set of proposed bills to implement simultaneous elections in the country are not part of the list yet, though some reports suggested that the government is likely to bring the proposed legislation in the coming session. First Published: November 24, 2024, 15:08 IST Jhansi Hospital Fire: Two More Babies Die, Death Toll Rises To 17 Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 16:20 IST Thirty-nine newborns were rescued from a devastating fire in the medical college hospitals neonatal intensive care unit on the night of November 15. While 10 babies died on the night of the fire, the remainder succumbed to their illnesses (PTI) Two more infants rescued from a fire that ripped through the Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College here have died, taking the total toll in the blaze to 17, a senior official said on Sunday. Thirty-nine newborns were rescued from a devastating fire in the medical college hospitals neonatal intensive care unit on the night of November 15. related stories Dr Narendra Singh Sengar, the medical colleges principal, told PTI that of the 39 infants rescued, two more died on Saturday. While 10 babies died on the night of the fire, the remainder succumbed to their "illnesses", he said. A post-mortem of the two bodies was done on Saturday and the cause of death was confirmed as "illness" in both cases. The bodies have been handed over to the family members, Sengar said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The birth weight of both infants was 800 grams and one of them also had a hole in the heart, he added. Meanwhile, Congress sources said on Sunday that the partys state chief Ajay Rai and Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia would travel to Jhansi and visit the medical college. They will also meet the families whose babies died in the fire. Location : Jhansi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 16:20 IST Living Life Of Private Citizen Feels Very Good: Ex-CJI Chandrachud Curated By : IANS Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 16:22 IST After a two-year-long stint in the highest judicial office of the country, Justice Chandrachud retired on November 10 attaining the age of 65 years. Former CJI DY Chandrachud (File) Former Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud, who demitted the highest judicial office of the country 15 days ago, on Sunday said that living the life of a private citizen feels very good to him. Former CJI Chandrachud said that for twenty-four years, he had no other work in life" except waking up in the morning and reading case files, going to court, coming back in the evening and dictating the judgment and then reading the next days files at night, reported NDTV. related stories During the last 24, I could not have any lunch with my family. Many times I used to be in the office even at dinner time. There are many things that I want to do and am doing these days. Living the life of a private citizen feels very good," he said. On appointments through the Supreme Court Collegium in the constitutional judiciary, the 50th CJI said that the things going on in social media" should not affect its functioning. Look, there are many misconceptions about the Collegium system. But this is a very good system in the federal system. In this, the appointment process goes through many stages. All sections have been getting representation under this," former CJI Chandrachud said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After a two-year-long stint in the highest judicial office of the country, Justice Chandrachud retired on November 10 attaining the age of 65 years. He was first appointed as judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, and has also served as Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court since October 31, 2013, until his elevation as an apex court judge on May 13, 2016. Ex-CJI Chandrachud passed BA with honours in economics from St Stephens College, New Delhi and completed LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. In June 1998, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Bombay High Court. He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 till 2000. First Published: November 24, 2024, 16:22 IST Manipur Speaker Says Decision to Resign Rests With God, Calls People God Published By : PTI Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 23:53 IST Satyabrata made the statement when people visited his residence and urged him not to quit. A section of protesters had demanded the resignation of all ministers and MLAs for their failure to restore normalcy in Manipur and had called on Thokchom Satyabrata to step down as well. (IMAGE: PTI) Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata on Sunday said whether he would resign from the post would be taken by God and he also added that people are God". He made the statement after a large number of people from his constituency came to his residence and requested him not to quit, as demanded by a section of protesters in the state. related stories Whether to resign or not, it should be decided by God and people are God," Satyabrata told reporters. He also said that the legislators should do whatever they can to mitigate the peoples suffering. The government needs to know the hardships faced by the people and need to work for the welfare of the people. All legislators need to unite and work together," the Speaker said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The development comes in the wake of demands by a section of the protestors for the resignation of all ministers and MLAs for their failure" to restore normalcy in the restive state. Ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis claimed more than 258 lives in Manipur since May last year. Location : Imphal, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 23:35 IST Pressure Groups Using Social Media To Influence Courts Grave Danger: Ex-CJI Chandrachud Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 23:53 IST He said special interest groups, pressure groups are trying to affect the minds of courts. Former CJI DY Chandrachud said social media platforms are being used by pressure and special interest groups and judges should be wary of such efforts. (IMAGE: PTI) Former Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud on Sunday said social media is being used by special interest groups to influence the outcome of cases and judges need to be wary of them. He also noted that people nowadays want to form an opinion on the basis of 20 seconds they see on YouTube or any other social media platform, saying it poses a great danger. related stories Today there are special interest groups, pressure groups who are trying to use social media to affect the minds of the courts and the outcomes of cases. Every citizen is entitled to understand what is the basis of a decision and to express their opinions on the decisions of the court. But when this goes beyond the decisions of the court and targets individual judges, then it sort of raises fundamental questions about Is this truly freedom of speech and expression?" he said. Everybody, therefore wants to form an opinion in 20 seconds of what they see on YouTube or any social media platform. This poses a grave danger because the process of decision-making in the courts is far more serious. It is really nuanced that nobody has the patience or the tolerance today on social media to understand, and that is a very serious issue that is confronting the Indian judiciary," he said while speaking at NDTV Indias Samvidhan@75 Conclave. Judges have to be very careful about the fact that they are constantly being subject to this barrage of special interest groups trying to alter the decisions of what happens in the courts," he said while replying to a question on whether trolling on social media impacts judges. Chandrachud also said that in a democracy the power to decide the validity of laws is entrusted to the constitutional courts. Separation of powers postulates that law-making will be carried out by the legislature, execution of law will be carried out by the executive and the judiciary will interpret the law and decide the disputes. There are times when this comes under strain. Policy making is entrusted to the government in a democracy. When fundamental rights are involved, courts are duty bound under the Constitution to step in. Policy making is the job of the legislature, but deciding on its validity is the job and responsibility of the courts," Chandrachud said. Defending the collegium system, the 50th CJI said there is a lot of misunderstanding about the process and it very nuanced and multi-layered. Its not as if the judiciary has exclusive role to play in appointment of judges," he said adding that first thing to be considered in seniority of judges. When asked, if judges should enter politics, the former CJI said there is no bar in Constitution or in law to do so. Society continues to look at you as a judge even after retirement, therefore, things which are alright for other citizens to do would not be alright for judges to do even when they demit office. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Primarily it is for every judge to take a call on whether a decision which he takes after retirement will have a bearing on people who assess the work which he did as a judge," he said. Chandrachud retired on November 10 after a stint of two years as CJI. First Published: November 24, 2024, 18:19 IST Newly-elected US president Donald Trump could create even greater economic challenges for Russia, which would dramatically reduce the aggressor country's capabilities to continue the war. For the Kremlin leadership, Trump is a "dark horse," and this uncertainty is truly unsettling. ADVERTISIMENT This opinion was expressed by Russian opposition activist Olga Kurnosova in an exclusive interview with OBOZ.UA. "Trump will primarily focus on the weakening of Russia's economy," she suggested. "If the United States do increase oil production, making the world oil price drop, the economic problems that Russia will face will be multiplied. Putin's capabilities to continue the war in terms of money will be sharply reduced. And this will force him to negotiate one way or another," the oppositionist is convinced. Answering the question of what the Kremlin thinks of Trump today (is he a friend, an enemy, a rival, or an ally?), Kurnosova said, "Today, Trump is a dark horse for Putin. Putin does not understand what Trump will do next and what to expect from him. And this makes him really nervous." The oppositionist also added that Ukraine can use AFU's Kursk region as a trump card, as the loss of control over a part of the Russia is much more dangerous for the Kremlin than the loss of control over the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. As previously reported, British security and defense expert Nicholas Drummond suggested that Donald Trump may decide to transfer nuclear weapons to Ukraine. According to the expert, this could be a powerful deterrent to another possible Russian aggression against our country in the future. UP: 3 Dead After Car Falls Into River From Broken Bridge In Bareilly Due To GPS Error Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 17:05 IST Earlier this year, floods had caused the front section of the bridge to collapse into the river, but the GPS had not been updated to reflect this change An official said that the bridge was under construction, but no warning signs were put up. Three people were killed in Uttar Pradeshs Bareilly after their car fell into the Ramganga River from a broken bridge due to a GPS error. The accident took place around 10 am on the Khalpur-Dataganj road, while the victims were traveling from Bareilly to Dataganj in the Badaun district, according to reports. The car, using GPS for navigation, crashed into a damaged part of the bridge, police told news agency PTI. related stories Earlier this year, floods had caused the front section of the bridge to collapse into the river, but the GPS had not been updated to reflect this change. As a result, the driver was misled and unaware of the bridges unsafe condition, said Ashutosh Shivam, Circle Officer of the area. Additionally, the lack of safety barriers or warning signs on the under-construction bridge increased the risk, contributing to the fatal accident, Shivam added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The victims, whose identities are still being verified, were traveling at high speed when their car plunged into the river. Police teams from Faridpur, Bareilly, and Dataganj rushed to the scene and recovered both the vehicle and the bodies from the river. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, and an investigation is ongoing, the Circle Officer stated. First Published: November 24, 2024, 17:05 IST UP: 3 Killed In Protest Over Sambhal Mosque Survey; Internet Suspended, Stone Sale Banned Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 21:12 IST Soon after the clashes, which included stone-pelting incidents, local administration banned the sale or collection of stones, soda bottles, flammable or explosive items in the area Police try to control the situation amid violence during a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid, in Sambhal on November 24. (Image: PTI) Three people were killed and scores injured in clashes between police and protesters, triggered by a court-ordered survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid in Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal on Sunday. Police said there was peace in the area at the moment. Internet services, however, were suspended for 24 hours as a precaution. The district administration further declared a holiday on Monday (November 25) for all students up to Class 12. Soon after the clashes, which included stone-pelting incidents, the sale or collection of stones, soda bottles, flammable or explosive items was also banned in the area. related stories #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Visuals from Sambhal where an incident of stone pelting took place when a survey team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a survey of the mosque. Police used tear gas to control the situation.Following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu pic.twitter.com/jW6RO6L27Q ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2024 According to the police, the three people who died were identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman. Preparations were underway for their post-mortem examination, they said. Police said shots were fired by miscreants as protesters torched vehicles and hurled stones at security personnel, and they used tear gas and batons to discharge them. They said a superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the police circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 cops were injured in the violence. Officials said a constable suffered a serious head injury while the deputy collector fractured his leg. Fifteen people, including two women, have been detained and a probe has been launched, they said. We are investigating where the shots were fired from, particularly in the Deepa Sarai area," an official said, adding that the accused will be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). Sambhal has been tense since November 19 when the Mughal-era mosque was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple had once stood at the site. On Sunday morning, the local administration said, a second survey by an Advocate Commissioner" started around 7 am. HOW DID THE VIOLENCE UNFOLD? Trouble began in the morning when a large group of people gathered near the mosque and started shouting slogans as the survey team began its work. District officials said the survey was planned in the morning to avoid interference with the mosque prayers, which are usually held in the afternoon. The survey was proceeding peacefully until a group of people gathered near the mosque and began raising slogans. When the police attempted to clear the area, a group of miscreants in the crowd hurling stones at the police," said the Moradabad divisional commissioner. He said when the survey team was leaving, some people started throwing stones. There were groups on three sides. One from the front, one from the right and one from the left. They were continuously hurling stones. Police used force so that the survey team could be taken out and escorted safely. Tear gas shells were also fired. Plastic bullets were used," he added. The divisional commissioner said the people involved in the violence were likely incited by individuals with vested interests aiming to disrupt peace in the area. Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said, The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control." He said those who engaged in stone-pelting and those who incited them will be identified and action taken against them. We are in the process of registering an FIR," he added. District Magistrate Rajendra Pesia said, Some miscreants resorted to stone pelting but the situation is peaceful now. Around 10 people have been detained in connection with the stone-pelting incident. They are being interrogated." Uttar Pradesh police chief Prashant Kumar told PTI that the situation was under control in Sambhal. We are monitoring everything. All police and civil administration officials are handling the situation on the spot. They are patrolling those areas. Anti-social elements will be identified very soon and strict action will be taken against them," he said. Additional police units have been deployed near the mosque to ensure law and order and officials are closely monitoring the situation. On Saturday (November 23), the Sambhal district administration bound 34 people on a bond of up to Rs 10 lakh on apprehension of a breach of peace. Pesia, however, said the survey was completed despite the violence, and the entire process was videographed and photographed. The team, under an advocate commission" will present its report to the court on November 29. WHAT DID THE GOVT, OPPOSITION SAY? Reacting to the violence, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya said strict action will be taken against those who disturb the law and order situation as well as hinder the legal process. #WATCH | Lucknow: On incident of stone pelting in Sambhal when a survey team arrived at Shahi Jama Masjid to survey the mosque, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya says, It is the duty of the government and the police to follow the instruction of the court pic.twitter.com/2P5Jp734FD ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2024 The opposition, meanwhile, lashed out at the BJP as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the ruling party, government and the administration orchestrated the violence to divert attention from electoral malpractice". A serious incident occurred in Sambhal. A survey team was deliberately sent in the morning to disrupt discussions about the elections. The intention was to create chaos so that no debate on election issues could happen. I dont want to go into the legal or procedural aspects, but the other side was not even heard. This was intentionally done to provoke emotions and avoid discussions on election rigging," he said at a press conference in Lucknow. He added: What happened in Sambhal was orchestrated by the BJP, the government and the administration to divert attention from electoral malpractices." Samajwadi Party MP Zia Ur Rehman Barq had objected to the developments. The Jama Masjid of Sambhal is historical and very old. The Supreme Court had given the order in 1991 that whatever religious places are there in whatever condition since 1947, they will remain at their places," he had said. WHAT IS THE DISPUTE? Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is a petitioner in the case, had said the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) ordered the constitution of an advocate commission" to survey the mosque. Jain had said the court has asked for a report to be filed after conducting a videography and photography survey through the commission. The central and state governments, the mosque committee and the district magistrate of Sambhal have been made parties in the petition concerning the mosque, he had said. He and his father Hari Shankar Jain have represented the Hindu side in many cases related to places of worship, including the Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer for the Hindu side, told PTI on November 22 (Friday) that in his petition filed in the court, he mentioned that Baburnama" and the Ain-e-Akbari" has confirmed that a Harihar temple was at the site where the Jama Masjid now stands. He also claimed that the temple was demolished by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529. (With PTI inputs) Location : Uttar Pradesh, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 11:47 IST Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani Shine in Stunning Ivory Ensembles At Their Roka Ceremony Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 11:18 IST At their first appearance after Roka, Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani dazzled in synchronised ivory costumes that reflected classic elegance and finesse. Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani in their first public appearance post-roka. (Images: Viral Bhayani) At their roka ceremony, Aadar Jain and Alekha Advani stole the show in their ivory ensembles, embodying the quintessential romance. Aadar, the cousin of Bollywood stars Kareena and Karisma Kapoor and the grandson of legendary filmmaker Raj Kapoor, has mostly kept his private life out of the spotlight. The couple celebrated their happiness with loved ones at this small roka ceremony, which was attended by close relatives and friends on November 23 in Mumbai. Donning a finely embroidered sherwani with a matching kurta and trousers, Aadar embraced subtle refinement. The ensembles rigid form and elaborate embroidery struck the ideal blend between tradition and discovery. He added a modern touch with his pick of beige loafers with embroidered accents. related stories Watch the video here:- View this post on Instagram A post shared by Viral Bhayani (@viralbhayani) Alekha Advani, on the other hand, looked elegant and classic in a white saree with delicate embellishments and a chic blouse that was draped. Her exquisite taste was reflected in her costume, which was accentuated with delicate silver accents and cascading pearls. Alekhas regal charm was enhanced by her accessories, which featured a multi-layered pearl necklace and sparkling diamond bangles. She looked effortlessly gorgeous thanks to her gentle curls, neutral makeup, and a nude lip colour that went well with her calm ensemble. The couples effortless style and in sync ivory colour palette symbolised a fresh start, seamlessly fusing their individual preferences with classic beauty. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ALSO READ: Kareena Kapoor Serves Major Fashion Goals in a Gorgeous Silk Saree at Cousin Aadar Jains Roka Meanwhile, Aadar Jain confirmed his engagement to Alekha Advani, his girlfriend, in September of this year. The actor posted a number of photos from the seaside proposal, in which he put a ring on the finger of his best friend and first crush to ask her to be his lifelong partner. First Published: November 24, 2024, 11:17 IST Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas 2024: Inspiring Life Of The Ninth Sikh Guru And His Teachings Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 10:43 IST Guru Teg Bahadur was martyred in 1675 in Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi, where Sis Ganj Sahib is located today. Gurudwara Sis Ganj Sahib Sikh Temple was first established in 1783 by Baghel Singh to mark the martyrdom of the Sikh Guru, Guru Teg Bahadur, in Delhi. (Image: Shutterstock) Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas marks the martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, the 9th Sikh Guru. The day is observed every year on November 24 to commemorate the fearless spirit of the spiritual leader who fought for the rights of people and sacrificed his life. He was martyred in 1675 after he refused forced conversion under the rule of the then Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. The ninth Sikh Guru was openly executed in the Chandni Chowk area of Old Delhi. Gurdwara Sis Ganj Sahib in Chandani Chowk today stands as an epitome of his supreme sacrifice. related stories On the eve of Guru Tegh Bahadurs Martyrdom Day, Sikh devotees come together to chant special mantras called Bachittar Natak. Special events are organised at Gurdwaras across the country to mark this auspicious day. Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas: All You Need To Know Guru Tegh Bahadur was born Tyaga Mal on April 21, 1621, in Amritsar, Punjab. He lived a life of austerity and discipline. When he was 13 years old, he displayed incredible bravery in a battle against a Mughal commander. He portrayed tremendous sword skills, after which he was named Tegh Bahadur. He was also a spiritual practitioner and gave his people lessons on willpower and courage. Guru Tegh Bahadur Singh travelled across the country preaching Guru Nanak Devs teachings. Guru Tegh Bahadur was a leader of the downtrodden and a lifelong advocate of human rights. He taught his disciples to protect the ones who need protection, even if it comes at the cost of their lives. The visionary Guru taught his devotees to look beyond the momentary pleasures of the material world and live a pure life dedicated to service. Guru Tegh Bahadur showed the path of divinity to his disciples by teaching them to overcome greed, desire, ego and pain. The valiant leader was also a promoter of peace. He dedicated his life to serving society, fighting for righteousness, and spreading the teachings of Sikhism. Guru Tegh Bahadur Teachings top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Here are some teachings by Guru Tegh Bahadur that preach humanitarianism in its true sense: Give up your head, but forsake not those whom you have undertaken to protect. Sacrifice your life, but relinquish not your faith." True Realisation of the actual nature of this material world, its perishable, transitory and illusory aspects best dawns on a person in suffering." One should consider pain and pleasure, honour and dishonour the same. One should renounce both praise and blame and even the search for salvation. This is a very difficult path and rare is a (Gurmukh) pious person who knows how to tread it." Respect for all beings is the foundation of nonviolence." First Published: November 24, 2024, 06:00 IST AR Rahman's Ex-Wife Saira Banu BREAKS Silence On Rumours About Split: 'Had To Leave Chennai Because...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 14:59 IST AR Rahman's estranged wife Saira Banu slammed reports speculating the reason behind their separation. AR Rahman and Saira Banu are parents to three kids, a son and two daughters. (Photo Credits: Instagram) AR Rahmans estranged wife, Saira Banu has addressed the rumours surrounding their separation. AR Rahman and Saira Banu announced their separation on November 19. The music maestro was married for 29 years. Following the split, several speculations did the rounds, claiming the reason behind their separation. Saira has finally addressed the rumours in a voice note shared with the media. In the voice note, Saira said she has moved to Mumbai for medical reasons. She added that she has taken a break from Rahman due to her health. Thats why I took a break from AR (Rahman). I would request the YouTubers, and Tamil media to not say anything bad against him," she said, as quoted by The Indian Express. The report added that she was seemingly referring to the rumours surrounding his bassist Mohini Deys separation with Rahmans separation. Both the separations were announced on the same day. related stories He is a gem of a person, the best man in the world. It is just my health issues that I had to leave Chennai. It wouldnt have been possible with his busy schedule in Chennai," she added. Saira reassured, I trust him with my life. Thats how much I love him, and thats how much he does too. I request you to stop false allegations. God bless, and my sincere prayers that we are left alone and given a space." She signed off by saying, We have not officially announced anything yet. Stop tarnishing his name, which is absolutely rubbish. He is a gem of a person." Her statement was made just a day after AR Rahman warned a slanderers of legal action after their shared speculations surrounding his divorce. Via his legal team, Rahman demanded the removal of objectionable, defamatory content, and concocted stories about the couple that surfaced post the divorce announcement. The hatemongers have been advised to take down the objectionable content within the next hour, and a maximum duration of 24 hours. The letter further states that Rahman has instructed his legal team to file an appropriate defamation suit against anyone who has contributed to such false content on any media platforms. About AR Rahman and Saira Banus Separation: On November 20, the couple issued a joint statement via their lawyer announcing their separation. After many years of marriage, Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman have made the difficult decision to separate from each other," the statement read. This decision comes after significant emotional strain in their relationship. Despite their deep love for each other, the couple has found that the tensions and difficulties have created an insurmountable gap between them, one that neither party feels able to bridge at this time. Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman emphasise that they have taken this decision out of pain and agony. Mrs. Saira and her husband Mr. AR Rahman request privacy and understanding from the public during this challenging time, as they navigate this difficult chapter in their life," the statement added. AR Rahman tied the knot with Saira Banu in 1995 through an arranged marriage. The couple has three kids together two daughters, Khatija and Rahima, and a son named Ameen Rahman. First Published: November 24, 2024, 14:59 IST Javed Akhtar Says 'Shaadi Bekaar Kaam Hai', Admits He's Hardly Married To Shabana Azmi: 'Just Forget About It' Curated By : Last Updated: November 23, 2024, 21:21 IST Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar opened up on his marriage with actor Shabana Azmi, suggesting he doesn't hold the institution of marriage in high regard. Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi got married in 1984. Veteran writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar opened up on his marriage with actor Shabana Azmi, suggesting he doesnt hold the institution of marriage in high regard. In an interview, Javed said that mutual respect is the foundation of any relationship. He described marriage as an ancient tradition that has gathered moss and muck" over the centuries. Javed Akhtar went on to share that he and Shabana, who married in 1984 under challenging circumstances while he was still married to his first wife, Honey Irani, are more like friends than a traditional married couple. Speaking on Barkha Dutts Mojo Story, he said, Actually, we are hardly married. We are friends. My only qualification for a good marriage is this: are you friends or are you not? Shaadi-waadi toh bekaar kaam hai (The concept of marriage is nonsense). Its a centuries old tradition, its a stone that has been rolled down mountains for centuries. And as it was coming down the hill, it has collected a lot of moss, a lot of garbage and muck." related stories Javed shared his thoughts on marriage, saying its not about the labels like husband and wife. Instead, its about being good friends who respect and understand each other. The words wife and husband have taken on so many different meanings. Just forget about it. Two people, irrespective of their gender, how can they live happily together. It needs mutual respect, it needs mutual consideration, it needs giving space to each other," he said. Javed Akhtar shared that in a relationship, both partners must understand that each has their own ambitions and dreams, and both have an equal right to pursue them. He continued, We have to understand that the other person is a human being, with their own ambitions and dreams. They have just as much of a right over their ambitions as I have over mine. Thats all. It isnt rocket science. Its actually quite simple. You can only live happily together if both of you are happy," he said, and added, One thing is for certain, love without respect is a fraud. Let me tell you, an independent woman, with her own ambitions, her own business, her own opinion, is not a very convenient person. Obviously, a person who is living with you and is not your slave is bound to be inconvenient. But you have to understand that they arent a slave!" First Published: November 23, 2024, 21:21 IST Ranbir Kapoor Reflects On Reuniting With Sanjay Leela Bhansali After 17 Years: He Hasn't Changed At All' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 19:10 IST Ranbir Kapoor reunites with Sanjay Leela Bhansali after 17 years for the highly anticipated Love and War. Describing Bhansali as his godfather, Ranbir shared his excitement about the project at IFFI 2023. Ranbir Kapoor is set to reunite with Sanjay Leela Bhansali for Love and War. He calls Bhansali his godfather and reflects on their bond. Ranbir Kapoor is gearing up to reunite with acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali after 17 years for Love and War, and his excitement is evident. I am extremely excited. He is my godfather. Everything I know about films, everything I know about acting, it is something I learnt from him," Ranbir shared during the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on Sunday. The collaboration has been a nostalgic journey for Ranbir, who reflected on his bond with Bhansali, under whom he made his acting debut with the 2007 film Saawariya. Despite the years gone by, Ranbir remarked that the directors passion and work ethic remain unchanged. He hasnt changed at all. He is extremely hard-working. All he thinks about is his movies. He just wants to speak about the character, he wants you to create, do something different," he said. related stories Ranbir has previously spoken about the challenges of working with Bhansali, recalling instances of being yelled at on set. However, he has consistently praised Bhansalis dedication to his craft, crediting him with instilling valuable lessons about acting and filmmaking. The reunion with Bhansali is particularly meaningful as it coincides with the 100th birth anniversary of Ranbirs grandfather, the legendary Raj Kapoor. To honor this milestone, Ranbir, alongside NFDC, NFAI, his uncle Kunal Kapoor, and the Film Heritage Foundation, has been working on a significant project to restore Raj Kapoors films. We have done 10 films so far and we have much more to do," Ranbir revealed, announcing a film festival from December 13 to 15 that will showcase Raj Kapoors iconic works across India. I am really hopeful you guys will check out his work because there are so many people who havent seen his work," he said, stressing the need to introduce new generations to Raj Kapoors cinematic brilliance. Ranbir also underscored the importance of celebrating Indias cinematic roots and honoring the contributions of pioneers like Raj Kapoor. I remember the first time I met Alia (Bhatt), she asked me, Who is Kishore Kumar? Its just the circle of life. People are forgotten and then newer artistes come. So, I think its very important that we remember our roots. Not just Mr. Raj Kapoor, there are so many filmmakers and artistes that we should constantly celebrate," Ranbir concluded. Rumours suggest that Ranbir Kapoor and Vicky Kaushal will play Indian Armed Forces officers in Sanjay Leela Bhansalis Love And War. This has further heightened the anticipation surrounding the high-profile release. According to a report in Pinkvilla, shooting for Love And War began with Ranbir Kapoor in November. A source informed the portal, SLB is all ready to take the film on floors with Ranbir Kapoor. The actor will shoot for his solo sequences for a couple of weeks, and then be joined by Vicky Kaushal. Alia Bhatt, on the other hand, will begin Love And War after wrapping up Alpha in the first week of December." The film will be shot across various locations in India over the span of a year, with a planned schedule from November 2024 to October 2025. Love And War will release in theatres on 20th March, 2026. First Published: November 24, 2024, 19:10 IST Sharvari Joins PM Modis Viksit Bharat Initiative, Urges Youths To Participate In Nation Building Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 14:36 IST Sharvari has come out in support of this initiative and urged the youth of the country to participate in nation building Sharvari lauds PM Modis Viksit Bharat Initiative Sharvari has recently joined Prime Minister Narendra Modis Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue Initiative. Sharvari has lauded the efforts and urged youths to come forward and participate in nation-building. The Viksit Bharat @2047 initiative envisions India as a developed nation by the centenary of its independence in 2047. Sharvari has come out in support of this initiative. She has urged the youth of the country to participate in nation building. Sharvari says, It is hugely empowering to know that the youth can present ideas on nation building to the honourable Prime Minister of our country, Shri Narendra Modi ji and some of the biggest global icons. Im delighted to join the Viksit Bharat Youth Leaders Dialogue and invite everyone to share their ideas to make India the best country in the world!" related stories She adds, We are a young country, we have huge ambitions and aspirations but to achieve our goals, we need to take part in strengthening our motherland. We need to take active part in engaging with our leaders and sharing our ideas. Everyone must contribute and every voice is important." Aligned with the Prime Minister Narendra Modis call for greater youth involvement in shaping the nations future, the Ministry of Youth Affairs has reimagined the National Youth Festival into Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. This transformative initiative aims to harness the collective potential of Indias youth, empowering them to contribute holistically to the countrys development. This transformative roadmap emphasizes inclusive development, sustainable progress, and effective governance. At its heart lies the active participation of Indias youth, regarded as the key drivers of this change. On the work front, Sharvari will be next seen in YRF Spy Universes Alpha in which she stars with Bollywood superstar Alia Bhatt. The team is currently shooting the film in Kashmir. Bobby Deol will join Alia and Sharvari as the main antagonists in the film. Anil Kapoor also has a pivotal part to play in the film. Moreover, Hrithik Roshan is also expected to make a cameo. Directed by Shiv Rawail, Alpha is an exciting new entry in Yash Raj Films Spy Universe, including popular hits like Salman Khans Tiger, Shah Rukh Khans Pathaan and Hrithik Roshans War. First Published: November 24, 2024, 14:36 IST Opinion | 100 Years Of Marcello Mastroianni: A Timeless Icon Of Italian Cinema Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 15:06 IST Mastroiannis centenary is a celebration not just of one mans life and work but of a legacy that continues to inspire. His career encapsulates the evolution of Italian cinema, bridging eras and artistic movements Marcello Mastroianni in a still from La Notte. The year 2024 marks the centenary of Marcello Mastroianni, one of Italys most beloved and enduring cinematic icons, whose legacy continues to inspire and shape the cultural landscape worldwide. The Italian Embassy Cultural Centre in New Delhi inaugurated the celebrations with a screening of Michelangelo Antonionis La Notte in a newly restored 4K version, as part of a broader homage that will span the entire year. This centenary milestone not only honours Mastroiannis illustrious career but also underscores the deep connections between Italian and Indian cinema, both of which have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of film as an art form. Mastroiannis centenary follows similar tributes to Italian cinema greats, with celebrations of Federico Fellini in 2020 and Pier Paolo Pasolini in 2022, and demonstrates the enduring legacy of Italian cinema in India and across the globe. related stories From the early days of Italian Neorealism to the experimental turns of Antonioni, Italian cinema has long been a reference point for global filmmakers. Indias own cinematic history shares deep bonds with these pioneering works, as seen in the admiration for directors like Vittorio De Sica and Cesare Zavattini by Indian auteurs including Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, and Bimal Roy. Mastroianni himself epitomised the Italian cinematic spirit, capturing the complexity of modern life through roles that were, at once, deeply personal and universally resonant. The screening of La Notte at the India Habitat Centre was a fitting tribute to Mastroiannis enduring legacy. Directed by Antonioni, a visionary who helped Italian cinema break away from Neorealisms structured narrative style, La Notte (1961) delves into the existential struggles of modern society, portraying the dissolution of a marriage against a backdrop of urban alienation. Antonionis choice of narrative style, marked by long takes and moments of silence, reflects a shift from the humanist focus of Neorealism to a more introspective, fragmented exploration of the psyche. In La Notte, Mastroianni delivers a performance that is as nuanced as it is profound, embodying the emotional depth and quiet despair that the film demands. The film, screened as part of the Week of Italian Language, was introduced by Andrea Anastasio, Director of the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre, who noted its significance in capturing timeless themes of existence, change, and identity." The evening was made all the more poignant by a live performance from Italian actress Iaia Forte, who delivered a stirring recitation of the iconic letter read by Jeanne Moreaus character in the film, a scene that has captivated audiences for its poetic depth. As Italian filmmakers like Antonioni moved away from the realist themes that dominated Italian cinema in the 1940s and 50s, they sought to explore the complexities of human consciousness and the inevitable solitude of modernity. Mastroianni became the face of this new cinematic language, embodying characters who wrestled with personal and philosophical dilemmas. He worked with an array of directors, including Luchino Visconti, Ettore Scola, and most notably, Federico Fellini, who cast him in La Dolce Vita (1960) and 8 (1963)films that are universally celebrated for their portrayal of the fragmented, often conflicted human experience. Mastroiannis unique ability to convey introspection without losing the empathy of his audience was central to his appeal. He took on roles that ranged from comedic to tragic, demonstrating his versatility and mastery in character work. His performances were layered with subtlety, inviting audiences to look beyond the surface and delve into the existential questions that permeated Italian cinema of the time. In this way, Mastroiannis work bridged the stylistic gap between Neorealism and the evolving art cinema movement, which sought to reflect not only the lives of everyday people but also the more abstract, elusive dimensions of human identity. Italian cinemas impact on Indian filmmakers cannot be overstated. Figures like Satyajit Ray were inspired by Neorealisms dedication to portraying the unvarnished truths of life, a philosophy Ray famously captured in his The Apu Trilogy. Rays Aparajito (1956) received the prestigious Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, a historic moment that brought Indian cinema into the international spotlight. Likewise, the works of Raj Kapoor and Bimal Roy echoed Neorealist elements, integrating social consciousness with storytelling, a hallmark of Italian films. The admiration flows both ways: Italian filmmakers have long been intrigued by India, with landmark works like Roberto Rossellinis LIndia vista da Rossellini (1959) and Pier Paolo Pasolinis Appunti per un film sullIndia (1968), capturing the nations vast cultural landscape. Today, Italy has become an appealing destination for Indian productions, with the recent Radhe Shyam starring Prabhas being filmed on Italian soil. These exchanges reflect a vibrant, ongoing dialogue, rooted in mutual appreciation and respect. The centenary celebrations for Mastroianni will continue with a series of screenings and retrospectives. Beginning in January, the Italian Embassy Cultural Centre will offer film enthusiasts a chance to view Mastroiannis classics in their original, unaltered form, with a two-part retrospective that will culminate in March at the Habitat International Film Festival, featuring restored masterpieces from the Cineteca di Bologna. These screenings will showcase the breadth of Mastroiannis work, providing a window into his transformative career that spanned genres and redefined Italian cinemas global appeal. As Anastasio remarked, Mastroiannis ability to transcend genres and portray the essence of Italian identity in both comedic and dramatic roles is unparalleled." His commitment to Italian cinema, often declining Hollywood offers to champion Italian film, was a testament to his dedication and deep cultural roots. For his contributions, he received numerous honours, including the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, underscoring his role as both a cinematic and cultural ambassador. Despite his renown, Mastroianni never lost sight of humanity at the core of his characters. His portrayals resonated not only with Italian audiences but also with viewers worldwide, a testament to his ability to embody universal themes of love, despair, and self-discovery. His choice to work primarily within the Italian cinema landscape allowed him to tell stories that were deeply authentic, yet universally appealing, making his body of work an essential component of cinematic history. His versatilityfrom comedy to drama, from the ordinary to the extraordinarysolidified his place as a cinematic legend. He was the first actor to receive an Oscar nomination for a non-English role, a groundbreaking achievement that underscored his talent and the international reach of his work. Over his career, he earned three Academy Award nominations (he was also the first actor to get nominated for essaying a non-English part), multiple BAFTAs, Golden Globes, and was celebrated at Cannes and Venice for his exceptional performances. Mastroiannis centenary is a celebration not just of one mans life and work but of a legacy that continues to inspire. His career encapsulates the evolution of Italian cinema, bridging eras and artistic movements, and his films remain a vital part of the cultural dialogue that connects Italy and India. From the existential depths of La Notte to the surreal beauty of 8, Mastroiannis body of work stands as a testament to the power of cinema to transcend language, culture, and time. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As we mark a hundred years of his birth, Marcello Mastroiannis legacy reminds us of the profound impact of Italian cinema on the global stage, its influence on Indian filmmakers, and the shared cinematic heritage that continues to evolve. His life and work remain a beacon, highlighting how films can both reflect and transform society. His enduring legacy will undoubtedly inspire generations of filmmakers and audiences for years to come. The writer is an Indian critic, journalist and cultural writer who takes keen interest in diplomacy and foreign affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 24, 2024, 15:06 IST Opinion | Maharashtra Votes For Stability, Shattering Congress Revival Fantasy Written By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 14:42 IST The fact that the Congress tally in the assembly is not much higher than the 13 Lok Sabha seats it won six months ago says it all. If there was ever a time for the party to do a reality check, it is now For the Opposition as a whole, the key takeaway is that the Congress simply cannot contain the BJP. (AFP) The BJP has emerged as the dominant party in Indias two largest states, securing a massive mandate in Maharashtra and a majority of assembly seats in the Uttar Pradesh by-elections. What does this Maha wave mean for the much-hyped Congress revival following the 2024 Lok Sabha election? The fact that the Congress tally in the assembly is not much higher than the 13 Lok Sabha seats it won six months ago says it all. If there was ever a time for the Congress to do a reality check, it is now, for the politics of Indias richest state has shifted. related stories The Maharashtra result is more than just a turnaround from the Lok Sabha elections, as the BJPwinning more seats on its own than the entire MVAhas irrevocably established itself as the key player in the state. Voters have rejected the multi-party hodgepodge that had plagued the state since 2019, in favour of the BJP and stability. Nothing underscores this more than the thumbs down to Congress allies Uddhav Thackeray and Sharad Pawar. Core Sena voters, who were ideologically uncomfortable with the MVA, have endorsed the traditional alliance between the BJP and the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena. Thackeray is now a nowhere man, while Sharad Pawar appears to be a spent force compared to his rebellious nephew, Ajit Pawar. To what can this mandate be attributed? Certainly, to the BJPs region-specific strategies, consolidation of the majority vote, sharp messaging, and efficient electoral machinery. But the overriding and winning narrative was the Modi classic: development-plus-social welfare. Maharashtra has endured political chaos over the last five years and, above all, now needs stability and development. Added to this is the dazzling promise of a one-trillion-dollar economy and a womens welfare scheme like Ladki Behen. In contrast, the Congress negative campaign, centred on subversion of constitutional guarantees and crony capitalism, fell flat. Making the unsubstantiated assumption that these very issues had driven its Lok Sabha success, the party repeated the same formula in the Vidhan Sabha elections, with disastrous results. For the Opposition as a whole, the key takeaway is that the Congress simply cannot contain the BJP. Consider the series of record-breaking victories in assembly elections: Gujarat in 2022, Madhya Pradesh in 2023 and Maharashtra in 2024. In each case, the BJP was either in a direct fight with the Congress or facing a Congress-dominated alliance, and it won a better than two-thirds majority in the face of anti-incumbency. The end result is that regional forces remain the only counter to the growing footprint of the BJP. In Jharkhand, for example, the JMM scripted a thumping victory by consolidating its tribal votebank and securing the womens vote. The arrest of Hemant Soren by the Enforcement Directorate won him tremendous sympathy, as he was seen as an effective chief minister who had striven to deliver entitlements to the tribal population. For the BJP, Jharkhand served as an object lesson in the risks of using the ED against a popular political leader with a committed constituency. For the Congress, it was a comfortable ride on the JMMs coattails. The point is that, far from a revival post the Lok Sabha, the Congress entered a world of magical realism. The very fact that the BJP had lost its single-party majority created a sense of hubris, which was rapidly punctured in Haryana and then in Jammu & Kashmir, where it had a strike rate of 15 per cent. Maharashtra was the maha contest; a favourable battleground where the BJPs momentum would not just be halted, but reversed. After the first round of voting, a sense of unease set in and Congressmen began muttering about a hung assembly. But not in their worst nightmares could they have imagined the final result. The Congress problem is the same as it was in 2019 and 2024 it has no counter-narrative to offer. It cannot talk of development, because it has nothing resembling a Gujarat model or Delhi model. In fact, the track record of Congress-ruled states has been abysmal. So, it falls back on freebies, promises of government jobs and attacks on Modi. In election after election, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi seeks to paint Prime Minister Narendra Modi as authoritarian and corrupt. And each time, the campaign has backfired miserably. Why persist with a flawed strategy? Perhaps Gandhi feels that the historical burden of the Emergency and Bofors can only be set aside by turning the tables on the BJP. But voters refuse to give him that satisfaction because in their book, Modi is neither a tyrant nor corrupt. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In addition, the Congress has consistently failed to acknowledge two important factors vis-a-vis the BJP. First, that the BJP does not shrug off losses by impugning EVMs or looking for scapegoats. Its spirit animal could well be the phoenix, given its remarkable ability to rise from the ashes. Second, that Modi-bashing doesnt work. Voters dont want to be saved from some imagined threat, they want to be served. Thats what guided voting behaviour in Maharashtra. Bhavdeep Kang is a freelance writer and author of Gurus: Stories of Indias Leading Babas and Just Transferred: The Untold Story of Ashok Khemka. A journalist since 1986, she has written extensively on national politics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. First Published: November 24, 2024, 14:38 IST The Ukrainian Defense Forces hit a radar station of the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system of Russian troops on the territory of the aggressor country. The strike took place on the night of November 24 in the Kursk region of the Russian Federation. ADVERTISIMENT This was officially announced by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Earlier, a video from near Kursk, where the "cotton" was seen at night, was posted online. According to the military, units of the missile forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, in cooperation with other components of the Defense Forces, launched a group strike on the positions of the enemy's anti-aircraft missile division in the Kursk region. It is subordinated to the 1490th Anti-Aircraft Missile Regiment of the 6th Army of the Russian Federation. A successful hit on a S-400 radar station was recorded there. It is emphasized that this unit of the Russian Armed Forces conducted combat operations in the "ground-to-ground" mode, that is, hit ground-based fixed targets. ADVERTISIMENT "Such attacks by Russian invaders mostly target civilian objects and civilians in the frontline regions of Ukraine," the General Staff explained. They added that the occupiers' military activities continue, so there will be more "cotton" to come. As a reminder, residents of the Kursk region of the Russian Federation began complaining about explosions on the evening of November 23, claiming an alleged attack by ATACMS missiles and UAVs. Russian authorities claimed that their air defense system "shot down 34" drones over a number of regions. The S-400 Triumph is a Russian long- and medium-range air defense missile system adopted by the Russian Armed Forces in 2007. The radar station is part of the SAM and operates in the X-band (8-12 GHz), with a maximum range of air targets detection of up to 300 km. The antenna array is made using AFAR technology, which provides high resolution and the ability for the enemy to quickly scan the airspace. The station is integrated into the overall control and monitoring system, so it can work together with other radar stations in the complex. Since the beginning of the full-scale war, the Defense Forces have already hit more than one radar for Russian S-300/400 air defense systems. As reported by OBOZ.UA, The Wall Street Journal published a map of Russian military facilities that could be potential targets for Ukrainian strikes with ATACMS missiles. Among them are airports, ammunition depots, and Russian army headquarters. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Congress Will Ensure Mahayuti Fulfils Its Poll Promises, Says Nana Patole Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 16:30 IST Patole said the Mahayuti, which banked on Ladki Bahin scheme for its victory in the state election, should immediately fulfil its promise of raising the monthly allowance for women Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole | File Image Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole on Sunday said that the Congress will ensure the newly-elected Mahayuti government fulfils promises it made to the people of the state in its election manifesto and speeches. Addressing a press conference here, the Congress leader said the Mahayuti, which banked on the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme for its victory in the state election, should immediately fulfil its promise of raising the monthly allowance for women from Rs 1,500 to 2,100. related stories The Mahayuti recorded a landslide victory, winning 230 out of 288 seats in the state assembly elections. The BJP bagged 132 seats, the Shiv Sena 57, and NCP 41 seats. The MVA, on the other hand, suffered a drubbing, managing just 46 seats together. The Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) won 10 seats, Congress got 16, and Shiv Sena (UBT) 20 seats. Patole himself won by 208 votes, one of the lowest margins, from the Sakoli assembly constituency in Bhandara district. The Congress leader said the assembly election results were unexpected for the opposition Maha Vikas Agahdi (MVA) and the people of Maharashtra. He said, People are discussing how the Mahayuti could manage such a big win. They are confused. We do not want to comment or talk about EVMs, and it is the need of the hour to find out how it all happened, and accordingly, the Congress take necessary steps." He said the All India Congress Committee (AICC) will conduct an inquiry into the outcome of the election and study what went wrong. Patole said the Mahayuti credited the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin scheme for its win, and it should immediately start disbursing Rs 2,100 as promised to the eligible women beneficiaries. He asked the Mahayuti government to immediately fulfil its promises of supplying 24-hour electricity to farmers, Rs 6,000 MSP for soyabean, Rs 9,000 for cotton and a Rs 1,000 bonus to paddy cultivators. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We will ensure that the Mahayuti government fulfils the promises it made to farmers during the elections," Patole said. The Congress leader said the party would also ensure the government gives the jobs promised to the youth and makes Maharashtra corruption-free. Location : Maharashtra, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 16:30 IST Will Eknath Shinde Agree To Be Maharashtras Deputy CM With Key Portfolios? Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Manjiri Joshi Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 17:21 IST Maharashtra assembly election results: The Mahayuti is expected to stick to the formula of one CM and two deputy CMs The numbers suggest that the BJP will be invited by the Governor to stake claim, with Devendra Fadnavis likely to return as the CM. (PTI File) With a landslide win for the Mahayuti, what role will Maharashtra chief minister (CM) Eknath Shinde play in the new government? The Mahayuti the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shinde Sena and Nationalist Congress Party (Ajit Pawar) is poised to form the government in Maharashtra before November 26. related stories The numbers suggest that the BJP, which has 132 seats, compared to Shinde Senas 57 and NCP Ajit Pawars 41, will be invited by the Governor to stake claim, with Devendra Fadnavis likely to return as chief minister. Late on Saturday, following Fadnaviss return to Mumbai from Nagpur, a meeting was held with Shinde, Fadnavis, and Pawar to discuss government formation. According to sources, the allocation of cabinet berths was also part of the discussion. The Mahayuti is expected to stick to the formula of one CM and two deputy CMs. #BreakingNews: CM Eknath Shinde to hold a crucial meeting with his MLAs; Ajit Pawar to also meet and hold talks with his newly elected NCP MLAs @mayuganapatye & @kotakyesha share more with @_pallavighosh | #MaharashtraElections2024 #Maharashtra #Mahayuti pic.twitter.com/uFW7WXW9SL News18 (@CNNnews18) November 24, 2024 WILL SHINDE DO A FADNAVIS? Sources indicate that Shinde may accept the post of deputy CM, along with key portfolios such as urban development, MSRDC, industries, agriculture, water resources, and water conservation. If this scenario unfolds, it will mark Shindes second term in Fadnaviss cabinet. Fadnavis had previously accepted the deputy CM position in Shindes government, displaying political magnanimity. It will now be interesting to see if Shinde reciprocates in kind. SAINIKS EXPECTATIONS But Shiv Sainiks are of the opinion that Shinde should again become the CM of Maharashtra. Because of his clean image and the way he has helped the BJP with strategies in Haryana, Madhya Pradesh elections, the Shiv Sena expects BJP to repose faith in Shinde and give him one full term of five years. Shinde, however, is expected to negotiate assertively. His image as a popular CM and the infrastructure man" of Maharashtra is believed to have played a significant role in the Mahayutis strong performance. How much the BJP is willing to concede, given their robust numbers, remains to be seen. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all As part of the preparations, the Sena led by Shinde held an executive committee meeting, passing resolutions that granted him full authority to form the government and hold discussions with allied parties. The committee also empowered him to appoint legislative leaders, whips, and other key office-bearers. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar is expected to receive similar powers in the NCPs legislative meeting. The BJP is also scheduled to hold its own meeting, where Fadnavis is likely to be elected as the leader of the legislature party. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) is expected to introspect its shortcomings, while the Mahayuti will certainly treat this election as a case study after given the landslide victory. First Published: November 24, 2024, 13:40 IST Congress Routed In Maharashtra Due To Tie-Up With Uddhav? Milind Deora Revisits 2019 Warning Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 15:04 IST Congress suffered a major setback in Maharashtra elections in which it secured merely 16 seats while Uddhav Sena won 20 seats. Maharashtra Assembly Election results (PTI Image) Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora, who lost the Maharashtra Assembly Election from Worli against Aaditya Thackeray, on Sunday claimed that while he was in Congress earlier, he had warned the party against allying with Uddhav Thackeray in 2019 for ministerial berths and short-term gains". He said that the move by the grand old party would have hurt it in the long term. related stories What Was Milind Deoras 2019 Warning To Congress? Reacting to the Congress massive defeat in the polls in which the party secured only 16 seats in the 288-seated Assembly, Deora, who switched to Shiv Sena in January this year, said that Congress sacrificed everything" for some berths in the ministry and several of those ministers went on to lose the polls yesterday. For those asking my reaction to Congresss bitter defeat:In 2019, I warned against allying with UBT, knowing it would hurt the party in the long-term. For 12 MVA ministerial berths & short-term gains, Congress sacrificed everything. The irony? Many of those ministers lost Milind Deora | (@milinddeora) November 24, 2024 For those asking my reaction to Congresss bitter defeat: In 2019, I warned against allying with UBT, knowing it would hurt the party in the long term. For 12 MVA ministerial berths & short-term gains, Congress sacrificed everything. The irony? Many of those ministers lost yesterday," he said in a post. Maharashtra Election Results Congress was wiped out in Maharashtra as the party was reduced from 44 seats in 2019 to 16 in the 2024 elections. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Uddhavs (undivided) Shiv Sena which won 56 seats (in alliance with BJP) in 2019, also suffered massive defeat as it could only win 20 seats this time in alliance with the MVA. The Mahayuti won 234 seats in the 288-seated Assembly, making a historic comeback to power. First Published: November 24, 2024, 12:09 IST Yati Narsinghanand Placed Under House Arrest Ahead Of Waqf Bill Protest Curated By : PTI Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 23:52 IST Narsinghanand was put under house arrest as police wanted to dissuade him from countering a conference organised by Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza regarding the Waqf Board Amendment Bill. The movement of Yati and his disciples was restricted on Sunday morning when they were boarding their vehicles to go to Delhi. (IMAGE: X) Police on Sunday put Dasna temple priest Yati Narsinghanand under house arrest and stopped his movement and that of his disciples to counter the conference organised by Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza regarding the Waqf Board Amendment Bill at Delhis Ramlila Maidan, an official said. When the police stopped them, Narsinghanand and his disciples started reciting Hanuman Chalisa inside the temple premises. related stories Narsinghanand in a statement said that Raza, Madni and Owaisi take the Hindus gentlemanliness as their weakness. If they can gather a crowd to terrify the Hindus, then we can also stand in front of them, he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all ACP, Wave City, Lipi Nagayach, said that the movement of Yati and his disciples was restricted on Sunday morning when they were boarding their vehicles to go to Delhi. Narsinghanand had on Friday urged the Hindu community to recite Hanuman Chalisa at a Muslim community gathering slated to take place in Delhi. Location : Ghaziabad, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 23:48 IST Archaeologists Link 12,000-Year-Old Perforated Stones To Early Fibre Spinning Technique Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 12:00 IST The artefacts, unearthed over decades at Nahal Ein-Gev II in the Jordan Valley, include 113 perforated stones. High-resolution 3D modelling played a big role in the analysis. (Photo Credits: Instagram) A set of 12,000-year-old perforated stones discovered in Israel could shed light on one of humanitys earliest technological advancements spinning fibres with a spindle and whorl. Researchers detailed their findings in a study published in PLOS ONE, suggesting these stones represent some of the earliest evidence of this innovation. The artefacts, unearthed over decades at Nahal Ein-Gev II in the Jordan Valley, include 113 perforated stones recovered since excavations began in 1972. Of these, 48 had complete perforations, 36 were broken but partially drilled, and 29 appeared to be unfinished, featuring incomplete drill marks. related stories The stones, primarily made of limestone, range in weight from 1 to 34 grams. An initial thought was they may have been related to fishing," Fox News Digital quoted Talia Yasuv, co-author of the study and a researcher from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, as saying. But further investigation led the team to conclude their shape and design were more consistent with spindle whorls tools historically used in spinning yarn. High-resolution 3D modelling played a big role in the analysis. At first glance, the stones appeared varied, with little standardisation. But 3D analysis uncovered consistent morphological traits, including a uniform width-to-length ratio, centrally located perforations, and a consistent minimum perforation width. Yasuv told Fox News Digital. For the naked eye, the collection of stones seems highly variable, with no standardisation in the sense that every stone in the assemblage is different and unique. However, the 3D analysis pointed out morphological parameters that showed there are standard measures for example, width/length ratio, a central location of the centre of mass, the fact that the perforations were located at that point too, and that the minimal width of the perforation is at a constant measure." To test whether the stones could indeed function as spindle whorls, the researchers collaborated with Yonit Kristal, an expert in traditional crafts. Using replicas of the ancient stones, Kristal initially struggled but eventually managed to spin both wool and flax successfully. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Surprisingly, the experiment demonstrated that not only do the replicas function well as spindle whorls, but that the parameters we suspected as disadvantageous were actually beneficial for this purpose," Yasuv added. The significance of this discovery lies not only in identifying one of the earliest known spindle whorls but also in its broader implications for understanding technological evolution. The researchers propose that these stones illustrate the mechanical principles underpinning the wheel and axle, innovations that would later revolutionise human societies. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 12:00 IST Florida Professor Discovers Hallucinogenic Cocktail Evidence In Ancient Egyptian Mug Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 10:00 IST The beverage is believed to have been a blend of various medicinal and psychotropic ingredients, including Syrian rue, blue water lily and cleome species. The upper portion of the mug features the head of Bes, an ancient Egyptian god. (Photo Credits: X) Egyptian mythology has always been a mysterious topic. In ancient times, the people of this African region followed bizarre rituals, many of which had divine connections. Davide Tanasi, a professor at the University of South Florida (USF), recently uncovered the truth behind a 2,000-year-old Egyptian mug that was donated to the Tampa Museum of Art in 1984. After analysing its inner surface, Tanasi and his team discovered that the mug once contained a psychedelic concoction, possibly used in a magical ritual, as reported by Fox News. Tanasi and his team began their research on the mug in 2021. The upper portion of the cylindrical object features the head of Bes an ancient god worshipped by many newlywed couples for fertility and childbirth, according to the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. related stories Tanasi and his colleagues took a sample of tiny particles from inside the mug. Initially, they assumed the vessel was used to consume a basic alcoholic beverage. However, advanced DNA and chemical analysis revealed that the drink was, in fact, a cocktail" containing rare substances. Fox News reported that the beverage was a mix of multiple medicinal and psychotropic components, such as Syrian rue, blue water lily and cleome species. Honey, royal jelly, sesame seeds, pine nuts, oil from Mediterranean pine and liquorice were also included as flavouring agents. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The most shocking findings were human fluids, such as blood, breast milk and mucus. Given the presence of these bodily fluids, Tanasi and his team speculated that the mixture was part of an ancient ritual. It was then a magical potion, meant to inebriate, satiate and induce hallucinations," the professor told Fox News, adding, At this point, we believe the psychotropic substances found in it were used for incubation rituals connected with the cult of Bes. Incubation rituals are religious practices where people sleep in a sacred space to receive a dream from a deity, which may provide healing or an oracle." The mysterious mug can now be seen at the iconic Tampa Museum of Art, exhibited in the special section Prelude: An Introduction to the Permanent Collection. Going forward, Tanasi plans to conduct the same analysis on another Bes mug held at the Allan Pierson Museum in Amsterdam. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 10:00 IST Gus The Emperor Penguin, Who Swam All The Way To Australia, Released In Sea After 20 Days Of Care Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 15:00 IST At the time of rescue, it weighed around 21 kg, which was considered unhealthy for an adult male emperor penguin, as they usually weigh over 45 kg. Emperor Penguin makes history with an epic journey. (Photo Credits: Facebook) An emperor penguin named Gus, who travelled from Antarctica to Australia, has been transported back to its icy origins. This marks the first recorded incident of an emperor penguin arriving on the Australian coast. The disoriented penguin, which travelled over 3,220 kms, was discovered on a beach in Denmark, Western Australia, on November 1. After several days of care, the penguin was released back into the Southern Ocean off the coast of Australia on November 20. Local surfers reported seeing a penguin walking along the sandy dunes, looking malnourished and confused. Weighing round 21 kg at the time of rescue, it was deemed an unhealthy weight for an adult male emperor penguin, which can easily weigh over 45 kg. Gus was taken into foster care by a licenced wildlife rehabilitator, Carole Biddulph, and her husband, a vet. related stories When recovering over a 20-day period, Gus went through the rehabilitation process. Biddulph implemented a progressive feeding regimen, starting with fluids and slurry, followed by whole fish, Fox Weather reported. This was crucial as Gus needed to build up his energy without overwhelming his system. According to CBS News, to help with loneliness, a mirror was introduced to mimic companionship. This method has been shown to be effective in the rehabilitation of social animals, such as penguins. During Biddulphs care, Gus reportedly gained around 3.6 kg and eventually weighed around 25 kg at the time of his release. On November 22, the government released a video of Biddulph, taken prior to the birds release, in which she said, I really didnt know whether he was going to make it to begin with because he was so undernourished. Ill miss Gus. Its been an incredible few weeks, something I wouldnt have missed." Gus was released on November 22, 2024, into the Southern Ocean from a Parks and Wildlife Service vessel after several hours of travel from Albany, Western Australia. The timing of his release was important, as the Southern Hemisphere summer was approaching, making it essential to return him to cooler waters for thermoregulation. According to an NBC News report, Biddulph joyfully encouraged him as he swam away from the boat: Good luck, Gus! Just keep going south, Gus. Dont stop for anyone." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Gus journey remains unclear, as it is uncertain how the penguin ended up in Australia. Experts speculate that water currents may have carried him off course, or he could have wandered far during a foraging expedition, as emperor penguins are known to travel great distances in search of food. According to the World Wildlife Fund, around 75% of the breeding colonies of emperor penguins are threatened by changes in the annual sea ice cover in Antarctica, which is becoming increasingly unpredictable due to climate change. It is important to note that penguins breed and live on sea ice, but the ice is thinning as our planet warms. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 15:00 IST Horse At The Heart Of London Turmoil Returns To Cavalry After Dramatic Recovery Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 09:00 IST Staff at the charity said that he was a friendly horse who would often roll in the muck and loved to be fussed over by carers. Vida resumes role in ceremonial London duties. (Photo Credits: Facebook) Vida, the Household Cavalry horse, is back in action after a long break due to injuries obtained in a turmoil in central London earlier this year. His return was announced by The Horse Trust, the organisation that offered care throughout the process of the horses recovery. Vida officially reformed to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment on November 15. Vidas return can be beneficial for him and the Household Cavalry as they conduct their activities in London during ceremonial duties. Vida was one of five horses who bolted after getting startled due to construction noise on April 24. At that time, the horses were engaged in a training exercise in Belgravia. This resulted in a dramatic scene where horses ran through the streets of London, hurting themselves and several soldiers. Vida was notably seen running aground the city, covered in blood from collisions with vehicles. related stories Following the incident, Vida underwent rehabilitation that took five months at The Horse Trust in Buckinghamshire. He was provided with extensive care for his physical as well as psychological rehabilitation. Staff at the charity said that he was a friendly horse who would often roll in the muck and loved to be fussed over by carers. Jeanette Allen, the CEO of The Horse Trust, expressed pride in hosting Vida. Vida has come to hold a particular place in our hearts, hes been a joy to care for, partly as we dont have to groom that muddy monster for parade!" Allen stated in a press release. Well so miss having him around, but we all wish him every success in the rest of his service career," Allen added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Veterinary Director at The Horse Trust, Nicola Housby Skeggs, mentioned that during his stay, Vida won over the hearts of caretakers. While he will be missed here, as a relative youngster, he is certainly now ready for some exercise!" Housby stated. The case of Vida and other horses during the military parades was a concern for animal welfare. Animal rights organisation PETA has said all the horses taken in the carriage service should be retired from service indefinitely on account of the stress that public events put the animals through. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 09:00 IST The Mysterious Story Of John Stonehouse- A Former UK MP Who Died Twice Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 18:00 IST In 1969, Stonehouse was accused of being a spy of communist Czechoslovakia. He also had an extra-marital affair with his secretary Sheila Buckley. Before jetting off to Miami, John Stonehouse stole the identity of two dead men. (Photo Credits: X) John Stonehouse, a former UK Member of Parliament, deserves a place in history, not only for his troubled political career but also for his complicated personal life. The man even died twice and of course, the first instance was deception. The incident took place on November 20, 1974, when Stonehouses clothes were rescued from a pile on Miami Beach. Everyone thought the British politician had drowned while swimming in the sea. It was, however, proven wrong when he was caught in Australia on Christmas Eve just a month later. Stonehouse had been going through a lot when he jetted off to Miami on a business trip. Even his family was not aware of his plan to disappear. In the late 1960s, Stonehouse was recognised as a promising leader who became Postmaster General at the age of 43. His life changed drastically by the year 1974. His political career came under scrutiny while his financial situation became worse due to failed business deals. related stories In 1969, Stonehouse was accused of being a spy of communist Czechoslovakia. He also had an extra-marital affair with his secretary Sheila Buckley. His Labour Party lost the 1970 general election. Before jetting off to the US, Stonehouse stole the identity of two dead men. He first applied for a passport in the name of Joseph Arthur Markham who had recently died in Walsall. Stonehouse later established another identity Donald Clive Mildoon who had also died in the same region. The British politician also transferred a large amount of money to some new bank accounts to cover the expenses of his new life. When Stonehouses clothes were found in Miami, his wife Barbara believed it to be a tragic accident. Im convinced in my mind that it was a drowning accident. All the evidence that weve had points to the fact that he was drowned," she told BBC News. Stonehouse finally confessed his true identity at Melbourne police headquarters on Christmas Eve. He even called his wife from there and said, You would realise from all this that I have been deceiving you. Im sorry about that, but in a sense, Im glad its all over." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A month after his reappearance, Stonehouse sat with the BBC for an interview where he revealed, I was trying by disappearing to make their lives easier, by taking away some of the tensions that I gave to them from my old personality." Stonehouse parted ways with his wife in 1978 and three years later, married his former secretary Buckley. He breathed his last in 1988 just before he was about to disclose his story on a television show on missing people. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 18:00 IST What's 'Billion Oyster Project' That Aims To Bring Back Glory To New York Harbour Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 16:00 IST More than 100 educational institutions, 75 restaurants and many other organisations are now part of the Billion Oyster Project. The project was started by Murray Fisher in 2003 on Governors Island. (Photo Credits: X) Over 150 million larvae of oyster have been planted in the New York harbour over the last decade as part of The Billion Oyster Project, aimed at boosting the number of this marine species. The project was started by Murray Fisher in 2003 on Governors Island. He established the Harbour Public High School, which incorporates water into every subject. Fisher then invited an oyster specialist, Pete Malinowski, to take up a teaching job at his school. They began the experiment with a handful of kids in a basement room of Fort Jay. According to a report by the BBC, Fisher and Malinowski filled a 30-gallon container with harbour water and planted nearly 30,000 larvae there. Their goal was to determine whether oysters could grow and survive in the polluted water. related stories I was never a super successful student. But as any good farmer, I had all this complex biological understanding of marine life. So, the idea of using farming as a teaching tool was really exciting to me," Malinowski said about his experience of working with Fisher. With the help of his students, Malinowski later constructed a tiny aquaculture system on one of the piers that grew a few million oysters. What once started as a school project has now become one of the most ambitious initiatives in New York City. More than 100 educational institutions, 75 restaurants and many other organisations are now part of the Billion Oyster Project. The initiative recently received some global attention. During the Climate Week in September, London Mayor Sadiq Kahn visited two oyster gabions in Brooklyn on a small speedboat up the Hudson River. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Besides clicking pictures with the iconic Statue of Liberty, Sadiq also enjoyed the boat ride. He even caught little crabs with his bare hands and tossed them back into the water. During his New York trip, Sadiq also evaluated the possibility of returning the oysters to the Thames, the BBC report claimed. At least 6,000 years have passed since the eastern oyster first appeared in the Hudson River estuary. According to some biologists, half of the worlds oyster population once lived in the New York Harbor. Overfishing and pollution were the main causes of the oyster collapse, which began in the 1700s. An outbreak of cholera in 1849 and the 2012 Hurricane Sandy also had a huge impact. Location : Delhi, India First Published: November 24, 2024, 16:00 IST Turkey's closure of the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits at the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, as required by the Montreux Convention, significantly limited the aggressor's capabilities at sea. In particular, this prevented Russia from occupying Odesa, Mykolaiv and other territories. ADVERTISIMENT This was stated by Ambassador of Ukraine to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar. Russia planned to seize these cities from the sea. "One of the key stages of Ukraine's defense was the closure of the Bosporus and Dardanelles straits by Turkey. One Moscow cruiser was out, and two more were waiting in the Mediterranean. And the fact that Turkey closed the straits, I believe, prevented Russia from using its advantage at sea to capture Odesa, Mykolaiv and other territories that Moscow planned to occupy from the sea," Bodnar said. The diplomat also noted that Turkey has become an important transport hub for Ukraine, where a transport visa-free regime for Ukrainian carriers is now in place. ADVERTISIMENT "Earlier, when cargo ships intended for Ukraine stopped in Turkish ports, the regulations did not allow Ukrainian carriers to enter to transport these goods. Now there is a transport visa-free regime. Without any licenses and permits, our companies transport cargoes that Ukraine desperately needs through Turkish ports," Bodnar said. Earlier, it was reported that the Russian Navy no longer has a significant impact on the course of hostilities in Ukraine. In the the Azov and Black Seas region, it is practically paralyzed, and even if it is possible to redeploy ships through inland waterways, Russia cannot do so due to the inability to effectively use the available resources. As reported, Russia has admitted that it is afraid of Ukraine's strikes on Crimea. The emergence of new weapons systems, including naval drones, in service with the Ukrainian defense forces, as well as their successful use, forced Russia to hide what it has left from the Black Sea Fleet. Due to the effective attacks, the Black Sea Fleet was forced to "change its residence": almost all large ships were withdrawn from Crimea. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Bangladesh Seeks To Review Major Energy Projects Including One With Indias Adani Group Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 16:08 IST India said its cooperation with Bangladesh in the power and energy sector was one of the crucial pillars of bilateral ties. Bangladeshs interim government formed a committee that recommended examining power agreements signed by Sheikh Hasina. (AP file photo) A review committee formed by Bangladeshs interim government on Sunday recommended engaging an investigation agency to examine power agreements signed by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasinas regime with different business groups, including one with Indias Adani Group. The National Review Committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has recommended the appointment of a reputed legal and investigation agency to review the major power production agreements signed during the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2024," an official statement said. related stories The statement, issued by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunuss office, said the committee was currently reviewing seven major energy and power projects, including the Adani (Godda) BIFPCL 1234.4 MW coal-fired plant, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power Limited. The six other agreements include one with a Chinese company that built a 1320 MW coal-fired power plant, while the rest are with Bangladeshi business groups said to be close to the past regime. According to the statement, the committee gathered enormous proof" warranting the agreements be scrapped or reconsidered" in line with international arbitration laws and procedures. It said the committee needed additional time to further analyse other solicited and unsolicited contracts. In doing so, we recommend immediate appointment of one or more top-level international legal and investigation agency or agencies to assist the committee," the statement said quoting a letter of the committee, headed by retired High Court judge Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury. Indias External Affairs Ministry had earlier said that cooperation in the power and energy sector has become one of the crucial pillars of India-Bangladesh relations. The Adani Group, however, recently sent a letter to the Bangladesh government over its unpaid $800 million power supply bill while Bangladeshs state-run Power Development Board said they had already paid $150 million despite its dollar crisis and was expecting to pay the full amount. Adanis Godda thermal plant was set up exclusively to supply power to Bangladesh but India recently changed a law allowing the Indian company to sell the Godda power in the domestic market sparking speculation if Bangladesh would get dedicated power supply from the plant. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The interim government had earlier formed a committee to examine contracts made under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, 2010 (Amended 2021). The committee was tasked to investigate any allegations of corruption related to the countrys electricity and energy production and supply agencies. Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh First Published: November 24, 2024, 16:08 IST India Counted 640 Million Votes In 1 Day: Elon Musk Hails Electoral System, Jabs US Process Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 15:14 IST Elon Musk praised the electoral system in India and also took a swipe at the same in the United States. PM Narendra Modi with Elon Musk (PTI File Image) Tesla CEO Elon Musk on Saturday (local time) praised the Indian electoral system and its ability to deliver the outcome of an election in a day, while also taking a jibe at the process in the US where the poll is yet to be called in California. Musk was responding to an X post that shared a news article with the Headline How India Counted 640 Million Votes in a Day". related stories The post was captioned Meanwhile in India, where cheating isnt the primary goal of their elections". Elon Musk Praises Indias Electoral Process Quoting the post, Musk said, India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes." India counted 640 million votes in 1 day.California is still counting votes https://t.co/ai8JmWxas6 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024 He responded to another post on X which said, India counted 640 million votes in a single day. California is still counting 15 million votes18 days later. BJP Leader Responds Former Union Minister and BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar reacted to Elon Musks post on X and listed the features that make India a modern democracy. Unhackable EVMs, Voter IDs, Biometric DigitalIDs essentials of a Large, modern Democracy that India is," he said. Unhackable EVMs, Voter IDs, Biometric DigitalIDs essentials of a Large, modern Democracy that India is. #NewIndia #DemocracyTech https://t.co/qEjTS4Uuah Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@RajeevRC_X) November 24, 2024 Why Has California Election Not Been Called Yet? Over two weeks have passed, however, California is yet to count over 300,000 ballots, reports said. Its been weeks now since Donald Trump was declared the winner of the US Elections and the President-elect of the US. California is the most populous state in the US with nearly 39 million residents. It saw the participation of at least 16 million voters in the November 5 polls. However, it has been among the slowest states to tally and report election results in recent years. The delay is primarily because of its vast size and predominance of mail-in voting. According to Election officials, it could take weeks to call the poll, as was the case in the 2020 election. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Californias elections largely rely on mail-in voting which requires more time and effort to process as compared to in-person voting. Each mail-in ballot has to undergo individual validation and processing, a process that takes longer than simply scanning ballots at polling stations. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 24, 2024, 07:40 IST One Shot Dead, 3 Policemen Injured After Gunfire Erupts Near Israeli Embassy In Jordan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 07:47 IST After gunshots were heard, the Jordanian police responded swiftly and cordoned off an area in the vicinity of the Israeli embassy in the capital Amman. Gendarmerie officers stand guard near the Israeli embassy in Amman, Jordan | File Image/ Reuters A gunman was shot dead and three policemen were injured after a shooting incident near the Israeli embassy in Jordan, a security official said on Sunday. After gunshots were heard, the Jordanian police responded swiftly and cordoned off an area in the vicinity of the Israeli embassy in the capital Amman, reported Reuters citing security sources. related stories The witnesses claimed that police and ambulances rushed to the Rabiah neighbourhood, where the embassy is located after sporadic gunfire was heard. Meanwhile, the police urged the residents to stay indoors as security personnel searched for the culprits, a security source said. The area near the heavily policed embassy is a flashpoint for frequent demonstrations against Israel. The region has witnessed some of the biggest protest rallies as anti-Israel sentiment runs high here over the war in Gaza, according to locals. They added that many of Jordans 12 million citizens have roots in Palestine as they or their parents were expelled or fled to Jordan in the fighting that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Jordans peace treaty with Israel is widely unpopular among many citizens who see the normalisation of relations as betraying the rights of their Palestinian compatriots. The Israel-Gaza conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack on southern Israel, firing rockets and infiltrating Israeli territory. This led to an intense military response from Israel, marking the beginning of the latest escalation in the long-standing conflict. Location : Jordan First Published: November 24, 2024, 07:37 IST Iran Preparing To 'Respond' To Israel, Says Adviser To Supreme Leader Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 22:40 IST On October 26, Israeli fighter jets carried out three waves of attacks on Iranian military targets. Smoke billows over Beirut southern suburbs after a strike, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Sin El Fil, Lebanon October 7, 2024. (Reuters) Iran is preparing to "respond" to Israel, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to the countrys supreme leader, said in an interview published by Irans Tasnim news agency on Sunday. On October 26, Israeli fighter jets carried out three waves of attacks on Iranian military targets, a few weeks after Iran fired a barrage of about 200 ballistic missiles against Israel. Iran has previously vowed to respond to Isarels attacks. related stories Location : Tehran, Iran First Published: November 24, 2024, 22:40 IST Who Is Jay Bhattacharya? Donald Trump's Pick As Head Of US Health Agency Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 27, 2024, 08:31 IST Jay Bhattacharya was nominated as the head of the National Institutes of Health in the US by President-elect Donald Trump. Jay Bhattacharya (Photo: X/TheCapitolInstitute) US President-elect Donald Trump has announced Indian-origin economist and Stanford University-trained physician Jay Bhattacharya as the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). NIH is an agency that oversees biomedical research in the US. Multiple reports earlier indicated that Bhattacharya was leading as a presumptive favourite of Trump for the top post of the health agency. The NIH awards research grants, conducts clinical trials at its Maryland campus, and drives initiatives to develop innovative drugs and therapies. related stories He had called on Robert F. Kennedy Jr who was appointed by Trump to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and had reportedly impressed him with his ideas to overhaul the NIH. According to reports earlier, Trumps transition team had also considered other candidates for the role, however, the final decision rested in the hands of Trump who went on to announce Bhattacharya as the NIH director on Wednesday. The final decision on who will lead the NIH rests with President-elect Trump who is also known to occasionally disregard the recommendations. According to reports, Trumps transition team has also considered other candidates for the role. I am thrilled to nominate Jay Bhattacharya, Md, PhD, to serve as Director of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Bhattacharya will work in coordination with Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to direct the Nations Medical Research, and to make important discoveries that will improve Health, and save lives. Together, Jay and RFK Jr. will restore the NIH to a Gold Standard of Medical Research as they examine the underlying causes of, and solutions to, Americas biggest health challenges, including our Crisis of Chronic Illness and Disease. Together they will work hard to Make America Healthy Again!" Trump said in a statement. Who Is Jay Bhattacharya? Jayanta Jay" Bhattacharya was born in Kolkata in 1968 and is a distinguished Professor of Health Policy at Stanford University and a research associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research. He was a critic of the US governments policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. He had earned his MD and PhD in Economics from Stanford University. He also serves as the Director of Stanfords Center for Demography and Economics of Health and Aging. A graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine in 1997, Bhattacharya also holds a doctorate in economics from Stanford, earned in 2000, reflecting his interdisciplinary expertise in health and economic policy. He has expressed his support to shift the NIHs focus towards funding innovating research and slashing the influence of some of the longest-serving career officials in the agency. Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, a Stanford University professor, gained significant attention for his role in the controversial Great Barrington Declaration, co-authored with two other academics. The declaration, published during the COVID-19 pandemic, advocated for a return to normalcy for individuals not deemed vulnerable to the virus, emphasising focused protection for high-risk populations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In the aftermath of its release, Bhattacharya sued the US government, alleging it pressured social media platforms to suppress his views on COVID-19 policies. The lawsuit highlights debates over free speech and the role of government in moderating public health discourse. During the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the NIHs National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and a prominent member of President Donald Trumps coronavirus task force, faced intense criticism from Republican leaders. They accused Fauci of undermining Trumps COVID-19 strategies, prompting calls for his removal. Bhattacharyas legal challenge underscores broader tensions over the intersection of science, politics, and public health during the crisis. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: November 24, 2024, 14:19 IST Norway In Shock As ObGyn Accused Of Raping 87 Women Over Two Decades Stands Trial Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 22:01 IST Arne Bye, 55, has been accused of raping 87 women in 20 years while performing invasive examinations and filming them. A 55-year-doctor in a small Norwegian town has been accused of raping several women. (Representative Image) In a shocking case that has rocked Norway, a former village doctor is standing trial on charges of raping 87 women, aged 14 to 67, and filming the incidents at his surgery and in their homes over the course of 20 years. This case is being described as the biggest sexual abuse scandal in Norways history. Arne Bye, 55, has been charged with grim accusations of having abused his position to obtain sexual contact with 94 women, including two who were children at the time of the alleged assaults. The oldest woman was 67 years old when she was allegedly rape, and the youngest victims were 14 and 15 years old, according to The Sun. related stories Bye, a former municipal superintendent, has pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and 35 cases of abuse of position, and faces up to 21 years in prison. Police have seized over 6,000 hours of video material that contain recordings of gynecological examinations carried out on patients without their knowledge. Disturbing Details of Byes Crimes Surface According to the indictment, Bye allegedly inserted a deodorant-like", a bottle-like" and a cylindrical object into the women without any apparent medical reason. In a shocking testimony to court, one woman said the experience was so painful she thought she was going to die". The woman, described as Woman Number 18 told the court on Wednesday that she had going to the doctors office for a sore throat, but she ended up being examined in her underwear on the bench. I thought that he is my doctor, so I did as he said," she said. All women have described unpleasant, invasive experiences during their gynecological examinations, saying that Bye gave them an abdominal massage". The case has shocked the tiny Norwegian town of Frosta, as Bye had been a public figure and doctor to hundreds of residents there for years. Accused Filmed Patients During Examinations The court was shown graphic video evidence, all of which were recorded by Bye during the examinations. We have video recordings of the assault itself. In that sense, we have a rather special evidentiary situation in the case, in that large parts of the indictment are illustrated with video material, says the prosecutor, state attorney Richard Haugen Lyng said. Bye said he filmed appointments as he feared lawsuits from patients and claimed he never watched the videos except those connected with the case. One bideo showed Bye positioning several cameras around a woman as he began examining her. Bye originally insisted that his examination of Woman Number 18 was not of sexual nature, but later partially acknowledge to the charge of rape in court. Another woman testified that he told her to sit in the gynecologists chair several times despite not having any abdominal complaints, and described painfully long examinations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The womans daughter and sister were also reportedy among the alleged victims of the case. Police launched their investigation into Byes acts in August 2022 after health authorities alerted them about possible criminal acts. He was allowed to continue in his post until police charges were filed against him in 2023. Despite the serious accusations against him, Bye has not been remanded in custody, with officers saying that they will continue to monitor the situation but that there is currently no basis for his arrest as the trial continues. Location : Oslo, Norway First Published: November 24, 2024, 20:06 IST Philippines VP Sparks Row After Publicly Threatening To 'Assassinate' President Marcos Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 22:02 IST Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr and VP Sara Duterte, once political partners in 2022, are now bitter rivals. VP Sara Duterte escalated the bitter feud with President Marcos Jr by threatening to assassinate him and his wife. (Reuters) In a dramatic escalation of a widening rift between the top two leaders, Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte on Saturday said she would have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. assassinated" if she was killed herself, prompting Marcos office to vow immediate proper action". Duterte told an early morning press conference that she spoke to an assassin and instructed him to kill Marcos, his wife and the Speaker of the Philippine House if she were to be killed. I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM (Marcos), (first lady) Liza Araneta, and (Speaker) Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke," CNN quoted the VP as saying. related stories I said, do not stop until you kill them and then he said yes," Duterte continued, calling Marcos a liar" who did not know how to be president. Her threat stemmed from an order by lawmakers to transfer her chief-of-staff to a jail for allegedly impeding its probe over the vice-presidents alleged misuse of public funds. What Will Happen To Duterte Now? Following the Vice Presidents public remarks, Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin referred the active threat" against President Marcos to an an elite presidential guards force for immediate proper action". The Presidential Security Command boosted Marcos security after the shocking statement. The security council on Sunday said it considered the vice presidents threat, which was made so brazenly in public," a national security issue. It said it was coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and defend against any and all threats to the president and the first family". Under the Philippine law, such public remarks can constitute a crime of threatening to inflict a wrong on a person or his family and is punishable with a prison time and a fine. However, it is unclear how this would impact Vice President Duterte. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano said the government considers all threats to the president as serious" and that Dutertes threats are now under investigation and may lead to charges. If the evidence warrants, this could lead to eventual prosecution," Marcos office said in a statement. Why Did Duterte Threaten Marcos? Sara Duterte, the daughter of former President Rodrigo Duterte and a lawyer, later tried to walk back her threats by saying they were only an expression of concern over an unspecified threat to her own life. Why would I kill him if not for revenge from the grave? There is no reason for me to kill him. Whats the benefit for me?" she told journalists. Duterte and Marcos were political partners who won the 2022 campaigns with landslide margins. However, they had a bitter falling-out over key differences, including in their approaches towards Chinas aggression in the South China Sea and the elder Dutertes war on drugs. Duterte resigned from the Marcos Cabinet in June as education secretary and head of an anti-insurgency body and became a vocal critic of the President, accusing him of corruption, incompetence and persecution of the Duterte family. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The VPs tirade came after the House decided to detain her chief of staff, Zuleika Lopez, for allegedly hampering a congressional inquiry into the possible misuse of her budget as vice president and education secretary. Notably, Marcos congressional allies are also separately investigating her fathers war on drugs that left over 6,000 dead. Both have denied wrongdoing. (with inputs from agencies) Location : Manila, Philippines First Published: November 24, 2024, 17:32 IST Rabbi Kogan, Murdered In UAE, Nephew Of Rabbi Killed In 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 23:51 IST Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg is the uncle of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, a Jewish cleric murdered in the UAE. Tzvi Kogan, the rabbi who was found dead in the UAE, is the nephew of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was murdered along with his wife in Mumbai terror attacks. (IMAGE: REUTERS/X) Tzvi Kogan, the rabbi who was missing since Thursday and was found dead by security services in the United Arab Emirates, happens to be the nephew of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was murdered along with his wife in a terror attack at the Nariman Chabad House in Mumbai in 2008, Israeli news outlet Channel 12 said in a report. Israel condemned Sunday Kogans murder in the UAE, calling it an anti-Semitic terrorist attack" and vowing to use all means to deal with his killers. related stories The Israeli-Moldovan national was living and working in the UAE as a representative of the Chabad Hasidic movement, an ultra-Orthodox Jewish group known for its outreach efforts worldwide. This murder was carried out in the UAE. The murder of an Israeli citizen and a Chabad emissary, is an abhorrent anti-Semitic terrorist attack," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the start of a cabinet meeting. The State of Israel will use all means, and will deal with these murderers, and those who dispatched them, to the fullest extent of the law. None of them will get away," he added, without elaborating. Israeli officials did not provide any details about the circumstances of Kogans murder. The United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020 alongside other countries including Bahrain and Morocco, has yet to confirm his death. Netanyahus office said on Saturday that Israel was investigating Kogans disappearance in the UAE and treating it as a terrorist incident". This vile anti-Semitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the enemies of the Jewish people," Israeli President Isaac Herzog said in a statement. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Herzog said the murder would not deter us from continuing to grow flourishing communities in the UAE or anywhere". (with inputs from AFP) Location : Tel Aviv/Mumbai First Published: November 24, 2024, 21:49 IST UAE Confirms Arrest Of Three Suspects In Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi's Murder Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 25, 2024, 00:02 IST Tzvi Kogan, 28, was an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who ran a Kosher grocery store. He went missing on Thursday. Tzvi Kogan's murder in the UAE sparked anger in Israel amid tensions in the Middle East. (Reuters) The United Arab Emirates on Sunday confirmed the murder of an Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi who went missing earlier, after Israel said his body was discovered and denounced the incident as an anti-Semitic terrorist attack". The UAE said three suspects have been arrested in connection with the murder. The Ministry of Interior announced that the UAE authorities have arrested in record time the three perpetrators involved in the murder" of Tzvi Kogan, a statement carried by the official WAM news agency said, a day after Israel said the rabbi had been killed. related stories Israel on Sunday said the body of the rabbi had been found. A statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office called it a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist act" and vowed to act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death." Tzvi Kogan, 28, was an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who ran a Kosher grocery store in Dubai, which has a sizable presence of Israelis for commerce and tourism after the two countries forged diplomatic ties in the 2020 Abraham Records. Kogan reportedly went missing on Thursday. While the Israeli statement did not mention Iran, Iranian intelligence services have carried out past kidnappings in the UAE. Iran has been accused of kidnapping and killing British Iranian national Abbas Yazdi in Dubai in 2013, though Tehran has denied involvement. ALSO READ: Rabbi Kogan, Murdered In UAE, Nephew Of Rabbi Killed In 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks: Report Netanyahu Deeply Shocked Over Kogans Death Netanyahu told a regular Cabinet meeting later on Sunday that he was deeply shocked" by Kogans disappearance and death. He said he appreciated the cooperation of the UAE in the investigation and said that ties between the two countries would continue to be strengthened. Israeli President Isaac Herzog also condemned the killing and thanked authorities in the UAE for their swift action". Kogan was an emissary of the Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of ultra-Orthodox Judaism based in Brooklyns Crown Heights neighborhood in New York City. It said he was last seen in Dubai. The Kosher grocery store called the Rimon Market managed by Kogan was shut on Sunday. Amid the war in Gaza, the store became the target of online protests by pro-Palestinian supporters. Kogans wife, Rivky, is a US citizen who lived with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai. Earlier today, the UAEs state-run WAM news agency acknowledged Kogans disappearance but did not acknowledge he held Israeli citizenship, referring to him only as being Moldovan. The Emirati Interior Ministry described Kogan as being missing and out of contact." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Specialised authorities immediately began search and investigation operations upon receiving the report," the Interior Ministry said. (with inputs from agencies) Location : Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) First Published: November 25, 2024, 00:01 IST Missing Rabbis Body Found In UAE, Israel Vows Action Against Anti-Semitic Murderer Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 13:58 IST The rabbi, an Israeli-Moldovan national, was being searched for by the UAE's interior ministry, which is also investigating his case. Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's office called it a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist incident. (Photo: Reuters) The Israeli government has said that the body of a rabbi, who went missing on Thursday has been found in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), calling it a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist incident". Zvi Kogan, an envoy for the Orthodox Jewish group Chabad, had been missing since Thursday, according to the Israeli Prime Ministers office, prompting investigations by Israeli intelligence agency Mossad and UAE authorities. related stories The murder of Zvi Kogan is a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist act. The State of Israel will use all its resources to bring the perpetrators to justice," the statement from the PMs office read. Israeli officials have been in contact with Kogans family since his disappearance. Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan national, was being searched for by the UAEs interior ministry, which is also investigating his case, British broadcaster BBC reported. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Abu Dhabi, which formalised ties with Israel through the US-brokered Abraham Accords, has upheld this relationship during the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. However, Israels travel advisory urges citizens to visit the UAE only for essential reasons," citing terrorist activity" that poses a real risk" to Israelis in the country. First Published: November 24, 2024, 13:57 IST During the operations to destroy Russian warships with Magura V5 drones of the Special Forces of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, the so-called "bully" drone is the first to go. Its function is to start a fight. ADVERTISIMENT The commander of the DIU's special unit Group 13, an intelligence officer with the call sign "Thirteen," told this in an interview with Dzhenna Klochko. In particular, he revealed hitherto unknown details of operations to destroy Russian warships. "The first drone is, you know, a 'bully'. It doesn't care where it hits, it just has to start a fight," said the Group 13 commander. "The Thirteenth stated that after the destruction of a number of Russian ships, Ukraine dominates the Black Sea. ADVERTISIMENT "This is a fact, it has already happened: Ukraine dominates the Black Sea over Russia," he said. According to the intelligence officer, the occupiers' Black Sea Fleet remains paralyzed, although it continues to consume large financial resources. "The fact that the Russian Navy is paralyzed is good. But it exists. We need to get it. And we are working in this direction. This is a constant game, like chess. The situation is changing. Technology is changing extremely fast," said Thirteen. ADVERTISIMENT As OBOZ.UA reported, Russia recently admitted that it was afraid of Ukraine's strikes on the occupied Crimea. The emergence of new weapons systems, including naval drones, in the service of the Ukrainian army, as well as their successful use, forced the occupiers to save the remnants of the Black Sea Fleet - to withdraw it from the waters of the seized peninsula due to the threat of complete destruction. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber . Do not fall for fakes! Warring Tribes In Northwest Pakistan Agree To 7-Day Ceasefire After Bloodshed Last Updated: November 24, 2024, 23:14 IST This comes after 42 Shiites were killed last Thursday after an attack on their convoy in Kurram district triggered retaliatory attacks that left dozens more dead from both communities Shiite Muslims chant slogans to condemn the killing of Shiite Muslims by gunmen in an ambush in Kurram district, during a demonstration in Lahore, Pakistan, on Nov 24. (AP photo) A seven-day cease-fire was on Sunday brokered between the two warring tribes in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after meetings between a provincial government delegation and elders from both Shia and Sunni communities. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, in a statement, said that as part of the agreement, elders from both tribes agreed to return prisoners and the bodies of those killed on both sides. related stories This comes after 42 Shiites were killed last Thursday after an attack on their convoy in Kurram district triggered retaliatory attacks and rampages that left dozens more dead from both communities. The provincial government constituted a high-powered commission to settle disputes between the tribes. A ceasefire was agreed for seven days between the tribes," Saif said. The parties also agreed to exchange prisoners and return the bodies of the deceased," he said. The prisoners include women. A government delegation met the members of the Shia tribe on Saturday before meeting the Sunni tribe leaders on Sunday and returned to Peshawar following the ceasefire agreement, Saif said. Shiite Muslims make up about 15 per cent of the 240 million people in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Although the two groups generally live together peacefully, tensions remain, especially in Kurram. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Although the area has a history of sectarian conflict, with militant groups previously targeting the Shiite minority, the current violence is connected to a land dispute. Nobody has claimed responsibility for Thursdays convoy attack. Location : Peshawar, Pakistan First Published: November 24, 2024, 23:14 IST South Korea and Japan aren't the only nations stressing over low birth rates. The figures for that in China last year were the lowest since 1949 (the year that the People's Republic of China was established), and the nation saw itself lose the top spot in terms of population to India in 2022. Now, data show that the number of new marriages in China is on track to reach its lowest level since record-keeping began nearly 45 years ago, further fueling worries about birth rates, reports CNN . According to information released earlier this month by the nation's Ministry of Civil Affairs, almost 4.75 million couples in China registered their marriages in the first nine months of 2024. Reuters notes that's about a 943,000 year-on-year drop, or 16.6%, from the nearly 5.7 million couples who registered during the same period in 2023. Demographics experts now anticipate that the year-end figure won't reach the level of 6.83 million, set in 2022 and the lowest number since the Chinese government started keeping tabs on marriage stats in 1980. There was a small spike in marriages in 2023, but CNN notes that "appears to be an anomaly largely driven by pent-up demand" after COVID restrictions were lifted. Part of the reason for China's population troubles can be tied back to its long-standing one-child policy, which it officially nixed in 2015, allowing families to have two children each. That number was revised to three in 2021. The nation has since been trying to encourage its young citizens to get hitched and procreate via a variety of measures, including offering cash in some counties for marrying early and setting up subsidies for parents to be used for child care and schooling, per NBC News. However, China's youth have been balking amid steep costs of living exacerbated by high unemployment and not a lot of government support, notes CNN. (More China stories.) More people are chucking their colored contacts for a more permanent way to change eye color: keratopigmentation. The Wall Street Journal reports that the procedure, also known as corneal tattooing, is on the rise as a cosmetic surgery, even though critics say the risks are too great. It involves using a laser to cut donut-shaped holes into the cornea, the outer layer of the eye. Pigment is then injected into the punctures to cover the iris and display a new, irreversible eye color. The dyes used by Alexander Movshovich, the first eye surgeon to offer keratopigmentation as a cosmetic procedure in the US, have not been cleared stateside, but are sold in Europe. They include a range of frosty blues, greens, grays, and browns. This year, Movshovich is on track to perform 400 surgeries, which take about 30 minutes and cost $12,000. Insurance doesn't cover it. The Journal notes that the procedure has been used for non-medical reasons in Europe since the 2010s. But doctors have raised concerns, especially as corneal tattooing has gained virality on TikTok, where patients show off their new eyes. "We only get one set of eyes, and to put them at risk in the name of vanity is ridiculous," New Jersey ophthalmologist Diane Hilal-Campo tells Allure. "While keratopigmentation may be considered 'safer' than other cosmetic options, none of them are truly safe." The American Academy of Ophthalmology issued a warning in January, noting that eye tattooing can lead to light sensitivity, vision loss, infection, and other complications. "Don't think that these surgeries carry no risk," says JoAnn A. Giaconi of the academy of Ophthalmology. In an interview with Ophthalmology Times, Movshovich acknowledges the risk, but calls it a "measurable" one to be navigated between doctor and patient. One of his own patients justifies that risk to the Journal: "People get their teeth done, they get implants and Botox. If it's something that could make you happier, make you look betterthen why not?" (Brazilian butt lifts have killed Americans abroad.) UPDATE Dec 2, 2024 3:14 PM CST Swiss prosecutors said a right-to-die activist was released Monday after more than two months in police custody over the first use of a so-called "suicide capsule," after they ruled out the possibility of an intentional homicide. Florian Willet, head of advocacy group the Last Resort, was released by authorities in the northern Schaffhausen region, per the AP. Though homicide charges are off the table, Willet may yet face lesser charges of "inciting and abetting suicide." Nov 24, 2024 9:43 AM CST The right-to-die activist behind a new "suicide capsule" says he rejects "absurd" allegations that the US woman who was its first user may have actually been strangled, per the AP. Philip Nitschke of advocacy group Exit International says he wasn't on hand for the woman's death on Sept. 23 involving the "Sarco" capsule in Switzerland, but saw it live by video transmission. The device worked as planned, he said, in the first and only time it has been used. The head of a Swiss affiliate of Exit International known as The Last Resort, Florian Willet, was present at the woman's death and was immediately taken into police custody. Alice Brock, whose Massachusetts-based eatery helped inspire Arlo Guthrie's deadpan Thanksgiving standard, "Alice's Restaurant," has died at age 83. Her death, just a week before Thanksgiving, was announced by Guthrie on the Facebook page of his own Rising Son Records, per the AP . Guthrie wrote that she died in Provincetown, Massachusetts, her residence for some 40 years, and referred to her being in failing health. Other details were not immediately available. Born Alice May Pelkey in New York City, Brock was a lifelong rebel who was a member of Students for a Democratic Society among other organizations. In the early 1960s, she dropped out of Sarah Lawrence College, moved to Greenwich Village, and married Ray Brock, a woodworker who encouraged her to leave New York and resettle in Massachusetts. Guthrie, son of the celebrated folk musician Woody Guthrie, first met Brock around 1962 when he was attending the Stockbridge School in Massachusetts and she was the librarian. They became friends and stayed in touch after he left school. On Thanksgiving Day, 1965, a simple chore led to Guthrie's arrest, his eventual avoidance of military service during the Vietnam War, and a song that has endured as a protest classic and holiday favorite. Guthrie and his friend, Richard Robbins, were helping the Brocks throw out trash, but ended up tossing it down a hill because they couldn't find an open dumpster. Police charged them with illegal dumping, briefly jailed them, and fined them $50, a seemingly minor offense with major repercussions. story continues below By 1966, Alice Brock was running The Back Room restaurant in Stockbridge, Guthrie was a rising star and his breakout song was an 18-minute talking blues that recounted his arrest and how it made him ineligible for the draft. The chorus was a tribute to Alicewhose restaurant, Guthrie pointed out, was not actually called Alice's Restaurantthat countless fans have since memorized: "You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant / You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant / Walk right in it's around the back / Just a half a mile from the railroad track / You can get anything you want at Alice's Restaurant." (More obituary stories.) The security authorities of the United Arab Emirates found the body of the Israeli-Moldovan Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, an emissary of Chabad-Lubavitch. The Office of the Prime Minister of Israel characterized the incident as an "anti-Semitic terrorist attack." ADVERTISIMENT This was reported by Bloomberg. He had been missing since Thursday, November 21. "The murder of the late Tzvi Kogan is a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist attack. The State of Israel will act by all means and bring to justice the criminals responsible for his death," the office said in a statement. Zvi Kogan lived in the United Arab Emirates as an emissary of the Jewish organization Chabad-Lubavitch. Together with his colleagues, he spent several years developing the Jewish community in the country, including the supply of kosher food. Israel has strengthened recommendations to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE. Citizens are advised to avoid public events related to Israelis or Jewish communities, refrain from posting information about their travels on social media, and minimize travel. ADVERTISIMENT Against the backdrop of the war in the Gaza Strip, the Israeli government has warned its citizens abroad of the possible threat of attacks by Iranian or Tehrani-affiliated groups. The level of danger has been raised in dozens of countries, including the UAE. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Emirates stated that it is closely following the investigation and maintains close contact with the family of the deceased. At the same time, they did not disclose details about the discovery of the rabbi's body. Earlier it was reported that a man opened fire with a rifle near the Consulate General of Israel and the National Socialist Documentation Center in Munich (Germany). Law enforcement officers shot and killed the criminal; five police officers involved in the shooting were not injured. As reported by OBOZ.UA, earlier in the city of Derbent in Dagestan, a synagogue, a church and a police unit were fired upon. In addition, a shooting took place in Makhachkala. The incident resulted in deaths and injuries. Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Israel said Sunday that the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found after he was killed in what it described as a "heinous antisemitic terror incident." The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel "will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death," the AP reports. Israeli authorities did not say how they determined the killing of Zvi Kogan was a terror attack and offered no additional details. Kogan, 28, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who went missing on Thursday, ran a Kosher grocery store in the futuristic city of Dubai, where Israelis have flocked for commerce and tourism since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in the 2020 Abraham Accords. The agreement has held through more than a year of soaring regional tensions unleashed by Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel. But Israel's devastating retaliatory offensive in Gaza and its invasion of Lebanon, after months of fighting with the Hezbollah militant group, have stoked anger among Emiratis, Arab nationals, and others living in the the UAE, per the AP. Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, also has been threatening to retaliate against Israel after a wave of airstrikes Israel carried out in October in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack. The Emirati government did not address the disappearance, but a senior Emirati diplomat posted Sunday on X in Arabic that "the UAE will remain a home of safety, an oasis of stability, a society of tolerance and coexistence." The UAE's state-run WAM news agency acknowledged Kogan's disappearance but pointedly did not acknowledge he held Israeli citizenship, referring to him only as being Moldovan. The Emirati Interior Ministry described Kogan as being "missing and out of contact." Netanyahu told a Cabinet meeting later Sunday that he appreciated the cooperation of the UAE in the investigation and that ties between the two countries would continue to be strengthened. (More Israel-Hamas war stories.) Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. The measure, whose final version appeared on a government website Saturday, underscores Russia's needs for military personnel in the nearly three-year war, the AP reports. According to Russian state news agency Interfax, the new legislation allows those signing up for a one-year contract to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles, about $96,000. The law applies to debts for which a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings have commenced before Dec. 1. It also applies to the spouses of new recruits. Russia has ramped up military recruitment by offering increasing financial incentives, in some cases several times the average salary, to those willing to fight in Ukraine. The strategy has allowed the military to boost its ranks in the conflict zone while avoiding another mobilization order. A "partial mobilization" in September 2022 sparked an exodus of tens of thousands of Russian men, who fled the country to avoid enlistment. The intense and drawn-out war has strained Russian resources; Putin in September called for the military to increase its troops by 180,000. To bolster its forces, Russia welcomed more than 10,000 troops to Russia dispatched last month by North Korea. They've begun joining in combat on the front lines, per the AP. (More Russia-Ukraine war stories.) The US Air Force has reported sightings of small drones near three key bases in eastern England that are used by American forces. Detected from Wednesday to Friday last week, these drones were noticed around RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell, according to a statement from US Air Forces Europe. Despite the trespasses, officials confirmed that there was no disruption to local residents or essential infrastructure. RAF Lakenheath, a pivotal base for the 48th Fighter Wing, and RAF Mildenhall, home to the 100th Air Refueling Wing, alongside the housing and services hub RAF Feltwell, remained secure under vigilant monitoring. The Air Force, withholding specific security measures for operational protection, affirmed its continued cooperation with local authorities to ensure safety. "We do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation," they stated. These drone activities coincided with a tense week in the Ukraine conflict. Ukraine, backed by the US and Britain, launched missiles inside Russian territory, leading to a retaliatory strike by Russia against Ukraine. Russia's President Putin warned of potential strikes on nations aiding Ukraine militarily. Situated in Suffolk and Norfolk, these RAF bases are predominantly leased by the US Air Force. The UK's Ministry of Defense affirmed, "We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures," reflecting a proactive stance against such intrusions. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) In a celestial farewell, a small asteroid recently dubbed a "mini moon" is bidding adieu to Earth after a fleeting two-month companionship. The space rock, known as 2024 PT5, will be drawn away by the sun's gravity on Monday but will revisit Earth for a brief encounter in January. Although not technically a moon, it captured attention due to its proximity and potential origins as a fragment from the moon itself. NASA plans to examine the asteroid using a radar antenna in January, aiming to enhance their understanding of its composition. Despite being over 2 million miles away, it will travel within 1.1 million miles of Earth in January before continuing its orbit around the sun. Raul and Carlos de la Fuente Marcos, astrophysicist brothers from Madrid who identified its unusual path, conveyed that the asteroid will be moving swiftly upon its return, twice as fast as it did in September. The Goldstone solar system radar in California's Mojave Desert will track this intriguing object for more than a week. Observations suggest that during the asteroid's next rendezvous in 2055, it will once again make a brief circuit near Earth. This unique interaction underscores the dynamic nature of celestial bodies and Earth's gravitational influence on them. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) 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. In Finland, a training course for women in case of war with Russia has started at a forest military base in the west of the country. There they learn skills that could prove crucial in the event of a potential Russian invasion or hybrid attack. ADVERTISIMENT The Nasta training course is one of 40 organized by the Women's National Association for Emergency Preparedness across Finland. This was reported by The Guardian. During the training, Finnish women learn cybersecurity and wilderness survival skills. They also train their psychological resilience and learn to cope with information influence. For several days, a group of women learn how to survive in a crisis situation, including how to make and extinguish a fire, cook outdoors, provide first aid, keep warm, and build a toilet. It should be noted that the number of applications for the courses has increased dramatically since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Course participants say that their country may become the next victim of Russian aggression. Today, there is no official military conflict between the two neighbors, but Finnish intelligence calls Russia the biggest threat to Finland's national security and has no doubt that a hybrid war is already underway. ADVERTISIMENT The Nasta training course has been operating since 1997. The training is not military, but it is partially funded by the Finnish Ministry of Defense and receives substantial support from the Finnish National Defense Training Association. Today, it has about 100 thousand members. After Russia's invasion on February 24, 2022, interest in the courses has grown to an unprecedented level. As a reminder, the main communication cable connecting Germany and Finland stopped working due to damage of unknown origin. The official version of the incident has not yet been announced, and journalists have suggested that Russia was involved. Earlier it was reported that the Helsinki District Court seized certain assets belonging to Russia in Finland. These are real estate and other assets estimated at tens of millions of dollars. Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! MP proposes to cut criminal record delays and expedite clearances for former offenders MP proposes to cut criminal record delays and expedite clearances for former offenders TDT | Manama Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com Former offenders in Bahrain could soon have their criminal records cleared far more quickly under a proposed change to the law. MP Jalal Kadhem has tabled a plan to reduce the waiting period for record clearance to just three months for misdemeanours and one month for felonies down from the current one year and two years, respectively. The proposal aims to help individuals rebuild their lives and return to society more quickly after serving their sentences or receiving a pardon. Inspiration Kadhem explained that the idea draws inspiration from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas recent pardons, describing the changes as a humane way to support rehabilitation. "This will allow people to move forward, secure jobs, and live with dignity," he said. Under the existing rules, many former offenders struggle to obtain good conduct certificates a requirement for employment in both the public and private sectors. The delays often leave people unemployed and excluded from society. Pressures Kadhem warned that this can lead to social and financial pressures that may drive individuals back into crime. The proposed amendment would shorten these waiting times and offer individuals a genuine chance to start over. "By removing unnecessary obstacles, we can ensure that people can rejoin their families, communities, and the workforce much sooner," Kadhem added. The bills explanatory notes argue that the current system creates frustration and isolation, leaving many with little hope of moving on. Stigma The shorter waiting periods, supporters say, would make rehabilitation more achievable while tackling the stigma surrounding criminal records. Advocates believe the proposal represents a fairer approach to justice, giving former offenders the tools to rebuild their lives while reducing the risks of reoffending. Parliament is expected to debate the proposal in the coming weeks, with increasing support for a measure that could transform how Bahrain approaches rehabilitation. One Hundred Years of Solitude is the epitome of magical realism. Its a plague of insomnia that leaves residents of an entire town sleepless, to the point of forgetting who they are. It is Mauricio Babilonia beset by yellow butterflies. It is a bag of bones that moves without explanation. It is Remedios la Bella rising to the sky. It is the ghost of Prudencio Aguilar following Jose Arcadio Buendia everywhere he goes. One Hundred Years of Solitude is a tale of omens, superstitions and magic. But it is also the Thousand Days War, the most lethal civil war in Colombian history, which took place between 1899 and 1902. It is the Banana Massacre, when the military shut down a United Fruit Company workers strike with a bloodbath. In this dichotomy between a mythical Macondo, the land that no one had promised them, and the history of a nation marked by violence, stands the first audiovisual adaptation of one of the greatest Spanish-language novels of all time. Its been nearly six years since Netflix announced in early 2019 that it had purchased the rights to Gabriel Garcia Marquezs masterpiece. In the words of Rodrigo Garcia, the son of the Nobel laureate, the writer left just three guidelines for audiovisual interpretation of the work: that such a production be told, in many hours, in Spanish and in Colombia. On December 11, Netflix will release the first season of one of the most ambitious audiovisual projects in the history of Latin America. The series will tell the tale of seven generations of Buendias over the course of 16 episodes, divided evenly between two seasons. The project implied a serious challenge to all involved, amplified by the sky-high expectations generated by the adaptation of a novel that has sold over 50 million copies around the world not to mention those of its home country, where the story is seen as a reflection of society itself. This, according to its screenwriter Natalia Santa, in an interview that took place by video call in mid-October. For us, it was very important to understand the novel first as a great document of Colombian history and as a portrait of our society, how we are as a nation, a nation that has suffered from centuries of violence. One Hundred Years of Solitude offers a stark portrait of violence in Colombia, what it has meant on a political level, but also its impact on everyday life, on families. Marco Antonio Gonzalez as Jose Arcadio Buendia, in a moment from the first episode of One Hundred Years of Solitude. Mauro Gonzalez / Netflix The adaptation first began to take shape in the hands of screenwriter and playwright Jose Rivera, after which it was sent to three Colombian writers: Camila Bruges, Albatros Gonzalez and Santa. The three of them worked on the script for two and a half years and continued to develop it in parallel once production began. They faced serious hurdles in transitioning a novel so full of characters and events, and were forced to make painful decisions about what to include, what to leave out, and how. Although the novels plot jumps between time periods, one of Netflixs conditions was that the adaptation should be told in chronological order. The streaming platform also requested a narrator, to lend a certain unity to a work that can often move rapidly, with characters that had to be played by three or four different actors in order to portray them at different points in their lives, as in the cases of Jose Arcadio Jr. and Aureliano. There was also the matter of making sure the novels most key moments were represented on screen. There are precious images that stay with readers and surely as viewers, they will be expecting them to be in the series, says Bruges. The real deal The Macondo in the series is a historically correct Macondo. It may not be the Macondo that everyone has in their head, because that depends on each persons imagination, but it is a Macondo located within actual history, that makes political, architectural sense. That seemed like the most reliable way to us to approach this legendary town, as the historic Macondo, says Barbara Enriquez, the series production designer. The plots century doesnt just dwell on specific people and events, it also shows how the utopic town grows after being founded by cousins Jose Arcadio Buendia and Ursula Iguaran with their family members and friends after leaving their ranches. Marlyeda Soto as Ursula Iguaran, followed by Jacqueline Arenal and Cristal Aparicio, during the filming of the series. Mauro Gonzalez / Netflix Macondo is a combination of scenery and a lot of civil engineering, Enriquez says, also by video call. The town, which had to grow as filming of its story progressed, was built in Alvarado, near the city of Ibague, a setting that was both reminiscent of the Colombian Caribbean, where the novel is set, and met logistical requirements for hosting a film shoot of this magnitude. More than 200 workers labored for nearly a year on the construction of the village, from its sewage and electrical systems to sidewalks, in four phases that culminated with its most complete version. The idea was to pass through Colombias architectural history. In Macondo, we have Vernacular architecture made from mud and canabrava, then Colonial architecture, then Republican architecture from the mid-19th to the beginning of the 20th century. It is a tribute to the countrys great buildings, heavily based on the Colombian Caribbean, says Enriquez. An aerial image of the Netflix series Macondo setting. Netflix Casa Buendia, the home of the protagonist family, also grows and evolves. If Macondo is the primary being in One Hundred Years of Solitude, the house is the most important one, a character unto itself, the uterus in which all of this crazy familys conflicts take place. Its a house that is happy, gets depressed, enters into war, is reborn, says the production designer. The first version of the building, which is represented by a facade in the setting, but whose interior is located elsewhere, took 25 weeks to build. From there, as the story dictates, rooms were added, a second story built. This evolution made it necessary to organize the filming in such a way that, after shooting the house in one of its phases, the team would take advantage of shooting in other locations in order to work on the buildings evolution. The house is a Buendia itself, says Enriquez. More than 34,000 wardrobe pieces Studying the fashion of the time was no easy task for the team led by costume designer Catherine Rodriguez. The 34,000 pieces of clothing and footwear worn in the series were all made from scratch by a 100% Colombian crew. The wardrobe is like a living animal, says Rodriguez but a poorly documented animal, given that it was complicated to find records of what anyone but the upper classes wore during the periods documented in the novel. The team largely relied on illustrations by the Comision Corografica, a scientific project funded by the Colombian government in the mid-19th century, and books by travelers like the Spanish Jose Maria Gutierrez de Alba. We did large amounts of research that later translated into drawings, and then into textile research, says Rodriguez. Vina Machado plays Pilar Ternera in One Hundred Years of Solitude. Mauro Gonzalez / Netflix One of the wardrobe teams goals was that the artisans who made the pieces be the ones to select the materials from which they were constructed, that they be handcrafted pieces that passed from their hands to ours, she says. Members of the Wayuu, Colombias most populous Indigenous community, also participated by making traditional costumes for the two Wayuu characters in the story, Visitacion and Cataure. Cicadas and Colombian bagpipes Macondo sounds like Colombian bagpipes and string orchestras, wind and cicadas, military drums. Macondo is very rich sonorously; this country is very rich in sounds. Mixing all of its worlds was the most complicated thing, says composer Camilo Sanabria, who led the series soundtrack in collaboration with Juancho Valencia, who oversaw its live music. Creating the right auditory atmosphere was key to the One Hundred Years of Solitude universe. I was experimenting with very basic sounds in the beginning, very primary elements like drums, the wind. Little by little, the sound becomes more sophisticated, says Sanabria, pointing as example to the moment when Pietro Crespis pianola arrives in Macondo, which signals the addition of European notes to its soundscape. There was very rigorous research, but we also gave ourselves the license to deconstruct folk music, to mold it. It had to be very flexible, because we were telling the creation story of a new world, says Sanabria. Instruments like bottles and marimbas helped to mark the passage of time and tap into the absurdist humor so present in the novel. The sound of war in Macondo is a solemn sound characterized by string and percussion instruments. This is a Macondo full of very rare and special sounds, of very different layers, Sanabria continues. The composer invokes the simile of alchemy that the character of Melquiades brings to the original tale. Through alchemy, he wants to create gold from other materials. Music is like that, from one material I create another, an atmosphere. It is the search for identity. The interior patio of Casa Buendia, with its massive chestnut tree. Mauro Gonzalez / Netflix And so, with intricate layers of textures, sounds, images, words and even 16,000 native Caribbean plants brought to the set to approximate the look and smell of the Macondo that Gabo described, literary magical realism comes to life on screen. This is an era of technological, image-based and audiovisual advances, and you can actually replicate the things Garcia Marquez wrote about happening in Macondo, says Santa. They are extraordinary events, but he talks about them in an ordinary way. No one is surprised when Remedios la Bella ascends she simply ascends. Melquiades does not age. Mauricio Babilonia is chased by yellow butterflies. These are things that happen and are accepted as natural, she says. In 16 episodes of the series, there will be many things that are different from the novel, and others that stay the same. Everyone involved in its production expects that there will be a varied reaction from readers and viewers. But one thing that hasnt changed, what couldnt change, is how the tale begins: Many years later, as he faced the firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendia was to remember that distant afternoon when his father took him to discover ice. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition At the 14th Street and Sixth Avenue subway station in New York, there is a tunnel full of colorful post-its with messages written by different people. New Yorkers stop to write down what they are thinking at that moment and share it publicly but anonymously, channeling much of the emotions of the presidential election. Oh my god, why Trump? Be kind or Freedom read some of the messages. The initiative has been going on since 2016, but has never lost relevance: it is Subway Therapy (@subwaytherapy on Instagram), a project created by Matthew Levee Chavez, who has already won two awards, receiving the Municipal Art Societys Brendan Gill Prize and the Demos Transforming America Award in 2017. Question: Is it easy to develop an artistic project of this type in the New York subway? Answer. No, not at all. People can sometimes be violent: there have been times when they have torn up post-its, kicked the table and chair to write them, they shout, they get angry But still, I love the subway. I love making art where it is least expected. My purpose is to bring art outside of museums and galleries, to where the people are. Q. How did Subway Therapy come about? A. It was the evolution of another project. When I moved to New York in the Christmas of 2015, I told my mother that I wanted to ask people about their secrets; I wanted to help them feel good about something they felt bad about. That was the beginning of New York Secret Keeper. For a few months, I spent my time listening to peoples secrets on the New York subway. Q. People are always in a hurry on the subway, did they really stop to tell you their secrets? A. All the time! I used to spend about four hours a day on the subway, and I got to the point, where I was talking to about 30 people a day. People stick their written messages on post-its as part of the 'Subway Therapy' project, in the New York subway. Volkan Furuncu (Getty Images) Q. And what kind of secrets did they tell? Stories of betrayal? Murder? A. Mostly funny stuff. For example: My best friend saved $5,000 in my bank account and I spent it. You can see the stories on the project account, @newyorksecretkeeper. It was going really well, it was even going to be part of a group exhibition at the Smithsonian, but Covid put an end to it. Along the same lines, I created The Secret Phone, which is an installation made up of a phone, which people can use to tell a secret in order to feel the relief of confession, of sharing it. So far I have collected 590 secrets. Someone told me that they were doing therapy and from that idea came Subway Therapy. Q. Have you got into any trouble for your artistic projects in the subway? A. Ive been doing this for many years, they know me, and I have a good relationship with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), although we havent made any official arrangements. However, my displays are not permanent. I usually pick up the post-its around 8 p.m. and put them back in the same place or a different one around 2 p.m. Even so, I have been kicked out a few times. For example, not long ago I was kicked out of the Columbus Circle station. Q. What do you hope to achieve with these projects? A. Finding ways to connect, unite and dignify people. The ultimate satisfaction is watching two strangers start talking, and its especially gratifying because were facing a terrible division in America. Q. Your projects resonate a lot with Humans of New York and The Strangers Project, do you know their creators? A. Yes, I actually have a good anecdote. Brandon, the director of The Strangers Project, has been my roommate for six months. 'Subway Therapy' is the evolution of a project in which Chavez asked people about their secrets. Volkan Furuncu (Getty Images) Q. These projects are mainly altruistic. How do you manage to get by in a city like New York? A. Sometimes there are opportunities to make money, through exhibitions, partnerships with other organizations, or publishing books. I have published two so far: Art in Action and Signs of Hope. But aside from that, I now work as an event producer for a non-profit organization, Idealist.org, which is aligned with my values. They are dedicated to encouraging people to do something for their community, to creating a better world, to finding a path between intention and action. For example, yesterday we spent the day handing out flowers to people, and it was beautiful. Q. What are your upcoming projects? A. My next project is called What is America Tour. Taking advantage of the 250th anniversary of America, Im going to travel to parts of the America where understanding is often elusive places like Florida, Ohio, Arizona, and the Deep South. The idea is to set up a table with two chairs and sit down to have conversations with people, to try to understand both versions and find a common path to create some unity. Q. Your last name is Chavez, what are your roots? A. My great-grandfather was Spanish and married an Indigenous woman in New Mexico. I was born in the United States, but I am one-quarter Italian, one-quarter Czech, one-quarter Mexican and one-quarter Spanish: the classic American mix. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition President-elect Donald Trumps nominee, Pete Hegseth, is not qualified to be secretary of defense, even if we put aside unproven sexual assault allegations made against him. While Hegseth is a veteran, Senate confirmation of a nominee with no leadership experience in such a large and complex organization as the Department of Defense would be in stark contrast with the notion of our military as a merit-based, professional force. Leading millions of service members and civilian workers is not an entry-level or training opportunity. Also, Hegseths publicly-stated views do not inspire confidence that he would provide apolitical leadership. He has cast the political/social situation in the United States as a crusade between irreconcilable foes with the only option being total victory for his and Trumps chosen side. The ultimate loyalty of our military is to the U.S. Constitution, not political parties. Hegseths nomination appears to be based on the idea that the military must stop being woke, but its current challenges have nothing to do with wokeness. They have to do with chronic congressional delays in passing appropriations bills; inadequate funding of maintenance and modernization; competition with private industry for recruits; and stress on equipment, personnel and logistics systems brought on by decades of overcommitment around the globe. The list goes on. This hyperattention on getting rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, and every other military program that promotes fair treatment and inclusion is a bogeyman that takes the spotlight away from the real problems affecting our military readiness. Mike Lontoc, Hainesport Note: The writer is a retired U.S. Navy commander. What Bernie had that Kamala didnt When I asked my blue-collar Pennsylvania friends why they voted for President-elect Donald Trump, I got an astounding reply. They said, because Bernie Sanders was not on the ticket. On the surface this makes no sense, with Sanders way on the far left, and Trump certainly way on the far right. But look a little deeper. Back in 2016, when Sanders, the independent Vermont senator, was running against Hilary Clinton in the Democratic primaries, he got it in connection with these voters. He got it in town hall meeting after town hall meeting in a way Clinton could never understand. She seemed aloof and elitist. Its my belief that Sanders would have beaten Trump in that presidential election, although thats still pure conjecture. Across the Atlantic back in 2019, the Labour Partys Jeremy Corbyn lost the British working-class vote, and the Conservatives Boris Johnson became the United Kingdoms prime minister. This year, Labours Kier Starmer got the working class back, becoming prime minister in a vote that bucked a recent European trend of movement to the right and populist politics. This year in America, Kamala Harris lost the blue-collar vote. The Democrats will need to do some serious house cleaning to get it back! Tony Grant, Newton Proposed law is for the birds So, some New Jersey lawmakers want to restrict the use of residential bird feeders to control interactions between back bears and humans? Proposed regulations contained in legislation include elevating the feeders to at least 10 feet above the ground, and taking them indoors every night between April 1 and Nov. 30. Really? My only conclusion is that recent articles about this bill were meant to be printed on April Fools Day. Ellen Rogers, Skillman Congressional pair should call it quits U.S. Reps. Mikie Sherrill, D-11, and Josh Gottheimer, D-5, recently won reelection to Congress. They suggested to the voters that they would work full time for them in the next session of Congress. But, now, they are both declared candidates for governor in next years Democratic primary. Running for governor and being a member of Congress should be considered to be two full-time jobs. Its no secret that Gottheimer and Sherrill have each planned their gubernatorial runs for months. They should do the honorable thing and resign from Congress. Their ambitious power plays are one of the many reasons why people dont vote. Fred Stein, South Brunswick Election over; stop dividing the country This letter was sent to the Star-Ledger, but it is directed to all of the left-leaning media: Stop dividing the country. A plurality of the voting public elected Donald Trump as president. Even with all of the hate speech that the left could spew, it did them no good for the result. Some of the things they did is compare Trump to Hitler and say that Trumps supporters are garbage. Now, the liberals are directing all of their venom to Trumps cabinet picks. Realize that Trump was elected a second time because the American people are tired of all of the retreads that the left parades around Washington. So, instead of giving Trumps picks the benefit of the doubt, the left goes into attack mode. They will not give Trump or his programs or his cabinet choices a chance. The left finds fault with everything. These tactics did not work for the election and they wont work now. Again, stop dividing the nation and help it come together. Don Montefusco, Maplewood Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com The Star-Ledger/NJ.com encourages submissions of opinion. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow us on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and on Facebook at NJ.com Opinion. Get the latest news updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. On a sunny November day, in Spains Port of Vigo, a blue-and-white ship stands out from the rest of the large fishing boats. Its the Odon de Buen, the largest scientific research vessel in Spain. After climbing up the ladder and reaching its interior, the first thing that surprises you is its level of comfort. Theres a pleasant reception area, followed by a bright, two-story lounge, with a dining room, library and meeting room. On the port side, there are some comfortable light blue sofas next to a panoramic window, with thick glass through which the port and part of the estuary can be seen. It may be a scientific vessel, but it could pass for a luxury cruise ship. The crew has been living on board for days, although the ship is docked. Its waiting to set sail and test its brand new scientific equipment. Everything smells new. The floor is still protected with plastic, awaiting the official patronage of the ship. EL PAIS visits the vessel before its inauguration, at the invitation of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), to which the Odon belongs. On the stern, on the outside deck, Jordi Sorribas proudly contemplates the ship. He has spent more than two years working on its design and construction. A tall, gray-haired 57-year-old from Barcelona, Sorribas is a geologist by training. However, for years, he has worked as head of the CSICs Marine Technology Unit, which coordinates the activities of eight oceanographic vessels. In 1991, he embarked on the first Antarctic campaign of the Hesperides, a veteran ship in the world of Spanish oceanography. Since then, his life has been spent on scientific ships, both professionally and personally. He met his wife also a geologist on board the Hesperides the year it suffered a total blackout that left it rudderless and in the dark when it was sailing near the Canary Islands. In Spain, we dont have as many scientific vessels as France which is an undisputed leader but were not doing badly at all, Sorribas points out. Jordi Sorribas, head of the CSIC Marine Technology Unit, at the 'Odon de Buen'. Sonia Daponte The Odon has been built to the exact specifications of the scientists. Theres no other oceanographic vessel like it. This not only means that it has the most sophisticated sonar systems or the ability to extract 82-foot-long cores from the seabed a record but also small comforts that youre not aware of until you spend two months on board. For instance, there are no obstacles on the deck, which usually cause you to bump your shins when youre loaded down with a 40-pound box of fish. There are also big cabins with enough space for two people that have natural light and their own bathrooms. The floors are heated and theres a small canteen with a coffee-maker right next to the area where the fish are collected and the first sifting is done. On board, however, alcohol isnt allowed. On one side of the deck, theres a kind of bright orange torpedo, more than 20-feet-long. Its an autonomous underwater drone that can descend to 20,000 feet. The drone is equipped with various types of sonar and video cameras, which allow the scientists to observe the seabed. While Sorribas walks around the ship, his right-hand man naval engineer Manuel Portabales doesnt pause for a second. Hes handling the final details that remain to be resolved before setting sail. Two technicians inspect the autonomous underwater drone of the 'Odon de Buen', which can descend to depths of up to 6,000 metres. Sonia Daponte The Odon is so big almost 280-feet-long and 60-feet-wide that, when it was being built at the Armon Vigo shipyards, there was less than two feet of space on each side of the ship. The number of loose pieces, all marked with their reference numbers each of which is welded by hand, right where they have to go, in any nook and cranny is astonishing. And their position is checked every 15 days by the certification inspector. Its Lego in the wild, Sorribas emphasizes. It seems astonishing that a ship like this can be built in less than two years. The Armon Vigo shipyards have long specialized in this type of work: the site is already producing new scientific vessels for New Zealand, Iceland and the Netherlands. The main objective of the Odon is to fill the black holes of the oceans: those enormous areas that are still completely unexplored, according to Maria Gomez Ballesteros, an oceanographer and vice-president of the CSIC. Theres an international treaty to which Spain is a party that aims to have 30% of all the worlds ocean floors mapped by 2030. The remaining 70% is unknown. The multibeam sonar that the Odon carries on its hull can reach up to 49,000 feet, deeper than the deepest known point the Mariana Trench which is just over 36,000 feet below sea level. The sound beams leave the ship, bounce off the bottom and return, allowing the seabed to be mapped with a resolution of mere centimetres. Until now, the CSIC scientist highlights, the resolution was several feet. This allows for a better understanding of deep ecosystems, meaning that scientists can know their state of conservation. The benefits of this ship arent just for Spain or for Europe, but for the whole world. [The ship] will provide essential data, so that political decisions can then be made on how to make transportation, tourism, fishing and any other human activity in the oceans sustainable at a global level, Gomez Ballesteros summarizes. The Odon will be able to map the seabed at almost any point on the planet. It will also study seismic activity and cliffs on the seabed that can cause tsunamis. Thanks to its technology, it will be possible to map in detail the submarine canyons off the Cantabrian or Murcian coasts, as well as the seabeds in the Canary Islands, the deepest in Spain. The ship is also equipped with seismic equipment, capable of seeing what the first internal layers of the Earths crust are made of. Naval engineer Manuel Portabales, next to the window of the 'Odon de Buen.' Sonia Daponte The captain of the 'Odon de Buen' Adrian Gerpe speaks with another member of the crew. Sonia Daponte The ship's bridge. Sonia Daponte Two workers next to one of the cranes. Sonia Daponte Aerial view of the 'Odon de Buen.' CSIC A worker adjusts one of the ship's antennas. Sonia Daponte The main hall of the ship. Sonia Daponte The Odon will also be the quietest ship in the scientific fleet, which is essential for studying marine fauna. On the one hand, it was essential that as an oceanographic research vessel it doesnt make noise that could harm mammals, highlights Maria del Carmen Garcia, a marine biologist and director of the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO). Additionally, since the sonar the eyes of the ship are based on sound beams, any excessive vibration or noise could cloud its vision. With the Odon, we can now explore any sea in the world and thanks to its advanced laboratories well disembark with all the scientific work practically done, Garcia adds. The ship can manage for 50 days at sea: 40 with diesel and 10 more with liquefied natural gas, kept in two enormous tanks located in the bowels of the ship (and kept at 180 degrees below zero). The gas allows for a reduction of more than 90% of the emission of polluting particles during maneuvers in port or in especially sensitive areas, such as Antarctic waters. On one of the inner decks, the Odons chief engineer Ruben Porto explains to EL PAIS that the ship has six propellers. Four of them two at the bow and two at the stern allow the ship to remain almost still in the middle of the sea, with a margin of error of 1.6 feet, even when there are waves. This is essential for scientific work done with underwater robots. The two main propellers have a combined power of almost 4,000 horsepower, or more than 30 utility cars. Getting a ship like this out of the shipyard is a privilege; there are many people who dont have such an opportunity in their entire career, says Porto, a 45-year-old merchant seaman, who has spent 20 years working on ships. Hes also in charge of the ships other machines, such as the water treatment plant from which all the water consumed on board comes from the sewage treatment machine and a system that irradiates the tanks with ultraviolet light to kill any living creature. This prevents the Odon from transporting invasive species. On the bridge is Adrian Gerpe, a 38-year-old from the Spanish region of Galicia, who is the captain of the Odon. The sailor proudly shows off the ships dashboard, which has satellite internet and a digital navigation system. There are no physical nautical charts (a resource that military ships still use). Gerpe commands one of the ships two full crews consisting of 22 people who will take turns approximately every 45 days. Additionally, 36 scientists can travel on board. The captain of the 'Odon de Buen', Adrian Gerpe, on the ship's bridge. Sonia Daponte Gerpe spent a whole year working on a Russian gas tanker crossing the Arctic, breaking ice up to seven feet thick. The Odon wont be able to do as much, but its capable of sailing in cold waters and breaking young ice, which as Gerpe explains is up to two feet thick. Unlike on other types of ship, on this one, the captain is relieved of six-hour-long shifts on the bridge, so that he can supervise the rest of the maneuvers, especially the scientific ones. As captain, I never sleep I just rest. The first person who thinks Im sleeping is going to be killed, the sailor jokes. From the bridge, two spiral staircases lead up to another facility thats been expressly requested by the scientists: two glass turrets, from which you can see practically everything. Theyve been built to observe whales and other marine mammals. The ships name is a tribute to Odon de Buen y del Cos the father of Spanish oceanography, who founded the IEO in 1914. This progressive scientist took his first steps as an oceanographic researcher on board the Blanca, a wooden-hulled, sail- and steam-powered frigate that had survived the 1866 Battle of Callao in Peru. De Buen who died in exile in Mexico, in 1945 would probably be blown away by the capacities of the ship that bears his name. The 'Odon de Buen' in the port of Vigo. Sonia Daponte The construction of the Odon has been in the works since 2008, driven by the IEO an organization thats now part of the CSIC, after a hasty bailout to avoid economic collapse. The ship costs $89 million, 80% of which was financed through regional development funds from the European Union for Andalusia. The other 20% comes from Spains Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. On Thursday, November 21, the official launch ceremony for the ship took place. It was carried out by Clementina de Buen, a doctor and granddaughter of the Spanish oceanographer. After the public events, the ship is scheduled to return to the Port of Vigo, to fill its holds and prepare for its first major campaign. It will set sail in January and will reach Antarctica, where the crew and a small scientific team will test their equipment in cold waters. If theyre lucky, theyll try to reach the Weddell Sea, which is full of icebergs. However, the ship will first have to cross the Drake Passage, which separates the tip of South America from the frozen continent. Its probably the stormiest sea on the planet. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition 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. On May 10, 2021, Cuban-American Senator Marco Rubio denounced on the social network X aggressions and other vile acts by Cuban agents against art historian Carolina Barrero, one of the young faces of the Cuban opposition, who at that time was attacked, stripped, and accused of contempt at a police station in Havana. The Florida politician then asked a question: How long will Cuban women have to suffer these abuses? Barrero remembers the moment when, lying on a cold, sticky cement bed in a cell at the San Miguel del Padron prison, a State Security agent approached her to tell her that Senator Marco Rubio was asking for her release. He said it as through it something very big, even for them, says Barrero. I had no idea who Marco Rubio was at the time, only that he was a senator, because the agent had just told me. Then I saw the tweet, which I thanked him for, and I knew that he did that quite often to support Cuban activists. It was not the first time that Rubio had spoken out against the abuse of activists and political prisoners on the island. A few years earlier, he raised his voice over the arrest of Ernesto Oliva Torres, an activist of the Patriotic Union of Cuba. The dictatorship of [Miguel] Diaz-Canel follows the same tactics as the Castro regime, censoring and repressing members of the opposition, he said. When mass protests broke out on July 11, 2021, he was among the first to launch a hashtag: #SOSCuba. After the demonstrations, when the Havana government turned thousands of citizens into political prisoners, Rubio joined a campaign for the release of imprisoned minors. As a Cuban-American and as a father, I watch with great pain the injustices that are being committed, he said in a statement. In his various statements on the violations of human rights on the island, Rubio has shown himself to be against any policy of rapprochement that, according to him, fills the pockets of the Cuban elite without guaranteeing a radical change of system, even above the price paid by ordinary citizens with each economic sanction. Any support must be contingent upon genuine democratic changes, he said a few years ago. As long as there is no freedom in Cuba, the United States must maintain a firm stance. Every concession made to the Cuban regime is a betrayal of those who are fighting for freedom on the island. Now that Rubio will take over as U.S. Secretary of State in the Donald Trump administration on January 20, becoming the first Cuban-American and Latino to hold the high-ranking position, Cubans are debating whether heavy-handed foreign policy will be beneficial or adverse for the island and how it could influence the countrys near future. I, personally, always have hope, says Barrero. In the darkest moments, thats when I have the most hope. I have decided to view this scenario as an opportunity. The [Joe] Biden administration did not understand the situation in Cuba. It sought solutions that promoted the whitewashing of the dictatorship, without listening to Cubans, or by listening to a section of Cuban society with economic interests in the island. That took its toll on them, adds the activist. And, although she says she does not know what the Republicans strategy will be at the moment, she hopes that it will involve a scenario to think about the impossible in the moment of disaster, and that Rubio will get closer to the Cuban democratic forces. The important thing is to never forget your roots For Eduardo Gamarra, a professor of political science at Florida International University (FIU), Rubios appointment to head the State Department, over other names that were mentioned such as former director of national intelligence Rick Grenell, or Senator Bill Hagerty, is significant. He is a well-prepared person and someone whose understanding of foreign policy is informed by academic studies, says the professor, who is a colleague of Rubios in the Department of Political Science at FIU, where the senator has taught for the past two decades. Both liberal and conservative students value his teaching and enjoy being able to take classes with a senator, he adds. Rubio is not the first person of Cuban origin to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet. Other senators who have done so include Alejandro Mayorkas, who was born in Havana and was Bidens Secretary of Homeland Security; Mel Martinez and Carlos Gutierrez, Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development and Commerce, respectively, during the presidency of George W. Bush; and Alexander Acosta, of Cuban roots who was Secretary of Labor in the Trump administration. The son of Cuban immigrants, Rubio, 53, speaks perfect Spanish and has represented in the Senate a community that on November 5 largely supported Donald Trump. Many Cubans see in him the son of a hotel housekeeper and a waiter who has gone almost as far as one can go in American politics. Rubio, for his part, highlights these two characteristics every time he has the opportunity: his Cuban roots and his status as the son of exiles. Marco Rubio at a campaign rally in Doral, Florida, on July 9, 2024. Rebecca Blackwell (AP) He even refuted an investigation that questioned whether his parents fled Castros Cuba, because they actually left the country under Fulgencio Batista in 1956 and not after the triumph of the Revolution in 1959. Rubio then explained that his parents had tried to return, but could not. In 1961, my mother and older siblings did in fact return to Cuba while my father stayed behind wrapping up the familys matters in the U.S. After just a few weeks living there, she fully realized the true nature of the direction Castro was taking Cuba and returned to the United States one month later, never to return, he said in a statement. There is no record of Rubio having visited the island, or walking the streets where his parents grew up, but he was born and raised in Miami, Florida, the city with the second-largest Cuban population after Havana, and that is enough for many to see him as an equal and to believe that he will keep them safe. Without a doubt, seeing a first-generation Hispanic American, with working-class roots, reach the heights of power in the United States as the senator has achieved is not only a source of pride for many of us in the Latino community, but also serves as an inspiration for anyone who emigrates to this country in search of a better life, says Ricardo Ric Herrero, executive director of the Cuba Study Group. The important thing for his success is that he never forgets his roots, he adds. In Gamarras view, Rubios appointment could serve as an inspiration for many Latinos. But he clarifies that his political positions do not always reflect the concerns of that group. His conservative approach and strict policies on issues such as immigration may not align with the expectations of broad sectors of the community, he says. What could come: more economic and diplomatic restrictions Rubio fits the bill of the conservative playbook. In 2013, he appeared on the cover of Time magazine as The Republican savior. He has had a meteoric political career, is Catholic, a defender of the traditional family like the one he has created with his four children and his wife Jeannette Dousdebes, a former bank teller and cheerleader for the Miami Dolphins and has everything Trump seeks from his team: loyalty and nationalism. Despite having once faced Trump himself who nicknamed him little Marco when they squared off in the 2016 presidential primaries Rubio has proven himself a loyal and tough-minded Republican. When he announced that he would join his administration in the post of Secretary of State, the president-elect said that Rubio will be a fearless warrior and a very powerful voice for freedom, qualities that are celebrated by the Cubans who support him. On the day his appointment was confirmed, Cuban-American congresswoman Maria Elvira Salazar wrote on X that it was a bad day to be a dictator in Latin America. The days of their dictatorships are numbered, added Salazar, warning that Miguel Diaz-Canel, Nicolas Maduro, and Daniel Ortega would have nightmares with Rubio as Secretary of State. The Florida senator has never hidden his radical stance against these governments, especially in Cuba. A hardening of U.S. foreign policy toward the island is expected, which became more hostile after Trump dismantled the reestablishment of diplomatic relations promoted by Barack Obama. And although Biden reversed some of those measures, the time for a thaw is still a long way off. Rubio was, in fact, one of the most critical voices of Obamas rapprochement in 2014, which he called inexplicable. During Trumps first term, he was a great defender of the economic strangulation of the Cuban government and advised the former presidents team to implement more than 200 sanctions against Havana, which included travel bans, sanctions on military companies, the sending of remittances, and the inclusion of Cuba once again on the list of countries sponsoring terrorism. In addition, after the alleged sonic attacks on diplomats in Havana, he supported the withdrawal of diplomatic personnel from the embassy. Later, with Biden in power, Rubio warned against executing Obamas concessions again. The senator has blamed the Castro leadership for the economic embargo against the island that the U.S. government declared in 1962, and has said that it will only end in a context of free, fair, and multiparty elections, civil liberties, the right to own and enjoy private property, and an independent judiciary. Donald Trump greets Senator Marco Rubio during a campaign rally in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 4, 2024. Evan Vucci (AP) Gamarra has no doubt that U.S. policy toward Cuba under Rubio will likely be characterized by a more confrontational stance, with less room for dialogue and cooperation. And, amid the economic crisis the island is going through, the hardest hit could be ordinary citizens, who are already dealing with shortages of food, medicine, and basic resources. This could translate into greater economic and diplomatic restrictions toward Cuba, affecting both the government and the general population. One way to view this impact is that the most vulnerable sectors of Cuban society could be the most harmed by an increase in sanctions, since these usually impact the economy and access to essential goods and services, says the FIU professor. Herrero, of the Cuba Study Group, notes that Rubio has also recognized the importance of supporting the people as a political imperative and of strengthening the islands civil society and private sector. He also says that, as Secretary of State, he will be well positioned to ensure that any likely new sanctions minimize the impact on the population. We have seen great innovations in recent years in the design of sanctions so that they are strategically targeted at individuals, groups, and institutions, rather than at populations at large, he notes. The future of immigration under Rubio's influence Where there seems to be less consensus among analysts is to what extent Rubio could influence the potential reversal of immigration policies that in recent years have affected the legal guarantees of Cuban migrants in the United States. In an interview with Univision, the senator said that the influx of thousands of emigrants is not sustainable and that there cannot be an incentive for people to emigrate. Immigration policy decisions are the responsibility of the Department of Homeland Security, so Rubio will not have direct oversight over its formulation or implementation, but Ricardo Herrero believes that, as Secretary of State, he will be able to exert influence over it. It will be interesting to see how the Trump administration balances its immigration priorities with the interests of the Cuban-American community, one of its most loyal voting blocs, he says. Programs like humanitarian parole and family reunification are extremely popular in South Florida, and South Florida Republican representatives have always supported paths to citizenship for Cuban immigrants, he says. But Gamarra notes that Rubio has opposed programs like humanitarian parole, and that when former president Obama ended the wet foot/dry foot policy, under which the United States welcomed virtually every Cuban who reached U.S. territory for more than 20 years, Rubio applauded the decision. It is likely that, as Secretary of State, he will maintain or even reinforce these positions, promoting more restrictive policies regarding immigration from Cuba and other countries. This could make it more difficult to access programs that facilitate the legal entry of immigrants and refugees. What analysts have no doubt about is that, with a Cuban on its team, the Trump administration will have Cuba on its agenda of priorities, which was not the case with Biden. For Herrero, the current president, despite implementing important measures to reopen travel, remittances, and consular services, largely neglected the Caribbean island. The analyst believes that as of January 20, the White House will focus mainly on immigration policy and the ongoing conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. But, he adds, having Rubio at the head of the State Department practically guarantees that Cuba will receive unique attention. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Bloor Homes is returning to Bideford after a decade, marking its re-entry into the town with the launch of Winsford Park. The new development, located just 3.5 miles from Bidefords town centre, will feature a selection of three and four-bedroom homes. The homes are designed to meet the growing demand for sustainable and energy-efficient housing in the area. The first phase of the development will include 82 homes, and Bloor Homes has partnered with local estate agent Phillips Smith & Dunn to assist in the sales process. Stephanie Ubl, Sales Manager for Bloor Homes Exeter region, said: We are really delighted to be back in this lovely part of the world. We have just 82 new homes available on this first phase, so we are expecting demand to be high, and with PV solar panels and EV charging points fitted as standard, they will certainly appeal to people looking for a future-proofed home." Potential buyers interested in the new homes can visit the Phillips Smith & Dunn office in Bideford, where they can speak to the Sales Advisor, Karen, to learn more about the homes, available plots, and the sustainable features of the development. Those who have already registered on the Bloor Homes database will have access to exclusive pre-launch pricing. The Winsford Park development is situated off Abbotsham Road, close to the village of Abbotsham and the North Devon coastline. The development boasts a blend of modern homes and natural surroundings, including original mature trees and expansive green spaces. Edward Passmore, Director at Phillips Smith & Dunn, said: We welcome this partnership with Bloor Homes ahead of their sales presence on site as it gives locals the opportunity to find out about new homes coming to the local area. As a Home Builders Federation (HBF) Five Star builder, Bloor Homes is renowned for the quality and style of its new, energy-efficient homes and adds choice to people in the local area. We are particularly excited to assist clients with their move to Winsford Park. We look forward to helping sell their existing homes now, so they are in a position to move when the handsome new homes are built next Summer. Designed with sustainability in mind, the homes at Winsford Park will feature energy-efficient systems, including radiator systems compatible with air-sourced heat pumps. These homes align with the latest building regulations and the UKs goal to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050. For more information on the Winsford Park development or to register for priority marketing details, visit Phillips Smith & Dunn or head to the Bloor Homes website at bloorhomes.com. Avgo has been one of the hottest brunch spots in Northwest Indiana since it opened in St. John back in 2019. Named after the Greek word for egg, Avgo offers a modern spin on a traditional Greek diner, billing itself as "where classic meets creative." Owner Peter Klideris was inspired by his childhood experiences working at his parents' pancake house, Ted's Family Restaurant in Calumet City. Now his Theo's Dining Group, which also owns Theo's Steaks and Seafood in Highland, Prime Steakhouse in Crown Point and Umi Sushi and Lounge in Crown Point, will open a second Avgo in Valparaiso. Developer Bruce Boyer plans to invest $2 million into the former Valparaiso city hall and firehouse at 16-18 Indiana Ave., transforming the 149-year-old building into a modern 8,000-square-foot restaurant. The buzzed-about breakfast and lunch restaurant focuses on high quality versions of breakfast staples like French toast, pancakes and five-egg omelets, including with gyro meat, steak from Theo's Dining Group's Prime Steakhouse and seafood like shrimp, crab and lobster cream sauce. It uses only cage-free eggs, smokes its own bacon and has its sausage made at a spot in Michigan. The chic breakfast spot also has contemporary fare like a crab cake Maryland benedict, avocado toast, breakfast tacos and chicken and waffles. The fruit bruschetta features seasonal fruit, cream cheese, Challah bread and Greek honey. Theo's Dining Group aims to open the new Avgo in April of 2026. Avgo also plans to debut a new donut concept in Valparaiso. People will be able to walk up to a window to buy coffee and specialty donuts. Construction is expected to start in March. Open Taqueria Moros is now serving up traditional Mexican cuisine in East Chicago. The Mexican restaurant opened at 4903 Indianapolis Blvd. in East Chicago. It serves authentic Mexican food like tacos, burritos and refried beans. Taqueria Moros represents the spirit of East Chicagoentrepreneurial, community-oriented, and deeply rooted in culture. I am thrilled to welcome this new establishment to our city and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on our community," Mayor Anthony Copeland said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Open Flako's Tacos opened a second location in Griffith, coming downtown. Last year, Flako's Tacos moved into the longtime Mi Tierra spot at the Griffith-Merrillville Airport, opening a sit-down restaurant at the municipal airport. It just opened the more carryout-oriented Flako's Tacos Express at 105 N Broad St, Griffith. It also has locations at 4302 Indianapolis Blvd. in East Chicago and 1705 E. Main St. in Griffith, as well as a food truck. Founded by a Los Angeles native, the restaurant offers "LA flavors with Midwest flair." The menu includes birria tacos, cheesy tacos and LA-style tacos with a choice of meat, cilantro, onion and avocado salsa on homemade corn tortillas. The menu also includes burritos, tortas, quesadillas, LA quesadillas, fried quesadilla, mulitas, a birria ramen combo, taquitos, elote, Hot Cheeto Elote dessert nachos and a concha ice cream sandwich. Flako's Fries feature steak, melted mozzarella cheese and avocado salsa. Coming soon The Package Depot and Hot Body Pilates studio will open in The Meadows Shopping Center in Portage. The businesses signed leases to move into the shopping center that's anchored by Strack and Van Til at Central and Willowcreek. Interior construction is now underway. Hot Body Pilates hopes to open this month. Both tenants are new concepts by entrepreneurs and were great to work with. They will be a perfect fit for the center and will add to the already strong traffic coming in and out of the center, said Brett McDermott with Crown Point-based Latitude Commercial, which represented the landlord in the lease. Coming soon Pepe's Mexican Restaurant and Domino's are opening in a new strip mall at Parish Avenue and U.S. 231 in St. John. Both restaurants will open soon in the strip mall that's now under construction near The Gates of St. John north of U.S. 231. "They're finishing up construction," Town Councilman Michael Bouvat said. "It's not 100% built. Maybe they'll open this year." Ann Arbor-based Domino's is the nation's largest pizza chain. It has pizzerias all throughout Northwest Indiana, including in Merrillville, Griffith, Hobart, Portage, Munster and Hammond. It's opened several new locations in recent years and is planning to open at 10845 Parrish Ave. in St. John. Pepe's is a Mexican restaurant chain that's a staple in Northwest Indiana and greater Chicagoland. Billed as a famous "Chicago original," it was founded by Mario Dovalina and Edwin Ptak in 1967. It's since grown to more than 40 locations, including in Schererville, Merrillville, Hammond, Griffith, Lafayette and Frankfort. It's especially prevalent in the south suburbs and on the South Sides, with locations in neighborhoods like Beverly. The traditional Mexican menu includes tacos, burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, nachos and flautas. Its entrees come with refried beans and rice. Coming soon Loli's Gorditas #4 is coming to Indianapolis Boulevard just across from the South Shore Line train station in East Chicago, giving commuters somewhere to grab a quick meal on their way to or from Chicago. The small Chicago-based chain has three other locations that specialize in Mexican food. Loli's Gorditas serves tacos, burritos, quesadillas and of course gorditas. It has a nearby location at 239 Pulaski Road in Calumet City. The menu includes Gorditas De Papas Con Chorizo, Gorditas De Chicharron Prensado En Salsa Roja and Burrito De Deshebrada Verde O Roja Con Mayonesa. Loli's Gorditas serves 11 different types of gorditas, including pork, pork skin, shredded beef, ground beef, steak with cheese, chicken in chipotle sauce and steak in red sauce. Open Biggby Coffee is now caffeinating Portage The Michigan-based coffee shop chain, which is akin to a Starbucks or Dunkin, opened at 2872 Willowcreek Road in Portage. Jessica Blumenfeld and Kerry Wright, who both have extensive experience with McDonald's, opened the drive-through-only location Thursday. Biggby serves a wide variety of coffee drinks, including many varieties of lattes, teas and freezes. It makes its energy drinks to order, offers mocktails spiked with Red Bull and has a sweet foam cold brew. The food menu is oriented toward baked goods and breakfast items like Bragels, or breakfast sandwiches on bagels. It has muffins, bagels, donut holes and a Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Maple Waffle Sandwich. Biggby has opened locations all across Northwest Indiana in recent years, including in Highland, St. John, Crown Point, Cedar Lake, Michigan City, LaPorte, Westville and Chesterton. Coming soon A new gas station and convenience store is being built on the site of the old Clark gas station at 318 N. Main St. in Crown Point, city spokeswoman Mary Freda-Flores said. Munster-based Luke Marcotte is the general contractor. "The project has a new commercial building permit and work is underway," she said. After two centuries of faithfully guiding sailors around a blustery headland in southwest Scotland, the lighthouse needed some attention. Ross Russell, a mechanical engineer, was helping refurbish the Corsewall Lighthouse in the village of Kirkcolm when he peeked into the cavity in a wall of the old structure. Thats when he saw it: an old glass bottle with something curled up inside. He and his colleagues fished the bottle out of its hiding place, called the lighthouse keeper and congregated at the bottom of the structure to inspect their discovery. Inside the bottle, which was stoppered with rusted wire wrapped around an old cork, was a note handwritten in cursive. How old, exactly, became clear when they drilled away the cork and pulled the note through the bottleneck using two cables. The date on the header: Sept. 4, 1892. In a field next to a church in Compton, a farm has taken root. It provides fresh food for the neighborhood, and jobs for the formerly incarcerated. And a couple times a month, its transformed into a kitchen serving chilaquiles made from scratch. How Brunch Came to a Backyard Farm in Compton A Los Angeles assistant principal was arrested on Friday and charged with molesting eight children between 2015 and 2019, while he was working as an elementary school counselor in Ventura County. The defendant, David Lane Braff Jr., 42, of Thousand Oaks, Calif., is accused of molesting children aged 6 to 10 in an office at McKevett Elementary School in the Santa Paula Unified School District, roughly 70 miles west of Los Angeles. The charges emerged out of a cold case sexual abuse unit, Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. He noted that officials at McKevett Elementary had reached out to authorities at the time of the alleged incidents. Nevertheless, Mr. Braff has held several jobs in public education since and has also volunteered in a number of programs for children. A couple who owned a funeral home at two locations in Colorado pleaded guilty on Friday to multiple counts of corpse abuse, more than a year after 191 bodies were found decaying at their businesses in a horrific scene, the authorities said. The couple, Jon and Carie Hallford, operated the Return to Nature Funeral Home in Colorado Springs and Penrose, Colo. They agreed to facing 15 to 20 years in prison after they each pleaded guilty in El Paso County Court to 191 felony counts of abuse of a corpse, Michael Allen, the district attorney for the 4th Judicial District of Colorado, said at a news conference. The Hallfords are scheduled to be sentenced in April on the state charges. Return to Nature advertised to families that their loved ones would be given green burials that included the use of biodegradable caskets, baskets or shrouds. A raucously received performance of Mahlers First Symphony at Carnegie Hall on Saturday was the latest exclamation point in the conductor Klaus Makelas meteoric rise. Makela is just 28 and made his Carnegie debut a mere eight months ago with the Orchestre de Paris one of the two very good ensembles he currently leads. He returned to the hall this week for a two-night stand with the storied Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam one of the two much-better-than-very-good ensembles he is set to take over in the coming years. (The news came in April that he would also be the next music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.) Chicago and the Concertgebouw are more than excellent groups; they are cultural treasures, whose futures have been placed in the hands of a maestro who was widely unknown six years ago. It is safe to say that no conductor in modern history has been entrusted with so much at such a young age. Does he deserve it? With the physically extroverted Makela bobbing, digging, punching and thwacking them on, the Concertgebouws musicians played superbly. By coincidence, the Berlin Philharmonic, another world-class ensemble, had visited Carnegie a few days before, and provided a useful comparison: Berlins kaleidoscopically colored, richly muscular force was distinct from the Concertgebouws blended and refined (though still sumptuous) elegance. Bernard Looney, the former chief executive of BP, one of the worlds largest energy companies, said Sunday that he would become chairman of a data center start-up in the United States, a move that comes amid a ravenous appetite for electricity to power the boom in artificial intelligence. The company, called Prometheus Hyperscale, plans to build a $10 billion data center on a 640-acre site in Evanston, Wyo., carved out of the family ranch of the companys founder and chief executive, Trenton Thornock. The hope is to attract companies like Amazon, Microsoft or Google with mushrooming needs for computer power, Mr. Looney said in an interview. Prometheus plans to expand in the United States and internationally, he added. Ill be helping them with customers, he said. Ill be helping them with investors. Ill be helping them with strategy. Mr. Looney, 54, left BP last year after acknowledging that he failed to properly disclose personal relationships with colleagues. A Connecticut couple were charged with being part of an organized retail theft operation that is suspected of stealing about $1 million in Lululemon merchandise across several states, the authorities said. The couple, Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, of Danbury, Conn., were each charged with one felony count of organized retail theft this month in connection with crimes that began in September, according to the Ramsey County Attorneys Office in Minnesota. They were arrested at a Lululemon store in Woodbury, Minn., one day after they went to a Lululemon store in Roseville, Minn., where they and an unidentified man stole 45 items worth nearly $5,000, according to the charges. An investigator for Lululemon, who is identified in court documents only by the initials R.P., said that the couple began by stealing from Minnesota stores in Edina, Minneapolis and Minnetonka. On the heels of contentious climate talks in Azerbaijan, negotiators from around the globe are descending on Busan, South Korea, this week with another formidable goal: the worlds first treaty designed to tackle plastic pollutions explosive growth. On the table is a proposal that aims to cut down on the millions of tons of plastic waste discarded each year. And a broad coalition of nations is seeking to go a step further and rein in plastic production, with a focus on restricting single-use plastic. That notion had gained traction leading up to the final round of talks in Busan, with even the United States, a major plastics producer, tentatively backing the United Nations-led effort. Then came the election of Donald J. Trump. Now, few expect the United States to sign on to an eventual treaty at all. And with deep-seated opposition from oil and gas nations like Saudi Arabia and Russia which, like the United States, produce the fossil fuels used to make plastic some delegates are wondering whether any agreement is possible by the scheduled end of the talks on Sunday. I dont envy American voters. Your presidential choices have an impact halfway across the planet. Your soldiers fight and die in other countries wars. I know youre tired of feeling you have to fix the worlds problems. But like it or not, this unique privilege and responsibility comes with being a citizen of the greatest country in the world. So spare a thought for one of these faraway places affected by your vote: my island home, Taiwan. When I was growing up, we idolized America. I loved the idea of it the land of opportunity and protector of democracy. I inherited this from my father, who was born in Taiwan in 1950, a year after the Chinese civil war forced his family to flee there from mainland China. He grew up in an era when, with the United States as a beacon, Taiwan transformed from dictatorship to democracy. After attending graduate school in Indiana in the 1980s, he returned a certified fanboy of Americana. We watched movies such as Air Force One and Independence Day, in which U.S. presidents used their fists to defeat Americas enemies and save the world. We ate at TGI Fridays in Taipei to satisfy his craving for a proper American hamburger. He dreamed that Id someday make a life in America, where he felt that his opinionated only daughter would thrive. Donald Trumps return to office is putting our faith in America to the test. He has made clear that, unlike previous presidents, he couldnt care less about Taiwan and our hard-won democracy. He says we need to pay for protection, even though we already spend billions of dollars a year on U.S. weapons systems. He says falsely that Taiwan stole Americas chip business, has dismissed us as a geopolitical trifle and expressed doubt about the United States being able to defend Taiwan against China. Maybe this was just campaign bluster, but statements like this carry an existential weight for Taiwans 24 million residents. As Chinas economic might has grown, we have been left with fewer and fewer allies in the world, relying on our informal but strong relationship with America for survival. One of the largest corruption crackdowns in recent history is being quietly wiped away. Brazils Supreme Court is tossing out key evidence, setting aside major convictions and suspending billions of dollars in fines in a historic series of bribery cases, arguing that biased investigators, prosecutors and judges broke laws in their ravenous pursuit of justice. In rulings over the past year most stemming from legal challenges from people who claim they were treated unfairly the court has undone cases in which senior politicians and business executives had pleaded guilty. The decisions are now cascading across Latin America, leading to the dismissals of at least 115 convictions in Brazil, according to anticorruption groups. The reversals are also casting doubt over many other cases in Panama, Ecuador, Peru and Argentina, including the convictions of several former presidents. It all amounts to a broad unraveling of Operation Car Wash, a sweeping investigation that, starting a decade ago, uncovered a vast corruption scheme spanning at least 12 countries. Investigators found that corporations had paid billions of dollars in bribes to government officials in exchange for public projects. A mamacita since she was 14, the song says in Spanish, with a chorus that repeats: And even though that little baby has an owner, she goes out whenever she wants. These lyrics from a recent reggaeton hit have set off a firestorm after eight of Colombias biggest artists banded together and released the song this month. The track, which includes global superstars Karol G, J Balvin and Maluma, is called +57, a reference to Colombias country telephone code. Commercially, the song was a hit. It has been streamed more than 35 million times worldwide, and immediately shot up to the top spot on Spotify in Colombia, where it remains. But it has also drawn outrage over lyrics that many Colombians say sexualize children, setting off a fierce debate between those who say the song reinforces negative stereotypes about Colombia and those who say the genre is being unfairly attacked. Hezbollah fired about 250 projectiles into Israel on Sunday, a day after an Israeli strike in the heart of the Lebanese capital killed more than 25 people. The aerial attack was one of the largest Hezbollah has mounted against Israel since the Lebanese militant group started firing on Israel last year in solidarity with Hamas in Gaza. It also coincided with a flurry of diplomacy aimed at halting the intensifying fighting in Lebanon. More than 65 people were wounded in the attack on Saturday in Lebanons capital, Beirut. As rescuers searched through the rubble, the death toll rose on Sunday to at least 29 people, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. Three Israeli defense officials said the strike was an attempt to assassinate a top Hezbollah military commander, Mohammad Haidar. One of the Israeli defense officials, who requested anonymity to discuss sensitive military operations, later said that Mr. Haidar was not killed. On Sunday, waves of air raid sirens blared throughout much of Israel, including in the Tel Aviv area and the hilltop town of Safed. Israels military said that around 250 projectiles a term usually referring to rockets had been launched as of the evening, and that some were intercepted by air defense systems. Hours before a river of mud descended on towns around Valencia, trapping and killing hundreds of people, water started gushing through the small Spanish municipality of Utiel. A quiet winemaking town on the upper reaches of the Magro River, inland from Valencia, Utiel sits about an hours drive from the sprawling, densely populated eastern coast of Spain that was inundated last month in some of Europes worst flooding in decades. Heavy rains began in Utiel on the morning of Oct. 29. By about 1 p.m., the towns narrow cobblestone streets were already filled with several inches of water. By 2 p.m., a muddy tide nearly reached the windows of the towns low homes as the Magro spilled over its banks. Trash cans and cars drifted about like toy boats. By 3 p.m., the mayor said that he had alerted the firefighters and the military emergency unit. Everyone knew that we were drowning, said the mayor, Ricardo Gabaldon. Yet the regional authorities failed to alert towns and villages a few dozen miles lower down the Magro that the river was raging and coming their way, mayors said. Hours later, it hit those places, too. An Israeli rabbi in the United Arab Emirates who had been missing since Thursday has been found murdered, Israeli and Emirati authorities announced on Sunday. Israeli officials called the death of the rabbi, Zvi Kogan, an act of terrorism, without providing any further details. The Emirati government said in a statement on Sunday that three perpetrators involved in the murder had been arrested. It offered no additional information on the arrests but said full details would be disclosed when the investigations conclude. Rabbi Kogan, a dual citizen of Israel and Moldova, worked in Abu Dhabi as part of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a branch of Orthodox Judaism that conducts Jewish outreach around the world. Image Rabbi Kogan, a citizen of Israel and Moldova, shown this month in Dubai in a still image taken from a video on social media. Credit... via Reuters With great pain we share that Rabbi Zvi Kogan, Chabad-Lubavitch emissary to Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., was murdered by terrorists after being abducted on Thursday, Chabad said in a brief statement, adding that his body had been recovered early Sunday morning. KYODO NEWS - Nov 26, 2024 - 13:26 | Japan, All An event to commemorate Japanese and Korean laborers who worked at the gold and silver mine complex on Japan's Sado Island during World War II was held Sunday, following an agreement between Japan and South Korea to hold the event before the site's addition to UNESCO's World Heritage list earlier this year. However, South Korean officials and families of the Korean laborers scheduled to participate in the event did not attend, as the country's Foreign Ministry stated Saturday that it was difficult for the two nations to reach a consensus on the event. Seoul's announcement followed a statement by Tokyo that Parliamentary Vice Foreign Minister Akiko Ikuina would attend the event. In 2022, Kyodo News mistakenly reported that Ikuina had visited the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo, a frequent source of diplomatic friction with South Korea and other Asian nations. At the event, Ikuina said, "The laborers who came from the Korean peninsula took on difficult work in a dangerous and harsh environment" of the mine, adding she pays respects to the efforts made by all the mine laborers and mourns for those who died. Ikuina told reporters that she had not visited the Yasukuni shrine since she was elected to the House of Councillors in 2022. South Korea plans to hold its own memorial event on Monday on the island at the site of a former lodging for Korean laborers, with its ambassador to Japan, Park Cheol Hee, and relatives of the laborers participating, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said. The mine complex was added to UNESCO's World Heritage list in July following a last-minute agreement from South Korea, which had initially opposed the listing, citing links to the wartime forced labor of Koreans. One of the conditions agreed upon by the two countries at the time was that Japan would hold an annual memorial event to commemorate all laborers. Japan maintains that wartime requisition does not constitute forced labor under international law. In her speech at the event, Ikuina did not mention the coercive nature of the Korean laborers' work at the mine. Related coverage: South Korea to skip Japan's Sado mine event to remember laborers UNESCO adds Japan's Sado mine site to World Heritage list South Korea says listing Japan's Sado mine as World Heritage site likely Authoritarian governments are not known for taking kindly to criticism. And in Egypt, official skins can be especially thin: Deepening repression has muffled most dissent and sent tens of thousands of perceived political opponents to jail, including one for posting a doctored photo of the president with Mickey Mouse ears. But this month, Egypt found itself facing an opponent it could not silence so easily. Cairo Airport: Is There a Worse Major Airport? the travel blogger Ben Schlappig pondered in a no-holds-barred post on his website, One Mile at a Time. He cited the actively hostile and rude staff, the endless requests for tips, the disorder in line, the weak dining options and the yuck lounges. My visits have varied from inconvenient and disorganized, to outright chaotic, he wrote. I just cant think of a single redeeming quality about the airport. As if salting the wound, he ended by comparing Cairos airport unfavorably with that of Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, with which Egypt is locked in a yearslong dispute over water rights. It was a verdict almost guaranteed to enrage Egypts government, which is making a concerted push to double its tourism numbers, trying to reach 30 million annual visitors by 2028. Besides employing one in 12 Egyptian workers, the tourism industry delivers desperately needed foreign currency to a country reeling from a prolonged economic crisis. The Israeli military late on Sunday conducted a heavy barrage of airstrikes on the southern outskirts of Beirut where Hezbollah holds sway, with fighter jets racing across the skies above the Lebanese capital and deafening explosions ringing out for miles. Lebanons state-run news agency described the bombardment as a ring of fire, with thick, black plumes of smoke seen rising above the citys skyline. The airstrikes followed a series of sweeping evacuation warnings on Sunday by the Israeli military for the area, known as the Dahiya more warnings than in any other day this month. They also came as Hezbollah fired about 250 projectiles into Israel on Sunday, one of the groups largest aerial attacks over the past year. Analysts said that Israels ramped up attacks in recent days were intended to pressure Hezbollah into accepting a cease-fire on favorable terms. Hezbollah, however, has shown few signs of backing down, and both sides have pledged to keep up their attacks while negotiations are taking place. Londis retailers from every corner of the country, including two from Offaly, were honoured at the recent Londis Retailing Excellence Awards ceremony, which was held in Lyrath Hotel in Kilkenny, and hosted by BWG Foods, owners and operators of the Londis brand in Ireland. The Offaly based Londis retailers and stores honoured were Liam Doolan, Doolans Londis Kilcorma and Aidan Flynn, Knights Londis Clara This years Londis Retailing Excellence Awards, held in association with independent body Solution Management Associates (SMA), recognise those Londis stores who have excelled during the year across all areas of their store. In winning these awards, the stores were independently examined across a range of criteria including the quality of their fresh food offering, product range, as well as the stores commitment to upholding the highest of retailing standards, thereby providing an excellent customer experience to their local communities. Congratulating the winners, Conor Hayes, Londis Sales Director, said: The Londis Retailing Excellence Awards have been running since 2015 and recognise those Londis retailers who, through their ongoing commitment to outstanding retail standards and customer service, continue to set the benchmark for the Londis brand in their communities and, indeed, in the wider industry. I offer my congratulations to these outstanding Londis retailers from Offaly and their staff. Their efforts have been truly outstanding, and this recognition is very well-deserved. By Mohammad Gharebagh, KYODO NEWS - Nov 24, 2024 - 22:35 | All, World Iran will hold talks with Britain, France, and Germany on Friday, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said, with the nations believed to be seeking to revive their stalled 2015 nuclear deal. The vice-ministerial talks are set to take place in Geneva and the European Union will also participate, sources said. The talks would coincide with President-elect Donald Trump's return to the White House in January. Trump withdrew from the accord during his first administration in 2018. Iran countered the U.S. move by increasing its nuclear activities beyond the limits set in the deal. The planned talks between Iran, the three European nations and the EU, which is acting as a mediator, will be the country's first nuclear talks since reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian took office in late July to succeed Ebrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash in May. At the talks, topics are expected to include Iran's nuclear program, European nations' sanctions on Iranian airlines and shipping companies, and escalating tensions in the Middle East, according to the sources. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht Ravanchi, a veteran nuclear negotiator, will lead the country's delegation in Geneva. With the 2015 nuclear deal struck with six major powers -- Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia and the United States -- Iran agreed to curb its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. China and Russia, which are strengthening their ties with Iran, and the United States, currently undergoing an administration transition from President Joe Biden to Trump, will not participate in the talks, the sources said. KYODO NEWS - Nov 24, 2024 - 14:31 | Others MUFG Bank has fired an employee for allegedly stealing assets worth between 1 billion ($6 million) and 2 billion yen from safe deposit boxes of some 60 customers in Tokyo, the Japanese megabank said. The worker was dismissed on Nov. 14 after admitting to stealing the assets at two branches from April 2020 to October this year. The bank is investigating the theft and consulting with police, it said Friday. The bank said the thefts occurred at the Nerima and Tamagawa branches and the exact value of the items stolen is still being investigated. The incident came to light on Oct. 31 after the bank received an inquiry from a client, it said. The bank has confirmed there were no similar incidents at other branches after conducting an emergency assessment. "The former employee was responsible for managing the safe deposit boxes and took advantage of this position to open customers' safes without permission and steal their assets," MUFG Bank said in a statement. The bank failed to prevent the incident despite having strict rules governing safe deposit box management and a system under which periodic checks are conducted by a third party, the bank added. The bank said it has already contacted the customers affected and will swiftly compensate them. It has not disclosed details of the former worker. The incident comes in the wake of another in which a former employee at major Japanese financial firm Nomura Securities Co. was indicted earlier this month on suspicion of robbery, attempted murder and arson. Yusei Kajiwara is alleged to have stolen some 18 million yen in cash from an elderly couple after rendering the woman unconscious with a sleeping drug and then setting their house on fire on July 28, according to the indictment. The couple, who were Nomura customers, escaped unscathed, investigative sources said. The Portland Trail Blazers put forth a far better effort Saturday night at Houston than they did on Friday and pulled out a 104-98 victory at the Toyota Center. It was just a fun, well-rounded together win, Blazers coach Chauncey Billups told reporters. How do you solve a problem like eighth grade algebra? Not the actual problems covered by the syllabus the graphing of compound inequalities, say, or the untangling of scatter plots but the question thats at the heart of a fraught national debate: Who should get to take a high school level math class in their final year of middle school? Portland Public Schools is the latest urban school district to take a swing at answering that question, after previous high-profile attempts in New York City and San Francisco yielded no measurable improvement in two different but equally important objectives: Diversifying middle school algebra classes and making sure that advanced math students leave eighth grade with a solid grasp on foundational algebraic concepts. The districts experiment unfolds daily in Ernest Yagos cheerfully cluttered math classroom at Faubion PK-8 School in Northeast Portland. Yago, a veteran math teacher, is piloting a new math and science-focused, hands-on elective that some seventh graders at his school take alongside their regular math class. So far, Portlands new approach has narrowed the pool of students allowed to start high school math in eighth grade, though it is only in its first few months. And it is not yet clear whether the district has managed to boost the racial and ethnic diversity of those taking part. The hope is that the course Yago is debuting will broaden the spectrum of scholars in eighth grade algebra. By double-dosing students with math concepts in seventh grade couched in an approach that stresses projects with real-world applications over worksheets the thinking is they will be better prepared for the rigors of eighth grade algebra. In addition to Faubion, three K-8 schools on the citys east side Bridger-Creative Science, Astor and Cesar Chavez plus Robert Gray Middle School on the west side are offering the elective. I think that for some kids, algebra in eighth is pushing too fast, but there are a select few kids that are motivated and ready to do a high school class in eighth grade, Yago said. I want to honor that and make sure we offer it. Kids who arent instinctively gifted mathematicians need to have the right background before jumping into algebra in eighth grade, Yago said. And he knows firsthand that that hasnt always been the case, particularly in the post-pandemic years, when students returned to school still glued to their screens. Some kids come into eighth grade algebra in la-la land, with big holes in the background they need to succeed in the class, Yago said. That means taking time out of a packed curriculum to revisit the content theyve missed, he added, like how to make a box plot and calculate a five number summary. I try my best to cover what they need [in eighth grade algebra], but sometimes you have to fill in holes to make that progress, and then you are behind in curricular content, he said. Hes got some hope a good chunk of the seventh graders in his math-and-science elective will be better prepared to tackle algebra next year, after getting more exposure to the material. After their current unit on graphing wraps up, he said, theyll move on to a geometry unit, using proportional reasoning, expressions and equations to create blueprints for a scale model of a home theyll design and build. Yago and his fellow teachers at the pilot schools are developing the curriculum for the course over the course of the school year, with help from two high school math teachers with experience teaching hands-on math. Yagos students said they had varying reasons for taking his math elective. Some said theyd been put there or recommended for entry by teachers. Others said they want careers in the sciences. Aspiring engineers, doctors and computer programmers said they know taking algebra in eighth grade would help launch them on that path. I want to be a pilot, and you need math for that, said Liam Kaczenski, 12. He said he is determined to earn good enough grades in Yagos class to qualify for algebra next year. For his graphing project, he charted how many siblings each of his classmates had and compared that against their stress level, hypothesizing that the more brothers and sisters, the higher the angst would be. It was true for him, he said, pointing at his twin sister Ana, who is also in Yagos class. I struggle with math sometimes, Ana said. But I want to be ahead in high school. This class helps me understand more topics. Taking algebra in eighth grade sets students like the Kaczenski twins up for geometry in ninth grade, advanced algebra by 10th grade, pre-calculus in 11th grade and calculus by their senior year. Calculus is viewed both as a calling card for elite colleges and a prerequisite for eventual employment in the lucrative and growing engineering and technology industries. Waiting until ninth grade to start algebra means that, to get to calculus by senior year, students either have to double up on math or seek summer credits. Nationally and in Portland, white and Asian students have historically been overrepresented in advanced math classes and have outperformed their Black, Latino and Indigenous peers. In a bid to change that dynamic, San Francisco tried banning eighth grade algebra completely, a path Portland seriously considered emulating, to the chagrin of some parents. They argued that without an in-school option available, well-off families would hire private tutors for their children, exacerbating inequity instead of alleviating it. Then San Francisco Unified School District officials reversed course, after a decades worth of no algebra in middle school led to little improvement in equity, and Portland, too, pivoted. New York City, meanwhile, took the opposite tack, making algebra available to all eighth graders. But there too, Black and Latino students still scored way below their white and Asian counterparts. The district, the nations largest, has now shifted its focus to improving ninth grade algebra instruction. Portland is seeking to thread the needle, said Joanna Tobin, the districts senior director for middle grade core academics. We were just really frustrated with the research and the nationwide dilemma, Tobin said. We want to hold onto an advanced pathway and support our students getting there, if thats their desire, and we also really do value grade level work. In addition to piloting the seventh grade math and science elective, Portland raised the bar for which seventh graders get to take compacted math, a fast-track class that is the historical precursor to eighth grade algebra. It compresses the seventh and eighth grade math curriculums mostly into a single year. With the bar set higher this year, only about one-third of the districts 2,870 seventh graders performed well enough on standardized tests to gain automatic entry into compacted math, compared to about half of last years seventh grade class, Tobin said. Under the districts new system, entry doesnt hinge solely on a high-stakes test, which sets Portland apart from the bulk of middle schools in the United States that offer algebra in eighth grade. A second pathway into compacted math a teacher recommendation or parent request that a student be allowed to demonstrate that they are ready for the material even though their test scores are below the cutoff appears to be far more lightly used thus far. Some parents have complained that the district was slow to get the word out about that option. Just 140 students completed a performance task to try to place into compacted math after missing the quiz and test cutoffs. Only 20 of that group ultimately joined the advanced class. (A sample question from the performance task: Imagine that your family ate one third of a pan of brownies and that you then gave six friends equal portions of the leftovers. How much of the total pan did each friend get. Please show your work!). When you put up these roadblocks to getting into more advanced classes, you know who will make it in, said David Stein, whose sixth grade daughter was able to test into seventh grade compacted math after a last minute scramble. It will be the parents who get the emails, are able to process them and go through the effort to make sure their kid is eligible and enrolled in the program. Portland doesnt yet have good data on the demographics of who made it into compacted math this year, as compared with years past because of technical glitches, Tobin said. But she acknowledged that for now, when it comes to the demographics, [compacted math] is not yet reflective of the diversity of our communities. Some of this will be a journey, and well be seeing the growth at high school. Every Portland middle school is offering at least one way into eighth grade algebra either the seventh grade compacted math class or the career-related math elective but its not clear yet that budgets or student interest will support every school eventually being able to offer both options, Tobin said. Yago, for his part, said hed like to see the math and science elective expanded to eighth graders not taking algebra, on the theory that it will make them better prepared for ninth grade. Its made me rethink how to go about teaching math, with more inquiry and projects, said Yago, who began teaching in Portland as a substitute nearly 30 years ago. But it all does depend on the kids you have and the experience they have coming to you. Julia Silverman covers K-12 education for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her via email at jsilverman@oregonian.com. Follow her on x.com at @jrlsilverman. KYODO NEWS - Nov 24, 2024 - 11:53 | All, Japan Just as with wine, aging a sake can produce a smoother drink, but there is a cost in maintaining the right conditions for storage. A group of brewers in central Japan, however, has found a virtually free alternative -- storing the drink inside tunnels in dams. Thirteen brewers are storing products in the Maruyama, Agigawa and Origawa dams in Gifu Prefecture and the Yahagi Dam that straddles it and neighboring Aichi Prefecture at no cost from the operators. While Japanese sake typically matures over a year, some benefit from longer storage. Usually, investment is required in facilities that can prevent changes in temperature and exposure to ultraviolet rays. Tunnels within the dams, however, can be maintained at an ideal temperature of around 15 C, eliminating the need for refrigeration. They are also dark. The ability to save on costs may help the brewers take advantage of growing international appreciation of sake products. Japanese exports of the rice-based drink soared to around 47.5 billion yen ($307 million) in 2022 from 8.9 billion yen in 2012. Meanwhile, the knowledge and skills for making it and "shochu" distilled spirits are expected to be formally endorsed for inclusion on the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization's Intangible Cultural Heritage list later this year. For local consumers, events are being held to publicize the initiative, but according to the Nagoya Regional Taxation Bureau, which is among the dam project backers, awareness is still low. Mitsuteru Watarai, who heads the project's executive committee and runs Iwamura Brewery Inc. in Gifu Prefecture, said he hopes the initiative can produce new sake fans. "By continuing to hold events in future, we hope to show people how the flavors have changed each year," he said. Related coverage: FEATURE: Hokkaido's food film goes global in gourmet town of Spain UNESCO to add Japan sake-brewing to intangible heritage list FEATURE: Japanese sake, shochu firms eyeing Indian market President-elect Donald Trumps choices for his Cabinet faced scrutiny and some opposition as they head to the Senate for confirmation. Editorial cartoonist Dana Summers leads the gallery with his view of the clash ahead: a too-tall truck heading for a low bridge. Scandal claimed the nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz as attorney general. Gaetz withdrew as portions of a House ethics investigation leaked into public view and CNN reported details of a second sexual tryst with a minor. Gaetz makes only a cameo appearance in this weeks gallery. Instead, cartoonists concentrate their fire on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is a vaccine skeptic, which leads critics to say he should not be leading the nations public health apparatus. Mike Luckovich sees him as the Wicked Witch dispatching flying monkeys bearing communicable diseases. Bill Bramhall borrows imagery from the plague years in the Middle Ages. Michael Ramirez and Joey Weatherford depict RFK Jr. in a shamans mask. Wildfires burned parts of drought-stricken New York and New Jersey. Still think global warming is a hoax? asks Bramhalls Smokey the Bear with skyscrapers behind him. Other topics on the minds of editorial cartoonists include President Joe Bidens escalation of the Ukraine war via the provision of long-range U.S. missiles; more second-guessing by Democrats on the direction forward; and the suspension of Trumps legal cases until after he is no longer president. Cartoons were drawn by Jack Ohman, Nick Anderson, Bill Bramhall, Dana Summers, Drew Sheneman, Scott Stantis, Walt Handelsman, David Horsey, Phil Hands, Joel Pett and Joey Weatherford of Tribune Content Agency; and Mike Luckovich, Steve Breen and Michael Ramirez of Creators Syndicate. Where to start with the Oregon Department of Human Services? The agency responsible for child welfare lands in court and in the news on a tragically routine basis over its care for abused children. Just in the past year, the agency agreed to a $40 million payout over claims that its deliberate indifference resulted in the physical and sexual abuse of four foster children; faced sharp criticism for its expensive deal with a nonprofit to house kids in short-term rentals; and disclosed spending $23 million fighting a class-action lawsuit that sought no money, but rather a way to improve care for foster children. The agency recently settled that 2019 lawsuit by agreeing to allow a neutral expert to assess and set targets for DHS a resolution it should have embraced five years ago. Now, add to the list DHS failure to protect foster children from sex trafficking, despite clear signs and broad understanding among child welfare experts of many foster kids vulnerability to such exploitation. The Oregonian/OregonLives Hillary Borrud recently traced the personal story of one woman, Grace, who was sold for sex multiple times while a teenager in Oregons foster-care system. Interviews and case records obtained by Grace paint a picture of an agency that missed opportunity after opportunity to protect her from a life of abuse, starting from birth when she was born with opioids in her system. The first of many reports during Graces childhood that she was being sexually abused came less than a year later. Nearly all of those reports were deemed unfounded, even one in which someone confessed to the abuse. After the state brought Grace into the foster-care system at age 11, DHS found new ways for the young girl to slip through the cracks. A counselor at a safe house where Grace stayed told state workers the teen may have been trafficked. A child abuse evaluator and a therapist both previously warned of Graces higher risk for being sex trafficked, based on her history and research showing the vulnerability of such abused and traumatized children. But even when Grace disappeared for stretches to meet with various men, caseworkers dismissed the possibility she was being trafficked and failed to screen her for such exploitation. At a time she should have been marking the milestones of a high schooler, she was being sold for sex to men across multiple states. Borruds story lists numerous ways in which DHS stumbled in addressing the threats of commercial sexual exploitation confusion in reporting the number of foster kids who are sex trafficked while in state care; a failure to screen foster children who go missing for possible exploitation; and the lack of specific services and care for those who have been trafficked. Progress on each of those would be natural starting points for the agency to show it truly means what Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner told Borrud that no child should have to experience what (Grace) went through, especially after entering foster care. Flint-Gerner said an internal review of what went wrong is underway and that the agency will use those lessons to shape a strategy for better services and support. While a DHS spokesman said the strategy and a nonconfidential version of the review could be requested under public records law, the agency should commit to proactively releasing both when they are completed early next year. But Gov. Tina Kotek and DHS must ensure that this is not simply the latest bad headline for an agency that seems content to just weather the fallout time after time. True reform will require welcoming and incorporating the input of critics, outside experts and the public to fundamentally change the culture and put child welfare at its center. That starts with full transparency for the neutral expert appointed to assess DHS under the recent settlement between the state and advocacy groups A Better Childhood and Disability Rights Oregon. Although DHS in June appeared to celebrate appointing a neutral expert as a positive outcome of this litigation, it strongly objected to such interference just two months earlier in court filings. In an April 2024 memorandum, the agencys outside attorneys wrote that assessments of DHS operations should be left to the governor and agency leaders an ironic argument considering the lawsuit was filed as a direct result of years of administrative failure. The neutral expert, Kevin Ryan, must be given full access and support in his work, backed by the governors commitment to clear any barriers. Kotek and DHS leaders should also look to experts including Will Lathrop, the Republican nominee for attorney general who put childrens safety at the center of his campaign. Lathrop not only prosecuted abuse cases as a deputy district attorney, but he led anti-trafficking efforts in Africa for an international relief organization and shows a genuine passion to reform Oregons system. When contacted by the editorial board, he quickly outlined ways DHS should have intervened for Grace, from her earliest days as a newborn in opioid withdrawal. He noted DHS failure to conduct formal child abuse assessments despite multiple reports of abuse a step the agency took only years after someone confessed to abusing Grace. And he rightly raised the potential conflict of interest in having the state justice department which defends DHS from negligence claims and other lawsuits handling child dependency cases, in which the courts decide whether to remove a child from a home. Unlike the state justice department, he argued, local prosecutors arent focused on DHS potential liability in assessing whether caseworkers recommendations or actions are in the childs best interest. State leaders should talk to Kat Hendrix with the Oregon CASA Network, whose local chapters provide Court Appointed Special Advocates trained volunteers assigned to a foster child to champion their best interests and provide a stable well of support. Despite state law calling for CASAs to be appointed to foster children, the state provides only enough funding to pay for a fifth of the children in foster care, according to the organization. Donations help cover additional kids, but the demand far outstrips the funding. Many others can provide helpful input, from Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin who for years has fearlessly questioned DHS leaders on policies and their lack of accountability to the many attorneys and advocates who have sued DHS on behalf of children. In an emailed statement, Kotek said she will recommend child welfare investments in her upcoming budget proposal and pledged to strategically use all the tools at my disposal to prevent a recurrence of cases like Graces. We look forward to seeing additional child welfare resources as a spending priority. But the governor should ensure that her toolbox includes the expertise of those mentioned above, among others. While additional funding is always welcome, money cannot buy the accountability or urgency that thousands of Oregons foster children need. -The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board Sign up for our free Oregon Opinion newsletter. Email: Keiji Nishitani died on the 24th of November, in 1990. I mean to mark this day as it rolls around and take advantage of it to remind those who knew of his work, and to introduce him to those who were unfamiliar with this remarkable person and the school with which he is closely associated. Im sorry Ive not been quite as faithful to this intention as I could or should be. But, at least this year, Ive caught the day as it has arrived. I continue to edit, cut, and expand this small introduction. If you have any interest in Zen and youre unfamiliar with Professor Nishitani, this might be a real treat. He was one of the principal figures in the establishment of the Kyoto School, which the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, tells us was a group of 20th century Japanese thinkers who developed original philosophies by creatively drawing on the intellectual and spiritual traditions of East Asia, those of Mahayana Buddhism in particular, as well as on the methods and content of Western philosophy. I would add about the Kyoto School it is of particular importance to those of us concerned with Zen as a living spiritual tradition. As a child of the West who has found Zen to be central to my spiritual life, the school has been incredibly helpful for me in bridging the different approaches of east and west. Nishitani was born in a small town on the Japan Sea on the 27th of February, 1900. While brilliant he failed to win entrance to the prestigious Daiichi High School because of tuberculosis, the disease which killed his father when he was fourteen. At seventeen he retook the examinations, again proved to be brilliant, but also passed the physical examination. In High School he became fascinated with Zen, principally through the writings of D.T. Suzuki. He also wandered from the established curriculum reading Dostoevsky, Nietzsche, Emerson, the Bible as well as a life of St Francis. Critically, he stumbled upon a book by Kitaro Nishida. Nishida was a professor at the Kyoto University, and the founder of the Kyoto School. When he graduated he entered Kyoto University in order to study with Nishida. Upon graduation he became a professor at Otani University in Kyoto, and then later, at Kyoto University. He also began Zen studies as a householder with Gyodo Furukawa, master at Engakuji. He then continued with Taiko Yamazaki at Shokokuji. Nishitani would continue with his Zen teacher for twenty-four years. Ive found it critical that while a working philosopher he remained constantly grounded in the actual disciplines of the Zen way. Obtaining a fellowship he spent for two years at the University of Freiburg where he studied with Martin Heidegger. There Nishitani became fascinated with Germanys mystical traditions, delving especially into Meister Eckharts work, as well as taking a deep dive into the writings of Friedrich Nietzsche. After this he returned to Japan where he earned his doctorate. During the war Nishitani and the Kyoto school writ large embraced a vision of Japanese imperialism. Most of what we know turns on a series of discussion sponsored by the journal Chuokoron. In the The Cambridge History of Japan, Tetsuo Najita and H. D. Harootunian wrote of Nishitani and his fellow academics from Kyoto: The groups central purpose was to construct what they called a philosophy of world history that could both account for Japans current position and disclose the course of future action. But a closer examination of this philosophy of world history reveals a thinly disguised justification, written in the language of Hegelian metaphysics, for Japanese aggression and continuing imperialism. In prewar Japan, no group helped defend the state more consistently and enthusiastically than did the philosophers of the Kyoto faction, and none came closer than they did to defining the philosophic contours of Japanese fascism. What all actually has been said and what it has meant has generated a great deal of ink in the postwar years. And, largely as a consequence at the end of the war Nishitani was deemed unsuitable for teaching by the occupation forces. For me of additional interest is how during this time he intensified his Zen practice as well as turned to writing. It was also at this time he dove deeply into the questions of nihilism and a Zen response to it. Five years later he was reinstated to his teaching post. At this time Nishitanis magnum opus, published in 1983 in English as Religion and Nothingness was published. In his retirement he accepted the position of chief editor of the Eastern Buddhist, a periodical founded by D.T. Suzuki, which became a fountain of insight into aspects of Buddhism and Zen from a scholarly perspective. In this fruitful post-war period Nishitani became the generally recognized successor to Kitaro Nishida as leader of the Kyoto School. Medical workers take care of patients at the National Heroes Stadium, which has been designated as a cholera treatment center, in Lusaka, Zambia, Jan. 18, 2024. (Xinhua/Peng Lijun) Zambia will roll out the distribution of oral cholera vaccines in the first week of next month, targeting cholera hotspots as part of efforts to prevent outbreaks of the waterborne disease, a government official said Friday. LUSAKA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Zambia will roll out the distribution of oral cholera vaccines in the first week of next month, targeting cholera hotspots as part of efforts to prevent outbreaks of the waterborne disease, a government official said Friday. Kennedy Lishimpi, permanent secretary for technical services in the Ministry of Health, said 54 cholera hotspots have been identified across the country where the vaccines will be administered following the start of the rainy season. Lishimpi noted that Zambia currently has 2 million doses of oral cholera vaccines, with 3 million more expected to arrive soon, adding that enhanced surveillance systems are in place to ensure swift containment of any outbreaks in the identified areas. Nathan Kapata, director for emergency preparedness and response at the Zambia National Public Health Institute, said that oral rehydration points have been established in the hotspots to provide timely access to rehydration solutions in case of outbreaks. Kapata also highlighted ongoing collaborations with community-based volunteers to promote hygiene education and maintain clean environments. Zambia recorded more than 20,000 cholera cases and nearly 700 deaths during the 2023-2024 outbreak. By Hanna Webster, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) It wasnt a surprise when President-elect Donald Trump announced his plan to appoint Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary to the Department of Health and Human Services, but the news put many in the medical community on alert watching to see how the nominees rhetoric will affect his approach to leading the key federal agency. The enormity of the new role the HHS secretary oversees 13 federal agencies and their combined $1.7 trillion budget will hand over a significant amount of responsibility for the nations health to Kennedy, who has limited applicable experience in the field and a history of promoting debunked health conspiracy theories as well as being a vaccine skeptic. Concern over Kennedys statements about vaccines has already begun to stir opposition to the appointment. Nearly 14,000 physicians have signed a petition objecting to the nominee. The petition, led by a nonprofit, The Committee to Protect Health Care, has a goal of 15,000 signatures. Many physicians are looking at this and thinking, Were going to watch the destruction of the public health system, said Alice Rothchild, a Seattle-based retired ob-gyn who was one of those to sign. While public questioning of Western science, pharmaceutical industries and even vaccines is certainly not new, the spotlight placed on those who oppose vaccines has grown brighter in recent years especially as the COVID-19 pandemic became politicized and public health measures, like social distancing and masking, received criticism among some groups. And as trust in science declines, some are turning toward fringe beliefs, many that RFK Jr. himself has supported, such as trusting herd immunity over vaccination or experimental and debunked treatments like ivermectin. Why was RFK Jr. chosen? In a Nov. 14 emailed statement announcing the nomination, Trump said the Department of Health and Human Services plays an important role in ensuring the health of the nation, including that everybody will be protected from harmful chemicals, pollutants, pesticides, pharmaceutical products, and food additives that have contributed to the overwhelming health crisis in this country. Mr. Kennedy will restore these agencies to the traditions of gold standard scientific research, and beacons of transparency, to end the chronic disease epidemic, and to Make America Great and Healthy Again! The statement seems to suggest that Trump chose Kennedy explicitly because of his nontraditional approaches. Is RFK Jr. equipped for the role of health secretary? George Benjamine, a physician and the executive director of the American Public Health Association, responded with a Nov. 18 statement that Kennedy fails on all fronts to effectively lead HHS. Certainly, its a big job. The nations health secretary is in charge of preparing for and responding to medical and public health emergencies, such as circulating infectious diseases. The position also controls funding to agencies under the HHS umbrella, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, the latter of which oversees thousands of clinical trials and the research and development of drug treatments. The Senate will vote on many of Trumps cabinet nominees once the new president is sworn in. Historically, it is rare for nominees to be rejected. A half-dozen medical experts interviewed for this story pointed to Kennedys dogged criticism of vaccines throughout his career, including falsely stating that vaccines cause autism. The one paper that had linked MMR vaccines to autism was retracted by the journal that published it 12 years later, and the scientist was stripped of his medical license after results were found to be fraudulent and fabricated. Other debunked health claims made by Kennedy include that human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is not the cause for AIDS, and that raw milk is safe to drink. While it is sold in Pennsylvania, the FDA has stated that raw milk is not safe because it may contain dangerous bacteria that are typically killed during the pasteurization process. Requests for comment on Kennedys nomination from members of the GOP Doctors Caucus, including former co-chair house Rep. Andy Harris (R-Md.), Brian Babin (R-Tex.) and John Joyce (R-Pa.), were not returned. In a Nov. 15 post on X, Harris congratulated Kennedy on the nomination and said he looked forward to working with him in the fight to reform nutritious foods. Spokespeople for Kennedy did not respond to requests for comment. But many of those with concerns arent shy about raising their issues. This is a time when we need the highest level of competence possible at HHS, said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine and a professor of pediatrics and molecular biology, who has spent his career developing vaccines for tropical diseases. Hotez has communicated with Kennedy directly over the years, he said, as the two have been embroiled in online debates. From my experience with him, he doesnt have any interest in the science. He has trouble understanding the science, and he comes to the table with preconceived and dug-in notions, Dr. Hotez said. I dont see him willing to adapt. Where does RFK Jr. stand on other key health issues? Kennedy has spent his career as an environmental lawyer and has defended against large corporations including Monsanto, which seems to have informed his promises to focus on environmental exposure to chemicals, food additives and chronic disease. Among the positions that he has advocated for are removing artificial dye from foods and ending fluoride in water supplies. The European Union bans some food additives that are allowed in the U.S. and requires warning labels on many artificial dyes although research indicates that fluoride doesnt fall in that category. In cities where water is fluoridated, it has been shown to protect against dental decay. Kennedy has also criticized ultraprocessed foods, and chemicals such as high-fructose corn syrup, calling them culprits for record-high obesity rates and chronic disease, stances many physicians believe he is right to criticize. Is a medical background needed for the job? Many past HHS secretaries have not had medical backgrounds, although they often had experience overseeing large organizations and hefty budgets. Tommy Thompson, HHS secretary between 2001 and 2005, was governor of Wisconsin for nearly two decades and chair of the National Governors Association. Alex Azar, in the role from 2018 to 2021, had been president of the U.S. division of global pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, as well as general counsel and deputy secretary to the health secretary over many years. Whats unprecedented about Kennedys nomination is that he is a person who avowedly wants to destroy one of humans greatest inventions: vaccines, said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a Pittsburgh-based physician and senior scholar with Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. Epidemiologists are especially worried about Kennedys penchant for sowing distrust in vaccine research. His role there is not going to be to promote health, but to destroy health, said Adalja. We have the exact opposite of what you would want in a health secretary in RFK Jr. Kennedy has stated in the past that, if he were in this role, he would fire hundreds of scientists, remove entire departments and divert attention and resources away from infectious disease research. Were going to take a break from infectious disease for about eight years, he said at an anti-vaccine conference in Georgia in 2023, NBC reported. Kennedy started the foundation Childrens Health Defense in 2018, a nonprofit that states, according to its website, to restore and protect the health of children by eliminating environmental exposures, holding responsible parties accountable, and establishing safeguards to prevent future harm of childrens health. The Instagram and Facebook accounts of the nonprofit were temporarily banned in August 2022 for posting misinformation about vaccines. By Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News (TNS) NEW YORK Cops have arrested the man they say swiped a $3,000 gold-plated rose from a 9/11 memorial at a Midtown church. Members of the New York Police Departments Manhattan Warrant Squad grabbed Deikel Alcantara, 21, after Wednesdays theft at the Church of St. Francis of Assisi on West 31st Street, near Penn Station, cops said. Alcantara was taken into custody at about 8 p.m. Friday in Midtown and charged with grand larceny. Alcantaras father helped police track the thorny thief down, police sources said. His arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court was pending Saturday. The rose he stole from the church wasnt immediately recovered. Alcantara was apprehended hours after police released his mugshot and asked the publics help locating him. He was caught on surveillance cameras swiping the rose from the church around 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, cops said. This image from surveillance video provided by the New York City Police Department shows a man accused of stealing a gold-plated metal rose from the Church of St. Francis of Assisi memorial honoring the victims of 9/11, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, in New York. (New York City Police Department via AP)AP The metal flower served as the centerpiece of a 9/11 memorial honoring those who died in the terrorist attack, with the rose rising from pieces of twisted steel taken from the wreckage of the World Trade Center. The churchs former longtime pastor, the Rev. Mychal Judge, was a fire department chaplain who was crushed by falling rubble at Ground Zero while praying for victims and rescuers after the attack. Rev. Brian Jordan, the churchs pastor, said staffers knew Alcantara, who had asked him to leave the church on several occasions, including twice on the day of the theft. He hopes Alcantara receives the psychiatric care he needs, Jordan told the Daily News Thursday. It wasnt welded in, Jordan said of the golden rose. It was inserted in. You can easily break it free. [A] lady yelled at him, but he took off anyway. He was carrying it like it was a bag of groceries. The pastor called it an act of desecration. Story by Wyatt Massey of Spotlight PA State College This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Talk of the Town, a weekly newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-central PA, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. Penn State will pay more than more than $564,000 toward the ongoing cleanup of contaminated drinking water affecting dozens of homes near the universitys airport in Benner Township. The action is the result of a proposed agreement the university signed earlier this month with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, following a roughly five-year state investigation into a group of hazardous chemicals called PFAS in local groundwater. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as forever chemicals because they dont break down naturally, were widely used in consumer and industrial products for decades starting in the mid-20th century, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Exposure to these chemicals has been linked to higher risks of some cancers, developmental delays in children, negative effects on the bodys immune system, and decreased fertility. Penn State is a responsible person for the release or threatened release of PFAS at the State College Regional Airport (formerly the University Park Airport), according to the agreement. The chemicals were in federally mandated firefighting foam used at the airport. The airport now uses PFAS-free foam, according to a university statement. However, per the consent order, Penn State does not admit responsibility that PFAS released at the airport contaminated groundwater. Under the agreement, the university will pay the DEP more than half a million dollars to partially reimburse the state for its investigation and response efforts, which included providing bottled water and installing treatment systems for dozens of affected residents and businesses in rural Centre County. The state spent more than $892,000 in its work, according to the document. Going forward, Penn State will test the wells, provide bottled water, and maintain the treatment systems. However, according to the order, the university will not be responsible for those costs if any of the following occur: The affected properties get access to public water. Another party is deemed responsible for the contamination. The private wells are determined to be outside the areas affected by the airport contamination. The state approves the existing treatment systems as the final remedy for safe drinking water. If eight consecutive quarterly water samples show PFAS levels below a certain threshold. The agreement is not final, and the public can submit comments over a 60-day period starting in early December, a DEP spokesperson told Spotlight PA. Information about how to submit a comment will be available in the Pennsylvania Bulletin and the Centre Daily Times, as well as on the DEPs website about the investigation. Residents told Spotlight PA the proposed agreement might not fully protect them. They worry cleanup costs could eventually be passed onto them and put them on the hook for hundreds if not thousands of dollars in annual expenses. We didnt contaminate our wells, so why would we be responsible for paying the costs of treating our water? said Rick Weyer, a resident of Walnut Grove Estates, a neighborhood in Benner Township thats near the University Park campus. In 2019, the state began sampling water from areas where PFAS were commonly used, including fire training locations, landfills, military bases, and manufacturing facilities. Well tests from three businesses near the State College airport revealed levels of the chemicals above the federal health advisory limit at the time. That threshold has since been lowered. Penn State declined to answer questions from Spotlight PA about how it would fund its payment to the state. The university is pursuing legal action against some PFAS manufacturers that it argues are responsible for local drinking water contamination. Penn State is also seeking taxpayer funds from the federal and state governments to offset the costs, according to the universitys website. The university will continue the investigation until DEP is satisfied that the contamination is thoroughly understood, a DEP spokesperson said. For years, residents worried what the contamination could mean for their health and questioned why the state took roughly two years to test the wells at their homes after PFAS were first detected nearby, as previously reported by Spotlight PA. Longtime residents might have been consuming the chemicals for years. SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate/statecollege. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results. Sixty-one years ago this month, John F. Kennedy was shot in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Two generations have passed since that event shook America out of its innocence and most of our citizens were not even alive at that time. Still, some of us can still visualize Walter Cronkite removing his glasses and announcing to a stunned world that the president was dead. My personal experience with the moment happened at a Catholic grade school in Johnstown, Pa. At about 2:00 p.m., the nuns who walked us through our daily lessons suddenly converged in the hallway to hold a conference in whispered tones. When Sister Athanasius returned to her desk, she gave us the news: The president has been shot. The only thing to do was to get on our knees and pray the rosary. The Harrisburg area should expect some wet weather up to and during Thanksgiving weekend, according to forecasters, with a slim chance of that precipitation turning to snow just in time for Turkey Day itself. The National Weather Services (NWS) seven-day forecast is currently calling for a lot of ups and downs over the coming week. Todays partly sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s will be repeated on Monday before the passage of a cold front Monday night into Tuesday morning brings wind gusts and a slight chance of rain, according to the NWS. Wednesday will see continued breezy conditions with highs in the mid-40s before a low-pressure system moves across central Pennsylvania just in time for Thanksgiving. There remains plenty of uncertainty in the forecast, the NWS State College office wrote Sunday, but a chance remains that winter weather could impact Thanksgiving travel. Snow on the holiday is likely to be confined to mountainous areas to the north of the region, with rain becoming more prevalent as one gets closer to the Mason-Dixon Line, State College forecasters wrote. Temperatures in the mid-40s and intermittent rain or snow showers are expected to continue through Thursday and into Black Friday. Sunny skies will return on Saturday, but with colder temperatures, as highs drop into the upper 30s. Photo taken on Nov. 20, 2021 shows the venue of China 5G+ Industrial Internet Conference in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province. (Photo by Wu Zhizun/Xinhua) BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- China has unveiled draft guidelines for the country's data infrastructure construction, including upgrading its 5G network to 5G-A-standard and promoting 6G-related research, development and innovation. China will balance the deployment of international communication gateways across its eastern, central and western regions, and expand international submarine and land cable information channels. A satellite internet that integrates space and the ground facilities will also be established, according to the document released by the national data bureau on Friday. The guidelines, which were released to solicit opinions, say that China will facilitate large-scale, low-cost, secure free flow of data, and encourage industries and regions to actively explore new technological infrastructure in such areas as blockchain and privacy-preserving computing, with the aim of providing a low-cost, efficient, reliable data delivery environment for both centralized and decentralized transactions. China will also pursue a proper computing resources layout, and accelerate the green development and coordination of general-purpose computing power, intelligent computing power and super computing power, according to the guidelines. The country plans to strengthen the innovative application of emerging network technologies, optimize network billing methods, and reduce the cost of data transmission between its eastern and western regions. The 5G-A network surpasses the current 5G network in terms of speed, latency, connection scale and energy consumption, achieving a peak data rate level of 10 gigabits per second for downloads and 1 gigabit per second for uploads, as well as millisecond-level latency and low-cost connectivity for the Internet of Things. Cities such as Beijing and Shanghai have already started offering 5G-A network services in some districts. We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form People attend a protest calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 21, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) GAZA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, announced on Saturday that an Israeli hostage was killed in a northern Gaza area targeted by Israeli bombardment. "After weeks of interrupted communication with members tasked with protecting the occupation's prisoners, it was revealed that one of the female captives was killed in an area under attack in northern Gaza, while the life of another female captive who was with her remains in grave danger," said Abu Ubaida, the spokesman for the Brigades. Ubaida accused Israel of causing "suffering and death" of the captives, noting that the Israeli government must prepare to deal with the "dilemma" of the captives' bodies going missing amid its attacks. The Israeli army has not issued any comment on the claim. Earlier in the day, the Al-Qassam Brigades announced that its fighters had targeted an Israeli engineering infantry unit of five soldiers with an anti-personnel missile in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. In a statement, the Brigades said the Israeli unit was directly hit, and shortly after, a troop carrier was targeted with a "Yassin 105" missile. In a separate statement, the Brigades said that it launched a rocket attack on a military base in southern Israel. The Israeli army said in a brief statement that its forces intercepted two rockets fired from the southern Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, at least 12 Palestinian medical workers were injured in an Israeli bombing of Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, a medical official said. Hossam Abu Safiya, the hospital's director, told reporters in Gaza that the Israeli army bombed the entrance to the reception and emergency department, the hospital yards, and the electricity generators. The Israeli army has not commented on the incident. Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage. People attend a protest calling for an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Nov. 21, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua) Global Poker Celebrates F1 Weekend w/ Grand Prix Turbo Series: Las Vegas Edition Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S. Copy link Global Poker celebrated Formula 1 weekend in Las Vegas thanks to a partnership between the social poker site and Scuderia Ferrari. The week of F1 action, which culminates with Saturday night's race getting underway at 10 p.m. Vegas time, included a Global Poker Table Talk event inside PokerGO Studio with Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr., Olympic legend Michael Phelps and poker superstar Antonio Esfandiari. It also includes a Grand Prix Turbo Series: Las Vegas Edition series running Nov. 21-23 with GC 64 million and SC 160,000 in guaranteed prize pools and opportunities to win a trip to an F1 race. Read More About Global Poker! "TimTebow" & "Khoffs" Win Main Events The F1 weekend included a GC 20 million guaranteed GC Main Event on Saturday that drew 130 players and saw "TimTebow" defeating heads-up opponent "Giberti Pro" to win GC. 4.8 million. Others at the GC Main Event final table included "Zenrambo" (3rd - GC 2.6 million), "PJPain" (4th - GC 1.9 million) and "Wicked1oj" (5th - GC 1.3 million). GC Main Event Meanwhile, the SC 50,000 guaranteed SC Main Event drew 187 runners as "Khoffs" bested "C. Sawyers" to win SC 10,200. Others at the final table included "StayFocused420" (3rd - SC 5,560), "CoryPeterPan" (4th - SC 4,250) and "TheNuts16" (5th - SC 2,900). SC Main Event Win a Formula 1 Race Experience Global Poker The series will feature four individual race leaderboards, offering several F1-related prizes to the top finishers. The Gold Coins leaderboard winner will earn Grand Prix Turbo Series swag and GC 6 million. Meanwhile, the Sweeps Coin leaderboard winner will earn a Scuderia Ferrari hospitality experience at a North American Grand Prix race of their choice, while the runner-up will earn SC 3,000 and the third place will receive SC 1,000. Other prizes up for grabs include a Scuderia Ferrari jacket, shirt and cap. There have been other F1 highlights for Global Poker this weekend, including ambassador Michael Phelps visiting the Scuderia Ferrari garage ahead of Saturday night's race. Be sure to look out for the Global Poker logo as the Ferrari drivers race down the Las Vegas Strip. For more information about the series, visit globalpoker.com/online-poker-promotions/turbo-series. Global Poker Avatars *Photos courtesy Global Poker Share this article ISLAMABAD, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) of police on Sunday claimed to have killed three terrorists in an encounter in Rawalpindi district of Pakistan's eastern Punjab province. A spokesperson for the CTD said in a statement that personnel of the CTD raided a compound in Chakri area of the district late Saturday night on the information about the presence of terrorists. "The basic plan was to arrest them, but militants opened fire at the CTD team, leading an intense fire exchange, and three terrorists were killed during the firing. Their two accomplices managed to escape from the site," said the spokesperson. According to the official, explosive material, suicide vests, safety fuse wires, rifles, improvised explosives devices and ammunition were recovered from the possession of the terrorists. The forces started a search operation to arrest the runaway terrorists after cordoning off the area, said the official, adding that the terrorists were planning a major attack in Rawalpindi. This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 23, 2024. (Str/Xinhua) BEIRUT, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- At least 34 people were killed and 80 others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. According to the NNA, 24 people were killed, and 44 others were injured in eastern Lebanon. The casualties were reported in the towns of Bodai, Shmustar, Hafir, and Ras al-Ain, as well as the villages of Flaoui, Brital, Haour Taala, and the Bekaa Valley, all located within the Baalbek-Hermel governorate. Meanwhile, 10 people were killed, and 36 others injured in southern Lebanon, most of whom were recorded in the cities and villages of Nabatieh governorate, while the other were recorded in the city of Tyre and Marjeyoun district in South governorate, the NNA said. In separate statements, Hezbollah said its members targeted several gatherings of Israeli soldiers with missiles and rockets in the border area, including those in the Lebanese town of Khiam, and in Hanita, a Kibbutz in northern Israel, as well as the Israeli moshavs of Avivim and Dishon. The armed group said it also engaged in fierce clashes with a group of Israeli soldiers who tried to infiltrate into the eastern outskirts of the Lebanese border town of al-Bayyada, causing casualties in the Israeli side. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. This photo shows the smoke caused by Israeli airstrikes in the southern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, on Nov. 23, 2024. (Str/Xinhua) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Brital, the Baalbek-Hermel governorate in eastern Lebanon, Nov. 23, 2024. At least 34 people were killed and 80 others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Brital, the Baalbek-Hermel governorate in eastern Lebanon, Nov. 23, 2024. At least 34 people were killed and 80 others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Brital, the Baalbek-Hermel governorate in eastern Lebanon, Nov. 23, 2024. At least 34 people were killed and 80 others injured on Saturday in Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, the official National News Agency (NNA) reported. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) TIANJIN, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- In the exhibition area of a saline-alkali-tolerant plant factory in east China's Shandong Province, green alfalfa, sweet sorghum, oats and other seedlings have grown so well that they have caught the eye of Christine Akoth Onyango, vice chancellor of Taita Taveta University in Kenya. "We have not reached this level yet of adapting plants to soil types. The way you are doing is very impressive," said Onyango, who has been on her second trip to China. A previous memorandum of understanding signed by the education institutions in China and Kenya has paved the way for more Kenyan teachers and students to come to Dongying Vocational College in Shandong to learn various relevant technologies. "China's agricultural technology is very practical, and we should carry out more cooperation with China in the field of vocational education to improve Kenya's agricultural development level," she said. Onyango participated in the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin Municipality, north China. The conference, which ran from Thursday to Friday, attracted more than 600 overseas guests from over 100 countries and regions. They shared their experiences and achievements at the conference and jointly discussed an innovative path for vocational education development. Thomas Parker, CEO of Look Education New Zealand (LENZ), was touched by the ancient books and porcelain restoration skills demonstrated by hearing-impaired students from Shandong Vocational College of Special Education. Parker said that his school is engaged in preschool education, health care, information technology and other training methods. Moreover, he looks forward to taking the opportunity to have face-to-face discussions with Chinese partners. Jekathese, director of College Dayatech Subang Malaysia, was amazed at the high-tech vocational and technical education equipment such as robots and artificial intelligence on display at the conference venue. "I think we have gained a lot of knowledge and a lot of input for us to take back to our country, with more possibility for us to collaborate with China," Jekathese said. The World Technical and Vocational Education and Training League, a vocational education cooperation organization, was established at the conference, which aims to provide the most comprehensive, balanced, representative and inclusive international platform for vocational education. The league's first group of members consists of 89 institutions from 43 countries and regions, including higher education institutions, vocational and technical colleges, enterprises and educational organizations. Muferihat Kamil, Ethiopia's Minister of Labor and Skills, said that the league is a timely initiative that aligns perfectly with Ethiopia's vision for global collaboration. China has the largest vocational education system in the world and is always willing to share high-quality development programs in the field of vocational education with other countries. Luban workshop, an international cooperation project on vocational training mainly supported by China's Tianjin, has set up 34 workshops in 30 countries and regions. On the east African plateau with an average altitude of 1,200 meters, there is a "steel dragon" connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti. Liban Fouad Osman, a train conductor, is one of the first 24 graduates of Luban Workshop in Djibouti. "Luban Workshop has brought us railway knowledge and also brought hope to me. I have been determined to work in railways since childhood," he said. According to the Report on the Development of Vocational Education in China released at the conference, China has trained many skilled talents for partner countries. Fabio Kessler, an apprentice industrial mechanic from Germany, is on a two-week study visit in China at the invitation of Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences. "I think it's very interesting to see all the different things here like the technology and also the craftsmanship." The 21-year-old student also expressed his interest in working for a Chinese company or working on a career related to China in the future. Exhibitors show tea art at an achievement exhibition during the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin, north China, Nov. 21, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) TIANJIN, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- In the exhibition area of a saline-alkali-tolerant plant factory in east China's Shandong Province, green alfalfa, sweet sorghum, oats and other seedlings have grown so well that they have caught the eye of Christine Akoth Onyango, vice chancellor of Taita Taveta University in Kenya. "We have not reached this level yet of adapting plants to soil types. The way you are doing is very impressive," said Onyango, who has been on her second trip to China. A previous memorandum of understanding signed by the education institutions in China and Kenya has paved the way for more Kenyan teachers and students to come to Dongying Vocational College in Shandong to learn various relevant technologies. "China's agricultural technology is very practical, and we should carry out more cooperation with China in the field of vocational education to improve Kenya's agricultural development level," she said. Onyango participated in the 2024 World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference in Tianjin Municipality, north China. The conference, which ran from Thursday to Friday, attracted more than 600 overseas guests from over 100 countries and regions. They shared their experiences and achievements at the conference and jointly discussed an innovative path for vocational education development. Thomas Parker, CEO of Look Education New Zealand (LENZ), was touched by the ancient books and porcelain restoration skills demonstrated by hearing-impaired students from Shandong Vocational College of Special Education. Parker said that his school is engaged in preschool education, health care, information technology and other training methods. Moreover, he looks forward to taking the opportunity to have face-to-face discussions with Chinese partners. Jekathese, director of College Dayatech Subang Malaysia, was amazed at the high-tech vocational and technical education equipment such as robots and artificial intelligence on display at the conference venue. "I think we have gained a lot of knowledge and a lot of input for us to take back to our country, with more possibility for us to collaborate with China," Jekathese said. The World Technical and Vocational Education and Training League, a vocational education cooperation organization, was established at the conference, which aims to provide the most comprehensive, balanced, representative and inclusive international platform for vocational education. The league's first group of members consists of 89 institutions from 43 countries and regions, including higher education institutions, vocational and technical colleges, enterprises and educational organizations. Muferihat Kamil, Ethiopia's Minister of Labor and Skills, said that the league is a timely initiative that aligns perfectly with Ethiopia's vision for global collaboration. China has the largest vocational education system in the world and is always willing to share high-quality development programs in the field of vocational education with other countries. Luban workshop, an international cooperation project on vocational training mainly supported by China's Tianjin, has set up 34 workshops in 30 countries and regions. On the east African plateau with an average altitude of 1,200 meters, there is a "steel dragon" connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti. Liban Fouad Osman, a train conductor, is one of the first 24 graduates of Luban Workshop in Djibouti. "Luban Workshop has brought us railway knowledge and also brought hope to me. I have been determined to work in railways since childhood," he said. According to the Report on the Development of Vocational Education in China released at the conference, China has trained many skilled talents for partner countries. Fabio Kessler, an apprentice industrial mechanic from Germany, is on a two-week study visit in China at the invitation of Tianjin Sino-German University of Applied Sciences. "I think it's very interesting to see all the different things here like the technology and also the craftsmanship." The 21-year-old student also expressed his interest in working for a Chinese company or working on a career related to China in the future. LOS ANGELES, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Los Angeles got a vibrant taste of Thailand on Sunday, November 17, 2024, as the Sa Wad Dee Thai SELECT Festival 2024 lit up Serra on Vine from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Hosted by Thailand's Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP) under the Ministry of Commerce and organized by Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine, the festival celebrated authentic Thai cuisine and its growing global presence. The Thai SELECT symbol, introduced in 1998, certifies Thai restaurants that uphold traditional cooking techniques and authentic flavors. With over 16,000 certified establishments worldwide, Thai SELECT has elevated Thai cuisine on the global culinary map while boosting exports of essential ingredients. At the heart of the festival Seven Thai SELECT-certified restaurants brought the festival to life, showcasing their creativity and authenticity: Chefs showcased the artistry and authenticity of Thai cuisine, while festivalgoers enjoyed booths from CP and Singha Corporation, sampling Thai products and savoring live cooking demonstrations by Thai SELECT chefs. Adding a star-studded flair ,50 American influencers, with millions of followers combined, broadcast the event live on social media, extending the festival's reach worldwide. Minister of Commerce Pichai Naripthaphan inaugurated the event, awarding seven new Thai SELECT certificates to U.S. restaurants, bringing the global total to 16,000 certified establishments. He also unveiled a new Thai SELECT rating system to guide diners in discovering high-quality, authentic Thai cuisine. Farmhouse Kitchen, the event organizer, truly brought their A-game, delivering a highly successful festival. A highlight of the event was the stunning 28-foot replica of Thailand's royal barge, the Suphannahong, a renowned cultural icon traditionally used by the King of Thailand. Through these initiatives, Thai SELECT and Farmhouse Kitchen continues to showcase the spirit of Thailand in Los Angeles and beyond, proving that authentic Thai cuisine is more than just foodit's a cultural celebration! RELIVE the magic of the Sa Wad Dee Thai SELECT Festival 2024 with exclusive video here! For more information contact: Email: [email protected] SOURCE Farmhouse Kitchen Thai Cuisine HAINAN, China, Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced that West China Lecheng Hospital has successfully introduced Vorasidenib for treatment at clinical practices, and the treatment began at outpatient from today on. This announcement was made at the press conference themed "Vorasidenib Launch with West China Lecheng Hospital and Kick Off the Preparation to Real-World Study". It implies that Vorasidenib, the first-in-class targeted therapy of dual inhibitor IDH could benefit Chinese patients with IDH-mutant diffuse glioma, in line with global launches. Meanwhile, it marks that Vorasidenib, before getting approval of national New Drug Application, was approved as a clinical urgently needed imported drug to be used in Boao Lecheng International Medical Tourism Pilot Zone. Vorasidenib Launch with West China Lecheng Hospital Vorasidenib is the first-in-class innovative targeted therapy for IDH-mutant diffuse glioma over the last 20 years. After its approval in the US on August 6, 2024, Vorasidenib has been approved respectively in Canada, Australia, Israel, Switzerland and UAE. Vorasidenib has obtained the approval for clinical trial III from National Medical Products Administration and is in the preparation for official registration in China. Gliomas represent the most common primary malignant brain tumors and the most common tumors of the central nervous system. Currently, treatment options for glioma are very limited. Even with a multi-modal approach combining surgical resection, concurrent chemoradiation and adjuvant chemotherapy, over 90% of glioma patients experience recurrence and disease progression.[1] IDH mutation has been identified as an important oncogene for glioma and plays a pivotal role in its occurrence and development. As the world's first dual inhibitor of IDH1 and IDH2, Vorasidenib can offer significant benefits to patients compared with current treatments, particularly for those with IDH1 and IDH2 mutations. Manuel RUIZ, General Manager of Servier China, stated, "Servier, as an independent group governed by a non-profit foundation, has always prioritized addressing patients' medical needs and we are committed to work together with healthcare professionals to improve patients' treatment outcomes and quality of life. This commitment drives our investment in research and the development of innovative therapies. The success of Voranigo's launch in Bo'ao is rooted in the belief that every patient should have access to the best treatments available, and we are committed to making that a reality here in China." Meanwhile, a real-world study is underway simultaneously in Boao Lecheng to assess the safety and efficacy of Vorasidenib in the Chinese patients. [1] Wang X,et al. Cell Death and Disease. 2021 Mar 19;12(4):299. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566132/Vorasidenib_Launch_West_China_Lecheng_Hospital.jpg DOHA, Qatar, Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Wahed, a global Shariah-compliant fintech, has appointed Khalid Al Jassim as Chairman of Wahed MENA. On this appointment, Khalid commented, ''I am excited to guide Wahed's growth in the region. Wahed's mission of furthering Islamic Finance is one I resonate with deeply and I look forward to supporting its growth ambitions." Executive Chairman of Wahed MENA, Khalid Al Jassim Khalid has over twenty five years of investment banking and corporate advisory experience gained with some of the most innovative and groundbreaking institutions in the world. His career spans leading firms including SABIC, Arthur Anderson and Arcapita Bank in Bahrain, where he was instrumental in making it into one of the PE powerhouses in the region. His responsibilities started in the earlier years with establishing the Investment Placement Team and transforming it into one of the most robust teams in the industry. At the time that Khalid left Arcapita to build his personal business, he was an Executive Director. Today he is Chairman of Afkar Vision, a private advisory house specialized in mergers and acquisitions with offices in Manama, Dubai and Riyadh. As well as being one of the earliest investors in Wahed, he is currently Chairman of the Audit Committee and Board Member at Bahrain Islamic Bank, the 4th oldest Islamic Bank in the World and Board Member at SICO Bank and SICO Capital in Saudi, an $8bn asset manager in the region. Mohsin Siddiqui, Wahed CEO said, "We are delighted to announce Khalid's appointment. His unique understanding of the financial landscape in the MENA region is unparalleled and we are excited to bring this expertise in continuing to grow our presence in the region.'' About Wahed Founded in 2015, Wahed is a financial technology company that is advancing financial inclusion through accessible, affordable, and values-based investing. The company has made significant inroads in the world Shariah compliant investing by creating an easy-to-use digital platform that provides a suite of Shariah compliant investing products including managed portfolios and venture and real estate investments. Wahed caters to over 400,000 customers globally and manages over $ 1 billion in assets. For more information, visit: www.wahed.com SOURCE Wahed This photo taken on Nov. 24, 2024 shows the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Petah Tikvah, central Israel. Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) JERUSALEM/BEIRUT, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. The Israeli military said in a statement that the rockets, fired by Hezbollah militants, targeted northern and central Israel and included three drones. It added that the country's aerial defense systems intercepted only some of the rockets. A launcher from which projectiles were fired toward the Haifa Bay area was struck by the military. At least eight people were injured by the afternoon. In Kfar Blum, close to the Israel-Lebanon border, first responders with the Magen David Adom rescue service said they treated a man who sustained serious wounds. A five-story residential building in Haifa, the largest city on Israel's northern coast, was evacuated due to fears of collapse after it was struck by a rocket, the Fire and National Rescue Authority reported. Additional damage was reported in the northern cities of Kiryat Shmona and Ma'alot, as well as near Petah Tikvah in central Israel. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on a military target in Tel Aviv, in retaliation for Israel's recent airstrikes on Beirut. The attacks were carried out at 06:30 a.m. local time (0430 GMT) "with a salvo of high-quality missiles and a squadron of attack drones," and "the operation achieved its goals," Hezbollah said in a statement, without specifying its target and the precise location. The group said in other separate statements that it also launched for the first time "an air attack with a squadron of suicide drones on the Ashdod naval base, 150 km from the Lebanese-Palestinian border." The group also claimed launching drone attacks on a newly-established operations room for the Israeli army in the settlement of Metula in northern Israel, and missile attacks on other northern cities including Hatzor Haglilit, Ma'alot, and Kfar Blum. Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that violent clashes have been ongoing since the early hours of Sunday between Hezbollah members and Israeli forces that had advanced in Lebanon's southeastern town of Khiam, the village of Yaroun in the central sector, and the village of Chamaa in the western sector of the border area. The Israeli army blew up about 18 houses on the eastern edge of Khiam, including the municipality building, they said. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes carried out seven raids on towns and villages in eastern Lebanon and 10 on those in the south, and the Israeli artillery shelled 11 border towns and villages in southern Lebanon with about 50 shells, they added. The Israeli military also announced plans to renew airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb, urging residents to evacuate the area in a post on social media platform X. On Saturday, Israel carried out at least three waves of strikes on the Lebanese capital, killing at least 20 individuals and injuring 66 others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October. This photo taken on Nov. 24, 2024 shows a car damaged in a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Petah Tikvah, central Israel. Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli first responders work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Petah Tikvah, central Israel, Nov. 24, 2024. Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli first responders work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Petah Tikvah, central Israel, Nov. 24, 2024. Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli first responders work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Petah Tikvah, central Israel, Nov. 24, 2024. Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Israeli first responders work at the site of a rocket attack from Lebanon, in Petah Tikvah, central Israel, Nov. 24, 2024. Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua) Damascus, Nov 24 : Israeli airstrikes targeted the Jusiyah crossing on the Syria-Lebanon border, causing damage, media reported. Details on casualties or damage were not immediately available, and there has been no official statement from Syrian authorities, Xinhua news agency reported. The Jusiyah area has been a site of tension due to its strategic location. It is known for the movements of Hezbollah members between Syria and Lebanon. This attack comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Israel escalating strikes against what it perceives as Hezbollah's targets in Lebanon. Earlier this week, at least 36 people were killed and 50 wounded in an Israeli attack that hit residential buildings in the Syrian city of Palmyra. Since the Syrian war began in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of air strikes in Syria targeting the army and Iran-backed groups. The Lebanese Health Ministry said that more than 3,650 people have been killed in Lebanon since October 2023, with most deaths recorded since September this year. Beirut, Nov 24 : At least 34 people were killed and 80 others injured in Israeli airstrikes on southern and eastern Lebanon, media reported. According to the official National News Agency (NNA) on Saturday, 24 people were killed, and 44 others were injured in eastern Lebanon. The casualties were reported in the towns of Bodai, Shmustar, Hafir, and Ras al-Ain, as well as the villages of Flaoui, Brital, Haour Taala, and the Bekaa Valley, all located within the Baalbek-Hermel governorate. Meanwhile, 10 people were killed, and 36 others injured in southern Lebanon, most of whom were recorded in the cities and villages of Nabatieh governorate, while the other were recorded in the city of Tyre and Marjeyoun district in South governorate, the NNA said. In separate statements, Hezbollah said its members targeted several gatherings of Israeli soldiers with missiles and rockets in the border area, including those in the Lebanese town of Khiam, and in Hanita, a Kibbutz in northern Israel, as well as the Israeli moshavs of Avivim and Dishon, Xinhua news agency reported. The armed group said it also engaged in fierce clashes with a group of Israeli soldiers who tried to infiltrate into the eastern outskirts of the Lebanese border town of al-Bayyada, causing casualties on the Israeli side. Since September 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. Tehran, Nov 24 : Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has condemned the US "illegal interventions" in Venezuela's internal affairs. He made the remarks in a post on Saturday on social media platform X while reacting to a post earlier this week by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said his government recognised Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the South American country's "president-elect". "We condemn illegal interventions by the United States and some of its allies in Venezuela's internal affairs, which is reminiscent of (the) malign and divisive interventions of 2019 via recognition of a parallel government (in the country), and express our solidarity with Venezuela's legitimate and elected president Nicolas Maduro," said Baghaei. Baghaei said Iran considered any foreign intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs as contrary to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter and a blow to peace and stability in the South American country, Xinhua news agency reported. On July 29, Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential election after securing 51.2 per cent of the votes in the election held on July 28. The US has maintained a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against Maduro's government. Jammu, Nov 24 : Union Minister Jitendra Singh has credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the BJP-led MahaYuti alliance winning the Assembly election in Maharashtra on Saturday and said that the Prime Minister won the 'trust' of the people. Speaking to media persons in Jammu, the Union Minister said, "While I want to thank the people of Maharashtra, I want to give credit to PM Narendra Modi for his revolutionary schemes for the welfare of people... He won the trust of the people of Maharashtra; that is why they voted for us." The BJP-led MahaYuti alliance registered a thumping poll victory, carrying its allies -- Shiv Sena and NCP -- with its momentum. The BJP has won 132 seats; Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has won 57 seats, and the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, won 41 seats. The state has 288 Assembly seats. The constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a huge jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray winning 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP (SCP) led by Sharad Pawar only 10 seats. The BJP saw a fabulous strike rate with the party winning 133 of the 148 seats it contested in Maharashtra. The party's allies Shiv Sena and NCP also have a very good strike rate. The Assembly elections in Maharashtra were held on November 20. Following poll outcomes in two states, 48 assembly seats, and two Lok Sabha by-polls, Prime Minister Modi joined celebrations at BJP headquarters in New Delhi and said the people of the state have defeated "negative and parivarvad politics". Prime Minister Modi also launched a scathing attack on the Congress after the BJP-led alliance's historic victory in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, alleging that it is a "'parjeevi" party that "sinks the boat of its allies". "Congress has now become a parasitic party, increasingly difficult for it to form a government on its own. Congress not only sinks its boat but also the boats of its allies. Today we have seen the same thing in Maharashtra also," he said. New Delhi, Nov 24 : After the BJP-led MahaYuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the Assembly elections in Maharashtra, party leader Kailash Gahlot has said that the poll result would have an impact on the upcoming Delhi polls expected to take place early next year. He also mentioned the Assembly poll results in Maharashtra as an important moment for both the state and the entire nation. "It is a very big day for Maharashtra and the entire nation. The credit for this victory goes to PM Modi and every BJP worker. The public has placed their trust in the BJP, which stands for a developed nation. The results will affect the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections also..." Gahlot said. When asked about the Delhi elections, he added, "The people of Delhi deserve the best infrastructure and services. They understand that for the development of Delhi, the BJP government must be formed." Earlier on Saturday, Union Minister Piyush Goyal termed the MahaYuti alliance's win in Maharashtra a 'good message' to accelerate the goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of developed India 2047, adding that the people in Maharashtra supported the good work done by the Prime Minister. Piyush Goyal also noted that the people of Maharashtra have rejected the politics of appeasement of the Congress and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The ruling MahaYuti alliance won the Maharashtra Assembly polls and won the polls with a landslide mandate. In Maharashtra, the BJP led the MahaYuti alliance to a smashing victory carrying its allies - Shiv Sena and NCP - with its momentum. The BJP has won 132 seats; Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has won 57 seats, and the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, won 41 seats. The state has 288 Assembly seats. The constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a huge jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray winning 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP (SCP) led by Sharad Pawar only 10 seats. The BJP saw a fabulous strike rate with the party winning 133 of the 148 seats it contested in Maharashtra. The party's allies Shiv Sena and NCP also have a very good strike rate. The Assembly elections in Maharashtra were held on November 20. Islamabad, Nov 24 : The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) has warned of a potential terrorist attack targeting former Prime Minister Imran Khan's party -- Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) protest march here, said media reports. The alert, issued on Thursday but revealed in the media on Saturday, cited intelligence from "multiple sources" indicating that terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had entered Pakistan from Afghanistan and infiltrated major cities, The Express Tribune reported. NACTA identified the group as "Fitna al-Khawarij," previously known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). These militants reportedly entered Pakistan through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on the night of November 19-20. The authority has cautioned that the terrorists might exploit PTI's public gathering as an opportunity for an attack. In response, security measures across the capital have been significantly reinforced, with authorities instructed to remain vigilant and ensure the protest site is protected against any potential threats. Earlier on Saturday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi contacted PTI Chairman Barrister Gohar to inform him that the government would not allow any sit-ins or rallies in Islamabad during the visit of a high-ranking Belarusian delegation, reported The Express Tribune. Naqvi cited security concerns as the reason for the decision. The delegation, led by Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, is scheduled to visit from November 24 to 27. Ahead of the PTI protest on November 24, the government imposed Section 144 across Punjab for three days and deployed thousands of security personnel in Islamabad. Authorities have sealed major routes leading to the Red Zone, including Srinagar Highway, GT Road, and those connecting to Islamabad Airport. Containers have been placed at multiple entry points, while Rangers, police, and Frontier Corps personnel have been stationed at sensitive locations, particularly around D-Chowk. Other precautionary measures include the partial suspension of internet and mobile services in Islamabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Punjab. Public transport, such as the metro bus services in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, has been halted. Additionally, all bus terminals at Faizabad have been barricaded to prevent security breaches during the protest and the high-profile visit. The heightened security underscores the government's concern over both the potential terrorist threat and ensuring public safety amid increased tensions in the capital. Mumbai, Nov 24 : Actress Mouni Roy said that she is "greatful, thankful and blessed" after she visited Adiyogi in Tamil Nadu. Mumbai, Nov 24 (IANS) Actress Mouni Roy said that she is "greatful, thankful and blessed" after she visited Adiyogi in Tamil Nadu. The actress took to Instagram, where she posted a string of pictures posing next to the 34-metre tall, 45-metre long and 25-metre wide steel bust of Lord Shiva with Thirunamam at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. In several images, the actress, She attained fame after portraying Sati in mythological series Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev, opposite Mohit Raina, from 2011 to 2014, is seen praying to Lord Shiva. In the last photograph, Mouni could be seen looking at the idol with her back towards the camera. For her visit, she chose to wear a navy blue Indian wear paired with a tye-dye dupatta. She completed her look with smokey eyes, a small bindi, nude lips and for the hair, the actress chose to keep it open. "Shivoham Shiv Swaroopam,Grateful thankful blessed," the 39-year-old actress wrote as the caption. Adiyogi refers to Shiva as the first yogi. The Adiyogi Shiva bust is recognised by the Guinness World Records as the "Largest Bust Sculpture" in the world. It is designed by spiritual leader and founder of Isha Foundation Sadhguru. According to reports, the statue weighs around 500 tonnes. On the personal front, Mouni married Dubai-based Malayali businessman Suraj Nambiar on January 27, 2022, in traditional Bengali and Malayali ceremonies in Panaji, Goa. Mouni is best known for her portrayal of shape-shifting snakes in the supernatural thriller series 'Naagin'. She started her acting career in 2006 with the television show 'Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi'. She essayed the role of Sati in 'Devon Ke Dev...Mahadev', and Meera in 'Junoon Aisi Nafrat Toh Kaisa Ishq'. Roy made her film debut in 2011 with the Punjabi romantic film, 'Hero Hitler in Love'. She made her Hindi film debut with the 2018 period sport film, 'Gold', directed by Reema Kagti and starred Akshay Kumar in the lead. She has then appeared in movies like-- 'London Confidential', 'Made in China', 'Brahmastra: Part One Shiva', and 'Blackout'. The 38-year-old actress had last appeared in the web series 'Showtime' directed by Mihir Desai and Archit Kumar. It stars Emraan Hashmi in the lead. Mouni next has 'The Virgin Tree' in the kitty. New Delhi, Nov 24 : While he illustrated several scenes of 'Ahimsa: 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilisation' over two years ago, author Devdutt Pattanaik decided to compile it this year. "I aimed to present it in a manner that it is accessible to the general public rather than only to academic circles," he told IANS. New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) While he illustrated several scenes of 'Ahimsa: 100 Reflections on the Harappan Civilisation' over two years ago, author Devdutt Pattanaik decided to compile it this year. "I aimed to present it in a manner that it is accessible to the general public rather than only to academic circles," he told IANS. Stressing that the conversation on Harappa typically focuses on its art, architecture, geography, or material culture, but rarely delves into its mythology, he observes that historians generally steer clear of mythology. "I noticed many mythological ideas embedded in Harappa's art and architecture and felt compelled to share them. This led to the creation of the book," he recalled. For him, the most fascinating aspect of the age-old civilisation is its trading culture -- semi-precious stones from as far as Afghanistan and Gujarat travelled down the Indus River, along the Makran coast, through the Persian Gulf to Oman, and to Mesopotamia -- covering a distance of 4,000 km over 4,500 years ago. "This aspect of Harappa is rarely discussed. People tend to associate Harappa with toilets far more than with trade!" The author said that despite the elaborate research he undertook, he did not want this book to be just a collection of facts but an analysis that would prompt readers to think about geography, the impact of monsoons on the Harappan civilisation, and the coexistence of its urban and rural networks. "By the way, some widely accepted notions, such as the idea of a continuous cluster of cities along the river, are exaggerated," he added. Pattanaik's process involves organising information, classifying it, and drawing connections. "I pay close attention to the sequence of chapters and the table of contents to ensure a clear progression from the first page to the last," he said. This medical doctor by qualification, who has written more than 50 books on mythology (besides other subjects) said that he is fascinated by how human beings imagine the world differently in various places and periods, and how these imaginings evolve. "Mythology expresses itself through stories, symbols, and rituals, influencing politics and economics. It's a unique field, and not many people study it deeply. Even Western books on mythology often show a limited understanding, as their authors are shaped by their belief systems and tend to present themselves as rational while being influenced by their myths," he said. In contemporary times when mythology is often confused with history, he warns that they are distinct subjects, although many people often blur the line. "Yes, metaphors are used to convey supernatural imagery to convey profound philosophical, metaphysical, or spiritual ideas, but the distinction is clear. Just as one cannot confuse physics with chemistry, mythology must not be confused with history," he stated. Speaking about the drawings in the book, he revealed that he always illustrates his books, though the same often gets "unnoticed." "I wanted readers to visualise Harappa beyond the usual seals and images. Artists often depict Harappans as modern people with family structures resembling our own. This is speculative at best. We know little about Harappan marriage rituals, and it's challenging to identify gender from seal characters -- they could be male, female, androgynous, or even cross-dressers. I wanted to present these possibilities to encourage future scholars to think critically," he said. Interestingly, the author has elaborated on the countryside of that period, and not just the major cities. He felt a civilisation is often linked to urban ecosystems, but cities depend on villages for food, agriculture, cotton, and raw materials. Villages, however, can survive without cities. "The Harappan cities may have declined around 1900 BC, but the rural ecosystems endured. This fact about Harappa is often overlooked, yet it underscores the interdependence of urban and rural networks," he added. Even while civilisations like Mesopotamia and Egypt displayed signs of war and violence, Harappa showed no such evidence. There are no depictions of armies or weapons, suggesting they maintained peace across vast lands through trade practices. "Ahimsa is not merely about vegetarianism or social justice. At its core, ahimsa is about fostering trade to prevent raiding. Successful trading requires avoiding hoarding and ensuring fair regulations. Harappans understood this, which contributed to their long-lasting peace," he said. Considering the fact that in these polarised times, one is often branded a Right-winger for discussing the richness of Indian culture and mythology, he asserted, "Yes, and it works both ways. If you critique the caste system, Right-wing groups label you Left-wing. If you celebrate temples, Left-wing groups label you Right-wing." "However, Indian culture cannot be understood in simplistic binaries. You cannot discuss Hindu temples without acknowledging the Sufi influence on the Bhakti movement, nor can you discuss Indian Islam without considering Hindu practices that shaped India's dargahs. India's complexity resists such linear categorisation. Scholars like me often find ourselves placed on the Left or Right arbitrarily, even though we truly belong to neither -- and perhaps to both," he concluded. London, Nov 24 : A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal shooting in Birmingham, United Kingdom, that left one man dead and another critically injured, local media reported. According to West Midlands Police on Saturday, a man in his 20s was found in a car Friday evening and pronounced dead at the scene. Another man, in his 30s, was discovered injured at a bus stop, believed to have been attempting to escape the gunman. He was taken to hospital, where he remains in critical condition, reports Xinhua news agency, quoting local media reports. Officers were called to the scene just before 2300 GMT on Friday. The suspect, also in his 30s, is currently in custody as the investigation continues, reported the BBC. PHNOM PENH, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of Asian political parties have welcomed China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) to promote a culture of peace, said a declaration released in Phnom Penh on Saturday. The Phnom Penh Declaration on Peace and Reconciliation was issued at the conclusion of the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), which was hosted by the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and attended by representatives of 49 political parties from 28 countries. "We shared the view that tolerance of cultural, ethnic, racial and religious diversities is essential for lasting peace, and agreed that we will endeavor to promote cultural and religious tolerance, inter-faith harmony, traditional values and peaceful coexistence among nations and ethnicities as well as the Asian tradition of mutual respect," the declaration said. "In this regard, we welcomed the Global Civilization Initiative that will be pursued on the notion of harmony without uniformity rather than a coercive insistence on uniformity," it added. Proposed by China in March 2023, the GCI advocates respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the importance of inheritance and innovation of civilizations, as well as robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation. Chea Munyrith, president of the Cambodian Chinese Evolution Researcher Association, said the GCI is another important public good China has shared with the world in the new era after the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative. "The GCI inspires countries to uphold the principles of equality, mutual learning, dialogue and inclusiveness among civilizations, and let cultural exchanges transcend estrangement, mutual learning transcend clashes, and coexistence transcend feelings of superiority," he told Xinhua. "The GCI has inspired countries to keep an open mind in appreciating the perceptions of values by different civilizations, and to refrain from imposing their own values or models on others and from stoking ideological confrontation," Munyrith added. According to the declaration, the representatives of Asian political parties also welcomed and supported the United Nations initiatives and the Global Development Initiative in promoting multilateralism and inclusive development. Baghdad, Nov 24 : The Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) announced that it had dismantled an Islamic State (IS) cell and arrested six IS militants, including the group's leader in Iraq's Kurdistan region, in the northern province of Kirkuk. Acting on intelligence reports and in coordination with regional Kurdish security forces, Iraqi security personnel on Saturday raided a safehouse where seven IS militants were gathering in the namesake provincial capital, Kirkuk, some 250 km north of Baghdad, the INSS said in a statement. The statement added that a clash broke out between the two sides during the raid, which led to the suicide of one of the terrorists and the arrest of the other six, as reported by Xinhua news agency. The statement said that one of the arrested was allegedly the leader of the IS group in the Kurdistan region and that they were planning an attack on government sites and senior officials in Kirkuk province. The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centres, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerrilla attacks against security forces and civilians. New Delhi: The end of the Cold War marked the beginning of an era where a frontal military attack was giving way to cross-border terror attacks, externally instigated insurgencies, and cyber attacks on the economic lifelines of the opponent. India has witnessed covert offensives of all these kinds. The use of social media as an instrument for 'psychological warfare', a 'misinformation campaign' against a regime, and the spread of 'radicalisation', has also become rampant. The two major military conflicts of our times -- the Ukraine-Russia confrontation that began in February 2022 and the Israeli action in Gaza in retaliation against October 7, 2023, attack of Hamas on Israel, have many features of a 'proxy war'. Russian President Vladimir Putin was keen to point out that the military intervention of Russia in Ukraine was not an act of 'war' but a move to protect the interests of the Russian-speaking population in east and south Ukraine. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) action in Gaza initially appeared to be a justifiable response to an outrageous terrorist act of Hamas across the Israeli border in which the terrorists killed some 1,200 Israelis and took 250 others, including women and children as hostages. India took a measured stand on the Ukraine-Russia conflict suggesting that the security concerns of both sides had to be understood and acknowledged but calling for a peace negotiation all the same. Similarly, India had no hesitation in denouncing the act of terrorism of Hamas but as the Israeli response began to cause large civilian casualties in Gaza it emphasised the need for stopping the military action and getting on with human relief operations. Three trends have clearly emerged out of the era of proxy offensives that set in as a post-Cold War phenomenon. One is that an asymmetric war always tends to become a prolonged affair. The response of the US-led West in support of Ukraine was in a proxy mode -- confined to the supply of monetary aid and despatch of war materials. NATO was in no hurry to induct Ukraine as a member -- the alliance would have been obliged to directly intervene against Russia if that membership was granted. It seems possible that the US hoped to wear down Russia with the economic burden of the military confrontation with Ukraine like what had happened in the past -- in the case of the Soviet military occupation of Afghanistan. The hopes of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine about repelling the Russian army were kept alive by the West through the promise of access to the higher missile systems but what was becoming increasingly evident is that the US-led West and consequently the Russians too, were getting adjusted to an unending military conflict -- which was basically at the cost of Ukraine in a way. As regards the action of Israel in Gaza it was meant to be the chase of a 'radicalised' Hamas that had turned into a terrorist outfit indulging in underground operations in Gaza and relying heavily on subterranean tunnels. The Israel-Hamas conflict has consequently become an infinite 'asymmetric' war between the Israeli Defense Forces and the Hamas militants. An inevitable part of any protracted 'proxy war' is that unlike in an open armed attack on a country that will be repelled by the defence forces of the latter and which will cause death and injuries to only armed personnel by and large, an asymmetric conflict will result in an increasing number of civilian casualties. This is happening in Ukraine and Russia as the 'war' there is assuming the form of an exchange of drone attacks for bombing not only the defence establishments but also the heavily populated urban centres. In the case of the Israel-Hamas confrontation, the retaliatory response of Israel is shaped by its announced mission of 'annihilating' Hamas. The 'survival' instinct of Israel is no doubt getting strengthened by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's politically driven ultra-nationalism. The civilian loss of life in Gaza has exceeded 35,000 and this is rightly an issue being critically viewed by the world at large despite the general disapproval of the 'terrorist' methodology adopted by Hamas in holding on to the hostages to exercise leverage. Israel's present regime categorically rejects a 'two-state' solution which mutatis mutandis will have to provide a viable way out of the Palestinian problem in the long run. In any case, a halt to IDF operations and restoration of relief work in Gaza, are the first priorities there. On the whole, it can be said that more civilians die in cross-border terrorism and insurgencies than in regular warfare. Proxy wars are fought with a limited objective like achieving a hold in an adjoining piece of territory or avenging a hostile act of the neighbour and are therefore likely to become a prolonged affair since the combating parties were willing to wait for their outcome -- because of the 'affordability' of this kind of conflict on one hand and a lack of fear of being held accountable for causing a global stir, on the other. Yet another outcome of the era of 'asymmetric' wars is that the concept of 'deterrence' against warfare itself has undergone a substantial change. The doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) of the Cold War period which was meant to deter any recourse to a possible 'first strike' using a nuclear missile against an opponent, had apparently lost relevance because a proxy war would not create that kind of compulsion or desperation about a decisive 'defeat' or 'victory'. In the Ukraine-Russia military conflict it was only when NATO powers talked of a direct participation in the 'war' in support of Ukraine, did Putin warned of a possible induction of tactical nuclear weapons against Europe. In the Israel-Hamas conflict, there has been an escalation of violence after Iran took the radicalised Hamas under its embrace. Iran in the Ayatollah regime was known for its ruthless fundamentalism and anti-US stance -- Shiite extremism is ideologically opposed to Capitalism -- while Israel was the closest American ally. The intense hostility between these two major powers in the Middle East also reflects the keenness of the US and the China-Russia axis to extend their hold in the region -- Iran has been politically drawn to the latter whereas the US banks on Israel and Saudi Arabia to call the shots in West Asia in the political plane. What has gone unnoticed by many strategic observers is that in the process, the Cold War kind of situation developing between these two camps was getting bolstered by the religious divides -- the Iran-Hamas confrontation with Israel, for instance, reflected the historical antipathy between Zionism and Islam. In the Iran-Israel armed conflict, the confrontation so far has mainly been between Lebanon-based Hezbollah -- an Iran proxy -- and Israel, and apparently, an element of restraint is there on both sides in not letting the regional conflict enlarge into another world war. India is rightly seeing in the post-Cold War era a multipolar world order and adopting the strategy of developing a relationship with all major powers based on mutually beneficial bilateral bonds that did not impede the cause of world peace and humanity. This is how India was able to call upfront for a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine-Russia military conflict and the stoppage of Israeli action in Gaza to allow for human aid to the Palestinians exposed to extreme suffering. India has been active in all major multilateral forums with the same approach including G20, BRICS, SCO, Quad, and ASEAN, and has been able to highlight the 'global commons' such as concern over terrorism and 'rules-based order' on the seas. The near failure of the UN to effectively intervene in global conflicts justifies India's willingness to help out multilateral bodies in attending to geopolitical issues. If China enjoying the goodwill of Russia had the ambition of becoming the second superpower after the US -- hastening the advent of a new Cold War -- India would have no problem in maintaining what could be called a 'positive non-alignment' and continuing to work for the world peace and economic advancement. India's leadership role at G20 in the matter of global scrutiny of the promises and perils of Artificial Intelligence is a case in point. In the uncertain geopolitics of these times, India is also being wise about developing self-dependence in the spheres of both security and economy. Many protracted 'proxy wars' are going on in the world today and India has rightly raised the voice of sanity against these regional-looking confrontations that could, if not checked in time, disturb world peace, human development, and the global economy. (The writer is a former Director of the Intelligence Bureau. Views are personal) Jerusalem, Nov 24 : The Israeli military and police arrested five Israeli settlers for rioting near the Jewish settlement of Itamar in the West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement. The arrests were made after dozens of Israeli settlers, some of whom were masked, instigated a violent riot, "hurling stones towards the IDF and Israel Border Police forces who arrived at the scene," the statement said on Saturday. During the incident, a soldier was punched by one of the rioters, reports Xinhua, quoting Israel's state-owned Kan TV News. On Friday, five other Israeli settlers were arrested after they tried to attack Commander of the IDF's Central Command Avi Bluth and accompanying soldiers in the city of Hebron, southern West Bank. Jewish extremist settlers occasionally clash with Israeli security forces in the West Bank to protest actions or policies they see as favouring Palestinians, such as the evacuation of illegal Jewish outposts or the arrest and expulsion of rioters from the area. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Saturday condemned the attempted attack, stating that "harming IDF commanders and soldiers, who dedicate their lives to the security of Israel and its citizens, is an attack on the entire country." He added, "I expect law enforcement authorities to bring those involved in the incident to justice without delay and call on the settlement leadership to condemn such phenomena strongly." This incident occurred a few hours after Katz announced the cessation of the issuance of administrative detention warrants against Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Seoul, Nov 24 : The Japanese government on Sunday expressed regret over South Korea's decision not to attend a memorial ceremony in Japan honouring forced labour victims, including Koreans, at an old Japanese mine complex. The Japanese Embassy in Seoul made the remarks in response to a question by Yonhap News Agency, a day after South Korea decided not to attend the ceremony on Japan's Sado island amid controversy over Tokyo's decision to send a senior official with hard-line views on history to the event. The Japanese Embassy said Seoul and Tokyo had been in "polite communication" over the memorial event, but it "would be regrettable" if South Korea does not attend the memorial service, Yonhap news agency reported. South Korea's decision came shortly after Japan said that Akiko Ikuina, a parliamentary vice minister at Japan's foreign ministry, would attend the ceremony as the government representative. Critics said her attendance at the ceremony would upset the eleven family members of the Korean victims who were planning to attend the event. Chennai, Nov 24 : The principal opposition party in Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK, is in discussions with the VCK, a prominent Dalit political party, and the PMK, the political arm of the influential Vanniyar community, to expand its coalition ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The DMK, led by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin has already announced its goal of winning 200 out of the 234 Assembly seats in the 2026 elections. CM Stalin has urged party cadres to work towards achieving this ambitious target. It may be recalled that the AIADMK failed to win a single seat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and has to build a formidable alliance to challenge the ruling DMK. The VCK holds significant influence among Dalit voters in Tamil Nadu, while the PMK commands a strong vote bank in the northern part of the state among the Vanniyar community. Currently, VCK is part of the DMK-led alliance, with four MLAs and two MPs. However, tensions have emerged within the coalition. Recently, VCK Deputy General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna remarked that the party's leader and MP, Thol Thirumavalavan, has the right to become the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu. He also criticised the DMK for not offering ministerial positions to its alliance partners. This statement drew sharp reactions from the DMK, prompting VCK General Secretary and MP D. Ravikumar to clarify that it was a personal opinion of Aadhav Arjuna, not the party's official stance. The PMK, currently aligned with the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), is another key player in Tamil Nadu's political landscape. In the 2019 Lok Sabha elections and the 2021 Assembly polls, PMK, BJP, and AIADMK were part of the NDA coalition. However, with IPS officer-turned-politician K. Annamalai taking over as the BJP's Tamil Nadu president, relations between the AIADMK and BJP have soured, leading to a breakup of the alliance. While some BJP leaders in Tamil Nadu have called for a reunion with the AIADMK, the Dravidian party has categorically ruled out such a possibility. Meanwhile, Tamil superstar Vijay, who recently entered politics after forming a new party Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) has refrained from attacking the AIADMK. In his inaugural public address in Vikkaravandi, Villupuram district, on October 27, Vijay criticised both the DMK and BJP but did not attack the AIADMK. He even invoked the legacy of AIADMK founder and iconic Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran (MGR). Vijay's entry has further opened up the political arena in Tamil Nadu. Political analyst M.R. Subramanian, based in Coimbatore, remarked, "AIADMK's effort to forge new alliances is commendable. Aligning with VCK, a Dalit party, and PMK, a Vanniyar political party, could create a robust social engineering model, strengthening AIADMK's position against the DMK in the 2026 Assembly polls." However, he added that it remains to be seen whether VCK will leave the DMK-led alliance to join hands with the AIADMK. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Driven by 5G service expansions, the mobile broadband services revenue in the Asia-Pacific region is likely to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2 per cent from $229.6 billion in 2024 to $296.2 billion in 2029, according to a new report. It will mainly be driven by the growing availability and adoption of 5G services across several countries, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company The unique mobile user penetration of the population in Asia-Pacific will reach 82.9 per cent in 2029, driven by mobile network coverage expansions, particularly in underserved countries and promotional/discounted plans offered by operators to drive subscriber growth. According to the report, in developed Asia, the number of mobile users will increase at a sluggish CAGR of 0.4 per cent, due to saturated nature of these markets. In emerging Asia, on the contrary, the number of mobile users will grow at a faster rate, supported by the growing availability of affordable handsets and local governments' efforts to improve and extend mobile networks coverage. "With 5G services already available in most of the developed countries like China, Japan, Australia, Hong Kong, India, and Korea, and set to be launched soon in emerging markets like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, revenue prospects for the mobile data segment will remain strong throughout the forecast period," said Sarwat Zeeshan, telecom analyst at GlobalData. Government support for 5G expansion will also strengthen the mobile data services market in the region. Taiwan, Singapore, China, South Korea, and Japan are the key 5G markets in terms of 5G subscriptions as a percentage of total subscriptions. Taiwan will have 94.6 per cent of mobile subscribers on 5G by 2029, thanks to the government's efforts to promote 5G technology in the country. "APAC has also become the centre of a technological race for 5G+ supremacy," said Zeeshan. IANS na/ Mumbai, Nov 24 : Actress Neha Sharma has reminisced about the Punjabi song "Gulabi Pagg" with Diljit Dosanjh and said that the suit she donned for the number is her favourite that she wore on camera. Mumbai, Nov 24 (IANS) Actress Neha Sharma has reminisced about the Punjabi song "Gulabi Pagg" with Diljit Dosanjh and said that the suit she donned for the number is her favourite that she wore on camera. Neha took to Instagram stories, where she shared a string of pictures and clips from the song, which was crooned by Diljit and dropped in 2018. "24 NOV 2018 Thank god for the phone reminders... time flies...but only gratitude for all that life has given me," she wrote as the caption for one glimpse. For the second image, in which the actress is seen wearing a yellow and gold salwar suit. She captioned it: "This is hands down my favourite suit I wore on camera". Neha Sharma made her debut with the Telugu film "Chirutha" in 2007 and her Hindi movie debut with 'Crook' in 2010. There are many other popular films through which she has been recognized, including Raghu Romeo, Teri Meri Kahaani, Yamla Pagla Deewana 2, Gutur Gu, Youngistaan, Kya Super Kool Hain Hum, The Zoya Factor, and Tere Bin Laden: Dead or Alive. Additionally, Neha entered the web series space with her role as advocate Niharika Singh in 'Illegal' (2020). Her song "Suno Na Sangamarmar Ki Deewarein" from the film 'Youngistaan' was a big hit. Neha Sharma is quite active on social media and keeps sharing updates from her daily life. Apart from acting, she also launched her clothing brand called "Neha Sharma Label," which sells exquisite clothes. She also opened a restaurant in Delhi's Vasant Kunj known as "Call Me Ten," which is a Japanese restaurant. Neha Sharma and Aisha Sharma are sisters. Talking about Aisha, her first appearance was with Ayushman Khurana in the music video for 'Ik Vaari', and then her first debut in a Hindi film with 'Satyamev Jayate,' opposite John Abraham and Manoj Bajpayee in 2018. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Bihar BJP President and Revenue and Land Reforms Minister, Dilip Jaiswal, attended the special screening of the film 'The Sabarmati Report' at a cinema hall in Patna on Sunday. After watching the movie, he lauded the film for its powerful depiction of true events and urged every Indian to watch it. Jaiswal highlighted that the film portrays incidents corroborated by the Supreme Court, which led to the conviction and punishment of 31 individuals. "The film is entirely based on the Supreme Court verdict from when this horrific incident occurred, resulting in the punishment of around 31 individuals," said the BJP leader. Reflecting on the tragic events depicted, he remarked, "The crime was horrific, a train was burned, and innocent people lost their lives. It is heartbreaking that such mindsets still exist in our society today. No religion or caste is inherently bad, but a negative mindset can lead to such heinous crimes. These elements aim to disrupt the harmony of our society." He emphasised the importance of exposing those who spread division and hatred in the country. "Every Indian must watch this film to understand the truth and confront those attempting to create discord in our society," he said. The BJP leader also extended his congratulations to the entire team of 'The Sabarmati Report' for their commitment to presenting the truth through cinema. "The filmmakers have fulfilled their responsibility by bringing out the reality for the people of this country," he added. Inspired by true events that took place in the Sabarmati Express on the morning of February 27, 2002, 'The Sabarmati Report' is a 2024 Hindi-language political drama film written by Avinash and Arjun based on a story by Aseem Arrora, After multiple issues and delays, the film was released by theatrically on November 15, 2024. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged the youth to actively participate in the upcoming Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, which will coincide with the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda and the celebration of National Youth Day. Speaking during the 116th episode of his monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi emphasised the critical role the youth play in shaping India's future. "The youth have a big role in making India a Viksit Bharat (developed India). When young minds come together to brainstorm and contemplate the country's progress, we certainly see concrete results," he said. "On January 12, we celebrate National Youth Day in honour of Swami Vivekananda's birth anniversary." He further announced that next year marks the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, and the occasion will be marked by a special celebration. "On January 11-12, at Delhi's Bharat Mandapam, a large gathering of young ideas will take place as part of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue," he added. PM Modi explained that youth from across India would participate in this initiative, with 2,000 selected youth from villages, blocks, districts, and states coming together for the dialogue at Bharat Mandapam. "You must remember, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, I had urged youth from non-political backgrounds to join politics. Many special campaigns have been organised to connect over a hundred thousand youth with politics. Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is one such effort," he stated. The event will feature numerous national and international experts and celebrities, with PM Modi also planning to attend as much as possible. "Youth will have the opportunity to present their ideas. How can a country move forward with these ideas? How can we create a solid roadmap? A blueprint will be developed for this," he said. Concluding his address, PM Modi urged the youth to seize this opportunity to shape the nation's future. "So, get ready. This is a big opportunity for those who can help build the future of India and its next generation. Let's come together, build the country, and make it Viksit," he said. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Sunday said that not only it is the right but also the responsibility of the judiciary to review the law enacted by Parliament. Former CJI Chandrachud, who arrived as a special guest in NDTV's special programme 'NDTV INDIA Samvaad - Samvidhan @75, said while making laws is the job of the Parliament, to review them is completely in the hands of the judiciary. "Not only is it a right, but it is also our responsibility. To test the constitutional validity of the law is our responsibility," he said. On appointments through the Supreme Court Collegium in the constitutional judiciary, the 50th CJI said that the "things going on in social media" should not affect its functioning. "Look, there are many misconceptions about the Collegium system. But this is a very good system in the federal system. In this, the appointment process goes through many stages. All sections have been getting representation under this," former CJI Chandrachud said. In a farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, former CJI Chandrachud said that the SC Collegium never had a difference of opinion while it made tough choices and decisions in recommending appointments to the constitutional judiciary. "I owe an eternal debt of gratitude to my Collegium for the way we have worked. We sat through the Collegium making tough choices and decisions. We never had a difference of opinion on Collegium. All meetings were conducted with a sense of humour, smile and some snacks," he had said. After a two-year-long stint in the highest judicial office of the country, ex-CJI Chandrachud retired on November 10 attaining the age of 65 years. He was first appointed as judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, and also served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court since October 31, 2013, until his elevation as an apex court judge on May 13, 2016. Justice Chandrachud passed BA with honours in economics from St Stephen's College, New Delhi and completed LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. In June 1998, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Bombay High Court. He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 till 2000. BAGHDAD, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Ministry of Electricity said Sunday that Iraq lost 5,500 megawatts of electric power due to the suspension of Iranian gas supplies. A statement by the ministry said that according to the Iranian side, the gas supplies were stopped due to maintenance for a period of 15 days. According to the statement, the ministry said it would coordinate with the oil ministry to compensate for the lost gas supplies. The oil-rich country relies heavily on Iranian gas imports to fuel its power plants nationwide. Lucknow, Nov 24 : Protesters pelted stoned on cops in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district when the survey of a Mughal-era mosque was underway on Sunday, following which police resorted to lathi-charge, lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them and caught hold of a few of them. Heavy security bandobusts were made for the survey underway since 07.30 a.m. However, as the survey was underway, protesters gathered and pelted stones at police. To control the unruly protesters, the police resorted to lathi-charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse them. Several protesters were arrested. Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) Rajendra Painsia said: "The survey was being conducted according to court orders. Last time, the survey could not be completed, and a slot of 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. was chosen today as no namaz is offered during this time and the process can be completed peacefully. Survey was on peacefully, there was no disruption. Jamia committee was cooperating in the process," he said. However, some miscreants outside pelted stones at the police, he said. Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar said: "The survey was on peacefully. But protesters gathered and pelted stones at police for 10 to 15 seconds. Police used lathi-charge and teargas to disperse the mob. Strict action will be taken against people who take the law into their own hands. Section 163 earlier known as section 144 has been imposed." He also said that strict action would be taken against those arrested. People who provoked the protesters will be also taken to task, the SP said. Meanwhile, All India Muslim Jamaat Chief Shahbuddin Razvi Barelvi appealed to the minority community in Sambhal to maintain peace and tranquillity, and not to indulge in vandalism and stop stone pelting. "Islam has given the message of peace, follow it. Jama Masjid is a historical mosque. The legal battle will be fought and we will win," he told the people of his community. The Supreme Court had ordered a survey after a petition was filed stating that the mosque was originally Harihar temple. Petitioner Vishnu Shankar Jain contended that Mughal emperor Babar razed the Harihar temple to build the mosque. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the deep connection the diaspora shares with their roots, stating that "Bhartiyata (Indianness)" is deeply embedded in the personalities of Indian communities abroad. He stressed that people of Indian origin are excelling in every field in the countries they reside in. Speaking during the 116th episode of his monthly radio program Mann Ki Baat, PM Modi encouraged citizens to share inspiring stories of Indian immigrants and their contributions to the world using #IndianDiasporaStories on the NaMo App or MyGov platform. "I returned from Guyana, a country in South America, just the night before yesterday. Thousands of kilometres away from India, a 'Mini India' thrives in Guyana. Around 180 years ago, Indians were taken there for work, and today, people of Indian origin are excelling in every domain, including politics, business, education, and culture," he said. The Prime Minister mentioned that Guyana's President, Dr. Irfan Ali, is of Indian origin and takes pride in his Indian heritage. "Like Guyana, there are millions of Indians in dozens of countries worldwide, with stories spanning decades or even centuries. I urge you to explore these stories about how Indian immigrants have left their mark, participated in freedom struggles, and kept Indian heritage alive," he said. Highlighting a unique project in Oman, PM Modi spoke about the preservation of historical records of Indian families who settled there centuries ago, mostly from Gujarat's Kutch region. "These people had created important trade links. Even today they have Omani citizenship, but Bhartiyata is ingrained in their personae. With the support of the Indian Embassy in Oman and the National Archives of India, a team has been working on preserving their history, collecting thousands of documents like diaries, account books, and letters, some dating back to 1838," he shared. PM Modi also highlighted the Oral History Project, where senior members of the Omani Indian community have shared their experiences, detailing their lives, challenges, and evolving relationships with the local population. Drawing parallels, he mentioned a similar oral history project in India focused on preserving the experiences of Partition survivors. "Now, only a few people remain who witnessed the horrors of Partition, making this initiative even more significant," he said. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of preserving history, highlighting initiatives like the creation of a directory of villages and campaigns to document India's ancient maritime capabilities. "A grand maritime museum is also being built in Lothal to showcase India's maritime history," he added. PM Modi further appreciated efforts in Slovakia, where the Upanishads have been translated into the Slovak language for the first time. "This initiative highlights the global influence of Indian culture. It is a matter of pride that crores of people around the world cherish India in their hearts," he said. He concluded by urging citizens to help preserve historical documents, manuscripts, and artefacts with the support of the National Archives of India, underscoring that "a nation that preserves its history secures its future." Sonipat, Nov 24 : A married businessman was arrested for stabbing his live-in partner and school-time love in Haryana's Sonipat and setting her body on fire over a domestic dispute, police said on Sunday. Upkar killed Sarita, who had been living with him for six years after separating from her husband, on October 25 in Rishi Colony in the Civil Lines area and burnt the entire house to give it the shape of a fire accident, police said. "Upkar's wife was aware of his live-in relationship, while Sarita had divorced her husband whom she married in 2004. Both of them were living as 'husband-wife' for six years," said Manish Kumar, Crime Unit, Ganaur. Upkar, a resident of Vishnu Nagar, Yamunanagar, fell into the police net after the forensic examination of the body of Sarita, originally a resident of Punjab's Zirakpur who was teaching in a college here, revealed murder due to stabbing before burns. A court has granted Upkar's custody to police for two days during which he will be questioned and taken to the crime scene, said an investigator. The layers over the crime started coming off after Sarita's brother from Punjab, Trishla, filed a complaint at Civil Lines police station in Sonipat. In his complaint, Trishla said Sarita had divorced her husband, Kapil, with whom she had a daughter and started living with Upkar in Sonipat in 2018 but they often had disputes. The victim's brother alleged in his complaint that Sarita had told him that Upkar had called her on October 20 and demanded money. Trishla's complaint said that on October 25 he received a phone call from his sister who said that Upkar was trying to strangle her but the phone went silent soon after. Later, Trishla received information that Sarita's house caught fire the same night and she died in the blaze. Mumbai, Nov 24 : The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) on Sunday elected its president Ajit Pawar as the leader of the party in the Maharashtra Assembly. The party has won a record 41 seats after contesting 58 constituencies. Ajit Pawar, who broke away from his uncle Sharad Pawar in July 2023, has outsmarted him by winning more seats and has now claimed that the real NCP is headed by him (Ajit Pawar). Ajit Pawar at his official residence, 'Devgiri', in South Mumbai welcomed the newly elected legislators and reviewed the partyas stellar performance in the Assembly election. He also hailed the Mahayutias landslide victory after defeating the Maha Vikas Aghadi. Pawar attributed the partyas success to a slew of welfare and development schemes, including Ladki Bahin Yojana, and free electricity. He told the legislators that the Mahayuti government would be a 100 per cent stable government because of an overwhelming mandate given by the voters. He also said that his focus will be to further strengthen the organisation across the state and regain the national status for NCP. He exhorted the party legislators to contribute in a big way to NCPas consolidation in the state. He thanked the legislators and party cadres for a team effort that worked wonders for the party by winning a record 41 seats. "The election results have shown that the teamwork has paid off and the same teamwork should continue in future too," he said in his speech. "Our victory makes our shoulders heavy with huge responsibilities the people have bestowed upon us for the next five years. We shall spend every moment working to fulfil their aspirations. We shall not spend a single moment speaking against anyone, we will speak only and only for the development of Maharashtra and the welfare of its people," he said. A section of the party legislators argued that Ajit Pawar has all the capabilities to become the state chief minister. Many posters were displayed outside his residence showing him as the next chief minister. Meanwhile, Ajit Pawar along with Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Dy CM Devendra Fadnavis will meet to discuss the formalities of the government formation and also on the chief ministeras post. Thereafter, the trio is expected to visit Delhi to hold talks with Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Mahayuti sources said that the swearing-in may take place by Wednesday. New Delhi, Nov 24 : A shocking incident involving an Ola electric scooter has gone viral on social media. In this video, a man is seen hammering away at his Ola Electric scooter in the middle of a road. According to the available information, the customer bought the Ola electric scooter a month ago and started having problems soon after. In the video, the company was accused of issuing a bill of Rs 90,000 for repairing it. "The showroom made a bill of Rs 90,000, the customer got upset and broke the scooter in front of the showroom," read the video caption. The video shows a man in a white T-shirt attacking the scooter in front of the Ola Electric showroom. Also, a large crowd is seen gathered outside the showroom. Customers are constantly facing problems ranging from software to hardware in Ola Electric's scooter. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has ordered a detailed investigation into the consumer complaint resolution process of Bhavish Aggarwal-led Ola Electric. Last month, Ola Electric claimed that 99.1 per cent of the 10,644 complaints on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) have been resolved. The CCPA had sent a show cause notice to the company regarding the alleged violation of consumer rights. Recently, in a conversation with IANS, several consumers said that the scooter has many problems, including hanging and battery problems. Due to the company having fewer service centres, one has to wait a long time to get the scooter repaired. Apart from this, scooter parts are also very expensive. Along with this, Ola Electric's stock has also seen a huge decline in the last few months. The stock closed at Rs 69.19 on Friday, down 56 per cent or Rs 88.21 per share from its all-time high of Rs 157.40 per share. Due to the steep decline, the market cap of the company has been reduced by Rs 38,000 crore. The market cap had reached an all-time high of around Rs 69,000 crore, which has come down to around Rs 31,000 crore. The reason for the fall in the company's stock is believed to be the continuous complaints from customers about poor service and product quality. Mumbai, Nov 24 : Bollywood couple Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal have completed five months of marital bliss and the two are celebrating it in Tuscany, Italy. Sonakshi took to Instagram stories, where she shared a few glimpses from their getaway. In one photo the two are posing next to a store called "DESII", which the actress circled and wrote: "Couple celebrating 5th month(versary) on 4th honeymoon Vibe h vibe hai vibe hai." She added the song "Vibe" by Diljit Dosanjh playing in the background. Zaheer too took to his Instagram, where he shared a video of Sonakshi in a store. The actress is heard hilariously asking her husband to stop filming her. Zaheer captioned: "The stalker becomes the salkee." He then shared another video featuring his wife walking in a hooded jacket. The two even went to an interactive museum. Sonakshi is heard saying "I love you" to Zaheer as he asks about her experience, where she is seen bursting into laughter. The last story had a video featuring the two going on a road trip with Sonakshi mouth-syncing rapper Badshah's song "Mercy" as Zaheer filmed the actress. Sonakshi and Zaheer tied the knot on June 23 in Mumbai after 7 years of dating. They first met at a party hosted by Bollywood superstar Salman Khan. Interestingly, both Sonakshi and Zaheer started their careers with Salman. While Sonakshi made her debut opposite Salman in the box-office phenomenon 'Dabangg', Zaheer made his debut with Salman Khan's home production 'Notebook'. The couple reportedly dated for 7 years, and lived together for a year before tying the knot. Zaheer is an actor, and made his debut in 2019. His father Iqbal Ratansi has businesses in jewellery and real estate, and is a childhood friend of Bollywood superstar Salman Khan which explains Zaheer making his debut with 'Notebook', produced under the banner of Salman Khan Films. His sister Sanam Ratansi is a celebrity stylist. Meanwhile, on the work front, the actress is set to share the screen with her husband in 'Tu Hai Meri Kiran' The two have previously worked together in the film 'Double XL', which also starred Huma Qureshi, and a music video titled, 'Blockbuster'. Jaipur, Nov 24 : BJP leader Arun Chaturvedi on Sunday launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing the party of misleading the public through lies and deceit, adding that the recent Assembly election results in Maharashtra reflect the public's trust in the BJP. Speaking to IANS, Chaturvedi echoed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's statement comparing Congress to a "parasite that drowns others as well," stating, "This is completely true, and the public has realised it now. The results in Maharashtra and Haryana clearly show that Congress's attempts to mislead people with false promises and conspiracies are failing." Highlighting the BJP's third consecutive government formation in Maharashtra, Chaturvedi noted, "This marks the seventh state where BJP has formed the government consecutively, reflecting the public's faith in our development-centric governance. People have witnessed how Congress has historically supported divisive elements. In Mumbai, people saw it closely." "This victory is not just BJP's success but also a win for the nation and its nationalist policies. It sends a message to Congress to reconsider its policies and stop indulging in dynastic politics," he said. Slamming Congress for its alleged obsession with family politics, Chaturvedi remarked, "For Congress, family comes above all. During Priyanka Gandhi's nomination process in Wayanad, we saw how the Congress President was peeking through a window while family members were present during the whole process. This demonstrates their lack of respect for anyone outside the Gandhi family." He also criticised Congress leaders for allegedly making anti-national statements abroad. "Repeatedly, Congress leaders go overseas to criticise our country, the Prime Minister, and even the Indian Army. Such behaviour is unacceptable," Chaturvedi said. Addressing the recent stone-pelting incident during the court-mandated survey of a mosque in Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh, Chaturvedi stated, "Certain elements in the country do not want peace. This mentality has persisted since 1947, often encouraged by governments like the Congress and Samajwadi Party before 2014." Referring to the Ayodhya temple dispute, he said, "After 500 years of struggle, Ayodhya has been liberated. Several temples were demolished to build mosques. Now, when the truth is coming to light and court orders are being implemented, some are trying to obstruct the process." Expressing confidence in Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's leadership, Chaturvedi said, "Law and order violations will not be tolerated in Uttar Pradesh. The state government works on the principle of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas,' ensuring fairness and justice for all." He warned that strict action would be taken against those disrupting peace and urged people to respect court orders. "The public must remember that the government under Yogi Adityanath will not compromise on law and order," he concluded. Hyderabad, Nov 24 : World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) is observed annually to raise awareness about Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and prevent its spread. Many people, when experiencing minor ailments like a cough, sore throat, or fever, often rush to pharmacies to purchase antibiotics without consulting a doctor. Moreover, they discontinue the antibiotics after one or two doses instead of completing the prescribed course. Such practices contribute to AMR, where antibiotics lose their ability to effectively treat infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. This condition makes infections harder to treat and poses significant public health risks. Dr Arcy Billoria, Microbiologist at Aster Prime Hospital, explained the risks associated with antibiotic misuse and offered essential guidance to combat AMR. AMR leads to prolonged infections, increased mortality rates, and the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms or "superbugs." The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified AMR as one of the top 10 global health threats. According to the Global Research on Antimicrobial Resistance (GRAM), AMR causes approximately 1 million deaths annually and could result in 39 million deaths by 2050 if left unaddressed. One of the leading causes of AMR is the misuse of antibiotics. Many people take antibiotics without a prescription, discontinue them prematurely, or use leftover medication. Billoria emphasised that such behaviour must stop. Antibiotics should be used only under a doctoras guidance, in the prescribed dosage, and for the recommended duration. She suggested people to stop practices like demanding antibiotics from doctors unnecessarily, taking antibiotics prescribed for others and using leftover or expired antibiotics. Runny noses, sore throats, and diarrhoea are typically caused by viruses and do not require antibiotics. Antibiotics work against bacteria, not viruses. Using them unnecessarily can disturb the bodyas natural bacterial balance and lead to resistance. Vaccination can prevent bacterial infections, reducing the need for antibiotics. Ensuring good hygiene practices like regular handwashing and covering the mouth while coughing or sneezing can also prevent infections. Dr Billoria urged everyone to use antibiotics responsibly to preserve their effectiveness for future generations and avoid a health crisis caused by resistant infections. Silchar : /Imphal, Nov 24 (IANS) The Assam government, in view of the renewed violence in neighbouring Manipur, has further tightened security along the 204-km-long inter-state border, deploying police and commandos on a 24x7 basis in border districts, officials said on Sunday. Assamas Cachar (130.60 km) and Dima Hasao (73.5 km) districts share borders with ethnic violence-devastated Manipur. A senior Assam Police official said that they stepped up security measures along the inter-state border to prevent the spillover of violence from the ethnic unrest in the neighbouring state. Cachar's Superintendent of Police Numal Mahatta has been closely overseeing the inter-state border security measures with daily inspections at the border. "Given the current law and order situation in Jiribam district in Manipur, strict security arrangements have been executed to prevent unauthorised entry from Manipur into Cachar and to deter any potential sabotage that could exploit the unrest in Jiribam. Enhanced security measures have also been established along the riverine areas bordering Manipur, including the Jiri and Barak rivers," the official told the media. Mahatta said that Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Director General of Police G.P. Singh have directed the Cachar police to take firm action against any attempts to disrupt peace in the district. "We are committed to safeguarding Cachar from the ongoing chaos in Manipur," he said. "We have taken all necessary precautionary measures following the violent situation and ethnic strife in Jiribam. In far-flung and remote areas where there is no connectivity, Assam Police are patrolling there day and night. Manipur Police are assisting us. Commando battalion is pressed for duty." Cachar police, in a post on X, said: "Cachar Police conducted foot patrols, area domination and searches in Tupidhar along the Assam-Manipur border to prevent unauthorised entry and fostering regional stability through community engagement." aTo combat rising tensions in Jiribam (Manipur), Cachar Police intensify security efforts along the Assam-Manipur border, conducting unwavering riverine patrols from Fulertal to Tupidhar along the Barak River," it said in another post. Largely unaffected in the 18-month-long ethnic riot in most parts of Manipur, mixed-population Jiribam witnessed a wave of violence after the killing of 59-year-old farmer Soibam Saratkumar Singh on June 6 this year. The Jiribam violence in June led to around 1,500 people belonging to both Meitei and Kuki-Zo-Hmar communities taking shelter at the homes of relatives and friends in two villages in the Cachar district. Though most of the refugees subsequently returned to Jiribam, a few hundred Kuki-Zo-Hmar tribals still lived with their relatives in Cachar. Manipur Police said that in the November 11 encounter with the CRPF in Jiribam, 10 Kuki militants were killed and the militants also kidnapped 10 people, all belonging to the Meitei community and inmates of a relief camp at Jakuradhor in Jiribamas Borobekra sub-division. Of the 10 abducted people, two were rescued alive and the bodies of eight other victims including three children and three women were found subsequently. Agartala, Nov 24 : Assam Rifles, in a joint operation with Customs, seized one kg of Crystal Methamphetamine tablets valued at Rs 16 crore from Badharghat, on the outskirts of the capital city Agartala on Sunday, officials said. An official said that acting on a tip-off, Assam Rifles troops jointly with Customs officials, launched the operation in Badharghat areas and recovered the drugs. Sensing the presence of the security personnel, drug peddlers fled leaving the contraband items, the official said. An Assam Rifles official said that this operation highlights the unwavering commitment of the paramilitary in the fight against drug trafficking and illegal smuggling activities in the region. A police official associated with the anti-drugs operations said that the Methamphetamine tablets, also known as party tablets or Yaba, were smuggled from Myanmar and through Mizoram and southern Assam, reached Tripura. The drugs were intended to be smuggled to Bangladesh, where the Yaba tablets are very popular among drug addicts, the official said. Mizoram, southern Assam, and Tripura become an easy corridor for drugs ferrying after being smuggled from Myanmar. Varied drugs, especially heroin and methamphetamine tablets are often smuggled into the northeastern states of India from Myanmar, which shares a 1,643-km unfenced border with four northeastern states a" Arunachal Pradesh (520 km), Manipur (398 km), Nagaland (215 km) and Mizoram (510 km). On November 20, in a significant haul of drugs in Mizoram, the Assam Rifles and state police jointly seized 28.520 kg of Methamphetamine tablets, 52 grams of heroin worth Rs 85.95 crore and a foreign pistol in three separate operations at Zokhawthar, a border village in Champhai district along the India-Myanmar frontier. Assam Rifles sources said that two Myanmar nationals were apprehended with these drugs. Ten innovative studies are honored at the annual Pineapple Science Award in Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 23, 2024. (Xinhua) HANGZHOU, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Beer tastes better when chilled, oranges are always sold in red mesh bags, and human fetuses grimace at the flavor of kale but smile for carrots. The scientific explanations for these quirky phenomena can be found in 10 innovative studies honored at the annual Pineapple Science Award on Saturday in Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. A watermelon forgotten in a freezer unexpectedly sparked a wave of inspiration for Professor Sun Licheng's team at Westlake University. Through a series of exploratory studies, the researchers mimicked the structure of the watermelon-rind membrane to develop high-performance artificial bio-inspired anion-exchange membranes with promising industrial applications. This innovative scientific achievement, born from a seemingly mundane moment, earned the team the "moment of inspiration" award at the event. The rind membrane refers to the thin, green outer layer of watermelon skin. When frozen and peeled, it is about 75 microns thick -- roughly the diameter of a human hair, said Dr. Liu Qinglu, a member of Sun's team. Liu added that testing revealed that it is an efficient ion-transport layer, a crucial element in creating nature-inspired electrochemical systems. The discovery would not have been possible without the team's enduring curiosity regarding unexpected phenomena, said Liu. Through ultrasound scans, researchers from Durham University in Britain found that human fetuses can taste and smell flavors in the womb. Interestingly, they can respond to the taste of carrots with facial expressions resembling smiles, while the taste of kale elicits grimaces of dislike, according to Beyza Ustun, a member of the research team. Scientists believe the findings provide valuable insights into the development of taste and olfactory receptors, as well as related perceptions and memory formation in humans. The study on fetal taste preferences finally won the Pineapple Science Award in medicine. This year's Pineapple Science Award recognized a range of intriguing studies that explored the scientific principles behind curious phenomena. Winners also included research on why the "baby smell" is so appealing, which type of paper cuts skin most easily, how spiders manipulate fireflies into emitting mating signals to lure prey, and the secret of how the unique smell of humans helps mosquitoes choose their next meal. "It is particularly important to combine science with interest. Only with interest can one gain the motivation to seek answers and develop a spirit of truth-seeking and scientific inquiry," said Fu Xinhua, a professor with Huazhong Agricultural University. Guided by the Zhejiang Association for Science and Technology and organized by the Zhejiang Science and Technology Museum, the Pineapple Science Award is a public science communication initiative. Launched in 2012, it takes place annually to celebrate imaginative scientific research and discoveries. Each year, 10 winning projects are selected across disciplines such as psychology, physics and mathematics. Notably, all awarded studies are based on academic findings published in scientific journals. Young audiences conduct scientific experiments at the annual Pineapple Science Award in Hangzhou, the capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, Nov. 23, 2024. (Xinhua) Seoul, Nov 24 : North Korea strongly condemned the US for conducting joint military drills and deploying military assets to the Korean Peninsula, warning that such actions could escalate into an actual war at any time. The chief of the Information Office of the Ministry of National Defence issued a statement, denouncing the trilateral Freedom Shield exercises, which included South Korea and Japan, as well as the recent arrival of a US nuclear-powered submarine at a major naval base in South Korea, Yonhap reported, quoting Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). "We strongly warn the US and its followers hostile towards the DPRK to immediately stop the hostile acts of further causing provocation and instability that can drive the military confrontation in the Korean peninsula and its vicinity into a real armed conflict," according to the English-language statement carried by the KCNA on Saturday DPRK is the acronym for North Korea's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. South Korea, the US and Japan wrapped up their three-day trilateral Freedom Edge exercise in international waters south of South Korea's southern island of Jeju on November 15. On Monday, the 6,000-ton USS Columbia entered South Korea's naval base in Busan. The statement further said, "US military moves targeting the DPRK can lead to a real war situation anytime." The chief also said it is the constitutional duty of North Korea to take self-defensive measures to protect the security environment of the state and maintain the strategic stability and balance of strength in the region. Kabul, Nov 24 : The extremist militant group Islamic State (IS) has claimed responsibility for a deadly attack in northern Afghanistan's Baghlan province that killed 10 people, local media Tolo News TV reported Sunday. According to the report, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman of the Afghan caretaker government, said that the Afghan caretaker government had engaged in combat against the IS. At least 10 citizens were killed by gunmen in Nahrin district, Baghlan province on Thursday evening, Xinhua news agency reported. The Afghan caretaker government, which downplays the IS group as a serious threat, has vowed to crack down on armed opponents across the Central Asian country. Jeddah, Nov 24 : The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 purple cap winner Yuzvendra Chahal was acquired by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for Rs 18 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday. The bidding began with the 2022 champion Gujarat Titans (GT), confidently opening at Rs 2 crore. The action was swift as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) countered at Rs 2.20 crore, followed closely by Punjab Kings (PBKS) with a bold Rs 6 crore. The stakes were already high when GT raised their bid to Rs 6.25 crore, but PBKS was determined and countered at Rs 7 crore. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered, escalating the intensity by pushing it to Rs 7.25 crore. With GT deciding to step aside - for now- the field narrowed, and the bidding war only grew fiercer. As the price soared beyond Rs 10 crore, it was clear this was no ordinary contest. PBKS reached Rs 12 crore, but LSG remained steadfast, upping it to Rs 13.75 crore. Not to be outdone, PBKS quickly raised the price tag to Rs 14 crore. Finally, LSG hesitated, signalling their exit from the fray. The room buzzed as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) made their entrance at Rs 14.25 crore. PBKS showed no signs of retreat, upping the bid to Rs 14.50 crore. But just when it seemed like PBKS might seal the deal, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) made a surprise entry with a Rs 14.75 crore offer. The drama reached its peak as SRH and PBKS went head-to-head. SRH showed their resolve, taking the bid to Rs 15.75 crore. PBKS, unfazed, raised it further to Rs 18 crore and secured the services of Chahal. Meanwhile, in the other purchase, pacer Mohammad Siraj was sold to Gujarat Titans for Rs 12.25 crore. GT kicked off the bidding for the Indian pacer with the first bid of Rs 2 crore. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) quickly joined the fray, matching GTas energy. The two franchises went head-to-head, propelling the price past Rs 8 crore. However, at this stage, CSK pulled out, leaving the battlefield open for new contenders. With GT holding the bid at Rs 8.25 crore, Rajasthan Royals (RR) made a dramatic entrance, signalling their intent to secure the prized bowler. The stakes escalated rapidly as Rajasthan Royals pushed the price to Rs 12 crore. GT, unwilling to give up on their target, countered with a decisive bid of Rs 12.25 RR chose to bow out, leaving GT as the frontrunner. Meanwhile, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), did not exercise their Right to Match (RTM) card after a moment of deliberation and RR secured the services of Siraj at Rs 12.25 cr. Manila, Nov 24 : At least 2,000 families were left homeless after a huge fire tore through a residential community in the Philippine capital on Sunday, local authorities said. Firefighter Alejandro Ramos of the Manila City Fire Department told reporters that the blaze, which broke out in the morning in Manila City, destroyed around 1,000 homes made of light and combustible materials. The Philippine Air Force used helicopters to drop water over the burning colony of illegal settlers by the Manila Bay. The Philippine Coast Guard also sent four fire boats to help contain the blaze. Around 30 firetrucks converged at the scene to help control the blaze. However, Ramos said that strong winds blowing from the bay contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. He said that the narrow streets hampered efforts to control the fire. Fleeing residents crowded the streets, making it difficult for firefighters to penetrate the colony. The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office declared the fire out at 2 pm local time, Xinhua news agency reported. So far no fatalities have been reported, although some firefighters sustained injuries. An investigation is underway to look into the cause of the fire. Mumbai, Nov 24 : Actor Ranbir Kapoor, who was attending the 55th edition of IFFI in Goa, shared that the first time he met his actress-wife Alia Bhatt, she asked "Who is Kishore Kumar". Mumbai, Nov 24 (IANS) Actor Ranbir Kapoor, who was attending the 55th edition of IFFI in Goa, shared that the first time he met his actress-wife Alia Bhatt, she asked "Who is Kishore Kumar". "First time I met Alia she asked me who's Kishore Kumar it's just circle of life it's like people are forgotten and new artists come. I think it's very important that we remember our root," Ranbir was heard saying. It was in April 2022, when Ranbir and Alia got married in an intimate wedding in Mumbai. The couple then welcomed their daughter Raha in November the same year. The actor then went on to talk about how he loves the song "Kisi Ki Muskurahaton Pe" from the 1959 film "Anari" featuring his grand father Raj Kapoor. "Kisi Ki Muskuraahato'n Pe Ho Nisaar' is one my favourite songs," said Ranbir, who was in a conversation with Rahul Rawail, the latter assisted Raj Kapoor. He then mentioned that it is the first song he made his two-year-old daughter Raha hear. "In fact, it is the first song that I made my daughter Raha hear. I'm an 80s kid and this song is my anthem". Talking about "Anari", the comedy film, directed by Hrishikesh Mukerjee, stars Raj Kapoor , Nutan , Motilal and Lalita Pawar . This was among the few films in which Lalita Pawar played a positive role and Motilal a role with shades of grey. The film was remade in Tamil as Pasamum Nesamum (1964) and in Turkish as Derbeder (1960), Enayi (1974). The film traces the story of a poor young man, who gets employed by a rich man admiring his honesty. But when he gets suspected in a lady's murder case, he need to prove his innocence. Talking about Ranbir, the actor will reportedly be seen in "Dhoom 4" and is currently prepping for "Love And War" by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Three persons were killed in the violence that erupted during the survey of a mosque in Sambhal district in Uttar Pradesh, officials said. "Three persons namely Naeem, Bilal and Niman died during the clash. Around 20 to 22 cops including officials (CO Sambhal, PRO to SP Sambhal, one SDM) sustained injuries while others injured received injuries of splinters). Moreover, 15 persons have been detained," Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Ananya Kumar said on Sunday. Tension mounted in Sambhal during the second survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid after locals pelted stones at the police team. A second survey by an 'Advocate Commissioner', as part of a court-ordered examination into the disputed site, began around 7 a.m. and a crowd began gathering at the spot, as per the local administration. "Some miscreants came out of the crowd gathered near the site and pelted stones at the police team. The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control," Superintendent of Police Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said. He said those who engaged in stone pelting and those who incited them will be identified and action will be taken against them. Earlier in the day, Sambhal District Magistrate (DM) Rajendra Painsia said: "The survey was being conducted according to court orders. Last time, the survey could not be completed, and a slot of 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. was chosen today as no namaz is offered during this time and the process can be completed peacefully. The survey was on peacefully, there was no disruption. Jamia committee was cooperating in the process," he said. However, some miscreants outside pelted stones at the police, he said. Sambhal SP Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said: "The survey was on peacefully. But protesters gathered and pelted stones at police for 10 to 15 seconds. Police used lathi-charge and teargas to disperse the mob. Strict action will be taken against people who take the law into their own hands. Section 163 earlier known as section 144 has been imposed." He also said that strict action would be taken against those arrested. People who provoked the protesters will be also taken to task, the SP said. Meanwhile, All India Muslim Jamaat Chief Shahbuddin Razvi Barelvi appealed to the minority community in Sambhal to maintain peace and tranquillity, and not to indulge in vandalism and stop stone pelting. "Islam has given the message of peace, follow it. Jama Masjid is a historical mosque. The legal battle will be fought and we will win," he told the people of his community. The Supreme Court had ordered a survey after a petition was filed stating that the mosque was originally Harihar temple. Petitioner Vishnu Shankar Jain contended that Mughal emperor Babar razed the Harihar temple to build the mosque. Ranchi, Nov 24 : Hemant Soren, leader of the INDIA Bloc in Jharkhand, on Sunday staked claim to form the next government in the state after being re-elected as the leader of the coalition. Following a meeting of the newly elected MLAs here, Soren visited Raj Bhavan to meet Governor Santosh Gangwar, where he tendered his resignation as Chief Minister and submitted a list of 56 elected MLAs from the alliance to prove his majority. The Governor accepted Soren's resignation and appointed him as the caretaker Chief Minister until the new government was formed. Soren is expected to take oath as Chief Minister on November 28 at Morabadi Ground, Ranchi. Earlier in the day, a meeting was held at the Chief Minister's residence on Kanke Road, attended by MLAs and leaders from the four alliance partners -- the JMM, the Congress, the RJD, and the CPI-ML-L. Discussions focused on the framework of the new government, the swearing-in ceremony, and guest invitations. Addressing the gathering, Soren congratulated the newly elected MLAs, attributing the alliance's victory to the people of Jharkhand and the efforts of party workers. Hemant Soren is going to become the first leader in Jharkhand to take oath as Chief Minister for the fourth time. His first stint as CM in a Congress-RJD-supported government started when he took oath as Chief Minister on July 13, 2013, lasting until December 23, 2014. His next stint started when he took oath as CM on December 29, 2019, following a decisive victory in the 2019 state elections. His third term began after he came out of jail on July 4, 2024. He resigned after he was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on January 31, 2024. Before Soren, only his father, Shibu Soren, and BJPas Arjun Munda had served as Chief Minister three times each. The India bloc secured a decisive victory in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, winning 56 seats -- the JMM with 34, the Congress with 16, the RJD with four, and the CPI-ML-L with two. This marks the first time in Jharkhand's history that a government will be formed with a two-thirds majority. Chennai, Nov 24 : The forest officials of Tamil Nadu's Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary have reported a significant increase in the number of migratory birds visiting the sanctuary this season compared to previous years. According to the officials, around 3,500 to 4,000 migratory birds have arrived at the sanctuary in 2024, a remarkable jump from just 800 birds recorded in 2023. The Tamil Nadu Forest Department said that approximately 20 species of birds visit the Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary annually. These include species such as the Egret, Indian Spot-Billed Duck, Darter, Asian Openbill Stork, and Black-headed Ibis. A senior forest department official noted that these birds travel thousands of kilometres to reach the sanctuary, with many coming from Australia, Europe, and Southeast Asia. The Vettangudi Bird Sanctuary, spanning 36 hectares, is located in the Kollukudipatti and Vettangudipatti villages along the Madurai-Karaikudi Highway. Migratory birds flock to the sanctuary primarily for roosting and breeding purposes. Villagers believe that the early arrival of these birds is a positive omen, as migratory species are known to have a strong sense of the monsoon's intensity. Manikantan Thevar, a local villager and avid bird watcher, explained, "These birds provide insights into the rainy season. If they nest in low-lying areas, it signals lighter rainfall, whereas nesting in higher terrains indicates heavy rain." The villagers, showing their commitment to the birds' well-being, have refrained from bursting crackers during Deepavali for the past three decades to avoid disturbing the avian visitors. Forest department officials have also appointed anti-poaching watchers to prevent hunting. Additionally, they have cleared unwanted trees and bushes, ensuring the area is populated with Nattu Karuvelam trees. Fish fingerlings are being grown in nearby water bodies to provide food for the birds. To mitigate natural threats to the birds and their eggs, the forest department relocated 32 monkeys and two pythons from the sanctuary this year. A detailed study on the impact of sound waves on migratory birds has also been conducted, given the sanctuary's proximity to the national highway. This study was carried out in collaboration with the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History. Jeddah, Nov 24 : Indian veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin was sold to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) for Rs 9.75 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday. Entering with a base price of Rs 2 crore, the former CSK stalwart seemed destined for a homecoming. CSK wasted no time in bidding, but Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) offered early resistance. Ashwin, currently in Australia with the Indian side for the Border-Gavaskar series, saw his price quickly escalate as LSG bowed out and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) entered the fray. The familiar CSK vs RCB battle unfolded again, but RCB soon stepped back, making way for Rajasthan Royals, whom he represented last year as well. The Royals and CSK engaged in an intense tussle, with Ashwin's price soaring to Rs 9.75 crore. Royals eventually tapped out, leaving CSK to secure Ashwin in an emotional reunion. The veteran spinneras return to his original IPL team promises a wealth of experience and leadership for CSK. Ashwin represented the Men in Yellow from 2009 to 2015 and won the IPL twice with the side. With stints at Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals and RR during his 15-year career, the 38-year-old has played 212 games and claimed 180 wickets to his name. The auction also witnessed CSKas strategic move for New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra. Starting at Rs 1.5 crore, Ravindra attracted early bids from CSK and Punjab Kings (PBKS). The Kiwias versatility, offering runs at the top or middle order and left-arm spin, made him a sought-after prospect. PBKS led the bidding at Rs 3.2 crore, seemingly sealing the deal, until CSK exercised their Right to Match (RTM). This prompted PBKS to escalate the price to Rs 4 crore, but CSK held firm, reclaiming Ravindra for the same amount. BEIRUT, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Four people, including a Lebanese army soldier, were killed and 40 others injured in Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon on Sunday, according to the Lebanese army and a source in the Lebanese Red Cross. In southwestern Lebanon, one Lebanese army soldier was killed and 18 others injured, including some wounded badly, on Sunday morning in an Israeli airstrike targeting a Lebanese army post "in Ameriya on the Qleileh-Tyre road, and the post was also severely damaged," the Lebanese army said in a statement on social media platform X. Lebanese security sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that several 155-millimeter artillery shells fired by Israel hit an army checkpoint, injuring soldiers and causing a fire in a warehouse belonging to the checkpoint. Members of the Lebanese Red Cross worked to transfer the injured to hospitals in the city of Tyre, while members of the Civil Defense worked to extinguish the fire, the sources said. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said that Israel's attack against the Lebanese army conveys a bloody message that Israel rejects all efforts to reach a ceasefire. "The Israeli enemy's direct targeting of an army center in the south today, and the fall of martyrs and wounded, represents a direct bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts to reach a ceasefire, strengthen the army's presence in the south, and implement international resolution 1701," Mikati said in a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers. As of Sunday, the death toll among Lebanese army ranks has reached 41 since the beginning of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict on Oct. 8, 2023, according to one Lebanese security source. In two other separate attacks in southeastern Lebanon, an Israeli raid targeted a neighborhood in the town of Machgharah on Sunday morning, killing two and wounding 22 others, whereas an Israeli tank fired a shell at the home of a civilian in the town of Ibl al-Saqi, leaving the civilian dead, a responsible source in the Lebanese Red Cross told Xinhua. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October. This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Machgharah, Lebanon, on Nov. 24, 2024. An Israeli raid targeted a neighborhood in the town of Machgharah on Sunday morning, killing two and wounding 22 others. (Photo by Maher Kamar/Xinhua) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Machgharah, Lebanon, on Nov. 24, 2024. An Israeli raid targeted a neighborhood in the town of Machgharah on Sunday morning, killing two and wounding 22 others. (Photo by Maher Kamar/Xinhua) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Machgharah, Lebanon, on Nov. 24, 2024. An Israeli raid targeted a neighborhood in the town of Machgharah on Sunday morning, killing two and wounding 22 others. (Photo by Maher Kamar/Xinhua) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Machgharah, Lebanon, on Nov. 24, 2024. An Israeli raid targeted a neighborhood in the town of Machgharah on Sunday morning, killing two and wounding 22 others. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) This photo shows the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes in Machgharah, Lebanon, on Nov. 24, 2024. An Israeli raid targeted a neighborhood in the town of Machgharah on Sunday morning, killing two and wounding 22 others. (Photo by Taher Abu Hamdan/Xinhua) Jeddah, Nov 24 : The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) acquired the services of Madhya Pradesh all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer for Rs 23.75 crore in the IPL 2025 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday. With a base price of Rs. 2 crore, Iyer was expected to fetch a good price, but no one could have predicted the astronomical heights his auction would reach. KKR, the team he helped lead to glory in the previous season, opened the bidding. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) quickly joined in, trying to snatch Iyer from KKR. The bidding escalated steadily, with LSG pushing the price to Rs 6 crore. However, they bowed out as KKR raised their bid to Rs 7.75 crore. But just when it looked like Iyer was heading back to KKR, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) entered the fray. A fierce bidding war ensued between KKR and RCB, with the price soaring past Rs 12 crore, then 14 crore, and continuing to climb. Paddles were raised rapidly as the two franchises showed no signs of backing down. The bid crossed Rs 18 crore, then Rs 19 crore, with KKR momentarily in the lead at Rs 19.25 crore. KKR raised the bid to Rs 20.75 crore, but RCB still wasnat done. The battle continued until the bid hit an astonishing Rs 23.75 crore as KKR claimed the services of their former all-rounder. He had debuted for KKR in 2021 and immediately made an impact with a prolific season, scoring 370 runs in just 10 matches at an average of 41.11. His exploits with the bat and ball earned him a spot in the Indian national team in both T20Is and ODIs. Over his IPL career, Iyer amassed 1,326 runs in 50 matches at an average of 31.57, with one century and 11 half-centuries with highest score of 104. In IPL 2024, Iyeras value as a match-winner was undeniable. His T20 batting strike rate of 137.64 and his tight bowling economy under seven underscored his all-around capabilities. The Madhya Pradesh all-rounder had also hit 121 fours and 61 sixes in his IPL career, solidifying his reputation as a power-hitter. In other purchase, Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis was sold to Punjab Kings for Rs 11 crore. Stoinis entered the auction with a base price of Rs. 2 crore, and it didn't take long for the bidding to heat up. Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) initiated the proceedings, swiftly followed by Chennai Super Kings (CSK). Bengaluru escalated the bid to Rs 4.40 crore, but CSK wasn't backing down, pushing the price to Rs 6 crore. The back-and-forth continued as RCB took the lead at Rs. 6.75 crore, only for CSK to momentarily retreat before returning with a bid of Rs 8.50 crore. The stakes rose as Punjab Kings (PBKS) entered the fray, making a strong bid of Rs 9 crore. RCB held firm, refusing to concede, but PBKS upped the ante with a commanding Rs 11 crore offer. At this point, RCB hesitated, eventually pulling out of the race. Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), who had the option to use their Right to Match (RTM) card, surprisingly chose not to exercise it. With that, Marcus Stoinis was sold to Punjab Kings for a staggering Rs. 11 crore. Stoinisas acquisition was a testament to his impact in the IPL over the years. Since making his debut in 2016, he had become one of the most reliable all-rounders in the league. Across 96 matches, Stoinis had amassed 1,866 runs at an average of 28.27, including a scintillating century and nine half-centuries. His highest score of 124 not out showcased his ability to single-handedly turn games around. With 150 fours and 91 sixes to his name. In addition to his batting, Stoinis brought versatility with the ball, often providing breakthroughs in crucial moments. It was this dual skill set that made him a sought-after player. Mumbai, Nov 25 : Actress Dipshikkha Nagppal, who is seen in the show "Megha Barsenge", says that mental health doesn't discriminate and that celebrities talking about the issue can help others. Mumbai, Nov 25 (IANS) Actress Dipshikkha Nagppal, who is seen in the show "Megha Barsenge", says that mental health doesn't discriminate and that celebrities talking about the issue can help others. "People look up to celebrities, and when they speak openly about issues like mental health, it sends a powerful message. Mental health doesn't discriminate, no matter how successful or wealthy you are, it can affect anyone. Recognising it and taking action can truly transform your life", she said. The actress talked about how she sought professional help during her tough times. "I sought help from my doctor, Anjali Chhabria, during some of the toughest times in my life, including my divorce. Back then, I found myself reacting very differently to my children, something I couldn't understand. "I had always wanted kids, so I kept questioning why I was speaking to them with so much frustration and anger. My doctor explained that my reactions were tied to my emotional struggles. I was a new mother at the time, and there was no elder in my home to guide me or my children through what was happening", she said. The actress said that therapy changed everything. "It helped me build a beautiful relationship with my children. That's why my advice is to not wait until you're upset or depressed to see a therapist. Even when you're happy, therapy can help you grow and understand yourself better. It gives you a safe space to talk, where someone listens without judgment and helps you make sense of things". "When we talk to friends or family, it's rare to find someone who truly listens without imposing their perspective. Most people don't want to hear what they consider "drama" and often give advice based on their understanding, not your reality. That's why seeking expert help is so important it helps you live life in a way that feels meaningful and fulfilling", she added. New Delhi, Nov 24 : The Supreme Court has ruled that a sale certificate issued in pursuance to a court's auction is not required to be stamped. New Delhi, Nov 24 (IANS) The Supreme Court has ruled that a sale certificate issued in pursuance to a courtas auction is not required to be stamped. A bench, headed by Justice J.B. Pardiwala, was dealing with the question if it is mandatory for the successful auction purchaser to deposit the stamp duty for the sale certificate to be issued to it in view of the provisions of the Stamp Act and the Registration Act. In its judgment, the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the writ petition and directed the respondent to hand over the original sale certificate to the writ petitioner and send a copy of the same to the Sub-Registrar under Section 89(4) of the Indian Registration Act, 1908. It also held that the writ petitioner was entitled to a refund of the stamp duty deposited. Punjab United Forge Ltd was ordered to be wound up and permission was granted to the Industrial Finance Corporation of India (IFCI) to sell the properties mortgaged with it and also the properties hypothecated with the Andhra Bank. The IFCI invited tenders for the immovable and movable assets to be put to an auction wherein Ferrous Alloy Forging Pvt Limited, a sister concern of the writ petitioner, offered the highest bid and as a result, the auction sale was confirmed in its favour. Thereafter, the writ petitioner moved an application requesting for execution of the conveyance deed in its favour on the ground that the entire sale consideration was paid by it. The request was declined by the company law judge of the high court but an appeal was allowed by a division bench. The writ petitioner also filed an application for the issuance of a sale certificate in its capacity as the successful auction purchaser for both the movable and immovable properties. The company judge of the P&H High Court disposed of the application taking the view that the writ petitioner was liable to pay the stamp duty on the immovable properties which had been put to auction which would include land, buildings, and permanently affixed machinery. It further directed that although the immovable properties which were put to auction were to be included in the certificate of transfer, their value would be excluded for the purpose of computation of stamp duty. The Registrar took the view that stamp duty had to be paid on Rs. 2.25 crore which was the valuation of the immovable properties as offered in the tender and the writ petitioner was directed to pay stamp duty on Rs.2.25 crore for the sale certificate to be issued in its favour. The directions issued by the Registrar were challenged by way of a writ petition for being in derogation of Section 17 (2)(xii) of the Registration Act, read with Rule XXI Order 94 of CPC. The High Court allowed the writ petition taking the view that there was no occasion for fixation of stamp duty at the time of issuance of the sale certificate and the Registrar was only required to issue the sale certificate and send a copy of the same to the Sub-Registrar in accordance with the mandate contained in section 89(4) of the Registration Act. It further directed that the stamp duty deposited by the writ petitioner be refunded within a period of one month. Aggrieved with the decision, the Punjab government moved an appeal before the Supreme Court. The top court, referring to its decision in the Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Pramod Kumar Gupta case, observed that the transfer becomes final when an order under Rule 92 of Order XXI is made and the issuance of a sale certificate under Rule 94 is only a formal declaration of the effect of such confirmation. "Such issuance of the certificate does not create or extinguish any title and thus would not attract any stamp duty which is applicable qua an instrument of sale of immovable property," it added. The Supreme Court said that a sale certificate issued to the purchaser in pursuance of the confirmation of an auction sale is merely evidence of such title and does not require registration under Section 17(1) of the Registration Act. "It is not the issuance of the sale certificate which transfers the title in favour of the auction purchaser. The title is transferred upon successful completion of the sale and its confirmation by the competent authority after all the objections against the sale have been disposed of." Dismissing the Punjab government's appeal, it said that the sale certificate issued by the authorised officer is not compulsorily registrable and mere filing under Section 89(4) of the Registration Act itself is sufficient when a copy of the sale certificate is forwarded by the authorised officer to the registering authority. Amaravati, Nov 24 : Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy on Sunday flayed the TDP-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh for its neglect of all sectors, especially education. He slammed the government for not releasing funds for fee reimbursement, which is badly affecting students. The former Chief Minister took to X to criticise the coalition for what he called playing with the lives of students. Stating that fee reimbursement was not cleared in the last three quarters, he said this had forced the students to discontinue education. "I am deeply saddened by the news that a student of J. Panguluru of Ongole district has turned into a laborer as he was unable to pay the fee," he said. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that as soon as N. Chandrababu Naidu took office as the Chief Minister, all sectors appeared to have taken the regressive path. The education sector was badly hit with schemes like Amma Vodi, English medium, TOFEL from third standard, subject teachers from third standard, the transformation from CBSE to IB, tabs to Class VIII students, Byjus content, Nadu-Nedu abolished. This has badly hit students from class I to 12 and their parents. Implementation of Vasathi Deevena and Vidya Deevena were stopped and this has affected students of degree, engineering, and medicine courses. Jagan Mohan Reddy recalled that when YSRCP was in power, the government was crediting money to the bank accounts of mothers at the end of every quarter. During the previous academic year till December, the YSRCP government had credited Rs 12,609 crore under Vidya Devena itself. "As we believe that only education can change the destiny of generations, we spent Rs 18,000 crores on these two schemes," he said. The YSR Congress chief said due to the election code, the amount for the January-March quarter could not be paid as the coalition had raised objections with the Election Commission. The coalition did not pay the money after assuming office in June. From then on, the coalition government did not pay any amount. Vasathi Deevena also met the same fate. Thereafter, there has been no response for the April-June and July-September quarters. Now, the October-December quarter is also coming to a close. With this, a total of Rs 2,800 crores is due as reimbursement fee. For Vasathi Devena, Rs 1,100 crore is due towards the hostel fee. Thus, the total amount due by December would touch Rs 3,900 crore. The former chief minister claimed that those who completed their studies are not getting certificates until they cleared the dues. About 11 lakh students are affected by the neglect of the coalition government forcing the parents to go for loans or sell their properties. If the parents have no resources, they are sending their children to work. This is the situation in the state which was once an education hub, he said. He demanded that the government immediately release dues under Ammaku Vandanam, fee reimbursement, and Vasathi Devena. Jagan Mohan Reddy said that after the government assumed office there has been scams in sand, and liquor while gambling dens have reopened and mafia dealings have resumed. Medical colleges and ports are being privatised, he added. Jakarta, Nov 24 : Landslides and flash floods that hit two regencies in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Saturday night have claimed 13 lives with 18 others injured, said an official from the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency on Sunday. According to Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati, head of the emergency, equipment, and logistics unit of the agency, the landslides and flash floods struck on Saturday night in Deli Serdang and Karo regencies. In Deli Serdang, six people were killed, and nine others sustained injuries after strong currents swept away four houses and a religious building. In Karo regency, a similar disaster left seven people dead and nine injured. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals and health clinics for treatment, she told Xinhua news agency. On early Saturday morning, landslides and flash floods had also stricken Padang Lawas and South Tapanuli regencies in the province, leaving six dead and seven injured. The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency had issued warnings of extreme weather, forecasting above-normal rainfall intensity in the region. Efforts are underway to assist affected communities and mitigate further risks as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. Dhule : , Nov 24 (IANS) The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is an important initiative of the Central government, based on the concept of "Housing for All". This scheme was implemented with the aim of fulfilling the dream of owning a home for all citizens. Under this scheme, eligible beneficiaries are provided financial assistance to help them realise their dream of owning a home. Now, through the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, economically weaker sections with low income are able to fulfill their right to own a home. The Central and state governments are providing financial aid to improve the living standards of economically disadvantaged citizens and help them get their own homes. The implementation of this scheme is being carried out through local self-government institutions. Kamala Sitaram More, a resident of June Dhule, shared that her daughter-in-law had gone to drop her little daughter at school, where she noticed a crowd in front of the municipal corporation office filling out forms for the Ghar Kul scheme. Since their house was made of mud, and they faced a lot of trouble due to rain, she brought the form. They filled out the Ghar Kul scheme form, which was approved. Funds were disbursed in installments into their account, and with this money, they were able to build a new house. Now, the whole family is happily living in their new home. They expressed their gratitude to PM Modi-led government as well as Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the benefits of the Ghar Kul scheme. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana a" Rural was launched on April 1, 2016. It is a flagship initiative of the government of India through the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). The objective of PMAY-G is to provide a solid house with basic amenities for all homeless families and those living in crude and dilapidated houses. PMAY-G addresses the rural housing shortage and addresses the housing shortage in rural India, contributing significantly to the 'Housing for All' mission. Under PMAY-G, the minimum size of households is 25 square meters, with a dedicated area for cooking clean food. Rome, Nov 24 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday inaugurated the new Chancery of the Embassy of India in Rome, a few hours after he arrived in Italy on a three-day visit to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting where India has been invited as a guest country. Rome, Nov 24 (IANS) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Sunday inaugurated the new Chancery of the Embassy of India in Rome, a few hours after he arrived in Italy on a three-day visit to attend the Outreach session of the G7 Foreign Ministersa Meeting where India has been invited as a guest country. "It befits the continued expansion of India-Italy partnership in recent years. Will also help us serve better the Indian community in Italy," the EAM posted on X after inaugurating the new premises of the Embassy of India in Rome. Jaishankar is also scheduled to participate in the 10th edition of the MED Mediterranean Dialogue in Rome, being organised by Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. The conference will be inaugurated on Monday with a speech by Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani. Besides EAM Jaishankar, the event will also be attended by high-level representatives from all over the enlarged Mediterranean region, as well as representatives of numerous relevant international organisations, including Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General, Arab League; Taher al-Baour, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Libya; Abdallah Bou Habib, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Lebanon; Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauritania; Shaya Mohsin Zindani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Yemen and Geir O. Pedersen, Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Syria. In Fiuggi, which is hosting the G7 Foreign Ministersa Meeting, EAM Jaishankar is expected to hold discussions on major regional issues and global topics, including the stability of the Indo-Pacific -- a priority region for political balances and world trade. He is also expected to meet his counterparts from Italy and other participating nations in the G7 related engagements and hold bilateral discussions during the visit. India and Italy, both ancient civilizations with rich cultural heritage, enjoy strong people-to-people connect propelled by a large Indian diaspora and long standing Indological Studies tradition in Italy. In their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday (November 18), Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni had reiterated their commitment to advancing the India-Italy Strategic Partnership and announced a Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 which outlines their vision for the next five years. The Action Plan will pursue joint collaborations, programmes and initiatives in key sectors of trade and investment, science and technology, new and emerging technologies, clean energy, space, defence, connectivity and people-to-people linkages. Meanwhile, the G7 Foreign Ministersa Meeting in Fiuggi will be the second to be hosted in Italy in 2024, after the one held in Capri from April 17 to 19. Under the Italian Presidency, the G7 Foreign Ministers have also met, in recent months, on the sidelines of major international events in Munich, Washington and New York. "As in Capri, the agenda of the Fiuggi Ministerial Meeting will focus on the main issues at the heart of the international debate, starting with the situation in the Middle East following Hamasas brutal terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October 2023. Among the topics under discussion will be the serious humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the situation in Lebanon, the one in the Red Sea, and the need to promote a credible political horizon for the region that guarantees peace and security, from the perspective of 'two Peoples, two States'," stated the Italian G7 Presidency, earlier this week. New Delhi, Nov 24 : The Indian Naval Sailing vessel INSV Tarini sailed out from Fremantle, Australia on November 24 for the second leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama's (NSP-II) expedition to Lyttelton, New Zealand. According to the Indian Navy, Tarini and her intrepid crew were seen off by an enthusiastic crowd cheering for the safe passage to Lyttelton. The voyage will cover 3400 nautical miles (6300 kilometres) in approximately 20 days, and it will see the crew experience varied weather conditions, including frontal weather systems and dropping temperatures. Navika Sagar Parikrama-II, which was flagged off by the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi on October 2, is an Indian Navy expedition undertaking a dual-handed circumnavigation of the earth by two women officers of the Navy onboard 56 ft INSV Tarini. Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A made a planned stop at Fremantle on November 9 after a 39-day voyage covering 4900 nautical miles under sail, to a warm welcome by Consul General of India in Perth, DA Canberra, officials of the Royal Australian Navy, and members of the Indian diaspora comprising mainly Indian Armed Forces Veterans. At Fremantle and Perth, the crew engaged in various impactful activities showcasing the Indian Navyas contribution in promoting gender equality and global maritime cooperation while also representing Indiaas progress in maritime exploration and womenas empowerment. Fostering cultural and historical connections between the two countries and recognising their achievements, the crew were honoured as special invitees at the Western Australia Parliament where they interacted with parliamentarians and also attended a session of the Parliament where a statement was made in the house, acknowledging the expedition and their journey thus far. During the stopover, Tarini underwent checks of all systems and repairs to defects under the supervision of a shore support team from India and stocked up with provisions for the next leg. The crew was briefed by the team mentor, Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd) on the passage ahead, who also assessed the boat. Serving as ambassadors of Indiaas rich maritime heritage, they interacted with the Indian diaspora at a vibrant event coordinated by the Consul General of India in Perth. They also visited the Royal Australian Naval Base HMAS Stirling and the Ocean Reef High School. Sharing their journey and experiences with the students, the crew left a lasting impression on young minds, emphasising the importance of resilience, innovation, and pursuing dreams against challenges. Indian Navy said that Phase II of the expedition will see INSV Tarini cross Cape Leeuwin, the Great Australian Bight, Tasmania and the South Island of New Zealand before calling on at Lyttelton. The voyage will cover 3400 nautical miles (6300 kilometres) in approximately 20 days, and it will see the crew experience varied weather conditions, including frontal weather systems and dropping temperatures. Jerusalem/Beirut, Nov 24 : Hezbollah launched approximately 200 rockets into Israel on Sunday as Israel prepared to initiate a new wave of airstrikes on Beirut. The Israeli military said in a statement that the rockets, fired by Hezbollah militants, targeted northern and central Israel and included three drones. It added that the country's aerial defence systems intercepted only some of the rockets. A launcher from which projectiles were fired toward the Haifa Bay area was struck by the military. At least eight people were injured by the afternoon. In Kfar Blum, close to the Israel-Lebanon border, first responders with the Magen David Adom rescue service said they treated a man who sustained serious wounds. A five-story residential building in Haifa, the largest city on Israel's northern coast, was evacuated due to fears of collapse after it was struck by a rocket, the Fire and National Rescue Authority reported. Additional damage was reported in the northern cities of Kiryat Shmona and Ma'alot, as well as near Petah Tikvah in central Israel. Meanwhile, Hezbollah claimed responsibility for missile and drone strikes on a military target in Tel Aviv, in retaliation for Israel's recent airstrikes on Beirut, Xinhua news agency reported. The attacks were carried out at 06:30 am local time (0430 GMT) "with a salvo of high-quality missiles and a squadron of attack drones," and "the operation achieved its goals," Hezbollah said in a statement, without specifying its target and the precise location. The group said in other separate statements that it also launched for the first time "an air attack with a squadron of suicide drones on the Ashdod naval base, 150 km from the Lebanese-Palestinian border." The group also claimed launching drone attacks on a newly-established operations room for the Israeli army in the settlement of Metula in northern Israel, and missile attacks on other northern cities including Hatzor Haglilit, Ma'alot, and Kfar Blum. Lebanese military sources, who spoke anonymously, told Xinhua that violent clashes have been ongoing since the early hours of Sunday between Hezbollah members and Israeli forces that had advanced in Lebanon's southeastern town of Khiam, the village of Yaroun in the central sector, and the village of Chamaa in the western sector of the border area. The Israeli army blew up about 18 houses on the eastern edge of Khiam, including the municipality building, they said. Meanwhile, Israeli warplanes carried out seven raids on towns and villages in eastern Lebanon and 10 on those in the south, and the Israeli artillery shelled 11 border towns and villages in southern Lebanon with about 50 shells, they added. The Israeli military also announced plans to renew airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburb, urging residents to evacuate the area in a post on social media platform X. On Saturday, Israel carried out at least three waves of strikes on the Lebanese capital, killing at least 20 individuals and injuring 66 others, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. Since September 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October. Panaji, Nov 24 : Filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane, who is known for "Udaan", "Sacred Games", and "Lootera", said that the medium of OTT has lent him a greater degree of speed as a director. The filmmaker spoke with actress Manisha Koirala during the session 'From Big Screen to Streaming' at the 55th edition of the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on Sunday. Of late, Vikramaditya Motwane has been working extensively in OTT with his latest project "CTRL" starring Ananya Panday garnering a lot of positive response. When Manisha asked Vikram how OTT has changed him as a storyteller after his debut in the medium with the acclaimed streaming series "Sacred Games", the director said, "Streaming has taught me to work faster. You get more instinctive and tend to make the right choices in a shorter span of time. The experience of working in long-format content has massively helped me in making movies". Vikram also delivered a remarkable web series in the form of "Jubilee", which told a fictionalised version of Hindi cinema of the 1940s when the cinema in India was evolving in the face of Partition and how migrants from Pakistan made their way into cinema after they lost their everything in theatre in Pakistan and were forced to leave. Manisha also reflected on her career of 30 years as she said: "I think my career is all about initial doubt and eventual applause. When I entered the film industry, around 30 years ago, as we all know, the time was different, and yellow journalism was rampant; everyone questioned my decision to join the industry. Back in those days, no girl from a respected family should have been an actress. But after the success of my debut film and as I continued the journey, those who criticised me felt very proud to be associated with me. It was the same for me while doing a web series, being a film actor all my life." She added, "I never had a doubt about the project 'Heeramandi'. I was drawn into the story from the beginning. I was confident about doing a web series, not only because it was Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whom I absolutely adore, but also because of the fact that streaming platforms are going to be an absolute game changer. Now we can see how OTT platforms are changing the business by opening the door to so many new filmmakers, writers, and new talents. So, I never had a doubt". The 55th edition of IFFI, conducted jointly by the National Film Development Corporation of India (under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting) and the Goa government, is currently underway in Goa. AMMAN, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- A gunman was killed, and three security personnel were injured in a shooting on Sunday morning near the Israeli embassy in Jordan, according to a statement from the Jordanian Public Security Directorate. The statement said that the assailant opened fire on a patrol operating near the embassy and attempted to escape. A chase ensued, leading to an exchange of gunfire in which the gunman was killed. The injured, who were taken to a hospital for treatment, are in moderate condition, said the statement, adding that investigations are ongoing. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Congress spokesman Pawan Khera targeted the Uttar Pradesh government over violence in Sambhal on Sunday, holding the regime led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath "responsible for the unrest". In a statement issued here, Khera remarked: "In the rule of Yogi Adityanath, where the shameful slogan 'batenge to katenge' was raised, no citizen in Uttar Pradesh is 'SAFE'. This is evident from the highly sensitive and serious events unfolding in Sambhal today. The videos that have emerged showing direct firing on protesters in Sambhal are the disastrous outcome of a well-planned conspiracy by Chief Minister Adityanath and the BJP-RSS. Western Uttar Pradesh, which has been a symbol of harmony and goodwill for years, witnessed the loss of three lives and several injuries due to a conspiracy designed to create unrest." "We say with full responsibility that the Adityanath administration is directly responsible for the deaths of the victims, and it is only the BJP-RSS that is to blame for igniting communal tensions in Sambhal. The Modi-Yogi government, which views the minority community as second-class citizens, hastily filed a petition in court. It is evident that the administration had fully prepared to somehow create unrest in Sambhal and, through it, in Uttar Pradesh. Prior to this, during the communal violence in Bahraich, the city was handed over to rioting elements," Khera added. The Congress spokesman further alleged: aIn this entire matter, the BJP neither wanted to conduct a survey nor prevent it; their sole objective was to destroy communal harmony. The failure to take action against the provocative elements accompanying the survey teams clearly shows that after the state by-elections, the Yogi government has intensified the politics of violence and hatred." He further added: "Questions are being raised about the role of the police and administration, as several innocent lives have been lost in this violence, and more than two dozen people have been injured. Spreading animosity between brothers and igniting communal fires is in the DNA of the BJP-RSS; it is embedded in their very essence." "On one hand, there is the hollow slogan 'Ek Hai To Safe Hai', on the other, there is the attempt to create differences between communities, using religion as a shield, and taking lives. What kind of message of unity does this convey? On one hand, there is the decade-old lie of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vishwaas', and on the other, there is the continuous targeting of society based on religious lines in Uttar Pradesh. This is nothing but petty and despicable politics," Khera said. He accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh of "systematically destroying" communal harmony and goodwill for "political gain". He condemned it saying this is deeply objectionable. "We appeal to the BJP to prioritise the nation's welfare over its political interests," Khera added. "We also wish to ask Prime Minister Modi and Chief Minister Adityanath: Will they abide by the statement made by their own leader, Mohan Bhagwat, in June 2022 (even if it was symbolic)? In which he said, 'History is something we cannot change. It was neither created by today's Hindus nor by today's Muslims; it happened in a different time... why see a Shivling in every mosque?... We don't need any more movements now.' Will they honour these words?" Khera stated. "This is a question that neither Modi Ji, nor Chief Minister Adityanath, nor Mohan Bhagwat Ji has an answer to!" he said, adding, aOur leader, Rahul Gandhi Ji, has consistently spoken about setting up 'a shop of love in the market of hatred.' In this context, we appeal to the people of Sambhal to recognise the politics of hatred, maintain unity and harmony, and take legal steps to safeguard their rights." Three persons were killed in firing as violence erupted during the court-ordered survey of a mosque in Sambhal district on Sunday, while 20 to 22 policemen and officials were injured. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Ahead of the Assembly elections, Delhi BJP on Sunday reached out to rural voters with city unit chief Virendra Sachdeva claiming that villagers who have been denied development in the last 10 years will teach a lesson by defeating the AAP and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the coming polls. Addressing a public meeting in Kanganheda Village in Matiala Assembly constituency, Sachdeva said during the last 10 years of AAP rule, villages in Delhi have badly suffered due to poor roads, lack of public transport, no new schools and health services. Delhi BJP co-incharge Alka Gurjar and MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat also addressed the meeting, organised by the local councillor from Chhawla ward Shashi Yadav, and expressed hope that the rural belt of Delhi will herald the change of regime in Delhi in the Assembly election in February. The meeting was also attended by Delhi BJP General Secretary Vishnu Mittal, Najafgarh District BJP President Ramesh Saukhanda and Najafgarh Zone Chairman Amit Kharkhari along with thousands of local residents and party workers. Sachdeva said people from the rural belt know that the few development projects that have started in their areas were happening using a special fund of over Rs 523 crore provided by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under PM Gramodaya Abhiyan. He said that people of Matiala, who have suffered a lot at the hands of the water mafia, have made up their minds to get rid of the corrupt regime of Kejriwalas party. Alka Gurjar said that Matiala and Najafgarh are areas very close to Haryana and people here are aware of the social welfare schemes reaching villages in the neighbouring state while villagers in Delhi are being denied even basic amenities. Gurjar said that women in rural belts of Delhi engaged in farming have suffered a lot due to the Kejriwal government's apathy and they will ensure a huge defeat for AAP candidates in elections. In another development, Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor urged the Commissioner of Municipal Corporation of Delhi to ensure that the MCD Budget for 2025-26 is presented only as per the provisions mandated under the DMC Act 1957 through the Standing Committee of the civic agency. BJP spokesperson, in a letter to the Commissioner, reminded him that as per the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, the annual Budget needs to be presented by him before the Standing Committee on or before December 15. Requesting not to allow a repeat of last yearas lapses, Kapoor said that in 2023 the Standing Committee and Ward Committees were not constituted and under pressure from the then Mayor the MCD Budget for 2024-25 was presented before the General House of the MCD which was bad in law and a violation the DMC Act. Hyderabad, Nov 24 : Hyderabad police arrested three persons, including a couple from Andhra Pradesh, for the kidnapping of a month-old baby boy from the government-run Niluofer Hospital for children in the city, and restored the child to his family. The baby was kidnapped from the hospital on the evening of Saturday and was rescued by the police early on Sunday in Jogu Lamba Gadwal district while the kidnappers were taking him to Andhra Pradesh. According to police, a couple from Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh kidnapped the baby with the help of their relative as they were desperate to have a male child. The baby boy was kidnapped by a woman who approached his mother Haseena Begum and grandmother to help them in completing the formalities for discharge at the Aarogya Shree ward. Haseena, 27, had given birth to a baby boy at a hospital in Zaheerabad town of Telangana on October 25. As the newborn was suffering from jaundice, on the advice of local doctors, she brought the child to Niluofer Hospital in Hyderabad. After the treatment, Haseena with her mother were signing discharge papers when a burka-clad woman offered to help them in completing the formalities. She diverted their attention and escaped with the infant. Haseena filed a complaint with the Nampally Police Station. The police formed five teams to rescue the baby. Based on the CCTV footage, police found that kidnappers were proceeding on National Highway 44 towards Kurnool. DCP Central zone Akshansh Yadav informed SP Gadwal and in turn, SP Gadwal alerted DSP Gadwal and Manapadu and Undavalli police stations on the Kurnool highway. The police intercepted a vehicle at the Pullur Toll Plaza and found the kidnappers with the baby. After confirming the baby boyas photo with the complainant, the accused were arrested. The accused have been identified as Shaheen Begum, Abdulla alias Venkatesh and his wife Reshma alias Renuka. The couple hails from Anantapur district and resides in the First Lancer area in Hyderabad. According to police, Abdulla and Reshma married in 2009 and they are blessed with three daughters. Reshma was eight months pregnant and they feared having one more girl child. Desperate for a male child, they hatched a plan to kidnap a baby and executed it with the help of Shaheen, the younger sister of Reshma, who had come to Hyderabad from Anantapur to assist her during pregnancy. Police said Shaheen and Abdulla went to Niluofer Hospital to execute their plan. While Shaheen kidnapped the baby boy, Abdulla was waiting near the hospital and they sped away in an autorickshaw. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said his government is making all efforts to ensure Odisha is counted among the strongest, prosperous and fastest-growing states of the country by 2036, when the eastern state will be celebrating its 100th foundation day. While addressing a gathering at the Odisha Parba event in Delhi, PM Modi on Sunday said that Odisha, which was once considered as a backward state, has huge potential in sectors like tourism, port-based industries, seafood export, steel, energy etc. "There is immense potential for port-based industrial development in Odisha. Therefore, trade will be promoted here by developing Dhamra, Gopalpur, Astaranga, Pallur, and Subarnarekha ports. Odisha is also the mining and metal powerhouse of India. This strengthens Odisha's position in the steel, aluminum and energy sectors. By focusing on these sectors, Odisha can explore new paths to prosperity," said PM Modi. "Odisha records huge production of cashew, jute, cotton, turmeric and oilseeds, and it is our endeavour to ensure these products reach big markets and our farmers benefit from this. There is huge scope for expansion of trade in the seafood processing industry in Odisha. We are making efforts so that Odisha seafood becomes a brand and there is a huge demand for it in the international market. Odisha should become one of the preferred destinations for investors. Our government is committed to improving the Ease of Doing Business in Odisha," he further added. He also said that the BJP government in Odisha has given approval to investment proposals to the tune of Rs 45,000 crore during the first 100 days after coming to power. PM Modi noted that Odisha's huge potential can be used in the right direction to take it to new heights of development. Emphasising the strategic location of Odisha, PM Modi asserted: "I believe, Odisha can get a significant benefit from its strategic location. It is easy to access the domestic and international market from here. Odisha is an important hub for trade with East Asia and South-East Asia. The importance of Odisha in the global value chain will increase in the coming days. Our government is also working on the target to raise exports from Odisha." He said that Odisha has immense potential for urbanisation and the Central government is taking various concrete steps on this. He said the Union government is committed to the construction of dynamic and well-connected cities in large numbers. "We are endeavouring to develop tier-II cities of Odisha; especially new opportunities will be created in western Odisha districts with the development of new infrastructure," PM Modi said. He also mentioned the just-concluded famous Bali Yatra at Cuttack, calling it a symbol of India and Odisha's maritime prowess. Lauding the courage of the sailors of the past, the Prime Minister said that they were brave enough to sail and cross the seas despite the absence of modern technology like today. He added that the traders used to travel by ship to places like Bali, Sumatra, Java in Indonesia, which helped promote trade and enhance the reach of culture to various places. PM Modi also emphasised that today, Odisha's maritime power had an important role in the achievement of a developed India's resolve. He also remembered the contributions of saints and scholars from Odisha to the enrichment of culture in India. The Prime Minister remarked that the saints and scholars have played a great role in nourishing the cultural richness by ensuring great literature like Saral Mahabharat, Odia Bhagawat have reached the common people at their doorsteps. He added that there is extensive literature related to Mahaprabhu Jagannath in Odia language. He also said that the nation is remembering the contributions of Utkal Kesari Hare Krishna Mehtab whose 125th birth anniversary the government is celebrating on a large scale. PM Modi said that the culture of Odisha has greatly strengthened the spirit of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat', in which the sons and daughters of the state have made huge contributions. "We can see many examples of the contribution of Odia literature to the cultural prosperity of India," PM Modi said. Meanwhile, PM Modi also took to X and wrote: "Today, I had the privilege of being a witness to the rich heritage and wonderful culture of Odisha at the Odisha Festival in New Delhi." The Prime Minister also shared a few photographs of the event. Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & IT, Ashwini Vaishnaw and Union Minister for Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, President of Odia Samaj, Siddharth Pradhan were also present at the occasion, among others. Chennai, Nov 24 : CPI(M) leader and MP from Madurai, Su Venkatesan, has urged the central government to postpone the Chartered Accountancy (CA) Foundation examinations, as the current schedule coincides with the Pongal festival, the most significant celebration in Tamil Nadu. In a statement on Sunday, Su Venkatesan criticised the decision to conduct the Business Law subject exam on Pongal Day (January 14) and the Quantitative Aptitude test on Farmers' Day (January 16). He said that many students and their parents had expressed their concerns to him about this scheduling, which they consider disrespectful to Tamil culture and traditions. "The decision to hold the exam on Pongal day is an insult to Tamil culture," the MP added. He further said, "The central government must take appropriate action and immediately revise the exam dates to honour Tamil traditions and the cultural significance of these festivals." Su Venkatesan mentioned that he had previously raised the issue with the relevant authorities but no action was taken. He has now written to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, who also oversees the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, requesting her immediate intervention to reschedule the exams. Additionally, he has addressed a letter to the President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI), Ranjith Kumar Agarwal, urging a revision of the exam schedule to respect Tamil Nadu's traditional festivals. The MP emphasised that festivals like Pongal are as important to Tamil people as Holi, Deepavali, and Durga Puja are to other regions of India. Pongal, also known as Thai Pongal, is a multi-day Hindu harvest festival celebrated across Tamil Nadu. It typically falls on January 14 or 15 during the Tamil month of Thai and is dedicated to the Sun God. The festival marks the start of Uttarayana, the sun's six-month northward journey, as it enters the zodiac sign of Capricorn. The celebration spans three to four days, with Bhogi, Surya Pongal, Mattu Pongal, and Kaanum Pongal observed consecutively. The festival derives its name from the ceremonial dish 'Pongal', made from freshly harvested rice boiled with milk and jaggery. Mattu Pongal is specifically dedicated to honouring cattle. On this day, cattle are bathed, their horns polished and painted in vibrant colours, and adorned with flower garlands. Traditional processions are also organised. The festival is marked by decorating homes with rice-powder kolam art, offering prayers, exchanging gifts, and spending time with family and friends to strengthen social bonds. Pongal is not only celebrated across Tamil Nadu and South India but is also a major festival for Tamil communities in Sri Lanka and the global Tamil diaspora. Jeddah, Nov 24 : Former Mumbai Indians player Nehal Wadhera was sold to Punjab Kings for Rs 4.20 crore as Angkrish Raghuvanshi stayed with Kolkata Knight Riders for Rs 3 crore in the uncapped players set in the IPL 2025 Auction here at the Abadi Al Johar Arena in Jeddah on Sunday. The bidding for Nehal Wadhera, started at a modest base price of Rs 30 lakh, as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) initiated the bidding. Punjab Kings (PBKS) soon joined, pushing the price higher. Gujarat Titans (GT) raised the stakes to Rs 2.80 crore but PBKS remained relentless, securing Wadhera for a whopping Rs 4.20 crore with Mumbai Indians opting not to use their Right to Match (RTM) card. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) acquired the services of Atharva Taide for Rs 30 lakh. With no other bids, the left-handed batter from Maharashtra was picked up at his base price. Angkrish Raghuvanshi, known for his solid opening performances, sparked a bidding war between CSK and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The price quickly soared past Rs 1 crore, with KKR eventually securing the young opener for Rs 3 crore. Veteran batter Karun Nair was another highlight of the day. Starting at a base price of Rs 30 lakh, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) and Delhi Capitals (DC) expressed early interest. Ultimately, DC secured Nair for Rs 50 lakh, providing a seasoned option for their middle order. The final big signing of the session was Abhinav Manohar, whose all-round capabilities ignited a fierce bidding war. Starting at Rs 30 lakh, RCB and CSK led the initial bidding, with RCB pushing the price to Rs 90 lakh. CSK raised it further, but Gujarat Titans (GT) and SRH entered the fray as the price soared. After an intense battle, SRH emerged victorious, securing Manohar for Rs 3.20 crore. Promising talents like Anmolpreet Singh and Yash Dhull went unsold in the set. New Delhi, Nov 24 : The Students' Union election results of various colleges of Delhi University were announced on Sunday, wherein Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) emerged victorious in the majority of them. At least 148 candidates backed by ABVP secured landslide victory in the polls carried out across the colleges of Delhi University, a statement noted. The results of elections, held across various Delhi University colleges on September 27, were finally declared nearly after two months. "With significant wins across Delhi University colleges, ABVP is determined to further strengthen the college campuses and make it a place of holistic overall development. Clean sweeps at colleges including Kirori Mal College, Sri Aurobindo College, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, Swami Shraddhanand College, Vivekanand College, Ramanujan College, PGDAV Evening College, Hansraj College, B.R. Ambedkar College, Shaheed Rajguru College of Applied Sciences, reflect the trust and support of students with the organisation," the statement read. Meanwhile, ABVP Delhi State Secretary, Harsh Attri, said: "These victories at college unions reaffirm ABVP's position as the most trusted student organisation. This success is a result of our consistent presence at college campuses, engaging with the students round the clock. "We remain committed to addressing the challenges students face and fighting for their rights. These wins are not just ours but also of every student of Delhi University. Additionally, we anticipate that this unconditional support will help us secure victory in the DUSU election, with the counting scheduled to take place tomorrow." The ABVP was founded in 1948. The students' body -- one of the world's largest -- was formally registered on July 9, 1949. There are over 90 colleges affiliated with Delhi University -- one of the most prestigious and oldest educational institutions in the country. North Campus and South Campus serve as the two main campuses of Delhi University, which was established in 1922. Srinagar, Nov 24 : As part of the 60th Anniversary Celebrations of the World Craft Council (WCC), themed 'Craft, Creativity & Compassion', Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah hosted a dinner for World Craft Council Delegates in New Delhi on Saturday evening. The event, attended by distinguished national and international delegates, was part of the celebrations to welcome the World Craft Council, a statement said. The WCC celebrations have been scheduled in two phases from November 21-24, which was held in New Delhi and from November 25-27 in Srinagar to highlight the significant role of Jammu & Kashmir in global crafts. "With Srinagar's recognition as the 63rd World Craft City, the region's standing as a hub of cultural and artisanal excellence has been further elevated," the statement said. Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasised the importance of crafts in preserving cultural identity and giving a fillip to economic growth. "Jammu & Kashmir is proud of its rich cultural heritage, deeply rooted in traditional craftsmanship. The handicrafts and handloom sectors, vital pillars of this heritage, hold immense potential for economic growth and social upliftment, particularly in rural areas. These crafts not only preserve the region's cultural identity but also provide livelihood for countless artisans," he said. The Chief Minister expressed the hope that as the World Craft Council would achieve more milestones to celebrate in years to come, the Crafts sector would also emerge stronger in J&K. He hoped that the transfer of skills and craft knowledge would pass on to the younger generations. He said that organisations like the World Craft Council could assist J&K in unlocking its full potential in handicrafts and making it sustainable in the years to come. During the presentations to the participants, several initiatives undertaken by the J&K Government were highlighted including the Wool Processing, Handloom, and Handicrafts Policy-2020, financial assistance programmes, skill development schemes like the Karkhandar initiative, and the promotion of Geographical Indication (GI) certification to protect Kashmiri crafts. It was conveyed that there has been a remarkable increase in exports which has risen from Rs 563 crore in 2021-22 to Rs 1,162 crore in 2023-24. A key highlight of the event was the announcement of the collaboration between the Government of Jammu & Kashmir and the World Craft Council to establish a World Craft Hub and International Crafts Museum in Srinagar. This initiative aims to position Kashmir as a global centre for artisanal excellence to preserve traditional skills and create sustainable revenue streams for artisans. During the event, a presentation on the crafts of Jammu & Kashmir and the way forward; a short film celebrating the global legacy of crafts and Srinagar being designated as a World Craft City was shown to the audience. Besides the Chief Minister and delegates from the World Craft Council, the dinner was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Union Additional Secretary in Ministry of Textiles Rohit Kansal, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjeet Singh, Director Handicrafts Kashmir Mehmood Ahmad Shah. From World Craft Council, President of the WCC Saad Al Qaddumi, Vice President WCC Dr Kevin Murray, Aziz Mutazaev (Uzbekistan), Nadia Meer (South Africa) Prof Aftab Gharda (UK) and delegates from member countries of the World Craft Council, including representatives from Australia, Kuwait, France, the UK, Uzbekistan, South Africa, Ireland, Malaysia, and Turkey, attended the event. BELGRADE, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- On Saturday, 20 prominent Chinese social media influencers took part in a unique cooking workshop in Belgrade, where they learned to prepare traditional Serbian dishes like Leskovacka muckalica and Leskovacki ustipci from Serbia's top young chefs. The workshop, titled "Confluence of Tastes -- Iron Friendship for a Shared Future," was organized by the Belt and Road Institute Belgrade and the Junior Chef Club, as part of the Wine Vision and Food Vision by Open Balkan international fairs. Held at the Belgrade Fair, the event aimed to showcase and share the richness of Serbian cuisine as an important part of the country's cultural heritage and traditions through the preparation of authentic Serbian recipes while fostering cultural exchange with China. The Chinese influencers, including Guo Weina, Yang Huiting, and Xia Zhinan, experienced first-hand Leskovacka muckalica (a stew-like dish made of barbecued meat and vegetables) and Leskovacki ustipci (donut-like meatballs), both traditional dishes from the Leskovac region in southern Serbia and known for their rich flavors and strong connection to the grilling and hearty meat traditions of the area. The workshop also attracted many young Serbians eager to engage with their Chinese counterparts, highlighting the event's role in promoting cross-cultural understanding. "Food is a bridge that fosters communication among different countries and ethnic groups," said Guo, expressing her excitement about discovering Serbian cuisine. "I see many young Serbians here today. They are very interested in us and open to talking and sharing. I hope more Serbian friends will visit China, experience our culture, and feel our hospitality," Guo added. Andrija Zivkovic from Kragujevac, the fourth largest city in Serbia, echoed the sentiments, stating "Food connects people across cultures. It's not just about how dishes are prepared but the joy of sharing them. I'd love to try Chinese specialties someday -- they seem amazing and look incredible." The third edition of the Wine Vision and Food Vision by Open Balkan fairs, co-hosted by Serbia, Albania, and North Macedonia, runs from Nov. 22 to Nov. 24. As one of Europe's largest expos of winemaking and gastronomy, it drew over 650 exhibitors from 38 countries, continuing to promote cultural and culinary exchanges across borders. New Delhi, Nov 24 : Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has appointed Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin, an MLA from Uttarakhand's Manglaur constituency, as the in-charge of the party's Delhi unit -- a move that is being seen as a part of the preparations of the grand old party ahead of the Assembly elections next year. A statement issued on Sunday by Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal read: "The Congress President has appointed Qazi Mohammad Nizamuddin as the All Indian Congress Committee In-charge of Delhi with immediate effect." "The party appreciates the contributions of Deepak Babaria as the General Secretary In-charge of Delhi," it further read. Besides, Kharge has also constituted the Screening Committee for the upcoming Assembly elections in Delhi. The members of the Screening Committee for Delhi include Meenakshi Natarajan - Chairperson; Imran Masood - Member and Pradeep Narwal - Member, the statement released by Venugopal read. "AICC In-charge, PCC President and all AICC Secretaries In-charge of Delhi will be ex-officio members of the screening Committee," the statement noted. The election for all 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi is scheduled to be held next year. The last Assembly elections were held in February 2020, which saw the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) retaining power in Delhi for the second consecutive time. Party convenor Arvind Kejriwal then became the Chief Minister for a third term, with the second term being his full-fledged tenure in office as CM after a short-lived stay as chief minister during his first term. In the 2020 Assembly elections, the AAP emerged as the single largest party by winning 62 out of 70 seats with a landslide victory. Kejriwal, however, stepped down as chief minister after walking out of prison earlier this year in connection with the Delhi excise policy matter. Following Kejriwal's resignation, his Cabinet colleague Atishi Marlena was named the new Chief Minister of Delhi. Marlena became the third woman chief minister of Delhi after Congress' Sheila Dikshit and BJP's Sushma Swaraj. Kolkata, Nov 24 : Civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, the 'sole prime accused' so far in the rape and murder of the junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, will be presented at a special court here 'virtually' and not 'physically' from Monday onwards during the trial process in the matter. Kolkata, Nov 24 (IANS) Civic volunteer Sanjay Roy, the asole prime accuseda so far in the rape and murder of the junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College & Hospital in Kolkata, will be presented at a special court here avirtuallya and not aphysicallya from Monday onwards during the trial process in the matter. Although the trial process in the rape and murder case, being conducted on a fast-track and daily basis, started on November 11, so far Roy was presented at the special court physically. However, sources aware of the development said, an arrangement has been reached so that Ray can be presented at the special court during the trial process from Monday in the virtual mode from Presidency Central Correctional Home in South Kolkata where the accused is housed now. To recall, the physical presence of Roy at the special court had been shrouded with controversy on the first day of his trial process as Roy while being taken out of the court after the hearing, made an explosive statement on the alleged conspiracy against him to frame him in the rape and murder case. Interacted with the media persons, Roy had claimed that former Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Kumar Goyal was the principal conspirator in falsely implicating him in the case. From the second day, all arrangements were made so that Roy did not get a chance to talk to media persons while being brought to the court premises. He was brought to and taken away from court in a special vehicle disabling him to interact with the media persons waiting outside the courtroom. Instead of the common prison van with netted borders, he was brought to the court premises in a special vehicle of Kolkata Police which had tinted glass windows, which disabled him from interacting with the media persons as he did from the regular prison van on the previous day. Now, this fresh arrangement of his virtual presence at the special court during the trial process is being perceived as an extension of the attempt to totally disable him from interacting with the media. Imphal, Nov 24 : Hours after announcing the resumption of regular classes in all educational institutions, including schools and universities from Monday, the education departments of the Manipur government on Sunday night ordered the closure of all the educational institutions in the five valley districts on Monday and Tuesday, officials said. Director of Education (Schools) L. Nandakumar Singh and Joint Secretary (Higher and Technical Education Department), Daryal Juli Anal in separate orders asked all the district and zonal level officers to take appropriate steps to close all government, private, and government-aided educational institutions including colleges and universities on Monday and Tuesday. Earlier on Sunday, Singh and Anal in separate orders asked all the district and zonal level officers to take appropriate steps to resume the classes of all government, private, government-aided educational institutions including colleges and universities from Monday. For more than a week, regular classes in all educational institutions, including schools and universities in five valley districts remained closed from November 16 due to escalating violence and mob attacks. The Education Department, in consultation with the Home Department, has decided to close the normal classes in all the educational institutions on November 25 and 26, an official said. He said that considering the safety of the students, teachers and non-teaching staff, all the government and government-aided educational institutions, including state universities were closed till November 23 in five valley districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur and Kakching. Officials said that with no major incident reported from any of the five districts, curfew was relaxed during the past few days for several hours in the daytime to facilitate the people to purchase essential items and carry out other essential work. Meanwhile, the Manipur Home Department extended the suspension of mobile Internet and data services in seven districts till Monday evening as a precautionary measure. Officials of the Home Department said that though no incident was reported from any of the seven districts, as a precautionary measure, the suspension of mobile Internet and data services has been extended till November 25. The seven districts, comprising both the valley and hills, are Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, and Churachandpur. Guwahati, Nov 24 : On the occasion of the 402nd birth anniversary of Bir Lachit Borphukan on Sunday, Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya paid rich floral tributes to the 17th century legendary military leader at a function held at Raj Bhavan, an official said. The day is celebrated to honour the bravery and leadership of Lachit Borphukan. Governor Acharya, while paying his reverence, said: "Lachit Borphukan was one of the greatest military leaders of our country and a source of inspiration to all. His great victory in the battle of Saraighat over the Mughal Army makes him one of the greatest leaders of medieval India." Acharya said that his prodigious legacy and legendary acts should be a lesson for every Indian. He also hoped the observance of the birthday of the greats like Lachit would be an opportunity to get the younger generation abreast with the rich legacy the great Ahom General had left behind for posterity. Officers and staff of Raj Bhavan also paid floral tributes to the great Lachit Borphukan. Ahom Army general Lachit Borphukan is best remembered for leading the Ahom Army and preventing an invasion by the far more powerful Mughal Forces, led by Ram Singh I, at the Battle of Saraighat (1671). About a year later, in April 1672, he passed away. Since Lachit Borphukan has become a potent symbol of Assam's historical autonomy, there is a lot of interest in him now. Momai Tamuli Borbarua, a commoner who became a Borbarua under Pratap Singha, was the mother of Lachit, the youngest child. His niece was Ramani Gabharu, the Ahom princess who was ceded to the Mughals as part of the Treaty of Ghilajharighat, and his sister was Pakhari Gabhoru, a queen to the Ahom monarchs Jayadhwaj Singha, Chakradhwaj Singha, and Samaguria Raja. After establishing his main camp at Kaliabar, Lachit Borphukan launched two divisions into Guwahati in August 1667. Following a string of engagements, Itakhuli fell in November 1667, allowing Lachit Borphukan to retake Guwahati. Patna, Nov 24 : Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar inspected the under-construction headquarters of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in the Bihta locality of Patna on Sunday. The Chief Minister reviewed the progress of the project, including administrative, training, and residential facilities being built as part of the SDRF's permanent campus in Dilawarpur, Bihta. Kumar Ravi, Secretary of the Building Construction Department, provided a detailed briefing using the site plan. The SDRF was established in 2010 to operate on the model of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). However, due to the absence of training facilities in Bihar, SDRF personnel had to travel to other states for training. The new headquarters aims to address this gap by providing state-of-the-art training and accommodation facilities locally. The SDRF facility will comprise an administrative building and an auditorium with a 500-person capacity. A training centre for 290 trainees, rapid disaster team building for 30 soldiers, a national-level swimming pool for flood relief training, residential facilities having family housing for 108 officers and 150 employees, barracks for 330 soldiers, other essential facilities, including mess halls and residences for the commandant and deputy commandant are planned. Facilities such as the administrative building, quartermaster store, training centre, rapid disaster response team building, barracks, and mess will be completed by January 2025. Residences for commandants, deputy commandants, and constables are also nearing completion. The remaining infrastructure is expected to be completed by June 2025. Nitish Kumar emphasised the need to expedite the construction work to ensure timely completion. He highlighted the significance of the facility, noting, "It would resolve longstanding issues of training and accommodation for SDRF personnel. The infrastructure would provide SDRF personnel with modern facilities to enhance their efficiency and readiness in disaster response efforts." Nitish Kumar also reviewed the progress of the Bihta-Danapur elevated road located in Patna. The elevated road is being constructed to enhance connectivity to Bihta Airport and ease traffic movement in the area. Officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the construction company provided a detailed update on the project through a presentation at the conference hall in Kanhauli. The road spans a total of 25.081 km and is part of the larger Patna-Buxar four-lane highway project. Four bypasses are being constructed along the route at Neuraganj having a length of 1.20 km, 1.75 km bypass at Panel village, 1.70 km bypass at Kanhauli and 0.60 km bypass at Vishunpura village. The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of completing the project expeditiously to improve access and support regional development. Jammu, Nov 25 : In a significant step to curb the illegal influx of Rohingya refugees and to ensure public safety, the Jammu Police have identified several instances and registered cases against landlords who have knowingly or unknowingly rented their properties to Rohingya refugees, who are undocumented and pose a potential security threat, a police statement said on Sunday. The District Commissioner of Jammu has issued an order making police verification of tenants mandatory for all property owners in the district. Police said this directive comes in light of increasing concerns regarding the potential threat posed by anti-social elements and unauthorized individuals who may use rented properties for illegal activities. "Jammu Police have initiated a comprehensive investigation in this regard, and two such cases, FIR 182/2024 and FIR 184/2024, both under section 223 of BNS have been registered in the Police Station Nowabad against Farman Ali, resident of Bhawani Nagar, Talab Tillo Jammu; and Azam Malik, a resident of Ashti Mohalla, Batmaloo, Srinagar respectively," the statement said. "Three cases, FIR 296/2024, FIR 297/2024 and FIR 298/2024, all under section 223 of BNS have also been registered in the Police Station Bahu Fort against Asima Latief D/o Abdul Latief R/o Rehima Abad, Bathindi; Mohd Shakeel S/o Rahim Ali R/o Rehima Abad, Bathindi; and Zakir Hussain S/o Khurshed Ali R/o Dungian, Bathindi, respectively." The statement added that the Jammu Police remains committed to safeguarding the interests of the public and urges all landlords to exercise due diligence and conduct thorough police verification of tenants before renting out their properties. The Rohingya are described as a stateless ethnic group who predominantly follow Islam and reside in Rakhine State of Myanmar. Certain reports suggest that ahead of the violence in 2017, when over 7 lakh Rohingyas fled to Bangladesh, an estimated 1.4 million Rohingyas resided in Myanmar. Many Rohingyas are believed to have crossed over to India from Bangladesh over the last few years. Rohingyas, in large numbers, reside in Bangladesh as refugees. Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 25 : CPI-M leader and former convenor of the Left Democratic Front (LDF), E.P. Jayarajan, has alleged that Congress candidate Rahul Mamkootathil won the Palakkad Assembly by-election by aligning with radical elements and groups. The CPI-M leader said, "The UDF tactfully used the split in the BJP to woo voters. Those who opposed Krishnakumar (BJP candidate in the bypoll) were working for the UDF in Palakkad. At the same time, radical groups that aim to transform India into an Islamic state, such as the SDPI, Jamaat-e-Islami, and the Popular Front, supported the UDF in this election." E.P. Jayarajan, who is also a former minister in Kerala, accused the UDF of adopting a policy of communal appeasement and described their victory as a triumph of communalism. However, he expressed satisfaction over the BJP's loss in the by-election. CPI-M state secretary M.V. Govindan had earlier made similar allegations, claiming that the Congress won the Palakkad by-election by appeasing communal groups like the Jamaat-e-Islami and the SDPI. It is worth noting that the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) is the political wing of the banned Islamist organisation, Popular Front of India (PFI). Kerala's Minister for Urban Development, M.B. Rajesh, who is also a CPI-M state secretariat member, echoed these sentiments, asserting that the Congress embraced communal elements to secure victory. Minister for Law P. Rajeeve similarly emphasised that the BJP should reflect on its declining vote share in the by-election. In the Palakkad bypoll, UDF candidate Rahul Mamkootathil secured 58,389 votes, defeating BJP's C. Krishnakumar, who received 39,549 votes. The LDF candidate, P. Sarin, a former digital media convener of the KPCC who switched to the Left after the Congress announced Rahul Mamkootathil's candidature, came third with 37,293 votes. CPI-M central committee member and former minister A.K. Balan, who oversaw the by-election for the Left Front, remarked that the CPI-M-backed Independent candidate, P. Sarin, had performed well and reiterated the party's support for him. Islamabad, Nov 25 : Pakistan's capital has been placed under heavy security to prevent supporters of jailed former Prime Minister and founder of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf' (PTI), Imran Khan, from marching towards Islamabad as they are set to continue to protest throughout the country to seek his release. Imran Khan issued a "final call" for nationwide protests on Sunday amid statements and warnings by his party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI) leaders. He claimed that they would be leading rallies from all parts of the country and marching towards the capital, Islamabad, with an aim to not leave until the former Chief Minister is released from jail. The PTI supporters further said they must also be handed over the claimed mandate in the recent general elections, which seems to have been blocked and handled by the federal and provincial governments in Islamabad and Punjab, respectively. It leaves no space for any PTI workers to assemble in Islamabad or anywhere in Punjab, and confine the protest to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) only, where the party is in power. What seemed to be a day's drill of rallies from all parts of the country towards Islamabad, now seems to be extending its time to the next day (November 25) as the PTI rally from KP's provincial capital Peshawar has not been able to reach the capital Islamabad and is expected to camp itself in Swabi for Sunday night and regroup to march on Monday morning. PTI claims that the government has resorted to arrests of its lawmakers and leaders to stop them from leading the rallies towards Islamabad. PTI also claimed that security forces may use baton charges and tear gas to disperse their supporters from rallying in the capital Islamabad and parts of Punjab province. "Convoy of National Assembly Opposition leader Omar Ayub was targeted near Taxila and shells were fired at him," said a post by PTI's official 'X' account. Another post by PTI leader Sher Afzal Marwat maintained that a convoy of his brother was stopped at Daud Khel and was fired at with tear gas shelling. However, Sher Afzal asserted "we will reach D-chowk in any circumstance". On the other hand, Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned PTI leaders and protestors that anyone entering the protected areas will be arrested. "One option is that we let them come and paralyse Islamabad. The other option is to protect Islamabad. The area PTI has called the protest is a protected area of Islamabad, monitored by the IG (Inspector General) and DIG (Deputy Inspector General) of Police. Any protestor who enters that area will be arrested," he said while speaking to the media at D-Chowk in Islamabad, the announced destination of the PTI long march. Interior Minister Naqvi said that at least 33 out of 100 individuals arrested in the previous protest by PTI were Afghan nationals, while several other foreign nationals were detailed in the past two days, raising questions about the intentions of the PTI protest. "Are Pakistani citizens involved in your (PTI) protest, or is this a movement led by foreigners?" he asked. "PTI protests bring harm to the country and create considerable hardship for citizens," he added. PTI's "Final Call" protest has not received a clearance from the government or the court. The Islamabad High Court has already said that PTI did not seek permission to protest in Islamabad and does not hold an NOC (No Objection Certificate), which would deem its protest rally towards Islamabad illegal. On the other hand, the government also maintains that it would now allow anyone to enter the capital and create unrest and chaos, warning PTI supporters to refrain from confronting and engaging in clashes with the security forces. On the ground, the government in the federal capital and the Punjab province seems to be ready, geared up, and vigilant in doing everything to stop the PTI protest. The government has already blocked all motorways leading to Islamabad, mobile services have been suspended, over 37 entry points into Islamabad have been blocked, Section 144 has been imposed, allowing police officials to now allow any gathering in the capital or in Punjab province, and a heavy deployment is in place to stop the protestors from entering into the capital's territory. PTI's supporters were nowhere to be seen in Punjab or Islamabad throughout Sunday. However, thousands of party supporters gathered in Peshawar, the provincial capital of PTI-controlled KP province, who are marching towards the capital Islamabad. The KP rally is led by its Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur and Imran Khan's wife Bushra Bibi. KP Chief Minister Gandapur has said that the PTI rally would reach D-Chowk in Islamabad by all means and at all costs, adding "we will not leave Islamabad until Imran Khan is released, PTI supporters arrested unjustly are released, our stolen mandate is returned to us and 26th Amendment, which has strengthened a dictatorial regime is nullified". As the PTI rally from KP continues to march towards Islamabad at a slow pace, extending its plan to enter into the capital till Monday; Islamabad authorities have announced the closure of all educational institutions (both public and private) on Monday. Experts observe that PTI's leadership from Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan has failed miserably in translating its tall claims, warnings, and threats to the government into action. "PTI leadership failed to come out in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan. They even failed to get people out. And now the nationwide protest has turned into a KP-centric agitation. It's yet another failure on the part of PTI, its leadership, and its supporters. And this is exactly what irritates Imran Khan in jail, who has had a tough time handling his team to assert pressure on the government and the establishment through strong public power shows," said political analyst Umar Bacha. "Brazil has come to Azerbaijan with a commitment to Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). In this regard, Brazil is dedicated to setting an example for other countries, said Brazil's Minister of the Environment, Marina Silva, during a press conference held as part of COP29, Azernews reports. "Unfortunately, we are still unable to reach an agreement on climate finance, even though we have the opportunity to do so, and we are all making efforts towards that goal," the minister noted. She emphasized that parties must reach an agreement on crucial issues such as climate finance and a just energy transition. "Developed countries must fulfill their commitments regarding climate finance," Marina Silva added, stating that the allocation of financial resources by these countries to combat climate change should not be viewed as a special concession to developing nations. The Brazilian official expressed her pleasure in being in Baku and accepted Azerbaijan's presidency of COP. "The success of COP should be the success of our joint efforts, and we must remain committed to fulfilling the commitments we have made," she emphasized. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11-22. The event gathered world leaders and negotiators from the member states (or Parties) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to further global progress, with business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society sharing insights and best practices to strengthen global, collective and inclusive climate action. Among the key priorities of COP 29 are securing a new goal on climate finance, ensuring every country has the means to take much stronger climate action, slashing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilient communities. Peter Breuer, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) senior mission chief for Sri Lanka, speaks during a press conference in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo by Gayan Sameera/Xinhua) COLOMBO, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) staff and the Sri Lankan government have reached a staff-level agreement on economic policies to conclude the third review of Sri Lanka's economic reform program supported by the IMF's Extended Fund Facility (EFF), the IMF said in a press release on Saturday. The IMF said once the review is approved by IMF management and completed by the IMF Executive Board, Sri Lanka will have access to about 333 million U.S. dollars in financing. This would bring the total IMF financial support disbursed under the arrangement to about 1.33 billion dollars, the IMF said. The IMF said that the new government's commitment to the program objectives has enhanced confidence and ensures policy continuity and sustaining the reform momentum is critical to safeguarding the hard-won gains under the program. The IMF said the approval by IMF management and the IMF Executive Board is contingent on prior actions by Sri Lanka including the submission of the 2025 budget consistent with program objectives, the completion of financing assurances review, which will focus on confirming multilateral partners' committed financing contributions, and whether adequate progress has been made with the debt restructuring. An IMF team led by Peter Breuer, senior mission chief for Sri Lanka, visited Colombo from Nov. 17 to 23, 2024. In March 2023, the IMF approved a 48-month Extended Fund Facility arrangement, amounting to approximately 3 billion dollars, to support Sri Lanka's economic reform and recovery efforts. 'Undeniably, Modi's position has stabilised and he has staged a comeback of sorts from the weeks after the Lok Sabha results.' 'Coalition partners are likely to be more tolerant of Modi... The forthcoming elections in Delhi and Bihar will determine whether this continues or not.' 'To win Delhi and Bihar, Modi will have to work in conjunction with the RSS.' 'However, because of the 'truce' that has been worked out within the Sangh Parivar, Modi will have to be more consultative than he has been in the past ten years,' reveals Modi biographer Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay. IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Narendra D Modi during the election rally at Shivaji Park in Mumbai, November 14, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo There were several factors behind the spectacular performance of the Mahayuti alliance, the three-party coalition of the Bharatiya Janata Party, Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena, and the Ajit Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party, in Maharashtra. But while most of them, firstly cash resources, deployed through the state government for the Laadli Bahin Yojana, as well as for usual reasons during campaigning, were on anticipated lines, the biggest factor was the success with frenetic 'repairs' carried out within the Sangh Parivar. But before examining the success with this challenging task the party faced on its internal front, let us cast a glance at the BJP's regular tactics. Firstly, it is well-known that the BJP has raised a formidable electoral machinery, adept at figuring the correct caste profiles while selecting candidates. Secondly, it is also well-known that whenever the BJP appears to be in either a spot of bother, or when it is unsure of its standing, it resorts to harnessing the divisive issue of communalism. In this elections too, the 'batenge to katenge' refrain was first introduced by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and thereafter by most leaders of consequence despite reservations of some allies like Ajit Pawar and some even from within the party. But none of these was the principal reason for the BJP outdoing even its own expectations. These tools, after all, were deployed even during the parliamentary polls, especially after Narendra D Modi green signaled party colleagues and cadres to deploy the communal card with his speech on April 21 in Banswara, Rajasthan. What made the biggest difference to the BJP's performance in this round of elections was that Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh cadres were out in full strength to campaign for party candidates after its 'indifference' during the hustings for the Lok Sabha. It is worth recalling that after the verdict on June 4, RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat made several critical remarks. While he never named the target of his ire, there was no doubt that the taunts were aimed at Modi. IMAGE: Devendra Fadnavis, the BJP's senior leader in Maharashtra, holds a mace in Mumbai, November 23, 2024, as the BJP-led Mahayuti storms to power with a historic triumph in the state assembly elections. Photograph: ANI Photo Last month at the conclusion of the Akhil Bhartiya Karyakari Mandal session in Mathura, the Sarkaryavah (general secretary) of the organisation, Dattatreya Hosabale, confirmed that passions within its brass had been calmed down and curtains had been drawn on an acerbic phase of relationship between the ideological fountainhead and Modi alongside core aides. Modi, however, had to pay a 'price' for this truce which had been in the works for long and was first visible in Haryana. RSS foot soldiers marked a return to the campaign trail. Quite clearly, the Sangh leadership has pressured Modi to tone down his political 'presence', as evident during the polls in Haryana and in Maharashtra this time too. In response to the criticism of putting the individual before the organisation with his 'Modi Ki Guarantee' slogan, he reduced the number of his election rallies drastically. He was also forced to 'accommodate' satraps who had either not been his choice originally, Yogi Adityanath, or had fallen out with him -- Devendra Fadnavis, for instance, who also re-established close ties with the RSS leadership. Despite the emphatic victory of the BJP and its allies in Maharashtra, the Hindutva fraternity will have to examine the reasons for the setback in Jharkhand. Here too, fair assessment will establish that the party leadership antagonised tribal voters by first going after Chief Minister Hemant Soren, on what the people considered as trumped up charges of corruption. Secondly, the tribal voter also did not wish the possible return of any non-tribal leader as CM, like in 2014 when the BJP in a clear strategy in Maharashtra, Haryana and Jharkhand chose someone from the non-dominant community, for instance, Raghubar Das. This appeared a certainty with the sharply polarising campaign of the BJP and sustained pitch of its leaders that 'foreigners' were taking over Jharkhand. The party's offensive advertisement, which even the Election Commission of India found difficult not to ban, contributed to propagating the impression that the party would destroy tribal culture if it came to power once again. Thirdly, the BJP needlessly engineered Champai Soren's defection from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha despite the fact that the stop-gap CM did not have adequate political standing to damage the JMM's prospects. IMAGE: Modi accompanied by BJP national President J P Nadda arrives at the party headquarters in New Delhi, November 23, 2024, to celebrate the victory in the Maharashtra assembly election, here and below. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Undeniably, Modi's position has stabilised and he has staged a comeback of sorts from the weeks after the Lok Sabha results when the BJP lost majority for the first time under Modi's leadership. Coalition partners are likely to be more tolerant of Modi because he heads the biggest coalition partner and also less assertive because the BJP has to a considerable extent halted its electoral slide down since June. The forthcoming elections in Delhi and Bihar will determine whether this continues or not. To win these polls, Modi will have to work in conjunction with the RSS. However, because of the 'truce' that has been worked out within the Sangh Parivar, Modi will have to be more consultative than he has been in the past ten years. It has to be borne in mind that unlike the template within which Atal Bihari Vajpayee worked, especially during the early years of his tenure, beginning 1998, Modi was completely non-consultative as far as the RSS and other affiliates were concerned from when he became Gujarat chief minister. He remained at loggerheads with then sanghchalak of the region -- Manmohan Vaidya -- as well with Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Pravin Togadia. For the last decade too, Modi kept the RSS completely out of loop on issues related to governance and policies. Obviously there cannot be formal consultations hereon, but regular informal interactions are likely to be seen as during the Vajpayee years. Over the next forty odd days, by early January, a decision has also to be taken on the next BJP president. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo If the events over the past six months had not taken place and the BJP's tally in Parliament was according to Modi's '400 paar' expectations, the party chief would surely have been unilaterally chosen by him. But in the changed circumstance, the process will necessarily be more consultative. One can expect elements of a tug of war in this process and both sides are likely to reach a compromise because while Modi can no longer ride roughshod over the RSS, the organisation's leaders have to be mindful that Modi still remains the most charismatic electoral mascot of the fraternity. But while this is not an immediate issue that has to be decided, the BJP leadership, also in consultation with the RSS has, to first settle a more pressing matter: Who shall be Maharashtra CM -- does the party continue with Shinde, or appoint someone from within its own ranks? Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay is an author and journalist based in Delhi-NCR. His latest book is The Demolition, The Verdict and The Temple: The Definitive Book on the Ram Mandir Project. He is also the author of Narendra Modi: The Man, The Times. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'If you want to win you need to perform.' 'Governments have found a way to buck anti-incumbency, but one policy intervention will not pay in all elections.' IMAGE: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren, his wife Kalpana Murmu Soren, Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmad Mir and other leaders at a press conference in Ranchi, November 23, 2024, after the INDIA bloc won the state assembly elections. Photograph: ANI Photo "It is a good sign for Indian democracy that the political leadership in the Centre and states is doing something for women that is making them come out of the four walls of the house and vote according to their choice," says Dr Alok Gupta, head of the department of political science, Central University of Jharkhand. "Maybe they are a vote bank today, but slowly and gradually, they will break the cycle and move forward. Once the 33% reservation becomes a reality, women will be in a position to call the shots," Professor Gupta tells Rediff.com's Archana Masih about the verdict in Jharkhand. What accounts for the Hemant Soren-led INDIA bloc winning decisively despite a strong BJP campaign in Jharkhand? The BJP's main electoral narrative was that they will throw out the infiltrators. This narrative did not work for them. The BJP roped in leaders like Shivraj Singh Chauhan, Himanta Biswa Sarma, Yogi Adityanath, but its electoral management was not very good. The other rhetoric was roti beti mati ki pukar which Hemant Soren was also talking about; he had already delivered some part of the roti and beti issue. The Maiya Samman Yojana worked in the JMM's favour. As per statistical figures 48 lakh (4.8 million) women out of 2 crore and 68 lakh (26.8 million) voters were being accorded this scheme -- 1/5th of the voters were being catered to by this scheme. Hemant Soren knew very well that schemes like Ladali Behna Yojana in MP known by different names in other states had paid off in these states. He was quite sure that if this was pursued aggressively, it would pay off for the JMM too. This was another factor that went in favour of the Hemant Sarkar. Though the BJP roped in many stalwarts, its electoral management was not very good. They talked about roti beti mati ki pukar while the Hemant sarkar was trying to project that 1 lakh plus crores of rupees was due to Jharkhand which the Centre had not paid and people, especially in rural Jharkhand, believed it. In the cities, the voting percentage was very low. It did not cross more than 50% to 52%, while in rural areas the voting was very high 78% to 79%. Hemant had excellent outreach in the rural areas which proved beneficial to him. One more factor was the imprisonment of Hemant Soren, a tribal leader whose father is seen as responsible for the creation of Jharkhand. His family is into politics and has a good grasp on the pulse of the people. IMAGE: Hemant Soren tweeted this picture, extending his best wishes to the JMM and the INDIA alliance on the eve of the vote count for the state assembly elections, November 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Why did the campaign rhetoric of illegal immigration not pay off for the BJP? The Hemant Sarkar was competent enough to raise the question about who is responsible for the infiltrators, if at all they were there. He went to campaign with the map of India and tried to project that border management was the task of the central government. Therefore, how could Bangladeshis or Rohingyas cross the border and enter the state? He repeatedly told people that securing the border was not a state subject and the BJP was trying to implicate him. He said that they should have managed infiltration on the border itself and the BJP's inability to do so shows the failure of the central government. How big a role did his imprisonment play in gaining voters' sympathy and their vote? All along the campaign, he was saying that the BJP was trying to scuttle him and the JMM by putting him behind bars. People were simple enough to believe that. No government is perfect. Hemant Soren has done a lot of work, but has had some costly failures as well, like the crime rates, land scams etc,< but in rural Jharkhand among the poor and the tribals, he has worked a lot and that has worked in his favour. IMAGE: Kalpana Murmu Soren with JMM supporters after winning the Gandey seat. Photograph: ANI Photo How has his wife's role after his imprisonment contributed to the party's fine performance? She is a simple lady and had good access to the people. She has worked very hard since her husband's imprisonment. She reached out to the people and played a decisive role. What lessons does the verdict in Jharkhand have for the BJP? It is a lesson that only prachar and prasar [campaigning and publicity] will not work for long. They have to deliver something concrete on the ground. Symbolic gestures like making a tribal the President of India and giving some other positions to few tribals here and there will not help win elections until they deliver on the ground. IMAGE: Hemant Soren congratulates his wife Kalpana Soren on winning the Gandey seat in the state assembly elections at Ranchi's Birsa Munda international airport. Photograph: ANI Photo Why has the BJP not been very successful in capturing the tribal vote in Jharkhand? They have to traverse an extra mile to make a mark among the tribal people. Only speaking about roti beti mati is not going to convince them. Will the success of women oriented schemes in various states lead to such policies becoming an all-India phenomenon? This is a good sign for Indian democracy that the political leadership in the Centre and states is doing something for women that is making them come out of the four walls of the house and vote according to their choice. Maybe they are a vote bank today, but slowly and gradually, they will break the cycle and move forward. Once the 33% reservation becomes a reality, women will be in a position to call the shots. IMAGE: Kalpana Murmu Soren poses for a picture after casting her vote for the Jharkhand assembly elections at Gandey in Giridih, November 20, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo How does this victory strengthen the JMM which will form the government for a third time? Hemant Soren will have to deliver on his poll promises and ensure they are not jumlas. They should respect the massive majority mandate and not let it go to their head. Rather than indulging in the politics of confrontation, they should work in the spirit of cooperation with the Centre. If he wants smooth sailing, he needs to develop a mechanism to work with the Centre. IMAGE: Hemant Soren and Kalpana Murmu Soren meets his father and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha supremo Shibu Soren and his mother Roopai Soren. Photograph: ANI Photo What is the larger pan-Indian message from this election result? The BJP has swept one state and lost another. The voters have sent a message that they are voting on the performance of the party. This is a good sign for Indian democracy that it won't be governed by one party and one political party can't be assured that they can sweep the nation. The Indian voter is keeping the central government on tenterhooks that if you want to win you need to perform. Voters need all the basic amenities -- roti, kapda, makan, shiksha, swasthya, suraksha, bijli, sadak, pani, nyaya. Has anti-incumbency ceased to be a factor? What are the reasons for incumbent governments bucking anti-incumbency? Governments in power know that there would be anti-incumbency when they go into elections. They try to find ways like Ladli Behen Yojana, Maiya Samman Yojana and Hemant Soren learnt from such policy interventions to overcome the anti-incumbency factor. Governments have found a way to buck anti-incumbency, but one policy intervention will not pay in all elections. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com 'Party workers sit outside polling booths and they know everything that is happening.' 'Besides, as a voter when you push the EVM button to vote there is a paper slip that comes out showing you who you voted for.' IMAGE: Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Devendra Fadnavis arrives to collect his winning certificate at the counting centre in Nagpur, November 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo No one predicted the Maharashtra elections as closely as Pradeep Gupta of Axis My India. In its exit poll analysis Axis My India stated that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Mahayuti alliance would win anywhere between 175 and 200 seats in Maharashtra. It was the highest number of seats given to the Mahayuti by any of the pollsters, many of who did predict a win for the ruling alliance. As it happened the Mahayuti won 230 of Mahasrashtra's 288 assembly seats. Many believed the Maharashtra assembly results could go either way since the Opposition Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi had won 31 seats and the Mahayuti just 17 in the Lok Sabha elections five months ago. Based on this the Mahayuti should have won 125 seats and the MVA should have won 153 seats, but what happened was a complete shocker. "The MVA was busy in who will be the next chief minister within their alliance rather than concentrating on the elections," Pradeep Gupta, chairman and managing director, Axis My India, tells Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com. What parameters during your survey made you believe the Mahayuti would win so many seats? The delivery model and pro-incumbency factor worked in favour of the state government. What kind of delivery model? There were many government schemes run by the state government which were being delivered to the public at large. In the overall functioning of the government there was no kind of anger or discontent among voters which could lead to anti-incumbency. This time it was purely delivery, delivery and delivery. Another factor that worked for them was the defeat of the NDA (National Democratic Alliance) in the Lok Sabha elections in Maharashtra, particularly against the backdrop of 'Samvidhan khatre mein hai (the Constitution is in danger)' fake narrative that was set up by the Opposition. So this time the Dalits and Adivasis in bulk shifted back to the Mahayuti alliance from the Maha Vikas Aghadi in Maharashtra. Can we then say that 'Samvidhan khatre mein hai' was a one time tukka (fluke) of the Opposition parties which failed this time? Tukka toh nahi keh sakte hain (you cannot call it fluke) but such narrative has to be supported by some substance in it. Until and unless any issue is supported by substance and tangible thing it will not affect people across the board. What MVA strategy failed to win over voters? If you are a challenger to the ruling party then you have to convince the voters of what change you will bring in people's lives when you come to power, in terms of welfare schemes and so on and so forth. It should be seen on the ground too. For example, in Chhattisgarh, the BJP was the challenger to the Congress; in the opposition they announced the Mahtari Yojna where they got people to fill in forms which made all the difference to the outcome of the elections. The Congress party was in a very strong position on the ground and yet the BJP won the elections. In terms of vote percentage too you predicted 48 percent votes for the Mahayuti. What was the pulse on the ground? The MVA was busy in who will be the next chief minister within their alliance rather than concentrating on the elections. If you compare this Maharashtra election with that of the Bihar elections of 2015 when Opposition parties took on the BJP, they had decided a year back how many seats will be contested by which alliance party. At that time the Janata Dal-United, Rashtriya Janata Dal and Congress took on the BJP and won. So was it bad planning by the MVA? Yes. You can say there was no planning and the MVA became complacent after the Lok Sabha victory where they scored much better than the NDA. The BJP's strike rate in particular -- 132 seats out of 149 contested -- is remarkable. What did the BJP do right? This is something they achieved due to Vidarbha. The NDA won 47 out of 62 there, which is too loud a number and which is more than 76 percent. The BJP won in spite of issues like farmer distress in Vidarbha. Isn't this surprising? That has always been the case for more than 20 years. As I told you, the matter which affect or impacts, that touches across sections of society, matters the most to voters. 'Pachas Khoke Ekdum Ok': This Aaditya Thackeray slogan too failed badly. You predicted Eknath Shinde's Shiv Sena would get 53 to 58 seats and that too is bang on target. Was corruption not an issue? People have nothing to do with such issues that do not affect their daily lives. They need some kind of tangible value in their daily lives and that is the reason they elect their leader or their government. They do not elect a government to hear against each other. Is corruption not an issue now then? No, it is not an issue unless it affects everybody. Every person does not go to government offices every day. They don't do that. It was over corruption that the Congress was thrown out of power in 2014. Why does corruption not affect voters now? It is always governance that brings a party to power. When governance is not up to the mark then you start saying the victory is because of this or that. People want change because they get fed up of the incumbent government for not delivering. They then switch sides and elect a new government. It is like you buy a pen and the moment that pen stops writing you throw it in a dustbin. You replace the pen, it is as simple as that. What about silent Hindu voters? Was there a surge in Maharashtra? Definitely not. If you see the results of the Lok Sabha elections of 2014 and 2019 in Maharashtra you will find the NDA won 232 seats and 225 seats respectively. The same is the case here today. BJP, Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) and NCP (Ajit Pawar) came together and their victory was decisive. People wanted a decisive mandate for one particular party and they gave the mandate. But in Jharkhand we didn't see a similar result in favour of the NDA? They too won on delivery. They had Maya Samman Yojana. They also have free electricity up to certain units. And they had the issue of Adivasi Asmita in Jharkhand. They have 26 percent of Adivasi votes and then you add 15 percent of Muslim votes and your victory is certain. 41 percent bloc is too much in an election. In the future will it be very difficult for an Opposition party to win because if the government is good on delivery they are going to stay for sure? That is the reason I gave you the example of Chhattisgarh. People should see you as someone better than the ruling party. It is only then they will vote for you. It is like products and services. You always have a choice of three to five and based on their track record, performance and credibility you choose one out of them. What about the Opposition allegation of EVM hacking? Nothing like that and forget about such allegations. Individual party workers sit outside polling booths and they know everything that is happening. Besides, as a voter when you push the EVM button to vote there is a paper slip that comes out showing you who you voted for. Your prediction went wrong in Haryana and in the Lok Sabha elections. But this time you got it perfectly right. How do you feel about it? We take it as sports. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. When we lose there are some shortcomings. I learn from mistakes and move on. There may have been some shortcoming but now we have learnt from our past mistake. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Hemant Soren on Sunday met Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and staked claim to form the government, soon after leaders of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) in the state unanimously elected him as the legislature party leader. IMAGE: Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren with his wife and JMM candidate Kalpana Soren shows her election certificate after her win from Gandey assembly seat in the Jharkhand assembly elections, in Ranchi on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo He resigned as the chief minister, before staking claim to form the government. He will officiate as the acting chief minister till oath is administered to him on November 28. "I met the governor. We staked claim to form the government, and handed over support letter of alliance partners to him. He invited us to form the government. The swearing in ceremony will be held on November 28," Soren told reporters after meeting Gangwar. Soren, who drove to the Raj Bhavan in his car, said the governor asked him to officiate as the acting chief minister in the interim. Soren will be sworn in as the 14th chief minister of Jharkhand, which was carved out of Bihar on November 15, 2000. He will be sworn in as the chief minister for the fourth term. Earlier, leaders and MLAs of the alliance, during a meeting at Hemant Soren's residence in Ranchi, unanimously elected him as the coalition's leader. Congress's Jharkhand in-charge and party general secretary Ghulam Ahmad Mir and senior party leader Rajesh Thakur also attended the meeting, besides legislators of the coalition parties. In a stunning comeback, Hemant Soren's JMM-led alliance on Saturday stormed to power in Jharkhand for a second consecutive term, winning 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, despite an all-out blitz by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance which managed only 24 seats. The majority mark in the state assembly is 41 seats. Soren retained the Barhait seat by defeating BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes. Soren had to resign as the CM in January before being arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. He is out on bail after he was released from jail on June 28 after nearly five months, as the high court granted him bail in a money laundering case linked to an alleged land scam. He had resigned as the CM shortly before his arrest on January 31 by the ED. Hemant Soren, the son of JMM supremo Shibu Soren, began his political career in 2009 as a Rajya Sabha member, but his tenure in the upper House of Parliament was short-lived. He resigned in 2010 to become the deputy chief minister in the BJP-led Arjun Munda government. However, the alliance collapsed in 2012, leading to President's Rule in the state. Despite this setback, Soren's resolve to lead Jharkhand never faltered. In 2013, Soren became the state's youngest chief minister at the age of 38, forming the government with the support of the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal. However, his first term was short-lived, as the BJP took power in 2014, and Soren became leader of the opposition. A pivotal moment in his career came in 2016 when the BJP-led government attempted to amend laws protecting tribal land, such as the Chotanagpur Tenancy Act and the Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act. Soren led a massive movement to protect tribal rights, which not only earned him widespread support but also set the stage for his return to power. In 2019, Soren, with the backing of his allies Congress and RJD, reclaimed the chief minister's office. His JMM party won 30 seats. This time, the party won 34 seats, its highest ever tally in the 81-member Jharkhand Assembly, signaling the growing popularity of his leadership. AMMAN, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Minister of Government Communications Muhannad Mubaidin said the shooting incident that occurred at dawn on Sunday in the Rabieh area is considered a terrorist attack against public security forces. An individual opened fire on a patrol in Rabieh near the Israeli embassy in Amman, prompting a security force to move to the site and locate the shooter, who attempted to escape, Jordan Public Security Directorate said early Sunday. The shooter was pursued and cornered by security forces, prompting him to open fire. Security personnel responded and shot dead the assailant. Three security officers received minor injuries and were transported to the hospital for treatment, according to the directorate. Commenting on the attack, Mubaidin said any attempt to harm national security or attack public security officers would be met with the full force of the law, adding that any criminal who attempts such actions will face just retribution. Investigations into the attack remain ongoing. Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut on Sunday slammed former Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud, alleging that he had removed the fear of the law from politicians who defected from parties in Maharashtra. IMAGE: Shiv Sena-UBT leader Sanjay Raut. Photograph: ANI Photo Raut claimed that by not deciding on the disqualification petitions, Chandrachud kept doors and windows open for defections. The Shiv Sena-UBT leader's statement comes after his party faced a severe drubbing in the state assembly elections, as it managed to clinch only 20 out of 95 seats it contested as part of the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). The performance of the party's alliance partners was no better, with the Congress winning only 16 out of 101 seats and NCP-SP getting only 10 out of 86 seats it contested. Talking to reporters, Raut alleged, "He (Chandrachud) has removed the fear of the law from defectors. His name will be written in black letters in history." Following the split in the undivided Shiv Sena in 2022, the party's faction headed by Uddhav Thackeray filed petitions in the Supreme Court on the disqualification of party MLAs who defected along with Eknath Shinde. The apex court put the onus on the assembly Speaker to decide on the disqualification petitions, which he did earlier this year, declaring the Sena bloc led by Shinde as the real political party . Raut alleged that the results of the assembly election were pre-decided. If the then CJI had decided on the disqualification petitions on time, the outcome would have been different. "We are sad but not disappointed. We will not leave the fight incomplete. Division of votes was also a factor, and the RSS played an important role in the election. The poisonous campaign impacted us negatively," he said. He said the swearing-in ceremony for the new government should be held in neighbouring Gujarat. Meanwhile, in his weekly column Rokhthok in the party mouthpiece Saamana, the Shiv Sena-UBT leader claimed that it was time to offer condolences to the Election Commission, which turned a blind eye to the use of money power. "The courts have been in the ICU for a long time," he alleged. United States President-elect Donald Trump's plan to overhaul the government with a new department headed by tech billionaire Elon Musk and Indian-origin entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy will be a biggest threat for China as it has to compete with far more efficient US political system, a policy advisor to the Chinese government said. IMAGE: US President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk in Brownsville, Texas, on November 19, 2024. Photograph: Brandon Bell/Pool via Reuters China's biggest risk during Donald Trump's 2.0 would be US government overhauls driven by Musk and Ramaswamy, according to Zheng Yongnian, China's top academic and policy advisor to Beijing. "A more efficient US political system would put huge pressure on China's current system," Zheng, dean of the School of Public Policy at the Chinese University of Hong Kong's Shenzhen campus, said while speaking at Baichuan Forum hosted by the Institute for International Affairs (IIA) on Saturday. "Of course, the pressure is not exclusive to China but also others, especially Europe," he said. Trump named Musk and Ramaswamy to lead a new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The duo has already planned to scrap 'thousands of regulations' and reduce the size of the government workforce. Zhena said, "In the medium to long term, the greatest pressure on China may come from changes within the US." If Trump succeeds in his efforts to overhaul the government, the US would 'develop a new, more competitive system', Zheng said, calling it a form of 'state capitalism with American characteristics'. "I think we should not underestimate the institutional reforms prioritised by figures like Musk," he warned, the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Sunday. China is gearing up for Trump's second term, beginning on January 20 next year, on several fronts, including his threat to impose a 60 per cent increase of tariffs on its over USD 427 billion annual exports to the US. Trump, who acted tough on China during his previous term, is expected to reinforce measures against Beijing on various global fronts, including Taiwan and the South China Sea. China asserts Taiwan as part of its mainland and claims ownership over most of the South China Sea. The Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan have counterclaims over the area. To counter tough tariff increases by the incoming Trump administration in the US, China announced new policy measures on Thursday to back its export sector against 'unreasonable foreign trade restrictions' and to create a 'good environment' for its exports. At the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Peru and the 20 summit in Brazil last week, Chinese President Xi Jinping during his meetings with a host of world leaders reaffirmed China's commitment to promote 'high-standard opening up' for investment and trade. As part of new measures to open up, China on Friday added nine more countries, including Japan to its unilateral visa-free entry scheme, taking the total to 38. Zhena said that to counter the US internal changes China should expand opening up countermeasures. Zheng said Trump may damage bilateral ties with tariffs but 'he does not want to go to war with China'. Trump's 'tariff stick' against China under his 'America First' policy approach would not only 'maximally' damage bilateral relations but also sabotage the international trade system, he added. However, geopolitics is more of a 'tool' for Trump, according to Zheng, even though he expects him to continue to ramp up tensions around the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. "He does not want to go to war with China," Zheng said, keeping in view China's rapidly growing defence capabilities. 'Fully tapping into internal growth potential is something we must do' in response to changes in the global environment, Zheng said. Zheng expects China to speed up institutional reform to support the domestic market under its 'dual circulation' strategy, which also seeks to reduce reliance on the West, as well as set up a unified national market. To counter Trump's policies, Zheng has called for extending the unilateral openness by China to include US capital and citizens. 'In this way, those truly isolated' would be the hardliners, Cold War advocates and anti-China factions in the US, he said. "Although competition between China and the US is inevitable, we don't have to be too afraid. But the core of the competition, we have to realise, is who is more open than whom," he said. "The ultimate winner will undoubtedly be (the side that is) more open," he added. "I believe we will certainly outperform the US," he said. Like all politicians, Bharatiya Janata Party's Ramveer Singh dreamt of ending the losing streak of his party, but little did he know his victory would be so stylised, featuring a rout by 1.44 lakh votes of his nearest rival. IMAGE: BJP leader Ramveer Singh with UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath during a public meeting in the Kundarki assembly constituency, on November 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo Singh won the Kundarki assembly constituency, a seat BJP had been losing since 1993, defeating Samajwadi Party's Mohammad Rizwan, who bagged 25,580. His victory assumed more significance as it came against an all-Muslim lineup in a constituency where around 60 per cent of the electorate comes from the community. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath termed it a victory of nationalism. "What was once a dream has become a reality today," he said on Saturday after the results were announced. Singh claimed that when the seat became vacant, he was approached by hundreds of Muslims, who urged him to contest the bypoll. Bypolls in Kundarki were necessitated following the election of its sitting MLA, SP's Ziaur Rehman, as the Lok Sabha MP from Sambhal parliamentary constituency earlier this year. "I was expecting a victory margin of 50,000 to 60,000. But workers told me I would win by more than 1 lakh votes. People had a feeling of love towards me. They were disappointed by the SP, as cases were framed against lakhs of people, and thousands of them were put behind bars during the SP rule from 2012 to 2017," Singh said. "When the seat got vacated, hundreds of Muslims came to me and asked me to seek a ticket. 'We will make you an MLA, we have made up our mind,' they said. Because they requested, I remained active, and the party leadership also listened to the voice of the people," he said. To Rizwan, who alleged that the elections were rigged, Singh said he was hiding his failure. "He can get the election conducted once again. He will know what his worth is," Singh said. On Saturday, when the results were announced, Rizwan contested the mandate, alleging booths were captured. "It is not the defeat of the Samajwadi -- people did not vote here and the booths were looted," he told PTI. Rizwan served as Kundarki MLA in 2002, 2012, and 2017. The Muslim-dominated seat in west UP's Moradabad was a test of BJP's Hindu unity plank. The party's campaign in the bypolls largely revolved around 'Ram aur Rashtra' against the opposition Samajwadi Party's bid to consolidate the OBC-Dalit-Muslim vote bank. The win came as a salve for the BJP, which suffered a massive cut in seats in the Lok Sabha polls held earlier in the year. It won six of the nine Assembly seats in the state where bypolls were held on November 20. Adding to BJP's emphatic performance, its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal clinched Meerapur, the lone seat it contested. The Samajwadi Party emerged victorious on the remaining two seats -- Karhal and Sishamau. Besides Kundarki, the BJP emerged victorious in Kundarki, Ghaziabad, Khair (SC), Phulpur, Katehari and Majhawan assembly constituencies. The opposition on Sunday asked the Centre to allow discussions in the Parliament on the United States prosecutors' bribery charges against the Adani Group even as Union minister Kiren Rijiju made it clear that the matters to be taken up in the two Houses will be decided by their authorised committees with the consent of the respective Chair. IMAGE: Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union minister and BJP president J P Nadda and others attend all-party meet ahead of Winter Session of Parliament, at Main Committee Room, Parliament House Annexe in New Delhi on Sunday. Photograph: ANI Photo Following the customary all-party meeting on the eve of the Parliament's Winter Session commencing Monday, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Rijiju told reporters that the government has appealed to all the parties to ensure smooth conduct of business in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. Forty-two leaders from 30 parties attended the meeting which was chaired by senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. On Congress' demand to hold discussions on the Adani issue on 'priority' apart from a host of other matters, including the Manipur unrest, Rijiju said the business advisory committees of the two Houses will take a call on the subjects of parliamentary business with the consent of the Lok Sabha speaker and the Rajya Sabha chairman. Raising the matter at the meeting, Congress' Deputy Leader in the Lok Sabha, Gaurav Gogoi, dubbed the Adani issue as a scam, saying the government should not reject or ignore their demand on any 'technicality' as it concerns Indian institutions and investors. Billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, whose conglomerate includes a host of companies covering power to ports sectors, has been charged by US prosecutors for allegedly being part of a scheme to pay $265 million (about Rs 2,200 crore) bribe to Indian officials in exchange of favourable terms for solar power contracts in four Indian states. The Adani Group has denied the charge, saying the allegations levelled by the US prosecutors are baseless and that the conglomerate is compliant with all laws. Congress leader Pramod Tiwari also said the government should set aside other businesses to take up a discussion on the issue on priority. It is a grave issue involving the country's economic and security interests as over Rs 2,300 crore were allegedly paid by the company to politicians and bureaucrats to get favourable deals for its solar energy projects, the Rajya Sabha MP said. Raising the Manipur violence, Gogoi said the ruling dispensation jailed the Jharkhand chief minister (Hemant Soren) and made changes in Jammu and Kashmir for a variety of reasons, but kept its faith in Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh despite his alleged involvement in violence. The matter must be debated in the Parliament, he said. The Winter Session is scheduled to be held from November 25 to December 20. At the meeting, two BJP allies from Adnhra Pradesh -- Telugu Desam Party and Jana Sena Party -- raised the issue of pending implementation of the promises made during the division of the state in 2014 under the Andhra Pradesh Reorganiation Act, saying the Parliament should know their present status. "We want the government to put the status on record," TDP leader Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu told PTI, noting that while some promises have been fulfilled and some are being taken up, a few still remain unfulfilled. Jana Sena leader Balashowry Vallabhaneni spoke on similar lines. The Polavaram irrigation project has come to a standstill, Devarayalu said, adding that the Parliament must also discuss disaster management as so many southern cities are getting affected due to heavy downpour triggered by climate change. Asked about his party's stand on the Adani issue, Devarayalu said more details need to come out but added that his party does not want the state's brand image to be harmed. The meeting was attended by BJP president J P Nadda, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's Tiruchi Siva, Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Lok Janshakti Party-Ram Vilas MP Arun Bharti, among others. Siva asked the Centre to withdraw the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which the government is keen to table in the session despite opposition by several Muslim organisations. Bharti raised the issue of Bihar being hit frequently by floods and sought a relief package, besides demanding that the lateral entry provision should be given a constitutional status to safeguard the interests of SCs and STs. The government has listed 16 bills for consideration in the Winter Session. The bills pending in the Lok Sabha include the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which has been listed for consideration and passage after a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) of the two Houses submits its report on it to the Lower House. The panel is mandated to submit its report on the last day of the first week of the Winter session. The opposition members in the panel are demanding an extension in the timeline to submit its report. Accusing the JPC Chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal of bulldozing the committee's meetings, the opposition members sought the intervention of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla. Commenting on the matter, Rijiju said there is a provision to extend the tenure of the JPC but as of now, there have been no discussions on it. He also underlined that the business advisory committee of the Lok Sabha is the right platform to discuss the issue of extending the JPC's timeline. As many as eight bills, including the Waqf (Amendment) Bill and the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, are pending in the Lok Sabha. According to a Lok Sabha bulletin, two bills are pending with the Rajya Sabha. A Rajya Sabha bulletin said an additional bill -- The Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak -- passed by the Lok Sabha is pending with the Upper House. A set of proposed bills to implement simultaneous elections in the country are not part of the list yet, though some reports suggested that the government is likely to bring the proposed legislation in the coming session. Kindergartners from Central Elementary School in Bellows Falls walk through the ladder truck during a visit to the Bellows Falls Fire Department to learn about fire safety on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman has begun a statewide tour to highlight the issue of book banning in the United States, including reading and discussion of some passages from said banned books. He will be at Everyone's Books in Brattleboro on Wednesday, July 5. Yasaman crossed more than half a dozen countries on foot, bus, and boat and paid thousands of dollars to smugglers to reach Mexico. Yasaman, an Afghan woman whose name has been changed to protect her identity, believed she was within touching distance of realizing her dream: entering the United States. But her hopes came crashing down on January 20, when new U.S. President Donald Trump declared an emergency on the southern border with Mexico as part of a crackdown on illegal immigration. As part of the executive order, U.S. authorities shut down the CBP One mobile app -- the only legal way for migrants to make an appointment with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers, request asylum, and enter the country legally. "I don't know what to do now," said Yasaman, who arrived in Mexico in November 2024. "I'm waiting [for] what Trump will decide next about migrants." Yasaman, speaking by telephone from Mexico, said she received a notification on January 20 that read: "Existing appointments scheduled through CBP One are no longer valid." The shutdown of the app will affect thousands of migrants, including Afghans, hoping to enter the United States legally. Around 1 million appointments had been scheduled through CBP One since it was introduced in January 2023. Not Happy In Brazil Mexico has been a relatively new route for thousands of Afghan migrants seeking a new, better life in the United States. RFE/RL contacted the United Nations refugee agency and the Mexican migration authorities to find out how many U.S.-bound Afghan migrants are currently in Mexico. We have not received a response. An Afghan migrant who spoke to RFE/RL from the southern Mexican city of Tapachula estimated there were up to 1,500 people from Afghanistan in that city alone. Karimullah, whose name has been changed over privacy concerns, said Afghan migrants live in rented apartments, relying on the "limited amount of money" they have brought from Afghanistan or borrow from their relatives abroad. "Families go hungry for days while waiting for money from relatives," he said. A former civil rights activist, Karimullah fled Afghanistan after the hard-line Taliban returned to power in August 2021. After running out of money to pay for food and rent and as she was still waiting to get an appointment through CBP One, Yasaman got a job as a kitchen helper at a restaurant in the capital, Mexico City. Like many other Afghan migrants in Mexico, both Karimullah and Yasaman had already been offered asylum in other safe countries -- in their case Brazil, which has issued thousands of humanitarian visas for Afghan nationals since 2021. Asked by RFE/RL why they didn't want to stay in Brazil, where they had been given free accommodation and food, both Karimullah and Yasaman said they did not see a "good future" there due to a lack of jobs and other opportunities. Instead, many Afghans pay money to people-smugglers to take them through Bolivia, Peru, Equador, Colombia, Panama, and other countries to reach the U.S.-Mexico border. 'Life For Immigrants Not What It Used To Be' Some cross the border illegally. Ehsan Khan, a 26-year-old former driver from Kabul, entered the United States illegally in November 2024, hoping to get settled in the country before Trump closes the U.S. borders. After spending two months at an immigration detention facility, Khan was released on January 11 with an electronic ankle bracelet for authorities to monitor his movements. Speaking from San Diego by phone, Khan told RFE/RL that Afghan migrants should think twice before coming to the United States, because "the life in America for immigrants is not what it used to be." Khan did not give details of his new life in the United States but said it isn't worth the traumatic journey he had through Honduras and Guatemala, where he said he "was beaten by thieves who demanded money" and witnessed his best friend drown in the sea. "I saw my friend screaming for help as he drowned and I looked helplessly. I wanted to jump into the water, but I knew I couldn't swim. His parents often call me from Kabul and ask about him, and we cry," Khan said. Back in Mexico City, Yasaman is determined to enter the United States "by any means, legally or illegally." "I don't have a life or home in Afghanistan to go back to," Yasaman said. "I see my future only in America." Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia. I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now. Minding The Transatlantic Gap China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine. But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing? Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments. That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years. On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States. Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration. "Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper. How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019. The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure. Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States. This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing. A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real. Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly. "My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said. Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels. One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington. The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters. Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge. As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27. James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation. "A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said. China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals. What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing. Three More Stories From Eurasia 1. A Reverse Nixon? China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner. The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me. One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States. The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing. Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset. He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War. 2. But Can It Work? A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late. What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia. Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed. And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began. "It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said. The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan. Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing. "Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump." 3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion. What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification. Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance. When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration. So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom. Across The Supercontinent Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer. New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia. New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system. One Thing To Watch A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed. Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel. The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war. That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have. Until next time, Reid Standish JERUSALEM, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The body of an Israeli-Moldovan civilian who went missing in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was discovered on Sunday, Israel's Prime Minister's Office announced. Zvi Kogan, a 28-year-old rabbi, was killed in what the PM's office described as a "heinous antisemitic terror incident." Missing since Thursday, Kogan's body was discovered by Emirati intelligence and security authorities. Kogan, a former Israel Defense Forces soldier, was a rabbi and emissary of the Jewish religious movement Chabad in the UAE. "The State of Israel will act by all means to bring the criminals responsible for his death to justice," the office said. Israel's National Security Council reiterated its recommendation on Sunday to avoid non-essential travel to the UAE, citing a "level-3" alert, or medium risk, for Israelis traveling to the Gulf country. In its update, the council urged Israelis to limit travel to the UAE unless it is essential for state purposes. Supporters of the Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI) opposition party headed from Peshawar for the party's planned nationwide rally in the capital, Islamabad, on November 24. Authorities banned gatherings in Islamabad and blocked city entries with shipping containers. Police officers and detention vans were deployed on the city outskirts. The PTI's leader is the jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan. Romanians cast their ballots in the first round of the presidential election on November 24. Voters speaking to RFE/RL in the capital, Bucharest, seemed united in their wish for a more attractive future that could decrease the drain of talents to Western Europe. In Romania's semi-presidential system, the successor to incumbent President Klaus Iohannis could play a key role in the country's foreign policy, particularly on continued support for its embattled neighbor, Ukraine. BUCHAREST -- Partial preliminary results in Romania's presidential vote give Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu a narrow lead, but a surprisingly strong showing by pro-Russia candidate Cailin Georgescu has thrown the race into unexpected territory. With 80 percent of polling stations reporting on November 24, the pro-Western Social Democrat Ciolacu had 22.17 percent of the vote, according to election officials. But his opponent in an expected runoff round remains unclear after Georgescu who has been criticized for his anti-NATO sentiments was in second place with 22.11 percent. Pro-West Elena Lasconi of the center-right Save Romania Union was third with 14.97 percent, while George Simion of ultranationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) had 14.94 percent. Experts said that results from the large cities where Ciolacu and Lasconi are likely to poll stronger than Georgescu could still decide the tight race. Two exit polls gave Ciolacu 25 percent of the vote, while Lasconi was second at around 18 percent. Georgescu and Simion trailed in the exit polls with 14-16 percent in the cluttered field of 13 candidates. The exit polls did not include diaspora polling, where Lasconi and Simion were expected to lead the balloting. Some observers said that even with Ciolacu's slim lead, the far right appeared to be the big winner in the vote. If no candidate receives over 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held on December 8 featuring the two top finishers, a week after a parliamentary election on December 1. Ciolacu was the favorite heading into the election and pre-vote surveys indicated five candidates had a shot at advancing to the runoff to succeed the outgoing center-right incumbent, Klaus Iohannis, who is completing his second and final term after a decade in office. Fourteen candidates officially registered in the race, but Ludovic Orban announced he was withdrawing from the contest. Election officials put the turnout at just over 52 percent, or about 9.44 million voters casting their ballots. Long lines were reported at polling stations in the capital, Bucharest, ahead of the 9 p.m. poll closings. In 2019, total first-round turnout was 51.18 percent. In the second round, it rose to 55.1 percent. At three polling stations, turnout was reported at 150-300 percent. Officials said the high figure was due to supplemental lists holding more names than the permanent lists and by people voting in precincts they were not originally assigned. Georgescu, 62, who has been criticized in the Romanian media for expressing pro-Russia sentiments, claimed his shocking vote total represents a real victory for Romania. "The rich of the system have become poorer, and the poor Romanians have become richer. It's an astonishing awakening in consciousness," said the candidate, who utilized the TikTok social media platform to press his campaign. Following release of the exit polls, Lasconi told reporters that the results remain tight and that she will wait until official results are clear before "rejoicing" over her potential placement in the runoff. Lasconi, a former small-town mayor and journalist, was the only presidential candidate who opposed the idea of Ukraine giving up land to Russia in a peace deal, saying doing so would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. "If Ukraine cedes territory, Putin won't stop," she had said. "We need to help Ukraine win this war." She was also the most bullish among the top candidates on NATO, calling for the military alliance to have a greater presence in Romania. Ciolacu expressed pro-Europe sentiment leading up to the election. "We will support the deepening of the European integration project for the benefit of citizens, and we will have a more active voice in the decision-making process at the European level," he has said. Critics have charged Simion with being too Russia-friendly and, while he wants Romania to remain in NATO, said Bucharest should be "neutral." Despite the exit polls, Simion expressed confidence in reaching the second round. "We were alone against the parties of the system, and we will enter the second round," said Simion, who urged his supports to "turn off the TVs" and ignore reports stating that a "stranger," Georgescu -- who had received little attention ahead of the vote -- was ahead of him in the exit polls. Romania has become a key ally of Ukraine, not only providing training and military equipment but playing a key role in transporting Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods to global markets. Much of the credit for Bucharest's pro-Ukraine stance goes to the incumbent, Iohannis. Rima, a voter at a Bucharest polling station, told RFE/RL, "There should be more opportunities for young people, so we don't have to leave the country after we graduate from high school or college." "The president should be more open-minded on some topics, especially international ones. That's what I want: to live in a free country where we as young people have a voice," she said, without specifying her candidate. Romania's president has significant decision-making powers, including on matters of national security and foreign policy. Elected for a five-year term, the president can also reject party nominees for prime minister and government nominees for judicial appointments. Diaspora voting began on November 23, with initial figures indicating a higher turnout than in 2019 among those abroad, with about 675,000 of such votes cast by 6 p.m. on November 24, up about 90,000 from the 2019 election. In Moldova, more than 80,942 voted at 59 polling stations, with officials calling it a record high. In the first round of the 2019 Romanian presidential election, 43,307 people voted in Moldova. Most of Moldova was part of Romania until the end of World War II and many Moldovans also hold Romanian citizenship. Voting was also reported to be high in London, where almost 8,900 Romanians went to the polls. Oana Popescu-Zamfir, director of the Bucharest-based think tank GlobalFocus Center, told RFE/RL in an email that this is a high-stakes election for the NATO and EU nation. "Romania is faced with two important realities next year: the threat of further instability and conflict in the region and globally, especially in the context of a [President-elect Donald] Trump White House," she said, along with the risks of a "deepening economic and financial crisis." Foreign policy is also of concern to voters, namely Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine and how that conflict could change with a switch in Washington from U.S. President Joe Biden, who has steadily backed Kyiv, to Trump, who has suggested support could be curtailed. "The threat of regional instability and war is also a source of concern. Voters care about candidates' positions on Ukraine, Russia, Trump, the extent of their Euro-Atlantic orientation," Popescu-Zamfir said, adding that voters were also focused on the presidential candidates' "ability to lead the country in case of escalating tensions with Russia." In an interesting sidelight, election officials say that at least 50 Romanians over the age of 100 are expected to vote in the presidential election. The oldest is a man aged 113, while the oldest woman is aged 108, officials said. US President Donald Trump said he sees a "very good chance" for peace between Ukraine and Russia after "very good and productive discussions" between US officials and Russian President Vladimir Putin. In a March 14 post on his Truth Social site, Trump also said the United States had urged Russia to spare the lives of "thousands" of Ukrainian soldiers that Putin has said have been isolated by Russian troops in Russia's Kursk region. Ukraine disputes that claim. The post came just hours after the Kremlin said it was "cautiously optimistic" following a meeting late on March 13 between Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. "We had very good and productive discussions with President Vladimir Putin of Russia yesterday, and there is a very good chance that this horrible, bloody war can finally come to an end," Trump wrote. Trump added that "thousands of Ukrainian troops are completely surrounded by the Russian military, and in a very bad and vulnerable position." "I have strongly requested to President Putin that their lives be spared," he wrote. "This would be a horrible massacre, one not seen since World War II." Putin said a day earlier that a group of Ukrainian troops were "isolated" in the Kursk region, the site of a surprise incursion by Ukrainian forces last August. Responding to Trump's plea on March 14, he said the soldiers' lives would be spared if they surrendered and urged Kyiv to order them to do so. Officials in Kyiv have said that while Ukrainian forces have been slowly withdrawing in the Kursk region under heavy pressure from Russian troops, but the armed forces general staff said on March 14 that "[r]eports of the alleged 'encirclement' of Ukrainian units...in the Kursk region are false and fabricated." "There is no threat of encirclement of our units," it said in a statement on social media. Zelenskyy Challenges Putin's Motives Earlier on March 14, Putin's spokesman said there were grounds for "cautious optimism" over Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal, which Ukraine accepted earlier this week at talks with US officials in Saudi Arabia. Ukraine, meanwhile, questioned Moscow's sincerity in ending the war, which is now in its fourth year since Russia's full-scale invasion on February 2022. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow that Putin sent Trump a message about his cease-fire proposal after his talks with Witkoff in the Russian capital. "When Mr Witkoff brings all the information to President Trump, we will determine the timing of a conversation (between Trump and Putin). There are reasons to be cautiously optimistic," Peskov said. Putin said a day earlier that he agrees in principle with the US proposal for a temporary cease-fire with Ukraine, but added that "there are nuances," such as Western weapons deliveries to Kyiv, that he wants addressed first. The Russian leader also said any agreement should lead to long-term peace that addresses the "root" reasons for the war, an apparent reference to NATO expansion and other developments Putin claims have put Russia's security in jeopardy. In a video posted late on March 13, Zelenskyy questioned Putin's motives, saying the Russian leader was preparing to reject the proposal but was afraid to tell Trump. "That's why in Moscow they are imposing upon the idea of a cease-fire these conditions -- so that nothing happens at all, or so that it cannot happen for as long as possible," Zelenskyy said. He followed up on March 14 with a post on social media accusing the Kremlin of trying to "complicate and drag out the process." "Russia is the only party that wants the war to continue and diplomacy to break down," he said on X after a call with the Secretary of State of the Holy See, cardinal Pietro Parolin. Putin's Response To Trump's Pressure Kyiv agreed to Trump's 30-day cease-fire proposal at a meeting in Jeddah on March 11, putting the onus for peace in Moscow's lap. Putin's response threw the ball back into US hands, at least to some degree. Trump called Putin's initial reaction to peace talk developments "promising" but incomplete, though he added he hoped Russia would "do the right thing" and agree to the deal. "I think the Russians are keen not to be seen as the intransigent party as that could lead to consequences from Trump, such as sanctions. So that informed Putin's comments today," John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington-based think tank, told RFE/RL. Trump has made ending the war in Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, and is wielding US leverage to get both Kyiv and Moscow to the table. On March 13, the US administration heightened pressure on Russia by increasing restrictions on the country's oil, gas, and banking sectors. Among the measures, the Treasury Department was allowing the expiration of a 60-day exemption put in place in January by the Biden administration that let some energy transactions involving sanctioned Russian banks continue. The move would make it more difficult for other nations, especially in Europe, to buy Russian oil. Meanwhile, the foreign ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) -- which includes the United States, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan -- said they discussed imposing more sanctions on Russia and boosting support for Ukraine if the Kremlin does not agree to the cease-fire. Among the measures discussed during the March 13-14 meeting were caps on the price for Russian oil exports, they said in a joint statement. Western nations in late 2022 imposed a $60-a-barrel price cap on the export of Russian oil using Western ships or insurance. It is unclear if the G7 discussions touched on lowering the price cap. Russia's economy is heavily dependent on oil exports, which account for a third of federal budget revenues. In a joint statement following the meeting, the G7 said that "we reaffirmed our unwavering support for Ukraine in defending its territorial integrity and right to exist, and its freedom, sovereignty, and independence." "We welcomed ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire, and in particular the meeting on March 11 between the US and Ukraine in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia," it added. Putin also said there were several unanswered questions in the proposal, such as what to do about Ukraine's incursion into Russia's Kursk region. "If we have a cease-fire, does that mean that everyone there would leave?" Putin said. "Should we release them [Ukrainian troops] after they committed crimes against the population? Or would they surrender?" Ukraine denies committing such crimes, saying it abides by humanitarian law and does not target civilians. Why Should Russia Agree To A Cease-Fire? Kyiv seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August, a move seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip in any peace talks. That strategy is now failing as Russian forces supported by North Korean troops push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russia has regained more than half the territory in Kursk initially captured by Ukraine. Zelenskyy told reporters on March 14 that the situation in Kursk was "obviously very difficult." Among the other concerns Putin voiced about the cease-fire proposal is whether Ukraine would use the 30-day period to mobilize and train forces or rearm with the help of the West. He also raised the question of how the nearly 2,000-kilometer front would be monitored. Zelenskyy told reporters that the front could be monitored by US satellites. Experts had warned that Putin would likely seek to drag out cease-fire talks because his forces have the upper hand on the battlefield. Aside from the advances in Kursk, Russia is gaining territory in eastern Ukraine -- albeit at high human and material costs -- due to its significant manpower advantage. However, Zelenskyy said Ukraine has stopped Russian forces at the gates of Pokrovsk, a key logistical hub in Donetsk region, after months of fighting on the outskirts of the city. Zelenskyy asserted that the incursion into Kursk forced Russia to pull forces from eastern Ukraine, giving his troops time to defend the city. Russia is seeking to capture at a minimum the entirety of the four regions of Ukraine it claims to have annexed in September 2022: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson. A cease-fire freezing the current front lines would leave them short of that goal. "One way the Russians could slow down this process without coming out directly and saying 'no', is by dragging out those technical discussions on monitoring" the cease-fire, Hardie said. "That could also give them ways to try to pin the blame back on Ukraine, by insisting on certain technical matters that Ukraine might find objectionable," he said. US President Donald Trump has urged Russia to agree to a 30-day cease-fire, warning he would slap additional sanctions on the country if it refused the US proposal, as Moscow made more gains on the battlefield. "Russia has no way out but cease-fire. If needed we will sanction it, but I hope we won't need to," Trump told reporters at the White House on March 12. "In a financial sense we can do very unpleasant, very bad things, devastating for Russia, but I don't want to," he said. His comments come a day after Kyiv agreed to the temporary cease-fire following nine hours of talks with Trump administration officials in Saudi Arabia. Trump has made ending Russia's more than three-year full-scale invasion of Ukraine a top priority since taking office for a second term less than two months ago, quickly dispatching his top officials to Moscow and Kyiv to prepare the groundwork for peace talks. He has used Washington's significant leverage over Ukraine -- namely military aid and intelligence sharing -- to get Kyiv to agree to the cease-fire proposal, which if implemented, would leave almost 20 percent of the country in Russia's hands for the time being, at least. But Trump lacks that type of leverage with Russia, which has navigated sweeping US and European sanctions placed on its economy following the invasion much better than most experts forecasted. Putin may seek to drag out talks with the US over a cease-fire to improve Russia's position on the battlefield and hence at the negotiating table when and if Moscow and Kyiv hammer out a peace deal. As Trump spoke at the White House, Putin was visiting troops in Russia's Kursk region, where fierce fighting is currently taking place and Moscow's forces are advancing. Ukraine seized a swath of the Kursk region in a stealth incursion in August seen as an effort to divert Russian forces from eastern Ukraine and use the territory as a bargaining chip during any peace talks. That strategy is now at risk of failing as Russian forces slowly push the Ukrainians out of Kursk. Russians forces have retaken more than half the territory initially captured by Ukraine. Putin's visit to Kursk was his first since the incursion and signals the momentum Russia has in that theater of the war. The Kremlin leader urged his troops to retake the region in its entirety "as soon as possible." Ukraine's top military commander, General Oleksandr Syrskiy, said that fighting continued in and around Sudzha, the largest town in the part of the region that Ukraine occupied. Unconfirmed reports on March 12 indicated that Ukraine has begun to draw back units as Russian officials claimed their troops had captured more settlements, including Sudzha. "Despite increased pressure from the Russian and North Korean forces, we will maintain the defense of the Kursk region as long as it is appropriate and necessary," Syrskiy wrote on Telegram. In a Facebook post, Syrskiy said that saving soldiers lives is a priority and that Ukrainian troops "maneuver to more favorable positions, if necessary," wording often used top describe a retreat. Concessions? Trump hinted that Ukraine would have to make concessions on land, something more and more experts say is inevitable given Russia's momentum on the battlefield. "When we talk cease-fire [with Ukraine], we talked land, who's withdrawing -- we discussed a lot of things [with Ukraine]," Trump said. "We don't want to waste time, people are dying. Russia is not in the best situation now. I hope [Putin] gets a cease-fire." Earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy praised the cease-fire proposal and said he hoped it would be used as a draft for a lasting peace deal that included security guarantees for Ukraine. "It's now up to Russia what is next," he said at a March 12 press conference, and whether "it wants to continue its aggression against Ukraine or not." On the streets of Kyiv, some Ukrainians told RFE/RL's Current Time that they doubted whether Russia would sign on to, and adhere to, a cease-fire deal. "I'm not sure what to say, but it all seems implausible, frankly speaking," said one Kyiv man, while a woman in the capital said the cease-fire talks were "meaningless without Russia taking part." Moscow has so far declined to comment on the specifics of the proposal for the 30-day cease-fire, and it's unclear whether Putin has made up his mind on the agreement. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was "carefully studying" the joint US-Ukraine statement issued following the Jeddah talks and will wait to comment until Russian negotiators receive more detailed information from Washington. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who represented the United States at the talks, said Washington "will have contact with Russians" today. Trump on March 11 said he would soon speak with Putin to secure his commitment. Mike Waltz, the White House national-security adviser, spoke with his Russian counterpart on March 12, while Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also planned to travel to Moscow, possibly to meet Putin. CIA Director John Ratcliffe held a phone call with Sergei Naryshkin, director of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service, late on March 11, the Interfax news agency reported. Rubio told reporters on March 12 in first comments since leaving the talks in Jeddah that the United States hoped to have a positive answer from Russia toward the cease-fire deal and "strongly urge[s] Russians to end all hostilities. Konstantin Kosachev, an influential lawmaker in Russia's upper house of parliament, seemed to imply that Moscow would not simply accept the US-backed ceasefire proposal but attach conditions, taking into account that Russian forces have the momentum on the battlefield. "Russia is advancing, and therefore it will be different with Russia," Kosachyov said in a Telegram post. "Any agreements (with all understanding of the need for compromise) will be on our terms, not American," he said. "And this is not boasting, but an understanding that real agreements are still being written there, on the front line. Which Washington should also understand." Rubio also said Ukraine will need a strong deterrent to prevent future attacks and that Europeans will "need to be involved in this regard." He added that further discussions would need to tackle to topic of the European Union lifting sanctions on the Russian economy. "I would imagine that in any negotiation, if we get there, hopefully with the Russians, they will raise these European sanctions that have been imposed upon them," Rubio said. Moscow has so far been against a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated Russia's position during an interview with three right-wing US bloggers that it will under no conditions accept the presence of NATO forces in Ukraine. Minerals Deal Washington and Kyiv could sign a framework agreement as early as this week on sharing the revenue generated from Ukraine's mineral resources. Trump and Zelenskyy intended to sign the deal during their meeting at the Oval Office on February 28. However, the two got into a heated, public exchange over security guarantees for Ukraine and the meeting was abruptly ended without any deal. Rubio cautioned that he "would not couch [the] minerals deal as a security guarantee." But he added that "if the United States has a vested economic interest thats generating revenue for our people as well as for the people of Ukraine, wed have a vested interest in protecting it if it were to be challenged or threatened." The parade of comments come after Russia and Ukraine traded air attacks overnight just hours after Kyiv agreed to accept the cease-fire proposal. Two Russian missile strikes hit the central Ukrainian city of Kryviy Rih on March 12, killing one person, while a separate attack killed four crew members of a cargo ship near the southern port city of Odesa. Russia's Defense Ministry said its air-defense systems shot down six drones overnight on March 12, one over Ukraine's Russia-annexed Crimea and five over the Black Sea. The Krymsky Veter Telegram channel reported loud explosions and air-raid sirens over Crimean towns and near Russian military sites. The United States announced after the talks in Saudi Arabia that it would immediately lift the pause on intelligence sharing and restore military aid to Ukraine, which could be a boost to Ukrainian forces. Ukraine's battlefield positions have been under heavy pressure, particularly in Russia's Kursk region. "If you're not an experienced sapper, you can go on a mission, but you may not come back," jokes Andriy, the commander of a platoon of Ukrainian sappers. We are meeting with Andriy, whose call sign is "Porthos" after one of the Three Musketeers, at a recreation center in the Donetsk region. It's already getting dark outside. We meet late because the fighters had combat tasks around the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut during the day. There's no shortage of work for sappers here. Virtually every meter of the front line is mined. Andriy joined the army in March 2022, just after the full-scale Russian invasion was launched. He had no military experience. "I was living in Portugal from 2009 to 2013," he recalls. "I returned to Ukraine after my daughter was born. My wife and I decided that we want her educated here in Ukraine so that she thinks the way we do," Andriy says. In Portugal, Andriy worked as a mason. He was surprised that in the Western European country many workers had no education, and some were illiterate. "When a person received their salary and had to sign for it, some of them would just mark it with a cross," he says. Soon after he arrived back in Ukraine, Russia forcibly annexed Crimea and unleashed the first phase of the war in eastern Ukraine. Then came the 2022 invasion. "I didn't get to the front lines right away," Andriy recalls. First, he passed basic military training, then later specialized in being a sapper tasked with various military engineering tasks, most importantly working with mines. "I got to the front lines in July 2022. That was when my military career started," Andriy says. Andriy and his unit endured some of the toughest battles in Ukraine's east, defending Bakhmut and Soledar for as long as they could before both cities were captured by the Russian advance. Today, he works to the south of Bakhmut. "What you see in war movies is all fairy tales. It is completely different in reality," Andriy says. "Conflict is something that changes every minute, every second. It's not possible to be ready for everything." During his first experience of battle, the veteran recalls, "there was no fear, but perhaps if I'd known what was coming there would have been." "I felt fear after the first combat missions," Andriy says. "Sometimes, the pick up for a mission was scheduled for 11 p.m., so the car arrives in the middle of the night. As they say, waiting for death is worse than death itself." It was when returning from a combat mission, he says, that fear crept in. "You arrive back at the evacuation point where it's calmer and you start to think about where you just were and what you were doing," he says. "Yes, that's when the fear comes." Andriy recalls an operation to mine an area near Bakhmut that was one of his team's most dangerous missions. "A position was stormed by Russian troops and we were assigned with getting in and mining it. We completed our mission [of installing mines] and returned to our positions. The next day, the battalion commander arrived and said that this work should be done by a special operations team. That is, we were not trained for such tasks," Andriy says. After this operation, he says, he and his team "considered ourselves good soldiers." The hardest part of fighting, the sapper says, "is seeing your wounded brother next to you when you can't help him." After living alongside his brothers-in-arms, Andriy says, "you become attached, you become like family. Then when you start to lose that person, and you can't help, it's very scary. You don't know what you can say to his family afterwards. This is the greatest fear -- to feel helpless and unable to save a close friend." In the evening of the next day, we go with Andriy and his team to a training area behind the front lines where several small groups are shooting at targets and simulating assault missions. Andriy pulls out charges for grenade launchers, various types of mines, and a bomb-carrying FPV drone that had failed to reach its target. He lays out everything to demonstrate how dangerous "toys" are neutralized. "If you see that there are no beeps or flashing lights, then you can approach the drone at your own risk and inspect it," Andriy explains. According to official rules, it's best not to approach any weaponized drone. Ideally, it should be destroyed remotely. But with enough experience, it can be worth attempting to salvage a drone. "The first thing to do is disconnect its main battery. The second is to examine the explosive payload and find its detonator. Then you carefully disconnect the detonator from the ammunition," Andriy explains. "If you see an additional battery, you try to deactivate that. Only then, we remove the ammunition, which will be destroyed. If it's possible to demine the drone, it will go to our drone pilot friends for spare parts," says Andriy. Next, the fighters put a TNT charge on top of some ammunition and remote-controlled detonators are installed. We take cover, then hear, "Fire in the hole!" Stones rain down and a cloud of dust rises. The explosion was at least 30 meters away, but you can feel the blast wave thump in your chest. The stink of explosives lingers in the air. An equally difficult situation is how to neutralize an anti-tank mine. Often, Russian forces hide "anti-lift" explosives that set off the larger mine when a sapper attempts to remove it. If there is any danger of such a device lurking below an anti-tank mine, a special technique is used to remotely move the mine, which Andriy demonstrates. We return to the shelter again. A rope runs from our position in the trench to the mine. A soldier jerks the mine from its place with a sharp pull of the rope and an explosion rings out across the training ground. Using this method, a Ukrainian sapper would be unharmed, but there are many tricks Russian troops resort to to inflict maximum damage on sappers. Some of Andriy's stories illustrate the dangers of the battlefield itself. "One of our soldiers had rigged a doorbell to be a detonator. I don't know what he was thinking, but he decided to hang this doorbell in a tree," Andriy recalls. "Then the Ukrainians had to withdraw from this position. Russian troops stormed the area and one of the enemy soldiers -- God knows what he was thinking either -- pressed the button. An explosive device was linked to the bell and half of his group was killed in the blast." One of Andriy's closest calls was when encountering a Russian POM-3 mine. The dreaded, air-dropped device is fitted with a seismic sensor sensitive enough to explode if someone walks into its kill radius. "We had demined the territory in one area. Everything was going smoothly. Then our driver spotted a parachute from one of these mines. Then he took a few more steps and he called out that he thinks he can see a POM-3 mine. Everyone froze because it should have detonated already," Andriy says. "It seems the mine's battery had run out. It should have self-destructed, but it hadn't. We decided to shoot it with a machine gun from a safe distance. It didn't explode but just broke into pieces. JERUSALEM, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's legal team has requested a 15-day postponement for the start of his testimony in his ongoing criminal trial, Israeli media reported on Sunday. The team argued that despite its best efforts, it will not be ready by the scheduled date of Dec. 2, the report said. The request followed an earlier one by the team for a 10-week delay, which the court rejected on Nov. 13, citing that Netanyahu had already been given five months to prepare for the trial since the date was set in July. The team said since the court's rejection, it had been working intensively with Netanyahu for preparation, including holding daily late-night meetings, but will still not be adequately prepared to begin testimony as scheduled, according to the media report. The International Criminal Court's recent issuance of an arrest warrant for Netanyahu on charges of "crimes against humanity and war crimes" between at least Oct. 8, 2023 and May 20, 2024, has further complicated its ability to prepare, the team said. The trial, which began in early 2020, involves three separate cases in which Netanyahu is accused of accepting bribes, fraud and breach of trust. Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving prime minister, has denied any wrongdoing, calling the trial a politically-motivated "witch hunt." After more than a two-month pause due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, Netanyahu's trial resumed in early December 2023. If convicted, Netanyahu is expected to face severe penalties, including imprisonment, which would make him the first incumbent Israeli prime minister sentenced for criminal offenses. Almost 31 years of service to the school and community were marked at a presentation ceremony held in Breedogue Church and Kingsland National School recently to mark the retirement of principal David Murphy. During the event, organised by the school committee at Kingsland NS, Boyle, praise for Mr Murphys work in both the school and the locality came from all areas of the community. David Murphy cuts the cake at a special retirement event in his honour at Kingsland NS. Gifts from the staff, the Parents Association and Board of Management were presented to David. Olive Hayden, Deputy Principal of Kingsland National School and Brendan Beirne, Chairperson of the Board of Management, both paid tribute to him for his work over the last 31 years of service. Further tributes came from Fr. Larry Ebuk and Deacon David Muldowney as they both spoke of his dedication to the Kingsland community. Staff at Kingsland NS with David Murphy on the occasion of his retirement. Mr Murphy expressed his deep gratitude to the congregation for their help throughout the years and spoke of his sadness at leaving Kingsland National School. He wished his successor, Mrs Sylvia Cunniffe, well in her new position. Mr Murphy - we wish you health and happiness as you embark on your new adventure of retirement. Please dont forget to visit us here in Kingsland NS, said the Board of Management. November 24, 2024 A roundup of local and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 24.11.2024, 13:55 Presidential Election The first round of the presidential election is taking place today in Romania, with over 18 million voters being expected to go to the polls in the nearly 19,000 polling stations organized in the country. According to the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP), in the first six hours of voting across the country, the turnout was 21%, which means that about 3.8 million voters cast their vote, about 800 thousand voters more in the urban environment than in villages. Abroad, 951 polling stations are open, and Romanian voters have been able to vote since Friday. Voting in the diaspora during the first two days of the election was rather poor, according to Radio Romania correspondents. The data provided by AEP show that the number of those who cast their vote in the first two days of the election was 223 thousand, of whom over 4,000 opted for the postal vote. The largest mobilization was of the Romanians from Great Britain, with over 42 thousand votes. They are followed by the Romanians from Germany, Italy and Spain. There are 13 candidates in the presidential race, 9 from political parties and 4 independents. Most of the ideological trends are represented in the competition, from social democrats to liberals and from pro-Europeans to populist ultra-nationalists and sovereignists. The second round of the presidential election is scheduled for December 8. On December 1, on the very National Day, the legislative election will take place. We remind you that on June 9, local and European Parliament elections took place in Romania. Referendum Today, the citizens of Bucharest with the right to vote are expected to also vote in a referendum initiated by the mayor general Nicusor Dan. They must answer two questions he proposed, which concern the way of distributing the money between the General City Hall and Bucharests 6 sectors and the issuance of building permits in Bucharest. A third question refers to combating drug use in schools. For the validation of this referendum, a presence of 30% of the number of voters in Bucharest is required. At the same time, valid ballots must represent at least 25% of the number of people with the right to vote. COP29 At the UN climate summit in Azerbaijan, COP29, richer countries pledged to grant a record 300 billion dollars to developing countries to help them prepare for and prevent climate change. The decision was made at the end of negotiations that led to the extension of the summit by 33 hours and that almost collapsed. It has been a difficult road, but we have reached an agreement, said the head of the UN climate agency, Simon Stiell. The funding promised until 2035 is too weak, too late and too ambiguous, the Kenyan Ali Mohamed said, speaking on behalf of the group of African countries. His counterpart from Malawi, which represents the 45 poorest countries on the planet, Evans Njewa, denounced the agreement as lacking ambition. ICR The Romanian Cultural Institute announces the official opening, on November 26, of its representative office in Tokyo, Japan. Japan is a center of interest for cultural operators from Romania and I am convinced that ICR Tokyo will significantly contribute to the Romanian presence on the Japanese cultural scene, ICR president Liviu Jicman said. In turn, the Romanian ambassador to Japan, Ovidiu Raetchi, conveyed that the opening of the ICR representative office in the Japanese capital is a strategic initiative that aims to strengthen the cultural relations between Romania and Japan, to support international artistic cooperation and to offer the Japanese public the opportunity to discover and appreciate the richness and diversity of the Romanian cultural heritage. The first cultural actions of the new structure will be the exhibition of works from the collection of the Japanese photographer Kosey Miya, which capture the charm of Maramures, and a concert of the Japanese artist Fumiko Sakura. With the establishment of the Romanian cultural center in Tokyo, the number of ICR representative offices abroad reaches 19. Rugby The Romanian national rugby team was defeated by the Uruguayan national team 23-21 (13-13), on Saturday evening, at the Arch of Triumph National Rugby Stadium in Bucharest. The Romanian national team has met Uruguay 14 times so far. Romania won ten of these matches, one ended in a draw, and three were won by the South Americans. Following Saturday evenings result, Romania ends the November test matches with two victories, against Tonga (25-15) and Canada (35-27), and with a failure, against Uruguay (21-23). (LS) November 24, 2024 NEWS UPDATE Click here for the latest news from RRI Newsflash Newsroom, 24.11.2024, 19:25 Presidential Election The first round of the presidential election takes place on Sunday in Romania, with over 18 million voters being expected to hit the polls in the nearly 19,000 polling stations organized in the country. According to the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP), voter turnout stood at over 45% after the first 11 hours of voting, which means that about 8.2 million voters cast their vote, over 1.4 million voters more in urban centers compared to the rural area. Over 674,000 Romanians have so far voted in the 951 polling stations open abroad. The voting process abroad started on Friday, where voter turnout was subpar, Radio Romania correspondents say. The data provided by AEP show that the number of people who cast their vote in the first two days of the election was 223 thousand, of whom over 4,000 opted for postal voting. The largest mobilization was in Great Britain, where over 42 thousand Romanians have voted. They are followed by Romanians in Germany, Italy and Spain. 13 candidates are enrolled in the presidential race, 9 representing political parties and 4 independents. Most ideological trends are represented in the competition, from Social-Democrats to Liberals, and from pro-Europeans to populist ultra-nationalists and sovereigntists. The second round of the presidential election is scheduled for December 8. The parliamentary election is scheduled on December 1, the National Day of Romania. We recall that on June 9, local and European Parliament elections took place in Romania. Referendum The local referendum initiated by the general mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan, exceeded the 30% threshold required for validation. According to the data provided in real time by the Permanent Electoral Authority, by 7 p.m. local time, over 37% of Bucharest residents on the electoral lists had voted. They had to answer two questions proposed by the mayor Nicusor Dan, related to the way of distributing the money between the General City Hall and Bucharests 6 sectors and the issuance of building permits in the Capital. A third question was added upon the initiative of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) (in the governing coalition) which refers to the fight against drug use in schools. COP29 At the UN climate summit in Azerbaijan, COP29, richer countries pledged to grant a record 300 billion dollars to developing countries to help them prepare for and prevent climate change. The decision was made at the end of negotiations that led to the extension of the summit by 33 hours and that almost collapsed. It has been a difficult road, but we have reached an agreement, said the head of the UN climate agency, Simon Stiell. The funding promised until 2035 is too weak, too late and too ambiguous, the Kenyan Ali Mohamed said, speaking on behalf of the group of African countries. His counterpart from Malawi, which represents the 45 poorest countries on the planet, Evans Njewa, denounced the agreement as lacking ambition. ICR The Romanian Cultural Institute announces the official opening, on November 26, of its representative office in Tokyo, Japan. Japan is a center of interest for cultural operators from Romania and I am convinced that ICR Tokyo will significantly contribute to the Romanian presence on the Japanese cultural scene, ICR president Liviu Jicman said. In turn, the Romanian ambassador to Japan, Ovidiu Raetchi, conveyed that the opening of the ICR representative office in the Japanese capital is a strategic initiative that aims to strengthen the cultural relations between Romania and Japan, to support international artistic cooperation and to offer the Japanese public the opportunity to discover and appreciate the richness and diversity of the Romanian cultural heritage. The first cultural actions of the new structure will be the exhibition of works from the collection of the Japanese photographer Kosey Miya, which capture the charm of Maramures, and a concert of the Japanese artist Fumiko Sakura. With the establishment of the Romanian cultural center in Tokyo, the number of ICR representative offices abroad reaches 19. Rugby The Romanian national rugby team was defeated by the Uruguayan national team 23-21 (13-13), on Saturday evening, at the Arch of Triumph National Rugby Stadium in Bucharest. The Romanian national team has met Uruguay 14 times so far. Romania won ten of these matches, one ended in a draw, and three were won by the South Americans. Following Saturday evenings result, Romania ends the November test matches with two victories, against Tonga (25-15) and Canada (35-27), and with a failure, against Uruguay (21-23). (LS) November 24, 2024 UPDATE A roundup of domestic and international news Newsflash Newsroom, 24.11.2024, 23:39 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION Social-Democrat leader, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has won the first round of the presidential election, held on Sunday in Romania. After counting approximately 70% of total votes, Marcel Ciolacu ranks first in preliminary standings with 23%. In runner-up position with 22% is Calin Georgescu, a surprising independent candidate, accused of supporting Russia and eulogizing representatives of the Romanian far-right in the inter-war period. According to exit polls, Marcel Ciolacu grabbed 24%, while the leader of Save Romania Union (USR), Elena Lasconi, is in second place with 19.6%, followed by Calin Georgescu with 17%. Over 9.4 million Romanians, accounting for over 52% of people on permanent lists, cast their votes on Sunday. Around 800 thousand Romanians also voted abroad. The difference between urban and rural areas was approximately 2 million votes. A total of 13 candidates enrolled in the race, 9 backed by political parties and 4 independent candidates. The second round of the presidential election is slated for December 8, while the parliamentary election will be held on December 1, the National Day of Romania. REFERENDUM The local referendum called by Bucharest Mayor General, Nicusor Dan, has exceeded the 30% threshold required for validation. According to data provided in real time by the Permanent Electoral Authority, over 41% of Bucharest residents on the electoral lists had voted. The majority response to the three questions was Yes. They had to answer two questions proposed by Nicusor Dan, related to the way of distributing the money between the General City Hall and Bucharests 6 sectors and the issuance of building permits in the Capital. A third question was added at the initiative of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), which refers to combating drug use in schools. COP29 At the UN climate summit in Azerbaijan, COP29, richer countries pledged to grant a record 300 billion USD to developing countries to help prepare for and prevent climate change. The decision followed at the end of negotiations that led to the extension of the summit by 33 hours and that almost collapsed. It has been a difficult road, but we have reached an agreement, said the head of the UN climate agency, Simon Stiell. The funding promised until 2035 is too weak, too late and too ambiguous, Kenyan Ali Mohamed said, speaking on behalf of the group of African countries. His counterpart from Malawi, which represents the 45 poorest countries on the planet, Evans Njewa, denounced the agreement as lacking ambition. ICR The Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR) announced the official opening, on November 26, of its representative office in Tokyo, Japan. Japan is a center of interest for cultural operators from Romania and I am confident our center in Tokyo will significantly contribute to the Romanian presence in Japanese cultural life, ICR president Liviu Jicman said. In turn, the Romanian ambassador to Japan, Ovidiu Raetchi, said that the opening of the ICR branch in the Japanese capital is a strategic initiative that aims to strengthen cultural relations between Romania and Japan, to support international artistic cooperation and to offer the Japanese public the opportunity to discover and appreciate the richness and diversity of Romanian cultural heritage. The first cultural actions of the new center will be the exhibition of works from the collection of the Japanese photographer Kosey Miya, which capture the charm of Maramures, and a concert of the Japanese artist Fumiko Sakura. With the establishment of the Romanian cultural center in Tokyo, the number of ICR representative offices abroad reaches 19. (LS & VP) November 24 Todays Sunday invites you to discover the city of Oradea and its main attractions, including the Christmas Market that will soon open. November 24 Vlad Palcu, 24.11.2024, 14:00 Todays Sunday invites you to discover the city of Oradea and its main attractions, including the Christmas Market that will soon open. Weve prepared for you a special report about the Sustenlandia CEO Forum, an event organized by the Embassy of Sustainability in Romania. TIANJIN, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The lotus petals fell. Doyenne of Chinese classical poetry Ye Jiaying died on Sunday at the age of 100, according to Nankai University, where she held a teaching post. The university said in an obituary that Ye died of illness at 3:23 p.m. in the northern Chinese city of Tianjin. Ye dedicated seven decades to the research, teaching and promotion of classical Chinese poetry in China and beyond. She was the teacher of many renowned Chinese literary masters. She famously said, "My lotus petals will fall, so I must make sure the lotus seeds live on." Born into a literary family in Beijing in 1924, Ye moved to Taiwan with her husband in 1948 and had since been parted from her hometown on the Chinese mainland for decades. In the 1960s, Ye started teaching at American and Canadian universities. Starting in 1979, Ye returned to the Chinese mainland every year to give lectures on Chinese literature and poetry, after learning about the scarcity of teachers in schools. She lived in Nankai University during her final years. The university said Ye has donated almost all her assets to several funds for the research and promotion of Chinese classical literature. Even in her final years, she was active on the podium carrying on her "lifelong ambition to pass on beautiful poems to the next generation." In 2020, a biographical documentary on her life, "Like the Dyer's Hand," hit the screen, inspiring many literature lovers. On China's popular social media Sina Weibo, news of her death has garnered thousands of comments, with many netizens expressing grief at the death of the "daughter of poetry." "You lit my path to the world of classical poetry when I was a student. May you rest in peace!" a netizen commented. BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- At one of the busiest container terminals along the midstream of the Yangtze River, the atmosphere is surprisingly calm, with only a few people around. Automatic cranes efficiently lift and transfer cargo, while driverless trucks glide in and get loaded. "Now, 50 percent of our terminal's loading and transportation is automated, which has created a huge leap in efficiency," said Chen Xiaomian, production and operations manager of Wuhan CSP Terminal Co., Ltd. The company operates the namesake terminal in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province. "We only need 12 workers to remotely handle a workload that typically requires 39 workers at a traditional terminal," Chen said. Supported by 5G+ industrial internet, terminal workers can operate cranes using just a control handle while monitoring progress on a screen. According to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), 5G+ industrial internet is a new infrastructure that integrates application model or industrial ecosystems into industrial sectors. It leverages 5G and other advanced telecommunications technologies. By connecting people, machines and systems along industrial and value chains, 5G+ industrial internet boosts the digital, networked and intelligent development of industrial sectors, helping companies reduce costs and increase efficiency. As part of its tech-driven growth strategy, China has committed to developing 5G+ industrial internet in recent years, aiming to accelerate the smart upgrades of its traditional industries. According to the MIIT, steelmaking, equipment manufacturing, mining and port logistics are sectors where 5G+ industrial internet is widely used, with technologies such as smart logistics, automated visual inspection, remote control and automated patrol seeing increased use. A notable example is Hegang, a rust-belt city in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, where local graphite mining industry is enjoying a resurgence. Unlike the previous model characterized by extensive exploitation, current mining operations are meticulously planned with remote monitoring and data analysis. These technologies can significantly boost work efficiency and prevent resource waste, helping Hegang evolve into one of China's major graphite hubs. The city's tech-fueled revival reflects a broader trend across China, where more than 15,000 5G+ industrial internet projects are underway, covering all 41 major industrial categories in the country, according to the MIIT. Zhou Ji, an academician with the Chinese Academy of Engineering, said 5G+ industrial internet is the primary driving force behind China's ongoing smart manufacturing drive, which involves not only technological advancements but also the reshaping of industrial models. He anticipates that by 2035, digital, networked and smart manufacturing technologies will have become widespread among industrial companies nationwide, making China a leader in global smart manufacturing. To further accelerate this transformation, the MIIT announced a pilot program for 5G+ industrial internet in 10 cities at the recently concluded 2024 China 5G+ Industrial Internet Conference. The program aims to promote large-scale applications, with Nanjing, Wuhan, Qingdao and seven other cities chosen for participation. These cities will focus on developing 5G-powered industrial clusters and innovation ecosystems with pace-setting effects at both regional and national levels, according to the ministry. During the conference, Chen Ronghui, deputy head of the National Data Administration, said the administration will continue to transform traditional industries with digital technologies. Moreover, it will create more digital solutions providers that offer streamlined, low-cost products and services, Chen said. Looking ahead, Shang Guangyong, chief technology officer and deputy general manager of Inspur Yunzhou Industrial Internet Platform, said there should be more solutions tailored to companies' needs. He also suggested reducing prices for all types of 5G-based hardware. With more smart factories emerging in China, 5G+ industrial internet will enable a broader range of application scenarios, such as smart sensing, real-time analysis and precise control, thereby further enhancing production efficiency, Shang added. BEIJING, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- "The meat is fresh and odorless, the frozen food is within its expiration date, and the vegetables are diverse and fresh." Such is the feedback of a mother in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality to other parents after she inspected the food safety at her child's school. More than a student's parent, she also serves as a member of the school's food supervision committee. While the government typically conducts food safety inspections, parents are taking an increasingly active role in safeguarding their children's food safety across China. They conduct unannounced, routine inspections of the school cafeteria, working alongside staff to check the food, take photos on-site and share with other parents, and even dine with the students to observe the quality and safety of the meals firsthand. Such a mode of public participation in monitoring food safety epitomized the scenes brought about by China's consistent efforts at the state level to address food safety over the past few years. In 2019, the Chinese government introduced a set of regulations on food safety and nutrition management in schools, which encourages parents to participate in the management of schools' food safety. To improve the quality, efficiency and safety of school meal services while ensuring students receive nutritious and safe food, the Ministry of Education in 2020 encouraged schools to establish a central kitchen model for providing meals to students. The model boasts centralized bulk purchasing and intensive production, and with its standardized operation, it can effectively reduce food safety risks, said Gao Qinwei, professor at Central University of Finance and Economics. Earlier this year, the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), China's top market regulator, introduced two rules that took effect in October, targeting the construction and operation of central kitchens. As the country's first set of recommended national standards, the rules laid out requirements for site selection, overall layout, facilities, equipment, operational processes, safety and traceability, as well as emergency response and recall procedures for central kitchens. Currently, there are 1,610 national food safety standards in place, covering over 20,000 indicators and more than 340 types of food, according to the National Health Commission earlier this month. In addition, China has actively responded to public concerns regarding food safety and swiftly issued relevant regulations and industrial standards to address emerging food safety issues. These practices further ensure that the food industry adheres to safety standards. Recently, the SAMR approved the hygiene requirements for the bulk transportation of edible vegetable oils in response to the cases of illegal transportation of edible oils earlier this year. The standard, which will come into effect on Feb. 1, 2025, outlines the requirement that containers for edible vegetable oil must be packaged in dedicated food-grade containers clearly marked "for edible oil only" or "for food only." While national policies set the framework, prosecutorial and other relevant authorities have also taken legal action against food-related crimes. To safeguard public food safety, from 2019 to 2023, more than 41,000 individuals were prosecuted for offenses related to the production and sale of food that did not meet safety standards, as well as the production and sale of toxic or harmful food. China prioritizes public health, with food safety at the top of its standards' agenda, Tian Jianxin, an official in charge of food standards, surveillance and assessment at the National Health Commission, said earlier this month. Bostan Lake, the largest inland freshwater lake in China, is now a seasonal haven for migratory birds. Experience the beauty of this serene and harmonious scene! NEW YORK, N.Y. A seemingly random set of homicides allegedly carried out by a homeless ex-con last week highlights the challenges New York City faces on how to deal with the mentally ill and keep the public safe, according to a CNN report. Ramon Rivera, 51, allegedly went on a killing spree last week taking the lives of three people in Manhattan, says the NYPD. On Thursday, nearly a dozen city and state elected officials gathered to demand accountability for the deaths, saying Rivera was released into the public without sufficient care or oversight. According to CNN, a month before his alleged rampage, Rivera was released from Rikers Island due to time served in connection to a burglary and an attempted assault on a correction officer. The outlet said Riveras attorney argued for a less restrictive probation for him. The prosecutor and the judge on the case approved, enrolling Rivera into the supervised release program. Rivera failed to show up six times to his follow up appointments, the outlet said. According to CNN, when interviewed, Rivera allegedly told investigators that he chose his victims because they were alone and distracted. On Tuesday, Mayor Eric Adams reiterated his desire for the city to remove those who are unable to care of themselves from the streets. In the past, according to the publication, Adams implemented two directives in an attempt to help New Yorkers who are on the streets suffering from mental illness. According to advocates, CNN said, the issue is getting homeless people into psychiatric hospitals at a time when those services are shrinking across New York statewide. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Unfortunately for shoppers, New York Citys first outlet mall, Empire Outlets, will be closed on Thanksgiving, but they will be open for Black Friday. Located at 55 Richmond Terr. near the St. George Ferry Terminal, Empire Outlets will welcome shoppers on Black Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. This mega-shopping destination is home to Asilis Boutique, Banana Republic Factory Store, Charlotte Russe, Cosmo, GAP Factory Store, Guess Factory Store, H&M, iOptics, Jewelers on Fifth, Johnston & Murphy, King Kong Convenience Store, LA7, Lauren Naomi fine art, Levis Outlet Store, LIDS, Mandee Factory, Marco Polo, Nike Factory Store, Nordstrom Rack, Old Navy Outlet, Parfum Europa, Shoebox, Vanity House Designs, and Verizon Wireless. Eateries include Bake Culture, Empire Eatz Food Truck, Filled Cafe, Haagen-Dazs, Hazels 423 Food Truck, Madame Rose Mobile Creperie, MRKTPL Culinary Market, Nathans Famous, Nori Sushi Shop, Sakura, Shake Shack, Starbucks, and Wetzels Pretzels. Staten Island Playhouse also has a space at the outlet mall. In addition to Black Friday sales, Empire Outlets is offering various holiday events. On Saturday, Dec. 7, the Empire Outlets will host its annual Holiday Tree Lighting at 6:30 p.m. with special guests Santa Claus and the GRINCH. There will be a feature performance by Vinnie Medugno before the tree lighting at 5 p.m. Breakfast with Santa will be available on Dec. 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. for those who bring a gift to be donated to the local Staten Island Salvation Army. For more on Empire Outlets, visit empireoutlets.nyc. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Three prestigious journalism contests honored Staten Island Advance/SILive.com staff for exceptional work, recognizing local journalism that covered some of Staten Islands most critical issues in 2023 and 2024. The newsroom took home 10 honors in total from The New York News Publishers Association, New York Press Club and New York Newswomens Club. The awards included feature writing, crime reporting, news and feature photography, investigative reporting, community service and various other categories. I have always held that the role of a community news organization goes beyond simply reporting the news--it should also make a difference in the community and shine a spotlight on what needs fixing. What needs attention, said Brian Laline, executive editor of the Advance/SILive.com. Our team does exactly that, and the awards these talented reporters and photographers have received validates that mission. 3 projects win multiple awards Among the projects that won multiple awards was Rebuilding Sandy Ground, a series of stories about the oldest free Black settlement in the U.S. that is still inhabited by descendants of its founders, which is located on the boroughs South Shore. Manager of public interest and advocacy, Tracey Porpora, led the newsroom team who partnered with Sandy Ground advocates to develop the project. She, along with the two key writers on the project, business reporter Jessica Jones-Gorman and former public interest reporter Giavanni Alves, brought home the Local Feature Writing award from the New York Newswomens Club. - (Left to right) Giavanni Alves, Tracey Porpora, and Jessica Jones-Gorman stand with award at the New York Newswomens Club. Staten Island AdvanceStaten Island Advance The Sandy Ground series also received the New York Press Club Metro Feature Reporting award, which recognized the full scope of reporting, as well as photography from Jan Somma-Hammel and Jason Paderon. Porpora stated, Sandy Ground has always had a special place in my heart, as I grew up in Huguenot nearby this historic free Black community. And as a young reporter, I covered the 1990s development boom in Rossville that saw the footprint of what was once the Sandy Ground community shrink. I was proud to lead this journalistic initiative to rally support for the rebuilding of Sandy Ground, which is not only an important piece of Staten Island and New York history, but the nations history. I also want to thank all the reporters and photographers who worked on this advocacy project to make it a success. Advance/SILive.com journalists are honored at a New York Press Club event. Standing, left to right, are Eddie D'Anna, Shaina McLawrence and Jason Paderon. Seated, left to right, are Kyle Lawson, Tracey Porpora, Jan Somma-Hammel and Jessica Jones-Gorman.Steve Zaffarano/Staten Island Advance The New York Press Club also recognized the newsroom staff for Metro Crime Reporting, with honors for coverage of Staten Islands youth violence crisis. The project received a second honor with the New York News Publishers Associations Community Service award. Key journalists who led the coverage were court reporter Kyle Lawson, breaking news reporter Shaina McLawrence and breaking news manager Eddie Danna. Left to right are Kyle Lawson, Shaina McLawrence and Eddie D'Anna.Tracey Porpora/Staten Island Advance Overall, I am simply proud of my team for telling impactful and hard hitting stories about the youth violence crisis that have affected the Staten Island community, McLawrence said. These stories have had a positive impact on the community by acting as a vehicle for change within the borough. In 2024, there have been no child homicides on the borough and that is what I am most grateful for. The lives and legacies of 15-year-old Steven Estevez, 13-year-olds Jamoure Harrell and Syles Ular, and 17-year-old Destiny (NaNa) Vega will never be forgotten. Also taking home multiple honors was A Complicated Failure, the Advance/SILive.com coverage of ongoing issues pertaining to the Staten Island Ferry. Journalist Erik Bascome won two awards for his reporting on the Staten Island Ferry.Jan Somma-Hammel/Staten Island Advance Longtime transportation reporter Erik Bascome, who is now the newsrooms data journalism specialist, won the New York News Publishers Association Distinguished Beat Reporting award for his years covering the issues at the ferry. Bascome, with community news manager Cassondra Sommer and designer Sean McKeown-Young, also won the Multi-Media Presentation award for the work. I am honored to be recognized for my past work covering transportation issues on Staten Island. As a lifelong Staten Islander, I take great pride in covering some of the most pressing quality of life issues facing borough residents--there are few things that impact our day-to-day lives more than the ways in which we move around our borough and city, said Bascome. I am most proud of the small role I played in resolving a decade-long labor dispute, and securing a new contract for the Staten Island Ferry crewmembers who work diligently each day to safely operate one of the most crucial and iconic mass transit systems in the world. Investigative and photo honors Reporter Jessica Jones-Gorman won the New York News Publishers Association Investigative Reporting award for her series on the proliferation of lithium ion battery energy storage sites on Staten Island, which has included more than three dozen stories. Staten Island Advance Reporter Jessica Jones-Gorman holding her Distinguished Investigative Reporting Award of Excellence from the New York News Publishers Association.Mike Matteo Its an honor to be recognized for the reporting that we do here at the Staten Island Advance. As a lifelong borough resident, Im proud to bring life to important community issues and write about so many different elements of life in this place we all call home, said Jones-Gorman. 95 1 / 95 Staten Island celebrates 50 years of Hip Hop. Priya Shahi New York News Publishers Association Best Photo Gallery went to multimedia reporter Priya Shahi. Shahi produced a gallery of photos and captions for Staten Islands 50th anniversary hip-hop celebration at Stapleton Waterfront Park in 2023. Journalist Priya Shahi won a photography award for work in 2023.Jan Somma-Hammel/Staten Island Advance I love capturing candid moments no matter how mundane it is. I get to see the world in a new way and unearth a story that I mightve missed otherwise, revealed Shahi. Activist John Matland leads protesters to point their cell phone lights towards vacant school building as they protest its use as a migrant shelter. Jason PaderonJason Paderon Multimedia specialist Jason Paderon won two photography awards from the New York News Publishers Association for News and Feature Photography for his photos of a migrant protest and college graduation. Its nice to receive recognition, especially when I didnt put any extra effort into taking the photos. I just really do what I always do and try and let the pictures do the talking for me, said Paderon. Curtis Institute of Music graduate reacts to his family cheering in the stands. Jason PaderonJason Paderon Reacting to the local nature of the awards, Laline emphasized the newsrooms community commitment. In this environment where community newspapers across the country are struggling and even disappearing, I am so proud to be part of a company that remains dedicated to serving Staten Island and I am just as proud of our staff. They are so passionate in their quest every day to keep our community informed, said Laline. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In honor of those who have died, here is a compilation of obituaries posted on SILive. Viewing times and guest books can be seen here. Robert John (Bob) Moloughney, 82, a devoted husband, father, grandfather and uncle, died Saturday, Nov. 23 on Staten Island. The Jersey City native was married to his wife of 57 years, Kathy Murphy Moloughney. Bob graduated from Snyder High School in Jersey City and furthered his education at the Mechanics Institute in New York City, reads his obituary. He dedicated 40 years of his career to Con Edison, where he retired as an Operating Supervisor in 2004. Bob was well-liked and respected by his colleagues and friends, says his obituary, which can be read on SILive.com. Robert William Bennett, 72, a loving husband, father, grandfather and brother, passed away Nov. 17. Read the full obituary on SILive. Charlotte Byrne, 85, of Westerleigh, a loving mother, grandmother and aunt, passed away Nov. 16. Born in Polizzi Generosa, Italy, she came to Staten Island as a teenager and graduated from St. John Villa Academy. She met her husband, Gerald Byrne, at the Staten Island Catholic Club. She loved being surrounded by people and activities, planning and hosting parties and outings. She was an active participant in political, social and civic affairs and contributed greatly to the Staten Island community. Read the full obituary on SILive. Longtime Rosebank resident Elizabeth (Eileen) Ferrie passed away on Nov. 19 after a short illness. Born in Brooklyn, she moved to the Warren Manor section of Staten Island as a young girl. She began working at the bakery in the Staten Island Ferry Terminal before its destruction by fire. Over the years, she lent her skills to Richmond Dry Goods and Engles Clothing, both in Stapleton, as well as Charles Weland and General Hardware in Manhattan. From there, she worked at JC Penneys, EJ Korvettes and Joseph Pisarri on Staten Island. Her expertise also found a place at General Heating and AC, Artcraft Fence and ABC Service Station. She concluded her fulfilling career as the medical records secretary at the Nina Eaton Center of United Cerebral Palsy of New York State, where her dedication left a lasting impact. Read the full obituary on SILive. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. With fall closing out in a few weeks and winter sweeping in, one might be wondering what weather is in store for the holiday season. The National Weather Services Climate Prediction Center is giving the upcoming month of December an equal chance of seeing either warmer or cooler-than-average temperatures in New York. The last time such a forecast was issued was all the way back in May. At that time, the weather service called for equal chances of either cooler or warmer conditions for June. Since then, each month has been given varying odds of featuring above-average temperatures. These slated conditions extend throughout the entire state of New York and the Northeast at large. However, nearly the entire lower half of the U.S. is given at least some likelihood of experiencing warmer-than-average temperatures through the month of December. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Central Park data from 1991 through 2020, the mean average temperature in New York City for the month of December is 39.1 degrees. The mean high temperature typically measures in around 44.1 degrees, while the mean low temperature comes in at a chilly 33.8 degrees. Less precipitation than usual Despite New York City finally receiving some much needed rainfall early Thursday morning, the precipitation is not enough to bring an end to the citys ongoing drought. A December outlook from the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center calls for less precipitation in New York City for December 2024. (Courtesy of the National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center)(Courtesy of the National Weathe Since the end of September, the five boroughs have been subjected to dry conditions with minimal bouts of rain. Even though Thursdays rainfall might ease the risk of brush fires in the short term, more substantial storms need to hit the city in order to make up the precipitation deficit, as shared by Bill Deger, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. While another storm could potentially impact New York City as soon as the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, the outlook for December reveals that the month may feature less precipitation than usual. Although most of New York State looks to have an equal chance of featuring more or less precipitation than usual, the story is not the same down in New York City. In the city and Long Island, precipitation levels are forecast to lean below average, with a 33-40% likelihood of seeing less rain than expected for the month of December. Typically, Central Park receives 4.38 inches of precipitation in the first month of winter, as noted by NOAA data from 1991 through 2020. I am driving my tween to school, and we are listening to his music. Yeah, you try to come wrong bout this shit, we poppin ya tires, hol up fein- fein-fein-fein I am trying so hard not to sound like a Boomer right now. (I was born in 1971, so Im classic Gen X, but you get my drift.) I hold my tongue. But I cannot help but compare this to what I was listening to at his age. What was I listening to? Music that protested against poverty and injustice. Music that demanded change, demanded that we part with our cash because people were starving in Africa. DOHA, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- QatarEnergy signed an agreement on Sunday with TotalEnergies to acquire an additional 5.25-percent interest in Block 2913B and an additional 4.695-percent interest in Block 2912, both located in the Orange Basin offshore Namibia. According to a statement from QatarEnergy, the company's participating interests in both licenses will increase to 35.25 percent and 33.025 percent, respectively, with the French multinational energy company holding 45.25 percent and 42.475 percent, respectively. The other partners in the two licenses are Britain-based oil and gas exploration company Impact Oil & Gas, and the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, the statement added. "We look forward to delivering on our exploration and potential development program," the statement quoted Qatar's Minister of State for Energy Affairs and President and CEO of QatarEnergy Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi as saying. Blocks 2913B and 2912 are located approximately 300 km offshore Namibia, in water depths ranging from 2,600-3,800 meters. Apple Cider Vinegar, one of the most anticipated streaming television series of 2025, brings to the screen one of the most extraordinary and fascinating stories in recent Australian history: that of Belle Gibson, a wellness advocate who was swept up in a series of scandals, initially for fraudulent claims about charitable donations, and later exposed for falsely claiming to have cancer. Who is Belle Gibson? Belle Gibson emerged in the public spotlight in 2013 as the author of the lifestyle app The Whole Pantry, which was an instant hit and was voted Apples Best Food and Drink App that year. A book deal followed, plus a high-profile life as a cancer battler and philanthropist. Kaitlyn Dever as Belle in Apple Cider Vinegar. Credit: Netflix As with many alternative health advocates, Gibson hit all the popular touchstones, including the consumption of raw milk and the rejection of vaccination science. But there was another side to the story: that the malignant brain cancer that underwrote her career as a wellness advocate and her claims that she was successfully treating it with diet, exercise and alternative medicine was a complete fabrication. In the days after he applied for his fiancee Sahars visa, Mohamad checked his email continuously, hoping for good news. For an agonising month after being separated by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East when Mohamad and his family fled Lebanon, the newly engaged couple wondered when they would see each other again. A month ago, Mohamad and Sahar faced the possibility of never seeing each other again. Credit: Kate Geraghty Then the good news came. I opened it, and it was granted, and I was over the moon, Mohamad tells the Herald from his temporary lodgings in the garage of a family friends home in south-western Sydney. Two days after Mohamad, 22, and Sahar, 21, became engaged and celebrated with family in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh, they had to flee north to Beirut as Israels ground invasion began. Until last week most Australians had probably forgotten about the existence of the Bali Nine. Since the so-called ringleaders of the heroin smuggling gang, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed in 2015 and Renae Lawrence was released in 2018, the others had dropped off the radar. That the five who have survived 19 years of their life sentences in Indonesian jails are now back on the diplomatic agenda is a mixed blessing for them. They will be full of fresh hope of moving to be closer to their families, and getting a potential release date. Gwen Rumbel grew up in a world in which brand-named groceries were an unobtainable luxury. She never got to choose her clothes because they were always second-hand, her school excursions required weeks of saving and money was a constant stress. When the 18-year-old was awarded a scholarship to the University of Sydney, she met people whose childhoods had been steeped in luxury and largesse. They could spend without thinking; she worries about every dollar. Its a real culture shock, she said. Her new friends come from suburbs where one in 20 children grew up in poverty. In the region surrounding Rumbels home town of Dungog, its more like one in five. In 1987, then-prime minister Bob Hawke told Labors election launch that by 1990, no Australian child will be living in poverty. Its sheer ambition made the line one of Hawkes most famous. It was actually a mistake; the script said no child needs to live in poverty. That doesnt sound like a lot. But by comparison, about 20 minutes further south on the same highway, the population of the Springfield-Redbank statistical district skyrocketed by 17,394 people in the same period. Nestled between the Brisbane River and the Centenary Highway in the citys south-west, this cluster of suburbs Jindalee, Mount Ommaney, Jamboree Heights, Middle Park, Westlake, Riverhills and Sumner lost 156 people from 2019 to 2023. Older families have seen their children move out of the home, but the empty-nesters remain in place. Without a significant amount of new housing stock, there has been nowhere for new families to come into the suburbs, he said. Kirsten Adlard grew up in the Centenary Suburbs and her parents still live in Jindalee, however the 33-year-old doctor and her partner had resigned themselves to buying their first home further out in Ipswich. Kirsten Adlard and her partner outside the Sumner home they bought in September. But luck was on their side when they found a four-bedroom, three-bathroom low-set, brick-veneer home in Sumner. We were quite worried that we would be priced out by an older couple or investor. Weve stretched ourselves to get into the area [but] we were very lucky. My partners mum went guarantor, so that assisted us through the banks, she said. And AustralianSuper, the industrys largest, could be fined $27 million over its failure to consolidate more than 90,000 members accounts, costing them almost $70 million, in another case brought by the corporate regulator. While the funds are variously declining to comment, blaming external contractors, or apologising and saying they have already addressed the issues, superannuation critics smell blood. Liberal senator Andrew Bragg, the opposition assistant spokesman for home ownership, says the sectors board model, in which union and industry representatives oversee funds rather than typical corporate directors, is no longer fit for purpose. There is an unmanageable conflict of interest between the interests of unions and workers, Bragg says. And there is the cavalcade of Labor politicians, how do they get these positions? Cbus, for example, is chaired by former Labor treasurer and current party president Wayne Swan. Don Russell, a former senior adviser to Labor prime minister Paul Keating, chairs AustralianSuper. HESTA, an $88 billion fund for the health and community sector, is chaired by Nicola Roxon, a Rudd-Gillard era minister. Bragg says the sector has created a perception that it operates in line with modern governance standards. It has taken the CFMEU issue to expose that, he says. Bragg is referring to the litany of allegations of underworld infiltration and corruption revealed in this mastheads Building Bad series that led the federal government to appoint a barrister to take over the CFMEU. That barrister, Mark Irving, KC, said in August he wanted a clean sweep of serving CFMEU representatives from the Cbus board but reappointed one who resigned, Jason OMara, alongside Crumlin and a union lawyer, Lucy Weber. There are no allegations against any of those individuals. Super Consumers Australia chief executive Xavier OHalloran, whose group represents people with superannuation accounts, says the partisan debate over Cbus should not be the main focus. The skills and competence of these boards are really important, and that should be the primary focus, OHalloran says. What we have seen in the UK, the regulator has a role in determining a fit and proper person, to determine who should be on the board. Thats not something the regulator [APRA] here does. They [unions and industry groups] make their own picks, and we think that could be improved, that there should be greater rigour. But while OHalloran would like to see improvements to board regulation, and perhaps the introduction of more independent directors, he also confirms the industry superannuation sector is largely beating its retail competitors. And there is evidence they are delivering on the goals Paul Keating had in mind when he set up the superannuation system: ensuring comfortable retirements and reducing the burden, over time, of the aged pension on federal government coffers. The federal 2023 Intergenerational Report shows government spending on Aged and Service pensions will fall from 2.3 per cent of GDP to 2 per cent by 2063, because of superannuation, even as the population ages. Misha Schubert, chief executive of the lobby group for industry super funds, argues their performance shows the board model is working. The shared governance model of this type of fund whether they arose from an industry, company or the public sector was created with a clear and single purpose, she wrote earlier this year. To serve the fund members whose retirement savings they safeguard and grow. They do so by deeply understanding their members and the workplaces in which their members work they know exactly whose money it is they are stewarding. The law governing superannuation funds, Schubert notes, requires directors to comply with high standards of performance and act in members best interests. Alongside the labour representatives, big superannuation boards are balanced with employer heavyweights. Cbus board employer directors, for example, are all nominated by Master Builders Australia and include that organisations chief executive, Denita Wawn. Its a similar story with AustralianSuper, whose employer directors include AiG chief executive (and former Liberal staffer) Innes Willox, as well as a number of other directors aligned with the employer group that originally represented manufacturing firms. A Cbus spokesman said in a statement that having equal employer and employee representation on its board had ensured its success for 40 years, and it was pleased to welcome the three new directors. After applying a comprehensive fit and proper persons test the Cbus board confirmed the appointment of the three directors who share a determination to generate the strongest, sustainable financial returns for members and deliver the best possible service, the spokesman said. Loading The fund previously apologised to its members over the claim delays, said it was implementing a compensation process and co-operated with ASIC. Swan, the Cbus chairman, told the Today show last week that many of the criticisms of the fund were completely inaccurate and blamed a contracted service provider for the insurance delays but apologised to affected members families. I can assure you, from the minute I became aware of this as chair of the board, I worked with the board to resolve it as quickly as possible, he said. AustralianSuper has apologised for the multiple accounts issue. We found this mistake, we reported it, we apologised to impacted members, we paid them back, and weve improved our processes to prevent it happening again, a spokesman said. The mooted homecoming of members of the Bali Nine drug syndicate still serving time in Indonesian jails would be a major coup for the Albanese government, which has already secured the release of economist Sean Turnell from jail in Myanmar, journalist Cheng Lei from China and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from Britain. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had negotiated the prospective deal for them to return to Australia to serve out their sentences with the new Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the APEC meeting in Peru this month. They may be home by Christmas. Australians Matthew Norman (right), Si Yi Chen (centre) and Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen in court during their trial in Denpasar, Bali in October 2005. Credit: AP Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush, Martin Stephens and Si Yi Chen are serving life sentences in prisons on Bali and Java after being arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle heroin from Indonesia to Australia. They were among the so-called Bali Nine, a group of Australians convicted for attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms of heroin, valued at about $4 million. The ringleaders, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were sentenced to death and executed on April 29, 2015. Another member, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen, died from cancer in June 2018, while Renae Lawrence was released in November 2018 after her sentence was commuted. The Allan government was urged to fast-track major electricity transmission line projects or risk years of substantial increases to household bills if the states coal-fired power stations closed before the projects were completed. A Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action report warned that current trends of delays to the high-voltage projects along with early closures of coal power exposed Victorians to significant bill shock. A protest against the KerangLink transmission project was mowed into a field last year. Credit: Glenden Watts It made the case for accelerating Marinus Link, a new connection to Tasmania due for completion in 2030, and KerangLink, which provides a new connection between Victoria and NSW that is due to be finished in 2032. KerangLink will mean power stored by the Snowy 2.0 hydropower project can be siphoned to Victoria and power generated by Victorias new wind farms can be sent north, improving the reliability of the grid. More than 3 million medium-density homes including townhouses, duplexes and triplexes can be built across Australian capital cities, fresh analysis shows. Of these, almost 60 per cent would be located within two kilometres of existing train stations, according to the CoreLogic and Archistar report, The Missing Middle: The Greatest Opportunity for Medium-Density Development. Melbourne had the largest opportunity to accommodate new homes, with an additional 1,163,118 potential medium-density dwellings that could be built. That was followed by Sydney, which had the potential to build an additional 934,428 medium-density homes. This story appears in the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival highlights collection. As the desire for authentic travel experiences grows, the independence of city hotels is becoming increasingly rare, especially among upscale options. Moody, mellow Melbourne Place. Lured by the power of multinational booking platforms and loyalty programs, many once self-run hotels have found a place under the brand umbrellas proffered by large hospitality groups. In Melbourne for instance, Next Hotel, which was an independent when it opened in 2020, is now part of Hiltons Curio Collection. In early 2024, the Ovolo family of hotels joined Small Luxury Hotels of the World. But a new standalone in the same city is bucking the trend. For now, at least, Melbourne Place, designed by architects Kennedy Nolan to be the quintessential Melbourne experience, is proudly independent. MOSCOW, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday signed a new law allowing participants in the Special Military Operation (SMO) and their spouses to write off overdue loans of up to 10 million rubles (about 96,000 U.S. dollars). The legislation, set to take effect on Dec. 1, will cancel existing debts for mobilized soldiers, conscripts (excluding military academy cadets), and those who sign a minimum one-year contract with the Russian Armed Forces after Dec. 1, as well as their spouses. To qualify, loans must already be under court rulings and enforcement proceedings must be initiated before Dec. 1, with a debt amount capped at 10 million rubles. However, certain debts remain excluded, such as compensation for harm to life or health, child support payments, and penalties related to corruption violations. Tel Aviv: Israel said that the body of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found after he was killed in what it described as a heinous antisemitic terror incident. The UAEs Interior Ministry later said authorities arrested three suspects involved in the killing of Zvi Kogan. Three people have been arrested following the alleged murder of Israeli-Moldovan rabbi Zvi Kogan in the United Arab Emirates. Credit: x.com/Chabad Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office said in a statement Israel will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death. Israeli authorities did not say how they determined the killing of Kogan was a terror attack and offered no additional details. Kogan, 28, an ultra-Orthodox rabbi who went missing on Thursday, ran a kosher grocery store in Dubai, where Israelis have flocked for commerce and tourism since the two countries forged diplomatic ties in the 2020 Abraham Accords. Heuermann is charged with killing six women dating at least to 1993. He has pleaded not guilty and has been held without bail at the Suffolk County jail in Riverhead since his arrest in July 2023. Ellerup and their children have remained in the house, even as investigators rifled through it and removed evidence by the truckload. Asa Ellerup will put the Long Island home up for sale after her divorce from Rex Heuermann is finalised. Credit: Johnny Milano/The New York Times Prosecutors do not consider Ellerup a suspect, nor the couples children, Victoria Heuermann, 28, and Christopher Sheridan, 35. They were away on trips when the killings happened, authorities have said. Robert Macedonio, Ellerups lawyer, said the place had become a burden. People constantly stop in front of the house to gawk and point and take pictures, he said. Shes lost any emotional attachment she had to the premises because of everything thats gone on, and the only way she can start recovering is to move. Also, he said, the houses interior was left a shambles by searches this year and last. Investigators cut up floors, removed plumbing and found a cache of more than 200 guns. They dug up swaths of the backyard and removed furniture and bags of household possessions. The extensive damage to the interior was never properly repaired, Macedonio said. A bathtub was held together with duct tape. Rex Heuermann, the architect accused of murdering women near Long Islands Gilgo Beach. Credit: AP She has no money to repair it, Macedonio said, adding that even Ellerups documentary payments were not enough. Notorious properties present unusual challenges for sellers, buyers and brokers. In 2011, in nearby East Meadow, the four-bedroom ranch where serial killer Joel Rifkin grew up was sold by his family for $US322,000 ($495,000), a $US100,000 ($154,000) reduction from the initial asking price. I was able to negotiate because of the situation, said Peter Hirschhorn, an agent with Coldwell Banker American Homes who represented the buyers, a young couple. Rifkin, who admitted to killing 17 women, stored a victims body in the garage and may have murdered some victims there, too. It helped that he had been arrested 18 years earlier and sentenced to life in prison, Hirschhorn said. Reporters are seen outside the Heuermann home. Credit: Johnny Milano/The New York Times Before I showed my clients the property, I emailed them and said, I want you to Google and do your research on the property, because unfortunate circumstances took place there that I want you to be aware of, he said. They were fine with it. They said, Yeah, were good. They fell in love with it and made it their own. Regarding the Massapequa Park house, he said, Id love to sell this home. It could be a nice starter home. Loading But Louis Scrimenti, 39, an agent with Signature Premier Properties in Massapequa Park, said it would likely be bought by a builder, perhaps for around $US600,000, and replaced with something that could sell for at least $US1.5 million. I dont think a regular consumer would buy that home, he said. Id say 9 out of 10 consumers would be turned off by it. The sellers may be motivated. Vess Mitev, a lawyer for the children, said moving would help them start the next chapter of their lives, somewhere farther away from the spotlight and farther away from this dark cloud that hangs over their heads. Before her fathers arrest, Victoria Heuermann worked for his Manhattan firm, which has closed. She has had trouble getting a job, Mitev said. As for the son, he said: Chris cant even walk his dog down the block. He gets photographed, people stop and take pictures, hes catcalled, the whole thing. They cant even check the mail, he said. That kind of scrutiny is not for my clients. They never asked for it. The house became a daily encampment for news crews and a tourist attraction for true-crime fans. Authorities sealed off the block for nearly two weeks. Neighbours weary of being interviewed still have No Soliciting signs on their front doors. Days after Heuermanns arrest, Ellerup filed for divorce after 27 years of marriage, but she continued to call and visit him in jail and attend his court hearings, often with cameras in tow from her documentary deal, reportedly worth $US1 million. Macedonio said the house cannot be listed and sold until after the divorce. He said Ellerup, despite relocating, plans to attend the trial, which will most likely be next year, and still has the same opinion: She doesnt believe hes capable of what hes been accused of. Heuermanns family had made themselves scarce during the searches but surprised onlookers by moving back into the house despite its interior being a shambles. The family was left to sleep on mats, Macedonio said. They cooked on a grill in the front yard, defying news crews and curious visitors. Washington: For the first 53 years of his life, Elon Musk barely spent any time with Donald Trump. Then, beginning on the night of November 5, he spent basically no time without him. And so Musk, more than any other key player in the presidential transition, finds himself in a cram session to learn the courtier politics of Trumps inner circle. For the worlds richest person not known for his humility or patience it is a social engineering challenge far trickier and less familiar than heavy manufacturing or rocket science. Elon Musk brings his own megaphone and immense wealth into Donald Trumps orbit. Credit: New York Times Doubts abound as to whether he will graduate in 2028 with a four-year degree in Trumpism. It is now a parlour game in Washington and Silicon Valley to speculate just how long the Musk-Trump relationship will last. The answer, as discarded aides from Trumps first term will tell you, may depend on Musks ability to placate the boss and keep a relatively low profile but also to shiv a rival when the time comes. In short, how to play the politics of Trumpworld. WILLEMSTAD/PHILIPSBURG On November 21 and 22, 2024, the Centrale Bank van Curacao en Sint Maarten (CBCS) held its 2nd Annual Fintech Conference at its headquarters in Willemstad. The main theme of the conference was Payments Evolution & The Crypto Maze. Experts from around the world converged to discuss and present a variety of relevant topics. Through these conferences, the CBCS aims to bring the practitioners of the financial sector together with the regulators to discuss key developments in the financial markets related to financial innovation and technology, Richard Doornbosch, president of the CBCS, said in his opening remarks. Our recently published exploratory analysis, The Rise of Financial Technology in Curacao and Sint Maarten, shows a very sizeable number of new businesses working with financial technology (Fintechs) and fast expanding activities of Fintechs, particularly in Curacao. A diverse range of speakers and experts discussed developments in the payments sector. The panel discussion topics included the good, the bad and the ugly in crypto, innovative instruments of regulation and supervision and the emergence of Curacao as a regional Fintech hub. Speakers and panelists varied from the Interamerican Development Bank, the Central Bank of the Dominican Republic, the Innovation Centre of Costa Rica, the Curacao Fintech Association, Digital Hub Americas, the Dutch Caribbean Securities Exchange, Girasol, CXPay, Zinica Group, Emerging Horizons, PGM Capital and Simplexxis, as well as experts from the CBCS itself. CBCS own Fintech team presented the key outcomes from the exploratory analysis and launched its innovation office that assists innovative businesses in navigating the regulatory framework. Financial technology is of growing importance to the financial sector on the islands, to the local economies and to the Central Bank. One of the Central Banks objectives is to promote the soundness and the stability of the financial system. The CBCS designed an action plan with a number of concrete steps to support the orderly and smooth introduction of Fintechs in the local financial markets and to provide transparency and insights in the Fintech activities in the countries of Curacao and Sint Maarten to the practitioners and the public at large, Mr. Doornbosch added. The CBCS president also stated that while financial services and products become increasingly digital, the financial sector is becoming more efficient and inclusive, as the lower cost due to technology makes financial services more affordable and accessible to more families and firms. He concluded by stating that the weight of the Fintech sector in Curacao already outsizes its expected position in the local economy by far. It makes us think that we may be on the eve of the island becoming a regional Fintech hub. After having operated as the global hub for investment fund administration for decades, Curacaos financial sector seems to enter the next level. Approximately 175 stakeholders from a broad spectrum of backgrounds attended the two-day conference, contributing to lively discussions during the Q&A sessions. The full speech of Mr. Doornbosch can be found on https://www.centralbank.cw/publications/speeches-presentations. Willemstad, November 23, 2024 CENTRALE BANK VAN CURACAO EN SINT MAARTEN Australia ditches plans to fine tech giants for misinformation Sydney, Nov 24 (AFP) Nov 24, 2024 Australia has ditched plans to fine social media companies if they fail to stem the spread of misinformation, the country's communications minister said Sunday. The proposed legislation outlined sweeping powers to fine tech companies up to five percent of their yearly turnover if they breached new online safety obligations. Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said she had dumped the bill after running into significant opposition in the country's senate. "Based on public statements and engagements with senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the senate," she said in a statement. The proposed bill notably drew the ire of tech baron Elon Musk, who in September likened the Australian government to "fascists". Australia has been at the forefront of global efforts to regulate the tech giants. The government will soon roll out a nationwide social media ban for children under 16. Social media companies could be fined more than US$30 million if they fail to keep children off their platforms, under separate laws tabled before Australia's parliament on Thursday. By Alimat Aliyeva The hostile actions of the United States on the Korean Peninsula may lead to a "real war" with the DPRK, Azernews reports. "Today, as US military adventurism crosses a dangerous line on a global scale, the harsh military and political situation suggests that US military actions against our state could escalate into a real war at any time," Pyongyang stated. A representative from the Defense Department highlighted the Freedom Edge exercises, which involve the Republic of Korea and Japan, the arrival of the Columbia submarine in Busan, and the flight of the RC-135S reconnaissance aircraft. "We strongly warn and demand that the United States and its satellites, hostile to the DPRK, immediately cease further provocative and destabilizing actions that could lead to a real armed conflict on and around the Korean Peninsula," the People's Republic added. The Ministry of Defense stated that taking measures for self-defense and ensuring security to maintain the balance of forces in the region is "the constitutional duty of the armed forces of the DPRK." "The Korean Peoples Army is closely monitoring the actions of the United States and its allies in the military sphere and, while maintaining full combat readiness, does not exclude any possibilities. If necessary, it will immediately take measures to preemptively contain the threat and achieve the military and strategic goals of the state," Pyongyang warned. United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen (L) meets with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh in Damascus, Syria, Nov. 24, 2024. Pedersen called here on Sunday for boosting funding for Syria, as more than 400,000 Syrian refugees have returned from Lebanon, placing a significant burden on the nation's resources. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua) DAMASCUS, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen called here on Sunday for boosting funding for Syria, as more than 400,000 Syrian refugees have returned from Lebanon, placing a significant burden on the nation's resources. Speaking to reporters after his meeting with Syrian Foreign Minister Bassam Sabbagh, Pedersen said that the government needs to continue "to do what it has done best so far, and to provide protection and security for those who are returning." "We need to see that the international community lives up to its responsibility and increases its funding to Syria in this very critical situation," he added. Highlighting the broader challenges facing Syria, Pedersen said "it's obvious we need to address the political situation, the security situation, the restoration of Syria's sovereignty and independence." "We need to address the issues of the economy, the sanctions and reconstruction, the file of the detainees, and ... the file of the refugees," he said, adding that these issues are all interconnected. Urging a revival of the political process in Syria, Pedersen said "the first thing we can start with when it comes to the political process is ... to receive the work of the Constitution Committee." Syria has been embroiled in a civil war since March 2011, leading to the displacement of millions of people. The return of refugees from neighboring countries like Lebanon adds pressure on the country's already struggling infrastructure. Lebanon says more than 55 killed in Israeli strikes Beirut, Lebanon, Nov 23 (AFP) Nov 23, 2024 Lebanon said Israeli air strikes on Saturday killed more than 55 people, many of them in central Beirut, as Israel's defence minister vowed decisive action against Hezbollah, in a call with his US counterpart. On Israel's second front, the more than 13-month war with Hamas militants in Gaza, rescuers said pre-dawn Israeli air strikes and tank fire killed 19 people and wounded more than 40. Hamas's armed wing said an Israeli hostage, captured during the group's attack in October last year which triggered the war, had been killed. Israel's military said it could neither "confirm nor refute" the claim. After nearly a year of limited cross-border exchanges of fire, in which Lebanon's Hezbollah said it was acting in support of Hamas, Israel escalated air strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on September 23. A week later it sent in ground troops to southern Lebanon. One strike on Saturday in the heart of Beirut brought down a residential building and jolted residents across the city. The strike on the working-class Basta neighbourhood killed at least 20 people and wounded 66, Lebanon's health ministry said in a revised toll. "We saw two dead people on the ground... The children started crying and their mother cried even more," said Samir, 60, who lives in a building facing the one destroyed. The attack in the capital was followed by others in the city's southern suburbs after calls by the Israeli military to evacuate. Israel has not commented on the strike in central Beirut but said it had again hit Hezbollah targets in the city's southern suburbs, a stronghold of the Iran-backed group. A military statement said that over the past week, the air force "struck dozens of Hezbollah command centres, weapons storage facilities, and terrorist infrastructure in the Dahieh area". - 'Diplomatic resolution' - A Lebanese security source told AFP that the central Beirut strike had "targeted a leading Hezbollah figure", but a Hezbollah lawmaker, Amin Sherri, denied to Lebanese media that any official was present at the time of the attack. Similar strikes carried out without warning outside of Hezbollah's traditional bastions -- which include southern Beirut but not the centre -- have tended to target senior figures. The health ministry said Israeli air strikes also hit eastern Lebanon, killing 24 people including 13 in the town of Shmostar overlooking the Bekaa Valley, another Hezbollah stronghold. In Lebanon's south, at least 14 were killed including five in the coastal city of Tyre, the ministry said. In a telephone call with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz on Saturday, Washington's Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin "reiterated US commitment to a diplomatic resolution in Lebanon that allows Israeli and Lebanese civilians to return safely to their homes on both sides of the border", a Pentagon spokesperson said. A spokesman for Katz said he commended the US efforts towards "de-escalation in Lebanon" and underscored that Israel would "continue to act decisively in response to Hezbollah's attacks on civilian populations in Israel". United States envoy Amos Hochstein was in Lebanon and Israel this week, meeting with both countries' senior officials, to try to negotiate an end to the war. After talks in Beirut he said a deal was "within our grasp" but as he headed to Israel both sides put out statements that dented hopes of rapid progress. - Death in the darkness - Lebanon says more than 3,670 people have been killed in the country since October 2023. Most of the deaths have been since September this year. Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that triggered the Gaza war resulted in the deaths of 1,206 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally of Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign in Gaza has killed at least 44,176 people, most of them civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run territory's health ministry, which the United Nations considers reliable. In the pre-dawn darkness of Gaza on Saturday, one strike killed seven people including children at a house in the Zeitun area of Gaza City, civil defence agency spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP. AFPTV footage showed victims being brought in to Al-Ahli Arab Hospital including a bloody and dust-covered man, as a boy on a bed beside him struggled to reach the man and called for his father. "We were sleeping, I was lying here. What happened?" one survivor, Abu Shaker Shaldan, said, lost for words at the scene of the strike, with blood trickling down his head. In southern Gaza, another strike killed six people, three of them children, Bassal said, and civil defence late Saturday said six more were killed in an air strike in Nuseirat refugee camp, central Gaza. The United Nations and others have repeatedly decried humanitarian conditions, particularly in northern Gaza. The trickle of aid entering Gaza was the principal basis cited by the International Criminal Court in the arrest warrants it announced on Thursday for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, alleging starvation as a method of warfare and other crimes. During their attack against Israel, Hamas militants seized 251 hostages, 97 of whom are still being held, including 34 who the Israeli military says are dead. Abu Obeida, the spokesman for Hamas's armed wing, said on Saturday a female hostage had been killed in the north Gaza area but gave no further details. Israel's military said it was examining the information. Protesters held another of their regular Saturday rallies in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv to demand their government reach a deal to free remaining hostages. Cheers, angst as US nuclear plant Three Mile Island to reopen Middletown, United States, Nov 24 (AFP) Nov 24, 2024 The planned reopening of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant is praised as a boon for Pennsylvania and a boost for AI, but it is loathed by residents still haunted by a near-catastrophic meltdown there in 1979. "Gas is under attack. Coal is shutting down all over this country. You got to have the base load. And nuclear is probably the most efficient base load source we have," Pennsylvania Building and Trades Council president Robert Bair told AFP, arguing that the reopening of the plant will benefit the entire country. Gains could include some 3,400 jobs and three billion dollars in tax revenue for the surrounding counties, according to a study by the council. The resurrection of Three Mile Island (TMI) -- half of which remained operating after the 1979 meltdown, only closing down due to economic reasons in 2019 -- was prompted by Microsoft's need to fuel its power-hungry data centers. A revolution in generative artificial intelligence has triggered a surge in energy needs for those data centers, pushing cloud computing giants to look for additional low carbon energy sources. Microsoft -- which is also the biggest shareholder in OpenAI, the company at the forefront of the artificial intelligence arms race -- has signed a 20-year contract with TMI operator Constellation, which says all the power the plant generates will go to the Silicon Valley behemoth. "I'm good with (the power station reopening), but that's mainly because my best friend works for OpenAI," joked Shay McGarvey, a bus driver in Middletown, less than three miles from the power station. "No, actually it's more about the amount of jobs it's going to create," he added. "This unit was a good neighbor to Londonderry Township and our surrounding region for 45 years," said Bart Shellenhamer, chair of the Londonderry Township Board, which represents TMI. - Faustian bargain - For others, the fear and anxiety of 1979 is still strong. "Most residents prefer it remain closed," said Matthew Canzoneri, chairman of the town council in Goldsboro, on the other side of the Susquehanna River on which the island is located. "The energy produced does not directly benefit the community, and there is a definite sense of concern given TMI's history," he added. A series of equipment malfunctions and human errors saw the plant's Unit 2 melt down in 1979, releasing radioactive materials into the atmosphere and launching mass evacuations. The accident riveted Americans for days and ushered in a new era of anxiety and regulation over nuclear energy in the United States. The worst -- the rupture of the reactor vessel -- was avoided, but it remains the most serious accident in the history of US commercial nuclear power. Forty-five years later, some residents are still accusing authorities of having played down the scale of the disaster. Some studies have shown higher than average rates of leukemia, thyroid and lung cancer in the region in the years that followed, but none has formally established the link to the nuclear accident. Maria Frisby, who was a teenager in 1979, insists that "until the (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) acknowledges that the partial meltdown at Three Mile was much worse, there is no way I'm going to agree" that reopening the plant is a good idea. "I lost a lot of classmates to multiple cancers, who died in their 50s," said the 60-year old, for whom the link with the accident is obvious. Bair said it was important to distinguish between Unit 2, where the accident occurred, and Unit 1, which "was the most efficient plant in the country for years." "I understand there's always concerns," he said. "But from what I've seen and what I know about the nuclear industry, there's no industry more heavily regulated and scrutinized and supervised than the generation of nuclear power." Eric Epstein, of the EFMR nonprofit which monitors radiation from TMI, pointed to issues such as the storage of spent fuel, which Constellation told AFP would be stored on the island -- as it was during the nearly 40 years that Unit 1 operated safely. "It's a Faustian bargain," Epstein said. "You get electricity for a moment and radioactive waste forever." Iran says will hold nuclear talks with France, Germany, UK on Friday Tehran, Nov 24 (AFP) Nov 24, 2024 Iran said on Sunday that it would hold nuclear talks in the coming days with the three European countries that initiated a censure resolution against it adopted by the UN's atomic watchdog. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the meeting of the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, France, Germany and the United Kingdom would take place on Friday, without specifying a venue. "A range of regional and international issues and topics, including the issues of Palestine and Lebanon, as well as the nuclear issue, will be discussed," the spokesman said in a foreign ministry statement. Baghaei described the upcoming meeting as a continuation of talks held with the countries in September on the sidelines of the annual session of the UN General Assembly in New York. On Thursday, the 35-nation board of governors of the UN's International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) adopted a resolution denouncing Iran for what it called a lack of cooperation. The move came as tensions ran high over Iran's atomic program, which critics fear is aimed at developing a nuclear weapon -- something Tehran has repeatedly denied. It also came after IAEA head Rafael Grossi returned from a trip to Tehran, where he appeared to have made headway. During the visit, Iran agreed to an IAEA demand to cap its sensitive stock of near weapons-grade uranium enriched up to 60 percent purity. In response to the resolution, Iran announced it was launching a "series of new and advanced centrifuges". Centrifuges enrich uranium transformed into gas by rotating it at very high speed, increasing the proportion of fissile isotope material (U-235). "We will substantially increase the enrichment capacity with the utilisation of different types of advanced machines," Behrouz Kamalvandi, Iran's atomic energy organisation spokesman, told state TV. The country, however, also said it planned to continue its "technical and safeguards cooperation with the IAEA". Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in power since July and a supporter of dialogue with Western countries, has said he wants to remove "doubts and ambiguities" about his country's nuclear programme. In 2015, Iran and world powers reached an agreement that saw the easing of international sanctions on Tehran in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program. But the United States unilaterally withdrew from the accord in 2018 under then-president Donald Trump and reimposed biting economic sanctions, which prompted Iran to begin rolling back on its own commitments. Tehran has since 2021 decreased its cooperation with the IAEA by deactivating surveillance devices monitoring the nuclear programme and barring UN inspectors. At the same time, it has increased its stockpiles of enriched uranium and the level of enrichment to 60 percent. That level is close, according to the IAEA, to the 90 percent-plus threshold required for a nuclear warhead, and substantially higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in 2015. CORRECTED: War-hit Lebanon suspends in-person classes in Beirut area Monday Beirut, Lebanon, Nov 24 (AFP) Nov 24, 2024 Lebanon has suspended in-person classes in the Beirut area for Monday, the education ministry announced on Sunday, citing safety concerns after a series of Israeli air strikes this week. Education Minister Abbas Halabi announced in a statement "the suspension of in-person teaching" in schools, technical institutes and private higher education institutions in Beirut and parts of the neighbouring Metn, Baabda and Shouf districts on Monday "for the safety of students, educational institutions and parents, in light of the current dangerous conditions". Private education insitutions must also provide online classes as an option until the end of December, it said. PORT SUDAN, Sudan, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- In a shelter center for internally displaced persons in Port Sudan, eastern Sudan, the air was filled with the joyful sounds and laughter of women moving among tools for making sweets, accompanied by the rhythmic noise of flour being mixed. These women, displaced by the ongoing civil war in the country, are striving to overcome life's hardships by securing a source of income after losing their homes and belongings to the conflict. About 17 displaced families reside in the shelter center, which was converted from the Al-Thawra West Boys School. Here, women are learning confectionery skills to secure both food and income. Madina Ahmed, a displaced woman in her 60s, is leading the initiative, teaching the craft of making Balah Al-Sham, a popular fried dough pastry. "I'm a nutritionist, and I wanted to share my experience to help these families learn a profession to secure a stable source of living," Ahmed told Xinhua. She explained that she has trained the 17 families to make Balah Al-Sham, a sweet of Syrian origin resembling dates, which has become popular in Sudan. Several organizations have provided flour, oil, and sugar to the displaced families, enabling them to produce these sweets for sale in local markets. The income helps them purchase essential items not supplied by aid organizations, Ahmed added. "My message through this initiative emphasizes the importance of self-reliance. We must manage under these challenging circumstances and cannot solely depend on aid that might be cut off at any moment," she said, noting that the activity also helps uplift the psychological well-being of the women. "For me, with four children and a disabled father, this project has been a lifesaver, providing us with a vital source of income," said Safaa Omer, a displaced mother from Wad Madani, central Sudan, now living at the shelter center. "I produce between 7 and 10 kilograms daily, and my children sell them in the Port Sudan market," Omer said, adding that the income allows them to buy essentials such as meat, milk, and eggs. Looking ahead, Ahmed said she plans to expand the training program to all 80 shelter centers in Port Sudan, which currently house nearly 21,000 displaced families-approximately 105,000 individuals-from various Sudanese cities, particularly Khartoum, Wad Madani, and Sinnar. Sudan has been gripped by a devastating civil conflict since mid-April 2023, displacing over 14 million people inside and outside the country, according to the latest estimates from the International Organization for Migration. BAGHDAD, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, a Shiite militia group, on Sunday claimed responsibility for two drone attacks on sites in southern Israel. According to its statements, the group's fighters launched separate drone attacks, one on a "vital site" and the other on a "military site" in southern Israel. The statements did not provide further details about the targeted sites or report any casualties. The Iraqi militia group noted that the drone attacks were carried out "in solidarity with our people in Palestine and Lebanon," adding it would continue targeting "the enemy's strongholds at an escalating pace." Since the outbreak of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Gaza Strip on Oct. 7, 2023, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq has repeatedly attacked Israeli and U.S. positions in the region to show support for Palestinians in Gaza. The militia has stepped up its attacks on Israel after the latter intensified strikes against Hezbollah across Lebanon on Sept. 23. Spoilers ahead! In this years last episode of 9-1-1, Brad (Callum Blue) tries to become a hero in the middle of a pipe explosion, rightfully upsetting Bobby (Peter Krause). Brad also gets to spend more time with the 118, sharing a thoughtful conversation with Eddie (Ryan Guzman), who just learned something surprising and painful about his son Christopher (Gavin McHugh). Meanwhile, Athena (Angela Bassett) investigates the brutal beating of the Cart Cop (Sam Roach), a YouTuber whose content is all about people who dont return their shopping carts to their proper place at a grocery store. Wannabes 9-1-1. Pictured: Peter Krause as Bobby, Aisha Hinds as Hen, Callum Blue as Brad. Photo: Christopher Willard/ABC 2024 Disney. All rights reserved. If you think this doesnt sound like an explosive, thrilling fall finale, you are right! After delivering 18 episodes in 2024, 10 for season 7 and 8 for this first part of season 8, most of them filled with crazy twists, revelations, beginnings, endings, one wedding, some near-death-experiences, and of course, the (un)usual emergencies we all know, the team behind the show decided that this year should end in a peaceful, funny note. But if you watched the promo for the next episode, slated for March 6, 2025, you probably feel the same: this is just the calm before the storm, and 8B might be a wild ride. But lets focus on what we have for now first, then we go back to the future. Wannabes is very much focused on Brad, who wants to be a hero. The episode starts with the 118 watching an episode of HOTSHOTS, the show starring Brad. This scene is here so we can be reminded of how much Brad cares for his performance as a firefighter, while also being this funny meta thing and a good family moment within the 118 (I loved it!) After Brad tries to save a woman during the pipe emergency without following any of the usual safety procedures, Bobby has some harsh (and true) things to say to him. But the TV star gets what he wants during a call in which a big fan of HOTSHOTS is trying to kill himself this time, Brads presence is what saves the day. Wannabes 9-1-1. BTS p icture of Kenneth Choi, Aisha Hinds, Oliver Stark, Peter Krause , Ryan Guzman . Photo: Ray Mickshaw/ABC 2024 Disney. All rights reserved. This storyline was more interesting in this episode when compared to 8.07, with the 118 participating more actively here. Brad is captivating, and Callum Blue does a good job when giving life to this very passionate actor. But I still think its been a while since we had an unforgettable emergency not talking about the big, multi-arc ones that happen every season premiere/finale, or main and recurring characters going through near-death experiences, but the usual calls in regular episodes havent been memorable and thrilling as they once were. Earlier seasons had me distressed every episode, and this year was bland in this sense. So while Im not bothered by the focus on Brad and get that they were going for something not distressful, Wannabes continues the trend of mild weekly emergencies, making this fall finale come across to the audience as this very regular episode. Thats also how I would describe the Cart Cop storyline: silly, but in a mild way. I love a good mystery, but this story feels so displaced from the main stuff. There was only one good thing about this: the scene with Athena and the YouTuber at the hospital, with Angela Bassett acting as this gentler, kinder version of Athena (which never fails to amaze me.) I pray for the episodes next year to give Athena more things to do with the 118 more scenes with Bobby, more moments with Hen (Aisha Hinds), maybe something with Chimney (Kenneth Choi), Im accepting anything. Thats where she shines the most, when placed with the rest of the assembly. In earlier seasons, Athena had these cop storylines to be somehow related to her children or her ex-husband, so they didnt feel this soulless maybe something similar should happen again. Wannabes 9-1-1. Pictured: Oliver Stark as Buck, Ryan Guzman as Eddie . Photo: Ray Mickshaw/ABC 2024 Disney. All rights reserved. Finally, Eddie talks to Christopher and discovers his new life is seemingly wonderful. Hes learning chess now, among other new things he gets to do living with his grandparents in El Paso. After a thoughtful conversation with Brad about not letting the distance between him and his son grow, Eddie decides he doesnt want to miss all the big moments Chris is having. So now Eddie wants to move to Texas, something Buck (Oliver Stark) discovers in a very interesting moment. After all, Buck is still dealing with his most recent breakup, and his fear of abandonment strikes in full force after his discovery about Eddie. But Buck offers some help to him still, and theres this very beautiful moment with Eddie relieved and happy that he has Buck by his side, while Buck is at Eddies couch feeling dreadful about losing another important person in his life. Once again, Buck and Eddies storylines are so intertwined that is hard to know where one starts and the other ends; and while I firmly believe they already are each others endgame, this storyline might be the setup needed for their kiss to happen before the show ends. While this episode was a regular one with some good moments, I need to say that I loved that final scene with Buck, Eddie, and Chimney acting in HOTSHOTS, with Bobby and Hen helping the production in the backstages. It was such a nice way to end this Hotshots arc, with the 118 together, laughing, and happy. If you watched the promo for the next episode, which features (possible spoilers; no one will be sure until next March) Maddie (Jennifer Love Hewitt) going through something that looks like a kidnapping, you know this peace might not be for long. Well have to wait and see what the future holds for these characters Eddie still has to fight for Christopher, Athena and Bobby have to build their new house, Maddie and Chimney are expecting another child, and Maddie's life might be in danger by the time 8.09 ends... These are going to be long months of wait. The sisters are handling their grief in different ways. Bibi (Sarah Greene) is making sarcastic comments, Ursula (Eva Birthistle) is wondering if the pills she provided caused Grace's accident, Becka (Eve Hewson) sits back and takes everything in, and Eva (Sharon Horgan) is trying to keep everyone together and take care of Blanaid (Saise Quinn), but keeps having these episodes where she's having trouble breathing. Fergal (Barry Ward) and Una (Thaddea Graham) continue to pursue the case, sure that Grace had something to do with JPs death, and find it suspicious that Grace's new husband, Ian (Owen McDonnell), is missing. Everyone is at Grace's funeral, and Anjelica (Fiona Shaw) arrives as the grieving widow. True to form, Bibi mutters, "grief thief" under her breath as Anjelica makes the loss about herself, even attempting to sit up front in the family pew. The Garvey sisters aren't having it, and after Ursula gently asks Angelica to move to a different pew, she finally has to ask in a more forceful way. Fergal and Una are there, and then we see Matt Garvey (Daryl McCormack), and Becka looks like she's seen a ghost. Una takes notice of Matt's arrival as well. Blanaid finally takes her place in the family pew, and the priest begins the service, but due to a stroke last year, he's getting the family tree wrong. Bibi starts laughing at the craziness of it all, but the dam finally breaks, and Bibi starts to cry. Missing - BAD SISTERS, Pictured: Eva Birthistle as Ursula, Sharon Horgan as Eva, Sarah Greene as Bibi and Eve Hewson as Becka. Photo: Apple TV+ 2024. All Rights Reserved The sisters had been adamant that they would not give a eulogy, but then the priest calls for the family to offer some words. Sensing their horror, Roger (Michael Smiley) stands up and begins to sing to Grace's memory, with Bibi's beautifully clear voice joining in. Angelica may be the grief thief, but Roger is in true mourning. After the service, Ian returns, and he shares that he knows Grace's secret about JP. Fergal and Una swoop in, and the sisters wonder if this is it. Becka is pretty sure that Ian won't give them up, but do we really know him? We learn that Ian and Grace met online, and I cheered a little when he pushed back on the detectives' questions, wondering, "Why does this fall on my shoulders?" Back at Eva's home, the sisters tell Ian that they did not kill JP but did help with the cover up during an uncomfortable moment when Becka's boyfriend, Joe (Peter Claffley), drops a box of chips. There's something else happening there, right? Joe's energy in his scenes with the sisters is odd. The Grief Thief swoops in and descends upon Ursula. Anjelica lures people in and deals in secrets. She collects them and then exploits them for her own gain. Watching Angelica move closer and closer to Ursula to draw out information, Angelica reveals to Ursula that she knows what Grace did to JP. Ursula eventually tells Angelica that she gave Grace pills to help calm her down. Anjelica whispers, "That which is done in love cannot be bad" and kisses Ursula on the head. Ursula knows that she said too much. Una may need to be smoother in interviewing the family, but her social media knowledge proves to connect some missing pieces, including that Becka and Matt used to like each other's posts before suddenly stopping. Matt's back in the story. Ursula, uneasy about her confession to Anjelica, tracks her down to make sure that secret stays quiet . In a scene of master manipulation, Anjelica blackmails Ursula to give her money to replace the window on the building where Angelica runs a support group. The blackmail comes easily to Angelica. The money is worth the quiet. Missing- BAD SISTERS, Pictured: Fiona Shaw as Angelica and Eva Birthistle as Ursula .Photo: Apple TV+ 2024. All Rights Reserved Eva continues to try to connect with Blanaid, who does not want to leave her family home. Eva and Ian have an honest exchange about what's best for Bla, and both seem to want to do what's best in this situation. Ian helps Eva with her breathing issues, showing her how to breathe into her belly to deal with the shock of the death, and invites Eva to bring back chips to entice Bla out of her room. Can Ian be this good? I don't know what I want in this situation. Eva puts on Grace's jacket, comforted by the smell, but finds the bank withdrawal slips for 20,000 euros. The sisters wonder who that money was for, and the look on Ursula's face shows that she is connecting the dots and rushes off to spend time with her family. Ursula's ex-husband Donal (Jonjo O'Neill) shares that Ally was called into the hospital to deal with missing pills and an audit of the requisition book. Ursula's world comes crashing down. At the hospital, Ally catches Ursula trying to cover up her mistake. Ursula reveals that she initially took the pills to give her son, Michael, to help him with nightmares during a summer when their doctor was out of town. Eventually, Ursula took the pills and finally got some real rest, but she couldn't stop. Ally sends her home, and on her way out, Ursula asks if Anjelica tipped off Ally. It's unclear what will happen next. The detectives tell the sisters that Grace's toxicology report was clear, and Ursula's relief is evident. Fergus asks what we are all wondering: Was Grace running from something? Did she leave because the detectives were onto something? Ursula finally tells the sisters about giving the pills to Grace and about Anjelicas blackmail. Now they are all on the same page, wondering if Anjelica was blackmailing Grace, just as she had been blackmailing Ursula. They are united in getting ahead of the situation, wondering who Anjelica will leech onto next, but it might be too late. Anjelica has reeled in poor Blanaid, who had a front-row seat to her mother's abuse and the aftermath of her father's death. She connected with Ian only to think that her mother's behavior drove him away. She is primed to be manipulated by Anjelica. Random thoughts Becka's lie to Una about being involved with Matt Claffin will come back to bite them. I just can't seem to care about Fergal's personal life. The number of people who know about JP's murder keeps growing. At some point, the whole town will learn the details. What is Angelica's end game? Is she just the town's busybody, or does she have a real vendetta against the Garvey family? Meredith Howell Meredith lives in Chicago where she and her husband made sure their two boys were fluent in all things pop culture. She loves talking about all things GG- Gilmore Girls, Gossip Girl, and Golden Girls and indulges in a yearly viewing of Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth version is the only one recognized). Well, it's true. Grace (Anne-Marie Duff) is dead. After everything she and her sisters went through trying to get her free from John Paul (JP), Grace dies in a car accident on a deserted road. Other trips included the Porto Moniz Natural Pools, the Whale Museum in Canical and the fun and very low-key Madeira Theme Park. There was all the right kind of wildlife, too: plenty of bird-spotting and seal-sighting in the ocean (alas, the dolphins and whales that visit these waters were elusive for us) - but none of the pests we associate with warm holidays. Few mosquitos, no flies or wasps swarming our meat skewer and salad lunches, not even the amusing but croissant-stealing birds that normally swirl around a breakfast buffet. We think this is the wrong move diplomatically as well as legally, so no, we wouldnt. We think Labour should, Keir Starmer should definitely say that hes not going to participate in the ICC rulings. I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed and an excuse for poor behaviour I'm sorry, but ADHD has become a scam that is wildly overdiagnosed Speaking to Sky News Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme, Ms Kendall said her colleague was right to say there is not only the open military war with Russia as the aggressor, but there is also a hidden cyber war and that Russia will do everything in its power to destabilise not only within Ukraine but amongst the Nato allies. BEIRUT, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) Foreign Policy Chief Josep Borrell said Sunday that Hezbollah and Israel must be pressured to accept the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire, pledging 200 million U.S. dollars to the Lebanese army. "We must pressure the Israeli government and maintain the pressure on Hezbollah to accept the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire," said Borrell following his meeting in Beirut with Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri. He noted that the proposal is pending with the final agreement with the Israeli government. The EU foreign policy chief said that the international community cannot stay idle in front of what is happening, noting that the EU is ready to allocate 200 million dollars to support the Lebanese army. Borrell also met with Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati, who stressed the need to exert pressure to stop the Israeli "aggression" on Lebanon and reach a ceasefire. Mikati said, "Lebanon is counting on European support to help it politically and economically and to strengthen the army's role in all fields." Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. Israel further initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon in early October. His wife, Rivky, is a US citizen who lived with him in the UAE. She is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. However, she said she was not scared about making the viral post which kicked off the dispute, saying: I just didnt think it would have the impact it did, because I was just that sick and tired of it, it was draining. TEHRAN, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Sunday that deputy foreign ministers of Iran, France, Germany, and Britain will meet on Friday for talks on bilateral as well as Tehran's nuclear issue, among other topics. He made the remarks in a statement released by the ministry while pointing to Iran's principled policy based on interaction and cooperation with other countries. Baghaei stressed that such interaction and cooperation should be based on "dignity, prudence, and expediency," noting that the upcoming talks would be in continuation of the country's negotiations with them held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York late September. He said a series of regional and international issues, including those of Palestine and Lebanon, in addition to the nuclear issue, would be discussed during the upcoming negotiations, the planning for which had been done in New York in the previous round. Iran signed the nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), with world powers in July 2015, accepting restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions by the West. However, the United States withdrew from the agreement in May 2018, reinstating sanctions and prompting Iran to scale back some of its nuclear commitments. The talks on the revival of the JCPOA began in April 2021 in Vienna, Austria. Despite several rounds of talks, no significant breakthrough has been achieved since the end of the last round in August 2022. On Thursday, the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) passed a resolution against Iran, which orders the country to improve cooperation with the agency urgently and requests a "comprehensive" report to press Iran into fresh nuclear talks. Iran on Friday announced the activation of a "substantial" number of new "advanced" centrifuges in response to the IAEA board's "unjustifiable" resolution. A total of 227,678 voters had cast their ballots in the diaspora by 9:00 AM on Sunday in the first round of the presidential elections, according to real-time data provided by the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP). According to the AEP, from the opening of the polling stations, namely from Friday until Sunday, at 9:00 AM, 223,451 Romanian citizens cast their vote. Additionally, 4,227 voters cast their ballots by mail, bringing the total number of votes expressed abroad to 227,678. The data is presented in real-time on the www.roaep.ro website. Voting in the diaspora for the presidential elections takes place over three days, from Friday to Sunday. In 2014, at the 294 polling stations organised abroad, a total of 161,262 Romanians voted in the first round of the presidential elections. In the previous presidential elections, in 2019, 675,348 Romanians in the diaspora expressed their vote in the first round at the 838 polling stations organised abroad. The vote in the local referendum must be confirmed by the Parliament, and the political parties cannot ignore the will of 500,000 Bucharest residents, the general mayor of Bucharest, Nicusor Dan said on Sunday evening, informs Agerpres. "I want to thank the citizens of Bucharest who came in such large numbers to the referendum, I thank them for understanding the huge stakes for the city of this democratic exercise. Through their will, the city returns to normalcy and to the reason from which political games played 20 years ago hijacked it from, leading the organization of the city to absurdity. I assure you that we understand the responsibility (...) that you are transferring to us through today's vote. I warn you that the big works that the city needs require time for administrative procedures, but after today's vote, if we don't succeed, we won't have any excuse. Today's vote must be confirmed by the Parliament. I don't think that the political parties can ignore the will of 500,000 Bucharesters," Nicusor Dan told a press conference at the Bucharest City Hall headquarters. Voters in Bucharest are called on Sunday to express their opinion regarding the development of the Capital, in the referendum initiated by Bucharest General Mayor Nicusor Dan. Almost 1,300 polling stations in Bucharest opened at 7:00 AM. Voters in Bucharest can vote until 9:00 PM, both for the presidential election and the referendum. They will receive four ballots: one for the presidential elections, with the 14 candidates running in the race, and three with the questions from the referendum. Voters who are at the polling station at 9:00 PM, as well as those who are in line outside the polling station to enter, can exercise their right to vote until no later than 11:59 PM. There are nearly 1,300 polling stations in Bucharest: in Sector 1 - 166; Sector 2 - 202; Sector 3 - 294; Sector 4 - 189; Sector 5 - 198; Sector 6 - 240. Bucharesters must answer three questions. The first two were proposed by General Mayor of the Capital Nicusor Dan and concen the distribution of funds between the Bucharest Municipality Hall and the sector halls, as well as the issuing of construction permits in Bucharest. At the initiative of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), a third question was added via an amendment, which refers to combating drug use in schools. Voters will have to answer with "YES" or "NO" to the following three questions: 1. Do you agree that the distribution of income taxes and local taxes collected from Bucharesters between the Bucharest City Hall and the sector halls be approved by the General Council of Bucharest Municipality? 2. Do you agree that the General Mayor of Bucharest Municipality should issue construction permits throughout the entire administrative territory of the city? 3. Do you agree that the Bucharest Municipality should fund and implement an education programme for health and the prevention of drug use in all schools in Bucharest? For the referendum to be valid, a turnout of 30% of the registered voters in Bucharest is required, which means 540,000 people. "At least 25% of the registered voters in the Electoral Register must express an opinion - that is, they must take the ballot and say 'Yes' or 'No' - which means 450,000 people. And of those who answered 'Yes' or 'No', more than half must say 'Yes'," explained Nicusor Dan Chamber of Deputies Speaker Daniel Suciu of the Social Democratic Party (PSD) said that his vote today was for "a president who unites people, for a non-biased president." "Throughout this period, the talk has been about a president who unites people, a non-biased president, (...) and that is exactly how I voted today. (...) The sun has come out and I believe that after 20 years, the sun will also come out for the Romanian Left," Suciu declared upon leaving the polls. He also called on his fellow citizens to get out to vote in as high numbers as possible. The Chamber of Deputies Speaker voted on Sunday together with his wife at a polling station in his birth town of Bistrita. Nearly 218,000 voters in the diaspora had cast their ballots by 3:00 AM on Sunday in the first round of the presidential elections, according to real-time data provided by the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP). According to the AEP, from the opening of the 950 polling stations organised for this year's elections abroad, starting from Friday until Sunday at 3:00 AM, 217,938 Romanian citizens voted. Additionally, 4,227 voters cast their votes by mail, bringing the total number of votes cast abroad to over 222,000. The highest number of Romanian voters were in the United Kingdom - over 42,000, Germany - over 34,000, Italy - over 29,000, Spain - over 24,000, Moldova - over 22,000, and France - over 10,000. The data is presented in real-time on the www.roaep.ro website. Voting in the diaspora for the presidential elections takes place over three days, from Friday to Sunday. In 2014, a total of 161,262 Romanians voted in the first round of the presidential elections at the 294 polling stations organised abroad. In the previous presidential election, in 2019, 675,348 Romanians in the diaspora cast their vote in the first round at the 838 polling stations organised abroad. ANKARA, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call on Sunday with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, discussing bilateral relations and regional and global issues, according to Erdogan's office. During the phone talk, Erdogan said the two sides aimed to enhance cooperation in various fields, particularly the expansion of bilateral trade volume. Meanwhile, Erdogan pledged that his country will continue to contribute to the peace process. Turkiye, which maintains good relations with both Ukraine and Russia, has been acting as a mediator between the two countries since their conflict broke out in February 2022. On Wednesday, Erdogan said the U.S. decision to allow Kiev to deploy its long-range missiles for strikes inside Russia is "a move aimed at fueling the war." "It appears to be a move aimed at fueling the war, ensuring it does not end, and even encouraging its spread," Erdogan told reporters on his flight back to Turkiye from Brazil, where he attended the Group of 20 summit, according to a report by semi-official Anadolu Agency. Romanian ambassador in Jakarta Dan Adrian Balanescu told AGERPRES on Sunday that the number of Romanians who turned out to vote in the presidential election at the Romanian mission in Indonesia was not large, as the local Romanian community barely counts 100 people and is scattered across several islands, informs Agerpres. "The number of voters is small, indeed (...), but you have to keep in mind that in all of Indonesia, which comprises a flurry of islands, there are maybe up to 100 Romanian residents. I'm not talking about tourists. And it's the residents who generally turn out to vote, or those who happen to be in Jakarta on that day. And there were a few cases of Romanians who were passing through Jakarta during this period and who cast their ballots here. Maybe we're not a very relevant mission, given how small the Romanian community here is. Yet I saw that in other countries, where there are populous Romanian communities, people turned out to vote. There were Romanian nationals who came to vote on Friday and Saturday," said Dan Adrian Balanescu. He mentioned that he informed the Romanian citizens in Indonesia of the news regarding this year's presidential election through WhatsApp groups. "They don't read the local press, but we have WhatsApp groups and we discussed individually with them, we presented them our proposal that the polling station be at the embassy and no one had any objection. We informed them about the opening hours, we also uploaded a press release on the embassy's website, so there were no problems from this point of view," Balanescu added. The diplomat remarked that Indonesia does not have a Romanian community in the true sense of the word, as they are not organized in any way, scattered on various islands. "There are Romanians who live in Jakarta, in Bali, but also in other areas, such as Bandung or Yogyakarta. There are Romanians who carry out various activities or businesses, or digital nomads. And there are also the tourists, the majority, who come mostly to Bali, but also to other islands, and various businesspeople who happen to be here in the voting period." One of the Romanians who voted in Jakarta on Sunday is Andrei Vrancea, who said that by exercising this right he did his duty as a citizen who would someday want to return home. "I hold out hope, of course, that's why I voted. I also hold out hope for myself because I hope to return to Romania someday, so, yes, I have high expectations. Because I don't want to stay road-bound like this forever. I will find my place back home. I've only been in Indonesia for four months now, before that I was in Cambodia, and after four years I felt that it was a bit tight there and decided to move to a bigger country. And I plan to stay for at least six years. I have a woodworking business, I moved my workshop from Romania to Cambodia and then to Indonesia. I came for business, not for fun, because Jakarta is not for fun. Here in Indonesia you can't talk about a community of Romanians, in Cambodia I met three Romanians in four years, and in Indonesia I only know the lady at the Embassy. But it's true that I didn't have time either. Indonesia is big, but I think most Romanians are in Bali, not here, and I'm sorry they didn't come to vote. It's a shame there aren't more Romanians here, because the language is easy, it's easier to learn from Romanian rather than from English, and in addition, the people are warm-hearted, they smile all the time," said Andrei Vrancea. According to real-time data provided by the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP), as of 17:00 hrs Romania time, 23 Romanian nationals had turned up to vote at the polling station organized at the Embassy in Jakarta. Obstacles or hindrances to voting access for the Bucharesters casting their ballots in the local referendum and difficult access for accredited observers to polling stations are among the irregularities reported through the Vote Monitor app, public policies and government reform think-tank Expert Forum (EFOR) announced on Sunday, informs Agerpres. "As of 15:00 p.m., the VotCorect Coalition had centralized a series of irregularities and incidents reported by observers and citizens through the Vote Monitor app, call center at 0800 460 002 - which took in almost 180 calls, and the online platform www.votcorect.ro. Most complaints refer to hindrances or difficult access to voting for Bucharesters in the referendum. Other irregularities have to do with the failure to comply with electoral procedures, limited understanding of the voting procedures, difficult access of accredited observers to polling stations, observers accredited by other organizations getting directly involved in the electoral process, the continuation of the electoral campaign and the publication of possible exit polls," Expert Forum specified in a statement. According to data collected through the VoteMonitor app, the opening of the polling stations earned positive assessments (good or very good) in 97% of the almost 200 monitored polling stations, including on Friday and Saturday in the overseas voting locations. The most frequent issues reported by observers were the presence of unauthorized persons in 5% of cases and the delayed opening of the stations in 6% of cases, the cited source states. As of 13:30 p.m., the voting process was assessed as good or very good in 95% of the over 300 polling stations visited by Vot Corect observers. "Observers reported crowding in 20% of the visited polling stations and a tense atmosphere in 5%. Unauthorized persons were present in 7% of the polling stations observed, and in 3% persons from outside the Polling Station's Electoral Bureau intervened in its activity. In eight cases, observers reported that voters received more ballots than they were entitled to, and in two cases that they were allowed to vote without proper ID papers. In 2.5% of cases, observers considered the process to lack transparency. In 12% of the polling stations observed, there was at least one case in which voters residing in other localities were not allowed to vote in the presidential round. In Bucharest, not all polling stations correctly applied the procedures regarding the conduct of the referendum, and in 14 cases voters with their residence or domicile outside the locality were able to vote in the referendum. Regrettably, 25% of the polling stations visited are not fitted to allow access to people with disabilities," Expert Forum states. The mentioned source shows that among the most frequently reported problems are those of people who have difficulties voting in Bucharest with a residence visa. Expert Forum brings to mind that, according to BEC Decision 6/2024, voters can cast their ballots in the locality where they have their domicile or residence, regardless of its length of time. Observers also reported difficulties in their being allowed access to the polling stations. "In some polling stations in Bucharest, Turin and Vienna, their access was hindered by unjustified requests for additional documents such as copies of the identity card or accreditation papers in a format other than that required by law." Also, several complaints were received regarding the continuation of the electoral campaign on election day, which can be found on the votcorect.ro page. The main candidates for the presidential elections in Romania made statements on Sunday evening after the announcement of exit poll results, which place Marcel Ciolacu, the Social Democratic Party (PSD) candidate, current prime minister, with over 20% of the votes, and Elena Lasconi, the candidate of the Save Romania Union (USR), with 18% of votes, in the first two places, informs Agerpres. "I thank all the Romanians who voted today. It was a clear signal that democracy in Romania is strong and I am glad that the vote took place without major incidents, especially since at this moment I am also the prime minister of Romania. (...) Their vote was a positive vote for balance and stability, for things that matter," said Ciolacu. According to him, one thing is "extremely clear" - "behind the results obtained by each of the candidates are the Romanians, regardless of their political option". "The Romanians have shown that they do not want this PSD - PNL Government. Today's vote is practically a censure motion. 75% of Romanians voted otherwise, not with the PSD. Parliamentary elections are coming. We need a Government that will reform Romania. Next week I will talk to all the rightist forces and all the democratic forces in this country to prepare for a parliamentary majority", Elena declared Lasconi, at the USR headquarters. She emphasized that she does not want to enjoy "prematurely" the results indicated by the exit polls in the presidential elections and urged the delegates from the polling stations to be very attentive to the vote counting process. "As you can see, the score is very close. Great attention in all polling stations, at each ballot", said the USR leader. "It is an exercise in democracy and it is an image that shows that there is room for everyone on the political stage in Romania. At the moment we only have estimates. I ask all those who work in the polling stations to be as serious as they have been until now, and to complete the whole process to the end", declared the president of the National Liberal Party (PNL), Nicolae Ciuca. "The Romanian people cried for peace and they cried very loudly, extremely loudly. If the political parties had had little time to listen and less time to speak, maybe this cry would not have been so loud, and this cry for peace was not a cry of joy, it was one of suffering", declared independent candidate Calin Georgescu, ranked third in exit polls, with 16%. The president of the Hungarian Democratic Union in Romania (UDMR), Kelemen Hunor, credited at the exit from the polls with about 4% of the votes, declared that every vote he received honored him, showing that supporting a candidate in the second round will be discuss after the parliamentary elections. "It is important to support us also in the parliamentary elections as well, to have a strong voice and to be a force in the Romanian Parliament, because quite difficult decisions are coming for every person, for every community in this country", said Hunor, adding: "for us, the second round is the parliamentary elections". The second round of the presidential election in Romania will take place on December 8, and the parliamentary elections on December 1. President Klaus Iohannis urged Romanians on Sunday to go to vote for the election of the new head of state. He was asked what message he has for Romanians after casting his vote for the presidential elections and the referendum in Bucharest. "Everyone should go to vote!," President Iohannis said. The head of state exercised his electoral right at a polling station at the "Jean Monnet" High School in Bucharest. Over 18 million Romanian enfranchised citizens are expected at the polls on Sunday to elect their president, in the nearly 19,000 polling stations organised across the country. Romanian citizens who are 18 years of age or older on the day of the election (included) have the right to vote. People who are mentally impaired, mentally ill, or under judicial interdiction, as well as those convicted of losing their electoral rights by a final court ruling, are not allowed to vote. The total number of voters registered in the permanent electoral lists, valid for the presidential election, is 18,008,480 citizens, reports the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP). According to the AEP, there are 18,968 polling stations organised across the country. In Bucharest, there are nearly 1,300 polling stations: Sector 1 - 166; Sector 2 - 202; Sector 3 - 294; Sector 4 - 189; Sector 5 - 198; Sector 6 - 240. *** 14 candidates on the ballot; Ludovic Orban, in position 10, announced his withdrawal from the electoral race in the beginning of the week. According to the Central Electoral Bureau, the order on the ballot for Sunday's presidential elections is as follows: * Position 1 - Elena-Valerica Lasconi - Save Romania Union; * Position 2 - George-Nicolae Simion - Alliance for Romanians' Union; * Position 3 - Ion-Marcel Ciolacu - Social Democratic Party; * Position 4 - Nicolae-Ionel Ciuca - National Liberal Party; * Position 5 - Hunor Kelemen - Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania; * Position 6 - Mircea-Dan Geoana - Independent candidate; * Position 7 - Ana Birchall - Independent candidate; * Position 8 - Alexandra-Beatrice Bertalan-Pacuraru - Alternative for National Dignity Party; * Position 9 - Sebastian-Constantin Popescu - New Romania Party; * Position 10 - Ludovic Orban - Right Force; * Position 11 - Calin Georgescu - Independent candidate; * Position 12 - Cristian Diaconescu - Independent candidate; * Position 13 - Cristian-Vasile Terhes - Romanian National Conservative Party; * Position 14 - Silviu Predoiu - National Action League Party. In response to the recent report on unsafe conditions at Vashon High School, it is clear that the St. Louis Public School system has failed educators and students on a systemic level that exceeds what teachers can address within four years. ("Teachers protest dangerous conditions at Vashon High School in St. Louis," Oct. 30.) Teachers face high school students reading at a fourth-grade level and must remedy five years of educational neglect. Despite the curriculum proposed by the Board of Education and approved by the Missouri Department of Education, neither institution has implemented necessary changes. This neglect is compounded by a system that favors magnet schools over neighborhood schools. Magnet schools like Metro Academic and Classical High School receive resources that neighborhood schools like Vashon do not. Metro, Missouris top-ranked public high school, demonstrates that poverty does not determine academic success, as students benefit from consistent support and a direct educational pathway from schools with great academic outcomes. Education in the U.S. is a critical tool for social mobility. Under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), schools must provide a high-quality education to every child. Yet when basic safety needs go unmet, ESSAs core objectives equal opportunity and quality education are left unfulfilled. The conditions at Vashon represent a systemic failure that undermines democracy. An educated populace is required for democracy to thrive. Instead of blaming students or teachers, we must hold accountable those responsible for shaping the conditions in which these students and educators operate. The district must ensure both students and teachers have the support they need to succeed. Its past time to rally behind them. Sheltoria Love St. Louis Duma Boko, president of Botswana, speaks during the African Economic Conference in Gaborone, Botswana on Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo by Tshekiso Tebalo/Xinhua) GABORONE, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- It is important to capitalize on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to boost intra-Africa trade and position the continent as a global economic force, President of Botswana Duma Boko said during an international conference. Addressing delegates at the African Economic Conference, which is co-hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), and the United Nations Development Program in Botswana's capital city, Gaborone, on Saturday, Boko said that multilateral cooperation and economic integration into regional trading blocs are more important than ever. "One of the most promising developments the world has ever seen is the AfCFTA, which is the largest single free trade area in the world," he said. Highlighting AfCFTA's potential to reshape Africa's economic landscape by encouraging investment, creating jobs and promoting industrialization, Boko said that regional cooperation must go beyond trade to include shared physical infrastructure, resource management and conflict resolution. Claver Gatete, executive secretary of the ECA, said AfCFTA is the "crown jewel" of Africa's economic integration efforts, calling for its expedited implementation. He reiterated the need for free movement of people, products, and services for integration, citing Botswana's visa-free policies, as well as those of Rwanda and Ghana, as examples of how they can remove barriers to greater intra-African collaboration. The three-day conference, held from Nov. 23 to 25 under the theme "Securing Africa's Economic Future Amidst Rising Uncertainty," gathered together experts to propose measures to enhance African development. Cmdr. Charles Diehl has been relieved of his duties as commander of Airborne Command and Control Squadron VAW-115 because of a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, the Navy said in a news release. (U.S. Navy) Cmdr. Charles Diehl has been relieved of his duties as commander of Airborne Command and Control Squadron VAW-115 because of a loss of confidence in his ability to lead, the Navy said in a news release Friday. VAW-115 is an E-2 Hawkeye squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 based at Point Mugu, Calif. Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander replaced Diehl with Cmdr. Randall Fields, the former commanding officer of VAW-116. The U.S. military routinely cites only a vague loss of confidence when removing commanders and other leaders from authority positions. The Navy maintains the highest standards for commanding officers and holds them accountable when those standards are not met, according to the statement. Diehl, who assumed command of VAW-115 in May, is a graduate of the University of Maryland, according to his Navy bio. He was commissioned through Officer Candidate School in January 2006 and reported to NAS Pensacola, Fla., for flight training. He was selected for the E-2 Hawkeye training pipeline and reported to VAW-120 Greyhawks for initial qualification training, earning his Naval Flight Officer Wings in June 2008. Diehl has accumulated over 2,500 flight hours in 12 aircraft, his bio says. His awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Strike/Flight Air Medal (3 awards), Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards), and Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2 awards) and various campaign and service awards. Earlier this month, the Navy announced the firing of the commanding officer of the Naval Information Warfare Training Group in San Diego, and the commanding officer of the San Diego division of the Navy Leadership and Ethics Center. Once upon a time, I had my high-tech career and my family life, and I had to strike the balance, says Ari Krauss, who spent four months battling Hamas militants in Gaza and is preparing to return next month. Now I have to enter into that equation the fact that I am disappearing for weeks, or months, on end. (Ofir Berman for The Washington Post) TEL AVIV, Israel Ari Krauss, a reservist in the Israeli militarys elite Golani Brigade, said he spent his days inside Gaza exploding underground tunnels. At night, he recalled, he would join the other fathers in uniform on a sandy hill, trying to get enough cellphone bars to FaceTime his infant daughter. His day job seemed like a distant memory. Early in the war, the brigade sent a letter to his company apologizing for drafting him but committing to no date for his full return. Being a soldier, the letter made clear, was now his main calling. Once upon a time, I had my high-tech career and my family life, and I had to strike the balance, said Krauss, who spent four months battling Hamas militants in Gaza and is preparing to return next month. Now I have to enter into that equation the fact that I am disappearing for weeks, or months, on end. Krausss dilemma, or some version of it, is shared by some 80,000 Israeli reservists who are planning to leave, or have already left, families, jobs and studies to serve on the front lines of Israels grinding wars in Gaza and Lebanon. Increasingly, some are choosing not to report for duty, putting further strain on an overextended military amid an ever-widening regional war. Nadav Shoshani, a spokesman for the Israel Defense Forces, said in a briefing last week that the armys enlistment numbers are down by about 15 percent since the period after the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks, when hundreds of thousands of Israelis from all walks of life reported to fight, many without being summoned. Historically, the country has maintained a small standing army, relying on reservists to fill out its ranks during a series of short-lived wars. But the Hamas-led rampage across southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and some 250 taken hostage, thrust Israel into the longest conflict in its history. In the early months of the war, about 350,000 Israelis were called up, a staggering figure in a country of less than 10 million. The losses, too, have been unprecedented. More than 800 soldiers have been killed since October 2023. Wherever you look the economic crisis, the toll on the reservists and their families, and of course the dead and the wounded Israeli society is definitely at the edge of its capacity, said Gayil Talshir, a political analyst at Hebrew University. Reservists prepare goodbyes in case they dont make it out: video messages for the kids, bank passwords for their partners. Chava Landau Zenilman, whose reservist husband battled militants on Oct. 7, 2023, and was killed in combat two months later in Gaza. (Ofir Berman for The Washington Post) He was fighting for our kids, Chava Landau Zenilman said of her husband, a reservist. (Ofir Berman for The Washington Post) Chava Landau Zenilman, whose husband, Ari, fought militants on Oct. 7 and was killed in combat two months later in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza, remembers the visceral fear in the aftermath of the attacks. We were imagining the terrorists coming into their house, to kill the kids in their beds, she recalled. Ari had been called up for reserve duty every three months in recent years; sometimes, he needed to convince her. This time there was no question he would go. These dilemmas are our reality from before, but this war is extreme, she said. She barely ate or slept when he was in Gaza, she said, and tried to keep herself from imagining the knock on the door. When it came, she was heartbroken, but said she has no regrets: He was fighting for our kids. The countrys universal draft requires most Jewish men to serve for roughly three years and Jewish women for two. Members of the Arab minority, including Bedouin and Druze citizens, also enlist. But the growing and politically influential ultra-Orthodox community is largely exempt, an issue that has roiled Israeli society in recent weeks. The Supreme Court ruled this year that ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students must be conscripted into the military, threatening Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus fragile right-wing political coalition. When his defense minister signed off on the first draft notices this month, Netanyahu fired him. The military, facing a possible shortage of troops, is planning to extend mandatory service in the standing army and increase the maximum age for reservists. Many soldiers are already at their breaking point. I feel like the government is making me ask my wife for a weekend with the boys in Vegas, but actually its to go for weeks into Lebanon to defend the country, said a reservist in the special forces who has served for nearly 300 days over the past year. He spoke on the condition of anonymity in compliance with military protocol. His 12-man unit is down to five after seven refused to show up. We never imagined a war that would be going so deep and going for so long, he said. And also, that theres no one to replace us. Soldiers swap stories of partners threatening divorce and of bosses many reservists themselves running low on patience. Many women are struggling as single parents, cutting back their work hours to meet child-care needs, as productivity plummets across the board. Israels economic growth fell by 2 percent last year and is expected to shrink 1.5 percent in 2024, said Benjamin Bental, chair of the Economics Policy Program at the Taub Center for Social Policies in Israel. Before the war, an average of 3,200 workers were absent from work each month for reserve duty, usually for only part of a week, according to a study by the Israel Democracy Institute in Jerusalem. Between October and December last year, the average figure was around 130,000 per month, with most workers fully absent. Small businesses are shuttering, startups are losing capital, and potentially successful companies are thinking about relocating. Shmulik Moskovitz, right, has spent over 250 days on the front lines, at one point overlapping with his brother, Moshiko, in Gaza. (Ofir Berman for The Washington Post) Theres burnout, said Shmulik Moskovitz, a freelance business consultant and reservist. The father of four young kids has spent more than 250 days on the front lines, at one point overlapping with his brother in Gaza. Moskovitz lost clients after he was called up, and said government assistance programs have been inadequate. Still, being involved was more important than being at home, he concluded. We are the country, said Moskovitz. If we dont show up, theres no country. For many Israelis, the mounting social, economic and human costs of the wars only add to the urgency of achieving their objectives: the defeat of Hamas in Gaza, the release of the more than 100 hostages still held there, and the return of 60,000 Israelis forced from their homes in the north. Stories like that of Dor Zimel, a major in the reserves, are emblematic of the countrys resolve. On Oct. 7, Zimel raced to the border with Lebanon to join the rest of his company. A few weeks later, he proposed to his girlfriend with a diamond ring given to him by a jeweler whose son was murdered in the Hamas attacks. In April, Zimel lost his life in a Hezbollah drone-and-missile barrage on northern Israel. Zimels father, Alon, wants the IDF to keep up the fight in Lebanon, and to establish a buffer zone in the south of the country to protect Israel from the kind of attacks that killed his son. Otherwise, what was it for? he asked. People take part in cultural activities during the "Chinese Culture Night" event in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Nov. 22, 2024. The "Chinese Culture Night" event organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh was held here Friday to showcase traditional Chinese culture and enhance the friendship between the two countries. (Xinhua) A lion dance is staged during the "Chinese Culture Night" event in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Nov. 22, 2024. The "Chinese Culture Night" event organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh was held here Friday to showcase traditional Chinese culture and enhance the friendship between the two countries. (Xinhua) A Bangladeshi student from a Confucius Classroom performs a Chinese song during the "Chinese Culture Night" event in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Nov. 22, 2024. The "Chinese Culture Night" event organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh was held here Friday to showcase traditional Chinese culture and enhance the friendship between the two countries. (Xinhua) People take part in cultural activities during the "Chinese Culture Night" event in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Nov. 22, 2024. The "Chinese Culture Night" event organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh was held here Friday to showcase traditional Chinese culture and enhance the friendship between the two countries. (Xinhua) Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen (L, back row) and Foreign Advisor to the Bangladeshi Interim Government Md. Touhid Hossain (R, back row) attend the award ceremony of the "Hello, China!" Bangladesh Children Art Competition during the "Chinese Culture Night" event in Dhaka, Bangladesh on Nov. 22, 2024. The "Chinese Culture Night" event organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh was held here Friday to showcase traditional Chinese culture and enhance the friendship between the two countries. (Xinhua) Border Patrol agents work at the U.S. Mexico border at Border Field State Park in San Diego County. (Nelvin C. Cepeda/The San Diego Union-Tribune via TNS) SAN DIEGO (Tribune News Service) The deployment of military troops to the southwestern border is nothing new. Presidents both Republican and Democrat have called on military support in San Diego and elsewhere many times over the years to assist with border security tasks, from surveillance to reinforcing barriers. But President-elect Donald Trumps hint this past week that he may use armed forces to carry out mass deportations could veer into new territory. Trump signaled his plans in response to a social media post by the president of the conservative Judicial Watch group, who stated that the incoming Trump administration is prepared to declare a national emergency and will use military assets to address illegal immigration through a mass deportation program. Further details of how the Trump administration will do so remain unclear. The troops who have previously worked along the border have performed support background roles often discreetly and not in an enforcement capacity that has them interacting with migrants. The same goes for the California National Guard members who are currently deployed in San Diego. The question becomes whether Trumps plan goes beyond that. In San Ysidro, just across the border from Tijuana, some residents still remember during the first Trump administration the spectacle that U.S. Army and Marine troops, including some from Camp Pendleton, brought to the area even for a community used to the heavy presence of border agents. Thats when hundreds of active-duty troops were sent in 2018 to support operations along the California- Mexico border in response to the arrival of migrant caravans from Central America. We do have a very strong Border Patrol presence, said Monica Delgadillo, a San Ysidro resident for over 40 years. But the military or the National Guard was something very different. Army personnel spent days installing concertina wire at the U.S.- Mexico fence to make it more difficult to scale and fortifying areas around the ports of entry to prevent large crowds from rushing into the U.S. They joined previously deployed National Guard members who had been maintaining Border Patrol vehicles, working in dispatch stations and manning remote video surveillance systems. The following year, amid a national emergency declaration to replace the border wall, more troops were sent to the southern border to help install wire barriers and monitor crossings. Trump also used the declaration to divert Pentagon funds to help finance the wall project. Troops were also called upon during the Biden administration to support the Department of Homeland Security as the agency dealt with the lifting in 2023 of a COVID-era policy that mostly closed the border to asylum seekers. The troops assisted with administrative and support tasks, not law enforcement activities. The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the federal military from performing civilian law enforcement duties, except where authorized by Congress. One of the statutory exceptions to the law is the Insurrection Act. Gov. Gavin Newsom has continued to deploy the California National Guard to assist with drug interdiction primarily targeting fentanyl trafficking at ports of entry. Recently, state officials said the agencys counter-narcotics task force helped law enforcement partners seize more than 1.7 million pills of fentanyl in October. This program continues to be extremely successful providing critical support to law enforcement agencies in combating illicit drug trafficking and transnational criminal activity, the agency said in a statement. But while the National Guard operates under the control of the governor, in certain circumstances the president has the authority to federalize the National Guard. Cal Guard officials said that deployment of National Guard forces is governed by distinct criteria for state and federal missions, and that they will not speculate on potential changes or future missions. Trump and his advisers have offered a few hints. Last year, Trumps proposed deputy chief of staff, Stephen Miller, told The New York Times that military funds would be used to build vast holding facilities that would function as staging centers for immigrants as their cases progressed and they waited to be flown to other countries. He went further in a radio interview, proposing calling on red state governors and asking for their National Guards: We will deputize them as immigration enforcement officers. They know their states, they know their communities, they know their cities. Trump has also vowed to invoke the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to target and dismantle every migrant criminal network operating on American soil. Lee Gelernt, an American Civil Liberties Union attorney who spearheaded the legal challenge in San Diego to Trumps policy of separating migrant families at the border, said that use of the military to carry out deportation under such law is flatly illegal. The law requires an invasion by a foreign government, which is why its only been used previously during declared wars with foreign enemies, he said in a statement. Shawn VanDiver, a Navy veteran and co-founder of the San Diego chapter of the Truman National Security Project, called the plan to use the military to address civilians outrageous. We are not a country that has the military running through the streets interacting with our civilians, he said. Thats just not a thing. In San Diego, we have a lot of military here, but they are our neighbors. And our neighbors here know that, like they can use their own eyes and see, that we dont have this massive crisis thats been fabricated in peoples eyes. Migrant encounters between ports of entry along the U.S.- Mexico border have dropped by more than 55% since President Joe Biden issued an executive order restricting asylum in June, according to Customs and Border Protection data. As of 2022, the most recent year for which federal and Pew Research Center estimates are available, there were about 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States. About 1.8 million of them were living in California. During a recent visit to San Diego, retired Mexican ambassador Martha Barcena, who served as Mexicos ambassador to the United States during the Trump administration, said it would be irresponsible to think that proposals like mass deportations were merely campaign promises. But she said she expects many of Trumps policies to be challenged in court. 2024 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. High Court hears Eugenie Houston regained access after long-running legal dispute A barrister is facing the possibility of jail for reoccupying her home after bailiffs took possession of it earlier this year. Bailiffs moved in to secure Eugenie Houstons house in Naas, Co Kildare in July, changing the locks on foot of a court order for the possession and sale of the property following a long-running legal dispute with solicitor Wendy Doyle. But the High Court this week heard an application from Ms Doyle for the attachment and committal to prison of Ms Houston for contempt after she regained access to the house. Ms Houston confirmed to the court she had reoccupied the house but claims the order for its sale was granted in the absence of proofs. The dispute dates back to 2014, when Ms Houston sued Ms Doyle for defamation. The case was settled in 2017 and Ms Houston was ordered to pay the solicitors legal costs, which amounted to nearly 59,000. The judge had been due to give a ruling, but with great reluctance recused himself However, these costs were not paid and Ms Doyle subsequently registered judgment mortgages against the barristers home in Naas. The solicitor was also awarded her costs following subsequent unsuccessful applications by Ms Houston. Earlier this year the High Court found Ms Houston had engaged in frivolous and vexatious litigation against Ms Doyle. A judge said one set of proceedings appeared to have been taken to harass and intimidate the solicitor and obstruct or delay an order for vacant possession of the property. On Monday, Mr Justice Michael Quinn heard the committal application, presented to the court by Ms Houstons counsel Tom Murphy BL. The judge had been due to give a ruling on it yesterday but with great reluctance recused himself after Ms Houston informed him she had sued him last year. The matter will now be taken up by another judge next week. Mr Justice Quinn said he was one of 23 judges named as defendants in a lawsuit initiated by Ms Houston in March last year. Eight of the judges are retired, seven now sit in appeal courts and eight currently sit in the High Court. Ms Houston is seeking damages from the judges for defamation The judge said he did not know why he was named as a defendant. He had only had dealings with Ms Houston twice before and both matters had been disposed of. A plenary summons states Ms Houston is seeking damages from the judges for defamation, trespass to the person and misfeasance of public office, among other alleged issues. The remarkable feature of these proceedings is the fact that no statement of claim has ever been delivered. When I look at this plenary summons, I have no information as to the basis for my being named in it, said Mr Justice Quinn. The judge said no recusal application was made by Ms Houston and he believed he was not required to recuse himself. However, he decided to do so anyway as he had a very grave concern due to the history of unsuccessful appeals already taken by Ms Houston and the possibility the matter might be elongated if he stayed in the case. Ms Houston is separately also facing an application for an Isaac Wunder order against her. A date for that hearing has yet to be fixed. This is an order restricting a vexatious litigant from instituting further legal proceedings without first getting permission from a court. She previously sued another judge, Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds, for defamation. The judge dealt with one aspect of the Houston/Doyle dispute, ruling in favour of Ms Doyle. That lawsuit was dismissed last February as frivolous and vexatious, with no evidential basis found for the barristers allegations. The 51-year-old dispensed with his defence barrister and represented himself as he contested a charge of assaulting a prison officer Cut throat killer David Lyness has been acquitted of attacking a prison officer by throwing a TV at the guard. During a 40 minute contest at Coleraine Magistrates Court on Friday, the 51-year-old dispensed with his defence barrister and represented himself as he contested a charge of assaulting a prison officer. The court heard that according to the prosecution case Lyness, currently serving a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 18 years, was in a care and supervision cell away from the general prison population at HMP Magilligan on June 13 this year. Prison Officer Patterson gave evidence that every time staff went to speak to Lyness, he was shouting and swearing at ustelling me to f*** off and do your job. The alleged assault happened, he told the court, when he opened the cell door to speak to Lyness but as he did so the convicted killer threw a TV at him, striking the officers right forearm and leaving him bruised and abraded. During an exchange with District Judge Peter King, the officer conceded he had not activated his body worn camera. With Lyness representing himself, Judge King put his defence statement to the officer where he claimed it was prison staff who assaulted him, who stood over him and threw his TV to the ground and who bent and twisted his arms and legs until I was screaming. The officer denied any of that happened. Judge King said that without corroborating evidence such as a second officer giving evidence or body worn footage, I cannot be sure beyond reasonable doubt of the guilt of the accused. He told the prison officer if this was a civil case which is decided on a balance of probabilities you were probably assaulted but I have to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt. I am notso as far as Im concerned the case is dismissed and its over, the judge concluded. At the end of August 2018 father-of-three Lyness, who is originally from Lurgan, was ordered to serve at least 18 years behind bars for the murder of Anita Downey. Following an argument between the couple, the 51-year-old bled to death after he cut her throat at his Toberhewney Hall home in the early hours of January 20 2017. Judge Lynch said: It is hard to avoid the comment that your client showed no mercy to the victims of this case A former teacher and school principal convicted of historical child sex abuse showed no remorse and no mercy to his victims, a judge has said. Crown Court judge Patrick Lynch KC was responding to a plea for leniency in the sentencing of former Christian Brother Paul Dunleavy, 89, with a defence barrister saying there is very real prospect the defendant will die in jail. Dunleavy, with an address in Glen Road, Belfast, was found guilty in September of 36 charges of historical sexual abuse against nine boys. The charges included indecent assault and gross indecency with or towards a child. The offences were committed between 1964 and 1991 while Dunleavy worked at four schools in Belfast, Newry and Armagh. The victims were aged between seven and 14 at the time. Dunleavy is already serving a prison sentence having been convicted previously on two separate occasions of sexual offences against children in his care. Prosecuting barrister Neil Connor KC told a sentencing hearing at Belfast Crown Court on Friday that publicity around the previous convictions had led to further victims coming forward. He added: This was a substantial, complicated investigation involving a number of victims this (case) is the largest in terms of the number of victims. Nine in this case, 18 in total. Defence barrister Gary McHugh KC said: The most obvious feature I would invite the court to have regard to is the defendants age. Clearly this defendant is going to be in prison well into his mid to late 90s and the very real prospect is that this defendant may die in prison. There may be those who say so be it, but it is not as clear cut as the punitive component of the sentencing exercise. Prison for somebody in his 90s will be a significantly more difficult place than somebody in their 30s or 40s. The sentencing hearing for Paul Dunleavy took place at Laganside Courthouse in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) Mr McHugh added: With all that goes with being a very elderly prisoner, that sense of isolation which comes with being so old compared to the rest of the prisoners, any sentence we say is more difficult for this defendant is more difficult than it would be for a younger and healthier man. The barrister said the current earliest release date from prison for Dunleavy is May 2026 before he is sentenced for the latest conviction. He added: We say as part of any proper sentencing regime, mercy does remain a feature available to the court. Judge Lynch said: It is hard to avoid the comment that your client showed no mercy to the victims of this case, your client insisted on them all having to give evidence, showed no mercy even up to this very moment, showed no remorse. Mr McHugh said: I am straightforwardly asking for leniency because of this mans age. Mr Connor told the court the latest case had doubled the number of victims Dunleavy had been convicted of abusing. He said had there been a single trial involving 18 victims it would have attracted a higher custodial sentence than what Dunleavy is currently serving. A number of victims of Dunleavy attended the court hearing. The judge said he would pass sentence next Thursday. Diamant Rostas appeared at a sitting of Athlone District Court A man in his 20s is to stand trial accused of handling more than half a dozen stolen high end mobile phones worth over 6,000 from one of the countrys largest telecommunications giants. Twenty-six-year-old Diamant Rostas, Monteray Court, Salthill, Galway, appeared at a sitting of Athlone District Court to face three handling stolen property charges between June and August 2022. Garda Mary Lawless gave evidence of having served a book of evidence on Rostas prior to the commencement of court proceedings getting underway. Diamant Rostas is accused of handling over half a dozen stolen high end mobile phones in Athlone, Co Westmeath between June and August 2022. Sgt Paul McNally said the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed for Rostas to be sent forward to Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court in connection to the three charges which were contained in the book. Those charges, allege that Rostas knowingly handled seven Samsung S22 mobile phones and one iPhone 13 at Woodlands Grove, Clonbrusk, Athlone, Westmeath on various dates between June 26 and August 11, 2022. All of the charges fall under section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Theft & Fraud Offences) Act 2001 which, on indictment in the Circuit Criminal Court, carries a maximum term of 10 years in prison. Diamant Rostas was remanded on bail after being served with a book of evidence ahead of a scheduled reappearance before Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court next week. A section 4 theft charge whereby Rostas stood accused of stealing the same eight mobile phones at Three Ireland, Hutchinson Ltd, 28/29 Sir Rogersons Quay, Dublin 2 totalling over 6,400 on a date unknown between June 16 and June 18, 2022 was withdrawn by the State. Defence solicitor Tony McGlynn applied for legal aid to cover the certification of a junior counsel, a request which was approved by the court. Judge Bernadette Owens gave Rostas the alibi warning, informing him of his obligation to notify the State solicitors office within 14 days if he intended to rely on an alibi during the course of his trial. Rostas was consequently remanded on bail to a sitting of Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court next Wednesday (November 27). Deborah Ni Laimhin filed a civil High Court case against the pair on January 18, 2021 The mother of Nikita Hand launched legal action seeking damages against Conor McGregor and James Lawrence on the same day her daughters case was filed nearly four years ago. Deborah Ni Laimhin filed a civil High Court case against the pair on January 18, 2021. However, there has been no movement in the case and there have been no court dates scheduled. It is unclear if her civil action is set to move forward, with solicitors for Ms Ni Laimhin declining to provide comment on the matter. On Friday, Nikita Hand won a civil high court case she took against Conor McGregor. After six hours and 10 minutes of deliberations, the jury of eight women and four men found she had been assaulted by Mr McGregor in a Dublin hotel room on December 9, 2018. They did not find that James Lawrence, who was named as a defendant in the suit, assaulted her on the same date. James Lawrence, co-defendant of mixed martial arts fighter Conor McGregor, outside the High Court in Dublin. Picture date: Friday November 22, 2024. PA Photo/Brian Lawless In testimony to the court, Nikita said she had been raped by Conor McGregor, but denied having sex with Mr Lawrence, consensual or otherwise. Both parties denied the allegations and said that they each had consensual sex with her, twice, on two separate occasions in the Beacon Hotel in 2018. The court heard evidence that Ms Hand went to her mothers home on the morning of December 10 seeking assistance as she had been wearing a tampon during the assault and it was stuck inside her. Ms Ni Laimhin went with Nikita to the Rotunda Hospital where she was assessed by the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit. Dr Daniel Kane, who treated Ms Hand, said during a forensic examination of her vagina he used a speculum to examine her, which caused her great discomfort. Nikita Hand He testified that the tampon was wedged in the right side of her cervix at the very top of her vagina, five or six inches deep. Removing it with a forceps he said he observed that it was very friable and breaking apart. He also testified that there was signs of a tear or an abrasion on the back wall of her vagina. Following the verdict on Friday Mr McGregor is now liable to pay 248,604 in compensation. The jury awarded Ms Hand 60,000 in general damages and 188,603 in special damages. Speaking outside court, Nikita Hand said she was overwhelmed by the support she has received and thanked her mother during her emotional statement. I want to thank my mam and all my family and friends. Lastly, I want to thank my daughter Freya who I am most grateful for. She has given me so much strength and courage over the last six years through this nightmare to keep pushing forward for justice. Students perform during the awarding ceremony of a Chinese song competition in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 24, 2024. The competition was divided into three groups based on age: Children, Teenagers, and Youth. A total of 45 contestants earned awards among over 100 contestants from Chinese schools across the country, according to the event organizers. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) YANGON, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- The grand final performance and prize-awarding ceremony of the Chinese Song Competition were held in Yangon, Myanmar, on Sunday. The event was organized under the supervision of the Chinese embassy in Myanmar and the Center for Language Education and Cooperation. The competition was divided into three groups based on age: Children, Teenagers, and Youth. A total of 45 contestants earned awards among over 100 contestants from Chinese schools across the country, according to the event organizers. The awards included two first prizes, four second prizes, and six third prizes, as well as special awards such as the Most Potential Award, the Most Imaginative Award, and the Most Popular Award, all presented in each group, it said. The competition aimed to celebrate the tradition of China-Myanmar friendship through music, promote cultural exchange between the two nations, and foster an understanding of Chinese culture. It also provided students with an opportunity to showcase their talents on stage, it said. As China and Myanmar are neighboring countries with close cultural ties, this competition served as a significant milestone in cultural exchange between the two nations, it added. The final competition was held at the China Cultural Center in Yangon on Nov. 22 and Nov. 23. Students perform during the awarding ceremony of a Chinese song competition in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 24, 2024. The competition was divided into three groups based on age: Children, Teenagers, and Youth. A total of 45 contestants earned awards among over 100 contestants from Chinese schools across the country, according to the event organizers. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Students perform during the awarding ceremony of a Chinese song competition in Yangon, Myanmar, Nov. 24, 2024. The competition was divided into three groups based on age: Children, Teenagers, and Youth. A total of 45 contestants earned awards among over 100 contestants from Chinese schools across the country, according to the event organizers. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Woman, who uploaded video showing menacing gang at the door demanding she leave, done for string of offences A mum-of-two ordered out of her home by UDA thugs has admitted a string of offences, including threatening to kill a woman as well as damaging her home and car. Hanna Marshall (32) pleaded guilty to making a death threat against Paige Hamilton, damaging Ms Hamiltons Seat Leon car and her living room window during a row in June 2022. She also admitted damaging another car belonging to a Daryl Crawford. Marshall was due for sentencing on the matters at Newtownards Magistrates Court on Wednesday but the hearing was adjourned after she entered guilty pleas to further offences on a separate indictment. Bangor woman Hanna Marshall She had been due to contest a charge of shoplifting drinks and greeting cards to the value of 16.50 from Tesco in Springhill, Bangor, in June last year as well as a charge of drink-driving on the nearby Rathgael Road in August 2023. Her solicitor entered guilty pleas to these charges in her absence and she is due for sentencing on all matters at Newtownards Magistrates Court this week. Marshall, formerly of Fort Terrace, Bangor, Co Down, but now with an address at Ballyknocken Park, Lisburn, Co Antrim, hit the headlines earlier this year when a video of masked UDA men giving her 24 hours to leave Bangor was posted online. In a series of clips uploaded to TikTok, Marshall claimed to have been persecuted by loyalist paramilitaries but defiantly insisted she would not be leaving her home despite the threats. Hanna Marshall Watch: UDA thugs tell mum she has 24 hours to get out of north Down In one of the videos, masked men are seen at the front door of a house, making threats against her and the property. One thug barks she has 24 hours to get out, before adding: Youve got (her) here. (She) is not to be in north Down. Weve been told to pass a message to you that youve got 24 hours to get out, and if youre back in north Down, the house is getting it. A still from one of Hanna's TikTok videos Marshall added a caption to one of the videos alongside images of her two daughters reading: Explain your actions to my children when theyre older. This was us, settled well and in a good place and you even took that away from me. The incident is understood to have taken place in the Rathgill estate on the outskirts of Bangor, where West Belfast UDA members control the drugs trade. The criminal gang has a long-established unit in the city and Newtownards which refers to itself as the North Down UDA. In videos posted online after the incident, Marshall said she would not be leaving. She added: Ill stand tall. Im not backing down, Im staying home. Youve ripped my family apart. Thats my everything. My kids, theyre my world, and see if I dont have them, I have f*** all. Hanna Marshall Im telling you this may get sorted. Leave me alone. Im no drug dealer, Im no paedo put them out (but) Im angry, Im hurt, Im human. Be careful what you do to a good woman because you will have to deal with the b**** you created. Ive been tortured for the last three years over nothing. (They) put a threat on me two years ago to leave my home. Now (they) have put another threat on me, but Im not leaving Bangor? (They) have taken everything away from me. My kids wont leave Bangor, so Im not leaving Bangor. Torturing women and children... my children have been through enough. Leave me alone. This is what it looks like to be broken. You broke me. A loyalist source familiar with the situation told Sunday Life: West Belfast UDA drug dealers were behind the threats. Theyve been targeting her for some time. In this day and age, people shouldnt be forced from their homes, no matter what the circumstances. At the time the PSNI said no arrests were made. Limerick gang boss Christy Keane (63) remains in garda custody A man in his 40s has been charged over a huge haul of cocaine worth 560,000 seized in Limerick city. He is due to appear before Limerick District Court on Monday, November 25, 2024. A second man arrested, Limerick gang boss Christy Keane (63), remains in custody at a garda station in Limerick. He can be held under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 for up to seven days. The convicted drug dealer heads up the Keane gang who are involved in drug trafficking and suspected of the importation of firearms on a national and international level. Gardai arrested Keane (63) and another man in his 40s after carrying out several searches at locations around Limerick city on Friday. Gardai stopped and searched a vehicle as part of the operation and seized 490,000 worth of suspected cocaine. They also carried out a search at a party in the city and seized suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of 70,000. The drugs will undergo analysis by Forensic Science Ireland. The raids came as part of Operation Tara which is aimed at dismantling drug gangs operating at all levels in Ireland. Investigations are ongoing. Arrest marks major blow against his Limerick gang Limerick crime boss Christy Keane was last night being quizzed by gardai following a 560,000 cocaine seizure in Limerick. The convicted drug dealer heads up the Keane gang who are involved in drug trafficking and suspected of the importation of firearms on a national and international level. Gardai arrested Keane (63) and a man in his 30s after carrying out several searches at locations around Limerick city on Friday. Gardai stopped and searched a vehicle as part of the operation and seized 490,000 worth of suspected cocaine. They also carried out a search at a party in the city and seized suspected cocaine with an estimated street value of 70,000. The drugs will undergo analysis by Forensic Science Ireland. The raids came as part of Operation Tara which is aimed at dismantling drug gangs operating at all levels in Ireland. The two men are detained under Section 2 of Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996 in a Garda station in the Limerick area. Gardai have had significant success in targeting the Keane gang in recent times with the jailing of a number of people linked to it and the seizure of significant assets. The arrest of Keane will be seen as a major blow against the operations of the gang. Keane is the patriarch of the Keane gang and was jailed for 10 years back in 2000 for possession of 240,000 worth of cannabis after gardai launched Operation Coalface to target his organisation. The feared gangster used his coal delivery business as a front for a major criminal enterprise, and had forged links with major criminals in Ireland, including John Gilligan and the INLA back in the 1990s. He also established connections with international gangs as his operation grew. His brother Kieran was shot dead as part of the Limerick feud in January 2003. Christy was shot four times on the University of Limerick campus in 2015 in an attack ordered by the McCarthy-Dundon gang. Earlier this year gang boss Red Larry McCarthy was jailed for six-and-a-half years for organising the getaway car used in the shooting. Noel Price, of Kileely Road, Limerick City, was jailed for six-and-a-half years last year for the same offence. Getaway driver John Costello, of Hennessy Avenue, Kileely, Limerick City, was jailed for four years and six months for his involvement in the hit attempt but was later released from prison for humanitarian reasons involving a child. Detective Garda Sergeant Padraig ODwyer told the Special Criminal Court that the McCarthy-Dundon and Keane-Collopy organised crime gangs have been involved in an infamous feud dating back to 1993, when Patrick McCarthy was killed. Christy Keane was acquitted of that murder while his brother Kieran was later murdered by members of the McCarthy-Dundon gang. The Special Criminal Court heard that the Keane had been involved in an ongoing feud with the McCarthy-Dundon gang and that there had been 19 murders linked to the feud. Christy and members of his family have been targeted by the Criminal Assets Bureau. Earlier this month his sister Sandra Hehir, who was jailed in February for money laundering, handed over an apartment in Lanzarote and a house in Limerick to the Bureau to sell after settling a High Court case. Gardai found more than 124,000 of cash in the attic of her home in Assumpta Park, Island Road, Limerick City in June 2020. Sergeant Cathal OSullivan told a court that the 2020 Garda operation was designed to target the Keane Organised Crime Group in Limerick, particularly Christy Keane and his nephew, Warren Hehir, who is Sandra Hehirs son. In January, convicted drug dealer Warren Hehir, of Bruach na Sionna, Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, was jailed for using 59,000 in crime cash to pay for renovations to his home. His wife Vicky Hehir also pleaded guilty to laundering money by giving 12,000 in cash to a builder to carry out home renovations. She was given a suspended sentence. James Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a jury rejected that defence Convicted murderer James Kilroy is refusing to relinquish executorship of his dead wifes estate, ensuring the case must now go to court and making matters more difficult for the couples three young sons. The former park ranger (51) was sentenced to life in July for the murder of his wife, 41-year-old Valerie French, in Co Mayo in 2019. At his trial, Kilroy pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, but a jury rejected that defence. Ms Frenchs brother, David French, recently wrote to the killer about her estate, pointing out it would be best to sort out these affairs swiftly in the best interest of the couples sons, over whom Kilroy has guardianship rights. However, Kilroy refused any co- operation and the matter must now go to court. Mr French has been campaigning for political parties to introduce Valeries Law so parents who intentionally kill their partners lose guardianship rights of their shared children. He has also had meetings with the Department of Justice about new laws to remedy property issues that allow for people convicted of killing their spouse to be entitled to their property assets. I wrote to him [Kilroy] in August saying he should now hand over the executorship of Valeries estate and allow me to sort it out. She died intestate [without a will] so he would automatically be the personal legal representative under the usual system, he said. Kilroy has refused any co-operation and does not agree on the extent of her estate I asked if he accepted that his sole entitlement to the property which they shared is a 50pc share pursuant to the decision of Ms Justice Mary Laffoy in the matter of [Celine] Cawley v [Eamonn] Lillis. I also offered that we could avoid costs if he would simply put the family house in a fund for my nephews, over whom he has guardianship. Kilroy has refused any co-operation and does not agree on the extent of her estate. This forces me down the legal route to secure Valeries assets for the benefit of her children and to stop Kilroy profiting from his crime. Mr French has now had to engage a law firm as well as a barrister and the legal case is now under way. Kilroys response was that efforts to litigate on this would only serve to reduce the assets available to my nephews. He also pointed out that like almost all murderers, he is launching an appeal on the conviction and we should now wait for that to conclude, he said. Given that he has admitted to killing her, the conviction is not the only reason he should not be the executor. I expect that their mortgage was paid off by the life assurance required by a mortgage, but I have not seen paperwork on this as I am not yet the executor/personal legal representative. Valerie French was murdered in June 2019 In order to become my sisters executor I need to prove to the Probate Office that Kilroy was convicted of her murder. That means I now need to make an application to the Central Criminal Court to get the formal orders and present these to the Probate Office along with our parents death certs which are needed to prove that they cannot be Valeries executors as they would be next in line. None of this is straightforward; all requires a solicitor, engaging a barrister and much delay. On the night of Ms Frenchs murder in June 2019 at her rural home, Kilroy attacked her with a knife, beat her and strangled her. Her young sons were in the house at the time. Kilroy was found, on the morning of June 14, wandering naked in a nearby field. His wifes body was found that afternoon in a campervan beside their bungalow about 6km from Westport. The cause of her death was strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head and a stab wound to the neck. David French holds a photograph of his sister Valerie. Photo: Steve Humphreys Kilroys first two criminal trials collapsed, but in July at his third trial he was found guilty of his wifes murder after jurors rejected his insanity defence. He had claimed cannabis use spurred him to kill her. Since Kilroys conviction, Mr French has been campaigning on behalf of his sister who no longer has a voice. Currently there is a loophole in child safety in Ireland as people who kill their partners or ex-partners fully retain guardianship of any shared children, Mr French said. A bill was by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and had the cross-party support of other TDs in west Cork, which is where Ms French originally came from. A petition on change.org, started by Mr French in August to drum up support for a change in the law, has collected more than 3,600 signatures. Killing the mother of a child is child abuse. Society should protect children from their abusers, Mr French said. New system of targeted drug testing for identified prison staff is to be introduced Justice Minister Helen McEntee was told jails had no capacity to safely accommodate a sudden rise in prisoners following widespread public disorder because of record levels of overcrowding. The minister was warned that the appointment of extra judges and increased court sittings could also lead to the system becoming even more overwhelmed. With record numbers of people in custody, a department submission said: Operating above capacity has become an unwanted standard in 2023 and into 2024. This has considerable negative impact on safety and the functioning of the prisons, but it should also be noted that the Irish prison estate currently has no space to safely accommodate any sudden surge in its population. It said this type of surge could happen in the event of public disorder such as the rioting and looting that took place in Dublin last year, or from increased activity in the courts. In another briefing, Ms McEntee was told that inappropriate conduct by a minority of prison staff had led to unsafe acts and conditions in jails. She was advised that unethical, and, in some cases, unlawful behaviour by employees was being tackled. The prison population should not go above 95pc of the total capacity One briefing said enhanced supervision and appropriate support for staff with declared issues had been introduced by prison management. The justice minister has been repeatedly briefed on Irelands creaking jail system this year, with prisons frequently operating above 100pc capacity. One document earlier this year said: The prison population should not go above 95pc of the total capacity. Going above this risks the safety of staff and prisoners alike. Ms McEntee was also told that a system for targeted drug testing for identified staff was to be introduced as soon as a random programme of testing was under way. The policy is centred on prison officer grades initially, as this is where the greatest potential risk is and covers the vast majority of Irish Prison Service employees. The justice minister was warned, too, that the prison service was at risk of a significant overspend of their budget this year if all vacancies were filled. At the time, there were 200 posts that were not yet recruited, while additional hours had to be allocated because of the impact of overcrowding, garda remands, hospital escorts and new recruits. A view of Portlaoise Prison in Co Laois. Photo: Getty Another briefing from April explained how some prisons were consistently operating at over 107pc capacity. Ms McEntee was told this was putting them under intense operational stress because of an unprecedented increase in prisoner numbers. The document said: [This] results in the necessary redeployment of staff into landings, for safety reasons, diverting staff away from facilitating education and rehabilitative services. Prison overcrowding leads to an increased risk of violence for prisoners, threatens the health and safety of prison officers, and undermines the rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, ultimately resulting in an increased threat to public safety. The briefing explained how broadening criteria for temporary release and other schemes had helped but was not enough to manage overcrowding. It said extra capacity of at least 650 spaces would be needed over the next three to five years. Beyond that timeframe, further capacity will be needed, as will a programme to modernise the prison estate, some of which dates to the 19th century, officials wrote. The policy is centred on prison officer grades, as this is where the greatest potential risk is A plan to try and reopen the old Curragh Prison in Co Kildare was likely to be complicated, another briefing said. It said: There is no up-to-date information on the current state of the prison, but at the time of its closure in 2003, it was in poor condition. It added that extensive works would be required, and would bring only 60 new spaces. Ms McEntee was also told there was the potential to expand the use of Portlaoise Prison. However, details of this were redacted from the records on security grounds. The document also said that modular units were being used in some jails and delivery times are much quicker than traditional build methods. Asked about the records, which were released under Freedom of Information, a department spokesman said significant capital funding had been made available for extra prison spaces. The Irish Prison Service continues to engage with the department to progress plans to bring on stream accommodation for over 1,100 prisoners between 2024 and 2030, he said. Budget 2025 provides funding of 525m for the prison system. This is an increase of 79m, or 18pc, on 2024. Weather Eye with John Maunder My sister Valerie died in Ashburton, New Zealand on the 12 th March 2001 after several years of bowel cancer. On my way to the funeral I called into a shop at Springs Junction on the Lewis Pass Road and purchased by chance a cassette of well known hymns played by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band, the British brass band which featured in the film "Brassed Off". One of the selections was the hymn "Lead Kindly Light" to the tune "Sandon" which was played, at least to my ears, to perfection. At my sister's funeral service, the words from Ecclesiastes 3, 1-8 were read, and it seemed to me that those words appropriately fitted to the tune "Sandon" would make a meaningful hymn for all seasons, and for a number of occasions. Accordingly, I wrote the words for this new hymn which I named "There is a Season" based on Ecclesiastes 3, 1-8, and matched these words to the hymn tune "Sandon" which is usually used for the hymn "Lead, Kindly Light". I am indebted to the late Rev. David Ansell of Tauranga for his help in fine tuning the words. The hymn was first sung at Wesley Church in Tauranga, New Zealand on February 27, 2005 NOTE: The hymn tune "Sandon" was composed by Charles Henry Pruday who was born in Folkestone, England in 1799 and died in London in 1885. He was conductor of the choir at Crown Court Scots Church in London and was a fine vocalist who sang at the coronation of Queen Victoria. "Lead Kindly Light" was written by John Henry Newman in 1833 while he was becalmed for three weeks in an orange boat in the Straits of Bonifacio in Italy. ********************************************************************************************************************* THERE IS A SEASON There is a sea-son, for most ev-ery-thing We thank you God. A time for birth, for each a time to die We thank you God. There is a sea-son, for most ev-ery-thing A time for love, but ne'er a time to hate. A time for sun, and time for cloud and rain We thank you God. A time to plant, and then a time to reap God's earth is ours. There is a sea-son, for most ev-ery-thing A time to pause, and then continue on. A time to save, and time to give and spend Guide me, al-ways. A time to plan, and time to start and build, God's earth is ours. There is a sea-son, for most ev-ery-thing A time to seek, and time to let things go. A time to weep, but time to laugh as well Be still my soul. A time for mourn-ing, and a time to dance Re-store my faith. There is a sea-son, for almost ev-ery-thing A time to heal, a time to re-create. John Maunder Warning: This story contains details readers may find disturbing. Customers of an illegal Rotorua prostitution ring using girls as young as 13 have appeared in the Rotorua District Court. Details of how the men interacted with a 13-year-old have been revealed. Two men connected to the illegally run prostitution business died this year while their charges were before the courts. Five men have pleaded guilty and three are to stand trial. Five men caught up in a Rotorua teen prostitution ring bust have admitted they contracted a 13-year-old for sexual services. The men are Shubham Choudhary, 27, from Hamilton, Felise Falanai, 31, labourer from Rotorua, Nishanth Parakudiyil Prahladan, 23, from Tauranga, Stephen James Philpott, 42, heavy tanker driver from Rotorua, and Stephen Graham Shaw, 70, farmer from Ngakuru. Three other men have pleaded not guilty and will stand trial next year. Darby Bronson Whareaorere and another man had both pleaded not guilty but died while their cases were still before the court. Two other men had their charges dismissed. The men who have pleaded guilty were customers of an illegal prostitution ring that used women and teen girls, some as young as 13 and 14. The prostitution ring was busted by police last year. Clayton Fox was sentenced to eight years and five months jail. Photo / Andrew Warner The pimp behind the ring, Clayton Fox, 49, from Rotorua, has been jailed for eight years and five months after pleading guilty to 18 charges relating to supplying teens as young as 13 and 14 with methamphetamine and cannabis and using underage girls in his illegal prostitution ring. His co-accused and partner at the time, Wikitoria Pepene, 32, from Rotorua, faced less serious drugs-related charges and a charge of running an illegal prostitution business. She was jailed for three months but has since been released. Clayton Fox and Wikitoria Pepene appearing for sentencing in the Rotorua District Court. Photo / Andrew Warner A summary of facts released to the Rotorua Daily Post said a 13-year-old girl was groomed into creating an online account to advertise commercial sex services. The summary said she held herself out to be 18 or 19 and that was the age advertised on the online accounts. Fox and another man, Darby Bronson Whareaorere, 29, from Rotorua, were charged with offences that related to helping the teen to provide commercial sex services. Darby Whareaorere when he appeared in the Rotorua District Court in January. Photo / Andrew Warner Whareaorere pleaded not guilty to a range of charges but died in prison on April 29 before his case went to trial. Among Whareaoreres charges were that he assisted a minor in providing commercial sexual services and received a cash payment he knew was derived from commercial sexual services provided by a minor. What the five guilty men did Choudhary, Falanai, Prahladan, Philpott and Shaw have pleaded guilty to a charge of receiving commercial sexual services from a girl aged 13. The charge is laid under the Prostitution Reform Act 2003 and carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. The summary reveals details of how each man interacted with the teen: Choudhary messaged the teen on February 20 last year and requested commercial sexual services from her. She declined to meet him. About 8pm on March 17, Choudhary messaged her through an online escort website and arranged to meet her around Sala St in Rotorua. About 9pm that night, they met and Choudhary received commercial sexual services from the teen. At midnight, he sent her a message saying Goddess. On April 6, Choudhary messaged the teen again and requested further commercial sexual services from her but she declined to meet him. On the same day, he messaged her and asked to buy her underwear and socks. When arrested, Choudhary told the police the teen told him she was 19, the summary said. Falanai messaged the teen on February 20 last year through an online escort website. They met at 9pm and travelled together to a discreet Rotorua location where he received commercial sexual services from her for about 15 minutes. When arrested and told by police how old the girl was, Falanai said: You are f**king kidding me. I dont know what to say to be honest. What do I say to that? I feel disgusted, the summary said. Prahladan messaged the teen and requested commercial sexual services from her on January 20, 2023. He travelled from Tauranga and met her in Rotorua, paying $250, the summary said. On February 20, 2023, Prahladan messaged the teen and requested commercial sexual services from her. He said in the messages his phone number appeared to have been blocked by her and they exchanged numbers again. Between April 21, 2023 and September 15, 2023, Prahladan called the teens number 29 times. On March 30, 2023 Prahladan messaged an online profile that was using the teens images. He requested 20 minutes of commercial sexual services for $200. He didnt receive the services as he refused to pay an initial deposit. Philpott messaged the teen and another unknown female who was offering commercial sex services at 5.30pm on January 16, 2023. He met the teen and the unknown female at the Greenview Motel on Fenton St in Rotorua about 8.30pm and paid $600 for one hour of their services. About 11pm on February 11, 2023, Philpott messaged the teen and arranged to meet at the Four Square carpark on Edmund Rd. Philpott paid the teen $300 for one hour of her services. At 9.30pm on March 11, 2023, Philpott messaged the teen and arranged to meet at a Countdown supermarket. He paid $300 for one hour of her services. The summary said Philpott told police he didnt think she was that young. Fox contacted Shaw at the start of 2023 saying he had a girl for him, the summary said. Shaw agreed to meet them and the teen was driven to his caravan in Ngakuru where he paid for and received commercial sex services. Shaw told police he asked and was told the teen was over the legal age, the summary said. The five men who have pleaded guilty will be sentenced in the Rotorua District Court on February 21. Three men have pleaded not guilty to receiving commercial sexual services from a 13-year-old girl. One of them has also pleaded not guilty to a charge of unlawful sexual connection with a young person. The three men have a callover on February 19 and a tentative trial date has been set for July 21. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues. SEXUAL HARM Poor alcohol production and cost-cutting can lead to methanol poisoning, but drinking legitimate alcohol is a way to slow the effects until help can be sought, a toxicologist said. Five people have reportedly died of poisoning in Laos. A New Zealander who is unwell may also be a victim, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has said. Dr Paul Gee, an emergency specialist and toxicologist, told Midday Report that unfortunately, methanol poisoning is not rare in many countries. "It actually happens all over the world," he said. "Methanol can get into drinks in bars because it's a by-product of backyard fermentation, so in the normal industrial production of ethanol, drinking alcohol, methanol is actually removed. "But in this case poor production procedures or lax standards have ended up with methanol in alcohol for consumption." Dr Gee has treated patients with methanol poisoning before. "As we've heard with the cases recently, the worst outcome is death. "We had a patient several years ago, a tourist who was from Bali and had been drinking and got on a plane to come to Christchurch. "As soon as she hit Christchurch she started to feel unwell. She had racing heart, vision was starting to go, so she came up to the hospital to be treated. "She ended up in intensive care very close to death, and has been left permanently blind, which is a very sad outcome for her." Monash University's department of forensic medicine Professor David Ranson told Checkpoint that "this is a very tragic story". The acid that forms with methanol is what caused the most harm, he said. "It's the formic acid that causes so many problems, so this is an agent that actually kills cells and as a result it causes really quite significant damage to the body." "Quite often it takes a day or so for these symptoms to come on, particularly if the source of the methanol has been essentially combined with ethanol." A lethal dose could be quite small, Ranson said. "It depends on the amount that's in the drink, actually it's a surprisingly a small amount. "Even 20-30mls can be really quite dangerous and in some people that could be fatal. "In fact quite often people finish up having more than that, simply because if they're having several drinks that are all contaminated, it all adds up." If someone thinks they have ingested methanol, they should get help immediately, Dr Gee said. "If you are in a foreign country you basically should be aware of where you can get help. "But one of the first aid things that you can do is get some legitimate alcohol - so, legal alcohol without methanol - can actually stop the production of acid temporarily and buy you time until you can get to a hospital where they've got dialysis in intensive care." Much of the time methanol is introduced as a cost-cutting measure, Dr Gee said. "The most likely way that a tourist is likely to get methanol mixed in with their drinks is if they have a cocktail for a mixed drink in a bar in one of these countries. "In those countries bars often substitute commercially produced alcohol for bootleg alcohol because it's cheaper." At first, a methanol high might seem like the usual booze effect, but it can quickly turn. "When the body ingests methanol, it initially thinks it's like ethanol, you'll feel intoxicated, perhaps slightly high, but as the body converts the methanol into an acid you'll get increasingly unwell." Ranson said there are remedies that can help if they are given in time for methanol poisoning. "There are some treatments specifically designed to block the enzyme in the body, so that the methanol will not get broken down and cause these nasty agents to be produced. "And if you can do that fairly early on you can keep the level of these nasty chemicals down, and people will then have a much better chance of survival." Ranson said the most important thing if you suspect methanol poisoning is, "you have to get to hospital right away." Checkpoint spoke to the New Zealand Drug Foundation and its principal science adviser said there are no off the shelf rapid tests for methanol in drinks. The foundation's advice is to only drink canned or bottled drinks with a seal when travelling in Southeast Asia. Two lucky Lotto players from the Bay of Plenty will be celebrating after each winning $15,971 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The two lucky players also won Powerball Second Division, taking their total winnings to $24,872. The winning Powerball Second Division tickets were sold on MyLotto to players from Tauranga and Rotorua, said a Lotto spokesperson in a statement. "Two lucky Lotto players from Auckland and Reporoa will be pinching themselves after each winning $500,000 with Lotto First Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. "The winning tickets were sold at New World Howick in Auckland and Reporoa Foodmarket in Reporoa. "Powerball was not struck on Saturday evening and has rolled over to Wednesday night, where the jackpot will be $10 million. "Strike Four has also rolled over and will be $1.1 million on Wednesday night." 17 Lotto players win Second Division As well as the two lucky Lotto Bay of Plenty players there are another 15 lucky Lotto players who will also be celebrating after each winning $15,971 with Lotto Second Division in Saturday nights live Lotto draw. The winning Second Division tickets were sold at the following stores: Store Location MyLotto x2 Auckland Berrymans Toys Auckland Four Square Matarangi Whitianga Four Square Paeroa Paeroa Pak N Save Clarence Street Hamilton MyLotto +PB Tauranga MyLotto Bay of Plenty MyLotto +PB Rotorua MyLotto x2 Gisborne Pak n Save Masterton Masterton Karamea Four Square Supermarket Karamea MyLotto Porirua MyLotto Wellington Pleasant Point Dairy Pleasant Point Monte Carlo Milkbar Mosgiel Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should check their ticket as soon as possible in-store, on MyLotto, or through the MyLotto App. Lotto NZ exists to return 100 per cent of its profits to Kiwi communities through lottery grants programmes run by Te Puna Tahua NZ Lottery Grants Board. The busy summer boat season is fast approaching, which will see an increase in the number and frequency of bar crossings. There have been several other deaths in New Zealand at bar crossings, Coroner Matthew Bates said in his findings, stressing the importance of boater education and organised rescue procedures. A coroner is calling for better messaging on sandbar crossing safety after an experienced boatie died when his boat capsized at a bar off the Coromandel peninsula . Ronald George Starnes, 62, of Auckland drowned after his boat capsized on January 5, 2022 on Tairua bar near the coastal town of Pauanui. Starnes, his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren launched the boat on the morning of January 5. Starnes son piloted the boat on their return trip, when he was told there were two people in a tandem kayak who appeared inexperienced and were approaching the Tairua/Pauanui sandbar, known for its treacherous conditions. Starnes son, a trained surf lifesaver, swam to the assistance of the kayakers, and Ronald Starnes took control of the boat. Witnesses soon saw the boat drift towards rougher water in the channel, where it capsized and became lodged on the sandbar. Starnes and his grandchildren were trapped under the boat, which became suctioned to the sandbar. Starnes was rescued, resuscitated and taken to Waikato Hospital, but died the following day. The grandchildren were also rescued and taken to hospital for further treatment. Starnes was an experienced recreational boater who had a history of heart conditions and had been hospitalised in late December 2021 for chest pains, just a little over a week before the accident. He was found to have died of hypoxic brain injury and multiple organ failure. Coroners findings Bates noted Starnes boating experience and said, it is difficult to understand why his boat was able to travel from the relative safety of the harbour channel, where he had been advised to keep it, to where it capsized on the sandbar. There was no evidence of any fault with the boat, the coroner found. The coroners report found that Coastguard had difficulty accessing the bar during the incident as the main access channel was blocked due to sand build-up. The coroner said it was uncertain if Starnes would have survived if the Coastguard could have arrived sooner, but his tragic death serves as a warning that ... Coastguard require unimpeded access to and through harbour channels from their operations bases. Tairua-Pauanui Coastguard try to launch their rescue vessel during a tragedy unfolding on January 5, 2022 at Tairua Bar. Photo / Paul Andrew When rescued from the capsized boat, Starnes was not wearing a lifejacket, although he had been earlier. The coroner found it likely that Starnes removed his lifejacket and one of his grandchildrens while they were trapped under the boat, to make escape easier. Hato Hone St John had a laryngeal mask airway which a doctor at the scene offered to place on Starnes during the resuscitation efforts, but one of the Hato Hone St John officers declined as it was not permitted under their protocols. The coroner said that, I do not find any action or inaction on the part of Hato Hone St John contributed to Mr Starnes death, and commended their service to the community. Bates did recommend Hato Hone St John review training for new staff to be sure they are familiar with key protocols, including when suitably qualified members of the public may be permitted to access equipment and to assist with resuscitation. Maritime New Zealand also reviewed the policies of the company which rented the kayak, and found it could make improvements to staff training and hiring kayaks during low tide. Bates endorsed Maritime New Zealands recommendations for better safety messaging to skippers, including before embarking on any water rescue, the skipper of a vessel must pause to identify hazards and associated risks. Increased dredging of the sandbar and channel from the wharf was also recommended. The coroner also endorsed Maritime New Zealands recommendation for additional signage about water emergency procedures in the area and Waikato Regional Councils reminders about bar crossing safety, along with other safety and signage recommendations for the sandbar. The various council, water and emergency agencies were also advised to work closely together. A cohesive regional marine safety plan should be established that refers to combined planning for preventative education and awareness, operational planning, and emergency response, the coroner found. Bates said the findings of the report need to be shared to heighten awareness of the very real, and too often realised, risks associated with bar crossings, particularly at low tide. -RNZ Rescuers transfer a body pack of victim after a landslide hit Semangat Gunung village in Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, Nov. 25, 2024. Landslides and flash floods that hit two regencies in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Saturday night have claimed 13 lives with 18 others injured, said an official from the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency on Sunday. (Photo by Alberth Damanik/Xinhua) JAKARTA, Nov. 24 (Xinhua) -- Landslides and flash floods that hit two regencies in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Saturday night have claimed 13 lives with 18 others injured, said an official from the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency on Sunday. According to Sri Wahyuni Pancasilawati, head of the emergency, equipment, and logistics unit of the agency, the landslides and flash floods struck on Saturday night in Deli Serdang and Karo regencies. In Deli Serdang, six people were killed, and nine others sustained injuries after strong currents swept away four houses and a religious building. In Karo regency, a similar disaster left seven people dead and nine injured. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals and health clinics for treatment, she told Xinhua. On early Saturday morning, landslides and flash floods had also stricken Padang Lawas and South Tapanuli regencies in the province, leaving six dead and seven injured. The Indonesian Meteorology and Geophysics Agency had issued warnings of extreme weather, forecasting above-normal rainfall intensity in the region. Efforts are underway to assist affected communities and mitigate further risks as authorities continue to monitor the situation closely. An excavator works on the site of a landslide in Semangat Gunung village of Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, Nov. 25, 2024. Landslides and flash floods that hit two regencies in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Saturday night have claimed 13 lives with 18 others injured, said an official from the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency on Sunday. (Photo by Alberth Damanik/Xinhua) Relatives of victims (front) wait as rescue teams work on site after a landslide hit Semangat Gunung village in Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, Nov. 25, 2024. Landslides and flash floods that hit two regencies in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Saturday night have claimed 13 lives with 18 others injured, said an official from the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency on Sunday. (Photo by Alberth Damanik/Xinhua) Rescuers transfer a body pack of victim after a landslide hit Semangat Gunung village in Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province, Indonesia, Nov. 25, 2024. Landslides and flash floods that hit two regencies in Indonesia's North Sumatra province on Saturday night have claimed 13 lives with 18 others injured, said an official from the provincial disaster management and mitigation agency on Sunday. (Photo by Alberth Damanik/Xinhua) Royse City, Texas Jerome Melvin, a longtime educator who served as superintendent for multiple Central New York school districts, died Thursday at his home near Dallas. He was 90. Melvin, a native of Providence, R.I., began his career in schools across New England. He arrived in Central New York in 1978 as superintendent of the Liverpool Central School District. He remained there for more than a decade, before taking the helm of the North Syracuse Central School District in 1992. He served in that position for eight years, retiring in 2000. The districts administration building was named for him upon his retirement. Melvin later told syracuse.com | The Post-Standard that he realized soon after retiring that he missed being at school. I wasnt ready to walk away, he said. Between 2001 and 2004, Melvin served as an interim superintendent at a variety of school districts Onondaga Central, Rome City, Stockbridge Valley Central, Union Springs Central and Canastota Central. He also was principal at Rome Free Academy, before returning in 2005 to be superintendent again at North Syracuse. Melvins second stint at North Syracuse lasted until 2011, when, at 77, he retired for the second time. All I can say is that youve been a mentor, not only to me but to all the people you have come in contact with, Pat Carbone, the then-president of the school board, said when Melvin retired in 2011. Everyone believes that you are the quintessential superintendent. You have really helped us be prepared for many years to come. That retirement would also prove to be short lived. He soon joined the Central Square Central School District for a time as interim superintendent. Melvin was known for encouraging and inspiring teachers and administrators to maximize their talents and advance their careers, according to his obituary. He loved being a superintendent of schools, which was evident not only in holding the position over parts of six decades, but in his constant dedication to students, teachers, administrators, and board members, his obituary said. Michael Schiedo, the interim superintendent for the North Syracuse schools, said in a statement Saturday that Melvin was not only the heart and soul of our district, but also a guiding force who left an indelible mark on all of us. He will be dearly missed, but his legacy will live on in the classrooms, hallways, and hearts of all those he touched, Schiedo said. Melvin deeply ingrained himself in local community organizations. He served on the boards of many different nonprofits, and is a former president of the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and the Liverpool Rotary Club. Melvin is survived by his two daughters, Cynthia (Keith) Ballard of Wakefield, R.I., and Mary Katherine Melvin (Chris Weltzien) of San Francisco; his son, Edward G. (Deborah) Melvin II of Syracuse; and six grandchildren. Calling hours will be held at 9 a.m. on Dec. 27 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 259 E. Onondaga St., Syracuse. Melvin was a parishioner at the church since the early 1980s. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. *** Jerome Melvins obituary *** Staff writer Jon Moss covers breaking news, crime and public safety. He can be reached at jmoss@syracuse.com or @mossjon7. Federal crash investigators blame lax enforcement of trucking safety rules, loopholes in labor and vehicle registration laws and New Yorks weak seat belt laws for the deaths of six migrant workers in a horrific North Country bus-truck crash on Jan. 28, 2023. The preliminary findings of the National Transportation Safety Board go deeper into a story reported in May by syracuse.coms Rylee Kirk and Michelle Breidenbach back in May. The reporters interviewed survivors, family members and a witness and reviewed thousands of pages of documents. The article also was published in Spanish so that families of the dead and injured workers in Mexico and Venezuela could read it. NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy opened a public hearing last week by praising the reporters work. They put a human face on the migrant workers killed and injured in the crash; spotlighted the heroic efforts of a good Samaritan who stopped to help; and highlighted various deficiencies in federal and state oversight of transportation. The NTSB found that LBFNY, the owner of the minibus transporting migrant workers to install a solar panel farm, evaded a federal order to cease operations over its poor safety record by registering the bus in Montana. The bus also lacked working seat belts, leading to passengers being displaced from their seats and injured in the collision. The NTSB also faulted the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for allowing the owner of the box truck, Aero Global Logistics, to operate its fleet unsafely for years despite numerous safety deficiencies. The NTSB cited driver fatigue as a factor in the crash and criticized the company for poor training, lack of driver monitoring and lack of lane-keeping technology that would have warned the driver when he crossed the center line before hitting the bus. We dont just have a deadly crash between two motor carriers, we have a deadly crash between two motor carriers that actively worked to avoid oversight by concealing their identities, Homendy said. It is crashes like this, and so many others that we have investigated, that make me wonder what the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is doing. 26 1 / 26 Six migrant workers killed in North Country bus crash in January 2023 Indeed. Adding up the NTSB investigation and syracuse.coms reporting, its fairly easy to say what the FMCSA is not doing. It doesnt recognize when trucking companies with poor safety records change their shirts to become new entities with suddenly clean safety records. Its safety performance requirements for new carriers are less than stringent. Its interventions and oversight dont stop unsafe carriers from operating. It does not incorporate on-road performance data into its methodology for determining a motor carriers fitness. In addition to addressing those deficiencies at FMCSA, we support the safety boards other calls to action: New York state legislators should mandate the use of seat belts in all vehicle positions equipped with them, a recommendation the agency made nationwide in 2014 and again in New York after a 2018 fatal limousine crash in Schoharie . Current seat belt laws only apply to front-seat passengers and back-seat passengers under age 16. Montana and other states with lax vehicle registration requirements should introduce simple safeguards to prevent unsafe motor carriers from evading out-of-service orders that are supposed to keep them off the road. The U.S. Department of Labor should expand its safety inspections of housing and transportation for migrant workers. The law applies only to those who work seasonally on fruit and vegetable farms, not to those who work in other industries, like solar farms. The NTSB digs deeply into only a few transportation accidents each year. Last weeks hearing was the agencys fourth in 2024. We can infer that they chose this crash to highlight the federal governments poor oversight of more than 14 million trucks and buses plying the nations roads every year. We all share the highways with them and can be injured or killed in a heartbeat when owners and drivers flout safety rules. Not all crashes can be prevented, but some can including this one, had everybody done their jobs. About Syracuse.com editorials Editorials represent the collective opinion of the Advance Media New York editorial board. Our opinions are independent of news coverage. Read our mission statement. Members of the editorial board are Tim Kennedy, Trish LaMonte and Marie Morelli. To respond to this editorial: Submit a letter or commentary to letters@syracuse.com. Read our submission guidelines. If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. yogisays0909 BHPian Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Navi Mumbai Posts: 553 Thanked: 387 Times View My Garage Re: My Garage: Suzuki Hayabusa & Bandit GSF1250, Kawasaki Ninja Z1000SX & Triumph Thunderbird Storm Did a major service on the Bandit, the clutch unit needed a good service. The thunderbird needed a battery and tyre replacement. Also got the clutch cable replaced at the A.S.S and balanced the throttle bodies. The Busa needed some accessories like fork slider and magnet cover slider. Installed the tank grab handle which help a lot in moving the beast around in the parking lot. The TBR which came in with the Busa is now on the Ninja 1000, had the mid pipes since a long time. But the torque and smoothness on the stock exhaust is unmtached. Some random parking lot pictures and how the bikes are used a clothes hanger when not used during rainy season. Finding time to ride and maintaining 4 big ones is really a task. I do get thoughts of releasing a few and keeping only 1 bike but its super difficult to take a decisionDid a major service on the Bandit, the clutch unit needed a good service.The thunderbird needed a battery and tyre replacement. Also got the clutch cable replaced at the A.S.S and balanced the throttle bodies.The Busa needed some accessories like fork slider and magnet cover slider. Installed the tank grab handle which help a lot in moving the beast around in the parking lot.The TBR which came in with the Busa is now on the Ninja 1000, had the mid pipes since a long time. But the torque and smoothness on the stock exhaust is unmtached.Some random parking lot pictures and how the bikes are used a clothes hanger when not used during rainy season. Last edited by Eddy : 24th November 2024 at 17:47 . Reason: Corrected typo Press Release November 23, 2024 STATEMENT OF SENATE PRESIDENT FRANCIS "CHIZ" G. ESCUDERO ON THE PRONOUNCEMENTS OF VICE PRESIDENT SARA DUTERTE Recent statements made by Vice President Sara Duterte are deeply concerning as they are inappropriate for an official occupying the second highest office of the land. She should keep in mind that as a public official, she has a duty to set an example for the personnel in the Office of the Vice President and our fellow Filipinos, especially our children. The Vice President and her allies must also consider how her actions have contributed to rising tensions. I call on all parties involved to de-escalate the situation to prevent further harm to the safety, health, and well-being of everyone involved. I urge those who are close to her--those who truly care about her as a person and as a leader--to advise her to refrain from making these indecorous and possibly criminal statements in public. These do not benefit the Vice President, her office, or our country. If she is struggling, I sincerely hope she seeks and is provided with the help she may need so she can regain calm and composure, and properly discharge her duties as Vice President. Our government has urgent and pressing concerns it must address--matters that directly affect the lives and livelihoods of the Filipino people. It is imperative that we as public officials focus our energy and attention on resolving these issues. Dealing with the erratic and troubling behavior of a high-ranking official needlessly distracts us from attending to the urgent needs of the nation. Ultimately, as public servants, our actions should always be guided by this fundamental question: do my actions serve our people and benefit the country that we all love? I implore the Vice President to review and assess her recent actions and words spoken and determine if her statements meet this standard. Everyone has the right to feel anger and frustration, which often result in painful and hurtful language. Civil servants such as ourselves, however, do not have that luxury, as our Code of Conduct requires all public officials and employees to "perform and discharge their duties with the highest degree of excellence, professionalism, intelligence and skill." Let us all strive to have prudence, reason and dignity in our words and actions for the good of the nation and the people we are duty-bound to serve. ISLAMABAD, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Three terrorists were killed in two military operations in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistani military, said on Saturday that security forces clashed with terrorists in Khyber and South Waziristan districts of the province. According to the ISPR, weapons and ammunition were discovered during the operations. Bottom line: Regulators worldwide are trying to balance innovation, competition, and user protection in the mobile ecosystem. A UK investigation, in particular, could have far-reaching implications for mobile browser competition, app development, and user experience on iOS devices. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has released provisional findings suggesting that Apple's restrictions on mobile browsers hamper innovation and deprive iPhone users of potentially beneficial features. Its investigation is part of a broader inquiry into mobile ecosystems. "Through our investigation, we have provisionally found that competition between different mobile browsers is not working well and this is holding back innovation in the UK," said Margot Daly, chair of the CMA's independent inquiry group. The group concluded that Apple's Safari browser policies prevent rival browsers from implementing some advanced features. One notable example is the restriction on faster webpage loading technologies, which, if allowed, could significantly enhance user experience. The investigation revealed a strong preference among UK app developers for offering progressive web apps as an alternative to traditional App Store distribution. However, current iOS limitations make this approach impractical, potentially stifling innovation and reducing options for developers and users. The CMA also has concerns regarding a revenue-sharing agreement between Apple and Google. This arrangement significantly lowers financial incentives to compete in the iOS mobile browser space, potentially limiting the drive for innovation and improvement. The regulator believes Apple and Google can manipulate users' browser choices. These companies can make their offerings appear as the clearest or easiest options, potentially influencing user decisions and further cementing their market positions. The CMA recommends addressing these issues through the UK's upcoming Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act, which will take effect in January 2025. This new legislation will grant the CMA enhanced powers to designate firms as having "Strategic Market Status" and impose appropriate interventions to promote competition. While the investigation initially covered both mobile browsers and cloud gaming, the CMA has decided not to pursue action on the latter. This decision came after Apple began allowing cloud gaming apps in the App Store, effectively addressing the primary concern in this area. Apple told MacRumors that it disagreed with the report's conclusions regarding Safari, WebKit, and in-app browsing on iOS. "We face competition in every segment and jurisdiction where we operate, and our focus is always the trust of our users," it said. Apple also raised concerns that the potential interventions discussed in the report, which the CMA could implement under the Digital Markets, Competition, and Consumers Act, might undermine user privacy and security and hinder their ability to develop the technology that sets Apple apart in the market. It also pointed out that it offers a variety of WebKit-based third-party browsers on the App Store, which compete alongside Safari, and that iOS includes settings that allow users to switch their default browser, promoting user choice. The CMA's investigation is not an outlier. The European Commission and the United States Department of Justice are also conducting similar probes into mobile browser competition, indicating a growing scrutiny of mobile ecosystem practices. A notable recent example is the Justice Department's proposal that would force Google to sell its Chrome browser to address monopolistic concerns in the search market. The UK regulator is now accepting public comments on its provisional findings until December 13. It will release its final decision in March 2025. Spain's Ebro-EV Motors and China's Chery Automobile celebrate the start of vehicle production at their joint venture, the Ebro Factory, located in the Zona Franca of Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo by Joan gosa/Xinhua) BARCELONA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Ebro-EV Motors and China's Chery Automobile celebrated the start of vehicle production at their joint venture, the Ebro Factory, located in the Zona Franca of Barcelona. Speaking at the ceremony, Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu praised the partnership as a model for future joint ventures between Chinese and Spanish companies, expressing hope for more collaborations like Ebro and Chery across Spain. The factory's first output includes the s700 SUV, with the s800 SUV to follow in coming weeks. Both mid-size models will feature Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) and combustion engines, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of the reborn historic Spanish brand. "Thanks to cooperation among institutions, unions, investors, and Chery, we are giving life to a new generation of vehicles that blend historical legacy with innovation," said Rafael Ruiz, president of EV Motors, Ebro's parent company. Chery's Chairman Yin Tongyue highlighted the cultural and historical significance of the Ebro brand in Spain, saying "Chery and Ebro join hands to pool the strengths of both companies and have committed to transforming the Ebro brand into the main national automobile brand in Spain." The two sides "aim to achieve sustainable development through the joint development and promotion of new green energy technologies," Yin added. Ebro-EV Motors and Chery Automobile signed a pact in April to develop new electric vehicles through a joint venture in Barcelona. With the partnership, Chery becomes the first Chinese automaker to produce vehicles in Europe. The joint venture, repurposing a former Nissan plant that closed in 2021, is expected to create 1,250 jobs and churn out 150,000 vehicles in 2029. Vehicles will be distributed across Spain through a growing network, with over 45 confirmed points of sale and 30 of them operational by year-end. Spain's Ebro-EV Motors and China's Chery Automobile celebrate the start of vehicle production at their joint venture, the Ebro Factory, located in the Zona Franca of Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo by Joan gosa/Xinhua) Spain's Ebro-EV Motors and China's Chery Automobile celebrate the start of vehicle production at their joint venture, the Ebro Factory, located in the Zona Franca of Barcelona, Spain, Nov. 23, 2024. (Photo by Joan gosa/Xinhua) CORRECTED: India denounces Baku climate finance deal, says concerns ignored Baku, Nov 23 (AFP) Nov 23, 2024 India early Sunday lashed out at a deal for wealthy nations to provide $300 billion a year in climate finance to poorer countries, saying host Azerbaijan ignored its concerns. "The amount that is proposed to be mobilised is abysmally poor. It's a paltry sum," Indian official Chandni Raina told the COP29 conference in Baku. "India opposes the adoption of this document." Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez A small group of stocks could capture the next burst of AI development, BofA said. The firm sees a coming "Agentic AI wave," which includes developments like AI-powered apps and robots. Strategists highlighted six large-cap stocks that represent its top picks for the next wave. A new wave of AI development is about to take shape and Wall Street is starting to divert its attention from the market's largest companies to a different group of stocks, according to Bank of America. In a recent note, the bank's strategists said they foresaw a coming "Agentic AI wave," referring to the second phase of artificial intelligence development. Possible beneficiaries include companies that are beginning to deploy AI through apps, or industrial and commercial robots. There are some signs AI innovation is already headed in that direction, the bank added, pointing to new features added to AI software, like Google's Gemini, and robotic security dogs being deployed at Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago. Meanwhile, Bank of America clients are already beginning to shift their focus from the market's top AI names, like Nvidia, to what the bank believes to be the "second phase of AI beneficiaries," the note said. "We urge investors not to diminish AI's near-term disruption potential in this early stage. Upside is unlikely to be fully priced in across the AI investment stack and, specifically, across our software coverage, in our view," strategists wrote. "We expect AI monetization across our coverage to begin in 2025 as software's AI moment arrives and monetization to become meaningful in 2026 as enterprise adoption accelerates," they continued. The bank reiterated its focus on six large-cap stocks, which it said were among its top picks as the Agentic AI theme plays out. 1. Microsoft (MSFT) Microsoft Copilot Omer Taha Cetin/Anadolu via Getty Images In an early November note, the bank pointed to Microsoft's plans to supplement Copilot with more AI agents, which could help automate tasks related to sales, services, finances, and managing supply chains. Strategists issued a price target of $510 a share, implying 23% upside from current levels. 2. Salesforce (CRM) Gary Hershorn / Getty Images Salesforce plans on integrating AI agents into its range of products, which can help automate tasks in areas like customer service and marketing, the bank said. The firm also finalized a partnership with Nvidia to create avatars that can automate tasks in customer service, crisis management, and other areas. Strategists issued a price target of $390 a share, implying 14% upside from current levels. UK says COP29 deal 'not everything' wanted but 'step forward' London, Nov 23 (AFP) Nov 23, 2024 UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband welcomed late Saturday a deal reached between nearly 200 nations at the COP29 summit in Azerbaijan as "a critical eleventh hour deal at the eleventh hour for the climate". "It is not everything we or others wanted but is a step forward for us all," Miliband said in a statement released shortly after the deal was announced. He added the pledge to provide $300 billion a year in finance by 2035 to the developing world "rightly reflects the importance of going beyond traditional donors like Britain, and the role of countries like China in helping those on the frontline of this crisis". "If this finance is used in the right way, it could cut the equivalent emissions of one billion cars and could protect nearly a billion people from the impacts of climate change," he said. Miliband -- a former leader of Britain's ruling Labour party, which returned to power in July -- argued the overall deal "sends the signal that the clean energy transition is unstoppable". He insisted it "will drive forward the clean energy transition which is essential for jobs and growth in Britain and for protecting us all against the worsening climate crisis". "It is the biggest economic opportunity of the 21st century and through our championing of it we can help crowd in private investment," the UK's energy secretary added. Miliband conceded there was "much more work to do" if the world was to "prevent climate catastrophe" but that the UK had "pushed for ambition in Baku". "We will keep up the pace, working with other countries before the world meets again in Brazil for COP30," he said. "Only by doing this can we keep future generations safe and reap the benefits of the clean energy revolution." Cultivating a personal brand can help advisors stand out in a competitive landscape. The most successful businesses understand the value of a highly recognizable, trusted brand image for attracting new clients. An impactful financial advisor branding statement can help you clearly convey what your business stands for and the value you offer to prospective clients. Do you need help expanding the marketing of your financial advisor practice? Try SmartAsset AMP, a holistic client prospecting and marketing automation platform. What Is a Branding Statement? A branding statement is a concise statement that neatly encapsulates who you are, what you do and what makes your business unique. A well-crafted branding statement conveys your firm's mission, values and key selling points. Financial advisors may develop a branding statement that represents their firm as a whole. They could also write a separate personal branding statement for themselves. Your firm's branding statement communicates what your business does and how you meet your clients' needs. A personal brand statement is an opportunity to demonstrate your personality and what you're most passionate about when it comes to helping clients. Importance of a Brand Statement for Financial Advisors Financial services is a highly competitive industry. If you want to succeed, you have to give prospective clients clear reasons to choose your business over another advisor's. A branding statement helps you to crystallize your messaging for maximum impact. Developing a brand statement allows you to: Emphasize your expertise to your target audience Put your skills and unique value proposition in the spotlight Demonstrate the value you offer to your clients The best brand statements for advisors are memorable or "sticky," meaning their message lingers with prospective clients. Stickiness is an important characteristic in building your advisor brand, as prospects who remember you may be more likely to seek out your services. It's important to remember that a brand statement is different from a slogan or tagline. Brand statements are concise, but still detailed. Meanwhile a slogan or tagline is usually a catchy phrase that's designed to grab attention. Financial Advisor Branding Statement Examples A financial advisor works on a branding statement for their firm. SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. A branding statement is typically brief, no more than one to three sentences. So it's important to choose your words carefully. Having some examples of financial advisor branding statements to follow can help you decide what to include: After flying high during the first half of the year, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly (NYSE: LLY) has lost some momentum; the company's shares are down by 11% since June 1. However, the healthcare leader still has plenty of fans on Wall Street, including Israel Englander, the billionaire owner of Millennium Management, a hedge fund. Millennium Management's stake in Eli Lilly increased by 86% in the third quarter. Should you follow Englander's lead and increase your stake (or initiate a position) in Eli Lilly? Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Breakfast News delivers it all in a quick, Foolish, and free daily newsletter. Sign Up For Free LLY data by YCharts. What's gone wrong for Eli Lilly? Since June 1, Lilly has earned approval for brand-new medicines, including eczema treatment Ebglyss and a potential blockbuster Alzheimer's disease medicine, Kisunla. It reported several positive data readouts for its new best-selling medicine tirzepatide. And the company's second-quarter results came with an upward guidance adjustment. What, then, is the cause of Lilly's poor performance in the second half of the year? First, its shares look expensive. Eli Lilly's forward price-to-earnings ratio was recently 54.8. The average for the S&P 500 is 22, and the healthcare industry's is only 17.4. Eli Lilly has been on a tear for a while now, and its shares were bound to face gravity at some point. Some investors likely decided to pocket significant profits before it did. Second, Lilly's third-quarter results were below expectations. Revenue grew by 20% year over year to $11.4 billion. That's not bad by any means, but it wasn't enough to impress investors, especially considering the company's valuation. Lilly slightly reducing its guidance for the full year 2024 made things worse, sending the stock off a cliff following its latest quarterly update. There's plenty of room to run Eli Lilly might or might not rebound by the end of the year. It's impossible to predict how its shares will perform in the next month, or three, or six. But what if we extend our horizon beyond the next five years? Then we have every reason to think that Lilly can deliver market-beating returns. Let's consider just three: First, the company's tirzepatide -- sold under the brand name Mounjaro for diabetes and Zepbound for weight management -- is still only getting started. The two brands racked up combined sales of $4.4 billion in the third quarter. Mounjaro was first approved in May 2022, and Zepbound in November 2023. The competition watchdog has opened an inquiry into PEXA Group, which has a monopoly over Australias $800 billion online property settlements industry, over allegations of anti-competitive behaviour by the company. At a Senate estimates hearing on Thursday night, Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) executive general manager Melinda McDonald confirmed the watchdog was looking into the matter. ACCC chair Gina Cass-Gottlieb has criticised the process that led to PEXA being privatised as a monopoly without adequate regulation. Credit: Oscar Colman We are still in the process of assessing those concerns, and I wouldnt characterise it as an in-depth investigation at this stage, but naturally, the concerns warrant further consideration, McDonald said in response to questioning from Liberal senator Dean Smith. The ACCC action comes after this masthead reported in July that PEXA warned the banks that they risked breaching the companys intellectual property rights if they co-operated with the sectors regulator, the Australian Registrars National Electronic Conveyancing Council (ARNECC), to overcome interoperability issues and open the door to competition. Its hard not to be suspicious of motivations when yet another program comes along that is an Australian version of an overseas hit. Cynicism is often the default mode when it comes to TV criticism, and its apt to go into overdrive when you see the latest this is that show you love only in Australia! Sometimes it seems like Australian TV hasnt progressed since the cringeworthy days of Are You Being Served in Australia? At least that had John Inman. The makers of NCIS: Sydney steadfastly refused to fly Mark Harmon Down Under to make it worth watching. There is a certain logic to NCIS: Sydney: there were already several spin-offs in the NCIS-verse set in various US locales, and the routine of following a bunch of naval cops in a different city was already well established. So why not Sydney, right? Besides the fact that Australia doesnt have an NCIS, and coming up with justifications for the American agency to continue teaming up with the Australian Federal Police requires heroic stretching of plausibility. The latest NCIS spin-off heads Down Under to solve crimes near televisual landmarks. Credit: Paramount But then the entire franchise is built on being implausible, so its not a major problem. The problem is that every time a show like this gets made, the question of why raises its bolshie little head. There are always myriad reasons a TV show gets made, many of them involving budgets and projections and local content quotas. But if you asked the creative minds behind NCIS: Sydney why they wanted to make the show, would the networks publicity team allow them to give an honest answer? Dramas and comedies arent like reality shows. Franchises like Survivor, The Amazing Race, MasterChef et al produce dozens of different versions for different countries, and the logic is obvious: to give the punters in each country a chance to participate. Obviously, the overriding logic is to cash in, but were talking artistic decisions here, and the point is that reality franchises have a solid reason to diversify to different settings that doesnt exist for scripted narrative shows. You cant sign up to be a contestant on NCIS, so whether its set in Los Angeles or Sydney doesnt make a difference to you youre still just watching fictional cops catching fictional crooks, and why should creating a whole different set of fictional people who live a bit closer to your house add anything to your entertainment world? Created by Adina Sadeanu and Kirsten Peters, Spy/Master is a 2023 series that was commissioned by HBOs now-withered European creative office. It is a suspenseful covert tale that carries the DNA of the genres historic greats, starting with the analog data-gathering and icy machinations of John le Carre classics such as Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy , but its distinguished by the cruel intimacy of the satellite setting. The KGB and CIA loom over Romania and Victor, yet his bosses are succumbing to megalomania. Keep your head low or you get it cut off, Victor tells Ileana, unease crowding his voice. And, like much of what Victor says in this six-part Central European period drama, hes already contradicted it. As Ceausescus closest aide he counsels Nicolae as they play chess, then gossips about fellow apparatchiks with Ceausescus venomous wife, Elena (Elvira Deatcu) he has his head way too high. Victor runs a smuggling ring, hes a mole for Russians, and now hes hoping to defect to America. Something, or someone, has to give. In the second episode of this taut 1970s spy thriller, Romanian intelligence head and courtier Victor Godeanu (Alec Secareanu) takes his teenage daughter, Ileana (Alexandra Bob), from a luxurious classical music concert in honour of the states communist dictator, Nicolae Ceausescu (Claudiu Bleont), to the slums of Bucharest. This is where I come from, the father tells his daughter, but hes not trying to inspire his loving but naive child. Its a warning. He understands their corrupt world, she doesnt. The Ceausescus run a cult of personality. Long live comrade Nicolae Ceausescu! all present chant whenever the president appears. Manipulating them is Victors greatest talent and most terrifying risk; eventually they will turn on him, especially with his rivals growing in strength. As a portrait of authoritarian rule, Spy/Master captures the petty cruelty and monstrous absurdity. Ileana, a talented artist, must paint a portrait of Nicolae to graduate. Her first effort is a caricature, but no one laughs. Victor burns it on the spot. Loading The bulk of the action takes place over a single week in 1978, as Victor mulls defecting to America while in West Germany negotiating a deal for Romania. Its poor timing: CIA agent Frank Jackson (Parker Sawyers) is keen, but Ceausescu, having broken free of direct Russian oversight, has inserted himself into Middle East peace talks. Jimmy Carters White House is loath to upset the Romanian leader, so Victor is left hanging as his fickle bosses are fed dirt on him and the KGB tries to reel him back in. There are cliff-hanging physical threats and moments of sudden violence you know its a Cold War-era series because someone gets bumped off in Vienna but the majority of the narrative is tangled up in quiet deception and unspoken evaluations. Nearly everyone wants something, but they refuse to articulate what it is, let alone why. Victor schemes on the run, and the show smartly leaves unclear whether its protagonist is smarter than everyone or just coming to the end of a long and lucky streak. English director Christopher Smith sets up constrictive frames and nowhere-to-hide close-ups for this Romanian/Hungarian co-production. Secareanu, who had an international breakthrough with the 2017 arthouse hit Gods Own Country, is exemplary as an operator who is running out of moves. Victor is a worthy protagonist, but not a heroic one. He was willing to do whatever it took to prosper. Hes willing to do whatever it takes to survive. Types of Evidence that Determine Compensation After a Truck Accident Unlike other auto collisions, truck accidents can be catastrophic since the massive size and design can cause more damage. Truck accident survivors may be unable to work due to severe injuries. However, you can get financial compensation to help you get back on your feet and recover from emotional setbacks. Compensation decisions are based on proof of liability and damages. Here are some types of evidence you should prioritize. Vehicle Inspection Report Truckers must adhere to various laws and regulations that ensure safety inspections and vehicle maintenance. However, some may skip necessary inspections and operate unsafe vehicles prone to accidents. The drivers maintain a driver vehicle inspection report (DVIR) as proof of compliance. The report covers various motor vehicle parts and accessories vital for an optimum functioning truck. The law restricts drivers from operating a truck unless all the items listed in the report work perfectly. If the inspection shows defective parts, its a plausible basis to hold the trucking company responsible. In addition, consider any third-party equipment on the truck since some accessories make vehicles more likely to cause severe accidents. If faulty equipment caused the accident, you can hold the manufacturer responsible for your losses. Expert Witness Reports Typically, experts can be quite instrumental in helping juries or magistrates determine specific issues in a case. Prosecutors require sufficient knowledge and understanding of the evidence to challenge claims. Experts furnish the court with information or opinion likely to be outside a laymans knowledge, but necessary to establish causation and damages. The core responsibility of an expert witness is to provide an overriding and unbiased objective on matters within their domain. However, the law requires experts to disclose anything that may undermine their credibility. This means an expert can only testify on issues within their professional realm of expertise, since belief and opinion are inadmissible in court. Once you establish liability, its time to analyze your damages economic and non-economic value. The expert witness uses your primary care provider to establish the impacts of the accident on your physical and mental health. Its difficult to attach economic value to some damages due to their non-financial nature. However, an expert witness can analyze your physical condition, education, and employment to determine potential impacts on your working ability. Information of the Trucking Company and Driver Most people overestimate their ability to multitask and try to control a heavy truck while having a conversation. Phone evidence can help establish negligence and boost the chances of fair compensation. While assessing this data can be challenging, an experienced accident lawyer from Garland, Samuel & Loeb can help you navigate the process. In addition, your lawyers can investigate the trucking companys working conditions and history. If the supervisors overwork drivers or ignore state regulations, they could be liable. Endnote The claim process for truck accident cases can be complex, since they involve multiple parties. Nevertheless, most cases are settled before trial and dont last the entire litigation process outlined in the law. The Jaguar Farce - Opinion by Andrew Frankl, TACH European Bureau Chief By Andrew Frankl European Bureau Chief THE AUTO CHANNEL As a member of the CAR magazine team I remember how happy Sir William Lyons was in 1986 when we handed over to him the CAR of the Year. In those days the trophy meant something. These days every magazine dishes one out consequently it means a great deal less. The Jaguar XJ 6 was a very fine automobile let down by Lucas electrics. In fact, Lucas was known as the Prince of Darkness to five Continents. That as they say is it, but in terms of ride and handling Jaguars were in a class of their own. Over the years Jaguar changed hands many times until the Tata group rescued it. Tata made the Range Rover one of the most coveted things on 4 wheels, which is more or less obligatory if you have a ski chalet in Aspen or St Moritz. Not so Jaguar - in the same stable - which has being doing sort of all right inspire of having some great cars such as the V8 engined 400 hp model. We took it up to Northstar and loved every minute of the journey. So so good, but the company decided that it was time to go all electric. How were they to know that EVs would go out of fashion with people switching to hybrids?! They decided to burn all their bridges: EV or nothing. Some brighter companies chose to play it safe. Still, as a niche market product, Jaguar might have succeeded, and looking ahead it still could turn out to be the surprise product of 2025. But alas, the signs are ominous. Tata gave the job of re-imagining Jaguar to Santonio Pietrosanti, Jaguar's Head Of Brand, a woke-world supporting American executive from New York, who lives with his Scottish husband and their cockapoo Mia, the task of transforming this 100-year-old British icon. At a recent dinner, Mr. Pietrosanti boasted that he was assured by no fewer than 15 DEI groups that he was on the right track. At the actual launch in Miami on December 2, with an agency produced very expensive commercial that, as you can see below, has nothing to do with cars but features several gay and lesbian models in futuristic outfits which might, just might appear in Vogue but which has caused mirth and revulsion among people in general and auto aficionados in particular. Radical left, mega woke, transgenders delight, didnt they learn from the Bud Light fiasco are the more printable versions. To be fair the commercial has been seen by millions and if all publicity is good publicity then Jaguar have done well. The ads accompanied by ridicule have been featured on several TV stations and lots of newspapers as well. We will know more after December 2nd and for the sake of the workers on the production line let us hope it will be a roaring success. CM Yadav inaugurates 50-bed ultramodern police hospital Swasti Staff Reporter Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that during the Corona period, when big doctors unaware of this disease had closed their clinics, even in those circumstances, the police took the front without caring for their lives. 155 policemen were martyred while performing duty during the Corona period. They truly lived the message of Deshbhakti-Jan Seva (Patriotism-Message of Public Service) and sacrificed their lives on the altar of duty. I salute such brave warriors. The more alertness and dedication with which the police works, the more respect and reverence for them increases. He said. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was addressing the inauguration ceremony of the state-of-the-art fully equipped police hospital Swasti in Bhopal on Saturday. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also inaugurated the digital app E-Rakshak and Disha Learning App, created with a view to help field policemen control crime and criminals. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that all the facilities are available in this state-of-the-art hospital Swasti, built at a cost of about twelve and a half crores. Appreciating the financial management and discipline of the police department, he said that looking at the hospital, it seems that its cost should have been more. At the beginning of the program, the daughters of the policemen welcomed Chief Minister Dr. Yadav by applying Tilak. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was saluted by firing Harsh with the police band. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav inspected the hospital and recorded his views in the visitor book. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav awarded 40 thousand policemen of MP Police with Karmaveer Yodha Medal for their indomitable courage and commendable work during the Corona period and gave them certificates. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav symbolically presented medals and certificates to 5 policemen. Regarding the E-Rakshak App, the Director General of Police told that information about habitual criminals will be available to the policemen with a single click through the MP E-Rakshak App. Policemen will be able to see the information of habitual criminals living in their duty area simultaneously. During patrolling, the name of the suspicious person can be searched in the criminal database. Along with this, relevant information can be obtained by uploading the photo of the accused under the face recognition module. Director General of Police Saxena said that due to the nature of their work, policemen are not able to pay attention to the education of their children due to their busy schedule and being on duty outside the headquarters. In this view, Disha Learning App Centers have been established to provide an educational environment to the children of policemen in terms of education. Flying taxis could revolutionize transportation, and the upside potential is massive. According to Morgan Stanley, the market value of urban air mobility could be $1 trillion by 2040 and up to $9 trillion by 2050. Last month, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced new regulations for flying taxis, outlining the operational framework and marking a significant milestone in making these vehicles a reality. While the industry is still in its early stages, Joby Aviation (NYSE: JOBY) is one of the top companies making significant strides. Supported by financial backing from Toyota Motor, Joby is advancing rapidly in developing and manufacturing this transformative technology. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free With Joby Aviation trading under $7.50 per share, investors may wonder if now is the right time to enter this budding market. Let's explore the business, industry dynamics, and expectations for the next few years. Joby's flying vehicles could transform transportation as we know it Joby Aviation has been developing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for over a decade and a half. eVTOL are flying vehicles that take off, land, and hover vertically, using electric motors powered by modern battery technology. This mode of transportation is like a helicopter, except the electric motors allow for quieter operation while limiting pollution from emissions. What makes eVTOLs appealing is their ability to operate in small spaces. The technology can potentially change urban transportation as we know it, replacing gridlock land-based traffic. It can also transport lifesaving medical supplies or other packages quickly and efficiently. Over the past several years, Joby has made significant progress with its vehicles, completing over 1,000 test flights and well on its way to earning airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Today, one of Joby's top competitors is Archer Aviation, but the two companies take distinctly different approaches to their business. For example, Joby is a vertically integrated company that develops and manufactures components and systems in-house, whereas Archer relies on legacy aerospace suppliers. By developing its components in-house, Joby could develop a higher-performing eVTOL that can reach higher and have a more extended range, but it is at the expense of higher costs. In contrast, Archer's approach is less capital intensive, allowing it to run a leaner business and potentially get to market sooner. Congs losing spree continues Posts worst show in Mah NEW DELHI THE Congress continued its losing spree on Saturday posting its worst-ever show in Maharashtra and ending up a distant junior partner to the ruling JMM in Jharkhand, further diminishing its role in the Opposition bloc as other allies perform better. While the INDIA blocs victory in Jharkhand was some consolation, losing a big State like Maharashtra after the upset in Haryana is likely to weaken the grand old partys broad bargaining power in this era of coalition politics. The Congress partys strength in Lok Sabha also got reduced to 98 seats after it lost the Nanded Lok Sabha to the BJP in the by-polls. The poor show of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) in Maharashtra extinguished hopes of getting Rajya Sabha seats from the State in future. On the other hand, the NDA with its stupendous victory is set to get a majority in the Upper House in the next cycle of biennial elections. Despite being the dominant party of the Opposition MVA in Maharashtra, the Congress failed to pull the weight of the Opposition bloc and stood decimated in the face of an NDA tsunami. The Congress which contested the highest number of Assembly seats among MVA allies, 101 out of 288, was winning or leading in only 16 seats with one of the lowest strike rates of 16 per cent. The worst strike rate in Maharashtra elections was of Sharad Pawars NCP (SP) at 11.6 per cent (with lead/win in 10 seats out of 86 fought), Shiv Sena (UBT) managing 22 per cent (lead/ win in 21 seats as against 95 contested). On the other hand, the strike rate of the BJP was the highest with 88.6 per cent (lead/win in 132 seats out of 149 it contested). The BJP got a vote share of 26.46 per cent and was followed by Shiv Sena with 12.47 per cent and NCP with 9.35 per cent. Among the MVA, the Congress had the highest vote share of 11.89 per cent, followed by NCP-SP with 11.25 and Shiv Sena (UBT) with 10.28 per cent. Interestingly, other parties got more vote share of 13.84 per cent than each of the MVA partners. In Jharkhand, it was Chief Minister Hemant Soren-led JMM that saw the ruling coalition through as his party gained a four percentage vote share over the last elections while the share of the rest of the parties either fell or remained stagnant. The BJP in Jharkhand got 33.15 per cent vote share while JMM got 23.17 per cent and the Congress 15.57 per cent. The AJSUP (NDA ally) lost around 5 per cent vote share compared to 2019 and the JMM gained that 5 per cent, while Congress gained 2 per cent. The Saturday outcomes revealed that the Congress continued to falter on the slippery electoral landscape, struggling to win or improve in states where it is ruling and failing to uplift alliances where it is the senior partner. In Haryana, where the Congress and BJP were in direct contest, the party could not convert the anti-incumbency of BJPs two terms into a win. Now in Maharashtra, it was unable to retain its Lok Sabha gains or help its allies pull through. Earlier in Jammu and Kashmir also, the National Conference had powered the INDIA coalition to victory while the Congress ended up a distant junior ally in the poll results. With the regional players outshining the Congress in successive polls, the partys position in the opposition bloc is likely to weaken. Dr Nitin Raut retains his bastion, beats BJPs Dr Mane By Aryan Khartad Former Energy Minister of State and senior leader of Indian National Congress (INC) Dr Nitin Raut clinched a comfortable win in Nagpur North constituency on Saturday. It was his second consecutive win as he defeated former MLA Dr Milind Mane of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Dr Raut defeated Dr Mane by a significant margin of 27,922 votes, securing his second consecutive term in the constituency, as per the latest results from the final round of counting. Dr Raut garnered 1,26,859 votes, accounting for 51.02% of the total vote share. His rival, Dr Mane, secured 98,937 votes (39.66%). Bahujan Samaj Partys (BSP) Manoj Sangole stood a distant third with 12,487 votes (4.98%), while Kirti Deepak Dongare of AIMIM received 3,819 votes (1.52%). Vanchit Bahujan Aghadis (VBA) Murlidhar Kashinath Meshram secured 1,229 votes (0.49%). Meanwhile, 988 voters opted for the None of The Above (NOTA) option, constituting 0.39% of the total votes polled. From the initial rounds of counting held at St Ursula Girls High School and Junior College, Civil Lines, Dr Raut maintained a steady lead, leaving no room for doubt about his victory. The counting was held under a heavy guard by Nagpur City Police, and commute through the road was halted until the counting was completed. Crowds of party workers, journalists and nearby residents had already gathered around the gates of the counting centre by morning. Congress workers, confident of retaining the seat, were enthusiastic about their leaders victory even before the rounds progressed. Dr Rauts victory can be attributed to partys robust campaign and his strong connect with the electorate. The Former Energy Minister not only retained his stronghold but also regained Congresss influence in BJP-dominated areas, including parts of Jaripatka and other traditionally BJP-aligned zones. The 2024 results indicate a clear consolidation of support for Congress in the region, with Dr Raut increasing his margin significantly compared to the 2019 elections, where he defeated Dr Mane by 20,694 votes. This year, North Nagpur recorded a notable turnout of 51.58%, showcasing a steady engagement from the constituencys 2,48,948 registered voters. Hemant Soren-led alliance storms Jharkhand RANCHI IN A stunning comeback, Hemant Sorens JMM-led alliance on Saturday stormed to power in Jharkhand for a second consecutive term, winning 56 seats in the 81-member Assembly, despite an all-out blitz by the BJP-led NDA which managed only 24 seats. The majority mark in the State Assembly is 41 seats. The BJP was confident that it could turn the tide in its favour through an aggressive campaign that targeted CM Sorens leadership, and raised issues like infiltration from Bangladesh and the Governments alleged corruption. Though the BJP failed to replicate the Maharashtra triumph, where it secured a landslide, its vote share in the eastern State was more than the JMM. The BJP contested 68 seats and registered a 33.18 per cent vote share as compared to JMMs 23.44 per cent. The BJP won 21 seats and emerged as the second largest party. JMM contested 43 seats and won 34, the highest-ever seats won by the party. The Congress got 16 seats, RJD 4 and the CPI (ML) secured 2 seats in the INDIA bloc. The aggressive BJP campaign by its top brass, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah, failed to resonate in front of the Adivasi card played by the JMM, which also sought the peoples sympathy over the arrest of Chief Minister Soren. The JMMs campaign also focused on promises of welfare schemes and accused the BJP-led Centre of using the ED and CBI as tools against rival parties. Both Hemant Soren and his wife Kalpana managed to create a wave of sympathy among the tribal electorate, and despite the anti-incumbency sentiment, the BJP failed to capitalise on it, according to poll analysts. Soren, who retained the Barhait seat by defeating BJPs Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes, had to resign as the CM in January before being arrested by the ED in a money laundering case. He was released on bail by the high court in June, and in July, he returned as the chief minister of the state, replacing Champai Soren. In his first reaction to the poll outcome, Soren termed the INDIA blocs strong performance in the Jharkhand elections as a passing of the exam of democracy. I express my gratitude to the people for this stupendous performance, he said. Assam Chief Minister and Jharkhand BJP election co-in-charge Himanta Biswa Sarma described the BJPs loss as painful. Sarma aggressively campaigned against the JMM and accused it of sheltering infiltrators. The loss in Jharkhand is deeply painful for me personally, even though we secured victory in all five by-elections in Assam, Sarma said. Internal bickering within the BJP, especially over nominations for turncoats, seemed to have further hampered the partys prospects. The RJD also made a surprise showing, winning four of the six seats it contested. The CPI(ML) Liberation secured two out of four seats. The LJP (Ram Vilas) won its lone contested seat, and the JD(U) won one of the two seats it fought. The AJSU party, which contested 10 seats, was almost wiped out, retaining only one seat in Mandu by a slender margin of 231 votes. Its leader, Sudesh Mahto, lost the Sili seat. Sorens wife, Kalpana, who played a key role in revitalising the JMM following her husbands arrest, won from Gandey by a margin of 17,142 votes defeating BJPs Muniya Devi. Kalpana won the seat in a bypoll on June 4 this year after it fell vacant following the resignation of JMM MLA Sarfaraz Ahmad. Kalpanas political journey, which was never her initial choice, began in earnest after her husbands arrest by the ED in connection with a money laundering case. Illegal arms smuggler arrested, pistol and live cartridges seized Staff Reporter The Crime Branch of Bhopal Police has arrested an individual involved in the smuggling of illegal arms. The accused, identified as Yasin Malik (22), was found in possession of a country-made pistol and two live cartridges, which were recovered during his arrest. The authorities believe he was planning to use the weapon for a criminal act. According to the Crime Branch, a tip-off led the team to Koh-e-Fiza area near Safiya Mosque. The informant described the suspect as a well-built man wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, carrying an illegal firearm. The police immediately acted upon the information, and upon reaching the location, they spotted the individual matching the description. The suspect was detained, and upon his search, a country-made pistol was found in his possession along with two live cartridges. During questioning, Yasin Malik, a resident, BDA Colony, Koh-e-Fiza, admitted that he did not have any legal documentation for the firearm. As a result, a case has been registered under Section 25(1-A) of the Arms Act, and the accused was formally arrested. The investigation is ongoing, with police now focusing on the source of the pistol and potential connections regarding its illegal sale. Further inquiries are being made to uncover details about the weapons origin and Maliks involvement in any criminal activities. According to officials, with this, the Bhopal Police have reiterated their commitment to combating crime in the city, ensuring swift actions against those found violating the law. Ladki Bahins give landslide victory to MahaYuti MUMBAI THE BJP-led MahaYuti alliance on Saturday retained power in Maharashtra, pocketing a whopping 230 of the 288 Assembly seats, as the Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadis dream of wresting power fizzled, with the Opposition combine managing to garner just 46 seats. The Election Commission announced that the BJP has won 132 seats, the Shiv Sena won 57, while the NCP got 41 seats. In the MVA, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) candidates won 10 seats, Congress won 16, while Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) won 20 seats. The Congress retained the Nanded Lok Sabha seat, with its candidate Ravindra Chavan defeating BJPs Santukrao Hambarde by 1457 votes. After the certainty of the poll outcome, the focus has now shifted to BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis, the architect of his partys stunning victory. Political circles are abuzz with reports that the States second Brahmin to become the CM will don the post for the third time. In his speech at the BJP headquarters in Delhi Saturday night, PM Narendra Modi called Fadanvis his param mitra. Maharashtra has broken all records, it is the biggest win for any party or pre-poll alliance in the last 50 years, Modi said, adding the message from the Maharashtra elections is that of unity and it is also an endorsement of the ek hai toh safe hai (united we are safe) slogan. There were reports that the swearing in of the new CM may take place as early as Monday at the Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai, where Fadnavis was sworn in as the CM 10 years ago. No Opposition party bagged the minimum number of seats mandatory to claim the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lower House, where the BJP bettered its 2014 polls tally by 10 seats. The norms for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Lower House stipulate that the partys MLAs number at least 10 per cent of the House strength and there is no provision to cobble up the numbers as an alliance. The counting of votes in the elections held on November 20 began at 8 am. Saturdays winners include BJPs Kalidas Kolambkar who defeated Shiv Sena (UBT)s Shraddha Jadhav by 24,973 in Wadala constituency after 16 rounds to become a legislator for the ninth time in a row. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy CMs Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar won in their respective Assembly constituencies, while senior Congress leaders Prithviraj Chavan and Balasaheb Thorat lost in theirs. State Congress unit president Nana Patole won from Sakoli seat by 208 votes. Leader of Opposition in assembly Vijay Wadettiwar of Congress won from Brahmapuri, defeating BJPs Krishnalal Sahare by 13971 votes. Following is the number of victorious candidates from other parties: Samajwadi Party 2, Jan Surajya Shakti 2, Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party 1, Rashtriya Samaj Paksha 1, All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen 1, Communist Party of India (Marxist) 1, Peasants and Workers Party of India 1, Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi 1 and Independents 2. Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah called Fadnavis and congratulated him on the partys impressive performance in the Maharashtra assembly elections. Sources close to Fadnavis told PTI that Shah called and congratulated him for the partys strong performance in the elections. Sarita Fadnavis, mother of Devendra Fadnavis, also expressed happiness over MahaYutis performance, and described her son as PM Modis favourite. On the Ladki Bahin Yojana, she said, I dont have a daughter, but through this scheme, I now have so many daughters and their good wishes. In the MahaYuti, the BJP contested 149 seats, Shiv Sena 81, and the Ajit Pawar-led NCP fielded candidates in 59 constituencies. In the MVA combine, the Congress fielded 101 candidates, Shiv Sena (UBT) 95, and NCP (SP) put up 86 candidates. The final turnout in the polls was 66.05 per cent, up from 61.1 per cent in 2019. Following is the party position in the outgoing Assembly: BJP 105, Shiv Sena 41, NCP 40, Congress 45, Shiv Sena (UBT) 15, NCP (SP) 12, BVA 3, Samajwadi Party 2, AIMIM 2, Prahar Janshakti Party 2, MNS 1, CPM 1, PWP 1, Swabhimani Paksh 1, Rashtriya Samaj Paksh 1, Jan Surajya Shakti 1, Krantikari Shetkari Paksh 1 and Independents 13. NTPC Mouda marks 17th Raising Day Business Reporter NTPC Mouda commemorated its 17th Raising Day with grandeur and a promise to continue powering the nation. Established in 2008, NTPC Mouda has completed 16 years of excellence in the power industry, contributing significantly to NTPCs mission of energy security. The celebrations began with an early morning walkathon, followed by the official ceremony. D R Dehuri, Head of Project (HOP), NTPC Mouda, led the flag-hoisting ceremony, followed by NTPC Geet, an address by HOP Mouda, a cake-cutting ceremony, and the release of balloons symbolizing aspirations for greater achievements. In his address, Dehuri highlighted NTPC Moudas journey in the power industry with an installed capacity of 2,320 MW and its significant role in Indias energy sector. Referring to NTPCs milestone of 50 years, he highlighted the NTPCs journey to becoming Indias largest integrated power utility with a current capacity of 76,475.68 MW (including JVs) and its ambitious goal of achieving 130 GW by 2032. Focusing on NTPC Moudas performance, Dehuri acknowledged departmental achievements for FY 2023-24 and outlined key targets for the ongoing fiscal year. He also extended heartfelt gratitude to internal teams, including welfare clubs, union and associations, NTPC hospital, CISF, plant workers, ICH and housekeeping staff, as well as external stakeholders like vendors, local administration, and media for their unwavering support. Highlight of the ceremony was the prize distribution segment, where various were conferred. The official ceremony of 17th NTPC Mouda Raising Day saw the esteemed presence of Head of Project, D R Dehuri, NTPC Mouda, Subhashish Guha, GM (O&M), NTPC Mouda, Prem Chand, GM (COE), Pradeep Balwant Paranjape, GM (Project), NTPC Mouda, Harekrushna, GM (Maintenance), NTPC Mouda, P K Mishra, GM (Maintenance), NTPC Mouda, Manish Nipane, DC-CISF, Sagar Ranjan Sahoo, AGM (HR), all HODs, representatives of union and association, representatives of welfare clubs, employees and contract workers of NTPC Mouda. WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) Attorneys for Fox Corp. asked a Delaware judge Friday to dismiss a shareholder lawsuit seeking to hold current and former company officials personally liable for the financial fallout stemming from Fox News reports regarding alleged vote rigging in the 2020 election. Five New York City public employee pension funds, along with Oregons public employee retirement fund, allege that former chairman Rupert Murdoch and other Fox Corp. leaders deliberately turned a blind eye to liability risks posed by reporting false claims of vote rigging by election technology companies Dominion Voting Systems and Smartmatic USA. Smartmatic is suing Fox News for defamation in New York, alleging damages of $2.7 billion. It recently settled a lawsuit in the District of Columbia against One America News Network, another conservative outlet, over reports of vote fraud. Dominion also filed several defamation lawsuits against those who spread conspiracy theories blaming its election equipment for Donald Trumps loss in 2020. Last year, Fox News settled a defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion in Delaware for $787 million. The shareholder plaintiffs also allege that Fox corporate leaders ignored red flags about liability arising from a 2017 report suggesting that Seth Rich, a Democratic National Committee staffer, may have been killed because he had leaked Democratic party emails to Wikileaks during the 2016 presidential campaign. Rich, 27, was shot in 2016 in Washington, D.C., in what authorities have said was an attempted robbery. Fox News retracted the Seth Rich story a week after its initial broadcast, but Richs parents sued the network for falsely portraying their son as a criminal and traitor. Fox News settled the lawsuit in 2020 for millions of dollars, shortly before program hosts Lou Dobbs and Sean Hannity were to be deposed, according to the shareholder lawsuit. Joel Friedlander, an attorney for the institutional shareholders, argued that Fox officials waited until the companys reporting about Rich became a national scandal before addressing the issue. Similarly, according to the shareholders, corporate officials, including Rupert Murdoch and his son, CEO Lachlan Murdoch, allowed Fox News to continue broadcasting false narratives about the 2020 election, despite internal communications suggesting that they knew there was no evidence to support the conspiracy theories. The Murdochs could have minimized future monetary exposure, but they chose not to, Friedlander said. Instead, he argued, they engaged in bad-faith decision making with other defendants in a profit-driven effort to retain viewers and remain in Trumps good graces. Michael Gilroy, a former head of fintech investments at Coatue, and Gokul Rajaram, a longtime tech executive and prolific angel investor, are forming a yet-to-be-named venture firm and plan to begin fundraising toward a $400 million to $500 million debut fund early next year, Bloomberg reported. The firm will invest in U.S.-based early-stage fintech and software startups. While at Coatue, Gilroy invested in fintech companies, including Arta Finance, Melio Solution, Pinwheel, and Mercury. Prior to joining the hedge fund in 2019, he spent over five years as a partner at Canaan. According to PitchBook data, Rajaram has backed over 285 startups, including companies where he serves as a board member: Coinbase, Pinterest, and Trade Desk. Gilroy is not the only former Coatue investor planning to launch his own firm. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that Kris Fredrickson, an investor with Coatues growth team, aims to raise about $150 million for the debut fund of his new firm, Verified Capital. Fredrickson left Coatue in 2022, according to his LinkedIn profile. At Coatue, he was the lead partner in investments in Chainalysis, Instacart, and Root Insurance, according to PitchBook data. (Reuters) - Funds managed by Goldman Sachs will write off nearly $900 million after Swedish lithium-ion battery producer Northvolt filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this week, Britain's Financial Times reported on Saturday. The Goldman private equity funds, which together ranked as the second-largest shareholders in Northvolt, plan to write down their $896 million investment to zero by year end, the report said, citing letters to investors seen by the FT. "While we are one of many investors disappointed by this outcome, this was a minority investment through highly diversified funds. Our portfolios have concentration limits to mitigate risks," Goldman said in a statement. Northvolt did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment. The group went in a matter of months this year from being Europe's best shot in a vital industry for the energy transition to racing to stay afloat, hobbled by production problems and dwindling funds. Northvolt's CEO and co-founder Peter Carlsson stepped down on Friday, a day after the company filed for U.S. Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. In November 2019 the company had completed its $1 billion equity capital raising, aimed at funding its plans to build Europe's biggest lithium-ion battery plant, led by Germany's Volkswagen and Goldman. (Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru; Editing by David Holmes) Resign call from Khemchand to CM Toll of the ongoing clash | First time that a sitting BJP MLA and that too a Minister in the Government has come out in the open to state that he had asked Chief Minister N Biren to resign in the face of the law and order crisis in the State. It is not clear when the resign suggestion was given to the Chief Minister, but this is the first time that a senior BJP member has gone to the press to announce that the Chief Minister must resign in the face of the ongoing crisis in the State. Speaker in the first stint of the BJP led Government after the 2017 Assembly elections, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Yumnam Khemchand, representing Singjamei Assembly Constituency, is not new to public life having contested the 2012 Assembly elections as a candidate of the All India Trinamool Congress before switching to the BJP before the 2017 Assembly elections and his statement to CNN-News18 is definitely not something to be taken lightly for here is a case of a BJP MLA openly stating that it would be for the good of Manipur if the Chief Minister calls it a day. Tough to say whether the same sentiment is shared by the other BJP MLAs, but significant to note that this came not long after the State NPP MLAs decided to sever all ties with the Biren led Government. Here it is significant to note that the NPP qualified the severing of ties not with the BJP per se but with the Biren led Government and this seems to have been buttressed by the open admission of the RD and PR Minister in the BJP led Government. That the Chief Minister has not heeded the suggestion of Khemchand is there for all to see, but it would be interesting to see how things progress from here. It may just begin and end with the BJP MLA stating that he had given his suggestion to the Chief Minister to resign or it can be taken further, but the die has been cast and it would be interesting to see if any other BJP MLA would follow suit or not. It is also important to note that other than asking the Chief Minister to put in his papers, the RD and PR Minister did not think it fit to spell out what after that ? Is the call to the Chief Minister to step down issued because the violence has dragged on for over 18 months with no signs of stopping or is the Minister under the impression that with Biren out of the away, some sort of a normalcy can set in ? No easy answer here, but a beginning has to be made somewhere and if the Chief Minister can be held accountable for failing to come up with any initiative to resolve the violence, then what about Delhi ? Shouldnt Delhi be asked on why it continues to act indifferently, other than just sending in more and more troops to contain the situation ? And has sending in more troops succeeded in taking the place to the path of normalcy ? The answer should be obvious and Manipur is yet to come to terms with the fact that three children and three women were butchered to death after they were taken captives from a relief centre set up by the Government. Imphal has failed and so has Delhi. But what is the way forward ? Will a change in leadership pave the way to start walking the path of normalcy ? As noted earlier here, there will be no easy answer but yes the people are fed up with the utter failure of the Government to ensure the security of the people. Even today, that is after 18 months of the violence erupting, no Meitei can travel by road to Dimapur, as passengers have to pass through Kangpokpi. No Kuki would dare to return to Imphal and claim the homes from which they have been driven out. No Meitei would dare step back at Churachandpur for the houses they once called homes have been levelled to the ground. Thousands continue to survive in the different relief centres set up across the State and there is not even the slightest hint that the Government is working overtime to create a situation when the internally displaced persons can return to the place they once called home. And the killing continues. Herein lies the biggest failure of the Government and it is against this backdrop that Yumnam Khemchand had asked the Chief Minister to step down. The man from Singjamei Assembly Constituency has spoken his mind out and it remains to be seen if others from the BJP and in the Government would feel convinced to speak out where they stand. Yet it may also be asked on what the MLAs have done to help resolve the crisis. Ports in Panama, known for its Pacific-to-Atlantic shipping canal, handled 8.32 million 20-foot-equivalent units last year. And one Pacific-facing Latin American port frequented by Chinese shippers, the Mexican port of Manzanillo, processed 1.7 million. Elsewhere on the Pacific coast of the Americas, the Port of Los Angeles handled about 6.4 million 20-foot-equivalent units last year and the Port of Oakland racked up about 2 million. Throughput capacity, which refers to the amount of cargo that can be handled a year, will start at a hefty 1 million 20-foot-equivalent units and go up, making Chancay "a key hub" for trade between Latin America and Asia, CGTN reported. The project broke ground in 2011 in the small city of Chancay, 78km (48 miles) north of Lima, the Peruvian capital. It has four berths with a maximum depth of 17.8 metres (58.4 feet), meaning it can accommodate ultra-large container ships. The new port was developed by state-owned China Cosco Shipping Corporation with the aid of a US$1.3 billion infusion from the Chinese government. Zhang, who founded his company six years ago, is riding a wave. China has courted trade with Latin America for more than a decade through trade deals and commitments to build infrastructure. "We're aiming to take mature investments from inside China to the rest of the world. In the future, private companies like ours will be looking favourably at these investments. South America is a big opportunity for us." "In this industry we've all got the idea to go overseas," Zhang said at a logistics expo in Hong Kong in mid-November. Zhang said the efficiency of China's logistics sector should be able to wow South American consumers. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge , our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The newly opened container port will shave 10 to 12 days off shipment times between Shanghai and Peru, reducing transit times to around 23 days. It will also cut logistics costs for shipments between China and Peru by at least 20 per cent, the state-run China Global Television Network (CGTN) reported. His Nanjing-based company, Jiangsu Haosanyou Information Technology, helps shippers of marine cargo find business along China's supply chains via the internet. For Zhang, the US$3.5 billion mega-port, which was inaugurated on November 14, foreshadows a boom in Chinese e-commerce in Latin America, where conventional Chinese trade is already growing. Zhang Jun assiduously followed the news as Chancay port in Peru was developed into the biggest deep water project of its kind on the long Pacific coast of South America. Story Continues "A huge amount will be saved on logistics budgets and it will generate income for Peru," Chinese President Xi Jinping said in Lima on the day the port was inaugurated, according to a live blog posted by the El Comercio news website in Peru. "Today we are witnesses to the birth of a new maritime corridor for the new era." The timing could hardly be better. This year, a Chinese free-trade deal with Ecuador came into effect and Beijing signed a deal with Venezuela on the protection of each other's investments. Colombia agreed in October to join the Belt and Road Initiative, a Chinese effort to smooth global trade routes by building new infrastructure, and China and Peru upgraded a 15-year-old free-trade agreement this month. China's exports to Peru - mainly mobile phones, computers, toys and LCD televisions, but with shipments of construction machinery also surging - grew by 12.3 per cent year on year to US$11.32 billion in the first 10 months of this year, according to customs data. Imports from Peru increased by 16.2 per cent to US$24.5 billion in the same period. In terms of overall trade with South America, it mostly exports smartphones and equipment for public utilities and factories, and imports raw materials, including Venezuelan oil, Chilean copper and Brazilian soybeans. China has worked with 22 Latin American countries on belt and road infrastructure projects, with shipments to and from Chile, Colombia and Ecuador also likely to pass through Chancay. Naubahar Sharif, professor of public policy at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, said the new port "will improve the efficiency and scale of trade between Latin American and China, and potentially more broadly with Asia". "We are likely to see more exports of agricultural products such as meat and soybeans from Latin America to China, as well as more imports of products like electric goods, electric vehicles from China to Latin America," he said. The United States was China's biggest export market by country last year, even though shipments fell 13.1 per cent in US dollar terms largely because of US onshoring and near-shoring of factory work. China-US trade tensions began intensifying six years ago when Donald Trump imposed tariffs of 10 to 25 per cent on Chinese imports in his first term as US president. Chinese exporters refocused on non-US markets to avoid the tariffs, and more of the same can be expected as Trump has vowed to place tariffs of 60 per cent on US imports from China in his second four-year term, which will begin in January. South American countries will need more semiconductor chips, and machinery to build roads or do mining, said Gary Yim, a business strategist at Bollyman Express, a package delivery service in Hong Kong. He said China could now send those shipments by sea and eventually benefit in turn from a more prosperous South America. "China has redundant equipment for roadworks," Yim said. "The strategic value is the whole package, not just the shipment." Over the past century, the US has fostered deep political alliances and trade ties throughout Latin America. Washington has six free-trade agreements with 11 Latin American countries, including three in South America. The US accounted for 31 per cent of Latin America's imports last year and 45 per cent of its merchandise exports, according to the US Congressional Research Service. US imports from Peru rose 1.28 per cent last year to US$8.7 billion, slowing from over 20 per cent year-on-year growth in 2021 and 2022. Trump transition team adviser Mauricio Claver-Carone was quoted by American media outlets last week as saying that the US should slap 60 per cent tariffs on imports from any country that pass through the Chancay port. But Trump is expected to make China's life easier on the whole by turning away from any expansion of US free trade efforts around the world - reducing any competition with Beijing - and instead focusing on domestic interests, a core message of his campaigns since 2016. Routine Chinese trade in South America will probably meet no US objection even if it grows, said Evan Ellis, a research professor of Latin American studies at the US Army War College's Strategic Studies Institute. But US officials would raise a red flag if China used trade as a form of coercion against a Latin American country or as a means towards espionage, Ellis said. He said Washington would also frown on further use of Latin American countries for transshipment of Chinese exports to the US as a means of avoiding the higher tariffs on direct imports from China. Chinese factories targeting the US market have already proliferated in Mexico and Trump is threatening 25 per cent tariffs there. "From a US perspective, there are different types of trade, some of which are more problematic than others," Ellis said. A Trump 2024 campaign pledge of tariffs of 10 to 20 per cent on nearly all imports would raise the allure of global trade excluding the US and raise China's profile as a big player, Sharif said. "Whether China would play a more central role, I think that is precisely what President Xi was alluding to in his speeches in Peru - the need to continue with multilateralism," he said. "And as he flies that flag most enthusiastically, it is safe to say China will be a more central player in such a new world." People perform during the inauguration ceremony of China's state-owned Cosco Shipping Chancay port in Chancay, Peru. Photo: APEC Peru/Handout via Reuters alt=People perform during the inauguration ceremony of China's state-owned Cosco Shipping Chancay port in Chancay, Peru. Photo: APEC Peru/Handout via Reuters> Export-reliant China, the world's second-largest economy, has aggressively accelerated trade relations in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia as well as South America since the end of the first Trump administration in early 2021. A lack of hostility in Washington would let Chinese traders and investors zero in on handling obstacles likely to crop up in South America, which has a combined population of 442 million. Some parts of the continent are known for tough labour rules, protests over the environmental degradation caused by large projects and disputes over the control of resources. Demonstrators in Lima complained in July that dynamite explosions to clear the Chancay port's construction site had damaged nearby homes and posed risks to food and water, according to the Blueberries consulting firm. In Ecuador, where China National Petroleum Corporation has operated oilfield services since 2003, foreign oil companies must hire local workers. Chinese e-commerce investors will come under pressure to work in sync with South America's laws and local ways of doing things, Zhang said. "We need to take an open, tolerant outlook to investing in other countries," he said. Additional reporting by Alice Li and Mia Nulimaimaiti This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright 2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Police have arrested 22 people in Behala for vandalism at a government hospital and assaulting hospital staff. According to the police, the Behala Vidyasagar Hospital turned into a battlefield following a patients death. Relatives of the patient have been accused of vandalising the emergency department and the main gate. One nursing staff member was allegedly taken to the bathroom and assaulted. Upon receiving the news, a large police force from Parnashree police station arrived to bring the situation under control. Around 22 individuals were arrested on charges of assault and vandalism. Hospital sources reported that on Friday night around 8 pm, a 30-year-old man, Sheikh Mehmud Alam from Thakurpukur, was brought to the hospital with a heart condition. Treatment began immediately. After his second heart attack upon arrival, CPR was administered at 8.40 pm, but he passed away at 8.50 pm. Following his death, relatives of the deceased began gathering at the hospital, accusing the medical staff of negligence and demanding the patients medical records. The hospital stated that without court approval, it was not possible to release medical documents. Advertisement Around 10.00 pm, about 150 people reportedly entered the emergency department and caused widespread destruction. The outside gate was also vandalised, and nursing staff were assaulted. Three nursing staff members were injured, and in the chaos, some patients fled from their beds, while two others were immediately transferred to other hospitals. During this turmoil, it was alleged that an 85-year-old woman, Shanti Sinha, died at the hospital. An on-duty doctor at the hospital stated, The patient was brought in a critical condition and we had very little time. We did everything we could, but they refused to listen. Advertisement The hospital superintendent confirmed that the attackers had destroyed a significant amount of medicines and injections. Police have initiated an investigation into the incident. After the clean sweep of Trinamul Congress in the bypolls in Bengal, an elated Abhishek Banerjee, who is also the partys national general secretary took to social media and wrote on X-handle about the victory. He wrote: Congratulations to all six @AITCofficial candidates for their decisive victories in the WB by-elections, defying the narratives created by the ZAMINDARS, the media and a section of the Kol HC to defame Bengal for their own vested interests. A special thanks to the people of Madarihat for giving us the opportunity to serve you for the first time. I bow before the people of West Bengal for democratically dismantling the Bangla Birodhis, their fake narratives and reaffirming their trust in us. Advertisement My heartfelt gratitude to every TMC grassroots worker, district, block, and anchal leader for their hard work, dedication and tireless efforts in serving the people and upholding Bengals dignity and pride! Advertisement Joy Bangla! It has been learnt that Abhishek Banerjee has already submitted a draft report on the organisational reshuffle to the chief minister, where he stressed a performance-based reshuffle. The crucial national working committee meeting of Trinamul Congress is scheduled on Monday. It is believed that the draft may be also discussed at the meet. The national general secretary also extended his appreciation for the party workers and supporters in Meghalaya. He wrote: I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Sadhiarani M Sangma and the entire @AITC4Meghalaya unit under the resolute leadership of @mukulsangma and @AITCCharles for their tireless efforts and for putting up such a formidable fight despite all odds. I salute all the foot soldiers of our Meghalaya unit and reaffirm our unwavering commitment to restoring Meghalayas lost glory. A special thanks to the people of Gambegre for their love and support. I assure you that @AITC4Meghalaya will leave no stone unturned in serving the people of this beautiful state. Chetna Nand Singh, divisional railway manager (DRM) of Asansol division, conducted an inspection today on the Asansol-Mankar section. The inspection was carried out onboard the 03520 Down Asansol-Barddhaman MEMU Passenger train, with the return journey undertaken on the 03537 Up Barddhaman-Asansol MEMU Passenger train and the 22347 Howrah-Patna Vande Bharat Express. Advertisement The inspection primarily focused on key operational aspects, such as signal visibility and addressing issues faced by running crews. Advertisement Footplate inspections were conducted on all three trains during both journeys to ensure seamless operations and strict adherence to safety protocols. Ticket-checking activities were also carried out during the journey to promote compliance and enhance passenger discipline. At Mankar Station, Mr Singh carried out a detailed discussion and survey regarding the potential extension of the railway line and accommodation of an additional line. This strategic evaluation aims to enhance the stations operational capacity and infrastructure to meet future demands. During the journey, Mr Singh also interacted with passengers to gather feedback on various amenities, including the cleanliness of toilets, availability of drinking water, and other onboard facilities. The inspection team, led by DRM of Asansol, carried out a detailed assessment up to Mankar station. Mr Singh was accompanied by nominated branch officers of Asansol division in the inspection programme. Within 24 hours after the directives of chief minister Mamata Banerjee to the states DGP to take actions against lower level police officers and political leaders irrespective of party colour, who are engaged in illegal activities, the Asansol Durgapur Police Commissionerate has removed two officer in charges and has arrested two TMC leaders. While in Birbhum district, police have conducted raids throughout the night and vehicle full of cattle, coal and stone have been seized from the highways and drivers arrested. Advertisement Barely few hours after the directives of chief minister Mamata Banerjee to state DGP, Rajeev Kumar at Nabanna on taking punitive action against errant police officers, who are responsible for illegal sand, coal, stone mining in their respective areas, the commissioner of ADPC has suspended SI Manoranjan Mondal, officer in-charge of Barabani police station allegedly for unprofessional activities and has removed, inspector Partha Ghosh, inspector in-charge of Kanksha police station. Advertisement DGP Rajeev Kumar later held a virtual meeting with all the CPs and SPs directing them to take strong actions against the errant police officers and also against the political party leaders who are operating the illegal sand, coal and stone mining activities in their areas. After which, CP of ADPC, Sunil Kumar Choudhury had issued a memo on Thursday. The IC of Kanksa police station, inspector Partha Ghosh has been transferred to Bhavani Bhawan as officer on compulsory waiting. There were allegations of sand mining in the area against him. Meanwhile, in another separate action, Durgapur police has arrested former councillor of ward 38 of Durgapur Municipal Corporation Arabinda Nandy and the husband of former councillor of ward 42 of DMC Priyanki Panja, who is also the No. 3 block TMC vice president. The Delhi Police Crime Branch has apprehended a 38-year-old criminal, accused of providing financial assistance to the notorious Chhenu Gang. Parteek Chhabra alias Dhanna, resident of Jagat Puri, East Delhi, is accused of providing financial assistance to the notorious Chhenu Gang and was arrested in a meticulously planned operation conducted in the Shastri Park area. Advertisement During the raid conducted by the police, they recovered a country-made pistol and a live cartridge, believed to have been supplied to Chhabra by other gang members. Advertisement According to the Crime Branch, Chhabras involvement with the Chhenu Gang began during a previous stint in jail, where he came into contact with Sabbir, alias Popa Pahalwan, a hardcore member of the gang. After his release, Chhabra allegedly began running illegal gambling operations or satta, to generate funds for the gangs criminal activities. The Cheenu gang is a notorious criminal gand operating primarily in Delhi and its surrounding areas. It is known for its involvement in organised crime including extortion, arms trafficking, gambling rackets and other violent crimes. The gang is named after its leader or key member, often referred to as Chhenu. The Delhi BJP has urged the commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) to ensure that the civic bodys budget for the coming year 2025-26 is presented through its Standing Committee, as per the provisions mandated under the DMC Act 1957. Saffron partys state unit spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, in his letter to the commissioner, mentioned that as per the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act 1957, the annual budget of the corporation has to be put before the Standing Committee of the house every year. Advertisement Kapoor said the mayor may try to put pressure to present the Budget directly in the General House of the MCD. As per the civic bodys precedents, the commissioner has to present the MCD Budget to the Standing Committee in less than 3 weeks from now. Advertisement He alleged that the MCD Standing Committee is still not working as the election of the chairman for the same remains pending, allegedly not being allowed by the ruling party in violation of laws. He urged the commissioner, who is the administrative guardian of the DMC Act, to ask the mayor to hold the election of the Chairman for the Standing Committee at the earliest. Kapoor, in his communication, mentioned that year in 2023, the Standing Committee and Ward Committees were not constituted, and allegedly under pressure of the then Mayor the MCD Budget for 2024-25 was presented before General House of the corporation, which the BJP leader claimed was bad at law and also a violation the DMC Act 1957. He mentioned that this year the situation is that all ward committees stand constituted and working, while all members of the Standing Committee are elected, but due to political reasons the ruling party in MCD is allegedly not allowing election of the Chairman of the Standing Committee to happen, despite no restriction from any Court of Law. According to Delhi BJP spokespersons claims, voting pattern as observed during recent Mayoral poll indicates that the ruling party in the corporation does not command majority amongst the councilors. Delhi BJP spokesman claimed that people of Delhi strongly believe that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party has no moral authority to discuss the Budget provisions. People of Delhi on Sunday heaved a sigh of relief as the average Air Quality Index (AQI) witnessed a notable drop by 94 points but still remaining in very poor category. According to the Central Pollution Control Boards daily AQI bulletin released on Sunday, the national capital recorded the index value of 318, with air quality now reeling under initial levels of very poor category. Advertisement Prominent pollutant in the citys air was PM 2.5, the CPCB data said, based on the reading from 38 air monitoring stations across the city. Advertisement Cities adjoining Delhi including Faridabad, Gurugram, Ghaziabad and Noida recorded AQI levels in the poor category, as per the pollution monitoring agency. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) forecast suggests that the citys air quality is likely to be in the Very Poor category on Monday, Tuesday and till Wednesday. Weather agencys outlook for the subsequent six days regarding the citys air quality forecasts that it may fluctuate between very poor and severe categories. Speaking to the newspaper, several people expressed that as the day progressed, the situation improved with sun shining bright and lesser haze as compared to what it was on Saturday. The improvement is likely due to increased speed of wind and relative humidity also being lesser than the previous day. Meanwhile, Commission for Air Quality Managements Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) restrictions are being strictly enforced across the city to mitigate the pollutants that have been on the rise in the citys air. Since the spike in pollution levels, many people in the city have been witnessing issues related to breathing with allergic cough and uneasiness while breathing being common. Enforcement agencies remained vigilant with regard to ensuring the implementation of the GRAP measures, while traffic police have fined around 1 lakh vehicles for not having a valid Pollution Under Control certificate, since October 10, when GRAP Stage I was invoked. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court had on Friday appointed court commissioners to visit the citys entry points in view of checking whether restricted diesel trucks are being stopped or not as per GRAP. On Saturday, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva hit out at the Delhi Government, stating that it was not less than a shock to see that apex court ahd to ask the state government about arrangements to stop entry of restricted diesel vehicles and for sprinkling water, installing anti- smog guns. Diljit Dosanjhs highly anticipated concert in Pune faced an unexpected challenge when the Maharashtra Excise Department canceled the liquor permit for the event just hours before its commencement. The decision came after significant opposition from local political leaders, residents, and organizations who raised concerns about the potential consequences of serving alcohol at the venue. Advertisement The event, held at Suryakant Kakade Farms in the Kothrud area, was met with protests led by the youth wing of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and senior BJP leader Chandrakant Patil. The opposition was rooted in fears of noise pollution, traffic congestion, and what they described as a threat to the cultural fabric of the area. Advertisement Local groups also expressed frustration over the potential disruption to daily life, citing loud music and the sale of alcohol as primary issues. CB Rajput, Superintendent of the Excise Department, explained that the liquor permit was revoked following an objection from the venue owner. View this post on Instagram A post shared by DILJIT DOSANJH (@diljitdosanjh) The application highlighted concerns about allowing alcohol at the event, prompting authorities to deny permission. Rajput stated that the organizers were promptly informed of the cancellation. This left the concert to proceed without the previously planned alcohol service. Deepak Mankar, NCPs Pune President, emphasized the partys stance in a press note. He criticized the event for its potential to cause public inconvenience. He also argued that it could lead to undesirable consequences for the neighborhood. He warned that if the concert continued as planned, the NCP would organize a protest against the events organizers. Echoing this sentiment, Chandrakant Patil, a BJP leader and local MLA, strongly opposed the concert. Patil called it a pest in society. He cited traffic issues, noise disturbances, and the sale of alcohol as reasons for his objection. Patil even issued directives to the Police Commissioner, the Excise Department, and the District Collector to halt the event. He further warned of a large-scale march against the concert if his concerns were not addressed. Despite the controversy, the concert proceeded with heightened security. Police personnel were deployed at the venue to maintain law and order amid the protests. The event also faced scrutiny from environmental activists who raised concerns about sound pollution caused by the installation of loudspeakers. The Pune incident occurred just weeks after Diljit Dosanjh made headlines during his Ahmedabad concert. There he commented on the contentious issue of alcohol in society. Addressing the audience, he pledged to stop singing songs about alcohol if India were to declare a nationwide ban. Highlighting the revenue generated by alcohol sales, he questioned the priorities of authorities. He raised concerns over COVID-19 lockdown when liquor shops remained operational while most other businesses closed. Despite the setback in Pune, Diljits Dil-Luminati Tour continues to attract attention across the country. Upcoming performances include Kolkata on November 30, Bengaluru on December 6, Indore on December 8, Chandigarh on December 14, and Guwahati on December 29. An all-party meeting was held at Parliament on Sunday ahead of the Winter Session of Parliament scheduled to commence from Monday (November 25) and continue till December 20. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and Union Minister Anupriya Patel were among the key attendees representing the government at the meeting. Leaders from various political parties, including Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra, Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) MP Vaiko, Congress MPs Pramod Tiwari, and Jairam Ramesh, among others, attended the meeting. The meeting was aimed at ensuring smooth functioning of the upcoming session in the wake of the government seeking cooperation from the Opposition for the same. The session is expected to be stormy as the Opposition is likely to raise the issue of Gautam Adanis indictment in a bribery case in the US. The focus is expected to be on the legislative agendas, including the contentious Waqf Amendment Bill, during the session. Advertisement Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, returned here on Sunday after a five-day visit to Nepal during which he held talks with the political and military leadership of the neighbouring country to enhance defence cooperation. Gen Dwivedis visit underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Nepali Armies to fostering peace, security, and partnership in the region. Advertisement He held meetings with Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and Defence Minister Manbir Rai. Advertisement Gen Dwivedi also held talks with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, and other senior military officers. The discussions focused on enhancing military bonds, joint exercises, training cooperation, and capability development, reinforcing the shared commitment to global peace and security. As a gesture of friendship between the two armies, the Indian Army presented Valour Mount horses and Sentinel dogs to the Nepali Army. Gen Dwivedi was conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Paudel, at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu. This unique tradition underscores the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the Indian and Nepali armies. Press Release November 24, 2024 CHIZ REVIVES PLAN TO RENATIONALIZE AGRICULTURAL SERVICES Senate President Francis "Chiz" G. Escudero is renewing his push for the renationalization of agricultural services to uplift and revitalize the sector. Speaking to stakeholders of the agriculture sector, Escudero once again raised his proposal to bring back the control and supervision over agricultural support services and facilities to the national level, particularly the Department of Agriculture (DA) and its attached agencies. The Senate President noted how policies and priorities would change with regard to the agricultural sector under different regimes at the local government level. "There are inconsistencies in the implementation of programs and policies that affect the agriculture sector in each locality. If you have someone with a background as a farmer then you can expect policies in favor of the sector otherwise there is no guarantee that their interests would be prioritized," Escudero said. Since 1998, when he first served as representative of the First District of Sorsogon, Escudero has been filing a bill to renationalize agriculture. Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code (LGC) of 1991, devolved agricultural and health services to the local government units (LGUs) as part of move to provide them with greater autonomy. Feedback from the stakeholders of the agriculture sector during consultations conducted in the course of the review of the implementation of the LGC over the years showed a strong desire to renationalize agricultural services and prompted Escudero to file bills to make this happen. "Since I became a congressman in 1998, I filed a bill to renationalize agriculture. Ang problema kasi sa agrikultura natin dinevolve 'yan kasama ng health sa Local Government Code of 1991. Kaya nawalan ng kamay, braso at paa ang agriculture department at health kaugnay sa nagaganap sa mga LGU," Escudero said during the 25th Anniversary of the Philippine Chamber of Agriculture and Food, Inc recently. "May problema sa iba't ibang polisiya kaugnay ng iba't ibang regulasyon at pagbabawal na konektado sa mga bagay tulad ng ASF (African Swine Fever), mga regulasyon galing sa mga LGU na walang kontrol ang DA," he added The passage of several laws related to the development of the agriculture sector over the years, including Republic Act 8435, or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, necessitates the DA's full administrative control and supervision over all personnel in the field who are involved in agriculture and fishery. Agricultural extension workers or the people in the field could be better utilized to support the renewed push to revitalize the agriculture sector. "In contemplating whether or not to revive renationalization, sana maging solusyon ng administrasyon na timbangin nila 'yung renationalization ng agriculture sector muli para hawak ng kalihim ang lahat ng programang agrikultura," Escudero said. I am moderately bullish on both Nio (NIO) and XPeng (XPEV), two relatively new Chinese electric vehicle (EV) companies. However, of the two, XPeng appears to offer the best return potential, as its future growth rates are likely to surpass Nios. Both investments are undervalued based on my analysis, but each is likely to face challenges with profitability over the next few years. That said, with profitability expected for both companies in the medium term, I am assigning a Moderate Buy rating to each. Don't Miss our Black Friday Offers: Using TipRanks Stock Comparison Tool, let us compare these two Chinese EV makers. Key Insights from Nios Q3 Performance Im moderately bullish on NIO stock following its recent Q3 2024 results. The company delivered 61,855 vehicles, achieving a new quarterly record. Additionally, it guided for 72,000 to 75,000 units for Q4 2024. Nios ONVO L60 mass-market SUV, a key growth driver, has been ramping up since late Q3, with the company targeting 20,000 units produced per month by March 2025. However, the companys Q3 revenue did fall by 2.1% year-over-year due to pricing pressure. In the earnings call, management emphasized long-term growth in Europe, with its global expansion strategy relying heavily on the ONVO and Firefly (a boutique compact car) models to capture mass-market demand. Compared to XPeng, Nio is less aggressive in overseas market expansion but prioritizes brand positioning and infrastructure readiness. In many respects, XPeng focuses on efficiency, while Nio emphasizes quality. For instance, XPengs P7+ AI Hawkeye Visual Advanced Driver Assistance System does not rely on LiDAR or HD maps, which helps reduce costs. In contrast, Nio employs a comprehensive array of sensors, including LiDAR and HD maps. Similarly, in the U.S., Tesla (TSLA) adopts the efficiency-focused model, while Waymo follows a more comprehensive approach, akin to Nios strategy. Meanwhile, Nios Q3 revenue grew 7% quarter-over-quarter. While its net loss remained high at RMB 5.1 billion, the company maintained a strong cash position of RMB 42.2 billion. Management is targeting breakeven by 2026. Compared to XPeng, Nio is likely to take longer to reach profitability. Although its revenue base is larger, Nio continues to invest heavily in building its long-term market position, delaying profitability in favor of a stronger future. One of the core reasons Im bullish on Nio is its price-to-sales (P/S) ratio of just 1x, significantly lower than historical highs (P/S of 34x in 2020). If the company continues moving toward profitability and sustains strong year-over-year revenue growth of 25% for Fiscal 2024 and 40% for Fiscal 2025, this could become a high-return investment approaching potential profitability in Fiscal 2026 or Fiscal 2027. General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), returned to India on Sunday after a resoundingly successful five-day official visit to Nepal, which has reinforced the strong partnership between the Indian and Nepali Armies. The visit, which exceeded all stated objectives, further solidified the robust defence cooperation, cultural ties, and mutual respect between the two nations. It underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Nepali Armies to fostering peace, security, and partnership in the region. Advertisement General Dwivedi was conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by Nepalese President Ram Chandra Paudel at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu. This unique tradition underscores the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the Indian and Nepali Armies. Advertisement During his visit, the COAS engaged extensively with Nepals political and military leadership. He held high-level meetings with the Nepalese President; Prime Minister of Nepal, K P Sharma Oli and Defence Minister of the host country, Manbir Rai. The COAS also engaged in meaningful discussions with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, along with other senior military officers. These interactions were characterised by exceptional openness and mutual respect, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The COAS in a solemn ceremony paid his tributes to Nepals Bravehearts by laying a wreath at Bir Smarak, Tundikhel. Later, he reviewed an impressive Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters. Strengthening India-Nepal ties was a central theme of the visit. General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, called on General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, and discussed aspects of mutual interest and avenues to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. The COAS was briefed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Nepali Army and engaged in high-level discussions with other senior military leaders. These discussions focused on enhancing military bonds, joint exercises, training cooperation, and capability development, reinforcing the shared commitment to global peace and security. As a gesture of friendship between the two armies, the Indian Army presented Valour Mount horses and Sentinel dogs to the Nepali Army. Increased cultural exchanges between the Indian and Nepali Armies were also discussed, recognising their importance in strengthening bilateral ties. Enlightening the future leaders at the Nepal Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri, the COAS delivered a lecture on The Changing Character of War. He emphasised on strengthening and deepening the engagements for mutually building the competencies and capabilities of both Armies. General Dwivedi extended a formal invitation to the Nepali Armys COAS to visit India, aiming to build on and amplify the outcomes of the current visit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that his government was committed to promoting ease of doing business in Odisha, and investment was being promoted through Utkarsh Utkal. Addressing Odisha Parba 2024 celebrations here, he said as soon as the new BJP government was formed in Odisha, an investment of Rs 45,000 crore was approved within the first 100 days. Advertisement Modi said now Odisha has its own vision as well as a roadmap under the ruling dispensation, which would promote investment and create new employment opportunities. He congratulated Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Manjhi and his team for their efforts. Advertisement He stated that by utilising the potential of Odisha in the right direction, the state can be taken to new heights of development. Emphasising that Odisha can benefit from its strategic location, Modi said that access to domestic and international markets was easy from there. Remarking that Odisha is the land of women power, the PM said that Odisha will progress only when the women of the state progress. Modi also touched upon the able leadership Odisha has given to the country from the past till now. Draupadi Murmu ji, hailing from a tribal community, is the President of India. It is a matter of great pride for all of us, he said. He said it is due to her inspiration, schemes worth thousands of crores of rupees for tribal welfare were implemented across the country and these schemes are benefiting the tribal society not only of Odisha but of the entire nation. Noting the rising trend of people forgetting their mother tongue and culture across the globe, Modi said he was pleased that the Oriya community, wherever it lives, has always been very enthusiastic about its culture, its language and its festivals. The PM further said Odisha is a new hope for students across the country and there are many national and international institutes, which inspired the state to take the lead in the education sector. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar leaves here on Sunday on a three-day visit to Italy, primarily to attend the Outreach Session of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting at Fiuggi for which India has been invited as a guest country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in a statement said, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar will undertake an official visit to Italy from November 24 to 26, 2024. Advertisement EAM will travel to Fiuggi, Italy to participate in the Outreach session of the G7 Foreign Ministers Meeting, where India has been invited as a guest country. He is also expected to meet his counterparts from Italy and other participating nations in the G7 related engagements and hold bilateral discussions during the visit, the MEA added. Advertisement During the visit, the Indian minister will also participate in the tenth edition of the MED Mediterranean Dialogue in Rome, being organised by Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. He will also inaugurate the new premises of the Embassy of India in Rome. The conference on the Mediterranean, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI is hosted annually in Rome. The MED Dialogues aim to rethink traditional approaches to the area, bringing in new ideas and suggestions as to draft a positive agenda for the region, which tackles security and socio-economic challenges through common visions. The MED community will reconvene in Rome on November 25-27. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge will hold a meeting with the floor leaders of the parties from the INDIA bloc to discuss strategy for the Winter Session of the Parliament, which is scheduled to kick off on Monday. Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, will convene the meeting in his office in Parliament House at 10 am on Monday, party sources said. Advertisement Notably, earlier in the day, the Congress raised the indictment of billionaire businessman Gautam Adani and the situation in Manipur in the all-party meeting convened by the Central government ahead of the Session. Advertisement Talking to reporters, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari, who attended the meeting, said that the party raised the indictment of Adani and the situation in Manipur. Notably, Leader of Opposition in the Lower House Rahul Gandhi demanded Adanis immediate arrest after the US Department of Justice (DoJ) and US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) indicted him and others for alleged bribery. In Manipur, the ethnic clashes that erupted in the state on May 3 last year have continued unabated. Scores of people have lost their lives while thousands have been forced to take refuge in relief camps. Congress president Kharge had claimed that the BJP-led government in Manipur and the Centre failed in restoring peace and normalcy in the northeastern state. Haryana Chief Minister Mr. Nayab Singh Saini on Sunday listened to the 116th episode of Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modis programme Mann Ki Baat at DAV Centenary Public School in Jind district. Describing the Mann Ki Baat programme as inspirational for society, the Chief Minister said that through this platform, the Prime Minister spreads awareness on various social issues and brings forward people who bring positive change in the society. Giving the example of campaigns like Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam, he said this initiative inspires people towards protection of the environment. Advertisement The Chief Minister said the Prime Minister has done many works for the welfare of the poor in the last 10 years. Under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme, free treatment facilities have been provided to poor families so that they are able to get treatment for serious diseases. The BJP government has won the trust of the people by continuously working for the development of infrastructure like roads, railways and hospitals. Advertisement The Chief Minister said protection of the environment has become very important in the present times. The increasing temperature of the Earth and air pollution are serious problems, to deal with which it is necessary to plant more trees. Planting trees will reduce air pollution and improve the health of citizens, which will build a prosperous nation. The Chief Minister said that the vision of the Prime Minister is that by 2047, India should become the country of dreams of those great revolutionaries who sacrificed their lives for it. After this, the Chief Minister also planted a sapling in the school premises. Several dignitaries including Cabinet Minister Mr. Shyam Singh Rana, Deputy Speaker of Legislative Assembly Dr. Krishan Lal Middha, BJP State President Mr. Mohan Lal Badoli and MLA Mr. Devender Attri were present on the occasion. Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annpurna Devi is set to launch a national campaign Ab Koi Bahana Nahi on Monday with a call for actionable steps from the public, the government, and key stakeholders to eliminate gender-based violence. The initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministries of Women and Child Development and Rural Development, which also has support from the United Nations Women (UN Women), which is the UN entity dedicated to gender equality. Advertisement The campaign will be launched at Rang Bhawan, All India Radio, while Union Minister of Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, Minister of State, Rural Development and Communications, will be present on the occasion. Advertisement The campaign is launched along with the Nayi Chetna 3.0 campaign, to ensure a wide reach on spreading the call to action on ending gender-based violence, leaving no one behind. Globally, every year, from November 25, which is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, up to December 10, that marks Human Rights Day, the 16 Days of activism campaign are observed to raise awareness on ending gender-based violence. This year, building on the global campaign of the UN of #NoExcuse, which draws attention to the alarming escalation of violence against women to revitalize commitments, call for accountability and action, Indian Government is also launching #AbKoiBahanaNahi with the aim to highlight the message of urgency of ending violence against women and girls. It also underscores national zero-tolerance stance towards any and all forms of gender-based violence. A film on #AbKoiBahanaNahi will also be released to showcase the need for accountability from all stakeholders, including each citizen to pledge against ending gender-based violence. Former BJP Kerala unit leader Sandeep Warrier, who recently defected to Congress, said on Sunday that the BJP is a hub of people who are servile in the name of discipline. He alleged that there is no opportunity in the saffron partys Kerala unit to express opinions freely. Speaking to the media in Palakkad, Sandeep Warrier said that the state BJP lacks self-criticism and introspection. He accused the Kerala BJP of doing little beyond imposing dictatorial orders that others are forced to obey. Advertisement The former BJP leader alleged that a caucus comprising K Surendran (state president), V Muralidharan (former Union minister), and Krishnakumar (Palakkad candidate and state general secretary), which has taken over the BJP in Kerala, made Krishnakumar the candidate without adhering to any democratic processes. He said that the decision to nominate Krishnakumar from Palakkad was a setback for the BJP. While the BJP claimed that no basic party votes were lost in Palakkad, he added that around 30 to 50 cadre votes were leaked from each booth. Advertisement Sandeep alleged that Krishnakumar was chosen as the Palakkad candidate without considering the sentiments of ordinary party workers in the region. He added that those who remained silent at the time of the nomination should now speak out against the leadership after the partys electoral loss. He further said that none of those who criticised the leadership dared to express their opinions with self-respect and enthusiasm. He said the Palakkad by-election result is a befitting reply to BJP state president K Surendran since he is responsible for the partys decimation. Surendran is responsible for the BJPs setback in Palakkad. He said I was not an important person and my exit would not affect the party. They launched a cyber attack on me and did not spare my 84-year-old father and wife. The voters have given them a befitting reply. There is a huge decline in BJPs vote share. I am happy the voters have accepted the issues raised by me. They insulted me, saying Sandeep Warier was a nobody, but I kept my trust in the people of Palakkad. I thank them for their love. UDF ran a spectacular campaign and ripped apart the core base of BJP in Palakkad municipality, he said. There is no doubt that BJP suffered such a heavy blow only because of Krishnakumars candidacy. Be it milk society, municipality, panchayat, or even LS polls, Krishnakumar is the only one who contests from Palakkad. The leadership too took a myopic view of things and considered that the Palakkad BJP revolves just around Krishnakumar and his wife, Sandeep added. He further said, K Surendran and his gang should be beaten out of Mararji Bhavan (BJP state headquarters), and the place should be sprinkled with cow dung. Emphasising the significant role of the youth in shaping a Viksit Bharat, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced a landmark initiative, the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, which will take place in New Delhi, on January 11-12. In his monthly Mann Ki Baat address, he said the grand event, marking the 162nd birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, will serve as a platform for crores of youth across the country to unite, deliberate, and present ideas for Indias future. Advertisement Thousands of young individuals, meticulously selected from villages, blocks, districts, and states, will gather it. Advertisement Speaking about the event, the PM expressed his vision for fostering new leadership and nurturing grassroots political engagement. From the ramparts of the Red Fort, I have urged the youth with no political lineage to step into politics. Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is another step in that direction, he said. The dialogue will feature national and international experts, thought leaders, and dignitaries. The PM himself will participate and interact with the youth, encouraging them to present innovative ideas for the nations progress. These insights will contribute to creating a comprehensive roadmap for Indias future. In the 116th episode of the month programme, the PM also his own National Cadet Corps (NCC) experience, saying it instils a spirit of discipline, leadership and service in the youth. Today is a very special day. It is NCC Day. As soon as the name of NCC comes up, we remember our school-college days. I myself have been an NCC Cadet, so I can say with full confidence that the experience gained from it is invaluable for me, he said. Pointing out that the NCC instills a spirit of discipline, leadership and service in the youth, he said whenever there is a disaster, be it a flood, an earthquake or an accident, the NCC cadets unfailingly make themselves available there to help. Citing the efforts being undertaken continuously to strengthen NCC in the country under his government, Modi said, In 2014, about 14 lakh youth were associated with NCC. Now in 2024, more than 20 lakh youth are associated with NCC. On the provision for NCC made in 5,000 new schools and colleges, he said the biggest aspect is that earlier the number of girl cadets was just around 25 per cent and at present the number has risen to almost 40 per cent. Stating that the campaign to connect more and more youth residing along the border with NCC is also going on continuously, the PM urged the youth to join NCC in maximum numbers. You will notice that no matter what career you choose, NCC will help you a lot in personality development. The role of the youth in building a developed India is very significant. When young minds come together and deliberate upon the countrys future journey, positively, concrete paths emerge, he said. Mentioning about the upcoming Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue, the PM said, Swami Vivekanandas birth anniversary is celebrated as Youth Day on January 12 every year. Next year is Swami Vivekanandas 162nd birth anniversary. On this occasion, a Maha Kumbh of young minds is going to be held at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on 11-12 January, and the name of this initiative is Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. He said 2,000 youth selected from villages, blocks, districts, states will gather at Bharat Mandapam for the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue. The PM said many special campaigns will be run in the country to connect youths to politics and Vikasit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue is one such effort. He also praised many youths from different states for working selflessly and helping the elderly. Mentioning about Virendra, who lives in UPs Lucknow, Modi said he helps the elderly in the matter of Digital Life Certificate, which is required by all pensioners to submit once a year. He said Rajiv from Gujarats Ahmedabad warns people about the risk of Digital Arrest. Noting that the elderly are the most common victims of digital arrest, he said, In such a situation, it is our responsibility to make them aware and help them stay safe from cyber fraud. We have to explain to people again and again that there is no provision of digital arrest in the government; this is a blatant lie, a conspiracy to trap people. Highlighting that many experiments are being conducted for the education of children, he said the effort is to enhance the creativity of the children and their love for books. Referring to his recent Guyana visit, the PM said, Thousands of kilometres away from India, a Mini India dwells in Guyana too. Around 180 years ago, people from India were taken to Guyana to work in the fields and for other tasks. Today, people of Indian origin in Guyana are leading the country in every field be it politics, business, education or culture. He also informed that numerous Indian families have been living in Oman for many centuries and most of them who have settled there are from Kutch in Gujarat. These people had created important trade links. Even today, they have Omani citizenship, but Indianness is ingrained in their personae. With the support of the Indian Embassy in Oman and the National Archives of India, a team has started the work of preserving the history of these families, Modi said. The PM also mentioned the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam and said the campaign is now spreading to other countries of the world as well. The remote village of Rarik in the tribal district of Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Pradesh is now connected with 4G broadband services. Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said here on Sunday that this achievement was made possible through collaboration with BSNL, enabling residents of this cold and challenging region, where temperatures frequently plunge below zero degrees, to access modern telecommunication infrastructure. Advertisement Sukhu said the newly commissioned 4G site at Rarik has been set up using the Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) technology. Advertisement The Chief Minister said that the state government played a proactive role in ensuring the success of this initiative, as Himachal Pradesh is the first state in India to grant 100 per cent approval for land transfers under the 4G Saturation Project. All necessary clearances from state departments were processed in a time-bound manner, facilitating the establishment of 4G towers in uncovered villages across the state. Till date, clearances have been provided for 366 forest sites and 46 government sites, covering a total of 658 locations. As of now, 294 towers have been commissioned, while work on 37 additional towers is underway, he said. Sukhu said that the government is dedicated to improving the lives of residents in tribal and remote regions by offering quality and hi-tech services. Since assuming office, the present state government has implemented numerous measures to uplift the living standards of people in tribal and hard-to-reach areas. In a historic step, the government also celebrated its first Himachal Day in Kaza, Spiti Valley, in April 2023, he said. The BJP-led Mahayuti stormed back to power in Maharashtra with a historic landslide that saw it on course to get over 230 seats in the 288-member Assembly, utterly crushing the MVA, which was reduced to less than 50 seats, while in Jharkhand, the JMM became the first party to retain power for a second consecutive term. The BJP also dominated the bypolls to 48 Assembly constituencies in 14 states, sweeping Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, while winning a major chunk of the seats in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. However, it faced setbacks in Karnataka, Punjab, and West Bengal and split honours with the Congress in Madhya Pradesh. Advertisement In some solace for the INDIA bloc, it retained Jharkhand, while for the Congress, there was cause to cheer as General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi won her debut election from the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat, while the party also managed to retain the Nanded Lok Sabha seat and to win all three Assembly bypolls in Karnataka, wresting away one seat from both the BJP and the Janata Dal-Secular. The Trinamool Congress won all six Assembly bypolls in West Bengal. Advertisement Prime Minister Narendra Modis nine rallies across Maharashtra and his slogan of ek hai toh safe hai appear to have worked magic for the BJP, which was set to win 133 seats in the sprawling western state, while its major allies, the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, and the Nationalist Congress Party of Ajit Pawar, were likely to end up with 57 and 41, respectively. The Mahayutis unprecedented triumph may spell curtains for the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena-UBT and the Sharad Pawar-led Nationalist Congress Party which were utterly demolished by their Mahayuti rivals. Even the Congress was badly singed, with its state chief Nana Patole himself losing the election, though by 660 votes odd. The Raj Thackeray-led Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) also failed to open its account, despite all its hyperbole. Prime Minister Modi termed the verdict given by the people of Maharashtra to the Mahayuti, which swept back to power with a near absolute majority, as a stamp of approval for the good governance of the BJP-led government. Without a doubt, the Maharashtra result is historic. The verdict of Maharashtra is a stamp for the BJP model of good governance. The people of Maharashtra have blessed us for the time because they trust us. The BJP has also become the largest party in Maharashtra for the third time, said PM Modi in his victory speech at BJP headquarters in the national capital. Maharashtra has witnessed the triumph of development, good governance, and genuine social justice. The forces of deception, divisive politics, and family dynasties have been defeated. Maharashtra has strengthened its resolve for a developed India, PM Modi said. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, of the BJP, said that the people of Maharashtra have voted against the toxic propaganda by electing those who are fighting against the fake narratives, and that the states people solidly back the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Shinde, accompanied by his deputies Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar, thanked the common man for MahaYutis resounding performance while accepting the development politics and welfare schemes, rejecting the anti-growth and negative politics. He said that three parties will sit together and make a decision on the Chief Ministers post. Terming the poll performance historical, he said: We have won the minds and not the votes of people. NCP President and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said that their victory is a reflection of the peoples trust in the developmental work done by the government and the capable leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah at the Centre. The hard work put in by Chief Minister Shinde, Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis, and every representative and worker of the alliance over the last two and a half years has borne fruit, he added. A stunned Shiv Sena-UBT President and ex-CM Uddhav Thackeray said that it seemed like a tsunami swept aside the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), but felt that there was some gadbad (something amiss). It was not just a wave, but a tsunami This was beyond all expectations Some say its the victory of the EVMs Maybe. But if its also acceptable to the masses then we have nothing to add, he told media persons. The BJP victory in Maharashtra is likely to embolden the NDA to take on the opposition in the coming Winter session of Parliament. In Jharkhand, however, Hemant Soren withstood anti-incumbency and a determined BJP onslaught to retain power with a bigger margin against the 47 seats in the 81-member house won in 2019. His Jharkhand Mukti Morcha scooped up 34 seats on its own, while allies Congress, the Rashtriya Janata Dal, and the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist-Liberation won 14, four, and two, respectively. Hemant Soren thanked the people of the state following a decisive victory for his party and allies in the Assembly elections. We are going to create the history of Abua Raj, Abua Sarkar (Our rule, our government) in Jharkhand, he told media persons. This was a landmark election. People would never have seen such an election in the states democratic journey. We have successfully passed the test of democracy, he said. Meanwhile, with Priyanka Gandhi entering the Lok Sabha, the Parliament will, for the first time, have three members of the Nehru-Gandhi family, with her joining her brother Rahul Gandhi, the former Wayanad MP and current Rae Bareli representative and mother and former party chief Sonia Gandhi. By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) - Nissan persuaded a federal appeals court on Friday to decertify 10 class actions accusing the Japanese automaker of selling cars and SUVs with defective automatic emergency braking systems that caused vehicles to stop suddenly for no reason. The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati said it was improper to let drivers of 14 Nissan models sue in groups under the laws of 10 individual states simply by claiming that the braking systems did not work. Drivers claimed they experienced "phantom" activations of the systems at low overpasses, parking garages and railroad crossings, instead of when collisions might be imminent. Writing for a three-judge panel, however, Chief Judge Jeffrey Sutton said some drivers may never have experienced sudden braking, or sought repairs to begin with. He also said Nissan created "distinct" software upgrades for different models that appeared to fix the problem for some drivers, suggesting there was no common defect. "Analyzing the various manifestations of the alleged defect is necessary to assess whether common evidence could vindicate the plaintiffs or Nissan on a classwide basis," Sutton wrote. Class actions let plaintiffs potentially obtain greater remedies at lower costs than if forced to sue individually. The litigation covers Nissan's Rogue from 2017 to 2020, Rogue Sport from 2017 to 2021, Altima from 2019 to 2021, and Kicks from 2020 to 2021. The 10 states are California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Texas. Lawyers for the drivers did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nissan and its lawyers did not immediately respond to similar requests. The appeals court returned the case to a trial judge in Nashville, Tennessee, for further proceedings, potentially allowing new evidence supporting class certification. Nissan has plants in Smyrna and Decherd, Tennessee. The case is In re: Nissan North America Inc Litigation, 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, No. 23-5950. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Sandra Maler) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) chief Sharad Pawar has stated that the results of the 2024 Maharashtra assembly elections were totally unexpected, in his very first reaction after the 2024 Maharashtra assembly results were declared on Saturday. Incidentally, the NCP (Sharad Pawar) had not even issued a press statement on Saturday after results were declared nor did it do so until the press conference organised suddenly and unexpectedly on late Sunday evening at Karad where is camping. Advertisement Talking to media persons at a hurriedly organised and unexpected press conference on Sunday, November 24 at 6:30 pm late in the evening, Sharad Pawar attributed his partys defeat to a black propaganda campaign run at the grassroots level by the BJP-backed Mahayuti and its allies that the Congress-backed Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) would stop the monthly cash payment to women under the Laadki Bahin Yojana if the MVA came to power. Advertisement In this connection, it may be recalled that the Congress election campaign led by Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had aggressively spoken about actually increasing the monthly cash payment to women to Rs 3000 per month. It is a highly unexpected result but we have no option but to accept it and move forward. Womens participation in large numbers could be the reason for the Mahayuti sweep in Maharashtra polls, Sharad Pawar said. Despite several questions from media persons about the role of electronic voting machines (EVMs) which have also been raised by other parties which are part of the MVA, Pawar said that he would not like to say anything about (EVMs). We will have to deeply study all the reasons for our electoral defeat, rework our strategy and go back to the people of Maharashtra with renewed vigour once again, Pawar said. Reacting to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar-led NCP getting many more seats than his party, Sharad Pawar said that he had no qualms accepting Ajit Pawar getting more seats, But everyone knows who the founder of the NCP is. Pawar said that the decision to field his nephew Yugendra Pawar against Ajit Pawar in Baramati constituency, was not a wrong decision at all, since someone had to contest against him. There can be no comparison between Ajit Pawar and Yugendra Pawar, Sharad Pawar added. Meanwhile, it is learnt that Eknath Shinde is holding a meeting of his Shiv Sena at a suburban hotel at Bandra in Mumbai. A similar meeting of the BJP is also going on at the residence of Devendra Fadnavis who is poised to be Maharashtra Chief Minister. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Sunday said that the result of by-poll in four assembly segments was a forceful mandate of people in favour of pro-people and development-oriented policies of the state government. Interacting with the media after opening the dining hall for the public here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that the victory of AAP on three seats has filled them with more humility and dedication to serve the state and its people. Advertisement He said that AAP has snatched these three seats viz. Chabbewal, Dera Baba Nanak and Gidderbaha from Congress. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that people have approved the policies and programs being enacted and executed by the state government for the well-being of people and progress of state. Advertisement Replying to a query, the Chief Minister said that instead of stopping the farmers from coming to Delhi, the capital of the country, the Union government must talk to them and resolve their pending issues. He said that farmers are citizens of the country and they have every right to come to the capital of the country adding that this right of farmers must be protected by all means. Chief Minister Mann quipped that PM loves to take credit for resolving the issue between Russia and Ukraine but he is sceptical for resolving the matters pertaining to farmers for the reasons best known to him. The Chief Minister further said that the acquisition of land for the Bharat Mala projects in the state is going on smoothly and there is no obstacle in that. He said that the farmers have their own apprehensions and the Union government must resolve them through dialogue. Chief Minister Mann said that it is unfortunate that instead of resolving these issues the union government is intimidating the farmers through use of force which is undesirable and unwarranted. In reply to another query, the Chief Minister unequivocally said that under the leadership of Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP will again form government in Delhi in ensuing assembly elections. He said that the AAP has already decimated Congress and BJP in the national capital and now history will be created when AAP will again constitute government in Delhi. Strongly objecting to the divisive agenda being pursued by some political parties, the Chief Minister said that it is not in the interest of the country. He said that the incidents of violence in Uttar Pradesh are shocking and unfortunate adding that they are the result of politics of hatred being pursued by some parties. This should be avoided and the ethos of communal harmony, peace and brotherhood should be strengthened, he added. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the new dining hall at A Block of Punjab Bhawan will allow people of the national capital to enjoy food here. He said that Punjab is known for its hospitality and mouth-watering cuisine which will be now available to people of the national capital. Violence erupted in Uttar Pradeshs Sambhal on Sunday morning as police conducting a court-ordered survey of the Mughal-era Shahi Jama Masjid faced stone pelting and arson by a mob. The police used tear gas and lathi-charge to disperse the miscreants, who also set some vehicles ablaze. Despite the chaos, the survey team completed its work and was safely escorted out of the area, officials said. Advertisement The survey, ordered by a local court, relates to a petition claiming the mosque was built on the ruins of the Harihar temple. Advertisement Sambhal SP Krishan Kumar warned of against the offenders under the stringent National Security Act (NSA) and announced that individuals involved in the violence would be identified through videography and CCTV footage. The stone pelters have tried to target the police personnel by putting their vehicles on fire. Action will be taken against them under NSA. Videography has been done with drones and with the help of CCTV cameras, all these people will be identified and action will be taken against them, he said. The stone-pelting in Sambhal is the latest incident in Uttar Pradesh around the ongoing sensitivity surrounding mosque-temple disputes. Police have stated that additional forces have been deployed to maintain peace in the area, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the miscreants responsible for Sundays violence. Reacting to the incident, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, National President of the All India Muslim Jamaat, condemned the violence and urged calm among Muslims in Sambhal. Stone pelting and vandalism is not appropriate. I appeal to the Muslims of Sambhal to maintain Islams teachings of peace and tranquillity. As far as the court proceedings are concerned, the Jama Masjid is ours. Its towers, walls, and domes hold proof that it is a Tarikhi Masjid. We will fight this through law and strong evidence, and the success will be ours, he said. BSP chief Mayawati criticized the Uttar Pradesh government and administration, linking the unrest to the political climate following recent by-election results. I would also like to tell the UP government that after the unexpected results of the by-elections in UP yesterday, there was a lot of tension in the entire Moradabad division, especially in Sambhal district. In such a situation, the government and administration should have taken forward the work of surveying the mosque-temple dispute in Sambhal. This would have been much better, but by not doing so, whatever ruckus and violence happened during the survey today, the UP government and administration are completely responsible for that. This is highly condemnable. This work should have been done peacefully by taking both parties together, which is not being done. I strongly appeal to all the people of Sambhal to maintain peace there, she said. Meanwhile, State Minister Jaiveer Singh accused the perpetrators of disregarding the law and the judiciary, vowing strict action against those involved. People of the particular religion are considering themselves above the Constitution, law and judiciary. The government under the leadership of PM Modi and CM Yogi Adityanath will make everyone abide by the lawSuch hooliganism and disrespect of the courts order is not going to work No one should be allowed to do such kind of acts in the name of their religion, he said. The Mahayuti alliances landslide win in the Maharashtra Assembly elections marks a stunning comeback for the BJP and its partners. Just five months ago, the alliance faced a significant setback in the Lok Sabha elections, casting doubt on its electoral strategy and political dominance. Today, that narrative has been rewritten with resounding clarity, as the alliance swept 220 of the states 288 seats, decisively outpacing the opposition. However, the victory brings with it a critical question: who will lead Maharashtra as Chief Minister? The BJPs remarkable performance can be attributed to its ability to consolidate its voter base. Under the leadership of its state leaders, the party executed a ground campaign that combined relentless outreach, strategic seat-sharing, and a focus on issues that resonated with the electorate. Despite attempts by the opposition to exploit caste and community divides, the BJP galvanised support across demographic lines. The campaigns success underscored the partys adaptability and resilience, transforming adversity into opportunity. Eknath Shindes role in this victory cannot be overlooked. As the sitting Chief Minister and leader of his Shiv Sena faction, Mr Shinde not only retained his partys core supporters but also expanded its appeal. His policies, particularly the widely appreciated Ladki Bahin Yojana, played a pivotal role in swaying women voters, a crucial demographic in this election. By delivering a strong performance in his constituency and leading his party to a strike rate rivalling that of the BJP, Mr Shinde has reinforced his credentials as a key ally and a Maratha leader with a growing base. At the same time, the BJPs Devendra Fadnavis emerges as the architect of this electoral triumph. His strategic acumen, tireless campaigning, and ability to manage internal party dynamics have been instrumental in propelling the BJP to its best-ever performance in a Maharashtra Assembly election. Mr Fadnaviss leadership in navigating challenges and unifying the coalition further underscores his claims to the Chief Ministers post. The decision on who will lead Maharashtra now lies with the Mahayuti leadership. Advertisement While the BJPs commanding victory strengthens its claim to the Chief Ministers chair, sidelining Mr Shinde could risk alienating a crucial ally whose leadership and policies have been instrumental to the coalitions success. The alliance must balance its desire for political consolidation with the need for coalition harmony. The stakes are particularly high for the Mahayuti, as this victory comes with the weight of heightened expectations. Voters have delivered a decisive mandate, not just for political stability but for tangible development and effective governance. With Maharashtras economy being a cornerstone of Indias growth, the next Chief Minister must focus on addressing key challenges such as farmer distress, urban infrastructure, and industrial revival. The Mahayuti must leverage this opportunity to transform electoral gains into sustained public trust. Ultimately, the choice of leader will shape the Mahayutis governance and public perception in the coming years. Whether the mantle falls to Mr Fadnavis or Mr Shinde, the priority must be to deliver on the promises made to the people. Advertisement Seven people were found dead when a drifting boat carrying Somali nationals was discovered at sea and brought to the island of Nosy Be off the northwestern coast of Madagascar, by Malagasy fishermen Friday, according to a statement issued the same day by Madagascars Port, Maritime and River Agency. According to the statement, two boats, carrying 32 and 38 passengers, respectively, left Somalia on November 2 on their way to the island of Mayotte, a French overseas department located to the northwest of Madagascar. They suffered engine failure and were lost at sea before being found by Malagasy fishermen Friday. Advertisement A total of 48 people on board survived the tragedy and are currently under supervision and medical care, Xinhua news agency reported. Advertisement The Malagasy port authorities have launched an appeal to the inhabitants of Nosy Be, inviting them to report any discovery of shipwrecked people to facilitate the search and save any additional victims. Manufacturing has been one of the hottest categories in venture this year, but there are still many innovative materials and processes yet to scale. One example is thermoset composites, materials widely used in aerospace and defense due to their high heat resistance and light weight, but which typically have long lead times and high prices for customers. Raven Space Systems, a startup based in Kansas City, Missouri, says it has developed a new process to enable the first scalable 3D printing of commercial, off-the-shelf thermoset composite components. Were essentially unlocking an entire field of 3D printing to production scale, Raven co-founder and CEO Blake Herren said in a recent interview. We're taking these off-the-shelf materials that have been proven for both structures and thermal protection applications, and automating the near net shape production by 3D printing them for the first time. Raven is able to do this using a technology they've patented called Microwave Assisted Deposition (MAD) 3D printing. Usually thermoset composites require hours or even days in an oven to harden or cure, but the MAD process essentially cures the materials during the printing process, a bit like laser-based metal additive printing. A part made using raven's mad 3d printing process. Image Credits:Raven Space Systems Herren and his co-founder, Ryan Cowdrey, started working on the technology while grad students at the University of Oklahoma. Around the time they graduated, they landed about a million dollars in grants through the Small Business Innovation and Research program to take the MAD 3D printing concept from whiteboard to prototype. Since 2020, Raven has scored around $4.5 million of non-dilutive contracts from the Air Force, NASA, the National Science Foundation and other awards. To take the technology to the next level, the startup also just closed a $2 million pre-seed round led by Backswing Ventures with participation from 46 Venture Capital, Mana Ventures, What If Ventures, and Cape Fear Ventures. The new capital will go toward the companys first full-scale manufacturing lines: production-scale 3D printers, mixing systems, and machining. By the second quarter of next year, Raven aims to move out of its 3,000-square-foot facility and into a larger factory certified for aerospace production. There, theyll start manufacturing components for customers, starting with smaller components and scaling up from there. Ravens go-to-market strategy is to provide thermal protection components for solid rocket motors and hypersonic vessels initially, because thats where the two co-founders saw demand from the Department of Defense, Herren said. I read management consultancy firm McKinsey & Companys State of Fashion report year after year. They get many things right, as consultancy firms are experts at reading numbers and stating the obvious. Their ground-level surveysoh, theyre another matter altogether. I have yet to find a consultancy that has made accurate predictions about India at least. I have been writing on retail and the business of fashion and apparel in India for almost 25 years. And theres nothing a consultancy firm can tell you which hanging around malls cannot. Im always reminded of the magical year 2015, when every consultancy firm had predicted India would be a major luxury powerhouse market for European labels. Our sweet middle class and burgeoning startup set sweetly smiled and said, Gee, thanks, well build our own luxury brands instead. And so we did. Indias luxury market is in such an exciting space right now, with small- and medium-size companies that make artisanal productsright from cheese (Eleftheria, Darima) to coffee (Araku, Nandan) to leather products (Nappa Dori, Sabyasachi Mukherjee) to fashion (from Sabyasachi, Rahul Mishra and Tarun Tahiliani to 11.11, Eka, Arjun Saluja, Lovebirds and many others)enjoying a great growth curve. A mall in Kochi | Shutterstock But Indias high-street market? That has always been a tricky terrain. To start with, India has not had any high streets historically. Its mall culture is barely 15 years old even in urban metros, and fewer in tier II cities. It is very easy to get half-decent clothing at less than high-street pricesour shopping streets of Mumbai, Delhi and Jaipur have sold block-printed outfits, jootis, Kolhapuris and such for a few hundred rupees. We never needed a high street or a mall. Newspaper reports earlier this week announced McKinseys findings on India and how our country will be the focus for high street brands turning to the rest of Asia after the economic deceleration of China this year and the return of international travel to pre-pandemic levels (sadly not the airfares though). And that our forever growing middle-class and digitisation will make us bigger shoppers. The Indian government has invested around $2.5 billion in production-linked incentives and reforms to quality control orders, while foreign investment has increased 3x since 2019, stated the report. India is expected to play a more prominent role, it added, highlighting we are set to take on a bigger role in the global apparel market. As a footnote, the report pointed out that despite India being a major apparel supplier to the west, it was the biggest waste creator thanks to apparel quality failures in 2023. So much for our various incentives and marketing catchphrases like Make in India. Once we were the worlds largest cotton producer, now we are its largest apparel failure. I visited a popular export surplus shop in Mumbai recently and bought myself a Banana Republic dress and a J Crew shirt (these are still available in the high-street brands American stores). They were rejects thanks to poor quality and sold here for a few hundred rupees. I expect more such delights to flood our shopping streets. So, a full-price high-street store in India will probably be running on empty. It is a question I am asked by every foreigner friend: if China is slowing down, why has India not automatically replaced it? I dont know. And we will never know unless we take a long and critical look at how our industries and governments function. X@namratazakaria After Kenya cancelled its multimillion-dollar energy deals with Adani Group, Bangladesh is investigating bilateral purchase agreements done under former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina with different business conglomerates, including Adani Group. A review committee under the Bangladesh power ministry is investigating the deals, reported PTI. ALSO READ | Kenya cancels multimillion-dollar worth airport, energy deals with Adani Group after US indictment The interim government, headed by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, had formed a committee to review power purchase contracts signed under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act, 2010 (Amended 2021). The National Review Committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has recommended the appointment of a reputed legal and investigation agency to review the major power production agreements signed during the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2024, read an official statement issued by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunuss office. ALSO READ | Bribery, lying to investors: Details of the US indictment against 'numero uno' Gautam Adani, associates Major seven energy and power projects are being investigated, including Adani (Godda) BIFPCL 1234.4 MW coal-fired plant. The six other agreements include one with a Chinese company that built a 1320 MW coal-fired power plant, while the rest are with Bangladeshi business groups considered close to Hasina's regime. According to the statement, the review committee has gathered enormous proof that warrants the agreements' scrapping or reconsideration in accordance with international arbitration laws and procedures. The committee also needed more time to analyse other solicited and unsolicited contracts, the statement added. In doing so, we recommend the immediate appointment of one or more top-level international legal and investigation agency or agencies to assist the committee, the statement said, quoting a letter from the committee, headed by retired High Court judge Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury. The Adani Group built the Godda thermal plant in Jharkhand exclusively to supply power to Bangladesh. Still, India recently changed a law allowing the company to sell power in the domestic market. After the United States indicted billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani, Kenya cancelled multimillion-dollar airport expansion and energy deals with the group. President William Ruto in a State of the Nation address said the decision was made based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations. The Kerala womens commission filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court on Saturday, supporting registering FIRs over revelations made by victims in the Justice Hema committee report. The womens commission move comes following the apex courts notice to the Kerala government over a plea by a film producer challenging a probe into Hema committee report statements. In its affidavit, the womens body said Sajimon Parayil, the film producer who has petitioned against further probe on the report is trying to distort facts regarding the case. The womens commission said the petitioner is only trying to stall the probe being carried out by Kerala polices Special Investigation Team through the petition. The Kerala government formed a SIT to probe incidents of women exploitation and sexual harassment in Malayalam cinema after multiple victims shared their plight through media following the release of the Hema committee report. Cases were registered against at least over 15 artists in the Malayalam industry following the allegations. The petitioner in the case had earlier approached the Kerala High Court against releasing the Hema Committee report. However, the HC dismissed the plea and ordered the release of a redacted version of the report, protecting the privacy of individuals. In his petition challenging the HC order, Parayil said the statements in the report cannot be considered as information and a blanket direction cannot be issued while most of the witnesses in the report were disinclined to lodge FIRs. The Kerala government formed a three-member committee led by Justice K. Hema to probe instances of sexual harassment and women exploitation in the industry in 2017. Though the report was submitted to the Kerala government in 2019, it was released only this year. While the Kerala government was earlier reluctant to probe instances of alleged sexual assault and rape mentioned in the report, the Kerala High Court in October directed the SIT to conduct further probe on those charges as well. Days after announcing the separation from her husband, music composer A.R. Rahman, Saira Banu broke the silence and revealed why she took a break from marriage. Watch: Saira Rahman audio statement following separation with A.R. Rahman She says, "This is Saira Rahman here. I'm currently in Bombay. I'm on the I've been physically unwell for the last couple of months. So that's the reason I just wanted to take a break from AR, but I would pic.twitter.com/9pKkxdTyck IANS (@ians_india) November 24, 2024 In an audio released, Banu said she has been "physically unwell for the last couple of months" and so she wanted to "take a break from AR." Also read | AR Rahman divorce: Bassist Mohini Dey responds to rumours linking her separation from husband Amid the recent criticisms and speculations, Banu also said AR is a "gem of a person, the best man in the world." "This is Saira Rahman here. I'm currently in Bombay. I've been physically unwell for the last couple of months. So that's the reason I just wanted to take a break from AR, but I would request the entire YouTube YouTubers, the Tamil Media, please please do not say anything bad against him. He's a gem of a person, the best man in the world." Also read | A.R. Rahman and Saira Banu's lawyer Vandana Shah reveals the reasons for divorce in Bollywood She added that it was just because of health issues that she had to leave Chennai. "I knew if I'm not in Chennai, you people will wonder where Sarah is. And I've come here to Bombay. I'm going ahead with my treatment, and this wouldn't have been possible with AR's busy schedule in Chennai, and I didn't want to disturb anybody, neither my children nor him." Also read | 'Fire your admin': Fans shocked as AR Rahman uses #arrsairabreakup hashtag for divorce post Banu also requested people not to tarnish AR's name and just let him be the way he is. "He is an amazing human being...He is not linked with me, I trust him with my life. That's how much I love him, and that's how much he does. So I kindly request you all to stop the false allegations against him." She also said that she would return to Chennai after completing her treatment. After nearly three decades of marriage, AR Rahman and Banu announced their separation last week. A joint statement was issued by Banu's lawyer, Vandana Shah. They tied the knot in 1995 and have three children--Khatija, Raheema and Ameen. Amid false accusations, AR has issued a legal notice to those spreading false information, warning dire consequences if defamatory content is not removed promptly. Defamatory content began appearing on social media platforms and YouTube channels after their separation announcement. Rahmans legal representative emphasised that any non-compliance would result in criminal defamation charges under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which carries a punishment of up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine. Prime Minister Narendra Modis remarks on the Waqf law drew sharp reaction from Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind chief Maulana Arshad Madani who said Waqf is an integral part of Islam. Modi, while addressing BJP workers in Delhi on Saturday, had said there was no place for Waqf law in the Constitution. "I was appalled to learn that Modi ji has expressed the view that Waqf should be done away with since there is no provision in its favour in the Constitution. We did not expect such a frivolous remark from the Prime Minister of India," Madani said. He was addressing a conference titled Save the Constitution and National Solidarity organised by the Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind, arguably the largest organisation of Indian Muslims. Alleging that Modis remarks are bereft of sense, Madani said: Tomorrow, it may be said that Muslims would not be allowed to offer namaz, go for Haj pilgrimage and give away zakat (alms) since these too find no mention in the Constitution. Claiming that Waqf is an integral part of Islam, Madani pointed out that the Constitution grants every religious minority the right to practise its faith. "The PM should know that Waqf is an integral part of Islam and it finds mention in the Hadith, which are words spoken by our Prophet. As such, it is the duty of Muslims to safeguard Wakf, he added. Madani urged both Nitish Kumar and Chandrababu Naidu, the BJP allies, not to support the bill in parliament. He further launched a scathing attack on Assam Chief Minister Hmanta Bviswa Sharma, for labelling the Muslims in Jharkhand as infiltrators. "The Assam CM spent months in Jharkhand,labelling Muslims as infiltrators. He should remember that most of the Muslims are of Indian origin," Madani said. Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren is scheduled to meet Governor Santosh Gangwar later today to stake claim for the formation of new government in the state. Soren will also tender his resignation from the CM post during the meeting at Raj Bhavan. Soren will meet the governor at 4pm on Sunday and stake claim for forming the government, ANI reported. According to reports, the legislative party meeting of parties in the INDIA bloc is underway in Jharkhand and Chief Minister Hemant Soren will stake claim for government formation with letters of support from other allies. The swearing-in ceremony is likely to be held on November 26. .... ! - , ! ! pic.twitter.com/4aYhSvzcWO Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) November 23, 2024 Key opposition leaders including Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav and Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee are likely to attend the ceremony. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led alliance won the state assembly election by a landslide. In the election held to the 81-seat assembly, the JMM-led alliance won in 56 seats. While the JMM won at 34 seats, the second biggest party in the alliance, Congress, won at 16 seats. The Rashtriya Rashtriya Janata Dal won in four seats and CPI(ML)(L)in two. CM Soren won from Barhait by a huge margin of 39,791 votes. Once sworn in, this will be Sorens fourth term as CM. Talking to presspersons after winning the elections, Soren said the alliance has passed the exam of democracy. Soren had to resign his post earlier this year after the Enforcement Directorate arrested him in a money laundering case. However, he was sworn in again as CM in July, after he was granted bail by Jharkhand High Court in the case. Jharkhand Governor Santosh Gangwar has invited the JMM-led alliance to form government in the state after their massive victory in the recent assembly elections. JMM chief Hemant Soren, who resigned as the chief minister on Sunday, said the new government will be sworn in on November 28. Earlier, Soren met the government to stake claim to form government in the state after the INDIA bloc parties elected him as the legislature party leader. "I have staked claim to form the government, and have handed over support letter of alliance partners to the governor. He invited us to form the government. The swearing in ceremony will be held on November 28, Soren told reporters. #WATCH | Ranchi: Leaders of INDIA alliance shows unity outside the Raj Bhawan in Ranchi Hemant Soren tendered his resignation to the Governor and staked a claim to form Government pic.twitter.com/K4CXMmmjkJ ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2024 The ruling coalition pulled off a thumping victory in the elections, winning 56 of the 81 seats. Soren retained the Barhait seat, defeating BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes. There have been speculations that the Congress, the oather major constituent in the alliance, may demand the post of the deputy chief minister. Among the INDIA bloc, JMM won 34 of the 43 seats it contested, the highest-ever seats won by the party. The Congress bagged 16 seats while the RJD and the CPI(ML) secured four and two seats, respectively. The opposition BJP, meanwhile, won 21 seats and emerged as the second largest party. In 2019, the JMM-alliance had won 47 seats, wresting power from the BJP. The JMM had won 30 seats, while Congress bagged 16, apart from the one seat secured by the RJD. The Maha Vikas Aghadis poor performance in the Maharashtra Assembly elections is likely to cost it the opposition leaders post in the new assembly. As none of the opposition parties managed to win more than 20 seats in the election, perhaps for the first time in six decades, the new assembly is unlikely to get an opposition leader. The ruling Mahayuti alliance won the Maharashtra Assembly polls by a landslide and retained power. The Bharatiya Janata Party-led alliance won 234 of 288 seats in the assembly. The BJP alone won 45 per cent of seats in the assembly. However, the MVA comprising Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena, Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar faction) suffered a humiliating loss in the recently concluded polls. The Congress, which contested in 101 seats managed to win only 16. The Shiv Sena (UBT) won only 20 seats out of the 95 it contested and the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction won just 10 out of 86 seats it contested. However, tallies of parties in MVA do not meet the requisite for opposition leaders post. With none of the opposition parties winning at least 10 per cent of seats of the total strength of the assembly, i.e. 28 seats, the new assembly is unlikely to have an opposition leader. According to reports, though the combined strength of MVA fulfils the regulation, it is not considered for the opposition leaders role. According to NDTV, states of Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat, Manipur, Nagaland and Sikkim don't have opposition leaders because of the lack of parties in the opposition with at least 10 per cent seats. As the curtains come down on the high-stake Maharashtra Assembly elections in the country, let's look at the strike rate of each party from both the winner Mahayuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) and who scored the best. The Mahayuti alliance retained power winning 234 out of 288 seats while the MVA got 49 and others 4. From the winning coalition, the highest strike rate is for the BJP, which won 132 out of 149 seats it contested. The strike rate of BJP is 88.59 per cent. After BJP, it is Mahayuti partner Shiv Sena (Shinde favour) which has a strike rate of 70.37 per cent. The faction won 57 out of 87 seats. The third-best strike rate is for the NCP (Ajit Pawar) which won 41 out of 59 seats and a strike rate of 69.49 per cent. From the MVA, which registered a shocking defeat, the best strike rate is for Congress, with 16 wins out of 101 seats. The strike rate is 15.84 per cent. Shiv Sena (UBT)'s dismal performance only earned it 20 seats out of the 95 it contested and a strike rate of 21.05 per cent. The worst strike rate is for the NCP (Sharad Pawar) faction which won just 10 out of 86 seats. Its strike rate is a mere 11.62 per cent. BJP's stunning performance The saffron party had a stunning performance this year by winning 45% of the total seats in the Assembly, earning the honour of the largest for any political party in Maharashtra since 1990 when the Congress won 141 seats or a 49% seat share. But, the BJP deserves more credit since the wins happened even when the party decided to contest in a lesser number of seats. The BJP had contested 260 seats in 2014 and won 122 seats, its best tally in the state before 2024. In 2019, it won just 105 seats while contesting 164 seats. That year it partnered with the united Shiv Sena. In 2024, the BJP had to concede more seats to allies because it also needed to accommodate the NCP led by Ajit Pawar. For NCP (Sharad Pawar), which got the lowest strike rate this time, the elections proved a dud considering that it won 8 out of 10 seats in the Lok Sabha elections, a strike rate of 80 per cent. A "Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue" will be held on January 11-12 in Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Sunday and said the initiative was part of efforts to connect youngsters having no political background with politics. In the 116th episode of his monthly "Mann Ki Baat" radio broadcast, Modi said that Swami Vivekananda's 162nd Jayanti on January 12 would be celebrated in a very special way. On January 11-12, the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue will be held at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi, he said. "From the ramparts of Red Fort, I appealed to such youth to join politics whose entire family has no political background. To connect one lakh such youth with politics, many special campaigns will be run in the country. The Viksit Bharat Young Leaders' Dialogue is one such initiative," Modi said. The prime minister also hailed the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and noted that the NCC name reminded one of their school and college days. "I myself have been an NCC cadet, so I can say with full confidence that the experience I got from it is invaluable for me. The NCC instils a spirit of discipline, leadership and service in the youth," he said. During his radio broadcast, Modi also called on people to celebrate inspiring stories of the Indian diaspora who made their mark globally, contributed to freedom struggles and preserved "our heritage". "Share such stories on the NaMo App or MyGov using the hashtag 'Indian Diaspora Stories'," he said. The compassion and energy of India's "Yuva Shakti" in helping senior citizens is commendable, Modi said and cited the example of a young person from Lucknow helping the elderly submit digital life certificates. He also talked about a person from Ahmedabad who is warning and making the elderly aware about cybercrimes, including digital arrests. Tractor on a farm Rachel Reevess inheritance tax raid will hit farmers harder than wealthy investors using land for financial planning purposes, analysis has found, despite claims the Chancellor wants to make the system fairer. A third of the farming estates affected by the Chancellors Budget changes to agricultural relief are owned by tax-avoiding investors, while the vast majority are owned by working farmers, according to calculations by the think tank Tax Policy Associates. Dan Neidle, founder of the think tank, said: This suggests the Budget proposal doesnt go far enough to stop avoidance, but goes too far in how it applies to actual farms. The findings contrast comments made by Ms Reeves and ministers who have suggested the removal of agricultural property relief (APR) for some farms is a measure to crackdown on tax avoidance. Earlier this month, Daniel Zeichner, minister for food security and rural affairs, told the House of Lords: Sadly, [APR] has been used in some cases by wealthy landowners to avoid inheritance tax. That is why the Government has announced plans to reform agricultural property relief. During her Budget last month, the Chancellor said a decision to cap inheritance tax relief for farms at 1m would be fairer than the current regime, adding the measures would ensure that we continue to protect small family farms. The Treasurys impact assessment said: the Government is better targeting these reliefs to make them fairer, protecting small family farms. Speaking as farmers gathered for protests in Westminster last week, Tom Bradshaw, the National Farmers Union (NFU) president, said the policy was nothing short of a stab in the back. Mr Neidle, who is a Labour party member, has sided with Treasury analysis that the number of farms affected by the inheritance tax changes will be less than 500 per year, or around a quarter of farms. His analysis was used by the BBC Verify unit to back analysis on the Governments data last year, describing him as an independent tax expert, despite his Labour Party membership. By contrast, the NFU and the Country Land and Business Association estimate that as many as 70,000 farms will be hit, a claim which Mr Neidle has dismissed. However, Mr Neidle said that the way the measures will be implemented means some individual farmers will pay too much while wealthy investors using farmland as a way to get around inheritance tax will be comparatively unaffected. Currently, farmers can claim up to 100pc inheritance tax relief on agricultural land but, after changes announced by Ms Reeves in her record tax-raising Budget, from April 2026 they will have to pay inheritance tax on the value of their land above 1m. Above 1m, they will get a 50pc relief on the inheritance tax charge. The winter session of parliament commencing on Monday is likely to be a stormy affair as the Congress-led opposition is likely to target the government over the US prosecutors' bribery charges against the Adani Group. At an all-party meeting on Sunday, the Congress has asked the Centre to allow a discussion on the Adani issue on priority besides a slew of other topics including the incidents of fresh violence in Manipur. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the meeting attended by forty-two leaders from 30 parties. BJP President J.P. Nadda, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, DMK's Tiruchi Siva, Akali Dal's Harsimrat Kaur Badal and LJP (Ram Vilas) MP Arun Bharti were among the attendees. Industrialist Gautam Adani has been charged by US prosecutors for being part of a scheme to bribe Indian officials with USD 265 million (roughly Rs 2,200 crore) in exchange for favorable terms for solar power contracts in four Indian states. The Adani Group has dismissed the charges as baseless. Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Pramod Tiwari said the the issue should be discussed on priority since it involves the countrys economic and security interests. It is a grave issue involving the country's economic and security interests as over Rs 2,300 crore were allegedly paid by the company to politicians and bureaucrats to get favourable deals for its solar energy projects, he said. The Manipur issue and Waqf (Amendment) Bill are among the other issues on which the house is likely to witness heated exchanges. The government has listed 16 bills for consideration in the Winter Session scheduled to be held from November 25 to December 20. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the government has appealed to all the parties to ensure smooth conduct of business in both houses of parliament. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Rijiju said the matters to be taken up for discussion will be decided by their authorised committees with the consent of the respective Chair. A survey team that reached Shahi Jama Masjid site in Sambhal district on Sunday amid heavy police security faced stone-pelting and stern opposition from protesters, forcing police to use tear gas to control the situation. This is the second survey being conducted at the site following a lower courts order on a petition claiming the mosque was originally a temple. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Vehicles set on fire in Sambhal where an incident of stone pelting took place when a survey team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a survey of the mosque. Police used tear gas to control the situation. pic.twitter.com/QUJE7X4hN4 ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2024 According to officials, the survey team reached the site at about 7.30am in the morning amid strong police protection to conduct the survey. Despite heavy police presence, protesters pelted stones at the survey team. Police officials said the situation is under control at the moment. #WATCH | Uttar Pradesh: Visuals from Sambhal where an incident of stone pelting took place when a survey team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a survey of the mosque. Police used tear gas to control the situation. Following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu pic.twitter.com/jW6RO6L27Q ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2024 Uttar Pradesh state police chief Prashant Kumar said, "A survey is being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the court. Some anti-social elements have pelted stones. Police and senior officers are present on the spot. The situation is under control, the police will identify the stone pelters and take appropriate legal action, ANI reported. A survey is being carried out at the site after senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is also presenting the Hindu side in the Gyanvapi case, petitioned with a local court that the Mughal-era mosque was constructed partially demolishing a temple. Hearing the petition, the court ordered a survey of the mosque site. Jain had said, The Harihar temple in Sambhal, we all know, is a central part of our faith. This is an ASI-protected area. There can be no encroachment of any kind in the ASI-protected area. There are many signs and symbols there which are of the Hindu temple. On Tuesday, a survey was conducted at the site amid heavy police deployment. Ahead of the survey, the district administration imposed prohibitory orders in the area and police personnel conducted a flag march. As BJP-led Mahayuti bask in the glory of the win in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, the focus is on a 54-year-old engineer, who is the general secretary of RSS. Atul Limaye, the former chief of RSS western region, is said to have pulled the reins of Mahayuti's winning chariot through his strategy and ideology-based leadership. Hailing from Nashik, Limaya joined RSS as a 'pracharak' three decades ago after quitting his job at a multinational company. He worked his way through the organisation, becoming 'prant pracharak' for western Maharashtra and then rose through the ranks to become a 'kshetra pracharak'. He commanded Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Goa. During his stint with the organisation, he organised study groups, former research teams and think tanks that dealt with a multitude of issues, especially among Muslim and Christian communities, and formulated government policies. It was his policies that aided the organisation and the BJP in dealing with the 2017 Maratha reservation agitation and the 2018 'Urban Naxal' issues. He also cultivated a strong grassroots base, consolidating Hindu votes in the state, thanks to his leadership skill which impressed the RSS leadership during the Shiv Shakti Sangam, a a large-scale event celebrating the legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji in 2016-17. Over 60,000 Sangh volunteers from the state attended the event, which aided in reigniting the Hindutva sentiment across western Maharashtra and the Marathwada region cutting through caste divisions. He was also the brain behind the Sanghs voter awareness campaign "Sajag Raho" which saw volunteers visit each house to mobilise votes in its favour. This outreach programme also helped RSS engage with the OBC community, including the Teli, Mali, Sutar and Banjara groups. Limaye is said to have personally engaged with community leaders ensuring them adequate representation, all these amid the anti-Mahayuti fervour among the Maratha community owing to the attempts by Maratha leader Manoj Jarange-Patil. Limaye did not ignore the agitating Maratha leaders too. He promised them efforts to support reservations for Marathas, though not under the OBC category. He also vowed to help fight the cause in the Supreme Court and with the Narendra Modi government at the Centre. This went a long way in repairing the damage done by Jarange-Patil. He is also said to have made RSS a mediator and problem solver both in rural and urban grievances issues. So much so that the higher voter turnout gave hints to the leadership that the Hindu votes have finally been unified. After an emphatic victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections, the Mahayuti is preparing for its next battle for the chief minister's post. BJP is widely speculated to stake claim for the CM's chair after playing second fiddle for the past four years with Devendra Fadnavis as Deputy Chief Minister along with NCP chief Ajit Pawar. This was despite the BJP being the Mahayuti partner with the most number of seats. #WATCH | Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde, Deputy CMs Ajit Pawar, Devendra Fadnavis and other Mahayuti leaders at Varsha Bungalow, CM's official residence, in Mumbai Mahayuti is set to form the government in Maharashtra. (Source: BJP) #MaharashtraElection2024 pic.twitter.com/wG5UdPMjEA ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2024 However, Shiv Sena supremo Eknath Shinde who has been sitting on the throne is not likely to give it up easily. The new equation was evident when the Mahayuti partners met at the chief minister's official residence, Varsha, on Saturday. Both Shinde and Fadnavis sat on high-back chairs that were identical while Pawar sat on a smaller chair besides Shinde. #WATCH | Nagpur: Maharashtra Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis says, "I went to Varsha Bungalow (Chief Minister's residence) in the afternoon and felicitated CM Eknath Shinde. The leaders of the three parties (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) will decide who will become the Chief Minister..." pic.twitter.com/gLazaRHxmR ANI (@ANI) November 23, 2024 In the recent elections, the BJP has clinched 132 constituencies, while Shiv Sena has bagged 57 seats and NCP has 41 in its kitty. This brings the total number of Mahayuti constituencies to 230 in the Maharashtra assembly, which has 288 seats. The ruling coalition did not declare a chief ministerial candidate before the polls, reiterating that the name would be finalised after the results. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with Deputy Chief Ministers Devendra Fadnavis and Ajit Pawar celebrates the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's lead amid the counting of votes for the Maharashtra Assembly elections, at CM's official residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai | PTI Fadnavis on Saturday said the three alliance partners will meet and decide the new chief minister. Fadnavis added that the decision will be acceptable to all three parties and there will not be any dispute. Fadnavis met Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at his Nagpur residence on Saturday night ahead of the Mahayuti meeting on Sunday. Responding to reports that Fadnavis will take over as CM, Shinde said no decision has been taken yet. Shiv Sena MLA and spokesperson Sanjay Shirsat has backed Shinde as CM for another term while BJP leaders like Pravin Darekar and Kailash Vijayvargiya wants Fadnavis to return as CM. Before the elections, NCP's Amol Mitkari said regardless of the election results, NCP will be the kingmaker. Sources quoted by local reports suggest that Shiv Sena might have to give up the CM's post in exchange of more ministerials berths. In that case, Shiv Sena may also get the Home portfolio along with the deputy CM's post, earlier held by Fadnavis. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and ex-Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza has come as a legal bombshell for the embattled leader. The ICC, while issuing the order, stated Netanyahu and Gallant bore their responsibility for the war crime of using starvation as a method of warfare and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, and other inhumane acts. He was also charged with "intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population." The warrant leaves all signatories of the court, which comes to around 120, obliged to detain and hand over indicted leaders. In theory, this means that Netanyahu and Gallant could be arrested if they travel to any of the more than 120 countries that are parties to the court. However, several governments, including Hungary, Czechia and Argentina, have said they will ignore the warrant. So, here is a brief list of countries that Netanyahu will not be allowed to travel to, in light of the warrant. Countries that will enforce ICC warrant Though the ICC does not have enforcement powers, many countries have already signalled that they would arrest and hand over Netanyahu and Gallant. These include France and the Netherlands, who said they would act on the warrants if needed. Netherland Foreign Minister Caspar Veldkamp has said the Netherlands will "implement the Rome Statute one hundred per cent," Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris too said the country would "absolutely" arrest Netanyahu and Gallant. Belgium and Spain are two other European countries which will support the ICC warrant and comply with its commitments and obligations. Austria said though the ICC ruling was "utterly incomprehensible", it still would arrest Netanyahu. On the other hand, Slovenia has made it clear that it will fully comply with the ICC warrant. Finland, Portugal and Switzerland too made it clear that they would arrest Netanyahu. Australia has backed ICC amid arrest warrants for Israeli premier. Stance unclear The stance of three major European nations, including France, Germany and Italy, is unclear. Italy said it was mulling how to "interpret" the ruling, France gave a vague statement that the ICC warrant was "not a judgment but the formalisation of an accusation". Interestingly, one of Israel's strongest ally UK has said that it would comply with its legal obligations, but said it was "not going to get into hypotheticals" when asked if Netanyahu would be arrested if he came to the UK. Countries that won't arrest Netanyahu Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said that it wouldn't arrest Netanyahu and even invited him to visit his country. Interestingly, India is one country that Netanyahu can visit as we are not a part of the signatories of the Rome Statute. The US too is not a part of the signatories and even called the ruling "outrageous" and pledged to "always stand with Israel against threats to its security." Though Japan too is a member of the ICC, it has not yet mentioned anything about the arrest warrant. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ridiculed the recent Canadian report as a result of "criminal leaking", linking his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi and two other senior officials in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar last year. During his interaction with the media in Brampton, Trudeau said, "We have seen, unfortunately, that criminals leaking top secret information to the media have consistently gotten those stories wrong." ALSO READ | Speculative: Justin Trudeau govt denies Canadian media report linking PM Modi, Jaishankar to criminal activities He also added that "a national inquiry into foreign interference has highlighted that the criminals leaking information to media outlets are unreliable on top of being criminal." Canada's National Security and Intelligence Adviser (NSIA) Nathalie G. Drouin earlier said that Ottawa was not aware of any such link. ALSO READ | Canadian media report says PM Modi knew of plot to kill Nijjar; MEA hits back "The Government of Canada has not stated, nor is it aware of the evidence, linking Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi, (External Affairs) Minister (S) Jaishankar, or NSA (Ajit) Doval to the serious criminal activity within Canada," the statement said. The statement came after a report appeared in the daily Globe and Mail on Tuesday citing an unnamed senior national security official regarding the involvement of PM Modi and other top officials in the killing of Nijjar. ALSO READ | India to renew request to Canada for extradition of Khalistan extremist Arsh Dalla After the report was out, India refuted the claims and in a strongly worded statement trashed the "smear campaign". External Affairs Ministry (EAM) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said they do not normally comment on media reports but such ludicrous statements made to a newspaper purportedly by a Canadian government source should be dismissed with the contempt they deserve. India-Canada ties worsened after Canada linked six diplomats and officials including High Commissioner Sanjay Verma to violent criminal activity in the country. India rejected the allegations and expelled six Canadian diplomats including High Commissioner Stewart Wheeler. Nijjar was killed on June 18 last year in Surrey, British Columbia. The world's richest nations on Sunday reached an agreement at COP29 in Azerbaijan capital Baku to provide $300 billion to poorer countries to gear up for climate change. However, India and several other developing countries said the funds are insufficient. Economists believe that at least $1.3 trillion is needed to help the vulnerable nations tackle the climate crisis. Today marked a historic day: Three major achievements were reached by the COP29 Presidency!#COP29 #COP29Azerbaijan #BakuBreakthrough pic.twitter.com/NgY1UMUMaf COP29 Azerbaijan (@COP29_AZ) November 24, 2024 Indian delegate Chandni Raina called the $300 billion a "paltry sum", saying the new deal is "nothing more than an optical illusion". She pointed out that the agreement failed to address the enormity of the challenges faced by many countries. She said the agreed funding is incompatible with the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) and equity. India makes history with a livid statement objecting to the adoption of the climate finance outcome at @COP29_AZ Legal ramifications of their objection unclear pic.twitter.com/0MxsIMNqdH Avantika Goswami (@aygoswami) November 23, 2024 A fiery speech by India's Environment Secretary Leelan Nandan also highlighted the frustration among developing nations. She said India cannot accept the deal and the propose goal will not solve anything for the country. Nandan added that the deal is not conducive to climate action that is necessary for India's survival. Marshall Islands envoy Tina Stege slammed the negotiations as the "very worst of political opportunism". Nigeria said the funding was a joke, while Malawi and Bolivia also backed India. The deal was reached after a fornight of talks that saw boycotting and disagreements and the negotiations went 30 hours beyond the deadline. The developing nations boycotted meetings and threatened withdrawl unless rich nations agreed to give more funds. However, they later allowed the passage of the deal. The agreement requires rich nations like the US and other rich countries to provide $300 billion every year by 2035. But developing nations want wealthy nations to pledge a bigger pie of the fund. They also advocated the funding to be given in the form of grants instead of loans to avoid debt traps. The talks also could not reach an agreement to "transition away from fossil fuels". With President-elect Donald Trump nominating former White House aide Brooke Rollins as his agriculture secretary, he completed his Cabinet picks. Who is Brooke Rollins? Brooke Leslie Rollins (52) would succeed Tom Vilsack, who oversees the sprawling agency that controls policies, regulations and aid programmes related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition. ALSO READ | Matt Gaetz, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tulsi Gabbard... : Understanding Trump's logic behind cabinet picks An attorney who graduated from Texas A&M University with an undergraduate degree in agricultural development, Rollins is a longtime Trump associate. She served as White House domestic policy chief during his first presidency. Rollins is the president and CEO of the America First Policy Institute. She previously served as an aide to former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and ran a think tank, the Texas Public Policy Foundation. ALSO READ | Who is Chris Wright? Trumps pick for energy secretary is a climate change critic She also worked as a litigation attorney in Dallas. Rollins had described Trump as an "amazing boss". ALSO READ | Who is Sean Duffy? 2nd Fox News host to join Trump cabinet is a reality star and congressman Rollins is married to Mark and the couple has four kids. Just two and half weeks after winning the US elections, Donald Trump completed his selection of the heads of executive branch departments. Now, the Senate, controlled by the Republicans, will have to confirm the nominations. Though Trump did not specify agriculture policies during the campaign, farmers could be affected if he pledges to impose widespread tariffs. Countries like China responded to Trump's tariffs by imposing retaliatory tariffs on US exports like the corn and soybeans routinely sold overseas. Trump countered by offering massive multibillion-dollar aid to farmers to help them weather the trade war. The United States Department of Agriculture was founded by President Abraham Lincoln in 1862 when about half of all Americans lived on farms. The department oversees multiple support programs for farmers; animal and plant health; and the safety of meat, poultry and eggs that anchor the nation's food supply. New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) Seeing India as a place that offers "enormous growth" opportunities, SriLankan Airlines aims to increase flights to the country as well as attract more tourists, including with the Ramayana Trail package, according to a top airline official. The Ramayana Trail will help people connect with 20 significant locations in Sri Lanka that are linked to the Ramayana story. SriLankan Airlines CEO Richard Nuttall said growth in the number of tourists from India has been stellar this year but still below the pre-Covid numbers. He was speaking at a function in the national capital for the launch of the Ramayana Trail package on Saturday evening. High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India Kshenuka Senewiratne was also present. Till the end of October this year, around 20 per cent of the tourists who came to Sri Lanka were from India. "We have been looking at how to lift and rejuvenate tourism from India to Sri Lanka to the next level," he said while mentioning the Ramayana Trail and added that it was time to do something different. Currently, the airline operates 88 flights a week to nine destinations in India -- Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Trichy and Madurai. Emphasising that the airline sees India as a place of "enormous growth and possibilities", Nuttall said it wants to be part of that growth and is working with its Indian partners. He said the airline aims to have more frequencies to the Indian cities that it already operates and offer more flights at convenient times. In due course, he said the carrier will look to add more destinations. Kshenuka Senewiratne said Ramayana is not merely a story, it is a tapestry encapsulating culture, spirituality and heritage. "For centuries it has been a source of inspiration and guidance fostering connections between India and Sri Lanka through mythology, traditions and values in which people to people's ties have always been at the core," she said. Through Ramayana Trail package, she said SriLankan Airlines is not only offering an opportunity to redefine the significant locations but also to celebrate the country's rich cultural and natural heritage. As part of the trail, "visit Seetha Amman Temple, where Sita is said to have prayed during her captivity, and stand in awe of Rumassala Hill, where a piece of the Himalayas is believed to have landed, dropped by Hanuman. Every stop is a connection to your spiritual heritage, bringing the stories of the Ramayana alive," the airline release said. New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) India's 26 major listed real estate firms have sold properties worth nearly Rs 35,000 crore during the September quarter with Godrej Properties reporting highest sales bookings. According to the data compiled from regulatory filings, the 26 major listed realty firms have reported a combined sales bookings of Rs 34,985 crore in the second quarter of the current fiscal year. Bulk of pre-sales (sales bookings) came from residential segment. In terms of sales bookings, Godrej Properties emerged as the largest listed player during July-September quarter with pre-sales of Rs 5,198 crore. Mumbai-based Macrotech Developers Ltd, which sells properties under the Lodha brand, reported sales bookings of Rs 4,290 crore during the quarter under review. Delhi-NCR-based Max Estates sold properties worth Rs 4,100 crore, while Bengaluru-based Prestige Estates Projects Ltd clocked sales bookings of Rs 4,022.6 crore during the quarter. Delhi-NCR based Signature Global achieved sales bookings of Rs 2,780 crore in the September quarter, driven by strong demand for its housing projects at Gurugram. DLF Ltd, the country's largest realty firm in terms of market capitalisation, sales bookings declined sharply during the July-September period to Rs 692 crore as it did not launch any new housing project. Among other major listed players, Bengaluru-based Brigade Enterprises Ltd reported a sales bookings of Rs 1,821 crore during July-September period of this fiscal year, while Mumbai-based Oberoi Realty did pre-sales of Rs 1,442.46 crore. Mumbai-based Aditya Birla Real Estate sold properties worth Rs 1,412 crore. Bengaluru-based Puravankara Ltd and Sobha Ltd clocked sales bookings of Rs 1,331 crore and Rs 1,178.5 crore, respectively. Delhi-based TARC Ltd also performed well and achieved pre-sales of Rs 1,012 crore during the September quarter. There were many players that reported sales between Rs 500 crore and Rs 1,000 crore during the second quarter of this fiscal year. Pune-based Kolte-Patil Developers Ltd sold properties worth Rs 770 crore, while Mumbai-based Keystone Realtors (Rustomjee brand) achieved pre-sales of Rs 700 crore. Delhi-based Ashiana Housing Ltd reported sales bookings of Rs 673 crore during the September quarter while Bengaluru-based Shriram Properties clocked pre-sales of Rs 568 crore. Mumbai-based firms Raymond Ltd and Sunteck Realty Ltd sold properties worth Rs 562 crore and Rs 524 crore, respectively. Among listed firms that booked less than Rs 500 crore, Ahmedabad-based Arvind Smartspaces sold properties worth Rs 464 crore during the July-September period. Mumbai-based Mahindra Lifespace Developers Ltd achieved a sales bookings of Rs 397 crore. Mumbai-based realtors Arihant SuperstructuresLtd, Ajmera Realty & Infrastructure Ltd and Arkade Developers Ltd reported sales bookings of Rs 270.8 crore, Rs 254 crore and Rs 215 crore, respectively. Suraj Estate Developers sold properties worth Rs 107 crore, while Lucknow-based Eldeco Housing & Industries Ltd clocked pre-sales of Rs 102.9 crore. Mumbai-based Equinox India Developments Ltd (earlier Indiabulls Real Estate Ltd) achieved pre-sales of mere Rs 98 crore during the second quarter of this fiscal year. Sales bookings of many listed entities have declined in the second quarter of 2024-25 because of inauspicious Shraadh period, monsoon rain and also lack of regulatory approvals to launch their projects. For example, DLF Ltd's pre-sales plunged to Rs 692 crore in the September quarter from Rs 6,404 crore in the first quarter of this fiscal. Sales bookings data of many listed players was not available on the stock exchanges. Post-Covid pandemic, the residential real estate segment has revived strongly because of pent-up demand growing desire to have homeownership. Housing prices too have appreciated significantly. Housing market is witnessing a shift in consumer demand towards those realty companies and brands which have better track record of executing real estate projects. Real estate developers, which are not listed on stock exchanges, generally do not report their quarterly and annual sales bookings. Branded and reputed players, including both listed and unlisted ones, have benefited most in this revival cycle as homebuyers do not want to take risk of getting stuck in real estate projects after making payments. Thousands of buyers of many NCR-based builders, like Unitech and Jaypee Infratech, are stuck and fighting legal cases in real estate regulatory authorities at the state-level, tribunals, and courts. Over the past year, the price of Brent Crude, a key global oil benchmark, has been as low as $70.31 and as high as $93.12. Over the past three years, the swing from peak to trough was even greater, with the low at $69.53 and the high at a whopping $133.18. Talk about a roller-coaster ride! This is why the smartest oil stock for most investors right now will be reliable industry giant Chevron (NYSE: CVX). Some key reasons to like Chevron Before getting into Chevron's business, it is worth looking at one of the biggest benefits investors get from owning the stock: its dividend. The dividend yield is around 4% right now, which is notably above the energy industry average of 3.3% and the S&P 500's average of 1.2%. The dividend backing that high yield has been increased annually for 37 consecutive years. Note that this includes hikes when oil was trading at $133 and when it was trading at $69, or lower. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free Image source: Getty Images. Those dividend stats alone prove just how reliable a company Chevron is. And, in fact, that might be enough to get long-term dividend investors to buy this oil giant. But there's more to like here than just the yield. That's where the business comes in. Chevron is what's known as an integrated energy company, which means it has operations across the energy sector. That includes energy production (the upstream), energy transportation (the midstream), and chemicals and refining (the downstream). Each of these segments operates a little differently, and having all three in the portfolio helps to soften the peaks and valleys inherent to the commodity driven energy sector. It's also worth noting that 75% of Chevron's oil investments have a break-even point that is below $50 per barrel, which gives it a lot of operational leeway. On top of that, Chevron has an investment-grade-rated balance sheet. That alone, however, doesn't do justice to the importance of the company's financial strength. Chevron rides the cycle like a pro Chevron has been around a very long time and is well aware of the volatility of the sector in which it operates. That's why it has created a diversified business, so it can better weather the inherent ups and downs it will face. But the real key to the company's ability to continue rewarding investors with dividend increases -- even when oil prices swing wildly -- is its balance sheet. When times are good, Chevron keeps its leverage low. Right now the company's debt-to-equity ratio, a measure of leverage, is around 0.17 times. It is one of the lowest levels of leverage among the company's closest integrated energy peers. The company is, basically, preparing for what it knows is coming: another oil downturn. Management doesn't know exactly when, but it knows very well that the industry is volatile and lower oil prices are almost certain to arrive eventually. New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) Bihar Industries Minister Nitish Mishra on Sunday said the upcoming global business summit in Patna will be a huge success and attract more investment proposals than about Rs 50,000 crore it received in the 2023 edition. The second edition of 'Bihar Business Connect' will be held from December 19-20, 2024 in Patna. "Last year, we received investment proposals of around Rs 50,000 crore. I am very much confident that this year we will get more investment proposals," Mishra told reporters in the national capital. He said the upcoming investors' meet will lead to the start of a new industrial era in Bihar. The last edition of the investor meeting in 2023 saw several memoranda of understanding (MoUs) being signed for proposed investment of Rs 50,500 crore by as many as 278 companies. Mishra highlighted that most of the investment proposals received in the 2023 edition have been implemented and the rest will be executed soon. A state government official noted that investment proposals worth Rs 38,000 crore have already been grounded. Elaborating further, Mishra said there was a notion that Bihar cannot attract big ticket investments, but perceptions have changed and investors are coming now. He said there is a huge opportunity of investment across all major sectors, including food processing, textiles, and tourism. "There is an environment for huge investment in Bihar," Mishra, who is also the tourism minister of the state, said. Speaking to PTI Video, Mishra said, "Bihar Business Connect is an annual investors' meet, where we are contacting, approaching and inviting all the companies which are interested or which might have interest in expansion or setting up a new unit in Bihar." The focus will not only be on the investment amount but also capability of employment generation, he said. "We will be showcasing our existing policies, and the advantage Bihar, so it's a big platform which is scheduled on 19th and 20th of December." Mishra said the state government is inviting different embassies to this event. "...there are several departments which have the potential of bringing investment to Bihar. So this is a major, a big investors meet, where we would be showcasing Bihar, all our policies, and why one should be interested in or why one should invest in Bihar." "We are confident that the Bihar Business Connect 2024 will be one of the biggest events which Bihar ever had," Mishra said. To attract investors and promote this event, he said many roadshows have been held across India, including in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ludhiana, and Kanpur. More roadshows are planned before the mega Bihar Business Connect meet. A state government official said the law and order situation has improved in Bihar, and the same is being reflected in interest shown by investors during the 2023 edition. On Sunday, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh and Nitish Mishra inaugurated Bihar Pavilion at India International Trade Fair 2024 in Delhi. In the Bihar Pavilion, he said the development work done by the chief minister Nitish Kumar in the last two decades is being showcased. The Bihar Pavilion at the 43rd International Trade Fair, being held at Pragati Maidan from November 14-27, 2024, is based on the theme of 'Viksit Bihar@2047'. The pavilion represents the state's vision for development, culture, and heritage. At the press conference, Mishra talked about the pavilion's vision, the state's development plans and growth rate. "Bihar has been able to maintain a more than 8 per cent growth rate since 2006. The state received more than Rs 5,400 crore worth of investment from April to November 2024," he said. "We have started attracting investments because of the improved infrastructure as well as the sectoral and industrial policies," Mishra added. The pavilion features 75 stalls showcasing Bihar's renowned handloom, khadi, and handicrafts. Visitors can explore treasures like Bhagalpuri silk, Madhubani paintings from Mithila, Tikuli art from Patna, and Babban Booti of Nalanda. The pavilion's architectural design draws inspiration from Bihar's rich history and culture. The grand entrance, styled as the "Sabhyata Dwar", highlights the pavilion's logo symbolising development across five sectors: art and culture, industry, tourism, women empowerment, and social progress. A focal point is the Bihar Museum, complemented by 3D paintings of the modern Nalanda University and the Buddha Bridge, alongside walls adorned with Madhubani, Manjusha and Tikuli art by Padma Shri awardees. New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) The Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB) on Saturday recommended Binod Kumar for the post of Managing Director of Chennai-based Indian Bank. Kumar, who is serving as Executive Director of Punjab National Bank, will replace S L Jain on his superannuation next month. Declaring the result of the selection process, the FSIB -- the headhunter for directors of state-owned banks and financial institutions -- in a statement said the bureau interviewed 15 candidates on Sunday. "Keeping in view their performance in the interface, their overall experience and the extant parameters, the Bureau recommends Binod Kumar for the position of MD & CEO in Indian Bank," it said. Earlier in April, the bureau had selected Asheesh Pandey for the position but the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) had raised some reservation over his name. Therefore, the bureau held a fresh interview to choose a new person in place of Pandey. The final decision on the FSIB recommendation would be taken by the appointments committee of the Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. FSIB is headed by former Department of Personnel and Training Secretary Bhanu Pratap Sharma. Other members of the headhunter are Animesh Chauhan, former chairman and MD of erstwhile Oriental Bank of Commerce, the RBI's former executive director Deepak Singhal, and Shailendra Bhandari, ex-MD of erstwhile ING Vysya Bank. Kathmandu, Nov 24 (PTI) Nepal's trade deficit crossed Rs 460 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to official figures. As per the details released by the Customs Department, Nepal imported goods worth Rs 513.38 billion, while the export was limited to just Rs 52.67 billion during the first four months of the current fiscal year. Out of the total Rs 566.5 billion of foreign trade, Nepal witnessed a trade deficit of Rs 460.71 billion in four months, according to the department. According to the data, the imports increased by 0.17 per cent while the exports by 4.16 per cent compared to the same period last year. Nepal's trade deficit with India, the largest trading partner, has crossed Rs 281 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-November). During the period, Nepal imported goods worth around Rs 317 from India while it exported only Rs 36 billion worth of goods to the southern neighbour. In the four months, Nepal imported diesel worth Rs 29.4 billion, petrol of Rs 21.56 billion and LPG of Rs 18.85 billion. Likewise, iron-related goods and smartphones also topped the rank of imported goods. Meanwhile, Nepal exported carpet of Rs 3.6 billion as the key exportable goods in the four months followed by soybean oil of Rs 3.41 billion, tea of Rs 2.21 billion and cardamom of Rs 1.9 billion. Perth, Nov 24 (The Conversation) Water is ubiquitous on Earth about 70% of Earths surface is covered by the stuff. Water is in the air, on the surface and inside rocks. Geologic evidence suggests water has been stable on Earth since about 4.3 billion years ago. The history of water on early Mars is less certain. Determining when water first appeared, where and for how long, are all burning questions that drive Mars exploration. If Mars was once habitable, some amount of water was required. We studied the mineral zircon in a meteorite from Mars and found evidence that water was present when the zircon crystal formed 4.45 billion years ago. Our results, published in the journal Science Advances today, may represent the oldest evidence for water on Mars. A wet red planet Water has long been recognised to have played an important role in early Martian history. To place our results in a broader context, lets first consider what early Mars means in terms of the Martian geological timescale, and then consider the different ways to look for water on Mars. Like Earth, Mars formed about 4.5 billion years ago. The history of Mars has four geological periods. These are the Amazonian (from today back to 3 billion years), the Hesperian (3 billion to 3.7 billion years ago), the Noachian (3.7 billion to 4.1 billion years ago) and the Pre-Noachian (4.1 billion to about 4.5 billion years ago). Evidence for water on Mars was first reported in the 1970s when NASAs Mariner 9 spacecraft captured images of river valleys on the Martian surface. Later orbital missions, including Mars Global Surveyor and Mars Express, detected the widespread presence of hydrated clay minerals on the surface. These would have needed water. The Martian river valleys and clay minerals are mainly found in Noachian terrains, which cover about 45% of Mars. In addition, orbiters also found large flood channels called outflow channels in Hesperian terrains. These suggest the short-lived presence of water on the surface, perhaps from groundwater release. Most reports of water on Mars are in materials or terrains older than 3 billion years. More recent than that, there isnt much evidence for stable liquid water on Mars. But what about during the Pre-Noachian? When did water first show up on Mars? A window to Pre-Noachian Mars There are three ways to hunt for water on Mars. The first is using observations of the surface made by orbiting spacecraft. The second is using ground-based observations such as those taken by Mars rovers. The third way is to study Martian meteorites that have landed on Earth, which is what we did. In fact, the only Pre-Noachian material we have available to study directly is found in meteorites from Mars. A small number of all meteorites that have landed on Earth have come from our neighbouring planet. An even smaller subset of those meteorites, believed to have been ejected from Mars during a single asteroid impact, contain Pre-Noachian material. The poster child of this group is an extraordinary rock called NWA7034, or Black Beauty. Black Beauty is a famous Martian meteorite made up of broken-up surface material, or regolith. In addition to rock fragments, it contains zircons that formed from 4.48 billion to 4.43 billion years ago. These are the oldest pieces of Mars known. While studying trace elements in one of these ancient zircons we found evidence of hydrothermal processes meaning they were exposed to hot water when they formed in the distant past. Trace elements, water and a connection to ore deposits The zircon we studied is 4.45 billion years old. Within it, iron, aluminium and sodium are preserved in abundance patterns like concentric layers, similar to an onion. This pattern, called oscillatory zoning, indicates that incorporation of these elements into the zircon occurred during its igneous history, in magma. The problem is that iron, aluminium and sodium arent normally found in crystalline igneous zircon so how did these elements end up in the Martian zircon? The answer is hot water. In Earth rocks, finding zircon with growth zoning patterns for elements like iron, aluminium and sodium is rare. One of the only places where it has been described is from Olympic Dam in South Australia, a giant copper, uranium and gold deposit. The metals in places like Olympic Dam were concentrated by hydrothermal (hot water) systems moving through rocks during magmatism. Hydrothermal systems form anywhere that hot water, heated by volcanic plumbing systems, moves through rocks. Spectacular geysers at places like Yellowstone National Park in the United States form when hydrothermal water erupts at Earths surface. Finding a hydrothermal Martian zircon raises the intriguing possibility of ore deposits forming on early Mars. Previous studies have proposed a wet Pre-Noachian Mars. Unusual oxygen isotope ratios in a 4.43 billion-year-old Martian zircon were previously interpreted as evidence for an early hydrosphere. It has even been suggested that Mars may have had an early global ocean 4.45 billion years ago. The big picture from our study is that magmatic hydrothermal systems were active during the early formation of Mars crust 4.45 billion years ago. Its not clear whether this means surface water was stable at this time, but we think its possible. What is clear is that the crust of Mars, like Earth, had water shortly after it formed a necessary ingredient for habitability. (The Conversation) AMS London, Nov 24 (PTI) Celebrated author Amitav Ghosh will receive the prestigious Erasmus Prize at a grand ceremony at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on Tuesday for his contributions to the theme of imagining the unthinkable around the climate change crisis. As the first South Asian recipient of the honour, the Kolkata-born author says he feels very, very privileged to have been chosen for an award that has had a diverse range of recipients over the decades from artists such as Charlie Chaplin and Ingmar Bergman to most recently Trevor Noah. The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation, behind the annual award, chose Ghosh as the 2024 Laureate for his ability to make an uncertain future palpable through compelling stories about the past. I'm not a great believer in this whole dualism between optimism and pessimism, or optimism and despair. I think, as someone from an Indian background, I tend to think of these things in terms of karma and dharma, Ghosh told PTI in an interview ahead of the awards ceremony in the Netherlands next week. I think whether things are going to get bad or not, it's our dharma to try and do whatever we can. It's our duty to do whatever we can, to try and hold back the terrible disruptions that we are almost certainly going to see in the future, he said. The author of The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable laments that the current process to tackle the issue through the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC), commonly known as COP, has been broken for a very long time. What we can see is that now even the pretence of trying to create some kind of mitigation, or of trying to deal with this as a collective problem, has been effectively abandoned, he said. The common-sense idea that things will get so bad that some change will eventually be made, I don't think we can count on that To effectively implement certain measures requires political action, and it's perfectly clear now that actual environmental breakdown does not lead directly to political action, he noted. As a writer of historical fiction and non-fiction, Ghosh views these problems as being historically rooted, in the long histories of colonialism, inequality and global disparities. When countries in the Global South, such as India, are confronted with the imperative of cutting down on their carbon footprint, he admits an inevitable backlash against the affluent West. You hear people in these countries say they (West) got rich by making us poor when we were weak, so now it's our turn. So, in the Global South, this whole issue is really seen fundamentally as an issue of inequality and global disparities, and in a way, that's what makes the problem so intractable, he said. But having spent much time on non-fiction for his last few titles, Ghosh is getting back to my roots as a writer of fiction as he pens his next novel set in contemporary times with elements of history. I don't want to say too much about it because I'm superstitious about talking about unfinished projects, he said. His most recent work, Smoke and Ashes: Opium's Hidden Histories, was shortlisted for the British Academy Book Prize for Global Cultural Understanding 2024. Over the course of his illustrious career, the 68-year-old author of popular works such as Sea of Poppies and The Calcutta Chromosome has won a series of literary prizes including the Jnanpith Award in India. Next week, he will add the Erasmus Prize to that growing list of honours for propagating a new humanism in which not only all people are equal, but humanity also abandons the distinction between man and nature. The Erasmus Prize is awarded annually to a person or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to the humanities, the social sciences or the arts, in Europe and beyond. The award consists of a cash prize of EURO 150,000 and adornments of a harmonica folded ribbon with a titanium plate at both ends. Dhaka, Nov 24 (PTI) Bangladeshs newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner AMM Nasir Uddin and four other commissioners were sworn in on Sunday nearly three months after the resignation of the previous commission as deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasinas regime was toppled in a student-led mass upsurge. Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed administered the oath of office to the new commission at the Supreme Court Judges' Lounge at a ceremony joined by the top court judges and concerned officials. The swearing-in ceremony was staged days after a search committee appointed by the interim government of Muhammad Yunus recommended the names of the new Election Commission chief and members who previously served as civil servants, military officers and lower judiciary judges. The new chief election commissioner (CEC) is a retired secretary to the government. The four election commissioners are retired district judges Mohammad Anwarul Islam Sarker and Abdur Rahmanel Masud, retired joint secretary to the government Begum Tahmida Ahmed and retired army brigadier general Abul Fazal Md Sanaullah. President Mohammed Shahabuddin appointed the new commission on November 21. The commission had been vacant since September 5 when members of the previous commission, led by Kazi Habibul Awal, resigned after former prime minister Sheikh Hasinas Awami League regime was toppled. Awal and other commission members had tendered their resignation letters on September 5 while officials said the EC had never been vacant for this long since it was founded in 1972. The interim government on October 29 formed a six-member search committee led by retired Supreme Court judge Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury to come up with the names of two individuals for each EC membership. The interim government, formed after the ouster of the previous Awami League regime in August, has constituted six commissions to bring reforms to the election system and other fields. The EC was installed as political parties, including ex-premier Khaleda Zias Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have been asking for weeks for staging elections in the quickest possible time after required reforms in the election system. Yunus on November 17 said his government would issue an election roadmap as soon as decisions on electoral reforms were made. Kathmandu, Nov 24 (PTI) A court in Nepal on Sunday extended by 15 days the remand of Rabi Lamichhane, the former home minister and president of the Rashtriya Swatantra Party, to continue investigating allegations of cooperative frauds and money laundering. The decision issued by Judge Himalal Belbase applies to Lamichhane and three others former Deputy Inspector General of Police Chhabilal Joshi, Leela Pachhai, and Ram Bahadur Khanal. Lamichhane, who was first arrested here on October 18, has already undergone multiple remand extensions, bringing the total detention period to 40 days. A Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) team arrested Lamichhane from his partys office in Banasthali, Kathmandu, and transferred him to Pokhara in Kaski district for investigation in a cooperative fraud case. A special parliamentary probe committee report alleged that former television journalist Lamichhane as the managing director of the Gorkha Media Network was involved in diverting funds from multiple cooperatives, including Rs 30 million, into personal accounts. The investigation follows a parliamentary special probe committees findings a couple of months ago, which implicated Lamichhane in financial irregularities while managing Galaxy 4K Television before he quit the media company to join politics in 2022. During Sundays court hearing, government attorneys and legal representatives for the victims argued for the remand extension, citing incomplete document analysis and pending evidence collection. However, Lamichhanes legal team maintained the allegations lacked concrete evidence, opposing the extension. Earlier, police took Lamichhane to Butwal to investigate his alleged involvement in the fund misappropriation from the Butwal-based Suryadarsan Cooperative. In the meantime, district courts in Kathmandu and Chitwan issued arrest warrants against Lamichhane and others on charges of diverting deposits from Kathmandu-based Sworna Laxmi Cooperative and Chitwan-based Sahara Cooperative. London, Nov 24 (AP) The US Air Force says a number of small drones were detected last week around three bases in eastern England that are used by American forces. The drones were spotted between Wednesday and Friday near RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell. They were actively monitored after they were seen in the vicinity of and over the three bases, US Air Forces Europe said in a statement. The Air Force didn't identify who was behind the incursions, but said base officials determined there was no impact on residents or critical infrastructure. Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which the US Air Force describes as the foundation of its combat capability in Europe. Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing, and Feltwell is a hub for housing, schools and other services. To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation, the Air Force said. We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets. While it is unclear whether the drones had hostile intent, the incidents came during a week that saw the most significant escalation of hostilities in Ukraine since Russia's full-scale invasion nearly three years ago. For the first time, Ukraine struck targets inside Russia with intermediate range missiles supplied by the US and Britain after President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Keir Starmer authorised use of the weapons. In response, Russia launched a new intermediate range ballistic missile at Ukraine, and President Vladimir Putin said his country had the right to strike nations that allow their weapons to be used against Russia. Lakenheath, Mildenhall and Feltwell, located close to one another in the counties of Suffolk and Norfolk, are Royal Air Force bases used primarily by the US Air Force. Britain's Ministry of Defence said we take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at military installations. This includes counter drone security capabilities. We won't comment further on security procedures, it said. (AP) PY PY Peshawar, Nov 24 (PTI) A seven-day cease-fire was on Sunday brokered between the two warring tribes in the Kurram tribal district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after meetings between a provincial government delegation and elders from both Shia and Sunni communities. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, spokesperson for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, in a statement, said that as part of the agreement, elders from both tribes agreed to return prisoners and the bodies of those killed on both sides. This comes after 42 Shiites were killed last Thursday after an attack on their convoy in Kurram district triggered retaliatory attacks and rampages that left dozens more dead from both communities. The provincial government constituted a high-powered commission to settle disputes between the tribes. "A ceasefire was agreed for seven days between the tribes," Saif said. The parties also agreed to exchange prisoners and return the bodies of the deceased, he said. The prisoners include women. A government delegation met the members of the Shia tribe on Saturday before meeting the Sunni tribe leaders on Sunday and returned to Peshawar following the ceasefire agreement, Saif said. Shiite Muslims make up about 15 per cent of the 240 million people in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Although the two groups generally live together peacefully, tensions remain, especially in Kurram. Although the area has a history of sectarian conflict, with militant groups previously targeting the Shiite minority, the current violence is connected to a land dispute. Nobody has claimed responsibility for Thursday's convoy attack. Mumbai, Nov 24 (PTI) The Nationalist Congress Party on Sunday said NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule should apologise for her party fielding Yugendra Pawar against his uncle and Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the Baramati assembly seat. NCP president Ajit Pawar won from his traditional Baramati constituency, defeating his nephew and NCP (SP) candidate Yugendra by more than one lakh votes. The high-stakes contest was seen as a battle between the 65-year-old politician and his uncle, Sharad Pawar (83). Talking to reporters, NCP spokesperson Amol Mitkari said NCP (SP) leader Sule must apologise for fielding Yugendra against his uncle, just as Ajit Pawar had expressed his regret for fielding his wife Sunetra against her in the Lok Sabha elections earlier this year. Ajit Pawar, who parted ways with his uncle last year and was seeking an eighth term from this seat in Pune district, polled 1,81,132 votes while Yugendra polled 80,233. Mitkari further pointed out the slim margin by which NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar retained the Karjat Jamkhed assembly seat. In Karjat-Jamkhed, sitting NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar won by 1,243 votes against his BJP's Ram Shinde. "In the 2019 assembly election, Rohit Pawar won comfortably against Shinde. Unfortunately, Pawar's arrogance was not acceptable to the people, but Shinde struggled against the Baramati Agro company's financial clout," Mitkari said. He claimed that NCP (SP) state president Jayant Patil was so disheartened with the election results on Saturday that he did not attend the ceremony to collect his certificate from officials. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance retained power in Maharashtra, pocketing 230 of the 288 assembly seats. The BJP swept 132 seats, the Shiv Sena won 57, while the NCP got 41 seats. The Maha Vikas Aghadi, on the other hand, managed to clinch only 46 seats together, with the NCP (SP) bagging 10 seats, Congress 16, and Shiv Sena (UBT) 20 seats. Mitkari said this should be a period of reflection for senior Congress leaders Balasaheb Thorat, Dhiraj Deshmukh, and Yashomti Thakur. "They have five years to introspect," he said. Terming Congress leader Nana Patole's victory in the polls as surprising, the NCP leader said the party's state president won by a narrow margin but dreamt of becoming the chief minister. On Nov. 20, Nvidia reported financial results for its fiscal 2025 third quarter, showing stunning 94% year-over-year revenue growth. The business is absolutely booming, and so is the stock price. As of this writing, Nvidia stock is up close to 200% year to date. As impressive as those returns are for Nvidia, it's not the best-performing stock in the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC) this year. That distinction presently belongs to energy company Vistra (NYSE: VST), which has gained 332% in 2024. Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free Vistra provides residential electricity and owns power generation plants, including nuclear plants. And many investors believe that its nuclear assets set it up to meet the growing power needs of artificial intelligence (AI). However, after gaining over 300% in under a year, is it too late to buy Vistra stock? Stock market history can serve as a guide. Here's what happened with S&P 500's winners Looking at top stocks from the past can offer some useful insights. For practical reasons, I had to limit the scope of this survey by setting some parameters. First, I'm only looking at the last 10 years for the S&P 500. Second, I've only included stocks that were members of the S&P 500 for the entire year. Companies included in the index during the year were excluded from the results. Over the last 10 years, Southwest Airlines, Netflix, Nvidia, Align Technology, AMD, Devon Energy, and Occidental Petroleum have all taken the top-stock crown at least once. Year Best-Performing Stock Return When It Was the Top Stock Return the Following Year 2014 Southwest Airlines 125% 2% 2015 Netflix 134% 8% 2016 Nvidia 224% 81% 2017 Align Technology 131% (6%) 2018 AMD 80% 148% 2019 AMD 148% 100% 2020 Nvidia 122% 125% 2021 Devon Energy 179% 40% 2022 Occidental Petroleum 117% (5%) 2023 Nvidia 239% 196%* Return data from YCharts. Table by author. *Year-to-date return as of 11/21/24. This data is actually quite surprising. After being the index's top stock, one would think it would be due for a pullback. But in reality, the past decade's annual best performers continued their winning streak the next year in eight out of 10 cases. Moreover, the average gain in the second year was huge. Investors could have made a lot of money by simply buying whichever was the best stock in the past year. Let's say an investor bought Southwest Airlines stock on Dec. 31, 2014 and held for all of 2015. And let's say that this investor sold Southwest Airlines at the end of 2015 and rolled that investment into Netflix for 2016, then did the same for Nvidia in 2017, and so on. Ranchi, Nov 24 (PTI) Four key ministers in the JMM-led Hemant Soren government faced crushing defeat in Jharkhand assembly polls despite a stellar performance by the coalition which retained power for the second consecutive term. The ministers who bit dust included Health minister Banna Gupta who courted several controversies besides Water Resources minister Mithilesh Thakur. The other two included Education minister Baidyanath Ram and Social Welfare Minister Bebi Devi whose department was behind the launch of populist Maiyan Samman Yojna that contributed significantly towards the victory of the JMM-led coalition in the state. Under the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 1,000 is being provided to women in the age group of 18-50 years and the JMM-led coalition promised to enhance it to Rs 2,500 per month. At present the scheme is benefitting about 57 lakh women across Jharkhand. Banna Gupta of Congress lost the Jamshedpur West seat by 7,863 votes to JD(U)'s Saryu Roy. Mithilesh Kumar Thakur of JMM was defeated by BJP's Satyendra Nath Tiwari by a margin of 16,753 votes in Garhwa. Baidyanath Ram of JMM contesting from Latehar lost to BJP's Prakash Ram by a slender margin of 434 votes. Bebi Devi of JMM lost the Dumri seat by a margin of 10,945 to JLKM's Jairam Kumar Mahato. Devi was inducted as minister after the death of her husband Jagarnath Mahto in April 2023 due to Covid-19-related complications. In a stunning comeback, Hemant Soren's JMM-led alliance on Saturday stormed to power in Jharkhand for a second consecutive term, winning 56 seats in the 81-member assembly, despite an all-out blitz by the BJP-led NDA which managed only 24 seats. Imphal, Nov 24 (PTI) Manipur Assembly Speaker Thokchom Satyabrata on Sunday said whether he would resign from the post would be taken by God and, he also added that "people are God". He made the statement after a large number of people from his constituency came to his residence and requested him not to quit, as demanded by a section of protesters in the state. "Whether resign or not, it should be decided by God and people are God," Satyabrata told reporters. He also said that the legislators should do whatever they can to mitigate the people's suffering. "The government needs to know the hardships faced by the people and need to work for the welfare of the people. All legislators need to unite and work together," the Speaker said. The development comes in the wake of demands by a section of the protestors for the resignation of all ministers and MLAs for their "failure" to restore normalcy in the restive state. Ethnic violence between Meiteis and Kukis claimed more than 258 lives in Manipur since May last year. Imphal, Nov 24 (PTI) Hitting out at Mizoram MP K Vanlalvena who advocated for "separate administrative units" for Meiteis and Kuki-Zos to end the ethnic conflict, Rajya Sabha member from Manipur Leishemba Sanajaoba on Sunday said he should not "cross the line" and must stop the interference. Vanlalvena, a leader of BJP ally Mizo National Front (MNF), called for the removal of the N Biren Singh government and the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur as the "the first and immediate step" to contain the violence that has claimed over 250 lives since May last year. "My friend, Don't cross the line.. Please confine in your state issues.. Stop interferences in Manipur 's issues.. Be a good neighbour," Sanajaoba said in a post on X, sharing a news report of Vanlalvena's comments. In an interview with PTI, the Rajya Sabha member from Mizoram pitched for a two-step solution to end the ethnic violence in Manipur. "Imposition of President's Rule is inevitable for the immediate solution. During such period, the Centre should thoroughly study the situation and demarcate lands occupied by both Meiteis and tribal communities," he said on Friday night. Vanlalvena said the two communities should be administered separately as the divide is "very wide". "The hill tribes can't go to the valley. Similarly, the Meiteis no longer dare to go to the hill areas. New administrative units should be created in lands occupied by both the Meiteis and the ethnic Kuki-Zo people to bring a lasting solution and end the conflict," he added. The Kuki-Zo people of Manipur share ethnic ties with Mizos. New Delhi, Nov 24 (PTI) As many as two lakh Income Tax Returns (ITRs) containing details of foreign assets and income have been filed during the current assessment year till now, according to the tax department which urged Indian residents for tax purposes to ensure they file the right form and revise their returns if they submitted the wrong form. The shares obtained and income earned by resident tax Indians from their employers through employee stock options should also be disclosed to the Income-Tax Department by filling foreign assets and foreign source income schedule provided in the relevant ITR, a senior CBDT officer explained. The tax department and its administrative authority Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) recently launched a campaign to ensure that the select category of taxpayers (Indian residents for tax purposes) report their foreign assets (FA) and foreign source income (FSI) during the 2024-25 assessment year by the deadline of December 31. The department conducted a 'Samvaad' online interaction session on the subject of 'property disclosure of foreign assets and income by taxpayers' where the Commissioner (investigation) in the CBDT Shashi Bhushan Shukla explained various provisions of the subject and relevant linked provisions of the anti-black money Act of 2015. Shukla stated that taxpayers (categorised as tax residents of India in the previous year) should choose the correct ITR to furnish these details to the I-T department. Those who possess such assets or income but have filed either ITR-1 or ITR-4 should file a revised or belated return by December 31 to escape penalty and prosecution prescribed under the anti-black money law, he said. "ITR-1 and ITR-4 do not have the FA and FSI schedule... I would request those taxpayers who are supposed to declare their foreign assets or income to file a revised return in the relevant ITR and comply with the rules and law," the officer said. He also said that those taxpayers who got shares and earned dividend (interest) income from shares allotted to them via the employee stock option by their overseas employer are also required to report such information to the Indian tax authorities. If there is a tax payable, then they should pay that tax too, the officer said. He said holding an asset abroad is reportable in the ITR even if no income is earned by the said taxpayer through such an asset. Such an asset is also reportable to the taxman irrespective of the time of its purchase, the officer said. If the taxpayer has already paid tax in a foreign jurisdiction (by way of withholding tax) on such assets or income then they should file the 'tax relief' schedule in the ITR and claim relief from Indian tax authorities and save themselves from being taxed doubly for the same income, Shukla explained. India has signed the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreements (DTAAs) for the said purpose with various countries. Apart from these, he said, agreements and mutual exchange treaties like CRS (common reporting standard) with 123 countries and FATCA (foreign account tax compliance) with the US have been signed through which Indian tax authorities annually get information about the foreign assets and income of Indians based abroad. "As part of the current campaign on this subject, we are sending emails and SMSes to such taxpayers whose information has been received from foreign jurisdictions and they have income beyond a threshold or they have undertaken high-value transactions," he said. The officer said such campaigns have led to a steady rise in reporting of foreign assets by taxpayers with about two lakh filings being done during the 2024-25 AY till now, 1.6 lakh during 2023-24 AY, 75,000 ITRs filed during 2022-23 AY amd 60,000 during the AY 2021-22. Speaking about the "so-called" alleged tax haven jurisdictions like the British Virgin Islands, Vanuatu, Malta, Jersey, Luxembourg, etc., the officer said India was also getting information on the assets held by Indians in such nations via the CRS agreement. He said the procedure to fill the FA and FSI columns in ITRs is also explained on the department's e-filing portal. A foreign asset includes bank accounts, cash value insurance contract or annuity contract, financial interest in any entity or business, immovable property, custodial account, equity and debt interest, trusts in which a person is a trustee, beneficiary of settlor, accounts with singing authority, any capital asset etc., held abroad. A tax resident of India, as per the I-T law, is a person who spent 182 days or more in the country over the last year or a person who lived a minimum of 365 days in the last four years. Lucknow, Nov 24 (PTI) Electoral politics is hard as the momentum shifts ever so quickly, more so in a politically sensitive state like Uttar Pradesh, where the results of the byelections in nine assembly seats have repositioned the ruling BJP in the pole position after a blip in the June 2024 Lok Sabha polls. Having put in the hard yards with multiple rallies across all nine by-poll seats and assigning himself the responsibility of a difficult seat like Katehari in Ambedkarnagar that BJP won after three decades, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's stock has skyrocketed to the days when the BJP won a consecutive term in UP in 2022. Adityanath literally set the narrative for the bypolls in August itself with slogans like 'batenge toh katenge (divided we perish)' that were cleverly tailored to reinforce the Hindu unity pitch and resonated right through the mini polls. "For a long time, Samajwadi Party's politics revolved around its 'MY' factor that was meant to denote a particular community and caste. The BJP has changed that with a new 'MY' approach. This 'MY' factor means Modi-Yogi and these two leaders are changing the political discourse with their development narrative, and this by-poll again showed the effectiveness of Yogi ji," UP BJP spokesman Manish Shukla told PTI. The party won six seats out of nine while ally RLD got one. Adityanath's 'batoge toh katoge' slogan made a huge impression was evident in the BJPs win in the Muslim-majority Kundarki seat in Moradabad. Here, the party had not won in three decades but this time voters consolidated behind BJPs Ramveer Singh, the lone Hindu among 11 Muslims in the fray. The SP took Muslims for granted and we went about telling the voters about SP leaders claim that virtually anyone on their partys symbol would win. "Eventually they realised that despite being unfairly demonised by our opponents, only BJP could get them out of the vote bank trap and of course our leadership helped, Ramveer said. The importance of Kundarki win was such that it even found a mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modis speech at the BJP office in Delhi after the BJP-led-NDAs spectacular win in Maharashtra on Saturday evening. What it means is that while BJP vote bank consolidated, the SPs trusted Muslim vote bank that had voted for the party in big numbers both in 2022 UP polls as well as in 2024 Lok Sabha polls disintegrated. Brand Yogi has found a boost while Akhilesh Yadav has some work to do, a senior BJP leader told PTI. Even in its family bastion of Karhal seat in Mainpuri, which SP chief Akhilesh Yadav had himself won by an impressive margin of around 67000 votes in 2002 UP polls, the SPs vote bank dipped as party candidate and Akhileshs nephew Tej Pratap Yadav won against Anujesh Yadav, also a distant relative of Akhilesh, by about 14000 votes. The SP had alleged massive irregularities in voting and on its complaint the EC had suspended seven police officials in UP. In Sishamau, Kanpur, the only other seat the SP won in the bypolls, the margin was even lesser about 8000 odd making it evident the main opposition party had lost the momentum gained after 2024 Lok Sabha poll results. Back then the SP had won 37 seats against BJPs 33 in UP but the momentum, it appears, has quickly swung back in BJPs favour. Meerapur assembly seat in Muzaffarnagar in west UP was another seat that had a sizeable Muslim presence. RLD had won the seat in 2022 UP polls when it was in alliance with SP, and has succeeded in retaining it after joining hands with the BJP. "The RLD has a dedicated vote bank comprising all sections of society and people's belief in our leader Jayant Chaudhary showed again with a landslide win," RLD leader Rohit Agarwal told PTI. The Congress, which announced support for SP, didnt contest the polls and though senior leaders on both sides said all is well with the alliance, at the local level discordant notes were heard. These concerns primarily revolved around a lack of ground-level coordination; defeating the very purpose of coordination committees that were set up on October 25 to ensure that. There is nothing wrong with the alliance. The Congress helped us. The reason for the reverses was mainly due to rampant and blatant misuse of official machinery and the people would make BJP realise this in 2027 UP polls when SP comes to power, Samajwadi Partys national secretary Arvind Singh Gope told PTI. The BSP, led by four-time former UP chief minister Mayawati, suffered maximum embarrassment as its candidate badly lost the polls, opening the party again to the charge of being a vote katva (vote cutter). On Sunday Mayawati after alleging irregularities declared that her party wont contest any more bypolls an announcement that meant little in the face of yet another political loss and party leaderships inability to arrest the slide. The BJP contested the polls as one unit unlike the opposition that was besieged with internal conflicts," Shukla said. What can one say about BSP? We all know that it has been the B team of BJP and this election too proved that as it contested the election not to win but to dent the chances of the INDIA bloc, Congress secretary Shahnawaz Alam said. Chandigarh, Nov 24 (PTI) BJP leader Manpreet Singh Badal on Sunday said the voters of Gidderbaha Assembly segment wanted to break the "arrogance" of Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring as he was referring to the defeat of his wife Amrita in the bypoll. The former finance minister said that he was always committed to serve the people of Gidderbaha Assembly constituency. AAP candidate Hardeep Singh Dimpy Dhillon won the Gidderbaha seat, defeating his nearest rival and Congress nominee Amrita Warring by a margin of 21,969 votes. BJP candidate Badal, who was seeking re-election, lost his security deposit, stranded at the third spot with 12,227 votes in Gidderbaha. The AAP won Gidderbaha, Dera Baba Nanak, and Chabbewal assembly segments while the Congress won the Barnala seat in the November 20 bypolls, the results of which were declared on Saturday. In a Facebook page post on Sunday, Badal thanked the voters of the Gidderbaha constituency and said the bypoll outcome was not as per expectations. Taking a swipe at the Punjab Congress chief, Badal said, "Raja Warring's wealth could not save from the defeat (his wife's electoral defeat). Ever since Raja Warring became MLA of Gidderbaha, his two statements are echoing in Gidderbaha'one is that he belongs to the poor family and second is that he is an orphan. I wish every poor person in Punjab has as much wealth as Raja Warring has." He said Raja Warring had always criticized the Badal family's politics of inheritance. "But when his turn came, he kept the (Congress) ticket with his family, " said Badal as he was referring to Congress fielding Warring's wife Amrita from Gidderbaha seat. Badal said he met thousands of people in Gidderbaha and they told him that they would certainly vote for him in the 2027 assembly polls. "They said this time they want to break the arrogance of Raja Warring," said Badal. Badal also congratulated AAP's Dhillon for winning the Gidderbaha seat and also asked him to honour all promises made with people during the poll campaign. The Gidderbaha seat fell vacant after Raja Warring, who was the Congress MLA, was elected to the Lok Sabha from the Ludhiana seat in the 2024 parliamentary elections. Raja Warring won the Gidderbaha seat in 2012, 2017 and 2022. Badal represented the Gidderbaha seat in 1995, 1997, 2002, and 2007 on the Shiromani Akali Dal ticket. Jammu, Nov 24 (PTI) A comprehensive security review of Shiv Khori shrine and its adjoining areas was conducted in Jammu and Kashmir's Reasi district on Sunday, a police spokesman said. Nine persons were killed and 40 others injured when the terrorists attacked a pilgrim bus returning from Shiv Khori temple at Teryath village on June 9. Reasi Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Paramvir Singh conducted the security review of Shiv Khori Shrine in Ransoo and its adjoining areas to ensure robust security measures and effective crowd management for the safety of pilgrims and locals, the spokesman said. The officer inspected the security arrangements along the yatra route, including the main track, where additional measures have been implemented to enhance surveillance. He emphasized maintaining strict vigilance against anti-national and anti-social elements and issued specific directions to the district police and the CRPF officers for bolstering security protocols, the spokesman said. The SSP also interacted with Road Opening Party (ROP) commanders enroute from Pouni to Ransoo to assess their preparedness. Highlighting the importance of preemptive measures, Singh directed the officers to carry out verification and census of migrants, workers, pony porters and other individuals operating in Ransoo town and surrounding areas. Random checks of hotels and residential accommodations were also instructed to verify the antecedents of the visitors and prevent any suspicious activity, the spokesman said. Acknowledging recent attempts to revive militancy in certain parts of Reasi district, the SSP instructed the officers to revisit the list of Over Ground Workers (OGWs) of terrorists with police stations. He also stressed the need for rigorous monitoring of social media platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp to counter emerging patterns of radicalization. The SSP also supervised ongoing cordon and search operations in the Pouni-Ransoo belt and reiterated the importance of inter-agency coordination and cooperation. He urged all security forces deployed in the area to work in synergy to prevent any untoward incident, the spokesman said. Ghaziabad (UP), Nov 24 (PTI) Police on Sunday put Dasna temple priest Yati Narsinghanand under house arrest and stopped his movement and that of his disciples to counter the conference organised by Muslim cleric Tauqeer Raza regarding the Waqf Board Amendment Bill at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, an official said. When the police stopped them, Narsinghanand and his disciples started reciting Hanuman Chalisa inside the temple premises. Narsinghanand in a statement said that Raza, Madni and Owaisi take the Hindus' gentlemanliness as their weakness. If they can gather a crowd to terrify the Hindus, then we can also stand in front of them, he said. ACP, Wave City, Lipi Nagayach, said that the movement of Yati and his disciples was restricted on Sunday morning when they were boarding their vehicles to go to Delhi. Narsinghanand had on Friday urged the Hindu community to recite Hanuman Chalisa at a Muslim community gathering slated to take place in Delhi. Kochi (Kerala), Nov 24 (PTI) A 51-year-old Malayalam actress, who recently lodged sexual harassment complaints against prominent actors in the film industry, reaffirmed on Sunday that she will not withdraw her complaints and will pursue them legally to seek justice. The actress had announced two days ago her decision to drop the cases, citing despair and a "lack of support from the government." However, speaking to television channels, she said her family had encouraged her to continue her fight, prompting her to reconsider. "My husband called me and urged me to proceed with the cases. He assured me of full family support, saying there was no reason to back down after the harassment I endured," she told the media on Sunday. The actress had accused several male actors, including CPI(M) MLA M Mukesh, of sexual abuse, a few years ago. On Friday, she expressed reluctance to continue the complaints, citing a "lack of support and protection from the Kerala government," as well as "mental exhaustion." She alleged deliberate attempts to falsely implicate her in a POCSO case following her harassment complaints against actors such as Mukesh, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu. The allegations surfaced amid the revelations of the Justice Hema Committee report, which detailed widespread harassment and exploitation of women in the Malayalam film industry. The Kerala government had constituted the Justice Hema Committee following the 2017 actress assault case. The report, now submitted to the Kerala High Court, was handed over to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing complaints of sexual abuse in the industry. The SIT has registered 26 FIRs based on the report's findings. The actress reiterated her commitment to cooperate with the investigation, stressing that no complaint would be withdrawn. Pilibhit (UP), Nov 24 (PTI) An FIR has been registered against unknown persons after the police along with railway staff recovered a 25-foot long iron rod from the Pilibhit-Bareilly railway track under the Jahanabad police station area, officials said on Sunday. Circle Officer (City) Deepak Chaturvedi told reporters that at 9:20 pm on November 22, an iron rod of about 12 mm diameter measuring 25 feet was found on the railway track near Lalouri Kheda, forcing train No. 05312 between Pilibhit and Bareilly to stop there for about four minutes after its engine hit the object. Teams from police, Government Railway Police (GRP) and Railway Protection Force (RPF) visited the spot to probe the matter, Chaturvedi said. Netra Pal Singh, a senior section engineer in the Railways, said the iron rod was placed on the track near the railway crossing between Jehanabad and Shahi railway stations. Singh also described the act as a "deliberate conspiracy" to harm the train and its passengers. According to the police, the iron rod was taken from an underpass being demolished by the Railways near the Jahanabad crossing, about 2 km from the tracks where it was found. The police suspect that it may have been placed on the track to cut it as it was quite long. Considering the seriousness of the matter, a complaint has been lodged with the police against unknown persons, he added. The police are scanning the CCTV footage from the nearby areas to find any clue. Following the incident, officials have appealed to the people to remain alert about suspicious activities near railway tracks. A spate of similar incidents have been reported from Uttar Pradesh in recent times, which have become a cause for worry for the authorities. On October 6, a passenger train was briefly halted after the loco pilot saw a pile of soil dumped on the tracks near the Raghuraj Singh railway station in Raebareli. On October 2, a fire extinguisher belonging to the Railways was spotted on the tracks by the loco pilot of a goods train who applied breaks on time near the Ambiyapur railway station in Kanpur Dehat district. An empty gas cylinder was spotted on the tracks on September 22 by a goods train loco pilot, who applied emergency brakes and stopped the train near Prempur railway station in Kanpur. A similar incident was reported on September 8 when an attempt was made to derail the Kalindi Express heading towards Bhiwani from Prayagraj by placing an LPG cylinder on the tracks. Brookfield has proven itself to be a long-term winner. Over the past decade, the company has delivered a phenomenal total return of 800%. This massive total return easily outpaces that of the broader market the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) returned 187.3% over the same time horizon. At the same time, Bill Ackmans firm Pershing Square, which was already an investor in Brookfield after initiating a position during the second quarter, increased its stake in the company by nearly 380%. Pershing Square now owns 32,735,883 shares of Brookfield and is the funds largest holding, accounting for 13.5% of assets, indicating that Ackman has significant conviction in the pick and sees it as one of the best investment opportunities in the current market. Loebs Third Point Capital, which has nearly $7.5 billion in assets under management, initiated a new position in the company, buying 4,725,000 shares for an average price of $53.15 per share, according to the firms 13F filing. Brookfield is Third Points eleventh-largest holding as of the filing. Brookfield Corporation describes itself as a leading global investment firm focused on building long-term wealth for institutions and individuals. The Toronto, Canada-based firm is an alternative asset manager that operates businesses in a wide array of industries, including asset management, real estate, infrastructure, renewable energy, private equity, and more. Im bullish on Brookfield based on its sterling long-term track record of delivering market-beating returns, compelling long-term vision for the future, the large positions that top investors like Ackman and Loeb are taking in the stock, and its perfect 10 rating from TipRanks Smart Score system. Lets take a closer look at this $85 billion company. While it hasnt gotten the attention of tech stocks or AI stocks, shares of alternative asset manager Brookfield Corporation (BN) have been red hot this year, surging 66.5% over the past 12 months. Whats more, 13F filings show that super investors like Pershing Squares Bill Ackman and Third Points Daniel Loeb loaded up on the stock during the third quarter. Story Continues And Brookfields track record of generating exceptional returns goes back even further then that the company has delivered a phenomenal total annualized return of 18% over the past 30 years. Laying Out a Compelling Vision for the Future While Brookfield has an excellent long-term track record, it isnt resting on its laurels it says that its best days are still ahead of it and that it is now better-positioned than ever before to deliver annualized returns of 15% or more going forward. Brookfields management says it will achieve this by investing in good businesses, running these businesses well, wisely allocating free cash flow, aligning everyone with its long-term goals, and adapting to the changing world around them. Examples of the company adapting to the changing world include its extensive investments in the energy transition and its involvement in data centers. Brookfield management says it expects to grow free cash flow by 20% per share on an annual basis over the next five years. This means it will generate a total of $47 billion in free cash flow over this time frame, or $30 per share that it can allocate wisely, which is an attractive total given that shares currently trade for $57.67. Brookfield says this will help it to deliver annualized returns on invested capital of 16% over the next five years. Brookfield Believes Shares Are Worth $84 While shares currently trade for $57.67, Brookfield believes they are worth an intrinsic value of $84 per share today and that this 16% CAGR on invested capital will bring it to a valuation of $176 per share by 2029, meaning that the share price could be more than triple over the next five years. Obviously, a lot can happen between now and 2029, and even the best plans can face unexpected challenges. Theres also certainly no guarantee the market will agree with Brookfield about the intrinsic value of its shares at that point in time. That said, even if Brookfield doesnt reach this exact number, there is plenty of room for considerable upside between the current share price and Brookfields target, making this a tempting value proposition for investors. Brookfield also believes that it is well-positioned to grow earnings per share at a 20% clip over the next five years to $9.77 per share (up from $3.67 for 2024). If the company can achieve this, it is trading for a song at todays prices. While these are lofty targets, Brookfields excellent track record over multiple decades lends credibility to the idea that the company can achieve many of these goals. Returning Capital to Shareholders While Brookfield has a fairly low dividend yield of 0.6%, its worth noting that it has still returned an impressive $20 billion worth of capital to its shareholders over the last five years through both dividends and share buybacks. With cash flow expected to increase in the years to come, as discussed above, I would expect the company to continue to reward its shareholders with considerable capital returns. Is BN Stock a Buy, According to Analysts? Turning to Wall Street, BN earns a Moderate Buy consensus rating based on four Buys, zero Holds, and one Sell rating assigned in the past three months. The average BN stock price target of $60 implies 2.4% upside potential from current levels. See more BN analyst ratings Earning a Perfect 10 Smart Score Adding to Brookfields appeal, it also achieves a Perfect 10 rating from TipRanks Smart Score system. The Smart Score is a quantitative stock scoring system created by TipRanks. It gives stocks a score from one to 10, based on eight key market factors. Scores of eight, nine, or 10 are considered equivalent to an Outperform rating, so Brookfields perfect rating is particularly impressive. Invest Like Ackman and Loeb Shares of Brookfield have posted strong gains over the past year, and the stock is catching the eye of renowned investors like Third Points Daniel Loeb and Pershing Squares Bill Ackman. But you dont have to be a hedge fund manager to gain exposure to this compelling investment opportunity; everyday investors can add Brookfield to their own portfolios. If management can execute on achieving this five-year vision, this would represent phenomenal returns for all of the stocks investors. Im bullish on Brookfield based on the confidence of these prestigious investors, its track record as a long-term winner, and its compelling roadmap for delivering substantial returns over the next five years. Disclosure Hubballi (Karnataka), Nov 24 (PTI) Two suspected robbers were shot at on Sunday when they tried to escape from police as they were taken for a spot inspection, Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shashikumar said. The incident happened when they were taken to a spot, in the outskirts of Hubbali, where they allegedly waylaid a car and looted money couple of weeks ago. Police took them there to make them describe the alleged crime. The two alleged robbers Bharath and Farooq from Mangaluru were shot in their leg when they assaulted three police officers including two women police officers, Shashikumar told PTI. He said the police officers shot them in self defence. According to him, the gang had waylaid a car on November 8 and decamped with Rs 7 lakh. Investigation led to the arrest of Bharath and Farooq and subsequently some amount was recovered from them, he added. The Police Commissioner said the injured are being treated at Hubballi KIMS Hospital. Farooq, he said, has more than 17 cases registered against him in various police stations. There were cases registered against him in other states as well. Bharat too has many criminal cases against him in various police stations in the state, Shashikumar said. President-elect Donald Trump on Friday named Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to lead the Department of Labor in his second administration, elevating a Republican congresswoman who has strong support from unions in her district but lost reelection in November. Chavez-DeRemer will have to be confirmed by the Senate, which will be under Republican control when Trump takes office on Jan. 20, 2025, and can formally send nominations to Capitol Hill. Here are things to know about the labor secretary-designate, the agency she would lead if she wins Senate approval and how she could matter to Trumps encore presidency. Chavez-DeRemer has a pro-labor record that unions like Chavez-DeRemer is a one-term congresswoman, having lost reelection in her competitive Oregon district earlier this month. But in her short stint on Capitol Hill she has established a clear record on workers rights and organized labor issues that belie the Republican Partys usual alliances with business interests. She was an enthusiastic back of the PRO Act, legislation that would make it easier to unionize on a federal level. The bill, one of Democratic President Joe Bidens top legislative priorities, passed the House during Bidens first two years in office, when Democrats controlled the chamber. But it never had a chance of attracting enough Republican senators to reach the 60 votes required to avoid a filibuster in the Senate. Chavez-DeRemer also co-sponsored another piece of legislation that would protect public-sector workers from having their Social Security benefits docked because of government pension benefits. That proposal also has lingered for a lack of GOP support. Some labor leaders remain skeptical of Trumps agenda Chavez-DeRemer may give labor plenty to like, but union leaders are not necessarily cheering yet. Many of them still do not trust Trump. The president-elect certainly has styled himself as a friend of the working class. His bond with blue-collar, non-college educated Americans is a core part of his political identity and helped him chip away at Democrats historical electoral advantage in households with unionized workers. But he was also the president who chose business-friendly appointees to the National Labor Relations Board during his 2017-21 term and generally has backed policies that would make it harder for workers to unionize. He criticized union bosses on the campaign trail, and at one point suggested members of the United Auto Workers should not pay their dues. His administration did expand overtime eligibility rules, but not nearly as much as Democrats wanted, and a Trump-appointed judge has since struck down the Biden administrations more generous overtime rules. And though Trump distanced himself from the Heritage Foundations Project 2025 during the campaign, he has since his victory warmed to some of the people involved in that conservative blueprint that, broadly speaking, would tilt power in the workplace even more toward employers and corporations. Among other ideas, the plan also would curb enforcement of workplace safety regulations. After Trumps announcement Friday, National Education Association President Becky Pringle lauded Chavez-DeRemers House record but sounded a note of caution. Educators and working families across the nation will be watching as she moves through the confirmation process, Pringle said in a statement, and hope to hear a pledge from her to continue to stand up for workers and students as her record suggests, not blind loyalty to the Project 2025 agenda. AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler praised Chavez-DeRemers pro-labor record in Congress, but said it remains to be seen what she will be permitted to do as Secretary of Labor in an administration with a dramatically anti-worker agenda. Labor Department could be in the spotlight in a billionaire-heavy Cabinet Labor is another executive department that often operates away from the spotlight. But Trumps emphasis on the working class could intensify attention on the department, especially in an administration replete with tremendously wealthy leaders, including the president-elect. Trump took implicit aim at the departments historically uncontroversial role of maintaining labor statistics, arguing that Bidens administration manipulated calculations of unemployment and the workforce. If she is confirmed, Chavez-DeRemer could find herself standing between the nonpartisan bureaucrats at the Bureau of Labor Statistics and a president with strong opinions about government stats and what they say about the state of the economy and the White Houses stewardship. Her handling of overtime rules also would be scrutinized, and she could find herself pulled into whatever becomes of Trumps promise to launch the largest deportation force in U.S. history, potentially pitting Trumps administration against economic sectors and companies that depend heavily on immigrant labor. Chavez-DeRemer would add diversity to the Cabinet room Chavez-DeRemer was the first Republican woman elected to Congress from Oregon. She joins Secretary of State-designate Marco Rubio, the Florida senator, as the second Latino pick for Trumps second Cabinet. Trumps first labor secretary, Alexander Acosta, also was Latino. (AP) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman Introduction and Foundation The evolution of timekeeping devices has presented numerous challenges and considerations within Halacha, with each technological advancement bringing new questions to consider. Much of the following analysis is based upon information in a new article in the Ohalei Shabbos Gilyon 77-78 by Rabbi Yitzchok Rubin shlita and Rabbi Shalom Gelbar shlita. (My thanks to my brother-in-law, Rabbi Avrohom Hirsch, a prominent sofer in Yerushalayim who forwarded it to me). Early Mechanical Watches In the early 16th century, the development of mechanical watches revolutionized personal timekeeping through an intricate system of springs, gears, and the balance wheel. These early timepieces required daily winding to maintain their function by tightening the mainspring that powers the movement. The 1920s brought another significant advancement with the emergence of automatic mechanical watches, pioneered by British watchmaker John Harwood. These self-winding watches incorporated a weighted rotor that would swing with the natural movement of the wearers arm, automatically winding the mainspring and eliminating the need for daily manual winding, though this innovation presented new questions for Shabbos observance. The Battery-Powered Revolution The 1950s marked another milestone with the introduction of battery-powered watches. The Hamilton Electric 500, debuting in 1957, used a battery to power its movement instead of a mainspring. This technology later evolved into automatic battery-powered watches, combining traditional battery power with self-winding capabilities. Core Gemorah Principles The fundamental principles governing these matters derive from the Gemorah in Shabbos 48a, which discusses a case where Rav Chisda permitted returning padding to a pillow on Shabbos after it had fallen out. This ruling was challenged by a contradictory teaching which prohibited putting padding into a pillow or cushion. The Gemorahs answer distinguishes between new padding, which is forbidden, and old padding that had fallen out, which may be returned. Rashi explains that the prohibition of inserting new padding stems from the biblical prohibition of making or fixing a vessel. This position was cited in the Mishnah Berurah (340:33), who notes that this carries a biblical prohibition. The Mishnah Berurah did not include the Rambams view (Chapter 22:23), which suggests the prohibition stems from a rabbinic decree to prevent one from sewing the pillows edges together. The Poskims Clarification The Poskim further clarified that the permission to return old padding only applies when it can be done easily without significant effort. This position regarding the effort involved in returning padding is found in Tosfos (Shabbos 48a) and the Mordechai (Shabbos 387), later cited by the Taz (317:4). From this halacha, the Poskim derived a broad principle: one may not perform a new assembly in a vessel, even when such assembly doesnt involve the formal prohibition of building vessels. This principle led to practical applications, such as the prohibition of inserting a new shoelace into a shoe. However, if a shoelace that was previously threaded came out, it may be returned to the shoe. The Rans Commentary The Ran (Shabbos 48a) states that its forbidden to transfer padding from one pillow to another. This would similarly apply to shoelaces. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach zatzal concurred with this position, as cited in Shemiras Shabbos Khilchasa (15:199). Inflatable Items Regarding inflatable items, halacha prohibits inflating rubber wheels or balls for the first time on Shabbos. However, if such an item was inflated at least once before Shabbos, it may be reinflated during Shabbos. Some authorities questioned this ruling, noting that the new air isnt identical to the air that was previously in the item. Rabbi Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztl dismissed this concern, explaining that since air has no distinct form, there is no meaningful difference between one quantity of air and another. Water-Filled Toys The question of water-filled toys presents another consideration. These toys, which contain water and small balls where the water remains permanently and isnt typically emptied after use, raise questions about refilling if the water accidentally spills out. The conclusion leans toward stringency, as water is considered more tangible and substantial than air, which has no physical form at all. Battery Operation Battery operation presents clear prohibitions on Shabbos. The placement of a battery into any device is prohibited, even when the device is turned off. This prohibition parallels the case of inserting new padding into a pillow, which carries biblical-level prohibition. The Chazon Ish (Orach Chaim 50:9) wrote that connecting an electrical circuit raises concerns of biblical prohibition, either under the category of Boneh (building) or Makeh BPatish. If considered building, disconnecting would involve the prohibition of soser demolishing. Mechanical Watch Debate Regarding mechanical watches, significant debate exists among the Poskim. The Chayei Adam (44:19) holds that winding a watch carries biblical prohibition, basing it on Rashi in Eruvin 103a regarding fixing a harp string. However, the Chazon Ish (50:9) rejected this proof, explaining that wrapping the harp string constituted a complete act of labor, whereas winding a watch doesnt involve any new connection. The Mishnah Berurah, while noting both positions, emphasizes the stricter opinions. Running Watch Considerations The discussion becomes more nuanced when considering winding a watch that is still running. The Mishnah Berurah (338:15 and in his Shaar HaTziyun #18) concludes that while not biblically prohibited, one should refrain from winding even a running watch. However, since the majority opinion holds that it is not biblically prohibited, there may be room for leniency in specific cases, such as for a sick person who needs to take medication at precise times when no non-Jew is available. Automatic Mechanical Watches Automatic mechanical watches present unique challenges. The Chazon Ish took a strict approach and prohibited wearing such watches on Shabbos (see Dinim VHanhagos MiHachazon Ish.) However, some Poskim have ruled that technically it should be permitted, particularly when the watch is already running (Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztl cited in Shmiras Shabbos Khilchasa chapter 28:56). Rav Moshe Feinstein ztl offered a mid-level approach, ruling that while technically permitted, it would be appropriate for Torah scholars to adopt a stringent position (See Rabbi Aryeh Zev Ginsberg in Divrei Chachamim question #295). Modern Battery-Powered Watches Modern automatic battery-powered watches present more complex prohibitions. These watches are forbidden to wear on Shabbos because they involve creation of electrical current through hand movement and battery charging. An important technical analysis appears in Chut Shani (Shabbos volume 2, p. 275), which discusses whether each movement definitively creates new energy. Solar-Powered Technology Solar-powered watches represent the newest technological challenge. These timepieces, which charge through exposure to light and operate on batteries, should not be worn on Shabbos, even when their batteries are fully charged. The mechanism creates several halachic concerns including the creation of electrical current through light conversion, the actual operation of the watch through this newly generated current, and the fact that even when the watch could operate without the light using its stored battery power, moving it to a lit area still creates new current. Self-Winding Watch Consensus Regarding self-winding watches, the consensus of the poskim is that it is forbidden to wind up a stopped mechanical watch on Shabbos. The Chelkas Yaakov 1:75 permits wearing a running self-winding watch, as does Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztl, whose opinion is quoted in Shemiras Shabbos Khilchasah 28, note 57. Additional support comes from Shulchan Shlomo 308:47-2, Tzitz Eliezer 9:20, and Rav Elyashiv ztl, as quoted in Shalmei Yehudah 2, note 24. However, some poskim take a more stringent approach, including Rav Vosner ztl in his Shevet haLevi 3:97 and Orchos Shabbos 26, note 69. Smart Watches Smart watches that monitor body functions require special consideration. Rav Elyashiv ztl (quoted in Meor ha-Shabbos, vol. 4, p. 337) rules that unless medically necessary, such watches should not be worn on Shabbos. For watches with button-activated lights, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztl (ibid pg. 340), rules that if the time cannot be seen without the light, the watch may not be worn or moved at all. Eruv Considerations Regarding wearing watches outside areas without an eruv, three main positions exist. The first, more permissive view considers watches worn directly on the wrist as garments (malbush), held by the Igros Moshe O.C. 1:111 and 5:24. A middle ground position allows wearing gold watches as beautiful accessories (tachshit), supported by the Chelkas Yaakov O.C. 1:89 and Yechaveh Daas 3:23. The majority opinion, however, forbids wearing all wrist watches outside, supported by the Ketzos ha-Shulchan 115, note 28, Minchas Yitzchok 1:67, Tzitz Eliezer 11:28, and Chut Shani 88:2. Stopped Watch Status Regarding stopped watches, the majority view, held by the Minchas Shabbos 80:242 and 88:23, as well as Rav Y.S. Elyashiv, considers a watch that stopped running as muktzeh. However, the Tzitz Eliezer 9:20 questions this ruling. An exception exists if the watch also serves as jewelry. Wearing Womens Clothing The question of men wearing wristwatches relates to the broader prohibition of lo yilbash the Torahs prohibition against wearing clothes of the opposite gender, as codified in the Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Deah 182:5). While the prevailing halachic opinion permits men to wear wristwatches, holding that this does not violate the prohibition of lo yilbash, there exists a notable stringent view advocated by several prominent poskim. This stringent approach was particularly championed by HaGaon HaRav Chaim Kanievsky ztl, who followed the practice of both the Chazon Ish and the Steipler in refraining from wearing wristwatches. When giving brachos and guidance to those who sought his counsel, Rav Chaim would often suggest accepting various spiritual improvements, including abstaining from wearing wristwatches due to lo yilbash concerns. Notably, when presented with photographs of Rav Shach ztl and Rav Elyashiv ztl wearing watches, Rav Kanievsky explained that he himself had previously worn a watch until receiving reliable testimony from the Chazon Ish regarding its prohibition. What people who wore watches used to do was take off their watch before they entered Rav Chaims presence. Although unverified, word on the street was that Rav Chaim could tell who was accustomed to wearing a watch by looking at the difference in hairs between the left and right wrist of his visitors. The author can be reached at [email protected] By Rabbi Yair Hoffman It is a clear halacha that every Jewish person is obligated to make every possible effort to save life even to the point where one may put their own life at risk. This principle is derived from the Toras Kohanim (Sifra on Parshas Behar 5:2), and is cited in Bava Metzia (62a) regarding two people walking in the desert with only enough water for one person to survive. This case led to a dispute between Ben Petura and Rabbi Akiva concerning the interpretation of the pasuk and your brother shall live with you. However, all agree that from this verse we learn the obligation to make every effort to save anothers life, even at risk to oneself. Another proof is in Nedarim 65b, where it teaches that Rabbi Meir said we can open (annul) a vow using verses from the Torah, saying to the person: Had you known that you would transgress do not take revenge and your brother shall live with you for he may become poor and you wont be able to support him We see from there that it is an obligation and grounds to annul a neder. In Sefer Yereim (46), it states that the Hashem commanded in Parshas Behar and your brother shall live with you, and it was taught that with you means your life takes precedence over all others. From the phrase and your brother shall live we learn the obligations to redeem him from captivity, clothe him when cold, give him drink when thirsty, and feed him when hungry. Certainly this includes helping out a victim of yenem machalah. The Rofeh Cholim Cancer Society (RCCS) stands as a beacon of hope in the challenging landscape of cancer care, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to ensuring that no patient faces their battle alone. For over twenty years, this remarkable organization has been transforming lives by addressing one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of cancer treatment: access to comprehensive health insurance. By covering insurance premium payments for patients across the United States and recently expanding to Israel, RCCS removes the devastating financial barriers that can stand between patients and their path to recovery, enabling them to focus on what matters most their health and healing. But they are also a remarkable storehouse of critical information. RCCS also serves as a lifeline that connects patients with the highest quality medical care available. Understanding that a cancer patients prognosis is significantly influenced by their access to superior medical resources, RCCS ensures that beneficiaries can receive treatment from the best doctors, undergo essential life-saving procedures, and obtain vital medications that might otherwise be prohibitively expensive. This comprehensive approach to patient support has established RCCS as an indispensable pillar in the cancer care community, embodying the principle that quality healthcare should be accessible to all those facing this formidable disease. Cancer treatment has entered an exciting new era where doctors can look deep inside tumor cells to find their unique weaknesses. Advanced genetic testing technology called Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) makes this possible, although it is very expensive and can only be done in Germany, at this point. Think of it like having a powerful microscope that can read the instruction manual of cancer cells. This helps doctors understand exactly what makes each persons cancer different and choose the most effective treatments. The Study Three years ago in BMC Med Genomics (14:105. doi: 10.1186/s12920-021-00952-9,), a study was published researchers examined tumor samples from 629 cancer patients, successfully analyzing 610 of them. This high success rate (97%) shows how reliable this testing has become. The researchers used a sophisticated testing method that looked at 161 different genes in each tumor sample. This is much more detailed than traditional testing, which might only look at a few genes. What the Testing Found The results were remarkable. Nearly 78% of patients had genetic changes that could be targeted with specific treatments. Here is what that means in practical terms: For about 55% of patients, doctors found genetic changes that could be treated with medications already approved for use. Another 21% had changes that made them good candidates for clinical trials of new medicines. This means that three out of four patients could potentially benefit from treatments specifically chosen for their type of cancer. Different Cancers, Different Patterns The study looked at many types of cancer, and each showed unique patterns: Pancreatic Cancer: In the 118 pancreatic cancer patients studied, about 75% had changes in a gene called KRAS. While this can make treatment challenging, the researchers found other genetic changes in some patients that could be treated with specific medications. Lung Cancer: Of the 67 lung cancer patients, about 87% had genetic changes that could be targeted with treatment. About 21% had changes that could be treated with FDA-approved medications right away. Breast Cancer: Among the 62 breast cancer patients, about 81% had important genetic changes. About 42% had changes that could be treated with approved medications. The Role of the Immune System The researchers didnt just look at genetic changes. They also studied three important markers that help predict whether immunotherapy might work: Tumor Mutational Burden (TMB): About 25% of patients had high TMB scores, suggesting they might benefit from immunotherapy. Different types of cancer showed different patterns. For example, lung cancer had the highest rate of high TMB scores (43%), while soft tissue tumors had the lowest (4%). PD-L1 Testing: This test was done on 198 patients, and about 39% showed positive results. For lung cancer patients, the positive rate was even higher at 69%. Microsatellite Instability (MSI): This was the rarest marker, found in only about 4% of patients tested. However, when present, its a very strong indicator that immunotherapy might work. Combining Different Types of Testing One of the studys most important findings was that combining different types of testing gave doctors the most complete picture. When researchers looked at all three immune system markers plus genetic testing, they could find potentially helpful treatments for more than 83% of patients. This is a significant improvement over using any single type of test. Cost and Practical Considerations While this type of comprehensive testing might seem expensive, German healthcare systems have found it cost-effective in the long run. By helping doctors choose the most effective treatments first, it can avoid the cost and time spent on treatments less likely to work. Challenges and Solutions The research team faced several challenges: Getting Enough Tumor Tissue: Sometimes its difficult to get enough cancer tissue for testing, especially in patients with hard-to-reach tumors. However, the German laboratories developed methods that worked with very small amounts of tissue. Understanding Complex Results: The tests produce large amounts of data that need expert interpretation. German medical centers have created special tumor boards where experts from different fields work together to understand the results and make treatment recommendations. Time Pressure: Sometimes patients need to start treatment quickly and cant wait for comprehensive test results. In these cases, doctors can start with standard treatments while waiting for the detailed genetic information. The Future of Cancer Treatment This research from Germany shows where cancer treatment is heading worldwide. Instead of treating all lung cancers or all breast cancers the same way, doctors can now understand each patients cancer at the molecular level and choose treatments most likely to work for that specific case. What This Means for Patients For cancer patients, this research offers real hope. When doctors understand the specific genetic changes driving a patients cancer, they can often find treatments that target these changes directly. This means treatments might work better while causing fewer side effects than traditional chemotherapy. Even in cases where standard treatments havent worked, this testing can reveal new options, including clinical trials or immunotherapy treatments that might not have been considered otherwise. Global Impact While this research was primarily conducted in Germany, its implications are global. Medical centers worldwide are beginning to adopt similar comprehensive testing approaches. The German experience shows that this kind of detailed tumor analysis can work in everyday medical practice, not just in research settings. The studys success has encouraged other countries to develop similar programs, making this type of personalized cancer treatment more widely available. As more medical centers gain experience with these techniques, they become better at interpreting the results and choosing the most effective treatments for each patient. This approach represents a fundamental shift in how cancer can be treated, moving from a one-size-fits-all approach to truly personalized medicine. Its a change that offers new hope to cancer patients and their families, while pointing the way toward even more effective treatments in the future. If it is nogaya to any individual they should contact RCCS for further information on the treatment in Germany. Others should reach out to them to donate. The author can be reached at [email protected] The illegal immigrant Muslim man accused of shooting an Orthodox Jewish man and firing on police and paramedics in Chicago last month had mapped out the locations of several shuls and Jewish schools in the days leading up to the attack in the West Rogers Park neighborhood. Prosecutors said at a detention hearing on Friday that Sidi Mohamed Abdallahi, 22, used his cellphone to identify potential targets in the area before the October 26 shooting of a 39-year-old man who was walking to Shabbos morning davening the day after Simchas Torah. Among the addresses saved on Abdallahis phone was Ezras Yisroel, a shul just a block from the site of the attack. This was not anything but a planned attack an attempted assassination of these people, Assistant States Attorney Anne McCord Rodgers said. This was a calculated plan, on a public street and an attempted slaughter of that person and law enforcement officers. Abdallahi, an illegal immigrant from Mauritania who had been living in the U.S. for at least two years and worked at an Amazon warehouse, appeared in court on Friday for the first time since being hospitalized for gunshot wounds sustained in a shootout with police. Judge Susana Ortiz ordered Abdallahi to remain in custody on multiple counts of attempted murder, hate crime, and terrorism charges. The visibly Jewish victim, who was wearing a yarmulka and a tallis, was walking in the 2900 block of West Farwell Avenue when Abdallahi fired at him from behind. Prosecutors said the Jewish man heard the gunshot and felt pain in his shoulder but did not realize he had been shot until noticing a hole in his jacket. Surveillance footage captured Abdallahi firing at the victim and then running away while attempting to clear a jammed semi-automatic pistol. Moments later, he returned to the scene on foot after parking his car nearby. Prosecutors allege that Abdallahi fired two shots at police officers and paramedics who were tending to the victim at the scene. He then continued to exchange gunfire with officers, hitting an ambulance twice before being shot by police. Despite his injuries, Abdallahi fired at officers again before collapsing. Authorities said data from Abdallahis phone showed extensive planning and antisemitic motivations. He reportedly saved the locations of shuls on multiple occasions in the days before the attack and conducted internet searches for Jewish Community Center and a suburban gun store. Prosecutors also stated that his phone contained over 100 antisemitic and pro-Hamas images and videos. This was a targeted attack against the Jewish community, McCord Rodgers stressed. Abdallahi remains in custody as prosecutors build their case, with his next court appearance yet to be scheduled. [YWN EDITORIAL: Woke Chicago Mayors And PDs Deafening Silence On Anti-Semitic Violence And That Of Jewish Orgs] It took the city of Chicago a week before they even called this a hate crime let alone a terror attack, even as YWN published video footage ofbthe man yelling allah akbar. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) By Rabbi Yair Hoffman A significant mix-up occurred at the Assuta Medical Center in Rishon Lezion during an IVF procedure in 2022. The error came to light when medical problems were detected in the fetus, necessitating a series of tests. These tests revealed a startling truth: neither the woman carrying the child nor her partner were the biological parents of the baby they were expecting. There was a bad mix-up. The Court Decision In a landmark ruling, the Rishon Lezion Family Court determined that the genetic parents should be recognized as the childs legal parents. The ruling, issued by Judge Oved Elias, ordered that the child be removed from the custody of the birth parents and transferred to the genetic parents. The child at the center of this case, named Sophia, is now over two years old. Current Situation At present, Sophia remains in the custody of her birth mother and her partner. These parents have engaged in an extensive months-long legal battle to maintain custody of the child theyve been raising, despite having no genetic connection to her. Their determination to continue raising Sophia has been evident throughout the legal proceedings. Implementation of the Ruling The courts decision was heavily influenced by the recommendation of Dr. Daniel Gotlib, a psychologist from the Shinui Institute who was appointed to evaluate the case. Dr. Gotlib specifically recommended that custody be granted to the genetic parents. Its worth noting that a contrary position paper, authored by two social workers who recommended leaving the child with the birth parents, was ultimately rejected by Judge Elias. The judge has stipulated that the transfer of custody must follow an organized plan under the careful supervision of the Tel Aviv Social Welfare department. Varied Halachic Opinions The halachic opinions range quite widely. Some hold that it is the genetic mother who is the real mother. Others hold it is the birth mother. Others hold that it is a doubt as to which one. Others hold that both are mothers and some even hold that there is no mother. Tzitz Eliezers Evolution of Opinion The Tzitz Eliezers position on this matter has evolved over time. In his initial ruling (Vol. 15 Siman 45), he held that when fertilization occurs externally in a laboratory setting, even without egg donation, the child has no relationship to the parents. However, his later writings suggest a shift toward favoring the genetic mothers claim. This apparent retraction seems to stem from his primary concern about fertility treatments leading to lineage questions (which he termed mi yeshurenu). Its important to note that Rav Ovadya Yoseph in his Yabia Omer (Vol. 2 Even HaEzer Siman 1, Vol. 8 Even HaEzer Siman 21) takes a different stance, stating that children born through fertility treatments do indeed relate to their parents, and fathers fulfill the mitzvah of peru urevu (be fruitful and multiply). Rabbi Ovadias Position Rabbi Ovadias stance on this matter underwent a significant transformation over time. While he initially held that the birth mother should be considered the mother, multiple sources have testified that in his later years, his opinion shifted to favor the egg donor as the mother. This change in position has been documented by both Rishon LTzion Rabbi Yosef in his Responsa Rishon LTzion Vol. 1 Even HaEzer Siman 5, and by Chief Rabbi Amar in Responsa Shema Shlomo Vol. 8 Even HaEzer. Views of Uncertainty Several Poskim have expressed uncertainty about this complex issue. These include Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ztl (see Nishmas Avraham Even HaEzer Siman 1 Letter 1 #11 p. 35) and Rav Elyashiv, whose views are also documented there. Rav Moshe Sternbuch, in Teshuvos VHanhagos Vol. 2 Siman 689, and HaGaon Rabbi Asher Weiss cited in Ratz Ktzvi p. 92, have also acknowledged the complexity of determining maternal status in such cases. The Dual Motherhood Perspective Some Poskim have proposed the possibility of dual motherhood. Rav Ben Tzion Abba Shaul, in Ohr LTzion Yevamot 32b, discusses this concept, though some interpret his position as expressing uncertainty rather than advocating for dual motherhood. Rav Moshe Sternbuch, in Teshuvos VHanhagos Vol. 5 Siman 318, suggests that both women might also be legally considered mothers, emphasizing that this is not merely a matter of doubt but potentially a dual legal status. Advocates for Egg Donor Motherhood A significant number of Poskim have concluded that the egg donor should be considered the mother. HaGRM Brandsdorfer presents this view in Kneh Bosem Vol. 4 Siman 95 Letter 1, as does HaGRY Rozental in Mishnat Yaakov on Arachim VRamim Chapter 1 Halacha 13. Rav Goren elaborated on this position in his book Torat HaRefuah, specifically in the section on Transplanting an Egg from Woman to Woman (pp. 176-177), which was first published in HaTzofeh newspaper on 14 Adar I 5744/17.2.84 and later included in Puah Vol. 2 p. 384. Additional support for this position comes from Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kilav (Techumin 5 p. 267), Rabbi Yaakov Ariel (in both Techumin 15 5755 p. 171 and Responsa Ohala shel Torah Vol. 1 Siman 73), and Rabbi Shlomo Dichovsky (in Responsa Poria Genetics and IVF p. 515 and Responsa Lev Shomea LShlomo Vol. 2 Siman 43). Former Chief Rabbi Rav Shlomo Amar has also aligned with this view, as documented in Responsa Shema Shlomo Vol. 8 Simanim 1-3. Conclusion In light of the multiplicity of views cited above and that the child was at the birth parents for two years, perhaps a joint custody type of resolution is more warranted. Regardless, the child should have kivud Av vAim for both mothers and the biological father. The author can be reached at [email protected] For 21 years, YWNs team of seasoned reporters has delivered breaking news and reliable updates, building two decades of trust with over half a million readers each day. Since October 7, YWN has provided continuous, around-the-clock coverage, bringing you the latest developments as they unfold. You can also join over 100,000 subscribers on YWN WhatsApp and stay connected for real time updates: YWNs WhatsApp group YWNs WhatsApp status US Advances $680M Arms Deal with Israel, Claims Unrelated to Ceasefire A U.S. official has confirmed to The Times of Israel that the Biden administration is moving forward with a $680 million arms deal for Israel. The official emphasized that the sale is unrelated to the ceasefire with Hezbollah, which took effect this morning. Earlier, on Tuesday, Washington reiterated that the truce was not linked to any weapons transfers to Israel. Wizz Air to Resume Israel Flights December 20 Wizz Air, a budget airline based in Hungary, plans to restart operations at Israels Ben Gurion Airport starting December 20. The decision follows the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. WATCH AND ENJOY: What Dead Nasrallah Said A Few Weeks Ago OH THE IRONY: Remember when Nasrallah, who is now a rotted carcass, said, A ceasefire in Lebanon without one in Gaza would mean all our sacrifices were for nothing. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26101313/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.46.01-AM-1.mp4 REPORTS: Ceasefire Expected In Hours Numerous reports state that a joint statement from the United States and France will confirm a ceasefire in Lebanon shortly after 10 p.m. local time. Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati is expected to issue a separate statement welcoming the agreement. The Scene In Jabaliya, Gaza Meanwhile. this is the scene of what once was Jabaliya, Gaza. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100905/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.00.57-AM.mp4 IDF UPDATE: 8 Fighter jets, 20 Strikes, Two Minutes The IDF reports that eight fighter jets struck 20 Hezbollah-linked sites in Beiruts southern suburbs within two minutes. Targets included seven buildings tied to Hezbollahs financial operations, such as headquarters and branches of the Al-Qard al-Hasan association, as well as 13 military sites, including an aerial forces center, weapon depots, and intelligence facilities. Civilians in the area were warned to evacuate prior to the strikes. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26101042/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-9.06.21-AM.mp4 Massive Wave Of IDF Airstrikes Underway The IDF is still carrying out additional airstrikes in the Hezbollah stronghold of Dahieh, a suburb in Southern Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100834/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.55.21-AM.mp4 IDF Launches Dozens of Airstrikes in Beirut After Evacuation Warnings UPDATE: Dozens of IDf airstrikes underway in Beirut. The strikes come just a short while after the IDF sent warnings to the residents of around 20 residential buildings to evacuate. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100707/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.42.09-AM.mp4 Israeli Airstrike in Beirut Amid Ceasefire Talks; Evacuations Ordered As discussions of a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, a major Israeli airstrike just took place in Beirut. The strike occurred outside Hezbollahs stronghold in the citys southern suburbs. The lack of an evacuation warning suggests the attack may have been an assassination attempt rather than a strike on Hezbollah infrastructure. Simultaneously, the IDF has issued evacuation notices to residents of around 20 buildings in Dahiyeh, a Hezbollah stronghold in southern Beirut, ahead of planned airstrikes targeting the groups assets. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/26100536/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-26-at-8.09.20-AM.mp4 Direct Rocket Strike In Nahariya [VIDEO] The IDF reports that 10 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward the Western Galilee. Some of the rockets were intercepted, while others landed. Magen David Adom, are currently inspecting impact sites in Nahariya for any injuries. A fire has also broken out in Nahariya, reportedly caused by an impact or debris from the attack. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25170137/My-movie-66.mp4 WATCH: Celebrations In Lebanon Ahead Of Ceasefire Confirmation People in Lebanon celebrate ahead of a likely ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25113820/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.33.48-AM.mp4 Video: Israeli Airstrike Hits Hezbollah Site in Beirut Video captures an Israeli airstrike earlier today targeting a Hezbollah-linked site within a high-rise building in southern Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25113530/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.34.53-AM.mp4 WATCH: Haifa Demolishes Rocket-Hit Building to Prevent Collapse Municipal crews in Haifa are demolishing a residential building heavily damaged by a direct rocket hit during a Hezbollah attack on northern Israel yesterday. The Haifa municipality stated that experts recommended the demolition to prevent the structure from collapsing onto a nearby apartment complex. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112623/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.12.30-AM.mp4 WATCH: See The Scene In Beirut On Monday This was the scene in the Hezbollah stronghold neighborhood of Dahiyeh in Southern Beirut, earlier on Monday, after the IDF pounded dozens of targets. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112448/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.09.46-AM.mp4 https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25112501/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.10.10-AM.mp4 Hezbollah Launches Rocket Barrage; Israel Responds with Strikes on Key Targets This morning (Monday) at 8:35 a.m., Hezbollah launched approximately 20 projectiles from southern Lebanon toward the Nahariya region in northern Israel. In response, the Israel Air Force (IAF) struck the launcher used in the attack, located near Bazouriye in southern Lebanon. In a series of additional operations, the IAF carried out intelligence-driven strikes targeting critical Hezbollah infrastructure. These included command centers of the groups coast-to-sea missile unit, communication facilities, and two military command centers in Dahieh, a Hezbollah stronghold in Beirut. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25111546/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.04.28-AM.mp4 Massive Destruction Following IDF Strikes In Beirut Massive destruction to residential buildings and Hezbollah infrastructure in the city of Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, as a result of the recent Israeli airstrikes. IDF Carries Out 25 Airstrikes In Lebanon In One Hour Over the past hour, the IAF conducted intelligence-based strikes on approximately 25 terror targets belonging to Hezbollahs Executive Council in Lebanon, including in Nabatieh, Baalbek, Beqaa Valley, Dahieh, and the outskirts of Beirut. Among the targets struck were the Executive Councils command centers, and intelligence control and collection centers, where Hezbollah commanders and operatives were located. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25111445/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.05.00-AM.mp4 IDF Airstrikes In Gaza Against Hamas Targets The IDF bombard several homes in the Manshiya area of Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza Strip, that were being used by Hamas to attack the IDF. https://yeshivaworlds3.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/25114144/WhatsApp-Video-2024-11-25-at-11.07.41-AM-1.mp4 Israels Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, delivered a strong warning to Iran, cautioning against any aggression during the U.S. transition period and highlighting Israels unwavering readiness to defend itself. Speaking to Fox News Digital, Danon made it clear that Israel is fully capable of responding to any threats and will not tolerate provocations from the Islamic Republic. Danons remarks follow recent threats from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who vowed retaliation for Israels October 26 strategic airstrikes targeting Tehran. Araghchi claimed that Iran retains the right to react in our time and in the way we see fit. In response, Danon reminded the world of Israels military superiority and its ability to strike any target in Iran. I would advise him not to challenge us, Danon said. We have already shown our capabilities. We have proved that they are vulnerable. We can actually target any location in Iran. They know that. He added, If they think that now, because of the transition period, they can take advantage of it, they are wrong. We are keeping our eyes open and we are ready for all scenarios. Danon also highlighted the critical role of the United States in confronting Iranian aggression and supporting its closest ally in the region. The most important challenge for the new administration will be the way you challenge Iran, the aggression, the threat of the Iranian regime, he explained. We are fighting the same enemiesthe enemies of the United States of America. When you look at the Iranians, the Houthis, Hezbollah, Hamasall those bad actorsthey are not just enemies of Israel but of freedom and democracy everywhere. Every American should support us and understand what we are doing now. Danons comments came as the United States once again demonstrated its support for Israel by vetoing a one-sided resolution in the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday. The draft resolution, proposed by Algeria, sought to impose an immediate, unconditional and permanent cease-fire on Israel but glaringly failed to demand the release of over 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza. It was a shameful resolution because it didnt include the release of hostages, Danon said, expressing his gratitude for Americas decisive action. I want to thank the United States for taking a strong position and vetoing this resolution. It sent a very clear message that the U.S. stands with its strongest ally, Israel. Danon was also critical of other nations that pushed for a cease-fire without addressing Hamass barbaric actions. It was shameful to hear the voices of so many ambassadors speaking about a cease-fire but abandoning the 101 hostages. We will not forget them. We will never abandon them. We will continue to fight until we bring all of them back home. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly denounced the investigation into the alleged theft and leak of classified military documents, calling it a politically motivated witch hunt designed to target him and his allies. In a nearly nine-minute video released on social media, Netanyahu expressed outrage at the prosecutions handling of the case, claiming it is part of a broader campaign to damage him and the political camp he represents. This reality, in which young people are held like the worst terrorists, handcuffed for days, days in which they are prevented from accessing their lawyers, and violating their basic rights as citizens, shakes me, Netanyahu said, referring to the detention of his aide Eli Feldstein and an IDF reservist. Both have been charged with serious security breaches. Feldstein, described by Netanyahu as a passionate Zionist and Israeli patriot, is accused of leaking a classified military document to the German newspaper Bild with the alleged intent to influence public opinion against a truce-hostage deal with Hamas. Netanyahu dismissed the charges as despicable and ridiculous, insisting that Feldstein would never intentionally harm Israels security. Netanyahu suggested that the prosecutions actions are politically motivated, claiming his aides are being used as tools in a campaign to discredit him and his supporters. It hurts that they are using your sons as a tool to harm me and an entire political camp, he said, addressing the families of the accused. He also criticized the prosecutions use of harsh detention methods, alleging they were designed to coerce false confessions. The prime minister further accused prosecutors of selectively enforcing the law, highlighting five major leaks from high-level security discussions over the past yearnone of which were investigated. He noted that these leaks, which he claims endangered IDF soldiers and strengthened Israels enemies, were ignored because they did not serve a political agenda targeting him. Feldsteins lawyer, Oded Savoray, argued that Feldstein acted with the understanding that he was serving Netanyahus interests. Eli Feldstein did not act on his own behalf. He provided advisory services in the Prime Ministers Office, Savoray said, adding that his client believed the documents leak was legitimate because the prime minister holds the authority to overrule military censorship. Savoray painted Feldstein as a scapegoat caught in a power struggle between the Prime Ministers Office and the defense establishment. Feldstein was acting in the name of the prime minister, he insisted. And today Feldstein has been left alone, alone, alone. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Hamass armed wing spokesman, Abu Obeida, claims that a female Israeli hostage was killed during an IDF strike in northern Gaza. In the same statement, Obeida claimed that another female hostage was injured in the attack, though her condition remains unclear. Reports said that the female hostage that was killed, according to Hamas, is Daniella Gilboa. The IDF responded to the claims, stating that it is currently reviewing the information but cannot confirm or refute its authenticity at this time. IDF representatives are in contact with her family and are updating them with any information available to us, the military added. The IDF also condemned Hamas for engaging in what it described as psychological terror and acting with cruelty, calling for caution in sharing unverified information. Please refrain from spreading rumors or publications that could harm the families of the hostages, the IDF urged, emphasizing the need for sensitivity in handling the situation. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Warren Buffett, the Oracle of Omaha, is at it again. He's proved he knows how to spot a great opportunity when he sees one. In his latest move, Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway invested heavily in two surprising yet strategic companies. What are they? None other than Dominos Pizza and Pool Corp. Don't Miss: According to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, reported by TheStreet, Berkshire snapped up 1.28 million shares of Dominos, which were valued at $550 million as of the end of the third quarter. The holding company also bought over 400,000 shares of Pool Corp., the largest distributor of swimming pool equipment and supplies in the U.S. Both companies shares jumped on the news as investors followed Buffetts lead. Dominos stock has risen 8.5% year-to-date and 20% over the past year. Pool Corp., though down 9% year-to-date, has seen a modest 3.5% annual increase. Buffett has long extolled the value of brands as economic moats. That means they defend a company's market position from competitors. "A strong brand is potent stuff," Buffett famously said. Domino's and Pool Corp. both exemplify this. See Also: Scrolling to UBI': Deloitte's #1 fastest-growing software company allows users to earn money on their phones invest today with $1,000 for just $0.26/share Dominos has built an empire around its efficient delivery model and recognizable branding. It's the largest pizza chain in the U.S. for a reason. Despite missing revenue expectations in its third-quarter earnings, the company beat Wall Streets forecasts for profitability and continues to show resilience. Analysts, such as those at Loop Capital, recently upgraded the stock. They see signs of accelerating same-store sales. Pool Corp., on the other hand, benefits from its dominant market share in a niche yet essential industry. Even as discretionary spending on pool construction dips, the company continues seeing high demand for maintenance products, which drives its consistent revenues. Oppenheimer recently raised its price target for Pool Corp. after its quarterly earnings beat estimates. "He doesn't invest take a swing of the bat unless the opportunity appears unbelievably good," Microsoft cofounder Bill Gates said of Buffett. These investments align perfectly with that approach. Dominos and Pool Corp. demonstrate lasting appeal and consistent demand, which are key elements in Berkshires portfolio strategy. A protest against Israel turned violent on Friday night in downtown Montreal, leaving a trail of destruction as cars were set ablaze, shop windows smashed, and an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu burned in the street. The demonstration began peacefully around 4:30 p.m. at Emilie-Gamelin Parc but quickly descended into chaos as protesters hurled small explosive devices and metal objects at police. Armed with hammers and planks of wood, some protesters vandalized storefronts while others ignited red smoke bombs to create a scene of anarchy. The violence escalated as demonstrators paraded through the city waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans. Tensions reached their peak when an effigy of Netanyahu was set alight, drawing widespread condemnation. Riot police confronted the protesters on St-Laurent Boulevard, deploying tear gas and crowd-control tactics to disperse the crowd. Montreal police reported three arrests for assaults on officers and obstruction of police work. Footage of the unrest, widely shared on social media, captured scenes of destruction as protesters clashed with law enforcement. The protest coincided with a NATO summit in Montreal, where global delegates were discussing issues such as the war in Ukraine and the alliances future. The timing also followed the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu, former Israeli defense chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leaders, accusing them of war crimes in the Gaza conflict. Canadas Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who was attending a concert in Toronto during the unrest, faced criticism for his absence. Quebec Senator Leo Housakos expressed outrage over Trudeaus indifference, writing, While Justin Trudeau is partying it up in Toronto, I was meeting with members of Montreals Jewish community. Meanwhile, our city is in chaos. Hope you had fun at the concert, though, Justin. The violence followed a week of mounting tensions in Montreal, including confrontations at Concordia University between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators. Trudeaus earlier comments supporting compliance with the ICCs arrest warrant against Netanyahu also drew criticism from Israel and Canadian Jewish leaders. Israels ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, denounced the ICC decision as undermining Israels right to self-defense, calling on the Canadian government to reject the ruling. On social media, Trudeau wrote: What we saw on the streets of Montreal last night was appalling. Acts of antisemitism, intimidation, and violence must be condemned wherever we see them. The RCMP are in communication with local police. There must be consequences, and rioters held accountable. To this, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre responded: You act surprised. We are reaping what you sowed. This is what happens when a Prime Minister spends 9 years pushing toxic woke identity politics, dividing and subdividing people by race, gender, vaccine status, religion, region, age, wealth, etc. On top of driving people apart, you systematically break what used to bring us together, saying Canada is a post-national state with no core identity. You erased our veterans and military, the Famous Five and even Terry Fox from our passport to replace them with meaningless squirrels, snowflakes and a drawing of yourself swimming as a boy. You opened the borders to terrorists and lawbreakers and called anyone who questioned it racist. You send out your MPs to say one thing in a mosque and the opposite in a synagogue, one thing in a mandir and the opposite in a gurdwara. You have made Canada a playground for foreign interference. You allowed Irans IRGC terrorists to legally operate here for four years after they murdered 55 of our citizens in a major unprovoked attack. You passed laws that release rampant offenders from prison within hours of their 80th arrest. And what is the result? Assassinations on Canadian soil, firebombings of synagogues, extremist violence against mandirs and gurdwaras, over 100 churches burned or vandalized (with barely any condemnation from you), all for a total 251% more hate crime. And, while you were dancing, Montreal was burning. We wont let you divide us anymore. Call an election now. We will fire you and reclaim our citizenship, our values, our lives, our freedom and, most of all, our country. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Emirati authorities announced on Sunday morning that they located the body of missing Chabad shliach HaRav Tzvi Kogan, Hyd, 28, who was abducted and murdered by terrorists on behalf of Iran. Rav Kogan, zl, had driven to Al Ain, an Emirati city near the eastern border with Oman, about an hour and a half from Dubai. His abandoned car was found there and signs of a struggle were identified. His phone had been turned off. The initial investigation revealed that the three Uzbek nationals suspected of murdering him followed him from the kosher supermarket he managed in Dubai. Iran often uses Uzbek Shiite agents to try to hide its murderous tracks. The Uzbek terrorists fled to Turkey and Israeli security officials are making efforts to collaborate with their Turkish counterparts to locate them. The Israeli representatives in Abu Dhabi have been in contact with the family since the beginning of the incident and continue to support them during this difficult time. His family in Israel has also been informed. The Prime Ministers Office and the Foreign Ministry issued a joint statement saying: The murder of Tzvi Kogan, zl, is a heinous act of antisemitic terrorism. The State of Israel will use all means and bring to those responsible for his death to justice. At the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting later on Sunday morning, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu spoke about the abduction and murder of HaRav Kogan, Hyd, stating: At the start of my remarks, I would like to express deep outrage on behalf of myself, all members of the government, all citizens of Israel and all of Am Yisrael over the abduction and murder of Rav Tzvi Kogan, zl, Hashem Yikam Damo. This murder was carried out in the UAE. The murder of an Israeli citizen and a Chabad shaliach is an abhorrent antisemitic terrorist attack. On your behalf, I also send heartfelt condolences to the Kogan family. The State of Israel will use all means and will deal with these murderers, and those who dispatched them, to the fullest extent of the law. None of them will escape. I greatly appreciate the cooperation of the UAE in investigating the murder. We will strengthen the ties between us in the face of attempts by the axis of evil to harm the relationship of peace between us. We will strengthen them and we will work to expand stability in the region, Netanyahu concluded. Rav Kogan, HYD, was the assistant to Rabbi Levi Duchman, the Chief Rav of the Jewish kehilla in Dubai, and was considered a central figure among the Jewish and Israeli kehilla in the city. He got married two years ago to Rivky Spielman from Crown Heights and the couple embarked on shlichus, moving to Abu Dhabi. He failed to show up for scheduled meetings on Wednesday and his wife, who reported his absence, immediately contacted the Chabad security officer, who contacted the authorities. Rav Kogan, zl, grew up in Israel, attending Litvak mosdos Torah, including Yeshivas Mir. He later grew close to Chabad. In Dubai, he managed a kosher grocery that served as an important center for Jews and Israelis in the city. His role in community life, as well as his religious involvement, made him a prominent figure in Dubai, which may explain how he attracted the interest of hostile elements. This shocking event exposes the security risks that Israelis may encounter in the UAE, despite the strong ties between the countries since the Abraham Accords. AN EMERGENCY FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY TO ASSIT THE ALMANAH PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) Political and security leaders in Israel on Sunday responded to the abduction and murder of Chabad Rav in the UAE, HaRav Tzvi Kogan, Hyd by Iranian terror agents. I mourn with sorrow and outrage the murder of Rabbi Zvi Kogan, President Isaac Herzog stated. This vile antisemitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the enemies of the Jewish people. It will not deter us from continuing to grow flourishing communities in the UAE or anywhere especially with the help of the dedicated commitment and work of the Chabad emissaries all over the world. Dudi Rubinstein, a resident of the UAE and a friend of Rav Kogan, zl, spoke to Kan News about Rav Kogans work and chasadim. He never dreamed that he was being followed, Rubinstein said. The Chabadnikim has lowered their public profile, especially at large gatherings. They had canceled large Friday night gatherings with many Israelis. He came to help [HaRav Duchman and I connected with him. He settled there, connected with everyone, and got married two years ago. He was the one that people turned to, the one who organized things. He was a precious person, full of life and always available. A man with vision and ambition who was always ready to help, day and night. Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the murder was a cowardly and despicable antisemitic terror crime. The State of Israel will not rest until those responsible for this heinous act pay for their crimes. Hashem Yikam Damo. AN EMERGENCY FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY TO ASSIT THE ALMANAH PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The IDF reports that eight rockets were launched from Lebanon toward central Israel in a barrage a short while ago. Most of the rockets were intercepted by air defenses. Rocket impacts were confirmed in Central Israel in Petah Tikva, and in Rinyata, causing property damage and injuries. MDA EMTs and Paramedics trandported five casualties to Beilinson, Sheba Tel Hashomer and Hasharon Hospitals: a 70 year old female in moderate condition from smoke inhalation due to a car that caught fire, a 23 year old male in mild condition with blast injuries, and 3 anxiety victims. Direct impacts were reported in Nahariya and Haifa moments ago as a barrage of 30 rockets were fired by Hezbollah. MDA EMTs and Paramedics are treating and evacuating 3 casualties to Bnei Tzion and Rambam Hospitals: males aged 56 and 54 in mild condition with shrapnel injuries, and 1 anxiety victim. Hezbollah has launched around 130 rockets at Israel since the morning, according to an IDF count. While most targeted northern Israel, around ten rockets were fired toward central. Additionally, two drones launched from Lebanon were intercepted and downed by Israels air defenses earlier this morning, the IDF stated. No serious injuries were reported in all the strikes. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) On the same day that the murder of Chabad shaliach Rav Tzvi Kogan, Hyd, by Iranian agents was confirmed, a number of ministers, including two Otzma Yehudit ministers, received invitations to participate in Chabad Chanukah celebrations in Brooklyn, New York. The invitations, received via WhatsApp, aroused the suspicion of Minister for the Negev Yitzchak Wasserlauf and Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu via WhatsApp, prompting them to consult with the security officers in their offices to verify the authenticity of the messages, Arutz Sheva reported. The security officers forwarded the invitations to intelligence officials. A Shin Bet probe revealed that Iranian elements likely sent the invitations in an attempt to harm the ministers by luring them to a certain location. The suspects used artificial intelligence technology to create a fictitious persona of a Rav and formulate the wording of the invitations, which were sent via a US phone number activated in October. A quick perusal of the message [written in Hebrew] reveals why they aroused the suspicion of the ministers. The invitations stated: Dear Sir: I, Rav Yitzchak Schaffer, on behalf of the Chabad movement, am honored to invite you to participate in the Chanukah celebrations that will take place at the end of December this year in the Brooklyn area, New York. This holiday occurs around the same time as the Christian Xmas holiday and the New Year. A subsequent message stated: If you are interested and available to attend this event, I would appreciate it if you could confirm this as soon as possible so that we can issue an official invitation on behalf of the Chabad movement. We will take care of your travel and accommodation arrangements for the event. I eagerly await your response. Rav Yitzchak Schaffer, Chabad Movement. One ministers assistant responded with a question to verify the identity of the fictitious character, who claimed, I work at the Israeli embassy with Ambassador [to the US] Michael Herzog, and also claimed, Im the second secretary at the embassy in Washington and my role focuses on cultural and religious matters. The ministers assistant replied, I checked with Ambassador Herzog and he doesnt know who you are. The character retorted, Youre not telling the truth. The Israel-based Chabad CWA security organization stated: The case is known to us and is being handled with the official security authorities. Chabads global security headquarters, Chabad World Assistance (CWA), was established after the deadly terror attack on the Chabad house in Mumbai in 2008 in which HaRav Gavriel and Rivka Holtzberg, Hyd, were murdered. Arutz Shevas requests for comments regarding the incident from the Shin Bet or Mossad did not receive a response. (YWN Israel Desk Jerusalem) The Ministry of Interior of the United Arab Emirates announced on Sunday that Emirati authorities have arrested three suspects in connection with the murder of Moldovan-Israeli Chabad shliach Rabbi Zvi Kogan. Emirati authorities were able, in record time, to arrest the perpetrators of the murder of a resident in the country named Zvi Kogen, who holds the citizenship of the country he was born in, according to the identification papers with which he entered the United Arab Emirates. The perpetrators numbered three people, stressing the ability to deal firmly with anyone who tries to undermine the security and stability of society, the ministry said in a statement. The identities or nationalities of the suspects were not disclosed, though previous reports stated that they are Uzbek nationals who may have been recruited by Iran. The investigation began after the victims family filed a missing person report, prompting the formation of a dedicated search and investigation team. Authorities discovered the murdered rabbis body and identified the perpetrators, leading to their arrest and the initiation of legal proceedings. The Ministry noted that additional details about the case will be released upon the conclusion of the investigation. The United Arab Emirates, with all its institutions, will spare no effort to prevent any attack on its citizens, residents, and visitors, and all security agencies work around the clock to protect the stability of society and ensure the sustainability of the highest levels of security and safety that have been established since the founding of the state, the ministry added in its statement. It also issued a stern warning against any acts that threaten the countrys security and harmony: It will use all available legal powers to deal severely and without leniency with anyone who dares to take any actions or acts that seek to destabilize society or threaten its security, stressing its full readiness to take the utmost deterrent measures to ensure the protection of the gains of coexistence and social peace in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. AN EMERGENCY FUND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY TO ASSIT THE ALMANAH PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Respite was finally on the horizon for beleaguered landlords when mortgage rates began to fall this year. However, property investment is now harder to afford as stamp duty hits them with a double-pronged assault. Landlords stamp duty bills in April may be almost double the amount they were before Chancellor Rachel Reevess Budget, Wealth and Personal Finance can reveal. Buyers of additional properties in England which include buy-to-lets and second homes will need to pay an average of 20,957 from April, according to Coventry Building Society calculations. This is up from 12,566 just a few weeks ago as landlords now must pay an increased surcharge, and, also, thresholds will be lowered from April. It has the potential to completely change the property investor landscape. Here are the stamp duty hotspots where landlords will be hit hardest with upfront costs. Chancellor Rachel Reeves failed to extend the stamp duty holiday in her October Budget What has changed since the Budget? Buyers of second homes now need to stump up a 5 per cent surcharge on existing stamp duty rates up from 3 per cent. Plus, the Chancellor failed to extend the stamp duty holiday at the Budget in a second blow for landlords, who have been enjoying increased thresholds since 2022. Stamp duty is payable on residential properties that cost more than 250,000. First-time buyers dont pay stamp duty on properties valued at less than 425,000. Rates begin at 5 per cent and increase to 12 per cent depending on the value of the property. Additional property buyers must now pay an extra 5 per cent. For example a landlord buying a property worth 309,572 (the average price of a home in England, according to the UK House Price Index) would have paid 12,266 in stamp duty before the Budget. At this point a 3 per cent surcharge on top of existing stamp duty rates was imposed. On October 31 after Ms Reeves increased the surcharge to 5 per cent, 18,457 would have been due. That same landlord will need to pay 20,957 from April 1 when the stamp duty holiday ends and thresholds fall back. On top of that, new rules mean landlords must attain an energy performance certificate (EPC) at band C by 2030, which could also prove costly. Landlords in South face biggest bills Brokers have warned droves of landlords could trim back investment or even exit the sector altogether following rises to the much-hated tax. Those spooked by the Chancellors announcement have already pulled out of deals after they were suddenly forced to find thousands of pounds more to complete sales within a matter of days. John Hawkesford, of Hawkesford James estate agents in Sittingbourne, Kent, says landlords in his area are already anticipating a squeeze. He knows of seven who issued notice on their properties in order to sell up earlier this month. Plus, hes lost two sales since the Budget as landlords withdraw investment in the face of higher upfront costs. Landlords are so scared that Labour are going to come back later down the line with more charges so its seen as time to exit the sector, he says. In spring, buy-to-let investors in the capital will face an average stamp duty bill of 43,121, the Coventry BS calculations show. The calculations consider the 5 per cent surcharge and the fallback of the thresholds. Its based on official average house prices for regions. London has the biggest average bill. Before Ms Reevess inaugural Budget, just 29,997 was due for investment purchases in the capital. Landlords in the South East will have the second highest stamp duty charge after London at 28,480 from April, up from 18,284 just a month ago. Plus, property investors in the East of England will be hit by a 24,419 tax bill from spring, up from 15,035 before the Budget. Portfolio and casual landlords will vanish from the property scene because of the increase, says Ben Perks, director of Orchard Financial Advisers. He says: I have portfolio landlords who up until a year ago were buying a property every three months at least. Now they have to pay additional tax so they have been put off. Casual landlords just wont bother as theyll have to pay extra tax to get the property to then be taxed on their income. The changes could see an exodus of landlords to the North where yields are more attractive. North and Midlands to see largest hikes While landlords in the South will need to stump up the highest amount from April, other regions will see the biggest percentage increase in their stamp duty bills. Buyers of a second home in the East Midlands will pay 99.83 per cent more than before the Budget. The county set to see the biggest hike is Greater Manchester. Here, landlords stamp duty bills will increase by 99.14 per cent in April. Payments will climb to 14,558 in April, up from 7,311 last month. Second home buyers in Nottinghamshire will have to pay an average of 14,191 from April, a 98.38 per cent increase on stamp duty bills from before the Budget. The West Midlands county follows close behind with a 98.24 per cent increase. However, the impact of stamp duty changes wont just be felt in the regions with the biggest bills or percentage hikes, as all counties with available house price data will see their stamp duty liability rise by more than a third in April. Are you a landlord worried about the stamp duty increase? Email L.evans@dailymail.co.uk Theres a classic saying that the City of Boulder is 25 square miles surrounded by reality. After years spent on the ever-intensifying frontlines of homelessness, Jen Livovich has a saying of her own. Reality has come to Boulder. Livovich slept on Boulders sidewalks for five years, sometimes behind the municipal building, where she watched the citys leadership come and go. Today, the founder of nonprofit Streetscape is Boulders most visible homeless advocate, and she blames the recent warp-speed availability of fentanyl and methamphetamine for the blight and the increase in aggressiveness among Boulder's transient community. The Denver Gazette reviewed dozens of police reports, walked Boulders streets, interviewed many people and monitored numerous social media websites for the latest information on what has bourgeoned into a crisis in the famed university town. The city and countys first responders are overwhelmed by the rise in calls for drunkenness, trespassing, indecent exposure, welfare checks, fires and overdoses related to homeless people, The Denver Gazette found. Crimes are getting more brazen and aggressive, virtually all in authority agreed. A recently observed first-hand scene: A man swimming naked in Boulder Creek was accosted by a transient who didnt appreciate it. You (expletive) flashed me? one man yelled at the other, threatening to gun him down. Neither the gun threat nor the apparently illegal bathing was reported, and both men retreated in different directions down the trail. These types of incidents along the Boulder Creek walkway have become so common the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau took the scenic path, a crown-jewel of the city, off of the things to do for tourists list due to safety concerns, acknowledged Chief Executive Officer Charlene Hoffman in an email. Half of the homeless people interviewed for Boulder Countys July 2024 Point in Time survey claimed mental illness and nearly 40% said they abused substances. Another 30% said alcohol was their drug of choice, but any or all of those numbers could be higher because the count's results are self-reported. Still, mental illness and drugs often go hand-in-hand with homelessness. And medical resources are strained. On Aug. 16, police and firefighters rushed to the Walgreens at 2870 28th St. on a life threatening overdose. It looks like four doses of Narcan were administered and the party is now awake, advised dispatch. A first responders exhausted response from the ground spoke volumes: The party is now upset with firefighters. He stood up. Hes walking away." This bizarre state of unruliness is a continuous loop. Two weeks ago, a man who claimed to have died on the cross strolled into a Vietnamese restaurant during lunchtime, loudly disrupting patrons. Last week, a man took off his pants and left them on a gift shop counter, frightening the young clerk. Police scanner traffic starting the weekend of Friday, Nov. 1 described the following: A man urinating on the Pearl Street Mall and screaming at people. An older man climbing up and down the bathroom stalls looking at guests at an Embassy Suites. A possible indecent exposure at a bakery. A man in a black hoodie in Central Park, stating he was going to stab Democrats (The police said he did not have a weapon). A complaint of an assault by a transient ... holding a bag of Cheetos. And two wildland fires, one started by a tent set aflame and another two days later, which began as an encampment fire and spread to nearby trees. Officers found melted bicycle parts in the coals. including a bike wheel that someone had turned into a makeshift grill. A raw steak was left smoking on the melting bike spokes. Downtown workers say they are frightened Business owners said that crime increased on the Pearl Street Mall during COVID and became the norm. Its part of doing business down on the mall now, said Connie Brenton, a Boulder native who owns Art Mart Gifts. Its scary for those of us working down here. Weve had people who are too afraid to work at our store." Brenton is often greeted by human feces at the front and back doors. Someone broke a window and bashed her cash register to the floor until it spilled money. At 66, the shop owner has been known to chase thieves down for a fistful of jewelry. She is tired of begging the City Council for help, but she has an ally in Councilmember Tara Winer, who was attacked in September by a man who was yelling racial slurs at children during the grand opening of a dim sum restaurant. When Winer followed Chase Raskin, he hit her in the face, threw her down and then bit the men who came to pull him off of her. Boulder District Attorney Michael Dougherty charged Raskin, 26, with 20 counts, including third degree assault and numerous ethnic intimidation counts. Raskin, who is not homeless, is undergoing mental health treatments in Florida before he can go through court competency evaluations. 102 unprovoked attacks by homeless people The city saw 102 unprovoked attacks by homeless people from May to September this year, according to data provided to The Denver Gazette by the Boulder Police Department. Before police were required to specify homelessness on their reports, that number was much lower just eight in the summer of 2021. Police have identified three hot spots where Boulders homeless gather: All Roads Shelter at 4869 Broadway, an underpass at Rosewood and Broadway just blocks away, and Central Park. Greg Gustins mobile home park is steps from that overpass, which he said looks like Fight Club. Hes a big man, but hes often nervous when he escorts people across. A Denver Gazette analysis of police calls for service in Boulder at All Roads Shelter and at the underpass shows significantly higher rates of police activity compared to other parts of the city. Even accounting for population density and household income, the concentration of certain calls in these zones far exceeds what demographics alone would predict. The data shows dramatic over-representation of calls for medical emergencies, public disturbances, and incidents involving intoxicated individuals. For example, calls classified as "drunk person" and "CARE," which stands for community assistance and response events, occur at multiple times at the rate expected based on demographics. The areas along north Broadway near the shelter and underpass have significantly more calls for medical assistance, trespassing, harassment and public drunkenness as a portion of all calls. When compared to another hotspot for homeless-related incidents the Central Park area in downtown Boulder the disparity remains evident. Some of the victims of homeless crime are an unsuspecting public. Often, as in other cities, Boulders homeless prey on each other. In July, the body of a missing 19-year-old woman who had been living on Boulder's streets was found wrapped in multiple blankets and strapped to a bike trailer. Zaria Hardee's mother and several friends suspect she was killed by someone in the homeless community. Boulder police said they are waiting for test results before they make an arrest. The tragic and mysterious death of Zaria Hardee: Boulder's forgotten homeless teen Featured Local Savings A man who described himself as The Golden Swan, who was riding a bright pink bicycle by All Roads Shelter, said that he stays in Boulder because Denvers homeless community is too dangerous. Mostly I stay in my seat on my bike, he said. During the last cold spell and snow, All Roads was forced to turn away 67 people, the most ever for a three-day period. Tipping point Boulder Police Chief Stephen Redfearn acknowledged that assaultive behavior is on the rise in part because drugs like methamphetamine have saturated the community, and there are few places for the mentally ill on the street to go. Some believe that homelessness is at a tipping point and Boulders most critical issue. Its one that gives Mayor Aaron Brockett sleepless nights. Im not going to pretend that crime isnt a problem, said Brockett. "We have very limited options for people who don't have the money to pay for them." In a perfect world, Brockett would like to see a 100-bed inpatient treatment facility in Boulder. If I could will something into existence in this town, that would be it, he said, but he added that such a facility would require financing from the state or federal government because theres just not enough money locally. The city of Boulder provides no overnight mental health services and only one homeless shelter for single adults. All Roads shelter has 180 beds and offers day services. One other shelter, Haven Ridge, offers beds for women, transgender and non-binary adults, youth and people fleeing domestic violence. Tribe Recovery Homes, a residential treatment program, is for men only, and Boulder Bridge House, a sober-only 45-bed program, has a 74% success rate placing homeless people into jobs. Though hundreds sleep on the street every night, the services offered today are much improved from where the city found itself in 2016, when Boulder began to develop a system of responses to homelessness with outreach and screening to helping people maintain shelter, officials said. Since October 2021, a program to manage encampments was developed and an attempt to remove unwanted makeshift shelters began in November 2023, when voters passed a ballot measure amending the city code to prioritize the removal of tents and propane tanks near schools, sidewalks and the many paths that wind through the city. In three years, Boulders Safe and Managed Public Spaces Program SAMPS has moved 2,514 encampments and hauled out a mountain of debris, 419 tons, from Boulder Creek. When tents, propane tanks and hypodermic needles began appearing in front of Boulder High School, parents launched Safe Zones 4 Kids, which sought to ban encampments within 500 feet of school property lines and 50 feet from walkways and sidewalks. The measure passed with 61% support in November last year. Meanwhile, the Ambassador Program through Downtown Boulder employs a team of four who patrol the Pearl Street Mall. In addition, the Boulder police's Homeless Outreach team finds resources for a core group of people who are constantly getting ticketed and making U-turns from jail to the courts and back to the street. Still, the problem is fluid and often feels out of control to Boulder residents who complain about street dwellers shooting up in public, starting fires and screaming at their cars. In an email, SAMPS Team Utilities Director Joe Taddeucci acknowledged his teams constant struggle with limited enforcement options. He said the Boulder County Jail is "doing what they can to support our work, but the fact of the matter is with jail overcrowding, taking someone to jail is not an option. When officers write tickets, behavior does not change, he said. The latest data on the SAMPS map shows the Boulder Creek Trail is still dotted with tents west along Highway 119, including near a childrens fishing pond. However, the number of tents has decreased significantly since SAMPS started its sweeps. A champion for the homeless On a Friday afternoon, in a shaded corner of Boulders Central Park, Jen Livovich, in a Be Kind sweatshirt, called the hungry by name. Hey, Jared, turn down your music! Come on over and get some food! Helen McCallum looks older than her 65 years. Shes thin and has little time for small talk as she scans the groups of people sitting cross-legged around Central Park. Shes looking for a place in the sun to eat her meatball sandwich. Boulder is a freak show, but anyone can be homeless here and fit in, McCallum said. She is grandmother and has two grown sons, one of whom lives in Longmont and is a Goodwill store manager, and none of them can convince her to live a different life. She can take care of herself, she asserted. Like McCallum, Livovichs descent to the streets began with domestic and substance abuse. She has little concern for politics and a huge intelligence, which she has used to start two nonprofits, participate in numerous advisory groups for substance use and emergency solutions for the homeless. She is currently working on a master's degree in public administration. Her no-nonsense approach to life is laced with humor. At the end of a long list of accomplishments fighting for services for homeless people, her LinkedIn profile denotes frostbite survivor. Livovichs current nonprofit, Streetscape, prioritizes mental health and substance abuse treatment in a city that is a desert for people who have no money to pay for such services. Livovich wants to see streamlined services, supervised treatment when necessary and jail time for people who present a risk to themselves, as opposed to throwing money at housing. She said homeless people are flooding Boulder from across the metro area. On any given day, our homeless dashboard shows 23 new homeless coming to Boulder, she said. The latest numbers from the city back this up. Nearly 70% of people who received services from or contacted Boulder Housing and Human Services report that they have been in town for less than a month. 'I dont belong here' An RTD bus pass swung from a lanyard around Wendy Wollrabs neck. I dont belong here, she told a reporter and proudly displayed a cellphone photo of an attractive suburban mom in huge fashion sunglasses and fresh lipstick evidence of a previous life. While the former registered nurse waits and hopes for a spot in a shelter, her current bedroom is a spot underneath the stair well of a Boulder business, where, she said, its hard to rest when youre afraid. She said that half of the women who sleep in the streets are trading sex for drugs, and shes often mistaken for one of them. If you think for one second its safe out here, youre wrong, said Scott Sorensen, a former aerospace engineer whose vehicle is his home. He theorizes that street criminals target Boulder because they know people dont carry guns. Police reports obtained by The Denver Gazette show that the population that sleeps outside use what they can find for protection in an existence that is often harsh, glimpses of which can be found in a spear fashioned from a wooden chair leg, a fractured bicycle frame, broken glass, large rocks, and even teeth. On Sept. 23, as Ahmad Alissa was being tried for murdering 10 people at the Table Mesa King Soopers, a fight broke out on the other side of town inside the All Roads shelter. It ended up in a bloody mess, when 25-year-old resident Tarik Faulks struck another man in the head with a modern ball and chain. Faulks was charged with second degree assault and felony menacing. Boots on the ground Every week, Kurt Firnhaber, the director of Boulder Housing and Human Services, dons a headlamp and walks Boulder Creek to keep tabs on new encampments so that he can work on getting people in sleeping bags and tents into housing. The longer people stay overnight at the creek, the greater the possibility of having drugs offered to them, Firnhaber said. Livovich insisted that housing is not enough to end homelessness and until the country changes that mindset, nothing will change. Housing is not an intervention for mental health and addiction, she said. Treatment and recovery is." On Friday, she was back in Central Park, calling people to come get a hot plate, wondering who died in the last week since she saw them. I have a distinct view on whats happening as opposed to people who sit in their offices on Zooms. When I see people, I see the old me. Everyone deserves to be treated like a human being," she said. In the efforts to solve its homeless problem, the university hamlet with big city problems has a responsibility not only to its citizens but also to keep a nearly 40,000 student population safe, and it hopes to bring The Sundance Film Festival and its hundreds of millions of dollars to town. Aaron Brockett, the mayor, is aware the current homeless situation is not a good look. Its not good for anybody in all kinds of different ways, which is why we work so hard," he said. Overnight violence kills another local victim as police ask community for more info amid their ongoing investigation . . . Check-it: Homicide 63rd and Manchester This morning just before 1:30 AM patrol officers were dispatched to Research Medical Center on a reported walk-in shooting. The adult male victim was brought to the hospital via private vehicle and was suffering from a gunshot wound. While at the hospital the victim died of their injuries. Preliminary investigation revealed the shooting to have possibly occurred in the area of 63rd street and Manchester. This is being investigated as a homicide and no one is in custody. Detectives are interviewing witnesses and canvassing the area for any physical evidence. Investigators are working to determine what led up to the shooting. If anyone 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 . . . Overnight shooting leaves one man dead in Kansas City Kansas City, Missouri Police Department investigating after man shot, killed in deadly overnight shooting near East 63rd St., Manchester KCPD investigating homicide after man taken to Research Medical Center with gunshot wounds The Kansas City Police Department is investigating a shooting that left one man dead early Sunday. Developing . . . Right now we catch up with actress, model and hottie Rosie who inspires a weekend peek at pop culture, community reporting and top headlines. Check TKC news gathering . . . Cowtown News Poultry Pass Turns out turkeys can fly through KCI The general rule from the Transportation Safety Administration is that if you can pump it, pour it, spread it, or spray it, and it's more than 3.4 ounces, it will go in a checked bag. Toy Train Underway Final welds underway on track for KC Streetcar's Main Street Extension KC Streetcar workers continued work Saturday on a set of final welds connecting rails between the River Market and the southern terminus at the University of Missouri - Kansas City. Lady Kickoff & Nobody Cared?!? LIVE BLOG: NWSL Championship weekend descends on Kansas City Follow along for a compilation of social media posts from the NWSL, teams and reporters leading up to the title game. Golden Ghetto Makes Merry Holiday Boutique: Popular Overland Park Christmas event returns again The Holiday Boutique in Overland Park, Kansas returned to the OP Convention Center with hundreds of local business, vendors for Christmas Double Options In The Dotte 2 new retailers set to open shop at Legends Outlets Two new retailers are expected to open their doors to shoppers at Kansas City's Legends Outlets. Lady Celeb Means Biz Model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Takes Us Behind the Veil of the Celebrity Entrepreneur Rosie Huntington-Whiteley is juggling a portfolio of projects, joining a studio that invests in new talent and launching a capsule fashion collection. White House Free Money Fade Biden makes final push for student loan forgiveness before Trump takes office President Biden is making a last-ditch effort to cancel more student debt before the end of his term, one of his final attempts to erase the loans after facing years of setbacks. MAGA Against MSM Part Deux Trump Tells Republicans to 'Kill' Reporter Shield Bill Passed Unanimously by House The bill, known as the PRESS Act, would codify protections against federal investigators seizing reporters' records. It is now less likely the legislation will clear the Senate before the current session ends. Vlad Against Civilization The Ukraine missile crisis: Putin's shadow war against the west finally breaks cover After Kyiv used Storm Shadow missiles, Russia's leader asserted his 'right' to attack the UK and US. In truth, he has been doing exactly that for two years now Progressive Internets Options Democrats flee X for Bluesky amid Musk-Trump alliance Bluesky, an alternative social media platform to X, has experienced a large surge in users as Democrats, including a number of prominent figures on the left, announce their departure from the social media network owned by Elon Musk in the wake of the presidential election. Nearly 1 million users have signed up for Bluesky each... Folly Trolley For X-Mas What's that sound? Holiday Jam coming to KC Streetcar beginning Thanksgiving weekend Riders hopping on the KC Streetcar will soon hear live music performances on board the Holiday Streetcar. Fun: Drink Cuban Coffee & Read TKC VERY FAST!!! New cafe, Cortadito, brings Cuban flavors and hospitality to KCK Cortadito owners Karell Martinez and Nubia Gomez // Photo by Tiffany Watts This Saturday, Kansas City's newest Cuban cafe, Cortadito, opened its doors, inviting the community to experience the warmth, flavor, and spirit of Cuba right in the heart of the city. Katie's Forecast For Now . . . This weekend is the warmest it will be for the next week Saturday will have high temperatures around 57 degrees; Sunday has the potential to be a bit warmer. but it's all cold from there with chances of snow later in the week. Fontaines D.C. - Favourite is the song of the day and this is the OPEN THREAD for right now. Kansas City's Waldo neighborhood remain beset by property crime, vandalism and all manner of vagrancy that endangers otherwise peaceful middle-class residents. However . . . Because of tragic shootings and social media banter the public mistakenly imagines that lawlessness "looks a certain way" when, in fact . . . Just like the Kansas City neighborhood . . . When we talk to Waldo residents they tell us that their crime problem is just as diverse as their neighborhood. And so . . . We share this recent report about small biz suffering an EXPENSIVE setback as local merchants still struggle to address rampant Kansas City thievery. Check-it . . . "A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department indicated that around 12:45 a.m. on Tuesday, law enforcement officials said they were called to the area of B.E. TEK, near Warnoll Rd. and W. 73rd St., with reports of a suspicious man pushing a shopping cart. "When first responders arrived, they found SUSPECT and and the cart with multiple laptops inside valued at at least $1,300. Surveillance footage revealed he had taken the computers during a break-in at the store. The business owner also told investigators he had broken a $7,000 custom door that would need to be replaced. "Law enforcement officials said SUSPECT was arrested and booked into the Jackson County Detention Center. He now faces charges of burglary and stealing and could spend a maximum of 14 years in prison with a $20,000 fine if convicted." "As of Saturday, SUSPECT remains behind bars on a $7,500 bond." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . KCTV5: Attempt to steal laptops from Waldo business lands KC man behind bars Developing . . . Today we want to share ideas and challenge readers to think outside of partisan lines drawn by our betters for low-income & low-info voters. The big question . . . HOW WILL MAGA MASS DEPORTATIONS IMPACT KANSAS CITY?!?! It's the biggest going away party since Eisenhower's "Operation Wetback" and it should create memories that last a lifetime inasmuch as old school Kansas City Westsiders still remember getting carted away back in 1954. Punchline . . . I guess they all made it back. But let's not spoil the fun. Of course the knee-jerk objections against mass deportations start with maintaining the status quo, expediency and economic interest. Here's how that logic plays itself out . . . "Think of it as a simple matter of supply and demand. Although the labor market has eased from the days of COVID-19, it remains tight, and unemployment is currently 4.1%. Businesses still report difficulty finding workers. "Meanwhile, in some sectors of the economy construction, hospitality and agriculture foreign-born workers make up a significant percentage of the labor pool. And many of them are immigrants in the country illegally or workers who may have temporary visas. "It logically follows that removing them or scaring off others who may be planning to come to America could cause labor shortages and mean delays in getting goods to consumers or slower customer service. "Ultimately, that could lead to higher prices something Americans have clearly shown theyre already sick of." That's great but . . . Conservatives tell us that that arguments for economic expediency also supported the slave trade and shouldn't be the determining factor in devising US policy. That's a valid point . . . However . . . Like it or not, eliminating corporate profit by way of illegal immigration crackdown pits MAGA against American biz both big & small . . . So-called "undocumented" labor is mostly subsidized by taxpayers and American companies have ALWAYS struggled to maintain incentives no matter the cost to security, Democracy or any other concerns that are CLEARLY not as important as the bottom line. And all of that begs the question: Will American companies pay legal residents more money in order to compete for the best workers? Hint: The answer to that question has always been a resounding "NO" for all of modern history but MAYBE this election really did change things. We'll see . . . In the meantime . . . What we notice is MAGA looking for a fight. But therein lies The Kansas City Shuffle . . . - MAGA wants to fight the Democratic party on immigration but even the most diehard progressives have already caved on this issue and won't really put up much of a fight to block deportations. - MAGA would seemingly love to battle "diverse communities" over deportation but a quick survey would see both Black & Latino neighborhoods eager to remove criminals from their streets. - MAGA is ready to destroy activists who stand in the way but all they'll find is a few leftists and less than a handful of "sanctuary cities" on the fringe who have only social media followers to support their ranting. - Even our own Mayor Q is ready to quickly back down when challenged on "welcoming migrants" and clarify that he's only talking about the legal visitors. And so . . . The fight for MAGA deportations is really a struggle against corporate greed. The only problem is that Prez-elect Trump has struggled tto overcome incredible odds in his triumphant return trip to the White House whereas capitalism has EFFORTLESSLY dominated D.C. for centuries and shows no signs of weakening its conquest over global commerce because of something as insignificant as the results of an election. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . . Trump's deportation vow alarms Texas construction industry Texas builders warn mass deportations of undocumented migrants could devastate the construction industry, threatening housing and infrastructure work in one of the nation's fastest-growing states. Trump's mass deportations could split 4 million mixed-status families. How one is getting ready. Lillie, a U.S. citizen whose husband is undocumented, got passports for her U.S.-born children and plans to get a power of attorney drawn up in case her spouse is deported. Most Americans say undocumented immigrants should be able to stay legally under certain conditions Among those who support mass deportations, 43% also say undocumented immigrants should have a way to stay in the country legally. Blue state to shutter over a dozen migrant shelters as Trump's set to implement deportation agenda New York will close 12 migrant shelters before the end of the year and weeks before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. The crisis is set to cost New York City around $12 billion. Los Angeles declares itself an immigration 'sanctuary' The move is likely to put the city on a collision course with the incoming Trump administration. Developing . . . It has already been 20 years since Jenny McCarthy & Kelly Clarkson teamed up to remember a 90s campaign that was one of the most groundbreaking instance of bawdy American advertising. We enjoyed the original adverts more but the reboot was a bit more tasteful and fitting to lead this weekends collection of news that didn't quite make our TKC front page . . . Check-it: Local Newsie Beef Kansas City has the meats: How the city's butcher shops prepare for Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is the busiest time of year for Kansas City butchers. If you're looking for the right meat to go on your table this holiday season, the city's locally-owned butcher shops can be your guide. Upscale Accommodations The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art announces international design competition shortlist Finalists expanded to six teams following outstanding response to global open call (Kansas City, MO - Nov. 21, 2024) The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art today announced the six finalist teams who will take part in the international design competition's second stage. Locals Pinch Pennies Grocery shoppers look to save on this year's Thanksgiving dinner Many families across the Kansas City area are gearing up for the traditional Thanksgiving holiday feast. MAGA Moves Markets Kansas City-area companies gained millions in value after the election - Kansas City Business Journal Many Kansas City-area companies saw their stocks surge in the aftermath of the presidential election. See what went up - and by how much. Historic Rock Chalk Tribute John Brown in Kansas: A tour of the state's landmarks and tributes to the militant abolitionist Abolitionist John Brown wasn't born in Kansas, but made his mark during the Bleeding Kansas era before the Civil War. Today, 165 years after his execution, Brown's violent acts and influence are commemorated across the state of Kansas - including the site of the Pottawatomie massacre. Show-Me End Game Cash Nonprofit drops $150K into PAC supporting lame-duck Missouri governor * Missouri Independent The nonprofit set up to pay for Gov. Mike Parson's 2021 inauguration gave $150,000 this week to the PAC that helped get him elected. Golden Ghetto Shout Out Overland Park Mayor thanks team who saved his life after August crash The Mayor of Overland Park has shown his gratitude to medical professionals and first responders after a full recovery from a serious collision. Royal Tribute To Captain Salvador Perez to receive prestigious honors: 'A class act' Aside from all of these awards over his 13-year career, the awards show claims that Perez's involvement in the community is what earned him the honors. For example, the instance in which he t... Sparking Local Biz zTrip owner bolsters EV-charging network with new facility in Kansas City - Kansas City Business Journal A Kansas City-based fleet operator unveiled an EV-charging network facility in the Kansas City metro and plans to role out additional charging hubs in the 36 states where it operates. KC Current Success Temwa Chawinga named NWSL MVP after record-breaking season Chawinga scored 21 goals in 27 matches, becoming the first player in league history to eclipse the 20-goal mark in a single season. Northland Needs Help Too 'We're on a fixed income': Homeowners in Clay County look toward new property tax relief program Homeowners in Clay County packed another informational meeting Tuesday to learn more about the new property tax relief program. Lesson In Austerity Parents proposed upgrades for Lee's Summit Elementary. Instead, district wants to close it Parents believed their children and their school were thriving, but knew improvements were needed. They didn't expect a proposed closure. Vintage Vindication Best of KC 2024: Fetch signs up to be KC's unapologetic mouthpiece The Pitch's Best of KC 2024 votes are in and winners have been crowned, but here is a look at who we thought won 2024 in KC. Celebrate Kansas City Collab It's OK to open with joy: How two moms' dreams just launched twin shops on Brookside-Waldo border Two women, longtime friends, have similar entrepreneur origin stories. Now they have side-by-side shops in a bustling neighborhood shopping district. The twin storefronts come as the mothers-turned-business owners pivot from freelancing to full-time entrepreneurship. Another Guide For Season Of Drinking Christmas pop-up bars to celebrate the holiday season in Kansas City Christmas pop-up bars are showing up every day at different restaurants and bars on both sides of the state line. All or most of them are offering delicious seasonal cocktails, fun holiday activities and decked-out rooms to make it look like a winter wonderland Developing . . . The debate over this cowtown's "precious bodily fluids" starts before the MAGA nominee is even confirmed to "go wild" on public health . . . For now here's an overview of a controversial debate: KC Water maintains fluoride levels of around 0.62 ppm, which is less than the EPA's maximum contaminant level of 4 ppm. Federal officials took four years to reach the decision on the new standards. Johnson County, Kansas, adopted the new recommendation in 2011. Kansas City Water Services said it will implement the new recommendations immediately. Kansas City first started putting fluoride in the drinking water in 1980. The Missouri and Kansas rivers, which are the source of most of the regions drinking water, both have naturally occurring fluoride of about half the recommended levels. Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Officials reduce recommended levels of drinking water fluoride For the first time in 50 years, the federal government has issued new regulations about how much fluoride members of the public should consume. More . . . 3 charts that help explain why there's fluoride in drinking water | CNN President-elect Donald Trump has picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as his Health and Human Services secretary and while we don't know what the policies will be, one thing Kennedy has signaled he would look at is fluoridation of water across the United States. Top Florida health official advises against fluoride in drinking water Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Friday announced a recommendation against community water fluoridation. The recommendation comes as a Florida city voted last week to remove fluoride from its drinking water, with one city commissioner citing Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s past comments on the matter as one of the reasons. Developing . . . . Welcome Guest! You are here: Home All eyes on Naidu, Nitish as Modi govt pushes Waqf Amendment Bill 2024 All eyes are on whether TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and JDU leader Nitish Kumar would support the government or the opposition on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Sunday November 24, 2024 7:18 PM , Syed Ali Mujtaba New Delhi: The Waqf (Amendment) Bill 2024 is set to be introduced in the Winter Session of the Parliament, which will commence on November 25 and likely conclude on December 20. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has vowed to pass the Waqf bill in the upcoming winter session of the Parliament. All eyes are on whether TDP leader Chandrababu Naidu and JDU leader Nitish Kumar would support the government or the opposition on the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024. The Bill has sparked debate with opposition parties and minority organizations who are alleging that it seeks to centralize the governments control over Waqf properties, undermining state rights and the Muslim communitys autonomy. The Bill, introduced during the 2024 Monsoon Session of the Parliament on July 28, caused a ruckus in the house and was then referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for wider scrutiny. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) has examined the proposed legislation since August this year and is still to submit its report. The committee has held 27 meetings and is eager to submit its report in the Parliament by the end of the coming week. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) Chairman and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal announced that the 27th meeting would be the last sitting of the panel and a draft report would be circulated to the members shortly. The Opposition members on November 21 demanded an extension of the tenure of the committee, contending that they need more time to study the changes to the draft legislation. The Waqf committee is required to submit its report on or before November 29. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 has met with opposition from minority communities, civil society, and opposition leaders with some seeing it as an attempt to limit the rights of the Muslim community. The bill would centralize control of waqf properties under government officials rather than community representatives. It could have wide-ranging ramifications for the Muslim community and its rights. The bill, along with the proposed Uniform Civil Code (UCC), is part of a broader plan to reshape India's socio-political landscape. The bill would undermine the powers of the state government and state waqf boards. The bill would restrict the authority of waqf boards in matters of registration and survey of waqf properties. Additionally, it proposes to include non-Muslims and Muslim women in the Central Waqf Council and state Waqf Boards. The bill aims to reduce the powers of Waqf boards, which currently have the authority to designate a property as "waqf property". The bill intends to rename the Waqf Act, of 1995, to the Unified Waqf Management, Empowerment, Efficiency, and Development Act. The bill allows Waqf to be formed by declaration, recognition based on long-term use, or endowment. According to the bill, only a person practicing Islam for at least five years may declare a waqf. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) President Moulana Khalid Saifullah Rehmani declared that he would oppose the proposed Waqf bill "at all costs," even stating that the AIMPLB members are willing to risk their lives for this cause. Muslim Law Board Chief called to stop the Waqf bill saying: "It is a matter of life and death for us, and we should stop it (Waqf bill) at all costs. If needed, the Muslims of the country will fill the jails in such a way that the government will not have any place to house criminals." The AIMPLB Chief further said: "If needed, we will not hesitate to give our own lives". Rahmani emphasized that the government's main goal is to take Waqf land from Muslims. He questioned: "If non-Muslims manage Waqf boards, will they care about your mosques and graveyards? The result will be that your land will be taken away. This is a dangerous bill." This action by the central government goes against the Constitution, democratic values, federalism, and the pluralistic structure of India, he stated. The Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren met a delegation from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB). The AIMPLB after the meeting, released a statement saying that Soren would "never support the Waqf Amendment Bill 2024." In a related matter, on October 22, Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee had a heated argument with BJP's Abhijit Gangopadhyay during a Joint Parliamentary Committee meeting on the Waqf Bill. As tensions rose, Banerjee smashed a glass water bottle on the table in frustration, injuring his thumb and index finger. He was suspended for one day by the Parliamentary committee for his disruptive behavior during the meeting. The Joint Parliamentary Committee reportedly has received emails in hundreds of thousands from concerned Muslims opposing the Bill. [The writer, Syed Ali Mujtaba, is a Journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Nov, 2024) Provincial Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora attended a seminar on Minorities Rights & Constitutional Protection held at the Renewal Centre Auditorium in Youhanabad on Sunday. The event brought together a diverse group of participants, including Parliamentary Secretary of HR&MA Sonia Asher, former Minister Ejaz Alam Augustine, government officials, religious leaders, and representatives from various minority communities. The seminar served as a vital platform for discussing the protection of minority rights under the Constitution of Pakistan and raising awareness about the importance of safeguarding these rights in the contemporary social and political landscape. In his keynote address, Minister Ramesh Singh Arora highlighted the government of Punjab's firm commitment to ensuring the constitutional protection of minorities. He emphasized the provincial governments ongoing efforts to create an inclusive society where equal opportunities and rights are guaranteed for all citizens, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity. Minister Arora also announced that the government of Punjab will be launching Minority Cards to uplift religious minorities. Additionally, he shared that the Minority Affairs Department is preparing a five-year strategic plan, making it the first-ever provincial department to have such a comprehensive roadmap. Peter Jacob, Executive Director of Search for Justice, delivered the welcome speech at the seminar, stressing the importance of dialogue and cooperation between the government, civil society, and religious communities. He underscored that such forums are crucial in advancing the cause of minority rights and fostering understanding and collaboration among diverse groups. Parliamentary Secretary Sonia Asher also emphasized the collaborative efforts between the government and religious communities to address the challenges faced by minorities. She expressed the government's ongoing determination to ensure the protection and empowerment of religious minorities across the province. Former Minister Ejaz Alam Augustine, in his address, acknowledged the positive steps being taken through the seminar to address the issues faced by religious minorities. He noted that the discussions and constructive conversations held during the seminar would contribute to strengthening the legal and institutional frameworks for protecting minority rights. He also reiterated the importance of interfaith dialogue, mutual respect for diversity, and the collective responsibility to ensure that Pakistan remains a nation where the rights of all its citizens are respected and upheld. The seminar also included insightful presentations from various religious minority representatives, who shared their perspectives on the challenges their communities face, as well as potential solutions for ensuring greater protection and inclusion. At the conclusion of the seminar, a memorial shield was presented to Minister Ramesh Singh Arora and other distinguished guests in recognition of their valuable contributions towards the protection and advancement of minority rights. (@ChaudhryMAli88) Middletown, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Nov, 2024) The planned reopening of the Three Mile Island nuclear plant is praised as a boon for Pennsylvania and a boost for AI, but it is loathed by residents still haunted by a near-catastrophic meltdown there in 1979. "Gas is under attack. Coal is shutting down all over this country. You got to have the base load. And nuclear is probably the most efficient base load source we have," Pennsylvania Building and Trades Council president Robert Bair told AFP, arguing that the reopening of the plant will benefit the entire country. Gains could include some 3,400 jobs and three billion Dollars in tax revenue for the surrounding counties, according to a study by the council. The resurrection of Three Mile Island (TMI) -- half of which remained operating after the 1979 meltdown, only closing down due to economic reasons in 2019 -- was prompted by Microsoft's need to fuel its power-hungry data centers. A revolution in generative artificial intelligence has triggered a surge in energy needs for those data centers, pushing cloud computing giants to look for additional low carbon energy sources. microsoft -- which is also the biggest shareholder in OpenAI, the company at the forefront of the artificial intelligence arms race -- has signed a 20-year contract with TMI operator Constellation, which says all the power the plant generates will go to the Silicon Valley behemoth. "I'm good with (the power station reopening), but that's mainly because my best friend works for OpenAI," joked Shay McGarvey, a bus driver in Middletown, less than three miles from the power station. "No, actually it's more about the amount of jobs it's going to create," he added. "This unit was a good neighbor to Londonderry Township and our surrounding region for 45 years," said Bart Shellenhamer, chair of the Londonderry Township board, which represents TMI. Tel Aviv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Nov, 2024) Former Israeli hostages, freed from Hamas captivity under a deal that took effect exactly one year ago, on Sunday called for immediate action to secure a deal for the release of those still held. The only truce in the Israel-Hamas war began on November 24 last year, less than two months after fighting began, following negotiations led by Qatar and supported by Egypt and the United States. Over the week-long pause, 80 Israelis held by militants in Gaza were freed, in exchange for 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. Another 25 hostages, mostly Thai farm workers, were also released from captivity in Gaza. Repeated efforts since then by mediators to secure another truce and hostage-release have failed. Qatar early this month said it was suspending its mediation role until the warring sides show "seriousness." "Everything has already been said, and now action is required. We don't have any more time," said Gabriella Leimberg, a former hostage kidnapped from southern Israel on October 7, 2023 when Hamas Palestinian militants from Gaza stormed across the border, triggering the war. She spoke during a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the hostage release. "For 53 days, the one thing that kept me going is that we, the people of Israel, the Jewish people, sanctify life -- we don't leave anyone behind," she said. Leimberg, along with her daughter, Mia, and sister Clara, were all freed during the week-long truce. Since then, Israel has rescued seven additional hostages alive and recovered the bodies of several others. But out of 251 people taken hostage on October 7 last year, 97 are still being held inside the Gaza Strip, including 34 who the Israeli military says are dead. "I survived and I was fortunate to get my entire family back," Leimberg said. "I want and demand this for all the families of the hostages." - Families' despair - Danielle Aloni, who was kidnapped with her five-year-old daughter, Emelia, and freed after 49 days, spoke at the ceremony of the "increasing danger" those still being held face every day. She said those still in captivity "suffer physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, their identity and dignity crushed anew each day". "It took the Israeli government about two months to secure a deal for me and 80 other Israeli hostages. Why is it taking over a year to reach another deal to free them from this hell?" asked Aloni, whose brother-in-law, David Cunio, and his brother, Ariel Cunio, are still being held. She emphasised that, even though she and the other hostages gained their freedom a year ago, "we haven't really left the tunnels". "The feeling of suffocation, the terrible humidity, the stench -- these sensations still envelop us," Aloni said, referring to Hamas's underground tunnels where many of the hostages were held. "If people could truly understand what it means to be held in subhuman conditions in tunnels, surrounded by terrorists for 54 days - there's no way they would allow hostages to remain there for 415 days!" said Raz Ben Ami, who was released in the deal a year ago. Her husband, Ohad, is still among those being held. Ben Ami called for a ceasefire to "bring back all the hostages as quickly as possible". reg/it (@ChaudhryMAli88) WASHINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Nov, 2024) Art pieces by prominent Pakistani Islamic calligrapher, Ayesha Kamal, were showcased at an exhibition hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan, marking the inaugural event in the Pakistan Arts, Crafts, and Literature Series. The exhibition was attended by diplomats, US government officials, cultural enthusiasts, media representatives and the Pakistani-American community. Welcoming the guests, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh expressed his admiration for the works of Ms.Kamal, the Lahore-based artist, and stressed the need for preserving and promoting the country's rich art and culture heritage. Islamic calligraphy is not just a visual art form, but a profound expression of faith and spirituality, he said and added that it was a salient exponent of the rich cultural heritage yielded by the Islamic faith. Tracing the historical evolution of calligraphy, Ambassador Sheikh underscored the significant contributions of the Muslim world, from the early Quranic manuscripts and inscriptions to the golden age of calligraphy during the Ottoman Empire. Pakistans calligraphers have made significant contributions to the evolution and refinement of this art form, including Sadequain and Ustad Allah Bux, he said. In her remarks, Ms. Kamal thanked Ambassador Sheikh for his support in making the event possible. She also shared insights into the techniques and inspirations behind her art. The exhibition featured an array of calligraphic works, reflecting the intricate patterns and flowing script that define this ancient art form that impressed the visitors. When Jean-Charles de Castelbajac watched as Notre Dame cathedral burned in April 2019, he felt compelled to act. Returning home, the French fashion designer began sketching ideas, imagining the monument's reconstruction. So, when the Paris Archbishop's emissary approached him to design the liturgical garments for the cathedral's reopening next month, Castelbajac a believer with personal roots with the church felt the moment transcended mere coincidence. "It's bigger than a job. It's a bit mysterious mysterious," Castelbajac said, his eyes brimming with wonder as he previewed some of the 2,000 colorful pieces for 700 celebrants at his Paris home. "It's a calling. To be called like that is synchronicity." This duty, as he calls it, led to a collection of work crafted in collaboration with the esteemed artisans of 19M studio. The garments, often in thick off-white Scottish wool gabardine, blend his signature eye-popping pop-art aesthetic with a reverence for the cathedral's centuries-old legacy with medieval touches. The unorthodox designs are fun, modern and perhaps shockingly minimalist. They undoubtedly break with the richly embellished styles associated with the cathedral's near-900-year-old liturgical garb. At their center is a large gold cross, accented by debris fragments of vivid color-blocked red, blue, yellow, and green velvet. "It's something that is exploded that reconstructs itself," Castelbajac said, likening the dissipated shards coming together to the cathedral's own rebirth. The commission was not subject to an open call. Instead, Castelbajac was handpicked by the Catholic leadership, due to his history of designing for the church. In 1997, he created the rainbow-colored robes worn by Pope John Paul II for World Youth Day in Paris, garments later enshrined in Notre Dame's treasury as a relic. That connection carried a special weight during the fire. "As I watched the fire, I was thinking, 'Are the relics burning? Are the relics safe?' So my link was not just material. It's really a strong spiritual link," he said. For Castelbajac, 74, the memory of those two hours in 2019 spent watching the fire with his wife amid people praying on their knees still evokes both grief and determination. "It was not Notre Dame burning. It was hope burning. It was spirituality burning. It was such an intense moment I was thinking, what can I do?" he said. The vestments, which will be worn in liturgies permanently forever, as Castelbajac put it carry a sense of continuity with his past work. The designs are a variation on the pontiff's robes, infused with Castelbajac's signature aesthetic: bright, almost childlike hues that evoke optimism. Color defines career Castelbajac's fascination with color began as a child in a military boarding school in Normandy, an experience he recalled as stifling and gray. "It was the absolute loneliness. It was colorless," he said. For the young boy, color became a lifeline. "Color was like my teddy bear, my transitional element in a world of conflict. Each morning, there was the stained glass in the church and the coats of arms in the refectory that filled my world with primary colors," he explained. This obsession would define his career, earning him a reputation as a provocateur in the fashion world. Castelbajac's creations have dressed pop culture royalty for decades: Madonna in her teddy bear coat, Beyonce in sequins, Rihanna in a Donald Duck costume. Collaborating with Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, and Jean-Michel Basquiat, he fused art and fashion into a playground of exuberance. Cathedral's vestments reflect hope While his designs have graced runways and music icons, Castelbajac's work for Notre Dame strikes a different, more personal chord. The playful vestments might raise eyebrows among traditional Catholics, but he has no doubt about the faith Notre Dame's leadership placed in him. "Maybe I have the trust of the archbishop," he mused, reflecting on the "carte blanche" he said he received for his designs. This combination produced a modern-looking body of work that reflects the unity, hope, and rebirth symbolized by Notre Dame itselfjust like the phoenix-like rooster gleaming like fire atop the newly constructed spire. When the cathedral reopens on the weekend of December 7-8, Castelbajac hopes the vestments will be viewed by the world as a testament to renewal and the "power of color" to heal and inspire. On the southeastern coast of the city of Jayapura, Petronela Merauje walked from house to house in her floating village inviting women to join her the next morning in the surrounding mangrove forests. Merauje and the women of her village, Enggros, practice the tradition of Tonotwiyat, which literally means "working in the forest." For six generations, women from the 700-strong Papuan population there have worked among the mangroves collecting clams, fishing and gathering firewood. "The customs and culture of Papuans, especially those of us in Enggros village, is that women are not given space and place to speak in traditional meetings, so the tribal elders provide the mangrove forest as our land," Merauje said. It's "a place to find food, a place for women to tell stories, and women are active every day and earn a living every day." The forest is a short 13 kilometers away from downtown Jayapura, the capital city of Papua, Indonesia's easternmost province. It's been known as the women's forest since 2016, when Enggros' leader officially changed its name. Long before that, it had already been a space just for women. But as pollution, development and biodiversity loss shrink the forest and stunt plant and animal life, those in the village fear an important part of their traditions and livelihoods will be lost. Efforts to shield it from devastation have begun but are still relatively small. Women have their own space but it's shrinking One early morning, Merauje and her 15-year-old daughter took a small motorboat toward the forest. Stepping off on Youtefa Bay, mangrove trees all around, they stood chest-deep in the water with buckets in hand, wiggling their feet in the mud to find bia noor, or soft-shell clams. The women collect these for food, along with other fish. "The women's forest is our kitchen," said Berta Sanyi, another woman from Enggros village. That morning, another woman joined the group looking for firewood, hauling dry logs onto her boat. And three other women joined on a rowboat. Women from the next village, Tobati, also have a women's forest nearby. The two Indigenous villages are only 2 kilometers apart, and they're culturally similar, with Enggros growing out of Tobati's population decades ago. In the safety of the forest, women of both villages talk about issues at home with one another and share grievances away from the ears of the rest of the village. Alfred Drunyi, the leader of Drunyi tribe in Enggros, said that having dedicated spaces for women and men is a big part of the village's culture. There are tribal fines if a man trespasses and enters the forest, and the amount is based on how guilty the community judges the person to be. "They should pay it with our main treasure, the traditional beads, maybe with some money. But the fines should be given to the women," Drunyi said. But Sanyi, 65, who's been working in the forest since she was just 17, notes that threats to the space come from elsewhere. Development on the bay has turned acres of forest into large roads, including a 700-meter bridge into Jayapura that passes through Enggros' pier. Jayapura's population has exploded in recent decades, and around 400,000 people live in the city the largest on the island. In turn, the forest has shrunk. Nearly six decades ago, the mangrove forest in Youtefa Bay was about 514 hectares. Estimates say it's now less than half that. "I am so sad when I see the current situation of the forest," Sanyi said, "because this is where we live." She said many residents, including her own children, are turning to work in Jayapura instead of maintaining traditions. Pollution puts traditions and health at risk Youtefa Bay, where the sea's brackish water and five rivers in Papua meet, serves as the gathering bowl for the waste that runs through the rivers as they cross through Jayapura. Plastic bottles, tarpaulins and pieces of wood are seen stuck between the mangrove roots. The water around the mangrove forest is polluted and dark. After dozens of years being able to feel the clams on the bay with her feet, Sanyi said she now often has to feel through trash first. And once she removes the trash and gets to the muddy ground where the clams live, there are many fewer than there used to be. Paula Hamadi, 53, said that she never saw the mangrove forest as bad as it is now. For years, she's been going to the forest almost every day during the low tide in the morning to search for clams. "It used to be different," Hamadi said. "From 8 a.m. to 8:30 in the morning, I could get one can. But now, I only get trash." The women used to be able to gather enough clams to sell some at the nearest village, but now their small hauls are reserved for eating with their families. A study in 2020 found that high concentrations of lead from waste from homes and businesses were found at several points in the bay. Lead can be toxic to humans and aquatic organisms, and the study suggests it has contaminated several species that are often consumed by the people of Youtefa Bay. Other studies also showed that populations of shellfish and crab in the bay were declining, said John Dominggus Kalor, a lecturer on fisheries and marine sciences at Cenderawasih University. "The threats related to heavy metal contamination, microplastics, and public health are high," Kalor said. "In the future, it will have an impact on health." Some are trying to save the land Some of the mangrove areas have been destroyed for development, leading to degradation throughout the forest. Mangroves can absorb the shocks of extreme weather events, like tsunamis, and provide ecosystems with the needed environment to thrive. They also serve social and cultural functions for the women, whose work is mostly done between the mangroves. "In the future people will say that there used to be a women's forest here" that disappeared because of development and pollution, said Kalor. Various efforts to preserve it have been made, including the residents of Enggros village themselves. Merauje and other women from Enggros are trying to start mangrove tree nurseries and, where possible, plant new mangrove trees in the forest area. "We plant new trees, replace the dead ones, and we also clean up the trash around Youtefa Bay," Merauje said. "I do that with my friends to conserve, to maintain this forest." Beyond efforts to reforest it, Kalor said there also needs to be guarantees that more of the forest won't be flattened for development in the future. There is no regional regulation to protect Youtefa Bay and specifically the women's forests, but Kalor thinks it would help prevent deforestation in the future. "That should no longer be done in our bay," he said. Hundreds of homeowners in England and Wales were battling floodwaters Monday morning after the second major storm of the winter brought widespread disruption to the United Kingdom. Several rail operators cancelled services as more than 180 flood warnings remained in place after Storm Bert lashed the country with heavy rains and wind gusts up to 129 kph over the weekend. As much as 130 millimeters of rain fell in some areas, causing some rivers to overflow their banks and turning roads into waterways. A severe flood warning, meaning there is danger to life, was issued early Monday for areas near the River Nene in Northampton as water levels continued to rise. Among the hardest hit areas were parts of Wales, where residents of Pontypridd tried to protect their homes by using buckets to bail water over a flood wall and back into the River Taff. Two severe flood warnings issued for the River Monnow in southeast Wales have been lowered to warnings. Because of climate change and warmer oceans, storms can pick up more energy, increasing wind speeds, while a warmer atmosphere can hold more moisture. A gunman was dead and three Jordanian policemen injured after a shooting near the heavily fortified Israeli embassy in the capital Amman in Sunday's early hours, a security source and state media said. Police shot a gunman who had fired at a police patrol in the affluent Rabiah neighborhood of the Jordanian capital, the state news agency Petra reported, citing public security, adding investigations were ongoing. The gunman, who was carrying an automatic weapon, was chased for at least an hour before he was cornered and killed just before dawn, according to a security source. Jordan's communications minister, Mohamed Momani, described the shooting as a terrorist attack that targeted public security forces in the country. He said in a statement that investigations into the incident were under way. "Tampering with the security of the nation and attacking security personnel will be met with a firm response," Momani told Reuters, adding that the gunman had a criminal record in drug trafficking. Jordanian police cordoned off an area near the heavily policed embassy after gunshots were heard, witnesses said. Two witnesses said police and ambulances rushed to the Rabiah district, where the embassy is located. The area is a flashpoint for frequent demonstrations against Israel. The kingdom has been the scene of some of the biggest peaceful protests across the Middle East over Israel's war against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza. Many of Jordans 12 million citizens are of Palestinian origin, they or their parents having been expelled or fled to Jordan in the fighting that accompanied the creation of Israel in 1948. Many have family ties on the Israeli side of the Jordan River. Jordan's 1994 peace treaty with Israel is unpopular among many citizens who regard the normalization of relations as betraying the rights of their Palestinian compatriots. When Kenyan police arrived in Haiti as part of a U.N.-backed mission earlier this year to tackle gang violence, hopes were high. Coordinated gang attacks on prisons, police stations and the main international airport had crippled the country's capital and forced the prime minister to resign, plunging Haiti into an unprecedented crisis. But the crisis has only deepened since the international policing contingent arrived. The main international airport closed for the second time this year after gangs opened fire on commercial flights in mid-November, striking a flight attendant. Gunmen also are attacking once-peaceful communities to try and seize control of the entire capital, taking advantage of political infighting that led to the abrupt dismissal of the prime minister earlier this month. Now, a new prime minister is tasked with turning around a nation that sees no escape from its troubles as Haitians wonder: How did the country reach this point? 'No functioning authority' Bloody coups, brutal dictatorships and gangs created by Haiti's political and economic elite have long defined the country's history, but experts say the current crisis is the worst they've seen. "I'm very bleak about the future," said Robert Fatton, a Haitian politics expert at the University of Virginia. "The whole situation is really collapsing." The government is anemic, the U.N.-backed mission that supports Haiti's understaffed police department lacks funding and personnel, and gangs now control 85% of the capital. Then, on Wednesday, another blow. Doctors Without Borders announced it was suspending critical care in Port-au-Prince as it accused police of targeting its staff and patients, including threats of rape and death. It's the first time the aid group has stopped working with new patients since it began operating in Haiti more than 30 years ago. "Every day that we cannot resume activities is a tragedy, as we are one of the few providers of a wide range of medical services that have remained open during this extremely difficult year," said Christophe Garnier, mission director in Haiti. Lionel Lazarre, deputy spokesperson for Haiti's National Police, did not return messages for comment. Neither did officials with Kenya's mission when asked about the surge in gang violence. In a recent statement, the Kenyan-led mission said it was "cognizant of the road ahead that is fraught with challenges." But it noted that ongoing joint patrols and operations have secured certain communities and forced gangs to change the way they operate. Andre Francois Giroux, Canada's ambassador to Haiti, told The Associated Press on Saturday that his country and others have been trying to bolster the Kenyan-led mission. "They've done miracles, I think, considering all the challenges that we've been facing," he said. "What we have to keep in mind is that it's still very much in deployment mode," Giroux said. "There are not even 400 on the ground right now." A spokesperson for Haiti's new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aime, did not return messages for comment. In a statement Thursday, his administration said authorities were strengthening security along the capital's main roads and had formed a special security council. "The prime minister renews his commitment to find lasting solutions to current problems," it said. The statement was issued just days after gangs launched a pre-dawn attack Tuesday around an upper-class community in Haiti's capital, forcing residents armed with machetes and guns to fight side-by-side with police to repel gunmen. At least 28 gang members were killed, but not before some reached an area near an upscale hotel long considered safe. "It tells you that there is no functioning authority in Haiti," Fatton said. Dwindling aid and growing isolation A main concern in the ongoing crisis is the temporary closure of the main international airport in Port-au-Prince. It means critical aid is not reaching those who need it the most in a country where nearly 6,000 people are starving and nearly half of the more than 11 million inhabitants are experiencing crisis levels of hunger or worse. Gang violence also has left more than 700,000 people homeless in recent years. "We are deeply concerned about the isolation of Port-au-Prince from the rest of Haiti and the world," said Laurent Uwumuremyi, Mercy Corps' country director for Haiti. The aid group helps people including more than 15,000 living in makeshift shelters, but persistent gang violence has prevented workers from reaching a growing number of them in the capital and beyond. Basic goods also are dwindling as the suspension of flights has delayed imports of critical supplies. "Before, there were some neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince that we considered safe that the gangs had never reached, but now they are threatening to take over the control of the entire capital," Uwumuremyi said. At least 150 people were reported killed in the capital and 20,000 forced to flee their homes in the second week of November alone. Overall, more than 4,500 people were reported killed in Haiti so far this year, the U.N. said. Jimmy Cherizier, a former elite police officer who became a gang leader known as Barbecue, warned that a gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm will keep attacking as they demand the resignation of a transitional presidential council tasked with leading the country along with the new prime minister. The council also is supposed to organize general elections for the first time in nearly a decade so voters can choose a president, a position left empty since President Jovenel Moise was killed at his private residence in July 2021. 'What else are you left with?' The U.S. and other countries pushed for a U.N. peacekeeping mission in Haiti at a U.N. Security Council meeting this week. Only about 400 officers from Kenya have arrived, along with a handful of police and soldiers from other countries way short of the 2,500 personnel slated for the mission. "This is not just another wave of insecurity; it is a dramatic escalation that shows no signs of abating," Miroslav Jenca, U.N. assistant secretary general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, said Wednesday at the meeting. But Russia and China oppose a U.N. peacekeeping mission, leaving many to wonder what other options are left for Haiti. Giroux, the Canadian ambassador, said his country supports a peacekeeping operation "when the time is right." "Everybody is looking at a peacekeeping mission as a silver bullet," he said, adding that even if that were to happen, it wouldn't be able to deploy for another six to 12 months. "We need to be realistic." Giroux said he is hopeful that some 600 Kenyans will arrive in Haiti in upcoming weeks, but added that "none of this matters if the political elite doesn't get its act together." The nine-member transitional presidential council has been marred by accusations of corruption and infighting and was criticized for firing the previous prime minister. "I'm at a loss for any short-term solution for Haiti, let alone any long-term solutions," Fatton said. "The gangs have seen that they shouldn't be afraid of the Kenyan mission." He said one option may be for the government to negotiate with the gangs. "At the moment, it is perceived as utterly unacceptable," he said. "But if the situation deteriorates even more, what else are you left with?" Israeli forces carried out airstrikes Monday on Beiruts southern suburbs in attacks that followed Israeli warnings for people to leave the area. The Israeli military said in its warning that Hezbollah militants were operating in Haret Hreik, and a short time later at least two strikes sent heavy smoke rising into the sky. An Israeli military spokesperson said the strikes targeted Hezbollah military command headquarters. The attack came a day after Hezbollah militants fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel in response to an Israeli attack on Beirut that killed at least 29 people. Some of the Hezbollah strikes reached the Tel Aviv area in the heart of Israel and wounded seven people. The assault was one of the largest Hezbollah has mounted since it started firing on Israel more than a year ago in support of Hamas militants, who attacked Israel in October 2023 and have been warring with Israel in Gaza since then. Negotiations have been ongoing to reach a cease-fire to end the Israeli-Hezbollah fighting, with the militant group and the Lebanese government agreeing to a U.S. proposal. But Josep Borrell, the European Unions foreign policy chief, dampened hopes for a halt to the fighting. I am not convinced it is going to happen, Borrell told reporters Sunday evening after a day of meeting with Lebanese officials. I do not see the Israeli government interested clearly in reaching an agreement for a cease-fire. Ive heard so many times that a cease-fire is coming. ... It seems once again Israel is putting new conditions, he said, referring to Israels refusal to allow France to be part of an international monitoring group in southern Lebanon as one example of a new condition. It seems there is not a strong appetite from Israel for a halt to the fighting, he said. Hamas militants killed 1,200 people and captured about 250 hostages in their Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel that sparked the current war. Israel says it believes Hamas is still holding 101 hostages, including 35 the military says are dead. Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians, according to the territory's health ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians in its count. Hamas and Hezbollah been designated a terror group by the United States, the U.K. and other Western countries. Some material in this report came from The Associated Press. Walk into any supermarket and you can generally buy a banana for less than $1. But a banana duct-taped to a wall? That sold for $6.2 million at an auction at Sotheby's in New York. The yellow banana fixed to the white wall with silver duct tape is a work entitled "Comedian," by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan. It first debuted in 2019 as an edition of three fruits at the Art Basel Miami Beach fair, where it became a much-discussed sensation. Was it a prank? A commentary on the state of the art world? Another artist took the banana off the wall and ate it. A backup banana was brought in. Selfie-seeking crowds became so thick, "Comedian" was withdrawn from view, but three editions of it sold for between $120,000 and $150,000, according to Perrotin gallery. Five years later, someone has now paid more than 40 times that higher price point at the Sothebys auction. Or, more accurately, they have purchased a certificate of authenticity that gives them the authority to duct-tape a banana to a wall and call it Comedian. Bidding started at $800,000 and within minutes shot up to $2 million, then $3 million, then $4 million, as the auctioneer joked, Its slipping through the auction room. The final hammer price announced in the room Wednesday was $5.2 million, which didn't include the about $1 million in auction house fees, paid by the buyer. Sothebys calls Cattelan among Contemporary Arts most brilliant provocateurs. He has persistently disrupted the art worlds status quo in meaningful, irreverent, and often controversial ways, the auction house said in a description of Comedian. "What Cattelan is really doing is turning a mirror to the contemporary art world and asking questions, provoking thought about how we ascribe value to artworks, what we define as an artwork," Galperin said. The banana that was on display in Miami is long gone. Sotheby's says the fruit always was meant to be replaced regularly, along with the tape. "What you buy when you buy Cattelan's 'Comedian' is not the banana itself, but a certificate of authenticity that grants the owner the permission and authority to reproduce this banana and duct tape on their wall as an original artwork by Maurizio Cattelan," Galperin said. The very title of the piece suggests Cattelan himself likely didn't intend for it to be taken seriously. But Chloe Cooper Jones, an associate professor at the Columbia University School of the Arts, said it is worth thinking about the context. Cattelan premiered the work at an art fair, visited by well-off art collectors, where "Comedian" was sure to get a lot of attention on social media. That might mean the art constituted a dare, of sorts, to the collectors to invest in something absurd, she said. If "Comedian" is just a tool for understanding the insular, capitalist, art-collecting world, Cooper Jones said, "it's not that interesting of an idea." But she thinks it might go beyond poking fun at rich people. Cattelan is often thought of as a "trickster artist," she said. "But his work is often at the intersection of the sort of humor and the deeply macabre. He's quite often looking at ways of provoking us, not just for the sake of provocation, but to ask us to look into some of the sort of darkest parts of history and of ourselves." And there is a dark side to the banana, a fruit with a history entangled with imperialism, labor exploitation and corporate power. "It would be hard to come up with a better, simple symbol of global trade and all of its exploitations than the banana," Cooper Jones said. If "Comedian" is about making people think about their moral complicity in the production of objects they take for granted, then it's "at least a more useful tool or it's at least an additional sort of place to go in terms of the questions that this work could be asking," she said. "Comedian" hits the block around the same time that Sotheby's is also auctioning one of the famed paintings in the "Water Lilies" series by the French impressionist Claude Monet, with an expected value of around $60 million. When asked to compare Cattelan's banana to a classic like Monet's "Nympheas," Galperin says impressionism was not considered art when the movement began. "No important, profound, meaningful artwork of the past 100 years or 200 years, or our history for that matter, did not provoke some kind of discomfort when it was first unveiled," Galperin said. Iraqi national security officials on Saturday said they arrested the top-ranking Islamic State figure in Iraqi Kurdistan. Azad Shakhi, the so-called emir of the Kurdistan faction of Islamic State, which is also known as IS, ISIS or ISIL, was detained in Kirkuk province alongside six other suspected terrorists, one of whom blew himself up amid the siege on their hideout. "The detainees were working underground and were found and arrested after a thorough investigation and gathering information," Colonel Salam Abdulkhaliq, spokesman for the Kurdistan Regional Security Agency, told VOA's Kurdish Service. Regional security officials with knowledge of the investigation said the group had been planning to target security figures and government institutions, according to regional news outlets. "The ISIS network that was arrested had links to the ISIS in Karadag and other parts of the region, they have committed terrorist acts in the past," a senior security source in Kirkuk, who did not want to be named, told VOA. The source also said other members of the Kirkuk sleeper cell had been detained in recent days, and that "another group of ISIS fighters were killed in an air strike in Rashad district of western Kirkuk last night." Officials said Shakhi, a resident of the Latif area of Shorjay village in Kirkuk, had previously been listed as an active member of ISIS. This story originated in VOA's Kurdish Service. Three people have been arrested in the United Arab Emirates in connection with the alleged murder of an Israeli citizen, the Emirati interior ministry said on Sunday. The ministry statement did not give details on the suspects or say if they had been charged, but said all legal powers would be used "to respond decisively and without leniency to any actions or attempts that threaten societal stability." Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office had denounced the killing of the rabbi, Zvi Kogan, 28, as a "heinous antisemitic terrorist act" and said Israel would do everything it could to bring those responsible to justice. Kogan was a resident of the UAE and also a Moldovan national, according to local authorities. He worked with the New York-based Orthodox Jewish Chabad movement and was first reported missing on Thursday. His body was discovered on Sunday. The Israeli foreign ministry said all Israeli agencies were involved in the investigation and that it was believed Kogan had last been seen at a Kosher supermarket in Dubai. Kogan's body was found in the Emirati city of Al Ain, which borders Oman, though it was not clear if he was killed there or elsewhere, former Israeli politician Ayoob Kara told Reuters in Dubai. Kara, a member of Israel's ruling right-wing Likud party who promotes economic relations between Israel and the Arab world, said there were indications that investigators suspected Iranian involvement. The Iranian embassy in the UAE said it "categorically rejects the allegations of Irans involvement in the murder of this individual." The Emirati government did not respond to a request for comment made by The Associated Press. However, senior Emirati diplomat Anwer Gargash wrote on the social platform X in Arabic on Sunday that the UAE will remain a home of safety, an oasis of stability, a society of tolerance and coexistence and a beacon of development, pride and advancement. Israel reissued a recommendation to citizens to avoid nonessential travel to the UAE and said those now there should minimize movement, remain in secure areas and avoid visiting places associated with Israel and Jewish populations. UAE Jewish community in 'shock' after killing of rabbi The UAE's Israeli and Jewish community has grown more visible since 2020, when the UAE became the most prominent Arab state in 30 years to establish formal ties with Israel under a U.S.-brokered agreement, dubbed the Abraham Accords. The UAE has maintained the relationship during the 13-month Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. However, Israelis and Jews have been less evident in public since the devastating Hamas attack on Israeli communities of Oct. 7, 2023, that triggered the Gaza conflict, which has sparked protests worldwide. Kara said the UAE's Jewish community was in "shock" at Kogan's murder, but that Israelis and Jews would still visit, build ties and invest in the Gulf country. "No way to stop this relationship and this cooperation," said Kara, who is not Jewish but a member of Israel's Druze minority. Members of the Jewish community said informal synagogues in Dubai were closed after the Oct. 7 attack on Israel over security concerns, with Jews instead gathering to pray at home. There are no official synagogues in Dubai, the UAE's biggest city and commercial hub, but the UAE's one government-approved synagogue, in Abu Dhabi, remains open. There are no official statistics on the number of Jews or Israelis living in the UAE. Jewish groups estimate there are several thousand. Kimberly Rubit had one priority in mind as Hurricane Beryl ripped through Houston this summer: her severely disabled daughter. The 63-year-old worked nonstop to prevent Mary, 42, from overheating without air conditioning, water or lights after Beryl knocked out power to their home for 10 days. At least three dozen other people suffered heat-related deaths during the extended outage. "It was miserable," Rubit said. "I'm sick of it." Electric grids have buckled more frequently and outages have become longer across the U.S. as the warming atmosphere carries more water and stirs up more destructive storms, according to an AP analysis of government data. In the Pacific Northwest this week, a "bomb cyclone" caused roughly half a million outages. People with disabilities and chronic health conditions are particularly at risk when the power goes out, and many live in homes that lack the weatherizing and backup power supplies needed to better handle high temperatures and cold freezes, or can't pay their electricity bills, said Columbia University sociomedical sciences professor Diana Hernandez, who studies energy instability in U.S. homes. At any given time, 1 in 3 households in the U.S. is "actively trying to avoid a disconnection or contending with the aftermath of it," Hernandez said. In Texas, as another winter approaches, people can't shake fears of another blackout like the one during a cold freeze in 2021 that left millions without power for days and killed more than 200 people. Despite efforts to create more resilience, a winter storm that powerful could still lead to rolling blackouts, according to the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages most of the state's power grid. Beryl also knocked out power to millions for days, sickening many in the sweltering July heat. Local and state officials showered criticism on CenterPoint Energy, Houston's power utility, saying it should have communicated more clearly, taken more preventive measures such as tree trimming before the storm hit and repaired downed power lines more quickly. The utility's response remains under investigation by the Texas attorney general. CenterPoint says it is focused now on improving resiliency, customer communications and community partnerships with the one defining goal: "to build the most resilient coastal grid in the country that can better withstand the extreme weather of the future." Texas lawmakers, meanwhile, are debating whether assisted living facilities need more regulation. One suggestion: requiring them to have enough emergency generator fuel to power lifesaving equipment and keep indoor temperatures safe during an extended blackout, as Florida did after a scandal over hurricane-related nursing home deaths. The legislative panel also reviewed emergency responses this month. Regulated facilities and nursing centers fared better than places such as senior communities that aren't subject to strict oversight, according to city and state officials. This meant hundreds of apartment complexes catering to older adults, as well as private homes, were likely more susceptible to losing power and going without food. "We've got to find a way to mark these facilities or get it entered into the computer dispatch systems," said Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. "There are so many places in our own city that we have no idea until that 911 call comes into that facility," he said. Texas energy companies have been required since 2003 to provide advance notice of scheduled outages to medically vulnerable households that submit a form with physician approval. But that law didn't require the utilities to share these lists with state or local emergency management agencies. Numerous states have similar regulatory requirements and 38 have policies aimed at preventing disconnections during extreme weather, according to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. In Colorado, medically vulnerable residents are protected from disconnection for up to 90 days. In Arkansas, utilities can't disconnect power to people who are 65 or older if temperatures are forecast to reach above 34 degrees Celsius. In Houston, Rubit and her daughter share one of the roughly 3,000 households where unreliable power can quickly spiral into a life-and-death issue because at least one person requires a medical device powered by electricity, according to public filings from CenterPoint. The utility offers such households payment plans to keep the electricity on when they fall behind on their bills. The utility's efforts bring little solace to community members at a Houston living center for seniors, Commons of Grace, where outages have become a haunting facet of life for more than 100 residents, said Belinda Taylor, who runs a nonprofit partnered with the managing company. "I'm just frustrated that we didn't get the services that we needed," Taylor said. "It's ridiculous that we have had to suffer." Sharon Burks, who lives at Commons of Grace, said it became unbearable when the power went out. She is 63 and uses a breathing machine for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which causes shortness of breath. She had to resort to her battery-powered breathing pump, which isn't meant to be used for long periods. "I didn't expect anything from CenterPoint," Burks said. "We're always the last to get it." Officials in northwestern Pakistan reported on Saturday that a government delegation has begun efforts to negotiate a ceasefire between rival Sunni and Shiite Muslim tribes following armed clashes that resulted in nearly 80 deaths this week. The sectarian conflict in Kurram district, which borders Afghanistan, flared up Thursday when heavily armed men from the Sunni tribe ambushed multiple passenger vehicles and killed at least 45 Shi'ites, including men, women, and children. On Friday, Shi'ite community members conducted revenge attacks against the Sunni-dominated village where the ambush had taken place, killing at least 33 people and wounding dozens of others. The attackers set petrol stations on fire and damaged markets as well as homes. A spokesman for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where Kurram is located, announced Saturday that a high-powered government delegation had flown into the turbulent district center, Parachinar, and met with Shi'ite community leaders there. Muhammad Ali Saif said in a late-night video statement that the meetings were "positive" and efforts were being made to "resolve all disputes amicably to end the tension." He added that the delegation plans to talk with Sunni community leaders in the next stage. "Our top priority is to broker a cease-fire and establish a lasting peace in the district," said Saif, also part of the government delegation. The Pakistani border district is known for deadly Shi'ite-Sunni sectarian violence, which stems from long-running land disputes. A land dispute sparked weeks of clashes in Kurram earlier this year, killing more than 100 people between August and October this year. The fighting had compelled provincial authorities to halt all traffic to and from the district until earlier this month when tribal elders brokered a temporary cease-fire between the opposing factions. Violence stops traffic This week's clashes have once again halted traffic on the sole road connecting the district which has a population of approximately 800,000 to the provincial capital of Peshawar. The violence in Kurram comes amid a marked increase in militant attacks against Pakistani security forces in multiple districts near or along the Afghan border. Officials say the violence this month in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan, has resulted in the deaths of dozens of security personnel, including troops. Scattered groves of native trees, flowers and the occasional prehistoric burial ground are squeezed between hundreds of thousands of tea shrubs in southern India's Nilgiris region a gateway to a time before colonization and the commercial growing of tea that reshaped the country's mountain landscapes. These sacred groves once blanketed the Western Ghats mountains, but nearly 200 years ago, British colonists installed rows upon rows of tea plantations. The few groves that stand today are either protected by Indigenous communities who preserve them for their faith and traditions, or are being grown and tended back into existence by ecologists who remove tea trees from disused farms and plant seeds native to this biodiverse region. It takes decades, but their efforts are finally starting to see results as forests flourish despite ecological damage and wilder weather caused by climate change. The teams bringing back the forests home to more than 600 native plants and 150 animal species found only here know that they still need to work around their neighbors. Nearly everyone in the region's more than 700,000-strong population either farms black, green and white tea or works with the almost 3 million tourists who come to escape the searing heat of the Indian plains. "In this time of climate change, I think ecological restoration and rewilding is extremely important," said Godwin Vasanth Bosco, a Nilgiris-based naturalist and restoration practitioner. "What we're trying to do is to help nature restore itself." Degraded land and climate change threaten communities Environmentalists say industrial-scale tea farming has destroyed the soil's nutrients and led to conflict with animals like elephants and gaur, or Indian bison, that have little forest left to live in. Estimates say nearly 54,600 hectares of tea have been planted across the mountains, damaging close to 70% of native grasslands and forests. "There is no biological diversity," Gokul Halan, a Nilgiris-based water expert, said of the tea farms. "It doesn't support the local fauna nor is it a food source." The forests among the tea farms are recognized by the United Nations as one of the world's eight "hottest hotspots for biodiversity," but the areas degraded by excessive pesticide use and other commercial farming methods have been dubbed "green deserts" by environmentalists for their poor soil and inability to support other life. The Nilgiris region has also had to clear land to facilitate the increasing number of tourists and people from India's plains who are moving to the region. Poorer land makes it more vulnerable to landslides and flooding, which are now more common because of human-caused climate change. The neighboring mountainous region of Wayanad suffered devastating landslides that killed nearly 200 people earlier this year, and Halan warns Nilgiris may suffer a similar fate. Halan also warned the region is susceptible to long droughts and excess heat because of climate change, and that's already affected some tea harvests. Restoring forests brings life back to Nilgiris In a small mountain fold just a few hundred meters below the region's tallest peak, native trees planted 10 years ago have grown up to 4.5 meters tall. A stream flows amid the young trees that replaced nearly 3 hectares of tea plants. "This whole place was tea plantations and this stream was not flowing throughout the year," said Bosco, the ecologist. "Since we began our restoration work, it flows through the year and the trees and bamboo have grown well along the stream." The forests are known as Shola-grassland forests or cloud forests because they can capture moisture from high-altitude mist. Bosco said the plants and trees have an "incredible capacity to provide for life" across the about 809 hectares his organization works to restore. The native trees maintain the microclimate underneath them by providing nutrients to the soil. That helps saplings and small plants grow even during hot, dry summers. The region is also home to several Indigenous communities, called Adivasi, many of them classified as highly vulnerable with only a few thousand of their people remaining. Representatives of these Adivasi communities consider themselves the original custodians of the forests and have also restored forests in the region. They say such restoration initiatives are welcome. "When the British built tea estates, we were kicked out to the fringes of this district, our lands were lost and we lost our traditions because of deforestation," said Mani Raman, who belongs to the Alu Kurumbar Adivasi community. "Such restoration work is good. By bringing the forests back, the wildlife and birds will get more food. Animals that have moved out of forests will have a place to live," he said. Tea growers still need a livelihood Tea growers and factory owners say that the region's entire economy depends on tea and it is relatively less harmful to the local environment compared to rampant development to cater to tourism. "To convert tea to grasslands and shola forests will have a negative impact on the region's economy and environment," said A. Balakrishnan, the owner of a 2-year-old tea factory near the town of Kotagiri in the Nilgiris. Eighty-year-old I. Bhojan, who's been a tea grower all his life, agrees. "There is no Nilgiris without tea," he said. Bhojan, president of the small farmers and tea growers welfare association for the Nilgiris, estimates that around 600,000 people 50,000 of them small farmers depend on tea for their livelihood. Balakrishnan argued that tea plants are maintained well given their economic benefits compared to native forests. "If tea was not there, Nilgiris will become a place for tourists only, there'll be more construction and urbanization," he said. Finding common ground Planting woody trees and shrubs in tea plantations, known as agroforestry, can ease the battle for space between farms and restoration, according to some experts. Other crops and timber "can make tea plantations a bit more biodiverse compared to what is there currently," said water expert Halan. Officials of Tamil Nadu state, of which the Nilgiris district is a part, earmarked $24 million earlier this year to encourage farmers to shift away from chemical-laden fertilizers to help preserve soil health. The state's forest department officials also announced plans last year to plant nearly 60,000 native trees in the region. Restoration ecologist Bosco said adding value to smaller tea farming operations by growing special, higher-quality tea on smaller parcels of land can open up more land to reforestation without hurting farmers' pockets. He added that if those working to restore the land were paid for that service, that could be another stream of revenue for residents, as well as sourcing new products to sell from the native plants. "For example, we're trying to come up with products from some of the plants that have medicinal value," he said. Raman added that future such work could also learn from Adivasi traditional practices. "Adivasi people have been protecting forests for so long, wherever we live the forests are protected," he said. "The state government should be taking such work up at large scale." Taiwans foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, wrapped up a weeklong trip to Europe Sunday after meeting European lawmakers in Brussels and overseeing efforts to deepen bilateral cooperation in developing drone technology between Taiwan and Lithuania. Analysts say the trip was part of Taiwans ongoing efforts to deepen engagement with European countries and reflected the current administrations attempt to focus on facilitating practical and tangible cooperation with individual nations. European countries and members of the European parliament have pushed for tangible cooperation that the EU and Taiwan can both agree on, so focusing on deepening bilateral ties is a more realistic approach for Taiwan as it can help tangible examples of economic cooperation to materialize, Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, an expert on EU-Taiwan relations at National Dong Hwa University in Taiwan, told VOA. During his seven-day trip, Lin met with several members of the European Parliament in Brussels and visited the Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre, which focuses on nanoelectronics and digital technologies. Lin has made economic and trade diplomacy his priority since becoming Taiwans top diplomat in May. Lin also led a delegation of representatives from 20 Taiwanese drone companies to Lithuania. They attended a forum on drone technologies and signed two agreements that will facilitate collaboration in the unmanned aerial vehicle industry. The signing of the agreements is part of Taiwans efforts to build a domestic drone manufacturing industry, which the government sees as an important part of enhancing the islands overall defense capabilities in the face of increasing military pressure imposed by China. Beijing views Taiwan, a self-governing island, as an inalienable part of its territory that should one day reunite with the mainland, by force if necessary. In September, Taiwan gathered more than 50 domestic drone manufacturers and established the Taiwan Excellence Drone International Business Opportunities Alliance, which has been building drone development partnerships with other countries. On November 16, the alliance signed an agreement to promote drone development with the Polish-Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Experts say Lins trip can help Taiwan broaden the scope of economic cooperation with central and eastern European countries beyond the semiconductor industry. By focusing on developing partnerships in drone development with Lithuanian companies, the trip allows the conversation around economic engagements with Taiwan to move beyond the focus on semiconductors, Marcin Jerzewski, the head of the Taiwan Office at the European Values Center for Security Policy, told VOA by phone. Other European analysts say since central and eastern European countries, especially Lithuania, play an important role in supplying drones to Ukraine in Kyiv's ongoing fight against Russia, Taiwans emphasis on deepening bilateral cooperation in this sector could resonate with these countries priorities. Since Taiwan is deepening cooperation over drone technology with Lithuania and Poland, two front-line countries that have nuanced and realistic views of the threats coming from Russia, this development can help improve the defense capabilities in central and eastern Europe, Matej Simalcik, executive director of the Central European Institute of Asian Studies, or CEIAS, told VOA by phone. During a dinner ceremony marking the third anniversary of the establishment of Taiwans representative office in Lithuania on November 20, Lin said he expects Taiwan and Lithuania to expand the bilateral partnership and work toward the common goal of promoting peace and prosperity. Lithuanias recalibration Despite Taiwans attempt to deepen engagement with Lithuania, Lins trip comes at a time when Lithuanias potential new government is considering improving relations with China after Beijing downgraded diplomatic relations with the Baltic country in 2021 following the establishment of Taiwans representative office in the country. Gintautas Paluckas, the candidate that the Social Democratic Party wants to make prime minister after coming out on top in elections last month, expressed his desire to normalize relations with China. He spoke during an interview with Lithuanian national broadcaster LRT on October 31. Having normal relations is certainly an aspiration because the EU even though relations with China will not be rosy, they will argue about the economy, about tariffs, about protectionist measures [...] but the EU is trying to maintain diplomatic relations. We cannot fall out of this context and call it leadership, he said. Ferenczy said as Lithuania rethinks its engagement with China, Taiwans focus on deepening economic ties will be more productive to the sustainability of bilateral ties as it could avoid triggering potential retaliation from China. It will help circumvent member states reluctance to engage with Taiwan and instead bring the kind of engagement that helps both sides, she told VOA. Ferenczy adds that successful bilateral cooperation with European countries can help consolidate Taiwans engagement with the European Union as a whole. Building up stronger bilateral relationships will help consolidate Taiwans cooperation with the EU, as countries that have substance to their partnerships with Taiwan may be more willing to embrace Taiwan at the European level, she said. In response to questions about Lins trip to Europe, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said Beijing opposes any form of official interaction between Taiwan and countries having diplomatic ties with China. The EU should abide by the one-China principle, stop any form of official interaction with the Taiwan authorities, and stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan independence separatist forces, he said during a press conference on November 20. Lin Chia-lung's trip marks the third time a high-level Taiwanese delegation has visited Europe since Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te won elections in January. As Taipei continues to deepen engagement with European countries, Jerzewski said the Lai administration should consider establishing a coherent approach to manage its relations with Europe. Taiwan still doesnt have a concrete strategic document that allows European stakeholders to understand how Taiwan wants to engage with them, and in order to make Taiwans ties with Europe more sustainable, such a document is important, he told VOA. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is incredibly concerned about the escalating use of different types of weaponry in Russias nearly three-year war on Ukraine, his designated choice for national security adviser said Sunday. Michael Waltz, now a Florida congressman, told Fox News Sunday that the decision by the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden to allow Ukraine to use anti-personnel land mines to try to halt Russias battlefield ground troop advances has turned the fight in eastern Ukraine into something akin to World War I trench warfare. Waltz said the decision needs to be within a broader framework to end this conflict. It is just an absolute meat grinder of people and personnel on that front, he said. U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said last week the United States is sending the anti-personnel mines to Ukraine because of the changing nature of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, the main battlefield. He said Russian ground troops, rather than forces more protected in armored carriers, are leading Moscows advance, so Ukraine has a need for things that can help slow down that effort. Waltz said Trump, who takes office January 20, is concerned about the carnage but said that in the broad picture, the question that must be preeminent is, How do we restore deterrence and how do we bring peace? We need to, we need to bring this to a responsible end, he added. Trump has often claimed that he would end the Russia-Ukraine war even before he is inaugurated as the 47th U.S. president. Trump has never said how and refused to say during a campaign debate in September that he wants Ukraine to win. Biden gave Ukraine authority to launch Washington-supplied missiles with a 300-kilometer range deep into Russia in response to North Koreas dispatch of 10,000 troops to fight alongside Moscows forces. Within two days, Kyiv targeted weapons warehouses in Russias Bryansk region with the missiles. Then, Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a new experimental rocket, targeting Dnipro in Ukraines eastern region. This is a clear escalation, Waltz said. Where is this escalation going? How do we get both sides to the table for peace negotiations? Waltz, whose appointment does not require Senate confirmation, said he has been meeting with Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser. Waltz said that any U.S. adversary is wrong if it thinks it can play one side off against the other with the switch in power in Washington from Biden, a Democrat, and his long-time political foe, Trump, a Republican. Waltz said he is confident Trump will restore peace in pretty short order in the multiple conflicts in the Middle East involving Israel fighting Iran-funded militants Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. But months of cease-fire talks on the conflict in Gaza are stalemated and talks to reach a halt in the Hezbollah-Israel fighting have yet to produce a deal. The question is, would she still be alive if we hadnt tried to save her? Joe and Bobby are standing in the aftermath of their child rescue side mission gone awry. The dust hasnt even settled on the scene yet, and theyve already figured out the whole cover story. Nothing left to do now but quietly acknowledge the violent futility of your job and get along with the next leg of it. Fire and forward momentum. Remove the byzantine build-up of psyops and special ops and clandestine geopolitical status-quo-keeping, and thats all thats left for Joe and the Lioness crew. And anyone else who, by bad luck or circumstance or both, ends up a servant of the gray world. Back in Dallas, The Carrillo mansion is full of reluctant participants in a special op still dangerously in flux. Some of them dont know it yet, but Pablo Carrillo is about to fuck around and find out. Cruz wakes up in Josies room to find her wide awake and fretting. Shes now officially a day late on her task of flipping her father, so Cruz motivates her with a warm but steady word of advice, followed by a harsh rebuke to get the job done, and fast showing off the talents that make her Joes shoo-in for Lioness Tamer 2.0. Theres a psychology course in building sources. It says, Your father will always be the man he was in your fondest memory of him, and you will always be the age you were when that memory was formed, Cruz tells Josie. The point being, You gotta remind yourself you aint nine. And he is half the man you made him out to be, if that. Its a smart play, given the time crunch. Pablo Carrillo is neither the valiant hero of Josies memories who saved the baby from the runaway horse nor a diabolical mustache-twirling, child-trafficking villain Cruz could easily paint him out to be. Hes a man and unexceptional as such. Josie is a grown woman with the weight of the U.S. empire behind her, and her job is to play that trump card immediately. And just as Cruz warned, Pablos suspicions are already at a boiling point when Josie interrupts his morning cigar to break the news: the CIA wants his help to run an op on Los Tigres. Again, Pablo crushes the 90 percent right/10 percent maniacal villain role, delivering a spot-on takedown analysis of the CIAs role in perpetuating the global drug markets and accompanying militant violence they purport to neutralize before slapping Josie and triggering a fucking yoked intervention from Cruz and the Lioness crew members on site. This should answer the how full of shit is my daughter question floating around in your fucking skull, Cruz says once shes knocked Pablo down and put a gun to his head. I love it when they give our girl a heavy Shane Black-style line like that. During the quick skirmish and securing of the location, Two Cups finds out that the maid is an informant for Gutierrez, making our mysterious DEA liaison a likely mole. Joe is still conscious when Two Cups calls her from an unsecured line and fills her in, and manages to get a heart-wrenching goodbye-in-case call to Neal AND direct the co-pilot on how to stabilize her before she passes out. Meanwhile, the current two-fold shitstorm state of this special op is passed onto Byron and Kaitlyn, who roll into the exposition/control room in Washington, ready to curse out their superiors. (Speaking of Byron, whats up with his based daughters demanding real milk from a cow or whatever? Is that some Gen-Z trad TikTok thing Im not hip to?) The newscaster on the TV broadcasts both the cover story and stakes of the incident at the border: FBI, DOJ, and DEA are keeping the nature of the operation secret to protect the lives of undercover agents still in the field while operation itself is the largest loss of life for a federal agency since the Branch Davidian raid. Whoa, they evoked Waco, dude. This is heavy. Mason and Hollar come in characteristically hot on the blame game, arguing that every assurance they were given when they authorized this operation has been violated. Byron, Kaitlyn, and the Lioness crew were given a blank check for resources and assets, and all theyve done with them is get the U.S. army embroiled in a battle in Iraq, then run an unsuccessful nighttime raid on a human trafficking operation in Mexico. All a far cry from the mission they were supposed to be on in the first place. Byron makes an equally compelling retort: they were assigned to infiltrate the largest criminal organization inside our closest neighbor, with an asset not of their choosing, with agencies that they specifically warned against collaborating with. On that last note, theyre now stuck with the distinct possibility that Agent Gutierrez is a mole for Alvaro Carrillo. True to form, nobody wants to take the blame for knowingly setting volatile acts in motion, and once again, Mullins breaks the hot-potato game with a reminder that chaos management in their M.O. Nowhere to go but forward. So how do they minimize collateral damage now? Finishing this mission quietly is going to be tricky, seeing how theyve got a DEA agent and a major cartel family member in custody. Their only option now is to get Pablo Carrillo back to Mexico and hope the MSS agent theyre looking for is embedded in Los Tigres leadership. As for their two high-profile gentlemen in custody, Byron assures the room that the Lioness team will not let either return from the operation once complete. That last part makes this a black op, which means Mullins leaves the room so Mason and Hollar can deliver one of these we cant officially authorize this, but were fucking authorizing it type commands. With Joe heading into surgery at Keesler Air Force Base, prognosis unclear, Kaitlyn heads down to Bliss to join in the Guantanamo-style beating Kyle and the crew are giving Gutierrez. Kyles already worked his NSA connections to run Gutierrezs file and find hes got no open investigation on Carrillo and no record of the wired informant hes put in the Carillo house. Kyle struts his black-ops-fuckboi stuff, chewing through an ominous delivery of the federal statute 2381, defining treason as knowingly aiding an enemy of the state and withholding information from a federal agency that results in harm of a federal agent or agency. That means, Raymond, I can kill you for what you did to us yesterday, and I can kill you for what you wont tell us. And thats just the preshow for Kaitlyn, who rolls onto this torture scene ready up the ante on all of it. She names Gutierrezs wife and children and threatens to release their names and the names and addresses of his extended family. Because killing Gutierrez isnt gonna insatiate our appetite to do you harm for what youve done to us. Its all classic CIA embodying the worst characteristics of the final boss in your head, beating the devil at his own game. Gutierrez responds with an alibi that, while suspicious in its convenience, seems to be on the level. And it certainly tracks with this fear of cartel operatives embedded everywhere within U.S. borders. The way Gutierrez explains it, the only way he could successfully investigate Carrillo is by doing it on the down-low. Keeping zero record of his investigation, including the informant he had in Pablos house, was the only way to keep it from leaking to Los Tigres sooner or later. The whole group seems to accept the definite possibility that their captive is telling the truth, but Kaitlyn orders a thirty-milligram methylphenidate injection and polygraph test, just to be safe. Meanwhile, father and daughter Carillo are stuck in a room with one another with nothing left to do but reckon with the dead image of their past selves and the opposing operatives the world has made of them. And we still dont know whats going to happen to Joe! Hats off to Sheridan this week for leaving me with a genuine lump in my throat, wondering if Joe wasnt tempting fate a little too much by passing the Lioness baton to Cruz. If these special ops have taught us anything, its that death deals little in the way of rhyme, reason, or justice beholden to chaos with the rest of us. I had a lot of men asking me out, and I said no to all of them, says the daughter of John Cornell and Delvene Delaney, and god-daughter of Paul Hogan. November 24, 2024 by Jane Rocca The bullet pierced clean through the window frame of the fourth-floor apartment. There was a big bang, Abu-Izneid said, but at the time she couldnt process what was happening. While the projectile missed both women, it hit the top corner of the room and exploded close to Abu-Izneid, showering her in shrapnel that embedded in her chest, face and eye. The bullet hole in the window frame of Abu-Izneids student accommodation near Jerusalem. I looked at my friend, and she was covered in blood. Later on, I found out it wasnt her blood; it was actually the blood coming out of my eye. There was blood everywhere, and I didnt expect to live, Abu-Izneid said. No one should live this fear. Photos of the bullet and Abu-Izneids facial injuries taken shortly after the incident have been seen by this masthead, along with medical reports from hospitals that treated her in Ramallah and Jerusalem. At Melbourne Airport on Sunday, Abu-Izneid said she was grateful to be home with family, but she feared her injuries would prevent her from becoming a dentist. Her face and chest are marked by wounds, and stitches hold together a larger cut on her chin. A patch covers her ruptured right eye, and pieces of metal remain in the eye socket. She is likely to need further surgery. Hospital staff were awaiting her arrival after the plane landed. My dreams have come crashing down in an instant. Its all over. I wanted to achieve my dreams of becoming a dentist, but I dont think thats possible any more, Abu-Izneid said. I dont even look like me I just want to be me again. Loading Mazen Alkhatib, the dean of student affairs at Al-Quds University, said the community was struggling to understand why the shooting happened in what is considered a safe area. Abu-Izneids family wants an independent investigation into the incident, and has urged the Australian government to act. We demand the Australian government formally and transparently investigate this, her mother, Rana Abu-Izneid, a dentist, said on Sunday. We are innocent civilians she lived in a safe area. We could have never imaged this to be the case. The Islamic Council of Victoria echoed that call on Sunday. The Islamic Council of Victoria is horrified that an Australian student studying in Jerusalem could be seriously injured and nearly killed by Israeli forces while in her apartment in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the council said. Friends and family members give Abu-Izneid roses after her arrival home. Credit: Wayne Taylor We believe that the response from the Australian officials has been woefully inadequate, and we join the family in demanding a full impartial investigation into what took place. We call on the Australian government to hold Israel to account for this criminal act. Rana sobbed as she embraced her daughter for the first time since she was injured. Ranem clutched red roses, handed to her by family and friends. For me, shes still a child. Just 20 years of age, suffering this ... Since she was shot to this moment, its felt like years, Rana said. She has been looking forward to being a dentist since she was 15 years old. Im not sure if this incident will maybe stop her, but shes brave. Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses office said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had provided consular assistance while the 20-year-old was in Jordan. Our thoughts are with her and her family as she recovers. The Israeli embassy in Australia and the Israel Defence Forces have been contacted for comment. A DFAT spokesperson said on Sunday that there were only some things it could help Australians with overseas. DFAT also reiterated that the West Bank is a do not travel area under current guidance. Loading The Australian government is seeking further information about the circumstances of the incident, the spokesperson said. Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment. Consular assistance may include liaison with or visits to local hospitals, liaison with local authorities, provision of lists of medical providers and assistance communicating with family members or nominated contacts. A Victorian government spokesman said the state government had offered assistance. We are also working with the Victorian Palestinian community to provide support to the family. The situation in the Middle East is causing deep distress for many individuals and families in Victoria, and we stand with all Victorians who are impacted by this conflict. Abu-Izneids father, Dr Tareq Abu-Izneid, a medical academic at Monash University, travelled overseas to accompany his daughter home after she entered Jordan on November 20. He said his priority was to ensure she received the best medical care possible in Australia and had every chance to have her sight restored and return to the field she loves so much. Until the last day of my life, I will want her to be a dentist ... I want to help her do whatever she wants. She was so excited about studying, he said. A Peter Dutton-led government would deport non-citizens who voice rhetorical support for terror groups and demand the Australian Broadcasting Corporation avoid bias on Israel, according to a keynote speech home affairs spokesman James Paterson will deliver outlining the Coalitions pledges. Portraying the bloody war in Gaza and Lebanon as a battle for democracy, Paterson will say Australian Jews were being held responsible for difficult choices Israel was forced to make in its fight against terror groups supported by Iran. Liberal frontbencher James Paterson. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Paterson will say that a Coalition government will strengthen the laws used by police to lay charges on incitement and displaying terror symbols if they prove too difficult to enforce. I am deeply troubled by the number of Jews who have told me they are contemplating moving to Israel because they think they may feel safer in a country under attack from three terrorist organisations and a genocidal nation state than they do in Melbourne or Sydney, he will say in a speech to the Executive Council of the Australian Jewrys annual general meeting in Melbourne on Sunday. But I understand it. The political ramifications of a natural disaster are the least important thing about it. I recount this because its always worth keeping in mind, in politics, how quickly things can change. Also: how dominant a crisis can be. Morrisons disastrous summer, in fact, was only really rescued by the advent of another crisis the early part of the pandemic, when his numbers soared before that crisis, too, destroyed him. The main event involved was that summers bushfires. His trip to Hawaii is the symbol of that failure, but the actual problems were long and drawn out. There was the slowness to act and the failure to meet with emergency leaders, the mangled handshakes, I dont hold a hose and the sidestepping of the climate debate. One of the interesting facts about Scott Morrisons period as prime minister is that he managed to squander public approval twice. The second came via a long, protracted slide through most of the pandemic. But his popularity had sunk as low and much, much faster, at least in Newspoll surveys just a few months after his 2019 election victory. For a long time, it seemed the Albanese government would get a rate cut even two before the election. As I wrote a few weeks back, this had the potential to act as a tangible affirmation of its economic strategy, the other elements of which wage growth and job creation had been lining up nicely. Last week, Westpac joined NAB in predicting the next rate cut would come on May 20 three days after the last possible date for the election. The government now has to hope voters moods improve without that rate cut. Its possible. The Guardians Essential poll last week found a small fall in people who say theyre struggling. There was a small but notable shift in one of the more interesting indicators: whether people believe the country is on the right track. Its too early to spot a trend, and more people disagree than agree but the right direction figure was (just) the highest its been since May 2023. Illustration by Joe Benke Credit: The second change is the victory of Donald Trump. There are signs like his retreat from the nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney-general that Trumps term may be as bizarre as his first. One veteran observer suggested to me some time ago that a Trump victory may play into Albaneses slow-and-steady approach: that in an era of messiness, boredom becomes appealing. At present, though, the opposite is the case. Last week, a Freshwater Strategy poll in The Australian Financial Review found 36 per cent of voters believed Albanese was best placed to deal with Trump against 47 per cent who favoured Dutton. Finally, we should all hope this is a quiet season for natural disasters. Recent weeks have reminded us, this cant be taken for granted. There have been bushfires in Queensland, the ABC reporting that amid the smoke last month Mount Isa was briefly the most polluted city in the world. There were evacuations in response to fires in Victoria (arson seems to have played a role in several of these). Not long after Donald J. Trump had secured a second go at being president, a group of dreamers set their sights on building a new world, far from this polluted planet and its troubles. This cohort was not destined for Mars, but to a space within themselves a digital utopia just for the like-minded. Bluesky is a microblogging site for idealists, devoted to protecting them against the raging reality of divergent opinion in a democratic system. The pilgrims took with them their in-house journal, The Guardian, which left Elon Musks X with the flounce of a friendless man leaving a party to which he hadnt been invited. Henceforth, the trust-funded worldwide webzine will dedicate itself to nurturing the delicate biosphere of an alternative reality. Defectors from Elon Musks X are taking up with Bluesky. Credit: NurPhoto via Getty Images Three million users have joined Bluesky over the past week, according to the platform, and they have been busy tending to their new world. In this environment, misinformation and disinformation are not alone the enemy; malinformation information that does not accord with the idealists worldview is the apple from the tree of knowledge, from which the Devil bid Eve to sup. Curious interlopers from the Other Place the increasingly uncensored X have experimented by pushing the boundaries of the sayable on Bluesky. To their delight, reasonably mainstream opinions attract the ire of the moderators, and are soft-censored as intolerance. Posts labelled thus are not visible in the app until a user clicks on show. This functionality is a clue to what the spotless mind can experience on Bluesky. Only the opposite of malinformation euinformation, eu being the obverse prefix is welcome here. Euinformation is well-meaning information; not really information so much as a curation of comforting progressive axioms. James Cox A repeat of the last government coalition cannot be ruled out, while Sinn Fein would struggle to bring a left-wing coalition together, according to a political commentator. Speaking to BreakingNews.ie, DCU Professor of Politics Gary Murphy said a repeat of the Fine Gael/Fianna Fail/Green Party coalition is possible despite obvious tensions. Since Roderic O'Gorman replaced Eamon Ryan as Green Party leader, tensions between the smaller party and their coalition parties have been obvious. Some felt Mr O'Gorman suggesting a November 29th general election date, which was ultimately realised, was a way to get a dig in at Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin. Mr O'Gorman has also accused Fianna Fail and Fine Gael of "marginalising" his party to keep it out of the next government. However, Prof Murphy said these tensions would quickly be forgotten if the numbers allow for a repeat of the coalition. Because of the extra seats, we now have 174 seats in the Dail. You will need 88 or so for a majority. That's hard to get to "Because of the extra seats, we now have 174 seats in the Dail. You will need 88 or so for a majority. That's hard to get to. After the last election, Fine Gael had 35, Fianna Fail had 38, so that would be 73, still a long way away. You need a third leg, even if they gain a couple of seats. "One option is the Greens because it worked reasonably well. The Greens didn't get the heebie-jeebies when the Government hit difficult spells. They stuck the course, so they could probably do it again. "It was always going to be interesting to see how the government would end. With Roderic O'Gorman taking over as Green Party leader and trying to force himself to national attention, he doesn't have the high profile Eamon Ryan had, for instance, but I was never convinced the Government would collapse. I see the clashes as more performative politics than anything else. I'd be more convinced by the fact that for four and a half years the Government stayed together. That was the point Roderic O'Gorman made when he was asked on Morning Ireland. "Would Fianna Fail and Fine Gael think the Greens are a pain with their carbon taxes and insistence on trying to meet climate targets? Most political parties want to meet those targets, but Fianna Fail and Fine Gael tend to be more pragmatic and say 'it's not going to be the end of the world', although it could be." Prof Murphy said Mr Harris and Mr Martin would be more likely to look to a third party than the more uncertain prospect of a coalition involving Independent TDs. He said Labour may be another option for Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. Third party or Independents? "The main point I think is it's more likely they will look to a party than Independents. Who knows what tensions are like in Cabinet, but the Government lasted near full-term and seemed to get a lot done. The Greens would be an option if they come back with enough seats to make a government work. "They have both flashed their eyelids at Labour a little bit, and Labour seem bullish about their own chances, so that's certainly a possibility. If you were Fianna Fail or Fine Gael I think you would be tempted to go to a party rather than to Independents. "I suspect if there's an obvious route to 90 seats to give you a comfortable majority between three parties, for Fianna Fail or Fine Gael that is likely to be more satisfactory to them than cobbling together Independents. Independent Ireland is new, they have no whip system, so it would be unpredictable, and that would be in the thoughts of Harris and Martin." Prof Murphy feels Sinn Fein may have a stronger election performance than many pundits have predicted. However, he said their prospects of a left-wing government are slim due to the difficulty of several parties, with varying policy views, coming together. He said their most realistic proposition of being in power would have been as part of a Fianna Fail coalition, which now looks impossible. A Sinn Fein-led government? "It's more a maths problem than anything else, Sinn Fein have 33 seats [down from 37]. Let's say they have a great day and win 46 seats. That still means they're 40 seats away from forming a government. "You're looking at Labour, the Social Democrats, Aontu, Independents, it's very difficult to see the far-left going in with Sinn Fein. I don't think anyone would be pure enough for the likes of Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy and their sort of revolutionary approach to politics. Mary Lou McDonald is a pragmatist at heart I expect. Even if they got 44 or 46 seats, which would be a tremendous achievement now, they'd still be looking at 40 more to form a government, where do they get them? "Imagine trying to form a Cabinet with Sinn Fein, the Social Democrats, Labour, Aontu, these parties have significantly different policies on things like climate, farming, etc. "Satisfaction with the government is at something like 40 per cent, but not a lot. The cost-of-living is certainly a big issue, and Sinn Fein seem to have gained a little from that, their poll numbers are still worse than they were in 2020 when they got 24.5 per cent, they're now at 18-19 per cent according to polls, I think we could probably expect them into the low 20s next week. "I just think the path to power, if the three larger parties are in and around the same seats with a few extra here or there for one of them, it's very difficult to see how one could form a government without one of the other, that's a big problem for Sinn Fein. "I think before the Dublin riots, where Sinn Fein's problems really began, they were looking at around 50 seats, and if Fianna Fail could get 35 they would target that. I'm still not convinced Micheal Maritn would ever go into government with Sinn Fein, but their thinking was a Sinn Fein/Fianna Fail government. That is all but ruled out, in that context it's really difficult for Mary Lou to get to the Taoiseach's office." Some people were struck by the ferocity of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael's attacks on each other at the outset of the general election campaign. Prof Murphy said this is likely to tone down in the closing stages before polling, pointing to Mr Harris and Mr Martin's debate performance, as they sought to contrast the government from Sinn Fein. Leaders' debate "The television debate was just so boring. As Richard Boyd Barrett said, fair play to anyone who stuck out the whole thing. It didn't galvanise the electorate. "In one way I think they're quite entitled to campaign as separate entities [Fianna Fail and Fine Gael], they are separate parties. In a world where we expect them to form the next government... maybe with the Greens, Labour, Social Democrats or Independents, they'll still be going in trying to get the best deal possible for themselves. "It is a little bit more robust or unedifying than I thought it would be, Tanaiste Micheal Martin even said this, that he was a bit taken aback by some of the Fine Gael attacks on his party. "They did give as good as they got when you had Willie O'Dea saying Helen McEntee was the worst Minister for Justice in the history of the State, that's personalising things. "It was more interesting perhaps to see in the debate on Monday, both Harris and Martin went after Sinn Fein, not quite as a tag team but not far removed from it either. "I was struck by that, it seemed to be 'we're the government parties, let's keep Sinn Fein out' so to speak. "I was slightly surprised at the vehemence with which the parties attacked each other. I don't think the public were overly impressed on the grounds of them spending four and a half years together. They also spent another four before that, 2016 to 2020, with Fianna Fail in confidence and supply. "I do think it has hardened into elect the two parts of the government, or vote Sinn Fein. I think that's what we're seeing now. I think the first week or so of a phoney war [between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael] has now dissipated a bit. "I do think this idea of the government parties or us is helping them [Sinn Fein]. Mary Lou McDonald said it on Virgin Media the other night, they're running 71 candidates, 'vote for us to get the government out'." A public meeting will take place on Tuesday evening in Ballina about the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB). The OTB is a proposed Irish law banning trade and economic support for illegal settlements in territories deemed occupied under international law, most notably Israeli-occupied territories. Senator Frances Black and Ray Dolphin will speak at tonights meeting on the OTB: What Ireland Can Do To Take a Stand Against Injustice. Senator Black, who first tabled the OTB six years ago, said the importance of the topic is clearer than ever given the ongoing situation in Gaza. The situation in Palestine has rapidly deteriorated. While the world is focused on the horrific, genocidal war in Gaza, across the West Bank were also seeing one of the biggest land grabs in decades with more homes destroyed, families displaced, and settlements built. How can we repeatedly condemn this as illegal but continue to trade in the goods produced? Its clear hypocrisy, and it must stop. Ray Dolphin is a former senior analyst for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA), has authored numerous UN reports and published the book, The West Bank Wall: Unmaking Palestine. Members of the public, activists, journalists, and anyone interested in supporting justice for Palestine are encouraged to attend and engage in the discussion. It takes place on Tuesday, November 26, at 7.30pm at the Kennedy Glasgow House, The Quay, Ballina. Join Ireland's King of Swing, Luke Thomas and The Swing Cats, for their Kings of Swing Tour, which comes to the Town Hall in Westport on January 25th next. This brand-new show celebrates 100 years of swing music with a musical timeline of classics from the 1920s to the modern-day featuring Big Band songs like Sing Sing Sing, Puttin on The Ritz, Just a Gigolo and Mack The Knife to crooning favourites like Mr Bojangles, Fly Me To The Moon and Moon River all the way to the iconic swing anthem New York New York. Audiences have been on their feet and venues sold out all over the country for this electrifying show commemorating the illustrious 100-year legacy of swing music. Luke Thomas has also captivated audiences as a headline act at The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival this year and at Electric Picnic and also on The Late Late Show, Ireland AM, The Today Show, The Six O'Clock Show and every major radio station in the country. With two number one albums, three TV concert specials and eight personally requested performances for President Michael D Higgins, Luke Thomas and The Swing Cats bring that irresistible charisma and magnetic charm that defined the iconic legends of swing music. With a stage presence that exudes timeless sophistication, electric energy and effortlessly cool, Luke Thomas channels the suave charisma of Sinatra and the debonair charm of Dean Martin, captivating audiences with every note. With dynamic performances and undeniable star quality, Luke Thomas and the Swing Cats pay homage to the golden era of swing while infusing it with their own modern flair, creating a mesmerising experience that leaves a lasting impression. Witness the evolution of swing music through the decades, from the Big Band era of the 1930s to the vibrant sounds of the 1940s and beyond. Celebrate the enduring influence of swing music and get immersed in the rich tapestry of swing history. Let the Kings of Swing Tour 2024 be your guide through a century of musical brilliance, a testament to the timeless allure of swing where every note strikes a chord in your heart and soul. Prepare to dance, sing, and swing the night away! Tickets, from 28, available from www.theswingcats.ie Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech under the title "Shouldering Responsibility to Our Times And Jointly Promoting Asia-Pacific Development" at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Lima Convention Center in Lima, Peru, Nov. 16, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] BEIJING, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded visit to Latin America is a journey of friendship across mountains and seas, a journey of solidarity to jointly promote development, and a journey of cooperation to expand partnership, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. From Nov. 13 to 23, Xi was invited to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to Peru, and to attend the 19th G20 Summit and pay a state visit to Brazil. During the 11 days, Xi attended nearly 40 bilateral and multilateral events and reached more than 60 cooperation documents, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. From Lima to Rio de Janeiro, Xi once again sent a clear message of firmly upholding multilateralism at the crossroads of human history, illuminated the "Latin American moment" of global governance with Chinese wisdom, and demonstrated China's image as a responsible major country with fairness, justice, courage, openness and inclusiveness, Wang said. Xi attended the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and delivered a written speech to the CEO summit, calling on Asia-Pacific economies to continuously adhere to true multilateralism, build an open and interconnected paradigm for Asia-Pacific cooperation, make green innovation a catalyst for the Asia-Pacific, and uphold a universally beneficial and inclusive vision for Asia-Pacific development, Wang said. Wang said that Xi has always attached great importance to the issue of development. At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Xi elaborated on China's concept of global governance in a comprehensive and systematic way, stressing the need to make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient, and build a just world of common development, Wang said. Xi called for building a world economy characterized by cooperation, stability, openness, innovation and eco-friendliness, and announced China's eight actions for global development, including joining the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, Wang said. The important initiatives have responded to the strong will of the Global South to seek equality and promote change, and have defined the right direction for improving global governance, Wang said. Wang noted that the key highlight of Xi's visit to Peru was the Chinese president and his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, jointly attending the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link. Chancay Port is the first smart port and the first green port in South America, Wang said, adding that once completed, it will bring huge revenues to Peru and contribute to establishing a new Asia-Latin America land-sea corridor with the Chancay Port as a starting point. In Brazil, Xi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva engaged in in-depth and amicable strategic communication, agreeing that the China-Brazil relationship is at its best in history, said Wang. The two countries announced an elevation of their ties to the community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet and decided to establish synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's development strategies, said Wang, adding that Xi's visit is an important milestone in the history of China-Brazil relations. Wang said that Xi held more than 10 bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the multilateral gatherings. In Xi's meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, the two heads of state stressed the extreme importance of China-U.S. relations, noting that a stable China-U.S. relationship is critical not only to the interests of the two peoples, but also to the future and destiny of the entire humanity, Wang said. Xi reiterated China's principles and positions on such major issues as Taiwan, urging the two sides to shoulder the responsibilities of major countries and keep exploring the right way for two major countries to get along well with each other and inject more certainty and positive energy into the world, Wang said. Xi also met with leaders of France, Germany, Britain and other major European countries respectively, stressing that China and Europe should view each other from a long-term and strategic perspective, adhere to partnership, commit to properly resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement, said Wang. During his trip, Xi elaborated on China's important measures to promote high-quality development and high-level opening-up through talks and meetings, public addresses, written speeches, and signed articles, Wang said, adding that the Chinese president welcomed all parties to grow together with the Chinese economy and work together for the modernization of all countries featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech entitled "Working Together for a Fair and Equitable Global Governance System" at the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 18, 2024. Xi attended the G20 Summit here on Monday. [Xinhua/Li Xueren] Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi on Thursday held talks with Boluarte in Lima. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, attend the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Li Xueren] Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sign and issue a joint statement on jointly building the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. [Xinhua/Xie Huanchi] Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders and representatives from APEC member economies pose for a group photo in Lima, Peru, Nov. 16, 2024. Xi on Saturday delivered an important speech at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting under the title "Shouldering Responsibility to Our Times And Jointly Promoting Asia-Pacific Development." [Xinhua/Huang Jingwen] Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with other participating leaders after the closing session of the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. Xi attended the closing session of the 19th G20 Summit on Tuesday. [Xinhua/Li Tao] (Source: Xinhua) Editor: Ye Shan The anti-immigration offensive of Britains Labour government has seen a record number of deportations of asylum seekers since it came to power in July. Home Office data reveals that 9,400 people have been deported to their home countries since then. The Daily Mirror reported last week, Altogether, more than 25 bespoke returns flights have taken place since July 5th, returning individuals to a range of countries including Albania, Poland, Romania and Vietnam, plus the first ever charter to Timor-Leste, and the biggest ever returns flight to Nigeria and Ghana. Including the mass deportations to Nigeria and Ghana, the Labour government has organised what the right-wing press are hailing as the three biggest returns flights in UK history. A significant proportion of these are forced deportationsalmost 2,600, an increase of 19 percent compared to 2023 when the Conservatives were in office. Labour campaigned for election pledged to deport thousands more asylum seekers. Taking office it immediately scrapped the Conservatives Rwanda policy, denouncing the Tories for spending hundreds of millions of pounds on failed attempts to deport asylum seekers to the African country. No flights to Rwanda were able to leave Britain due to legal challenges against a policy flouting international law. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer declared the Rwanda policy dead and buried, with Labour shifting all existing funds allocated to it over to its new beefed-up Border Security Command (BSC) and Returns and Enforcement Unit. Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Yvette Cooper visiting Dover in May 2024 with Tory-turned-Labour MP Natalie Elphicke (left) [Photo by Keir Starmer / Flickr / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Three weeks after Labour took power, on July 25, the Home Office announced that 46 migrants had been deported by plane to Timor-Leste and Vietnam. The flight to Vietnam was the first for deportations since 2022. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper crowed, We have immediately replaced the flight planning for Rwanda with actual flights to return people who have no right to stay to their home countries instead. In August, Cooper promised to deport at least 14,385 illegal migrants by the end of the year, the highest rate since 2018. The government continually briefs the media on its anti-immigrant agenda to ensure front-page coverage and in the words of the Mirror, its understood more flights are planned before the end of the yearto new countries the UK hasnt previously charted flights to, meaning Labour may well exceed its target. Throughout the summer, the media have kept up a morbid running commentary on how many asylum seekers have been successfully kicked out of the country by Labour, documenting any progress made while keeping a score on how many asylum seekers are still arriving by boat. By August 31, the Daily Mail, a frothing anti-immigrant hate sheet, was splashing a headline lauding The biggest deportation flight in history and how Labour have drawn first blood in battle against the small boat crossings. This was a reference to asylum seekers whose only means to enter the UK is via the hazardous crossing of the Channel. The article by right-winger Dan Hodges, who describes himself as a tribal neo-Blairite, is a paean to Cooper. Hodges backed her for the Labour leadership in the 2015 election in which she and another Blairite, Liz Kendallnow Starmers Work and Pensions ministerwere routed by Jeremy Corbyn. Hodges was crestfallen that boats were still able to make it to the UKs shores: Our new Prime Minister hit the dubious milestone of 6,000 new arrivals on August 27, the 54th day of his premiership. But this was a Labour success as the Tories Liz Truss reached it after just 29 days, Rishi Sunak after 38. Starmer was keeping asylum seekers out, enthused Hodges, because since the election the rate of new arrivals has actually fallenit is currently 25 percent lower than the 25,000 who had arrived by this stage in 2022. And thats despite the warm weather and calm seas of the past month. This was down to the decision to redeploy huge resources away from the Rwanda policy. Hodges cited a Home Office official who said, One of Yvettes first acts was to move 300 officials off Rwanda, and on to ordinary deportations. Hodges pointed to the immediate results. Although it was done with little fanfare, on August 23 a flight left the UK with 220 illegal migrants on board. Though ministers wont reveal the destination for reasons of diplomatic protocol, it represented the biggest single-day deportation in British history, and was processed without the last-minute lawyerly wrangling and recrimination associated with previous removal efforts. Hodges noted the close relationship between Cooper and Director General of Immigration Enforcement, Bas Javidbrother of the former Tory Home Secretary Sajid Javid. This has centred on deporting migrants from countries with low grant rates, as there is virtually no chance of an asylum request being approved and options for a successful legal challenge are much more limited. To fill deportation planes the government was prioritising raids on car-washes, nail bars and some specific areas of the hospitality sector. Labour is doing everything to escalate its deportation regime, with Starmer telling reporters of the 9,400 already deported, We have had the biggest single plane loads of returns going off, I think we have had the three biggest now that have ever gone off, so that is really good on returns. Starmer said he was working closely with the French, German and Italian governmentswho have created a Fortress Europe with barbed wire fences sealing off the continent to asylum seekers, backed by vicious pushback operations, to ensure that known migrant routes are cut-offand was pressing hard on law enforcement. Italys government is led by the fascist Giorgia Meloni with whom Starmer has sought the closest relations since taking office, holding extensive talks at what he described as a fantastic meeting in Rome in September, and at leaders summits. The November 17 Sunday Times noted that the pair discussed how her right-wing government had succeeded in reducing the number of migrants reaching Italys shores by boat, with the interior ministry reporting a 62 percent fall in arrivals over the first seven months of 2024. Frontex, the EUs border force, has calculated a 64 per cent fall in the number of people arriving from north Africa and Malta. Flaunting his relations with Meloni, Starmer spoke on November 4 to the General Assembly of INTERPOLthe intergovernmental organization that co-ordinates police forces around the world. Labours anti-immigration agenda is shrouded in Starmers oft-made statement about the need to smash the gangs who organise the boats making the Channel crossings. He declared, People-smuggling should be viewed as a global security threat similar to terrorism. Weve got to combine resources, share intelligence and tactics, and tackle the problem upstream, working together to shut down the smuggling routes. As illegal migration is, without question, a massive driver of global insecurity, the prime minister declared, I will work with anyone serious who can offer solutions on thisanyone. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as he hosts the European Political Community (EPC) Summit [Photo by Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Anyone refers to the growing number of far-right governments in Europe, specifically Melonis of whom Starmer said, Were also working with Italy to dismantle the supply chains of maritime equipment, combat illicit financial flows, and strengthen our investigative capacities and our data sharing. And as part of the UKs wider reset with the European Union, we are seeking a new security pact, including restoring access to real-time intelligence sharing networks. In the two weeks since, Starmer has centred praise on Italys upstream work in north Africa, in Tunisia and Libya, with which Rome has signed deals that intensify border security and train up the coastguard to prevent migrants escaping. The Sunday Times reported that Cooper is working on a series of Italy-style deals with several countries to help them stop thousands of illegal migrants setting off on the perilous journey to Britain. Named in the report were Kurdistan, Iraq, Turkey and Vietnam, with co-operation and security agreements expected to be concluded before the end of the year. Labour have no differences with the Tories on offshoring asylum processing. It pulled the plug on the Rwanda scheme only because it was unworkable. Last month, Labour announced it had reached an agreement to deport any migrants arriving in the Chagos Islands in the British Indian Ocean territories to St Helena, an island in the South Atlantic 5,000 miles from the UK. Hodges Mail piece cites a Downing Street source who said, Were not going back to the Rwanda scheme It was a costly shambles. But we might have to look at some sort of offshore processing model to send a firm signal. The model is provided by Meloni, with Starmer very interested in Italys new five-year asylum seeker deal with Albania. The terms stipulate that the Balkan country hold 3,000 asylum seekers picked up by the Italian coastguard at any one timeroughly 36,000 across a yearin two camps while their claims are processed. Yes, many of the characters in Gladiator and its new sequel are based on actual figures from ancient Rome Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures Denzel Washington in "Gladiator II" Denzel Washington in "Gladiator II" Gladiator II might seem too wild to be believed Colosseum rhinos and baboons and sharks, oh my! but its based on real-life Roman history and people. Many of the characters in director Ridley Scotts Paul Mescal-starring sequel are inspired by history, says Roman culture expert Shadi Bartsch, the University of Chicagos Helen A. Regenstein Distinguished Service Professor of Classics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as Joaquin Phoenix played Commodus, an actual Roman emperor, in the 2000 hit starring Russell Crowe, the new characters Geta, Caracalla and Macrinus each did rule the empire. Note: Gladiator II spoilers follow. There was a guy called Macrinus, who was a Roman Emperor who ruled right after Caracalla, confirms Bartsch of the character played in the movie by Denzel Washington. A Berber with darker skin, Macrinus was born in the Roman province of Mauritania, which happens to be in North Africa, she says, noting that the empire in those times was "an interestingly colorblind society." Related: Ridley Scott Says Russell Crowe Once Asked to Star in Gladiator II: 'I Want to Come Back from the Dead' (Exclusive) Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures (Left-right:) Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen in 'Gladiator II' (Left-right:) Denzel Washington, Pedro Pascal and Connie Nielsen in 'Gladiator II' Macrinus "was the first Emperor who did not come from the senatorial class, instead serving under Caracalla as a Praetorian prefect dealing with Romes civic affairs, adds Bartsch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, despite eventually ruling, he was also the first emperor who never, ever got to visit Rome. He was an absent Roman emperor. This contrasts with the events of Gladiator II, in which Scott and writers David Scarpa and Peter Craig keep Washingtons character almost entirely within the ancient city. From there, Macrinus maneuvers Mescals Lucius Verus (a fictional character, although that name is borrowed from the real-life Marcus Aurelius brother) to fight in the Colosseum while he jockeys for power behind the scenes. Related: Denzel Washington Says He Didnt Know the Right Way to Greet King Charles at the Gladiator II Premiere All you had to do was have an army and kill the previous emperor in order to rule, explains Bartsch. You would travel with your army around the Roman provinces continuing warfare, continuing to enlarge the boundaries of the emperor. But you didn't have to come to Rome, and Macrinus didn't. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, the Macrinus depicted by Washington calls himself a formerly enslaved person, which differs from history: Macrinus was definitely not a former slave. Aidan Monaghan/Paramount Pictures Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington in 'Gladiator II' Paul Mescal and Denzel Washington in 'Gladiator II' Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The movies Caracalla, played by Fred Hechinger, and Geta, played by Joseph Quinn, were in fact co-emperors around the time Macrinus was gaining power. Their father, emperor Severus, wanted them to rule together, says Bartsch, which they did until, two years later, Caracalla has Geta killed so that he doesn't have to share the rule. While its not accurate that Macrinus would have assisted Caracalla in murdering Geta by their own hands, as is depicted in the movie, the large-scale transfers of power are based on real history, as Bartsch explains: Macrinus later conspired against Caracalla and had him murdered in a bid to protect his own life. Paramount Pictures Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn in 'Gladiator II' Fred Hechinger and Joseph Quinn in 'Gladiator II' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Ridley Scott Says 'There's Already an Idea' for Gladiator III What about the movie depicting poor Caracalla as having syphilis? Nope, answers Bartsch. If he were an advanced syphilitic, his nose tip would be black. Gladiator II, also starring Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen and Derek Jacobi, is in theaters now. 36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 36,718 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? Would you believe me if I told you that even before the recent tropical storm damage, Charlotte and Atlanta maintain a higher tree canopy percentage than Spartanburg and Greenville? Due to sustained efforts over the past decades to preserve and plant trees, reduce air pollution, and control stormwater runoff, each has 45% tree canopy. Compare that with the City of Spartanburg, which had nearly 40% before Hurricane/Tropical Storm Helene, while the City of Greenville had only 36%. The amount of tree canopy loss we are currently experiencing is shocking. Weve been here before. More than 150 years ago, the national trauma of the Civil War made hope for nature and humanity seem lost. America suffered the catastrophic loss of trees and habitats, as settlers cut down old-growth forests to fuel the engines of progress and war. During the 1860s Americas future looked bleak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet only seven years after the end of the war, Arbor Day began in Nebraska in 1872. This new day awakened intense feelings of action and conservation-mindedness across the United States. Two decades later, in 1896, Gov. Wilkinson Furnas of Nebraska stated, No observance ever sprang into existence so rapidly, favorably, permanently, and now so near universally throughout the whole civilized world as that of Arbor Day. Its rise to fame crossed geopolitical borders despite bitter divisiveness across the nation. How could such a day begin amid despair? Because humans launch into action during times of struggle and loss. The founder of Arbor Day, J. Sterling Morton, stated, Nature teaches by antithesis. When sick we learn to value health; when blind we realize the beneficence, the surprising and delicious sense of sight; when deaf we dream of the music we loved to hearso these treeless plainswere unfolded to the vision of the pioneer as a great lesson to teach himthe indispensability of woodlands. Planting trees is a belief in, and a faith act for a better future. One does not plant a tree believing hope is lost for the next generation. Since that first Arbor Day, countless trees have been planted by millions of students, teaching the eternal importance of this tradition. Morton and his contemporaries often spoke of Arbor Day as the only national holiday that looked to the future rather than commemorating the past. I believe in Arbor Days continuing power to shift national consciousness away from our present divisiveness to a celebration of rebirth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we face heightened threats of political violence and seemingly immoveable polarization, we need Arbor Day now more than ever. Whatever our grievances, Americans love trees and can work side-by-side to plant them for our childrens children to enjoy. The symbol of tree planting, hands in shared dirt and soil, unites us around shared values. This Dec. 6, South Carolina will celebrate our state Arbor Day, which in Latin means Tree Day. News of this occasion will most likely be drowned out by the political noise and those who want you to buy more, build bigger, and think only of your short-term desires. Its heartbreaking that Arbor Day is not celebrated in schools as much as a generation ago. But this year, and especially mindful of the damage caused by Helene, let us resolve to honor this holiday as part of the unique American spirit to rebuild and replant what has been lost. Like me, I know you are missing many of our beloved trees that were lost in the storm. Additionally, weve been losing even more trees to the explosive growth of our area. Many of us in the conservation community arent opposed to economic development and balanced growth, but we know there is more we can do to plant, protect, and promote trees right here in the Upstate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together we must replant what has been lost, educate the public on proper tree care, and resolve to never give up on doing what is right. Our shared future depends on what we plant today. Aaron Davis is the executive director of TreesUpstate, a 501c3 nonprofit organization that plants, promotes, and protects trees in Anderson, Greenville, Oconee, Pickens, and Spartanburg counties. Learn more at www.treesupstate.org. This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Conservation Corner: In times of tumult, plant trees to renew hope She puts the glam in glamma. An octogenarian from a small farming village in Zambia has become an unlikely style icon by dressing up in her fashion-forward granddaughters outfits. Margret [sic] Chola gained internet fame after her granddaughter, Diana Kaumba, a NYC-based stylist, began snapping photos of her donning the glamorous ensembles. The octogenarian has 119,000 followers on her Instagram handle @legendary_glamma. Photos by @luxuryphotographyzambia I feel different, I feel new and alive in these clothes, in a way that Ive never felt before, Chola, who lives in a village of just 10 miles, north of the Zambian capital, Lusaka, told the BBC. I feel like I can conquer the world I didnt know I could make such an impact at this age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chola doesnt know her real age since she doesnt have a birth certificate but believes shes in her mid-80s. She now has 119,000 followers on her Instagram handle @legendary_glamma. The photos on the popular page range from Chola draped in everything from a crown and sunglasses to a turban paired with a billowing skirt to ultra-long fake fingernails, blonde wigs, and multiple gold chains. Her posts also pay homage to her life in Zambia, showing her holding an ibende, a wooden stick used to pound millet, or posing with a mbaula a charcoal brazier made for cooking. Kaumba launched the account last year after she visited Zambia for the second anniversary of the death of her father, whom she credits for inspiring her fashion sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought it would be nice to dress up Mbuya in high fashion and then take photographs of her in her natural habitat, Kaumba explained to the outlet. When she presented the idea to her grandmother, or Mbuya in the Bemba language, Chola obliged. I wasnt doing anything at the time, so I just said: OK. If thats what you want to do lets do it why not?' she told the outlet. You will miss me when I die and at least this way you will be remembering me. Cholas granddaughter, NYC-based stylist Diana Kaumba, launched an Instagram account about her grandmother last year. Photos by @luxuryphotographyzambia The first picture the pair shared of Chola donning a silver pantsuit quickly gained attention. I was so nervous when I posted that first photo. I left my phone for 10 minutes and in those 10 minutes there were 1,000 likes, Kaumba recalled to the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My mind was blown. The comments were flying in and people were asking for more. The page really took off in April, after featuring Chola sporting a red Adidas dress, multiple necklaces, and a crown. Chola, a mom of three, said her outlook on life has changed because of her newfound fame. Im now able to wake up with a purpose knowing that people around the world love to see me, she told the outlet. Are you getting tired of repetitive traditional Thanksgiving recipes? Need some ideas to spice things up? The Chieftain asked some local chefs for suggestions that incorporate Pueblo chiles in Thanksgiving offerings. It turns out even vegan dishes highlight the green chile as a premiere ingredient. "Something I have learned over the years is just how versatile the Pueblo chile is. You can add it to almost any dish," said Chef Mo Montgomery, culinary and education director for Fuel and Iron Pueblo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chef Chad Hankins, owner of The Cutting Board, said having grown up in Pueblo, he's a "firm believer that Pueblo green chile could be added to everything." Chef Mo Montgomery carves a Pueblo chile-rub roasted chicken at Fuel Kitchens on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Here's some spicy suggestions "If you are going to add chile to any Thanksgiving dish, it should be a creamy dish like nice buttery mashed potatoes with green chile folded into it," Hankins said. Montgomery said she likes to use some chopped green chiles in her Thanksgiving stuffing, or dressing. "Just add as much as you like to your bread, sausage, leek and stock mixture and bake as usual," she said, noting that the addition of green chile is also a "great way to dress up store-bought dressing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who like to serve cornbread with their Thanksgiving meal will find fresh Pueblo chile is a nice addition, Montgomery said, but she also adds chile powders to her homemade bread rolls. If fresh or frozen roasted chiles are not readily at hand, Pueblo chile powders, both red and green, are available at local farms like Musso's. Chef Mo Montgomery created a Pueblo chile-infused Thanksgiving dinner that features Pueblo chile sourdough dressing, Pueblo chile-rub roasted chicken, Pueblo chile-rub roasted zucchini and a Pueblo chile sauce. "I use the chile powders in almost all my seasoning, from a spice rub for the turkey to a garnish for some roasted squash. The squash are also abundantly available at the farms, and will keep for several months," Montgomery explained. Hankins uses butternut and acorn squash to make a pie and this year plans to "fold some green chiles into it." "That will be delicious," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For vegan Thanksgiving dishes, Hankins has created a cranberry slaw with green chiles. He also has brainstormed a "play on green bean casserole using mushrooms, layered with green chile and our vegan cream of mushroom soup which has crushed mushrooms, a flour rue, oat milk, onion and garlic seasoning." Don't forget to top it with fried onions, just like the traditional green bean casserole. What if your guests shy away from green chile? "A great way to introduce Pueblo chiles without making everyone commit to it is to have some selection on a charcuterie board," Montgomery suggested. "I make Pueblo Caviar with diced Pueblo chiles, olive oil, and garlic salt that is great on crostini just by itself. " "You can also pick up some specialty cheese and meats from local stores that feature Pueblo chiles in their products. Some of my go-to places are Springside Cheese, Gagliano's, and Frank's Meat Market," she said. Cutting Board owner Chad Hankins stirs up a pot of green chile on Thursday October 3, 2024. You don't have to be vegan to enjoy plant-based dishes One of Hankins' earliest childhood food memories was eating a tater tot casserole with green chile. He loved that dish made by his working mom who didn't have a lot of time to cook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an adult he took her recipe and, "veganized it," he said. "It has tots, our oat-milk cream of mushroom soup, meat substitute, plant-based cheese," and of course, Pueblo green chiles. Through the years as Hankins and his wife Nako haul their Tofurkey to a Thanksgiving gathering, they get a few "looks" from the meat eaters in the family. The Tofurkey is a tofu-based meat substitute patterned after turkey. "My uncle who made fun of me for 22 years suggested an all-vegan Thanksgiving meal last year. Everybody loved it and he finally stopped making fun of us after a couple of decades," Hankins said with a laugh. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Even my cousin who is 6-foot-3 and is a hunter said he loves our food. So you don't have to be plant-based to eat plant-based food," Hankins explained. "The key is to add a ton of oil and salt that is what makes food taste good, especially at Thanksgiving," he said. Two tasty recipes featuring chile to try out for Thanksgiving Pueblo Chile BBQ Rub Courtesy Mo Montgomery Tips: "This rub is excellent on Thanksgiving turkey, but I usually use this rub for meats that I am about to put on the smoker, like ribs, pork shoulder, or beef brisket. Sometimes I add it to my homemade biscuits in place of salt and sugar. Without the sugar, this makes a nice savory seasoning for tacos. Its also great on vegetables like summer or winter squash, roasted with garlic and olive oil," Montgomery said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I usually make it with 1 part being equal to 4 tablespoons and store it in a mason jar with my other spices," she said. "You can find red and green chile powders at most Pueblo County Farms. They usually come in 1-pound bags, enough to last about a year at my house. You can make this spice rub hotter by increasing the amount of red chile powder you add, or even by adding an extra-spicy red Pueblo chile powder." Ingredients: 2 parts red Pueblo chile powder 2 parts green chile powder 2 parts garlic powder 1 part freshly ground black pepper 1 part onion powder 1 part cumin 2 parts brown sugar 4 parts coarse Kosher salt Pueblo Chile and Sourdough Dressing (serves 10-12) Courtesy Mo Montgomery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tips: "I like to bring this dish to Thanksgiving with my family who lives outside of Pueblo, so they can get a little taste of our home. This is an easy way to introduce Pueblo chiles without smothering the dish. The key to a really good Thanksgiving stuffing is to use homemade turkey stock. You can make this stock with the bones from any holiday turkey, and freeze it for the next time," Montgomery said. Ingredients: 1 loaf crusty sourdough bread, cut into bite-sized cubes 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2-4 cups homemade turkey stock, depending on size of loaf. Chicken stock can be substituted. 2 leeks 2 stalks celery, cleaned and sliced thinly lb. Gaglianos mild ground pork sausage cup diced Pueblo green chiles 2 each garlic cloves, minced. 1 oz (or 1 small packet of sprigs) fresh culinary sage 1 oz (or bunch) flat-leaf parsley 2 sprigs fresh thyme, stem removed. Equipment: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cutting board, large kitchen knife and serrated bread knife for cutting up bread and vegetables Baking sheet lined with parchment paper 1-quart pot for turkey stock Casserole dish Small skillet Instructions: Spread the bread cubes in a single layer on the baking sheet and toast in the oven at200F for 30 minutes. Let cool completely. Heat turkey stock on low heat in a small pot. Add half of the fresh sage and 2 tbsp salt.Bring to a simmer and hold just below a boil. Slice the leeks lengthwise, and trim any dark green leaves and roots from the stalk. Slicelengthwise into quarters. Wash the leeks under running water, making sure to getbetween the layers. Shake dry and slice thinly against the grain. For the herbs, remove the leaves and chop the parsley finely. Remove leaves from thestem of the sage, but keep them whole. Brown the sausage in the extra-virgin olive oil in a small skillet with garlic and leeksand whole sage leaves. Remove from heat. Season to taste. Mix the bread cubes, Pueblo green chiles, and chopped parsley into the skillet. Makesure it is mixed well with the bread absorbing some fat and seasoning from the pork.Pour the entire mixture into the casserole dish. Drizzle the turkey stock over the dressing, soaking the bread cubes. Bake, uncovered, with the rest of the holiday dishes, at least 30 minutes uncovered, untilliquid is absorbed and softening the bread, but not making it soggy, and top of breadpieces are crispy. Serve with holiday turkey. More on Thanksgiving dishes with chile: Pueblo vs Hatch: Pueblo chef's Thanksgiving dressing allows chile's floral notes to shine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chieftain reporter Tracy Harmon covers business news. She can be reached by email at tharmon@chieftain.com or via 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: Chefs share tips for including Pueblo chile in Thanksgiving dishes The long-standing Providence Journal Holiday Fund is now accepting donations to connect underserved youth in the Providence community with gifts and essentials this holiday season. Administered by the Rhode Island Foundation, donations will go toward purchasing necessities, including clothing, toiletries, baby supplies, underwear and books. Last year, the Holiday Fund raised enough money to provide gifts for hundreds of children. We are thrilled to partner with our readers once again to help children whose families otherwise may have had very little to give this holiday season, said Lynne Sullivan, executive editor of The Providence Journal. Your donations to our Holiday Fund go directly to help the children in our community who need it most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Journal plans to dedicate print and online advertising space to promote the fund and recognize donors weekly in the newspapers Thursday edition and online at providencejournal.com/donors. When young people dont have to be anxious about going without even the basics, they will do better in class and in their communities," said David N. Cicilline, president and CEO of the Rhode Island Foundation. Donations can be made online at providencejournal.com/giving. Donations are also accepted via check or money order, payable to The Providence Journal Holiday Fund and mailed to the Rhode Island Foundation, One Union Station, Providence, RI 02903. This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Donate to the Providence Journal Holiday Fund to help families in need Fries are a big deal in Belgium: They've been making them since the 1700s, and despite their name, Belgium (not France) is often considered to be the home of french fries. If you travel there, you'll find them served as street food at plenty of frietkots or friteries, as purveyors of fried potatoes are known in Flemish and French respectively. When you order, you'll likely be presented with a long menu of sauces to accompany your fries. Classic ketchup is on there, as is oh-so-European mayonnaise, and options that will likely be unfamiliar to Americans, like samurai sauce (made with harissa, tomatoes, and peppers), or the curious pineapple-mayo combination that is Brazil sauce. Beyond classic mayo, perhaps the most popular option is sauce andalouse by name, you'd think it hails from the Andalusia region of Spain, but it's entirely a Belgian creation. Sauce andalouse is made with mayo, lemon juice, tomato paste, minced onions, and red and green peppers. Some versions may call for shallots (in place of onions), paprika, and mustard. While often compared to Thousand Island dressing (more or less a mix of ketchup and mayo), andalouse's unique combination of flavors is likely why it is so popular in Belgium. Its creamy mayo base gets an acidic kick from the lemon and peppers, plus unctuous umami from the tomato paste, resulting in a phenomenally well-rounded condiment for dipping. Read more: 7 Must-Have Canned Foods And 7 To Avoid In Your Pantry The Invention Of Sauce Andalouse Fries topped with andalouse sauce on a table. - r.classen/Shutterstock Despite its immense popularity, sauce andalouse hasn't been around for nearly as long as centuries-old mayonnaise. A Belgian company called La William claims to have created the sauce around 40 years ago, having based it loosely on gazpacho. (For the record, gazpacho does feature tomato, peppers, and onions, but definitely no mayonnaise, while sauce andalouse drops the cucumbers that are typically included in gazpacho.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement La William is apparently quite the prolific sauce-maker, also staking a claim to the invention of the fairly common Brasil sauce, with its sweet-spicy mayonnaise, pineapple, and curry powder combination. They also invented riche sauce, a pink tartare colored with cranberries. One other company, Anda Premium Sauces, also claims to be the originator of sauce andalouse, with its founder Lea De Boeck-Vandenwyngaert having created it in the late 1960s, although few other sources back up this story. Whatever the case, the orange-tinted accompaniment is now produced and sold by a number of companies. Sauce andalouse isn't just used for phenomenally crispy double-fried Belgian french fries, although that might be its most common use. In France, you might find the condiment added to kebabs, while in Belgium it can crop up in a lot of places. Its purported original maker, La William, recommends using it with red meat, while it can work well with fish, and also appears on the mitraillette, a Belgian sandwich featuring ground meat or sausage as well as fries. Read the original article on Chowhound. DENVER (KDVR) One person was killed in a head-on crash in Conifer that happened Friday night, and now investigators are looking for witnesses. According to a press release from Colorado State Patrol, the crash happened just after 6 p.m. on U.S. Highway 285 by milepost 234 near Conifer. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox CSP said troopers found that a Dodge pickup truck was going south and had crossed into the northbound lanes, crashing head-on with an Xcel Energy truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Dodge, a 63-year-old woman from Shawnee, died on the scene. Her identity has not yet been released and will be released by the Jefferson County Coroners Office. CSP said there were two juveniles in the pickup truck who were treated for minor injuries. The driver of the Xcel Energy truck was also treated for minor injuries. Investigators are now asking the public for help. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call CSP dispatch at 303-239-4522 referencing case number 1A243302. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Gov. Jared Polis, right, listens as Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, touts the states vision for transportation last week. DENVER (KDVR) A man is dead after an afternoon shooting on the border of Denvers Ruby Hill and Mar Lee neighborhoods on Saturday. On Sunday, police said they had arrested a suspect in the case. Denver police reported the shooting on X at about 2 p.m., saying that officers were investigating in the 1600 block of South Federal Boulevard. The area is near the Sanderson-Gulch Trail. An arrest affidavit said the shooting occurred at about 1:39 p.m., and a caller to the Denver dispatch center said their neighbor was shot inside a white Dodge Ram with a tan Glock firearm. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At about 3:07 p.m., the agency said the adult male victim had died at a hospital, and the case was under investigation as a homicide. According to the arrest affidavit, police found the victim lying next to the pickup truck with multiple gunshot wounds. At about 5:50 p.m., the Denver Police Department reported that investigators had contacted everyone involved. The affidavit stated that police located the suspect in a small stairway that was an apartment entrance. The man, now identified as Jose Cantu Jr., 24, was taken into police custody without incident. Police conducted a protective sweep of the apartments and found a black handgun with a magazine and bullet sitting just inside the apartment door. The affidavit said that Cantu and the victim were arguing before Cantu shot the victim. Police searched Cantus apartment and found three handguns and a safe that may contain a fourth handgun. Cantu is currently being held on suspicion of first-degree murder by Denver police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A driver is dead and another was seriously injured after a two-vehicle crash in Linn County Friday evening, authorities said. At around 5 p.m., Oregon State police troopers responded to reports of a crash involving two vehicles on HWY 228 near milepost 16. On arrival, they learned a pickup going eastbound had crossed into the westbound lane and crashed into a car. 20 cars stranded in snow on Union County road due to faulty GPS directions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the car was dead at the scene and the passenger was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, officials said. The driver of the pickup was also hospitalized. Officials said highway traffic was impacted for over four hours for the duration of the investigation. No further information has been released at this time. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A multistate outbreak of a food-borne illness has been linked to a South Carolina-based food processor in the Upstate, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Friday. At least 11 cases have been reported and 72,000 pounds of meat and poultry have been recalled. Data showed that ready-to-eat meat and poultry products distributed by Yu Shang Food Inc. in Spartanburg were contaminated with listeria and making people sick. As of Friday, 11 people were reported infected across four states between 2021 and 2024. Nine cases resulted in hospitalizations. In California, a pregnant person and their twins were sick and both babies died. Only one of the babies was found to have been infected with the illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listeria can cause fever, muscle aches, headache and stomach problems, among other symptoms. The infection can cause miscarriages, stillbirths, premature delivery or life-threatening infection of a newborn. It is also a serious illness for older people and those with weakened immune systems. Officials said the actual number of people who got sick in the outbreak is likely higher than just the cases reported, because some people recover without medical care. And recent illnesses might not have been reported yet, because it can take three to four weeks to determine whether a sick person is part of an outbreak. The CDC, along with the U.S. Department of Agricultures Food Safety and Inspection Service and officials in several states, are collecting more information and interviewing people about the foods they ate in the month before they got sick. Among the eight people interviewed, seven people shopped in person and online at markets where Yu Shang food products are sold. Two people specifically reported eating Yu Shang brand ready-to-eat chicken products. In October, routine testing of Yu Shang products confirmed that a pork snout product was contaminated with listeria, and was closely related to the bacteria from the sick people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC said that people likely got sick from eating foods produced by Yu Shang. Yu Shang recalled ready-to-eat meat and poultry products on Nov. 9, and expanded the recall on Nov. 21. People should not eat, sell or serve any of the recalled products, the USDA said. These include cooked chicken, pork belly, beef, lamb and more. They bear establishment number P-46684 or EST. M46684 inside the USDA mark of inspection and were shipped to retail locations nationwide and available online. OCALA, Fla. (WFLA) A 15-year-old girl is facing a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child after shooting and killing another teen at a Florida home, officials said. On the evening of Oct. 23, Marion County deputies responded to reports of a shooting at an Ocala home in the Marion Oaks subdivision. Mom accused of shooting teen daughter at McDonalds in South Florida Investigators discovered that the teen shot the 14-year-old, who was at the home along with four other juveniles, to smoke marijuana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to deputies, the girl initially denied firing the weapon, saying it went off accidentally after someone dropped it, claiming she didnt know it was loaded. However, she later told authorities she heard the victim pull the trigger, leading her to believe the firearm was unloaded. Thats when she grabbed the gun and pulled the trigger, pointing it to the victims face. Clearwater woman tries to shoot security guard after smoke shop dispute: police The 15-year-old was arrested on Thursday on the aggravated manslaughter of a child charge. The Marion County Sheriffs Office is still investigating where and how they got ahold of the firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WFLA.com is not naming the suspect or victims, due to them all being underage. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Maksym Tkachenko, a Ukrainian MP from Servant of the People party, states that over 150,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) have returned to the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine, with approximately one-third of those who fled during the full-scale war returning to Mariupol. Source: Maksym Tkachenko, member of the parliamentary Committee on Human Rights, De-occupation and Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine, National Minorities and Interethnic Relations, in an interview with Ukrinform news agency Quote: "Already, around 150,000 internally displaced people have returned to the temporarily-occupied territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to available data, 200,000 Mariupol citizens fled their city to escape the conflict that Russia had brought to our land. At the same time, one-third of them returned home, to Mariupol, to live under occupation. It appears that there are around 67-70,000 people there. I think those are horrible figures." Details: The main reason for the return of internally displaced individuals to the occupied territories, according to Tkachenko, is that they were unable to start a new life in Ukrainian-controlled territory because they "did not receive proper assistance from the state no housing, no social support, compensation, work, etc." According to him, a big percentage of IDPs "could not find work because of the sceptical attitude of employers towards them, and all those offers that are provided to IDPs are actually very low-paid." He asserted that these people face prejudice in the labour market. According to Tkachenko, their incomes seldom reach UAH 8,000-12,000 (US$194 to US$290), while the cost of renting housing in Ukraine's relatively safe districts begins at UAH 10,000. At the same time, when IDPs start working, they lose their entitlement to receive state assistance to cover the expense of renting accommodation. At the same time, there are very few sites that provide "acceptable living conditions" for free. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tkachenko stated that there are currently over 5 million internally displaced people in Ukraine. "We're talking about about five million people. Why approximately? Because, on the one hand, the number of IDPs has increased due to the enemy's advancement... On the other hand, the number of IDPs is decreasing as individuals return home, in particular to temporarily occupied territories, or travel overseas. We are losing people because the state is delaying support and its volume is insufficient," Tkachenko said. Support UP or become our patron! Editor's note: Maksym Tkachenko later walked back on his statement, saying that no reliable data supporting the figure exists. He called this figure an "unfounded and emotional assumption." We have reported on the latest developments here: MP walks back his statement on number of IDPs returning to occupied territories. About 150,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) have already returned to Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine, lawmaker Maksym Tkachenko said in an interview with the news outlet Ukrinform published Nov. 24. There are nearly 5 million IDPs currently registered in Ukraine, including 3.6 million who fled or were forced from their homes after Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, according to the Social Policy Ministery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "About 150,000 internally displaced persons have already returned to the temporarily occupied territories," said Tkachenko, who serves in the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on a committee focused on human rights and the liberation of occupied territories. The figure includes around 70,000 who have returned to the southern city of Mariupol, which was occupied by Russian forces in May 2022 after a months-long siege. Of the approximately 200,000 people who fled Mariupol after the launch of the full-scale war, one third have now returned to the occupied city, Tkachenko said. "According to estimates, this is approximately 67-70,000 people. In my opinion, these are terrible figures," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inadequate support from the state is part of what prompts people to return to Russian-occupied areas, Tkachenko said. IDPs require more resources and government assistance in order to integrate into new communities. Many IDPs face difficulties securing housing and employment after fleeing their homes. The problem of mass displacement in Ukraine continues to grow, as Russia's ongoing advance in the east leads to more civilian evacuations. Russia now occupies around 20% of Ukrainian territory. Read also: Thousands of Ukrainian IDPs are struggling to adapt amid housing, employment crises Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. CHICAGO A 16-year-old boy died and a 15-year-old boy was wounded in a shooting overnight in the Little Village neighborhood on the citys Southwest Side. According to Chicago police, the victims were standing on the sidewalk in the 2600 block of South Avers Avenue around 1:30 a.m. Sunday when shots were fired. Woman shot near Macys in downtown Chicago Police say the 16-year-old was shot in the abdomen and taken to an area hospital by the Chicago Fire Department, where he was later pronounced dead. The Cook County Medical Examiners Office has identified him as Jesus M. Sanchez of Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 15-year-old was shot in the back and taken to an area hospital by CFD in good condition. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Police had blocked off the front lawns of two homes and a fenced-off parking lot as they collected evidence. They found at least 12 shell casings on the grass near a tree. Nobody is in custody, police say, and Area Four detectives are investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. In the many celebrations, reflections and histories of Plymouth colony, the settlements gender dynamics often get short shrift. But not unlike today, men possessed power and privilege, women feared voicing their views and experiences, and the authorities debated how to respond to accusations of impropriety. Original writings about the first New England settlement that I researched while writing my new book, The World of Plymouth Plantation, reveal that Plymouth dealt with sexual assault allegations in the early days of the colony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this one incident, a man named John Lyford was found guilty of rape in Ireland and driven out of his community. This left him free to take his predatory ways to another place: Plymouth Plantation. A new settler arrives Much of what historians know about Lyford is contained in the key text about Plymouth, settler William Bradfords handwritten account, Of Plimoth Plantation. Lyford, an out-of-work Oxford graduate, arrived in Plymouth in 1622 with his family and servants. Their passage had been funded by the approximately 70 investors in England who backed the Plymouth settlement. Little was known of Lyfords past other than the fact that he had held a position as minister to a Protestant church in Ireland. Nonetheless, he had high hopes for his new life in the New World: He expected to be employed as the communitys teacher and sought to one day be named the churchs minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Plymouth, the church accepted Lyford as a member. At the time, he gave a seemingly heartfelt, if vague, confession of his sins, his desire for forgiveness and his wish to be received into the religious community. Bradford, who was present for the confession, wrote of how Lyford made an acknowledgment of his former disorderly walking, and his being Entangled with many corruptions, which had been a burthen to his conscience. Despite this auspicious beginning, Lyford was soon at odds with the settlements leaders. Because the church didnt ultimately choose him as its minister, he decided to create a rival congregation that he could lead. He also wrote letters to the settlements investors criticizing the undertaking. Lyford depicted the leadership as hostile to the Church of England, intolerant of the religious views of others and bent on retaining power at any cost. As a result of his complaints, a hearing in England took place in 1625 to consider the accusations. Investors, representatives of both Lyford and the colony, and an audience made up of various members of the public attended. Afterwards, most investors withdrew their support of the colony. Why they did so is unclear. Either they were truly outraged at Lyfords revelations or they were happy to have an excuse to stop sending money to the unprofitable enterprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the outcome for Plymouth might have been much worse had Lyfords past not caught up with him. A predator is unmasked Plymouth settler Edward Winslow, who represented Plymouth during the hearing in England, discovered that Lyford had a dirty secret. From men friendly to Plymouth who were present, he learned that Lyford had lost his post in Ireland because of a sexual assault. One of Lyfords parishioners had approached him for advice about his prospective bride, and he asked the minister if he thought her a worthy wife for a godly man. Lyford offered to meet with this woman unnamed in the records to assess her worthiness. During the private interview, he reportedly raped her. Afterward, he advised her prospective husband to wed her. Once the couple was married, the bride revealed the ministers attack, presumably to her husband, who then denounced Lyford. The church fired Lyford, and he slunk out of Ireland hoping to start anew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Lyford had more than this one incident to hide. While embroiled in his fight with the Plymouth leaders, his wife, Sarah, told her new friends that he routinely assaulted their maids. She confided that he would meddle with them as they slept at the foot of the couples bed. Maids, being young, unmarried serving women who lived in their employers households, were vulnerable, and colonial law courts took a dim view of anyone who attacked them. People in period clothing dance during a reenactment of life in Plymouth Plantation. John Blanding/The Boston Globe via Getty Images In addition, Sarah reported that Lyford lied to her before they married, denying rumors that he had fathered an illegitimate child. After they married and she could not object because as a wife she was bound to obey her husband he brought the child into their household to live. Lyford was far from being what Plymouth churchgoers would consider appropriate clergyman material; he was a rapist and a liar. Church members were grateful that they had not made him their leader, and, for this and other objectionable behavior, he was exiled from the settlement. #MeToo, then and now Todays #MeToo movement centers on women coming forward about violence theyve been subjected to. They speak out about attacks by men who use their position of power to demean and assault them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the 17th century, women in Ireland, England and Plymouth rarely went public with their troubles. But neither were they entirely silent. The unnamed woman in Ireland told her husband what the minister had done, quite possibly after he found that she was not a virgin on their wedding night. Sarah Lyford, after years of putting up with her spouse, finally described his predatory ways to her friends and to the Plymouth churchs deacon. The serving women whom Lyford assaulted remained silent, a course that was not unusual for girls and women caught in this situation, unless pregnancy forced them to reveal the truth. Men in Ireland and Plymouth found Lyfords vile acts especially shocking because he was supposed to be a man of God. The men in the Irish church acted decisively once his rape was revealed. They did not as we sometimes see modern-day churches do accept his contrition and keep him on in his post. Instead, they swiftly fired him. The men of Plymouth wanted to be rid of Lyford for many reasons; in the end, they were glad that his reprehensible sexual assaults discredited him decisively. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of Lyford, powerful men turned on a sexual predator and supported the women whom he wronged. In this case, his victims gained some justice. But its also a reminder that then as now mens support for the cause is often required to hold perpetrators of sexual assault to account. This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Carla Gardina Pestana, University of California, Los Angeles Read more: Carla Gardina Pestana does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. The discovery of a car and human remains in a Brunswick retention pond may have just brought a 44-year-old cold case to a close. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Divers from the Sunshine State Sonar Team found a Lincoln Continental, the same car investigators believe Charles and Catherine Romer had been driving when they went missing in 1980. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Action News Jax Shanila Kabir spent the day at the scene where residents said this case had the Brunswick community rattled for years. The retention pond is along New Jesup Highway right outside the hotel where the Romers were last seen 44 years ago. Brunswick resident Barry Fahs said he saw the construction equipment pull out what was left in the pond. A rear end of a car, the car was tearing apart. The police officer said there were two deceased bodies in the car, said Fahs. The couple was reported to be snowbirds driving from Miami to New York and made a stop in Brunswick, Georgia where they vanished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was a hard-working man, and he had a good life for himself. I hope the family can have closure, said Fahs. Andy Mavromat said he worked the front desk at the hotel where the couple checked in and never left. He was in the oil industry; he was worth a bunch of money. When I worked at Holiday Inn, it was the big thing, and we never knew happened to them. We figured with all the money they had, someone followed them and robbed them, said Mavromat. He said locals believed for years the wealthy couple had been robbed and killed. But now given Saturdays discovery, he suspects the couple may have lost control of their car and drove into the pond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of these fences were here and they couldve run into the pond. They could have. The way you see this now, it was very different 44 years ago, said Mavromat. Action News Jax reached out to the Glynn County Police Department for comment, and they said the diving team received a tip about a possible car in the retention pond. We did reach out to the Sunshine State Sonar Team for details on that tip, we are waiting to hear back. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Two people are dead and one is injured after a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Colorado on Saturday while on a training mission, officials said. The crash on Storm Mountain, about 80 miles north of Denver, was reported shortly after 11 a.m., the Larimer County Sheriffs Office said in a statement Saturday night. Responding deputies found all three people who were on board, with two later confirmed dead, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane, out of the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron, crashed in Larimer County while on a routine training mission that included aerial photography, the sheriffs office said. Gov. Jared Polis identified the deceased as pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten. The person who was injured was identified as the co-pilot. The Colorado Army National Guard airlifted the co-pilot to a medical facility for care, according to Polis. The Larimer County Sheriffs Office described the survivor's injuries as "severe." Larimer County Search and Rescue also responded and was likely to be on-scene for days directing recovery efforts, the sheriff's office said. Recovery will take some time because the area is remote and its terrain is rugged, it said. Two people died after a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Larimer County, Colo., on Saturday. Polis described those who were on board as volunteers of the Civil Air Patrol who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten, he said. Missions conducted by the Air Patrol "range from search-and-rescue of lost hikers or hunters, location of downed aircraft, and transport of emergency personnel or medical materials," according to the release from Polis and Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan, the Adjutant General for the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. At the time of the crash, the temperature in nearby Fort Collins was about 49 degrees, with calm to 7 mph winds out of the north and 10-mile visibility, according to National Weather Service records. The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, said the plane was a Cessna 182. The sheriff's office will lead the investigation with help from the NTSB and Federal Aviation Administration, it said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Jon Caldara is president of the Independence Institute in Denver and hosts The Devils Advocate with Jon Caldara on Colorado Public Television Channel 12. His column appears Sundays in Colorado Politics. Two people are dead and another is injured after a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed Saturday in northern Colorado. The Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, said the aircraft -- a Cessna 182 -- was being used for a search-and-rescue training exercise when it crashed in a mountainous area of Larimer County. A spokesperson for the Larimer County Sheriff's Office said two of the crewmembers were pronounced deceased at the scene, while the third was airlifted to a nearby hospital with severe injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the crash is not yet clear, and the National Transportation Safety Board said in a post on X that it's now investigating. MORE: 4 dead, including student and teacher, in Vermont plane crash PHOTO: Two are dead and another injured after a single-engine plane crash in Larimer County, Colorado. (KMGH) The Civil Air Patrol said it's "deeply saddened" by the crash and it will "cooperate fully" with the NTSB's investigation. In a statement, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan, the adjutant general of Colorado, identified the deceased victims as pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, and the injured survivor as co-pilot Randall Settergren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three Civil Air Patrol members had been "conducting a routine training mission training aerial photography," Polis said. Polis said the three served in the Civil Air Patrol as "volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all." MORE: 5 missing Marines confirmed dead following helicopter crash PHOTO: Two are dead and another injured after a single-engine plane crash in Larimer County, Colorado. (KMGH) "The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten. I also want to thank the first responders who assisted with the rescue and recovery efforts," Polis said. Clellan expressed her "deepest condolences" to the families of the victims, and said the Civil Air Patrol is "devastated" by the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The volunteers of Civil Air Patrol are a valuable part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they do on a daily basis directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state," Clellan said. According to the statement from Polis and Clellan, the Civil Air Patrol conducts a wide variety of missions, including "search-and-rescue of lost hikers or hunters, location of downed aircraft, and transport of emergency personnel or medical materials." They also "respond to disasters by transporting doctors, firefighters or emergency personnel to the areas in need." Two dead, one injured in single-engine plane crash in Colorado originally appeared on abcnews.go.com SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) Police in Shaker Heights are actively investigating a deadly overnight shooting that killed two people. According to a Sunday morning press release, at about 3:30 a.m. police officers were called to the 17000 block of Shaker Boulevard for a report of multiple gunshots. Officials report that responding officers detained several people attempting to leave the area and found two male victims dead outside of a home. Former Wheel of Fortune host dies at 83 Where you can get a free Thanksgiving meal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several hours later, shortly after 10 a.m. on Sunday, the city advised motorists to avoid the area of Shaker Boulevard, between Attleboro and Lee roads, due to police activity and what officials characterized in an email to FOX 8 as an active investigation. In an updated press release, police said the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting with the investigation and said the two victims had attended a house party. Detectives and investigators will remain on scene well into the day. The eastbound and westbound lanes of Shaker Boulevard from Lee Road to Attleboro Road will remain closed while investigators are on scene, read a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims of the shooting have not yet been publicly identified. Theres been no word on charges. More information is expected to be released. Check back for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Two men are dead after a shooting at an Ohio house party early Sunday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Two men were found shot dead outside a home of a house party on the 17000 block of Shaker Blvd around 3:30 a.m., according to CBS affiliate WOIO. Multiple people trying to leave were detained, police said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear if police believe any of those people are suspects. Shaker Heights Police did not provide any additional information. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Two people were killed and a third was injured when a U.S. Civil Air Patrol plane crashed in Colorado's Front Range Saturday morning. The small passenger plane with three people aboard crashed near Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain west of Loveland around 11:15 a.m., according to the Larimer County Sheriff's Office. The plane belonged to the Civil Air Patrol, the civilian auxiliary wing of the U.S. Air Force, and was on a routine aerial photography training mission when it went down, officials said. Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten were identified by CAP as those killed and co-pilot Randall Settergren was identified as the person injured. Settergren was airlifted to an area hospital by a National Guard helicopter, where he is undergoing medical care. A crashed plane is seen in the mountains west of Loveland, Colorado on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. The plane crashed that morning in the area of Storm Mountain and Palisade Mountain. / Credit: CBS "The volunteers of Civil Air Patrol are a valuable part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they do on a daily basis directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state," Maj. Gen. Laura Clellan, adjutant general of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said in a statement Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are devastated to hear of the loss of Susan Wolber and Jay Rhoten, and the injury of Randall Settergren, during a training mission in Larimer County. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of those involved in the crash," Clellan continued. "I would also like to thank all of the first responders who assisted with rescue efforts." Palisade Mountain is in Larimer County, about 20 miles west of Loveland and about 65 miles northwest of Denver. The area is part of the burn scar of the Alexander Mountain Fire, which burned almost 10,000 acres in over two weeks this past summer. The crash happened about 200 feet below the summit of Palisade Mountain in an area that includes tall trees and steep hills as part of the mountain range. Rescue crews were heard on radio traffic working to find a landing zone for rescue helicopters. No structures were impacted by the crash. The plane crashed in "very rugged" and "extensive and rocky terrain," Ali Adams, a Larimer County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman, said at a news conference. First responders had to hike out to the site and the sole survivor was "severely injured" when responders finally got to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue efforts were ongoing at 3:15 p.m., according to Adams, and recovery efforts for the two deceased people's bodies could take several days. Several agencies responded, including the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS and the National Guard. The Larimer County Sheriff's Office is the lead agency investigating the crash and the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board will assist, according to Adams. The NTSB said it too was investigating the crash and identified the plane as a Cessna 182. "This is one of those incidents that is really low frequency; it doesn't happen really often, but unfortunately, our first responders have had more than their fair share of responses," Adams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement George Solheim lives in the area of the crash. He described conditions as "extremely windy" on Saturday and heard the plane just prior to the crash. He says he could hear "loud 'throttle up/down' immediately prior to sudden silence at (the) time of (the) crash. Couldn't hear sounds of impact from here." Colorado Gov. Jared Polis extended his sympathy to the families of the victims in a statement Saturday evening: "I'm saddened to hear of the loss of two dedicated Civil Air Patrol members, Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, who lost their lives in today's crash and my thoughts are with their families, friends and colleagues. These individuals, along with survivor co-pilot Randall Settergren, who was injured, served the Civil Air Patrol as volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all. The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten. I also want to thank the first responders who assisted with the rescue and recovery efforts." Baking an ancient bread in Tennessee The cream of the crop in butter Serving up home-cooked dog food Two people were found dead in Northern California floodwaters amid an atmospheric river that dumped a record amount of rain, causing rivers and creeks to overflow and creating hazardous conditions on roads, authorities said. Both deaths were reported on Saturday in Sonoma County, about 60 miles north of San Francisco, which recorded 20 inches of rain over three days, officials said. The storm brought Sonoma County three times its normal November rainfall. On Saturday, a man was found trapped in a car that became submerged in 6-foot-deep water when he apparently got stuck while trying to drive down a flooded road in the Russian River town of Guerneville, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office. PHOTO: Sonoma County Fire District swift water rescue trainees test equipment and run drills in flooded water, in Forestville, Calif., Nov. 23, 2024. (Jorge Garcia/Reuters) A passerby spotted the car bobbing in the water around 11: 30 a.m. local time and called 911, according to the sheriff's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The caller believed at least one person had occupied the car," the sheriff's office said in a statement. Deputies and firefighters from Sonoma County and Monte Rio fire departments responded to the call, according to the sheriff's office. PHOTO: Patrol deputies and Sheriffs Office Marine Unit deputies arrive at the scene with Sonoma County Fire and Monte Rio Fire. (Sonoma County Sheriff's Facebook) "Crews were able to recover the occupant of the vehicle, but despite the quick work of first responders, the man was pronounced dead at the scene," the sheriff's office said. It was unclear how long the man had been submerged in the vehicle before first responders reached him. MORE: Thanksgiving week forecast: Weather could impact Thanksgiving travel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The name of the man, believed to be in his mid-60s, was being withheld by officials pending an autopsy by the Sonoma County Coroner's Office. In its flood advisory, the National Weather Service specifically warned, Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads." PHOTO: Thanksgiving week - Monday (ABC News) A second man was found dead on Saturday near an overflowing creek in the city of Santa Rosa, according to the Santa Rosa Police Department. A resident hiking on the Piner Creek Trail called 911 after spotting a body in the creek at about 8:41 a.m., according to police. PHOTO: Thanksgiving week chill (ABC News) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The circumstances of how the man, who authorities suspect drowned, ended up in the creek remain under investigation. The exact cause of death is pending an autopsy. The storm dumped 12.47 inches of rain in three days in Santa Rosa, qualifying it as a 1,000-year rain event. Hiker Allan Johnson told San Francisco ABC station KGO that Piner Creek rose at least 6 feet during the record rainfall. "I hike and walk here all the time. I've never seen water that high," Johnson said. PHOTO: A view of inundated roads and vineyards following heavy floods across parts of Sonoma County in Forestville, Calif., Nov. 22, 2024. (Jorge Garcia/Reuters) While the rain eased up on Sunday, a flood advisory remained in effect through Monday afternoon for central Sonoma County, as officials warned of flooding in small streams and low-lying areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The atmospheric river roared into the Northwest last week, slamming Washington and Oregon and sweeping down to Northern California, bringing high winds and torrential rain. Bomb cyclone to enhance powerful atmospheric river targeting West Coast Two people were killed by falling trees in Washington state. In Bellevue, a tree fell into a home, hitting and killing a woman while she was in the shower on Tuesday night, Bellevue fire officials said. The storm exploded into a "bomb cyclone" off the coast, near Vancouver Island, Canada, where winds gusted near 101 mph, officials said. A bomb cyclone means the pressure in the storm's center drops 24 millibars within 24 hours. 2 people found dead in floodwaters as atmospheric river pounded Northern California originally appeared on abcnews.go.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) More than a dozen drivers found themselves stranded on a snowy northeast Oregon road after GPS directions led them astray on Wednesday, authorities said. That afternoon, the Union County Sheriffs Office received an iPhone satellite SOS report of a stranded vehicle on Ruckle Road, a rough and steep gravel road that officials said is not maintained for winter travel. After county search and rescue (SAR) teams were dispatched, the sheriffs office then began receiving more iPhone satellite SOS reports in the same area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you need to let your car warm up in winter? It depends what you drive Officials said they first thought the reports were all coming from the same vehicle. However, first responders found around 20 other vehicles were either stuck or stranded. Around 20 vehicles were stranded on a Union County road after GPS directions led them astray on Nov. 20, 2024. (Courtesy: Union County SAR) SAR then requested extra help from Union County Public Works, who brought in a road grader to plow out a path for the vehicles. Officials said it took several hours to get the vehicles unstuck and safely back on the main road. All of the stranded vehicles had used GPS directions attempting to avoid closures and traffic delays on I-84. This led them all down Ruckle Road, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This incident serves as an important reminder of the need to carefully evaluate, and often not follow, GPS-provided directions, especially in winter months, Union County SAR said. The interstate and highways are the best routes through our region during winter conditions, and if they are closed due to weather, or weather-related crashes, it is almost certainly ill-advised and very dangerous to attempt alternate travel routes. New winter weather forecast released: Who will see more rain, snow? Similar problems have left drivers stranded before. In nearby Utah, motorists entering Utah into their Google Maps were frequently finding themselves stranded on a remote road on East Mountain. They would then call the Emery County Sheriffs Office for assistance because they were lost, stuck, or out of gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, Google Maps finally changed its directions to Utah from the precarious mountain roadway to a spot in Salt Lake City, Nexstars KTVX reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A Nashville driver involved in two incidents Friday night is in critical condition. The driver, 23-year-old Ricky Washington Jr., fled the site of an initial collision in the northbound lanes of Briley Parkway near Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, according to a news release from Nashville police. Nashville police said Washington then climbed over the concrete median and ran across the southbound lanes and onto the Gaylord Opryland property. A clothing description was provided by witnesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A responding Hermitage Precinct officer saw Opryland security with Washington in the parking lot of the Inn at Opryland on Music Valley Drive, the release said. Washington fled as the responding officer pulled up and got out of his vehicle. The officer deployed his Taser, police said, though it was ineffective likely due to the heavy coat Washington had on. The 23-year-old then jumped over a guard rail and ran onto the Briley Parkway south exit ramp and was hit by a Dodge Challenger, police said. He was rushed to TriStar Skyline Medical Center and is in critical condition. According to the release, Washington was on supervised probation due to felony reckless endangerment and marijuana convictions in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Dodge Challenger, 30-year-old Jerry Holt II of Nashville, does not face any charges related to hitting Washington. He faces marijuana and gun charges after officers said they discovered a backpack in the vehicle containing 3/4 pound of marijuana and a scale, and a pistol in his waistband. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville driver in critical condition after two collisions near Opry Last spring, Cassia County dairy cows were the first to become infected with bird flu in Idaho. The disease quickly swept through farms in the southern portion of the state and public health officials scrambled to figure out how to protect an industry thats worth billions of dollars. Now, several months later, Idaho has three dairies under quarantine for bird flu two in the Treasure Valley, which includes Boise, and one in the Magic Valley in south-central Idaho. State Veterinarian Scott Leibsle said Wednesday that he expected one of the herds to come off of quarantine within a week, once the farm clears a second regulatory test of its milk supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since bird flu arrived in Idaho, the state has had to quarantine 35 dairies, he said. The herds that are still affected are rebounding. The state has also reported 41 cases of bird flu in poultry since March. Infected dairies not identified publicly Idaho hasnt disclosed which dairies have been affected by the virus. The Idaho Statesman reported in June that dairy farmers have been reluctant to report positive cases or give regulatory agencies open access to their operations. We were not the first state to endure this, but we were the first state to endure it as hard and as fast as we did, Leibsle said. What California is going through right now, we went though in May and June. Weve got the benefit of six months of hindsight in managing this disease. Bird flu has been circulating among cattle in the U.S. after the disease cropped up at a Texas farm in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, where public health officials have been proactive about testing, there have been over 200 confirmed cases of bird flu on commercial dairies in the last month alone. Newsweek reported in October that so many cattle were dying from the disease in the state that rendering trucks could not keep up, and the CEO of a dairy trade association said dairies are desperately overwhelmed. Utah has reported 13 new cases of bird flu in the last 30 days. Idaho, the nations third-largest milk-producing state, identified two. Leibsle said he suspects cattle in Idaho may have increased immunity from the initial wave of infections, when cows were more visibly sick. Were now seeing cattle that are shedding the virus, but theyre not showing any signs of symptoms, Leibsle said. Theres so many different ways that this virus can spread that we still do not understand. The virus can spread via direct contact with contaminated surfaces like farm equipment, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. David Pate, the former CEO of St. Lukes Health System, said researchers have shown through laboratory testing that the virus can also be transmitted via respiratory droplets. Dairy is big in Idaho, with 45,000 jobs The dairy industry supports over 45,000 jobs and generates hundreds of millions of dollars per year in economic impact in Idaho, according to the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation. Dairy is the states No. 1 agricultural commodity. The 376 dairies in the state brought in an estimated $4.2 billion in revenue in 2022, the federation said. The state has more dairy cows than all but two other western states, California and Washington, according to the University of Idaho. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall milk production dropped about 3% year-over-year for a few months in early summer, according to Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymens Association. But none of that had any profound impact on markets, Naerebout said. It tightened up the milk locally a little bit for that period of time, but every dairyman Ive talked to thats had it has recovered fully and is back to normal. While some states, like Massachusetts, conduct regular surveillance testing, Idahos regulations remain looser. Pate worries the virus is more prevalent in Idahos herds than is reported. Idaho health leader suspects vast under-reporting Frankly, the USDA has not been able to control the spread of this infection, Pate said. I suspect theres vast under-reporting, probably both in terms of the number of cattle infected and the number of farm workers infected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said some farm workers might not seek medical care because they either cant afford it or fear losing their job. According to the Idaho Dairymens Association, about 90% of on-dairy jobs in the state are filled by foreign born workers, many of whom are undocumented. Pate said cases can also go unreported if workers or animals are sick but dont show any symptoms. We learned with the COVID pandemic that one of the real challenges to controlling any infectious outbreak is that if people dont have symptoms or if animals dont have symptoms, its really hard, unless youre doing testing, to know about cases, Pate said. Idaho has not yet identified any cases of bird flu in humans, but seven people have so far been tested, according to Dr. Christine Hahn, an epidemiologist at the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington state reported its first case of bird flu in humans in October, and the Washington State Department of Health has since confirmed 10 more cases, all linked to poultry. On Nov. 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed the first human case in Oregon in connection with an outbreak at a commercial poultry farm near Portland. California has had 27 human cases, all linked to exposure to cattle. CDC says public-health risk is low The CDC says that there is no evidence of person-to-person transmission and that the current public health risk is low. However, people who work with cattle or other animals are at a higher risk of infection. Hahn said no states require people exposed to animals with bird flu to be tested. In Idaho, personal protective equipment is also optional, though Health and Welfare has also used federal money to provide dairies with personal protective equipment upon their request, she said. Its all voluntary, Hahn said. Certainly, wed like to see this disease completely disappear from the dairy operations. We arent where we need to be. But we do feel like things are stable, and we continue to work with Department of Agriculture on this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If dairy workers know they were exposed or suspect they might be sick, they can provide a sample to their local public health district and get results back from a lab in less than 24 hours, Hahn said. Infected workers can get the antiviral medication Tamiflu from the health districts at no cost, she added. Its all there in place, she said. We just have not had a lot of demand for testing in our state, but we stand ready. We could test even asymptomatic people, if desired. The CDC released updated guidelines Nov. 8 that recommend offering testing to asymptomatic workers who have been exposed to animals infected with bird flu, including workers who were not wearing personal protective equipment or who experienced a breach of such equipment, and asymptomatic close contacts of a confirmed case. USDA to require testing at every dairy Leibsle, the state veterinarian, said the USDA recently announced a forthcoming mandatory testing program that would involve testing milk from every dairy. For Idaho, where some farms have 20,000 cows, carrying out such a program is tricky and could involve multiple trips to each farm to get different samples from a bulk tank of milk that represents the entire herd, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, we know for a fact that food safety is not an issue, Leibsle said. Pasteurization kills the virus. Naerebout said the federal testing program may begin rolling out in December or January. Hopefully, well have a vaccine that dairymen would be able to vaccinate the herd with in the near future, he said. Without a (bird)flu vaccine for cattle, you really have to just treat this just like you and I would treat the flu. Bird flu has infected Idaho dairy farms. Is the state prepared for an outbreak? New H5N1 case reported in Pacific Northwest. Heres how to protect yourself from bird flu Can I get bird flu from eating eggs? Drinking milk? We asked a California disease expert KAPOLEI, Hawaii (KHON2) More than 300 pre-registered military families received heightened support for the holiday season, receiving grocery gift cards through the national nonprofit Operation Homefront. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Pre-registered families headed to the Hawaii Army National Guard 29th BDE Readiness Center on Saturday, Nov. 23 to take part in the Holiday Meals for Military program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new initiative helps military families stay connected According to Operation Homefront officials, one in four active-duty enlisted families experienced food insecurity in 2023. Officials added that families most likely to face food insecurity include those who just joined the military, recently relocated, have young children or have an unemployed spouse. Operation Homefronts program helps provide those families with the essentials needed to prepare their holiday meals. They dont have to choose between paying bills and creating those special holiday memories that are so often made around the dinner table, said Operation Homefront in a media release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the organizations founding in 2010, Operation Homefront has helped serve more than 13,000 military families nationwide. The program is supported by Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation, Chobani, Food Lion, Town House and Proctor & Gamble. This years Kapolei event was supported by local sponsors such as Navy Federal Credit Union, Atherton Family Foundation and more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. A pre-Mayan system of canals used to direct and catch fish was found in Belize, establishing continuity between the Mayans and a predecessor as they continued to use them. First believed to have been a Mayan construction, after running numerous radiocarbon dates, archaeologists from the University of New Hampshire made an astonishing discovery that these fish-trapping canals predate the mythic and powerful ancient civilization. From what researchers gather, they may have even assisted the Mayans flourishing growth as the impressive design allowed their predecessors to feed 15,000 people a year, according to Eleanor Harrison-Buck, professor of anthropology and director of the Belize River East Archaeology (BREA) project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mayans capitalized on the ingenious zigzagging network, and with an abundant food source, they built one of the largest and most significant ancient cultures in the world. An ingenious pre-Mayan zigzagging system of canals to trap fish In the largest inland wetland in Belize, Central America, with drones and Good Earth, New Hampshire researchers conducted tests on a large-scale pre-Columbian fish-trapping facility. At first, they never expected that anyone but the Mayans could have constructed such a sophisticated means of catching fish. The research used 26 radiocarbon dates from test excavation sites in the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary (CTWS). The presence of the canals extended over a thousand years in the past, before the Mayans began to emerge, which surprised researchers due to its massive size. Late Archaic hunter-gatherer-fishers developed this system, which worked so brilliantly that the Mayans later adopted it. For Mesoamerica in general, we tend to regard agricultural production as the engine of civilization, but this study tells us that it wasnt just agricultureit was also potential mass harvesting of aquatic species, Harrison-Buck stated in a press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collecting sediment samples along the walls, they were investigating nitrogen and carbon levels to determine environmental changes over time, according to the press release. With no evidence of crop production in sight, they deduced that these channels served as large-scale fish trapping facilities. The network directed the annual flood waters into a source pool where they could trap thousands of fish, able to feed a growing population, as the Mayans, it has been estimated, exceeded eight million people. This gave archaeologists a rare first link that connected a predecessor to the grand empire. It seems likely that the canals allowed for annual fish harvests and social gatherings, which would have encouraged people to return to this area year after year and congregate for longer periods of time, said Marieka Brouwer Burg, professor of anthropology at the University of Vermont and BREA co-director. Such intensive investments in the landscape may have led ultimately to the development of the complex society characteristic of the pre-Columbian Maya civilization, which subsequently occurred in this area by around 1200 BCE. Wetlands, one of the most significant ecosystems on Earth Always a critical ecosystem across the globe, wetlands play a critical role in the environment, Samantha Krause, professor of geography and environmental studies at Texas State University explained in a recent press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowing how to manage wetland resources responsibly is essential for the continued resilience of these ecosystems both in the past and today. The Archaic hunter-gatherer-fishers knew how to protect their resources and use them in a way that could sustain these habitats, not exhaust them, which explains their long-lasting occupation in this area," a press release concludes. The team, bolstered by the support of the local community, plans to investigate further, "hoping to more fully understand the complexity of human-wetland interactions in the past." Denver Mayor Mike Johnston said Tuesday he was considering ways to protect the roughly 20,000 immigrants who have come and stayed in Denver over the past two years. Made from one of the most common elements on Earth, fluoride is naturally present in human bodies and water, and common in toothpaste and mouthwash. And for decades, the mineral has been added to the water supplies of thousands of communities across the United States to help prevent dental cavities and decay. Dental professionals believe this practice is an effective and affordable approach to oral well-being, and consider it among the countrys 10 most significant public health achievements of the 20th century. Fluorides long-standing presence in many public water systems has not gone uncontested, but questions about its safe ingestion have been rekindled with the election of Donald Trump. Former presidential candidate and anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., named by Trump last week to lead the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has vowed to ban the practice on the federal level. Kennedy has called fluoride industrial waste and linked it to a variety of negative health outcomes some of which anti-fluoridation advocates have highlighted for decades but many dental professionals say have been debunked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id say all of those claims have either been soundly refuted or he is exaggerating what the evidence really shows, said Scott Tomar, associate dean of prevention and public health sciences in the College of Dentistry at the University of Illinois Chicago. Water fluoridation one of the nice things about it is it doesnt require any special behavior on peoples part. Just drinking water or preparing your food with fluoridated water confers prevention benefits. And its one of incredibly few public health measures that actually saves money. Dental professionals say several studies show the amount of fluoride normally added to water is safe for human ingestion and effective in reducing tooth decay by 25%. Proponents of fluoridation also point to research findings that it saves $6.5 billion nationally and more than $30 per person in dental treatment costs each year. Public health officials also say it is a measure that addresses oral health disparities among racial and ethnic minority groups. For the most part, it has been up to states and municipalities to decide whether to add the mineral to their water supply. Illinois is one of at least 12 states that have made it mandatory, and 1,634 of 1,811 water systems serving over 98% of its population were fluoridated as of November 2023, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. After Kentucky and Minnesota, Illinois ranks third and fourth if counting No. 1 Washington, D.C. with the most people served by community water supplies receiving fluoridated water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to the Tribune, the Illinois Department of Public Health talked about the benefits of fluoride and did not address whether it would consider reversing the states 1967 fluoridation mandate. The effectiveness, safety, and practicality of fluoridation at the optimal level has been established by decades of careful scientific study and research. Fluoridation has the support of virtually every leading health and scientific organization, the statement said. In fact, research has confirmed that fluoride is an important trace element in human nutrition and is a natural part of the human environment, present in the soil and rocks, seawater, groundwater, plants, and in human and animal bones and teeth. Michael Danner, president of the Illinois State Dental Society, said in a statement the nonprofit supports evidence-based education and advocacy for the oral health of residents. Thousands of dentists and hundreds of dental hygienists across the state are members of the organization. We remain focused on educating patients, communities, and policymakers about the proven benefits of fluoride, Danner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has since 2015 recommended an optimal concentration of 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter of drinking water which it says maximizes (its) oral health benefits while minimizing potential harms. According to the CDC, this amount equals three drops of water in a 55-gallon barrel. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has set a maximum limit of 4 milligrams of fluoride per liter of water in public systems. However, critics of water fluoridation argue that even these optimal levels can be dangerous and lead to a variety of medical consequences including neurodevelopmental issues which have been the focus of recent efforts to discourage the practice nationwide. So were happy that its risen to a presidential discourse, and it certainly has increased awareness of the subject, said Stuart Cooper, executive director of the Fluoride Action Network, a national nonprofit that has advocated for ending water fluoridation since 2000. All were doing at this point is over-exposing people. We no longer gain a benefit from it. In 2017, the U.S. EPA denied a petition led by the organization seeking to ban the addition of fluoride to water, as the agency claimed the petitioners did not present sufficient scientific evidence that it had caused anyone to suffer neurotoxic harm. In September, however, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California ruled that it posed an unreasonable risk of reduced IQ in children and ordered the EPA to conduct a risk assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rethinking the role of water fluoridation in the United States mightve been underway before Kennedys declarations earlier this month. But whether the Trump administration will intervene in a public health measure long left to the discretion of state governments and local municipalities remains to be seen, as he has often stated a commitment to protect states rights and to reverse, revise and slash regulations. In terms of fluoridation, and more broadly in public health, theres certainly lots of anxiety about what the new administration might mean in terms of many areas, Tomar said. This is a measure thats almost entirely administered at the local level. Even if the EPA were to issue some type of advisory, this is really a local issue and this seems to be an administration that favors state and local rights. So, I dont know how this may play out. A little goes a long way In the early 20th century, scientists observed that communities with a higher prevalence of a certain type of tooth discoloration which looks like flecks or spots on the enamel of the teeth also experienced lower rates of tooth decay and cavities. They discovered fluoride was causing both, a condition that would later be called dental fluorosis. This is not a new condition. The history of community water fluoridation started out as an investigation of fluorosis, Tomar said. But the risk factors for more severe fluorosis are not community water fluoridation a lot of it is inappropriate use of other types of fluoride products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For instance, when young kids brush their teeth they are not always able to spit out large dollops of toothpaste, which they end up ingesting. FDA-approved toothpaste with fluoride has an average level of 1,100 milligrams per liter, but people use a tiny portion of that every time they brush their teeth. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste, the recommended amount per brushing for children between 3 and 6 years old, contains 0.25 milligrams of fluoride thats around 0.5 milligrams daily. Adults typically use a quarter teaspoon of toothpaste each time they brush their teeth, which contains about 1.3 milligrams of fluoride. Most of the product is spit out, though estimates indicate infants and children typically ingest between 0.1 and 0.3 milligrams and adults ingest 0.1 milligrams of fluoride from toothpaste in a day. The optimal concentration levels in drinking water are 0.7 milligrams of fluoride per liter. But it was only in the 1940s that the scientific community began to understand the benefits of fluoridated water over non-fluoridated water, as researchers tried to ascertain whether the natural presence of the mineral had different effects than when it was manually added to water supplies. Three Illinois cities played crucial roles in these studies. Aurora was one of two cities used as a baseline, given its naturally occurring fluoride content of almost 1 milligram per liter of water. The trials compared four pairs of similarly sized cities, including Evanston and Oak Park. The North Shore suburb had fluoride added to its water while Oak Park remained without fluoride. In a span of 15 years, the prevalence of cavities in children was reduced by 50% to 70% in the communities with fluoridated water, regardless of whether it had been added or occurred naturally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1967, Illinois enacted a mandate that required all community water systems to adjust their fluoride to optimal levels between 0.9 and 1.2 milligrams per liter. The law was amended in 2016 requiring all community water systems to adjust fluoride to 0.7 milligrams per liter, based on updated analyses of different sources of fluoride including toothpaste and mouth rinses. According to the most current data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, 1,658 of 1,842 community water systems fluoridate in the state. There are several reasons why some are not required to do so, including that they have naturally occurring levels within the optimal safe range, serve a small population or are privately owned, a department spokesperson said. Throughout his career, Tomar has spoken at countless county commissions and city councils as they weigh the benefits of implementing community water fluoridation. Having been involved for years in school-based prevention programs, he has also met children whose families dont have consistent access to toothpaste or who dont own a toothbrush some things that so many of us take for granted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a big reason why, Tomar argues, community water fluoridation is essential. It reaches every member of the community, regardless of socioeconomic status and access to dental care, Tomar said. In fact, it benefits members of lower socioeconomic communities most greatly because often they dont have as ready access to other forms of fluoride like professionally applied fluorides in a dental office or even relative regular use of fluoride-containing toothpaste. Concerns about possible connections between fluoride and bone cancer or osteoporosis, as well as developmental issues such as lower IQ levels have long been the focus of many studies including one from the National Toxicology Program which preceded the most recent federal ruling against water fluoridation. The August report from the National Toxicology Program, part of the federal health department that Kennedy is expected to lead, found that fluoride in drinking water at more than twice the recommended limit was associated with lower IQ in children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody was making a big deal over (it), but if you actually read what they say, it does not apply to the levels of fluoride involved in community water fluoridation, Tomar said, pointing to how the report was based on twice the recommended limit. Almost every substance, at a high enough level, could have potential adverse effects. The small amount of chlorine thats in our water protects us from waterborne diseases, but we wouldnt think to drink a cup of bleach. So, you know, we try to find the right concentration to maximize the benefit and minimize the risk. The fate of fluoridation Unfortunately, Cooper said, most of the focus on anti-fluoride advocacy gets conflated with conspiracy theories peddled in the 1960s by a far-right group called the John Birch Society which claimed water fluoridation was part of a communist plot concocted by the government to use for mind control on large swaths of populations. Even now, the spread of erroneous and exaggerated information can be detrimental, he said: Anytime misinformation is repeated, thats upsetting, and it does impact any movement. Cooper said that the Fluoride Action Network came about as a way for medical and scientific professionals including physicians and dentists to fight fluoridation with facts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was our mission, he added, to bring science into the debate. But the organization, he clarified, is not anti-fluoride. Were anti-overexposure to fluoride, anti-ingestion of fluoride, Cooper said. We understand the science shows that topical use of that toothpaste can reduce dental decay, but the studies show that ingestion does not reduce dental decay and actually comes with risk. In 2016, the group filed a petition with the U.S. EPA saying there was scientific evidence that optimal levels of water fluoridation posed an unreasonable risk under the Toxic Substances Control Act like the chemicals it has long regulated including asbestos, radon and lead-based paint. The EPA rejected the petition, so the group took the agency to federal court and, after eight years, a federal judge ruled the practice a hazard. Now, the EPA can comply and either issue a warning on the product and its use, he said, or prohibit companies from selling the chemical for use in drinking water supplies. Or it can appeal. A U.S. EPA spokesperson said the agency is in the process of reviewing the district courts decision. Those opposed to water fluoridation also saw a major win in new research suggesting its benefits might be waning. A Cochrane systematic review which synthesizes relevant health care research and evidence was published in October analyzing 157 studies, comparing some that were conducted before fluoride toothpaste became available in 1975 with others conducted after. The review found that studies before 1975 indicated fluoridated water systems decreased the number of decayed teeth by an average of 2.1 per child. But modern studies, after 1975, estimated a lower benefit of 0.24 fewer decayed teeth per kid about a quarter of a tooth. Fluoride toothpaste, professional applications and proper nutrition to prevent cavities and tooth decay are so widely available nowadays, Cooper said, that if there was a small benefit from fluoridation, were no longer getting it. However, Tomar said modern-day comparison studies such as those included in the Cochrane review are limited because very few communities in the United States are completely unexposed to fluoridated water, even if their supply is not fluoridated. If you buy processed beverages or foods manufactured in a fluoridated area, that probably has fluoride in the product, he explained. So to claim that your comparison group is truly unexposed is probably not true. In any case, it is that overexposure that concerns Cooper, especially in childhood when permanent teeth are still forming under the gums and when too much fluoride can combine with dental enamel, developing discoloration or fluorosis. Older people cannot develop this condition. Cooper said fluorosis in young people has skyrocketed in recent decades, according to CDC data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys each sampling 5,000 people. In the mid-2000s, 41% of American teenagers aged 12-15 had discoloration in their teeth. That percentage went up to 65% in 2012. However, a 2016 survey showed that 70% of children and adolescents had some level of fluorosis. This concerns him especially because it means youth are being exposed to fluoride during a critical time of childhood development, which could affect their brains. Its why in the last decade, over 1,500 communities have ended water fluoridation, he said, a trend that has increased in recent years. Earlier this year lawmakers in Georgia, Kentucky and Nebraska filed bills to reverse their respective state mandates and leave the decision up to a local voter referendum or local water system governing bodies. But even in the last few weeks, Cooper said, he has been fielding calls from state legislatures and city council members every day as they read up on recent studies and the federal ruling. So far, no legislators in Illinois have reached out to him. Local views could be changing in other parts of the country, however. Cooper has heard from water directors in different U.S. cities who say they will take their cue if the EPA does not appeal the federal judges decision. They will view that as a concession that this is neurotoxic, and there will be this huge domino effect across the country of ending water fluoridation, Cooper said. Regardless of who won the presidential election and who was chosen to lead the countrys health and environmental agencies, he added, his organization expected someone to take notice of the issue. And despite reluctance from the dental establishment to change course, Cooper feels optimistic. Were happy that its risen to a presidential discourse, and it certainly has increased awareness of the subject, he said. Fluoridation was already, is already dying. Our ruling put the nail in the coffin. adperez@chicagotribune.com Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) praised President-elect Trumps new border czar, Tom Homan, a 30-plus-year immigration enforcement veteran at the head of Trumps mass deportation pledge. Theres a tall task for President Trump to find, to locate these people and then to deport them or to jail them. Weve got the right guy in charge of it. His name is Tom Homan. Hes going to be the border czar, Abbott told John Catsimatidis on his radio show Cats Roundtable on WABC 770 AM. Homan ran Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in an acting capacity in 2017 and 2018 before announcing his retirement. He started in law enforcement working as a police officer, then moved on to the Border Patrol, the defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service and then ICE, rising through the ranks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homan had a reputation as a moderate in the Obama administration, when he led ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) component from 2013 onward, drawing criticism from some hardliners early in the first Trump administration. Homan, however, became the face of the Trump administrations most strict immigration policies, reportedly proposing family separations as an immigration deterrent even before Trump became president. During the interview, Abbott said that hes already started working with Homan on border security and that he expects to see Homan in Texas this week. We go to work this coming week on solving the border problems in the state of Texas, as well as across the United States of America, Abbott said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott has maintained that Texas will have a proactive versus reactive stance at the border and will be prepared should a surge happen ahead of President-elect Trumps inauguration. Abbotts interview comes as the governor has been making plans to expand buoy barriers across the Rio Grande to stop migrants from crossing the southern border despite border crossings dropping in the state. However, his use of buoys has faced multiple legal challenges. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Students wait for a bus outside Lane Tech College Prep High School in Chicago. Teen birth rates have been falling for decades, but abortion bans threaten to undo that progress, experts say. (Scott Olson/Getty Images) Houston OB-GYN Hillary Boswell says she has seen how abortion bans affect teenage girls: More of them are carrying their pregnancies to term. These are vulnerable girls, and its just heartbreaking to see the number of pregnant 13-year-olds Ive had to take care of, Boswell said, referring to the change since Texas prohibited abortions after six weeks in September 2021. In June 2022, after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Texas enacted a total abortion ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They would come in, and they would be very distressed, said Boswell, who spent the past decade treating underserved women and girls at community health clinics. Not being able to help them get an abortion when they wanted one, she said, was so hard and so against everything that I trained for. In the year after Texas began implementing its six-week abortion ban, teen fertility rates in the state rose for the first time in 15 years, according to a study released earlier this year by the University of Houston. Overall, the increase in teen fertility in Texas was slight: only 0.39%. But the University of Houston researchers said the change was significant, because it reversed a 15-year trend and because the national teen fertility rate declined during the same period. They also noted that the increases were larger for Hispanic teens (1.2%) and Black teens (0.5%), while the rate for white teens declined by 0.5%. So far, the Texas data is the first evidence that abortion bans might lead to an increase in teen births. But as abortion restrictions have spread post-Roe 13 states now have total bans some providers and other experts predict that other states will see increases. If so, the nations nearly 30-year trend of declining teen births could be in jeopardy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boswell and other providers note that teens are having a harder time accessing contraception and abortions and they fear the incoming Trump administration could make it even more challenging for teens, whose pregnancies are riskier and who disproportionately sought abortions before the Supreme Court overturned Roe. In a lot of ways, Texas is sort of a microcosm of what were going to see in other parts of the country, said Bianca Allison, a pediatrician and assistant professor at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine. Historically, it has always felt like young people those who are minors but of reproductive potential are left out of the conversation of reproductive autonomy and rights. Access to pills People seeking abortions have been relying on the broader availability of telehealth for medication abortions, which now account for nearly two-thirds of all abortions. The number of abortions in the U.S. has increased since the fall of Roe, largely because more people are using the easier-to-access method, according to the Society of Family Planning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the Trump administration could make it harder to procure the pills by reversing a current U.S. Food and Drug Administration policy that allows them to be sent through the mail. Some anti-abortion groups want the Trump administration to enforce the Comstock Act, a long-dormant 1873 law they believe could be used to make it a federal crime to send or receive abortion medication. States also could require in-person physician visits for abortion medication, effectively barring patients from accessing it via telemedicine. And Louisiana last month began classifying mifepristone and misoprostol the two medications used in nonsurgical abortions as controlled substances, making it a crime to possess them without a prescription. A Texas state lawmaker has proposed similar legislation in his state. I would absolutely predict that we will see a reversal in our progress of reducing teen pregnancies, said developmental psychologist Julie Maslowsky, an associate professor at the University of Michigan who studies adolescent reproductive and sexual health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone does not want to be pregnant, they should have all the options available to them to prevent pregnancy, Maslowsky said. And the majority of teens do not desire a pregnancy. Teenage girls tend to have less money, less access to transportation and less independence than adult women. That makes it harder for them to cross state lines for abortion care, or to obtain and pay for abortion medication. A medication abortion can cost as much as $800, according to Planned Parenthood. Many teens have trouble ordering abortion medication online because they dont have credit or debit cards or a safe place where the pills can be mailed, said Rosann Mariappuram, senior reproductive rights policy counsel at the State Innovation Exchange, a nonprofit that advocates for progressive policies. Abortion funds that help people who cant afford the care have been struggling to keep up with demand. Thirty-six states require parental consent or notification before a minor can get an abortion, creating another barrier. And teens are more likely to have irregular menstrual cycles, which makes them less likely to notice a missed period. Overall, about a fourth of women might not realize theyre pregnant at six weeks, which is the gestational time limit for abortions in Florida, Georgia, Iowa and South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, a law in Texas that went into effect in April mandates that family planning clinics get parental consent for minors seeking birth control. Lawmakers in Oklahoma and Indiana have argued that IUDs and emergency contraceptives are types of abortions, and thus should not be covered by insurance or shouldnt be available, said Mariappuram. That conflation of contraceptives with abortion care is just evidence that theyre coming for contraception, she said. Health risks, diminished prospects Teenage girls from disadvantaged backgrounds are more likely to become pregnant. There have been persistent racial disparities in the national teen birth rate, with rates at least twice as high among Black, Hispanic and Native American girls. And while the average age of a girls first menstrual period has been declining for all girls, the trend is particularly pronounced among racial minorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These downstream impacts [of abortion restrictions] are not the same for everyone, said Mayra Pineda-Torres, an assistant professor of economics at Georgia Tech who specializes in gender and inequality. The reality is that, still, there is a racial component here that may be exacerbating racial inequalities or this inability to access abortion services. Teenage motherhood often derails a girls education and diminishes her long-term financial prospects. And pregnancy poses particular health risks for teens: They are more likely to experience serious complications, including blood pressure-related disorders such as preeclampsia, and their babies are more likely to be born underweight. For those reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics says teens should have access to legal abortion care. But to abortion opponents, teen pregnancies and births are preferable to teen abortions. Joe Pojman, founder and executive director of the Texas Alliance for Life, said the state has programs designed to help families, including teen parents, take care of their children. [The program] teaches them a variety of things, like how to manage a budget, how to apply for a job, how to basically make that child self-sufficient to be able to function, Pojman told Stateline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont want to encourage a child to be responsible for taking the life of her own unborn child, he said. Last month, Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey filed a lawsuit with fellow Republican attorneys general in Kansas and Idaho that asked a Texas judge to order the FDA to reinstate restrictions on mifepristone. They argued that lower teen birth rates harmed their states by shrinking their population, costing them federal money and congressional representation. But some studies suggest the opposite. The federal government cites research showing that teen pregnancy costs taxpayers about $11 billion per year because it leads to more public spending on health care and foster care, higher incarceration rates of teen parents children, and lower levels of education and income. Pregnancy is not benign, said Allison, the North Carolina pediatrician. Its not a joyful, welcome thing for a lot of people across the country. Stateline, a States Newsroom affiliate, produced this story. Donald Trump spoke at the March for Life rally in January 2019 during his first term as president. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) The 2024 election results created complicated new realities for reproductive rights in the U.S., with Americans even in a few red states overwhelmingly voting to protect the right to have an abortion while also overwhelmingly electing anti-abortion representatives in state houses, courts, Congress and the White House. With a Republican trifecta coming to the nations capital in January, anti-abortion activist groups are planning for the first potentially friendly presidential administration since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated a 50-year federal right to terminate a pregnancy. They aim to end other federal and state protections while vastly expanding restrictions on reproductive health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though many anti-abortion leaders are skeptical of President-elect Donald Trumps commitment to their cause, they say they are willing to compromise to maintain influence in his administration. Some groups are strategizing how to end-run Trumps campaign pledge not to enact any federal abortion bans by heavily restricting medication abortion or trying to ban a common abortion procedure. I dont think we have a champion here for pro-life causes, said longtime anti-abortion organizer Rev. Patrick Mahoney. What we have here is someone who will not work against us and try to crush us. We will not see pro-choice federal judges. The director of the Christian Defense Coalition and the chief strategy officer of Stanton Public Policy Center told States Newsroom that he is not a supporter of Trump and disagrees with his rhetoric on immigrants. But Mahoney said he is happy Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris lost. The vice president had vowed to try to restore federal abortion rights and throughout her career has advocated for reproductive rights. As California attorney general, she prosecuted anti-abortion activists charged with illegally recording abortion providers about a decade ago. We can have an opportunity now to begin the second phase after Roe was overturned, Mahoney said. We knew overturning Roe was only a starting line, not a finishing line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Live Action president Lila Rose was one of the few prominent anti-abortion leaders who called out Trump before the election, after he criticized Floridas six-week abortion ban and vowed to veto a federal ban. In late August, Rose told Politico she would write in a presidential candidate and would encourage her millions of followers to do the same if Trump did not change course. On her podcast, the millennial activist recently revealed that she met with Trump and asked him to say he would vote against Floridas abortion-rights amendment, which he did. Days before the election, Rose endorsed Trump on X. Live Action did not respond to an interview request. Donald Trump won the election, but so did abortion, and people need to hold this incoming administration to its word that it would not restrict abortion. Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Womens Law Center Nationally, three out of 10 abortion-rights measures failed: Floridas proposed amendment had the highest threshold to clear, but got 57% out of the required 60% of the vote. It would have reversed the ban that reproductive rights advocates say has decimated abortion access in the Southeast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another anti-abortion leader willing to compromise with the incoming president and Congress is Steven Aden, general counsel at Americans United for Life, the policy shop behind many state and federal abortion restrictions. Aden said he was disappointed the Republican Party removed from its platform a previous commitment to a federal ban. However, he said his group was still able to inject critical language into the current platform that effectively supports states establishing fetal personhood through the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law. The platform also says Republicans will oppose Late Term Abortion, a political term used to refer to abortions in the second and third trimesters, the rarest but most restricted types of abortions in the U.S. We had direct input into the Trump campaign and framing the pro-life language in the party platform, Aden told States Newsroom. The platform language was much pared down, but we believe that the pro-life language preserves the essence of the partys position on the pro-life issue, and were proud of that, and look forward to continuing to work with the incoming Trump administration. Federal reproductive rights protections in question Early into his term, Democratic President Joe Biden began reversing blocks on federal funding domestically and globally for reproductive health organizations that also provide or refer for abortions. Leading up to and following the Dobbs decision, the Biden administration loosened restrictions to the medication abortion regimen, a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, which has become the most common way of terminating pregnancy in the U.S. during the first trimester. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed abortion medication to be obtained via telemedicine and dispensed directly at pharmacies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly half the country has partially or fully banned abortions. But abortion numbers have risen since before Dobbs, researchers have reported, attributing the increase in part to expanded access to telemedicine abortion and to more people using online abortion clinics that mail abortion drugs from states with so-called shield laws to those with bans. Anti-abortion groups Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Students for Life of America recently unveiled memos asking the Trump administration to pull regulatory levers that especially target abortion drugs. Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regulations could include: The FDA reinstating medication abortion restrictions, such as requiring multiple in-person appointments and revoking telemedicine. Or altogether revoking the 2000 approval of mifepristone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reversing guidelines that under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, emergency departments at hospitals enrolled in Medicare even in states with abortion bans must offer pregnant patients the medical treatment necessary to stabilize an emergency medical condition. This law is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit deferred by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. In sharp contrast to the mainstream medical community, anti-abortion advocates argue these guidelines are unnecessary and would allow doctors to broadly interpret a health emergency to mean anything. When asked about stories of alleged denied care, maternal deaths, and doctor confusion related to state abortion bans, Aden chalked up the problem to a misinterpretation of state laws, which he said should be clarified to address these problems, while noting several times, Im not a doctor. Americans United for Lifes recommended health-exception language in part says abortion should be allowed to preserve the life of a pregnant woman or to address a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Thats a health exception with teeth, Aden said. It doesnt allow for a free-ranging, quote unquote, mental health exception that would swallow the rule. Funding a study on the potential health effects of abortion pills in the water system from patients miscarrying in their toilets after taking medication abortion drugs. Anti-abortion leaders like Mahoney said they were disappointed with Trumps pick for HHS secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously said he supports abortion rights. But Mahoney said hes hoping to appeal to Kennedys skepticism of FDA drug approvals. How do chemical abortions being flushed down the drain affect our water supply? Were definitely going to push hard on that, Mahoney said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revoking a rule requiring health clinics that receive federal family planning Title X grants to offer referrals for abortion clinics, which is also the subject of an ongoing federal lawsuit. It is already prohibited to use federal funds for abortions unless the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or has become fatal. Activists also want to defund Planned Parenthood, the largest reproductive health center network, and extend tax credits to anti-abortion pregnancy centers. Trumps pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which manages the countrys largest health programs, is Dr. Mehmet Oz, who opposes abortion. The U.S. Department of Justice could: Enforce part of the 19th century Comstock Act to prohibit the mailing of abortion-inducing drugs. Aden said enforcing this law would likely mean cracking down on online abortion clinics like Aid Access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Revoke or refuse to enforce the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, enacted because of the sometimes-violent anti-abortion protests of the 1980s and 1990s. One of several activists sentenced to prison for staging a clinic blockade in Washington, D.C., Lauren Handy was also involved in obtaining aborted fetuses outside the same clinic. Trump had indicated he would potentially pardon Handy and fellow blockaders. Activists have said they will also ask the DOJ to investigate the doctor at the abortion clinic from where Handy obtained the fetuses, of whom she and other activists have accused, without evidence, of infanticide. The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs could: Revoke policies that expanded abortion access for veterans and members of the Military. The U.S. Agency for International Development could: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reinstate the so-called Mexico City Policy, which barred federally funding international organizations that provide or refer for abortions. As they brace for the potential impact of Dobbs without a federal safety net, reproductive justice activists are working to expand access and fight anti-abortion laws, while also protecting new state wins. The election results did not change the fact that most people want abortion access, said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Womens Law Center, during a recent media press briefing organized by the progressive Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Donald Trump won the election, but so did abortion, and people need to hold this incoming administration to its word that it would not restrict abortion, Graves said. We have to square the idea that millions of people in the United States voted for reproductive freedom but they also will be experiencing a situation that will become even more dire, and that people will feel scared and hopeless in this period. Arguments for a national abortion ban Aden said AUL would support a federal dismemberment bill, referring to a proposed ban on a common second-trimester abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation, or D&E. This procedure involves dilating the cervix and removing the contents of the uterus, typically performed beginning around 12 weeks. It would be a way to effectively get a 12- or 15-week ban without calling it that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite its safety and efficacy record, the D&E procedure has been banned in several states, over the objection of the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Its part of an old anti-abortion playbook, which under Republican President George W. Bush resulted in a federal ban on another later abortion procedure dilation and extraction, or D&X by reframing it as partial-birth abortion, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2007s Gonzales v. Carhart decision. Abortion foes describe D&Es as a gruesome procedure, or as Aden puts it, tearing 13-week-old humans apart limb from limb. Anti-abortion doctors recommend more risky and invasive procedures like C-sections, even when the abortion is medically indicated. If D&Es are banned, there would be fewer options for later abortions, which are sometimes necessary, said reproductive-health legal expert Rachel Rebouche, dean of Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. She noted that some of the U.S. Supreme Court justices have indicated support for abortion restrictions for reasons of preserving fetal dignity rather than preserving maternal health. That litigation, from the anti-abortion perspective, depends on saying the fetus is a person with rights that attach at a certain point, if not from conception, Rebouche told States Newsroom. Dobbs opens the door wide open for those kinds of regulations. But the question is, is there a role for the federal government to enact a nationwide ban that would curtail the rights of states that have not gone the way of Idaho or Texas or others? Aden said that for now AUL will be more focused on the incremental approach to abortion restrictions, as well as calling for expanded child and prenatal tax credits and other social supports. The attorney, who was 11 when Roe was decided in 1973, is expecting another half-century of litigation over abortion with the hopes that one day the U.S. Constitution gives personhood rights to the unborn, regardless of the stage of that pregnancy. Aden said a so-called Human Life Amendment is likely impossible in the near term, needing approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress. He said U.S. culture is not there yet. It would require a cultural sea change in the way that the majority of Americans view human life in the womb, Aden said. Thats our second generational goal. Having won our first generational goal of overturning Roe, wed love to see the day when every life is welcomed and protected in law. And if thats through a constitutional amendment, then were here for that. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Donald Trump spoke at the March for Life rally in January 2019 during his first term as president. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images) The 2024 election results created complicated new realities for reproductive rights in the U.S., with Americans even in a few red states overwhelmingly voting to protect the right to have an abortion while also overwhelmingly electing anti-abortion representatives in state houses, courts, Congress and the White House. With a Republican trifecta coming to the nations capital in January, anti-abortion activist groups are planning for the first potentially friendly presidential administration since the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization decision overturned Roe v. Wade and eliminated a 50-year federal right to terminate a pregnancy. They aim to end other federal and state protections while vastly expanding restrictions on reproductive health care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though many anti-abortion leaders are skeptical of President-elect Donald Trumps commitment to their cause, they say they are willing to compromise to maintain influence in his administration. Some groups are strategizing how to end-run Trumps campaign pledge not to enact any federal abortion bans by heavily restricting medication abortion or trying to ban a common abortion procedure. I dont think we have a champion here for pro-life causes, said longtime anti-abortion organizer Rev. Patrick Mahoney. What we have here is someone who will not work against us and try to crush us. We will not see pro-choice federal judges. The director of the Christian Defense Coalition and the chief strategy officer of Stanton Public Policy Center told States Newsroom that he is not a supporter of Trump and disagrees with his rhetoric on immigrants. But Mahoney said he is happy Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris lost. The vice president had vowed to try to restore federal abortion rights and throughout her career has advocated for reproductive rights. As California attorney general, she prosecuted anti-abortion activists charged with illegally recording abortion providers about a decade ago. We can have an opportunity now to begin the second phase after Roe was overturned, Mahoney said. We knew overturning Roe was only a starting line, not a finishing line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Live Action president Lila Rose was one of the few prominent anti-abortion leaders who called out Trump before the election, after he criticized Floridas six-week abortion ban and vowed to veto a federal ban. In late August, Rose told Politico she would write in a presidential candidate and would encourage her millions of followers to do the same if Trump did not change course. On her podcast, the millennial activist recently revealed that she met with Trump and asked him to say he would vote against Floridas abortion-rights amendment, which he did. Days before the election, Rose endorsed Trump on X. Live Action did not respond to an interview request. Nationally, three out of 10 abortion-rights measures failed: Floridas proposed amendment had the highest threshold to clear, but got 57% out of the required 60% of the vote. It would have reversed the ban that reproductive rights advocates say has decimated abortion access in the Southeast. Another anti-abortion leader willing to compromise with the incoming president and Congress is Steven Aden, general counsel at Americans United for Life, the policy shop behind many state and federal abortion restrictions. Aden said he was disappointed the Republican Party removed from its platform a previous commitment to a federal ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he said his group was still able to inject critical language into the current platform that effectively supports states establishing fetal personhood through the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment, which grants equal protection under the law. The platform also says Republicans will oppose Late Term Abortion, a political term used to refer to abortions in the second and third trimesters, the rarest but most restricted types of abortions in the U.S. We had direct input into the Trump campaign and framing the pro-life language in the party platform, Aden told States Newsroom. The platform language was much pared down, but we believe that the pro-life language preserves the essence of the partys position on the pro-life issue, and were proud of that, and look forward to continuing to work with the incoming Trump administration. Federal reproductive rights protections in question Early into his term, Democratic President Joe Biden began reversing blocks on federal funding domestically and globally for reproductive health organizations that also provide or refer for abortions. Leading up to and following the Dobbs decision, the Biden administration loosened restrictions to the medication abortion regimen, a combination of mifepristone and misoprostol, which has become the most common way of terminating pregnancy in the U.S. during the first trimester. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration allowed abortion medication to be obtained via telemedicine and dispensed directly at pharmacies. Nearly half the country has partially or fully banned abortions. But abortion numbers have risen since before Dobbs, researchers have reported, attributing the increase in part to expanded access to telemedicine abortion and to more people using online abortion clinics that mail abortion drugs from states with so-called shield laws to those with bans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-abortion groups Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and Students for Life of America recently unveiled memos asking the Trump administration to pull regulatory levers that especially target abortion drugs. Under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, regulations could include: The FDA reinstating medication abortion restrictions, such as requiring multiple in-person appointments and revoking telemedicine. Or altogether revoking the 2000 approval of mifepristone. Reversing guidelines that under the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, emergency departments at hospitals enrolled in Medicare even in states with abortion bans must offer pregnant patients the medical treatment necessary to stabilize an emergency medical condition. This law is the subject of an ongoing lawsuit deferred by the U.S. Supreme Court earlier this year. In sharp contrast to the mainstream medical community, anti-abortion advocates argue these guidelines are unnecessary and would allow doctors to broadly interpret a health emergency to mean anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about stories of alleged denied care, maternal deaths, and doctor confusion related to state abortion bans, Aden chalked up the problem to a misinterpretation of state laws, which he said should be clarified to address these problems, while noting several times, Im not a doctor. Americans United for Lifes recommended health-exception language in part says abortion should be allowed to preserve the life of a pregnant woman or to address a serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function. Thats a health exception with teeth, Aden said. It doesnt allow for a free-ranging, quote unquote, mental health exception that would swallow the rule. Funding a study on the potential health effects of abortion pills in the water system from patients miscarrying in their toilets after taking medication abortion drugs. Anti-abortion leaders like Mahoney said they were disappointed with Trumps pick for HHS secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has previously said he supports abortion rights. But Mahoney said hes hoping to appeal to Kennedys skepticism of FDA drug approvals. How do chemical abortions being flushed down the drain affect our water supply? Were definitely going to push hard on that, Mahoney said. Revoking a rule requiring health clinics that receive federal family planning Title X grants to offer referrals for abortion clinics, which is also the subject of an ongoing federal lawsuit. It is already prohibited to use federal funds for abortions unless the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or has become fatal. Activists also want to defund Planned Parenthood, the largest reproductive health center network, and extend tax credits to anti-abortion pregnancy centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, which manages the countrys largest health programs, is Dr. Mehmet Oz, who opposes abortion. The U.S. Department of Justice could: Enforce part of the 19th century Comstock Act to prohibit the mailing of abortion-inducing drugs. Aden said enforcing this law would likely mean cracking down on online abortion clinics like Aid Access. Revoke or refuse to enforce the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, enacted because of the sometimes-violent anti-abortion protests of the 1980s and 1990s. One of several activists sentenced to prison for staging a clinic blockade in Washington, D.C., Lauren Handy was also involved in obtaining aborted fetuses outside the same clinic. Trump had indicated he would potentially pardon Handy and fellow blockaders. Activists have said they will also ask the DOJ to investigate the doctor at the abortion clinic from where Handy obtained the fetuses, of whom she and other activists have accused, without evidence, of infanticide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs could: Revoke policies that expanded abortion access for veterans and members of the Military. The U.S. Agency for International Development could: Reinstate the so-called Mexico City Policy, which barred federally funding international organizations that provide or refer for abortions. As they brace for the potential impact of Dobbs without a federal safety net, reproductive justice activists are working to expand access and fight anti-abortion laws, while also protecting new state wins. The election results did not change the fact that most people want abortion access, said Fatima Goss Graves, president and CEO of the National Womens Law Center, during a recent media press briefing organized by the progressive Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump won the election, but so did abortion, and people need to hold this incoming administration to its word that it would not restrict abortion, Graves said. We have to square the idea that millions of people in the United States voted for reproductive freedom but they also will be experiencing a situation that will become even more dire, and that people will feel scared and hopeless in this period. Arguments for a national abortion ban Aden said AUL would support a federal dismemberment bill, referring to a proposed ban on a common second-trimester abortion procedure known as dilation and evacuation, or D&E. This procedure involves dilating the cervix and removing the contents of the uterus, typically performed beginning around 12 weeks. It would be a way to effectively get a 12- or 15-week ban without calling it that. Despite its safety and efficacy record, the D&E procedure has been banned in several states, over the objection of the American Medical Association and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Its part of an old anti-abortion playbook, which under Republican President George W. Bush resulted in a federal ban on another later abortion procedure dilation and extraction, or D&X by reframing it as partial-birth abortion, which the U.S. Supreme Court upheld in 2007s Gonzales v. Carhart decision. Abortion foes describe D&Es as a gruesome procedure, or as Aden puts it, tearing 13-week-old humans apart limb from limb. Anti-abortion doctors recommend more risky and invasive procedures like C-sections, even when the abortion is medically indicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If D&Es are banned, there would be fewer options for later abortions, which are sometimes necessary, said reproductive-health legal expert Rachel Rebouche, dean of Temple University School of Law in Philadelphia. She noted that some of the U.S. Supreme Court justices have indicated support for abortion restrictions for reasons of preserving fetal dignity rather than preserving maternal health. That litigation, from the anti-abortion perspective, depends on saying the fetus is a person with rights that attach at a certain point, if not from conception, Rebouche told States Newsroom. Dobbs opens the door wide open for those kinds of regulations. But the question is, is there a role for the federal government to enact a nationwide ban that would curtail the rights of states that have not gone the way of Idaho or Texas or others? Aden said that for now AUL will be more focused on the incremental approach to abortion restrictions, as well as calling for expanded child and prenatal tax credits and other social supports. The attorney, who was 11 when Roe was decided in 1973, is expecting another half-century of litigation over abortion with the hopes that one day the U.S. Constitution gives personhood rights to the unborn, regardless of the stage of that pregnancy. Aden said a so-called Human Life Amendment is likely impossible in the near term, needing approval from two-thirds of both houses of Congress. He said U.S. culture is not there yet. It would require a cultural sea change in the way that the majority of Americans view human life in the womb, Aden said. Thats our second generational goal. Having won our first generational goal of overturning Roe, wed love to see the day when every life is welcomed and protected in law. And if thats through a constitutional amendment, then were here for that. (Bloomberg) -- Follow Bloomberg India on WhatsApp for exclusive content and analysis on what billionaires, businesses and markets are doing. Sign up here. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, the arrest of an executive with Chinese tech giant Huawei Technologies Co. for breaching US laws shocked President Xi Jinpings inner circle and raised questions over whether Donald Trump would intervene in the case. Trump now faces a similar dilemma after US prosecutors charged Gautam Adani Indias most powerful businessman and a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a $250 million bribery scheme. While Modis party called it a private matter, and Adanis company denied the allegations, the case threatens to roil US-India diplomatic ties. Although Trump didnt intervene in the Huawei case, which was eventually settled in 2021 after he left office, on its face hell have more incentive to make this case go away. Beyond Trumps personal connection with Modi, the incoming US president has packed his team with China hawks who want to see stronger ties with India to counterbalance Beijings power in the region. Yet even if Trump does a favor for Adani, who praised the president-elects unbreakable tenacity after his election win, the case is yet another reminder of the long reach of US law one that can affect both friends and foes around the world. A proliferation of American sanctions targeting Russia, China and even India, although its mostly gotten waivers, has accelerated the expansion of the BRICS grouping as nations seek an alternative to the US dominance of the financial system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For India in particular, the charges against Adani only reinforces its strategy to keep a foot in both major camps, staying friendly with the US while also keeping up good ties with Russia, China and other major economies in whats known as the Global South. India remains reliant on Russian weapons and energy, and soon plans to host Vladimir Putin for the first time since the war began. The indictment of Adani is seen in New Delhi as politically driven and will have a bearing on US-India collaboration and mutual trust unless the incoming Trump administration drops the prosecution, said Brahma Chellaney, a professor of strategic studies at the Center for Policy Research in New Delhi. Much will be depend on how the next US administration seeks to chart the relationship with India. Indias Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment when contacted for further information. Trumps team didnt respond to requests for further information. For the moment, it remains unclear if Modi will look to distance himself from Adani. Hes facing a more vocal opposition, who have more than doubled their support in the parliament after elections earlier this year, and are now pushing for federal investigators to probe Adani. Modis party suffered a setback in the polls that forced him to govern with coalition partners for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so, if India has a national champion, its the Adani Group. Modi and the billionaire share deep links going back decades in their home state of Gujarat, and Adani was instrumental in helping revive the prime ministers reputation when he came under attack over religious riots in 2002. After the arrest of Meng Wanzhou, the daughter of Huaweis founder, the Communist Party eventually portrayed it as an attack on China and celebrated her return, even saying Xi personally gave instructions on the case. Modi may take a different approach, possibly using his personal ties with Trump and the USs strategic need for Indias support in the region as leverage. And while Trump shares a mutual admiration with Modi, hes long called out India for taking advantage of the US on trade. I have no doubt that feelers have already been sent out to the Trump team, said Milan Vaishnav, director and senior fellow of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Certainly, the Trump administration could decide not to pursue them or to settle them quickly and with little fanfare. The question, of course, is what will the famously transactional Trump want in return? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps Team Much will depend on who will run the Department of Justice. Trump personally has been prosecuted in a number of cases he says are politically motivated. His initial nomination of Matt Gaetz as attorney general and his subsequent pick of longtime ally Pam Bondi suggests there will be fewer guardrails on intervening in politically sensitive cases. Trump has already nominated several key people to his team who are pro-India supporters. Marco Rubio, Trumps pick for secretary of state, introduced a bill to the US Senate in July to boost defense ties with India and treat the South Asian nation as a NATO ally like Japan. Mike Waltz, who Trump has chosen as his national security adviser, was a guest of Modi at Indias Republic Day celebrations last year. The US government will have its own balancing act to manage. It gave Adani an endorsement last year when the US International Development Finance Corp. announced it would provide $553 million in financing to one of his business units for a port terminal in Sri Lankas capital, marking the government agencys largest infrastructure investment in Asia. Its unclear whether that project will still go forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We continue to conduct due diligence to ensure that all aspects of the project meet our rigorous standards before any loan disbursements are made, an official from the US International Development Finance Corp. said in response to emailed questions. The project has not reached financial close or signed a loan agreement. For India, which has leaned closer to the US in recent years, the Adani case only underscores the risks of jumping too far into the American camp. Tensions had already been high after US prosecutors accused an Indian government employee of directing a foiled plot to assassinate a Sikh separatist with US citizenship in New York. Indias top diplomat, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, once described the nations foreign policy in terms of hedging. That approach has allowed it to maintain friendly ties with the US and its allies while also remaining on good terms with Putin, who is a key supplier of oil and weapons. India might be more cautious in diversifying its economic and strategic interests but the Modi government recognizes that the US is the most powerful country in the world and India cant take it head on, said Sushant Singh, a lecturer of South Asian studies at Yale University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with comment from US agency in fourth paragraph after Trumps Team sub-headline) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. The adoptive parents of a 10-year-old boy have been arrested on charges of murder, torture and child abuse in connection with his death, Riverside County sheriffs officials said. Deputies arrested Alejandra Marin, 51, and Juan Sanchez Moreno, 59, after responding to a call on Nov. 21 about a juvenile in medical distress at a home in Moreno Valley, according to the Sheriff's Department. The boy was rushed to the hospital by paramedics but later died. An investigation suggested signs of neglect and abuse. Officials said they would not identify the boy by name. After the child's death, the Sheriffs Department dispatched homicide investigators, along with the departments special victims unit, who determined that his adoptive parents had allegedly abused the boy, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This investigation is ongoing,and anyone with information regarding the case is urged to contact Sheriff's Central Homicide Investigator S. Denham or Master Investigator R. Deanne at (951) 9552777. Adoptive parents Juan Sanchez Moreno, 59, left, and Alejandra Marin, 51, were arrested on suspicion of murder and torture after a 10-year-old boy died in their care. (Riverside County Sheriff's Department) 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. From his very first year of life, Mir Shamsi has made a habit of overcoming harrowing circumstances. In winter 1986, amid a 10-year-long conflict between Soviet forces and mujahedeen rebels, a bomb destroyed his familys home in the suburbs of Kabul, Afghanistan. The blast killed three of his sisters and nine others. Shamsi then just 9 months old was gravely injured, requiring surgeries and treatments for years afterward. A scar above his temple and several along his right side remain to this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doctors did not expect he would live beyond his fifth birthday. But he did, and he built a life for himself. He became an engineer and secured a good job working on projects funded by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He bought his own house and a car in Kabul. He met his now-wife, Shameem, and they started a family. Then, in 2021, his life changed again when he learned the U.S. was withdrawing its forces from Afghanistan. He knew his work for American interests could make him a target, so he secured spots on a flight for himself, his wife and their two children on a U.S. Air Force plane. When they arrived at the Kabul airport, it was so swarmed with people all of them desperate to escape the Taliban's rule that they couldnt get through to the gate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miraculously, he got them onto another flight, this time to Romania. The Shamsis found themselves living in a single room with three other refugee families in Bucharest. It was very hard, he said. Because Mir spoke English, he landed a job as an engineer for a construction company. But his dream was to move to the U.S., where he had a close friend living in Austin. (He never told me anything" about Austin's weather, he says now with a laugh.) After months of delays and expensive medical checkups, Shamsi was shocked and thrilled to finally receive his familys special immigrant visas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They moved here in March 2023 and settled into an apartment complex in North Austin. Shamsi again found work as a quality control manager for federal contractors in Conroe. Mir Shamsi talks with wife Shameem as she holds their new baby, Liya, in their Austin home. The family came to the U.S. from Afghanistan after Mir worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. He is now in treatment for brain cancer. But soon after he arrived, the 38-year-old learned he had to undergo surgery for a brain tumor. He held onto his job for as long as he could before his employer ended his contract in March. Then he began chemotherapy in July. Doctors told him the chemotherapy would take a year, but the tumor has not shrunk as much as they hoped it would by this point. Not wanting to waste any time, Mir began pursuing an online masters degree program. While his friend helped him pay for classes, Mir is not sure he will be able to afford the program next semester. Meanwhile, Shameem, 31, gave birth to a third daughter on Oct. 11. Once certified to teach high school biology in Afghanistan, she is working to obtain an U.S. high school equivalency degree and learn English, which will likely take several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the family feels fortunate to have Medicaid and food stamps, their lack of income puts them in a dire situation. Interfaith Action of Central Texas has paid several months of rent for the familys apartment and contributed furniture and supplies, but they need more help than the organization alone can provide. Here, we must start from zero again, Mir says. Nevertheless, speaking about the difficult experiences that led him here, Mir is incredibly upbeat, as if still amazed that he made it to the U.S. His energy radiates from his smile, his bright eyes and his expressive hand motions, and he lights up when talking about his daughters, Hafasa, 6, and Asmah, 5, who are in kindergarten and first grade. With the calm of a trained engineer and a practiced optimist, he predicts it will take about 10 years to build a new life in the U.S. He knows his cancer adds significant uncertainty to that estimate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I made my calculation for the future, I said that I need at least, maybe more than 10 years," he says. But we will see. If (I am) alive, maybe we can do otherwise. Its related to the gods. The Shamsi family's wishes Rent assistance; baby gear; baby crib; diapers; baby clothes; stroller; car seat; bassinet; couch; TV and TV stand; beds for two kids; help with internet costs; assistance with phone bills; smartphone; pressure cooker; electric kettle; sheets and blankets; assistance with car insurance; gas gift cards; laptops and a monitor; iPads for kids; CD writer for laptop; printer; a toy train set with table; gift cards to Walmart, H-E-B and Target. Their wish list is available on Amazon. Nominated by: Interfaith Action for Central Texas, 5307 Airport Blvd., Suite B and C, Austin, Texas, 78751. 512-386-9145, interfaithtexas.org Its mission: iACT cultivates peace and respect through interfaith dialogue, service and celebration. Use the form below or click here:https://statesmansfc.kimbia.com/statesmanseasonforcaring This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Season for Caring: Brain cancer threatens Afghan engineer's new life In 2013, Florida Attorney General Pam Bondis office faced a decision: whether to join an investigation by New York's Attorney General into Trump University, where students paid up to $35,000 for business classes that critics claimed were fraudulent. Despite receiving complaints of exploitation from students, Bondi and then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris both declined to join the investigation. Both had received political donations from Donald Trump and denied that the funds influenced their offices decision. Since then, the two former state attorneys general have followed polar opposite political paths. Harris attacked Trump in the 2020 and 2024 elections and painted him as a business fraud and threat to democracy. Trump won re-election earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi spent the last decade defending Trump and attacking those who investigate him. Now, if confirmed by the Senate, Bondi is set to become President-elect Trumps attorney general. A central question is whether Bondi will follow through on vows she made in television interviews to investigate what she called out-of-control federal prosecutors and FBI agents. The Department of Justice, the prosecutors will be prosecuted, the bad ones, Bondi said on Fox News last year after Trump was indicted in Georgia on charges of trying to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The investigators will be investigated. Bondi called the prosecutors who charged Trump with crimes members of the deep state spreading a false conspiracy theory that DOJ prosecutors and FBI agents were part of a secret cabal trying to undermine Trump. Bondi, without citing evidence, said that since they were no longer hiding in the shadows ... they can all be investigated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Current and former Justice Department officials have expressed mixed reactions to Bondi, whom Trump picked to be attorney general hours after former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who has repeatedly denied allegations of paying prostitutes and having sex with a minor, withdrew from consideration. The DOJ officials said they view Bondi as a much more favorable pick than Gaetz because she had a long career as a local prosecutor and Florida attorney general. At the same time, they see her as a Trump loyalist whom they fear will not hesitate to carry out his push to investigate his enemies. I would expect her to do exactly what Trump wants her to do, said a recently departed senior Justice Department official. He added that members of special counsel Jack Smiths team are very concerned and talking to lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, The Washington Post, citing two individuals close to Trumps transition, reported that Trump intends to fire Smith and the entire team that helped Smith indict Trump on federal charges of mishandling classified documents and attempting to overturn the 2020 election results. The Post also reported that Trump expects the Justice Department to investigate his long-discredited claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 election. Past Trump attorneys general Trumps last attorney general, William Barr, was dismissive of Trumps claims of election fraud in 2020 and declined to launch Justice Department investigations into them, citing a lack of evidence. After publicly stating that there was no evidence of widespread fraud, Barr resigned. When Trump tried to appoint Jeffrey Clark, a DOJ official who supported his false 2020 fraud claims, as acting attorney general, a half dozen senior DOJ leaders threatened to resign. Three days later, Trumps supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol to block the certification of his defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi, meanwhile, supported Trumps claims of fraud. She traveled to Philadelphia and held news conferences where she promoted false claims of widespread ballot fraud and insisted the election had been stolen from Trump. We know that ballots have been dumped, Bondi said. Weve heard that people were receiving ballots that were dead, the thing that is happening all over the country. Bondi also served as a defense lawyer for Trump during his first impeachment, claiming the president was being unfairly investigated. Bondi is currently a partner at the lobbying firm Ballard Partners, where she chairs its corporate regulatory compliance practice, according to the firms website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Florida attorneys have defended Bondi and said she followed norms as state attorney general. Dave Aronberg, the state attorney for Palm Beach County, Florida, told The Washington Post that Bondi will be much better for the DOJ than Gaetz. She is hands-on and she is also loyal to her co-workers, meaning shes not going to try to push anyone out because they are a Democrat or a career prosecutor who is apolitical, Aronberg told the Post. She believes in the rule of law. The question now is whether Bondi, if confirmed, will keep her public promise that the prosecutors will be prosecuted and, if she declines to prosecute prosecutors for political reasons, will be forced out by Trump like her predecessors. A former DOJ official who worked during the first Trump administration said that he did not know Bondi well but that he did know Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think whoever he picks is bound to be loyal to him first and foremost, he said. Thats the key test for him. I dont expect him to pick someone who will be honorable and loyal to the Constitution above him. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com AIEA, Hawaii (KHON2) A 26-year-old man was arrested for attempted murder after turning himself in to police. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You According to Honolulu Police Department, the incident happened on Wednesday, Nov. 20 around 8:15 p.m. West side leaders look to tackle disturbing increase in violent crime The 48-year-old male victim stepped out of his car and walked towards the intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the suspect vehicle drove past and shot the victims several times. The victim was hospitalized in critical condition. Two days after the incident, the suspect turned himself in at the D3 Crime Reduction Unit at the Main Police Station. He was arrested shortly before 2 p.m. without incident on Friday, Nov. 22. Check out more news from around Hawaii Charges will be made with the Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. The 48-year-old suspect in the shooting of another man in Aiea turned himself in to police Friday. According to the Honolulu Police Department, the 26-year-old victim had exited a vehicle and was walking toward an Aiea intersection at about 8 :15 p.m. Wednesday when the suspect drove past him in a vehicle and allegedly shot at the man several times. The victim was taken to a hospital in critical condition with a gunshot wound in the leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police opened a second-degree attempted murder case and the suspect was identified. At 1 :50 p.m. Friday, the man turned himself in to the main police station on Beretania Street, HPD said, adding that charges will be sought with the Honolulu Department of the Prosecuting Attorney. 0 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? . Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs has fined five budget airlines a total of 179 million euros ($187 million). The fines affect Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian, and Volotea. The ministry accused the airlines of "abusive practices" including charging extra carry-on fees. Airlines are fuming over a decision by Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs to fine budget carriers for what it called "abusive practices" such as charging extra carry-on luggage fees. The fines, which affect Ryanair, Vueling, easyJet, Norwegian, and Volotea, total 179 million euros (around $187 million). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryanair faces the largest fine, at around 107.8 million euros ($112.3 million). Vueling was given a fine of 39.3 million euros ($40.9 million), easyJet 29.1 million euros ($30.3 million), Norwegian 1.6 million euros ($1.7 million), and Volotea 1.2 million euros ($1.3 million). Spain's Ministry of Consumer Affairs said the fines had been calculated based on the "illicit profit" obtained by each airline from the sanctioned practices, which included charging extra fees for carry-on luggage and for reserving a seat near a dependent or minor. It also criticized the carriers for a number of other alleged issues, including not allowing cash payments at Spanish airports and requiring passengers to pay "disproportionate" fees to print boarding passes at airports. The ministry added that the airlines should cease carrying out the named practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision has led to significant pushback in the industry. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has condemned the move, saying it undermined freedom of pricing. Willie Walsh, IATA's director general, called it "a slap in the face of travelers who want choice." "Prohibiting all airlines from charging for cabin bags means that the cost will be automatically priced into all tickets," Walsh said. In a statement to Business Insider, an easyJet spokesperson said the low-cost carrier would appeal the decision and found the proposed sanctions "outrageous." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of our customers can bring a small cabin bag for free which gives them the flexibility to only pay for what they want to," they added. A Norwegian spokesperson said the company also strongly disagreed with the decision and that it would follow up with Spanish and EU authorities. "Norwegian is committed to providing safe, affordable travel, and our baggage policy reflects that," they said. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary labeled the fines "illegal and baseless," adding that they "would destroy the ability of low-cost airlines to pass on cost savings to consumers via lower fares." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company said it had instructed lawyers to immediately appeal the baggage fines. Vueling referred further requests for comment to Spain's Association of Airlines (ALA). The ALA called the sanction for cabin luggage fees "manifestly illegal." Javier Gandara, ALA's president, said: "The Consumer Affairs Ministry's resolution, if implemented, would cause irreparable harm to passengers by infringing on their freedom to customise their travel according to their needs, forcing them to pay for services they may not require." Volotea did not immediately reply to a request for comment from BI. The airlines have two months to appeal the decision, the ministry said. Read the original article on Business Insider An alleged gang member who was shot by police in the Bronx is the son of a high-ranking Westchester County police official, The Post has learned. Chase Lackard, a reputed member of the Slutty Gang, was wounded in Clason Point shortly after 3 p.m. Friday when cops responded to a dispute on White Plains Road involving a firearm and saw the 19-year-old wielding a gun, police said. The teen shot by cops in the Bronx Friday is the son of Mount Vernon Police Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Lackard, law enforcement sources told The Post. Tomas E. Gaston Lackards mom is Mount Vernon Police Deputy Commissioner Jennifer Lackard, sources told The Post. She has held that position since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Lackard is also a graduate of the NYPDs Citizen Police Academy and spent time as a representative on a local community board in the Bronx, according to a Mount Vernon Facebook post. She didnt immediately return calls seeking comment. Its not the first time her son has been involved in gunplay. Lackard who was 17 at the time was also shot in the chest on the BX5 bus in Soundview last year after fighting with three other youngsters, the sources said. Lackard allegedly flashed gang signs at the boys, aged 10 and 12, as he started to get off the bus in January 2023, according to sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then asked them for their gang affiliation and then allegedly tried to drag one of them off the bus, the sources said. Two shots were fired and one struck Lackards chest. The teen was shot last year on a Bronx MTA bus. Tomas E. Gaston The teenager was shot on an MTA bus in the Bronx during a gang-related fight with other youngsters last year. Tomas E. Gaston Lackard was taken to Jacobi Hospital following Fridays shooting for treatment. He remains in stable condition, cops said. JOPLIN, Mo. A Joplin man is charged after police say his threats shut down the Neosho post office. Earlier this week, Newton County prosecutors charged Zachary Weaver, 39, with making a terrorist threat and harassment. Police say Weaver continuously called an alleged victim and threatened to shoot him and shoot up the Neosho post office where the alleged victim works. The man being threatened told authorities he was so scared he had to shut down the post office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weaver is not yet in custody. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. NEW MEXICO (KRQE) An Amtrak train was delayed after crashing into a vehicle between Raton and Las Vegas, New Mexico. According to Amtrak, Train 3, which left the Chicago area on Friday, came in contact with a vehicle obstructing the track west of Raton around 11 a.m. on Saturday. Authorities said the vehicle had a 16-year-old in it, and theres no word on his condition, but he was injured. Amtrak reported no one on the train was injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. The Improve Mississippi PAC claims in advertising that the state Supreme Court is in danger of being dominated by liberal justices unless Jenifer Branning is elected in Tuesdays runoff. Improve Mississippi made the almost laughable claim in both radio commercials and mailers that were sent to homes in the courts central district, where a runoff election will be held on Tuesday. Improve Mississippi is an independent, third party political action committee created to aid state Sen. Jenifer Branning of Neshoba County in her efforts to defeat longtime Central District Supreme Court Justice Jim Kitchens of Copiah County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PAC should receive an award or at least be considered for an honor for best fiction writing. At least seven current members of the nine-member Supreme Court would be shocked to know anyone considered them liberal. It is telling that the ads do not offer any examples of liberal Supreme Court opinions issued by the current majority. It is even more telling that there have been no ads by Improve Mississippi or any other group citing the liberal dissenting opinions written or joined by Kitchens. If Jenifer Branning is elected to the state Supreme Court in Tuesdays runoff election, she might be one of the panels more conservative members. But she will be surrounded by a Supreme Court bench full of conservatives. Granted, it is fair and likely accurate to point out that Branning is more conservative than Kitchens. After all, Branning is considered one of the more conservative members of a supermajority Republican Mississippi Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a member of the Senate, for example, she voted against removing the Confederate battle emblem from the Mississippi state flag, opposed Medicaid expansion and an equal pay bill for women. And if she is elected to the state Supreme Court in Tuesdays runoff election, she might be one of the panels more conservative members. But she will be surrounded by a Supreme Court bench full of conservatives. A look at the history of the members of the Supreme Court might be helpful. Chief Justice Michael Randolph originally was appointed to the court by Republican Gov. Haley Barbour, who is credited with leading the effort to make the Republican Party dominant in Mississippi. Before Randolph was appointed by Barbour, he served a stint on the National Coal Council appointed to the post by President Ronald Reagan who is considered an icon in the conservative movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Justices James Maxwell, Dawn Beam, David Ishee and Kenneth Griffis were appointed by Republican Gov. Phil Bryant. Only three members of the current court were not initially appointed to the Supreme Court by conservative Republican governors: Kitchens, Josiah Coleman and Robert Chamberlin. All three got their initial posts on the court by winning elections for full eight-year terms. But Chamberlin, once a Republican state senator from Southaven, was appointed as a circuit court judge by Barbour before winning his Supreme Court post. And Coleman was endorsed in his election effort by both the Republican Party and by current Republican Gov. Tate Reeves, who also contributed to his campaign. Only Kitchens earned a spot on the court without either being appointed by a Republican governor or being endorsed by the state Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ninth member of the court is Leslie King, who, like Kitchens, is viewed as not as conservative as the other seven justices. King, former chief judge on the Mississippi Court of Appeals, was originally appointed to the Supreme Court by Barbour, who to his credit made the appointment at least in part to ensure that a Black Mississippian remained on the nine-member court. David P Sullivan and his wife, Stefany Sullivan, campaign for his run for Mississippi Supreme Court outside the DIberville Civic Center in DIberville on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. It should be noted that Beam was defeated on Nov. 5 by David Sullivan, a Gulf Coast municipal judge who has a local reputation for leaning conservative. Even if Sullivan is less conservative when he takes his new post in January, there still be six justices on the Supreme Court with strong conservative bonafides, not counting what happens in the Branning-Kitchens runoff. Granted, Kitchens is next in line to serve as chief justice should Randolph, who has been on the court since 2004, step down. The longest tenured justice serves as the chief justice. But to think that Kitchens as chief justice would be able to exert enough influence to force the other longtime conservative members of the court to start voting as liberals is even more fiction. This analysis was produced by Mississippi Today, a nonprofit news organization that covers state government, public policy, politics and culture. Bobby Harrison is Mississippi Todays senior Capitol reporter. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A dog found severely abused in Henderson is capturing the nations attention. This weekend she is reunited with those who kept her alive several years prior. With her infectious smile and big blue eyes, you may not think Penny is a victim of animal abuse. Its abuse that cost Penny one of her legs. Penny was found off a highway in Henderson nearly four years ago in December 2020. She was wrapped in a plastic bag and needed serious care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Humane Society of Henderson County and The Arrow Fund in Louisville were there to take care of Penny. Upon examination, they realized that three of her four legs had been broken by human abuse, and the injuries were over two weeks off from being thrown out, Pennys mom Lindsey Peetz says. Living in Louisville, Peetz and her husband were more than willing to foster Penny and then eventually adopted her after the loss of another pet. We just absolutely fell in love with her eyes and just knew we could do more to help her, Peetz says. Thats despite three different vets recommending euthanasia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With whats described as nothing but hope in her eyes, Penny was not ready to throw in the towel. I think shes a symbol of hope and unconditional love, and she just makes people feel better, Peetz says. And she loves everyone, and I think the feeling she makes people feel drives her to just want to keep going and want to help this world be a better place. That symbol of hope has extended far past Kentucky. Pennys story has gone viral, touching thousands of lives on social media. Her journey even took her to New York City to be featured on a national talk show. Penny was a division finalist in the American Humane Hero Dog Awards designed to honor the extraordinary dogs nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is a hero. She is a winner by the way shes making others fee and how shes changing this world with a smile and those pretty, pretty eyes, Peetz says. Changing the world by her service as a therapy dog and advocating for stricter animal abuse laws at the state legislature in Frankfort. This will not be the last time we see Penny. Peetz says theyll be going hand-in-paw to educate others that animal abuse exists and hopefully change the lives of countless other animals. At the moment, Penny is taking a break from that work to say hello again to two friends: the former county humane society director Debbie Edwards and the animal control officer Kayla Main who responded to Penny in a plastic bag on the highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a reunion reminding Edwards and main that they were not ready to ever give up, and neither was Penny. She was not ready. She was not ready. She looked at us. She gave us kisses. She was still eating. She tried to walk. She was trying, and any dog that has three broken legs. One mangled, mangled and was walking, at least trying to. Thats life. I dont see how you could say that need to go down, Main says. More from Ben Walls Eyewitness News. Everywhere you are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). (KRON) The hotel workers of the San Francisco Marriott Marquis are the latest to join the Unite Here Local 2 union. More than 500 SF Marriott Marquis hotel workers have walked off the job in protest on Sunday morning, according to the union. This strike had over 200 more employees than the last. A previous worker walkout occurred on Oct. 20 at San Franciscos Palace Hotel, where 300 employees abruptly departed from work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protestors join the many San Francisco hotel workers who are members of Unite Here Local 2, including the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Marriott Union Square, Palace Hotel and Westin St. Francis. The strike was initially across 11 U.S. cities with more than 10,000 hotel workers on strike since Labor Day. Per the union, San Francisco is the only city where workers remain on strike. Over 100 gathered for Vallejo sideshow early Sunday morning: police Hotel workers have made it clear that we wont give up when our health care, our families, and the city we love are on the line, said the President of UNITE HERE Local 2 Lizzy Tapia. San Francisco hotels have a choice to make. They can Bet on SF by settling contracts that actually allow hotel workers to support our families and help rebuild our local tourism industry, or own the fact that they are driving business away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union is demanding higher wages, fair staffing and workloads and the reversal of COVID-era cuts. During the pandemic, the union said hotels cut staffing and suspended guest services that were never restored. This caused hotel workers to lose hours and increase their workload. According to the union, hotels have proposed phasing out workers union health care. Unite Here Local 2 members said they were warned that the hotels extreme negotiating positions threaten the citys economic recovery. With the addition of 500 protestors, the strike now has 2,500 hotel workers a part of the union. Jobs vary from housekeepers, bellhops, cooks, dishwashers, servers, bartenders, and more. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) A number of anti-abortion groups are suing Gov. Pritzker, Attorney General Kwame Raoul and Ann Gillespie, the acting director of the Department of Insurance, hoping to ban the enforcement of a state law requiring insurance policies to provide coverage for abortion care. As the state digs in deeper and deeper to the kinds of health, what they call health care coverage, that is in opposition to our strongly held moral principles, we felt it was time, Ann Scheidler, the president of the Pro-Life Action League, one of the anti-abortion groups named in the lawsuit, said. The federal lawsuit, filed Wednesday by the Thomas More Society on behalf of six anti-abortion groups, claims the law is unconstitutional violating the groups First and Fourteenth Amendment rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our right to religious freedom guaranteed in the First Amendment would cover, of course, our belief that the right to life ought to be a paramount right in this country, Scheidler said. The groups argue the law doesnt provide any exceptions for people or employers who oppose abortion. They say theyre forced to buy state-regulated health insurance policies that are required to cover abortions and medications that help end a pregnancy. As a result, they argue theyre paying for peoples abortions through their insurance premiums. When youre a small organization, you cant afford to self-insure, you have to purchase some kind of health insurance, Scheidler said. If youre going to provide that for your employees, its going to cover abortion and we know that none of our employees want the service or the coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Pritzker called the lawsuit extreme. This is nothing but another extreme action that would put the safety of women seeking reproductive care in jeopardy, Alex Gough, a spokesperson for Pritzker, said in a statement. As long as Governor Pritzker is in office, Illinois will continue to protect access to reproductive care for those who seek it in our state. Raoul said he is focused on protecting peoples reproductive rights in Illinois and ensuring that the care is covered by insurance. I am equally committed to protecting access to coverage for reproductive health care that includes abortion, because cost should not stand in the way of patients receiving critical abortion care, Raoul said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Thomas More Society represented anti-abortion groups in a different lawsuit last year. At the time, they asked for an injunction to stop a law cracking down on crisis pregnancy centers from going into effect as it made its way through the courts. Raoul later agreed to a permanent injunction stopping the law from going into effect. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. 10 years ago July 2014 "By protecting entrenched interests from competition, occupational licensing makes millions of people worse off, hinders income mobility, and lowers economic growth. It is high time to let Americans work. Abolish all occupational licensing laws and end the practice of entrenched businesses using government to impose higher costs on consumers while thwarting upstart entrepreneurs." Veronique de Rugy "Free the Horse Masseuses!" 27 years ago November 1997 "Is the Immigration and Naturalization Service toast? The congressionally appointed Commission on Immigration Reform, which has backed cuts in legal immigration, says abolish the INS. The commission wants the State Department to handle citizenship requests, the Justice Department to patrol the borders, and the Labor Department to police worksites. Senate immigration subcommittee Chairman Spencer Abraham (RMich.) may propose similar changes." Rick Henderson "Balance Sheet" 28 years ago March 1996 "There are some who believe that the better way to create thousands of real jobs would be to abolish the Department of Energy, an agency that evades public responsibility by floating below the voter's radar screen. Its fairy tale existence began in the 'energy crisis' of 1973-74, when a temporary Federal Energy Administration was created to deal with the notorious oil shortage. Those gas lines actually began in Spring 1973prior to the Arab oil embargoand were the direct product of the wage-and-price-control scheme (a Nixonian fiasco curiously escaping Oliver Stone's cinematic genius). This made the FEA the perfect governmental solution: Hire federal bureaucrats to fill in holes which other federal bureaucrats dig." Thomas W. Hazlett "Energy Crisis?" 39 years ago April 1985 "Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. Businesses with fewer than 20 workers provide two-thirds of all net new jobs and generate a substantial portion of the gross national product. For this reason, strong concern has been raised regarding an Office of Management and Budget proposal to abolish the Small Business Administration (SBA), an independent government agency intended to assist small firms. Believing that the SBA effectively promotes small business, many argue that it should not be abolished. The record shows, however, that the SBA has been relatively ineffective in generating new business. Even worse, it misdirects resources, thus denying them to those entrepreneurs who may have been able to make better use of them." Edward Hudgins "Who Needs Government? Not Small Businesses." 48 years ago September 1976 "At a time when new housing starts are flagging, home builders across the country are organizing to abolish zoning and building ordinances that they believe push up construction costs by 10 percent. The National Association of Home Builders has recently formed a panel to coordinate the deregulation movement. Led by a North Carolina builder, John Crosland, it is directing attention to controls that are 'putting people out of the market' by forcing them to pay for such items as smoke detectors and outdoor electrical outletswhether the consumer wants them or not. Builders are particularly upset by obstacles to building 'no frills' houses. Not only do conflicting local codes prevent standardized construction, but Federal and other restrictions dictate street widths and even such matters as window-sill heights. As a result, builders observe, low-cost housing is beyond the reach of many families." Joe Cobb "Builders Move Against Restrictions" 56 years ago October 1968 "Recent poll results indicate that Richard Nixon will be elected the next President. If he is, this will meanat lastthe end of the draft. Nixon has announced that after Viet Nam, he would completely abolish the selective service and substitute an all-volunteer army (N.Y. Times, 9/11/68, campaign ad). Howard Katz, chairman of the New York based Association of a Volunteer Army (AVA), says: '.we can bring our campaign to a successful conclusion in just a few months if Nixon is elected.' One of AVA's releases points out that Nixon is the only candidate who has pledged to end the draft. It is intriguing, then, that several campus groups have urged that students refrain from voting because 'there is no difference between Nixon, Humphrey, and Wallace.' Are we to believe there is 'no difference' between freedom and slavery?" Lanny Friedlander "An End to the Draft?" The post Archives: December 2024 appeared first on Reason.com. The International Criminal Courts (ICC) decision this week to indict Israeli leaders on charges of war crimes in Gaza has reignited the clash among Democrats over Israels handling of the war with Hamas. On one side, Israels staunchest Democratic allies quickly lashed out at the court, accusing it of pro-Palestinian bias and undermining the right of Israel to defend itself from terrorist threats. On the other, liberal critics of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ICCs move, saying the humanitarian crisis in Gaza created by Israels military operations warrants the courts scrutiny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Democratic leaders in the White House and Congress while siding squarely with Israel in the near term will face the more protracted challenge of easing the tensions between the feuding factions of the party on a prickly issue thats severed them for years. That internal clash has intensified since Hamass attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, during which they killed almost 1,200 people in Israel and kidnapped roughly 250 more. While Democrats of all stripes have asserted their support for Israels right to self-defense, Netanyahus forceful response which has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza has splintered that united front, alienating more liberal lawmakers who are now accusing Netanyahu of human rights violations while calling for President Biden to cut off weapons shipments to Tel Aviv. Its that liberal group thats cheering the ICC for its decision Thursday to issue arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, Yoav Gallant, charging the pair with war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. This is a matter of human rights violations of genocidal proportions, Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The International Criminal Court has sought to exercise jurisdiction, and well see what happens, he continued. I dont disagree with their decision that is supported by, certainly, probable cause to think that human rights violations have occurred. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), head of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, portrayed the ICCs move as a very important step in pursuit of wartime accountability. We are seeing collective punishment in the killing of a despicable amount of Palestinians, she said. Across the divide, Israels closest Democratic allies have a decidedly different view. Those voices maintain that Israel is merely defending its borders from Hamas, Iran and other hostile forces in the region. They were not appeased by the ICCs move to indict a Hamas leader, Mohammed Deif, alongside Netanyahu and Gallant, saying it only highlighted one of their core concerns: that the court is promoting false equivalencies between the elected leaders of Israel, Americas closest Middle Eastern ally, and the terrorist leaders of Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel is fighting an existential war, and I think the indictments issued by the ICC are misguided and wrong, Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) said. Neither the United States nor Israel have endorsed the ICCs charter, meaning the court has little recourse to prosecute alleged crimes by citizens of those countries. Still, the courts critics say the charges against the Israeli leaders send a dangerous message to the world about which side holds the moral high ground. The goal has to be peace for all the people in the region, Schneider said. And I think actions like this certainly make that climb steeper. Democratic leaders have sided with Schneiders camp. Biden issued a brief statement on Thursday hammering the arrest warrants as outrageous. And House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) delivered a similar rebuke a short time later, calling the ICCs move shameful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I stand with the Biden administration in fundamentally rejecting this unserious decision, Jeffries said in a statement. Netanyahu went a step further. In dismissing the charges, he accused the ICC of antisemitism. But a number of Democrats on Capitol Hill dismissed those accusations, arguing that not every denouncement of specific actions taken by the Israeli government constitutes bigotry. There are plenty of examples of increased antisemitism in the world that we need to address, Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) said. But because theres antisemitism doesnt necessarily mean that Benjamin Netanyahu isnt capable of violating the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kildee stopped short of endorsing the notion that Israeli leaders have committed war crimes I never prejudge any criminal accusation, he said but he also criticized the prime ministers conduct in the conflict, which has featured severe restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza and a ban on foreign journalists entering the territory freely. I think Netanyahu has culpability, Kildee said. The charged debate is already surfacing in the internal discussions among House Democrats as they analyze why they failed to flip control of the lower chamber in this months elections. During one of those formal listening sessions, which are being organized by Democratic leaders, Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) argued that one reason they didnt fare better was because the party wasnt vocal enough in defending Palestinian civilians as the humanitarian crisis grew more severe in the months after the initial Oct. 7 attack a criticism that also dogged Vice President Harris throughout her unsuccessful run for the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That argument and the certain pushback from Israels Democratic allies is sure to challenge Jeffries and his leadership team heading into the next Congress, when President-elect Trump will be in the White House, Republicans will control both houses of Congress and GOP leaders will almost certainly seek to exploit the Democratic divisions by bringing contentious, Israel-related bills up for votes. Jayapal, the Progressive Caucus chair, appears ready for that debate. Shes already pressing congressional leaders to honor the Leahy law which bars the State and Defense departments from delivering aid to foreign countries known to violate human rights while cheering the ICC for putting teeth into international law. If Americas enemies conducted a war the way Netanyahu has in Gaza, she argued, Washington wouldnt blink if the international community accused them of human rights crimes. If the ICC were to do this for [Russian President Vladimir Putin] we would not dismiss it, or say that the ICC is not a good organization, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality is that there is serious evidence here that collective punishment was applied to the Palestinian people, and that international humanitarian laws have been violated. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) An art exhibit at East Tennessee State Universitys Reece Museum is generating controversy. The artwork, which is on display in the Fletcher Exhibit at the museum, has faced complaints from state officials, community members, and ETSU students who disapprove of the message. The artist, Joel Gibbs, said his Evolution piece is a response to fascism. It shows a swastika morphing into a cross, which is painted behind a portrait of Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fascism we seem to have in this country has attached itself to extreme right Christian groups, Gibbs said. So I just figured by having a cross evolve into a swastika with him there smirking, it would sort of just give aits a very large political cartoon in my sensibility. Republican State Sen. Rusty Crowe is appalled at the art piece. We have freedom of speech, but freedom of speech has consequences, Crowe said. And I think the consequences in this case, in my view, should be that these people that approve of this on campus should not be on our campus. Its just its not representative of our Northeast Tennessee spirit. Its hateful. Its divisive. Its not good. ETSU President Brian Noland said he would review the process of allowing guest artists and speakers to present on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He sent Nexstars WJHL the following statement: I am aware of the concerns that have been raised about works selected to appear in this years FL3TCHER EXHIBIT on display in the Reece Museum. As a Christian and the son of a veteran, I can say that I personally find some of the views expressed in this years exhibit abhorrent. However, as the president of a public university, which is bound by the laws of the State of Tennessee as well as the U.S. Constitution, I must ensure that our university adheres to state and federal law. I am working to gain more information, and we will undertake an examination of the process through which we allow guest artists, speakers, and other third-party groups to present information on campus. Some students believe the artwork doesnt belong on campus and that the message can be misconstrued. Its just an expression of raw emotions, almost truly trying to express how they feel but I think that its something thats really been taken too far, student Joseph Harlan Savery told WJHL. And its kind of like shouting fire in a crowded theater or doing something to that extent. Its something that its not okay to do in public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibbs said he believes he has a logical reaction to faith being intertwined in government. I see more and more people trying to force their beliefs or into governments and into the public square and trying to denigrate people that that are not people of faith, Gibbs said. To be somehow lesser or immoral or their feelings dont matter. Gibbs said his pieces have been displayed at the Reece Museum before, but believes the current exhibit has received more attention due to the recent presidential election. He said conservatives should create their own art and that the Fletcher Exhibit invites all social and political artworks, not just those left-of-center. They have every opportunity, Gibbs said. If they want to do a pro-gun piece of artwork, they want to do an anti-abortion piece of artwork. By all means, they might make something very effective. Might change somebodys mind. It might really strike somebody rather than just complain, get out there and make the art, get your point across. Thats what America is about, an exchange of ideas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Northeast Tennessee Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger also weighed in on the art piece. I am deeply appalled by this hateful display and equally disappointed it has been permitted on the campus of a taxpayer-funded institution. Its an abhorrent mockery of my Christian faith and associates many of my close colleagues with such hateful symbolism. I feel sorry for the many outstanding students at ETSU who have had to endure this display on their campus and demand that it be taken down immediately. Congressman Tim Burchett, who represents Knox and several other East Tennessee counties, sent a letter to the university requesting that the exhibit be taken down. As of Sunday, the art is still on display. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) urged the Senate to reject Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the Secretary of Health and Human Services in a Friday op-ed for the Boston Globe. Now Donald Trump is setting Kennedy up to go wild as secretary of health and human services. Kennedy is not just unqualified, he is dangerous particularly for children. The Senate must reject him, said the Massuchusetts leader who now occupies the seat previously held by Joe Kennedy III, the great nephew of former president John F. Kennedy. Auchinclosss remarks about RFK echo the concerns of other lawmakers and Kennedy family members alike as Carolina Kennedy also raised questions about her cousins appointment. He called on the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions to decide whether Kennedy should be confirmed based on qualifications rather than politics before citing his previous claims about vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy claims that no vaccine is safe and effective. The evidence indicates that vaccines have saved the lives of 146 million young children in the past half-century, Auchincloss wrote. Measles, smallpox, diphtheria, mumps, pertussis, rubella, and polio used to infect hundreds of thousands of American children every year. RFK Jr. is currently on leave from his post as the Chairman of the Board of the Childrens Health Defense organization, which was founded to promote anti-vaccine efforts. He was heavily criticized for a documentary that spread false narratives about vaccines being linked to children with autism, among other things. If Kennedy is charged with overseeing the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, he will fuse his personal brand with organs of state to pump out quackery and conspiracy, Auchincloss stated. Kennedy wont only attack vaccines. Other targets include fluoride, which he pledges to remove from public water although it has drastically improved childrens dental health; new medicines for cancer and Alzheimers, which he impugns as pharmaceutical poison; and high-speed internet, which he speculates causes leaky brain.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) also condemned RFK Jr.s nomination, claiming his leadership would take the country back to the 1700s, while others have raised concerns with LGBTQ healthcare as Republicans remain open to his stance on abortion rights. Analysts say RFK Jr. would have a hard time taking vaccines completely off the market but he could repeal vaccine funding, legal protections and revoke recommendations. Chaos is what America will get unless Senate Republicans actually do speak truth to power, Auchincloss concluded. They must tell Trump that Kennedy is dangerous, and reject his Cabinet nomination. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Bloomberg) -- The Australian government wont proceed with legislation that would have forced social media sites to crack down on misinformation on their platforms after failing to win enough cross-party support. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen to the Heres Why podcast on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you listen. Based on public statements and engagements with Senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the Senate, Communications Minister Michelle Rowland said in a statement Sunday. The Communications Legislation Amendment Bill, which aimed to combat harmful content on digital platforms, was criticized by the opposition as an attempt to suppress free speech. The Labor government of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is pushing ahead with plans to ban children under the age of 16 from using social media, with firms required to enforce the new regulations or face potential fines. Rowland urged all parliamentarians to work with the government on other proposals to keep Australians safe online while safeguarding values like freedom of expression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mis and disinformation is an evolving threat and no single action is a perfect solution, but we must continue to improve safeguards to ensure digital platforms offer better protections for Australians, she said. Shadow Communications Minister David Coleman said all supporters of free speech can celebrate that the misinformation bill is now in the bin, where it belongs. The legislation allowed Rowland to personally order misinformation investigations and misinformation hearings, he said. This would be expected in a dystopian novel not the great democracy of Australia. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Authorities in Los Angeles County are searching for a teenage girl they say could be at risk. According to the L.A. County Sheriffs Department, 13-year-old Aleah Ashley Salgado was last seen at 11 p.m. Friday night on the 3000 block of East Avenue H-2 in Lancaster. Authorities say her family is concerned for her well being. Salgado was described as Hispanic, 5-foot-4 and 120 pounds, with long black wavy hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black T-shirt, grey sweatpants and black shoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department, Lancaster Station at 661-948-8466. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Fernanda Samuel has spearheaded the movement to protect mangrove ecosystems in her home country of Angola, and after a decade of advocacy, she and her fellow activists are making a noticeable difference, the United Nations reported. Mangroves are trees or shrubs that grow in wetlands with tangled thickets of roots exposed above ground. These unique intersections between forest and wetland are a vital shelter for numerous species, including marine life that many people rely on to survive. In Angola, the mangroves are a seasonal stopping place for migrating flamingos. Samuel grew up near the mangroves and remembers seeing the beautiful flamingos there throughout her childhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I made the decision to commit to protecting wetlands in 2016 when I realized that flamingos were disappearing from my hometown, Lobito, on the south coast of Angola," Samuel told the U.N. "I grew up by the sea surrounded by mangroves and enchanted by the flamingos, my city's calling card. Suddenly, construction companies arrived and started depositing rubble and making landfills for the construction of new housing and tourist areas. The mangroves were destroyed, the flamingos disappeared and I panicked." Banding together with childhood friends, Samuel wanted to preserve this unique ecosystem. But she and her peers received pushback even intimidation and threats from powerful companies and politicians. "The biggest challenges I faced in my fight to conserve and restore wetlands were threats from powerful businessmen protected by politicians who razed vast areas of mangroves and displaced fishing communities," Samuel told the U.N. "They wanted to own the best land along the coast and only thought about profit. They were not concerned about mangrove ecosystems or the livelihoods of artisanal fishermen. They even used the police to intimidate us. Many of us lost our jobs." However, Samuel pushed through, rallying young people in her community and fishers who rely on the mangroves for a living. Together, they educated people about the situation and reported illegal dumping, joining a worldwide effort to restore mangrove ecosystems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These actions raised the awareness of politicians," Samuel told the U.N. "Finally, they realized that protecting mangroves helps fight hunger and poverty." Samuel has been recognized for this work. In 2020, she was a finalist for the United Nations' Young Champions of the Earth award, and the Convention on Wetlands named her a Young Wetland Champion in 2022. But she can't do this work alone, Samuel told the U.N.: "We must all work together governments, communities and individuals. My hope is that through our efforts, we can ensure that Angola's wetlands and biodiversity are preserved and that our communities can thrive in harmony with nature." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. The SNP will have to ditch spending on independence to secure the Liberal Democrats support for its budget, the leader of the party has said. Alex Cole-Hamilton said negotiations with the Scottish Government over backing its spending plans had been reasonably positive but that taxpayers money being used for the SNPs constitutional agenda was a red line. The SNP needs the support of at least one opposition party to pass its budget, which will be unveiled on Dec 4, with the nationalists understood to be reluctant to strike a costly deal with the far-Left Scottish Greens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Mr Cole-Hamilton, the Scottish Lib Dem leader, said that his party would refuse to back any budget that set aside cash for independence preparations. Previous SNP budgets have earmarked millions of pounds to develop proposals intended to persuade Scots of the merits of breaking away from the UK. Speaking to BBC Scotlands The Sunday Show, Mr Cole-Hamilton confirmed that his party would vote down a budget with any cash devoted to independence spending. Scottish Lib Dem leader Alex Cole-Hamilton will vote down any budget with independence spending - GETTY I think that would be a massive misuse of public funds, even no matter how small, he said. I dont see a circumstance where any Liberal Democrat could vote for a budget that so clearly was spending money on the constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to campaign group Scotland in Union, the Scottish Government has spent up to 3.5 million on independence since the 2021 Holyrood elections. That includes spending on papers promoting the break-up of the union, Humza Yousafs now-axed independence minister and his staff as well as the failed court battle on whether the Scottish Government is allowed to hold a constitutional referendum. The pro-independence Scottish Greens have said that independence spending should continue, but they have a series of other demands which John Swinney is likely to be reluctant to agree to. These include tax increases and significant spending on addressing climate change, which could undermine the First Ministers attempt to present his administration as pro-business. Conditions to thrive Mr Swinney is planning a major speech on Wednesday in which he will say he is determined to create the conditions for every person in Scotland to thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He will claim the countrys problems should be solved from the bottom up and will pledge to remove barriers to improving Scotlands economy and society. Craig Hoy, the Scottish Tory shadow cabinet secretary for finance, branded the First Minister delusional. He added: The SNP have made Scotland the highest-taxed part of the UK, held back growth and hammered businesses. Through a massive increase in public sector pay and soaring welfare bills they have created a financial black hole that endangers public services and has left the country worse off. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock defended the decision of the UN Climate Conference for additional financial aid for poorer countries against sharp criticism from those nations, one of which called the agreement a "joke" and an "insult." "We know that our decisions today wont alone be enough to meet all the needs," Baerbock said in the wee hours of Sunday morning before the plenary session in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. "This is why we got behind the vision of scaling up finance for developing countries to $1.3 trillion," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the $1.3 billion agreed to be provided annually through 2035, some $300 billion is to mainly come from industrialized countries. Baerbock said this could only be a starting point and she assured participants that Germany would "deliver. "Because we learned from our mistakes in the past we cannot sign a check that will bounce this is also about trust." She said the European Union is aware of its responsibilities. "For the EU it is crystal clear: Nobody forgot about historical responsibility." Baerbock stressed that climate protection financing and progress in reducing greenhouse gases could and should not be separated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Without concrete measures to keep the 1.5 degrees path within reach, no money in the world will save us," she added. In an obvious reference to states like oil-rich Saudia Arabia, who are trying to block progress that moves nations away from oil, Baerbock said: Those who have come here to prevent progress and to weaken our multilateral UN system altogether, have failed badly. "And those who believe in a better world have won." BAZETTA, Ohio (WKBN) Black Friday and Cyber Monday are quickly approaching, meaning many people are and will be ordering holiday gifts online. This also means its the perfect time for porch pirates to steal packages. The Bazetta Fire Department is once again doing its part to help provide peace of mind by offering its Safe Package Delivery Service Program for township residents. Because of the rash of thefts that occur during the holiday season, were giving residents the option to have their packages delivered here. That way, we can assure them that their packages will be taken care of and that theres no risks of them being stolen, said Rob Wasser, with the fire department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Dec. 1-23, packages can be delivered to the fire department on Warren-Meadville Road. Here are instructions on how to take advantage of this free service: Have your packages sent to: YOUR NAME C/O Bazetta Fire Department 3000 Warren-Meadville Rd. Cortland, OH 44410 Call Bazetta Fire Department between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., and give your name, contact number and estimated arrival date of your package. To pick up packages, residents must bring an issued identification card and the order/shipment proof of receipt. Parents picking up packages addressed to their children must bring proof of guardianship and/or the childs identification. Residents can pick up their packages during the following times: Monday Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. The only restrictions that we have is that the package is 50 pounds or less, and that you have to bring a valid issued ID card when you come, Wasser said. The department is also asking that packages shipped there do not require a signature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can call the department at 330-687-4136 with any more questions you may have. While youre there picking up your package, firefighters can also help in other ways. We can also maybe offer smoke detectors or the Senior Watch Program for a lot of our seniors in the community. So it really allows us to interact more with the public, and to try and educate them as well, Wasser said. The Better Business Bureau recommends some other ways to prevent packages from being stolen: Dont leave unattended packages Ship to a store, storefront or post office box Use a security camera Require a signature Opt-in to notifications on delivery status Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Security.org, package thieves stole about $12 billion in packages in the past year, and as many as 58 million Americans have become victims in the last 12 months. People who live in apartments experience package theft at double the rate of those who live in homes, and people of color are twice as likely to have a package stolen as white adults. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Broadcaster David Olusoga is under scrutiny over his role in the sale of The Observer after journalists highlighted his links to suitor Tortoise Media. Mr Olusoga, a high-profile historian who has presented documentaries for the BBC, sits on the board of the Scott Trust, the 1.3bn endowment that owns The Guardian and The Observer. The 12-member Scott Trust will meet on Monday to vote on whether to approve the sale of the worlds oldest Sunday newspaper to Tortoise, a loss-making start-up run by James Harding, the former BBC News boss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, journalists have raised concerns about Mr Olusogas involvement in the decision-making given his ties to Tortoise and the risk of a perceived conflict of interest. The historian was pictured with Mr Harding at the Kite Festival at Abbey Road Studios last month after delivering a talk entitled The Truth About Britains Past. He has also taken part in numerous events hosted by the start-up known as think-ins alongside Mr Harding. The connections have attracted scrutiny among Guardian journalists, who questioned whether these links constituted a conflict of interest. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) is understood to have suggested he recuse himself from the vote. Mr Olusoga (right) was pictured with Tortoises co-founder Mr Harding (left) at the Kite Festival at Abbey Road Studios last month A source close to The Guardian rebutted any allegation of a conflict of interest, describing it as tenuous at best. Mr Olusoga has been contacted for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Olusoga is a Bafta-winning TV producer and presenter who is known for historical documentaries such as BBC Twos A House Through Time. He has also helmed a number of programmes exploring Britains colonial past, such as Britains Forgotten Slave Owners, and was awarded an OBE for services to history and community integration. The broadcaster, who joined the Scott Trust board in 2018, has been at the forefront of The Guardians efforts to address its historical links to slavery. The publisher last year apologised and set up a 10m reparations fund following a three-year investigation into itself. In an article last year, Mr Olusoga said the newspaper had an unpayable debt, adding that any response will never be enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Guardian has found itself at the centre of a heated dispute over its plans to sell The Observer to Tortoise. Staff will go on strike for four days next month after the NUJ branded the deal a betrayal of the newspapers values. Bosses are understood to have rubber-stamped the deal following a period of exclusive negotiations with Mr Harding. However, the decision to go ahead with the sale will ultimately come down to the Scott Trust, which requires approval from at least 75pc of its members. European press freedom organisations have written to the Scott Trust raising concerns about the impact of the sale on media pluralism in the UK and the Observer itself and asking for further information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ole Jacob Sunde, the Scott Trust chairman, is understood to have responded by insisting that the newspaper took its obligations seriously. A spokesman for the NUJ said: The NUJ is urging all members of the Scott Trust to recognise the opposition to the sale made clear by the strong ballot outcome and agree to pause the sale process to give other options proper consideration. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The News The Chinese government is cracking down on tech companies use of recommendation algorithms, as well as unfair pricing and discounts that target specific groups online, the Cyberspace Administration of China announced Sunday. The campaign is designed to prevent information cocoons forming online, and instead force tech companies to promote healthy content to protect vulnerable users, like children and the elderly. In a notice, Chinas internet authority said that companies should avoid using algorithms that target content to a users preferences, with officials citing the risk of addiction. The move comes as the use of algorithms for e-commerce and other services has soared in China, the South China Morning Post reported. Know More Beijing has been tightening its grip on the Chinese tech industry for years, both by purchasing private company shares and increasingly strict rule-making. The new mandate closely echoes guidance set in 2022, when Beijing mandated that platforms allow users to opt-out of personalized recommendations and instead promote positive energy, prompting companies to open up their algorithms for regulator scrutiny. In turn, the potential for Beijing to have direct influence of ByteDances apps algorithms, including that of wildly popular social media platform TikTok, has been cited as a top security concern by US lawmakers who voted to force a ban of the app unless it was sold. Following the disappointing close of the COP29 World Climate Conference in Azerbaijan on Sunday, the German government sought to draw some positives and talk up future goals. "The results from Baku are no cause for celebration, the progress made is too small for that," said Development Minister Svenja Schulze. But, "In future, more people will take on responsibility than before," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event, which was extended by 30 hours to resolve the financial commitments of participants, was close to failing before a compromise was reached. However, several countries were still outraged at the outcome, with Nigeria's representative calling the $300 billion asked annually of industrialized countries until 2035 a "joke" and an "insult." Germany, meanwhile, sought solace in the wider possibilities that emerged. A commitment by a small group of industrialized countries will now become a "joint global task" to which other countries will also contribute, according to Schulze. "That is an important signal." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was crucial that private investments worldwide are channelled into climate-friendly paths on a major scale. This was reflected by the new overall target of $1.3 trillion annually through 2035 to help poorer countries fight climate change, she noted. "This can be achieved through good framework conditions, government incentives and fair international cooperation," said Schulze. Economy Minister Robert Habeck focussed on the same points: "In view of the tense global situation, this is a success for international cooperation." The negotiations at UN level were working, even if there were still many unresolved issues that would need to be discussed in the coming year, he noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is pleasing that the states have adopted solid rules for the carbon markets as part of the Paris Agreement and that these mechanisms can now be utilised," said Habeck. Even holdouts such as Saudi Arabia "will not be able to stop the real market forces that have long since decided in favour of renewable energies and the climate-neutral transformation," he added. The administration of US President Joe Biden had considered publicly advocating for Ukraine's official invitation to join NATO but ultimately decided against it. Source: Bloomberg Quote: "The Biden administration had also considered publicly calling for an official invitation to join NATO, but decided against it given the slim likelihood of success in the short term. Putin has also framed membership, which the allies said in July was inevitable, as a casus belli." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The report notes that instead, a series of bilateral security agreements will be concluded to provide Ukraine with certain guarantees. Background: The White House, commenting on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Victory Plan, stated that NATO lacks consensus on Ukraine's membership in the Alliance. On 20 October, the French outlet Le Monde reported that the Biden administration no longer had fundamental objections to inviting Ukraine to join NATO and, if Kamala Harris won the US presidential election on 5 November, it would likely begin moving in that direction. Reuters wrote that officials in Kyiv believe that with Donald Trump winning the US elections, the chances of Ukraine being invited to NATO have diminished. Support UP or become our patron! Moscow has accused US President Joe Biden's outgoing administration of working against the plans of President-elect Donald Trump to resolve the war in Ukraine. "During the election campaign, Trump talked about wanting to make peace in some way and was leading everyone down a peaceful path," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian television. "And now they are doing everything they can to escalate the situation in such a way that peace agreements are doomed to failure," Peskov said on the political news show Moscow. Kremlin. Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, set to take office on January 20, has said he would move to quickly end Russia's war with Ukraine, which has now been going on for more than 1,000 days. However, he has not yet named any precise plans. Peskov's comments come after Biden granted Ukraine permission to use long-range ATACMS missiles from the US against military targets in Russia. Biden also plans to waive some of Ukraine's debts. Peskov asserted that Biden's administration had shown that it "will do everything to ensure that this war does not end." He insinuated that the US Democrats wanted to use this to limit Trump and take revenge for their election defeat. Moscow's war threats are 'typical blackmail' Meanwhile Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in Kiev that Moscow's use of a new type of Russian medium-range missile in Ukraine and threats of further attacks are "typical blackmail." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to deter anyone from supporting Kiev, according to Sybiha. "Ukraine's partners should do the exact opposite: reject blackmail, increase support, and strengthen Ukraines air shield with systems capable of intercepting such missiles," the minister wrote on X. Russia fired the Oreshnik ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, targeting a defence plant, officials said in Moscow. The launch followed the decision by Ukraine's international allies to allow Kiev to use Western-made longer-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly afterwards, Putin announced the serial production of the new missile, which is claimed to be the only one of its type in the world. According to Moscow, the missile flies at hypersonic speed and cannot be intercepted by air defence systems. This information could not initially be independently confirmed. Renewed drone strikes Russia attacked Ukraine overnight with dozens of combat drones, the Ukrainian air force said on Sunday. Fifty out of Russia's 73 drones were shot down, the air force said. Almost 20 drones were apparently incapacitated by electronic countermeasures. In the capital Kiev, air raid sirens sounded for more than three hours during the night. More than 10 drones targeting the Ukrainian capital were intercepted, the city's military administration wrote on Telegram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For its part, the Russian Defence Ministry reported that more than 30 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight. Twenty-seven drones and two missiles were shot down over the Kursk region, the local governor said. Ukrainian troops still occupy part of the Kursk region in western Russia after a summer offensive. No information was provided on any damage caused by the attacks. The Big Sioux River flows under a Highway 34 bridge near Egan in southeastern South Dakota. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) A $3 million state effort to help landowners keep their agricultural runoff out of the Big Sioux River has experienced a spike in enrollments since the program began offering higher payments. The Legislature authorized the Riparian Buffer Initiative in 2021 with a spending deadline of June 30, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The river is polluted with dissolved soils, agricultural chemicals and livestock waste beyond levels safe for uses including fishing and swimming. The program pays landowners to leave a vegetated area along the river or a tributary, which helps to filter out pollutants before they enter the water. Buffer strip root systems also prevent erosion along the banks. However, nobody had signed up for the program by January 2023. The feedback that we got back was that were not paying enough to really move the needle, Hunter Roberts, secretary of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, told lawmakers at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, the department doubled incentive payments that year. Under the old rates, a 50-foot wide, half-mile-long buffer under a minimum 10-year contract would have yielded a total payment of about $5,000 for cropland and $1,300 for pastureland. Under the new formula, the rates for the same examples increased to about $13,000 for cropland and $3,400 for pastureland. Since then, interest in the program has increased. According to the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources 2024 progress report, the department had enrolled 35 total projects as of late October, covering 608 acres of buffers along 218,556 linear feet of the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department estimates that will result in annual reductions of 1,593 pounds of nitrogen, 332 pounds of phosphorus and 206 tons of sediment entering the river. The project has spent $1.17 million of its $3 million in funding. An additional $800,000 has been earmarked for 26 buffer projects in progress, covering another 382 acres and 143,000 linear feet of the riverbank. The report emphasizes the departments intent to fully allocate all remaining funds by the programs deadline of June 30, 2025. The report notes that partnerships with the South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks Department, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever and other conservation organizations have been instrumental in promoting the program. While the state program has made strides in increasing participation, it has also faced questions regarding its overlap with existing local initiatives. Similar projects established by the East Dakota Water Development District, based in Brookings, also offer buffer zone support along the river. Those projects administrators said they had enrolled over 100 landowners and nearly 3,600 acres, totaling almost 89 miles of stream protection, as of November 2023. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Former President Bill Clinton reflects on Donald Trump's return to the White House and his cabinet choices in a wide-ranging conversation with MSNBC's Jonathan Capehart. "Politics is the only business in which you can prove your authenticity by not knowing anything," says Clinton. State health officials said Sunday that bird flu virus was detected in a retail sample of raw milk from Fresno-based dairy Raw Farm. The sample was collected by officials with the Santa Clara County public health office, who have been testing raw milk products from retail stores "as a second line of consumer protection." County officials identified the virus in "one sample of raw milk purchased at a retail outlet" on Nov. 21, according to statements from both the state and the county. The county contacted stores on Friday and recommended they pull the raw milk from sale. The test results were confirmed on Saturday by the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System at UC Davis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This isn't surprising, given how quickly H5N1 seems to be spreading among farms in California and given the fact that these outbreaks on farms are being discovered in large part due to bulk testing of raw milk from farms," said Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University in Providence, R.I. "What we don't know is how much risk H5N1 poses to people that drink unpasteurized, infected milk." Read more: Alameda County child believed to be latest case of bird flu; source unknown The test was positive only for the "H5" part of the virus. However, health officials say an H5 finding in a California dairy product is likely H5N1. No other H5 bird flu viruses have been detected in dairy cows. Raw Farm has issued a voluntary recall for all quart- and half-gallon-sized milk products produced on Nov. 9, with an expiration date of Nov. 27, with a lot ID of #20241109. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, there have been no reports of illness associated with this recall. "Out of an abundance of caution, and due to the ongoing spread of bird flu in dairy cows, poultry, and sporadic human cases, consumers should not consume any of the affected raw milk," state health officials wrote in a statement. Nuzzo said evidence from animal studies suggests the virus "could pose a risk if ingested in large enough quantities, but we have not yet seen human cases resulting from raw milk consumption. Given that ingestion of raw milk has no credible health benefits, I personally would avoid drinking it." Researchers have found that barn cats that drink raw milk tend to die as a result of their exposure. And laboratory studies have shown similar results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the CDC reported samples taken from a child in Alameda County who was showing mild respiratory symptoms were positive for H5N1. It is unclear how the child was exposed to the virus, although investigators ruled out exposure to infected dairy or poultry animals. They also ruled out raw milk. Throughout California, 29 people have tested positive for the virus, and all but one the child in Alameda County are dairy workers. Nationwide, the number is 55, with 32 exposed via dairy, 21 via poultry, and two with no known source. In addition, a teenager in British Columbia was also infected, and has remained in critical condition for more than two weeks. The source of that child's infection also remains unknown. There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Highly contagious whooping cough rises in California to highest level in years Since March, 402 California dairy herds have tested positive in the state; 616 herds have tested positive nationwide. Mark McAfee, the owner of Raw Farm, said that the testing he and the California Department of Food and Agriculture have conducted on his milk since he started voluntary testing in late April has all been negative. "In the last two days CDFA has collected extra dairy samples from our farm bulk tanks and even retail samples and they are all officially Negative for HPAI," he wrote in a statement. HPAI is the acronym for highly pathogenic avian influenza; it is often used interchangeably with H5N1, as well as other highly pathogenic bird influenza strains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California Department of Public Health confirmed that the agriculture department had tested McAfee's milk after receiving news of the finding, and results were negative. Raw Farm is the largest producer and retailer of raw milk in the state, where the product is legally sold in retail stores. McAfee said he has about 1,800 head of cattle on two dairies one in Fresno, the other near Hanford. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not allow for the interstate transfer of raw milk for human consumption, and advises the public not to drink or consume raw milk products. Officials say that pasteurization inactivates the virus. Several states have recently changed laws to legalize raw milk products, including Iowa, Louisiana and Delaware which all changed laws this spring allowing for wider consumer access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, President-elect Donald Trump's nomination for Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is a vocal proponent of raw milk and has said he wants to increase people's access to unpasteurized milk. Read more: Why RFK Jr. nomination sets off alarms among many public health specialists The Raw Farm recall notice requests that stores remove the product from shelves and urges consumers to return the product to the store from which it was purchased for a free replacement or refund. McAfee said it is unlikely any of the product remains on store shelves. "It's all gone," he said. "We take back anything that doesn't sell after seven days." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virus has shown up in wastewater sites across Santa Clara County, including Palo Alto, San Jose, Gilroy and Sunnyvale. It's also been detected in 24 of the 28 California wastewater systems tested by WastewaterScan an infectious disease monitoring network led by researchers at Stanford and Emory University, with lab testing partner Verily, Alphabet Inc.s life sciences organization. We are living in a "very highly charged time for raw milk," McAfee said. "It's all over the news with RFK announcing he wants raw milk for everyone to improve the immunity and gut microbiome for America." "Our mission is to nourish our consumers with the highest quality raw milk and that is what we are doing," he said, citing his testing protocol and history with the state's agriculture department. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) A 22-year-old Birmingham man died Friday after he was found shot in the city the day before. According to the Birmingham Police Department, officers responded around 6:45 p.m. Thursday to a ShotSpotter notification of about 20 rounds in the 300 block of 25th Street Southwest. At the scene, police discovered DeCarlos Perez Smith Jr. lying in the roadway. He was unresponsive and suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Birmingham Police Department looking for missing 20-year-old Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service personnel took Smith, who suffered life-threatening injuries, to UAB Hospital. Smith died from his injuries at about 7:22 p.m. Friday. The BPD stated it has limited details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting that killed Smith, and there is no one in custody in connection to the case. Those with information on the shooting are urged to call the BPD at 205-254-1764 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Jakes was speaking with church goers at The Potter's House of Dallas on Sunday, Nov. 24 Jarrod Williams/Getty Bishop T.D. Jakes at the Los Angeles Urban League's Whitney M Young, Jr. Awards Dinner on May 18, 2023 Bishop T.D. Jakes at the Los Angeles Urban League's Whitney M Young, Jr. Awards Dinner on May 18, 2023 T.D. Jakes, a renowned Christian pastor and motivational speaker, experienced a "slight health incident" after delivering a sermon this weekend. On Sunday, Nov. 24, a statement shared on Jakes' official social media pages said that the bishop was "under the care of medical professionals" and is "stable" after he was seen pausing and being surrounded by a group of people during a sermon at The Potter's House of Dallas, which was shared widely via a livestream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During todays service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message," the church wrote in a statement. "Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals." "The entire Potter's House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community. Thank you for your understanding and continued prayers," the statement concluded. Related: Pastor Leaves His Church to Feed the Hungry on His Urban Farm: Its Literally Saving Lives A Statement From The Potter's House of Dallas November 24, 2024 During todays service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical pic.twitter.com/QupVK29mQd T.D. Jakes (@BishopJakes) November 24, 2024 While speaking onstage, Jakes could be seen sitting on a chair and wiping his head with a cloth, before telling his audience that preaching is "getting back more than you gave." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moments later, after sharing a few more words, Jakes lowered his microphone and looked downward before seemingly convulsing. Several people on stage then crowded around the motivational speaker to assist him, before the livestream apparently cut out. Jakes founded the non-denominational, multicultural church back in 1996, per its website. It has 30,000 members operating as a non-profit organization with a principal campus in southern Dallas. Derek White/Getty T.D. Jakes attends the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums T.D. Jakes attends the 9th Annual HOPE Global Forums According to the church's Instagram page, the service on Sunday kicked off at 9 a.m. CT, for what it called an "opportunity to soak up the warmth of family, feel the presence of the Holy Spirit, and a receive a life-changing Word." Jakes encouraged church goers to attend either online or in-person on Sunday, as well, writing on his personal Instagram that he was "ready to share what God gave me with YOU." Several followers have since shown their support under the post, wishing for a speedy recovery and asking for additional updates on his health. CHEYENNE Republican lawmakers elected Sens. Bo Biteman, Tim Salazar and Tara Nethercott as their nominees for the roles of Senate president, vice president and majority floor leader, respectively, Saturday morning. The trio was up against Sens. Larry Hicks, R-Baggs; Cheri Steinmetz, R-Lingle; and Brian Boner, R-Douglas, who publicly announced their run for Senate president, vice president and majority floor leader, respectively, earlier this fall. In the House of Representatives, Rep. Chip Neiman, R-Hulett, was elected as House Speaker, with Rep. Scott Heiner, R-Green River, elected as majority floor leader; Rep. Jeremy Haroldson, R-Wheatland, as speaker pro tempore; and Ocean Andrew, R-Laramie, as majority whip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All Republican nominees for House leadership ran campaigns in the 2024 election season that were endorsed by the Wyoming Freedom Caucus, a group of hard-line Republicans. Coming out of the general election, Wyoming Freedom Caucus representatives took control of the lower chamber. Legislative leadership is elected with every new Legislature, and Republican lawmakers, who make up the majority of the governing body, elected their nominees during a Republican caucus in Casper. The nominations will become official the first day of the 2025 general session, when it goes before the governing body. With a Republican-majority Legislature, it is expected that these nominations will be secured during the formal vote. Neiman will replace Rep. Albert Sommers, R-Pinedale, as House speaker. He's served in the Legislature since 2021, and worked on various committees including Education, Management Council and Rules. Neiman has supported several bills that aimed to restrict abortion access, prohibit gender affirming care of minors and repeal gun-free zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biteman, R-Ranchester, is headed to replace Sen. Ogden Driskill, R-Devils Tower, who is retiring from the Legislature next year, as Senate president. Biteman has been in the Legislature since 2017 and has served on several committees, including Education and School Facilities, and he currently chairs the Senate Revenue Committee. In a Saturday morning news release, Biteman said he was humbled and honored to be elected by his fellow Republicans in the Senate. As President, my mission is to empower every member to rise to their full potential, fostering collaboration and mutual respect, Biteman said in the release. Together, we will restore regular order, champion civility, and uphold the integrity of this institution so it serves as a model of principled leadership for the people we represent, benefiting all the citizens of our great state. With President-elect Donald Trump headed back to the White House in January, Biteman said in the release, Wyoming has enormous opportunities to benefit from his agenda." The Senate president nominee promised to protect the Equality States energy industries and promote businesses by eliminating excessive and costly regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyoming voters have been clear they want a strong, conservative agenda, and we plan to deliver that, Biteman said. Salazar, R-Riverton, the nominee for Senate vice president, has served as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee since he was first elected to the Legislature in 2017. By 2021, he served on other committees, including Education, Tribal Relations and the Redistricting and Elections Task Force. He successfully sponsored the Wyoming PRIME Act in the 2024 budget session; it is designed to allow residents to buy homegrown meat without government interference. The news release described Salazar as a champion of pro-life and pro-Second Amendment issues in the Senate. During his time on the Senate Appropriations Committee, the Fremont County senator has focused on eliminating wasteful spending and providing property tax relief. I thank my colleagues for their vote and their confidence in my leadership, Salazar said in the news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nethercott, R-Cheyenne, has chaired powerful committees in the Legislature since she was first elected in 2017. She chaired the Senate Judiciary Committee from 2019 to 2022 and the Senate Appropriations Committee in 2023. Now, Nethercott will be the first woman to serve as Senate Majority Floor Leader, the number two position in the chamber, since 2016. Shes authored several critical pieces of legislation during her time in the Senate, including protecting national security by restricting foreign ownership of land by hostile states, property tax relief, enhanced anti-trust laws that protect farmers and ranchers, and punishing bad actors trying to defraud government programs, according to the release. I am honored to be elected by my peers to serve as Majority Floor Leader, Nethercott said in the release. I am committed to a strong and effective Senate to advance our conservative values for a better and stronger Wyoming. Two Wichita officers shot a 33-year-old man multiple times Friday night at a gas station on Broadway after he pointed a gun at them, according to the Wichita Police Department. The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition, ending a crime spree where he reportedly stole a bicycle from two people at gunpoint, shot at a house and hit a dog, shot at someone after a failed carjacking and then shot at two more people in separate incidents, police said. During this investigation, a man with apparent gunshot wounds was located dead at a park near 13th and Main, police said. Currently, we are unable to say if this homicide is related to the other random shootings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prospect Park, which is at 13th and Main, is right next to where police were first called about a drive-by shooting at 8:52 p.m. Friday in the 1400 block of North Otis, which is near Broadway. More details will be released, possibly Monday, by the Sedgwick County Sheriffs Office, which is investigating the incident as a third party as two Wichita police officers were involved in the shooting. In the 1400 block of North Otis, the suspect reportedly had robbed the two (people) at gunpoint and stole one of the victims bicycles, police said. The suspect then shot multiple rounds into a home in the 1400 block of Otis, striking a dog, which was transported to a local veterinary hospital. Police were then called to an attempted carjacking in the 1600 block of North Broadway, a little less than a half-mile from the call on Otis, where the suspect shot multiple rounds striking the car and the headrest but not the driver, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect then got into a fight with a man at 12th and Broadway and shot multiple rounds at the man, police said. This victim ran from the area, and it is unknown if he was injured, police said. The suspect then went to a nearby gas station where he had an altercation with a woman in the parking lot and fired multiple rounds at her, but she was able to flee without being harmed, police said. Two officers arrived at the gas station and saw the male suspect shooting, police said. The officers engaged the suspect, and the suspect pointed a handgun at the officers. The officers shot at the suspect striking him multiple times. MANITOWOC The body of Jason R. Neumann, a 43-year-old veteran from Manitowoc, was recovered from Lake Michigan approximately 2 miles north of the village of Cleveland Saturday. Police confirmed the discovery of Neumanns body Nov. 23. In a news release Nov. 20, police said Neumanns vehicle, a 2019 Toyota 4Runner SUV, had been located by Manitowoc County Sheriff's Office Nov. 19 along the shoreline of Lake Michigan in shallow water near the village of Cleveland. Police believe Neumann went missing Nov. 18. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our deepest sympathies go out to Jasons family and friends during this difficult time, Manitowoc Police Department Lt. Adam Sohlden said in the news release. At this point in the investigation, there is no indication of foul play. The release said the investigation is being completed by the Manitowoc County Sheriffs Office and Manitowoc County coroner. No other details were released Nov. 23. More news: When are no-school days in Manitowoc County? A list for Manitowoc, Two Rivers & Kiel. Contact Brandon Reid at 920-686-2984 or breid@gannett.com, or follow him on X at @breidHTRNews. This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Body of Jason Neumann, missing Manitowoc vet, found in Lake Michigan The Boston Police Department announced that they are investigating a shooting that occurred in Dorchester Saturday evening. Officers were dispatched at approximately 9:15 p.m. at the area of 10 Morrill Street to reports of a person shot. Officers found the victim suffering from an apparent gunshot wound and bleeding. The victim was transported to a local hospital, with an unknown extent to their injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boston police are actively investigating the incident, and no arrests have been made. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai knows the viciousness of the Taliban all too well. When she was just 15, she was riding home on a bus from an exam shed just taken when a Taliban gunmen entered seeking her out. Upon identifying herself, Yousafzai was shot through her eye, miraculously surviving thanks to emergency medical treatment. At the time, shed come under fire from the Taliban present in her country for speaking against their actions towards female children, which included bombing girls schools so theyd no longer be able to attend. Now, Yousafzai is standing up to the organization once again by serving as an executive producer on the Apple TV+ documentary Bread & Roses. The film follows three women in the aftermath of Afghanistans Taliban insurgency, which took place in 2021. Holding power in the country for over three years, the Afghan Taliban have systematically stripped Afghan women of their rights, preventing them from receiving an education and even working. Afghan women activists are calling it a gender apartheid, that just because of their gender they are oppressed, said Yousafzai in a recent interview with CBS Mornings. More from IndieWire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked why the Taliban wishes to oppress women in this way, Yousafzai said, We have been trying to figure out an answer to that for the past 30 years. The Taliban took control in 1996, they have had influence in many parts of Afghanistan and parts of Pakistan as well and this is now repeating in Afghanistan once again where the Taliban have taken control for more than three and a half years. I cannot find any explanation that justifies it to me. How can you stop a girl from her school? They come up with these excuses that its culture, its religion there is no culture excuse. The true representatives of that culture are the Afghan women and girls that we see in the documentary. Following the attempt on her life, Yousafzai grew into a global figure in the fight for womens rights and against radicalism, becoming the youngest recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize at 17. In raising her stature throughout the world community, Yousafzai thought it meant people finally understood the threat the Taliban and figures like it pose, but with their resurgence in Afghanistan, shes not so sure anymore. I was so grateful for the support that I received received, but I was only 15 years old when I was attacked by the Taliban and I survived and I admired the support people gave me. What really shook me was the fact that people stand with you once you have survived, but we dont look at people who are still under a big threat, so it really made me question that, said Yousafzai. Is it all about receiving awards and applause or is it really about actually creating systems of accountability and justice so so that it never happens to anybody. I thought that the praise I was receiving was a true commitment that it should never happen to any girl. Thats exactly what I wanted to hear. That is unfortunately not the reality, but I do want us to change that. Watch the full CBS Mornings interview below. Bread & Roses is currently streaming on Apple TV+. Best of IndieWire Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. British workplaces are banning staff from flying within the UK to cut their carbon footprints. A growing number of companies and institutions have stamped out work flights within England, Wales and Scotland amid pressure from environmental campaign groups. Several public agencies, universities and councils have introduced the ban, or have made rail the default mode of travel for their employees. Some workers in the UK are even prohibited from boarding work flights to mainland Europe if the destination can be reached by the Eurostar rail service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UKs move away from domestic air travel comes after France banned all short-haul domestic flights in 2023 when there is a rail alternative that takes less than two and a half hours. However, British trains are some of the slowest and most expensive in Europe, and some routes. Currently, the UKs rail infrastructure is not deemed good enough for the Government to introduce a similar ban in the near future. Imperial College London is believed to be the first university to introduce a ban on domestic work flights - Alastair James/iStock Editorial Campaign groups such as Greenpeace, Flight Free UK, and Campaign for Better Transport, have called for private businesses and institutions in the UK to introduce their own domestic flight bans, claiming rail is better for the environment. Imperial College London is believed to be the first university in the UK to have introduced such a ban, putting an end to domestic flights for its 8,000 staff members when there is a rail alternative that takes less than five hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means that staff are unable to take work flights between London and northern cities such as Manchester or Liverpool, where a train journey typically takes between two and three hours. Work flights between London and Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow the most popular domestic flight routes in the UK are allowed on occasion as rail travel can sometimes exceed five hours. Imperial introduced the ban as part of a sustainable travel policy which aims to reduce their carbon emissions by 25 per cent, against the baseline year 2017-18. According to the London university, work travel for Imperial in 2019 produced roughly 38,500 tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions the equivalent of more than 200,000 flights from London Heathrow to Edinburgh Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff can be exempted from the ban under circumstances such as disability and health-related reasons, fitting travel for work around parenting or caring responsibilities, or if rail is unavailable for time-critical travel due to strikes or engineering works. Earlier this year, NHS England, the largest employer in England, banned work flights within mainland Britain for its 1.5 million employees. A panel was introduced in May to consider all work flight requests, and domestic air travel is only allowed in exceptional circumstances or if it saves taxpayer money. The ban comes after it was reported by the Health Service Journal that NHS England staff had taken flights between Glasgow and London and also Manchester and London for internal meetings in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps the strongest ban has been introduced by the Environment Agency, which has not allowed staff to take domestic work flights since 2010, except in some circumstances. The agency does not allow work flights within England and Wales, or between England and Paris, Brussels or other Eurostar destinations, for its 12,000 staff members. It sometimes permits air travel to Scotland, but these requests are scrutinised and challenged by executive directors and must have a good business justification to be approved. Despite strict targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, the BBC has not introduced a domestic air travel ban like other public bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The corporation, which has 21,000 employees, has stated since October 2021 that rail is the default mode of public transport, rather than flights, within mainland UK. However a BBC spokesman would not confirm the official wording of the policy or whether domestic flights were still allowed for staff. Despite air travel reaching an all-time high globally according to the International Air Transport Association the number of domestic flights in the UK has fallen gradually since it peaked in the mid-2000s. That includes a 25 per cent decrease between 2019 and 2022 one of the largest declines of any European country according to data from Eurocontrol, an organisation that supports European aviation. However, Michael Solomon Williams from Campaign for Better Transport said: Domestic flights are seven times more polluting than the equivalent train journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its great to see these companies doing their bit to tackle climate change, but wed like to see more following their lead. However, some train routes, such as the LondonManchester rail service, have been cut to a barebone timetable since the pandemic, making a ban on domestic flights impractical for some employers. EDF energy has no ban on domestic flights for its 13,500 UK staff members and has no plans to introduce one in the near future. An EDF spokesman said: Our business goes from Kent to the west coast of Scotland, from Somerset to Edinburgh. If train travel was better and more reliable it might be something to consider. The Airport Operators Association, the trade association for UK airports, has also argued against banning domestic air travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Karen Dee, its chief executive, said: If the UK were to follow the French approach, it would have very minimal effect in the UK. The vast majority of UK domestic routes connect centres that are more than 2.5 hours apart by rail, and the few that are below that threshold are primarily to facilitate connecting flights also exempt under the French plan. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Chesapeake, Va. (WAVY) In August, the Caldwell siblings made headlines after their lemonade stand earnings were stolen. Following the theft, they received overwhelming support from the community once their lemonade stand reopened and a 19-year-old man has since been arrested in connection to the robbery. Previous Coverage: Children turn lemons into lemonade after money jar stolen from stand in Chesapeake Now, Rebecca and Joshua Caldwell are paying it forward. On Saturday, they gave back by selling hot chocolate to raise money for residents in North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. They told 10 On Your Side they just want those in need to know that people do still care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a jar already filled to the brim with cash, theyre continuing to accept donations via CashApp and Venmo. The family is also in partnership with Operation Blessing to help collect more financial donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youd like to donate blankets or clothing, the Caldwell family encourages you to bring it over before the end of Monday, Nov. 25, to their residence at 1064 Bells Mill Road in Chesapeake. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. EBENSBURG, Pa. The Cambria County Board of Elections officially certified the result of the election Friday afternoon, capping a tumultuous election cycle that included a voting mishap involving ballots and a mandatory recount triggered by the race for one of Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate seats. We obviously had Election Day glitches, which led to us having to spend hours duplicating ballots, and then the recount, said Cambria County President Commissioner Scott Hunt, who serves on the elections board. We are happy to be done with the election cycle. Election Logo 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the board is shifting its focus, in consultation with the Pennsylvania Department of State, to conducting an internal review of election operations in the county. Hunt said the ballot issue will be reviewed thoroughly, but the review will be much more far-reaching, adding that he and the other commissioners agreed they believe the Cambria County Elections Office can be streamlined. We think this is the perfect time to be looking at everything, he said. Itll just be everything to see how we can make the election office in Cambria County better stronger. The Election Day mishap involved improperly printed ballots, which couldnt be scanned in by the ES&S voting machines and had to be duplicated by pairs of Republican and Democrat volunteers over several days as the results were counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ballots that couldnt be scanned were locked in secure boxes and transported by Cambria County sheriffs deputies to the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg on election night to be counted, while newly printed ballots that could be scanned were delivered by deputies to polling locations. Then, a mandatory recount was triggered in the close Senate race between incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey and Republican David McCormick. McCormicks narrow lead through Nov. 13 was within the 0.5% margin threshold for an automatic statewide recount under Pennsylvania law. Ultimately, McCormick defeated Casey by 16,349 votes. Casey conceded the race Thursday. It took two days for Cambria County volunteers to complete the recount of more than 70,000 total ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections chief retires Other business handled by the Cambria County elections board Friday included additional stipends for election workers. The board approved election night workers to get $85 to $235; judges of elections and election poll workers to receive $25 extra; and canvass workers to be given $235. Hunt said the extra stipends for the poll workers and judges were issued to show those volunteers the appreciation of the board, especially when they had to stay at the polls for an extra two hours on Election Day after a court order extended voting because of the ballot problem. Additionally, Hunt confirmed that Cambria County Elections Director Maryann Dillon has retired after nearly 40 years in the office. Dillon said she has considered retirement for some time and decided this was the right moment to step away. It was time, she said. The commissioners have advertised her position. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Canton police are warning citizens of a scam going around. According to a post on Facebook, a scammer in Canton posing as a local rental manager and reaching out to prospective homeowners. Raising Ukrainian refugee awareness through music This scammer offers rental services on legitimate for-sale addresses if the buyer pays an application fee through PayPal or similar apps. Canton police urge people to beware these scams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Canton police urge people to call them if they believe they are being scammed. Do not give out personal information over the phone. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A gray 2013 Toyota Avalon tied to a shooting death in an armed robbery at a gaming center in Asheboro turned up in Durham on Friday night, Asheboro police said. Durham police found the vehicle, which had been stolen, during a service call, said Asheboro Police Capt. Byron Hill in a news release Saturday. Two male suspects who were caught on camera leaving the gaming center have not been found, he said. They are suspected in the shooting death on Nov. 11 of David Matthew Davis, 39, a Navy veteran who worked at 64 Skillz in Asheboro. Photos of the men from the business show them well-covered to disguise their descriptors, Asheboro police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photos of the vehicle at the crime scene show an NC registration plate LAH-9992, Asheboro police said. They are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Ethan Williamson at (336) 626-1300, Ext. 2112 or Randolph County Crimestoppers at (336) 672-7463. CHICAGO With Thanksgiving less than a week away, community groups are teaming up to make sure everyone who needs a holiday meal can enjoy one. One of Saturdays turkey giveaways was spearheaded by 19-year-old Jaqueza Thomas, who is no stranger to pouring positivity into the community. This is what I wanted to do and I knew I was going to make it happen, Thomas said. You can do absolutely anything you put your mind to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts from the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line ready to answer Americas turkey prep questions Thomas, a political science major at the University of Illinois Chicago, started two clothing brands and also serves as a police cadet with the Chicago Police Department and as a youth commissioner for Mayor Brandon Johnson. On Saturday, he added something new to his resume of community service, leading a turkey giveaway outside of Whitney M. Young Jr. Library, located on East 79th Street on the South Side. This morning, we distributed about 160 butterball turkeys, Thomas said. As he and volunteers banned together to support families this holiday season, the college sophomore said hes so adamant about giving back in this way, because he remembers how helpful it was to his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I received a donated turkey when I was younger and I was like, I want to be able to host an event and give away some turkeys as well to fight food insecurity in the City of Chicago,' Thomas said. Have a turkey this size? You need to start thawing today He also encourages anyone, regardless of age, to make a positive impact. Im 19, but Im not going to be young forever. You can do absolutely anything you put your mind to. I want to look up 10 years from now and say, Dang, there is a 10-year-old doing what I was doing,' Thomas said. In North Lawndale, Lakesha Morrison was glad to get her hands on a turkey from the North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN), where volunteers and community leaders joined forces to offer over 300 turkeys, vegetables and sides. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking forward to cooking and being with my grandkids. I have five, one on the way, so all my kids and grandkids, were going to spend time together, Morrison said. Turkey Chop distributes free turkeys to West Humboldt Park residents in need North Lawndale Employment Network is a workforce development organization helping people secure good paying jobs. President and CEO of NLEN Brenda Palms said while people are working to become economically stable, the organization is here to support them. It brings us joy to be able to give, but its also still clear that people are struggling economically and if we can kind of lighten or sweeten the load that day, then thats what we want to do, Palms said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. CHICAGO Chicago voters turned out at a much lower rate in this months general election than in recent presidential contests, marking the lowest turnout rate in 28 years, according to the most recent data from the Chicago Board of Elections. While election officials initially expected a high turnout, it ended up being markedly low for a presidential election. According to unofficial results, the Chicago Board of Elections reported that roughly 67.9% of registered city voters cast ballots in the election, roughly 3 percentage points less than the 71% turnout in 2016 and 5 percentage points lower than in 2020, when turnout was 73.3%. The turnout rate represents a notable drop, not just in recent years but in the storied history of presidential races in Chicago. The percentage of registered voters who participated in this years election is the second lowest in 80 years as far back as the Chicago Board of Elections keeps organized records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only presidential contest with a lower citywide turnout was in 1996 when it dropped to 63.2%. In that election, then-incumbent President Bill Clinton easily defeated Republican Bob Dole. Interestingly, Chicago hosted the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in 1996 and 2024. Max Bever, spokesman for the Chicago Board of Elections, had previously said the city was on track for about 70% voter turnout which is a common rate in the city for presidential elections. Unfortunately, we did not see the early morning and later evening voter surges for Election Day that we usually see, Bever had said. As of Friday, the total vote count stood at just under 1,020,000 ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports of lower than expected turnout in Chicago left many voters confused as to why they experienced long lines and hourslong waits on and before Election Day. This is likely due, in part, to the vast discrepancies in voter turnout across Chicago ranging from less than 50% to close to 100% turnout in the citys 50 wards. Turnout was lowest in wards on the West and Southwest sides, with the 14th, 15th, 22nd, 24th and 37th wards all seeing less than half of their registered voters cast ballots in the November election. But nowhere was turnout worse than in the 16th Ward, encompassing parts of the Englewood, Chicago Lawn, New City and Gage Park neighborhoods, with just 44% participation. Conversely, 10 wards saw turnout levels greater than 80% the vast majority of which are concentrated on the North and Far North sides, including along the lakefront. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But one ward dominated the rest the 44th. Covering Lakeview, voters in this North Side ward showed up at an almost unprecedented rate, with 96.3% turnout among eligible voters a whole 6 percentage points more than the next closest ward. Chicagos lower turnout trend was reflected in suburban Cook County and some of its collar counties. In the Cook County suburbs, turnout was slightly lower than the city at 66.5%, according to unofficial vote totals from the Cook County Clerks Office. Like Chicago, this years turnout was around 5 percentage points lower than it was in 2016 and 2020. It also represented the lowest participation rate in a presidential election going back to 1996. In DuPage and Lake counties, the turnout rates were lower than average, at roughly 74% and 70.1%, according to unofficial results from the election boards in those counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, in Kane, McHenry and Will counties, turnout was slightly higher than average for a presidential election year. In Kane, turnout hit 74.2% and 69.4% turnout, respectively. In Kane, 74.2% of the countys registered voters turned up on Election Day, submitted a mail-in ballot or voted early the greatest rate since 2008. Meanwhile, McHenrys 69.4% turnout, though higher than average, was still lower than in 2020. At 75.1%, turnout in Will County was higher than the rest of the Chicago area. Yet, like McHenry, turnout was still slightly lower than 2020. Children and their parents are being told in an Usborne book that refugees enrich our country. Usborne has published a book for ages seven and up called Lift the Flap: Questions and Answers About Refugees, which informs readers that we all have roots in other countries. Teaching material has been provided alongside the book which sets out classroom activities including having children write to MPs to express how much refugees enrich our countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further guidance seeks to educate mothers and fathers on the importance of their children learning about the array of multicultural foods and population numbers provided by refugees who also drive growth. The book, which has been branded indoctrination by critics, has been stocked by local council libraries, and free copies have been distributed to schools following its release in 2023. The childrens book was created with help from the Refugee Council and contains 14 illustrated pages with lifting flaps providing answers to questions about issues relating to refugees. The childrens book was created with help from the Refugee Council - Usborne One page covers the big risks faced by those in small boats, while another page is titled Refugees Welcome, and shows a crowd with placards stating our home is your home and bridges not borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final page urges children to talk about how we all have roots in other countries, and how refugees enrich our countries. Usborne teaching resources paired with the book outline lesson objectives, including to know that positive action is possible, with one activity stating: People in power can do a lot to help refugees and asylum seekers but they dont always choose to. Governments want to be popular with their own people, so one way to encourage them to support refugees is by showing them how important refugees safety is to you. It adds: You could also write a letter to your local MP or councillor. Try to include some facts about why refugees need our help and how they can enrich our countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Usborne has also created notes for grown-ups to help explain why its important to talk to children about refugees. These notes urge parents to drill home to their children the point that without migration we would not have access to the vast array of multicultural foods that we are lucky to enjoy. Usborne has issued teaching resources to go with the book - Usborne Parents are assured that there are so many positives to the arrival of refugees, who fill gaps in the labour market. The material claims it is cheaper to recruit foreign doctors than train British medical staff. Low-skilled arrivals additionally do dirty, difficult, dangerous or dull jobs that locals do not wish to do, adding that ageing societies with a shrinking native working-age population benefit from the arrival of younger refugees who support population numbers, and thus investment and growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 40,000 people have arrived in the UK via small boats in 2024, most of whom claim asylum. The total cost for maintaining the system of migrant hotels is now estimated at 5.4 billion a year. The notes further claim that people who have been uprooted from one culture and exposed to another tend to be more creative and they can help spark new ideas and technologies. The Arts Council-backed Books Trust has since supported a promotion which promised to distribute 500 copies to UK schools to mark an occasion called Empathy Day. The childrens book and the accompanying material has been criticised by Rupert Lowe, the Reform MP for Great Yarmouth, who has pushed for transparency on the costs of migration. Reform MP Rupert Lowe has described the book as disgraceful indoctrination - Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images He said: This is disgraceful indoctrination, which is sadly widespread in schools across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents need to be incredibly cautious about what is being shown to their children in schools. I would advise parents to take a far more proactive role in monitoring their schools curriculum where possible. We need to remove activist teachers, remove activist material and remove all political activism from British schools. Teach children how to think, not what to think. Usborne has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Interest in electric vehicles is surging worldwide, but recent Google Trends data suggests it may be driven more by technological appeal than concerns about global warming. One environmental expert links this shift to the politicization of climate change. Searches for "electric vehicle" and "EV" have steadily climbed over the past decade, with "China EV" reaching an all-time high this year. This milestone highlights the success of Chinas EV sector, which surpassed an annual production volume of 10 million units this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Google, a spike in search trends indicates an increase in user interest in a specific topic compared to usual levels. Global warming searches at a two-decade low Searches for global warming have dropped to their lowest level since tracking began in 2004, a figure previously matched only during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, the South China Morning Post writes. According to Paul Harris, chair professor of global and environmental studies at The Education University of Hong Kong, there has been a global shift away from using the term global warming. For scientists, this is because warming, along with other effects of rising greenhouse gas emissions, is encompassed by the broader concept of climate change. The shift to using the term climate change has not been accompanied by widespread global acceptance of the issue. The concept remains highly politicized, entangled in domestic and geopolitical debates, and influenced by various vested interests. Advocates for climate action often adopt alternative terminology to navigate these challenges, Harris noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mentions of global warming, climate change, and the environment peaked during the 2000 US presidential elections, according to Climate Power. Recently, the focus in the US has shifted to promoting renewable energy for job creation, as this approach is seen as more politically acceptable than framing it around environmental or health benefits. Beijings clean energy goals clouded by coal and rising trade conflicts Harris noted that while China leads in solar and wind energy, it continues to approve new coal-fired power plants and set records in coal production. Beijing's push for clean energy and EVs is part of a strategy to diversify its energy grid and achieve self-sufficiency. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_laWbMJUfOo&t=50s Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, concerns over Chinese overcapacity have led the EU and US to impose tariffs on its EVs and renewable energy products, escalating trade tensions. According to Harris, the transition away from fossil fuels is inevitable due to its long-term benefits, but the problem is that global efforts to tackle climate change are progressing at a glacial pace. A key goal of international climate policy has been to limit global warming to "well below" 2 degrees Celsius (35.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. This year marks the first full year where warming is expected to exceed 1.5 degrees above those levels. However, while staying below 2 degrees of warming might be practically achievable, Harris noted that it could be "politically impossible" given the current geopolitical climate. PARIS Most have on jeans, some wear rough work boots, and one sings with a white construction helmet tucked under his arm. Gathered in the church hall before the altar, their song begins low and soft, surges and then sweeps through the Gothic-style church and up to its soaring stone ceiling. The 80-strong choir has come together to do more than sing, though the crew of architects, stonemasons, archaeologists, art historians, art conservators and others have helped rebuild Paris Notre-Dame cathedral after a fire ripped through the iconic French Gothic masterpiece nearly five years ago. With hundreds of people working to rebuild a structure so intimately tied to French art, history and culture, it felt natural to start a choir, said Stephanie Duchene, a conservation scientist and chemical engineer who helped form the Notre-Dame Compagnons Choir, or Notre Dame Companions, nearly two years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much like the building and rebuilding of a cathedral, a small army of individuals needs to work in unison to create extraordinary music. Everyone has to do his part to make the music sound good, said Duchene, the chief archaeologist and conservation scientist for the Laboratory of Research for Historical Monuments. Stephanie Duchene. Five years after the blaze that destroyed much of the cathedrals roof and brought down its iconic spire, long one of the city skylines most recognizable sights, the Notre-Dame Compagnons Choir is preparing to perform in the building they helped save. It will be part of a weekslong celebration marking the long-awaited reopening.On Dec. 11, the choir will perform a rendition of French composer Gabriel Faures Cantique de Jean Racine, or Chant by Jean Racine. Like many others, Duchene remembers exactly where she was when she heard about the blaze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My brother sent me a picture of the fire, Duchene, 46, told NBC News ahead of rehearsal in the Saint-Severin Church, which is known for its musical performances and is the oldest church in Paris Left Bank. Just weeks before, she and her husband had taken their children to visit the cathedral and now it was at risk of being reduced to rubble and ashes, she remembers. Everyone was very sad and very anxious about the potential collapse of the cathedral overnight, she said. We were very relieved in the morning when we saw that it was that she was still standing. Agnes Poirier, a French author who published the book Notre-Dame: The Soul of France, in the aftermath of the fire, echoes the pervasive feeling that the cathedral is much more than simply a building. On April 15, 2019 a huge fire swept through Notre-Dame's roof and brought down its famed spire. Shes been here for 850 years and you think she will never disappear, so the very idea of her demise and possible disappearance was just inconceivable unbearable and inconceivable, she said while looking out at the cathedral across the Seine.While part of the cathedral, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1991, was undamaged by the fire, much of the buildings roof and its signature spire were destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The damage was so severe that when French President Emmanuel Macron vowed the following day to rebuild and see the cathedral reopened to the public by 2024, he was met with ridicule. In the end, he looks set to make good on his promise, with Notre-Dame opening its doors to the public for the first time on Dec. 7, though restoration efforts will continue for years. This is not Notre-Dames first reconstructive surgery. Since the cathedrals first stone was laid in the 12th century, she has undergone frequent revivals. Notre-Dame, or Our Lady in English, has meanwhile become a constant figure in French history and culture. The cathedral was the site of the coronation of Napoleon I and his wife, Empress Josephine, in 1804. Its massive bells rang out on Aug. 24, 1944, to celebrate the liberation of Paris from German occupiers. Members of the choir rehearse in Saint-Severin church, which is known for its musical performances. The religious relics it housed including for a time Jesus Crown of Thorns drew flocks of pilgrims for centuries. The stone gargoyles have populated novels, Hollywood movies and countless tourist photo albums. Victor Hugos 1831 novel Notre-Dame de Paris, known to many as The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, not only immortalized the cathedrals story, but inspired a major restoration of the site. Test for France Philippe Giraud, 57, first worked in Notre-Dame as a teenager. By day, hes a soft-spoken sculptor. Under the pointed arches of the Church of Saint-Severin, he becomes a booming baritone. His voice echoes throughout the Gothic church, which was constructed in the 13th century before taking on its current form after the Hundred Years War. Members of the Notre-Dame Compagnons Choir during a rehearsal at Saint-Severin church in Paris on Nov. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giraud said he was other devastated when he heard about the blaze. But in the days after, he recognized the disaster as a test for France.We all think what happened in the five years after the fire was a beautiful experience so, there is not really a regret of what happened, he said, dressed in a white coat and trousers with an eggshell hard hat in his lap. Bound by a unique shared experience, lifelong friendships have also been forged within the community of those who have helped restore Notre-Dame. Giraud formed an unlikely bond with Raphael Vialle, a spinal surgeon working at a hospital in Paris, after noticing the parallels in their work. Sculptor Philippe Giraud, left, and surgeon Raphael Vialle. Brought together by mutual friends, Giraud invited Vialle, 48, to try his hand at stone carving his test subject being a stone at the entrance of Notre-Dame after he spent months training in the craft.He was fascinated by my job and I was fascinated by his, said Vialle, who, with a similar passion for singing, was quickly welcomed into the choir and community of those who have helped restore the cathedral. While Vialle said his contribution to Notre-Dames revival was very, very small, it was still very important for me and being able to point out the stone that he worked on to his loved ones when the cathedral reopens next month, he said, is an achievement that will stay with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My stone, you know. I know where it is, he said, with a gleeful smile. The Notre-Dame Compagnons Choir. Whether the choir will carry on or disband once the Notre-Dame reopens has yet to be decided, Duchene said but for now, the group is looking forward to performing in the sacred space it helped restore to its former glory.I think it will be very emotional, she said. We all feel very privileged to have been able to work on this. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Christian Life Schools is getting into the holiday spirit by bringing back their holiday market after five years. We thought it was great to get our neighbors and community local vendors out, said Christian Lifes Head of School Judy Bethge. Just such a great time to be able to come together and to celebrate the holidays coming and be able to even support the local economy here. Over 50 vendors packed into the high school gymnasium, including the Golden Apple Foundation, a nonprofit that celebrates local teachers. The foundation said markets like these are crucial for their fundraising efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is our major fundraiser for the Golden Apple Foundation. We look for traffic and we also do that at the holiday time of the year because these are used a lot for gifts, Golden Apple Foundations Frank Walter. And this is again, is our third year. And more and more people know about it every year. So it just builds and builds and builds. Rockfords Sapphire Baking Companys co-owner also said they feel this event can help with funding. So incredibly important because I think it drives up, you know, local businesses. This is what they thrive on, said the bakerys co-owner Laura Sandberg. So without markets like this, then you have to go to only big box stores and you cant get individualized. So its really important that we have people who value that type of artistry and want to contribute towards it. After a five-year hiatus, Christian Life is looking to make this a regular event again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is so much fun. This is the first one that weve hosted since I became the head of the school, said Bethge. And I just am absolutely loving it. So definitely come see us next year. Well, well be here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Editors Note: The video above first aired on November 20, 2024. ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Odessa City Council will be hosting its first meeting since the introduction of three new council members and a new mayor. During Tuesdays meeting, the Council is expected to discuss a variety of topics on a wide range of issues affecting Odessa residents. At the beginning of the meeting, councilmembers will be considering the purchase of 35 new sets of bunker gear for the suppression staff. This would cost nearly $128,000. The Council will also consider awarding a bid to reconstruct about half a mile of pavement on North Dixie Boulevard, between Walnut Avenue and East 46th Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilmembers will consider the purchase of eleven garbage trucks, including two automatic side loader trucks, six commercial side loader trucks, and three automatic roll-off trucks. This would cost the city about $3.6 million. Odessa welcomes new mayor, city council as former leadership says goodbye The city will also be considering the purchase of eleven additional vehicles for the Streets Division, including six dump trucks, two patch trucks, one winch truck, one water truck, and one day cab for the division. This would cost approximately two million dollars. Additionally, the council will consider staffing across the City government, including Mayor Pro Tem, City Attorney, City Secretary, and Interim City Manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new City Council is scheduled to meet at 6 pm on Tuesday, November 26 in the City Council Chambers in City Hall, located at 411 West 8th Street. You can learn more about this meeting and future meetings on the Citys website here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Olivia Clark easily won the top spot in Portland City Council District 4 in the citys first ranked-choice election. Come January, the retired policy director for TriMet will be one of three city councilors in the district, encompassing Portlands west side including downtown and Old Town then crosses the Willamette River into the Eastmoreland and Sellwood neighborhoods. A former legislative director for then-governor John Kitzhaber, Clark also co-founded CASA, the Community and Shelter Assistance program, which helps farmworkers and marginalized communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Four has some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Portland, but it also has some of the biggest problems, especially with homelessness and drug use downtown. As a result, Clark said her priorities are broadly in the areas of public safety and affordable housing. Public Safety means not just more police on the streets, but it really means making sure that the response time is improved, that if you dial 911, somebody actually answers the phone and somebody gets there within a reasonable amount of time, she stated. The homeless issue is a part of public safety. Its not safe for people to be living on the streets, and its not good for the rest of us either. And housing development, we need more affordable housing. We need to streamline our permitting process. I know the current city council has worked on that, but its up to us to implement that. One of the other big issues thats happening in downtown Portland involves the incredibly high office vacancy rate. Workers are not coming back downtown and some of landmark businesses such as U.S. Bank and the Portland Clinic are closing services due to safety concerns. Clark believes a solution to this is finding even more ways to bring people back. We need to have more housing downtown, we need to look at options for activating the storefronts that are empty downtown, she said. But Ill be looking to the property owners, the Chamber of Commerce and others for ideas around how we activate what weve got. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark has previously said the city needs to revisit the climate emergency action plan that allocates Portland Clean Energy Fund money to mitigate climate change. As a result, she is encouraging other incoming city council members to see how or if they would prioritize each of the items listed in the plan, all in the name of preparedness. One of the other things Ive said on the campaign trail is that I want to make sure that all the city bureaus particularly infrastructure bureaus are ready for climate change, that theyre prepared, that theres resiliency, redundancy, she said. So for example, if the water gets cut off to my building, I want to know the water department, the water bureau, has a plan for how to restore that, because there are huge climate changes coming through. Watch the full interview in the video above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. DES MOINES, Iowa The Community Education program through Des Moines Public Schools is open for registration for classes in the winter and spring. Jacob Burke, the Community Education Manager with Des Moines Public Schools joined Today in Iowa Sunday to discuss the variety of classes and programs that are offered. Community Education is typically programming that we offer in the late afternoon, evenings and sometimes weekends. A little bit of everything for anybody, said Burke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Online certification programs, workshops, wellness classes and more are available on the Community Education website. The catalog of classes offered is able to be seen here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. BAKU, Azerbaijan Countries agreed to a deal early Sunday that asks rich, developed nations to pay at least $300 billion a year by 2035 to help poorer countries shift their economies away from polluting fuels, bringing to a close two weeks of contentious talks that threatened at multiple points to fall apart. It didnt come easily, or without caustic criticism. The figure is short of what developing countries had been calling for, and is not in line with the trillions that theyll need over the next decade. But it was likely the best they could get at a time of geopolitical turbulence and hardening divides between wealthier and more impoverished nations, with a second Donald Trump era looming in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developing countries responded with a mix of acceptance and anger. This has been stage managed, and we are extremely, extremely disappointed, Chandni Raina, Indias negotiator, said to the plenary hall after the gavel fell. Calling the sum paltry and the deal nothing more than an optical illusion, she said her country the most populous on Earth opposes the adoption of this document. Tina Stege, the climate envoy of the Marshall Islands, denounced the climate talks as a display of political opportunism, then added: We are leaving with a small portion of the funding climate-vulnerable countries urgently need. It isnt nearly enough, but its a start. In the end, it came down to a deal between old and new powers, an unswerving Saudi petrostate and a Democratic U.S. government that has staked its legacy on climate leadership but knows its priorities will be taking at least a four-year hiatus while Trump occupies the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks also produced a deal that settles the rules for global carbon markets, a profit-oriented means of raising climate money, after a decade of negotiations. That could help countries meet their global climate targets and deliver money to developing nations if they can overcome issues with shoddy credits that have plagued existing voluntary markets. But the bigger prize was the new funding goal, and all that came with it. The $300 billion or more will come from public finance and related cash transfers, including money delivered through multilateral development banks from many countries even developing ones such as China. That in effect pulled China and other developing nations, which already contribute to the World Bank and other international financial institutions, into helping rich countries meet their new obligations. The EU and U.S. had pressed for China and other high-polluting, emerging economies to join them as contributors to the new finance target, and that provision allows the EU, U.K. and U.S. to claim a partial victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new finance goal rightly reflects the importance of going beyond traditional donors like Britain, and the role of countries like China in helping those on the frontline of this crisis, said British Energy Secretary Ed Miliband. The deal also opened up the possibility for developing nations such as China to contribute even more, or not, on a voluntary basis without having their status as developing countries reclassified which also could let both sides claim a win. We are not prepared to erase the definitions, said a Brazilian negotiator, who was granted anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. The final text package also nodded to an agreement at last years climate summit in which countries pledged to move away from using fossil fuels, but this time did it without referring directly to the energy sources that cause climate change. Nor did it lay out actions to accelerate toward that goal, which European and U.S. negotiators had pushed for. That push was rebuffed by Saudi Arabias delegation, along with a group of emerging economies that included China and India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's disappointing, said Miliband. It's important not to make any bones about it. The agreement, and the days of chaos preceding it, tested the ability of oil-rich Azerbaijan to host the crucial climate talks while sparring with European governments and critics of its democracy and human rights record. Next year, another oil producer Brazil will take on the challenge, with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hosting the talks in Belem, a port city known as the gateway to the Amazon. Battle lines form The money battle divided rich countries and poorer ones. Wealthier countries such as the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Germany grew their economies on polluting oil, gas and coal and have the money to shift to greener sources. In developing nations, by contrast, tens of millions of people still dont have electricity and government budgets are constrained, often by debt repayments. But the divide is even more complicated than that. Small islands and dozens of deeply poor countries have contributed few of the emissions warming the planet and yet are highly vulnerable to the heat waves, floods and other disasters that warming inflicts. Then there are oil-rich Gulf states and emerging economies such as Brazil and India, whose greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly accelerating. And China is the worlds largest carbon polluter, a green energy powerhouse and second-largest economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If poorer countries dont have the money to move away from polluting activities, everyone suffers. Finance is not a hand-out, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres told reporters as the talks entered their final days. Its an investment against the devastation that unchecked climate chaos will inflict on us all. The finance battle has been a long time coming. And countries have spent the past three years preparing to resolve it at these talks, known as COP29. The new target replaces a 15-year-old pledge in which richer countries promised to deliver $100 billion annually from 2020 to 2025. They didnt meet that pledge until 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, the costs of climate-fueled disasters and the money needed to shift entire economies away from polluting energy have dramatically accelerated. Developed countries now need roughly $1 trillion each year in external funding through 2030 to meet their climate targets, according to a study by U.N.-backed experts. Public-related finance flows should account for $300 billion until 2030 in line with where the talks landed. That figure needs to increase to at least $390 billion a year by 2035, the study says. Yet an early draft of the new proposal caused an uproar in the convention halls on Thursday for being full of options or missing sections entirely. Developed countries offered no new figure. Privately, European diplomats called the package empty, not helpful, unserious and, in one instance, shit. Things did not get much better from there. Even after POLITICO reported on Monday that the European Union had discussed an annual finance target of $200 billion to $300 billion, developed countries refused to name any number or range they would be willing to offer, or to disclose details of their internal negotiations. Their reluctance to put money on the table prompted accusations from many developing countries that they werent negotiating in good faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the U.S. delegation just two months away from having a new president who rejects the reality of climate change maintained a quiet presence. When nearly a dozen countries held a press conference Thursday to announce they would set ambitious new climate targets by February, American officials showed up even though the U.S had dropped its participation in the initiative. You can either get things done or you can take the credit, a senior U.S. official told POLITICO. Theyve been equally mum on the new finance target, saying only that they were pushing for something ambitious but achievable. U.S. officials have tried to put their best spin on Washingtons reluctance to stake bolder positions in public. On finance, theyve said theyre negotiating for a deal they can eventually contribute to whenever an American president wants to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think we were an important voice for ambition in these negotiations, John Podesta, Bidens senior climate adviser, told reporters after the deal landed Sunday. Others at the talks have had a saltier take on the American posture. The U.S. officials have behaved as if they have got more influence than they have when they have only got weeks left in power, said one European diplomat who was granted anonymity to speak freely. The Europeans, in turn, said $300 billion was as high as they could go. But even among the EU delegations, some diplomats wondered if leaving it until the final days of the summit to discuss a specific target was the right way to go. Why, why, why would you wait till two days before crunch time to say a number? one senior European diplomat said on Saturday afternoon. I dont think weve been handling this well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developing countries say outside funding is necessary for them to meet their national climate targets and harden their defenses against a growing onslaught of extreme weather. If the ultimate purpose of these talks is to get countries to take increasingly stronger action to lower their planet-warming pollution, then money is the thing that drives them forward. Mitigation is in our interest because we can't adapt to a world of 3 degrees or 2.8 forever, said Ali Mohamed, climate envoy of Kenya, which currently chairs the Africa Group of negotiators. However, that requires investment, that requires support. A proposal offering $250 billion finally dropped on Friday afternoon, to much criticism from the poorer countries and vulnerable island states. The next offer from wealthy governments was a $300 billion take-it-or-leave-it proposal Saturday that landed with a thud on the more than 100 developing countries. In a closed-door meeting Saturday afternoon meant to allow countries to hash out their differences, a group of the worlds poorest countries, known as the LDCs, said they were temporarily leaving the negotiations because they hadnt been included. We dont think as LDCs we have been consulted when these versions were drafted, said Jiwoh Emmanuel Abdulahi, environment minister for Sierra Leone. The bloc of small island nations echoed that sentiment. We feel as though were left with nothing from this COP, Samoan natural resources minister Cedric Schuster, representing the Alliance of Small Island States, told other countries in the meeting. Is this how we treat the countries with the moral high ground in the process, who stand to lose the most and have already lost so much? The final agreement contained a small but crucial difference: Wealthy countries would offer at least $300 billion. I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome to meet the great challenge we face, Guterres said after the summit ended. But this agreement provides a base on which to build. Scott Jennings on State of the Union. Certain CNN panellists seemed to think Scott Jennings was moonlighting as a comedian as he delved into President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet picks. Trump announced a new slate of nominees this week, adding allies from his former administration and Fox News contributors to his inner circle. When Jennings, however, suggested that Trump had chosen aides from a vast range of the political spectrum, he was met with poorly-suppressed laughter. .@ScottJenningsKY: "I think Trump is not getting enough credit here for building an ideologically diverse Cabinet... and that's kind of how he won. His coalition was kind of ideologically diverse that elected him." pic.twitter.com/lgxe57gy8x Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) November 24, 2024 I think Trump is not getting enough credit here for building an ideologically diverse cabinet, Jennings said on State of the Union on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political strategist added: I mean, youve got everybody from Russ Vought, whos very conservative, all the way over to the pick for Labor Secretary, is a supporter of the PRO Act. At this point, both pro-GOP Shermichael Singleton and former Kamala Harris aide Jamal Simmons couldnt stop their mouths from twitching. Jennings continued: And somehow, Randi Weingarten is happy about it. Host Dana Bash was the next to fall, letting out a laugh as Jennings carried on making his point. Not to be deterred, he said: I mean, what he has done is - you know, which makes me squeamish, to be candid. And so, what he has done, though, is put together an ideologically diverse group of people to sit in a room and help run the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats kind of how he won! His coalition was kind of ideologically diverse that elected him. Singleton then took over the conversation, and hinted that - whether ideologically diverse or not - Americans had to be ready to accept Trumps cabinet. When you win elections, you have a mandate whether you like it or not. The election is over, you guys, he said. The Heritage Foundation, AEI, the Hoover Institution have always supplied and recommended names for Republican administrations. This is nothing new. It will not be nothing new beyond Donald Trump. Its just a lot of democratic hoopla. Karen Finney ended the discussion of Trumps picks on an ominous note, suggesting that in his upcoming term wed see a different presidency. Look, I am for... I want the full Trump. I want it all out there. I want the country to see what Trump is all about. I want them to experience it, she said. ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. (WAVY) The Coast Guard announced they have suspended the search for a man who was aboard a sailing vessel that departed from Virginia and was headed to North Carolina. In a Facebook post, the U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic said they suspended the search for 58-year-old Mark Carroll aboard the 42-foot sailing vessel Ceol Mor, after six Coast Guard assets spent over 21 hours searching by air and by sea. The search covered an area of over 28,000 miles. Courtesy: U.S. Coast Guard Mid-Atlantic Carroll departed from the Norfolk/Hampton area of Virginia on Thursday evening with the intent to travel south to North Carolina. The Coast Guard said the last communication with the vessel was on Friday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A C130 crew from Air Station Elizabeth City conducted a trackline search of the area but halted it due to crew fatigue. On Monday morning, the Coast Guard units started air searches. Anyone with any information can contact Sector North Carolina Command Center at 833-732-8628. Continue to check WAVY.com for updates. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) An woman with a laundry list of criminal activity and arrested in connection to a pair of robberies was identified when she left her jail identification card inside one of the purses she allegedly stole. According to court documents, Angel Riggins is charged with two counts of robbery after she allegedly stole two purses the morning of Nov. 18 in northeast Columbus. Police said that Riggins approached a woman sitting in her car while parked at the corner of Agler Road and Joyce Avenue about 12:35 a.m. After knocking on the drivers side window and announcing herself as Angel, Riggins reportedly opened the car door and pulled the driver out of the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riggins then allegedly assaulted the woman while also reaching into the womans purse. The assault reportedly lasted about 10 minutes before Riggins fled with the victims wallet, cash, phone and makeup bag. About six hours later and less than a mile west at a COTA bus stop in the 3100 block of Cleveland Avenue, Riggins allegedly approached a woman and attempted to pull the purse off her shoulder. Police said a confrontation ensued. Higgins fled and the victim was able to retrieve her purse. The victim then noticed that inside the purse was a Franklin County Jail Identification and medical paperwork belonging to Riggins. Both victims were able to identify Riggins from a police photo array. A Franklin County Municipal Court judge issued a $100,000 bond to Riggins, who also faces criminal trespassing charges from an Oct. 27 incident. Riggins has been sentenced or charged with a litany of crimes over the past 15 years, including theft, petty theft, domestic violence, criminal trespassing, forgery, robbery, breaking and entering, and escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is next scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 27 for a preliminary hearing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Donald Trump had the right idea about education during his first administration: Judge potential employees by their skills and experience, not their degrees. Open up a world of bright futures to people who dont have a bachelors degree but crave training and work hard. In fact, aside from starting up Operation Warp Speed to accelerate the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, Trumps most worthwhile official act was probably signing the rule that federal jobs should not require a bachelors degree unless it's really needed. Trump and other Republicans saw that the education vision President Obama had pushed consisting of a vague Common Core public school curriculum followed by college for all had alienated working-class Americans. Well-paid manufacturing jobs had all but disappeared, and people were looking for a new middle-class future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The growth of tech indicated to Obamas education advisors that success would depend on a university education, preferably in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM, fields. But that wasnt a message that many working-class people wanted to hear. It struck them as an elitist judgment that they're nothing without a four-year degree. Obama was right to some extent: The greatest growth in well-paid jobs will be among those that require a college degree. But Trump was right too: 45% of those holding a bachelors are underemployed even a decade after they graduate, working in jobs that dont require a degree, and 28% of people with a two-year associates degree earn more than the average four-year-college graduate. More than a third of college students, meanwhile, dont complete a degree within six years, and almost none of those students ever finish their education. The problem is that high schools have become so college-focused that students who dont plan on higher education usually get little to no guidance on what careers they might consider, according to a recent Gallup poll. There is a wide and rapidly expanding variety of possibilities. So although Trumps opening of federal jobs to more people without degrees was a start, schools can do far more to prepare young people to be both citizens and members of the workforce. That would be a far more productive path for Trump to take on education during his second administration than the issues hes been batting around lately especially because he will have some trouble realizing his ambitions even with a compliant Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shutting the U.S. Education Department, as the president-elect has threatened to do, would require congressional approval, and eliminating a Cabinet-level agency would be tough to get past even some Republican lawmakers. Its responsibilities could be returned to the Interior Department where they originated before the Education Department was created, in 1979 but what would be the point? The laws requiring equal treatment of girls and women in education would still have to be administered; college financial aid applications would still have to be processed; Pell Grants and student loans would still have to be overseen. No matter where the necessary personnel are placed, the work would need to be done. Even as Trump vows to get the federal government out of the schools though really, now that the No Child Left Behind Act is dead and gone, the Education Department does little to interfere with public education he wants to meddle more by pulling funding from any schools that teach about LGBTQ+ issues or "critical race theory." While these subjects make for provocative talking points, they're not a major part of learning in most districts. These are decisions to be made at the state and local levels, and voters who dont like what their school board decides can throw its members out at the next election. They very rarely do so. Another pillar of Trumps platform, school choice, appears to be facing public resistance. All three statewide votes on the subject this fall went against choice, two of them in conservative states. Nebraska voters overturned an earlier state decision to spend taxpayer dollars to enable parents to send their children to private schools. Parents rely on and support their local schools more than elected Republicans might understand. Trump tends to favor disruption over constructive policymaking, but he has already made non-college pathways a signature education statement, and the idea has become popular with both parties. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of that. His administration could use corporate tax credits and public-private partnerships to help create apprenticeships, landing young people in white-collar jobs with a future, as Switzerland has done for years. Instead of deconstructing education, his education appointees could rebuild it through more relevant and exciting curricula with practical applications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president-elect's pick for Education secretary, former pro wrestling executive Linda McMahon, has so far remained quiet about her priorities, though vouchers are likely to be among them. But just before her appointment was announced, she praised Switzerland's system of white-collar apprenticeships for high school students, which lead to executive and professional jobs. I've long thought the United States should emulate the model; a small but very successful program in Denver does so. Both Presidents George W. Bush and Obama saw education as an important part of their administrations but stumbled on the issue because of sometimes harsh and unrealistic policies. No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top ultimately did very little to improve learning, excite students or close achievement gaps. Trump has a chance to build on what he has already said he believes and become a true education president. 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. With the Nov. 5 elections behind us, the shortage of affordable housing in New Hampshire may not be solved by increased federal or state funding. The housing situation is complex and will require a comprehensive approach, accessing other resources. The Common Ground Project is a small bipartisan group of Seacoast citizens who have studied housing insecurity in the Seacoast by interviewing local government, nonprofit, academic and private sector experts in the field. Heres what we think should be done: The governor should direct the New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Compile a list of all buildable land owned by the state and make the list available to municipalities and developers. Audit municipalities to determine compliance with the requirement to have a master plan that makes affordable housing available. Encourage use of municipal bond offerings to provide private funds to lower the cost of multi-unit housing construction and renovations. Encourage the recently enacted Housing Champions program to reward and publicize best practices in local zoning. Government funding alone will not be adequate. We need to find ways to motivate private capital. Billions of dollars could be accessed by partnerships featuring the proper combination of tax incentives. Specifically, our U.S. senators and representatives should advocate for an extension of the Qualified Opportunity Zones provision of the federal 2017 Tax Reduction Act. This legislation created tax-benefitted funds for the development of workforce housing, but has been underutilized in our state. The program was set to expire in 2026, but it is now likely that the act will be renewed in some form. John and Maggie Randolph unveiled their nearly completed Harmony Place project Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021 in Durham. It's a newly constructed apartment building with a daycare center and a training/office space for employees of Harmony Homes By the Bay memory care facility. Employers can provide housing for employees. Harmony Homes in Dover has successfully done so (with child care) for its nursing home employees. Medical facilities and municipal governments in particular have a compelling need to attract and retain staff. Hospitals, churches and land trusts can grant long-term land leases to nonprofit developers of below-market rate housing. As the Seacoasts population becomes more dense, zoning transitions are necessary, but must be respectful of all residents. Local approval of multi-family market rate housing developments should require an expanded portion allocated to long-term low-income renters, using height and density incentives, property tax abatement and infrastructure as inducements. All housing is good. Increasing the supply even at middle and upper income levels improves availability at more affordable levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nationwide internet-driven retail transformation and work from home trends have resulted in excess retail and office space. Seacoast opportunities for redevelopment include the Mall at Fox Run in Newington and the Liberty Mutual offices in Dover. The redevelopment of Pease Air Force Base has been hugely successful in bringing jobs to the Seacoast, but there have not been any residential units there since 1991. There are appropriate parcels present with roads, utilities and no NIMBY issues. The FAA has been resistant to allowing residential development in the past, but with a new administration in Washington, the opportunity deserves another look. Thinking small is part of the solution. Municipalities are required by state law to allow accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and manufactured homes. In the latter case, state and federal funds are available to upgrade water and sewer services to resident-owned developments, and the NH Opportunity Fund is a ready lender. Home owners can become landlords, renting rooms to workforce tenants and others. Tax abatements currently given to senior-owned property should also be awarded to landlords who house seniors. Municipalities should offer landlord training and aid in the screening of potential tenants using a nonprofit like Silvernest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More affordable housing is often more feasible away from municipal centers, but transportation services are essential to get people to work. The COAST/Wildcat network serves some Rockingham County communities as well as the Strafford County communities of Rochester, Somersworth, Dover and Durham. More Rockingham County communities should participate in the utilization and funding of this service. As housing costs in the Seacoast have surged, many Seacoast residents have unfortunately become homeless. Municipalities must acknowledge their responsibility for caring for the least fortunate of their residents by providing fair-share funding for homeless service providers like Cross Roads House. The way things stand, only 40% of Cross Roads annual budget is paid by federal, state and municipal funds, the rest being paid by public donation. Increasing numbers of our homeless are elderly, and many - young and old - face challenges from mental health issues, addiction and generational poverty. Our community should work to provide the social services that help stabilize their living situations before they become homeless. The conventional HUD vouchers are often unavailable to many. Could this system be augmented with a charitable voucher program managed by a local nonprofit? It is far easier to keep citizens in their home than to find them a new one. Housing security is a building block for the future growth and stability of our community. Our current course is failing, stunting economic growth and threatening social cohesion. It is a matter of basic humanity: what of our seniors, what of our children? We must act now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bob Bear, Bill Bowen, George Deyman, Art Greenberg, Dianne Lavoie, Jim Polus and Kim Tyndall are members of The Common Ground Project. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Commentary: What Seacoast NH must do to create housing A fundraiser launched on behalf of the family displaced by last week's Minnesota Equestrian Center fire has come within striking distance of its donation goal. Barn manager Jose Mota, his wife Bethany and their two young children lived in the residence attached to the Winona horse facility until Thursday morning, when a fire broke out and forced them to flee "with nothing but what they were wearing," the GiveSendGo fundraiser says. Firefighters battled the blaze for over eight hours, and though the arena was saved, at least one of the barns and the home were a total loss with the Motas having lost "absolutely everything" as a result. Within just a few days, the fundraiser which is aimed at helping the family "get back on their feet" has garnered over $23,000, nearing its $25K goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, organizer Missy Rivers said in a Sunday Facebook post that while the Motas have since been placed in a home, "they will need just about everything to fill the house" from furniture to kitchen utensils and bedroom supplies. You can donate to the fundraiser right here. Though the Motas escaped the fire unscathed and no other people were hurt, two horses and one cat sadly perished in the fire. An investigation into its cause is still underway, but there are no indications at this time that the fire is suspicious. Jadion Richards and Akwele Lawes-Richards allegedly stole from Lululemon stores starting in September Michael M. Santiago/Getty A Lululemon storefront in New York A Lululemon storefront in New York A couple from Connecticut has been accused of stealing $1 million worth of Lululemon products nationwide. Jadion Richards and Akwele Lawes-Richards were arrested in Woodbury, Minn., and each charged with one felony count of organized retail theft, having previously engaged in patterned retail theft and committing/directing others to commit said crimes on Nov. 14, according to Minnesota court documents obtained by PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day prior, Jadion and a man who has yet to be identified, allegedly stole $5,000 worth of products at a Lululemon store in Roseville, Minn., the documents state. They were then booked into the Ramsey County Jail that day, online records show, and police later obtained a search warrant for their hotel room in Bloomington, Minn., where they found $50,000 worth of Lululemon products in suitcases, per the court documents. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The couple has allegedly been stealing from the athleisure brand since September, taking up to $1 million in products, the court documents allege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lululemon did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Nov. 24. Costfoto/NurPhoto via Getty A Lululemon storefront in China A Lululemon storefront in China Along with the reported burglaries in Minn., Richards and Lawes-Richards allegedly stole from Lululemon stores in their home state, New York, Colorado and Utah, according to the court documents. The couple allegedly used "specific organized retail crime tactics such as blocking and distraction of associates to commit large thefts," per the documents, including holding up large jackets to block store associates and customers from seeing them conceal items and remove security sensors. Jadion would usually enter the store first in their series of thefts and purchase one or two small items. He would then find Akwele on the sales floor and remove a security sensor from an item separate from the one they took, the documents allege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Akwele and an unidentified woman next would work "together to select and conceal items without any regard to size, price, or color," and the trio would then leave the store together, with the women leading, according to the documents. In many cases, when security alarms would go off from Jadion's item, he would turn around and surrender his bag with his items, while the woman would continue walking away from the store with their stolen items. The group, the documents state, also allegedly "conducted unverified exchanges at various stores" by exchanging items without a receipt for new items. They would continue this cycle for weeks throughout different states, amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars. Tristen Shields, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, told NBC News that their chain of retail stores is focused on keeping their stores a "safe and secure environment" for staff and customers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable," Shields said in a statement. "We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue," he added. Jadion was released on $100,000 bail on Nov. 21. Akwele, meanwhile, was released on Nov. 19 on $30,000 bail. They are both next scheduled to appear in Ramsey County Court on Dec. 16. It is unclear if they have legal representation to comment on their behalf. A couple from Connecticut faces charges for allegedly taking part in an intricate retail theft operation targeting the apparel company Lululemon that may have amounted to $1 million worth of stolen items, according to a criminal complaint. The couple, Jadion Anthony Richards, 44, and Akwele Nickeisha Lawes-Richards, 45, were arrested Nov. 14 in Woodbury, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis-St. Paul. Richards and Lawes-Richards have been charged with one count each of organized retail theft, which is a felony, the Ramsey County Attorney's Office said. They are from Danbury, Connecticut. The alleged operation impacted Lululemon stores in multiple states, including Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because of the outstanding work of the Roseville Police investigators including their new Retail Crime Unit as well as other law enforcement agencies, these individuals accused of this massive retail theft operation have been caught," a spokesperson for the attorney's office said in a statement on Nov. 18. "We will do everything in our power to hold these defendants accountable and continue to work with our law enforcement partners and retail merchants to put a stop to retail theft in our community." Both Richards and Lawes-Richards have posted bond as of Sunday and agreed to the terms of a court-ordered conditional release, according to the county attorney. For Richards, the court had set bail at $100,000 with conditional release, including weekly check-ins, or $600,000 with unconditional release. For Lawes-Richards, bail was set at $30,000 with conditional release and weekly check-ins or $200,000 with unconditional release. They are scheduled to appear again in court Dec. 16. Prosecutors had asked for $1 million bond to be placed on each half of the couple, the attorney's office said. Richards and Lawes-Richards are accused by authorities of orchestrating a convoluted retail theft scheme that dates back to at least September. Their joint arrests came one day after the couple allegedly set off store alarms while trying to leave a Lululemon in Roseville, Minnesota, and an organized retail crime investigator, identified in charging documents by the initials R.P., recognized them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple were allowed to leave the Roseville store. But the investigator later told an officer who responded to the incident that Richards and Lawes-Richards were seasoned shoplifters, who apparently stole close to $5,000 worth of Lululemon items just that day and were potentially "responsible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in loss to the store across the country," according to the complaint. That number was eventually estimated by an investigator for the brand to be even higher, with the criminal complaint placing it at as much as $1 million. Richards and Lawes-Richards allegedly involved other individuals in their shoplifting pursuits, but none were identified by name in the complaint. Authorities said they were able to successfully pull off the thefts by distracting store employees and later committing fraudulent returns with the stolen items at different Lululemon stores. "Between October 29, 2024 and October 30, 2024, RP documented eight theft incidents in Colorado involving Richards and Lawes-Richards and an unidentified woman," authorities wrote in the complaint, describing an example of how the operation would allegedly unfold. "The group worked together using specific organized retail crime tactics such as blocking and distraction of associates to commit large thefts," the complaint said. "They selected coats and jackets and held them up as if they were looking at them in a manner that blocked the view of staff and other guests while they selected and concealed items. They removed security sensors using a tool of some sort at multiple stores." CBS News contacted Lululemon for comment but did not receive an immediate reply. Baking an ancient bread in Tennessee The cream of the crop in butter Serving up home-cooked dog food The "Chinese Culture Night" event organized by the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, Friday to showcase traditional Chinese culture and enhance the friendship between the two countries. "Cultural exchange is a vital bridge connecting the hearts of the two peoples, with China-Bangladesh friendship deeply rooted in the community and benefiting both nations," Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said, adding that China will use the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, designated as the "Year of People-to-people Exchange," as an opportunity to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in culture, education, healthcare, sports, and youth exchanges, jointly building a brighter future. For his part, Foreign Advisor to the Bangladeshi Interim Government Md. Touhid Hossain praised China as a trustworthy and sincere partner for Bangladesh. He emphasized that cultural exchange is a cornerstone and driving force of the Bangladesh-China relationship and called for deeper cooperation in all fields during this critical period of Bangladesh's transformation, aiming to elevate bilateral relations to new heights. During the event, Yao and Touhid attended the award ceremonies for the Outstanding Promotion Partner Award and the "Hello, China!" Bangladesh Children Art Competition to encourage people of the two countries to understand each other. Nearly 300 guests attended Friday's event, which featured a series of displays and art performances. Teachers and students from Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms captivated the audience with guzheng, tai chi, lion dance and Hanfu, among others. Chinese airlines, including Air China, China Southern Airlines, and China Eastern Airlines, showcased direct flight routes and tourism resources, drawing great interest from attendees. The event coincided with the Chinese solar term "Minor Snow." Traditional seasonal delicacies such as ciba (glutinous rice cakes) were specially prepared, inviting guests to savor the unique flavors of Chinese cuisine. Conor McGregor has shared his displeasure with the unfavorable outcome of a civil case in which he was accused of rape. The former UFC champion was found by a jury to have assaulted a woman, Nikita Ni Lamhain, also known as Nikita Hand, in his hotel. Taking to social media, Conor McGregor raged that "justice and truth will prevail" before going on to add that he would keep fighting. Conor McGregor Calls His Accuser A 'Vicious Liar' MEGA McGregor and another man, identified as James Lawrence, were both accused of rape by Nikita Hand, alleging that the pair had sex with her against her will after a 2018 Christmas party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being found guilty of rape in the civil case, McGregor took to X to react to a post shared by the Irish Independent newspaper that highlighted Hand's comment, which read, "Justice has been served." The MMA star quoted the post, saying: "Justice was served for James Lawrence, yes! Deplorable what they done. Nikita hand, vicious liar! APPEAL!" Lawrence, who Conor referenced, was also being accused of sexual assault, but the civil jury did not find him liable. The pair had denied the allegations, with the boxer saying their affair was consensual. McGregor must now pay her $250,000 in damages. The UFC Champion Went On A Lengthy Rant About His Guilty Verdict MEGA After his initial post, McGregor went off in a follow-up post, insinuating that something smells fishy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Two men falsely accused. One vindicated, the other soon to be! Congrats James Lawrence on absolute exoneration! Twice this heinous accusation was put to you and twice it was shown as FALSE! LIES!" he said, per TMZ. McGregor went on, "It is absolutely disgraceful what they put you through here. Disgraceful! I look forward to seeing you further vindicate yourself and lambast those responsible in court! We know what happened that night! Everyone present knows, yet it was ignored. Every single statement of persons present on the night was ignored." He ended his rant by writing, "On we fight! Justice and truth will prevail! Appeal! Appeal! Appeal! As well as others. Congrats James! Onwards and upwards! [prayer hand emoji]." Conor McGregor's Rant Left His Fans Divided MEGA McGregor's post caused fans to take to the comment section to share their thoughts on the outcome of the case and his remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fan wrote, "Even if you didn't assault her, you shouldn't have been in that situation to begin with. Need your discipline back, champ." Another user penned, "Damn that's a lot of words to say nothing, you seem nervous usually when people see the need to over-explain themselves they have a guilty conscience or they are high on coke just babbling incoherently. Your Wife's face says it ALL! You disgraced her." One user wrote, "It's a political hit piece from your enemies as you have said you're gonna run for high office. Smear campaign. Everyone can see it for what it is. Head held high." "It's left to see where this all ends. I'd have just preferred you stayed out of trouble and keep your focus," another user shared. Conor McGregor's Accuser Has Spoken Out About Her Win MEGA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Mirror, Hand said that she has been "overwhelmed by the support I have received" after emerging victorious against the fighter. She also spoke about how she hoped to use her ordeal to encourage others in a High Court civil case. Hand said, "I am overwhelmed by the support I have received from everybody. I want to thank my legal team and my three barristers, they have been amazing rom start to finish." "I want to thank the justice, the jury, and all the witnesses," she continued. "I want to thank the doctors, nurses, and everyone at the sexual assault unit at the Rotunda assault unit, especially my own doctor. I want to thank the rape advice center, I want to thank all the guards, and the ambulance crew. I want to thank the men and women who have supported me throughout this trial." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For every person who reached out to me, a card, email, everything, it has not gone unnoticed. Thank you. I really appreciate it so much," Hand noted. She Wants Her Story To Be A Reminder To Women That They Have A 'Voice' MEGA After thanking her loved ones, particularly her partner, daughter, and mother, for their support, Hand emphasized the importance of her story, sharing her hope that it would inspire other women. She said, "To all the victims of sexual assault, I hope my story is a reminder you have a voice and to keep on fighting for justice. I know this has impacted my life, my daughter's, my family, and friends tremendously and is something I will never forget for the rest of my life." "But now that justice has been served I can now try and move on and look forward to the future with my family, friends, and daughter," Hand concluded her statement. The MMA fighter who has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault spoke out after he was found liable in a civil rape and sexual assault case in Ireland on Nov. 22 Brian Lawless/PA Images via Getty Conor McGregor Conor McGregor A day after he was found liable in a civil rape and sexual assault case, Conor McGregor ranted on social media about the lies his accuser told and his plans to appeal. On Friday, Nov. 22, a civil jury in Ireland determined that the MMA fighter, 36, was liable of "brutally" raping and battering a woman named Nikita Hand in a civil suit brought forward in 2021. The jury also ordered him to pay damages totaling roughly $257,000 U.S. dollars, according to the Associated Press and The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The assault occurred while Hand was intoxicated in December 2018, after she invited McGregor to join her and a friend at a company holiday party in Dublin. She also accused a friend of McGregor's, James Lawrence, of assaulting her on the night in question, but the jury did not find Lawrence liable, according to The Guardian. Reacting to the ruling on Saturday, Nov. 23, McGregor celebrated Lawrences outcome and insisted that he is also not liable, repeatedly accusing Hand of lying in a string of posts on X (formerly known as Twitter). David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile via Getty Conor McGregor leaving court on Nov. 22 after a civil jury found him liable in a rape and sexual assault case Conor McGregor leaving court on Nov. 22 after a civil jury found him liable in a rape and sexual assault case First, McGregor shared an Irish Independent article whose headline included a quote about justice being served, and reiterated his previously announced plans to appeal the outcome. Justice was served for James Lawrence, yes! Deplorable what they done, the athlete wrote. Nikita Hand, vicious liar! APPEAL! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then shared another online story about the outcome of the case, this time including a quote from the Minister for Justice of Ireland commending Hand for her bravery and determination following Fridays outcome. Falsely accused a man of rape and lost, McGregor wrote alongside the article. Then, in a long rant, the MMA fighter once again accused Hand of lying and said that he is not done yet. "Two men falsely accused, the Nov. 23 post began. One vindicated, the other soon to be! Congrats James Lawrence on absolute exoneration! Twice this heinous accusation was put to you and twice it was shown as FALSE! LIES! It is absolutely disgraceful what they put you through here. Disgraceful! I look forward to seeing you further vindicate yourself and lambast those responsible in court! We know what happened that night! the athlete continued. "Everyone present knows, yet it was ignored. Every single statement of persons present on the night was ignored. And they all disputed Nikitas LIES!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the same post, McGregor called Hands accusations absolute nonsense, accused her of changing her original story" and questioned the legitimacy of the court that ruled in her favor. How these lies were accepted, I will never know, he wrote. We are not done yet. Not by a long shot. No chance, the MMA fighter concluded. On we fight! Justice and truth will prevail! Appeal! Appeal! Appeal! As well as other. Congrats James! Onwards and upwards! . PEOPLE reached out to McGregor's reps for comment. Astrida Valigorsky/Getty Conor McGregor in March 2024 Conor McGregor in March 2024 Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. McGregor has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault in addition to the allegations by Hand. In 2022, a woman claimed in a lawsuit that McGregor punched and threatened to drown her while they were celebrating his birthday on a boat in Ibiza. He has denied the accusations, and the case is still ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McGregor was accused of sexual assault again in 2023 when a woman claimed that she was "violently" forced into oral sex in a bathroom at the Kaseya Center in Miami. Prosecutors, however, said they would not pursue the case due to "insufficient evidence," according to ESPN. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. During her arrest earlier this month for driving under the influence of alcohol after crashing a car in Uptown, Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Samantha Steele repeatedly told police officers she was an elected official, made crude comments about one of the arresting officers and refused to cooperate with officer requests, public records released to the Tribune show. Steele, 45, was arrested on the DUI charge just before 9 p.m. on Nov. 10 near Ashland and Winnemac avenues. A police report of the incident as well as video footage of the scene from body cameras worn by four Chicago Police officers provide the most vivid details yet of the arrest. The Tribune obtained the report and the footage from Chicago Police in response to its public records request. Steele is one of three members of the Cook County Board of Review, which plays a significant role in the world of property taxes as it adjudicates property tax appeals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the arrest report, officers saw two crashed cars near the intersection. One officer reported that Steele was lying on the sidewalk near the accident and that Steele told him she had hit another car. At that time, the officer wrote in the report that Steeles eyes were bloodshot and glassy. I also detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage coming from her breath as she spoke. The earliest body-worn camera footage shows Steele in the front seat of the car she was driving, a Honda Accord, which had a badly damaged front bumper. Officers repeatedly asked Steele to show them her drivers license and proof of insurance, which she declined to give. At one point while being questioned by police, Steele handed her phone to the officer and said, Its my attorney, according to the footage. Cook County Commissioner Scott Britton has confirmed to the Tribune he was acting as her attorney that night, but he declined to comment further. Britton specializes in insurance defense and commercial litigation and has said he is not representing Steele going forward in the DUI case. In the body-cam footage, Britton could be heard on a speakerphone saying, Just hang up, Samantha, tell them Im on my way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steele repeatedly called Britton during her interactions with police as he drove from several miles away to meet her at the scene. Some of the audio from the encounters is redacted. I need to wait for him, Steele told the officer. Its fine, Ill wait for him. Okay, maam. You dont need to make this thing more complicated than it already is, its just an accident, I just need to see your drivers license, the officer said. Do you want me to handcuff and arrest you? No. Because right now at this point youre refusing to provide me any I am, Steele said. You are, you realize that, right? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes. Im an elected official. Youre what? I dont want any of this, she said. Ill wait for him. You were involved in an accident, you hit several cars, the officer responded. Two, she said. Because someone pulled out in front of me. Steele eventually turned over her license but had trouble opening the dashboard; she told officers the white Accord she was driving belonged to a friend. She also rebuffed requests to exit the car and take a field sobriety test. Maam, if you dont exit the vehicle, Im going to help you to exit and you dont want that, one officer said. You dont want that. Im an elected official, she replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I actually do, elected official of what? Cook County. Cook County, youre elected, which office? Whats your name? She extended her hand, Im Sam. Sam who? Britton, on the phone, again advised Steele to exit the car. When she again declined to take a field sobriety test, she was handcuffed and placed in the back of a squad car. She then agreed to take the field sobriety test, but during it, appeared to be swaying front to back during the interview, the arrest report stated. She vacillated in statements about hitting her head during the crash and whether she wanted medical attention. An ambulance had already arrived, however, and she was eventually taken to Weiss hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Body camera footage from two officers inspecting the car showed an open but corked bottle of wine in the footwell of the front passenger side. Thats good stuff, too. Cabernet sauvignon, one officer said. They described it as half empty. The officer who accompanied Steele to the hospital turned off his body worn camera. He wrote that he started a 20-minute observation of her at 9:30 p.m. and while reading a warning that her license could be suspended if she refused a breathalyzer or blew a .08 or above, she repeatedly said Is your penis that small. Steele refused all testing after warning was read, the arrest report said. Steele has yet to comment on the arrest and did not respond to a request for comment Saturday. Her next court date is set for Dec. 27. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Democrat who pledged to bring data-driven reforms to the three-member board, Steele was previously an assessment official in Indiana. She was elected to represent most of the countys north side in 2022, and has since butted heads with her two other colleagues on the board. Last month, she received a mild sanction from the countys inspector general for leaking details of a property tax appeal involving the potential future site of the Bears stadium in Arlington Heights. She was also sued by a former employee who alleged he was fired for refusing to release certain information related to that same appeal. That employee, Frank Calabrese, received the same footage of Steeles arrest and shared it with media outlets on Friday. The sole Republican on the Cook County Board, Commissioner Sean Morrison, has called on Steele to resign, a request he reiterated Saturday on social media. Still no accountability, showing no remorse, offering no apology to the Officers she horribly berated and abused, he wrote on X. It provides a glimpse into the arrogance and disrespect for the rule of law and most importantly our Police officers! This contempt is unbecoming any elected official. Nov. 23 (UPI) -- United Nations climate negotiators agreed on a funding formula to help developing countries cope with the effects of climate change early Sunday in Azerbaijan after two weeks of intense negotiations. In a compromise reached after the United Nations COP29 climate conference in Baku ran well past its Friday adjournment deadline, wealthy countries pledged to provide at least $300 billion a year to the global fight against climate change, the UN announced. The agreement sets an overall climate financing target to reach at least $1.3 trillion by 2035. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Developing countries, however, had been seeking more than $1 trillion annually in support. They called the final figure an "insult" which failed to provide sufficient backing for them to deal with the ravages of a rapidly heating climate and to fund their own transitions away from fossil fuels. At one point on Saturday, delegates from small island states and the least developed countries walked out of the negotiations in protest. Member nations, meanwhile, also agreed on the rules for a new global carbon market, which would be used to incentivize countries to reduce emissions and invest in climate-friendly projects through the trading of carbon credits. The deal comes as scientists have warned that greenhouse gases reached record observed levels in 2023 and are continuing to rise this year. For 16 consecutive months through September, the global mean temperature exceeded anything recorded before 2023, with carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide all setting record-high levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called the financing deal a hopeful sign amid a year "seared by record temperatures and scarred by climate disaster, all as emissions continue to rise." "An agreement at COP29 was absolutely essential to keep the 1.5 degree limit alive. And countries have delivered," he said. "I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome -- on both finance and mitigation - to meet the great challenge we face. "But this agreement provides a base on which to build," Guterres said, adding that it is now imperative for individual nations to adhere to their fossil fuel phase-out plans. "The end of the fossil fuel age is an economic inevitability," he said. "New national plans must accelerate the shift, and help to ensure it comes with justice." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev acknowledged the disappointment of the poorer nations but called the Baku finance goal "the best possible deal we could reach. In a year of geopolitical fragmentation, people doubted that Azerbaijan could deliver. They doubted that everyone could agree. They were wrong on both counts." COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev: "The Baku Finance Goal represents the best possible deal we could reach. In a year of geopolitical fragmentation, people doubted that Azerbaijan could deliver. They doubted that everyone could agree. They were wrong on both counts."#COP29... pic.twitter.com/etuW1pIuQ6 COP29 Azerbaijan (@COP29_AZ) November 23, 2024 Reactions by some environmental groups to the final $300 billion figure were scathing. "The world has been let down by this weak climate finance deal," said WWF Global Climate and Energy Lead and former COP20 President Manuel Pulgar-Vidal. "At this pivotal moment for the planet, this failure threatens to set back global efforts to tackle the climate crisis. And it risks leaving vulnerable communities exposed to an onslaught of escalating climate catastrophes. "This is a serious blow to climate action, but it must not stall the solutions that are desperately needed around the world." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The $300 billion per year committed by 2035 by rich countries at COP29 falls $90 billion short of the amount needed to implement the Paris Agreement," said Mary Robinson, former president of Ireland and chair of The Elders, a group of world leaders working to address global human rights issues and abuses. "This is nowhere near enough to support the developing countries that have not caused the climate crisis yet are experiencing its worst impacts. But the intention in the deal to generate at least $1.3 trillion from a wider range of sources is right. This is an investment, not a hand-out." COP29, Robinson said, "was weak in transitioning away from fossil fuels. Oil-rich countries must see that their efforts to delay the inevitable will fail. The green energy transition has gained unstoppable momentum, driven by competitive prices and market demand." The COP29 summit in Azerbaijan has reached an agreement to provide at least $1.3 trillion annually through 2035 to poorer countries to help them fight climate change, with at least $300 billion to come from mainly industrialized nations. The funding is intended to help developing countries enhance climate protection and adapt to the devastating effects of global warming, such as more frequent droughts, storms, and floods. Currently, long-standing industrial nations mobilize over $100 billion annually in climate aid. However, according to an independent UN expert group, the need for external assistance now stands at around $1 trillion per year until 2030, and even $1.3 trillion by 2035. Further contributions to be made To raise the $1.3 trillion annually, the agreement stipulates that multilateral development banks should significantly increase their lending or cancel debts for poorer countries. Public funds and bank resources should leverage private investments on a large scale, which will also be counted as climate financing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, additional donor countries are encouraged to get involved. The appeal is so broadly framed that climate activists criticized the plan because no specific entity is held accountable tp reach the global goal. Germany, like all other nations, is not specifically obliged to make payments of certain amounts by the resolution. Ultimately, a compromise was reached, partly because it remains somewhat unclear how the trillion-dollar sum will be sourced this task will now fall to the next climate conference in Brazil. The European Union only risked putting forward specific amounts at the very end of the two-week conference. The German government stated that it was completely unrealistic for trillions in funding to come from public budgets. It urged countries like China and the wealthy Gulf states, which have earned significantly from oil, gas, and coal, to contribute as well. However, these countries, along with India and South Korea, are still classified as developing nations under a 30-year-old UN classification, thus making them eligible for aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany has so far pledged around 6 billion ($6.25 billion) per year for climate financing. How much it will contribute in the future following the new Baku agreement is for the future German government to decide. No specifically calculable commitments were imposed on Germany in Baku. Conference extended by more than 30 hours At one point, the UN Climate Change Conference, which was extended by more than 30 hours, was at risk of failing. Entire groups of countries temporarily left negotiations just hours before they were due to conclude. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock accused the host, Azerbaijan, of ignoring the interests of particularly vulnerable island states threatened by rising sea levels during negotiations. Meanwhile, the organizers from the oil-producing country, whose export revenues are 90% oil and gas-dependent, praised themselves, stating that despite "geopolitical headwinds," they had consistently endeavoured to be "an honest broker for all sides." The EU also feared until the last moment that decisions from the previous climate conference in Dubai, such as the hard-won move away from oil, gas, and coal, might be overlooked in negotiations in Baku. The specific wording, which Germany hailed as "historic" then, is missing as a formal agreement on this was postponed until next year's conference. An off-duty Chicago police officer shot at armed suspects in the Washington Park neighborhood early Sunday, according to officials. The officer was confronted by one of the gunmen in the 100 block of East 57th Street shortly before 2 a.m. It was initially unclear who opened fire first. At least one more offender fired shots in the officers direction, according to police. The suspects then fled, with no injuries reported. The Civilian Office of Police Accountability and the Investigative Response Team were investigating the scene. Anyone with information is urged to call the COPA office at 312-746-3609 or visit chicagocopa.org. Jennie Scott cried tears of joy when she saw her students latest state test scores. Her fifth-graders seemed to have made leaps in progress on the statewide math and English language arts tests they took this spring. The public school where she works purchased more materials from learning programs it believed had been highly successful in driving up the test results. We celebrated at the school board meeting, Scott said. We made a whole bunch of assumptions and celebrations based on data that now seems like it doesnt mean what we thought. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott said she and her colleagues still expect their newly purchased programs will be effective, but the 2024 test scores arent as firm a foundation for that belief as she originally hoped. After parents and schools received students test results showing dramatic increases statewide, media reports revealed that Oklahoma had quietly lowered the bar for the performance needed to make a proficient score, a concept known as reducing cut scores. The Oklahoma State Department of Education had not publicly acknowledged the significant cut score change until news media, including Oklahoma Voice, uncovered it. In the months since, educators and parents said the way the Education Department handled the test score rollout diminished their trust in the agency and in state tests themselves. States that similarly lowered cut scores have faced national criticism, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state Education Department has since provided more information further demonstrating the boost in test results are the product of diminishing expectations. In late October, the agency released records comparing 2024 scores to their equivalent scores in 2023. The comparisons, called concordance tables, show the minimum proficient score in 2024 would have been considered in 2023 to be below-grade-level performance. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters speaks during a Nov. 8 special meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education at the Oklahoma Capitol. State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, who leads the agency, has tried to distance his administration from the cut score reduction. Walters spokesperson, Dan Isett, said resetting proficiency targets is routine for many states, including Oklahoma. That process hasnt changed, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Ryan Walters' failure to land education secretary nomination unsurprising, critics say The states high expectations of students are reflected in the Oklahoma academic standards, developed through a rigorous process that includes dozens of Oklahoma teachers across multiple disciplines, Isett said. Similarly, cut scores are meted out by Oklahoma teachers and ultimately approved by (the Commission of Educational Quality and Accountability), not (the Education Department). Education Department officials, with a hired testing vendor and assessment experts, convened and oversaw the groups of Oklahoma teachers who developed the new expectations. Agency officials then presented the resulting cut scores to the state Commission for Educational Quality and Accountability, which approved them in July. The commission will conduct a study of the cut score setting process to compare Oklahomas performance expectations with other states, said Megan Oftedal, executive director of the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. The commissioners then could reset the cut scores if they wish, she said. Jeb Bush: Lowering expectations is just wrong Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, now an education policy advocate, said in Oklahoma City last week that public schools need to have high standards when defining math and reading proficiency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decreasing those standards through cut scores is a disservice to students and only masks a failing school system, Bush said at a recent national summit for the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a think tank he established. When a state labels a majority of its students as proficient but national tests find only a minority are performing on grade level, Bush said youve got to call bulls----. Thats just wrong, Bush said in the summits keynote address. If everybodys above average, no one is. Thats kind of where we are in some of these states. Setting high standards for proficiency ensures students will be ready for college or a career, said Christy Hovanetz, a senior policy fellow at Bushs foundation, also known as ExcelinEd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scoring below a proficient level on state testing sends a clear signal to parents that their child needs more help and resources, even if the student has been bringing home As and Bs in classwork, Hovanetz told Oklahoma Voice. If were not being honest with kids in K-12 about how theyre performing, that will work its way into our economies later on, she said. State records show reduced cut scores boosted proficiency rates Oklahomas 2024 test results showed 51% of third-graders made at least a proficient score in English language arts. Only 28% similar to the previous years performance would have been considered proficient or higher if cut scores had not changed, according to internal documents from the Education Department, which Oklahoma Voice obtained from a source involved in the testing process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comparisons of the 2024 and 2023 scoring scales show that students who met the minimum proficient metric in English this year would have been considered to be reading well below their grade level had performance expectations not changed. On third-grade English tests, the performance needed to make a proficient score of 300 would have earned a score of 283 the previous year, records show. That would have dropped a student far into the basic category, which is defined as showing only partial mastery of grade-level skills. English scores across all tested age groups, grades 3-8, showed similar discrepancies. Eighth-grade English scores had the largest gap, 18 points, between a proficient score in 2024 and what it would have taken to reach that same proficient benchmark in past years. The sixth-grade scale had the smallest gap for English with an 11-point difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proficiency target in math also decreased, but the year-to-year difference was much more limited than in English language arts. Scott, an Oklahoma teacher, said she believes changing the cut scores was appropriate, but the lack of transparency from the state Education Department was a breach of trust. Opinion: Oklahoma schools won't get better until Walters' OSDE goes in different direction Oklahomas previous scoring system had some of the highest standards in the nation for students to achieve proficiency. Scott said some of her students would perform well on reading assessments throughout the school year but struggled to reach that high bar on spring exams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It did seem like our scores were too difficult so Im all about them being reevaluated, but to not tell us means that we are making comparisons that we cant make, Scott said. We would have not used this data in all the ways that we are currently using it if we had known that those changes had been made. States traditionally announce scoring changes far in advance so families and districts know the new scores arent comparable to those of past years, said Hovanetz, of ExcelinEd. Once districts and families receive their scores, she said theres typically a definite demarcation line to show parents and the public that this is different. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, pictured here in 2023, is critical of both the Oklahoma State Department of Education's new test scoring method and the agency's failure to announce it. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the Education Department failed to communicate the change, and it had a direct impact on her daughters school experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kirt always has been skeptical of state tests, she said, but she was shocked and pleased when her daughter made strong gains in her seventh-grade results. Her daughter, who attends Oklahoma City Public Schools, has dyslexia so standardized tests are a challenge. Weve always known she was brilliant, but we knew that multiple choice tests wouldnt show that, Kirt said. In the past, her daughter would spend an elective class period in a study hall to give her more time to complete schoolwork and tests. This year, Kirt said the family chose to forgo the study hall period and enroll her child in a full slate of electives, believing she had made significant academic progress. Its hard to say if knowing about the lowered cut scores would have led to a different decision, Kirt said, but her family wouldnt have been as confident about making that change. She was critical of both the new scoring method and the states failure to announce it. Dont change things midstream on our kids when were trying to get a sense of where they are and how theyre doing, Kirt said. Dont tell us its a diagnostic tool and then change it in the middle of the diagnosis. Schools seek out more reliable testing Oklahoma school leaders say the scoring change further diminished the utility of state tests that they already found to be less useful than other assessments. Many districts purchase benchmark tests for students to take multiple times during the school year. More frequent testing gives an up-to-date look at students learning progress. These are more useful than a once-a-year state test whose results dont come out until the school year is long over, said Shannon Woodson, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction at Moore Public Schools. It really gives us a more consistent look as to where our students are when they start school in August and where they are when they leave us at the end of May, Woodson said. So data is very, very important, but we dont put a lot of emphasis on the state test data. Indiana is piloting a new version of its state assessments to test students three times a year, said Katie Jenner, the states top education official. She said 1,700 schools in Indiana signed up for the pilot. Testing at the beginning, middle and end of the school year could better support teachers, track students progress and keep families totally in the know, Jenner said. In doing so, she said Indiana maintains high cut scores that are comparable to strict national expectations found on the Nations Report Card. Oklahomas previous cut scores also mirrored national testing standards, but the state departed from that this year. Were not so much talking about the high expectations, Jenner said. Were more talking about how do we best leverage assessment and accountability to not be (a) judgment zone, but to really inform the parent and the family and the school leaders on how do we better move the needle for kids. Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Critics: Oklahoma failing students with lowered state testing rigor Nov. 23If it's human to err, the Santa Fe New Mexican got off to a very human start 175 years ago sometime this week. No, we can't really be more specific than that. Thanks to what appears to be an error in the publication date, it's now unknown when exactly in 1849 The New Mexican had its first actual run. Allison Dellinger, the newspaper's archives coordinator and news librarian and unofficial lead detective in the abiding first print date mystery said sources are mixed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't have microfilm going back to 1849; nor are there images in Newspapers.com," Dellinger wrote in an email, referring to the subscription website that serves as a historical archive for many newspapers. Nor does the Fray Angelico Chavez History Library have records of the newspaper's first edition, she added. Copper printing plates that adorn a wall in The New Mexican's newsroom office at 150 Washington Ave. show a front page and an inside page, ostensibly from that first day but the dates don't match. The cover, marked as "Volume 1, Number 1," is dated Nov. 24, 1849, which would have been a Saturday. The inside page, though, lists the date as Nov. 28, 1849, a Wednesday. It's not clear whether the plates are original or reproduction, but either way, the confusion begins there. The paper's various name changes could also play a role in the historical haze. The set of plates calls the then-weekly publication The New Mexican, with no reference to Santa Fe, but another set, titled El Nuevo Mejicano and featuring items in both English and Spanish, lists the publication date as "Noviembre 28, 1849," and also marks the edition as "Tomo 1, Numero 1." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dellinger said a counterpart at the Chavez library only had bound copies of the newspaper dating back to the 1950s, but cited a book called New Mexico newspapers: A comprehensive guide to bibliographical entries and locations, which seemed to give credence to the Nov. 24 date, even considering all of the newspaper's early name variations. An article published in 1974, celebrating the paper's 125th anniversary, agrees with Nov. 24 date. Another book addressed the flub head-on but drew a different conclusion, according to Dellinger, who was provided the reference by a former New Mexican reporter. "It is, perhaps, characteristic that it leads off with typographical errors in its heading one is its motto, Magna est Veritas es Prevalebit, and another is in the date of the first page, November 24, 1849," wrote Olivier La Farge in his book Santa Fe: The Autobiography of a Southwestern Town. "On page two it is Wednesday, November 28, and on page three (the first Spanish page), under the masthead, November 28. Since November 28, 1849, did fall on a Wednesday, we can take this as the correct date of publication." A Dartmouth College sorority and two members of a fraternity were charged in connection with the drowning death of Won Jang, whose body was found over the summer in the Connecticut River following an off-campus party, police said. New Hampshire police found probable cause to charge Matthew Catrambone and Samuel Terry, both 21, with one misdemeanor each for providing alcohol to a person under 21 years of age, the Hanover Police Department said in a news release on Friday. They are both members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, the same one Jang belonged to. The Alpha Phi sorority as a corporation was charged with one misdemeanor violation of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Police said sorority members hosted the July 6 party and members of the fraternity who were over 21 purchased and supplied alcohol. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fraternity and sorority were immediately suspended after Jangs death. These suspensions remain in effect pending the results of the schools ongoing internal investigation, Dartmouth said in a statement. Due to federal law, the school said it could not comment on individual student disciplinary matters. Alpha Phi did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Catrambone and Terry are expected to appear in court in January, police said. Police said that after the party, several of the attendees made a spontaneous decision to swim in the river, the news release states. A heavy rainstorm hit while they were at the river and many of them left in various groups, police said. No one noticed that Jang, 20, was unaccounted for, according to authorities. Jang was last seen the night of the party by docks on the Connecticut River. His body was found in the water the following evening, about 65 feet offshore. Police said at the time that they were investigating whether hazing was a factor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy determined that his cause of death was drowning, and a toxicology report found that his blood alcohol level was .167. Multiple people, including members of Jangs family, told authorities that he could not swim. Dartmouth has long valued the contributions that Greek organizations bring to the student experience, when they are operating within their stated values and standards. These organizations, as well as all Dartmouth students and community members, have a responsibility to ensure Dartmouth remains a safe, respectful, equitable, and inclusive community for students, faculty, and staff, the college said in a statement. In an email to undergraduate students Thursday, Dartmouth said there was a website with mental health and wellness resources and it was offering free swimming lessons, improved wellness programming for students, and other reduced-fee opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Department of Safety and Security also increased patrols near the waterfront, and there is improved lighting and signage around the swimming docks. Dartmouths then-dean of the college, Scott Brown, previously remembered Jang as someone who enthusiastically took part in the Dartmouth community. Jang, from Middletown, Delaware, was a member of the class of 2026 and was majoring in biomedical engineering. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Nov. 24 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1859, Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species was published. In 1863, Union Gen. U.S. Grant launched the U.S. Civil War battle of Chattanooga in Tennessee. In 1869, women from 21 states met in Cleveland to organize the American Women Suffrage Association. In 1874, Joseph Glidden received a patent for barbed wire, which altered the development of ranching on the Great Plains. On November 24, 1971, a passenger who became known as "D.B. Cooper" hijacked a Northwest Airlines flight from Portland, Ore., parachuted south of Seattle with a $200,000 ransom collected from the airline -- and disappeared. Composite Image courtesy of the FBI In 1917, nine officers and with the Milwaukee Police Department and two civilians were killed by a bomb, believed to have been made by Gallean anarchists. Prior to the attacks on September 11, 2001, this was the single most fatal event in U.S. law enforcement history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1963, Lee Harvey Oswald, accused assassin of President John F. Kennedy, was fatally shot by nightclub owner Jack Ruby in the Dallas police headquarters basement two days after Kennedy was slain. A U.S. Navy underwater demolition team swimmer assists the Apollo 12 crew during recovery operations in the Pacific Ocean on November 24, 1969. File Photo courtesy of NASA UPI File Photo In 1969, Apollo 12 returned to Earth with astronauts Charles Conrad Jr., Richard Gordon and Alan Bean. It was NASA's second moon-landing mission. On November 24, 1917, a bomb killed two civilians and nine officers at the Milwaukee Police Department in deadliest event in U.S. police history until 9/11. Photo courtesy Milwaukee Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1971, a passenger who became known as "D.B. Cooper" hijacked a Northwest Airlines flight from Portland, Ore., parachuted south of Seattle with a $200,000 ransom collected from the airline -- and disappeared. In 1985, Arab commandos forced an Egypt Air jetliner to Malta and began shooting passengers, fatally wounding two. Fifty-seven other people died when Egyptian commandos stormed the jet. A U.S. soldier hands out toys to children in Diyala province, 65 kilometers north of Baghdad on August 14, 2008. On November 24, 2007, a brigade of 5,000 U.S. troops left Diyala province in Iraq. It was considered the first significant pullback of American forces from the country. File Photo by Ali Jasim/UPI In 1992, the United States lowered its flag over the last U.S. base in the Philippines, ending nearly a century of military presence in its former colony. In 1995, Irish voters passed a referendum removing a constitutional ban on divorce. On November 24, 1992, the United States lowered its flag over the last U.S. base in the Philippines, ending nearly a century of military presence in its former colony. File Photo courtesy the U.S. Navy In 2007, a brigade of 5,000 U.S. troops left Diyala province in Iraq. It was considered the first significant pullback of American forces from the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2009, two men were executed in China for involvement in the country's 2008 tainted milk scandal, which sickened 300,000 infants, killing six. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI In 2012, at least 112 people were killed in a fire that swept through a clothing factory outside Dhaka, Bangladesh. In 2014, Cleveland police fatally shot 12-year-old Tamir Rice, who was holding a toy gun. The officers involved were not charged, but the city agreed to pay his family $6 million to settle a lawsuit.{link: In 2021, a Georgia jury found three men guilty of murder for the killing of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020. In 2023, A23a, the world's largest iceberg, began floating freely for the first time in three decades after becoming grounded in the Weddell Sea. ELKHART Police say a man accused of sharing copious amounts of sexually explicit photos and videos of children online worked at a daycare at the time. Jamie Sherfick, 26, faces one count of child exploitation as a Level 4 felony and 10 counts of possession of child pornography, a Level 5 felony, after his arrest Tuesday. Police say they found numerous files on his devices as well as discussions about making trades. He was booked in the Elkhart County Correctional Facility on $100,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents: Elkhart police received information from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in July saying that Google had reported finding child porn files uploaded to a Gmail users account. One was a photo of a toddler with her pants and diaper pulled down and the other was a video of an adult engaging in sexual activity with a child. Other files that were uploaded included a picture of Sherficks Indiana drivers license and a photo of him wearing an apron with the name of a daycare center, according to police. Google provided Sherficks name and three cell numbers associated with the account. A search warrant was obtained to examine Sherficks electronic devices and police seized three cellphones. The phones were sent to the Indiana State Police Laboratory in Fort Wayne for data extraction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police allege that 140 files depicting possible child sexual abuse were found on one phone and 70 more files were found on another device. In court documents in support of Sherficks arrest, police provided details on just a few dozen of the hundreds of sexually explicit photos and videos involving children and adults. The third phone contained photos of Sherfick and children in the daycare, as well as Telegram app conversations about trading child porn files, according to police. Police interviewed Sherfick in July and again on Tuesday. In the first interview he acknowledged working at the daycare and confirmed his Gmail address, as as well as looking at younger porn online, according to police. He initially denied taking the first photo of a toddler that police found, then allegedly said he may have done it to show signs of abuse or a diaper rash. Police say the daycare owner confirmed that Sherfick never shared any concerns with her or showed her a photo. In the recent interview, police say Sherfick denied creating any of the child porn that was shared through Telegram but did not answer when asked if he had uploaded files to the account. He also allegedly admitted to taking the daycare photo and said it should not have been taken and that he thought he had deleted it. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Crews were called to a four-unit apartment building just after 1 a.m. on Sunday. The Dayton Fire Department was called to an apartment building on S. Monmouth Street for a fire overnight. Upon arrival, they found a multi-family dwelling with smoke showing. The fire originated on the first floor, but firefighters on scene say smoke detectors were operational, which saved the building. The fire captain told 2 NEWS now is the time to check smoke detectors, as people begin heating their homes as temperatures drop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one was inside at the time and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man from Washington, D.C. pleaded guilty Saturday to wire fraud and possessing a firearm. The U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO) of D.C. said in a news release that 71-year-old Geary Simon got $38,560 from the D.C. program Stronger Together by Assisting You D.C. (STAY DC), which gave D.C. residents financial assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Court filings showed that Simon applied to the program in June 2021. He said that he was renting a property on H Street, NW from his landlord, Robert Sutton, and that he owed Sutton $72,000. He provided a phone number and email for Sutton as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Georges County Police Department officer fired after viral video shows him kissing woman in uniform, according to Washington Post All of these statements were materially false and misleading. Simon was not a tenant at that address; Robert Sutton was not Simons landlord; Simon did not owe Robert Sutton the sum of $72,000 in unpaid rent; and the phone number and email address that Simon provided for Robert Sutton were actually for a phone number and email account that Simon created and controlled. Unaware of the fraud, DC-DHS granted Simons application for funding and issued Simon a check in the amount of $38,560 that DC-DHS would not otherwise have approved, the USAOs news release said. Prosecutors said that Simon then used that money to pay his childrens private school tuition and to pay for child support. While executing a search warrant, officials also found two firearms in Simons house. The USAO said that Simon has at least two prior felony convictions, thus prohibiting him from owning any firearms. One of those prior convictions was also for carrying a pistol without a license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Simon faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison for his wire fraud charge and 15 years in prison for possessing firearms illegally. His sentencing is scheduled for April 11, 2025. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC. If Democratic politicians truly want to hear their constituents, they should take a page from the playbook of elected officials like Rep. Alma Adams, who consistently communicates through emails and events for her district. Attorney General-Elect Jeff Jackson is another politician who stays in touch, and here in Mecklenburg County, Commissioner Mark Jerrell definitely connects with his district and always has. These are the politicians who go out of their way to connect with voters, while others assume a copied letter in the media or no contact at all will suffice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about time politicians put on their best walking shoes, step out from behind their daisies and engage with the public. Voters want to hear from you directly, not just on the nightly news. Priscilla Johnson, Charlotte Condemn HB 10 The Carolina Migrant Network condemns the North Carolina General Assemblys veto override to advance HB 10. HB 10 doubles down on funding private school tuition costs with a $554 million expansion of private school vouchers, despite persistent questions around the programs lack of proper financial oversight and potential for fraud. This funding would largely go to wealthy families who can already afford private school tuition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, it mandates cooperation between local law enforcement agencies and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a measure that sows fear in immigrant communities and erodes trust in public institutions. Stefania Arteaga, Co-Executive Director of Carolina Migrant Network, Charlotte Cothams spot on The Observers nitpicking of state Rep. Tricia Cothams use of predominance to describe the under-performance of North Carolina schools gets an F for reporting. The newspaper opted for semantics rather than reminding us that entering adulthood unprepared is an economic albatross. Cothams analysis is spot on for the state and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year CMS used its $2 billion budget to place tens of thousands of students in schools that got a D or F performance grade from the state. Well, at least 57,000 students arent a predominance. Bolyn McClung, Pineville Cotham misses mark As unacceptable as it may be that a third of North Carolinas public schools had a performance grade of D or F in the last school year, it appears state Republican Rep. Tricia Cotham needs to revisit her own lessons in both math and English. Common synonyms for predominance, the word she used to trash NC public schools performance in general and to justify the General Assemblys ongoing push to privatize K-12 education by greatly expanding eligibility for state-funded vouchers, are greatest and highest. Words matter because they pave the way for actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dumont Clarke, Charlotte Maces bathroom issue Republican Rep. Nancy Mace of South Carolina introduced a resolution that would bar incoming Rep. Sarah McBride, who is transgender, the right to use womens bathrooms in the U.S. Capitol. Speaker Mike Johnston supports the resolution. This is an example of the pettiness of Republicans these days. Kent Rhodes, Charlotte Immense damage Contrary to what you will hear from the next president, his EPA Director or Interior Secretary for the next four years, there is absolutely no doubt about climate change being real, happening now and being caused by humans putting too much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all the evidence available and with our own experiences with Hurricane Helene in the North Carolina mountains attesting to it, their words will only show their intentional ignorance or their subservient and greedy support for increasing the profits of fossil fuel companies, regardless of the immense damage they are causing us and our world. Dean Kluesner, Charlotte Tillis takes a knee When Sen. Thom Tillis responds about Donald Trump as he has in past concerns, he will first talk tough like he really cares, and then hell simply take the knee to Trump. Terry Keith, Charlotte DENVER (KDVR) A weak storm system is expected to move through Colorado on Sunday afternoon into Monday morning, but a stronger front is expected on Tuesday afternoon which will likely impact the record-breaking Thanksgiving travel crowds expected by land and air. According to the FOX31 Pinpoint Weather team, the best chance of snow in the first storm will be in the mountains, with light accumulations maxing out at about 6 inches, with less than 2 inches of snow possible in lower elevations. Denver airport expecting increased Thanksgiving travel: Heres when it will be busiest Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, this could make mountain passages slick overnight Sunday into Monday. It could also spell slick roads in the urban corridor on Monday morning, the National Weather Service Boulder advised Coloradans. Pinpoint Weather, Colorados Most Accurate Forecast, is tracking accumulating snowfall on Sunday. Currently, the highest accumulations appear to be near Eagle, Aspen and Dillon. Some areas of the mountains could see 3 to 5 inches, but others could potentially see even higher accumulating amounts. Pinpoint Weather is forecasting light snow will begin to fall east of the mountains overnight Sunday into Monday, with up to 2 inches of snow possible west of Interstate 25 and in the foothills. The National Weather Service in Boulder agency has issued a winter weather advisor for portions of Jackson and Grand counties above 9,000 feet, including Rabbit Ears Pass. Snow accumulations could reach up to 7 inches, the agency noted. On Sunday, Pinpoint Weather forecasted weak snow showers with little to no accumulation in Denver on Monday. However, the foothill communities in Boulder and Jefferson counties could see light snow accumulations of 1 to 2 inches. The snowfall is expected to break on Monday for the entire region, before the next wallop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heavier-impact weather front is expected to reach Colorado Tuesday afternoon. Weather models are increasingly predicting heavy mountain snow beginning late Tuesday morning through Wednesday night. The Pinpoint Weather team also said that precipitation probabilities for lower elevations increased on Saturday for Wednesdays precipitation to 60%, now favoring snow over rain. However, any timing for when rain could turn to snow is still up in the air. Currently, its too early to know for sure what kind of snow totals Colorado could see overnight Tuesday into Wednesday. However, meteorologists seem to agree that mountain travel will be difficult from Tuesday through Wednesday. NWS Boulder anticipates significant snowfall in the higher elevations from Monday night through Thanksgiving morning. FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar Widespread travel impacts can be expected for all mountain routes, the NWS Boulder warned in its hazardous weather outlook on Saturday. This second system will also bring greater potential for lower elevation snow late Tuesday into Wednesday, with roads likely becoming slippery Wednesday and Wednesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mountain roads will likely become snow-covered and the impacts could spread into the urban corridor along Interstate 25. If youre heading west from Denver on Wednesday, check CoTrip.org for road conditions, or check FOX31s Pinpoint Weather forecast here. While its too early to know how much snow Denver and other areas of Colorado could total, one thing is clear: Temperatures will be much colder starting Wednesday and lasting through Thanksgiving. So if youre headed somewhere warmer for Thanksgiving, be sure to pack a parka for your return. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. GRAND RAPIDS TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) Deputies say a Grand Rapids Township fire lieutenant is in the hospital after he was attacked by a man who was suicidal and had a gun. Fire Station 1 at 1836 E. Beltline Ave. in Grand Rapids Township. (Nov. 23, 2024) It happened just before 4 p.m. Saturday at the fire station at 1836 E. Beltline Ave. NE, near Knapp Street NE, according to the Kent County Sheriffs Office. Deputies say the fire lieutenant was working alone at the fire station and allowed a 40-year-old Cedar Springs man into the garage, believing the man was there to work on the concrete. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was learned that the man was suicidal, had consumed illicit drugs, had a firearm, and began physically assaulting the Lieutenant, the sheriffs office wrote in a release. The fire lieutenant requested an emergency response. Deputies say when they arrived, they saw the man actively assaulting the lieutenant. They held back the Cedar Springs man and arrested him, according to the sheriffs office. Authorities say the fire lieutenant has been hospitalized with several injuries. KCSO prays for the Lieutenants recovery, deputies wrote. The Cedar Springs man, whose name was not released Saturday, remains in custody. The sheriffs office expects that the prosecutors office will review the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. A look back at local, national and world events through Deseret News archives. On Nov. 24, 1971, a hijacker calling himself Dan Cooper but who soon became popularly known as D.B. Cooper parachuted from a Northwest Orient Airlines 727 over the Pacific Northwest after receiving $200,000 in ransom. His fate remains unknown, and his disappearance remains one of the most famous unsolved cases in FBI history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Deseret News noted the hijacking on Thanksgiving Day and followed the case for many days. Amazingly, it was one of two hijackings that week in the western U.S. Hijacker escapes; 2 chutes missing, read the headline on Nov. 25. RENO, Nev. A hijacker apparently parachuted to freedom from a commandeered passenger jet after extorting $200,000 from North Airlines with a bomb threat, authorities say. A drawing of 1971 skyjacker D.B. Cooper, as described by witnesses. Through the years, the cold case has heated up and cooled down in the search for Cooper. Was he a Provo man named Richard Floyd McCoy, who hijacked a Boeing 727, ransomed it for $500,000 and parachuted over Utah County on April 7, 1972? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Was he a college professor named Williams Wolfgang Gossett, who lived and worked for a time in Ogden and told his family he was the mysterious man? In 1980, a camper found some $20 bills on the shore of the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon. The money turned out to be some of the $200,000 ransom Cooper was carrying when he parachuted. The bills have fetched high prices at auction through the years. Reportedly, between May 1961 and the end of 1972, there were 159 hijackings in American airspace. In fact, three days after the unsolved Cooper hijacking, a trio of wanted men hijacked a TWA flight out of Phoenix, and after it refueled in Florida, successfully commandeered it to Cuba, where the men were granted asylum by Fidel Castro. Here are numerous stories from Deseret News archives about Cooper, his legend and other stories surrounding the case: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After 25 years, legend of D.B. Cooper lives on Cold D.B. Cooper case gets resurrected Was 72 Provo hijacker 1971S D.B. Cooper? Utahns book says yes FBI: Credible lead surfaces in D.B. Cooper case D.B. Coopers escapade is only unsolved U.S. hijacking Was D.B. Cooper an Ogden resident? Teacher named Cooper picked the wrong day to ride airplane Auction is set for D.B. Cooper money D.B. Coopers chute may have been found Tales of D.B. Cooper still spark interest D.B. Cooper cash sells for 120 times face value Were Provoan, D.B. Cooper linked? ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Dezio and Gingello Foundation hosted its third annual Thanksgiving turkey giveaway Sunday in Rochester on 1169 St. Paul Street. We are honored to coordinate this event with the efforts of HOPENY who has been phenomenal at meeting with the public and helping us manage this with our volunteers, Executive Director Jake Bishop said. More than 200 turkeys were expected to be given out with more than 50 of them being given away along with a box of food items, clothing and hygiene products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being able to come out here and offer turkeys for Thanksgiving and hams for Christmas allows us to lessen the burden for families, especially around this time of the year when people want to save up for gifts, Bishop explained. We live in the real world; we know how much it costs right now for groceries and expenses. According to Bishop, the organization is looking to partner with HOPENY once again around Christmas time to giveaway more food and toys for children. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. DICKSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) Years following an infants death, Tennessee courts officials said a Dickson County woman has been sentenced on multiple counts of child abuse. PREVIOUS: Breath of fresh air: Family reflects on 4-year journey after Dickson County woman found guilty of infants murder In 2021, Chelsea Smith was charged with aggravated child abuse of a child younger than 8 and first-degree murder in perpetration of aggravated child abuse related to the Oct. 2020 death of 6-month-old Lincoln Hall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lincoln spent five days in the Intensive Care Unit at Monroe Carell Jr. Childrens Hospital at Vanderbilt recovering from his numerous injuries, including injuries sustained to the head. News 2 previously reported that within hours of arriving at the hospital, doctors suspected foul play involved in Lincolns injuries. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Ive ran into her and her husband multiple occasions, just in town, Lincolns father, Matt Hall, told News 2 in August. Trying to face the person you know thats responsible for the death of your son is crushing, so when that verdict came down, it just, it was a breath of fresh air. Smith was sentenced to life in prison and to pay costs in relation to the first-degree murder charge. She was also sentenced to 15 years for the aggravated child abuse charge and is expected to pay costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Telecoms equipment vendor Nokia has won a five-year expansion of its existing multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure with data centre routers and switches. Nokias says its data centre networking portfolio in Azure data centres around the world will grow the vendor's global footprint to over 30 countries and strengthen its role as a strategic supplier for Microsoft's worldwide cloud infrastructure. "The new agreement also builds upon the companies existing collaboration around open source SONiC, and highlights Nokia's continued innovation in developing and expanding SONiC capabilities, including in the area of chassis-based support for high-capacity network roles within the data centre," Nokia stated in its announcement. Under the expansion agreement, Nokia will supply its 7250 IXR-10e platform to deliver multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsofts data centres. The Nokia SONiC-based data centre routers and switches will be deployed both in greenfield locations and used in support of Microsoft's migration from 100GE to 400GE connectivity within existing facilities. According to Nokia, this will enable Microsoft to meet increasing traffic demands in coming years. Deployment of the Nokia 7250 IXR-10e will begin in February. Vach Kompella, Senior Vice President and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia, said the new deal will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure data centres around the world. We are pleased to move to the next phase of our relationship with Microsoft by expanding the agreements product scope, geographical reach and time commitment to five years," Kompella said. "This win affirms Nokia's commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies, and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory. (NewsNation) Brendan Carr, Republican President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for chair of the Federal Communications Commission, outlined what he wants to see happen at the agency in a chapter for Project 2025. In a statement released after Trump won the election, Carr said the FCC will have an important role to play reining in Big Tech, ensuring that broadcasters operate in the public interest, and unleashing economic growth all topics he touched on in Project 2025. Project 2025 is a handbook from conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, as well as other organizations, outlining what policies and practices they want the next presidential administration to implement. Best Prime Day Deals for 2024: Big Black Friday savings are already live shop the best here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best gifts currently on sale for under $50 Stock up on stocking stuffers while theyre cheap BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. While Trump disavowed the plan on the campaign trail, many people who have worked closely with the President-elect and helped shaped his last administration are involved with the plan. Along with Carr, there are several contributors and authors to Project 2025 whom Trump has chosen for his incoming administration including Russell Vought and Tom Homan. Trump spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt maintained in a statement to the Associated Press that Trump did not have anything to do with Project 2025, and that his nominees and appointments are whole-heartedly committed to President Trumps agenda, not the agenda of outside groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr was appointed to the FCC by Trump in 2017, and currently serves as one of its commissioners. Donald Trumps new administration: Who has he chosen so far? Brendan Carr wrote FCC chapter in Project 2025 The objectives Carr outlined in Project 2025 include reining in big tech, protecting Americas national security, unleashing economic prosperity and holding government accountable. Those who Carr considers big tech are companies such as Google, Facebook and Youtube, who he says attempt to drive diverse political viewpoints from the digital town square. The FCC has an important role to play in addressing the threats to individual liberty posed by corporations that are abusing dominant positions in the market, Carr wrote. Section 230 Supporting legislation that scraps Section 230s current approach is part of addressing big tech, Carr said. Section 230 is a section of the Communications Act of 1934 that makes it so online platforms are not held liable for content posted by their users, and so these companies can remove posts that violate their services standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Project 2025, Carr advocated for the FCC working with Congress on more fundamental Section 230 reforms that go beyond interpreting its current terms. Some of the reforms Carr has in mind are ones that prohibit discrimination against what he said were core political viewpoints. Transparency rules are another requirement Carr wants to impose on tech companies. The FCC presently has a rule that broadband providers have to provide disclosures about practices that shape Internet traffic. Carr in Project 2025 suggests that the FCC take a similar approach to Big Tech, and use Section 230 and the Consolidated Reporting Act as potential sources of authority. Progressives begin search for a new leader National Security Although Trump has said he opposes prohibiting TikTok in America, Carr wrote that he wants to address its threat to U.S. national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saying the app provides Beijing with an opportunity to run a foreign influence campaign by determining the news and information provided to users, Carr said a new administration should ban TikTok. TikTok says on its website that while its parent company ByteDance Ltd. was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, about 60% of it is owned by global investors, 20% by co-founders and 20% by employees around the world. Earlier this year, Democratic President Joe Biden signed a law mandating ByteDance divest from TikTok or it would be banned. Auchincloss: Senate must reject dangerous RFK Jr. as HHS head Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carr also wants the Trump administration to create a more regular and timely process for reviewing entities that have ties to China, and have the FCC do a better job of ensuring that a list of communications equipment and services that pose a risk to natural security stays up to date. Loopholes allowing companies such as China Telecom that are banned from operating in the United States to continue providing very similar services in America should be closed, Carr wrote. Economic Opportunity When it comes to boosting economic prosperity, Carr wrote that one of the most significant technological developments of the past few years has been low-earth orbit satellites like SpaceX CEO Elon Musks StarLink and Amazons Kuiper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This technology can beam a reliable, high-speed Internet signal to nearly any part of the globe at a fraction of the cost of other technologies, Carr wrote. The FCC should expedite its work to support this new technology by acting more quickly in its review and approval of applications to launch new satellites. Otherwise, the U.S. risks ceding space leadership to entities based in countries with more friendly regulatory environments. Reuters reports that Carr was a harsh critic of the FCCs decision not to finalize nearly $900 million in broadband subsidies for Starlink. Its a decision Reuters said the incoming FCC chair said would likely not be revisited. Carr also wrote that the FCC and new administration need to work together to develop a national spectrum strategy identifying specific airwaves that can be freed for commercial wireless services. House passes Social Security bill, will the Senate? Eliminating Regulations As a New Deal-era agency, Carr wrote, the FCCs history of regulation is heavy-handed rather than allowing competition and market forces to produce optimal outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rapidly evolving market conditions favor eliminating these regulations, Carr argued, including many of the FCCs media ownership rules. Ultimately, FCC reliance on competition and innovation is vital if the agency is to deliver optimal outcomes for the American public, Carr wrote. The FCC should engage in a serious top-to-bottom review of its regulations and take steps to rescind any that are overly cumbersome or outdated. Dr. Ozs disputed health claims could jeopardize Senate confirmation Project 2025 ethics concerns Democrats sent a letter this summer to the inspector general of the FCC saying that Carr contributing to Project 2025 violates ethics rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the close ties between Project 2025, Trump, and his re-election campaign, it is deeply troubling that Commissioner Carr would use his official title and position to author part of the political playbook for a Republican presidential candidate, the lawmakers wrote at the time, according to NewsNation partner The Hill. Carr said in a statement to The Hill that he cleared his work on the project with the FCCs ethics office before participating. I made clear to Heritage that I would only be participating in my personal capacity, Carr said in the statement. Reactions to Carr as potential FCC chair Trumps choice of the next head of the FCC drew praise and criticism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free Press Action Co-CEO Craig Aaron wrote in a statement that Carr has been campaigning for the job with promises to do the bidding of Donald Trump and Elon Musk. While styling himself as a free-speech champion, Carr refused to stand up when Trump threatened to take away the broadcast licenses of TV stations for daring to fact-check him during the campaign, Aaron wrote. The self-described center-left tech industry policy group Chamber of Progress chastised Carrs agenda in Project 2025 as extremist and a way to attack content moderation. Brendan Carr has clearly stated that he plans to attack Section 230 and force online platforms to carry sludge, Chamber of Progress Founder and CEO Adam Kovacevich said in a statement. Thats why Democrats need to defend Section 230, which protects content moderation and keeps the Internet from becoming a cesspool. Trump taps Brooke Rollins to head USDA Calling Carr a friend, former FCC Chair Ajit Pai wrote on x that he was a brilliant adviser and general counsel for the agency, and has been a superb commissioner. Current Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel issued a statement congratulating Carr after he was announced as Trumps selection for the next FCC leader. From his time here, I am confident that Commissioner Carr is familiar with the staff, the responsibilities of this new role and the importance of continued U.S leadership in communications, Rosenworcel wrote. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Low clouds hang over Kodiak's St. Paul Harbor on Oct. 3, 2022. Economic woes in Alaska's seafood industry have affected numerous fishing-dependent communities like Kodiak. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) State officials and industry leaders trying to rescue the ailing Alaska seafood industry are facing daunting challenges, recently released numbers show. The industry lost $1.8 billion last year, the result of low prices, closed harvests and other problems, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Direct employment of harvesters last year fell by 8% to the lowest level since 2001, when counts of harvesting jobs began, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development said. The monthly average for seafood-harvesting jobs fell below 5,900 in 2023, down from a peak of about 8,500 in 2015, according to a newly published analysis in Alaska Economic Trends, the departments monthly research magazine. Local ownership of fishing permits has eroded over several years. In the Bristol Bay salmon fishery, for example, from 1975 to 2023, locally owned setnet permits declined in number by 54% and locally owned driftnet permits declined by 59%, according to experts at the University of Alaska Fairbanks and elsewhere. State Rep. Bryce Edgmon, I-Dillingham, part of a task force charged with making recommendations on ways that lawmakers can help rescue the industry, said the solutions will be difficult and will require the full attention of his colleagues next year. I think this next session is an opportunity for us to really take that sort of hard look at the industry where it is today where it could be tomorrow, where it may not be if we dont take action, Edgmon said on Thursday, the second of two days of hearings held last week in Anchorage by the Joint Legislative Task Force Evaluating Alaskas Seafood Industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force is due to produce a report, with recommendations for action, at the start of the 2025 legislative session. Myriad causes and a perfect storm As described by experts who testified at the task forces most recent hearings, the causes of the crisis hitting nearly all sectors of Alaskas seafood industry are myriad. One is climate change. The stock crashes that prompted cancellation of recent and formerly lucrative Bering Sea crab fisheries, for example, have been blamed by scientists on a marine heat wave, part of a series of heat waves connected to climate change. There is no question that climate change is impacting the fish in the ocean environment, said Florence Kargi, regional affairs manager at the Coastal Villages Region Fund, a Western Alaska regional organization that holds Bering Sea harvest shares through the federal Community Development Quota .program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see it. Every year. This time of year in the 90s, when I was growing up, the ocean would be frozen and winter conditions would have swept in, Kargi, who is from the Yupik village of Hooper Bay, told legislators on Thursday. But now were in mid-November, and the ocean isnt frozen. There are plenty of other causes of the economic turmoil, however. Joe Bundrant, chief executive officer of Trident Seafoods, described how Russian fish production is part of a perfect storm of low prices, devaluation of Alaskas product and a geopolitical landscape like Ive never seen anything close to it. In a panel discussion at last weeks Resource Development Council for Alaska annual conference in Anchorage, Bundrant pointed to the recently announced Russian decision to increase its allowable catch of pollock by 7% to 2.46 million metric tons. The Russian quota decision ran counter to advice from some scientists and pleas from some Russian fishing groups worried about low prices in a glutted market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025 Russian quota compares to a total allowable catch of pollock for 2024 on the U.S. side of the Bering Sea of 1.3 million metric tons. This hurts me to even say, Bundrant told the conference audience. When the fish swims across the dateline, its harvested, its sold around the world as Alaska pollock. That is the species name. So even though we can put together a great marketing campaign in South America, we put together a great marketing campaign in Germany or Japan, the Russians come in and say, Well, we have Alaska pollock too. Its just cheaper. Alaska Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Doug Vincent-Lang, speaking at the RDC conference, said booming supplies of salmon from new sources are among the many headwinds the Alaska seafood industry faces. That includes increasing hatchery releases from Asia that are crowding the ocean that Alaska fish use, he said. And it includes pen-reared salmon, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were seeing increased fish farming worldwide, Vincent-Lang said. Thats having an impact on our wild salmon and our ability to sell those wild fish. Farmed salmon is produced not only in cold-water places like Norway and Chile but also in some less-likely locations, now including Florida. Luke Fanning, head of a nonprofit that supports fishery development and partipates in Community Development Quota harvests in the Aleutian-Pribilof region, cited aged infrastructure as another challenge. So much of the Alaska seafood infrastructure was built in the 1970s and 1980s, and its all getting old. At the same time, we need to have the retained earnings, we need to have the support, we need to have the capital investment to continue to make those investments to revitalize the industry or were going to lose all those community benefits, Fanning, who is chief executive office of the Aleutian Pribilof Island Community Development Association, told the RDC audience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five seafood plants have closed in the past four years, dealing devastating blows to those communities, Fanning said. A modernization in the works? There was some consensus among speakers at the two-day task force hearing, as well as panel speakers at the RDC conference, about certain solutions. They want more rigorous fishery and environmental science and the funding it would require. They want continued and enhanced federal trade policies to counter what they say are unfair practices by Russia and other players. Last years executive order barring imports of Russian fish processed in other countries is an example of desired trade policies, Bundrant said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legislative task force members have zeroed in on the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, an industry-funded state agency, as critical to any solution. Senate President Gary Stevens, R-Kodiak, the chair of the task force, noted that lawmakers approved increased funding for ASMI last year, but that Gov. Mike Dunleavy vetoed the increase. I think itll be added back into the budget this coming session, Stevens said during the second day of last weeks hearing. We realize how important it is, that marketing is an important issue. ASMIs role in fixing the industry problems may require more than funding, some task force members suggested. There could be a need for restructuring the agency or expanding its authority, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force heard ideas about investment projects and technological innovations, like an energy efficient, at-sea fast-freeze system used by fisher sin Iceland. Kristy Clement, chief executive officer of the Alaska Fisheries Development Foundation, made a presentation on Wednesday that nonprofit organizations ongoing initiative for top-to-bottom modernization of the industry. The initiative was launched at an AFDF board meeting last February, she said. The first task is better data collection, which has already started, Clement said. The foundation has contracted with McKinley Research for a detailed seafood processor business model and cost analysis, expected to be completed early next year, she said. Other elements of the initiative include new product development and enhanced marketing. To that end, the foundation has expanded its Alaska Symphony of Seafood event to give it a more global focus, she said. The event showcases new products and menu items made with Alaska seafood, with awards given to winning entries. This year, a Symphony of Seafood event was held in February in Juneau, but an encore event is scheduled for Tuesday in Seattle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative also has a workforce development component targeting processors as well as harvesters and a technology innovation component, Clement told lawmakers. Our expected outcomes are really to increase efficiencies across the board, to streamline operations, to reduce waste and to ultimately be able to achieve higher yields and profitability for harvesters and processors, she said. Task force members said their own work is unlikely to be done when the group finishes its recommendation report at the start of the 2025 legislation session. One member, Rep. Sarah Vance, R-Homer, floated the idea of another bill to create a two-year task force. While the current task force was created to produce some quick and immediate legislative responses, it may take more time to address the broader problems, Vance said at the close of Thursdays testimony. I think all of us are in agreement that were going to have to make a significant change in how we are doing our fisheries. Because we have communities that are in peril, she said. This article was first published by the Alaska Beacon, part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Alaska Beacon maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Andrew Kitchenman for questions: info@alaskabeacon.com. Follow Alaska Beacon on Facebook and X. Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Calif., joins Alex Witt to discuss a range of topics including Rep. Nancy Maces, R-NC, anti-transgender rhetoric, the Senate rejecting bills to block arm sales to Israel, President-elect Trumps new DOGE committee, and more. APPLETON, Wis. (WFRV) A disturbance with a weapon at a home on Appletons South Sanders Street led to an early Sunday morning pursuit where officers took the suspect into custody. According to the Appleton Police Department, officers responded to the 1800 block of South Sanders Street around 7:30 a.m. on November 24 after reports of a disturbance with a weapon. Owner arrested after five-alarm fire engulfs historic Wisconsin mansion, motive under investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived, a man reportedly fled the scene in a vehicle. While officers searched the residence, other officers pursued the suspect vehicle. Officers say the pursuit led them onto STH 441 and continued to northbound I-41. After a pursuit, the vehicle stopped, and the man got out, allegedly trying to flee on foot. Appleton Sanders Street Disturbance Appleton Sanders Street Disturbance Around 7:50 a.m., the man was safely taken into custody by officers with the Appleton PD. The incident was believed to be isolated. The Outagamie County Sheriffs Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Kaukauna Police Department, and the Grand Chute Police Department assisted the Appleton PD during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with relevant information is asked to contact the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5500, leave a tip through the Departments website, or email APDTips@appleton.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. A top GOP senator dismissed the need for the FBI to do background checks of President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet nominees, claiming the public doesnt care about whos vetting the people trusted to lead the organizations that enact public policy. Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-TN) told ABCs This Week that the American public wanted to see Trumps policy platforms enacted and it didnt matter who was conducting such checks. We need to get to work again, Hagerty told moderator Jonathan Karl. Making our military stronger is absolutely critical, and I think were looking at a chance to do this. Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty tells @JonKarl that voters don't care who conducts background checks into President-elect Trump's Cabinet picks. "What the American public cares about is to see the mandate that they voted in delivered upon. https://t.co/Bs33rvw5Xo pic.twitter.com/D4tTdoddDu This Week (@ThisWeekABC) November 24, 2024 The senator then attacked multiple Biden cabinet officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and claimed that their failings give the incoming Trump administration the urgency to bring in their new teampotentially regardless of whether the agency does a background check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one has been held to account by the Biden administration, he said. The American public is ready to hold these people to account now and replace them with a new team. Bewildered, Karl replied, So are you saying you dont care about FBI background checks? Should we just do away with them, that you can go ahead and not do this? Its been standard practice, as you know, for a long time, but youre saying do away with it? he continued. Certainly, Ive been through it myself, Hagerty said. Multiple outlets have reported that many of Trumps cabinet choicesincluding norm-bucking picks like Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense and Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligencehave not gone through the FBI process, as Trump does not trust federal background checks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several senators, however, have advocated for federal law enforcement to look into each of the cabinet nominees, particularly as Trumps choices have gotten more controversial and as damning information has emerged on some of them. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) told ABC News an FBI background check into Hegseth would be helpful in light of the police report recounting his alleged sexual assault of a woman in 2017. (Hegesth has maintained that the encounter was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.) Hagerty also claimed on Sunday the FBI may not be qualified to conduct the checks, arguing the public has gotten tired of how weaponized the agency had become. Still, he said, whatever background checks are conducted will be concluded expeditiously. (There has been no evidence that the agency has been weaponized.) They need to get on with this, he said. Well get this done. HOWELL, Mich. (WLNS) People across Mid-Michigan are rallying against racism and bigotry following a Nazi sighting earlier this month. Stand Against Extremism (SAGE) held an anti-white supremacy rally Saturday afternoon. Meg Koenemann, a member of SAGE, and a resident of Fowlerville says the event is to counter against the group of people waving Nazi flags earlier this month. For that to make national news. Thats what got all these people here. Were seeing new people that weve never seen before, said Koenemann. Theyre coming from Washington County and Oakland County. I heard people say that theyre from Detroit, and Grand Rapids, and Lansing. All kinds of people are coming to support us in our mission to fight against this racism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She says this is not the first time shes dealt with bigotry within her community. This is the fourth time, this year that Ive personally have been protesting actual Nazis in this town in this calendar year, said Koenemann. Which is bananas. Anti-White Supremacy Rally (WLNS) Many guest speakers, including the Mayor, Bob Ellis, expressed their concerns about ignorance within Howell. We dont want to be known as a racist or intolerant community, said Ellis. He says hate has no place there. We really want to be known as a welcoming and inclusive community and each time these people come out it sets us back ten years, said Ellis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Karen Pfau, a protestor who recently moved to Howell, from California says when she heard about Nazis in her town, she was appalled. I have black children. I have a black granddaughter, said Pfau. This strikes very close to home for me. This is not what our country is about. She says shes against racial intolerance. There should be no discrimination, said Pfau. People should be judged on their character, not on the color of their skin. The end. Bob Ellis says to combat Nazi ideologies, the city is going to hire a Public Relations firm to counter hate-filled messages that have riddled their community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Scammers have targeted travelers seeking to expedite airport trips via TSA PreCheck by sending fake notices designed to steal personal information, the Federal Trade Commission warns. The FTC highlighted a common scam involving emails impersonating the Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck. These fraudulent emails prompt recipients to "enroll" or "renew" through a fake website, putting sensitive data at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travelers are advised to only use the official TSA website for PreCheck-related activities to avoid falling victim to such schemes. "You may not even realize youve paid a scammer until you get to the airport for your next trip. But there are ways to spot these scams," warned the FTC in a late October news release. The TSA noted it would not send an unsolicited email requesting payment for PreCheck services, noting that new users only pay in person at an airport. Here's how to avoid the scam ahead of the holiday season. Know how to properly sign up and pay for TSA PreCheck If it's your first time signing up for TSA PreCheck, you will pay the application fee in person at a TSA enrollment center, not online, according to a TSA spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those interested in PreCheck should only sign up using the official government website at tsa.gov/precheck, added the spokesperson. If you already have TSA PreCheck, you can use the same link to start a renewal, which the TSA does send reminder emails about. The spokesperson added that the TSA is aware of private companies that advertise to assist with the sign-up process, but they are not official representatives of the agency and could prove to be fraudulent. The FTC provides the following tips to avoid scams and fraud related to TSA PreCheck. Don't click links in unexpected emails or text messages, no matter how real they look. Dont be rushed. If someone insists that you need to pay right away, chances are thats a scammer. Start at tsa.gov/precheck. Typing in that URL yourself is the best way to avoid the scam. And remember that all TSA PreCheck sites are .gov sites, not a .com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Possible scams can be reported to ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Flying for Thanksgiving? Get through Phoenix airport with less stress What's coming: Phoenix airport wins $35M for Terminal 4 upgrades This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Avoid this holiday travel scam targeting TSA PreCheck users COMPANY NEWS; Semperis , a pioneer in identity-driven cyber resilience, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Australian businesses in safeguarding their cybersecurity environment. This initiative follows the latest US$125 million funding round raised in June 2024, aimed at accelerating product innovation and expanding Semperis' presence across the ANZ region. Since its establishment in Australia earlier this year, Semperis has achieved over 100% annual growth, supported by strategic alliances and partnerships that provide organisations with critical tools to address escalating cyber threats. The company has more than doubled its local team since July 2024, adding around ten new partners in the ANZ region, including Katana1, CyberCX, Kirra Services, Perfekt, and NextGen. The company has also seen significant success in the financial services, telecommunications, and education sectors across Australia, although specific customer names remain confidential. The latest Semperis Ransomware Risk Report 2024 reveals that 83% of organisations targeted by ransomware attacks have paid a ransom, with 74% experiencing multiple attacks. This rise in cyber incidents has prompted the Australian government to expand its cybersecurity frameworks to better protect high-risk infrastructure and critical systems. Mickey Bresman, CEO of Semperis, highlighted the rising cybersecurity challenges facing Australias digital economy. With online attacks now occurring every six minutes, cybercrime in Australia has surged by 23% resulting in average losses of $71,600 per scam in 2022-2023 alone. This surge in cyber threats is driving more Australian companies to shift from reactive defence to proactive identity security measures, said Bresman. In 2025, Semperis will embark on an aggressive growth strategy across the Asia Pacific region, with Australia playing a key role. To date, the company has experienced triple digit revenue growth and has signed distribution agreements across major Southeast Asian countries, India, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan, effectively growing partnerships by over 100 per cent. To support this expansion, Semperis plans to double its local headcount in 2025 before expanding in phases to fulfil the steady demand for identity-focused cybersecurity solutions locally. With the increasing sophistication of identity-driven cyber attacks, more Australian organisations are looking at ways to strengthen their cybersecurity postures, said Gerry Sillars, Managing Director of Semperis, By focusing on identity management as the new security perimeter in protecting the critical assets of organisations and nation states, we help Australian companies to proactively identify, halt and rectify attacks and rapidly recover in the event of a disaster. Further strengthening its leadership team, Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has joined as a Strategic Advisor. With over 25 years of experience in cybersecurity and strategic technology implementation, Malcolm will provide guidance on Semperis' growth initiatives across Australia. His extensive expertise in scaling tech enterprises and forging strategic partnerships will be instrumental in driving Semperis expansion and enhancing its service offerings to meet the regions evolving cyber resilience needs. The rise of identity-centric cyber threats has underscored the need for proactive solutions that go beyond traditional cybersecurity measures, said Malcolm Turnbull. I am looking forward to working with Semperis in expanding its presence in Australia, empowering organisations to stay ahead of evolving threats and build a robust cyber resilience framework. As part of its commitment to close the global skills gap, Semperis is also providing certified training programs to accelerate the knowledge and capabilities of Australias local workforce, starting with pre-sales engineers from January 2025. These programs are designed to upskill pre-sales engineers in identity security, with plans to expand training to other markets. The healthcare and financial services sectors in particular are set to benefit from these tailored offerings. To learn more about Semperis and identity threat detection and response (ITDR) solutions, visit: , visit: Semperis.com. . About Semperis For security teams charged with defending hybrid and multi-cloud environments, Semperis ensures the integrity and availability of critical enterprise directory services at every step in the cyber kill chain and cuts recovery time by 90%. Purpose-built for securing hybrid Active Directory environments, Semperis patented technology protects over 50 million identities from cyber attacks, data breaches, and operational errors. The worlds leading organizations trust Semperis to spot directory vulnerabilities, intercept cyber attacks in progress, and quickly recover from ransomware and other data integrity emergencies. Semperis is headquartered in Hoboken, New Jersey, and operates internationally, with its research and development team distributed throughout the United States, Canada, and Israel. Semperis hosts the award-winning )Hybrid Identity Protection conference and podcast series (www.hipconf.com) and built the community hybrid Active Directory cyber defender tools, Purple Knight (www.purple-knight.com) and Forest Druid. The company has received the highest level of industry accolades, recently named to Inc. Magazines list of best workplaces for 2022 and ranked the fastest- growing cybersecurity company in America by the Financial Times. Semperis is a Microsoft Enterprise Cloud Alliance and Co-Sell partner. A drone was discovered in the harbour of Hamburg, Germany, tracking British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. Source: Tagesschau, as reported by European Pravda; Bild Details: The incident happened on Friday, while the discovery of the drone in the port was confirmed later by the Bundeswehr. Quote: "We can confirm the discovery of the drone on Friday. The Bundeswehr unit for protection against drones is taking action with the help of HP47 jammers," said a representative of the Bundeswehr territorial command. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bild journalists were the first to report the occurrence. According to their information, the drone, which measured roughly 1.5 by 1.5 metres, disappeared after flying over a container terminal. There was no more information provided concerning the occurrence. HMS Queen Elizabeth has been in Hamburg since Monday. This was supposed to demonstrate Germany and the UKs close cooperation. The aircraft carrier has not visited the port of Hamburg in 13 years. On the afternoon of Sunday 23 November, HMS Queen Elizabeth left the port of Hamburg. Background: Multiple attempts to damage infrastructure and military facilities have recently been reported in Germany. Support UP or become our patron! Sen. Tammy Duckworth had little time for Pete Hegseths opinions on women in the military as she blasted his credentials to lead the Defense Department live on air. The retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, who lost both of her legs in Iraq, responded on Face the Nation Sunday to controversial remarks from Donald Trumps defense secretary pick that women should not serve in combat roles. Our military could not go to war without the 220,000 plus women who serve in uniform. The women in our military does make us more effective, does make us more lethal, the Illinois senator said. Host Margaret Brennan then asked: Having served in combat yourself, what do you think of the idea that women make fighting more complicated? That was specifically what he focused on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duckworth didnt hold back in her response, and smeared Hegseths resume while hinting she wouldnt hold high hopes for him if he takes on the defense role in Trumps cabinet. Well, it just shows his lack of understanding of where our military is. He was a pretty low-ranking guy in the military, and he never had a command position, she said. "He's just flat-out wrong," Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), a veteran who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, says about defense secretary pick Pete Hegseth's belief that women should not serve in combat roles. "Our military could not go to war without the women who wear pic.twitter.com/BcXQHfgQ9D Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) November 24, 2024 He was a platoon leader, I think, once or twice, but he never even commanded a company. And so this is a man who is inordinately, unqualified for the position. Remember that the Pentagon is three million servicemen and women and civilians. It is over a$900 billion budget. Hes never, you know, run anything anywhere near to that size. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duckworth concluded by doubling down on the worthiness of women in the military, telling the CBS host: And frankly, women actually make our military more effective. And Ive personally found that I brought many insights to my job. When I was a company commander, when I was a logistics officer, that came from my own personal background, that made things better. I took better care of my men, for example, in my unit. She finished: I was often the only woman in an all male unit, and my gender wasnt a problem. I just adapted, and we continue to perform the mission. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) said Donald Trumps pick for secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, is unqualified for the position, and ripped into his past comments that women should not serve in combat. Duckworth, an Army veteran who lost both of her legs in combat in Iraq, said Hegseths comments on women in combat show his lack of understanding of where our military is and that if women were to be taken out of the military, the U.S. military would not be prepared for deployment. She said it shows he is unqualified because he does not understand women are essential for a strong military. He's wrong because women have made us more effective. In fact, our military could not go to war without its 223,000 women who serve in uniform, Duckworth said in an interview with CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union. We would have an ineffective military that was not capable of deployment. If we were to pull out all the women and say, you cannot be in combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump announced he will nominate Hegseth, a former Fox News personality and veteran, as his pick for Defense. Hegseth is now under scrutiny for sexual assault allegations and past comments resurfacing of him saying we should not have women in combat roles because it hasnt made the military more effective or lethal and has made fighting more complicated. This shows that Mr. Hegseth is not qualified for the position because he doesn't understand apparently, even after having served, that women are actually vitally important to an effective military, Duckworth said. With the recruiting challenges we're having right now, if we were to pull all those women out and say, you can't go into combat, we would face a severe personnel crisis in the military. Duckworth also questioned whether Hegseths experience has made him qualified to lead the Department of Defense. She noted that the Pentagon includes 3 million servicemen and an over $900 billion budget and that Hegseth has never run anything anywhere near that size. "He was a pretty low-ranking guy in the military, and he never had a command position, Duckworth said. He was a platoon leader, I think, once or twice, but he never even commanded a company. And so this is a man who is inordinately unqualified for the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that the women in these combat roles, such as Special Forces or the SEALs, have had to pass the same standards and rigorous testing as the men. The ones who are in those roles have met the same standards as the men and have passed very rigorous testing. And so he's just flat out wrong, Duckworth said in an interview with Margaret Brennan on CBS' Face the Nation. Hegseths comments, combined with past allegations of sexual assault, are really troubling, Duckworth said. Duckworth did say she was not necessarily opposed to all of Trumps picks, like former Georgia Rep. Doug Collins for VA secretary and her colleague in the Senate, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, for secretary of State. She noted she is friends with Rubio and wants to question Collins about privatization of VA healthcare coverage. But Duckworth also expressed concern over former Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick for Director of National Intelligence, saying that she believes Gabbard is compromised and worries she couldnt pass a background check. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), a fellow member of the Armed Services Committee who is supporting Hegseth after meeting with him Thursday, said that Duckworth is dead wrong on Gabbard. "I got a lot of respect for Tammy, and I've known her for years we served together in the House, but for her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong, Mullin said in an interview with Bash on State of the Union. Tulsi Gabbard is still a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army. She commands the reserve unit here in Oklahoma and Missouri. If she was compromised, if she wasn't able to pass a background check, if she wasn't able to do her job, she still wouldn't be in the Army. (KRON) The San Mateo County Sheriffs Office (SMCSO) announced the arrest of two suspects, both on probation for other offenses, in connection with an early morning break-in at Hatch Elementary School in Half Moon Bay. Person dead after being submerged in Sonoma County floodwater SMCSO said deputies were dispatched to 490 Miramontes Avenue at 3:30 a.m. Saturday after an alarm was reported. Deputies spotted two suspects, identified as Jose A. Reyes Neri, 42, and Jessica N. Miller Morales, 32, both of Half Moon Bay, lingering throughout a secure area of the school. They were arrested without incident, according to the Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said Reyes Neri used a knife to break into the school and was found with a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. Miller Morales was found in possession of a pellet gun. Both suspects were booked into the Maguire Correctional Facility. Reyes Neri faces charges on suspicion of burglary, conspiracy, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Miller Morales faces charges on suspicion of burglary and conspiracy. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Nov. 23EAST LYME The idea of local control was again the subject of discussion among Zoning Commission members this week as some lamented what they described as the continued intrusion of the state. The issue arose in the context of a law passed by the Connecticut General Assembly last year requiring cities and towns to update their zoning regulations to allow state-licensed home daycare operations as of right, which means no special permit is required. The measure, meant to reduce bureaucratic barriers for residents wishing to provide home daycare for up to 12 children, is a response to the shortage of childcare workers in a low-wage industry hit hard by the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The United Way of Southeastern Connecticut in May estimated 7,803 infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children in New London County need childcare, but only 4,571 slots were available. But member Norm Peck III on Thursday was fearful of giving "carte blanche" to commercial entities by allowing them to open up anywhere homes are built. The Republican was the lone nay vote on the six-member commission. Others were critical of the state mandate but said there was nothing they could do about it. Peck hypothesized what might happen in the town's most rural zone, where lot sizes must be at least 2.75 acres and buildings cannot fill more than 10% of the property or be more than 30 feet high. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A house can be a pretty good size, so they add on a 3,000-square-foot, one-story daycare center," he said. "That's the only thing I'm worried about." The new law, which went into effect last year, affirmed zoning regulations cannot treat daycare businesses any differently than single- or multi-family homes. A similar provision existed previously, but limited the scope of the daycare programs to six children. The new law also specified the zoning provisions apply only to in-home programs, not freestanding ones. Town attorney Timothy D. Bleasdale of the New London-based Waller, Smith and Palmer firm recommended the commission approve the regulation change that specifically allows small home daycare facilities in each residential zone. He said the issue is largely a procedural one since zoning officials already must approve such operations, regardless of what the local regulations say. That's because state law trumps local regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the law requires municipalities to enshrine the change locally. "The quirk of this statute is that we actually have to make our regulations say it, which is a little bit more than the state usually requires," he said. The zoning commission's power to decide how land should be used in town was handed to it by the state legislature through the almost-century-old Zoning Enabling Act. Republican member Michael Foley said the state can rescind that power, too. "They can take it back or change it on a whim, and the state legislature seems to be moving that way," he said. Zoning Officer Bill Mulholland described the regulation changes as a mandate from the state similar to those affecting one of the most high-profile zoning issues in the state today: affordable housing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's where the concept of local control has been invoked most vocally as lawmakers for more than 30 years have pushed to assure cities and towns are working to make affordable options available across the state. Among the most controversial provisions in the affordable housing law is statute 8-30g. The measure makes it easier for developers to sue zoning commissions when a proposal that would help address the state's housing crisis is denied. The law affects any municipality where less than 10% of the housing stock meets the state's definition of affordable. East Lyme has been at the epicenter of the statewide debate as protracted legal wrangling going back more than two decades continues to pit a developer who says he wants to build 840 units above the Niantic River against multiple town commissions and environmental advocates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Zoning Commission is currently deciding if it will apply for a moratorium from 8-30g, which would give the town four years to seek out affordable housing developments on its own terms instead of waiting for a developer to come in with a plan over which local officials have no control. In discussing the home day care regulations Thursday, Bleasdale reiterated it's important for the commission to do what the state tells it to do. Bleasdale said penalties for municipalities that don't comply are not currently specified, but he added that could change in future legislative sessions. "State law has been trending more and more towards a much more permissive, loose kind of approach to zoning," he said. "I think this is an example of that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not everyone on the commission was critical of the mandate. Democrat Sarah Susco, an alternate member seated for an absent member during the meeting, pointed to the need for more daycare slots. "Having children that need care, I think it's very hard to find care," she said. "I think it's a nice regulation to be pushing forward for families." e.regan@theday.com Former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz ended speculation Friday about whether he would return to his Northwest Florida seat when the new Congress takes office in January. I do not intend to join the 119th Congress, Gaetz said in a podcast interview with Turning Point USA founder and President Charlie Kirk. Gaetzs comments came a day after he withdrew his name from consideration as President-elect Donald Trumps pick for U.S. attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are a number of fantastic Floridians whove stepped up to run for my seat, people who have inspired with their heroism, with their public service, Gaetz told Kirk. And Im actually excited to see Northwest Florida go to new heights and have great representation. An early supporter of Trump and a frequent guest on conservative media, Gaetz has identified himself as a libertarian populist and been at the center of several controversies in Florida and on Capitol Hill. In 2023, for example, he orchestrated the removal of California Republican Kevin McCarthy as speaker of the U.S. House. Im going to be fighting for President Trump, Gaetz, who was elected in 2017, told Kirk. Im going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have. But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress. Northwest Florida politicians have started to line up for the Congressional District 1 seat, which is made up of all or parts of Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, and Rep. Joel Rudman, R-Navarre, have announced they intend to run for the seat. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on Tuesday posted on X that he was strongly considering running to replace Gaetz. Former Escambia County Commissioner Gene Valentino threw his hat into the race on Friday. Also on Friday, Secretary of State Cord Byrd announced that a special primary election for the seat will take place on Jan. 28 and a special general election will be held April 1. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A two-alarm house fire in Kelso resulted in the death of one woman and the rescue of a disabled man Friday morning. Just before 6 a.m., Cowlitz County fire crews responded to the 200 block of South 9th Avenue on report of a house fire. Flames were visible from the homes second floor with smoke out the front door. Semi-truck rollover crash traps, injures driver on I-5 in Cowlitz County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police officers then rescued a disabled elderly man found sitting on a couch in the living room, authorities said. Because there were other residents still inside the home, crews upgraded the fire to second-alarm and more crews arrived on scene. Crews had the fire controlled 20 minutes after the initial report and fully extinguished soon after. Although most of the residents were able to escape, officials said one elderly woman was found dead outside of her bedroom in the back of the house. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. The policymakers responsible for steering the Colorado Rivers future say they will forge ahead with ongoing negotiations regardless of shifts in federal leadership, as a deadline to determine long-term conservation strategies looms near. Elections dont add water to the river, John Entsminger, Nevadas lead Colorado River negotiator, told The Hill. The same problem we were facing on November 4, were facing today, and its the same problem well be facing into the indefinite future. This river has a track record of working across Republican and Democratic administrations and getting big wins for everyone, added Entsminger, who is also the general manager of the Southern Nevada Water Authority. The deadline concerns a long-anticipated update of the Colorado Rivers operational guidelines, which are set to expire at the end of 2026. These 2007 interim rules govern conservation policies for the over-tapped, 1,450-mile river, which provides water to about 40 million people in the U.S. and Mexico Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of the forthcoming presidential transition, the Biden administration this week propelled the process of determining new guidelines forward releasing a bullet-point list of five potential alternatives for the watersheds long-term management. Alongside the publication, Interior Department officials also said they would provide further details about the options in an alternatives report next month, with the goal of keeping National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures course. Speculation abounds as to whether the Biden administrations decision to make the alternatives public at this stage was at all influenced by President-elect Trumps victory in the recent presidential election. The list of alternatives revealed Wednesday and the forthcoming alternatives report are not required by NEPA but instead represent what Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton described in a Wednesday press call as the collective work of the agencys staff members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials in March had said they planned to release a NEPA-mandated draft environmental impact statement which includes analyses of the alternatives by the end of 2024, but the issuance of that document was since postponed to 2025. Speaking alongside Touton, Interior Department acting Deputy Secretary Laura Daniel-Davis expressed hope that the publication of alternatives could keep the process moving and meet the requirement to have this operational plan in place by 2026. Its an important transparency opportunity to make sure that everyone is updated and tracking how we are moving along in this moment, Daniel-Davis added. Figuring out how were going to live with less Megadrought conditions coupled with overconsumption have become increasing threats to the Colorado Rivers two key reservoirs Lake Powell and Lake Mead and are putting pressure on negotiators to find a way to conserve the rivers dwindling reserves of water moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states that rely on the river are divided on the best way to do that in the long term, however. The domestic portion of the Colorado River watershed has historically been regarded as consisting of two halves: a Lower and an Upper basin, which respectively include California, Arizona and Nevada, and Colorado, Wyoming, Utah and New Mexico. A 1922 compact granted annual water allocations of 7.5 million acre-feet to each basin, while a 1944 treaty then gave an additional 1.5 million acre-feet to Mexico. For reference, a typical suburban U.S. household uses about an acre-foot of water each year. Also spanning the region are 30 tribal nations, many of which have substantial rights to water within the broader totals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bureau of Reclamation had given the Colorado River states an early March 2024 deadline to submit a consensus-backed alternative for updated guidelines for the rivers management. That proposal was supposed to be analyzed within the NEPA-mandated environmental impact statement. But two days after the March 2024 deadline, rather than submitting a unified alternative, the basins published competing proposals. The Lower Basin states presented a document that included reductions of their own but advocated for cuts across the entire watershed calculating storage capacity not just on the massive Lake Powell and Lake Mead, but also on five smaller reservoirs, including three in the Upper Basin. The Upper Basin states, meanwhile, released a plan that they said would account for real-time hydrological conditions in a region that depends on mountain snowpack for its water supply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The alternatives offered by the Bureau of Reclamation on Wednesday represent a range of management solutions, none of which precisely match either basins proposal. Within the list are four viable options as well as a fifth no action alternative, which officials described as a NEPA requirement that would revert to guidelines in place before 2007. While federal officials made clear on Wednesday that they did not have a preferred alternative, they said that Alternative 4, which includes elements of both the Upper and Lower Basin proposals, could help facilitate collaboration. Under Alternative 4, Lake Powell releases would be based primarily on this reservoirs elevation but would also take Lake Meads levels into account. This option would also make basin-wide cuts more equitable by basing up to 2.1 million acre-feet of Lower Basin usage reductions upon the full seven-reservoir storage and by requiring some Upper Basin conservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the states technically cannot choose with which alternative the Bureau of Reclamation ultimately proceeds, if they do come to an internal consensus, the terms of their agreement can significantly influence the final text of the chosen path as it is in the interest of all parties and of the river itself to have a cooperative management plan in place. In 2023, the states were able to overcome differences with a short-term conservation agreement to tide the region over until 2026. But in that case, the gap to bridge was between six states and California, rather than two entire basins divided in their interests. There is still a lot of uncertainty at this point in time, Tom Buschatzke, Arizonas chief Colorado River negotiator, said at a meeting of Arizona water community leaders this week, prior to the publication of federal alternatives. Buschatzke, who also serves as director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources, argued that although the Upper Basins proposal protects Lake Powell elevations, it does so at the expense of elevations in Lake Mead, which is in the Lower Basin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basically, it puts all of the onus on us, the lower division states, to take action, he said. On the other hand, he described a robust relationship among Lower Basin states, noting that the partnership we have right now with Nevada and California is as strong as it has ever been. JB Hamby, Colorado River commissioner for California, echoed these sentiments, telling The Hill that Lower Basin states recently went from a real nadir to building a strong collaboration. Parties across the region, he said, must acknowledge the real differences dividing the two basins while also recognizing the systems vulnerabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Therell be real risk of litigation and conflict if we dont collectively figure out how were going to live with less, Hamby added. Although Buschatzke had expressed some disappointment in the content of the alternatives, he told The Hill that Reclamations publications of the list in terms of timing, is a positive thing. It helps to clarify where theyre heading, in a way that might help us in discussions among the states, he said. While Trump has announced his Interior secretary pick, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R), he has yet to tap a candidate for Bureau of Reclamation commissioner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Entsminger acknowledged that whoever ultimately fills the roles of Reclamation commissioner and Interior assistant secretary for water and science could affect some operational details. But what I want to make clear to everyone is its not an excuse for the states not to be working during that interim, he said. Theres plenty of problems to be solved. The last bipartisan solution Regarding the potential impact of the impending changeover in administration on the negotiations, Buschatzke told The Hill that he has no crystal ball. I think whatever progress we can make in the Biden administration, while theyre still there, on these issues regarding the river, will be a positive, he said. I hope that will be viewed positively in the next administration. Buschatzke noted that there is some precedent fueling his optimism. For example, he recalled that things went smoothly on Colorado River work during the transition from former President Obama to Trumps first term. President Trumps administration didnt come in and say, Oh, were going to just throw all that out and start over again,' Buschatzke said. Specifically, the negotiators were able to trudge forward with Minute 323, an agreement with Mexico that was completely negotiated before Trump took office but finalized during his tenure. Id like to believe that sometimes history repeats itself on the good side, Buschatzke said. Echoing these sentiments, Hamby, the California commissioner, said Colorado River negotiations also continued without much interruption during the shift from the Clinton administration to the Bush administration at which time, the federal government pushed California to reduce its basic water apportionment. Reclamation and Interior played a very strong role in making that happen, Hamby said. Sometimes that hammer-to-come-down is an important tool to be able to motivate action. Buschatzke agreed that Reclamation fills a critical role in the Colorado Rivers management and said that going forward, the role of the federal government will remain crucial. Entsminger added that the federal government has always been involved in such major deals in the past, particularly because of its responsibility to operate infrastructure on the Colorado River. But I do think the majority of the policy negotiations in how to solve some of these long-standing issues falls primarily to the states, the Nevada negotiator added. As for the Upper Basins negotiators, New Mexicos commissioner, Estevan Lopez, offered similar remarks, with an emphasis on future collaboration. I do not anticipate that the upcoming change in administration will affect either the approach to Colorado River negotiations or the timeline for completing the necessary NEPA analysis for new operating guidelines for the Colorado River, Lopez said in a written statement. I remain committed to representing New Mexicos interests and working toward a seven-basin state consensus for post-2026 Colorado River operations, he added. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources, meanwhile, shared remarks on behalf of the states commissioner, Becky Mitchell, noting her commitment to working with the basin states, the federal government, tribal nations and others towards sustainable management of Lakes Powell and Mead. Gene Shawcroft, Utahs commissioner, said in a statement that his focus is on ensuring Utahs interests are represented in the ongoing Colorado River negotiations, regardless of changes in administration. While shifts in leadership bring different perspectives, the federal governments role remains critical in facilitating collaboration among the basin states and upholding the legal framework that governs the rivers use, Shawcroft added. The Hill also reached out to Brandon Gebhart, Wyomings commissioner, for comment. Despite current tensions, Buschatzke reiterated his optimism that the parties could arrive at a consensus that would be agreeable to everyone. We do not want litigation, Buschatzke said. Im trying to still be positive and find a collaborative path forward. Expressing similar support for a consensus among states, Entsminger backed the notion that the regions policymakers tend to tackle U.S. West water issues across party lines. Every human on the planet is 80 percent water, Entsminger said. So its the last bipartisan solution. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. PARIS Eliane Heilbronn, the matriarch of the family that owns Chanel, has died at the age of 99. Her death was confirmed by Chanel in a statement on Sunday. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chanel is deeply saddened to confirm the passing of Madame Eliane Heilbronn. The funeral will be held privately, it said. Heilbronn is best known for her career in law, which saw her draft the contract of Karl Lagerfeld when he was hired as creative director of Chanel in 1982. Born in 1925 to Denise and Louis-Raymond Fischer, an architect who later took part in the French Resistance, Eliane Fischer grew up in Paris. Her parents divorced in 1939. When Germany invaded France the following year, she and her younger brother Robert first found refuge in the South of France with their mother, who had remarried, before heading to Mexico City, where their new stepfather Marcel Bloch, a businessmann, had grown up and still had family ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once World War II was over, Eliane Fischer, as she was then known, returned to France to pursue a university education with an eye toward law. In 1947, she married Jacques Wertheimer, the son of Bourjois and Chanel co-owner Pierre Wertheimer. The couple welcomed sons Alain in 1948 and Gerard in 1951. Following her 1952 divorce, she married Didier Heilbronn, a lawyer. The couple had a son, Charles Heilbronn, who is now the head of the family office Mousse Partners. The family moved to New York City where her husband joined the Louis-Dreyfus merchant firm. Then in her 30s, Eliane Heilbronn enrolled in the New York Law School and graduated in 1958 with a master of law. After returning to Paris, she joined the newly minted law firm of Samuel Pisar in 1962. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When her former husband Jacques Wertheimer was sidelined from Chanel in 1974, leaving her eldest son Alain in charge at the age of just 25, Heilbronn became one of his key advisers. The same year, she was sworn in as a member of the Paris bar. The lawyer would subsequently cofound Salans Hertzfeld & Heilbronn, now known as Dentons, which became Chanels long-term private law firm. Over the decades, she drafted the contract of the French companys top executives. An elegant yet discreet figure, she was active well into her later years, going to her office in the tony 8th arrondissement until the COVID-19 pandemic, according to French media. On the law firms website, she still held the position of senior counsel, with a specialty in contract law as well as distribution and intellectual property law. Heilbronn is survived by her three sons and eight grandchildren. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With contributions from Joelle Diderich Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) Hes out of office but not out of the fight. Former Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs Kent Davis argues his removal from office may have been illegal and says the leadership fight is hurting vets. In his years in office, Davis says his focus was always on what was in the best interest of the states thousands of veterans. I dont care about politics. I care about performance and serving the veterans of the state of Alabama. I think a lot of this is motivated, motivated by politics. Nobody seems to care about performance, Davis said while stopping by our Mobile studio. Its been a long few months for Davis. Last month, after not getting a vote from the VA Board, Governor Kay Ivey removed Davis, citing executive authority. Davis questions whether Ivey has such a power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So theres a big issue of separation of powers and government, the extent of executive power. How much do we really care about veterans in this state and what is the right direction to take care of those veterans? Davis asked. Davis says hes considering legal action but hasnt filed yet. He says hes disappointed by whats happened. I dont think it was handled professionally. It could have handled been in a much better fashion. It would have been mutually agreeable and honorable for everyone involved. I still think there is an honorable way out of this, Davis said. No matter what may happen with any sort of pending lawsuit, Davis insists Alabama needs to do better for its veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have a tradition of patriotism and reverence for life in this state when it comes to veterans, Davis said. We need to do a better job in showing patriotism and a reverence for life and we can do that by addressing the tragic issue of veteran suicides, Davis said. Davis argues he was fired as retaliation for filing an ethics complaint against the Alabama Department of Mental Health over federal COVID relief dollars that he says were supposed to go towards mental health care for vets. The governor claimed Davis mismanaged the funds and says thats why she urged the VA board to vote him out. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. Immediately available for Rimini Connect for Browser and for additional Rimini Connect solutions in the future, Rimini Connect Console is the latest advancement in the companys interoperability solutions suite which are designed to extend the useful life of existing systems by insulating applications from changes in dynamic technology stacks and compatibility standards that may otherwise result in costly upgrades or custom development. Rimini Connect Console unifies and automates several important capabilities into one centralised management tool, including: Simplifies monitoring, management, and configuration of Rimini Connect services from a central dashboard Provides a real-time view of full deployment of Rimini Connect services and related system resources Enables in-depth analysis and diagnosis of logs and alerts from all related servers, offering enterprise-wide single-pane-of-glass visibility Streamlines routine administration tasks, such as inspecting and installing new digital certificates Maintaining application interoperability with constant updates to dynamic technology stacks is a challenging, costly and never-ending effort that consumes potentially millions of dollars in forced software upgrades or development of custom, highly technical solutions, said Desmond Whitt, vice president of advance technical services at Rimini Street, adding that Rimini Connect solutions future-proof your enterprise software against interoperability issues and Rimini Connect Console is designed to unify and streamline the monitoring and management of Rimini Connect solutions at scale, beginning with Rimini Connect for Browsers. Rimini Connect Helps Businesses Achieve Modernisation Without Disruption Built on Rimini Streets experience of successfully resolving thousands of compatibility issues for clients since 2005, Rimini Connect provides a suite of seamless interoperability solutions that can resolve compatibility issues without requiring an upgrade of your core enterprise software. For example, Rimini Connect for Browsers enables IT teams to implement the latest releases of browsers without delay or worry of negative impact to current application releases. It also strategically decouples existing enterprise software from technology stack version dependencies, providing the flexibility needed for organisations to take control of their IT roadmap. Officeworks, a leading Australian retailer with over 167 stores nationwide and already a Rimini Street client for support of its SAP systems, deployed Rimini Connect for Browsers when Microsoft announced it would retire Internet Explorer 11. They needed to ensure their mission-critical applications would not be jeopardised by the change browser availability or require an expensive, disruptive upgrade to maintain compatibility. This project really was a collaborative experience with the Rimini Street team. For us, it was about making this transition as seamlessly as possible without any interruption to business, and Rimini Street helped us achieve that, said Michael Howard, chief operating officer at Officeworks. Rimini Street Continues to Invest in the Future of its Clients with New Interoperability Capabilities Known for helping clients maximise the potential of their IT investments, gain flexibility, and enjoy better support and savings from a trusted partner, Rimini Street continues to invest in interoperability solutions like Rimini Connect Console that help clients at scale to future-proof and extend the useful lifespan of their existing, robust systems without worrying about changing compatibility standards. Rimini Connect Console is the latest of our continuously expanding offerings to help organisations achieve their goal of growth and profitability while reducing risk, said Whitt. We not only extend the life of systems, we also help make it easy to manage them, lessening overhead costs and freeing teams to focus on higher value priorities for the business. About Rimini Street, Inc. Rimini Street, Inc. (Nasdaq: RMNI), a Russell 2000 Company, is a global provider of end-to-end enterprise software support and innovation solutions and the leading third-party support provider for Oracle, SAP and VMware software. The Company offers a comprehensive portfolio of unified solutions to run, manage, support, customize, configure, connect, protect, monitor, and optimize enterprise application, database, and technology software. The Company has signed thousands of contracts with Fortune Global 100, Fortune 500, midmarket, public sector and government organizations who selected Rimini Street as their trusted, proven mission-critical enterprise software solutions provider and achieved better operational outcomes, realized billions of US dollars in savings and funded AI and other innovation investments. To learn more, please visit www.riministreet.com and connect with Rimini Street on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. This fall, a record total of 117,204 students are enrolled in higher education courses offered by the colleges and universities sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In fact, more students are enrolled this semester than were attending classes at this time last year at each of the schools in the Church Educational System. Counter to the narrative sometimes heard that young people are leaving their faith, the numbers actually show that youth and youth adults in the Church Educational System are flocking to their faith, said Elder Clark G. Gilbert, the church commissioner of education. DN-CES growth BYU-Idaho has the largest incoming class in its history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What were seeing in the Church Educational System, what were seeing at BYU-Idaho, counters the narrative that young people are turning away from faith and illustrates, really, the true narrative of these amazing young people who want discipleship in their lives, said Rob Garrett, BYU-Idaho chief of staff and vice president of executive strategy and planning. Latter-day Saint seminaries and institutes of religion also booming The case for a clear desire for religious education among many young people is bolstered by the larger picture of the church system, where the total number of students enrolling in religion classes is even more notable. The system operates seminaries that offer religion courses to high school students and institute classes for college and university students at public and private campuses not affiliated with the Church Educational System. Enrollment in those seminary and institute classes leapt 18.3% last year to 811,758, up from 764,682 in 2022-23. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during a devotional at the UVU institute of religion in Orem on Friday, Feb. 3, 2023. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Not even the grand total of 928,962 students in CES courses can capture the desire for religious education among Latter-day Saint teens and young adults, Garrett said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I see them in this crazy, complex world being true to Jesus Christ, following the prophets, working in the temple, he said. Half of the temple workers in the Rexburg Idaho Temple are BYU-Idaho students. The church is building a second temple near the BYUIdaho campus, the Teton River Idaho Temple. Trends among young people and faith The share of Americans who are nonreligious rose from 5% in 1972 to 28% in 2021, researcher Ryan Burge said this summer during BYUs Annual Religious Freedom Review. The numbers are starker among young people. Some 36% of Gen X Americans are nonreligious, and the numbers rise to 42% for millennials and Generation Z, said Burge, who is an associate professor at Eastern Illinois University and a former pastor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Burge said the growth of the Nones, or those who have no religion, is slowing. I do think were seeing a ceiling on the rise of the Nones, and Im seeing it in multiple data sources right now, locking in about 30% or so, he said. Its staying there for a while now, not forever, but for a while. That period of exponential growth is over, I believe. ... I feel much more confident saying that now that were not going to get to a position, at least in my lifetime, where over half of Americans identify as non-religious. I think itll stick around 45% or so for the foreseeable future. BYUIdaho students take notes at the colleges first devotional of the fall semester, with President Alvin F. Meredith III and his wife, Sister Jennifer Meredith, on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, at the I-Center in Rexburg, Idaho. | Mike Lewis, BYUIdaho Garrett and others at CES schools say their campuses are bursting with young people who crave religious education. That trend is not isolated to Latter-day Saint schools. Inside Higher Ed published a story this week that documented religious college enrollment gains across the country at schools that lean into their religious identity. It chronicled increases at Catholic and evangelical universities. Major Jewish universities, like Yeshiva and Touro, have also reported noteworthy increases this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools that are really doubling down on their Christian mission are doing well, David Hoag, president of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, told IHE. Families are looking for places that are safe, that are true to kind of the Christian mission and Christ-centered. These institutions are leading with their Christian mission and their values and who they are. And I think its making a difference. Leaning in to a mission to build Christ-centered scholars This falls enrollment growth at CES schools comes as the church systems leaders are leaning into the uniqueness of Latter-day Saint higher education, not away from it. They say they are honing and highlighting a message around their missions to provide a haven for students who want quality education combined with religious community. Some people will try to force us into this idea that you have to choose between being spiritually strong and academically strong, BYU President Shane Reese said at a meeting for parents and prospective students last week. But at BYU, we resist that false dichotomy. We resist it because prophets, seers and revelators have prophesied on this campus over and over again that its possible. The commissioner of Church Education, Elder Clark G. Gilbert, who oversees all of the church campuses, seminaries and institutes, signaled that message in his first talk in his role when he said BYU would not pull away from its religious and spiritual roots the way other American colleges and universities have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a religious university with a religious purpose, he said in 2022. BYU is prophetically led and will remain a spiritual beacon to the world. Presidents and other officials at BYU and its sister schools are sharing their mission statements with parents and students. Reese spoke with BYU-Idaho President Alvin Meredith III at one of those meetings at the Marriott Center on BYUs campus. Meredith and other BYU-Idaho leaders repeatedly declare their mission to build Christ-centered disciple scholars when they meet with prospective students. BYUHawaii students walk to the colleges first devotional of the fall semester in Laie, Hawaii, on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024. | Monique Saenz, BYUHawaii Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message resonates with young adults. They want a church school experience, Ensign College President Bruce Kusch said. Thats something very, very important to them. Meredith told the recent gathering of prospective students, One of our students recently said this: I love that I can grow in both my scholarship and discipleship while Im studying at BYUIdaho. He also called Jesus Christ the High Priest of good things to come and said that good things will come when we seek to come unto him. Other CES leaders spoke at the University of Utah earlier this year and in Las Vegas last year. Elder Gilbert and Reese spoke in Dallas this week. Finding new ways to grow Kusch said some of the growth at Ensign College up to 2,575 students this fall after dipping as low as 2,196 due to the COVID-19 pandemic is partially the story of a rebound as students who put off education return and the college emphasizes retention programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there is more afoot, though, in six consecutive semesters of enrollment growth, he said. For example, BYU-Idaho and Ensign College received approval from accreditors to launch a revolution by offering three-year bachelor degrees that require 90 to 96 credit hours. The traditional bachelors degree takes 120 hours over four or more years. The degrees are offered through BYU-Pathway Worldwide. Ensign, formerly LDS Business College, has a niche mission to help students connect to careers in two years or less with certificates and degrees. We want to help students accelerate the time to a degree, which means theyll get to earning instead of spending faster, earning because of a job instead of spending for college, Kusch said. The schools new bachelors degrees fit well with some of its shorter programs, he said, and the school is awaiting accreditation for its own 90-credit bachelors degrees. LDS Business College student Sergio Cienfuegos listens to the announcement of a school name change during a devotional at the Assmebly Hall on Temple Square in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2020. The new name is Ensign College. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Ensign College is looking at other new enrollment accelerators, such as offering more competency-based courses and providing more credits to students through prior learning assessments, the president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Ensign, the online degrees it now supports through BYU-PW mean it is involved in educating far more students than the 2,575 on campus this fall. Kusch said Ensign has an additional 5,700 students working toward degrees online through BYU-PW. Another 3,000 are taking a BYU-PW on-ramp college course. So in all, we have over 10,000 students, Kusch said. BYU-Pathway and seminary growth set new records BYU-PWs explosive global growth is a long-running story. For the 2024 calendar year, BYU-PW has served 74,837 students in over 180 countries, said Krista Tripodi, the schools director of communications. Thats an increase of 14% over the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pathway enrollment breaks down into two groups: 44,849 The number of students in PathwayConnect, the program that provides an on-ramp to higher education by teaching basic study and life skills alongside religious instruction and basic math and English courses. In the final term, students enroll in one college-level course that will be part of the first certificate they would earn if they go on to take online degree courses via BYU-Idaho or Ensign. 37,512 Online degree students. BYU-Pathway has set enrollment records every year since its launch in 2009 as it rapidly expands into Africa, South America and other places around the world. BYU-Pathway Worldwide enrollment growth, 2017-24. | BYU-Pathway Worldwide BYU-Pathways growth in 2024 was primarily driven by the new three-year bachelors degrees offered in conjunction with BYU-Idaho and Ensign College, which reduced the time and cost of a degree by 25%, BYU-PW President Brian Ashton said. In addition, BYU-Pathway is seeing improved retention among our students in Africa. African students now persist at the same or better rates as our students in the U.S. and Canada. This has been a long-term trend, he said. The percentage of eligible Latter-day Saint teenagers enrolled in seminary nearly 57% is another new CES record, Elder Gilbert said. The number of seminary students has increased by more than 125,000 students in the last three years. Elder Gilbert said Latter-day Saint youth are following church President Russell M. Nelsons advice to let God prevail in their lives. More explanations for enrollment growth in Latter-day Saint education Latter-day Saint college students at other colleges and universities are also increasingly enrolled in the CES institute classes. For example, the University of Utah Institute of Religion enrollment is up substantially. Last year, the institute offered 117 activities that drew 25,000 young adults. About 10,000 seminary and institute students packed the University of Utahs Huntsman Center in October for a devotional with Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. Elder Rasband also sits on the Church Board of Education, which acts as the board of trustees for the BYUs and Ensign College. Elder Rasband noted that President Nelson has pleaded with the young church members to take charge of their testimonies. Work for it. Own it. Care for it. Nurture it so that it will grow. Feed it truth, President Nelson said. That will happen if you are involved in seminary and institute, Elder Rasband told students at the devotional. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles speaks during the education devotional given to prospective students and their parents at the Jon M. Huntsman Center on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. | Adam Fondren, for the Deseret News Elder Gilbert attributed some of the growth to efforts to make seminary and institute courses more relevant and accessible to teens and young adults. But it is hard to explain the enrollment growth simply as an administrative phenomenon, he said. Something powerful is happening in the lives of young people in the church. There are deeper reasons why seminary attendance, institute participation and enrollment in church schools are all growing. As we have reflected on it, we keep coming back to President Nelsons instruction about the blessings of the temple covenants. Young people are increasingly entering the temple and making covenants. There are many fruits of those covenants, but one of them is an increased desire to be in seminary, institute and church schools. In mere days, Matt Gaetz went from being nominated for Attorney General to hawking custom birthday clips on Cameo. The former Florida congressman filled his weekend churning out minimum $525 personalized video messages for his fans. In a video shared to social media on Sunday morning, Gaetz addressed a woman named Lisa in a Cameo video, thanking her for supporting Donald Trump and the Republican party. I know you were bummed out when the news broke that I wouldnt be the next attorney general, he said, donning glasses and a tee shirt, before adding, Also, say hello to your mother Carol for me. MATT GAETZ ON CAMEO: "I know you were bummed out when the news broke that I wouldn't be the next Attorney General." pic.twitter.com/k27sTZ9CND Helen Caddes (@helencaddes) November 23, 2024 Gaetz joined Cameo, a platform that allows fans to purchase personalized video messages from celebrities on Friday, the day after he withdrew his name from consideration for the nations top law enforcement job, citing the controversy over allegations of sex with a minor and sex trafficking. Though he denied the allegations, he said it had become a distraction to the Trump-Vance transition team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has since offered the position to former Florida AG Pam Bondi. The ex-congressman addressed his ill-fated attorney general bid jokingly in the Cameo videos posted to social media, as he offered his well wishes to a lawyer who recently made partner at their firm. My legal career took a bit of a different turn this last week but you know what? Work hard, make a lot of money, do a lot of great things as a practitioner and counselor at law and, you know, you never know. You could be an attorney general nominee too, the controversy-stricken former congressman quipped. MATT GAETZ ON CAMEO: "My legal career took a bit of a different turn this last week but you know what? Work hard, make a lot of money, do a lot of great things as a practitioner and councilor at law and, you know, you never know. You could be an Attorney General nominee too." pic.twitter.com/rYq6jLU0D6 Helen Caddes (@helencaddes) November 24, 2024 Gaetz also used his video to hail his successor, Bondi, as a great one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now listen. I may not be the attorney general, the most powerful law enforcement officer in the land for now..., Gaetz continued. And so I cant like order predator strikes on my enemies, as much as I would like to. For now. Instead, he said I can order you to have as much fun as possible. MATT GAETZ ON CAMEO: "Now listen. I may not be the Attorney General, the most powerful law enforcement officer in the land for now. We actually got a great one in Pam Bondi. And so I can't like order predator strikes on my enemies, as much as I would like to. For now." pic.twitter.com/HavriUCFHf Helen Caddes (@helencaddes) November 23, 2024 According to Gaetzs profile on the site, he has made eight videos and has a five star rating. In one video shared on social media, he congratulated a couple on their marriage. I love marriage... he told the newlyweds. Marriage is an incredible institution because you get to have, like, a specialization of skills. MATT GAETZ ON CAMEO: "I love marriage.... Marriage is an incredible institution because you get to have, like, a specialization of skills. And here's what I mean by that: For me, booking an airline ticket is a hellscape." pic.twitter.com/5mlVX1l3Pz Helen Caddes (@helencaddes) November 24, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fellow controversial Trump ally and disgraced congressman George Santos also seels videos on Cameo. At one point, Santos was charging $400 per clip, earning more than his former congressional salary. New York City Mayor Eric Adams is facing an increasingly uncertain future as he stares down both a criminal trial and a likely fierce reelection battle next year. Adams was indicted in September on federal corruption charges over allegedly accepting bribes from wealthy businessmen and a Turkish government official. He has denied all wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty, but his popularity dropped even more after prosecutors unveiled the charges. Now he faces significant hurdles, with both the trial and numerous experienced opponents lining up to challenge him in what is certain to be one of the most closely watched elections in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His political prospects could not be dimmer, said one New York Democratic strategist, if you look at data, if you look at anecdotals, if you look at how one marshals together a reelection campaign, especially in a really tough environment. Adams, a former police captain who previously served as Brooklyn Borough president, ran a successful mayoral campaign in 2021 on a message running as a moderate with an appeal to the working class. He emerged from a crowded primary and easily won the general election to become the citys second Black mayor. But Adamss tenure has been rocky, with criticism over issues like the availability and cost of housing, mixed statistics on crime levels and the influx of migrants over the past couple years, many sent from southern states with Republican governors. His approval rating has dropped significantly since he took office, reaching a 28-percent low in a December 2023 Quinnipiac University poll. Thats the lowest since the university began polling registered voters in the city in 1996. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was before the indictment was handed up against Adams this fall, which made him the first sitting mayor in New York Citys history to be indicted in office, nine months before the Democratic primary in June. Adams has asserted his innocence and vowed to continue as mayor despite some pressure to resign. He has also continued his reelection bid, though analysts say the obstacles facing him are mounting. New Yorkers do not think hes done a good job as mayor, even before the indictments, said New York Democratic strategist Gabe Tobias. Several prominent candidates entered the Democratic primary even before Adams was indicted, including Comptroller Brad Lander, former Comptroller Scott Stringer and New York state Sens. Zellnor Myrie and Jessica Ramos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Assembly member Zohran Mamdani joined the race after Adams was charged, and a few others have expressed interest, including former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Michael Blake. The legal battle for Adams itself already appears difficult on its own. He faces five counts, covering alleged conduct going back years to before he became mayor, and could receive a sentence of decades in prison if convicted. But even if Adams survives the legal scrutiny, navigating the primary is its own challenge. Part of his problem right now, his political problem, is that there was not a great bulwark of goodwill to lean back on when the tough times came, the strategist said. When the really tough times of an investigation came along, its not like he had this great cushion of good feelings and good will from voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following his indictment, Adamss political fundraising almost completely fell off, only taking in a single donation of $250 in the two and half weeks after he was charged. He also only raised just above $200,000 during the third quarter of 2024, his worst such period since he took office in 2021. The Hill has reached out to a spokesperson for Adams for comment about his electoral prospects. But Democratic strategist Hank Sheinkopf warned against counting Adams out, arguing that he has a built-in following among Black and conservative voters. In the Quinnipiac poll results, Black voters were the only group that Adams had an above-water favorability rating with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also noted that the city has had a pattern of voting in the center more recently and only two mayors in the past 70 years have been defeated for reelection, only serving one term. Sheinkopf said Adams would give himself the best chance by continuing with his job responsibilities to improve the city. Be the mayor. Thats the job. Run the city, run the agencies, take care of crime and get the city running, he said. If we can do that, and get announced more affordable housing construction, the things voters care about, these positions are winning it. But Tobias said Adamss best path may lie outside the Democratic electorate. He noted Adamss closeness to President-elect Trump recently and avoidance of criticizing the former president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Adams notably briefly spoke together at a UFC fight last weekend, during which Adams said Trump told him hes done a great job as mayor. If [Vice President] Harris won, his political career would have been over. But now he does have a slim path to re-election if hes willing to become a stooge for the Trump administration. Hell try to argue that being friendly with the White House is good for the city, Tobias said, but argued that it would mean being willing to help destroy the lives of immigrants, trans people and other vulnerable New Yorkers. Adams avoided on multiple occasions questions about whether he would accept a pardon from Trump during appearances on The View and CNN, though he said its not on my agenda. Tobias said the argument of what he can do for the city may appeal to the general electorate more than Democratic primary voters turned off by ties to Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strategist said even if the legal issues go away, it may still not change his political situation given his poor job approval even before he was charged. I would think what everyone in New York is watching carefully is how closely does he flirt with Trump to have a partner if he needs one, they said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. We saw a change of tactics being employed in the war between Russia and Ukraine. The United States gave Ukraine permission to use long-range American missiles to hit targets in Russia. Ukraine has done so, as well as British cruise missiles. Russian president Vladimir Putin responded by threatening to use nuclear weapons. Russia since fired a ballistic missile at Ukraine. Host Jim Niedelman brings back Drue Mielke and Porter McNeil to discuss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin has made these threats about nuclear war before, McNeil said. I think this is Putin propaganda. I think this could be seen- what President Biden is doing- as escalating the war in Ukraine, Mielke said. To hear more, click on the video. Local 4 News, your local election headquarters, is proud to present 4 The Record, a weekly news and public affairs program focused on the issues important to you. Its a program unlike any other here in the Quad Cities. Tune in each Sunday at 10:30 a.m. as Jim Niedelman brings you up to speed on whats happening in the political arena, from Springfield, Des Moines, Washington, D.C. and right here at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. BEIRUT, Lebanon, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said Sunday that Israel and Hezbollah must be pressured to accept the U.S. truce proposal to end their raging war, warning that Lebanon is on the verge of collapse and pledging $208 million to the Lebanese Army. Borrel, the high representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, called for an immediate and simultaneous ceasefire by all parties and the full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701. "We must pressure the Israeli government and maintain the pressure on Hezbollah to accept the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire," he said during a news conference after meeting with Lebanese House Speaker Nabih Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Nabij Mikati in Beirut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Progress has been made in the negotiations led by U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein with Berri in Beirut this week, observers said. The outcome of Hochstein's visit to Tel Aviv remained unknown. "At that moment, we are pending a concrete and definitive answer from the Israeli government," Borrell said, expressing hope that the agreement reached on the last days with Hochstein will be finally implemented and a cease-fire achieved. Resolution 1701 calls for the disarmament of Hezbollah and its withdrawal to the north of the Litani River, the pullout of Israeli forces from Lebanese territories, and Army and U.N. peacekeeping troops serving as the only force in charge of security in the southern border area. Israel has been trying to impose new conditions to secure more enforcement mechanisms and have a free hand in Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah's rearming and funding -- conditions strongly rejected by Lebanon for violating its sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Borrell emphasized the re-establishment of "Lebanese full sovereignty by air, land and sea," and highlighted the "key role" the 10,000-strong UNIFIL force is playing "in an increasingly challenging environment." Hezbollah and Israel have been exchanging fire across the border since the militant group opened a "support front" for Gaza in October 2023. The conflict descended into war when Israel expanded its attacks Sept. 17 with an unprecedented, highly sophisticated pager and walkie-talkie attack against Hezbollah members, killing a dozen people and wounding more than 3,000. The peak was the assassination 10 days later of Nasrallah in his bunker in Beirut's southern suburbs, along with several of his military commanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah was further weakened when Israel stepped up its strikes by killing more of its officials and destroying its headquarters, missiles launchers and bases. The relentless Israeli air and ground bombardment led to large destruction of villages, property, hospitals and schools in Beirut's southern suburbs and in southern and eastern Lebanon. The EU top official warned that Lebanon "is on the brink of collapse," with the large destruction in south Lebanon and Israeli airstrikes killing more than 3,670 people and wounding 15,413 -- "three times more" than in the Hezbollah-Israel war of 2006. Borrell, who later met with Army commander Gen. Jospeh Aoun, disclosed that the EU was "ready to devote 200 million euros to the Lebanese armed forces" to help it take charge of security in the country, especially in south Lebanon after the Israeli withdrawal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He warned that the Middle East is "putting the international community at a test," saying that the "price of no peace in the Middle East has become exorbitant, unaffordable." Also Sunday, one Lebanese soldier was killed and 18 wounded in an Israeli attack on their post in southern Lebanon, while Israeli intensive air strikes resumed on Beirut's southern suburbs. The Lebanese Army said in a statement that Israel targeted an Army post in Al Amriyeh on the Qlaileh-Tyre road. Some of the 18 hurt had critical injuries, and the post was badly damaged, according to the statement. Civil Defense teams rushed to the site to evacuate the casualties to nearby hospitals and extinguish the fire that broke out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Mikati said the Israeli attack on the Army post "was a direct bloody message, rejecting all efforts and contacts to reach a cease-fire and boost the presence of the Army in south Lebanon." He said Lebanon expressed its commitment to Resolution 1701 and to boosting the Army presence in southern Lebanon, adding that Sunday's attack was part of "a series of repeated aggressions" on the Army and Lebanese civilians. According to The Times of Israel website, the Israeli Army apologized for striking the Lebanese Army post, saying that "the incident took place in an area where fighting is ongoing" against Hezbollah. The Israeli Army said that "it is fighting in a targeted manner against the Hezbollah terror organization, and not against the Lebanese Army." The incident is under further investigation, it added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Israel had issued warnings to the remaining residents of Beirut's southern suburbs to evacuate before it carried out several strikes, hitting buildings in al Hadath-Kafaat and Bourj al-Brajneh quarters. State-run Lebanese news agency said the fresh strikes "caused massive destruction over a large geographical area." The Lebanese Health Ministry issued an updated casualty toll of an Israeli strike that flattened two buildings in the Basta neighborhood in the heart of Beirut early Saturday, counting 29 killed and 67 wounded. Hezbollah, which continued to battle Israeli forces advancing in several areas in southern Lebanon, fired more than 200 rockets at the Tel Aviv area and northern Israel. Several people were wounded, according to the Haaretz website. EU foreign policy chief EU chief Josep Borrell has called for more pressure to be put on Israel and Hezbollah to achieve a ceasefire during a visit to the Lebanese capital. "Met w/ caretaker PM Najib Mikati to discuss the urgent key steps to stop the conflict," he wrote on X on Sunday. "Need to increase pressure on Israel & Hezbollah to agree to the US proposal for a ceasefire," Borrell added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Israeli army has erased 37 entire villages in South Lebanon & continues to drop 1-ton bombs on central Beirut," he asserted. This must stop, as must Hezbollahs attacks on Israeli communities, Borrell added. Without a ceasefire, neither Israelis nor the internally displaced persons in Lebanon would be able to return to their homes, Borrell wrote on X after his talks with the Lebanese leadership. Borrell met with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a confidant of the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia. The US has been pushing for a ceasefire between the Shiite militia and Israel for weeks. Its mediator, Amos Hochstein, travelled to Lebanon and Israel again this week for negotiations. In the waning hours of his first administration, Donald Trump enacted one of his final executive orders on January 20, 2021 and granted clemency to 143 individuals, including former aide Steve Bannon and rapper Lil Wayne. Four years on, its Joe Bidens turn. On Sunday December 2, the president sparked controversy when he pardoned his own son, Hunter Biden. In late October, Trump had hinted that he might consider pardoning the political scion, calling him a bad boy. Biden, meanwhile, previously insisted he wouldnt intervene in his sons criminal cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Presidents can issue pardons (removing a punishment after a court decision) and commutations (a reduction in punishment for a crime) as they see fit for federal convictions, but not for state crimes. Now, Trump, with his own felony conviction, is just weeks away from returning to the White House and a raft of fellow convicted felons are already knocking at the door begging him to pick up his pardoning pen. Disgraced politicians, January 6 rioters and reality TV celebrities are among those already clamoring for a Trump pardon. Here are the key names who have asked to be on the list: Proud Boys leader Joseph Biggs Joseph Biggs walks from the George C. Young Federal Annex Courthouse in Orlando, Florida, in January 20, 2021 (AP) In a Truth Social post in March, the president-elect vowed that one of his first acts in office would be to free January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday December 2, after Biden announced his pardoning of Hunter, Trump once again mused over pardons for his supporters charged for their roles in the Capitol riot. Joseph Biggs is hoping to be one of them. Biggs is one of four Proud Boys leaders currently serving a prison sentence after he was found guilty of seditious conspiracy last year. At least 70 other members of the far-right extremist group were charged for participating in the violence. Last month, Biggss attorney Norm Pattis requested that Trump grant his client a complete pardon. These are divisive times, Pattis wrote. The divisions were acute in 2020, when millions believed the election was stolen and turned out to make sure electoral integrity was preserved. Suspicions and bitterness about the election lingers to this day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He compared it to pardoning confederate supporters after the Civil War. A pardon of Mr. Biggs will help close that wound and inspires confidence in the future, he said. Tiger Kings Joe Exotic Joe Exotic was the star of Netflixs hit series Tiger King (Netflix US/AFP via Getty Images) The infamous star of Netflixs Tiger King penned Trump a letter from Fort Worths Federal Medical Center, a federal prison for those with medical needs. A lot of people went to bat for you in 2021 who have been living in hell ever since then, he said, according to an excerpt of the letter obtained mid-November by Radar Online. Everyone hopes you keep the promises you made during your campaign, which include pardoning everyone sooner than later in January 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joe Allen Maldonado, aka Joe Exotic, was sentenced to 21 years in prison for a murder-for-hire plot against his arch-enemy Carole Baskin and charges of animal abuse. The 61-year-old former exotic animal keeper had one more request for the president-elect: to be hired as the Federal Fish and Wildlife director. It is time to bring some honesty to this department because the former director, Dan Ash, only looked out for himself and his position within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, he continued. A recent Saturday Night Live skit mocked Exotics request, but the reality television personality appeared unphased and told TMZ the exposure may help him with his pardon request and, as the outlet puts it, his genuine request to be appointed to the cabinet. Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder sat at the head of a legislative session in Columbus, Ohio, as speaker on October 30, 2019 (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) In March last year, a jury found former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder guilty of leading a racketeering conspiracy which involved pocketing $60 million in bribes in connection with FirstEnergy Corp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just 16 months in to a 20 year prison sentence, Householders lawyer Scott Pullins has said his client is seeking a pardon. Larry has a long history with Donald Trump, Pullins told News 5 Cleveland on November 15. I think hell be particularly receptive to this clemency request. Pullins said that Householder and the president-elect have kept in touch over the years after he spoke at the 2016 Republican National Convention. When the lawyer was asked whether Householder was seeking a commutation or pardon, the lawyer told Cleveland.com that they will take whatever we can get. He added: We are pursuing all legal avenues to bring Speaker Householder home. Julie and Todd Chrisley Julie Chrisley and her husband Todd Chrisley were convicted of conspiring to defraud banks (2017 Invision) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todd and wife Julie Chrisley, both 51, went from TV stars in their 2014 reality series Chrisley Knows Best to serving prison sentences in under a decade. In November 2022, the couple were sentenced after being found guilty of conspiring to defraud community banks out of more than $30 million in fraudulent loans and are both serving a combined 19-year sentence. The dad of five apparently rejoiced hearing about the incoming second Trump administration. Todd is jumping for joy in prison and is so optimistic that he will be able to walk out of there when Trump takes office, a source close to the family told the Daily Mail after Trumps election victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their daughter, Savannah Chrisley, truly believes that Trump will pardon her parents, the source added. Savannah has attempted to keep close ties with the president-elect, and in the summer spoke at the Republican National Convention, lambasting a so-called two-faced justice system which she said had also ensnared Trump. Boosie Badazz Boosie Badazz attends the BET Hip Hop Awards 2019 at Cobb Energy Center on October 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia (Getty Images) Rappers Lil Wayne and Kodak Black were on Trumps clemency list in 2021 and another rapper is hoping he will be too. Torrence Hatch, who is known more commonly as Boosie Badazz or simply Boosie has also asked the president-elect for a pardon. Hatch, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was arrested during a traffic stop for possession of a firearm, shortly before he was due to perform in San Diego, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the original case was dismissed on July 12, new charges brought against him in July 19 connected the initial case, and included a second charge of drug dealing. CAN U PARDON ME ON MY FED CASE ?, Hatch wrote on X on November 6, just hours after Trump had garnered the 270 Electoral College votes needed to confirm his return to the White House. im a NON VIOLENT FELON. Hatch had previously served time in prison after 2009 felony convictions for gun and drug charges. MOBILE COUNTY, Ala (WKRG) The U.S. International Trade Commission has found that the U.S. Seafood industry has been suffering due to foreign frozen warmwater shrimp. On Tuesday, the USITC determined that shrimp from Indonesia has been being sold in the U.S. at a less than fair value and shrimp imports from Ecuador, India, and Vietnam have been given subsidies by their foreign governments. The USITC will issue countervailing duty orders and antidumping orders to help combat the issues American shrimpers have faced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to take time its not going to be a quick fix, Miss Caylee Seafood Co-Owner, David Bryan said. Bryan has been shrimping for nearly his entire life but says the shrimping industry in South Mobile County is getting dangerously scarce. Some days you break even and some days you make a little money and some days you have exceptional days, Bryan said. The battle of cost between foreign shrimp and domestic shrimp has made it harder for shrimpers to pay their bills to keep business going. Bryan says the only reason his business is afloat is because he sells straight from his boat. It used to be a good way to make a living, Bryan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mayor of Bayou La Batre, Henry Barnes has been fighting to keep the Seafood Capitol of Alabama. He says he sent two letters to the USITC begging for assistance. All we have been asking for is an even playing field, Barnes said. Barnes has sent a letter to President-Elect Donald Trump in hopes of some assistance. Everybody wants to buy made in America, well made in America is going to cost you more because it is better quality, Barnes said. The USITC is expected to issue their final report in January. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5. The National Police of Ukraine (NPU) has become aware of instances of sabotage targeting Ukrainian security officers, particularly involving explosives. Source: Ukrainska Pravda sources in the NPU Details: In one incident, a Ukrainian soldier was killed in an explosion. A package had been placed near a car, and a camera attached to a tree was broadcasting the scene online. A guard patrolling the area noticed the package, and when he approached and bent down to inspect it, an explosive device was detonated remotely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sources indicate that this is not the first such incident. Military personnel and civilians are urged not to touch suspicious items and to contact bomb disposal experts by calling the police emergency line at 102. Another incident took place in Kyiv in mid-November when the police received a report from a woman saying she was being assaulted by a man on Pecherskyi Descent. She said she had locked herself in the bathroom and was requesting help. When the police arrived, they called the woman, who informed them that the door to the flat was unlocked and told them to come in. After opening the unlocked door and entering the apartment, the police officers heard the sound of a grenade being triggered and managed to quickly close the door. Moments later, an explosion occurred in the corridor of the flat. The police officers and other people were not injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was determined that a tripwire mechanism had triggered an F-1 grenade, and there was no one in the flat at the time. The flat was rented by the day, and its owners had not seen the woman. Ukrainska Pravda has asked the NPU for an official comment. Quote: "The above suggests the commission of a premeditated crime aimed at destabilising the situation, and intimidating and disrupting the normal work of law enforcement agencies." Previously: On 22 November, in the Dnipro district of the capital, a box of explosives detonated in the hands of a man, killing him on the spot. Support UP or become our patron! Part of the Wisconsin Humane Society Ozaukee Campus will require "extensive repairs" after a car crashed into the building early Sunday morning. No animals or staff were injured in the crash, which happened at 6:30 a.m. as a driver left westbound Highway 33 at a high rate of speed, the Wisconsin Humane Society said in a press release. As far as we understand, the driver was taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, said Angela Speed, vice president of marketing and communications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details of what led to the crash are not yet known. A car crashed into the Wisconsin Humane Society in Saukville on Nov. 24, 2024. The Humane Society said the animal arrivals area will require extensive repairs. The car crashed into the building just west of the main entrance, and staff are working to move services from the main entrance area. The animal arrivals area which serves as the front desk for intaking stray animals, lost animal redemptions and surrender appointments was the most impacted and will require extensive repairs. Staff were onsite within minutes of notification, an emergency crew is securing the building, and a building inspector is onsite to ensure the building is safe to use, Speed said. The Wisconsin Humane Society has six campuses in Wisconsin: Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Door County, Green Bay and Kenosha. The Ozaukee campus is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Car crashes into Wisconsin Humane Society in Ozaukee County From the Dispatch Faith on The Dispatch Hi and happy Sunday. This week was an important one in Hong Kong. Five years ago, much of the international press was focused on protests against the Chinese Communist Partys tightening grip on the territory. This week, courts there handed down sentences for some of the organizers of those movements and later electoral attempts to show more independence from Beijing, and resumed a trial for media executive Jimmy Lai. What went less noticed in much news coverage was the religious faith motivating some of those leaders. Today for Dispatch Faith, Christianity Today Southeast Asia Editor Angela Lu Fulton writes about how some were motivated by their Christian faith and what a less free political landscape means for Hong Kong now. Angela Lu Fulton: How Faith Has Propelled Hong Kongs Freedom Fighters Baptist minister Chu Yiu-ming, law professor Benny Tai, and sociology professor Chan Kin-man, shout slogans with supporters before entering the West Kowloon Magistrates Court in Hong Kong on November 19, 2018. (Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images) Its been a busy week for Hong Kong courts. On Tuesday, the Hong Kong government sentenced 45 former politicians and democracy activists to up to a decade in prison for conspiring to commit subversion under Hong Kongs national security law. Their crime? Taking part in an unofficial primary election in 2020 in hopes of winning a majority in legislative elections later that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then on Wednesday, Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, took the stand for the first time in his foreign collusion trial, which could land him in prison for life. The 76-year-old claimed that the paper, which closed in 2021, reflected the core values of Hong Kong Rule of law, freedom, pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, [and] freedom of assembly. Sadly those core values, which British colonial rule had imbued in the territory, have vanished from Hong Kong ever since the Chinese government imposed the draconian national security law in June 2020. While once Hong Kong residents were free to protest on the streets, print newspapers and books critical of China, and hold some elections, today talk of democracy has been silenced. Protest leaders languish in prison as more than 150,000 Hong Kongers are making a new home in the U.K. Those who stay have learned to survive by keeping their mouths shut. Within the pro-democracy movement, Christianswho make up 20 percent of the populationhave played an outsized role. A number of the leading democracy activistsincluding Joshua Wong, Benny Tai, Chu Yiu-ming, and Jimmy Lai are professing Christians. During the 2019 protests, pastors opened their church doors to provide shelter and safety to protesters. Sing Hallelujah to the Lord became a prominent protest anthem as pastors stepped between riot police and protesters and sang all night to de-escalate tensions. Christians held prayer meetings, vigils, and worship gatherings. Christianity is so influential in Hong Kong in part because during British colonization, churches were largely in charge of running schools, hospitals, and social services. Today, up to 60 percent of all of Hong Kongs schools are run by churches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the Christians who took part in the protestsand who are now paying the price for ithave noted that their desire for democracy, their belief in justice, and their hope for the future is rooted in their Christian faith. For instance, Joshua Wong, who at 18 became the face of the 2014 Umbrella Movement, told World magazine that growing up in a Christian family made him realize that justice is a core value in the Bible. When I read the Bible, I realize there should be certain moral principles in this society and we must respect peoples uniqueness and their individual rights. They should not be controlled by anyone. Wong on Tuesday was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison. He had earlier served prison time for his involvement in the Umbrella Movement, a 79-day protest seeking universal suffrage to elect the citys top leader, known as the chief executive. Beijing refused to budge and the Election Committee, a group of 1,200 people that skews pro-China, selected the citys leader. Meanwhile, legal scholar and activist Benny Tai, who was sentenced to 10 years in prison for orchestrating the primary election, wrote in his 2020 memoir Love and PeaceThe Unfinished Journey of Protest that as long as theres injustice in society, as long as authoritarian rule still bars civil liberties, protest is putting faith into practice. He became a Christian while attending a church camp in college and later focused his academic research on the intersection of law and religion. It seems that very early on, the Lord who made me and loves me already knew that at the start of 2013 I would start a political movement thatd change Hong Kong, Tai wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with sociology professor Chan Kin-man and Baptist pastor Chu Yiu-ming, Tai helped found Occupy Central with Love and Peace, the civil disobedience campaign that led to the Umbrella Movement. Even after Beijing stamped out any chance of free elections, Tai worked from within the system to elect more pro-democracy legislators. (In Hong Kong, residents can elect only half of the seats in the legislature, and the rest are chosen by the Election Committee). That led to his idea of holding an unofficial primary ahead of the 2020 elections to ensure the pro-democracy camp won a majority of the 70 seats. Of course, the plan was deemed illegal and 45 democracy leaders were arrested. Tais Occupy Central co-founder, Chu, is the pastor of Chai Wan Baptist Church and has long engaged in political activism. Since the 1970s, he has pushed the government to improve the welfare of his impoverished neighborhood, helped Chinese university students flee after the Tiananmen Square massacre, and joined the democracy movement. Due to his involvement in Occupy Central, in 2019 the government convicted him of public nuisance charges and sentenced him to 16 months in prison. (The punishment was suspended due to his agethen 75and public service.) At his trial the pastor took the stand, where he talked about his conversion, quoted Scripture, and defended his God-given human rights. We have no regrets, we hold no grudges, no anger, no grievances, he said in closing. We do not give up. In the words of Jesus, Happy are those who are persecuted because they do what God requires; the Kingdom of heaven belong to them! (Matthew 5:10) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the national security law passed in 2020, Chu left Hong Kong, first for Taiwan and then for Canada. A state-run newspaper had accused him of helping protesters escape to Taiwan by speedboat, an accusation that could have sent him to prison if he had stayed in Hong Kong. Perhaps the most well-known prisoner in Hong Kong is Lai, a devout Catholic. Born in 1947 in Guangzhou, China, Lai came to Hong Kong at 12 as a stowaway on a boat and worked his way up from a child laborer at a garment factory to become the founder of the clothing chain Giordano. After the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, he became a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party and began publishing magazines and Apple Daily. The newspaper mixed tabloid sensationalism with solid journalism, never shying away from criticizing Beijing. Lai converted to Catholicism under the influence of his wife, and according to Robert Sirico, a Catholic priest and good friend of Lais, he does not come off as particularly pious. Hes a little rougher than rough. But Mark Simon, Lais business associate, noted that as the protests continued and Lais situation looked increasingly bleak, he began to speak more about his faith. The way I look at it, if I suffer for the right cause, it only defines the person I am becoming, Lai said in a 2020 interview with the Catholic Napa Institute. It can only be good for me to become a better person. If you believe in the Lord, if you believe that all suffering has a reason, and the Lord is suffering with me. Im at peace with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For nearly four years, Hong Kong has held Lai in solitary confinement on charges related to the 2019 protests. At his trial this week, Lai told the court that he never used his overseas contacts, including former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen and top US officials, to influence government policy on Hong Kong. Many of the pastors who were involved in the pro-democracy protests have left the country, mostly for the United Kingdom. Hong Kong Pastor Wong Siu-yung is one of themfirst heading to Taiwan then making his way to the U.K.after publicly signing the 2020 Hong Kong Gospel Declaration, which called the church to stand firm amid authoritarianism. That led to state-run media claiming that he had violated the national security law. In 2021, he noted that while from a political standpoint he had no hope left for a democratic Hong Kong, hes not hopeless. In the end, God has victory, this is based on the Lamb who was slain, he said in an interview with World. So all power, all principalities cant exceed Jesus. President Xi says hell be president for life, maybe he lives for 100 years, but eventually he will also meet God. But in the here and now, Hong Kong has changed. The exodus of pastors, parishioners, and the next generation of Christian leaders has hit the church hard, especially as free speech tightens. Lo Man Wai, editor in chief of Hong Kongs Christian Times newspaper, wrote in Christianity Today in March that more and more writers and sources prefer to be anonymous now. He struggles to find Christians willing to speak their mind. For now, churches are still able to continue meeting and worshiping as long as pastors refrain from touching on politics from the pulpit. Yet Lo noted that Christians are uncertain about whether theyll be able to continue worshiping freely in the future, or if they will be forced to meet in house churches like in mainland China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaving Hong Kong is a rational choice, Lo says. But while people can go, the church cannot. There are still people in Hong Kong who need to hear the gospel and how it fulfills their spiritual, emotional, and material needs, he wrote. The Christian community in Hong Kong still needs information to understand the current reality and make wise judgments. Certainly, Christian media still has work to do here. The Dispatch Faith Podcast Angela Lu Fulton joined me this week on the Dispatch Faith podcast for a more in-depth conversation about how Chinas tightening grip on Hong has affected Christians, and how believers have responded. Just a reminder: Last week was the first in which we began posting these conversations our members-only podcast feed, known as The Skiff. Dispatch members can learn how to add it to their podcast platform of choice here. If you want to hear those more in-depth conversations with Dispatch Faith writers, join us! Listen to this weeks conversation here. More Sunday Reads Former Rep. Matt Gaetzs nomination as attorney general for the incoming Trump administration was easily one of the most controversial developments since the president-elects victory earlier this month. On Thursday, Gaetz withdrew his nomination after it became clearer his pathway to confirmation would in no way be smooth. In light of the House ethics investigation into Gaetz and allegations that he both had sex with at least one minor and may have been involved in sex trafficking, several Christian anti-trafficking groups came out against Gaetzs nomination, as Emily Belz reported for Christianity Today. Shared Hope International, a Christian anti-trafficking organization founded by Republican congresswoman Linda Smith in 1998, stated that Gaetz should not be confirmed until the House Ethics Committee could clear him of sex-trafficking allegations. The office of attorney general requires the highest ethical conduct and public trust, said Smith, who serves as CEO. Shared Hope also signed a letter organized by anti-trafficking group World Without Exploitation which will be sent to the Senate Judiciary Committee from dozens of anti-trafficking organizations opposing Gaetzs confirmation. More groups are still signing onto the letter. The signers included faith-based anti-trafficking groups like Exodus Cry, Imago Dei Fund, Sacred Beginnings, and The Genesis Project, as well as a cornucopia of othersfrom more liberal feminist groups like National Organization for Women to a motorcycle group (Ride My Road) that raises money to fight trafficking. The nomination of Mr. Gaetz sends a signal to the country and the world that sexual misconduct and exploitation and corrupt behavior will not only go unpunished, but will be rewarded, the groups wrote. It is a signal to sex traffickers around the United States to continue exploiting the most vulnerable for their own profit with no consequences. Our own Charlotte Lawson profiled Donald Trumps choice as ambassador to Israel: former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee. Hes certainly an interesting pick. If confirmed hell be the first non-Jewish U.S. ambassador to Israel in more than a decade. His theological views on the nation of Israel will certainly make him a stalwart ally of the Jewish nation, but they also bring their own controversy, as Charlotte reports. For most of his life, Huckabees evangelical Christian beliefs have shaped his view of Israel as a state given by God to the Jewish people. As a minister in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, Huckabee began bringing small groups of congregants to the country in the early 1980s. Over the next four decades, the Christian pilgrimages grew along with Huckabees name recognition, as he became involved in broadcasting and eventually politics, serving as governor of Arkansas for two-plus terms and launching two unsuccessful bids for the Republican presidential ticket, in 2008 and 2016. Hundreds of devotees from across the U.S. now join the Huckabee host on near-annual treks to the Holy Land, which include stops at biblical sites like the Sea of Galilee and the Mount of Beatitudes. That could have a profound impact on U.S. policy toward Israel and the wider region. But Trumps decision to nominate Huckabee as ambassador to Israel has raised concerns among even the countrys most ardent supporters, who view the former governors rejection of Palestinian self-governance as a potential impediment to future peace talks. Huckabee openly opposes a two-state solutiona stance that runs contrary to the official U.S. positionand backs further Israeli settlement of the West Bank, though he wouldnt refer to it as such. There are certain words I refuse to use. There is no such thing as a West BankIts Judea and Samaria, Huckabee said during a 2017 visit to an Israeli neighborhood in the Palestinian territory, using the biblical names for the area. Theres no such thing as a settlementTheyre communities, theyre neighborhoods, theyre cities. Theres no such thing as an occupation. He has also been quoted as saying, Theres really no such thing as a Palestinian and describing the identity as a political tool to force land away from Israel. Not all evangelical Christians interpret the Bible in such a way was to place such theological importance on the current state of Israel. But historian Thomas Kidd explained why some do in a piece we published in November 2023. Its well worth a read to understand Huckabees views. A Good Word How many Shabbat-observant Jewish college football players have you heard of? I bet not many. But Texas A&M senior wide receive Sam Salz made his on-field debut on November 16after sundownin a moment many are celebrating, as Jacob Gurvis reports for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency: Salz did not appear in a game last year. But he never lost his motivation, telling The Athletic that he felt he was playing for more than just himself. I know why Im doing it: for my Jewish brothers and sisters, Salz said. I knew Id be in a position to inspire a lot of people. Jewish fans celebrated Salzs debut with one going so far as to compare the moment to Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufaxs exploits. Next to Koufaxs perfect game, this is the greatest night in Jewish sports history, Richard Zane, who covers the Aggies, wrote on X, referencing the pitchers legendary 1963 outing. Read more at The Dispatch The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free. The National Weather Service says Michigan's Lower Peninsula could see a snowy Thanksgiving weekend as temperatures fall to more seasonal highs. Snow likely won't start in southern Michigan until Thanksgiving day, but the Upper Peninsula could see snow accumulations starting Sunday night into Monday, the weather service said. The National Weather Service Marquette Office said the UP is in store for a snowy Thanksgiving week, starting Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, and continuing through Saturday. "Wintry weather sets in this week, beginning tonight," the service's Marquette office said in an online post. "Plan for slippery road conditions for the Monday morning commute. Lake effect snow showers off of Lake Superior Tuesday through the weekend will have at least some impact on Thanksgiving holiday travel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the west side of the state, the Grand Rapids office said, "Real winter weather is set to arrive in Lower Michigan later this week, and it could slow down travel with slick roads, possibly starting Thanksgiving, then likely continuing through the long weekend with heavy lake-effect snow in some areas." The National Weather Service Grand Rapids Office said on Nov. 24, 2024, that temperatures will fall this week leading into Thanksgiving. The southeast Michigan forecast calls for mild weather early in the week. "Above-normal temperatures early this week turn colder mid to late week," the NWS Detroit office said online. "Rain returns Monday with the potential for accumulating snow during the extended holiday weekend." Here's what the National Weather Service is saying about this week's forecast. Will it snow in Detroit this week? Rain is likely in Detroit Monday and Monday night, the weather service said, with highs in the low 50s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday and Wednesday will be partly to mostly cloudy before rain again moves in Wednesday night. The National Weather Service Detroit Office said on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, that the week will start out relatively warm before temperatures dip midweek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday, the rain could mix with snow before turning to all snow overnight. There is a chance of snow both Friday and Saturday, with highs in the low to mid 30s. Will northern Michigan get snow on Thanksgiving? The Gaylord NWS office says to expect rain Monday in northern Michigan. Monday night, snow will mix with rain, then change to all snow showers overnight. Snow showers are possible Tuesday through Saturday. The Gaylord area could see 2 inches of snow Tuesday. In the Harbor Springs and Petoskey areas, there could be rain mixed with snow Sunday night through Tuesday. From Wednesday through Saturday, snow is likely. In the Cheboygan area, rain is likely through Monday, then mixing with snow into Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday to Saturday, snow is likely. Is it expected to snow in west Michigan? The Grand Rapids office said heavy lake-effect snow is possible in some areas, including Holland, during the Thanksgiving weekend. Rain is likely through Tuesday before colder temperatures bring in the chance of snow. Starting Thursday night, snow is likely through Saturday. Will it snow in Lansing on Thanksgiving? "After some uneventful light rain Monday and possible flurries Tuesday and Wednesday, colder temperatures with snow could slow down travel with slick roads, possibly starting Thanksgiving, then likely continuing through the long weekend with heavy lake-effect snow in some areas," the weather service said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting Wednesday, the mid-Michigan area could see snow showers through Saturday. How much snow will the Upper Peninsula get this week? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Marquette National Weather Service office has issued a hazardous weather outlook for the central and western UP. "Snow developing tonight, mainly after midnight, will lead to slippery road conditions, especially inland of the Great Lakes across the west half of Upper MI, as 1 to 2 inches of snow may accumulate by daybreak on Monday," the weather service said. The service said to expect 1 to 2 inches of snowfall during Monday morning, inland of the Great Lakes. There is a chance of snow through Saturday, the service said. Highs for the week will be mostly in the upper 20s. In Sault Ste. Marie, about 2 inches of snow is expected Monday. The area could see snow again Tuesday with a half inch accumulation, and then throughout the week, the weather service said. What will the weather be on Thanksgiving in southwest Michigan? In southwest Michigan, including Sturgis and Coldwater, there will be rain to start the week, the weather service's northern Indiana office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starting Wednesday, the area could see rain and snow showers, turning to all snow. There will be a chance of snow showers through the weekend. What will the weather be in Port Huron and the Thumb? The weather service's Detroit/Pontiac office said to expect rain through Monday night. Tuesday and Wednesday will be partly to mostly cloudy. Starting Wednesday night, expect a mix of rain and snow continuing through Thanksgiving. Snow is likely Friday with a chance of snow Saturday. This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Thanksgiving weekend could be snowy across Michigan MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Church of the Holy Communion was joined by several organizations and hundreds of volunteers for the second annual Crop Drop. Tens of thousands of pounds of sweet potatoes were bagged up and will soon be en route to dinner tables for Thanksgiving. In several languages, volunteers are sending warm wishes for a happy holiday. But the sad reality is that the comfort and joy many feel during this time of year may not be there for all of our neighbors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I have been hearing from agencies is that the need is increasing lately, said Heidi Rupke, the Food Rescue Coordinator for Project Green Fork. Prices are high and our community needs support. Crosstown Concourse, Live Nation announce new music venue coming to Midtown That brings us to what you see happening in East Memphis this weekend with the Church of the Holy Communion taking their ministry from the sanctuary to the streets. Reverend Sandy Webb started the day off with prayer. Bless every table that will receive these sweet potatoes, Rev. Webb said. His prayers were already answered when it came to how to help those less fortunate for Thanksgiving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Church of the Holy Communion in partnership with a number of community service organizations is bringing in 40,000 pounds of sweet potatoes, Rev. Webb said. The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop. The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop. The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop. The Church of Holy Communion hosts second annual Crop Drop. The churchs parking lot was transformed into a sorting and distribution center. Early Saturday, a semi-truck pulled in to drop off the root vegetables that will soon become part of many Thanksgiving dinners. Janice Hall, whos with the church said they are focused on its ministry making a difference. We recover food from caterers, restaurants, from the farmers market and then we feed hope, Hall said. We know that people can be more successful in life if they are not hungry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of this, by the way, was donated by Tennessee farmers. Friend of Elvis Presley lights up Graceland for a Blue Christmas For some, it is simply a sweet potato, but for others, it is quite literally a lifeline for those who otherwise may be forced to go without. This is a fight against food insecurities and making it all happen are several volunteers from all walks of life. But in this case, the sweet potatoes filling these bags will soon fill bellies. At a very base level, the whole point of today is to show love, Rev. Webb said. Scripture says God is love. Sometimes that looks like a hug, sometimes it looks like a sweet potato. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) Just in time for Thanksgiving, one Huntsville family will have a safe and warm home to gather in thanks to Habitat for Humanity. Saturday morning, Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley held a home dedication ceremony for the Drake family. Members of Habitat for Humanity handed Natiaya Drake the keys, as she held back tears in the emotional moment. LIST: See how your childs school performed, according to 2023-2024 state report card Thank you to everybody, thank you to God for giving me and my kids the opportunity, Drake said during the dedication ceremony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who take part in the Habitat for Humanity program must complete 300 sweat equity hours and other requirements. Drake said she learned a lot through those hours. Image Credit: Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley. I didnt even know what a Phillips head screwdriver was, but the guys helped me out a lot, the educational classes helped me out a lot, she said. CLICK HERE for News 19s Interactive Radar Drake said it was hard to find the words to describe how it feels to now have a home for her family. [Im] Overjoyed, overjoyed, words cant explain it, Im just thankful for God right now, she said. This is the fourth house on the street built by Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley. Executive Director, Jeremy Foulks, said it is more important than ever to create affordable housing opportunities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average rent is $1,485 per month and for many of our low to very low-income families, thats thats unaffordable, Foulks said. 97% of all apartment units and rental units in the Huntsville metro area have a rent of over $700 a month, and for a family to be able to afford that, theyve got to make over $15 an hour. Foulks said high rent prices make it difficult for families to be able to afford other necessities like healthcare, food, and savings. He said Habitat for Humanity homes help ease that burden on families. Get breaking news, traffic and weather alerts directly to your smartphone. Download the News 19 App The mortgage on this house can be $550 to $600 a month compared to the average rent of $1,485 in Huntsville, he said. Imagine what you can do with that extra thousand dollars? he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Drake family is already moving into their new home, and they tell News 19 that theyre excited to start decorating for the holidays. Im just ready to decorate the yard with Christmas ornaments and bows on the door, Natiaya Drake told News 19. We started building this home in February and to have it wrapped up now in time for Thanksgiving is a true blessing, Foulks added. Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley is actively building many other homes for families across North Alabama. However, they tell News 19 that the biggest challenge they are facing right now is finding available land. Latest Headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were in a situation where were running out of land and we need to find a way thats affordable for families to move onto it, Foulks told News 19. If youre interested in learning more about Habitat for Humanity of the River Valley or helping with their mission, click here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Family members are continuing the search for a Southern California woman who has been missing for over a month. Jahnay Bryan, 23, was reported missing on Oct. 16, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. Bryan was last seen near the 2000 block of West 8th Street in the L.A.s Westlake neighborhood. She is described as a Black female standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing about 125 pounds. She has black hair and brown eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her family has not heard from Bryan since she went missing and is very concerned for her safety. Jahnay Bryan, 23, is seen in photos provided by her family. (Los Angeles Police Department) No further details on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance or her possible destination were released. Anyone who may have seen the woman or knows of her whereabouts is urged to call LAPD Detective Avalos at 213-996-1800. The public can also call the LAPD at 1-877-527-3247. Anonymous tips can be provided to L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at lacrimestoppers.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A man is dead after a fight in San Diego Friday afternoon, and a father and son are facing charges in connection to the fatal stabbing, police said on Saturday. San Diego Police officers responded to reports of an altercation near the intersection of 27th and L streets in the Grant Hill neighborhood of San Diego at 4:46 p.m. Friday. Officers found one man with a stab wound and head trauma when they arrived. The man was taken to the hospital where he later died, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim is described as a 36-year-old man. He has not yet been identified. Authorities say his cause of death will be determined by an autopsy. Suspected DUI driver strikes cyclist in bike lane; man dies San Diego Police officers arrested two men in connection to the stabbing death at the scene, 37-year-old Emilio Torres Valencia, and his 17-year-old son. Valencia was taken to the hospital for treatment of injuries he sustained during the fight and was later booked into the county jail. His son was taken to juvenile hall. According to police, one of the suspects and the victim had allegedly been involved in a previous fight related to a vandalism that happened at that location about a month ago. Police believe the fight continued when the men saw each other Friday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that fight, the suspects vehicle was vandalized with a rock and a bat and was crashed into a power pole. Harbor Police officers involved in Little Italy shooting identified The victims son was also at the scene and was released to his mother. Police say he is not facing any charges at this time. San Diego Police Homicide Detectives are investigating and processing the scene for physical evidence, and are looking for and interviewing witnesses as well as gathering surveillance footage. Anyone with more information can call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens announced the approval of financing to create or preserve 218 affordable housing units. The actions by the Invest Atlanta Board of Directors are part of an ongoing commitment to address the need for affordable housing in Atlanta and create more inclusive communities that cater to all residents. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Affordable housing is not a one-size-fits-all solution, so we need to ensure our investments meet people where they arewhether that is single residents, families or seniors, Mayor Dickens who serves as Invest Atlanta Board Chair said. I am incredibly proud of the strides the Invest Atlanta Board and team continue to make, including todays actions that will provide more single-family and multifamily options for more Atlantans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A $20 million tax-exempt bond will support National Church Residences purchase and rehabilitation of 152 senior housing units in Martin House at 60 percent of the area median income in the Adamsville neighborhood. Martin House is a 20-year-old senior living property with repair needs. This investment will help preserve affordable housing there for another 30 years. Another roughly $3.5 million in funding will support the acquisition of additional 66 rental units. Invest Atlanta has closed on financing to support the creation or preservation of 4,581 affordable housing units since 2022. Mayor Dickens goal is to create or preserve 20,000 affordable housing units by 2030. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Five Minneapolis arts organizations will move into vacant downtown storefronts as part of a new city program. The City of Minneapolis announced on Friday the first awardees of its inaugural Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts initiative. The five winners were selected out of 43 eligible applicants. They are: Blackbird Revolt Black Business Enterprises Flavor World Twin Cities Pride Skntones The winners will receive subsidized rent in the Harmon Place Historic District, which sits between Loring Park and downtown Minneapolis. The city will also spend $224,202 in order to foster creativity, enhance vibrancy and promote sustainability in Minneapolis as part of the program. Mayor Jacob Frey, Facebook We are so excited to welcome this new creative energy into Loring Park, which has been a home and venue for artists for generations, Ward 7 Council Member Katie Cashman said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Economic and neighborhood revitalization cannot truly happen without art. I am proud to see the city intentionally investing in these partnerships to help write the next chapters for our community. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has also proposed tripling the programs funding in the 2025-2026 city budget in order to expand it into Uptown, according to the announcement. "Turning empty storefronts into vibrant cultural hubs is a game-changer for Minneapolis, Frey said in a statement. The Arts & Culture Vibrant Storefronts initiative gives local artists the resources they need to beautify our downtown, drive creativity, and energize our community. This is just the beginning and Im excited to see how this program will shape the future of our city. Nov. 23A multi-vehicle crash in downtown Manchester Friday evening left one person with life-threatening injuries and four others with minor injuries, police said. The crash happened about 5:10 p.m. at the intersection of Maple and Silver streets and involved three moving vehicles and two parked cars. A 53-year-old Manchester man driving a 2019 Chevrolet Traverse suffered life-threatening injuries and was transported to a local hospital. His passenger, a 50-year-old Manchester man, sustained minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also involved were an 18-year-old Manchester man driving a 2001 BMW sedan and his passenger, a 28-year-old Manchester man. Both received minor injuries. A 17-year-old Manchester resident driving a 2004 Nissan 350Z also sustained minor injuries. Two parked vehicles a 1999 Honda Accord and a 2008 Scion TC were also damaged in the crash. The Manchester Police Department Traffic Unit is investigating the cause of the crash. Anyone with information can contact the traffic unit at 603-668-8711. DENVER (KDVR) An Aurora couple and their six-month-old grandchild are safe after a home fire caused the first floor of their house to collapse. According to Aurora Fire Rescue, the blaze was reported at about 8:45 a.m. on Saturday near the intersection of East 60th Avenue and North Dunkirk Avenue. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The couple and baby were awakened by smoke detectors and were able to safely evacuate. Five other residents of the home were traveling for Thanksgiving and were not home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters arrived on the scene and saw smoke coming from all levels of the two-story home. Crews determined the fire began in the basement, and the fire was upgraded to call more units to the home. When firefighters entered the home, they reported feeling the main floor of the house getting soft which is an indication that it could give way. A withdraw command was issued and firefighters left the home. The first floor collapsed approximately one foot in the kitchen due to the fire. Doug Whiting, battalion chief, said the floor joists were burned through which caused significant sagging on the main floor in the kitchen. He said that crews inside felt the spongey floor and quickly decided to leave the structure. Whenever theres any type of sagging in the main floor, any of the floors, theres significant danger in that the firefighters could fall through, Whiting said. No injuries were reported after firefighters were ordered to withdraw from a house fire in Aurora when the floor began to sag. (Aurora Fire Rescue) No injuries were reported after firefighters were ordered to withdraw from a house fire in Aurora when the floor began to sag. (Aurora Fire Rescue) No injuries were reported after firefighters were ordered to withdraw from a house fire in Aurora when the floor began to sag. (Aurora Fire Rescue) No injuries were reported after firefighters were ordered to withdraw from a house fire in Aurora when the floor began to sag. (Aurora Fire Rescue) Two Denver firefighters were injured earlier this month in a Green Valley Ranch fire where the floor collapsed, dropping the firefighters about 7 to 9 feet into the homes basement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crews were able to apply water to the fire in the basement through windows and used ladders to search other parts of the home for any possibly trapped parties or pets. The homeowner of 25 years, who wanted to stay anonymous due to privacy, told FOX31s Kasia Kerridge on scene that typically eight people live in the home. But, at the time of the fire, only three were inside. The family said they likely lost everything. In the basement, everything. On the second floor, everything. Third floor is smoke I really am at a loss for words, said the homeowner. I dont know where to go. This is my house, I dont have no friends, no family, no nothing. 1 dead in multi-vehicle crash on Tower Road in Aurora Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were no injuries reported. The American Red Cross has been requested to assist the family that has been displaced by the fire damage. The origin and cause of the fire is under investigation. Aurora Fire Rescue said the smoke detectors likely helped save the occupants lives. The agency also noted that the National Fire Protection Association recommends smoke detectors be installed in every sleeping room, outside the sleeping rooms, and on each level of the home. Smoke detectors should be tested once a month. At Aurora Fire, we obviously utter the importance of having and maintaining smoke alarms and CO (carbon monoxide) detectors within the house because it can be lifesaving, said Battalion Chief Doug Whiting. Because of the complexity of how much of the structure has been burned through, its going to be inhabitable or condemned for the time being. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Nov. 23 (UPI) -- National Weather Service forecasters warned Saturday that "messy" weather may impact Thanksgiving travel in the eastern half of the United States, including the potential for the coldest temperatures this season. As millions of Americans take to the roads and airports, the best potential for moderate to heavy precipitation during the mid-week period is across the Tennessee and Lower Ohio Valleys into the Appalachians and Mid-Atlantic, NWS forecasters said in their extended forecast discussion. Meanwhile, wintry precipitation is forecast in the northern Plains and in the higher elevations of the West, where the Wasatch and central Rockies could be socked with heavy snow. Up to 3 feet of snow is forecast for the Sierra Nevada Mountains and 1 to 2 feet in the Colorado Rockies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East of the Rockies, the Thanksgiving weather story is likely to be colder-than-average temperatures as a high-pressure cold front plunges through the midsection of the country, bringing some of the lowest temperatures so far this fall, the meteorologists said. And along the East Coast, home of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, some forecasters are raising the possibility of snow or rain on Thursday. The cold temps, rain and blustery winds set to invade the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic region could "prove challenging" for Thanksgiving Day parades, according to AccuWeather. "A storm has the potential to snarl transit for those even traveling locally across portions of the Midwest and Northeast on Thanksgiving Day, even those chasing Black Friday deals could contend with travel challenges," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roys said in a post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that strong winds accompanying the rough weather could result in "unsafe conditions" for the gigantic balloons used in the parades. "There will be increasing clouds on Thanksgiving with high winds; however, rain should hold off until the afternoon," according to WPIX-TV forecasters in New York. A former British Army soldier fighting for Ukraine has been captured by Russias forces in its Kursk region. In a video widely circulated on Sunday, a man dressed in combat fatigues and speaking in an English accent identified himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, 22, from the UK. Russias TASS news agency later reported that the Russian security services had confirmed the capture of Mr Anderson. In the footage, the captured man appeared to have his hands tied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was in the British Army before. From 2019 to 2023. 22 Signal Regiment. Just a private, I was a signalman. 1 Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment, 252 Squadron, he said to the camera. He explained he now regretted signing up to fight for Ukraine and said that he had been sacked from the British Army. So when I got fired from my job I applied on the International Legion webpage. I had just lost everything, I had just lost my job. My dad was away in prison. I see it on the TV, he said, shaking his head. It was a stupid idea. Ukraines International Legion recruits foreign volunteers to fight against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been unconfirmed reports of foreign volunteers fighting for Ukraine in the Kursk region of southern Russia, but Mr Anderson could be the first to be captured. Mr Anderson had been fighting for Ukraine in the Kursk region - Blog via Public Telegram Board Mr Anderson also described how he had travelled to Ukraine from Britain. I flew to Krakow, Poland from London Luton. Bus from there to Medyka in Poland on the Ukraine border, he said. Medyka is a village on the Poland-Ukraine border used by foreign volunteers as a jumping-off point for Ukraine. The Ukrainian city of Lviv is roughly a two-hour drive away. Neither the British nor Russian governments have commented on Mr Andersons capture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Telegram messaging app, Russian military bloggers gloated. Rustroyka1945, which first published the video, said: The Kursk group captured this piece of st, from foggy Albion. Welcome to Russia, scum. Captured in village of Plekhovo Yuri Podolyaka, one of Russias most popular military bloggers with more than 3 million subscribers, said that Mr Anderson had been captured in the village of Plekhovo, which the Ukrainian army has turned into a stronghold. Soon the village will be completely liberated from occupation. There is not much time left there, he said. The UK foreign office said it was supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin has launched an offensive with 50,000 soldiers, including North Korean troops, to recapture part of the Kursk region lost to Ukraine in August. However, Kyivs forces have now reportedly lost more than 40 per cent of the Russian territory it seized after enemy counter-attacks, a senior Ukrainian military official told Reuters on Saturday. Russian forces have previously captured British men fighting for Ukraine. In April 2022, Shaun Pinner and Aiden Aslin were captured after a siege at the steelworks in Mariupol on the Sea of Azov in southern Ukraine. Mr Pinner was also a former British Army soldier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were sentenced to death in a show trial by a court in Donetsk, part of Ukraine annexed by Russia, but were handed back to Ukrainian forces in September 2022 in a prisoner swap. During their five-month imprisonment in Donetsk, Mr Pinner and Mr Aslin said that they were given electric shocks, tasered, stabbed in the leg and pistol-whipped. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Former Defense Secretary William Cohen underscored the importance of having women in the military, including in combat roles, as President-elect Trumps pick for Defense secretary has come under fire for suggesting women should be removed from certain military positions. Women in combat today, they are vital to our defense, and its not as if were having Gladiator 2 types of confrontation, but rather, we have women who are high-performing aircraft pilots theyre sailing our ships, theyre flying our helicopters. Theyre engaged in combat in every sense of the word, Cohen, who served under the Clinton administration, told CNNs Jim Sciutto on Saturday. Cohen added that he thinks Trumps pick, Pete Hegseth, could face an uphill battle during the Senate confirmation hearing for the Defense secretary position over his remarks about pulling women out of combat roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think to pull them out would be something that would be of concern to the United States Senate during the confirmation, Cohen added. Cohen also suggested that women should take on key roles related to cybersecurity within the military. We need to have women assume critical areas of responsibility in our war-fighting capability. And the wars now are fought more on Apple computer boards than they are in terms of on the battlefield themselves [] were fighting a different kind of war today, and women are critical to that. Hegseths confirmation is also complicated by sexual assault allegations leveled against him, though many GOP senators are projecting optimism that he will be confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Israeli hostages who were freed from Hamas captivity during a week-long humanitarian pause in fighting exactly one year ago Sunday called for immediate action to secure a deal for the release of those still held. The only truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war on Nov. 24, 2023 fewer than two months after fighting began led to the release of 80 Israelis held by militants in Gaza. They were freed in exchange for 240 Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. Repeated efforts since then by mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States to secure another truce and hostage release have failed. Qatar early this month said it was suspending its mediation role until the warring sides show "seriousness." Thousands of Israelis gather with banners and photos of hostages to protest against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government for not signing the ceasefire agreement with Gaza and to demand hostage swap deal with Palestinians in Tel Aviv, Israel on November 23, 2024. / Credit: Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images Gabriella Leimberg was kidnapped during the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack and was released along with her daughter, Mia, and sister Clara. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For 53 days, the one thing that kept me going is that we, the people of Israel, the Jewish people, sanctify life we don't leave anyone behind," she said. Leimberg added: "Everything has already been said and now action is required. We don't have any more time." Around 100 hostages are still in Gaza, and at least a third are believed to be dead. "I survived and I was fortunate to get my entire family back," Leimberg said. "I want and demand this for all the families of the hostages." Hamas wants Israel to end the war and withdraw all troops from Gaza. Israel has offered only to pause its offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian death toll from the war surpassed 44,000 this week, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. Placards read in Hebrew: Danielle Aloni, who was kidnapped with her five-year-old daughter, Emelia, and freed after 49 days, spoke at the ceremony of the "increasing danger" those still being held face every day. She said those still in captivity "suffer physical, sexual, and psychological abuse, their identity and dignity crushed anew each day". "It took the Israeli government about two months to secure a deal for me and 80 other Israeli hostages. Why is it taking over a year to reach another deal to free them from this hell?" asked Aloni, whose brother-in-law, David Cunio, and his brother, Ariel Cunio, are still being held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She emphasized that, even though she and the other hostages gained their freedom a year ago, "we haven't really left the tunnels," referring to Hamas' underground tunnels where many of the hostages were held. "The feeling of suffocation, the terrible humidity, the stench these sensations still envelop us," Aloni said. "If people could truly understand what it means to be held in subhuman conditions in tunnels, surrounded by terrorists for 54 days there's no way they would allow hostages to remain there for 415 days!" said Raz Ben Ami, who was released in the deal a year ago. Her husband, Ohad, is still among those being held. Ben Ami called for a ceasefire to "bring back all the hostages as quickly as possible". Baking an ancient bread in Tennessee The cream of the crop in butter Serving up home-cooked dog food Nov. 23Fred Harris, a former U.S. senator whose storied career in politics evolved into academia as a professor at the University of New Mexico, died on Saturday. He was 94. The Corrales resident died of natural causes, his family said. Politicians around New Mexico and former students and colleagues from UNM mourned the loss of Harris, an accomplished Democratic lawmaker, author and inspiration to many who came through his classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called Harris a longtime friend and "towering presence in politics and in academia." "In addition to being a highly accomplished politician and professor, he was a decent, honorable man who treated everyone with warmth, generosity, and good humor," Lujan Grisham said in a statement. "Sen. Harris was a lesson in leadership that public officials would be wise to emulate now and forever." U.S. Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., called Harris "a tireless and unyielding hero" who inspired thousands to "take up public service." U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan, D-N.M., said, although Harris' titles included senator, chairman and professor, "we know him in New Mexico as our friend and mentor." After a long career in politics, which included championing civil rights and runs for president of the United States and governor of Oklahoma, Harris landed in New Mexico, where he taught political science at UNM and started an internship to give students, particularly the underprivileged, real-life experience in the nation's capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris was born in Walters, Okla., and raised on a farm there. In a recent interview with David Steinberg for the Journal, Harris said his first job was working within the family business as a hay-baler. He said he later took jobs as a printer to pay for college at the University of Oklahoma, where he majored in history and political science. Harris got his law degree and founded a law firm while being elected to the Oklahoma State Senate in 1956, according to Harris' biography by the Oklahoma Historical Society. He stopped practicing law in 1964, when he was elected to the U.S. Senate following an unsuccessful run for governor. The biography states that during his two terms in the Senate, Harris authored or co-authored numerous bills, and in 1968 he was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson to the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders, also known as the Kerner Commission, after several race riots. This appointment led Harris to become involved in civil rights for the marginalized and he turned into a sharp critic of the Vietnam War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As U.S. senator, Harris was a large force in getting the sacred Blue Lake lands returned to the people of Taos Pueblo through bipartisan legislation that was signed into law by President Richard Nixon. Laura Harris, Harris' youngest daughter, told the Journal it was one of her father's proudest accomplishments many of which were geared toward serving the underserved. "He really strived to create systemic change and was very successful in doing that. So I think that's what he dedicated his life to," Laura Harris said. In 1969, Harris was chosen by Vice President Hubert Humphrey to serve as chairman for the Democratic National Committee, a position he used to try to broaden party participation for women and minorities before resigning in early 1970, according to the biography. Harris ran for president twice, in 1972 and 1976, on the platform of what he called "New Populism," which espoused "a fairer distribution of wealth." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris switched gears after his second aborted presidential bid, beginning a long teaching career at UNM as a political science professor. His wife, Margaret Elliston, told the Journal that Harris had been visiting the state for years and was drawn to its picturesque landscapes and Native American culture, feeling the land was "welcoming" to him. Mike Weber, a former student of Harris', said the two would spend hours talking in his office, when Harris would share stories of his time in politics and his "truly extraordinary knowledge." "He was one of my two favorite professors ever, and a source of inspiration as I pursued decades of work behind the scenes in politics and public policy," Weber told the Journal. In 2006, Harris took his educational contribution to another level, starting UNM's Fred Harris Congressional Internship program. The program gives undergraduates a chance to travel to Washington, D.C., and work in the offices of New Mexico delegation members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Legions of UNM students over the decades were educated in the finer points of U.S. government by Fred, whose deep intelligence, practical experience, and inexhaustible wit captivated and inspired his students," Jami Nelson-Nunez, chair and associate professor of the UNM Political Science Department, said in a statement. "... He believed that it was critical to have our students understand and engage the institutions that govern their lives." Harris' family said he hoped to inspire students, particularly those economically disadvantaged, to get involved in politics. His children told the Journal it was a regular occurrence to have a student approach them to tell Harris how much they loved his teaching. Laura Harris said her father made sure his children were "included in everything that he learned and everything that he did." "Our dinner table conversation... I can remember from 6 years old on, we were talking about politics, and all of us kids certainly knew who was in the White House at a very young age," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family remembered Harris as a curious person and a history buff. "And he shared all of that with us and made us curious people who love history and are deeply involved in politics," Laura Harris said. That meant road trips to every Civil War battle site in Virginia, where they were raised, and trips to places such as the ancient ruins of Tikal in Guatemala before it was even open to tourists. Harris' family said, especially in the current political and societal climate of America, they will miss his humor and positivity, as he referred to himself as a "radical optimist." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He had a lot of hope, even after this election, for our future and knew that we could get through these difficult times that we've been through before," Laura Harris said. "He really believed in people. One of his presidential campaigns sayings was 'people are smart enough to govern themselves, and if they're given real information, they can make decisions that are good for them. And that's what we ought to encourage.'" In an interview published in 2012, Harris looked back on what he felt was one of his greatest achievements: the return of Blue Lake. Harris said he never understood why the Taos Pueblo leaders approached a senator from Oklahoma but said it had been "a great blessing to have been involved in that fight." "They said, 'We don't want money, we want the land.' They were so convincing to me, these old men, leaders of Taos Pueblo, they'd been on this fight nearly 60 years," Harris said in the video. "I said to a staff member of mine who was in this meeting, after they left, I said, 'If we don't do another thing while we're here, let's see if we can get Taos Pueblo back their land.'" France has joined the United States and Britain in signalling to Ukraine that it is allowed use long-range weapons against targets on Russian territory, in a shift that has drawn the wrath of Moscow. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, in an interview with the BBC, parts of which were released on Saturday, said Ukraine firing the weapons into Russia would be an act of "self-defence." He did not confirm whether this had already happened. Russia attacks decision Moscow sharply criticized Barrot's statements, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova telling the TASS state news agency that the approval is "not support for Ukraine, but rather a death knell for Ukraine." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, Ukraine reportedly fired long-range US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow cruise missiles at military targets into Russia. Since July 2023, in collaboration with Britain, France has started supplying Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles - the French designation for the identical missiles is Scalp. Only Germany is not assisting Ukraine with long-range weapons, since Chancellor Olaf Scholz is categorically opposed to sending Taurus cruise missiles to the war-torn country. Zelensky's adviser: Putin is 'absolutely fearful' Mykhailo Podolyak, from Zelensky's advisory staff, has interpreted recent threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin as an expression of "absolute fear." In the Bild am Sonntag newspaper, he said Putin is trying to frighten the West with his threats. Elon Musk has indicated that he may be interested in buying the liberal cable news network MSNBC. Donald Trump Jr. shared a post on X following news that the networks parent company Comcast is spinning off cable TV channels into a separate company. Hey @elonmusk I have the funniest idea ever!!! Trump Jr. wrote. How much does it cost? the worlds richest man asked. The most entertaining outcome, especially if ironic, is most likely, Musk added, along with a laughing emoji. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SpaceX and Tesla CEO may have been joking, but he made a similar comment regarding what was then Twitter years before purchasing the social media platform now known as X in 2022. Musk shared his love for Twitter, with a user replying: You should buy it then. How much is it? Musk asked at the time in December 2017. Years later, he spent $44 billion to buy the platform. He returned to that post in April 2022, adding an upside-down smiley. There are already concerns about the possible purchase, however serious Musk may be about the prospect. Elon Musk, the worlds richest man, jokingly suggested that he may buy MSNBC (via REUTERS) The social media landscape was forever changed by Musks purchase of X. One of his first acts was to reverse a ban on former President Donald Trump, whose account was locked after he failed to stop a mob of his supporters that stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bluesky, an alternative to X, has seen a growth in new users who are leaving the Musk-owned platform after Trump appointed him to a role in the president-elects administration. MSNBC and other channels are already targets for the president-elect, who has threatened to push the Federal Communications Commission to revoke broadcast licenses for networks he has deemed, while calling on lawmakers to vote agaginst legislation to protect press freedoms. Musk is also proposing slashing federal dollars to publicly funded news outlets, and Trumps pick to lead the FCC has signaled a readiness to punish networks. Trump is also suing CBS for $10 billion, arguing that its 60 Minutes interview with Vice President Kamala Harris was deceptively edited, amounting to election interference allegations the company has adamantly rejected. Trump has also accused MSNBC of election interference, once referring to it as a 24-hour-hit job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former president sued as many as 20 news organizations last year for supposedly overestimating the losses he made on his Truth Social platform. Comcast Corp. announced on November 20 that it is beaking off its television assets to form a new, publicly traded company with its cable channels, including MSNBC (AFP via Getty Images) Comcast revealed plans earlier this week to spin off a number of its channels, including MSNBC and CNBC, into a separate company. Boston University social sciences professor Thomas Whalen told The Telegraph that the notion of Musk buying MSNBC was a bombshell on the broadcasting landscape. I think how Vladimir Putin and oligarchs have been buying the free media in Russia, he added. MSNBC is still a network which is providing real criticism of Trump and his policies. CNN is now playing both sides against the middle. Musks move seems like a hostile takeover and it bodes badly for the media moving forward. Craig Moffett of media analysts MoffettNathanson told CNN: There are only two media entities that Donald Trump dislikes more than CNN. One is MSNBC and the other is NBC. While the Department of Justice no longer has to contend with the prospect of Attorney General Matt Gaetz, it still is likely to face a lot of the same directives under the direction of Pam Bondi. The 59-year-old former Florida attorney general has a much better chance of getting through the Senate confirmation process than the now-former congressman ever did. But while some Justice Department employees may have breathed a sigh of relief with the abrupt exist of her fellow Floridian, they are still in all likelihood going to have a disruptive force at the top of the agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of the baggage, but still the same orders, one department attorney told CNN. If Bondi, a loyal Trump ally, follows the president-elects likely wishes, she will become one of his top lieutenants on immigration, reproductive health access, and exacting the political retribution he promised on the campaign trail. Trump remains irate at the investigations he faced from the department under special counsel Jack Smith, including criminal indictments for his alleged mishandling of classified documents and his attempts to overturn the 2020 election. During a TV appearance last year, Bondi declared that at the Department of Justice, the prosecutors will be prosecuted the bad ones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigators will be investigated, she added. Because the deep state, last term for President Trump, they were hiding in the shadows. But now they have a spotlight on them, and they can all be investigated. Pam Bondi is likely to become one of Trumps top lieutenants as he tries to remake the Department of Justice (Getty Images) With Gaetz no longer in the running, some career staffers believe that conservative lawyers may be willing to return to the department after serving in previous Republican administrations, according to CNN. Career staffers hope that Bondi alongside Trumps criminal defense attorney Todd Blanche, who is nominated for deputy attorney general will be able to hire attorneys who know the ins and outs of the department and enact the presidents agenda while also retaining the departments independence. Trump nominated another one of his personal attorneys, Emil Bove, to be the principal associate deputy attorney general. He also nominated D. John Sauer, who managed to convince the Supreme Court that Trump and other presidents have immunity for official acts, to be the solicitor general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Nick Cox was one of Bondis top deputies in Florida. While calling her effusive and sweet when speaking to CNN, Cox also said, If you crossed her in court or pissed her off, run for the door. Shes going to do everything she can, Im sure, to remain loyal to what [Trumps] desires are and what his needs are, he told the network. But he added that he didnt think she would cross the line and bring politically motivated charges. When it comes to criminal prosecutions, we have nothing to worry about, he said. If confirmed, former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will likely oversee a Justice Department with its historic independence tested by Trumps administration (REUTERS) Palm Beach County state attorney Dave Aronberg told the network that Bondi will not intentionally violate the law to round up Trumps enemies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he added that Bondi is likely to order more special counsel investigations, such as those conducted by attorney John Durham, who probed possible misconduct in the FBIs Russia investigation. I know she will do controversial things like John Durham-like investigations, but we have been through that, and it will be okay, Aronberg told CNN. Pam Bondi is the best attorney general that Donald Trump is going to nominate, he added. We should pick our battles. Bondi was one of the top surrogates for Trump in Florida during his 2016 campaign and she has been a strong supporter of the former president ever since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During Trumps first impeachment, Bondi was part of the defense team for his Senate trial and she made unfounded claims about President Joe Biden having had illicit business dealings with his son Hunter in Ukraine. During her speech at the Republican National Convention in 2020, she once again railed against the Biden family. She also pushed baseless claims about election fraud. She serves as the chair for the Center for Litigation at America First Policy Institute, where she spearheaded its work against what conservatives call the weaponization of the Justice Department. On a number of occasions, she has appeared in the press railing against the departments focus on the cases against Trump. Bondis nomination to lead the department comes amid reports that Trump set to attempt to fire the attorneys who worked with Special Counsel Jack Smith investigating the former president for his alleged mishandling of classified documents and for his connection to the Capitol riot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those affected are likely to include career professionals usually shielded from such revenge efforts, according to The Washington Post. Bondi represented Trump during his first impeachment as she amplified allegations of corruption involving Joe Biden and his son Hunter (REUTERS) Trump is also set to put together groups to look for evidence that the 2020 election was riddled with fraud. The president-elect continues to falsely allege that the 2020 election was stolen from him as he remains steadfast in his baseless belief that Smiths investigations investigations are evidence of the weaponization of government for which he is now seeking revenge. For too long, the partisan Department of Justice has been weaponized against me and other Republicans, Trump said in his statement announcing Bondi as his new pick for attorney general following the departure of Gaetz. Not anymore. Pam will refocus the DOJ to its intended purpose of fighting Crime, and Making America Safe Again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith is set to reveal in court filings on December 2 how he plans to wind down the cases against Trump in adherence with department policy not to prosecute sitting presidents. Trump and his allies have yet to provide any evidence of widespread fraud. He wrote in September that there was rampant cheating in 2020 and that those responsible would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, which will include long-term prison sentences. Please beware, that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials, he wrote on Truth Social. Those involved in unscrupulous behavior will be sought out, caught, and prosecuted at levels, unfortunately, never seen before in our Country. Renad Atallah is an unlikely internet sensation: a 10-year-old chef, with a repertoire of simple recipes, cooking in war-torn Gaza. She has nearly a million followers on Instagram, who've witnessed her delight as she unpacks parcels of food aid. Ten-year-old Renad Atallah posts videos of herself cooking in war-torn Gaza. / Credit: CBS News We interviewed Renad via satellite, though we were just 50 miles away, in Tel Aviv. [Israel doesn't allow outside journalists into Gaza, except on brief trips with the country's military.] "There are a lot of dishes I'd like to cook, but the ingredients aren't available in the market," Renad told us. "Milk used to be easy to buy, but now it's become very expensive." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I asked, "How does it feel when so many people like your internet videos?" "All the comments were positive," she said. "When I'm feeling tired or sad and I want something to cheer me up, I read the comments." We sent a local camera crew to Renad's home as she made Ful, a traditional Middle Eastern bean stew. Her older sister Noorhan says they never expected the videos to go viral. "Amazing food," Noorhan said, who added that her sibling made her "very surprised!" After more than a year of war, the Gaza Strip lies in ruins. Nearly everyone has been displaced from their homes. The United Nations says close to two million people are experiencing critical levels of hunger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamada Shaqoura is another chef showing the outside world how Gazans are getting by, relying on food from aid packages, and cooking with a single gas burner in a tent. Shaqoura also volunteers with the charity Watermelon Relief, which makes sweet treats for Gaza's children. In his videos online, Shaqoura always appears very serious. Asked why, he replied, "The situation does not call for smiling. What you see on screen will never show you how hard life is here." Before dawn one recent morning in Israel, we watched the UN's World Food Program load nearly two dozen trucks with flour, headed across the border. The problem is not a lack of food; the problem is getting the food into the Gaza Strip, and into the hands of those who desperately need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN has repeatedly accused Israel of obstructing aid deliveries to Gaza. Israel's government denies that, and claims that Hamas is hijacking aid. "For all the actors that are on the ground, let the humanitarians do their work," said Antoine Renard, the World Food Program's director in the Palestinian territories. I asked, "Some people might see these two chefs and think, well, they're cooking, they have food." "They have food, but they don't have the right food; they're trying to accommodate with anything that they can find," Renard said. Even in our darkest hour, food can bring comfort. But for many in Gaza, there's only the anxiety of not knowing where they'll find their next meal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more info: Follow Chef Renad on InstagramFollow Hamada Shaqoura on InstagramWatermelon ReliefWorld Food Program in the Palestinian Territories Story produced by Mikaela Bufano. Editor: Carol Ross. See also: Children of Gaza ("Sunday Morning")Touring a wasteland in Gaza ("Sunday Morning")Chef Jose Andres on serving meals in a war zone ("Sunday Morning")How Ukrainian chef Ievgen Klopotenko defends his country: With food ("Sunday Morning") "Sunday Morning" 2024 "Food Issue" recipe index Delicious menu suggestions from top chefs, cookbook authors, food writers, restaurateurs, and the editors of Food & Wine magazine. Saturday Sessions: The Coward Brothers perform "Early Shirley" A study to personalize nutrition guidance just for you A new generation of shopping cart, with GPS and AI One of the most Donald Trump-aligned GOP senators blocked the promotion of a top U.S. general over the Biden administrations botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a new report. Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue, the last U.S. soldier to withdraw from Afghanistan, was set to become the head of the U.S. Army in Europe as part of almost 1,000 promotions that moved through the Senate last week. But Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) held his name up in order to allow President-elect Donald Trumps incoming administration to weigh in, according to CBS News. Mullins office did not immediately respond to the Daily Beasts request for comment. Mullin rankled feathers last week when he suggested vaccines could be responsible for autismyears after writing that vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration were safe and effective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some in the Army told CBS News they believed Donahues name was held up for political reasons, and they were working to try and lift the hold on his promotion from a three-star general to a four-star general. The 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan stemmed from an agreement the Trump administration brokered with the Taliban, though that arrangement required the group to not engage in terrorist activities. The Taliban eventually spurned that agreement, though the Biden administration still completed the withdrawal in 2021. The eventual operation left dozens of Afghans and 13 U.S. service members dead after a suicide bombing near a Kabul airport. The State Department found that the erratic nature of the withdrawal stemmed from a failure of officials to grasp the scale and scope of the operation. A Republican senator has blocked the promotion of a general who oversaw troops in Kabul during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a Senate aide. The move by Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin follows threats from President-elect Donald Trump to fire senior officers and officials who oversaw the chaotic pullout from Afghanistan in 2021. It also comes as Trumps transition team weighs possible court-martial proceedings against current and former officers involved in the withdrawal, as NBC News previously reported. Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was nominated for promotion to become a four-star general and to oversee U.S. Army forces in Europe. His nomination was among more than 900 proposed nominations sent to the Senate, but Donahues was put on hold by Mullin, according to the Senate aide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mullins office declined to comment. Donahue was the last American service member to board the final U.S. military plane out of Afghanistan in 2021. A night-vision photograph of Donahue boarding a cargo plane went viral, capturing the symbolism of the end of Americas 20-year war. Senator Markwayne Mullin speaks to the press in Washington, D.C., on Thursday. After the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan fell to Taliban militants, Donahue then commander of the 82nd Airborne Division was ordered to Kabul to oversee the withdrawal of U.S. forces, American Embassy staff and Afghans who fought alongside American troops. Retired Gen. Tony Thomas, former head of Special Operations Command, said in a social media post that the decision was a disgrace and that Donahue was being treated as a political pawn. Heather Nauert, who worked for the State Department in Trumps first presidential term, said in a social media post that she is a Trump supporter and likes Mullin but disagreed with the hold put on Donahues promotion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless there are facts I dont know, holding up military promotions bc of our disgraceful Afghanistan withdrawal is wrong, she wrote. Donahue is currently commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. His promotion could now be at risk as the current Senate will soon go into recess and the new Republican-controlled Congress will start its work in 2025. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Germanys Green party has been accused of spending 200,000 of taxpayers money on a biased study against nuclear energy, with the conclusion determined before the research began. The Green-led environment ministry paid the anti-nuclear Institute for Applied Ecology a 250,000 for the study, which was explicitly aimed at influencing international discourse, according to an investigation by Neue Zurcher Zeitung, the Swiss broadsheet. Despite claims from senior Greens that the study was commissioned in good faith, internal documents published in a public enquiry show that the expected message was explicitly that nuclear energy is not sustainable and is not a climate saver, according to a brief to department heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The institute which conducted the study came out of the 1970s German anti-nuclear movement, as did the Green Party itself, and the tender referred to nuclear energy making a supposed renaissance as a supposedly safe, sustainable and low emissions technology. The environment ministry denied claims that the decision was made in advance, claiming that the internal briefing was referring to general knowledge within the ministry. As well as justifying Germanys nuclear phase-out, the then-unfinished study was supposed to be shared specifically with countries with strong expansion plans for nuclear power including the UK, France and the US ahead of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change conference in Dubai in 2023, with a leaked email between Green-run ministries referring to a window of opportunity that should be used. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the destruction of the Nord Stream pipeline, Germany was in the grips of a serious energy crisis, with rising energy prices and fears of blackouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists, industry and the opposition called for an extension of the countrys remaining three nuclear power plants. But the Greens, who make up part of Olaf Scholzs traffic-light coalition, proceeded with taking the plants off the grid after a temporary extension. The conservative Christian Democrats (CDU), which is leading in the polls ahead of Februarys election, have pledged to reverse the decision. The opposition called for a public inquiry into the closing of Germanys nuclear plants amid reports earlier this year that high ranking Green staff had suppressed internal voices calling for a delay on the nuclear phase out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, economy minister and vice chancellor Robert Habeck said that his staff had worked without any restrictions on thinking. The motion for the inquiry stated that it cannot be ruled out that, contrary to their public claim, professional expertise had to give way to political and party-political guidelines, with an MP asking whether the public was deceived in the decision to shut down the last three nuclear power plants. Mr Scholzs now-defunct coalition also argued internationally against nuclear energy, opposing EU climate plans that categorised nuclear energy as clean. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Its a killer deal. A home buyer who has $700,000 and doesnt mind eating breakfast near where cops frantically searched for the bodies of murdered prostitutes could soon see the real estate deal of a lifetime. Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermanns estranged wife plans to sell the familys Long Island home and move far away from the site where her husband allegedly planned his ghastly murders, the New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The home has become a dark tourist fascination, attracting scores of morbid onlookers, Heuermanns soon-to-be-ex wife Asa Ellerups lawyer Robert Macedonio said. Rex Heuermanns estranged wife plans to sell the familys Long Island home. James Keivom People constantly stop in front of the house, to gawk and point and take pictures, shes lost any emotional attachment she had to the premises. The single-family homes gruesome history will make it difficult to sell, and it will likely go for under market value or be purchased by a builder who will tear it down, experts claimed. I dont think a regular consumer would buy that home. Id say nine out of 10 consumers would be turned off by it, real estate agent Louis Scrimenti said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1,323 square foot home, which boasts of six rooms, one bath and a fireplace is worth $697,200 according to Zillow. The property was left in shambles during a 12 day police raid on the property in July 2023, in which cops tore apart the residence removing chunks of the bathroom and tearing apart furniture and dug up the backyard looking for DNA evidence and more bodies. Asa Ellerup arrives at the Arthur M. Cromarty Court Complex in Riverhead, NY for a court appearance for Rex Heuermann on April 17, 2024. Dennis A. Clark The home has become a dark fascination that tourists can easily visit via train. Kevin C. Downs for NY Post The property was left in shambles during the investigation into Heuermann. via REUTERS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities claim to have found a vile planning document on Heuermanns computer that laid out the steps of how he allegedly commit the ghastly murders. Ellerup, 61, lacks the funds to repair the residence, Macedonio said. Heuermanns adult children Victoria, 28, and Christopher Sheridan, 35, who has special needs, cant even step outside without being harassed, according to their lawyer Vess Mitev. Asa Ellerup wants to move far away from where her husband allegedly planned his murders. Dennis A. Clark Chris cant even walk his dog down the block. He gets photographed, people stop and take pictures, hes catcalled, the whole thing. They cant even check the mail. The kids are eager to escape the dark cloud that hangs over their heads and begin the next chapter of their lives by moving out of the home, Mitev says. Heuermann is charged with murdering six sex workers over three decades. via REUTERS The best thing that could happen is they knock that house down and build a brand-new one so that the memory of all this is obliterated, a neighbor, Albert Cella, 80, said. Heuermann, 60, is charged with murdering six sex workers over three decades and dumping many of their remains on a Long Island beach. The disgraced former Manhattan architect is being held in Suffolk County jail in Riverhead without bail. A Rochester girl seriously injured in a crash during Wednesday's snow and ice has died. The family of Kambrynn Ronningen posted an update on the family's CaringBridge page confirming that the injuries suffered in the crash on Highway 14 were too extensive to survive. "We are comforted by knowing that at the time of the accident she felt no pain and had no fear," the update reads. "She was taken to the hospital where surgeons did attempt intervention, but it was determined that her injuries were such that she would not survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The family has made the decision to donate her organs and over the past couple of days arrangements have been made while they find matching recipients." Kambrynn was in a GMC Yukon with her 12-year-old sister and her 43-year-old mother, Colleen, when they collided with a Nissan Murano as snow fell in Marion Township around 6 p.m. Wednesday. A walk was held in the 8-year-old's honor outside St. Marys Hospital on Friday. The driver of the Nissan, a 36-year-old man from Rochester, also suffered life-threatening injuries in the crash. No further details have been provided as to his condition. Fringe Theory One of the world's leading AI pioneers is warning not only that the increasingly powerful technology could harm the world, but that the people in charge of it may be equally dangerous. In an interview with CNBC, computer science luminary Yoshua Bengio said that members of an elite tech "fringe" want AI to replace humans. The head of the University of Montreal's Institute for Learning Algorithms, Bengio was among the public signatories of the "Right to Warn" open letter penned by leading AI researchers at OpenAI who claim they're being silenced about the technology's dangers. Along with famed experts Yann LeCun and Geoffrey Hinton, he's sometimes referred to as one of the "Godfathers of AI." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Intelligence gives power. So whos going to control that power?" the preeminent machine learning expert told the outlet during the One Young World Summit in Montreal. "There are people who might want to abuse that power, and there are people who might be happy to see humanity replaced by machines," Bengio claimed. "I mean, its a fringe, but these people can have a lot of power, and they can do it unless we put the right guardrails right now." Money Talks Because AI systems cost billions of dollars to build, the deep learning expert noted, the financial power aspect can't be ignored. "Very few organizations and very few countries will be able to do it," the University of Montreal AI lab leader said. "Thats already the case." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Theres going to be a concentration of power: economic power, which can be bad for markets; political power, which could be bad for democracy; and military power, which could be bad for the geopolitical stability of our planet," he continued. Currently, experts disagree on whether artificial general intelligence, or human-level AI, can be reached and when it might happen. If it happens before global policy catches up, Bengio suggests, we're in trouble. "If its five years, were not ready," he concluded, "because we dont have methods to make sure that these systems will not harm people or will not turn against people." While far from the first AI expert to offer warnings about the dangers of AI, Bengio has unusual gravitas; after all, he helped create it. More on AGI warnings: AI Bros Terrified Singularity Will Hit While Trump Is President DENVER (KDVR) The Golden police officer who was hospitalized after a crash earlier this month has the support of not only her local community but people around the country as she recovers from her injuries. On Nov. 6, Officer Bethany Grusing was seriously injured when a driver suspected to have been impaired crashed into her and fellow officer Evan Dunn as they responded to another accident. While Dunn was killed, Grusing remains in recovery. 2 killed, 1 injured in Civil Air Patrol plane crash in Larimer County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No stranger to accidents like this one, Mark Miller lost a friend on the job a decade ago. In 2014, my sergeant, Dave Baldwin, was killed in the line of duty on Highway 93, said Miller. He decided to take that tragedy and use it to make an impact. His callsign was MC-1. So we called it the MC-1 Foundation, said Miller. The MC-1 Foundation, which Miller now is the president of, helps those in law enforcement who survive injuries in the line of duty. Its a community Miller felt was underserved. Gives them money while theyre not working to make their monthly bills, take that stress off of their families, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a decade of service, MC-1 has given away more than $400,000 to 30 people around the state, according to Miller. Their current task is raising money for Grusing. The community has done an overwhelming job stepping up to help her out in her name, says Miller. He founded MC-1 in Jefferson County and said that helping an officer so close to home has been rewarding. But it isnt just people close by who are chipping in. Weld County Sheriffs Office apologizes for actions in 1979 murder case after guilty plea We have several donations that came in from Florida, some from North Carolina and then all over the state too, said Miller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He didnt want to disclose how much money has been raised for Grusing but said donations continue to come in two weeks after the crash. A show of support he said Grusing doesnt take for granted. Talking to Bethany and her mom and dad, they are extremely grateful for the efforts, for the, you know, the help and support, said Miller. FOX31 reached out to Golden Police for an update on Grusings condition on Saturday but did not receive a response. If you would like to donate to the MC-1 Foundation, you can do so by visiting the organizations website. MC-1 will also host an online auction to benefit injured Colorado first responders from Dec. 2 through 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) pushed back on Pete Hegseths idea to fire woke generals, noting that they are only considered woke because of the Biden administration. Bacon joined NewsNations Chris Stirewalt on The Hill Sunday, where he noted that as a member of the House, hes not going to have a say when Hegseth undergoes the Senate confirmation process as President-elect Trumps nominee for Defense secretary. Still, he believes some senators will take issue with some of his character issues, including multiple marriages, infidelity and sexual assault allegations. I think Im in agreement with 90 percent of what he has to say. I would like to push back on one thing though, Bacon said, noting Hegseths idea for generals. During an interview, President-elect Trumps new Defense secretary pick outlined proposals to fire the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and other woke generals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth argued that anyone involved with diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts has got to go. Bacon noted Sunday that many of those generals may not have wanted to push DEI efforts but were instructed by President Biden to do so. Hes the commander in chief and theyre gonna follow the orders of the civilian leadership proposal, he said. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Republican Senator Markwayne Mullin claims Donald Trumps pick for defense secretary was falsely accused of sexual assault, defending his claim days earlier that Pete Hegseth had just been flirting with his accuser. A recently released police report from the 2017 incident revealed that the woman, who has not been identified, told police that Hegseth blocked the door to stop her from leaving his hotel room and took her phone away before sexually assaulting her. Hegseth has maintained that the encounter was consensual. Earlier this week, the Oklahoma senator told reporters in the Capitol that he had read the police report: If you read it, you can clearly see that it was two people flirting with each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On CNN Sunday, Mullin defended his previous claim and said that be believed Hegseths insistence that the encounter was consensual was accurate, he said. There was no case here. He was falsely accused, he added. She was being the aggressor. Pete wasnt even flirting with her. He was flirting with a different girl, and [the Jane Doe] was trying to flirt with Pete. In the police report, another woman told authorities that Hegseth had invited her back to his hotel room, but she politely declined. Senator Markwayne Mullin defends Pete Hegseth, calling Hegseths accuser the aggressor (CNN) CNN host Dana Bash pressed Mullin: From your perspective, you believe his part of the story and not hers? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I absolutely do. He wasnt charged. He wasnt even kind of charged in this. There was no crime committed. The police dropped everything, he replied. While he did not face charges, Hegseth paid the woman in 2023 as part of a confidential settlement to prevent a potential lawsuit, which he labeled as baseless. Whats unfortunate in todays world is you can be accused of anything. And then especially if its something like this, you are automatically assumed to be guilty, Mullin told Bash. Investigators in Monterey, California were first notified about the alleged incident by a nurse, who told police a patient came to the hospital requesting a sexual assault exam for an incident that had occurred five days earlier, according to the newly released police report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The patient, identified as Jane Doe in the report, said she struggled to remember what happened, but recalled being intoxicated and even speculated something may have been slipped into her drink because of her memory lapses. Although she didnt remember how, Jane Doe said she wound up in Hegseths hotel room. She told police that Hegseth took her phone from her hands and when she tried to leave his room, and that Hegseth blocked the door with his body, according to the report. She recalled saying no a lot but did not remember much else, the report says. Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth speaks with the media as he departs a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC on November 21. (REUTERS) Meanwhile, Hegseth told police that when they went back to his room, the woman sat down in the room and did not leave, which he found odd. The sex was consensual, they had discussed him wearing a condom, and he continuously asked Doe if she was [OK] because he did not want Doe to get in trouble, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth is among several of Trumps cabinet picks who has been accused of sexual misconduct. Most of the scrutiny has focused on now-former Florida congressman Matt Gaetz, Trumps initial pick for attorney general who later withdrew his name from consideration. Gaetz stepped aside after details emerged from two probes, including allegations that he had sexual encounters with a 17-year-old girl. Records obtained by The New York Times and ABC News suggest that Gaetz paid more than $10,000 to two women who testified before the a House Ethics Committee Following Trumps election, a startling trend emerged: men started posting the phrase your body, my choice on womens social media posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Trumps own sexual assault accusers have also warned that his return to the White House marks a troubling time for survivors. This is not a good time for survivors or victims, one woman told The Independent in the days after Trumps victory. People are not going to speak up because, look, its falling on deaf ears. No one cares. Trump has denied all the accusations against him. Trumps transition team was reportedly caught by surprise when the details of the sexual assault allegation against Hegseth and the reports of his settlement became public. Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt said that one of Donald Trumps first priorities in office should be to exact revenge. He suggested that Trump get rid of any Justice Department employees who were involved in cases that brought charges against the former president. First and foremost, the people involved with this should be fired immediately, Schmitt, who was a contender for Trumps attorney general nomination, said on Sundays Meet the Press. Anybody part of this effort to keep President Trump off the ballot and to throw him in jail for the rest of his life because they didnt like his politics and to continue to cast him as a quote, unquote threat to democracy was wrong, and so well see where that goes, he added. Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading criminal investigations into Trumps role in attempting to subvert the 2020 election and his handling of classified documents, has said he plans to wind down his efforts ahead of Trumps inauguration due to the unprecedented circumstance that the defendant was elected president. The Justice Department has long upheld a policy of not prosecuting presidents. Smith could still author a report on his findings, but Attorney General Merrick Garland would decide whether or not to release it publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has threatened he will fire Smith and his entire team within two seconds of returning to power. This past August, Trump re-shared a post on Truth Social that said Smith should be prosecuted for election interference & prosecutorial misconduct. As Rolling Stone reported in August, Trump has planned since 2021 when he left office to indict those he perceives to be his enemies. In addition to Smith, that includes Garland, President Joe Biden, FBI Director Christopher Wray, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, and others. Trump continued to threaten retribution during the 2024 presidential campaign. There are almost too many targets to keep track of, a Trump adviser familiar with the discussions told Rolling Stone. Pam Bondi is Trumps choice for attorney general following former Rep. Matt Gaetzs withdrawing his own nomination due to allegations in a House Ethics Committee report that he had sex multiple times with a 17-year-old. Bondi has endorsed Trumps revenge plans, telling Fox News Sean Hannity in 2023 that when Trump returns to the White House, the Department of Justice, the prosecutors, will be prosecuted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigators will be investigated, Bondi added, because the deep state last term for President Trump they were hiding in the shadows. But now they have a spotlight on them, and they can all be investigated and the house needs to be cleaned out. Schmitt said he will be a yes vote on Bondis nomination. He also confirmed he will vote to confirm Trumps choices of Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Bloomberg) -- President-elect Donald Trumps pick to head the US intelligence community is likely to face tough questions during confirmation hearings, including over her meeting with Syrias leader, Republican Senator James Lankford said. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tulsi Gabbard, the nominee for director of national intelligence, is a Trump loyalist and former Democratic representative from Hawaii who switched parties. Shes expected to face scrutiny for comments sympathetic to Russia and a 2017 visit to Syria where she met President Bashar al-Assad. Well have lots of questions, Lankford said Sunday on CNNs State of the Union. She met with Bashar Assad. Well want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was as a member of Congress. Gabbard contradicted US intelligence assessments by questioning whether Assad used chemical weapons on his citizens after a visit to the country in 2017. In 2022, she suggested Russias invasion of Ukraine could have been avoided if President Joe Bidens administration and the NATO alliance had heeded Moscows legitimate security concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well want to get a chance to talk about past comments that shes made and get them into full context, Lankford said. Several of president-elect Donald Trumps cabinet nominees have faced scrutiny notably now-former Representative Matt Gaetz, who dropped out as nominee for attorney general after bipartisan concern over sexual misconduct allegations reached a fever pitch. Attention has turned to Gabbard and defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, who has faced sexual assault allegations he denies. The Fox News host and Army National Guard officer also has said women shouldnt serve in combat. Senator Eric Schmitt, a Republican from Missouri, said hell vote to confirm Hegseth and Gabbard. Allegations that Gabbard is a Russian sympathizer leveled by Democrats as well as some Republican critics of Trumps choice are insulting, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a slur, quite frankly, Schmitt said on NBCs Meet the Press. You know, theres no evidence that shes a asset of another country. Republican senators have also sought to rally behind Hegseth since a newly released police report last week revealed graphic details about a 2017 sexual encounter that Hegseth said was consensual. Markwayne Mullin, who like Schmitt is on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said Hegseth has the qualifications to be defense secretary and signaled on Sunday hell support Trumps Pentagon nominee for confirmation. It is clear there was nothing there and that there was no crime committed, Mullin said on CNN. And so that doesnt prevent Pete from moving forward in this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US policy toward Ukraine is expected to shift under Trump, who has at times promised to end the war sparked by Russias full-scale invasion before he takes office in January. US Adversaries Representative Mike Waltz of Florida, whos in line to be Trumps national security adviser at the White House, said the president-elect is incredibly concerned about the carnage and the escalation in the war. We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it, Waltz said on Fox News Sunday. He also warned US foes against thinking they could exploit the presidential transition, saying he met with Jake Sullivan, Bidens national security adviser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other theyre wrong, Waltz said. We are hand in glove. --With assistance from Ian Fisher. (Updates with Schmitts comments starting in eighth paragraph.) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt voiced his strong support for Tulsi Gabbard as she faces accusations that her allegiance is overseas. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Gabbard for the role of Director of National Intelligence, despite concerns from Republicans and Democrats alike that she has a secret relationship with Russia. Speaking with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press on Sunday, Schmitt claimed that it was a slur to suggest that Gabbard had anti-American connections, and that he was absolutely on board for her to head US intelligence. Sen. Eric Schmitt says he will vote to confirm Tulsi Gabbard after calling it a "slur" to infer that she is an asset of Russia: "I think it's insulting, it's a slur quite frankly. There's no evidence that she's an asset of another country. She's served this country honorably." pic.twitter.com/7KdDMRPalR Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) November 24, 2024 Welker introduced the topic of Gabbards loyalties with a clip from Nikki Haley Live, in which Haley claimed that the former Democratic congresswoman from Hawaii sympathized with hostile nations, though Gabbard has denied repeating Russian propaganda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a place for a Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer. DNI has to analyze real threats. Are we comfortable with someone like that at the top of our national intelligence agencies? Haley said on SiriusXM earlier this week. So, Senator, what say you? Are you comfortable? Will you vote for Tulsi Gabbard? Welker asked. The Missouri senator came in strong, saying: I think its really interesting that anybody that has a different political view now is being cast as a Russian asset. Its totally ridiculous. Tulsi Gabbard has served in our military, she served as a congresswoman from Hawaii - as a Democrat, I might add. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued his passionate defense: But I think its insulting - its a slur, quite frankly - you know, theres no evidence that shes the asset of another country. She served this country honorably. And by the way, she cares deeply about our constitution, and civil liberties, and making sure people arent being targeted by these intelligence agencies, he said, adding, So, again, I think this is a reformer who can come in, who maybe is not part of the same Washington cocktail party circuit that people in the intel community are used to, but maybe thats exactly what we need right now. The Senator continued: President Trump listened to the American people when they screamed about these issues. They want to be heard. They feel like Washingtons broken, and they think bringing somebody in like Tulsi Gabbard is welcome news. So youre a yes on Tulsi Gabbard, Senator? Just to be clear, NBC News' Welker prompted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmitt clarified that he was 100% behind Gabbard, and also threw his support behind two other equally controversial nominees. Im a yes on Pam Bondi, Im a yes on Pete Hegseth, Im a yes on Tulsi Gabbard, absolutely, he said. A Republican senator has warned his colleagues must step up to appoint Donald Trumps cabinet picks or face recess appointments. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee was on ABCs This Week that the idea of recess appointments is and should be on the table, adding that previous presidents in modern history including Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton had utilized the constitutional clause allowing appointments when the Senate is not in session. The process would likely set up court battles and fray Trumps relationship with GOP leaders all while allowing him to confirm controversial choices despite concerns. Bill Hagerty, left, with Ted Cruz Donald Trump and Elon Musk (Getty Images) This is a constitutionally available tool, Hagerty told Jon Karl. What we want to see is the Democrats co-operate with us. But if the resistance movement gets as heavy as it was... Ive been through the confirmation process myself. I turned in my paperwork on the 21st of January, I didnt get confirmed until July. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when Karl pointed out that Republican votes were the issue, and asked if the president-elect would use recess appointments to force through major positions, Hagerty reiterated his point with a message to other GOP senators. What he [Trump] wants to do is see these appointments made quickly, Hagerty replied. I think everything should be on the table. I think if my colleagues understand that they will know they need to step up and move expeditiously to get these cabinet members confirmed. The concept of recess appointments is a controversial one, and comes with restrictions: the appointments are temporary, and only last until the end of the applicable calendar year. They would also require the Senate to not be in session something that members of the upper chamber of Congress could resist. The Senate has never triggered a recess simply for the purpose of allowing a president to make such appointments. But it still leaves open the possibility that Trump could make recess Cabinet appointments during one of the Senates scheduled breaks, including the August recess later in 2025. And the president-elect himself has made clear that he plans to utilize the tactic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADERSHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner, he wrote on Truth Social. Republican Senator John Thune was chosen to be the GOPs new majority leader when the Senate convenes in January. An ally of Mitch McConnell, Thune is an institutionalist and is not likely to wield the power of the Senate to suit Trumps whims. On policy matters and most votes, however, hes expected to toe the White House line. John Thune is set to head up the Republican majority in the Senate next year (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The Senate is set to be held by a solid GOP majority come next year; the presidents control is not absolute, however, and he has already seen his pick for attorney general go down in flames. The chamber wont vote on his picks until next year, but resistance from almost a half-dozen Republicans sunk the bid of Matt Gaetz to lead the Justice Department. None of Trumps other nominees have withdrawn yet, though a number of Republican senators appear publicly skeptical towards the nomination of Tulsi Gabbard to be director of national intelligence (DNI). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense, is also coming under increased scrutiny as new revelations have come out surrounding a sexual assault case he was involved in. Hegseth has denied that the encounter described in the allegations was nonconsensual. On the right, Trump is also taking flack from traditional conservatives over his nomination of a candidate for secretary of Labor, Lori Chavez-DeRemerm, who supported the Pro Act a piece of pro-union legislation that failed to pass Congress under Joe Bidens presidency. Armed with a filibuster-proof majority in Nebraska's Legislature, Republicans could seek further restrictions on abortion, dramatic changes to the state's election system and an expansion of the use of the death penalty to include drug traffickers in the upcoming legislative session. All three proposals are among more than 70 policies the Nebraska Republican Party included in a five-page document outlining the party's 2025 legislative agenda, which circulated on social media last week after the GOP posted it to its website earlier this year. The agenda includes proposals that have emerged as priorities for Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen and a large group of lawmakers, including placing caps on annual tax increases from local governments, ensuring foreign adversaries cannot purchase Nebraska land and continuing to boost access to broadband internet outstate. And some of the party's proposals mirror ideas championed by Democratic lawmakers in the formally nonpartisan Legislature, including addressing poverty and mental health issues in urban and rural areas and engaging in drug use and mental health "correction efforts" for the state's homeless population. But much of the document centers on the kind of hard-right cultural issues that have divided the Legislature and Nebraskans in recent years, suggesting lawmakers could once again find themselves in the kind of rancorous partisan fights that defined the 2023 legislative session that was derailed by an attempt to restrict gender-affirming care for transgender youths that prompted a months-long filibuster. The Nebraska GOP's 2025 agenda calls for a ban on transgender K-12 students from using restrooms or locker rooms that do not match the biological sex assigned to them at birth, the elimination of diversity and equity initiatives in state schools and the creation of standards "allowing parents to protect children from indoctrination and pornography." The document also calls for eliminating gender ideology and critical race theory a graduate-level concept that captured the attention of Nebraska Republicans in 2021 despite its limited orbit from school curriculums while embracing patriotic education "to rebuild the love of country." The proposed policies extend far beyond Nebraska's classrooms, wading into matters of public health, taxation, citizenship, election security and criminal justice. The party is calling on lawmakers to ban "ID chip and vaccine mandates," support "stricter interpretations of citizenship eligibility," support the death penalty for drug traffickers and child smugglers and enact an election system that requires the hand-counting of paper ballots filled out in-person. The agenda also calls for lawmakers to address "dangerous Communist countries' ownership of American land," root out environmental, social, and governance movements "grounded in leftist ideology," and for local leaders to "attack tent cities" through legislation and ordinances. One proposal calls for lawmakers to "end the legal ability" of the state's Natural Resource Districts to "try and play 'God' and attempt to modify the weather." It's unclear to what extent the Nebraska Republican Party's agenda will influence Republican lawmakers. Most GOP lawmakers who were contacted for this story did not return phone calls Friday. Eric Underwood, the Nebraska Republican Party's chairman, also didn't return a phone call Friday. Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, a Republican who is entering his third year as a lawmaker in January and became the face of the bid to implement a winner-take-all election system in Nebraska this year, indicated the document represented the GOP's policy aspirations but said "you have to remember we live in 'Realville,'" borrowing the term from the late right-wing commentator Rush Limbaugh. "A person has to set their sights on lofty goals that you want to eventually bring into implementation," he said. "But it's like storming the beaches of Normandy. You have to establish a beachhead first, and little by little by little, you continue to advance." Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, a registered Democrat, said the Nebraska GOP's agenda has "been generating a lot of dialogue" among lawmakers who have offered "mixed reviews at best for a variety of different reasons." "Historically, when political parties and partisan interests try and inject a heavy hand into our beloved, nonpartisan Legislature, it's usually met with a great deal of skepticism and rightly so," she said, adding that the GOP's agenda seems to have generated such a response from her colleagues this time around, too. Lawmakers have already repeatedly eschewed attempts to eliminate property, income and inheritance taxes and replace them with a broad-based consumption tax. Republicans retained 33 seats, enough for a filibuster-proof majority in the Legislature, by flipping two seats previously held by Democrats this month, but failed to gain further ground. The GOP had the same majority for the last month of this year's legislative session after Democratic Sen. Mike McDonnell switched parties in April, but Republicans failed to vote in lockstep when it came to the proposed transgender restroom ban, the winner-take-all electoral system and Republican Gov. Jim Pillen's tax plan none of which became law. Nebraska Republicans have remained fractured since the summer of 2022, when conservative activists took over the state Republican Party, which had been run by establishment figures loyal to then-Gov. Pete Ricketts. Continued tensions between the party's social conservative activist wing and its establishment figures emerged earlier this year when the Nebraska GOP withheld endorsements from the state's federal incumbent officeholders, including Ricketts and Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District, who faced primary challenges from the right. In response, a group of 26 Republican lawmakers signed a public letter in February endorsing Nebraska's federal delegation while some of them aired their frustrations with the Nebraska Republican Party on the floor of the Legislature, calling the party "broke" and questioning its rationale. The moment was one among few instances of partisan rancor that arose in the Legislature this year after Speaker John Arch of La Vista, a Republican, had asked senators to turn the page from last years session that ended in resentment, imploring them to instead focus on issues that have "the greatest impact on the greatest number of people." Conrad said the Nebraska GOP's policy agenda seems to focus on "hot-button, controversial issues that are pretty divisive." "I think that it would be a disservice to the state of Nebraska if we spent most of our time and energy on topics like that," she said. "I think the message out of the electorate is really clear: they want government that's working to help working people succeed." But for some Republicans like Lippincott, some of the Nebraska GOP-backed proposals to expand conservative influence in public schools or upend the state's tax system fit that bill. Lippincott said lawmakers need to make changes to Nebraska's tax and public school systems even if the reforms Republicans seek prompt intense opposition along party lines. "I do not believe that we should allow the minority party to dictate and put restraints on anybody," he said. CAIRO (Reuters) - A gunman was shot dead and three policemen were injured after a shooting incident near the Israeli embassy in Jordan ended, a security source told Reuters on Sunday. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi and Jaidaa Taha; Editing by William Mallard) ALLENDALE, Mich. Mike Medawis, language coordinator at Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi, told an audience of students and faculty at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) that tribal languages are in a state of emergency. He added if we do not act they may become extinct. Medawis spoke at GVSU on Wednesday for the Indigi-Fest: All About Sovereignty that was part of the universitys Native American Heritage Month celebration. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we lose our language, we will have done what the government failed to do for centuries, to eradicate our language and our way of life as the Creator meant for us, Medawis, who is Potawatomi, Odawa, and Ho-Chunk. Our ceremonies are dependent on the use of our language today. Some of our people are confused and have no identity because they do not know our language. Mike Medawis (Potawatomi) stresses the importance of tribal language revitalization. (Photo/Cory Morse for GVSU) GVSUs Indigi-Fest was a day-long event that provided university faculty and students an opportunity to learn about Native American culture, including language preservation that Medawis addressed. Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi (Gun Lake Tribe) Councilor Ed Pigeon kicked off the day with a presentation on tribal governance utilizing tribal sovereignty. Other topics included presentations on food sovereignty, decolonizing social work and education, Anishinaabemowin Language, an introduction to powwow, and we finish with a movie and panel discussion on the movie, Two-Spirit Powwow by Rick Bacigalupi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day was filled with learning about Anishinaabe culture and ways of being, allowing for students, faculty, and staff to fully engage with our communitys traditional knowledge keepers. Our NASA and MnoChigewin students pulled together to create this inclusive space where all felt comfortable to be, we tried to create that welcoming feeling that I get when Im in community, Belinda (Lin) Bardwell (Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians), GVSUs senior advisor on Native American Affairs and assistant director of Office of Multicultural Affairs, said. Before the movie was shown, there was a powwow demonstration which highlighted the different styles of dance seen at powwows including Mens and Womens Traditional, Fancy Shawl, and Jingle. Each of the four dancers representing the different styles of dance spoke about what powwow meant to them and explained that hundreds of hours and dollars go into each regalia. Oftentimes, each dancers regalia represents what community they come from and represent. Photos by Cory Morse for Grand Valley State University. Neely Bardwell contributed to this article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net." Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A hacker group motivated by the death of former Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar claimed to have targeted Israel's national intelligence agency Mossad and obtained a trove of documents that purportedly name hundreds of Israeli spies. The hacker group is operating under the name Handala, a tribute to a cartoon character of a 10-year-old Palestinian boy who has become a symbol of Palestinian defiance against Israeli occupation. Writing on Telegram, the hacker group claimed Sunday to have been secretly present on the network of Silicom, an Israeli company that it alleges is a front for Mossad's Unit 8200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In all the assassinations and crimes of recent months, the 8200 unit has always played a very active role in them! The crimes of this unit are not hidden from anyone! But its members must realize today that they will no longer be safe!" the hackers wrote. The hackers alleged that all key members and senior managers of the company are high-ranking secret officers of Unit 8200 and that they would soon publish their identities. Handala published videos purporting to show inside the management security panel for Unit 8200 and claimed to have obtained some 40 terabytes of information from their servers, including emails and administrative and financial documents. "You just saw a small part of our cyber power! Your most secure servers have always been available to us!" the hack group said, adding it would begin to leak the documents soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UPI has not independently verified the Silicom hack but the cybersecurity magazine Cyber Express noted last month that attacks by Handala, which it described an "Iran-linked threat actor," have "so far gone relatively unnoticed." Cybersecurity researcher Kevin Beaumont confirmed in a blog post last month that at least some of Handala's prior claims may be true. At the time, Handala claimed to have discovered a backdoor in scanners from the firm Vidisco that allowed explosives used in pager attacks in Lebanon to go undetected. Beaumont confirmed that Vidisco was breached by a group that was also conducting data exfiltration. "As far as I'm aware there is nothing linking either Vidisco or IIB to battery attacks - however it is clear Handala have gained access to Vidisco's network," Beaumont wrote. "Vidisco equipment provides security scanning of the objects at the border of many nations, so this is obviously a big problem." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cybersecurity companies like Constella have also taken notice of the alleged hacks carried out by Handala in recent months, confirming that the hacker group compromised some 50,000 emails from Ron Prosor, a former senior officer in Mossad who is now Israel's ambassador to Germany. "The leaked emails expose sensitive diplomatic communications, potentially affecting Israel's foreign relations," Constella said in its blog post. "This breach also highlights Handala's aggressive tactics, as they included personal threats against Prosor, claiming constant surveillance over his activities." In all, Handala is believed to have possibly breached a number of Israeli companies and agencies including Shin Bet, the Soreq Nuclear Research Center, and the emails of Benny Gantz, the former Israeli defense minister. For months, Haitian warlord Jimmy Barbecue Cherizier has been in the habit of announcing on social media the next targets of his brutal foot soldiers. Seemingly drunk on his own power in a shattered society where the rule of law and government institutions are notable only for their absence, the gang leader has issued death threats against everyone from the countrys interim government to international peacekeepers. But telegraphing his next operational move in a public video this week proved disastrous for him and his Vivre Ensemble alliance of trigger-happy thugs, after it gave police and vigilantes a chance to prepare their fightback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the video, Cherizier said that his men would target any hotels in Petionville, an affluent suburb in Port-au-Prince, the Haitian capital, hosting members of the transitional council, a panel charged with organising the countrys first elections in a decade. Describing them as oligarchs, he said the only way they could save themselves would be by stepping down. A few hours later, in the small hours on Tuesday, two trucks carrying dozens of his heavily-armed men swung into Petionville, one of them parking across the main road into the suburb to block residents from fleeing. Dawn revealed a scene of carnage. Yet it was the gangsters who had paid the heaviest price for their attempts to terrorise the suburb. Their mutilated corpses littered the streets. Some had been decapitated. Others had had their feet hacked off. There was also a pile of smouldering bodies which neighbours had set alight. At least 28 Vivre Ensemble members are confirmed to have died. Cherizier said that his men would target hotels in a Port-au-Prince suburb hosting members of an election panel - Giles Clarke/Getty Images Europe Martine Villeneuve, country director for the charity Action Against Hunger, said shooting and shouting could be heard around Petionville from 2am to 11am as the vigilantes and police repulsed wave after wave of Vivre Ensemble attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The self-defence groups in the neighbourhoods were carrying out a manhunt for anyone associated with the gangs. Tuesday was a long night. It was very disturbing, she told The Telegraph. Vigilantes protecting their families from the gangs that target them with rape, kidnappings, murder and extortion, is not new in Haiti, where the police force is undermanned, riddled with corruption and outgunned by the gangsters. The vigilante movement is known as Bwa Kale and has even inspired musical tributes with machine gun-like drum mixes. Typically, residents and local business owners club together to arm neighbourhood self-defence groups, meaning that Petionvilles self-appointed defenders may have been better equipped than those in poorer districts. The auto-defence groups are trying to protect their neighbourhoods. They put barricades in the street and control who enters and leaves, said Ms Villeneuve. They know who lives there, and which organisations are trying to help, but they stop anyone suspicious. High-stakes strategy Yet fighting back against the gangs is a high-stakes strategy. One of the worst massacres since the current bout of bloodshed broke out in Haiti in February came in September in the small town of Pont-Sonde after locals dismantled a toll booth that the Gran Grif gang had placed on a nearby road. The gang responded by shooting and hacking to death around 70 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in the institutional power vacuum currently engulfing Haiti, the Bwa Kale have sparked concerns about their own human rights abuses and the risk that they will devolve into yet more criminal gangs. Tuesdays gun battle in Petionville comes as the bloodshed in Haiti appears to be ramping up amid yet more political turbulence in the former French colony, founded in 1803 by African slaves. Two weeks ago, the transitional council replaced Garry Conille, a US ally, as prime minister, prompting the latest wave of bloodletting. Since then, flights into Port-au-Princes main airport have been suspended after a Spirit Airlines passenger jet flying in from Florida was shot at multiple times, injuring a stewardess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, after 30 years of uninterrupted service, Doctors Without Borders this week suspended its operations in Haiti, saying the security situation had become untenable and blaming, among others, the Bwa Kale. In a statement, the group accused police and vigilantes of having executed two patients, presumably injured gang members, being transported in one of its ambulances, the latest in a series of threats and attacks on its operations. The gang violence comes amid a growing humanitarian catastrophe in Haiti - Ralph Tedy Erol/Reuters The groups withdrawal intensifies a humanitarian situation that Ms Villeneuve describes as catastrophic. The violence has ground the economy to a halt, leaving crops unharvested and food unable to enter Port-au-Prince, with the port closed and the roads into the city controlled by the gangs. Half of Haitis population of nearly 12 million now eat just one meal a day. Another 1.2 million are on the brink of famine, according to Ms Villeneuve, with just one meal every two or three days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet Cherizier, a former elite police officer with political ambitions and a penchant for pseudo-revolutionary rhetoric, appears undaunted, treating both ordinary Haitians and his own gang members as expendable. Since the disastrous street battle in Petionville, he has been seen handing out school backpacks to children in Port-au-Prince as he attempts to bolster his image as a Robin Hood character defending the very communities he terrorises. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH) Members of the Hawthorne community gathered in the rain Saturday afternoon to show their thanks to the firefighters who spent weeks battling a brush fire in Berlin. The group gathered in the Sea Green Drive cul-de-sac at 12:30 p.m., the same area where firefighters camped out for more than two weeks in October to combat the fire on Lamentation Mountain. In attendance were Berlins four Fire Chiefs: Thoms R. Farr, Jeff Pajor, Andrew Hrubiec and Jonn Massirio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Personally, its a great honor to recognise the sacrifice they make and give every day, said Lisa Dann, President of the Board of Directors at Silver Ridge Home Owners Association. It is not lost on us that Robert Sharky Sharkevich lost his life literally up here on this hill. We will forever mourn his loss. The four chiefs were presented with a $6,550 check to be divided equally between them. A separate fundraiser for the family of Robert Sharkevich will be held Sunday, 4:00 p.m., at Casa Mia in Hawthorne. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Republicans are threatening to defund critical agencies and groups. President of the American Federation of Teachers Randi Weingarten joins The Weekend to discuss Trumps controversial education department pick. WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) In West Valley City, a beloved local comic book shop is getting back on its feet after an estimated 1.3 million gallons of water flooded into the back of the store. To help them achieve this, the local community of nerds and geeks alike rallied together Saturday by bringing the very comics the store sells to life. Forced to move after the flood, The Nerd Store has temporarily set up shop at the former home of Rue 21, toward the west side of the mall. Following a flood that forced The Nerd Store to move, an event was put together by the community to support the shop. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Following a flood that forced The Nerd Store to move, an event was put together by the community to support the shop. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Following a flood that forced The Nerd Store to move, an event was put together by the community to support the shop. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Following a flood that forced The Nerd Store to move, an event was put together by the community to support the shop. (KTVX/Dennis Dolan) Roger Prows, co-owner of The Nerd Store, said the store flooded on Oct. 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was about over a million gallons of water coming out of a water main. Only our store in the mall was affected. It kind of put us out. We had to move all of this in basically a week, get a new store set up outside the mall. We are doing our best to let people know where we are at, he said. To make sure everyone knows The Nerd Store is still around during the busy holiday season, community members came together to organize an event with guests, comic creators, artists, and cosplayers. Proceeds made today went towards any funds that the stores insurance may not cover. Our comic book community here in Salt Lake is really good about looking out for each other, stores and artists and traders alike, and so when they had that problem, we saw what kind of horrible damage it was causing, we just said You know what? We got resources we can give to this. We could just go out and have an event at the store and support them and show our solidarity, and it caught on like wildfire, said Adrian Ropp, a comic book artist and writer who has worked on Archie. Ropp detailed how the comic book community is always doing what they can to support each other, adding that they also rallied together last year to help him with medical bills as he faced health problems. Cosplayers gathered together at an event to help The Nerd Store following a flood. (Courtesy Eric Allan Hall) Youll see stuff like that over and over and over, he said. They just all have hearts of gold. They just want to be helpful and spread positivity into the world. Im just happy to be a part of that team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comic characters, Disney princesses, and galactic heroes were all at the mall to help save the day as well as special guests, including Travis Romney, the creator behind The Mighty Utahn, Doug Wagner and Steven Phillip Jones who have worked on DC and Marvel comics. Ropp said if youre curious to check out the shop, there is a story for just about everyone inside. Comics are for everyone. If youre resisting coming to a comic shop because you think theres some label that it puts on people, please dont. Youre just missing out on some fantastic stories, and thats really what its all about, is all of us getting together kind of like a mini comic-con and just enjoying all these cool, diverse stories with each other, he remarked. In addition to their West Valley location, you can also find The Nerd Store at The University Place in Orem and the Gateway in Salt Lake City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For updates, visit The Nerd Store website, Facebook, or Instagram pages. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. BEIRUT Hezbollah fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel on Sunday, wounding seven people in one of the militant groups heaviest barrages in months, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut while negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. Some of the rockets reached the Tel Aviv area in the heart of Israel. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on an army center killed a Lebanese soldier and wounded 18 others in the southwest between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanons military said. The Israeli military expressed regret, saying that the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah and that the militarys operations are directed solely against the militants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanons military has largely kept to the sidelines. Lebanons caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the latest strike as an assault on U.S.-led cease-fire efforts, calling it a direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts to end the war. Hezbollah fires rockets after strikes on Beirut: Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. Hezbollah has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. Israel launched retaliatory airstrikes at Hezbollah, and in September the low-level conflict erupted into all-out war as Israel launched airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon and killed Hezbollahs top leader, Hassan Nasrallah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said about 250 projectiles were fired Sunday, with some intercepted. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated seven people, including a 60-year old man in severe condition from rocket fire on northern Israel, a 23-year-old man who was lightly wounded by a blast in the central city of Petah Tikva, near Tel Aviv, and a 70-year-old woman who suffered smoke inhalation from a car that caught fire there. In Haifa, a rocket hit a residential building that police said was in danger of collapsing. The Palestine Red Crescent reported 13 injuries it said were caused by an interceptor missile that struck several homes in Tulkarem in the West Bank. It was unclear whether injuries and damage were caused by rockets or interceptors. Sirens wailed again in central and northern Israel hours later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli airstrikes without warning on Saturday pounded central Beirut, killing at least 29 people and wounding 67, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. Smoke billowed above Beirut again Sunday with new strikes. Israels military said it targeted command centers for Hezbollah and its intelligence unit in the southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, where the militants have a strong presence. Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanons population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardment in northern Israel and in battle following Israels ground invasion in early October. Around 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from the countrys north. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EU envoy calls for pressure to reach a truce: The European Unions top diplomat called Sunday for more pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to reach a deal, saying one was pending with a final agreement from the Israeli government. U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week. Josep Borrell spoke after meeting with Mikati and Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who has been mediating with the group. Borrell said the EU is ready to allocate 200 million euros ($208 million) to assist the Lebanese military. But Borrell later said that he did not see the Israeli government interested clearly in reaching an agreement for a cease-fire and that it seemed Israel was seeking new conditions. He pointed to Israels refusal to accept France as a member of the international committee that would oversee the cease-fires implementation. The emerging agreement would pave the way for the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon below the Litani River in accordance with the U.N. Security Council resolution that ended the monthlong 2006 war. Lebanese troops would patrol with the presence of U.N. peacekeepers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One year since the only hostage-release deal: With talks for a cease-fire and hostage release deal in Gaza stalled, freed hostages and families of those held marked a year since the wars only hostage-release deal. Its hard to hold on to hope, certainly after so long and as another winter is about to begin, said Yifat Zailer, cousin of Shiri Bibas, who is held along with her husband and two young sons. Around 100 hostages are still in Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. Most of the rest of the 250 who were abducted in the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack were released in last years cease-fire. Talks for another deal recently had several setbacks, including the firing of Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who pushed for a deal, and Qatars decision to suspend its mediation. Hamas wants Israel to end the war and withdraw all troops from Gaza. Israel has offered only to pause its offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palestinian death toll from the war surpassed 44,000 this week, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. On Sunday, six people were killed in strikes in central Gaza, according to AP journalists at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. Sirens sounded across Israel and multiple people were injured on Sunday in rocket strikes from Lebanon, the Israeli military said. It said roughly 150 rockets were fired by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia, forcing civilians to shelter across central and northern Israel, including in Tel Aviv. According to the military, around 30 missiles were fired at the coastal city of Haifa and the western Galilee region within minutes, some of which were intercepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people were reportedly injured in the attacks. The attacks came one day after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut reportedly killed at least 20 people. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire repeatedly since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Israel launched a ground offensive to root the militia out of southern Lebanon in September. The Palestinian Gaza Strip, which is facing ongoing devastating Israeli attacks, has been highlighted in the 45th edition of the Cairo International Film Festival (CIFF), with several Palestinian films and filmmakers awarded during the closing ceremony held on Friday evening. The documentary A State of Passion by Carol Mansour, a Lebanese-Canadian filmmaker of Palestinian origin, and Lebanese producer Muna Khalidi, which sheds light on the medical journey of a Palestinian doctor within Palestine, was awarded Best Arabic Film in the Horizons of Arab Cinema competition. A Palestinian film competition was initiated in this year's CIFF, in cooperation with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation States Broadcasting Union (OSBU). The first OSBU award at the 45th CIFF was given to the documentary Square Kilometer Dreams directed by Palestinian filmmaker Qassam Sbeih, the second to A State of Passion, and the third to Passing Dreams directed by Palestinian filmmaker Rashid Masharawi. "Given what is happening in Palestine this year, and specifically in Gaza, it was important that the films we made about Gaza be screened at the CIFF," Masharawi told Xinhua during the closing ceremony, stressing the significant role of art in supporting just causes. Meanwhile, in a special program held for the anthology film From Ground Zero, which combines 22 short films from Gaza, the films Soft Skin, No Signal, and A School Day received cash prizes. From day one of the 45th CIFF, the festival showed solidarity with the Palestinian cause by screening Passing Dreams as its opening film. The festival's president, Egyptian veteran movie star Hussein Fahmy, and the CIFF staff all attached to their attire a label pin of the national flag of Palestine as a sign of solidarity and support. "The 45th CIFF was not held as scheduled last year due to the events in Gaza, so we had to cancel the festival then. We have returned to say through the festival that Gaza is in our hearts and the Palestinian people are always with us," Fahmy told Xinhua in an earlier interview during the festival. Launched in 1976, the CIFF is one of the oldest film festivals in the Arab world, Africa, and the Middle East. This year's edition featured around 190 films from more than 70 countries and regions. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Agurs neighborhood in Shreveport is north of the citys historic downtown. But Agurs hasnt always been a neighborhood in Shreveport. Agurs was once located on a natural island that was enclosed by the Red River, Cross Bayou, and Twelve Mile Bayou. Heres a part of the little historic villages history. Village of Agurs Agurs sits on Douglas Island, the only natural island in Shreveport, roughly bounded by Cross Bayou, Twelve-Mile Bayou, and Red River. Agurs saw business activity as early as the 1830s. William Bennett, James Huntington Cane, and Mary Bennett Cane were the first business owners. Mary was Bennetts wife, and upon his death, she married Cane. Bennett died in 1837. Cane died in 1846. Mary died much later, in 1902. They ran their Bennett and Cane Trading Post on a bluff named for them in downtown Shreveport, a short distance from the Spring Street Museum. They operated a ferry between the trading post and the Bossier side of the Red River. They also had a minor operation on the north side of Cross Bayou at its mouth. The latter is the first known business in Agurs. This is shown on a Confederate defense map of Shreveport drawn in 1864. A portion of the Map of the inner defenses of Shreveport: Shreveport and Environs by Confederate Major Richard Venable, 1864, in the Hill Memorial Library, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge. Copies are located at the Northwest Louisiana Archives, Louisiana State University Shreveport, and the Spring Street Museum in Shreveport. The Confederate defense map shows Agurs as heavily wooded with some open pastureland, three homes, and a cattle yard. The Confederates used Cross Bayou as a naval construction base, which may have fueled the expansion of industry away from downtown Shreveport. Digital Map of Agurs. Research and cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D Adjoining Douglas Island to the north are Freestate and Wells Island. Both are considered part of the Agurs neighborhood. Beyond these and to the east are the Cherokee Park neighborhood and the Downtown Airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people who lived in Agurs mainly were located on the south and west sides, with the interior evolving from agriculture to light and heavy industry. Industrial activity began with the discovery of gas and oil in Caddo Parish. The village was firmly in place by 1903 and expanded progressively by World War One. It was named for W.C. Agurs, the largest landowner. The people in Shreveport who made the first fortunes in the oil and gas industry used Agurs as a centralized location to handle the needs of the drillers. The village was never incorporated as a town, but that did not hinder its significance. By 1926, its population numbered about 400 residents and contained 387 acres. The oil and gas boom saw new streets and railroad activity. This is seen clearly in aerial photographs by the Fairchild Aerial Survey Company in December 1925. History of redlining in Shreveport: Part 1 The City of Shreveport wanted to expand into three adjoining municipalities in 1926. These were Agurs, South Highlands, and Cedar Grove. It would later absorb the Town of Summer Grove in the same manner. The citizens of Agurs voted for the annexation, followed shortly after by the voters in Shreveport. Agurs mayor, V.H. Beach, handed the towns books over to Shreveports Mayor, L.E. Thomas, and Agurs became an instant neighborhood. Display advertisement in Album of Facts Relating to Shreveport of To-Day: The Metropolis of Red River Valley, the third largest inland cotton market in the world (Shreveport, LA: The Shreveport Progressive League, September 1904). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Agurs thrived with commerce during the Great Depression and World War II. Oil and Gas and related manufacturing concerns guaranteed it. Early Shreveport automobile dealerships were located there until they moved away from downtown after the war. The Brewster Company created an extensive complex that began as an iron foundry in 1910 and expanded into drilling rig construction and drilling pipe. The buildings remain today, as do most commercial buildings from the 1930s onward. One of a series of aerial images captured by the Fairchild Aerial Survey Company in December 1925 for Delta Airlines as the company sought a site for a new airport. Downtown Airports location was chosen from this. SourceFairchild Aerial Photograph Collection, Northwest Louisiana Archives, LSU Shreveport. Research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. The Sanborn Fire Insurance Company mapped Shreveport on a scale of one inch, equal to fifty feet, between 1885 and 1961. Their purpose was to define fire risks, and their maps, although outdated regarding street improvements, still provide the most accurate depiction of the city in their snapshots of time. Agurs was captured in 1935 and again in 1961, the latter as a minor update. The Sanborn system captured buildings in the accurate shape and location. City blocks and lots are shown per legal plats. Most important to their purpose, building information is complex and precise. Wooden buildings are colored in yellow. Residences are labeled with a D for dwelling. Brick or brick-clad buildings are colored pink. Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, Volume 3, Plate 332. Sanborn Fire Insurance Collection, Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401196103/?sp=37&r=-0.304,0.167,1.302,0.755,0 Almost all of these were commercial structures, and the name of the business and its use were labeled. Metal buildings are colored light blue, and corrugated structures are colored gray. More significant buildings show interior dimensions and structural supports. Rail lines and spurs are portrayed. Streets are shown in their widths, and fire mains with hydrants are also drawn. Sanborn did not map every square foot of Shreveport. Areas with no buildings, therefore no insurance risk, were ignored. Some pages do not abut others. Most of Agurs is found on sheets 332 and 344. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plate 332 lies north of Cross Bayou and strides North Market Street. This is the core of the original village. Digital aerial photography of the Agurs neighborhood (2020). SourceNorthwest Louisiana Council of Governments (NLCOG). Research and Cartography by Gary D. Joiner, Ph.D. The Map is very close to what the HOLC valuators saw in 1940. It is perplexing that they chose to ignore Agurs as a commercial and industrial area. This punished the residents, almost all of whom worked in the industrial firms or small businesses that supported them. Agurs was the first Class D Hazardous area defined by the HOLC (D-1). The HOLC D-1 description reads: D-1 This section is formerly the incorporated village of Agurs. Population 60% white and 40% negro composed of low income class of laborers and cheaper mechanics. Very little residential development and practically all of it is cheaper rental property. There is some industrial development in this section and quite a few filling stations and lunch stands along the main highway which runs through the section. Area about 10% built up. Age of properties 1 to 30 years single family dwellings predominate, mostly of cheap construction and poorly maintained. No shifting of population. The section is in what is known as the river bottoms. Sources: Eric J. Brock, Agurs Used to Be An Independent Village, Presence of The Past, Shreveport Journal, March 11, 1995. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AGURS, VILLAGE OF Handbook of North Louisiana Online Published by LSU-Shreveport. https://nwla-archives.org/handbook/agursVillageOf.htm Eric J. Brock, AgursLuck, Hard Work Paid Off, Shreveport Times, 5 Oct. 1979, 1B. Brock, Agurs Used to Be An Independent Village. Towns of South Highlands and Cedar Grove, Ordinance 21 of 1926; Village of Agurs, Ordinance 64 of 1926, City of Shreveport Ordinance 54 of 1958. Brock, Agurs Used to be An Independent Village.; Brock, Agurs Progresses From Farming Community to Industrial Section of Shreveportr. Presence of the Past, Forum News, May 30, 2001. Sanborn Fire Insurance Company, Volume 3, Plate 332. Sanborn Fire Insurance Collection, Library of Congress. https://www.loc.gov/resource/g4014sm.g03401196103/?sp=37&r=-0.304,0.167,1.302,0.755,0 Gary D. Joiner received a B.A. in history and geography from Louisiana Tech University, an M.A. in history from Louisiana Tech University, and a Ph.D. in history from St. Martins College, Lancaster University in the United Kingdom. He is a Professor of History at Louisiana State University in Shreveport, where he holds the Mary Anne and Leonard Selber Professorship. He is the director of the Strategy Alternatives Consortium and the Red River Regional Studies Center. His research interests span military history, local and regional studies, and defense-related projects. He is the author or editor of 38 books, including: 9/11: A Remembrance, Henry Chilvers: Admired by All (2018), History Matters, Shiloh and the Western Campaign of 1862, One Damn Blunder From Beginning to End, Through the Howling Wilderness, No Pardons to Ask Nor Apologies to Make, Little to Eat and Thin Mud to Drink, Mr. Lincolns Brown Water Navy, Red River Steamboats, Historic Shreveport-Bossier, Lost Shreveport: Vanishing Scenes From the Red River Valley, Historic Haunts of Shreveport and Wicked Shreveport, Wicked Shreveport, Historic Oakland Cemetery, Local Legends of Shreveport, Shreveports Historic Greenwood Cemetery: Stories in Granite and Marble, Red River Campaign: The Unions Last Attempt to Invade Texas, and The Battle of New Orleans: A Bicentennial Tribute. Dr. Joiner is also the author of numerous articles and technical reports and served as a consultant for ABC, CBS, Fox News, PBS, the Associated Press, A&E Network, C-SPAN, the Discovery Network, HGTV, the History Channel, MSNBC, SyFy, and MTV among others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among his awards and honors are: the Aaron and Peggy Selber Writing Competition Prize; Albert Castel Award; A.M. Pate, Jr. Award, Listed in the International Biographical Centre (Cambridge, England) Outstanding Academics of the 21st Century; Jefferson Davis Award nomination; Silver Spur Award nomination, Western Writers of America; Army Historical Foundation finalist, Distinguished Writing Award; Douglas Southall Freeman Award nomination, MOS & B; Book of the Month Club featured alternate, History Book Club Main Selection, and Military Book featured alternate; Lifetime Achievement Award and Life Membership, Red River Civil War Roundtable, Alexandria, Louisiana; Charles L. Pie Dufour Award, for Preservation and Scholarly Contributions in the field of History, New Orleans Civil War Roundtable; A.M. Pate Distinguished Service Award for Civil War History by the Fort Worth Civil War Round Table; Louisiana Trust for Historic Preservation, Preservationist of the Year Award for 2010. Jaclyn Tripp is an investigative reporter with KTAL NBC 6 News in Shreveport, where she focuses on the history, culture, and environment of northwest Louisiana. She is a United States Air Force Veteran, a graduate of Southern Arkansas University and DINFOS, and won the Louisiana Press Associations award for Best Investigative Reporting. While on active duty, Jaclyn served as a military artist and photographer and as the assistant to Little Rock Air Force Bases historian. Shes a member of the Edward Murrow Award-winning digital team with KTAL NBC 6 News and KTALnews.com. Tripp was born in Shreveport and is a native of both Webster and Claiborne Parishes. Dr. Gary Joiner took the lead on this article. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Before the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville was home to Arkansas College, the states first degree-conferring institution. Established in 1850 by Disciples of Christ pastor Robert Graham, the college played a key role in Arkansass early educational history, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. On Dec. 14, 1852, the Arkansas General Assembly authorized Arkansas College to issue degrees, a first in the state. Located at what is now 220 North College Avenue, the site of the First Christian Church, the college awarded its first bachelors degrees in 1854. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Old Main: the history behind the University of Arkansass first building Students from Arkansas, Missouri, Texas, Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) and even England attended, according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Robert Graham, born in Liverpool, England, in 1822, led the colleges founding. After immigrating to the United States, Graham worked as a carpenter in Pennsylvania and later studied at Bethany College in Virginia (now West Virginia). During a mission trip to the Southwest, he organized a Fayetteville congregation in 1848, paving the way for Arkansas Colleges creation. Early classes were held at a residence near present-day Dickson Street and St. Charles Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1851, Graham purchased ten acres between Dickson and Spring Streets, now home to the Washington County Courthouse and First Christian Church. Did you know these actors were born in Arkansas? William Baxter assumed leadership in 1859 after Graham departed for Kentucky University, though Graham briefly returned in 1860. The Civil War disrupted the college, with students joining Confederate regiments. On March 4, 1862, retreating Confederate forces burned the campus before the Battle of Pea Ridge. A courthouse built in Fayetteville Square in 1854 was also destroyed, according to the City of Fayettevilles website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Arkansas College never reopened, its impact was lasting. The communitys pride in the institution contributed to Fayetteville securing Arkansas Industrial University in 1871, which later became the University of Arkansas. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Hope Dealers Be the Change gave away Thanksgiving meals to the community Sunday afternoon in what officials called a hopegiving. The event, now in its sixth year, took place in the parking lot of El Pilon Criollo on N Clinton Avenue in Rochester. We spend months preparing for our hopesgiving event. All the food is donated, or made by our volunteers, said Natalie Cihan, the Executive Director. Between planning the location, coordinating the volunteers and getting everything together so that we can have this awesome event, it does take a good two months for us to plan. Hope Dealers is run by volunteers and provides a variety of services free of charge to those facing substance-use disorder, including a hot meal program, often assisting those battling fentanyl and xylazine addictions, mental health issues and poverty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giving back to the community is what our organization does, Cihan said. Were here to serve every Sunday morning, we give out clothing, harm reduction items like Narcan and fentanyl test strips, condoms, food whatever has been donated to us, blankets, sleeping bags. We just want to make sure people feel human, and sometimes when people feel human, theyll seek the services they need. If anyone needs help with addiction, Hope Dealers BTC encourages folks to call 585-633-8690. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Tennessee House Democrats voted to retain top leadership during caucus elections on Saturday, despite challenges from a wing of the party straining for more stringent resistance to the Republican supermajority's powerful grip. Fending off a challenge from Memphis Rep. Justin Pearson who gained national prominence after Republicans expelled him from the House of Representatives last year House Minority Caucus Chairman John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, will continue to lead the caucus. Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis presents himself as a candidate for Democratic Caucus Chairman at an organizational meeting of the House Democratic Caucus at the Cordell Hull Legislative Office Building on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. House Minority Leader Karen Camper, D-Memphis will continue in her position after members voted down a bid from fellow Memphis Democrat Rep. G.A. Hardaway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vote counts were not announced during the meeting. The House Democratic Caucus held leadership elections during an organizational meeting at the Cordell Hull Legislative Office Building on Saturday afternoon in a meeting open to the press. House Republicans are scheduled to hold caucus elections in a meeting in Gatlinburg on Tuesday. House Minority Leader, Rep. Karen Camper, D- Memphis speaks during a press conference condemning HB 1931, at Cordell Hull State Office Building in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, March 4, 2024. The bill by Rep. John Gillespie, R- Memphis, would keep local governments from enacting any laws that restrict local police officers from making minor traffic stops. Despite a lack of changes in top leadership, those members backing changes pleaded with colleagues to "rise up" in challenging the Republican supermajority. Kicking off the meeting, Rep. Jason Powell, D-Nashville, made an impassioned speech voicing dissatisfaction with complacency that he feels has characterized the Democratic minority in recent years and calling upon colleagues to renew their fighting spirit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I came to my first caucus meeting, I was so excited," Powell said. "But for the first time, my happiness and spirit was broken." Reading lyrics from the Broadway musical Hamilton, Powell indicated that caucus leadership has embraced the concept voiced by Aaron Burr in the play of "talk less, smile more; don't let them know what you're against or what you're for." I have lived that and buried my passion as a legislator," he continued. "I feel like I became part of the Stanford Prison Project where literally the captors became the captives themselves. I took joy in passing meager bills that honestly did very little." Then, he said, when Reps. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, and Rep. Gloria Johnson, D-Knoxville, stood in defiance for gun reform following the Covenant shooting, Powell saw a glimmer of hope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt that spark, that energy that had been dead in me in this building for 12 years, he said. I believe our team has the Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson on our side You dont put those people on the bench. Powell supported nominations of progressive caucus newcomers throughout the meeting. Rep. G. A. Hardaway, D-Memphis, presents himself as a candidate for Democratic Leader at an organizational meeting of the House Democratic Caucus at the Cordell Hull Legislative Office Building on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. Democrats also elected or appointed the following members to caucus positions: Assistant Democratic Leader - Rep. Harold Love, D-Nashville Democratic Caucus Whip - Rep. Sam McKenzie, D-Knoxville Democratic Floor Leader - Rep. Torrey Harris, D-Memphis Caucus Vice Chairman - Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville Caucus Treasurer - Rep. Ronnie Glynn, D-Clarksville Caucus Secretary - Rep. Yusuf Hakeem, D-Chattanooga Leader Pro Tempore - Rep. Larry Miller, D-Memphis Caucus Fiscal Review Committee Members - Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Boliver, Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville Assistant Floor Leader - Rep. Shaundelle Brooks, D-Nashville Deputy WHIP - Rep. Gabby Salinas D-Memphis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Bob Freeman, D-Nashville, thanked caucus members for their support this week after the sudden loss of his father, longtime Democrat donor Bill Freeman. My dad loved Democrat politics, Freeman said. Im going to miss him. But he got a lot of joy out of watching us. Days ahead of the meeting there was an apparent attempt to tamp down challenges of existing leadership. Clemmons, who faced a challenge from Pearson, sent an email to members on Tuesday asserting that the handful of members who paid their dues late this year would not be allowed to vote or stand or election without a successful motion to suspend the rules approved by two-thirds of the caucus. Caucus bylaws prescribe that members who fail to pay dues will lose voting privileges, but once a member pays their dues in full, at any time, their privileges shall be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Rep. Jason Powell, D-Nashville, sent an email arguing to caucus members that bylaws prescribe restoration of privileges once a member pays their dues in full and therefore no two-thirds vote or rules suspension is necessary. I served on the Rules Committee and the intent was to increase funding and buy-in for the Caucus, Powell wrote. The goal is accomplished immediately when a member pays dues. Clemmons on Saturday admitted to the caucus at Jones behest that he had misread the bylaws. Sitting treasurer Rep. Ronnie Glynn, D-Clarksville, confirmed by letter that all members had paid their dues ahead of the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Closing the meeting Johnson cautioned members going forward that Republican members are not our friends. Every single one of our colleagues across the aisle voted to have a knee on the neck of women and girls, the LGBTQ community, the Black community, the brown community, the disabled community, the senior citizen community, Johnson said. We have to work with them, but they need to work with us, because our legislation is supported by the majority of Tennesseans not theirs. Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: House Democrats retain leadership despite calls for change A submerged car found inside a Georgia pond may be the key to solving a 44-year-old missing person case. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Friday, Floridas Sunshine State Sonar Team found a Lincoln Continental in a pond between the Royal Inn Hotel and Interstate 95 on New Jesup Highway. The Glynn County police said the car matches the same one Charles and Catherine Romer were believed to be driving when they vanished in April 1980. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to The New York Times, on April 8, 1980, the couple arrived at the Holiday Inn in Brunswick, registered as guests, unpacked in their room and disappeared. A motel attendant reported three days later that the room had not been occupied, and the police began a search. The car was never found, although one police report said it had been seen heading south an hour after the couple registered. They were last heard from in a telephone call to one of their sons on Easter Sunday, April 6, 1980, as they prepared to leave a Miami Beach hotel to drive their 1979 Lincoln home. The family reported later that Catherine Romer had jewelry worth between $60,000 and $80,000 on her. One of the sons, Charles R. Romer Jr. of Mahwah, N.J., told The New York Times, We just dont have any leads right now at all' into the disappearances of his father, who was 74 years old in 1980, and his second wife, Catherine, 76. Ill never give up on it, Charles R. Romer Jr. told The New York Times. Ill always try to find out what happened. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glynn County investigators and the Camden County dive team found one human bone in the car and the pond continues to be drained to see if more remains can be found. The department has not confirmed the identity of the remains found and is utilizing special equipment for a thorough investigation and uncovering more evidence. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Glynn County police are investigating the case. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Glynn County Police Department at 912-554-3645 or anonymously via Silent Witness at 912-264-1333. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Figure AI, a robotics innovator, and BMW, the German automobile giant, have revealed remarkable advancements in the Figure 02 humanoid robot's capabilities. Operating on a production line, the Figure 02 robot has made a significant leap, achieving a 400% increase in speed and a sevenfold improvement in success rate. The companies described these developments as a game-changer for autonomous manufacturing systems. Demonstrating precision and speed In a newly released video, Figure 02 is shown performing up to 1,000 placements per day. This represents a milestone for humanoid robots in industrial applications. Commenting on this achievement, Figures founder and CEO, Brett Adcock, remarked, This will only improve as we deploy more robots, collect more data, and improve our AI models. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video also highlighted Figure 02s high-precision abilities, particularly in a sheet metal insertion task. The task required the robot to place sheet metal into a pin-pole less than one centimeter wide, a demanding process that relied on millimeter-level accuracy. Adcock described the challenge, noting the need for the robot to manipulate "difficult-to-handle sheet metal parts" while avoiding collisions and maintaining precise placement. The operation's cycle time had to be reduced by four minutes to meet production standards. It was arguably 10x harder than any stationary tabletop manipulation task weve showcased before, Adcock said, underscoring the complexity of this endeavor. https://twitter.com/adcock_brett/status/1858876464458068275 Collaboration with BMW and future plans The Figure 02 humanoid was successfully tested earlier this year at BMW's Spartanburg plant, marking the first time BMW integrated a humanoid robot into its production line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the company confirmed the initial tests, BMW stated, There are no Figure AI robots at BMW Group Plant Spartanburg, and there is no definite timetable established for bringing Figure robots to the plant. Despite this, plans are underway for Figure 02 to return to BMWs facility in January 2025. This collaboration highlights the potential of humanoid robots in streamlining automotive production processes and tackling tasks traditionally performed by human workers. Backed by industry titans Figure AI's advancements are backed by robust financial support, having raised a $675 million Series B funding round led by industry heavyweights such as OpenAI, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Jeff Bezos. Currently valued at $2.6 billion, the California-based robotics firm is well-positioned to scale its operations and refine its technology further. Adcock added that the Figure 02 humanoid hasnt yet reached its full potential. "We are nowhere near the maximum speed that can be achieved by the motors," he said, hinting at even greater efficiencies to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company plans to deploy more humanoid robots in real-world environments by 2025, paving the way for broader industrial adoption. https://twitter.com/adcock_brett/status/1859109933402538297 With this partnership and its innovative approach, Figure AI continues to push the boundaries of robotics, offering a glimpse into the future of automation. FARMINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) More than 500 Thanksgiving meals were assembled for delivery Saturday morning in Farmington at the KBE Foundations Gift of Gobble. More than 40 volunteers and their families gathered at Camp Courant to continue the tradition thats been happening every Thanksgiving since 2009. We have done about 5,100 meals all together over the years 12 or 13 years, said Maryellen Cherwinski, Chair of KBE Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers formed meal-prep assembly lines where they packed meal boxes with turkey, green beans, yams, dinner rolls, two kinds of pie, a roasting pan and more. The meal boxes will be distributed between 18 different community service organizations who deliver the meals to families in need. Anyone interested in helping those in Connecticut struggling with food insecurity should visit CTFoodshare.org to find the nearest food pantry or to donate. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Last week, President Biden authorized Ukraine to strike Russian territory with U.S long-range missiles. Given Russias recent attack of 120 missiles and 90 drones on Ukraines energy infrastructure right before a cold winter, that is an appropriate response if Putin is ever to come to the negotiating table to end the war. Its also a response likely to be reversed by President-elect Donald Trump currying favor with his favorite dictator. Ukraine and Western Europe must be bracing for the worst. Trump has cozied up to the invader Putin and shows no signs of providing the required military assistance Ukraine will need to win the war or to arrive at a negotiated settlement that respects its national borders and ensures Ukrainian freedom. We do know from Trumps bungling the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan that he moves with reckless abandon and showcases none of the art of the deal he brags about in his book of the same title. The peace agreement with the Taliban he negotiated for the U.S withdrawal had no enforcement mechanism to make sure the Taliban wouldnt harbor terrorists. His disastrous Afghanistan experience, the results of which he attempted to pin on President Biden, doesnt bode well for Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump brags about his close relationship with Putin, inferring that will allow him to end the war in Ukraine. Such talk is pure folly. For all of Trumps bravado about how he has carved out a special relationship with Putin, Trump learned recently the limits of this so-called friendship with the Russian strongman when Melania Trumps nude photos were released on Russian TV after Trumps victory. A not-so-subtle reminder from Putin about whos in charge and who is the unwitting accomplice. Trumps unqualified pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, sure doesnt hold out much hope for a Ukraine counting on U.S. support. A critic of NATO, Hegseths confusing and conflicting takes on Ukraine and Western Europe over recent years proves only that he is willing to pay homage to Trump and stand down on U.S. support for Ukraine. Americans who live in states where there is a loyal opposition can at least hear their public officials who represent them in Washington speak out against Trumps dreadful appointments and his reckless foreign policy instincts. Once the media picks up on rising levels of dissension from the loyal opposition, it can turn up the heat on members of the Republican majority in Congress. Those with a modicum of independence may be willing to challenge the worst inclinations of Trump, whether that be the U.S. role in Ukraine or dangerous Cabinet appointments. That seems to be playing out now with some Republican senators asking tough questions about at least one Trump appointment. In Idaho, Sens. Jim Risch and Mike Crapo, and Reps. Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher remain the well-trained MAGA church mice Trump requires. Just check out their websites to see where they stand on Ukraine or, more accurately, where they sit in silence. I could find nary a word of support for Ukraine, much less mention of the war. The websites of Idahos congressional delegation may be silent on Ukraine, but in case your avian interests are salivating for how they intend to protect the sage grouse, theyre on it. The Idaho sage grouse stands in for Ukraine on all four websites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has made it clear where he stands. During the campaign, he told MAGA rallies he could end the war in a day, a preposterous claim unless his intention is to join with his pal, Putin, and force a Russian settlement on Ukraine. Trump could threaten to withdraw critical humanitarian and technological support if President Zelensky does not comply. This is the guy with a history of extortion in Ukraine. In 2019, he pressured Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, to uncover damaging information about his top Democratic challenger in the 2020 election. American history is rife with election outcomes proving that Americans vote for butter not guns, that is, they pay little attention to foreign policy and vote accordingly. That certainly appears to be the case with the 2024 election with the economy front and center and the war on the people of Ukraine failing to impress voters. But when strongman Putin sends armies to invade Ukraine and kills 35,000 of its citizens, 12,000 of whom are civilians, public officials have a responsibility to educate the citizenry on just how short-sighted it is to desert a nation that could become a stepping-stone for Putin to invade other allies like democratic Poland and who knows where he goes from there. And mums the word from the Idaho congressional delegation. To find a place where Idahoans do respond to people in need, look no farther than Twin Falls, Idaho where volunteers have come to the rescue of war-torn Ukraine. These folks are the antithesis of Idahos elected officials in Washington playing dodgeball to avoid disagreeing with Trump. These volunteers rise above the partisanship of the day and declare it their civic responsibility to help those under attack from a dictator. Twin Falls resident Rob Sturgill founded Type of Wood Charities after doing relief work in the Philippines. He and his brother Dave flew to Warsaw after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, rented vans and drove refugees from the Ukrainian border to safety. His brother, Jerry Sturgill, a Boise investment banker and 2016 candidate for the Senate seat of Senator Mike Crapo, helps the cause on the ground here in Idaho, but he did join his brothers and volunteers in Ukraine last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just last week, Rob Sturgill and his fellow volunteers led another trip to Ukraine and put themselves in harms way. While delivering critical humanitarian aid to Dnipro, Putin attacked the city with a new intermediate-range ballistic missile. These Idaho volunteers show the kind of courage so sadly lacking among Idahos public officials, so afraid of differing with their fake, mystic Trump. Boiseans are pitching in to make a difference. Its called Idaho Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine which has a website you can visit and learn what donations can make the difference in the lives of Ukrainians struggling now to regain their livelihoods and remain free. Theres a list of essentials including non-perishable food, first aid and medical kits, baby items, survival supplies like flashlights, sleeping bags and blankets. Monetary donations are also accepted. If you want further information, you can call 208-794-4133 or visit its website at idahohumanitarianaid.org. Idaho Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine is an extension of the Ukrainian church in Boise, The Full Gospel Slavic Church. Thanks to the lending hands of other Boise churches, companies and hospitals, container loads of humanitarian aid are sent to Ukraine. One of the supporting organizations that helps bring volunteers and goods to the effort is JustServe which posts the volunteer needs of organizations so volunteers can connect with opportunities to enhance the quality of life in communities in need. As Americas Republican leadership turns inward and increasingly xenophobic, Idaho volunteers showcase how to serve their fellow men and women thrown headlong into a war that has radically changed their lives and threaten their nations future. In the absence of public officials fearless in support of freedom and democracy, I am reminded of a time when Sen. Frank Church, an internationalist who understood the role America plays in supporting democracy across the globe, stood tall for the people of Idaho. Today, its Idahos volunteers aiding Ukraine that stand the tallest among us. Find a way to join in their efforts. Bob Kustra served as president of Boise State University from 2003 to 2018. He is host of Readers Corner on Boise State Public Radio and is a regular columnist for the Idaho Statesman. He served two terms as Illinois lieutenant governor and 10 years as a state legislator. The teenager faces a felony offense for failing to report a death to law enforcement after the baby's body was found on Oct. 13 Alamy A Safe Haven Baby Box in Carmel, Ind. A Safe Haven Baby Box in Carmel, Ind. An Idaho teenager is facing a felony charge after a newborn baby girl was found dead inside a Safe Haven Baby Box, police said. On Friday, Nov. 22, the Blackfoot Police Department announced in a statement on Facebook that one arrest had been made following the discovery that a deceased baby girl had been placed in a Safe Haven Baby Box on Oct. 13 at the Grove Creek Medical Center, a labor and delivery hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safe Haven Baby Boxes allow parents to surrender healthy and unharmed newborns under 30 days old to approved facilities, such as hospitals and fire departments. According to police, the baby was already deceased when she was placed in the box. Angel N. Newberry, 18, has been charged with failing to report a death to law enforcement and the coroner, a felony offense, police said. She was arrested after an investigation by police in Blackfoot and nearby Bingham County. Newberry was booked into the Bingham County Jail, and police said that "due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing investigation and the potential for further criminal charges, we are limited in the information we can provide." If guilty, the teen could face up to 10 years in prison or a $50,0000 fine. GoogleMaps Grove Creek Medical Center in Blackfoot, Idaho Grove Creek Medical Center in Blackfoot, Idaho Safe Haven Baby Boxes previously wrote in a statement last month that its boxes set off alarms when babies are placed inside, and medical staff at Grove Creek Medical Center "responded immediately to the alarm, indicating a baby was in the box." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The medical team removed the infant from the bassinet within a minute. Upon removal, they quickly realized that the infant had passed away long before being placed in the baby box," the nonprofit added, noting that when the baby girl was placed in the box, she was wrapped in a blanket and the placenta was still attached. "We are heartbroken," Safe Haven Baby Boxes founder Monica Kelsey said in the statement, detailing that Idaho's Safe Haven Law only allows for infants who are unharmed and healthy to be surrendered. Related: Newborn Baby Girl Found Dead Inside of Idaho 'Safe Haven' Box: 'A Heartbreaking Situation' Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Safe Haven Baby Boxes' website states that it is the only organization in the U.S. which provides an anonymous surrender option to parents of newborns. In its statement, the organization wrote that 52 infants have been surrendered at its baby box locations since 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locations of each of its boxes are listed on the nonprofit's website. In a Facebook post shared after Newberry's arrest, the nonprofit wrote simply: "This case has devastated our entire staff." According to court records obtained by PEOPLE, Newberry made her first court appearance on Nov. 22. She is next set to appear in front of a judge on Dec. 5. I farm sod, and I'm worried about wage increases As a proud third-generation sod farmer in Michigan, I am concerned about the future stability of our farm. The U.S. workforce lacks experience and interest in agricultural positions, forcing us to rely on the federal H-2A program for qualified workers. Its been a viable solution, but mandated wages under the Adverse Effect Wage Rate provision have increased nearly 60% in the past decade. In Michigan, these wages are now over $18 per hour, far above the states minimum wage of $10.33, and farms still pay for housing and other costs in addition. Our farm, and fruit and vegetable farmers, cannot sustain that wage trajectory. Are we willing to buy our food overseas because our local farms cant compete? Our elected officials must act now to protect the future of Michigan farms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protect farms, and protect your produce. Diane Mischel The writer is the owner of DeBucks Sod Farm in Davison Got opinions? Yes you do. Tell us all about it in a letter to the editor, at freep.com/letters. With ranked choice voting, we'd all win Elections have become increasingly polarized, and the 2024 presidential race was the most divisive in recent history. Its been difficult for most of us to muster enthusiasm for our current two-party system. Every election cycle feels like were stuck choosing the lesser of two evils, doesnt it? Ranked Choice Voting offers us a chance to break the cycle of hyper-partisanship that has too long blighted American politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ranked Choice Voting gives each of us a greater voice in our political landscape, voting for candidates by ranking them in order of preference, instead of voting for a single candidate only. This ensures that the candidate that wins has the preference of the true majority, not just the loudest plurality of voters. Utilizing this approach incentivizes candidates to have the broadest appeal across the entire voting base, and not just its fringes. For more information, we invite you to visit RankMIVote.org. William Price Ferndale We survived disco We survived a long and bloody civil war. We survived the Great Depression. We survived disco music. Call me irrationally optimistic, but I firmly believe we will survive (as we did before) an administration headed by Donald Trump. Robert del Valle Ferndale I fear we've lost our way As a young American born in 1994, I've grown increasingly concerned about the erosion of our core values. I was raised to believe in the common good, liberty, justice, truth and patriotism. Yet, looking at the current political landscape and the pervasive negativity on social media, I fear we've lost our way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The internet and mass media have exposed us to an overwhelming amount of misinformation, hate speech and unacceptable behavior. This constant barrage has desensitized us, and lowered the standards for our leaders and role models. We've become complacent in the face of dishonesty and inflammatory rhetoric. Where is the accountability? Where is the commitment to doing what is right, even when it's not popular? I believe we can do better. We must reclaim the American spirit that prioritizes empathy, civility, and respect for others. Our forefathers fought and died for a nation built on strong moral principles. It's time we honor their sacrifice by holding ourselves and our leaders to a higher standard. Let's work together to restore the values that once made America a beacon of hope and freedom. Travis M. Fahey Belleville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Got opinions? Yes you do. Tell us all about it in a letter to the editor, at freep.com/letters. Improve public transportation, expand the QLINE Public transportation has always been a major issue in metro Detroit. Many people rely on some form of transportation to take them to work, doctor appointments and to see family members. Detroit also has one of the highest car insurance rates in the nation, making it difficult to own a car. I believe that the city is responsible for improving public transportation, making sure busses are on time and possibly constructing more rails on Woodward so that the QLINE may reach all the way to places such as Royal Oak or even Birmingham. Micah Adler-Goldsmith Detroit I can't believe these cabinet nominations During Trump's first term, many of his cabinet nominations left us scratching our heads. Betsy DeVos, who had spent most of her life trying to dismantle public schools, was the Secretary of Education. Rick Perry, who wanted to eliminate the Department of Energy and couldnt even remember its name during a debate, was picked to head that department. And world famous neurosurgeon Ben Carson was inexplicably picked as the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, not all of the picks in 2016 were ridiculous. Qualified candidates such as Nikki Haley, John Kelly and Elaine Chao were also chosen for positions in Trumps cabinet. It is notable that these three all resigned before their terms were up. Fast forward to Trump's second term. One would hope that he would make more sober choices this time around, but he has doubled down on making crazy picks. His current nominees include for the Department of Health and Human Services, someone who says that tap water makes children gay. The choice for Secretary of National Intelligence has made questionable visits to Syria. The newly created Department of Government Efficiency is to be headed by a multibillionaire who wants little government regulation of business, presumably for his own gain. The Director of Homeland Security famously wrote about killing her dogs. The Secretary of Education has no education experience, but was a big time wrestling CEO. A celebrity TV doctor, who got rich with a nutritional supplement scheme, is going to head up Medicare. A former Fox News host with sexual abuse allegations is to be our Secretary of Defense. And Trumps first choice for Attorney General was a former congressman with criminal sexual allegations of his own. This list would be laughable, if it wasnt so scary. Scary because most of his picks are woefully unqualified, but even more scary because they all do have one thing in common. They are all completely loyal to their president. This time around, there will be no one willing or able to rein in Trump. Alton Fisher Redford Both political parties should be ashamed of their candidates Regarding Keith Owens' piece about President-elect Donald Trump, did it ever cross his mind that Trump was re-elected as president not because so many people approved of him and his tactics, but rather an even greater majority of his voters found the idea of Vice President Kamala Harris to be truly a threat, and her partys policies abhorrent to their values? ("What it will take to survive a 2nd Trump presidency," Detroit Free Press, Nov. 13.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both political parties ought to be ashamed for the quality of candidate that they feel were best to lead our country. Robert Hudy Livonia Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters and we may publish it online and in print. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Trump cabinet, Detroit's QLINE, election, farming | Letters An Indian man declared dead by doctors at a public hospital woke up on a funeral pyre moments before cremation. Rohitash Kumar, a 25-year-old with speaking and hearing difficulties, developed a fever on Thursday afternoon. As his health deteriorated, he was taken to Rajkiya Bhagwan Das Khetan (BDK) District Hospital, Jhunjhunu, a city in the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan. An official at BDK hospital told the Telegraph that the doctors declared him dead and his body was moved to the deep freezer of the hospitals mortuary. As per the protocol, the body had to undergo postmortem, but instead, it was released for cremation, he said, pleading anonymity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Kumar, who had been living in a shelter home for the past month, was taken by a social organisation to the cremation site. During the cremation ritual, when the body was on the pyre, the man started breathing heavily. He started moving his body. We were shocked and started running away, said Subhash Poonia, an eyewitness. They realised the man was alive and he was taken back to hospital. The incident has triggered public criticism, forcing the local administration to set up a committee to look into the conduct of the doctors. Doctors suspended The District Collector for Jhunjhunu, Ramavtar Meena, said the preliminary investigation revealed that the doctors had not conducted a postmortem, which they were supposed to do. Instead, they completed the formalities on paper and sent the man straight for cremation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pending enquiry, we have suspended the three doctors for gross misconduct and dereliction of their duties, Mr Meena said. The suspended doctors have been identified as Yogesh Jhkhar, Navneet Meel and Sandeep Prachar. Dr Dheeraj Maheshwari, a forensic expert, said, In Indias peripheral areas, most doctors dont even perform postmortems, but still provide a cause of death certificate. Ultimately, the body is cremated, leaving no proof of whether a proper postmortem was done or not. Lack of necessary autopsy training He added that medical officers in India lack the necessary training to conduct autopsies. There is no standardisation or proper audits to ensure postmortems are performed correctly, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inadequate postmortem procedures are carried out in almost every Public Health Centre and Community Health Centre. This severely undermines the authenticity of conducting autopsies. The man was placed in a deep freezer, which induced a state of suspended animation. In this state, the bodys metabolic functions slow down significantly, making it difficult to detect signs of life or ascertain the exact cause of apparent death. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) November is recognized as National Veterans and Military Families Month, an opportunity to recognize and celebrate the important role military families and transitioning veterans have in our country. Currently, there are over 5 million United States service members and immediate families in the U.S. and around the world. Historic significance of November 11th as Veterans Day Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Western Massachusetts has an active and large military community, a result of our proximity to Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westover Air Reserve Base, the Massachusetts Veterans Home at Holyoke, and the VA Medical Center in Leeds. This week on 22News InFocus were talking with organizations that support the everyday needs of the military community, both veterans and active members, and their families. Our guests can provide information on housing, job training, fuel and food assistance, medical treatment, and resources for veteran business owners. We will also learn about a national event coming up on December 14, Wreaths Across America. This is a large event occurring locally that is expected to lay 10,000 wreaths on the graves of veterans and is in need of volunteers. Watch 22News InFocus this Sunday at noon. If you miss any of the program, or want more information about the organizations, you can find it here at WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below is a list of the organizations represented on this weeks program: Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Astronomers have identified two giant black holes causing strange flashes of light at about one billion light years away from Earth. The flashes or light bursts are occurring at regular intervals, but whats causing them is even more surprising. The researchers suggest that the black hole pair is swirling within a vast cloud of gas, and their interaction with the gas cloud is actually sparking the unusual flashes - marking it as the first observation of its kind. "This is very different from anything I have seen before," Lorena Hernandez-Garcia, lead researcher and a scientist at the Millennium Institute of Astrophysics (MAS) in Chile, told Space.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surprisingly, the X-ray and UV light data formed as a result of the recurring light bursts reveal an M-shaped spectral pattern. "We are finding a lot of weird stuff that wasnt possible to see before," Hernandez-Garcia added. The flashes confused scientists for three years The astronomers received the first hint about the black hole flashes in March 2021. At that time, the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) at the Palomar Observatory in California generated data that indicated the occurrence of some bright objects in the northern sky. Researchers first believed it to be a supernova (a bright explosion resulting from the death of a star). However, when they noticed the event occurring repeatedly, they relabelled it as an active galactic nucleus (AGN), super-giant black holes found at the center of some galaxies. They are known to be extremely luminous as they emit large amounts of light. However, when the researchers studied the M-shaped pattern formed as a result of spectral data received from observatories in Spain, India, and Mexico, they noticed the pattern was forming every two to three months. This behavior did not match a typical AGN, forcing them to rule out that explanation as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The patterns from the data also havent shown any signs of a tidal disruption event (TDE). Such an occurrence results in bright flashes of light from a star which is suddenly pulled apart by the intense gravity of a black hole. "That's when we said, 'This is something interesting, Hernandez-Garcia notes. The only possibility that remains The black hole pair is situated at the center of 2MASX J21240027+3409114, a galaxy that is about a billion lightyears away from the Milky Way. The black holes are currently located at a distance of 16 billion miles from each other. The M-shaped spectral pattern suggests that they are probably in a space filled with gases and dust. Moreover, 2MASX, the galaxy in which they are located is also likely to merge with another neighboring galaxy. According to the researchers, the formation of giant gas clouds is a common phenomenon in merging galaxies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the spectral data indicate that the black hole pair has engulfed gas amounting to 1.5 to 2 solar masses (i.e. twice the mass of the Sun). Where did all this gas come from? All these factors suggest that the black holes are whirling in a massive gas cloud. However, no advanced telescope or other piece of technology can observe such distant gas clouds. The study authors now hope to come across observations that could confirm this possibility. The study is published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter. You can sign up for Business Insider's daily newsletter here. Welcome back to our Sunday edition, a roundup of some of our top stories. Cars with a manual transmission now make up a tiny share of autos sold in the US. An updated Porsche 911 Carrera is a reminder of how fun they can be, says BI's chief car reviewer. On the agenda today: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But first: Look out, government workers. If this was forwarded to you, sign up here. Download Insider's app here. DOGEing layoffs Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI For a minute there, working for the government was in vogue. TikTok videos espoused the benefits of #publicsector jobs, and Google searches for "how to get a government job" hit a five-year high. Younger workers, in particular, were drawn to employment considered less vulnerable to layoffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then Elon Musk arrived on the scene. The Department for Government Efficiency, co-headed by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has outlined plans to slash federal jobs. DOGE will work with agency appointees to find the minimum number of employees required to perform its functions, per the duo. That has some government workers on edge. (You can see where the most federal staffers work and how much they're paid here.) Several careers consultants told Business Insider they were already experiencing a rush of demand from workers ready to shift to the private sector. Laura Labovich, CEO of The Career Strategy Group, told BI that these workers weren't complaining about their promotion prospects or compensation, as they might have in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They just say, 'I want to leave,'" she said. Comcast's cable TV garage sale Comcast; Getty Images; Chelsea Jia Feng/BI Comcast, one of the biggest cable TV companies in the US, announced plans to split off almost all of its cable TV networks CNBC, MSNBC, USA, and a few digital assets but keep the rest of its media business, including Peacock, NBC, and Bravo. The move further cements the decline of cable, as the number of people paying for and watching these networks is falling every year, BI's Peter Kafka writes. More on the big break up. Also read: Tech jobs under fire iStock; Rebecca Zisser/BI By all the standard economic measures, America's labor market looks fine. But ask any white-collar professional, and they'll tell you a horror story that would prove otherwise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hiring has held up well for low-earning workers, but those making six figures or more are in the midst of a white-collar recession. New data from LinkedIn, which tracked how often its users landed new jobs, shows that tech jobs in particular have been among the hardest hit. More on who's being affected by the hiring slump. TGI Failure Getty Images; Jenny Chang-Rodriguez/BI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your age probably says a lot about how you remember TGI Fridays. The restaurant chain began as a singles bar in the '60s, and then it evolved into a family-friendly spot in the '80s and '90s. Now, it's a place no one really wants to go. Fridays closed 36 underperforming corporate-owned restaurants at the beginning of the year and recently filed for bankruptcy. Its slow decline and accelerated crash is a familiar story for many restaurant chains. Why casual dining went bust. Alexa needs a(n AI) hero Amazon; Natalie Ammari/BI Amazon's voice assistant became something of a household icon when it launched a decade ago. But maintaining that success has proved difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, the company is trying to save Alexa with an AI-powered upgrade and improved capabilities. Partnerships with Uber and Ticketmaster were supposed to make Alexa smarter but issues have delayed the upgrade's release. Are you there, Alexa? This week's quote: "Chrome has served Google exceptionally well, but its loss would be a manageable inconvenience." Teiffyon Parry, chief strategy officer at adtech company Equativ, on the DOJ's request that Google sell off Chrome. More of this week's top reads: Read the original article on Business Insider ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) An officer and two EMTs were hospitalized after a crash involving an Irondequoit police vehicle and an ambulance Saturday night near Rochester General Hospital. A portion of Portland Avenue was shut down for the investigation. (WROC/Melanie Higgins) A Penfield ambulance was seen with heavy damage to its front, while the IPD vehicle was a few feet away off the roadway in a grassy area. The airbags inside were deployed and the side of the vehicle sustained quite a bit of damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Irondequoit Police Department, an IPD officer was heading to a scene when driving down Portland Avenue around 8 p.m. As the officer got to the intersection of Route 104 and Portland Avenue, he drove through the red light and ended up hitting the Penfield ambulance as it left the hospital, Chief Scott Peters announced. The officer and both EMTs in the ambulance were taken to Strong Memorial Hospital to be treated for what were described as minor injuries. Theyre all expected recover, according to Peters. There was not a patient onboard the ambulance at the time of the crash. 1 charged with manslaughter after fatal I-490 crash, victims identified Irondequoit police were on scene along with Rochester police, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office and New York State Police. Irondequoit Police Department is handling the ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. The News Islamabad was under lockdown Sunday amid nationwide protests in favor of releasing former Prime Minister Imran Khan from prison. Despite being behind bars for more than a year, Khan remains the dominant political force driving Pakistans opposition, and the countrys powerful military establishment and current government sees him and his party as a public threat, an analyst told the BBC. Certainly, the protests have taken a toll on Pakistans struggling economy: One analysis estimated the demonstrations have cost more than $9 million over the last 1.5 years, and the International Monetary Fund recently issued a $7 billion loan that includes conditions aimed at boosting public trust in the countrys febrile government. Israel's military has once again bombed buildings near the Lebanese capital Beirut, with a dpa reporter counting at least eight loud explosions. The airstrikes followed several evacuation calls by the Israeli military to residents of the suburbs known as Dahieh. There was initially no information about possible damage or casualties. Despite new efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Lebanon, the armed clashes between the pro-Iranian Hezbollah militia and Israel's military have escalated in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Shiite militia fired around 240 rockets at targets in Israel on Saturday. In the south of Lebanon, fierce fighting broke out around the town of Khiam as Israel's air force intensified its attacks over the weekend. (Reuters) - Israel is moving towards a ceasefire agreement in Lebanon with the Hezbollah militant group, Axios reporter Barak Ravid posted on X on Sunday, citing a senior Israeli official. A separate report from Israel's public broadcaster Kan, citing an Israeli official, said there was no green light given on an agreement in Lebanon, with issues still yet to be resolved. (Reporting by Costas Pitas; editing by Rami Ayyub) Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 20 people in central Beirut, Lebanese officials have said, while diplomats scrambled to broker a ceasefire. Lebanons health ministry said 66 people were also injured in the strikes on Saturday, which were the fourth in central Beirut in less than a week, as the once-rare attacks on the heart of the countrys capital continue without warning. The escalation comes after US envoy Amos Hochstein travelled to the region in pursuit of a deal to end months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of the countrys population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardment in northern Israel. The 4am strikes on Saturday turned an eight-story building in central Beirut into rubble. Hezbollah legislator Amin Shiri said no Hezbollah officials were inside. The attack stripped the facades from some nearby buildings and crumpled cars. Rescue workers and people search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) "The area is residential, with closely packed buildings and narrow streets, making the situation challenging," said Walid Al-Hashash, a first responder with the Lebanese Civil Defense. Israel's military did not comment on the casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on Saturday, a drone strike killed two people and injured three in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre, according to the Lebanese state-run National News Agency. Mohammed Bikai, spokesperson for the Fatah Palestinian faction in the Tyre area, said those killed were Palestinian refugees from nearby al-Rashidieh camp who were out fishing. Residents observe the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday (AP) Despite a warning last month by Israel's army to avoid Lebanon's southern coast, you can't tell someone who needs to eat that you can't fish, Bikai said. The health ministry said other airstrikes killed eight people, including four children, in the eastern town of Shmustar, five others in the southern village of Roumin, and another five people in the northeastern village of Budai. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attacks come as two Western diplomatic officials on Saturday described disputed points between Israel and Lebanon in ceasefire negotiations. They spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks. The current proposal calls for a two-month ceasefire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. Thousands more Lebanese army troops would patrol the border area with UN peacekeepers, and an international committee would monitor the deal's implementation. Firefighters spray water to reduce the dust for the rescuers who search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon, on Saturday (AP) The officials said Israel wanted more guarantees that Hezbollah's weapons are removed from the border area. Israeli officials have said they would not agree to a deal that did not explicitly grant them freedom to strike in Lebanon if they believe Hezbollah is violating it. Lebanese officials have said the inclusion of such a term would violate their country's sovereignty. And Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said this week that the militant group would not agree to a deal that does not entail a complete and comprehensive end to the aggression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanon and Israel also dispute which countries would sit on the monitoring committee. The officials said Israel refused to allow France, which has been close with Lebanon since its colonial rule there ended. Lebanon refused to have Britain, a close ally of Israel. Additional reporting by agencies The Israeli newspaper Haaretz on Sunday said that government agencies are to end communications with its editorial office or place adverts in the outlet following its criticism of Israel's conflict in Gaza. The left-leaning daily said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has approved a proposal, but there was initially no confirmation from his government. The background is a speech given by Haaretz publisher Amos Schocken in London last month, in which he sharply criticized the government for "imposing a cruel apartheid regime against the Palestinian population." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schocken also referred to "Palestinian freedom fighters, that Israel calls terrorists." The newspaper has long criticized Netanyahu's policies. Information Minister Schlomo Karhi has previously called for a government boycott of the newspaper, accusing it of "defeatist and false propaganda." Thousands of people have demonstrated again in Israel for the release of the hostages held by Hamas. "To our beloved hostages, if you can hear us, everyone here loves you. Stay strong. Survive," Rachel Goldberg-Polin said in Tel Aviv on Saturday evening. Her son, Hersh Goldberg-Polin, 23, was abducted by the Palestinian Islamist Hamas from a music festival in southern Israel and taken to the Gaza Strip, where Hamas militants murdered him about three months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a nearby rally in the coastal metropolis, hundreds demonstrated again against Israel's government, accusing it of dragging out the Gaza war for no reason and endangering the lives of the remaining hostages. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu relies on his far-right and ultra-religious coalition partners for his political survival, and they are opposed to a deal with Hamas. In Jerusalem, too, hundreds demonstrated again in favour of a deal with the Islamist organization that would see the release of those kidnapped from Israel on October 7 last year. According to estimates, about half of the approximately 100 remaining hostages in the Gaza Strip are still alive. An Italian tourist was slashed in the hand by a stranger in an unprovoked attack in Midtown Saturday morning, cops said. The attacker was armed with a sharp object when she slashed the 42-year-old victim around 10:40 a.m. in front of 237 Madison Ave. between East 37th and East 38th streets, police said. A man was slashed in the hand in front of 237 Madison Avenue. She just turned around and slashed him, said a witness who works in the area and identified himself as Omar. It was a small knife, maybe a box cutter. She got it out of her jacket pocket. She went toward his face, he put his hand up. I saw her knife him in the hand. She put the knife back into her jacket pocket. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both of them stood there for a moment, he said, before the woman continued walking north. The victim found a police officer and returned to the scene, he said. Then an ambulance came and put bandages on his fingers, Omar said. The woman who slashed the tourist with a sharp object was captured on surveillance camera. Obtained by NY Post Its crazy, he said. The city really has to do something. A citywide alert was issued warning officers to proceed with caution and call for backup if they see the suspect, police sources said. The attacker was described as being in her 30s, standing around 5-foot-7, and wearing a black jacket, purple sweater, black pants, and black and white sneakers. sources said. The victim refused medical treatment at the scene, cops said. GOSHEN A larger jail population and longer inmate stays will cost the county more than it expected in order to meet their needs. The Elkhart County Council on Thursday approved a $415,000 appropriation from the general fund to meet the needs of jail inmates till the end of the year. Chief Deputy Sean Holmes with the Elkhart County Sheriffs Office said the money covers food and medical costs as well as extraditions. $320,000 is for the remaining estimated monthly food bills and $95,000 is to shore up medical for this year, including some extraditions, he said. For food, we should be OK, because we used the numbers this year, because the trend has been much, much higher this year. ... Medical, however, the cap is way over. We dont have the complete billing yet, we wont get that until January, maybe even February. That will eat into our medical budget again and well have to come back to shore up the cap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilman Steve Clark said the sheriffs office is able to make a solid budget for most needs, but that fuel, food and medical are always big variables. Those are three that he just cant control, Clark said. To his credit, hes always went at what he thinks hes going to use, doesnt pad his budget. Holmes said their income prediction from the Indiana Department of Corrections is just over $1 million. He said their costs exceeded that this year. Right now, the balance is $1.5 million and we have $300,000 worth of billing out, that we should get this month or next month. So about $1.8 million, Holmes said. So we missed it by $800,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the average daily population at the Elkhart County Correctional Facility is around 950 inmates. They saw a 14.5 percent spike in the population from 2023 to 2024, and 25 percent since 2022, according to Holmes. Our average stay has gone up it doesnt sound like a lot but the average stay per inmate is 47 days, and it used to be 40, he said. So those seven days start to add up. Jail bookings have risen from around 6,900 last year to a projection of 7,348 this year, Holmes said. So theyre staying longer, were getting more. Thats why our populations up so much, he said. The level of crimes, misdemeanors have actually gone down a little bit over the trend. Level 5 felonies, for some reason, have spiked. So thats where were at. Thats how we ended up where were at. AMMAN (Reuters) - The Jordanian army said on Sunday it had killed one person and arrested six others who tried to cross the border from Syria. Officials say there has been a spike in such attempts in recent weeks by drug and arms smugglers linked to pro-Iranian militias who hold sway in southern Syria. The army says they have also used drones in their operations. Damascus denies any complicity and says it tries to curb rampant drug and arms smuggling across the border with Jordan. (Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Gareth Jones) ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) A judge with the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office in South Carolina has denied bond for the suspect accused of murdering 16-year-old Patrick Henry High School student Jakolbi Taylor. Tonya Root with the 15th Circuit Solicitors Office in South Carolina has confirmed for WFXR News that the bond for Gary Abraham was denied and the case has moved into the Discovery Phase, which is expected to take several months. ORIGINAL REPORTING: Roanoke teen killed in Myrtle Beach was a Patrick Henry HS student-athlete Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Root said there are no hearings or court proceedings scheduled and that Abraham may be offered a plea deal after the discovery phase has been completed. Jakolbi Taylor was killed on Saturday, July 20, 2024, while traveling to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina with the Patrick Henry Patriots and AAU travel team, Twin Hoops. The father of the suspect, Gary Ulysess Abraham, was later arrested in Aiken County South Carolina on Saturday, July 27, 2024, and charged with Possession of a Stolen Firearm, Possession of a Weapon during the Commission of a Violent Crime, Possession of Marijuana, and Trafficking of Cocaine. RELATED STORY: Father of suspected shooter in Jakolbi Taylor case arrested on gun, drug charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is still undetermined at this time if his arrest had any connection with the shooting of Taylor. WFXR News will update you on this story as more information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. A judge has ruled that a massive 836lb emerald, which was the center of a bizarre legal battle, must be returned to Brazil. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Bahia Emerald, mined in Brazil in 2001 and smuggled to the US, has long been the subject of competing claims of ownership, according to The Independent. There also have been claims that the emerald was cursed. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gem was carried out of the Brazilian rainforest by a team of mules, one of which was attacked by a panther. In the US, Hurricane Katrina hit one warehouse where it was stored, and the gem was stolen from another facility in Los Angeles, according to The Independent. It also almost became a part of a transaction involving Bernie Madoff. The emerald is estimated to be worth as much as $1 billion, The Washington Post reported. By 2021, the Brazilian court ordered the emerald be returned to its home soil. The following year, the Justice Department filed a motion in court seeking to return the emerald to Brazil under a mutual legal assistance treaty. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) The Junior League of Birminghams Market Noel was held from Nov. 21 to 23. Clothes, jewelry, snacks and more were sold by more than 100 vendors, and children had the chance to meet Santa. The event served as a fundraiser for the Junior League of Birmingham, where all money taken in goes back into the community. I have two young children, so they come and get to see Santa, said Madison Alcaraz, co-chair of the event. Its fun to watch them run around but then to get to see older kids, you know, high schoolers come and see a little bit of the magic, shop, have fun with their friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Junior League of Birmingham will also participate in Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3. All funds raised on Giving Tuesday will go to the Junior League of Birmingham Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. DENVER (KDVR) A Jefferson County jury found a contractor guilty on Thursday of defrauding an older adult and exposing a neighborhood to asbestos materials, according to the Colorado Attorney Generals Office. Lance Slayton, who was indicted by a statewide grand jury in June 2023, was found guilty of criminal exploitation of an at-risk person, theft of an at-risk person, intentionally causing and contributing to a hazardous substance incident and two violations of the Air Quality Control Act. Colorado fugitive arrested in New Mexico on child prostitution, sex assault warrant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case stems from April 22, 2022, when a fire destroy a rental unit in an Arvada fourplex owned by a then-81-year-old woman. According to the grand jury indictment, the property owner hired a restoration company to secure the unit and perform asbestos testing, as it is a known carcinogen and a on the Environmental Protection Agencys list of hazardous air pollutants. The testing confirmed that asbestos was throughout the apartment. Those two violations included Slayton knowingly releasing asbestos into ambient air with knowledge of placing another person in imminent risk of serious bodily injury or death. That is because Slayton allegedly hired a subcontractor that was not registered to perform asbestos abatement and did not inform the subcontractor of the asbestos spill in the unit. The grand jury indictment also says Slayton rented an open-top dumpster for the materials the subcontractor would be removing. In total, Slayton was paid over $71,000 for the alleged asbestos abatement by the older property owner, and did not complete the project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case highlights the grave consequences of putting profit over safety and the well-being of our most vulnerable citizens, said Attorney General Phil Weiser in an announcement of the jurys findings. A jury found that Slayton deceived an elderly woman, stole tens of thousands of dollars from her, and exposed workers and the public to dangerous asbestos contamination. This conviction reinforces our commitment to safeguard public health, protect older Coloradans from scams, and hold fraudulent contractors accountable. At trial, prosecutors presented evidence that Slayton hired unlicensed laborers and intentionally spilled and dumped a hazardous substance. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment inspected the property and found serious public health violations at the worksite, including improper removal and disposal of asbestos-containing materials and failure to prevent hazardous emissions. Driver accused of killing 4 members of a family in Thornton crash dies, closing case The Attorney Generals Office also said that not only were workers placed in dangerous positions, so were nearby residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slayton is being held without bond in the Jefferson County Detention Facility and is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 20. Slaytons purported girlfriend Christina Beckner, according to the indictment, is scheduled to appear in court for this case on Dec. 9. She allegedly assisted in the scheme by handling paperwork and cashing the checks provided by the victim. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. KAIMUKI, Hawaii (KHON2) The first signs of renovation at Queen Theater in Kaimuki are starting to show. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The building was built in 1936, its doors were last opened to the public almost 40 years ago and community members said they are hopeful for its future for the first time in decades. Two sides of one of Kaimukis historical landmarks have a fresh coat of paint, which the director of Envision Kaimuki said is a bit of a fresher look than its previous color and is the start of the owners three-phase plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honolulu Council looking to condemn Queen Theater if owner doesnt renovate Well, Phase I entails the outside. So, apparently shes true to her word and its, something is being done! Amazing, Lori Yamada said. Other exterior improvements include refurbishing the sign and Marquee, though some business owners born after 1985 add that they would like to see more than a facelift. I really feel like we all want more than just a fresh coat of paint. We would love to see the building activated, said Jordan Lee, Public Pet owner and Keep it Kaimuki founder. Its just more activation. You know, I think a lot of the hub of the Kaimuki business district is up there, if a nonprofit picked it up or some kind of foundation picked it up, that would be ideal, I think, for the community to have some kind of cultural hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phase I of the renovation is expected to take at least until the end of April 2025. The owner of the property testified to the City Council that Phase II renovating the lobby and second floor could be completed by 2026. I want to emphasize that these plans are flexible, said Queen Theater property owner Adoree Yu. I understand the importance of the queen to the community and I am fully committed to revitalizing the theater and creating a space the community deserves and can enjoy once again. A resolution introduced in the City Council earlier in November urged the City to take over the property due to its derelict state. A City spokesman confirmed on Saturday, Nov. 23 that they have not initiated any eminent domain proceedings. Stolen jewels, boa constrictors killing owners, check out Weird News here Just hopeful, I really am, Lee said. It would break everyones heart if it fell through again. Im hopeful and happy! Yeah, its like cool, you know. Work is getting done, Yamada said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click here for more information on the renovations. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. She has accused him of choking her and ramming his fingers down her throat while he yelled, "This is art ... I am like Picasso" Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images; Greg Doherty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Kanye West; Jenn An Kanye West; Jenn An America's Next Top Model alum Jenn An is suing Kanye West for allegedly assaulting her by choking her and ramming his fingers down her throat during the filming of a music video in 2010. In the lawsuit filed in New York federal court on Friday, Nov. 22, the model accused the rapper, 47, of staging "his own production" by asking a camera crew to film him choking her during the filming of the music video for La Roux's song In for the Kill, which featured West on a remix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit, obtained by Rolling Stone, Page Six and TheWrap, states that An was working as a background actress for the video at New York Citys Chelsea Hotel in September 2010 and was wearing only "revealing lingerie: when West pointed her out to the crew and said, Give me the Asian girl. An claimed that she told West, I'm not wearing very much, He allegedly replied, "That's why I chose you," and she recalled him ordering the other background actors to leave the room. Gotham/GC Images Kanye West in 2022 Kanye West in 2022 Related: Kanye West Allegedly Hired Fixer to Investigate Kardashians and P.I. to 'Tail' Bianca Censori: Complaint The model and actress alleged that West (who has legally changed his name to Ye) was "towering over" her and "breathing heavily" when he suddenly asked the camera crew to get a close up of her face and used a "gyrating hand" to "emulate forced oral sex" on her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On camera, defendant West began to choke plaintiff with one hand. He then wrapped his other hand around her neck and continued to strangle her with both hands," the suit alleged, per Rolling Stone. "He then rammed several fingers down her throat, continuously moved them in and out, and gagged her" for more than a minute. An also claimed that the rapper screamed, "This is art. This is f------ art. I am like Picasso," as he choked her, in "a manner similar to pornographic gagging/deep throat/BDSM fetishes." "Plaintiff struggled to breathe and felt as if she had temporarily blacked out. When defendant West decided that he was finished with plaintiff, her face was covered in saliva and smeared makeup," the suit said. Universal Music Group (UMG) is also named as a co-defendant in the case, as An alleged that the company "failed to investigate" the incident. The lawsuit stated that West's "gendered, hateful, and abusive controversies were a brand, which was too profitable for Defendant Universal Music to intervene, despite his unlawful conduct." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Kanye West Admits He 'Was Drinking' When He Wrote 2022 Antisemitic Tweet Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. An argued that West violated New York's Gender Motivated Violence Act and she is asking a judge for trial by jury for punitive damages, legal fees and "damages for mental, emotional and physical injury, distress, pain and suffering and injury to reputation." Her attorneys also argue that UMG "systematically discriminates against women, by continuing to work with artists with well-documented histories of sexual harassment and discrimination." The suit also stated that UMG and its affiliate labels including Interscope Records and other high-profile figures within the industry [tried to] 'bury' the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final version of the music video does not feature any appearances from West and An. Reps for West and UMG did not immediately return PEOPLE's request for comment. An appeared on season 13 of ANTM in 2009, finishing in third place. She has become an actress in recent years, appearing in Criminal Minds and The Mindy Project. Vivien Killilea/Getty Jenn An in 2018 Jenn An in 2018 Related: Kanye West Allegedly Wore Swastika Tee and Asked Yeezy Employee 'Don't You Like My Shirt?': Complaint This is one of several lawsuits filed against Ye in recent months. Last week, his former Yeezy employee, Murphy Aficionado, filed 12 complaints against him and his companies, Yeezy LLC and Donda Academy, for discrimination, harassment, retaliation and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aficionado accused the rapper of making antisemitic comments, including "the Jews got [ex-wife] Kim [Kardashian] and my kids.' " West reportedly made discriminatory comments about Aficionados Filipino ancestry and allegedly told him to remove his "ugly" traditional Filipino tattoos, called Batok. In the complaint obtained by PEOPLE, Aficionado who worked as a project manager for Yeezy for nine months claimed that he experienced unlawful termination and he was not compensated for his work. He also alleged that West told him to come into a hotel room where he and his then-girlfriend, Bianca Censori, were having sex and then put on a T-shirt with a swastika design on it. West's former assistant also sued him in October, accusing him of drugging and sexually assaulting her at a studio session co-hosted by the rapper and Sean "Diddy" Combs. Lauren Pisciotta, who worked for West from 2021 to 2022, alleged in an amended complaint obtained by PEOPLE that West committed sexual battery after serving her a drugged drink. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. (This story was updated to correct a misspelling.) HAMPTON, N.H. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped New Hampshire Seacoasts own Karoline Leavitt as his White House press secretary. At 27 years old, Leavitt will be the youngest White House press secretary ever, responsible for taking on questions from reporters and communicating Trumps message to the world. She has been the Trump campaigns national press secretary for the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator," Trump said in a press release on Nov. 15. "I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped the New Hampshire Seacoasts own Karoline Leavitt as his White House press secretary, seen here voting in Hampton in 2022. Leavitt interned at the White House during Trumps first administration and joined his team after graduating from Saint Anselm College in 2019 with a bachelor of arts degree in politics and communication. At the White House, Leavitt worked as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. Neil Levesque, the director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, and a mentor for Leavitt when she was in college there, said shes a great fit for the role. She was a fantastic student, very smart, very capable and very optimistic, Levesque said. Certainly there's a lot of focus on her age, but the truth is that I think the most remarkable part about this is that she's really that good. She's just very talented in answering questions and communicating the president-elect's message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When living in Hampton in 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshires First Congressional District. She won the primary, running as an unabashedly pro-Trump Republican, but lost to incumbent Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt also worked as a spokeswoman for Republican and close Trump ally Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who has been tapped for his ambassador to the United Nations. Leavitt still lives on the Seacoast with her husband and young baby. Seacoastonline, part of the USA TODAY Network, spoke to Leavitt on Nov. 22 about how she got into politics, being selected for press secretary, and how she plans on approaching one of the most visible roles in a presidential administration. Below is a transcript of that conversation that has been lightly edited for clarity. What are your New Hampshire ties? I grew up in Atkinson and went to Atkinson Academy Elementary, Timberlane Regional Middle School, and then I went to Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Mass. And then I moved to Hampton, and I live on the Seacoast still. When did you first gain an interest in politics? My interest in politics started, really when I went to St. Anselm College. You know, I was always enthralled with the news and what was happening around the world. I read the newspapers growing up as a kid. My mom has home videos of me pretending to be a reporter when I was little. But it really came when I went to St. Anselm. I went there on a softball scholarship but quickly learned politics was the new game that I wanted to play, and St. Anselm offers a wealth of opportunities for students who are interested in news media and politics. So, I just took advantage of every opportunity I could and started the St. Anselm College Broadcasting Club, I worked part-time at WMUR-TV, and I volunteered on a couple of campaigns, and then realized that this is, you know, what I wanted to do with the rest of my career. Republican candidate for New Hampshire's 1st District congressional seat Karoline Leavitt of Hampton votes at Winnacunnet High School Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. She is challenging two-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas of Manchester. Your time on campus coincided with the beginning of Trumps era in politics. Did Trump himself bring you into politics? I was interested in it my whole life. But certainly President Trump, running in 2016 as an outsider and as a pro-business candidate, growing up in a small business and his America first message really resonated with me. In fact, I wrote an op-ed in a school newspaper when I was a student, and the title of it was, 'Why Donald Trump just keeps on winning.' I think that title of that op-ed is just as relevant today as it was then. Were you expecting to be selected for press secretary? What went through your head when that happened? Yeah, I was, I would say it didn't come as a huge surprise. It was an honor, and I had been doing the job, you know, on the campaign for the past year and a half. How are you planning on approaching the job? Is there anything you want to change? No, it's, you know, my goal to be the most effective messenger possible on behalf of President Trump and relaying his message to the American people. He just received a resounding mandate from the American people to implement the policies he campaigned on. And so I'm incredibly excited to speak on behalf of a president who has a mandate to deliver on the promises that he made and create real change for people that are currently hurting in our country. Karoline Leavitt listens during a Get Out the Vote Rally with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) (not pictured), in Londonderry, New Hampshire, September 8, 2022 when she ran for Congress. Leavitt was a spokeswoman for Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Youre the youngest ever press secretary what do you think being a member of Gen Z brings to the table? I hope that it serves as an inspiration to other young people to just take advantage of every opportunity and work very hard. This is one of the most public positions in a presidential administration are you nervous? How do you handle that type of pressure? I feel excited and prepared. The press and Trump seem to have an adversarial relationship, how do you approach being the intermediary between that? Well, it's certainly something that I'm used to doing, having worked in this world for quite some time now, and speaking on behalf of the president on his campaign, and, you know, understanding that there is a hostile press that covers the president dishonestly, and they need to be held accountable for that. But I think if this election taught us anything, it's that the American people are no longer listening to the news media, the legacy news media, and are getting their news and opinions from outside voices like podcasters and its social influencers, and President Trump did an excellent job on the campaign of engaging with those outside voices. Many of your predecessors in the role have gone on either to be high-profile Trump supporters like Kayleigh McEnany and Sarah Sanders to Trump critics like Stephanie Grisham. And Sean Spicer went on "Dancing with the Stars." Who do you view as a role model among your predecessors? They are all role models, and I greatly look forward to talking to them before I take the podium, and taking their advice. Trump had four press secretaries during his first four years in office do you think you will last? We'll take it day by day. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Trump press secretary pick Karoline Leavitt 'excited' for role We live in Asheville, and after Hurricane Helene, my kids wanted to donate toys. I taught them how to declutter using the KonMari method. They were so excited to give their once-loved toys to other kids. In 2019, I binge-watched the Netflix series "Tidying Up with Marie Kondo." Back then, I was going through a difficult time in my life: my husband and I were trying to conceive while also dealing with my parents' tempestuous divorce. After watching the episode "Making Room for a Baby," I desperately wanted to "clean up my life," both metaphorically and physically. And so, I set out to declutter our tiny 500-square-foot apartment in Sunnyside, Queens, to manifest a positive pregnancy test. Instead of twiddling my fingers and wallowing in self-pity, I began to do the work until every nook and cranny was purged, cleaned, and organized. I even purchased various storage containers and new furniture to solve the embarrassing problem areas of our home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I finished, I relished my work. The labor of tossing out items that no longer "sparked joy" unironically did just that: sparked joy and gave me a renewed sense of hope for the future. Years after my cathartic experience with decluttering, Hurricane Helene hit Five years later, my husband and I have a 2- and a 4-year-old, and we live in Asheville, North Carolina, a small mountain city that recently experienced a devastating blow from Hurricane Helene. To help our daughters better understand the scope of the damage, we drove through the decimated areas of town. They saw with their own eyes how the Swannanoa and French Broad rivers wiped out numerous homes, businesses, and parks. As we surveyed the wreckage, we mourned the places that no longer existed, places that our family frequented and cherished. By the end of our surveillance, our family had brainstormed ways to serve our community, like supporting local businesses and donating items we no longer used. The experience was simultaneously heartbreaking and heartwarming. I talked with my daughters about how their unused items could help others Since my daughters were most excited about the idea of going through their own things and passing them along to children in need, we got to work as soon as we returned home. One thing is for certain, though: getting rid of stuff is hard, and at first, my daughters had a difficult time emotionally with the task of decluttering. I recognized immediately that I needed to rely on a simple guide or principle to help my daughters understand the "how" and "why" behind our purging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enter the KonMari Method. I explained the basic idea: We would go through each individual item one by one and ask ourselves if it sparked joy. If it didn't, it would go into the donation box. If it did, we would designate a home for the item in the room so that we would know where it lived during future clean-up sessions. After a few practices, my oldest child really got the assignment, and her little sister quickly followed suit. When they found their groove, I decided to exit their bedroom, partially to give them space and so I could prepare dinner and resist the urge to interfere with their choices. When I returned to check in, my daughters had gone through every single stuffed animal in the room and had filled one large garbage bag. I was stunned that my kids were able to complete the difficult task with very few tears. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, we thanked the stuffed animals that once sparked joy and told them it was their time to do the same for someone else someone who could use a little more joy in their life after the storm. I was so proud of them for letting go of their once-loved things As I carried out the bag of stuffies, I told my kids how proud I was and that they should be proud of themselves, too. They were able to let go of things that were once special to them to brighten someone else's day. "How amazing is that?" I asked tearfully as I dropped to my knees and embraced my two little ones. I marveled at the beauty of these tiny human beings while also grieving all that our neighbors had lost. Within seconds, my oldest enthusiastically shouted, "Let's keep going, Mom!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes, I thought, let's keep going. Let's keep going despite the devastation. Let's keep going despite our grief and sorrow. Let's keep going because there is more to this world than our physical possessions. Let's keep going because we must for one another's sake. Read the original article on Business Insider Moscow's use of a new type of Russian medium-range missile in Ukraine and threats of further attacks are "typical blackmail," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in Kiev on Sunday. Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to deter anyone from supporting Kiev, according to Sybiha. "Ukraine's partners should do the exact opposite: reject blackmail, increase support, and strengthen Ukraines air shield with systems capable of intercepting such missiles," the minister wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia fired the Oreshnik ballistic missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, targeting a defence plant, officials said in Moscow. The launch followed the decision by Ukraine's international allies to allow Kiev to use Western-made longer-range missiles to hit targets inside Russia. Shortly afterwards, Putin announced the serial production of the new missile, which is claimed to be the only one of its type in the world. According to Moscow, the missile flies at hypersonic speed and cannot be intercepted by air defence systems. This information could not initially be independently confirmed. (Photo illustration by Iowa Capital Dispatch via Canva with official White House photo; Capitol photo by Jennifer Shutt and Supreme Court photo by Jane Norman/States Newsroom) It is always a good day when you start to write, and you know that history is holding your pen. There may be a revolution coming to America. If it arrives, this will be the third time we have experienced this event, the first two being the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. The purpose of this column is not to sound a domestic alarm that President-elect Donald Trump is about to take office nor to engage in the almost daily liberal complaint of did you see what he did today. Rather, the proposed or discussed changes his supporters have announced in the way our government has worked need to be examined dispassionately and without fear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fortunately, history gives us some comparisons of successful revolutions and revolutions that are not so good. The first is the English Revolution of 1688 (also called the Glorious Revolution) contrasted with the French Revolution of 1789 to 1799. In England, James II was a Catholic, which was all right until he had a son, who also was of that religion and would succeed to the throne upon his death. With minimum effort, James was persuaded to flee to France and his daughter and her husband, Mary II and William III, who were Protestant, took the throne jointly. In exchange for the throne, the new king and queen agreed to limiting royal powers and enhanced Parliaments role in governing. The revolution was hailed because it took place within the existing structure of government and society. France was a different and tragic story. As historian Edmund Burke and others observed, all the major elements of society were in extreme dissatisfaction with the king and queen, who ultimately lost their heads, as did tens of thousands of others. Different factions came to power only to be dissolved and replaced by another. Ultimately, a strong man, Napoleon, came to leadership and, at least, restored order. What fueled the anarchy was that not one group reflected a majority of the citizenship, and each faction tried to set up a new and different form of government. There was literally no path forward. From those days of long ago, we now confront a very similar issue: How will we be governed and by whom? The question is before us because of the Supreme Courts decision in Trump v. the United States, where the court granted the president absolute immunity from any action taken that could be determined as an official act, which includes pardons, command of the military, execution of laws. We have had since the formation of our government implemented the concept of the separation of powers, separate but equal: The Congress to make the laws and control the power of the purse; the president to both administer and enforce the actions Congress takes and a judiciary to interpret and apply the laws to the matters that come before it. Everyone since the adoption of the Constitution has lived with this legal concept. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first test of the power of Congress is almost right before us. Congress passed in 1974 what is known as the Impoundment Act. The law holds that what Congress appropriates must be spent by the president. It was brought about by President Richard Nixons threat to not allow Congress to spend more than so much annually, in that year $250 billion. This question will soon be right before the nation. Conservatives in Congress are going to seek to repeal the Impoundment Act, which very well may not succeed. If it fails, the new presidents allies will commence an action in court to have the legislation declared unconstitutional, because it invades the presidential rights granted him as the chief executive of the country. The implications of the success of either this legislation or the court case are profound. If the president doesnt like any government agency, like the Department of Education or the EPA, he could simply defund it, and as a practical matter they would cease to exist. But beyond congressional legislation, does the grant of immunity empower the president to ignore constitutional rights of citizens, like free speech or prohibitions against illegal search and seizure? Whether we like it or not, these points of difference are going to confront our elected officials and our citizens as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In my judgment, the Supreme Courts ruling has already started what could be a revolution. Since the discussions are within the framework of existing government structure, it is unlikely that the revolution will be by military means, with cannons and bottles filled with gasoline. What we do know is that when the dust clears, history will have to determine whether it was glorious or not. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. Follow Iowa Capital Dispatch on Facebook and X. Democratic Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar emphasized Sunday the importance of FBI background checks for Trump's Cabinet nominees, which she said was necessary for their confirmation. "I want to make a decision on each one of them on the merits, as I've done in the past, and I can't do that without the background checks," Klobuchar told ABC "This Week" co-anchor Jonathan Karl. "Why wouldn't we get these background checks for the most important job in the United States government?" Klobuchar expressed concern that the Trump transition team has yet to sign the necessary agreements to allow such screenings to occur, and she believes this will create "a delay in getting these Cabinet officials in." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump transition live updates Klobuchar said she "of course" has concerns about Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general who Trump selected for his attorney general after former Rep. Matt Gaetz withdrew from consideration, but she plans to meet with her and hear her out. PHOTO: Sen. Amy Klobuchar on ABC's This Week. (ABC News) "Does it concern me that revenge would be part of [Bondi's] mission? Of course it does," she said. "I hope that's not the case. I hope that what she wants to do is uphold the Constitution, because that is a really important job." During Trump's first term, Klobuchar voted against both of his attorney general nominees, Jeff Sessions and William Barr, but voted yes on about half of his nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Hagerty: The public doesn't care who does Hegseth's background check When asked what it would take for her to vote to confirm Bondi, Klobuchar said she "doesn't know yet." "I never weigh in unless it's something as absurd as Matt Gaetz," she said, emphasizing her disapproval of Trump's initial attorney general selection. Klobuchar added she is "concerned with all these nominees," pointing to Pete Hegseth's comments opposing women in combat and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s questioning of vaccines. She emphasized the need for Cabinet members to have "views consistent with the American people," in addition to having the necessary qualifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she added, As with every nominee, I believe you need to hear them out. In regards to Trump making recess appointments and whether Cabinet nominees could be approved without Senate confirmation, Klobuchar said, "I don't think that's going to happen." She cited "a number" of Republican senators who have "both publicly and privately" said "they will not go along with that." Klobuchar says she can't make a decision on Trump nominees without FBI background checks originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are determined to force federal employees to return to the office in hopes that some will opt to quit instead. That effort is going to affect some agencies and workers much more than others. How much time federal staffers spend telecommuting differs by department, according to an August report from the Office of Management and Budget. Only a small share of employees work fully remotely. Musk and Ramaswamy, whom President-elect Donald Trump named to head the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), made clear in a Wall Street Journal op-ed Wednesday that they think requiring in-person work will save the US money, which is one of the nongovernmental entitys central missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Requiring federal employees to come to the office five days a week would result in a wave of voluntary terminations that we welcome: If federal employees dont want to show up, American taxpayers shouldnt pay them for the Covid-era privilege of staying home, they wrote. Flexible work arrangements existed before the Covid-19 pandemic, though they varied by agency. During the pandemic, many departments allowed more staffers to telecommute though about half of federal employees continued to work fully in person. When the public health emergency ended in early 2023, the OMB directed agencies to substantially increase meaningful in-person work at Federal offices, particularly at headquarters and equivalents, with the goal of getting telework-eligible employees into the office at least half of the time, the report said. But flexible work policies could be used as an important tool in talent recruitment and retention, according to the report. Just under half can telecommute Roughly 2.3 million civilians work for the federal government, according to the OMB report, which looked at 24 agencies that employ about 98% of the federal civilian workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just over half, or 1.2 million, work fully in person since their jobs require them to be physically present. The remaining 1.1 million staffers are eligible to telework. About 228,000 employees, or 10% of the total, are in fully remote positions and are not expected to work in person on a regular basis. Much depends on the agency Overall, federal employees who are eligible to telecommute spend just over 61% of their regular working hours in person, the OMB found. (This excludes fully remote workers.) However, that figure varies greatly by agency. At the Department of Agriculture, 81% of the roughly 83,000 telework-eligible employees working hours are spent in person the highest of the agencies. Similarly, at the departments of State, Interior and Homeland Security, the figure is roughly three-quarters or more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But at the other end of the spectrum, Treasury Department staffers who are eligible to telework spend less than 36% of their time working in person. Their peers at the General Services Administration and departments of Education and Housing and Urban Development also clock less than 40% of their hours in person. The Treasury Department, which has a total of just under 90,000 telework-eligible employees, told the OMB in January that it implemented a plan that resulted in steady increases in the share of hours worked in person, according to the report. Also, Treasury was planning to modify its policy to require teleworking employees to spend at least half their time in person. However, the department also noted that it has already seen a significant increase in Equal Employment Opportunity complaints and requests for reasonable accommodations since it implemented its plan. Also, at Treasury and throughout the federal government, telework policies may be part of unionized workers collective bargaining agreements making it more difficult for agencies to change the rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Federation of Government Employees, the largest federal workers union with more than 800,000 members in nearly every agency in the federal and District of Columbia governments, said its position is that changes to working conditions that could affect contracts must be negotiated through the normal collective bargaining process. Roughly half of its members have never teleworked due to the nature of their jobs, including health care workers at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Border Patrol agents, corrections officers, food inspectors and Transportation Security Administration officers. The telework language in other members contracts varies and depends on the position. The implication that federal employees writ large are not working in-person is simply not backed up by data and reality, AFGE National President Everett Kelley said in a statement. Looking at all federal employees, nearly 80% of the hours they work are in person, the OMB report found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, roughly the same share of federal and private-sector employees usually teleworked in 2022, according to a Congressional Budget Office estimate. About 22% of federal staffers did so, compared with 25% of private-sector workers. Questionable cost savings Forcing all federal workers to return to the office may not save that much money, Brian Riedl, senior fellow at the right-leaning Manhattan Institute, told CNN. Total compensation for federal civilian staffers comes to about $305 billion a year, a little more than 4% of the federal budget. So even cutting a sizeable share of the workforce would only put a tiny dent in spending. Though he feels some agencies are overstaffed, he pointed out that the federal government has the same number of employees as it did 50 years ago, when it had far fewer programs and duties. I dont think you can just eliminate a quarter or half of federal employees on an ad hoc basis without paralyzing the government, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, a blanket ban on working from home is shortsighted, he said, noting that different agencies have different needs. It could also prompt talented federal employees to seek jobs in the private sector. A one-size-fits-all for the entire federal government makes little more sense than a one-size-fits-all policy for the entire economy, Riedl said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Moscow is accusing US President Joe Biden's outgoing administration of undermining the plans of President-elect Donald Trump to resolve the Ukraine conflict. "During the election campaign, Trump talked about wanting to make peace in some way and was leading everyone down a peaceful path," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russian television. "And now they are doing everything they can to escalate the situation in such a way that peace agreements are doomed to failure," Peskov said on the political news show Moscow. Kremlin. Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, set to take office on January 20, has said he would move to quickly end Russia's war with Ukraine, which has now been going on for more than 1,000 days. However, he has not yet named any precise plans. Peskov's comments come after Biden granted Ukraine permission to use long-range ATACMS missiles from the US against military targets in Russia. Biden also plans to waive some of Ukraine's debts. Peskov asserted that Biden's administration had shown that it "will do everything to ensure that this war does not end." He insinuated that the US Democrats wanted to use this to limit Trump and take revenge for their election defeat. According to a recent analysis by City Controller Kenneth Mejia, only $599 million of the allotted $1.3 billion homelessness budget was spent in the 2023-24 fiscal year. At least $513 million went unspent, nearly half of the total budget. In his analysis, Mejia revealed that only 30% of the $262 million in grants given by the state Homeless Housing, Assistance, and Prevention Program was utilized by the city, and only 58% of its budget of $267 million from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass Inside Safe Program was used. Less than half of the $150 million received as a result of Measure ULA a tax on real estate sales greater than $5.15 millionwas spent. An additional $195 million was encumbered, which may be spent in the future but is not guaranteed. Mejia attributed the underspending to a sluggish, inefficient approach, and listed a lack of staff, resources and updated technology as contributing factors. In response, the City Administrative Office argued that at least $100 million of the unspent money came from grants that cannot be spent in a single fiscal year. They also claimed that the unspent Inside Safe Program money did not account for more than $42 million used to expedite the purchase of the Mayfair Hotel, which was later reimbursed. Deputy Mayor of Communications Zach Seidl issued a statement defending Mayor Bass's spending decisions. Mayor Bass has executed a prudent and comprehensive strategy that has brought down homelessness overall for the first time in years and reduced street homelessness by 10%, said Seidl. While Mejia acknowledged the 2% drop in homelessness in 2024, he believes the city could have done more. Imagine how much bigger the drop would have been had the city utilized the full potential of its homelessness budget, he said. Scientists in London have created the worlds thinnest pasta, according to a study published in the journal Nanoscale Advances. But if youre hoping to cook yourself up a bowl of cacio e pepe with these uber-thin noodles, youll be disappointed because this pasta isnt for eating. Appropriately dubbed nanopasta, these threadlike fibers are 200 times thinner than human hair, measuring just 372 nanometers in diameter. For some context, the next thinnest pasta known to mansu filindeu, or threads of God,is 1,000 times thicker than these new noodles. Experts call the creation a great step forward in the development of sustainable nanomaterials. The pasta was created not for a great pesto dish, but rather as an environmentally friendly approach to crafting nanofibers which can be used for many different purposes in medicine and other industries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traditionally, the creation of starch nanofibers involved extracting and purifying the starch from plant cells. However, that method consumes an inordinate amount of energy and water, necessitating a more sustainable technique. This new approach uses regular cooking flour purchased from a grocery store, which is potentially a much more sustainable form of creation. To make spaghetti, you push a mixture of water and flour through metal holes. In our study, we did the same except we pulled our flour mixture through with an electrical charge. Its literally spaghetti but much smaller, Adam Clancy, the studys co-author, explained of the process. To craft the revolutionary nanofibers, scientists used a method called electrospinning, which uses electrical currents to develop remarkably thin fibers. They quickly found that the flour solution was integral to the process. But instead of water, they mixed the flour with formic acid, since the acid dissolves the complex spiral structures that comprise starch molecules. This process is essentially what happens when you boil pasta, but in this situation it allows the pieces to form extremely thin fibers. Gareth Williams, Clancys co-author, reiterated that theres no chance youll be served his pasta anytime soon. Because its so thin, the professor explained, It would overcook in less than a second, before you could take it out of the pan. However, the development is a remarkable step in the world of sustainable medical creation. The fact that functional nanofibers could be rendered from a flour compound may have sweeping implications across the medical and industrial fields. Angela Rayner must bring planning officers out of retirement in order to achieve a government pledge to build 1.5m homes, the estate agent Savills has said. The Housing Secretarys plans to bring in an additional 300 planning officers will be far short of the thousands needed if it wants to follow through on its manifesto pledge to build 1.5m homes over the next five years, the head of planning at Savills has said. David Jackson said the Government should absolutely bring planning officers out of retirement to help plug huge gaps in staffing until new people can get the necessary expertise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Jackson said: Youd be talking about thousands of additional planners being required. And its not only just bringing people into the profession, its actually training them. He added that agencies included in the planning system, such as the Environment Agency, Historic England, the Planning Inspectorate and county councils, which have input in transport planning, will also need extra staff. The Government has promised to support local authorities with 300 extra planning officers as part of Ms Rayners radical plan to boost building. But Simon Coop, senior director at Lichfields planning consultants, said this would work out as less than one extra planning officer per authority in England. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Coop said: What impact will it have? To be blunt, very limited or none whatsoever. One wonders where that number even came from. Its really not enough to address the problem. There are around 320 planning authorities in England. According to figures from the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), in 2019 there were 18,300 planners working in England, just over half of whom were employed by local authorities, meaning an average of 29 officers per council. Mr Jackson warned that there is already a major shortage of planning officers and their workloads will increase dramatically as Labour pushes towards its 1.5m target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because not all homes that get planning consent get built, if the Government wants to build an average of 300,000 homes a year over five years, planning officers will need to sign off around 370,000 homes a year. This would be a 59pc increase compared to the 233,000 planning consents for homes granted in 2023. Yet Labours plans for 300 extra planning officers would be equivalent to just a 3pc increase in the workforce. Mr Coop warned that it is not feasible for the Government to train up new officers in time to be able to hit the target. He said: Really it will be a couple of years before people can get trained up and be at the level where they can be working through planning applications quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bringing back retired planners would bring back knowledge and experience of the system, but the Government would need to offer incentives to encourage them, he added. Mr Jackson said: If we could encourage those people to come back into the planning profession, it would assist that national purpose, which is to help communities make important decisions about where we deliver housing. Local authorities are increasingly paying private sector planning consultancies to do work for them because they do not have capacity to do it themselves, Mr Coop said. A government spokesman said: We are taking urgent action to deliver 1.5m recruiting 300 extra planners is an important part but only one element of our plan to get Britain building again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are also providing a multi-million-pound package of additional support to councils to increase their skills and planning capacity, including more efficient digital tools, so they are ready to implement the extensive planning reforms we have set out. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. After a troubling video captured the alleged mistreatment of special needs students at an Orange County elementary school, 11 families are now suing the district over the misconduct. The video, which was captured on a students tablet during class at Carver Elementary School in Santa Ana, shows the female teacher yelling and mocking the young children. When I first saw it, I was shocked, said Alma Moreno, a parent of a special needs child at the school. I was heartbroken. I couldnt believe it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morenos daughter has autism and spends her days in a classroom with other special needs students. Moreno, like all parents, said she trusted that school staff would protect their children and give them a safe space to learn. She said she was beyond shocked to learn otherwise. The fact that all of the kids are nonverbal is the hardest part for me, Moreno told KTLAs Jennifer McGraw. The fact that I cannot ask her. Its only by actions and how she reacts to certain people [that I can spot any issues.] Moreno said she became concerned when she first noticed her daughters behavior gradually changing. Video taken by a students iPad tablet captured the female teacher allegedly yelling and mocking special needs students at Carver Elementary School in Santa Ana. Images were blurred to protect students identities. Carver Elementary School in Santa Ana, California. (KTLA) Carver Elementary School in Santa Ana, California. (Google Maps) Video taken by a students iPad tablet captured the female teacher allegedly yelling and mocking special needs students at Carver Elementary School in Santa Ana. Images were blurred to protect students identities. Carver Elementary School in Santa Ana, California. (KTLA) Carver Elementary School in Santa Ana, California. (KTLA) Throughout the whole year, I did not know why she would always yell at us and say, Quiet! and she would point to our mouths and she would go, Quiet! very loudly, Moreno recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eleven families, whose special needs children are all in the same class, have filed a lawsuit against the Santa Ana Unified School District, saying staff failed to protect vulnerable students. Ive had a lot of cases about children and this may be one of the most offensive cases I have seen, said Elan Zekster, the attorney representing the families. Zekster claimed the kids were neglected, verbally abused, humiliated and traumatized and believes the school district was aware of the abuse. Lawsuit alleges teen was racially harassed for years at prestigious Southern California private school What this teacher did was ingrain in the special needs children that they need to be quiet, they need to not be themselves and they need to shut up, Zekster said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The identity of the teacher seen in the troubling video is not being released as the woman has not been arrested or charged at this time. Moreno said she will focus on speaking up for her daughter and hopes her story can help other families who may be struggling with similar issues. Dont be afraid to fight for your kid, Moreno said. Dont be afraid. Just speak up. Parents told KTLA that the teacher in question no longer works at the school, but no further details were released. Santa Ana Unified School District responded to KTLAs request for comment by saying: We acknowledge the seriousness of the allegations made regarding the behavior of one of our employees which are deeply concerning and contrary to the standards we uphold as a District. The safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priorities, and we are committed to addressing this matter with transparency and accountability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the matter is now the subject of active litigation, limiting what we can share, we want to assure our community that we are thoroughly reviewing the incident and are continuing to take appropriate steps to ensure accountability and student safety. We understand the profound impact this situation has on students, families, and the broader community, and we are dedicated to ensuring that every student is provided with a secure, inclusive, and nurturing educational experience. SAUSD does not tolerate any actions that compromise student safety and is working diligently to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and care. We remain committed to collaborating with our community to address concerns, support affected families, and reinforce trust in our schools. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Nov. 24DIXON Despite one Lee County Board member's last-ditch effort to prevent a property tax increase, both the fiscal 2025 proposed tax levy and budget were approved Thursday on a 18-1 vote. The new property tax rate is set at 84.97 cents per $100 of equalized assessed value, which is an increase over the fiscal 2024 rate of 82.28 cents. This new rate results in an estimated annual tax bill increase of $11.82 for a home valued at $150,000, according to the approved tax levy ordinance. The total 2025 property tax levy is $9,439,552, which is $680,172 or 7.77%% more than what was levied for 2024. The increase primarily is due to a significant increase in the estimated new property with an assessed value of $4.5 million, according to the ordinance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it came time to vote on the levy, District 1 board member Angie Shippert, who joined the board in January 2023, made a motion to suspend normal board rules to discuss potential changes to the levy and the budget. "Within the levy, there is a way to capture the [tax rate for the] new business that's coming into town without capturing the additional funds that we want to have from our citizens. The proposed $11 essentially per citizen, we would remove that," Shippert said. "I think that we should try to do what we can and not give this additional increase." In response, Finance Committee Chairman Jim Schielein said it's "hard to do that here at the last second, at the last meeting that we have before we pass the budget." The budget process started in June, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There was an opportunity from July, August, September [and] October to talk about what was included [in the levy and the budget]," Schielein said. He then emphasized how the county has cut back on its dependence on property taxes for its revenue, which makes up about 56% for fiscal 2025. As for expenditures, about 85% of those are salaries. "When you talk about cutting back the budget, I'm going to ask you where you want to cut. What positions do you want to reduce?" Schielein said. County Treasurer Paul Rudolphi, who was asked to explain to meeting attendees how property tax rates are calculated in the county, also was against cutting back the budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are doing a pretty good job of keeping our costs down," he said, adding that it's evidenced by the large number of full-time county employees who make less than $40,000 a year and the employees who they were required to give raises to because they were making less than $15 an hour. "When we talk about cutting, are we talking about defunding the police? Is that what you guys are wanting? I don't want it, and that's not really what we should be doing. I'm putting a little of my own spin on this right, but I think somebody's got to say it," Rudolphi said. With that, Shippert's motion to suspend the rules went to a vote and failed, with 13 board members voting no and six voting yes. In order to pass, it required a "supermajority," or two-thirds of the voting body, to say yes. With a total of 20 board members and 19 present at Thursday's meeting, six votes for yes was not enough. After that, the board considered a motion to approve the levy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 3 board member Tim Bivins, who served as a state senator representing the 45th District from 2008 until 2019, supported approving the levy and the budget, and spoke to his experience as a senator to explain why. "I never voted for a tax increase in the 10 years that I was in Springfield because not that I wouldn't have I could have if there had been three criteria met, and that would be a balanced budget, no wasteful spending and a justifiable need," he said. "This county budget, however, has met all those criteria. The budget presented is balanced. There's no wasteful spending, and the need exists." Specifically on the topic of wages, Bivins said that for many years the Lee County Sheriff's Office has been struggling to maintain employees because "they were getting paid thousands of dollars less than other departments" and subsequently were moving to other departments to get a higher pay rate. "We can comment all we want about how much we appreciate our employees, but at some point you have to pay them, too," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On that point, Shippert said, "I reject the notion that we would in any sort of way want to defund our police or our public safety, or even go after our employee salaries." That statement earned her a round of applause from members of the public who attended the meeting. Instead of cutting wages, she offered a different solution. "When you look through the budget, for example, you see the line item of training and conferences. I understand we need to train our people, but can we figure out, for example, a way to do that differently?" Shippert said. Regardless, the levy went to a vote, followed by the budget, without any further discussion. Both items were approved, with every present board member voting yes with the exception of Shippert, who voted no. The approved fiscal 2025 tax levy and budget are available to view on Lee County's website. Ending abortion in South Carolina was not included on the list of legislative priorities released by State House GOP leadership recently.Earlier this year, voters sent abortion rights-voting Republicans in the state legislature, such as Sens. Katrina Shealey, Sandy Senn, and Penry Gustafson, plus, Rep. Jerry Carter, packing. South Carolinians across the state overwhelmingly voted for individuals who said they would work to pass legislation to protect the lives of preborn children from the moment of conception. House leadership needs to respect the wishes of voters here in South Carolina and make legislation to abolish abortion the first legislative priority.I ask that House Speaker Murrell Smith, Speaker Pro-tem Tommy Pope, and House Majority Leader David Hiott take immediate action on abortion at the start of the legislative session. The voters have spoken. It's time to end abortion in the Palmetto State once and for all. Hayden Laye Walhalla This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Letter: Here's why S.C. lawmakers must make ending abortion a priority To the editor: As regular readers of The Times' letters section know, I identify as transgender. I also had a long run as a public transportation advocate going back to the 1990s and served as a governing official at Metro for 11 years. So plenty of people know how long I have been "out." ("California's protections for transgender care could be tested under Trump," Nov. 18) In a letter last year, I addressed the hysterical fallacy of the arguments made against medically necessary treatment for transgender youth. Apparently we now also have to worry about healthcare for transgender adults. Where does this end? The Times points out how small a percentage of the population we are although I suspect that in a more tolerant society, a lot of people would feel more free to declare their own feelings of identity. The man who was the main subject of your article now has worries that quite honestly he should not be experiencing in a truly compassionate society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope that we as Californians will push back against any reduction or elimination of our basic human right to be ourselves. One last thing: Because of unrelated medical issues that had to be resolved over several years, I did not have my gender-affirming surgery until I was past age 65 which means it was covered under Medicare. Take that, haters! Kymberleigh Richards, Van Nuys .. To the editor: We have seen a number of articles pondering how Donald Trump managed to win the presidential election. This article's discussion highlights one of those glaring reasons: Lots of Americans feel the progressive pendulum has swung way too far, way too fast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe gender-affirming surgeries are elective procedures that should not be covered by Medicare or any insurance plan, or the military. And it certainly should not be considered for minors under any circumstance. Enjoy the next four years' ride. (And I did not vote for Trump.) Roger Krenkler, Westlake Village This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. (NEXSTAR/KTLA) The Thanksgiving turkey wont be the star of the show in some households this holiday season, according to a recent study. Campbells Company recently released its third annual State of the Sides report, which examines Thanksgiving side dishes and recipe trends. The study also ranked the countrys favorite Thanksgiving side dishes by state. Stuffing, or dressing, depending on where you live, dominates the map with only a few states crowning the sole competitor, mashed potatoes, as the top Thanksgiving side. Those include California, Utah, Wyoming, Iowa, and West Virginia. Last year, mashed potatoes ranked first in the nation overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why is Thanksgiving so late this year? When it comes to the top five sides, however, there is a little more variation in 2024. Corn casserole in Iowa; root vegetable dishes in Maine, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire; and green vegetables in South Carolina were some of the outliers. In the following states, mac and cheese took second place, unseating either stuffing/dressing or mashed potatoes: Alabama, Georgia, and Louisiana. Finally, cranberry sauce, a divisive Thanksgiving staple, failed to crack the top five in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campbells surveyed 5,000 U.S. adults who celebrate Thanksgiving, with 100 Americans in each of the 50 states (Washington D.C. was not included) for its State of the Sides report. The study also examined Thanksgiving habits by generation and found that 45% of Gen Z couldnt get enough mac and cheese, while 59% of Baby Boomers preferred stuffing/dressing. About 32% of Baby Boomers also preferred mashed potatoes. Overall, according to the report, nearly 40% of Americans would prefer to have a plate full of Thanksgiving sides without turkey. The complete report can be viewed here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. NEW YORK (PIX11) A day of giving took place across New York City on Saturday as New Yorkers showed their support for each other at multiple giveaways before Thanksgiving. In Richmond Hill, Queens, more than a hundred volunteers were with River Fund New York as it hosted its annual turkey distribution. Around 2,500 people received free turkeys, groceries, toiletries and even clothes. Everything was donated by River Fund partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have gratitude that we have those donors, supporters, the politicians, the community, that we can actually help people who are in need, said River Fund New York founder Swami Durga Das. We all have to take action to help each other. More Local News Another heartfelt giveaway took place in Manhattan hosted by the United Federation of Teachers. It was the 12th year for the Thanksgiving Holiday Feast and Coat Drive where around 200 public school children between the ages of 3 and 17 who live in temporary housing received a Thanksgiving meal along with a winter coat, hat, scarf and gloves. A lot of these kids dont have the proper winter garments. There are some newcomers. So its important to give them the proper clothing for winter, said Richard Mantell, who is with the United Federation of Teachers. They just come and they are just kids for the day, forget about all the problems they may have. They just run around, play and get a coat, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The students said they are touched by the generosity. I need a new one. Most of mine dont fit, said Johan Barrios, a fifth grader from the Bronx. It feels really great, especially donating it for everyone who cant afford and all the stuff thats helping us because every person is getting blessed, said Ryan Garay, a 10-year-old from the Bronx. All of the coats were donated by members of the United Federation of Teachers. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence has confirmed that another package of supplies to Ukraine was delivered this week. Source: Lithuanian Ministry of Defence on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda Details: According to the source, generators, spare parts for M113 armoured personnel carriers, weaponry, and ammunition arrived this week. Lithuania's support for Ukraine in 2025 will comprise lethal and non-lethal assistance, financial contributions, soldier training and rehabilitation, and expert advice, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lithuania will also fund the demining coalition and support the Czech ammunition plan. In addition, Lithuania will purchase drones and counter-drone systems from manufacturers. Lithuania continues its unwavering support for Ukraine. This week, generators, M113 spare parts, weapons and ammunition were delivered. Whatever it takes for Ukraine to win. Solidarity remains steadfast. pic.twitter.com/R5KSCCoID6 Lithuanian MOD (@Lithuanian_MoD) November 24, 2024 Background: Ukraine received 230 pickup trucks and 240 mine detection vehicles from the Lithuanian-led demining coalition. The demining coalition encompasses elements of both humanitarian mine clearance in Ukraines liberated territories and combat mine clearance in the contact zone with Russian troops. Support UP or become our patron! The doctor behind the so-called Sarco death pod has said he will bring his invention to Britain if assisted dying is made legal. Dr Philip Nitschke, 77, has said he is ready to launch in Britain a 3D-printed portable machine that floods with nitrogen gas at the press of a button, should Labour MP Kim Leadbeaters assisted dying Bill become law. The Private Members Bill is due for its second reading in the House of Commons at the end of next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dubbed the Tesla of euthanasia, the spaceship-like portable devices are fitted with a transparent pane to afford the user a meaningful vista for their final moments. Dr Nitschke said the machine could prove popular with people undergoing assisted dying who do not want to die by lethal injection or medicine cocktails designed to end their life. He told The Telegraph he is absolutely keen to bring the Sarco pod to the UK. He said: We have a lot of members there, and a lot of UK people following the Sarco project very closely. There would be a lot of scope. I would be very keen to do that. It seems to me that it will just provide an additional option for those who dont want the needle and who dont want the drink who do like what I describe as the stylish and elegant means that is provided by this device in some idyllic location. Dr Philip Nitschke said the pod could prove popular with people undergoing assisted dying who do not want lethal injection or medicine cocktails - Georgios Befallas/Keystone Dr Nitschke suggested that the Lake District might offer the ideal picturesque location to use the assisted dying machine, saying: For people who have got that choice of picking the day and the time it is the most important day of your life, presumably, the day you die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: If you want to be overlooking the lakes or the mountains or looking [at] whatever, theres no reason why they shouldnt be accommodated. Certainly, Sarco can do that. Leading legal academics told The Telegraph that the broad wording of Ms Leadbeaters Bill would make Dr Nitschkes machine legal in Britain with the Health Secretarys approval. Richard Ekins KC, professor of law and constitutional government at St Johns College, Oxford, said: If Kim Leadbeaters Bill passes, and if the Secretary of State approves liquid nitrogen as an approved substance, then the Sarco death pod would be a lawful means to assist suicide in Britain. Prof Ekins said if Wes Streeting, who intends to vote against the Bill this Friday, rejects the Sarco device, those with swallowing difficulties or needle phobias are likely to bring a discrimination challenge under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: Im not saying a challenge would succeed, but a phobia could be an other status for the purposes of Article 14 of the ECHR and thus the question would again be why one is interfering with the Article 8 right to private life in this discriminatory fashion, limiting the effective right to die for some but not others. Kim Leadbetters Bill is due for its second reading in the House of Commons at the end of next week - Lucy North/PA The upcoming Bill specifies that doctors can prepare a medical device which will enable that person to self-administer the substance and assist that person to ingest or otherwise self-administer the substance. The substance used is left to ministerial discretion. In coming to the UK, the Sarco pod, which has so far only been used once in Switzerland, would be returning to its roots. The machine was initially developed following a request from the lawyers of British quadriplegic Tony Nicklinson, who in 2012 led the most high-profile legal challenge to date against the UKs assisted dying ban. Under Swiss law, helping another person to die is not a criminal offence as long as there is no selfish motive. On Sept 23 an unnamed 64-year-old American woman with a rare bone infection died in the capsule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people were arrested in September on charges of assisting her to use the Dutch-made device. Police took the womans body, and the pathologist reportedly noted strange marks on her neck. All those involved have denied wrongdoing. Although Swiss police seized the only two existing Sarco units following the arrests, Dr Nitschke told The Telegraph he saw no reason why the third, now under construction in Rotterdam, could not be brought to Britain if the law changes. Dr Nitschke said: We are printing a new Sarco now to make up for the one that the Swiss have confiscated. I can see no reason why it couldnt be used in the UK when the law comes in. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) One local Thanksgiving food drive filled and collected over 500 food boxes Saturday, to feed those in need during the holiday. Crossroads Church has been holding their Thanksgiving food drives for the past 27 years, and for their 28th year, they are projected to feed over 5000 people in Dayton alone, with the food boxes that they filled. As cars pulled up to collect the food boxes, they were greeted by the Crossroads Church hype squad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boxes, filled and packaged by the church, contain all the essentials for a complete Thanksgiving meal. The boxes are then collected by partnering organizations who distribute the items to those in need across Dayton, just in time for the holiday. For those who might not be in a position to provide it for themselves, we want to say thats okay, said Matt Castleman, Crossroads Church Dayton community pastor. We have a surplus of of goods, we have a surplus of blessings, and we want to be able to share that wealth to those in our community. What started out as a small initiative to provide Thanksgiving meals to families in Cincinnati, has now fed over 1 million people throughout different parts of Ohio and Kentucky in the past 27 years. But this year is extra special for organizers, because of the churchs new Dayton location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is our first event that were doing at the new building. And to me, its been so exciting because it kind of sets the tone for what our first thing at the new building is, reaching out and sets the tone for what we want to be about in the community, said John Tucker, volunteer. And this community outreach spirit even resonates with the youth, who led the hype squad. The reason I wanted to be involved in high school this year is I really just want to encourage more people to get more boxes so that we can do more good in the community, said Adeline Derenzo, volunteer. Feed more families, and just cheer on and encourage all those people who have filled those boxes and are giving back. Crossroads Church aims to expand its Thanksgiving food drive to feed every person in need in the city over the next decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Fire crews in Dayton helped rescue a small puppy on Saturday. Dayton Fire crews are prepared for just about anything, said a post from Dayton Police & Fire. Earlier this evening, duty called for one of our smallest residents. After a puppy fell into an old underground cistern, firefighters were called to the rescue. Through the combined efforts of several Platoon 1 crews, the small dog was saved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dayton Fire shared photos of the small pup: (Photo/DFD) (Photo/DFD) Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Putting food on the table, especially around the holidays, can be difficult. Thats why local non-profit Heart-N-Hand Ministries is providing Thanksgiving dinner for hundreds of families this weekend. What we want to do is just make sure that everybody has what they need and there are so many volunteers here lifting everybody up and you never know what hardships lifes going to bring, you know, Heart-N-Hand Ministrys Executive Director Samuel Newby said. What situation youre going to be facingso just give back what youve been given. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ivanhoe Council helping households with Thanksgiving ingredients This weekends event is the ministrys tenth year delivering free baskets with all the Thanksgiving fixings like pies, rolls, and turkeys. For many, its a meal that wouldnt have been possible without the non-profits help. Its just been something that has been very special to my family, I think everyone deserves a Thanksgiving meal, volunteer Kevin Reardon said. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, the average cost for a basic Thanksgiving meal this year is $58.08. While slightly lower than in 2023, that number is still 19 percent higher than in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers say its rewarding to help neighbors through difficult times. So everybody can enjoy Thanksgiving and have a great time with their family, volunteer George Reardon said. Its fun to see my family experience the joy in their eyes when they get to walk up. They actually ask me to do it every year, theyre like, Are we going to give the turkeys to the families this year? And so that is why I keep coming back, Kevin said. To learn more about Heart-N-Hand, visit heartnhand.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN) A Mahoning County teen who suffered life-threatening injuries in a car crash earlier this month is now out of the ICU. Read next: Report: Police find drugs, guns in car after crash Myle Johnston, a 13-year-old from Struthers, was a passenger in a car involved in a fatal crash on Nov. 10 in Vienna Township on State Route 82. Fellow passenger 35-year-old Miranda Zullo of Youngstown was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Myle suffered a skull fracture and a brain bleed and has been in the ICU at Akron Childrens Hospital since. Kristen Johnston, Myles mom, told First News that Myle has now been taken off a ventilator and is able to follow some commands. The road to recovery is going to be long, Johnston said. Shes out of the ICU which is good, but shes going to need a lot of rehab. Johnston has been staying with her daughter in Akron since the accident. Myle is an honors student and cheerleader at Struthers Middle School. A spaghetti dinner will be held at 1 p.m. on Jan. 19 at St. Nicks Church in Struthers to help cover Myles medical costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Sarah McBride isn't falling for House Republicans' con. The first openly transgender woman ever elected to Congress has yet to be seated, but GOP leadership has already moved to make her time on the Hill as uncomfortable as possible. Speaker Mike Johnson barred transgender people from using bathrooms aligned with their identity earlier this week, restricting bathroom use along the lines of "biological sex." In a visit to CBS' "Face The Nation" on Sunday, McBride said the controversy is a ruse meant to provide cover while Republicans strip the state for parts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Every single time we hear them say the word 'trans,' look what they're doing with their right hand," she said. "Look at what they're doing to pick the pocket of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing Social Security and Medicare." Sarah McBride: "It is an attempt to distract ... Every single time we hear them say the word 'trans,' look what they're doing with their right hand. Look at what they're doing to pick the pocket of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing Social Security and Medicare." pic.twitter.com/5WUzXAMKD5 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 24, 2024 McBride stuck to a similar message she shared earlier in the week: that she was heading to Congress to work on kitchen table issues for the people of Delaware and not to be a culture warrior. "Every bit of time and energy that is used to divert the attention of the federal government to go after trans people is time and energy that is not focused on addressing the cost of living for our constituents," she said. That message might ring true in the halls of Congress, but there's no doubt that McBride is coming up against some real bigotry as she moves toward being sworn in. Rep. Nancy Mace, who spearheaded the initiative to bar McBride from women's restrooms, went on Fox News on Sunday and referred to McBride as a man. Rachel Campos-Duffy repeatedly called McBride "he" during the segment. The Love Boat wont be making another run anytime soon. The 70-year-old MS Aurora the vessel which inspired the iconic television show has been sunk for months, prompting concerns about local drinking water in the Northern California estuary where it met its demise and leaving local officials scrambling over what to do next, according to the Los Angeles Times. Im heartbroken, cruise ship historian Peter Knego told the outlet. The 70-year-old MS Aurora, which inspired The Love Boat, sank in Northern California. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Producer Aaron Spelling based The Love Boat on a memoir written by a cruise director on the Aurora. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images In the late 60s, when the Aurora operated as a cruise ship, its cruise director, fashion model Jeraldine Saunders, penned a memoir called Love Boats, filled with juicy stories that took place on the ship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You cannot imagine the things that happen on cruise ships, she told the LA Times in 1972. The sex lives of the officers, deaths, suicides, marriages, romances, nymphomaniacs I realize that what all people are looking for is love. The world revolves around love. Producer Aaron Spelling based his popular romantic-comedy-drama series The Love Boat, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986, on the book. Knego and others said its unclear what actually caused the boat to sink, claiming its demise is shrouded in nefarious dark stuff. Its all very strange, Knego said of the Aurora, which was also featured in the 1963 James Bond movie From Russia With Love. The ship featured on the popular TV series The Love Boat, which aired on ABC from 1977 to 1986. Courtesy Everett Collection It sank in May, less than a mile from the source of drinking water for the city of Stockton. Waste from the doomed ship, such as seeping oil, is posing a threat to its residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city, which already has financial difficulties, now has to shell out money to keep the Aurora refloated, and does not care about its storied and glamorous history. Theres no love here, Stocktons community relations officer, Connie Cochran, lamented to the LA Times this week. The storied ship was christened in 1955. ullstein bild via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The storied ship was christened in 1955 as a German liner, then operated as a cruise ship on the Aegean Sea until it eventually relocated to the West Coast. Eventually, the vessel was overrun by homeless and drug users. Software developer Chris Wilson gave it another chance at life when he purchased the Aurora on Craigslist and created videos about its history on YouTube and Facebook in order to raise money to restore it. But Wilson sold it last fall. The new owner, who has not been publicly identified, failed to file paperwork with the California Department of Motor Vehicles, Wilson said, and has not been located. A San Joaquin County representative told the LA Times their main priority is how to safely dispose of the Aurora, not determining who owns it. TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) A Florida man walked away with no broken bones or serious injuries after being attacked by a swarm of bees and falling nearly 30 feet off a bucket truck earlier this week. Jon Christian shared his remarkable story with reporters at NBC affiliate WESH, telling them that one of his doctors said he may be the luckiest person in the world. Clearwater woman tries to shoot security guard after smoke shop dispute: police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christian was completing a post-hurricane tree trimming job in Cirtus County Wednesday when he suddenly hit a beehive. He was still several feet higher than the roof next to him as the bees started swarming. They just came straight up at me, and I couldnt get them off me, Christian told WESH. Amid the chaos, Christian said he accidentally hit a switch, trapping himself in the bucket truck as the bees kept stinging him. Somebody said jump, so I took off out the side of the machine, he said. I fell 30 feet, and I hit the roof and rolled off the roof to the ground and them things just kept coming at me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rest of Christians crew from All Florida Land Services pulled him away from the swarm and rushed him to the hospital. Despite being stung more than 100 times and suffering a steep fall, Christian, who has had a bee sting allergy since he was a kid, was practically uninjured. I had no broken bones, no internal bleeding and whatever they treated me with at the hospital, its a miracle because the swelling went away, he said. Grant Thomas from BeeMan Stan Bee Removal in Polk County told reporters he believes it wasnt European honeybees that nearly took Christians life, but rather the killer kind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their comb throughout the whole thing was extremely dark in color, Thomas said. There was no honey on it whatsoever. And you know, typically, whenever you get attacked by bees, or I should say, get stung by bees, youve got three or four stings. You dont get hit hundreds of times. Christian said he was grateful to be alive and thankful that his co-workers quickly removed him from the life-threatening situation. The doctor said that I either had superhuman strength or Im the luckiest person in the world, he said. Hes already ordered bee suits in case he encounters another angry swarm on the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. For five weeks, federal prosecutors methodically built their case that then-House Speaker Michael Madigan engaged in a yearslong conspiracy to accept bribes from Commonwealth Edison in exchange for helping the utility giants legislative agenda in Springfield. In some ways, its been the corruption trial version of a TV rerun, with the same familiar cast of characters former legislators, precinct captains, ComEd executives and Madigan loyalists who testified last year in the related ComEd Four bribery case. Now, though, the feds have raised the curtain on new material that promises to be popcorn viewing: The Danny Solis Show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solis, the former 25th Ward alderman-turned FBI mole, took the witness stand late last week to begin what will be a fascinating dive into one of the biggest public corruption cases in Chicagos sordid history. His testimony which could stretch well into December will include clandestine video recordings Solis made in face-to-face meetings with Madigan, where the longtime House leader and head of the state Democratic Party allegedly used his official influence to shake down developers for business for his private tax appeal law firm. Jurors will hear Madigan in his own words, telling Solis on a recorded call that he would go to then-Gov.-elect JB Pritzker about a lucrative state board position for Solis, allegedly as a reward for Solis bringing big-time developers to the speaker. It will also feature recorded conversations in which Madigan allegedly beseeched Solis for help in getting the speakers son, insurance broker Andrew Madigan, business with a Pilsen-based nonprofit group that had received millions of dollars in state funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There could also be mention of some of the more periphery figures from the sprawling investigation, including his sister, longtime Democratic political adviser Patti Solis Doyle, Chicago attorney Brian Hynes and other politicos from lobbyist and fundraiser Victor Reyes to former U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez. Solis testimony is the culmination of a saga that began nearly eight and a half years ago, when the FBI confronted the then-head of the powerful City Council Zoning Committee and showed him evidence theyd gathered of his own misdeeds, including surveillance images of Solis and an associate of Gutierrezs outside a massage parlor. The feds had been prepared that day to raid Solis City Hall offices. Instead, he flipped, offering what prosecutors have described as singular cooperation that helped bring down not only Madigan, but another Chicago political giant in former Ald. Edward M. Burke. Lawyers for Madigan and his co-defendant, Michael McClain, meanwhile, will have plenty of ammunition to bring to what is expected to be a lengthy and grueling cross-examination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike in last years trial of Burke, in which Solis was called as a defense witness, hell be subjected to a much broader line of questioning this time around, with the defense probing not only Solis unprecedented deferred-prosecution deal, but also episodes from the FBIs investigation into his own misdeeds that could prove personally embarrassing. In his opening statement to the jury last month, Madigan attorney Tom Breen painted Solis as a BS-er with a decrepit personal and professional life, someone who lied to cut a sweetheart deal with the feds that not only will keep him out of prison, but also help him maintain a fat city pension. Now, its up to the jury to assess Solis credibility. And how they come down on him as a witness could be a large factor in their ultimate verdict. Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House before stepping down in 2021, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is charged alongside McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, who for years was one of Madigans closest confidants. Both men have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. What did you say they would give me? Jurors in Madigans trial have so far seen only a snippet of one of the secret videos Solis made of the speaker. It was played during Breens opening statement, and depicted a moment in the hallway of Madigans downtown law office where the speaker whispered to Solis to steer clear of the phrase quid pro quo in a meeting with developers. The video, which appeared to be taken from a camera hidden somewhere on Solis chest, was shaky and did not show Madigans face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But other now-public videos Solis made in the course of his more than two years as an FBI mole have shown that he was able to capture not only audio, but also quality video showing the facial expressions and other nuances of his targets. One such video was used in the prosecution of Roberto Caldero, one of Gutierrezs longest-serving aides, who was allegedly supplying Solis with erectile dysfunction pills and arranging for sexual services for him at massage parlors, all while he was lobbying Solis on a variety of issues. In October 2016, four months after the FBI had confronted him, Solis was wearing a hidden camera during a meeting with Caldero at the back of a coffee shop, where they talked about a potential financial windfall involving a massive $1 billion Chicago Public Schools janitorial services contract. Caldero told Solis he needed his help convincing other aldermen and then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel to steer the contract to a company that had hired Caldero as a consultant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what did you say they would give me? Solis asked at their table by the mens room. Caldero silently held up both hands and spread his fingers an attempt to avoid saying the $10,000 bribe amount out loud. OK, Solis replied. But youve been saying that a lot. Caldero wound up pleading guilty to wire fraud charges stemming from his effort to influence the CPS contract, as well as a separate scheme to use Solis clout to get a park and street renamed for relatives of a campaign donor. He was sentenced last year to nearly five years in prison. Solis recordings also were front and center in last years trial of Burke, who was convicted of an array of schemes to use his public office to enrich himself. While much of the evidence was dry, the videos Solis made provided a rare fly-on-the-wall view of Burke, who behind closed doors carried himself with swagger and the occasional smirk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In front of potential clients for his private law firm, he was smooth and solicitous, the videos showed. As far as Amtrak is concerned, put it in the back of your mind, Burke told developers of the heavyweight old main post office property in October 2016. As Solis camera pointed alternately at the wall and at Burkes hands, Burke explained that a good friend of his was on the Amtrak board. We made his daughter a judge here in Cook County, he said. In later meetings, Solis camera captured not only Burkes unfiltered words but also his body and face. In one, Burke shrugged as he said, If were not signed up, Im not going to do any lifting for this guy. Burke wore a smirk when he later said, the cash register has not rung yet. And, after months of being stonewalled, Burke sat in Solis office with his legs crossed, calmly remarking that as far as Im concerned (the developers) can go (expletive) themselves. I know what Ive done Just before Thanksgiving 2018, in the calm before the Burke and Madigan investigations became public, Solis announced he would not seek reelection to the City Council the next year, saying he wanted to focus more on his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have no regrets. I think I did my part. I made a difference, Solis told the Tribune on Nov. 24, 2018. Some people will agree with me on that, some people wont, but in my heart I know what Ive done. Im happy about it. Five days later, FBI agents raided Burkes City Hall office suite, putting butcher paper over the windows and hauling out computers and other evidence in what was the first public indication of the sweeping corruption probe. But Solis secret cooperation against Madigan continued. In fact, an FBI agent testified on Thursday that they recorded a call between Solis and Madigan in early December 2018, more than a week after the Burke raids. It wasnt until late January 2019 that the Sun-Times reported in a series of articles that Solis had been wearing a wire on Burke, putting an abrupt end to Solis undercover work, according to testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, jurors saw an email sent by McClain to a Madigan aide on Jan. 24, 2019, linking to one article and saying, You may want him to look at the second (to) last paragraph. That paragraph mentioned items the FBI had seized from Burkes Finance Committee offices, including records on Hynes and the old main post office development, which both Burke and Madigan were eyeing as a cash cow for their law firms, court records show. Had Mr. Solis cover effectively been blown by the newspaper articles? Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu asked FBI Special Agent Ryan McDonald. Yes, McDonald replied. The revelations about Solis were never supposed to be public, but a 120-page search warrant affidavit filed by the U.S. attorneys office before Solis was confronted in 2016 was inadvertently left unsealed by the court clerks office, providing detailed insight into everything and everyone the feds were looking into as part of the probe. In addition to Solis alleged dalliances at massage parlors, the bombshell affidavit alleged that in his role as the head of the Zoning Committee, Solis directed a legislative aide to keep a running list of those he sought campaign contributions from, along with what official action each contributor wanted from him. The document also laid out Solis financial difficulties including the foreclosure of his home at the time the FBI was listening in on his phone calls. Solis allegedly had borrowed from friends, developers and his campaign fund, including $15,000 he used in 2012 to pay off an Internal Revenue Service debt. On Thursday, McDonald testified that when Solis was confronted, he asked to speak to a lawyer and texted his friend, Hynes, for advice on whom to call. Meanwhile, he consented to a search of his phone and houses, but the FBI aborted raids on other, more public locations, such as his City Hall and ward offices, to keep his cooperation secret, McDonald said. When Solis was eventually outed, the news hit the City Council like an earthquake. While some aldermen cited it as evidence of the need for reform, others expressed betrayal and shock. Where I come from, if you wear a wire someones going to kick your ass, said Ald. Matt OShea, 19th. Then-Ald. Carrie Austin, 34th, told reporters she didnt want to talk about Solis because I might cry You dont do that, you just dont. Austin was indicted on federal fraud charges two years later in an investigation unrelated to Solis cooperation. Witness for the defense While Solis extraordinary cooperation was at the center of the case against Burke, prosecutors opted not to call Solis to the stand, perhaps as part of a legal strategy to shield him as Madigans trial was still looming. Instead, Solis was called as a Hail Mary by Burkes lawyers, who for three hours grilled him about his motivations and tried to dirty him up. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendalls courtroom was packed for Solis testimony, with some of his former City Council colleagues in the gallery, along with high-powered attorneys who dropped in from other courtrooms. Among the spectators was Breen, one of the attorneys representing Madigan. In his questioning, Burke attorney Chris Gair leaned hard on the deferred prosecution deal Solis received from the U.S. attorneys office in return for his cooperation. Under the terms of the deal, Solis was charged with a single count of bribery and admitted in court that he took campaign cash from developers with business before his committee. But as long as Solis testifies truthfully, the U.S. attorneys office will drop the charge against him next year, leaving him with a clean record. This was not out of some public spirit on your part, correct? Gair asked. I dont know what you mean by public spirit, Solis replied. Gair responded with venom: I know you dont know what I mean by public spirit, sir. When Gairs questioning was finished, all eyes were on prosecutors for their cross-examination. But instead, Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane MacArthur said, Your honor, the government has no questions. In the end, Burke was convicted on all but one count of his sweeping indictment. And a juror interviewed by the Tribune after the verdict said that Solis testimony was pretty much irrelevant the recordings and exhibits were the important part, the juror said. Burke, 80, was sentenced in June to two years in prison. Hes serving his time at a federal facility about 130 miles west of Chicago, records show. He is slated for release in June 2026. In contrast to Burke, many of the transcripts released so far depicting the conversations with Madigan appear to show the speaker as predictably polished and cautious. In July 2017, three weeks after Solis brought up the idea of a quid pro quo in a phone call about a West Loop project called Union West, the speaker approached Solis privately before a meeting at his law offices with the developers. Over the phone, you made a comment that there was a quid pro quo, Madigan said, according to the portion played in opening statements. Oh, Im sorry. Yeah, Solis said. You shouldnt be talking like that, Madigan allegedly responded. Youre just recommending our law firm because if they dont get a good result on their real estate taxes, the whole project will be in trouble. Absolutely, absolutely, Solis said, Yeah. With Solis agreeing, Madigan went on: Which is not good for your ward So you want high-quality representation. Right. Right, Solis said. Once the meeting started, there was no mention of any quid pro quo. Just Madigan telling the developers they would like to talk about representing them on real estate tax issues. And at that point I bow out and he (Madigans law partner) takes over, the speaker said, handing the floor over to Vincent Bud Getzendanner to give the firms official spiel. Two months later, Solis received a call from Madigan and asked whether the developers had hired his law firm. Ah, Danny, Madigan responded. Im almost positive the answer is yes. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com Nov. 24Visitors to Maine Audubon's Gilsland Farm in Falmouth are often welcomed near their cars not by staff or volunteers but by little dinosaur-like greeters. The two-legged, brown-feathered creatures with long necks and bright red wattles forage for food along the trails and raise their young in the meadows. Without the threat of hunting in this protected reserve, wild turkeys seem undisturbed by the people they encounter as they go about their turkey business. As Thanksgiving approaches, these may be the safest turkeys in Maine. And they know it, said Andrew Kapinos, a Maine Audubon field naturalist who leads educational bird walks at Gilsland Farm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They very clearly know it's not a place that they're going to be hunted," he said. "I think turkeys come here from all around the area." These days, it's not uncommon to see rafters of turkeys parading through suburban neighborhoods, holding up traffic as they cross roads or hanging out in fields. In southern Maine, it often feels like they're everywhere. But it wasn't always this way. Hundreds of years ago, turkeys existed in significant numbers in York and Cumberland counties and there may have been some eastward to Hancock County. Indigenous artifacts indicate they lived in coastal areas and potentially up to the Bangor area, said Kelsey Sullivan, a state game bird biologist who monitors Maine's turkey population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A combination of unregulated hunting and the clearing of their forest habitat for farmland was devastating to the turkey population. By the late 1800s, they were extirpated, or locally extinct, Sullivan said. Though the population has rebounded exponentially, it still faces threats from passing cars on the highway to "forever chemicals" that have polluted their environment. WHERE DID ALL THESE TURKEYS COME FROM? The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game now the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife tried to reintroduce turkeys to Maine starting in 1942, but none of its attempts were successful until the late 1970s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1977 and 1978, the department picked up 41 wild turkeys in Vermont and released them in the towns of York and Eliot. In the spring of 1982, 33 turkeys from the growing York County population were trapped and taken up to Waldo County. Five years later, another 70 turkeys were brought in from Connecticut, according to the department. By this time, many farms across the region had long been abandoned, allowing thousands of acres of farmland to revert to the wooded habitat turkeys need to survive and thrive. And they have thrived spreading far beyond their historical range. The estimated population in spring is now between 70,000 and 80,000 and grows by two or three times by fall, Sullivan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wild turkeys can now be found in all 16 counties and up into New Brunswick and Quebec, though the highest density is still in coastal southern Maine. Turkeys traveled into Maine's deep woods along power and gas line corridors, Sullivan said, although there still is not an overabundance of them in the northern woods, where snow depth is a challenge. Kapinos said the abundance of these birds is a great example of how to take meaningful action to reintroduce a species to a place where humans were the cause of their demise. "It's a conservation success story that's in everyone's yard," he said. WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT ALL THESE TURKEYS? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some may say turkeys aren't the prettiest birds, but those who study them say the highly adaptable creatures are pretty fascinating. "They have really cool social structures. They're highly social birds," said Kapinos, who enjoys seeing them at Gilsland Farm when he's leading bird walks. At the beginning of their lives, turkeys follow their mother around in the meadows, learning what to eat and where it is safe to go. At the farm, "you'll hear the mother clucking to the young to sort of keep them in the same space and maybe warn them if there's a predator nearby," Kapinos said. As adults, turkeys tend to group up by sex throughout most of the year. In February or March, they start reforming into mating groups that include a few dominant males, who are usually siblings, and a bunch of females and non-breeding males. Soon after, the males start their elaborate displays of strutting and gobbling to attract as many hens as they can. They fan out their tail feathers and parade around, not unlike the more colorful and majestic mating dance of peacocks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's one of those signs we're getting closer to spring," Kapinos said. After breeding, hens confine themselves to nesting in shallow depressions on the ground at the base of a tree, under at tangle of brush or in dense herbaceous cover. Eggs are incubated for 26 to 28 days before hatching. Young turkeys, called poults, usually leave the nest the day they hatch. Hens and their broods frequent fields and forests to search for insects and other food. "It's so much fun to watch them forage," Kapinos said. "They will spend 30 minutes eating acorns and grubs under an oak tree, then go to the feeders and out to the fields. They're super, super smart and can pick out these little imperceptible morsels of food in leaf litter." Sullivan said some people may think turkeys are dumb, but biologists measure their intelligence based on how they survive and how in touch they are with their environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Turkeys are very well adapted to their environment. They have keen eyesight and hearing," he said. "They're really a wildlife species that's well adapted to respond to predation and danger. They're pretty intelligent." OUTSIDE THREATS The days of overhunting turkeys in Maine are long gone, with current harvest limits set each year to help manage the population. The first modern turkey hunt was in the spring of 1986 in York County. The hunting zone was extended to Cumberland County in 1992 and four years later was further expanded across the state. The first fall season was in 2002. The turkey permit lottery was eliminated in 2005 and opened to all hunters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunters are required to report their harvest to the state, which uses those numbers to track trends and help estimate the population. That's also how officials decide whether to increase or decrease harvesting opportunities in different areas, Sullivan said. Right now, the goal in southern Maine is to stop the turkey population from increasing so that there are more hunting opportunities in that region, Sullivan said. This year, IDFIW and the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention issued a "do not eat wildlife consumption advisory" in the Unity/Thorndike area after 54 deer and 55 turkeys were tested for the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), or "forever chemicals." As the population of turkeys increases, so have the car crashes they're involved in. The number of reported crashes has jumped from 30 in 2014 to a high of 66 in 2022. There were 48 reported crashes last year and 45 so far this year, according to public crash data available through the Maine Department of Transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildlife officials also monitor the turkey population for diseases like turkey pox, but those have not affected the overall population. Sullivan said turkeys are not susceptible to avian influenza and do not carry it. The state currently has four management goals for wild turkeys: maintain a healthy and sustainable population, ensure public satisfaction with that population, promote participation in wild turkey hunting, and increase public knowledge about the birds and how the population is managed. Like Kapinos, Sullivan sees the abundant turkey population as a great wildlife restoration story. "They're another piece of the puzzle that makes Maine special," he said. Copy the Story Link Nov. 24A series of cannabis recalls in short succession has industry members questioning the effectiveness of Maine's cannabis testing protocols. Maine's Office of Cannabis Policy issued its first recall for contaminated recreational products in September. Two more recalls and one expansion swiftly followed suit, and more are expected as the office ramps up auditing. All of the recalls were for failed mandatory yeast and mold tests. On the heels of these recalls which have contained little information about the circumstances for the failures industry members are calling for an examination of the state's standards for yeast and mold, which they say are simultaneously too tight, with 10,000 colony-forming units per gram limit, and too broad, encompassing both dangerous and beneficial microbes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeast and mold are the most common contaminants that cause a sample to fail a test, and mold is the hardest test to pass because it's so prevalent in the natural world. But it's important to monitor. According to the Office of Cannabis Policy, inhaling cannabis containing unsafe levels of mold can lead to sinus issues, allergies, headaches, dizziness and fatigue, as well as more serious infections. Matt Hawes, co-founder of the Maine Cannabis Industry Association, wouldn't take a position on the testing standards he's "not a scientist" but he said it would be worthwhile to bring in an expert or consultant to look at the regulations. "Before anyone races to any conclusions around the safety of these products, there needs to be a discussion around the current pass/fail thresholds for some of these analytes," he said. "I think we should be looking at whether we're actually dealing with unsafe product or just noncompliant product. Those could be two different things." The recalled samples varied widely in the severity of contamination, but so far, the office has not released the numbers publicly. According to Vern Malloch, deputy director of operations for the state office, the two lowest counts were 11,000 and 34,000 colony-forming units per gram numbers that would have passed in a state like Connecticut, which has a 100,000-unit limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others were more egregious. One sample came back at 490,000 units per gram, and "in two instances, the lab reported it was simply too numerous to count," Malloch said. Malloch would not say which numbers correlated with which recall and said he could not provide the certificates of analysis from the labs until the office completed its investigation. Since the recreational market launched in 2020, Maine labs have tested almost 44,000 samples with an average 6.7% failure rate. The vast majority of samples failed for yeast and mold. Flower, or "usable cannabis," has a particularly high yeast and mold fail rate of around 15%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Hudak, director of the Office of Cannabis Policy, said previously that he stands by the testing regulations, as the same threshold is used by many other states and is the standard recommended by American Herbal Pharmacopoeia, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to promoting the responsible use of herbal products and herbal medicines. A WARNING SIGN Of the 39 states that have a legal cannabis market (medical or recreational), 26 have a blanket test for yeast and mold. Most, like Maine, have a limit of 10,000 colony-forming units per gram, but five states (Connecticut, Maryland, Michigan, Kentucky and Florida) have a significantly higher 100,000-unit ceiling, according to data from Medicinal Genomics, a cannabis testing, research and analytics company. Only Iowa, Utah, Delaware and Illinois had lower thresholds ranging from 100 to 1,000 colony-forming units. It's hard to say what the "right" threshold is since cannabis is still federally illegal, there's limited research on the plant and no guidelines from an agency like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States more or less copy each other's regulations and then they become status quo, said Yasha Kahn, vice president of marketing and data science for MCR Labs, one of the state's four licensed testing facilities. MCR also has locations in New York and Massachusetts. "When we look at food, if it's visually moldy, that's when we complain, but with cannabis, since it's inhalable, it might be more dangerous to us, which is why the limit used needs to be lower than what's visible," he said. Kahn didn't know exactly how many colony-forming units would create visible mold, but he said it was likely closer to 1 million. "Nobody is going to find a study that says 12,000 or 22,000 is more dangerous than 21,000 or 9,000, but the purpose for this test is not to identify what's harmful and what is not," Kahn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, total yeast and mold tests work as an indicator for a larger problem, like unsanitary growing conditions. He compared it to inspecting restaurants and finding urine on the kitchen floor: There may not be a study that says urine all over the kitchen floor has ever harmed someone, but seeing it is a quick way to identify a major problem within the facility. "The reality is, maybe a little bit is fine because a mouse ran through or a fly blew through and peed a little bit. That's not a problem, but if the entire floor is covered in mold or urine, that's where we need to discuss. We don't know exactly how dangerous this is, but we do know there's a problem." GOOD AND BAD MOLDS There are thousands of species of mold, many of which are harmless. Some are beneficial for the plant. Others, though, are very dangerous. The problem is that total yeast and mold tests don't differentiate between good and bad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That's why some argue for species-specific tests. Mark Barnett, a cannabis business owner and policy director for the Maine Craft Cannabis Association, said that without speciation, "there's no conversation to be had about testing." "If these were pesticide and heavy metal failures or the introduction of some toxic agent, then I would be concerned about the supply chain and these companies that have seen the recalls and failures," Barnett said. "But living plants have yeast and mold on them." Malloch, at the Office of Cannabis Policy, said he's only recently started hearing questions about testing for specific mold species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's not something that's done now, and it's not the kind of thing where we have a position on it," Malloch said. "We're always interested in updating the standards for keeping folks safe, but that is not something that's part of the testing program right now." Twenty-four states test for the presence of various species of Aspergillus, a type of mold that can be dangerous or even fatal in high doses, particularly for immunocompromised patients. Maine does not have a separate test for Aspergillus, but if a sample fails for yeast and mold, the product will be retested for certain compounds called mycotoxins, which are produced by certain molds, including Aspergillus. Eight of the states that test for Aspergillus, including California and Vermont, do not have a separate yeast and mold requirement. Arkansas and Washington don't test for either. Neither test is perfect, Kahn noted. Total yeast and mold could account for beneficial molds that cause the test to fail, or it could result in passing a sample that had dangerously high amounts of Aspergillus, but not above the total threshold. And an Aspergillus test would miss other potentially dangerous microbes. Plus, there's the additional cost that would add to an already expensive process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TESTING THE LIMITS Christopher Altomare, co-founder of Nova Analytic Labs, another of the state's testing facilities, is trying to figure out the right balance. "Basically, we want to answer the question, is the 10,000 limit appropriate? And based on the molds that are commonly found in cannabis, does that limit make sense? Do we need to have limits based on specific pathogenic strains?" he said. Altomare and others at the lab have already done some research. For example, a study of over 300 cannabis samples from across the state identified 48 species of mold, and the species quantity varied widely across counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are still too many unknowns for a sweeping policy change. Malloch, the deputy director at the Office of Cannabis Policy, said that aside from the important health and safety questions, there are still gaps in the information, like how many species the office would need to add tests for, or if the labs would need to buy new equipment or hire new staff. With a higher limit, business owners would be more likely to pass a yeast and mold test, but how much more would the tests cost? "We have to talk to the Legislature about the fiscal impact on licensees (if) they're doing more detailed testing," he said. There are costs associated with a lower limit, too. If a sample fails, a licensee can choose to have it tested again. Or, providing it didn't fail for something like pesticides or heavy metals, the cannabis can be remediated blasted with radiation or ozone to kill the bad microbes before testing again. Some business owners have started irradiating their cannabis before the testing process to reduce the risk of failure. Cannabis flower and trim that is remediated or treated with radiation or ozone needs to be labeled as such, following a law that went into effect this month. A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY Industry members have also complained about the lack of transparency surrounding the recalls and testing in general. The state has so far only released vague information, including the strain, batch number and location of the affected plant, but not the results that led to the failure, how many individual items were sold and how the product reached the market. The Office of Cannabis Policy publishes quarterly and annual data about the number of tests completed, the fail rate and nature of the failures. Maine does not, however, release lab-specific testing data or certificates of analysis, which critics say can cover up fraud within the testing industry. Some labs, for example, may artificially inflate potency or decrease yeast and mold results to court more clients in an effort known as "lab shopping." Malloch said the Office of Cannabis Policy has examined the certificates of analysis but found no evidence of lab shopping. Altomare and Kahn, however, are not convinced and argue the data should be public because it protects the labs, the consumers and the state agency, provided everyone is doing what they're supposed to. If the Office of Cannabis Policy is going to demand more accountability by conducting more audits, it's reasonable to ask the office to make sure the state's regulations are both appropriate and being followed by all parties, Altomare said. Copy the Story Link A man accused in a sexual assault on the University of Kentucky campus was arrested Saturday evening in Louisville. Saif Al-Khafaji, 21, of Louisville, was arrested by the Louisville Airport Police in connection with an assault that happened early Nov. 10 near the intersection of Rose Street and Euclid Avenue, UK said in a news release. The victim reported being assaulted by someone they did not know while walking during the overnight hours, and UK Police identified Al-Khafaji as a suspect by using the campus security camera system, according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was reported to police Nov. 13, and the university issued a campus crime bulletin Nov. 15. Based on the victims description, UK said police also connected Al-Khafaji to a separate incident of indecent exposure. An arrest warrant was issued in Fayette County on Thursday, UK said. Al-Khafaji is charged with first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree indecent exposure. He is not a UK student, a UK spokesperson said Saturday. Sexual assaults are some of the most underreported crimes on college campuses across the country, the university said in its release. UK Police continues working to remove barriers that survivors face when reporting incidents. If you are a member of the UK community and a victim of sexual assault, UK Police encourages you to call its Special Victims Unit at 859-257-8573 to speak with an advocate. UK also offers free and confidential survivor support and advocacy at its Violence and Intervention Prevention Center. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A man has been arrested in connection to a string of robberies in Windom. According to a post on Facebook, Eduardo Rodriguez, 49, was arrested on November 20. On the day of the arrest, it was reported that a vehicle was stolen that Rodriguez was in possession of. Canton police warn of scam After obtaining a second warrant on November 21, more stolen possessions were found within Rodriguezs residence as well as paperwork for a stolen vehicle that is yet to be located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez is being held on counts of 2nd Degree Burglary, Motor Vehicle Theft, Theft of Property, Firearm Possession as a Felon and Receiving Stolen Property. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. Police in Pasadena arrested a man Saturday on suspicion of molesting a 12-year-old girl as she waited for her bus to school. The alleged assault occurred Wednesday morning in the 300 block of North Lake Avenue. The girl was waiting at a bus stop when a man seated next to her on the bench groped her, Lt. Monica Cuellar said. The man left the scene on a bicycle. The girl boarded the bus when it arrived and then called her parents from school to tell them what happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police obtained security camera footage of the incident. Farris Tollette, 57, was arrested in Pasadena in connection with the crime Saturday morning. Tollette is well known to Pasadena police, Cuellar said. He gave his current place of residence as Palmdale. Police are asking anyone with relevant information to contact the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241. Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. 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. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) An arrest was made in Louisville on Saturday in connection with a sexual assault that was reported on the University of Kentuckys campus on Nov. 10. According to the UK Police Department, 21-year-old Saif Al-Khafaji was arrested on Saturday evening by the Louisville Airport Police Department. RELATED l 5th sexual assault reported on UKs campus in first semester Saif Al-Khafaji, 21, was lodged in the Louisville Metro Detention Center on Saturday. (LMDC) Law enforcement said Al-Khafaji reportedly had a warrant issued for failing to appear in Fayette County court. On Saturday, he was charged with first-degree sexual abuse and second-degree indecent exposure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers said the assault happened overnight on Nov. 10 while the victim was walking near the intersection of Rose Street and Euclid Avenue when it occurred, and they did not know the perpetrator. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Court documents show that, in April, Al-Khafaji was arrested and charged in connection with a reported stalking and harassment incident on the Eastern Kentucky University campus. The University of Kentucky Police Department is committed to thoroughly investigating sexual assault crimes and holding perpetrators accountable, UK Chief of Police Joe Monroe told FOX 56. Further, this arrest reinforces the importance of our Special Victims Unit and technology like our security camera system. There is nothing more important than the safety of our campus community and we will continue investing the necessary resources to enhance safety and security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al-Khafaji was lodged in the Louisville Metro Detention Center on Saturday. Court documents show that in April he was arrested on Eastern Kentucky Universitys campus and charged with harassment without physical contact and stalking. UK Police said anyone who is a victim of sexual assault is encouraged to contact the departments special victims unit. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) After his vehicle was involved in a crash on Briley Parkway near the Opryland area Friday night, a Nashville man reportedly fled the scene and was hit by another car, leaving him fighting for his life at the hospital. The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said a 23-year-old ran from the scene of the initial two-vehicle crash on Friday, Nov. 22 in the northbound lanes of Briley Parkway, across the concrete median and the southbound lanes, and onto Opryland Hotel property. Witnesses provided a description of his clothing. Authorities said a responding officer from the Hermitage Precinct saw Opryland security with the man in parking lot of the Inn at Opryland along Music Valley Drive. However, when the officer pulled up and got out of his car, the man allegedly took off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daughter raises questions after mother dies in Portland train crash The officer attempted to stop [the man] with his Taser, but it was ineffective, likely due to the heavy coat [the man] was wearing, officials said. According to police, the man jumped over a guardrail and ran onto the Briley Parkway south exit ramp, where he was immediately struck by a Dodge Challenger. He was rushed to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, where he is currently in critical life-threatening condition, law enforcement reported. At the time of Fridays incident, authorities said the man was on three-year supervised probation in connection with felony reckless endangerment and marijuana convictions from September 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee The driver of the Dodge identified by officials as 30-year-old Jerry Holt II of Nashville is not facing any charges for hitting the 23-year-old. However, Holt is facing gun and drug charges because he had a pistol in his waistband and a backpack in the Dodge that contained 0.75 pounds of marijuana and a scale, MNPD said. No additional details have been released about Friday nights crashes. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. A man has been killed in an accident while working in a school in eastern Spain that was damaged by last month's heavy storms and flooding. This was confirmed on Sunday by Pilar Bernabe, a representative of the Madrid central government in the autonomous region of Valencia. Another worker suffered injuries at the school in Massanassa, south-west of the regional capital Valencia, when the roof of the school partially collapsed in the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They had been inspecting the condition of the building and carrying out cleaning work when the accident occurred. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez expressed his condolences to the family and friends of the deceased on X. Massanassa is located in the area worst hit by the flash floods and torrential rain to the west and south of Valencia city. The so-called storm of the century on October 29 has so far claimed the lives of 229 people, 221 of them in the Valencia region alone. Five people are still missing. After exceptionally heavy rainfall, many rivers burst their banks, a normally dry riverbed swelled into a torrent, and floods raged through many local towns Heaps of cars rammed into each other by the flooding remain uncleared, the sewage system in many places is still clogged with mud, and many garages are still under water. A man was fatally shot in the head and a woman was wounded while riding in a car after a gunman driving another vehicle opened fire on a Bronx expressway, police said. According to police, a 27-year-old man was at the wheel of a red 2010 Toyota Corolla with two passengers a man and woman, both 21 heading west on the Cross Bronx Expressway when the driver in another car opened fire about 5:45 a.m., striking both passengers. The driver of the Toyota wasnt hurt. The shooter took off and has not been caught, cops said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wounded victims arrived at New York-Presbyterian Hospital Columbia in Washington Heights in the shot-up car just after 6 a.m., police said. EMS then rushed the victims to Harlem Hospital, where the male passenger identified by police as Ivan DeJesus Bueno, of Patterson, N.J. was pronounced dead. The female victim was in stable condition with a gunshot wound to the shoulder.. The dead man was married to the wounded woman, PIX11 reported. The driver of the Corolla was taken into police custody on suspicion of DWI, the station said. The double-shooting was one of four slayings across four boroughs during a bloody eight-hour stretch. They include the 10:35 p.m. Saturday shooting of a 25-year-old man in the Bronx, the fatal stabbing of a Staten Island man by his housemate about 1:45 a.m. Sunday and the shooting of a man behind a Queens retail strip about 3 a.m. Sunday, cops said. One person is dead after Phoenix firefighters recovered a body in the Grand Canal near 22nd Avenue and Indian School Road on Saturday afternoon. At about 2 p.m., firefighters arrived at the scene to find an adult man "beyond resuscitative efforts, floating in the canal," according to Capt. Shaun DuBois. The Phoenix Fire Department's rescue teams worked to recover the body, according to DuBois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cause of death was still under investigation as Phoenix police assumed the investigation. No identity for the victim was available. Sgt. Rob Scherer of the Phoenix Police Department said officers responded just before 1:45 p.m. to reports of a person possibly floating in the canal near 19th Avenue and Indian School Road. Scherer said Phoenix officers arrived at the scene and found the man in the water. Officers worked with the Phoenix Fire Department to recover the body of the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene, Scherer said. Just after 6 p.m., Scherer said a preliminary investigation of the death did not reveal anything suspicious, but the area around the discovery was closed as detectives were still at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scherer declined to provide further information, citing an active investigation. This is a developing story; check back for more details. Getting assistance: Funding to Phoenix police helps cut into backlog of sexual assault kits This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man found dead in central Phoenix canal SALT LAKE COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A man has been found guilty of imperfect self-defense almost two years after the shooting death of 35-year-old Guthrie Serawop, according to the Salt Lake County District Attorneys Office. On Nov. 15, Oliver Spencer Avila, 25, was found guilty by a Third District Court jury on the charges of manslaughter (second-degree felony), discharge of a firearm with serious bodily injury (first-degree felony), discharge of a firearm with injury (second-degree felony), discharge of a firearm (third-degree felony), and obstruction of justice (second-degree felony). On Feb. 1, Avila went to a house where his brother, Julio Steven Cardona, was spending time, according to the DAs Office. Cardona reportedly had a gun that belonged to Avila, and Avila wanted it back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUSLY: 2 men charged in fatal shooting in Salt Lake City townhouse complex Avila believed that some people were looking for him, according to the DAs Office. After Avila obtained the gun, Serawop reportedly later arrived at the home stating that he wanted to talk with Avila. The two individuals went outside, and video surveillance shows that the pair got into an altercation that turned physical. During the fight, Avila took out his gun and shot at Serawop, striking him three times and grazing him with a fourth bullet. Avila nearly hit Cardona and another witness during the shooting as well, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medical personnel took Serawop to the hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Avilas sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 12, 2025. This conviction helps deliver accountability and justice for Mr. Serawops family and loved ones. The jurys finding that the defendant had an imperfect self-defense is contrary to what our office attempted to prove, but we accept their conclusion, said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. On Aug. 1, 2023, Avilas brother, Cardona, pleaded guilty to possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person (second-degree felony). Cardona was sentenced to 1-15 years at the Utah State Correction Facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A grand jury in Texas indicted a woman on Thursday who is accused of attacking her then-boyfriend in a shooting that left him in the hospital for weeks and now hes speaking out. Alexys Pinto, 23, was arrested in September and charged with aggravated assault of a family member in the non-fatal shooting of her then-boyfriend, Elvis Munoz, according to Harris County court records reviewed by HuffPost. Pinto was released last week after a judge reduced her bond from $75,000 to $10,000. Munoz told local CBS affiliate KHOU that hes afraid she might want to come back and do something. Elvis Munoz's via Screen Grab KHOU Screen Grab KHOU Munoz, a mechanic, told police that on Sept 5., he received a vehicle to work on from a client when he was at home with Pinto, according to a criminal complaint obtained by HuffPost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after the client parked their car in his driveway, Pinto confronted Munoz. In the complaint, Munoz described Pinto as irate, and she began getting physical with him as he tried to calm her down. He said Pinto at one point kicked their dog violently. At some point during the argument, Pinto asked Munoz to take her to a romantic area where they had previously watched the sunset together, according to the complaint. Munoz said he repeatedly asked his then-girlfriend why she wanted to go there, but she kept insisting. Munoz told police he eventually drove them to the area, but seconds after he pulled onto the road, Pinto ran out of Munozs truck. Munoz said he chased after Pinto and yelled for her to come back. But when he caught up with her, she allegedly hurled expletives at him. Teach me about deer hunting, you really think Im going to go deer hunting out here? she said, per the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Munoz, confused, asked Pinto what she meant. Then he heard a gunshot go off. I literally couldnt believe it, Munoz told ABC affiliate KTRK. I looked down, and I started seeing all the blood running down my body, gushing. Munoz sustained a gunshot wound to his hand and chest, according to the complaint. The next thing he recalled was Pinto holding a black gun. Munoz told police he was in disbelief and thought he had to run away, but Pinto fired more rounds at him, according to the complaint. Munoz said he heard Pinto telling someone over the phone, He shot me, before he tried to interrupt, saying, No, I didnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pinto then looked over at Munoz and said, Im sorry, I didnt mean to do you like that, I didnt shoot you in the right places! according to the complaint. Pinto stood over him and pointed the gun to his face before shooting him again, striking his hand instead of killing him. As soon as I opened my eyes, I [saw] a gun to my head. Looking out, seeing her as if she was happy to hold that gun to my head, Munoz told KTRK. Munoz told police he asked Pinto to call an ambulance a number of times, but she responded, I didnt mean to do you like this, it was supposed to be quick! according to the complaint. In an interview with NBC affiliate KPRC, Munoz said he did everything he could to convince Pinto to get help, including promising to tell police he didnt know whod shot him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Told her that I loved her, and I still wanted to be with her, I wanted to still grow with her, have children with her, and just basically trying to get into her head to convince her to help me, Munoz told KPRC. I was begging her, call the ambulance, call the ambulance. The two then went back to Munozs truck and drove to a nearby gas station, according to the complaint. Surveillance footage cited in the complaint showed Pinto rushing out of the truck and speaking with the store clerk while Munoz sat in the passenger seat, holding his abdomen. Munoz was taken to the hospital and underwent numerous surgeries and more than a month-long hospital stay following the attack, according to a fundraiser launched by his sister. Every day brings new challenges to face, the sister wrote in the GoFundMe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Munoz told KPRC that he still doesnt know why Pinto shot him, but reflected on how he was treated during his three year relationship with her. Ive always worked hard to care for her as best as I could. Sometimes I wouldnt even eat just for her to have a good plate of food, Munoz told the outlet. Shell be jealous, controlling, she would isolate me from family and friends. She holds grudges. Court records show police arrested Pinto on Sept. 17 and the judge granted Munoz a protective order. An attorney listed as Pintos legal representative did not immediately respond to an email from HuffPost addressing the allegation. Need help? In the U.S., call 1-866-331-9474 or text loveis to 22522 for the National Dating Abuse Helpline. Related... DENVER (KDVR) A man who stole a Jeep from a gas station in Aurora on April 21 pleaded guilty on Thursday to two charges. Kirk Abercrombie, 35, pleaded guilty to one count of motor vehicle theft and one count of reckless endangerment. He was sentenced on Thursday to serve three years of probation for each charge. The sentences will run concurrently. 2 killed, 1 injured in Civil Air Patrol plane crash in Larimer County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident occurred at a gas station near Havana Street and Iliff Avenue. Police alerted the public at about 9:40 p.m., sharing the news of the abducted child and stolen vehicle before an Amber Alert could be posted. Shortly after the Amber Alert was posted by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and other agencies, Abercrombie was arrested. Through the plea agreement, Abercrombie had six further charges against him dropped. Those charges included second-degree kidnapping and child abuse. According to an arrest affidavit for Abercrombie, the owner of the vehicle had left the keys in the ignition while she ran into the convenience store of the gas station for three minutes. She returned to find the vehicle, and her child, gone. The affidavit states that Abercrombie made no attempts to return the child once he noticed that (the child) was in the vehicle or even take the child out of the vehicle and leave (the child) somewhere while he continued his criminal acts. According to police, Abercrombie made it about 72 miles from the gas station before he was arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. [See violent crime statistics in the player above.] PAINESVILLE, Ohio (WJW) A man who pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend, whose body was found in April at a Concord Township home. A Lake County judge on Friday sentenced Brian K. Doerner, 53, of Concord, to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 30 years, for the April 12 death of Debra Moore, according to a social media post from sheriffs Lt. Larry Harpster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springfield Township police use social media to shame speeding drivers Brian K. Doerner (Lake County Sheriffs Office) That day, Lake County sheriffs deputies responded to a home in the 7200 block of Lochness Drive in the township, where they found Moore dead in an upstairs bedroom. After an investigation, Doerner was arrested the following day and charged with aggravated murder. He was later indicted on nine counts including aggravated murder, kidnapping and strangulation. Dog stolen from familys front porch found and returned home A court filing from Doerners attorney suggests the man became enraged after Moore decided not to go on a trip to Florida with him. It reads, in part: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He simply snapped when he heard this. Debbie left the kitchen and went into their bedroom. Mr. Doerner followed her, came up from behind and put his arm around her neck until she passed out and then choked her until she died. At this point, Mr. Doerner was in complete shock as to what he had done. He kissed her and then placed a pillow on top of her because of the reminder of the horrible crime he had just committed. Doerner was set for a jury trial on Nov. 8, but took a plea deal weeks prior, on Oct. 24, on a count of aggravated murder, court records show. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) The Richmond County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics assistance in identifying the pictured subject and vehicle. Authorities say the subject is wanted for questioning in reference to an aggravated assault, that occurred on Sunday, November 24th on the 400 Block of Broad Street in Augusta. Any information concerning this subject or the vehicle, please contact Investigator Robert Ferraro at 706-821-1464, or any On-Duty Investigator at the Richmond County Sheriffs Office at 706-821-1020 or 706-821-1080. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. A man and woman were arrested on drug charges after a search warrant was carried out in Riverside Thursday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Riverside Police searched a home in the 4600 block of Maughn Ave on the morning of Nov. 21, according to a social media post. This was after an extensive investigation and several tips from people. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers discovered various narcotics including methamphetamine, fentanyl, mushrooms, and LSD, the department said. They arrested Dennis Rupert and Kacie Givens during the search warrant, a Riverside Police spokesperson told News Center 7. Both were booked in the Montgomery County Jail due to active warrants. The investigation continues and other possible charges will be filed through the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office. Photo from: Montgomery County Jail Photo from: Montgomery County Jail [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LARGO, Fla. (WFLA) An investigation was launched Saturday after officers were notified of a dead manatee found floating in a waterway in Largo. In an emailed statement, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said officers coordinated with residents and local experts to retrieve the manatee from the waterway for further examination. 15-year-old girl arrested for fatally shooting teen at Florida home: deputies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Saturday night, officials were still unsure how the marine mammal died. In the coming days, the FWC said officers will be working closely with biologists and local law enforcement to determine the adult manatees cause of death. Manatees are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which makes it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 also put protections in place for the marine mammal, making it unlawful for anyone to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone convicted of violating the state law faces a possible fine of up to $500 and up to 60 days in prison. A federal offense could result in a fine of up to $50,000 or one year in prison. As the FWCs investigation continues, the agency is asking anyone with information regarding the manatee that was found dead in Largo to contact the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). This is a developing story. Stay up to date on the latest from News Channel 8 on-air and on the go with the free WFLA News Channel 8 mobile app. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has outlined the cuts she envisions will aid Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamys Dept. of Government Efficiency campaign (DOGE) to find ways to lower federal spending. Greene spoke to Maria Bartiromo Sunday on the Fox News show Sunday Morning Futures. Greenes subcommittee will monitor the work of DOGE under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, headed by Rep James Comer of Kentucky, and will work alongside DOGE to find targets. One aspect of that oversight will focus on Sanctuary Cities. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted last week to make L.A. a Sanctuary City, a status that would prohibit any city resources, including property or personnel, from being utilized for any immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene promised city leaders in Sanctuary Cities would have to explain why they deserve federal funding. WATCH: My exclusive interview with @MariaBartiromo on @FoxNews I lay out my vision for the @GOPoversight Subcommittee on DOGE and the steps we need to take to GUT federal agencies, FIRE unelected bureaucrats, and deliver for the American people! pic.twitter.com/QralX2HJHj Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 24, 2024 Id like to talk to the governors of sanctuary states and the mayors of sanctuary cities and have them come before our committee and explain why they deserve federal dollars if theyre going to harbor illegal criminal aliens in their states and their cities, Greene said. Bartiromo asked about whether that meant certain cities would lose federal funding, and Greene doubled down. If they use their police officers and resources to harbor and protect illegal criminal aliens, then absolutely. Nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens in February, was brought up as an example of what happens when immigrants are not properly vetted. Rileys killer was convicted last week and sentenced to life in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene said cutting back on government spending will see programs, contracts, employees, grant programs, you name it, that are failing the American people and not serving the American peoples interests. The congresswoman also backed Musks thoughts on defunding NPR, claiming it spread nothing but Democrat propaganda. The public radio broadcaster gets less than one percent of its funding from federal grants. The post Marjorie Taylor Greene Says DOGE Will Target Sanctuary Cities and NPR For Cuts appeared first on TheWrap. Firebrand Georgia congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene is gloating about cuts she could help enable as part of Elon Musks government efficiency drive. MTG told Maria Bartiromo on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures what she has in store for her new subcommittee covering the work of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The subcommittee will operate under the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, headed by Rep James Comer of Kentucky, and will work alongside DOGE, led by Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, ostensibly to recommend major cuts government spending when Donald Trump becomes president. Greene promised a deep dive into every government department and program, with one recommendation being to have leaders of so-called sanctuary cities, whose policies protect immigrants, explain why they deserve federal funding. Georgia Rep Majorie Taylor Greene is interviewed by Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures on Fox News on November 24, 2024 (Fox News) Id like to talk to the governors of sanctuary states and the mayors of sanctuary cities and have them come before our committee and explain why they deserve federal dollars if theyre going to harbor illegal criminal aliens in their states and their cities, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked by Bartiromo whether such cities and states would lose federal funding, she reiterated: If they use their police officers and resources to harbor and protect illegal criminal aliens, then absolutely. Greene specifically mentioned the death of Laken Riley, the 22-year-old nursing student murdered while jogging on the University of Georgia campus in Athens in February. Her murderer was convicted and sentenced to life in prison this week. Jose Ibarra, a Venezuelan immigrant who was in the country illegally, was allowed to leave New York City in September 2023 and traveled to Georgia. WATCH: My exclusive interview with @MariaBartiromo on @FoxNews I lay out my vision for the @GOPoversight Subcommittee on DOGE and the steps we need to take to GUT federal agencies, FIRE unelected bureaucrats, and deliver for the American people! pic.twitter.com/QralX2HJHj Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) November 24, 2024 In laying out other ways to slash the federal budget, Greene said: The way to do that is to cut programs, contracts, employees, grant programs, you name it, that are failing the American people and not serving the American peoples interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also proposed making good on Musks wish to defund NPR, claiming it spread nothing but Democrat propaganda although the public radio broadcaster gets less than one percent of its funding from federal grants. Greene also promised to target grant programs that fund sex apps in Malaysia and toilets in Africa and to ask the Pentagon why they cannot find billions of dollars of funding each year and fail their audit. Asked about the possible suspension of government contracts and how that would impact private sector publicly traded companies, the congresswoman said that is where the subcommittee would work hand-in-hand with Musk and Ramaswamy to look deeply at these contracts to see if they still make sense. She claimed in many cases the cause and purpose of many contracts had expired and people should not have to pay for them but their budgets still get reauthorized. Greene also said they would target waste, fraud and abuse from government employees continuing to work remotely long after the Covid-19 pandemic and the many government buildings sitting empty. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said Sunday he absolutely believes Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth over his sexual assault accuser. Mullin joined CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union, where he discussed President-elect Trumps pick and the allegations swarming his nomination. The two argued a bit, as Mullin enthusiastically backed Hegseth and said he spoke with the nominee about the recently released police report that details a 2017 sexual encounter he had with a woman alleging assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mullin began speaking about the police report, arguing on behalf of Hegseth that the woman was in fact the one who led the pair back to Hegseths hotel room that night. Bash interjected to note that Mullin kind of answered her question, which was whether he believes Hegseths side of the story more than the accusers. I absolutely do, Mullin said. He wasnt charged. He wasnt even kind of charged. In this, there was no crime committed. The police dropped everything there. Whats unfortunate, in todays world, you can be accused of anything, and then especially if its something like this, youre automatically assumed to be guilty, Mullin continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that he read the police report from cover to cover and determined that there was no crime committed. The American people gave President Trump a mandate. A mandate because they want to change the way government has been working, Mullin said. Government has been working for a party, not for the people, and President Trump is putting people there thats going to make changes. A police report released last week details the sexual encounter between Hegseth and a woman in California, where he allegedly took her phone, forced himself upon her and blocked the doorway with his body so she couldnt leave. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. This article was originally published in Maryland Matters. By Marissa Yelenick Active shooter drills in Maryland schools will be different next school year under a new set of state guidelines meant to limit the impact those drills have on the mental health of students. The new guidelines are designed to prohibit trauma-inducing elements like imitation of gunfire or explosions. They also require school systems to notify parents in advance when students will be practicing what to do in the event of an active shooter in their buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new guidelines were released by the Maryland Center for School Safety this fall, ordered by a new state law requiring the center to draft new parameters and create a new process for collecting and analyzing data on their effectiveness. The center will also look into the psychological impact the shooter drills have on staff, parents and students. Put Students First: Support Journalism That Exposes Truth and Inspires Action. Donate to The 74 Parts of the guidelines including bans on gunfire and the requirement to notify parents have already gone into effect because they are explicit in state law. The full set of guidelines will be put into effect at the beginning of the academic year in 2025. Related Our Schools Were Victims of Mass Shootings. We Know What Congress Needs to Do The mental health crisis that we see in our young people is undeniable, said Del. Jared Solomon (D-Montgomery), who sponsored the measure in the House earlier this year. As we normalize having to deal with school shootings, we are creating more anxiety and more issues among young people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While schools have long practiced safety drills, active shooter drills are relatively new, following the 1999 shooting at Columbine High School, according to the guidelines. While school systems have made an effort to keep students safe by implementing active shooter drills, concerns have been raised across the country about the impact these drills have on students mental health. This led to the April passage of the Maryland bill, as well as an executive order signed by President Joe Biden to increase federal guidance on the subject. Related VP Candidate Vance on Stopping School Shootings: Get Doors that Lock Better Marylands new guidelines, released in October, call for unified terminology between districts to discourage miscommunication between the school system and the relevant public. They intend to increase communication between staff and students to create an open dialogue where everyone feels comfortable raising concerns, as well as creating a diverse planning team who will work on planning the drills and doing a post-analysis of how it went and any shortcomings it faced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The guidelines emphasize that active shooter drills are not a one-size-fits-all matter, and should be adjusted to fit the age group. These are going to be part of a young persons life for the foreseeable future, but that doesnt mean that you cant do them in a way that is both trauma-informed and age appropriate, Solomon said. Its really important that the way school systems do these types of events reflects a care and age appropriateness of the grades that are being impacted. Related Biden Order Seeks to Make Much-Debated School Shooting Drills Less Traumatic The guidelines also recommend that a mechanism be established to pause or stop the drill when necessary, for schools to notify parents before and after all drills to increase trust and communication, and to allow students and staff who feel uncomfortable to opt-out of the drills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lead sponsors of the bill, Solomon and Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery), felt that the impact guns have on todays children needs to be mitigated as much as possible, and worked to balance a focus on their safety while prioritizing their mental health. The law that Del. Solomon and I sponsored and passed tried to walk the fine line of thoughtful preparation that isnt traumatic, Kagan said. And we also had to consider parents and community members who are understandably alarmed and concerned when they see the impact of these drills Our concern was that [the drills] were not being strategic in how they were handled, and were actually causing trauma for those involved. One active shooter drill that occurred in Solomons district served as a driving force for his involvement. Families were literally getting texts from their kids saying, I dont know if Ill ever see you again, and it was a drill. They didnt know, said Solomon. There was no requirement prior to this for a school or a school system to notify families before or after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional motivation for the bill included shared experiences from other parents Solomon spoke to, he said. Many shared their frustrations at the lack of foresight they had into when the drills would be taking place and what would happen during them, which prevented parents from having appropriate conversations with their children to prepare them. Starting in January, schools will distribute a new survey made by the National Center for School Mental Health to gather feedback from staff, parents and students on how effective the drills are, and the mental impact they have on all involved. The goal is not to create fear but to instill confidence and preparedness, said the guidelines from the Maryland Center for School Safety. By working together as a community, schools can foster safe and supportive learning environments. This story was originally published on Maryland Matters. Kirk Rumford is remembering his dog Odin as a "big, klutzy, fuzzy goofball" after he was fatally shot on Nov. 19 Getty Stock image featuring the back view of a husky playing on a grassy yard. Stock image featuring the back view of a husky playing on a grassy yard. A dog owner in Massachusetts is in "shock" after police say an animal control officer shot and killed his husky puppy after mistaking it for a coyote. On Tuesday, Nov. 19, around 11:30 a.m. local time, the Northbridge Police Department responded after getting a call about a neighbor spotting a coyote in her backyard, Police Chief Tim Labrie said, per multiple outlets, including The Milford Daily News and Boston CBS affiliate WBZ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An animal control officer then went into the woods to search for a coyote, before he spotted the husky and fatally shot the dog in what police are calling "truly an honest mistake." "While he's in the woods, he hears a blood-curdling scream from the same lady that he just spoke to, so he runs back out and sees what he believed was a coyote," Labrie told WBZ. "So he takes up his position, he's calling out to distract it, maybe it'll take off, gets within 10 yards and that's when he fired a shot and killed the coyote." However, the animal turned out to be Kirk Rumford's 10-and-a-half month-old pup Odin, per the Daily News. Getty Stock image of a Siberian husky from the back. Stock image of a Siberian husky from the back. Related: Angie Harmon Says Instacart Driver Shot and Killed Her Dog During Delivery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He was a good dog," Rumford told the outlet. "He was a big, klutzy, fuzzy goofball. I'm still in shock." The Northbridge Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment on Sunday, Nov. 24. Labrie told the Associated Press that the responding officer later saw the dog's flea collar and knew he was a pet and not a coyote. Rumford doesn't believe his dog resembles a coyote, telling the outlet that he "would have been the most gorgeous coyote ever, on steroids." He described his dog to the AP as a knucklehead and a loveable klutz who loved to play with other dogs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Look at pictures of what a coyote looks like in Massachusetts and my dog. My dog was beautiful. He looked like a wolf if anything, and there are no wolves in Massachusetts," Rumford added. And though Labrie told the Daily News that the dog looked "identical to a coyote," Rumford disagreed and also said that the dog's behavior described by police didn't match the characteristics of Odin. "[The animal control officer] said he was growling at him and baring his teeth. My dog never growled at another dog, let alone a person. He's not aggressive at all, he's a big goofball, he's never shown his teeth once," he told WBZ. "I take food out of his mouth and bring him to the dog park and he just plays with everybody." According to the Daily News, Rumford's dog would often escape and visit neighbors, but the owner said he'd never cause trouble. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that, on the morning of Odin's death, he went to the grocery store to look for dog biscuits to encourage the canine to come home. However, he later got a Ring camera alert and saw authorities in his yard, and later spoke with Labrie and was informed that Odin was shot and killed. Related: Texas Dog Shot 50 Times with Pellet Gun Survives and Begins Road to Recovery Per the Daily News, Labrie said the animal control officer that killed Odin had been on the job for 21 years and had "euthanized" several coyotes during that time. The police chief called the dog's death a mistake and said the officer was "doing his job." Labrie also told the AP that the department has seen a "bit of an uptick in coyote calls." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I would call it a mistaken identity," Labrie told WBZ. "The dog owner, we know that he's upset. He lost his dog, which is, to a lot of people, is like a child. The animal control officer has been doing this for 21 years, he's an animal lover himself, he's clearly upset." Police have since told WBZ that they're willing to help Rumford however they can moving forward, including paying for a cremation. Labrie, per the AP, encouraged dog owners to follow leash laws and to keep "identifying markers" on their dogs if they tend to wander in the woods. "I just don't want this happening to anyone else," Rumford told the Daily News, adding of Odin: "He was my reason to come home every day." President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on "Mass Deportation NOW!" His justifications for the necessity of this policy were easily dismissed by experts. New immigrants aren't behind a murder spree, aren't driving up crime rates, aren't eating our pets, aren't taking "black jobs," andin many casesaren't even here illegally. One area that is more difficult to assess, but also rarely mentioned by Trump: how mass deportation would affect U.S. government debt. If Trump is looking for better intellectual cover for mass deportation, he could find it in a preelection report from the conservative Manhattan Institute (MI). Their report found that the influx of illegal immigrants since 2021 will add $1.1 trillion in federal debt over the lifetimes of the immigrants and that "mass deportations would significantly reduce the national debt over the long run." This conclusion was seemingly at odds with a recent report from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that found a big and growing fiscal upside to the recent influx of nearly $1 trillion over the next decade. The author of the MI study, Daniel DiMartino, generously shared his data and calculations, allowing me to see whether it was the CBO's shorter timeframe or something else driving the divergent results. Last week, the Cato Institute published the results of my replication. I identified nine methodological problems in MI's model that make deportation seem to benefit government budgets. Rather than a $1.1 trillion loss from recent arrivals, I find these immigrants provide a positive $4.9 trillion in net present value for the federal government over a lifetime. How Is Such a Big Difference Possible? Start with taxes: MI assumes that immigrants won't increase tax revenues from businesses at all. This is obviously incorrect. Not only are many immigrants business owners, but businesses only hire workers because those workers will increase profits that will be taxed. Most analyses indicate that workers pay the majority of corporate income tax through lower wages. When workers are deported, they won't be earning wages, and the businesses won't be earning profits or paying taxes on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To determine future tax revenues, MI's analysis assumes that recent illegal immigrants are very uneducated and won't have high-paying jobs, with their report showing just 7 percent of recent illegal immigrants had a college degree, while almost half have no high school degree. Its estimatewhich is based on a misreading of a decade-old blog post of mineis at odds with more recent evidence. Demographers at the Center for Migration Studies have found that 20 percent of illegal immigrants ages 18 and up have a college degree. It might seem surprising that so many illegal immigrants have college degrees. But many of the "illegal immigrants" that Trump and MI are talking about deporting didn't even enter illegally. They came in a temporary status called "parole," which Trump plans on canceling. Moreover, socialism didn't just destroy the jobs of the poorest Venezuelans, Cubans, Nicaraguans, Haitians, and others. It ruined the prospects for more skilled workers as well, and they are often the ones who have the means to move. Immigrant children who grow up here illegally also often obtain education beyond high school. MI's failure to use the best, most recent evidence on immigrant education means that it dramatically understates recent illegal immigrants' future tax revenue by $2 trillion. Now consider the cost side: MI states new illegal immigrants are indirectly causing Congress to increase defense spending. This isn't true. Population growth has lowered real per capita defense spending, making the maintenance of America's standing army cheaper for Americans. MI then assumes Congress will cut defense spending by roughly $40 billion annually when the new illegal immigrants are deported. (Hint: it won't). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MI also states that illegal immigrants will claim Social Security and Medicare at the same rate as the average immigranteven though they are legally prohibited from obtaining those programs. Of course, some might receive asylum and become eligible for those federal programs, but that's likely less than 10 percent of those who entered. Adopting a more reasonable assumptionthat only 25 percent become eligiblereduces the costs from immigrants by another $2 trillion. Once you properly correct for these issues, low-skilled immigrants go from net negative in MI's model throughout their working lives to net positive throughout their working lives. Immigrants are paying more in taxes than they receive in benefits, so they are reducing future interest costs on the debt. This is something that MI doesn't account for either. Add up all these differences, and recent illegal (or soon-to-be illegal) immigrants go from negative $1 trillion to a positive nearly $5 trillion in MI's model. The True Cost of Mass Deportation MI's DiMartino has since admitted at least some of these calculations should be changed (though he still insists deportations will lead to lower defense spending). But let's just assume for a second that MI did all the calculations exactly right, and recent immigrants will cost the U.S. government $1.1 trillion. "Mass deportation" will cost a lot of money too. On MI's accounting, it would cost about $500 billion, which it says is still worth it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem is that MI is not considering the fact that mass deportation will almost certainly be paid for by new federal debt, which means it should consider the future interest costs on that debt. Factoring in the debt, the cost of mass deportation triples to $1.5 trillion over the immigrants' lifetime. In other words, even if MI was 100 percent right, mass deportation wouldn't be worth it. When you combine the likely cost of mass deportation with the lost fiscal benefits from recent illegal immigrants, reversing the "Biden Border Crisis" will end up imposing almost $6 trillion in costs on U.S. taxpayers. Naturally, not all immigrants are fiscally positive. Immigrants who arrive just before retirement or who arrive at young ages and don't graduate high school are likely a net cost to the government. These negative effects are almost entirely the result of Medicare and Social Security. There is a simpler solution than deploying the military to round up or block the entry of immigrants: Just limit welfare. If immigrants were ineligible for welfare benefits, almost every immigrant would be fiscally positive over their lifetime, regardless of when they arrive or their educational attainment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let immigrants naturalize if they have paid in (either through their normal taxes or a special fee). There are next to no immigrants who would turn down that deal. Given the enormous upside, why would Americans? The post The Math on Mass Deportation Doesn't Add Up appeared first on Reason.com. The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) showed journalists the remains of a Russian ballistic missile called Oreshnik that hit the city of Dnipro on Thursday. Source: AP Quote: "The charred, mangled wires and the missile body about the size of a large tyre are all that remains of the weapon, which could be equipped with both conventional and nuclear warheads." Details: SSU experts have confirmed that the missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar test site in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is noted that the missile had six warheads, each carrying six submunitions. Its maximum speed was Mach 11 (approximately 3775 m/s), and the flight time to the target was 15 minutes. Previously: BILD believed that Russia's new ballistic missile was a test missile and did not contain any explosives. Background: Ukraines Air Force noted that during the latest missile attack on the city of Dnipro, Russia used an intercontinental ballistic missile. Ukrainska Pravda sources reported that it could have been a Rubezh missile, a potential carrier of nuclear warheads. In his Thursday address, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin indirectly confirmed US reports, stating that during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November, Russia used the Oreshnik medium-range missile. On 22 November, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine announced that Russia had struck the territory of Ukraine on 21 November, using a ballistic missile, probablylaunched from the Kedr missile system. Support UP or become our patron! Mediazona, an independent Russian outlet, together with BBC Russia, has confirmed through open-source research the names of 79,819 Russian soldiers killed since the start of Russia's all-out war. As Vladimir Putin boasted the new Oreshnik nuclear-capable intermediate-range ballistic missile, sparking renewed fears of nuclear escalation, Mediazona reported nearly 2,700 additional Russian military deaths in Ukraine over the past two weeks. The confirmed death toll now includes 17,000 volunteers, 14,500 recruited prisoners, and 9,700 mobilized soldiers, according to the media outlets. The journalists note that the actual figures are likely significantly higher, as their verified information comes from public sources such as obituaries, posts by relatives, regional media reports, and statements from local authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nov. 22 report comes amid growing evidence of widespread violence within Russian military ranks. Recent incidents include the arrests of two commanders, known by the call signs Bely ("White") and Gvozd ("Nail"), for confining subordinates in dog cages and the death of pro-Kremlin American volunteer Russell Bentley in a military detention facility. Since Russia began its full-scale on Feb. 22, 2022, over 4,364 Russian officers have been killed in combat in Ukraine. According to figures released by Kyiv, total Russian losses in Ukraine had exceeded 700,000 as of Nov. 4, marking an increase of 100,000 in just 77 days. The figures do not distinguish between those killed, wounded, missing, or captured, though they are widely understood to encompass all categories. These numbers mostly align with estimates from Western nations. Read also: For 2nd day straight, Russias reported losses in Ukraine surge to record levels Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Nov. 23With a focus on victims of sexual assault, Abrianna Morales last week became the first New Mexican to be named a Rhodes scholar in more than 20 years. Morales, of Placitas, a sexual assault survivor since the age of 15, founded the Sexual Assault Youth Support Group, a nonprofit that provides support and resources to young victims. She earned a 2023 Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminology summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico. Since graduating, she's served as a program manager of the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), where she oversees the nationwide Victim Advocacy Corps, a pilot program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime. The Rhodes scholar program, which accepts about 1% of the more than 3,000 Americans who apply, will fund her graduate studies in Political Thought, focusing on the intersection of identity development and youth service engagement. Morales is currently considered a "Rhodes scholar-elect" until she is placed in a course at one of Oxford's 43 colleges, according to a spokesperson with the Office of the American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Created in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, who served as prime minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896, it pays for 103 students a year 32 of whom are American to earn graduate degrees at Oxford, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, founded in 1096. Previous U.S. Rhodes scholars include President Bill Clinton, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Hubble telescope builder Edwin Hubble, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Supreme Court Justice David Souter. The last Rhodes scholar from New Mexico was Albuquerque first lady Elizabeth Kristin Keller in 2001. Morales was one of 15 candidates who flew to Denver from Nov. 15-16 for individualized 25-minute interviews. At the end of the trip, she found out that she was one of only two candidates for District 13 of the Rhodes Trust, the program's sponsor, to be named scholars. Another woman, a United States Military Academy graduate from Lincoln, Nebraska, was the other scholar. Since, Morales said she has been living "in a dream state." "I'm still stunned, frankly," Morales said. "I feel so lucky that I have the privilege to have this opportunity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rhodes scholarship is "the oldest and best-known award for international study, and arguably the most famous academic award available to American college graduates," Ramona Doyle, American secretary of the Rhodes Trust, said in a news release. UNM President Garnett Stokes praised Morales for her achievement, calling her "one of our highest achieving Lobos of all time" in a message to the campus community. Morales was also a Presidential scholar, a Truman scholar and a participant in the McNair Scholars Program, Stokes said. "I know the entire Lobo community joins me in celebrating Abrianna and her incredible accomplishment congratulations again, Abrianna!" Stokes said. "We can't wait to follow what lies ahead for you!" Stokes also thanked everyone who helped Morales in her educational journey. Manuel Montoya, UNM associate professor of economics, was one of Morales' mentors while she was a McNair scholar. Montoya is also the university's first Latinx Rhodes scholar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Montoya said he was "thrilled" to hear that his former student will soon hold the same prestigious title as him. "For me, this is big because Abrianna is one of the most authentic people I've met in a long time," Montoya said. "She doesn't care about the resume as much as she cares about the quality of work that she's doing. We sometimes live in a world where that's not always favored." He described Morales as a person of integrity: the kind of person who might turn down big opportunities in favor of getting work done. Claire Ponder Selib, executive director of NOVA, said she "can't think of anyone more deserving" of the scholarship than Morales. The UNM alumna joined NOVA in December 2022, while she was still a UNM student carrying a full-time course load. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Abrianna is wise beyond her years," Ponder Selib said. "She is poised, confident and respected by her peers across the country (and) she has channeled (sexual assault) trauma into making it her life journey to advocate for others." While her victim advocacy work has been meaningful, Morales wants to study how oppressive experiences shape the way they become involved in their communities, including in public service. Following Oxford, Morales wants to earn a Ph.D. in developmental psychology focusing on narrative identity development, youth service and political engagement. She plans to come back to New Mexico to do this work. Montoya said that he hopes when Morales arrives at Oxford, she realizes she's studying in a place that is "dedicated to preserving knowledge into millennia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's their legacy, so to be there is to be placed inside of history's cradle," Montoya said. Montoya, a native of the state, said it can be challenging for anyone from New Mexico to step into a place like Oxford and work as opposed to visiting there. "What you're actually doing is you're contributing a little bit of New Mexico's history to the cobblestone streets and the massively tall gothic knowledge temples that make Oxford what it is," Montoya said. Informed of her former professor's comments, Morales said being a Rhodes scholar from New Mexico is positioning her to be part of a legacy of people "who cared greatly about not only the welfare of people in our state ... but also to preserve and carry forth knowledge that will help generations far beyond you and I." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides hitting the books, Morales enjoys running, creative writing and watching movies, particularly the horror genre, Montoya said. He laughed that Morales never gave him a straight answer on which horror film is her favorite. For the record, Morales said it's "Rosemary's Baby," the 1968 film starring Mia Farrow, whose son Ronan Farrow was also a Rhodes scholar. Whether Morales will have time for movies while studying at Oxford remains to be seen. But for now, she looks forward to traveling abroad for the first time and imagines herself sitting under a tree reading a book just as members of the selection committee told her they did when they attended Oxford. Nov. 23With a focus on victims of sexual assault, Abrianna Morales last week became the first University of New Mexico student to be named a Rhodes scholar in more than 20 years. Morales, of Placitas, a sexual assault survivor since the age of 15, founded the Sexual Assault Youth Support Network, a nonprofit that provides support and resources to young victims. She earned a 2023 Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Criminology summa cum laude from UNM. Since graduating, she's served as a program manager of the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA), where she oversees the nationwide Victim Advocacy Corps, a pilot program funded by the U.S. Department of Justice's Office for Victims of Crime. The Rhodes scholar program, which accepts about 1% of the more than 3,000 Americans who apply yearly, will fund her graduate studies in Political Thought, focusing on the intersection of identity development and youth service engagement. Morales is currently considered a "Rhodes scholar-elect" until she is placed in a course at one of Oxford's 43 colleges, according to a spokesperson with the Office of the American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Created in 1902 by the will of Cecil Rhodes, who served as prime minister of the Cape Colony from 1890 to 1896, it pays for 103 students a year 32 of whom are American to earn graduate degrees at Oxford, one of the most prestigious universities in the world, founded in 1096. Previous U.S. Rhodes scholars include President Bill Clinton, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Hubble telescope builder Edwin Hubble, former Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former Supreme Court Justice David Souter. The last Rhodes scholar from UNM was John C. Probasco in 2002. Morales was one of 15 candidates who flew to Denver on Nov. 15-16 for individualized 25-minute interviews. At the end of the trip, she found out that she was one of only two candidates for District 13 of the Rhodes Trust, the program's sponsor, to be named scholars. Another woman, a United States Military Academy graduate from Lincoln, Nebraska, was the other scholar. Since, Morales said she has been living "in a dream state." "I'm still stunned, frankly," Morales said. "I feel so lucky that I have the privilege to have this opportunity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rhodes scholarship is "the oldest and best-known award for international study, and arguably the most famous academic award available to American college graduates," Ramona Doyle, American secretary of the Rhodes Trust, said in a news release. UNM President Garnett Stokes praised Morales for her achievement, calling her "one of our highest achieving Lobos of all time" in a message to the campus community. Morales was also a Presidential scholar, a Truman scholar and a participant in the McNair Scholars Program, Stokes said. "I know the entire Lobo community joins me in celebrating Abrianna and her incredible accomplishment congratulations again, Abrianna!" Stokes said. "We can't wait to follow what lies ahead for you!" Stokes also thanked everyone who helped Morales in her educational journey. Manuel Montoya, UNM associate professor of economics, was one of Morales' mentors while she was a McNair scholar. Montoya is also the university's first Latinx Rhodes scholar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Montoya said he was "thrilled" to hear that his former student will soon hold the same prestigious title as he. "For me, this is big because Abrianna is one of the most authentic people I've met in a long time," Montoya said. "She doesn't care about the resume as much as she cares about the quality of work that she's doing. We sometimes live in a world where that's not always favored." He described Morales as a person of integrity: the kind of person who might turn down big opportunities in favor of getting work done. Claire Ponder Selib, executive director of NOVA, said she "can't think of anyone more deserving" of the scholarship than Morales. The UNM alumna joined NOVA in December 2022, while she was still a UNM student carrying a full-time course load. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Abrianna is wise beyond her years," Ponder Selib said. "She is poised, confident and respected by her peers across the country (and) she has channeled (sexual assault) trauma into making it her life journey to advocate for others." While her victim advocacy work has been meaningful, Morales wants to study how oppressive experiences shape the way they become involved in their communities, including in public service. Following Oxford, Morales wants to earn a Ph.D. in developmental psychology focusing on narrative identity development, youth service and political engagement. She plans to come back to New Mexico to do this work. Montoya said that he hopes when Morales arrives at Oxford, she realizes she's studying in a place that is "dedicated to preserving knowledge into millennia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's their legacy, so to be there is to be placed inside of history's cradle," Montoya said. Montoya, a native of the state, said it can be challenging for anyone from New Mexico to step into a place like Oxford and work as opposed to visiting there. "What you're actually doing is you're contributing a little bit of New Mexico's history to the cobblestone streets and the massively tall gothic knowledge temples that make Oxford what it is," Montoya said. Informed of her former professor's comments, Morales said being a Rhodes scholar from New Mexico is positioning her to be part of a legacy of people "who cared greatly about not only the welfare of people in our state ... but also to preserve and carry forth knowledge that will help generations far beyond you and I." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Besides hitting the books, Morales enjoys running, creative writing and watching movies, particularly the horror genre, Montoya said. He laughed that Morales never gave him a straight answer on which horror film is her favorite. For the record, Morales said it's "Rosemary's Baby," the 1968 film starring Mia Farrow, whose son Ronan Farrow was also a Rhodes scholar. Whether Morales will have time for movies while studying at Oxford remains to be seen. But for now, she looks forward to traveling abroad for the first time and imagines herself sitting under a tree reading a book just as members of the selection committee told her they did when they attended Oxford. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images Council members of one Canadian town are refusing to pledge fealty to King Charles. According to a recent report from the BBC, Stephen Johnsonthe mayor-elect of Dawson, City, located in the Yukon Territory in Canadaand newly elected council members are refusing to take the King's Oath and pledge allegiance to Charles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Johnson and the council members were sworn in earlier this month, according to the publication, the "process is stalled" as a result of the group's refusal. "Johnson says the refusal is in solidarity with the Indigenous council member who has raised concerns about the Crown's history with Canada's Indigenous peoples," the outlet reports, adding that "under Yukon law, a newly elected official must take the oath within 40 days of their election or else their win shall be considered null." King Charles hugging a group of women wearing black rugby jerseys and laughing Indigenous council member Darwyn Lynn, a member of the Trondek Hwechin First Nation, is reportedly hesitant to take the pledge because Dawson City sits on the land of Trondek, a hunting and fishing camp for Indigenous people who were displaced in 1896 as a result of the Klondike Gold Rush. In an interview with the Canadian press, Mayor-elect Johnson explained that the council "can't do anything legally required of us under the Municipal Act" until the council pledges their loyalty to King Charles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's a bit of a sticky situation," he added. "This is being done with no disrespect to His Majesty King Charles. And also were not doing this to go, Rah, rah, look at us, to poke everybody across Canada, to get rid of the Crown." As People reports, this is not the first time lawmakers from countries part of the Commonwealth have defied the Crown and members of the royal family. Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince Harry, Prince William, King Charles, Queen Camilla, Tom Parker Bowles, Laura Lopes posing at Charles and Camilla's wedding for a formal photo In October, Indigenous Australian lawmaker Lidia Thorpe yelled at the king after he spoke to members of the Australian parliament. "This is not your land. This is not your land," she shouted, and as she was removed by security. "You are not my king, you are not our king. You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. Give us what you stole from us: our bones, our skulls, our babies, our people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, Australian senators voted to censure Thorpe for the outburst. Following the 46 to 12 vote, Thorpe said that if given the opportunity to face King Charles for a second time, she would do it again. If the colonizing king were to come to my country again, our country, then Ill do it again, Thorpe told reporters. And I will keep doing it. I will resist colonization in this country. I swear my allegiance to the real sovereigns of these lands; First Peoples are the real sovereigns. You dont have some random king rock up and say hes sovereign." A Coweta County family is all smiles after their puppy was rescued from a storm drain Saturday afternoon. In a Facebook post, the Newnan Police Department highlighted animal control officer Cyndi Hoffman and her collaboration with the Newman Fire Department and Utilities in saving the puppy from a drainage pipe on Lovelace Street. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] After excavation efforts, the puppy, Brandon, was rescued and returned to its family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This outcome exemplifies the value of interagency cooperation and teamwork, the department wrote. We are grateful for the support provided by NFD firefighters Lt. Shannon Broch, FF. Bradley Harralson, FF. Jeffery Coleman, FF. David McKenzie, and FF. Brett Clark. We also are very appreciative of the help from Newnan Utilities Employee Nathan Stewart. Teamwork! TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LAS CRUCES, N.M. (AP) A city in New Mexico has reached a $20 million settlement with the family of a woman who was shot and killed by a police officer now charged with second-degree murder. Teresa Gomez, 45, was fatally shot in October 2023 shortly after a Las Cruces police officer on a bicycle approached her while she sat in a parked car with another person, authorities said. Body camera video shows the officer shot Gomez three times as she tried to drive away. The officer, identified by the city as Felipe Hernandez, was charged in January and fired months later from the Las Cruces Police Department. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This settlement should be understood as a statement of the Citys profound feeling of loss for the death of Gomez and of the Citys condolences to her family, the city of Las Cruces said in a news release sent Friday. Hernandez has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge. His trial is scheduled for June 2. The Associated Press sent an email Saturday seeking comment from Hernandezs attorney. A lawyer for the Gomez family said her relatives are grateful to the city for recognizing the injustice of Teresas death, the Las Cruces Sun-News reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They trust that the city will redouble efforts to make sure no other family suffers the tragedy of losing a loved one to abusive police conduct, Shannon Kennedy said in a statement to the newspaper. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. In Wuzhen, a small town in east China's Zhejiang Province, a hospital utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) technology to upgrade services related to medical examinations, chronic disease management and rehabilitation. Local resident Zhu Weibin experienced an AI-based liver function test recently. An automatically generated report diagnosed him with a fatty liver. Zhu was very pleased as this diagnosis is much more efficient and accurate -- with AI helping to reduce the indicator threshold for determining fatty liver from 30 percent to just 5 percent. "It enables me to intervene in the disease process at an earlier stage," Zhu said. This smart medical service gives a glimpse into the trend of China's health industry as it shifts towards tapping digital technologies to make it easier for people to maintain their health. On the sidelines of the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit, which closed in Zhejiang on Friday, many industry insiders agreed that Chinese people are now placing greater emphasis on improving their quality of life. This is even more so given the pressure resulting from population aging and the increasing incidences of chronic disease. Nevertheless, facing challenges such as inaccessibility of health services in rural areas and insufficient health literacy, some people still find it difficult to manage their health effectively and efficiently -- with insiders suggesting that AI applications are a solution to such obstacles. In a drugstore in the metropolis of Shanghai, an AI-empowered application ensures that pain sufferers have accurate and timely access to the medicines they need. The application, named Fenbid AI Pain Management Assistant, leverages natural language processing and knowledge graph technologies to provide professional and personalized solutions, according to developer Haleon, a health product manufacturer headquartered in Britain. Fenbid is a common painkiller in China. "Many drugstores don't have pharmacists, while today's consumers pay increasing attention to the safety of taking medicines," said Liu Bing, an executive with Haleon responsible for digitalization in the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong. She added that the AI-empowered application, by suggesting optimum ways to reduce pain based on evaluation and consideration of allergic history and drug-using risks, benefits both patients and drugstores. China has seen steady growth of its health industry. According to the National Health Commission (NHC), the sector is projected to reach 16 trillion yuan (about $2.21 trillion) in terms of scale by 2030, heralding huge opportunities for AI applications. Nie Zaiqing, a professor at Tsinghua University, believes that AI technology will transform many industries, particularly the medical and manufacturing sectors. At an exhibition during the Wuzhen summit, an AI-driven platform designed for early screening of multiple tumors and chronic diseases captured much attention. Developed by a research institute under Alibaba Group, this platform enabled an early-stage pancreatic cancer patient, a woman surnamed Huang in Jiangsu Province, to receive timely treatment. Huang was not diagnosed with cancer following a traditional CT examination. The AI-driven platform, however, did detect the presence of cancer. This AI solution to cancer screening also has an economic advantage. According to its developer, it only costs about 200 yuan to check for as many as seven prevalent cancers, such as lung and stomach cancers, all at once -- compared with an accumulated 3,000 yuan previously. The Chinese government has voiced support for the presence of AI in the health sector. This year's government work report proposed an "AI plus" initiative, while the NHC and other authorities earlier this month issued a reference concerning the application of AI scenarios in the medical and health industries. Optimistic about the prospects of using AI to improve health products and services, Liu said her company's pain management service is currently being piloted in both Shanghai and Chongqing, and is expected to be expanded to other areas across China next year. "It coincides with the Healthy China Initiative. We hope that our solution will also serve as an assistant for pharmacists and doctors at grassroots medical and health institutions in the near future," Liu said. Michel Barnier is facing a battle to survive until Christmas as polls show more than half of the nation back a no-confidence vote in Frances new prime minister. According to a survey published on Saturday in La Tribune Dimanche, 53 per cent of respondents want to oust the former Brexit negotiator just months after he was appointed. Its a return to square one, said Brice Teinturier, deputy CEO of polling company Ipsos. We find ourselves in the same situation as five months ago, the day after the second round of the legislative elections. The lines are not moving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As an Alpine mountaineer accustomed to scaling summits, le Savoyard, as the lanky 73-year-old is known, is facing a Mont-Blanc of domestic difficulties as he seeks to pass a budget to avoid financial meltdown amid spiralling French deficit and debt. To make matters worse, French unions have called strikes and demonstrations across various sectors starting this week. Farmers furious at stifling norms, unfair competition and an impending EU trade deal with South American countries, were the first to act. French farmers protested over an impending EU trade deal with South American countries - Romain Perrocheau/AFP Militant union Coordination Rurale dumped manure in front of state buildings, blocked the Spanish border and the port of Bordeaux with tractors and threatened to starve Toulouse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It took a personal phone call from Barnier to their leader promising instant action for pressure to drop. More industrial action is threatened in the festive season among railway workers, teachers, civil servants, airline pilots, flight attendants and company employees amid a wave of redundancies. Meanwhile, populist figurehead Marine Le Pen this week threatened to plant the kiss of death on Mr Barniers fragile coalition government by joining the opposition Left in a no-confidence vote if her National Rally (RN) partys cost-of-living concerns were not incorporated into the 2025 budget. We will not accept that the purchasing power of the French be once again hit. This is a red line and if this red line is crossed, we will vote no-confidence, Ms Le Pen told RTL radio. Marine Le Pen, leader of the Right-wing National Rally party, threatened Mr Barniers fragile coalition government with a no-confidence vote - Geoffroy van der Hasselt/AFP After Emmanuel Macrons disastrous decision to hold snap legislative elections in July, parliament has been split into three blocs - a Left-wing coalition called the New Popular Front, Ms Le Pens populists and a third containing centrist pro-Macron MPs in a fractious alliance with Right-wing Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Macron appointed Mr Barnier on the proviso his government receive Ms Le Pens tacit blessing. The Eurosceptic agreed to offer the Gaullist a stay of execution as part of her drive to depict herself and her RN party as a responsible and constructive opposition force. Mr Barnier took up his post by promising to stem state profligacy that has shaken market confidence in the eurozones second-largest economy and seen borrowing costs approach those of Greece and Italy. If we dont act, our country will be on the brink, he warned last month, announcing plans to save 60 billion by slashing spending by 40 billion mainly in central and local government, and slapping some 20 billion in new taxes on businesses and the wealthy. Frances budget deficit is set to hit 6.2 per cent of GDP in 2025 - the eurozones highest after Romania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite a string of concessions and sweeteners, his unpopular plans for tax hikes and spending cuts have twice been blocked in the National Assembly. As a result, Mr Barnier conceded he will probably have to use the nuclear option of ramming the budget bill through the legislature without a vote. That would inevitably trigger a no-confidence vote that the RN and the Left could use to bring down the government. Hell fall between 15 and 21 December, predicted Jean-Luc Melenchon, firebrand figurehead of the France Unbowed party that dominates the Left-wing parliamentary alliance. Jean-Luc Melenchon, leader of the Left-wing France Unbowed party, predicted Mr Barnier would fall between 15 and 21 December - Pascal Lachenaud/AFP Some analysts have suggested Ms Le Pens legal woes could accelerate her plans to bring down the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, prosecutors called for an obligatory five-year ban from public office for her alleged role in embezzling EU funds. She denies the allegations. If judges convict Ms Le Pen early next year and uphold the sentence, she would be barred from running in the 2027 presidential election which polls suggest she could win. However, there are other reasons to jettison Mr Barnier, say RN insiders, who point to two polls out this week, one suggesting 73 per cent of RN supporters disapprove of the Barnier government, another showing that 61 per cent back a no-confidence vote. They warn there is a danger the RN could become tarred by the Barnier brush and lose ground to the Left in the battle to claim the mantle of Frances main opposition force. Our electorate is revolutionary; they want us to censor the government, one party leader told Le Figaro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are also uneasy at allowing Bruno Retailleau, Mr Barniers hardline interior minister, to steal their thunder on immigration, law and order. But the Barnier camp question whether RN would run the risk of appearing as the harbingers of chaos by bringing the government down at this delicate juncture. Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, told CNews: Those who would topple the government will deprive the country of a budget and create disorder and chienlit [a term used by General de Gaulle meaning havoc or chaos]. Jean-Noel Barrot, the French foreign minister, said that toppling Mr Barniers government would create disorder - Jeff Overs/BBC/PA Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edouard Philippe, President Macrons former prime minister, offered a similarly stark assessment. If we dont stabilise the political situation, well have a serious crisis that wont just be political. Given the state of our finances, I guarantee that a political crisis will trigger a financial crisis, he warned. Breaking his silence over the issue, Mr Macron called for stability while on tour in South America. Mr Barnier may offer Ms Le Pen concessions by cutting a rise in electricity prices when the pair meet next Monday. Jordan Bardella, her protege and RN party chairman, has said the no-confidence decision will depend on whether the final cut of the budget reflects their demands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if the government is toppled, analysts say no other force is in a position to forge a parliamentary majority, meaning that the President may be forced to simply reinstate Mr Barnier and his cabinet and carry on. The only other option would be a technical government. Reportedly weary and frustrated after weeks of fruitless efforts to secure a budget bill, Mr Barnier remained sanguine about his political future. Im ready to leave tomorrow. Im 73 today. Ill be 76 in 2027. I dont need to be reminded of my age, he said this week. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. A victim was found dead after a suspected homicide on Saturday morning near Kosciuszko Park. Milwaukee Police Department Captain Gregory Borst said the department is investigating a suspected homicide that took place at around 7:34 a.m. in the 2000 block of South 8th Street. The area is where an "unidentified adult victim" was found dead, according to the release from Borst. The circumstances leading to the incident are under investigation, but "foul play is suspected," according to the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milwaukee police are searching for possible suspects. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at (414) 935-7360. Those who want to remain anonymous should contact Crime Stoppers at (414)224-Tips or P3 Tips. Contact Claudia Levens at clevens@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @levensc13. This story has been updated to add video. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee police investigating suspected homicide near Kosciuszko Park Petroglyphs inscribed in a box canyon in Kiowa County, as they appeared in 2007, offer a glimpse into the distant past. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector) Seventeen winters ago I climbed into the passenger seat of a white Toyota pickup from which wafted the tangy smell of a burned clutch as it set off down an arrow-straight county road near Greensburg in western Kansas. The driver knew some mind-bending things about the landscape, secrets reserved only for those foolish enough or brave enough to ask the big questions about our place in the cosmos. He may not have had the answers, but he certainly knew where to find the clues. As the days again grow short, that winter journey so long ago came to mind as I pondered our relationship to landscapes, both cultural and natural. Our terrain has changed some recently, so Ive been seeking to better understand my place on the map. Its not just the foolish and the brave who are being assaulted with mind-bending challenges to our understanding of the world. Nobody has any answers to the big questions, and if they claim to, they would like to sell you a map of their version of reality. I havent been much in a buying mood lately. But even if the maps were offered are inadequate to the task, the clues on the ground remain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must make our own maps from the clues we find. My own map begins with this: I am of the West. By that I mean I was both born in the West and have been looking farther west all of my life. Definitions of where the West begins vary, and by the time you get out to Dodge City, most would agree youve arrived, but for me the West began at Baxter Springs in southeast Kansas. From there I have explored to Dodge City and many points beyond, mountains and desert, cities and plain. Even though I am of the West, I have an uncomfortable relationship with it. Those I meet on my travels tend to assume certain things when they learn Im from Kansas, and those assumptions are nearly always wrong, especially when it comes to politics and religion. I am neither conservative nor conventionally religious (ah, the agnostics caveat), but I have been shaped by those forces as surely as a river carves its way into the land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is my response, and my resistance, to those forces that has made me who I am. What do I fear most? That ignorance, superstition, and greed are the cultural trifecta that is likely to end us as a nation. Other waypoints on my map are experiential: seeing the dawn from a tent flap high in the Rockies while a winter storm approaches, kayaking a lazy stretch of the Arkansas River below Great Bend, watching with my wife, Kim, as a safely distant grizzly sow with two cubs turns her head to look at us in Yellowstone National Park. These were consequential moments. But so were the ones that had no joy, such as swimming desperately after being dumped in a rapid, being so tired that just one more quarter mile of hiking seemed impossible, or becoming trapped in a great swarming panic of mosquitoes on the Pacific Crest Trail. All of the things Ive mentioned were the result of choices Id made. But now, like so many others, I must deal with the situations beyond my control. So I scramble to make a new personal map to better understand the landscape. A bison roams across a field at Yellowstone National Park in 2024. (Max McCoy/Kansas Reflector) Reaching back 17 years, I have taken my memories and my notes from an afternoon in Kiowa County to establish a permanent waypoint. In some ways, it is the origin point of my understanding of the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the Toyota pickup, we skirted Greensburg, then drove south, until the arrow-straight and level roads of Brenham township broke up into crooked washboard. This was three months before an EF-5 tornado scoured 95% of Greensburg from the earth and left 13 people dead. George W. Bush was still president. Kathleen Sebelius was governor of Kansas. I was different as well, quicker if not smarter, more willing to tear across the country for a glimpse of the transcendent. The driver of the Toyota pickup was one of those who generously shared their time and their knowledge with me, but a markedly private person who shall go unnamed here. I had been a frequent visitor to Kiowa County, researching a book about Kansas meteorites. The book was never published, even though I worked on it for years. The driver was a meteorite hunter, but on that winter afternoon we werent hunting space rocks. As we drove, the land, which had been smooth as a freshly made bed, became rugged, with washes and ravines and limestone bluffs. After another 10 or 15 minutes of bouncing down the road, my companion frowned and admitted he was lost. Not to worry, he said, it happened every time he tried to find the spot. We retraced our route for a couple of miles, found another crooked road, and continued. There were no farmhouses or other landmarks. If not for the sun hanging low in the western sky, behind a darkening line of storm clouds, I wouldnt have known our heading was generally southern. My companion braked the truck to look over a promising piece of landscape. But then he declared it didnt look right and stomped the accelerator. Do you have the coordinates? I asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, he said. Always meant to get them, but kept forgetting to bring my GPS out here. I looked at my watch five oclock. We had maybe an hour of decent light. Do you have a map back at the homestead? I asked. Perhaps we should go back and get it. No map, he said, and even now Im not sure whether he meant he didnt have such a map, or that he objected to going back for it, or that he simply didnt want to share one if he did. He was driving slowly and peering beyond the passengers window at the low hills dotted with cedar trees. At last he allowed that it looked like the right spot and pulled the pickup far off the side of the road. As I exited the passengers door into the prairie grass, I asked whether the petroglyphs were on public or private land, and if we should have asked permission to be there. Private, he said. But he knew the folks who owned the piece and that they wouldnt mind our visit, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We crossed through buffalo grass and avoided the occasional prickly pear cactus and then slid down a slick clay slope to a ravine. The ravine led to a small box canyon through which serpentined a small creek. Even though the temperature had reached the 60s earlier in the day, the creek was still clotted with ice. My companion jumped over the water and scrambled up to a rock face. It was covered with graffiti in English some typical high school stuff from a decade before, but also older things. Sunday & No Buffalo in Sight was carved into the rock along with a date, Feb. 16, 1873. There were fainter lines in the rock, far older. Cut into the limestone were seven stick-like shamanic figures with upraised arms, surrounded by stars, with arrows pointing to the ground. As I stared at the carvings, the carvings stared back into me. Time seemed to stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What events was the artist depicting? Rituals, most likely, and perhaps hunting and warfare. Were the falling stars meant to represent the descent of the Brenham meteorite, which came to earth in Kiowa County about 1,500 years ago? There is ample evidence of human habitation across the continent dating back to at least 13,500 years ago. This date is what anthropologists call a cultural horizon. It used to be associated with a theory, called Clovis First, that humans did not inhabit the Americas until a wicked-looking flint projectile point, called Clovis for the location in New Mexico where it was first found, became ubiquitous. The point triggered the expansion by helping the Paleo-Indians who first walked across the exposed land bridge from Asia take the mastodons and other big game found here. While the Clovis First theory has largely been abandoned, nobody really knows who the first Americans were. The rock art in Kiowa County is likely a few hundred to a thousand years old. If you want to know more about Kansas petroglyphs, an authoritative source is Petroglyphs of the Kansas Smoky Hills. Rex Buchanan, one of the authors, has said that he prefers the terms petroglyph to rock art because calling the carvings art encourages audiences to think of the features as museum pieces rather than as part of the natural landscape, as they were probably intended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The notion that somebody was around to witness the Brenham meteorite fall is a powerful one, and it took hold of Ellis Peck and would not let go. Peck self-published a book in 1979 called Space Rocks and Buffalo Grass. Lavishly illustrated, the book alternates chapters about the history of the Brenham strewn field with a fictional story about Otan, a young Native American who is sent on a quest to bring back pieces of the sacred stone. For a long time the Indian group stood viewing this weird scene of prairie tragedy, Peck writes in the climax. A short distance ahead on lower ground, Otan detected an unusual feature on the landscape. There was a large depression in the soil, rimmed by a low bank of earth which looked as though a powerful hand had hurled a heavy object into the ground Suddenly, all feeling seemed to drain away from his body and thoughts were like wind in his head. He had been led to this place by a phantasm: an obsession of mind and spirit. Our personal maps are filled with obsessions of mind and spirit. While Pecks story is fiction, it offers a glimpse of the power of our need to explain things, to attempt to join the known physical landscape with our shifting understanding of the past. We are compelled to do the same with contemporary events, to place them in a narrative map that makes sense. Whether our internal maps reflect the external landscape is a matter of observation, intelligence, and aptitude. At a time when many of us are engaged in redrawing our personal atlases, it may be worth remembering that a map is a representation of the terrain and not the destination. If your destination was worthy in 2007 or on the second Tuesday of 2024, it is just as worthy now. If you strove for equality and social justice then, there is even more reason to do so now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stay the path. It may also be helpful to pause and reflect on the transcendent power of art. Sacred carvings in a box canyon in southwest Kansas are just one example of the power of human imagination to inspire us, untold generations after the artists death. So is the goal of a better world. Max McCoy is an award-winning author and journalist. Through its opinion section, the Kansas Reflector works to amplify the voices of people who are affected by public policies or excluded from public debate. Find information, including how to submit your own commentary, here. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) One Minnesota mother visited Ohio after two children with autism went missing and ended up in a body of water. Within the past two weeks, two Ohio children with autism were reported missing and later found in a body of water. While one boy from Madison County was saved by police, a six-year-old boy from West Chester died just days ago. After seeing body camera video of police in Madison County pulling a 5-year-old boy with autism from a creek, preventing him from drowning, mother of four Sheletta Brundidge knew she needed to make the trip from Minnesota to London, Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They call me Minnesotas Autism Mom. Not because I have three kids on the spectrum, but because Im an advocate for parents who have kids with special needs, said Brundidge. Brundidge got to meet that boy in the video, hug his mom, and give them what could be a live-saving device for children with autism. Im a mom on a mission to help save other children, said Brundidge. Coroner: West Chester child died of accidental drowning Interior combination door locks allow parents to set a passcode to lock doors from the inside preventing children from escaping and going missing. Brundidge said she found them online after trying everything to prevent her own son, Daniel, from getting out of the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had two or three escape attempts every day up until that point, said Brundidge. And once I put those locks on, in the last four years, Ive only had one escape attempt. Soon after, she began holding lock giveaways to help other parents just like her. While in Ohio, Brundidge gave away 50 locks to families. People from around the community who have children with autism came and got a free lock, no questions asked, no registration, just get a lock, put it in your house and keep your child safe, said Brundidge. Brundidge says she does all of this out of her own pocket, and so far has given away 650 locks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want finances to be a barrier. I dont want another mother to have to bury her child because she didnt know about these locks, said Brundidge. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. Cable TV news host Jake Tapper apparently has strong opinions about Minnesota's radio landscape specifically one listener-supported alternative music station. The newsman, who hosts CNN's "State of the Union" and "The Lead," asked in a tweet on Friday if "Minnesotans know how blessed they are to have The Current": Do Minnesotans know how blessed they are to have @TheCurrent? Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 22, 2024 The seemingly random comment came with no explanation and no context, so it's not clear how or where Tapper who is based in Washington, D.C. tunes in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, many Minnesotans are chiming in to agree with him, including Current host Chaz Kangas: Hey Jake, as a DJ for The Current I appreciate the love! Chaz Kangas (@Chazraps) November 22, 2024 WCCO personality Jason DeRusha also responded: We do Jason DeRusha (@DeRushaJ) November 23, 2024 The Current, which is owned by Minnesota Public Radio, is a non-commercial station that has been playng local and independent artists since 2005. Bring Me The News has reached out to the station to see if it knows what prompted Tapper's laudatory tweet. You can tune in to The Current at 89.3 FM or online. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith was among the 19 Democrats who voted in favor of Sen. Bernie Sanders' ultimately unsuccessful attempt to stop the sale of certain U.S. arms to Israel amid its ongoing military actions in Palestine and Lebanon. Sanders proposed three resolutions in the Senate this week that would have ended the sale of 120-mm tank rounds, 120-mm mortar rounds, and precision weapon kits to Israel. The resolutions all failed to pass by votes of 18-79, 19-78 and 17-80 respectively, with all Republican senators voting against the measures. The majority of Democrats voted against the resolutions too, but the fact 19 senators voted in favor is a signal of disapproval among some Democrats with the actions of Benjamin Netanyahu's Israeli regime in Gaza since the Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Credit: Lorie Shaull, Flickr Senator Smith shared her disapproval with Israel's actions in Gaza, writing a letter to President Biden in February calling on the U.S. to work with Israel to allow humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is dire, and the civilian suffering is at an unacceptable and staggering level. Ninety-three percent of Palestinians in Gaza are facing crisis levels of hunger. Eighty-five percent of the population is displaced. Seventy percent of those killed are women and children, the letter read. While the scale of the crisis is massive, the humanitarian assistance entering Gaza is just a fraction of what is needed to save lives." Among those who voted against the arms ban was Minnesota's senior Senator Amy Klobuchar, who has seen multiple protests held outside of her Minneapolis home and offices due to her position on the Israel-Palestine war. Related: Sens. Bernie Sanders, Tina Smith rally in Minneapolis for Rep. Ilhan Omar Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Israeli rabbi Zvi Kogan, who had been missing since Thursday in Dubai, has been found dead, officials announced Sunday. Three people have been arrested in connection to his murder. "Tragically, Kogan's body was recovered by the Emirati authorities early Sunday morning, and his family was notified," the Hasidic Jewish movement Chabad said in a statement. Israeli officials said Kogan was murdered, and called his death an act of alleged "terrorism." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With great pain we share that Rabbi Zvi Kogan, Chabad-Lubavitch emissary to Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., was murdered by terrorists after being abducted on Thursday," Chabad continued in the statement. Three suspects have been apprehended in the United Arab Emirates in connection to the rabbi's murder, the Middle Eastern country's ministry of interior said in a statement. The identities of the suspects nor the circumstances surround their arrest were not made public, but the ministry stated that the arrests were the result of an investigation launched following the receipt of a missing person report for the slain rabbi. "The Ministry reiterated the UAE's unwavering capability to decisively address any attempts to undermine the security and stability of its society," it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials in the United Arab Emirates said Saturday that they were searching for the missing rabbi. A senior official tried to distance the UAE from the incident, saying the country is a "safe place." "With the determination and resolve of its leadership and people, the UAE will remain a safe haven, an oasis of stability, a society of tolerance and coexistence," Anwar Gargash, a diplomatic adviser to the Emirati president, wrote on social media. According to Chabad, Rabbi Kogan had worked "for several years in establishing and expanding Jewish life in the Emirates." His wife, Rivky, joined him there after their marriage in 2022, the movement's statement said. The Israeli government has said it possesses information indicating that the killing was an act of "terrorism" without offering details. Israel has not said who might have been behind the attack but has accused Iran and its proxies of seeking to target Israelis abroad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Emirati government did not mention Kogan's Israeli nationality during the search that followed the rabbi's disappearance, referring only to his Moldovan citizenship. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Kagan's killing "a despicable antisemitic terrorist attack," without any evidence that the attack was an act of antisemitism. He told his cabinet ministers that Israel would "exact justice" on those responsible. Editors note: Most identifying information has been removed from this article following updated information from authorities. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Rochester police announced overnight Sunday that they have found the woman in her 70s with Alzheimers who went missing Saturday in the city. According to officers, the woman was evaluated due to the cold weather, but otherwise found in good health. Latest Posts: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Bernice King, the youngest daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., recently shared why shes glad that President-elect Donald Trumps inauguration is set to take place on the same day of the federal holiday honoring her late father. Im glad that if it was going to happen, it happened on the King holiday, because Dr. King is still speaking to us, she told The Independent. In her interview with the outlet, which was published Saturday, Bernice King also urged Americans not to retreat or recoil following Trumps election win over Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to commit ourselves to continuing the mission of protecting freedom, justice and democracy in the spirit of my father, she said. King has gone after Trump and his supporters on a number of occasions in recent months. In August, she knocked the president-elect for his absolutely not true claim that he drew a larger crowd at his rally on Jan. 6, 2021, than her father did for his I Have A Dream speech on the National Mall in 1963. I really wish that people would stop using my father to support fallacy, she wrote on X, formerly called Twitter. King later slammed a pro-MAGA account on X that shared what she described as a vile, fake, irresponsible deepfake video of the late civil rights icon that was fashioned to show him appearing to endorse Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King, who hoped to see Harris make history and get sworn in on Jan. 20, said the president-elect has pushed hateful rhetoric, hasnt been very kind-hearted and has championed not humane policies in her Independent interview. She also pointed to a line from the I Have A Dream speech that shes returned to since Trumps victory: Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. I know a lot of people are angry right now, King told the publication. But we cant let that rot in us. Related... MIAMI, Fla. (WFLA) A mother is accused of shooting her 15-year-old daughter at a McDonalds in Miami on Friday night. According to an arrest affidavit, Miami-Dade police responded to reports of a shooting at the fast food chain, located at 9250 NW 7th Avenue just after 10 p.m. St. Petersburg man accused of stabbing victim in chest at public library Melissa Valbrum, 32, got into a verbal altercation inside the McDonalds with her daughter and her two cousins. One of the victims told officials the argument began when one of the cousins pointed toward the door, in the direction of Valbrum, who thought they pointed at her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The argument then moved outside, to where the victims had gotten into the Lyft they ordered. Valbrum grabbed a firearm from her car and began banging on the window of the Lyft, making verbal threats to shoot and kill the three victims while pointing the gun in their direction, court documents said. Luckiest person in the world: Florida man survives 30-foot fall, 100+ bee stings Thats when the gun fired off, striking her teen daughter in her left shoulder. According to the affidavit, Valbrum claimed the firearm was on her waistband and it went off when she accidentally fell. The Lyft driver told authorities that Valbrum also reached into the vehicle and physically assaulted one of the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to NBC affiliate WTVJ, the girl who was shot was taken to a nearby hospital and was in stable condition. Valbrum is facing charges of battery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and culpable negligence, inflicting personal injury. WFLA.com has reached out for further details on this incident. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. Two unrelated school fights happened within minutes of one another on Friday, the Sumter County Sheriffs Office announced, one of which left a school resource officer injured. At about 9:15 a.m., a school resource officer at R.E. Davis College Preparatory Academy on Eastern School Road contacted dispatch to report an ongoing fight and requested assistance. A juvenile and their mother, 36-year-old Nessia Gibson, assaulted another student at the school, the sheriff said. Neither Gibson nor her children had permission to be in the area of the school where the assault happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gibson was charged with assault and battery and disturbing schools, officials said. She was placed under arrest and transported to the sheriffs detention center where she is awaiting a bond hearing. Her child, who was accused of assault, was detained and then released to a relative. They were petitioned in family court. Gibsons other child was charged with public disorderly conduct. In the other fight at about 9:22 a.m., administrators at Lakewood High School called 911 to report an assault. A 17-year-old student allegedly assaulted two students. When a school resource officer attempted to make an arrest, the 17-year-old struck and wounded the deputy. The deputy was treated for his wound and released from Prisma Tuomey Hospital. He is expected to make a full recovery, officials said. The 17-year-old, whos name was not released by the sheriffs office due to their age, was charged with assault and battery, resisting arrest and assault of a police officer. They were taken to the Department of Juvenile Justice and have been petitioned to Family Court. Schools must be safe places for our children to learn, Sheriff Anthony Dennis said in a news release. To ensure this, we have School Resource Officers assigned to each school and those juveniles and parents who cause disturbances will be held accountable. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has been tapped to lead a House subcommittee connected to the new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, has named her targets for investigation and defunding. They include: NPR, toilets in Africa, sex apps in Malaysia, sanctuary cities, and the Pentagon. In a Sunday interview with Fox News Maria Bartiromo, Greene said America has been really spoiled for a long time, calling the federal government one of the worst abusers of Americans tax dollars and the American peoples trust. She promised to comb through every single government department, program, grant programs, contracts to identify what she deems as waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we look into a deep dive into this massive problem thats caused America to be 36 trillion dollars in debt, were going to have to go into all kinds of buckets. And thats how Ill be separating things on the oversight subcommittee on DOGE, she said. She continued, Well be looking at everything from government-funded media program like NPR that spread nothing but Democrat propaganda. Well be going into grant programs that fund things like sex apps in Malaysia, toilets in Africa. NPR has long been a target of conservatives who dont like its reporting. In April, after NPR CEO Katherine Maher declined to testify at a committee hearing about alleged biased reporting, the Republican House majority sent a letter to Maher demanding she report to Congress about NPR newsroom employees political affiliations. Musk fired shots at NPR when his company X added a tag to the media outlets posts that identified it as state-affiliated media, later changing the label to government-funded media. NPR pushed back, saying identifying it with those terms is false and misleading, and it ceased posting on X. The alleged sex apps in Malaysia Greene mentioned is a reference to JomCare, an app created by Roman Shrestha, an assistant professor in the University of Connecticuts Department of Allied Health Sciences, with a $3.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. The app is designed to increase access to harm reduction services for gay and bisexual men engaging in chemsex the practice of taking psychoactive drugs before or during sexual activities with the goal of reducing the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Greene did not expand on what she meant by toilets in Africa, she could be referring to USAID funding for sanitation programs in Africa that reduce the spread of disease and bring clean water to communities in need. As USAID writes on its website, Water and sanitation are essential to advance global health, prosperity, stability, and resilience. Also on Greenes hit list are the Department of Defense. I want to talk to the people at the Pentagon and ask them why they cant find billions of dollars every single year and why they fail their audit, she said. But not just that, Greene continued. Id like to talk to the governors of sanctuary states and the mayors of sanctuary cities and have them come before our committee and explain why they deserve federal dollars if theyre going to harbor illegal criminal aliens in their states and their cities. Were going to look into every single aspect, and we dont care about peoples feelings, Greene concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, rather than going on a federal budget witch hunt, another way to reduce the deficit is to roll back the massive tax cuts for the wealthy that Trump signed in 2017. But considering Republicans are already planning to extend the cuts, even though doing so will further reduce federal revenue by approximately $4 trillion, that route seems unlikely. Instead, well get whatever circus Musk, Ramaswamy, and Greene can conjure up. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Majorie Taylor Greene and Maria Bartiromo on Sunday Morning Futures. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene appears to be taking her new job slashing government waste quite literally, floating a plan to cut back on initiatives such as toilets in Africa. The GOP lawmaker from Georgia who has been chosen to lead a House subcommittee that will advance Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy s new Department of Government Efficiency agenda, declared on Foxs Sunday Morning Futures that government waste is everywhere. According to Greene, no one and nothing is safe in DOGEs plans to reduce waste in governmentparticularly, she said, Malaysian sex apps and African toilets. Marjorie Taylor Greene says Republicans will take a look at defunding NPR pic.twitter.com/fyi74ywE2a Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 24, 2024 Greene vowed to target every single government department, program, grant programs, contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And so when we look into a deep dive into this massive problem thats caused America to be 36 trillion dollars in debt, were going to have to go into all kinds of buckets. And thats how Ill be separating things on the oversight subcommittee on DOGE, she said. Greene then stated that NPR was high on the list for potential defunding, alongside very specific government grants. Well be looking at everything from government-funded media programmes like NPR, that spread nothing but Democrat propaganda. Well be going into grant programs that fund things like sex apps in Malaysia, toilets in Africa, she said. Greene was likely referring to a recent outburst from Matt Gaetz, who claimed that gay men in drug-fueled sex should be outraged by news from the far-right Daily Caller that alleged the NIH was involved in a harm-reduction app in Malaysia. American homosexuals engaging in chemsex should be outraged that we were funding this in Malaysia! https://t.co/pC21qafQDR Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) November 22, 2024 She continued: All kinds of programs that dont help the American people. I want to talk to the people at the Pentagon and ask them why they cant find billions of dollars every single year and why they fail their audit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But not just that, Maria, Id like to talk to the governors of sanctuary states and the mayors of sanctuary cities and have them come before our committee and explain why they deserve federal dollars if theyre going to harbor illegal criminal aliens in their states and their cities. Greene concluded her DOGE elevator pitch with a clear intention. Were going to look into every single aspect, and we dont care about peoples feelings. CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. (WTAJ) A New York man was captured in Pennsylvania after allegedly robbing a Dollar General in Centre County. Photo: Spring Township Police Department Brian Baritot, 40, of Orchard Park, NY, outside of Buffalo, was arrested with bail denied Friday, Nov. 22, on charges of robbery, fleeing and terroristic threats, according to court documents. According to Spring Township Police, employees said Baritot used a knife to rob a Dollar General store in Pleasant Gap around 7:15 p.m. Officers were able to send out a description of Baritot and his vehicle to local police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within 15 minutes, state police found Baritot at a church parking lot in Centre Hall. A chase happened which ended in Baritot crashing, police said. After the crash, Baritot refused to comply and was tased and taken into custody. Police said that cash was found in the vehicle along with a knife in the center console. Baritot was said to have warrants in multiple counties for burglaries in New York and Pennsylvania, including a bank robbery. Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices. Court dockets show that Baritot was placed in Centre County Prison and had bail denied citing a risk to himself and others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) Mississippi University for Women (MUW) students who seek to become attorneys now have an accelerated pathway to get into and finish law school. On Thursday, leaders from MUW and Mississippi College (MC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding agreement. It allows qualified undergraduate students to enter into MCs Juris Doctorate program before fully completing a bachelors degree from MUW. The accelerated pathway shortens the total length of undergraduate studies and law school from seven years to six. Mississippi College announces name change, drops football program Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students at MUW who have completed 75% of the coursework required for a bachelors degree will be eligible for admission to MC Law in Jackson. The partnership will initially feature developed pathways in business administration, English, history, legal studies and political science. After the student completes the first 30 hours (one year) of MCs JD program, MUW will award the appropriate bachelors degree to the student. Then, after completing the requirements for the JD degree, MC Law will award the professional diploma. For MUW President Nora Miller, this opportunity will benefit both schools. This innovative collaboration between MC and The W offers students an efficient and cost-effective pathway to pursue advanced legal education, Miller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. A mystery drone has been spotted following a British aircraft carrier at sea after unmanned aerial vehicles were seen hovering over three air bases in England. An unidentified 1.5 by 1.5 metre drone appeared to tail the Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth as it entered the port of Hamburg, in Germany, on Friday. The German military positioned guards around the port and attempted to target the drone with HP-47 jammers before it flew away, the German newspaper Bild reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, yhe US Air Force also revealed that small unmanned aerial systems flew over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, as well as RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk, last week. USAF, which uses the bases, said the size and number of drones overhead had fluctuated. The Ministry of Defence said it would not comment on security procedures. While it is unclear whether the drones were hostile, the incidents occurred during a week that saw significant escalation of hostilities between the West and Russia over the war in Ukraine. Kyivs forces struck targets inside Russia with US and British-supplied long-range missiles for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Russia tested a newly-developed mid-range hypersonic ballistic missile in a strike on Dnipro, in Ukraine the strongest missile believed to have been used in the war so far. The Kremlin called the strike a message to the West that Moscow will respond harshly to any reckless actions by Ukraines allies, while Vladimir Putin proclaimed the right to strike nations that allow their weapons to be used against Russia. Credit: social media In response to the drone sightings this week, the USAF said it had the the right to protect bases in England from threats. It did not comment on whether defence mechanisms were used to target the drones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation, it said. We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets. An MoD spokesman said: We take threats seriously, and maintain robust measures at defence sites. This includes counter drone security capabilities. We wont comment further on security procedures. RAF Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, including F-35A and F-15E fighter jets. RAF Mildenhall hosts the USAFs 100th Air Refuelling Wing, which conducts combat support operations throughout Europe and Africa. RAF Feltwell provides housing and other services for military personnel. British soldiers were warned last year that spies could be flying reconnaissance drones over UK military bases. 05:48 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. 05:47 PM GMT British soldiers told to be wary of drones British soldiers were warned last year that spies could be flying reconnaissance drones over UK military bases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Field Army Threat Handbook, published in October last year and promising clear military information concerning best practice for commanders and troops, details the tactics, techniques and procedures favoured by hostile foreign intelligence services. Listed under threats to the homebase, the handbook warns of tactics such as the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and physical reconnaissance, stating there were particularly credible espionage and subversion threats surrounding the training of Ukrainian soldiers. Rachel Reeves and John Healey with Ukrainian soldiers at the Stanford Training Area on Oct 20 - LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGES 04:48 PM GMT US warns it has right to protect bases in England The US Air Force (USAF) has warned that it has the right to protect bases in England from threats amid drone sightings this week. Several clusters of unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the skies above RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell between 20 and 22 Nov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation, the Air Force said, adding: We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets. Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which provides cutting-edge worldwide responsive combat air power in the form of fighter jets. Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing, which conducts combat support operations throughout Europe and Africa, while Feltwell provides housing, schools and other services. 04:13 PM GMT Trump key pick plans deal to end war in Ukraine Donald Trumps pick for US national security advisor (NSA) has called for an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, and for both parties to come to the negotiating table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mike Waltz said: We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace, and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it. The Republican congressman has been critical of Russia but has opposed increasing aid to Ukraine. President Trump has been very clear about the need to end this conflict, he told US media outlet Fox News on Sunday, adding: We need to be discussing whos at that table, whether its an agreement, an armistice, how to get both sides to the table and then whats the framework of a deal? Waltz said he had met with Joe Bidens NSA Jake Sullivan and warned adversaries abroad against thinking they could gain an advantage in the months before Mr Trump takes office in January. Mike Waltz outside the hush money criminal case of former president Donald Trump in New York, May 16 - TED SHAFFREY/AP 03:39 PM GMT Zelensky calls for better air defences after Russian drone attack Volodymyr Zelensky has called for better air defences after an overnight Russian drone attack evaded interception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian president voiced concern after 23 of the 73 drones launched by Russia managed to break through the countrys defensive shield. An air alert has been sounded almost daily across Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said on Telegram messenger, after a week in which Russia launched more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles of various types. Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state. But Russia still continues its efforts to kill our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us, he added. The Ukrainian military said earlier on Sunday that air defence units had destroyed more than 10 Russian drones that were targeting Kyiv overnight. Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska pay tribute to the victims of the famine of 1932-1933 at the National Museum of the Holodomor - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE VIA GETTY/AFP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 03:06 PM GMT Erdogan calls Putin to discuss further cooperation Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Vladimir Putin during a telephone call on Sunday that he wishes to increase trade between Turkey and Russia. President Erdogan declared that he aimed to increase the cooperation between Turkey and Russia in a number of areas, notably expanding the volume of trade, the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Turkey initially condemned Russias invasion of Ukraine but has since retreated to a neutral stance, justifying the relations as a necessity born out of Turkeys dependency on Russian oil and gas. 02:22 PM GMT Pictured: Oreshnik wreckage An investigator shows parts of a ballistic missile which Russia used to strike Dnipro city this week - VALENTYN OGIRENKO/REUTERS 01:42 PM GMT Putin rolls out new incentives for recruits Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new legislation allows those signing up for a one-year contract to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles (77,000), according to Russian state news agency Interfax. The law applies to debts for which a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings had commenced before Dec 1, 2024. Russia has ramped up military recruitment by offering increasing financial incentives, in some cases several times the average salary, to those willing to fight in Ukraine. 01:23 PM GMT Ukrainian missiles downed over Kursk Two Ukrainian missiles and 27 drones have been destroyed over Russias Kursk region, claims the governor of the region that borders Ukraine. Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov did not provide further details in a post on his Telegram channel. The Ukrainian military later said on Telegram that its forces had destroyed a Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system in Kursk. 12:48 PM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian military braces for winter Ukrainian service members attend a military exercises on Nov 22 - MAKSYM KISHKA/REUTERS NATO chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday warned this winter could be the most difficult faced by Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022 - REUTERS/MAKSYM KISHKA Drills took place in Chernihiv region, Ukraine - MAKSYM KISHKA/REUTERS 12:26 PM GMT Russia fires commander for misleading Ukraine reports, war bloggers claim Vladimir Putin has fired a senior general for providing inaccurate reports about the progress of the war in Ukraine, according to pro-Russian war bloggers and Russian media. Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, the commander of the Southern Grouping, has reportedly been removed from his command, though there was no official confirmation. Russian war bloggers have criticised the operation around Siversk, where they said poorly supported Russian units were thrown into deadly battles for little apparent tactical gain. Russian state outlet RBK reported that a source in the Russian ministry of defence acknowledged Anashkins dismissal but claimed that it was due to a planned rotation. 11:51 AM GMT Ballistic name for Russian baby A Russian man wants to name his 15th child Oreshnik after Vladimir Putins new ballistic missile. Vladimir Sukhov told media that the missile, unveiled by Putin on Thursday, was Russias protector and that it was his patriotic duty to have as many children as possible. For the glory of our great and powerful country Russia, our Russian people, our victorious warriors, our great commander-in-chief Vladimir Putin, he said. Media reported that Mr Sukhov had had 15 children with different women. This month the Russian parliament banned childless propaganda in an attempt to boost Russias birth rate, an obsession of Putin. 11:28 AM GMT Russia threatens Seoul over supplying arms to Kyiv The Russian foreign ministry has warned Seoul that it will respond in every way if South Korea supplies arms to Ukraine. South Korea has been considering sending military assistance to Kyiv in response to the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Seoul must realise that the possible use of South Korean weapons to kill Russian citizens will fully destroy relations between our countries, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko told the state-run Tass news agency. He added: Of course, we will respond in every way that we find necessary. It is unlikely that this will strengthen the security of the Republic of Korea itself. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday night that he expects the 10,000 or so North Korean troops amassing in Russia to soon enter combat against Ukraine. 11:08 AM GMT Fears for grain exports as Russia targets ports Volodymyr Zelensky has said 321 port facilities have been damaged by Russian drone and missile strikes since July 2023, hampering Ukraines ability to export grain around the world. Ukraine, known as the Breadbasket of Europe, exported around six million tonnes of grain every month from its Black Sea ports before the Russian invasion in 2022. President Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine remained committed to being a reliable contributor of food to 400 million people in 100 countries and pledged to help share knowledge, cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise to fight against world hunger. Speaking at the third Grain from Ukraine summit in Kyiv, he said: It is so important that we continue to stand together in protecting food security, the security of routes, supplies, food and other critical export goods. 10:44 AM GMT Russia recruits Yemeni mercenaries The Kremlin has recruited hundreds of men from Yemen to fight in its war in Ukraine. According to the FT, the men were tricked into travelling to Russia with promises of work and citizenship but were instead forced into the army and sent to the frontline. It published a video of four alleged Yemeni mercenaries wearing military uniforms, sitting in a wood in Ukraine. Speaking in Arabic, the videos commentator complained that a colleague has tried to commit suicide. We are under bombardment. Mines, drones, digging bunkers, he said. A company linked to Houthi rebels in Yemen helped to organise the mens transfer to Russia, the FT said. The Kremlin has built strong links with Iran-backed Houthi rebels since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This has reportedly included sending weapons to the rebels. 10:39 AM GMT Prioritise Ukraine, urges Taiwans former president Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has urged the US support to prioritise support for Ukraine, despite the rising threat of a Chinese invasion of the self-governing island. They should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians, we [Taiwan] still have time Ms Tsai told the Halifax International Security Forum. A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression, she said. Ms Tsai served as president from 2016 to 2024, leaving office in January after poor local election results and ceding power to her Vice President William Lai. Tsai Ing-wen accepted the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service at the forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia - KELLY CLARK/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP 10:30 AM GMT Watch: A week of drone attacks on Ukraine This week, air raid alerts have sounded almost daily across Ukraine. Just last night, our air defense forces managed to shot down nearly 50 strike drones. Over the past week, Russia has launched more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 460 strike drones, and over 20 missiles of pic.twitter.com/wUeKmbGcIF Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 24, 2024 10:30 AM GMT Welcome to our live coverage Hello and welcome to our live coverage. Well be keeping you up to date with the days events as they happen. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The staff and volunteers at Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital bring a variety of mood-lifting activities to kids who are facing childhood illnesses and injuries. Only one of them wears fairy wings and tutus. Martina Ngo is the Nail Fairy. For the past decade, Ngo, 34, has been painting the nails of kids, and sometimes their parents, at the Tacoma hospital. I want to be magic, Ngo said. Some kids are stuck here for 90 days sometimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a routine that sets in during long hospital stays the same staff, the same pokes and prods. Im different, she said. They get more excited because theres a new face. And she arrives at the room of each child with nail polish. Hundreds of nail polishes. Madison Four-year-olds are normally dwarfed by the world around them. Madison Harrold looked even smaller in her hospital bed this week, surrounded by her parents Patricia and Brian, beeping machines and medical personal. All of that faded into the background when Ngo entered the girls room. Madison decisively picked out five colors one for each nail and glitter, of course. She picked purple for one, she explained, because its one of her fathers favorite colors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I like the sparkle ones, Madison said. My mom likes the sparkle ones. Martina The Nail Fairy Ngo paints the fingernails of patient Madison Harrold, 4, of Bremerton, at Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital in Tacoma, Washington, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Tony Overman/toverman@theolympian.com At their Bremerton home, its mom who paints Madisons nails. I have special nail polish because I put my hands in my mouth, she explained to Ngo. When Ngo told the girl shed be able to keep all the nail polish bottles, Madisons face looked like Christmas morning had arrived early. For sanitary reasons, Ngo uses only unopened bottles for each child, and they get to keep all of them. Professional Ngo, who owns Charme Natural Nails Studio in Tacomas Proctor District, can paint a set of nails in just seconds. It wasnt long after she opened her business that she noticed how kids joyfully came to her shop to get their nails done. She also had several clients who worked at Mary Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt take Ngo, who believes in giving back to her community, long to put the two together. She contacted Lou Ann League, the hospitals child life coordinator. I told her, Id love to be a volunteer, but I want to do something a little different, Ngo recalled. I wasnt sure if nail polish was allowed in the hospital, but Lou Anne talked to the higher ups, and theyre like, yeah, nail polish is totally fine. At first, she came twice a month. If her visit coordinated with a Seahawks game day, shed wear blue-and-green fairy wings and tutus. Post COVID, the hospital instituted different rules for volunteers, and now she comes once every three months. Family connections Lara and Dan Wood met when they were kids, at a camp for children living with diabetes. The now married couple live in Olympia with their 9-year-old daughter, Sage. Dan was diagnosed at age 10, Lara at age eight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Sage started complaining of thirstiness, they immediately knew what was wrong. The Olympia family headed straight to Mary Bridge. Doctors there diagnosed her with type 1 diabetes, the same condition that her parents have. It is not a fun thing, to come to the hospital, Lara said. But you know what? To have little bright spots in the middle of two really hard days matters, doesnt it, Sage? Sage nodded in agreement before choosing a blue-green color theme for her nails. It kind of looks like a mermaid design, Ngo said. OK, moms turn. Lara chose a complimentary purple color for her nails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside Sages room, Dan said the couple face the long road of helping their daughter adjust to living with diabetes. Thats probably the hardest part, he said. For us to do it is one thing. We can handle our stuff. But when its your own child, that changes things quite a bit. Dan saw his daughters mood lighten immediately when Ngo entered the room. Any distractions like this really makes a difference, he said. Building relationships When she was visiting Mary Bridge twice a month, Ngo would have regular clients. Some of those kids were in for a long haul. Parents would become friends, and children would look forward to her visits. Shes seen her clients grow and beat challenging conditions, like childhood cancer. One 3-year-old clearly viewed Ngo as a role model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She came up to me and she was like, when I grow up, I want to be the Nail Fairy, Ngo recalled. Tacoma family Teenage patient Natalie Brown is dealing with a small bowel obstruction, according to her mother, Jen. Along with dad Chris, the Tacoma family faces a week in the hospital, maybe longer. Natalie was hospitalized 18 months ago for the same problem. I think shes old enough now, at 13, to kind of take in how serious it could be, Jen said. Staff and volunteers at the hospital have played electronic and board games with her, dispensed books and involved her with other activities. Its all helped to lighten her mood, but Natalie, a teen of few words, said her hospital stay was, not fun. She did, however, like her freshly painted nails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre pretty, she said. Tats, too Ngo is always looking for donations of new, unopened bottles of nail polish. She recently posted a plea on Facebook. So many packages came to my UPS box, the (staff) lady thought that I had a shopping issue, Ngo said. While plenty of boys opt to get their nails painted, too (they prefer darker or Seahawks colors), they also like the temporary tattoos Ngo applies. The children are what has fueled her 10-year-long mission. I just want to show up, bring some joy, paint some nails, Ngo said. But its become this bigger thing that I could have never imagined happening. North Dakota Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, speaks during a presentation about the proposed Maah Daah Hey National Monument at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum on Nov. 22, 2024. (Mary Steurer/North Dakota Monitor) A group of North Dakota tribal citizens and conservation advocates are calling on President Joe Biden to make roughly 140,000 acres of undeveloped federal land in western North Dakota into a national monument. The proposed Maah Daah Hey National Monument would preserve land recognized as sacred by members of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and other Native cultures, advocates said during a Friday morning press conference at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maah Daah Hey means grandfather, long-lasting in the Mandan language. With its close proximity to President Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the area is popularly remembered for its ties to the former president and cowboy culture. The country should honor Native historical and cultural ties to the land as well, said Michael Barthelemy, director of Native Studies at Nueta, Hidatsa, Sahnish College in New Town. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX What were proposing, as part of this national monument, is a reorientation around that narrative, Barthelemy said. When you look at the national parks and you look at the state parks, oftentimes theres a singular perspective as Indigenous people, we kind of play background characters. The monument would include 11 different plots of land along the Maah Daah Hey Trail between the north and south units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Badlands Conservation Alliance Executive Director Shannon Straight likened the proposal to stringing together the pearls of the Badlands. The tribal councils of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, the Spirit Lake Nation and the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe have passed resolutions supporting the creation of the monument. It is important that the Indigenous history of the North Dakota Badlands is formally recognized, state Rep. Lisa Finley-DeVille, D-Mandaree, said during the presentation. If created, the Maah Daah Hey National Monument would also allow Indigenous people to reconnect to our ancestral lands. The land is managed by the United States Forest Service. Turning the 11 plots into a national monument would protect them from future development, according to the groups proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The land is surrounded by oil and gas development, maps included in the proposal show. maah-daah-hey-map In addition to being an area of significant cultural heritage for Native tribes, its also home to sensitive ecosystems, unique geological features and fossil sites, the proposal indicates. Dakota Resource Council Executive Director Scott Skokos said Friday the group has visited Washington, D.C., twice so far to speak with President Bidens administration including the U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior, United States Department of Agriculture about the proposed monument. The reception has been pretty good, Skokos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the group hopes to see action from Biden on the monument before he leaves office in January, but is also open to working with President-elect Donald Trumps administration on the project. We believe this is a good idea, regardless of whos president, Skokos said. Advocates said the designation would not impact recreational access to the land, and that cattle grazing would still be permitted. In a statement to the North Dakota Monitor, U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., called the proposal premature at best. He said he was not convinced the proposal had sufficient local support from North Dakota residents and worried the project would lock away land as conservation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any proposal should have extensive review as well as strong support from local communities and the stakeholders who actually use the land, he said. When asked for comment, the North Dakota governors office provided this statement from Gov. Doug Burgum: North Dakota is proof that we can protect our precious parks, cultural heritage and natural resources AND responsibly and sustainably develop our vast energy resources. To learn more about the proposal, visit protectmdh.com. The website also includes a petition. Presidents can designate federal land as national monuments under the Antiquities Act of 1906. The first land to receive this status was Devils Tower in Wyoming, which Roosevelt proclaimed a national monument that same year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should Maah Daah Hey become a national monument, itd be the first of its kind in North Dakota. North Dakota Monitor is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. Follow North Dakota Monitor on Facebook and X. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE WASHINGTON In addition to articles already covered by Native News Online, here is a roundup of other news released from Washington, D.C. that impacts Indian Country recently. HHS Takes Action on the Not Invisible Act Commissions Findings and Recommendations The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is committed to protecting the public safety and well-being of American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander people and communities by addressing the recommendations of the Not Invisible Act Commission. The Not Invisible Act Commission is a cross-jurisdictional advisory committee composed of law enforcement, Tribal leaders, federal partners, service providers, family members of missing and murdered individuals, and survivors. The Commission developed recommendations to address public safety challenges identified in the Act. Today, in its response to the findings and recommendations - PDF of the Not Invisible Act Commission (NIAC), HHS reaffirms its commitment to address the ongoing crises of missing and murdered Indigenous peoples (MMIP) and human trafficking by elevating its social and health care services tied to the prevention, intervention, and healing from violence and trauma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For additional information: HHS Takes Action on the Not Invisible Act Commissions Findings and Recommendations | HHS.gov Forest Service Announces New Monitoring Policy The U.S. Department of Agricultures Forest Service announced a new policy for monitoring national forests and grasslands. The policy aligns monitoring, partnerships, and information-sharing efforts to help land managers monitor changes related to climate change and other stressors affecting National Forest System lands and make timely, informed, science-based decisions within staffing and budget constraints. This policy is an important step in implementing the agencys 2012 planning rule, which requires the agency use monitoring to inform adaptive management. Never miss Indian Countrys biggest stories and breaking news. Click here to sign up to get our reporting sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Through government-to-government consultation, the new policy emphasizes the importance of integrating science and Indigenous Knowledge into efficient and transparent monitoring programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Forest Service monitors national forests and grasslands to gauge progress toward forest restoration, the effects of disturbance and climate on forests -- such as the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, drought and floods -- and to help people understand how forests are changing through time. "Our forests are constantly changing. Monitoring is one way the Forest Service understands the impact of its decisions on our forests. This includes assessing the capability of critical infrastructure to withstand a rising number of high-intensity flood events, increases in recreation visitation, shifts in wildlife habitat use and movement, and changes in water quantity and quality. This policy is a key step in ensuring there is a consistent, evidence-based framework in place to support monitoring that drives strategic thinking and efficiencies for resource management decisions," said Deputy Chief for the National Forest System, Chris French. "As we strive to manage lands in partnership with tribes, other federal agencies, and partners, a more universal, accessible monitoring policy is critical in fostering informed collaboration." In support of the policy, the Forest Service is developing resources in response to common monitoring needs that use consistent and automated data analysis and reporting methods. These resources will increase overall monitoring reporting efficiencies, aid in development of biennial monitoring evaluation reports, and support informed decision-making and adaptive management across national forests and grasslands. Navajo Nation Water Rights Settlement Act of 2024 Gets Approval from Senate Committee on Indian Affairs U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led Committee passage of the following bills at a business meeting: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 Landscape Scale Restoration Grant Program for Tribes The purpose of the Landscape Scale Restoration competitive grant program is to encourage collaborative, science-based restoration of priority rural forest landscapes. This program supports high impact projects that lead to measurable outcomes on the landscape, leverage public and private resources, and further priorities identified in science-based restoration strategies. This funding opportunity is for Federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations/Villages, and Tribal organizations as defined in 25 USC 5304 CLICK to learn more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About the Author: "Native News Online is one of the most-read publications covering Indian Country and the news that matters to American Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous people. Reach out to us at editor@nativenewsonline.net. " Contact: news@nativenewsonline.net Welcome to the governor-elect edition of our Under the Dome politics newsletter. Im Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observers Capitol bureau chief. Democrat Josh Stein doesnt take office until January, but Republicans are already working to make sure he has less power than outgoing Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. Democrats broke the Republicans supermajority in the General Assembly by one vote in the election, so anything Republicans want to push through before the end of the year has been fast-tracked. And by fast-tracked, I really mean fast. Power shifts: How NC Republicans fast-tracked post-election changes drafted in secret Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can read coverage from myself and the rest of our state politics team about all the power shifts in the bill, Senate Bill 382, that was just sent to Coopers desk for action. The biggest impact for Stein, if it becomes law, will be control of the State Board of Elections appointments shifting from the governor to the state auditor. Republican Dave Boliek was just elected auditor. The bill had more policy provisions in it than Helene disaster relief, and Stein criticized Republicans for combining relief with power grabs. I spent today with local leaders, business owners, and volunteers in Western North Carolina. Many people and communities are hurting and need our help. But instead of stepping up, the Republicans in the General Assembly are grabbing power and exacting political retribution. How about they do their jobs so we can do ours?! North Carolina deserves better, Stein wrote on social media on Tuesday. Debate began on the bill about an hour after it was made public, though a draft version had been circulating throughout the day on Nov. 19. House Democratic Leader Robert Reives noted in debate that some North Carolinians may not realize the most powerful people in the state are the Senate leader and the House speaker, not the governor, and that Democrats were not part of crafting the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We seem to be about retribution. We seem to be about punishment. We seem to be about control, Reives said. Rep. Robert Reives covers his face with his hands as a bill including a series of power shifts is debated during a legislative session at the General Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. This past week showed that the battle for control will continue to be a significant part of the General Assembly. Republicans are one vote shy of a supermajority. In the 2025 legislative session, Reives will seek to keep his House Democratic leadership role, but the House speaker will change. Rep. Destin Hall will become speaker as a result of the incoming Republican caucus election, though hell still have to win another vote as a formality before it is official. Reives has worked more with Hall, the current Rules Committee chair, than he has with outgoing Speaker Tim Moore. Republican House members also elected now-House Majority Leader John Bell to the position of Rules chair for next year. Its official: Next NC House GOP speaker will be Destin Hall. What hell make a priority Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stein and Hall have both told me that the two men dont really know each other, unlike Stein and state Senate leader Phil Berger, who have served together in the Senate. Berger was chosen by his caucus to remain in charge. Sen. Corbin, Asheville mayor picked for Helene committee Stein, who said rebuilding of Western North Carolina is a priority of his administration, has started his Rebuilding Western North Carolina Advisory Committee. He chose a Republican state senator and a Democratic mayor who both serve Helene-devastated areas. Among those he has chosen to give advice is Republican state Sen. Kevin Corbin of Macon County to co-chair the committee with Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, a Democrat. I appreciate the opportunity to work for the much-needed recovery in Western NC, Corbin said in a statement. Our region has been damaged more severely than ever before and this calls for a robust response from federal, state, and local private partners. This bipartisan effort is needed for maximum impact for our citizens and businesses. In this file photo, N.C. Sen. Kevin Corbin debates a bill on the Senate floor in April 2023. Manheimer said that Western North Carolinians are hopeful about the long-term recovery of our region with Governor-elect Steins focus and prioritization on rebuilding WNC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It requires a massive, sustained effort that centers each household, business, and communitys needs to get back on our feet, she said in a statement. Stay informed about #ncpol Listen to our Under the Dome podcast to stay up to date. Our new episode posting Monday will include N&O reporters Adam Wagner, Kyle Ingram and Avi Bajpai as we break down that Helene/powers bill, including the elections changes. This newsletter will take a break next Sunday due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but Ill see you back here the following Sunday. You can sign up to receive the Under the Dome newsletter at newsobserver.com/newsletters. Want your friends to get our email, too? Forward them this newsletter so they can sign up. You can also email me questions you may have about incoming Gov.-elect Josh Stein or outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper at dvaughan@newsobserver.com. Under the Dome Get the latest news about North Carolina politics from The News & Observer's award-winning team. Get the free digest sent to your inbox by signing up here. Nearly 22,000 residents have been evacuated from Kharkiv Oblast since May, with efforts ongoing to evacuate more residents from settlements near the front line, Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Nov. 23. "We are continuing evacuation efforts, bringing both children and adults to safety," Syniehubov said on air. Kharkiv Oblast has endured constant Russian attacks for over two and a half years since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Syniehubov noted that the most targeted areas include the Vovchansk direction in the Chuhuiv district, the Lyptsi area, and the Kupiansk direction. The city of Kupiansk was briefly captured by Russian forces in 2022 before being reclaimed by Ukrainian troops. Its strategic value lies in its position as a key logistics and transportation hub, with several major highways and five railway lines converging within the city. The governor added that evacuees are being provided with humanitarian aid, psychological support, and financial assistance in relatively safe areas, including the city of Kharkiv, located less than 30 kilometers from the Russian border. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine repels Russian attempt to enter Kupiansk, military says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Britains long-term sickness crisis is contributing to near-record levels of net migration, the Governments most senior independent adviser on the issue has said. Employers are hiring more foreigners because of the many Britons leaving the workforce through ill-health, the chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) Prof Brian Bell said. Mr Bell told The Telegraph: If you have people who are not in the labour market, that shrinks the pool that you can recruit from. That causes a problem and leads to immigration on the work route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tackling the rise in sickness will ease the pressure on the immigration system, Mr Bell said. Mr Bell leads an independent panel of experts who make recommendations to the Government on migration policy. One of their key tasks is to make recommendations for how tight visa rules should be for different jobs, with shortage occupations facing looser criteria. His remarks come as close to 2.8m Britons of working age are out of work as a result of ill health, up by a third since before Covid and close to a record high. There are big uncertainties around these figures because of issues with the Office for National Statistics data, Mr Bell cautioned, but disability benefit claims have also risen since Covid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ministers have made getting people off sickness benefits and boosting Britains employment rate a key priority, with Liz Kendall, Work and Pensions Secretary, due to publish a Get Britain Working white paper shortly. Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor, promised in her maiden Budget that the plan would help reduce the benefits bill, alongside a crackdown on welfare fraud. However, Mr Bell cautioned that even though the rise in long-term sickness was feeding higher migration, getting more people off health-related benefits may not have a major effect on the overall net migration figures. This is because many of those coming off benefits may not be suited to fill roles in sectors that are highly dependent on overseas workers such as care, healthcare and IT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Net migration was 685,000 last year, the second-highest year on record. The record was set in 2022, when 764,000 more people arrived than left the UK. The UK population has grown by 1.4m people in two years as a result, in an exceptional rise that Mr Bell described as unsustainable. Economic migration has been a significant driver of the surge. Of those coming from outside the EU, 41pc came on work visas in 2023. More recent Home Office data for the 12 months to June 2024 showed the Government issued 286,382 work visas, twice as many as in 2019. The biggest two categories were for health and care workers, and other skilled jobs, accounting for around 90,000 visas each. Lazy bosses part of the problem Employers have long claimed that a shortage of skills among UK workers means the Government must take a more flexible approach to immigration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Mr Bell said some British employers had become too complacent or even lazy in their reliance on foreign workers. Asked about the issue, he said: I think that is true. Were all like that in some sense. We want an easy life. Being in the EU from the labour market side did give firms an easy life. He said some sectors such as hospitality enjoyed almost a free ride before Brexit. Firms just have to be innovative. Too many in the UK sit back and say workers should just come to us. Why should that be? Efforts by pub chains like Fullers and Marstons to hire over-50s to overcome post-Brexit staff shortages were a good example of a creative solution to the problem, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets be honest, firms would prefer to simply have a model in which they had all the labour supply they needed at exactly the terms they wanted. For cash-strapped chancellors like Rachel Reeves and her predecessors, high net migration helps to create breathing space in tight public finance figures. Mr Bell said: The Treasury live on this a bit too much immigration is good because it just increases the level of GDP. That makes the debt numbers look better and raises more taxes. The way the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) is forced to do its work is if you have more migration, the OBR scores the tax you get but doesnt change public spending. This is because the public spending numbers are set by the Government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall, migrants have a small positive net impact on the economy. Figures suggesting a large upside or downside tend to be noise, Mr Bell said. Migrants are just like us. Theyre not massively more productive, and theyre not massively less productive. They tend to come into the same jobs that we do. They contribute about as much to GDP as we do. The need for more housing Mr Bell, who is a professor at Kings College London and who spent the first 12 years of his career working for hedge funds, will advise the Home Office full time from January. The sharp rise in immigration after the pandemic has prompted the fastest population increase in England and Wales in 75 years. Overall, migration has added about 1pc to the UK population annually in the past two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Bell said: If it was maintained at that level for many years it would be quite unsustainable. Thats partly because were useless at doing things that would make it more sustainable. I dont think enough attention has been given particularly to housing. In a world in which we dont build houses, [a population increase] must push up prices. If youre going to have more migration, youll need more housing. But it may well be that we just have to accept that were not good at building houses, and its not going to change any time soon. If so, we need to think about whether we need to control migration because of that. Sir Keir Starmer has said that he wants to reduce net migration. He will be helped by tighter rules introduced by the previous government, with figures widely expected to fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Bell said he believed net migration would settle around 250,000 to 300,000 a year, returning close to the average over the past 20 years. Getting it lower would require measures like capping international student and worker numbers, Mr Bell said. Any impact from reducing the number of asylum seekers arriving in small boats would be negligible. Mr Bell said: It will have almost no effect on net migration, because its 40,000 a year and net migration is 750,000. If you want to get net migration down, you have to deal with the health and care sector. Overhauling funding for the university and care sectors and ramping up the training of doctors and nurses are the best ways to address the countrys dependence on net migration, he said both costly measures at a time of little money. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. When it comes to financing programs and services, Nevada has always been a notoriously cheap state - bottom of the good lists, top of the bad lists, etc. (Photo: Getty Images) The semi-celebrities and quacks (not that theyre mutually exclusive) get a lot of attention, but one recent appointment announced by Donald Trump is cause for even more concern, and especially for historically anti-government states like Nevada. Trump on Friday named Russ Vought his director of the Office of Management and Budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of all the Project 2025 authors, none is more eager to create chaos within and dismantle much of the federal bureaucracy than Vought We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected, Vought has declared. When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they are increasingly viewed as the villains. Minimizing the the federal workforce and traumatizing whats left of it is Voughts raison detre. That might sound all ooh, cool, thatll teach em until the federal government cant competently distribute grandmas monthly Social Security benefit or process your federal income tax refund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Nevada, there are many dedicated state and local government employees who work hard to deliver a vast array of programs and services from nutrition programs for low-income families to processing tax abatements for multi-billion-dollar corporations. As in every state, those myriad programs and services and initiatives are contingent on federal money, or federal cooperation, or clarity and timeliness of federal rules and regulations. And while there are many dedicated Nevadans working to provide and/or administer government programs and services the best they can, there are very rarely enough of them. Nevada can be very generous to big business. But when it comes to financing government, Nevada has always been a notoriously cheap state bottom of the good lists, top of the bad lists, etc. Voughts and Trumps crusade against federal civil servants promises to wreak havoc on the delivery of programs and services in every state, red and blue alike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All states will struggle to compensate for the carnage Vought vows to inflict on the United States civil service. The states that will have the best fighting chance of safeguarding continued and competent delivery of vital services will be those with something approaching adequately funded and staffed state and local government. Nevada has never been one of those. *** A pleasant (if short-lived) surprise. But back to the aforementioned quacks and semi-celebrities its as if Trump has been deliberately debasing his own supporters, nominating obviously outlandish and offensive people to jobs they have no business being anywhere near, for the depraved satisfaction of watching his followers both those who are elected and those within the electorate obsequiously go along with whatever he says or does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially it looked as if Republican senators were prepared to surrender unconditionally, and grovel in submission while Trump insults their intelligence and rubs their noses in it. So their willingness to tell Trump to shove his nomination of Matt Gaetz you know where, is a fine thing. So thats on the bright side. On the not so bright side Yes, though its a low bar subterranean, even Pam Bondi, the person Trump has named to be AG instead of Gaetz, is far more competent than Gaetz. But shes also no less loyal to Dear Leader, meaning she could be even worse for the nation and the rule of law than Gaetz. And not surprisingly her being an extreme Trump loyalist and all she has documented dalliances with corruption (shielding the Trump University grift) and rejecting reality (election denier). Stay strong, Republican senators, Portions of this column were originally published in recent editions of the Daily Current newsletter, which is free and which you can subscribe to here. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) Year after year, the GR8 Thanksgiving Food Drive gives News Team 8 and the Connecticut Foodshare so many reasons to give thanks. People have been lining up since 10:30 in the morning, said Jason Jakubowski, President & CEO Connecticut Foodshare. I know that we already brought in more than 150 turkeys which means we are on pace to probably set a record here today. In just two hours, News 8 crews collected 441 turkeys, more than 5,500 pounds of non perishables and canned goods and more than $3,200 in donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jakubowski went on to say, It warms my heart to know that the people of Connecticut are so generous, and they recognize that there are at least 50,000 families here in Connecticut that dont know where their Thanksgiving meal is going to come from. We are going to put a real dent in that today. Gr8 Holiday Give 2024: Help make the holidays brighter for a child this year GR8 Thanksgiving Food Drive sponsor, Area Cooperative Educational Services (ACES), surprised CT Foodshare with a check to help reach their goal of feeding 50,000 families in the state. The rain didnt damper the spirit of giving. Every can of vegetables and box of stuffing was donated with a smile and fun talks over a trunkful of turkeys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its great to see people in Connecticut really rise up and support each other and care for each other, said Connecticut Attorney General, William Tong. Elected officials joined Tong, including State Comptroller Sean Scanlon, Treasurer Erick Russell and U. S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, in unloading cars that will fill tables and hearts next week. Really inspiring and exciting for me, said Sen. Blumenthal. I feel better on my Thanksgiving for having come here and see the tremendous effort that goes into this kind of food drive. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Several people were displaced after a two-alarm fire at an apartment building in Hartford overnight on Sunday. According to the Hartford Fire Department, firefighters responded at 1:12 a.m. to a structure fire at 69 Gillette St., a four-story apartment building in the citys Asylum Hill neighborhood. Firefighters located a second-floor fire and a second alarm was called due to the size of the building, officials said. The fire was extinguished quickly and contained to the apartment where the blaze started, according to fire officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One family, including four adults and two children were displaced, fire officials said. Hartford Fire Departments Special Services Unit is working with the American Red Cross to assist the family. The fire is under investigation by the citys Fire Marshals office. This story is reported by South Dakota News Watch, a non-profit news organization. Find more in-depth reporting at www.sdnewswatch.org. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (SDNW) South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noems rise to secretary of the Department of Homeland Security would put her in charge of a sprawling federal network of 22 agencies and 260,000 employees tasked with keeping the United States safe from outside threats. Newly elected lawmaker says he may not serve his term Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether shes prepared for that position depends on whom you ask, and she still needs to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. But most everyone agrees her potential role in President-elect Donald Trumps Cabinet comes at a pivotal time in the countrys approach to illegal immigration and national security. Jeh Johnson, who served as Homeland Security secretary under President Barack Obama from 2013-17, told News Watch that he wishes the South Dakota Republican success in promoting the departments missions and its people. But Johnson, former general counsel of the Department of Defense, added a note of caution as Noem prepares to join an administration that has vowed to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants in the country, facing likely legislative and legal hurdles along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I fear she will be placed in the untenable position of having to publicly defend the Trump Administrations most controversial and harshest immigration enforcement policies, Johnson told News Watch. I suspect there will be many days when she wishes she were back in South Dakota. Serving as governor is training ground The Department of Homeland Security, formed in response to the 9/11 attacks of 2001, began operations in 2003 and is the third-largest Cabinet department behind the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs. Though it is largely associated with immigration oversight through Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security also oversees cybersecurity and disaster response, as well as the Secret Service and Coast Guard. John Sandweg, who served as acting director of ICE from 2013-14, said Noems experience as governor could help prepare her for coordinating the various agencies and supervising the budget, though DHS has a significantly larger budget and workforce than the state of South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandweg noted that two other governors, Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania (2003-05) and Janet Napolitano of Arizona (2009-13) have served as Homeland Security secretary, managing a budget that reached $108 billion for fiscal year 2025, of which $62 billion is net discretionary funding. Managing an executive function and one that can be highly political (as governor) is a unique background that can serve as training ground to being secretary, dealing with a state Legislature instead of Congress, said Sandweg, a national security lawyer who also served as acting DHS general counsel. Texas governor praises Noem choice Noem, who didnt respond to interview requests for this story, has said that she asked Trump for the Homeland Security position and looks forward to discussing our nations security challenges and my commitment to addressing them head-on during Senate confirmation hearings. In a recent poll conducted by Echelon Insights, 27% of respondents either strongly or somewhat supported Noem as the DHS nominee, compared to 26% who strongly or somewhat oppose the choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That net approval of plus-1 was third-lowest of eight high-profile Trump Cabinet picks, ahead of only Matt Gaetz for attorney general (negative-11) and Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense (negative-2). Noem has deployed South Dakota National Guard troops to the Southern border five times during her administration. In 2021, she drew criticism for accepting a $1 million donation from a Republican donor to help cover the cost of a two-month deployment of 48 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas. Noem has also made several trips to the border to support the enforcement efforts of Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who praised her on the social media site X the day she was nominated as a border hawk who has worked with me to secure the Texas border. Sandweg, a lawyer in Washington specializing in DHS compliance and immigration, said that Noems new role will likely be an eye-opener compared to her past brushes with border security as an Upper Midwest governor without federal oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think shell find that she has a lot to learn about border security, Sandweg told News Watch. (Homeland Security) is a different type of responsibility in which shes constrained in ways she wasnt in the past by federal law, budgetary concerns and international diplomacy. Clashes with White House possible Trump has tapped former ICE director Tom Homan to serve as his border czar at the White House, which could free up Noem to focus on other DHS agencies such as the Secret Service and FEMA. The administrations immigration strategy will also be shaped by Stephen Miller, who was hired as deputy chief of staff for policy after working on the Muslim travel ban and other hardline initiatives during Trumps previous White House stint. But Noem will still oversee the DHS budget, which will have to be ramped up significantly to carry out some of the deportation and enforcement policies being pushed by Trump and his team. Made with Flourish Trump has indicated that he plans to declare a national emergency to carry out his campaign promise of mass deportations of migrants living in the U.S. illegally, of which there are an estimated 11.7 million, according to the Center for Migration Studies based on U.S. Census Bureau data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finding resources for those plans could put Noem on the firing line of appropriation-based battles with Congress, where Republicans will hold a 53-47 majority in the U.S. Senate but a slimmer advantage in the U.S. House. Border and immigration issues tend to dominate the job, and she has the added wrinkle of having more seasoned policy and operational people at the White House, said Sandweg, referring to Homan and Miller. It will be interesting to see how that dynamic plays out. It might work out very well, but you can also have personality conflicts because (Homan and Miller) will be sitting with the president every day, but yet (Noem) is the person whos in charge and responsible for the actual border patrol agents and ICE officers executing the mission. Shell also be answering to Trump, a notoriously volatile leader who saw 14 Cabinet members depart during his first four-year White House tenure, compared to three for Obama (eight years) and two for Biden (four years). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its something to keep an eye on, said Sandweg. Its certainly not uncommon for there to be some tension between the White House and DHS. The Associated Press contributed to this story, which was produced by South Dakota News Watch, an independent, nonprofit news organization. Read more in-depth stories at sdnewswatch.org and sign up for an email every few days to get stories as soon as theyre published. Contact investigative reporter Stu Whitney at stu.whitney@sdnewswatch.org. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. I went to the emergency room 16 times for allergies and asthma as a college freshman. Each time I was given a prescription for an EpiPen, an auto-injector pen that administers a dose of epinephrine, used for the emergency care of an acute allergic reaction. I was told to figure out what I was allergic to. I tried very hard but couldnt. All my life, I have had hives, eczema, asthma, atopic dermatitis, sinusitis, and food allergies. Somehow the college environment made things worse. The college was frightened, too, and asked me to live in the infirmary for a semester. What should have been a joyous beginning of independent college life was hampered by continuous allergic reactions. That semester was a low point. Little did I know that the solution would be in my genes, that it would change medical practice, and it would launch me into a new career. My family and children also had severe allergies. As a child, my grandparents once threw a big party, and I stood in the corner crying because I thought hives ruined the look of my sundress. My aunt noticed my distress and said, Look at my hives! See? We all have hives, and that normalized the situation for me then and for many years to come. My children, too, had hives, eczema, asthma, atopic dermatitis, sinusitis, food allergies, and anaphylaxis, but now we also have eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases, which nearly killed my younger daughter, who was hospitalized for 30 days at Hackensack University Medical Center in 2006 when she was almost 2 years old. No one could figure out what was wrong, but she had uncontrollable diarrhea and vomiting. She stopped walking, her gums began to bleed, and she was down to 17 pounds. Malnutrition set in. They came in and put a heart monitor on her, telling me that things didnt look good. One day she lay in bed and said, Help me, Mommy! I lost it. This was my moment of greatest despair. In 2008, I sought out a new allergist, Dr. Lisa Ellman-Grunther, in New York. It took most of the morning for her to do an intake on me and my two children because our cases were complex. She didnt think we had ten diseases: She thought we had one disease with ten symptoms. She felt I had a genetic flaw, and blood tests revealed I had an elevated serum tryptase, blood markers that usually indicate a severe allergic reaction, but I was sitting calmly in her office. How could this be? She became a staunch advocate and referred me to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which investigates challenging cases. They invited me to Bethesda, MD, and in the end, they called me to say they couldnt find anything. I sat on my kitchen floor, cried, and called a friend. She asked what difference a diagnosis would make. I decided then that I would keep investigating until I found an answer. I decided to be persistent about finding a better treatment. In 2011, my children were still sick with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disease, and we needed more help, so we traveled to the Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center. Liz had skin flushing, indicating the presence of too many allergic mast cells, during an endoscopy to look at her esophagus and stomach. The doctors were trying to explain to me what an elevated tryptase was! I said I knew about it because I had that problem, too. But they said it couldnt be inherited. I asked them to humor me: check my other child for an elevated tryptase. Turns out that both children had elevated tryptases, and we were referred back to the NIH. How could this be? It contradicted conventional wisdom. Drs. Joshua Milner and Jonathan Lyons at the NIH invited us to participate in a clinical trial, which eventually extended to my parents and 19 members of my family. I asked two questions: 1) Were we related to the other families with similar symptoms participating in the same clinical trial? And 2) What evolutionary purpose would a gene like this serve to remain inheritable? They liked my questions. They invited me and other participants to a town hall-style conference in March of 2016. With a lecture and a whiteboard, the scientists illustrated that there was a gene responsible for allergic severity. Drug companies had been alerted and were beginning to seek a cure, even though this might take 15 years. The interim treatment was high doses of antihistamines, a biologic drug called Xolair designed originally for asthma, and H2 blockers like Pepcid. Our participation in a clinical trial led to a new discovery and would help people with severe allergies whose doctors might otherwise have dismissed them and remained untreated. This was a quality-of-life improvement for everyone involved. The doctors named it HaT: hereditary alpha tryptasemia. I asked recently if Dr. Lyons remembered me, and he replied, Of course I remember you! He went on to say, I led the project and have continued to lead the effort to understand this genetic trait for over a decade and was the first to realize that it was likely common (before we later proved it was). I also developed the genetic test that is currently used to diagnose HaT. My children and I felt better with treatment. The drug companies did find a cure, but its astronomically expensive and not a viable market alternative. The NIH said they continued to be interested in us because the effects are increased, or more severe with each additional gene copy. We have three extra copies of the gene and yet we were working, playing, and raising families. Some people have only two copies and have sought disability. The syndrome is found only in white Caucasians of European descent and is prevalent in about 6 percent of the population. However, only 20 percent of those are triplicates like us. My prior question about evolutionary benefits remains unsolved. Dr. Lyons explained, We do not know if it protects against anything yet. There are very strong genetic arguments to be made that it was selected for in Europe in relatively recent human evolutionary history. Some, but not all, of those arguments are akin to those made for sickle cell disease (which protects from malaria.) A lot more needs to be done to help people with intractable health problems, especially for those whose symptoms defy conventional answers. Removing the bureaucratic burdens for physicians, such as unnecessary paperwork and billing forms, will enable the experts to spend more time advocating for patients like me in their practice. Dr. Ellman-Grunther went above and beyond to fill out extensive paperwork to refer me to the NIH in 2008. Watching the NIH research process in real-time also inspired me to obtain a PhD. At age 52, I am now a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing because I want to keep seeking answers to tough questions. I hope my research will help get better care for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The NIH recently designated persons with disabilities as a health disparities population. I recently received my first NIH grant to use novel methods to create the first individual risk profiles for people with IDD, so their care can be better suited to their needs. I want to find the fault lines and fix them. Being a professional problem solverfirst as a mom and now as a researcherinspires me. Lynne Moronski is a post-doctoral research fellow. Russia has ramped up its use of North Korean ballistic missiles in strikes against Ukraine, with approximately a third of its 2024 attacks involving these weapons, according to Ukrainian military officials and public records analyzed by CNN. The missiles, powered by Western-made components despite international sanctions, highlight a growing collaboration between Moscow and Pyongyang. North Koreas role in supporting Russia extends beyond weapons, with about 11,000 North Korean soldiers reportedly deployed to Russias Kursk region. In 2024, Russia launched around 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles, accounting for nearly one-third of the 194 ballistic missile strikes tracked by Ukraines Air Force. August and September saw a surge in these attacks, with Ukrainian officials publicly identifying the KN-23 as a significant threat during that period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since the spring, Russia has been using ballistic missiles and attack drones much more to strike Ukraine, and less use of cruise missiles," Yuriy Ihnat, acting head of communications for Ukraines Air Force, told CNN. Ukrainian investigators have uncovered evidence of extensive use of Western components in the KN-23 missiles. According to Ukraines Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO), nine Western companies, including manufacturers from the United States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, produced key components for these weapons. "Everything that works to guide the missile, to make it fly, is all foreign components. All the electronics are foreign. There is nothing Korean in it," Andriy Kulchytskyi, head of the Military Research Laboratory at Kyivs Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, told CNN. He noted that the missiles metal casing, which corrodes quickly, appears to be the only Korean-made part. Fragments of the missiles, some produced as recently as 2023, suggest a rapid supply chain funneling components to North Korea. Ukrainian Defense Intelligence officials estimate that about 70% of these parts are American, with the rest sourced from Germany, Switzerland, and other countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.K.-based investigative group, Conflict Armament Research (CAR), previously found that 75% of components in one early KN-23 missile used against Ukraine came from U.S. companies. Missile strikes involving North Korean weapons have killed at least 28 people and injured 213 in Ukraine this year, according to the Ukrainian prosecutor general. "Investigating these missiles isnt easy due to the damage, but we can still identify the vast majority of components as Western-made," said a Ukrainian defense intelligence official. The exact routes by which components reach North Korea remain unclear, according to weapons-tracing experts, though evidence strongly suggests China as the primary conduit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have successfully traced some of those components, and the last known custodians are Chinese companies," said Damien Spleeters, deputy director of operations at Conflict Armament Research (CAR), an organization that independently tracks diverted weapons. According to Spleeters, Chinese firms acquire the components from manufacturers and pass them through a network of intermediaries. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia likely used ballistic missile from Kedr complex to strike Dnipro, intelligence says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. MANNINGTON, W.Va. (WBOY) North Peak Performance held its second annual Turkey Trot 5K Saturday morning, with entry fees going towards one high school students future education. This year the gym organized the race so that $500 from the entry fees will go to a scholarship for one lucky North Marion High School graduate at the end of the school year. To apply for the scholarship, the student has to write an essay and be a senior with a membership to North Peak Performance, which offers students an athlete membership for $20 a month. Morgantown Farmers Market begins winter season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 100 people participated in the race with Dylan Walker winning first overall for the men with a time of 19:31 and Rachel Snedden winning first overall for the women with a time of 21:43. Each won a turkey donated by the Millers Daughter in Mannington. Applications for the scholarship will open in January. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WBOY Daily News Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. The northern Gaza Strip has become an epicenter of a devastating humanitarian crisis, particularly in the towns of Beit Lahia and Jabalia, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Despite the evacuation orders from the Israel Defense Forces, tens of thousands of residents -- between 50,000 and 75,000, according to OCHA -- have refused to evacuate. These residents are now trapped under unimaginable conditions. Most United Nations efforts to deliver aid to the area in November were obstructed by Israeli forces, except for a single World Food Program mission on Nov. 11, according to an OCHA report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a lack of humanitarian aid, water, health services and safety, the region is facing a catastrophic collapse on all levels. The horrors of the ongoing conflict have left deep scars on the civilian population. Mass casualty incidents have become disturbingly frequent, according to OCHA. "My house in Beit Hanoun was destroyed on the 7th of October. In a day when I was in Jabalia the raids were intense. I thought they would storm Beit Lahia, but in the morning, they stormed Jabalia camp. We found tanks behind the school we were in, so we fled to Gaza City and stayed there for about 25 days," Ahmed Ashour, a displaced resident from Beit Hanoun, a neighborhood in northern Gaza's Jabalia, told ABC News in an interview. PHOTO: Palestinians carry belongings on their way in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, due to the recent Israeli attacks, on Nov. 12, 2024. (Anadolu via Getty Images, FILE) Ashour added, "We have taken children out from under the rubble, and they were torn in pieces. I feel great sorrow. What can I tell you? While I was in Gaza, a raid bombed a school. We found children, women, and men in pieces, and the largest piece did not exceed the size of a small hand." Sarah Hamidi, an International Committee of the Red Cross delegate, further described the conditions faced by civilians in northern Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: As Palestinians face mass displacement in North Gaza, some Israelis look to resettle "Survival, protecting loved ones, and finding shelter this is life for civilians in northern Gaza," Hamidi said. "They face constant fear, ongoing explosions, and severe shortages of food, water, and medical care. People live among rubble and dirt, and children wake to the sound of gunfire. Supplies are almost gone, leaving hospitals and families on the brink." The collapse of ambulance and civil defense services in northern Gaza has left injured people with little hope of rescue, according to Mahmoud Basal, the spokesperson of the Civil Defence in Gaza. In many cases, those trapped under the rubble have no means of survival, he said. PHOTO: Palestinian carry a shrouded body during a funeral of relatives, killed in an Israeli airstrike, in Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, on Nov. 20, 2024. (Omar Al-Qattaa/AFP via Getty Images) "For over a year, first responders have risked their lives amid ongoing attacks and violence, while hospitals face crippling shortages of fuel, food, water, and staff," Hamidi said. "Damaged roads and a lack of ambulances force families to carry the injured for kilometers or use donkey carts. Civil Defense lacks the machinery to rescue people from rubble, leaving families to dig with their hands. Even reaching a hospital offers no certainty of care." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to hospitals in northern Gaza barely functioning due to a lack of fuel, medical supplies and staff, some international organizations are trying to transfer the wounded and sick to hospitals located in less dangerous conflict areas, according to OCHA. MORE: Polio vaccination campaign paused in Gaza as UNICEF warns of 'humanitarian system collapse' The institutions face a new set of challenges during the transfer process. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) transferred 15 patients from Al-Awda Hospital located in the north of Gaza City to Al-Arabi Al-Ahli and Al-Shifa hospitals earlier this week, the ICRC and Palestinian Red Crescent said in a joint statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Operating in a conflict zone brings immense logistical challengesdamaged roads, slow movement, and coordinating with hospitals and local support like the PRCS. Convoys need ambulances, medical supplies, and safe passage, but hostilities, explosive remnants, and checkpoints make every step unpredictable," Hamidi said. PHOTO: A Palestinian walks next to the debris of a building in Beit Lahia, in the northern Gaza Strip, on Nov. 21, 2024, as the war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants continues. (AFP via Getty Images) Without aid, families in northern Gaza are left without basic necessities, OCHA says. The scarcity of water and sanitation has further exacerbated the public health crisis, according to OCHA. The economic collapse in Gaza has been devastating. The Consumer Price Index has surged by 283% since October 2023, pushing families into extreme poverty, according to OCHA. Ahmed paints a bleak picture of life under these conditions: "We were eating lentils and pasta that's what was there. There was a famine, and everything was expensive," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food shortages and skyrocketing prices have forced families into starvation, with children being the most vulnerable. PHOTO: Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on Al-Farooq mosque, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, in Nuseirat refugee camp, in the central Gaza Strip, Nov. 23, 2024. (Khamis Said/Reuters) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli government denies that conditions causing malnutrition exist inside Gaza and says it works with international organizations to ensure necessary aid crosses the border into Gaza from Israel. The situation in northern Gaza is a stark reminder of the human cost of conflict. "The current situation in the north of Gaza is unsustainable on top of a year of displacement, struggling to find the basics, watching loved ones get killed or wounded, and trying to keep your family safe, civilians are now facing a situation where they do not know what the next hour or day will bring," Adrian Zimmerman, the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross's Gaza delegation, told ABC News. "Not enough of anything is entering Gaza and reaching civilians. People call us, telling us they are terrified, and asking how they can feed their hungry children." Northern Gaza trapped in catastrophic humanitarian situation, UN report says originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worse than Ukraine, Gaza and Somalia - combined, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council charged. "There are 24 million lives at stake here in Sudan," noted Jan Egeland, NRC's secretary general, in an interview with dpa following a trip he made to western Darfur and other areas. "We're looking at a relentless countdown to famine and despair and collapse for an entire civilization." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, he asserted, should not distract from the suffering of the people in Sudan. "If we all agree that human life is as equally valuable wherever you are in the world, then Sudan should be on top of our list of concerns now." Destroyed homes and burnt neighbourhoods Egeland witnessed the consequences of the conflict, which has been ongoing for almost 600 days. He said he saw in many neighbourhoods - including in ones in which the NRC had previously worked "the very clear signs of a horrific war. And house after house, neighbourhood after neighbourhood, burnt, destroyed, and looted." Sudan has been embroiled in a bloody power struggle since April 2023 between ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. More than 11 million people are on the run within Sudan and neighbouring countries. Serious crimes against humanity are reportedly being committed by the conflicting parties, including ethnic displacement in the Darfur region. The humanitarian crisis in Sudan is worse than Ukraine, Gaza and Somalia - combined, the head of the Norwegian Refugee Council charged. "There are 24 million lives at stake here in Sudan," noted Jan Egeland, NRC's secretary general, in an interview with dpa following a trip he made to western Darfur and other areas. "We're looking at a relentless countdown to famine and despair and collapse for an entire civilization." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conflicts such as those in Ukraine and the Middle East, he asserted, should not distract from the suffering of the people in Sudan. "If we all agree that human life is as equally valuable wherever you are in the world, then Sudan should be on top of our list of concerns now." Destroyed homes and burnt neighbourhoods Egeland witnessed the consequences of the conflict, which has been ongoing for almost 600 days. He said he saw in many neighbourhoods - including in ones in which the NRC had previously worked "the very clear signs of a horrific war. And house after house, neighbourhood after neighbourhood, burnt, destroyed, and looted." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sudan has been embroiled in a bloody power struggle since April 2023 between ruler Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. More than 11 million people are on the run within Sudan and neighbouring countries. Serious crimes against humanity are reportedly being committed by the conflicting parties, including ethnic displacement in the Darfur region. Egeland warned a situation is "brewing" like in 2015, when millions of refugees from war-torn places, including Syria, crossed the Mediterranean and showed up on European doorsteps. "I don't think Germany and the European Union and Scandinavia and France would like that." Not only would investing in Sudan help keep people form seeking better opportunities elsewhere, but doing so "is the only thing" that conforms to European ideals and interest, he said. There are thousands of migrant criminals roaming the streets of Gotham, the head of US Immigration and Customs Enforcements NYC field office told The Post. In New York City, it would take a lifetime to clear the city of the criminals that we have if the status quo remains the same, Kenneth Genalo said Friday in his first interview since Donald Trump was elected president. We need additional resources, insisted the 33-year ICE veteran who oversees nearly 400 staffers as regional director of the NYC-area office. New York City ICE Director, Kenneth Genalo is so frustrated over New Yorks sanctuary laws preventing migrant criminals from being rounded up and deported under his watch. James Keivom In New York City, it would take a lifetime to clear the city of the criminals that we have, the citys ICE director Kenneth Genalo said. ICE The fact is that I have to focus all of my resources on the worst of the worst, the most egregious violators. All I can tell you is we have leads that we work every day and its not in the hundreds, added Genalo, all but admitting for the first time that the number is in the thousands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the nearly 7.8 million illegal immigrants in the United States, 662,586 are convicted felons or havecriminal charges pending, the agency said of data through July 21. More than 223,000 migrants have poured into the Big Apple since the immigration crisis began in the spring of 2022 and at least 58,000 are still being cared for by taxpayers in city-funded shelters. ICE did not provide the exact number of criminals among them. Genalo wouldnt say how the agency will transform under Trump, who plans to launch a mass deportation of illegal, criminal migrants after being sworn in as president in January. But hes so frustrated over New Yorks sanctuary laws preventing migrant criminals from being rounded up and deported under his watch that he wants to testify before the City Council and educate its far-left majority about the damage these policies are doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The only people theyre shielding are the criminals, and theyre shielding the criminals from us, Genalo said. He continued: The majority of these crimes that are being committed are against the most vulnerable people in the community, and thats the migrant females and the migrant children. I dont understand how they believe sanctuary policies are helping or assisting. Genalo said immigration-law enforcement in NYC was all but thrown out the window when avowed Marxist Bill de Blasio became mayor. In 2014, de Blasio teamed up with the Council and signed a bill into law barring the NYPD from working with federal immigration officials when theyre seeking to boot dangerous migrants from the US. Tents house migrants at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Aristide Economopoulos Then, in 2018, he took it a step further by issuing citywide guidance and new NYPD protocols to codify the Big Apples policy of not cooperating with the feds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revisions have had serious consequences. Murdered Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was murdered by an illegal migrant who had been in custody in NYC on child-endagerment charges but set free, might still be alive if the woke rules were not in effect, critics have told The Post. In February, Mayor Eric Adams called for the sanctuary rules to be loosened so migrants suspected of serious crimes could also be turned over to ICE. However, he doesnt have the political support needed on the City Council to change the laws. The mayor knows we need to cooperate, said Genalo. He sees whats going on in New York City, and he wants help from the federal government. CHICAGO An off-duty Chicago police officer exchanged gunfire with armed offenders overnight in the Washington Park neighborhood on the citys South Side, police say. According to police, the off-duty officer was confronted by an armed offender around 1:45 a.m. Sunday in the 100 block of East 57th Street. Police say an exchange of gunfire followed, with at least one additional offender firing shots at the off-duty officer. Suspect found dead after off-duty CPD detective injured during attempt to stop deadly stabbing on Northwest Side Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The armed offenders then ran away, according to police. Police also say the off-duty officer was not hit, and no injuries were reported. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines The Civilian Office of Police Accountability (COPA) and the Investigative Response Team were on the scene investigating. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. An Ohio man was arrested after police found several stolen power tools in his basement. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Nov. 21, officers were informed that a stolen vehicle was seen at the Mahoning Valley Market on State Route 62, according to a Facebook post from the Village of Sebring Ohio Police Department. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers then found the vehicle parked at a residence in the area. Officers saw several people inside the residence through a window and ordered them to come out, according to the post. After officers issued the commands to come out of the house, two women exited from the front door. They both originally reported that no one else was in the residence, but one woman went back inside to check, according to the post. She then returned and said that a man named Jerry Carter was inside and would be coming to the door. Carter was detained and placed in handcuffs once he came out. Carter then gave police consent to search the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the basement, officers found a large quantity of power tools which were believed to be stolen in reference to a previous case, according to the post. More tools were found in a makeshift shed as well as a 4-wheeler that was confirmed to be stolen from Columbiana County. Carter was taken into custody and booked into Mahoning County jail for two felony counts of Receiving Stolen Property, The thefts remain under investigation at this time. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) One person is in the hospital on Saturday night after a serious car crash in Chicopee. Springfield man sent to prison for illegal distributing approximately 50 ghost guns At around 7 p.m. Chicopee police were asking all drivers to seek an alternative route after closing off a part of Granby Road in the area of Stanley Drive. As of 9:05 p.m., Granby Road has reopened. When the 22News crew got there they could see caution tape was up as police investigated this crash. There were debris and clothing on the ground as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicopee Police Spokesman Officer Travis Odiorne told 22News that a person was brought to the hospital, but the seriousness of their injuries is unclear. This is a developing story and 22News will provide the latest information once it becomes available. Kristina DAmours is a reporter who is a part of the evening 22News team. Follow Kristina on X @KristinaD_WWLP and view her bio to see more of her work. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. In previous flu seasons, only about half of all Americans got the flu shot. Now we face pan-respiratory season, when we must worry about RSV, COVID, and the flu. The good news is these vaccines are lifesaving. The bad news is that if people dont get them, they arent very effective and we might see fewer people get them at all. As a clinical psychologist, Ive spent my career thinking about what motivates people to take an active role in their health. And it really comes down to making it easier for those who intend to get a vaccine to follow through and actually get one. In my field, thats called closing the intention gap. This is not the same as addressing vaccine hesitancy, which is a real problem and requires its own solution. But we dont want to get distracted by vaccine hesitancy at the expense of missing a real opportunity to support the people who want to be immunized and just need us to make it a little easier. When it was only flu, it was simplerone shot, every fall, available at the doctors office or pharmacy. It was easier to close the intention gap by nudging people to take one action. This year the prospect of needing some combination of three shots could lead many people to stall or forego getting them altogether. People have a lot of questions about these vaccines: Which shots am I due for? Which ones are my kids due for? Where are they available? Can I get them all on the same day? Our health system puts the entire burden on doctors to answer these questions and get people to take vaccines. We assume that talking to patients about this would only take a minute or two of a doctors visit. But communicating with patients about specific vaccination guidelines is much more time-consuming, and it isnt realistic to expect providers to do this in a short appointmentand to do it consistently. In fact, studies show the typical primary care provider would need 27 hours each day to give patients comprehensive care, which includes vaccinations and screenings, but also helps to manage chronic conditions and address concerns around medications. This approach is not sustainableso how do we break this cycle? How do we ensure that families get the vaccines they need to stay healthy this season, and that healthcare professionals can spend less time sending reminders and more time caring for patients? Its all about how we communicate with patients. Instead of relying on commercials and billboards for public health information about vaccines, its about reaching people at the times when they are thinking about their health, and, most importantly, when they can do something about it. In my work with health systems across the country, weve studied what it is that drives patients to make healthcare decisions and how to do that at scale. We know from experience that the right tools can significantly reduce the provider burden and increase uptake of these critical vaccines. For example, weve seen that digital messages prompting patients to ask about vaccines do tremendously well. In a recent analysis we conducted of more than 20 million vaccine messages, we found that explaining the risks of illnesses or reminding patients theyre due for a shot when theyre already in the doctors office, or just before they arrive, can increase vaccination rates by as much as 10 times. A vaccination strategy that prompts more conversations between patients and their doctors succeeds because most patients trust their doctor. It succeeds because personalized outreach, facilitated by technology, doesnt require anything additional from overworked providersthe patient who walks into their office is already primed to bring up vaccination. Thats why Im so excited the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the Risk Less. Do More. campaign to deliver messages based on evidence and designed to help people protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses. With the right messages delivered when patients are most receptive to them, we can relieve some of the burden on clinicians and help patients keep themselves and their families healthy. Hilary Hatch is a clinical psychologist. One person died a week after a crash on a Midlands road where two other people were injured, according to the South Carolina Highway Patrol. The death was reported Saturday by Cpl. Nick Pye. The single-vehicle collision happened Nov. 13 in Sumter County, Pye said. At about 8:15 a.m. on Nov. 13, a 2006 Honda sedan was driving east on Queen Chapel Road when it ran off the left side of the road near the intersection with Ebenezer Road, according to Pye. The Honda crashed into a tree then hit a fence, Pye said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the driver, there were two passengers in the Honda, and all three were hospitalized, according to Pye. The passenger sitting in the back seat later died, Pye said. The Sumter County Coroners Office has not publicly identified the passenger who died. Further information on the conditions of the driver and the surviving passenger was not available. There was no word if anyone in the car was wearing a seat belt. Information about what caused the car to veer off the road was not available, but the wreck continues to be investigated by the Highway Patrol. Through Nov. 17, at least 846 people have died on South Carolina roads in 2024, according to the state Department of Public Safety. Last year, 1,030 people died in crashes in South Carolina, DPS reported. At least 18 people have died in Sumter County crashes in 2024, according to DPS data. There were 30 deaths reported in the county in 2023, DPS said. Some of President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet picks have been surprising. Will his pick for Federal Bureau of Investigation director equally surprising? Rumors of FBI Director Christopher Wray retiring before inauguration day are probably correct. But while Trump supporters may hope for a hard-charging disruptor to clean house at the FBI, others worry he will appoint a blind loyalist bent on exacting revenge. However, the right candidate can be the disruptor the FBI needs while restoring its reputation as an efficient, effective and apolitical agency. Trumps biggest surprise should be to name a professional law enforcement officer or even a current or former FBI special agent as director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a pick would go against current thinking. Since 1978, all five FBI directors have been former judges or Department of Justice officials, with only Louis Freeh having spent time as an FBI agent. The FBI workforce always respected this experience and wondered why the top job usually went to career attorneys. Police chiefs and commissioners mostly come from the ranks of law enforcement. Why should the FBI be any different? The role lawyers play at the top of American politics is the likely culprit, but given the Bureaus recent history, its time to rethink that idea. The FBI, with 35,000 employees and a budget exceeding $11 billion, covers a wider range of criminal and national security issues than most similar organizations, domestic or foreign. Most judges and attorneys have never approached managing an organization of this size and complexity. Moreover, law enforcement requires skills and mindsets distinct from those honed by writing briefs and courtroom advocacy. For example, while Department of Justice attorneys draft the deadly force policy, it falls to the FBI to implement it by selecting the right firearms and training agents on the various scenarios where they may need to use deadly force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The discussion between the Justice Department and FBI officials over conducting the Mar-a-Lago search highlights the disconnect in how prosecutors and law enforcement sometimes approach tricky real-world scenarios. A director with law enforcement experience understands this and other practical law enforcement challenges. Such insight will be necessary if a Trump-appointed attorney general hopes to implement reforms at the FBI. That the FBI needs fixing is almost universally accepted. Each new scandal elicits the same weary reaction from retired and current agents alike: Not again. Half the country sees the FBI as Bidens Gestapo, and even apolitical Americans question its ability to be impartial Whether these perceptions are fair is secondary; they exist, and Trumps election has set the stage for change. One reform might include reorienting the Bureaus focus from Washington back to field operations a strategy Director Freeh implemented during his tenure. Others are sure to be more controversial. An experienced law enforcement leader untainted by recent Justice Department controversies has a better chance to implement effective reforms while lessening accusations of politicization. Any Trump appointee will face that accusation, but that accusation will be even stronger if a former Justice Department attorney is nominated as director. Unlike most officials at Justice, the FBI director is a political appointee with a ten-year term, designed to span presidencies and shield the Bureau from political interference. Yet truly being apolitical in Washington is nearly impossible. Ironically, appointing FBI directors from the ranks of Justice Department attorneys has brought more, not less, political intrigue to the Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A law enforcement professional, on the other hand, could better insulate the Bureau from shifting political winds at Justice and bring the Bureaus focus back to its core mission of investigations and operations. But should the FBI truly be independent of the Justice Department? Its relationship with the department is akin to the Marine Corps relationship with the Navy technically subordinate, yet culturally and operationally distinct. Some on the political right argue the FBI should be more politically accountable, as outlined in the Heritage Foundations Project 2025. While accountability is necessary, the FBI is not just another federal agency. It investigates crimes at the highest levels of government and conducts background checks for political appointees. These responsibilities affect both political parties and often fuel claims of bias. A director with law enforcement experience will better navigate these challenges than a Justice Department attorney or political operative. This isnt to disparage Director Wray or his predecessors. Since post-Watergate reforms, FBI directors have faced the nearly impossible task of having to be seen as apolitical while handling politically sensitive investigations. Of course, no director is guaranteed success, not even one with law enforcement experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics who wish to abolish the FBI or view all its problems through an anti-Trump lens will not be swayed by the directors qualifications. Yet, for those of us who still believe in the Bureaus mission while recognizing the need for change, a law enforcement professional at the top could be the best surprise of all. Christopher M. Donohue is a retired FBI agent. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Ive recently followed the media coverage by various outlets of the effort to find a suitable place for a Code Blue shelter in Davis County. My interest began when I saw coverage by local TV stations earlier this month of the meeting in which a crowd cheered at a Fruit Heights pastors withdrawal of his churchs offer to host a warming shelter and continued as Kaysvilles mayor has also vowed to keep the shelter out of her city. Ive noticed some unhelpful and ugly rhetoric, with residents suggesting that those patronizing shelters are uninterested in help, do drugs and commit other crimes; that a warming shelter would make their neighborhoods unsafe and decrease their property values; and offering sentiments that while a shelter is needed, it should be located anywhere except near them. While I make my home on the west side of Salt Lake City, I work in Davis County and thus spend significant time in the community. Ive had the pleasure of working with fantastic, open-minded, generous people who see helping others as not just a good thing to do, but as a part of their religious duty. And while my particular faith tradition would make me an outlier in Davis County, I share the belief that it is my responsibility to take action to better the lives of those less fortunate. Having volunteered in Salt Lake Citys Code Blue shelters last year, I was surprised to see opposition to warming shelters, especially when a space had already been offered for such a facility. Id like to address a few points of common concern related to this issue: 1. Only homeless people use warming shelters. While this is certainly the primary audience, a warming shelter is for anyone who lacks safe, warm, permanent shelter on a cold night. People in other unstable or unsafe housing situations can also benefit. 2. Homeless people dont want help. At the time of writing, all adult shelters in Salt Lake and Weber Counties are at capacity, leaving only family and youth shelters with space available. Regardless, a homeless person who does not want help is unlikely to seek help at a warming shelter, making this a non-issue for neighbors. 3. Homeless people use drugs. Yes, this is often true; substance abuse is far more prevalent among those experiencing homelessness than the general population. However, correlation does not equal causation, and some people experience homelessness as a result of their addiction while others use drugs and alcohol as a way to cope with the homelessness they are already experiencing. In any case, I think its worth having some compassion here: I might also use drugs if I had no shelter. 4. Homeless people commit violent crimes. Those experiencing homelessness are far more likely to be the victim of a violent crime than a perpetrator. Most crimes committed by those without homes are non-violent in nature, and many of the violent crimes committed by those who lack shelter are against people experiencing the same circumstance. 5. A warming shelter will make my neighborhood unsafe. While I have had concerns for the safety of clients at the Code Blue shelter in which I volunteer, I have not felt unsafe myself. In any event, a warming shelter is only open during the coldest nights of the year, so a warming shelter is unlikely to have a lasting impact on public safety. 6. There are not enough homeless people in Davis county to justify a warming shelter. Utahs 2024 point-in-time count recorded 65 Davis county residents without homes. While some of these people likely had shelter, some probably did not and would have appreciated a warm place to sleep. 7. Homelessness is a problem Im unlikely to experience. More than half of Americans are only one crisis away from homelessness, and a 1994 study noted that 14% of the U.S. population had experienced homelessness in their lifetime. Based on these facts, I think its safe to conclude that homelessness could happen to any of us. I hope these facts can help to put residents at ease, and that those in need in Davis County will soon be welcomed to a warming shelter. The first Thanksgiving was held in 1621 to celebrate the abundant autumnal harvest. Today, while Thanksgiving is celebrated much later than the typical fall harvest season, many Americans still use the day to share a meal with family and reflect on the past year. But what about our neighbors struggling to put food on the table? What does Thanksgiving look like for them? I am Mel Curtis, the anti-hunger programs director at the YMCA of Centre County. This month, well distribute 335 Thanksgiving meals to neighbors in our community struggling to make ends meet. We see seniors, working parents, and children walk through our doors daily. For these neighbors, the holiday season of celebration and gratitude is often overshadowed by the stress of whether there will be enough money to share a meal with family and friends. Consider a neighbor we serve, a disabled man who has no family left in the area to assist him. He lives in a rural area with no public transportation, which makes it harder to get to the grocery store. Plus, the cost of groceries continues to increase while his income remains the same. We currently deliver food to him, and he is a recipient of our Thanksgiving Blessings in a Box program. Individuals and families like this are why I come to work every day, knowing that if we make a difference in one persons life, we succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Food insecurity is rising in our communities, across Pennsylvania, and the nation. In Pennsylvania, 1 in 8 adults and 1 in 6 children are food insecure. The high cost of food and other necessities forces many families to scale down their Thanksgiving meal or skip it altogether. No one should go hungry, especially on Thanksgiving. Thats why the Centre County YMCA stands ready to serve any neighbors needing a helping hand. But we cant keep our shelves stocked alone. We partner with local agricultural producers to obtain large donations and wholesale purchases of wholesome, local food products. We also work with food retailers to divert food products from landfills to our shelves and reduce food waste. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, food banks and the charitable food network depend on strong federal nutrition programs in the Farm Bill, like The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), to help feed families. TEFAP further facilitates relationships between agriculture and the charitable food network by acquiring surplus, 100% American-grown proteins, produce, and dairy for distribution through food banks across the country. It is a critical source of nutritious food products. Items Ive had on my shelves courtesy of TEFAP include staples like chicken, eggs, milk and oranges. Last year, Pennsylvanias charitable food network distributed over 62 million pounds of food acquired through the TEFAP program. Together, by leveraging private and public dollars, Pennsylvanias food banks and charitable food system will serve the more than 1.5 million Pennsylvanians experiencing food insecurity this holiday season and beyond. And not only does TEFAP provide healthy foods to our neighbors, but it also supports Pennsylvania agriculture. According to USDAs most recent State of Origin Report, $99.3 million was spent in Pennsylvania purchasing products for distribution through USDA programs like TEFAP. TEFAP is a win-win for both producers and consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why reauthorizing the Farm Bill with strong investments in TEFAP is more critical than ever. Programs like TEFAP fuel American agriculture and feed our families. I urge Congress to pass a Farm Bill that supports families, farmers, and food banks, so that we all have a chance to enjoy our nations abundant harvest this holiday season. Mel Curtis is the anti-hunger programs director at YMCA of Centre County. Disasters come in all shapes and sizes. Some are preventable and others can be prepared for because we know theyre coming. One of the great rewards of studying local history is that it offers us grounding and context for our place in the world. And sometimes it can save our lives. Elders in the Southern Appalachians knew well that local circumstances could quickly turn on a dime, which is why they canned their excess produce, smoked their meats, built root cellars and kept their perishables cool in stream boxes. But most of all, they built deep community roots, knowing that their neighbors were their first responders long before there was 911. This interconnected world served them well by creating a strong sense of self-reliance and close interconnections with others. As a result, no family was left to fend for themselves. Today few grow their own food and most of our connections are with screens rather than the intimacy found in community. As an oral historian who has interviewed hundreds of people in our region, Im always intrigued by the lessons our elders have learned that helped them adapt to their circumstances. They knew which areas tended to flood and did not live there or moved away. They rarely built homes on steep slopes where rushing water can cascade down at 30 miles an hour, taking everything downslope with it, including homes and people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Tropical Storm Helene: Share your story with Center for Cultural Preservation to preserve history For some history buffs, reenactments are the way people relive events long since gone. But involuntary reenactments are the ones I worry about most. Such as building in landslide-prone and flood-prone areas that weve known for 108 years can be life threatening. Who could miss seeing those huge boulders in the Rocky Broad in Chimney Rock? They came down from the mountains in Hickory Nut Gorge during the 1916 flood. They were a warning sign: Do not build here! And those abandoned factories and warehouses along the French Broad River that we now call RAD. They, too, were abandoned during the 1916 flood. Yet the real estate industry will always find someone who never learned local history to rebuild in places that nature has made it clear are not suitable for anything but water. And rocks. Collapsed homes on the Broad River is pictured weeks after Tropical Storm Helene devastated the area in Chimney Rock, NC., on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024. You might ask yourself, how can we expect everyone to know the history of an area when they first move here? Well for one, our policymakers knew this history because many participated in regionwide forums where landslide experts who mapped our region had warned of the danger. Rick Wooten was one of these. He was the senior geologist for Geohazards and Engineering Geology at N.C. Geological Survey who did landslide mapping of many of our mountain communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I asked him whether the communities most devastated by Tropical Storm Helene were the same ones affected by the 1916, 1928, 1940, 1955, 1977, 1996 and 2004 major floods he said yes. In Western North Carolina, nature always seems to direct its wrath time and time again in the same locations. The same places that were severely impacted by Helene. According to Wootens research, our area gets weather patterns that cause hundreds of landslides approximately every 17 years and weather causing thousands of landslides about every 32 years. Helene may have been unprecedented in its intensity but it was far from unexpected. Past floods in Western North Carolina So if we knew this, why do we allow people to build in the River Arts District, in vulnerable areas in Madison County, Bat Cave, Chimney Rock, near the banks of the Swannanoa and all the other places where people have lost their lives and their property time and again? Where were our policymakers, our council members and commissioners? Were they too busy taking advantage of the building boom or supporting those who were to remember the rest of us? I run the Center for Cultural Preservation that chronicled the 1916 flood in our award-winning film, "Come Hell or High Water, Remembering the Great Flood of 1916," on its 100th anniversary. I had hoped this cautionary tale would lead to a wake-up call. While we cant do much about the weather, we can control where we live, how we build, how we connect with our community and how we prepare. Standing strong as a community is an act of resilience. Standing up against nature is one of futility and pain. We will hold a forum Feb. 15 at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock with experts and elders who were impacted by storms to discuss how we move forward as a community. We are alsoy holding oral histories with people impacted by Helene, starting with generational elders whose families were also impacted by prior floods. Call at 828-692-8062 for more information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Weintraub: Protect our mountains, our home More: Weintraub: What would Mother Earth say? David Weintraub David Weintraub is a cultural preservationist and environmentalist who can be reached at SaveCulture.org. This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Opinion: Tropical Storm Helene flooded areas with history of flooding We dont have to wait till January 2025 the Trump effect is already underway. In Venezuela, Nicolas Maduros dictatorship is releasing political prisoners. In Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega and his wife passed a radical constitutional reform consolidating power. In Cuba, the regime is amplifying its repression and surveillance over its citizens. The autocrats are in panic mode. In July 1980, then-candidate Ronald Reagan said, We know too well that war comes not when the forces of freedom are strong, but when they are weak. It is then that tyrants are tempted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Donald Trump has announced that he will promote peace through strength, a strategy that Reagan implemented as part of his foreign policy vision. And the winds of change have tyrants like Nicolas Maduro and his cronies afraid. Maduro has congratulated Trump for his decisive victory, praised the civility of U.S. citizens and is begging his archenemy for dialogue. With almost 2,000 political prisoners, Hugo Chavezs anointed one is now begging for clemency. He is not willing to transfer power in a democratic fashion or form, but the regime wants a fresh start. Maduro has listened to the same analysts and think-tankers in Washington who predicted Trumps defeat. Different analysts swear and believe that there will be negotiations, because Trump, according to them, is transactional and likes strong-men like Maduro. That doesnt seem to be the case. Venezuelas Bolivarian Chavista regime wants to repeat the shadow games it played with President Biden. Maduro is a dictator, but he is not stupid. He promised free elections in order to get sanctions lifted, his drug trafficking nephews freed and his financial manager Alex Saab returned from U.S. custody. And of course it was a lie he rigged the elections anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Venezuela is once again hungry and thirsty for a new deal with the U.S. But times have changed, and there is a new sheriff in town. Nicaraguas Daniel Ortega is also in fear mode. His police states espionage activities have been redoubled at all levels, inside and outside of his party. He is banishing priests, musicians and anyone who dares to speak his mind. In 2018, during the civic rebellion in Nicaragua, Foreign Minister Denis Moncada and Ambassador Francisco Campbell came crawling on their hands and knees to Senator Marco Rubios (R-Fla.) office, promising dialogue and peace. But Ortegas regime never kept its word with fair elections. Cuba, meanwhile, has responded to fear with more repression. The regime with 1,200 political prisoners and 65 years in power knows that bitter days are coming. The Trump administration, and particularly its announced secretary of state designate, knows the regime very well. Rubio is the son of Cuban migrants who experienced firsthand the brutality of the Castro regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cuba is in darkness and under repression. The communist state cannot manage industry or basic services. It has destroyed the nations agricultural and fishing sectors. The only excuse of the government for its failures, which no one believes anymore, is that it is the victim of an international embargo that no longer exists. Rubio and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), Trumps choice for national security adviser, are the two nightmares of the dictatorships of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela. They will put the abuses of these dictatorships on Trumps agenda. Let us not forget that these regimes are the main root causes of mass migration to the U.S. And the relationships of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela with Iran, Russia and China represent a grave threat to U.S. national security. The new administration will not support the policy of soft diplomacy, multilateralism or the easing of sanctions. Those days are over. The first two years are paramount. This is the moment when the administration will have full support from Congress to ensure the end of communist tyrannies. Time is of the essence. A solid foreign policy and a national security focus will be key components to ensure significant changes in the Western Hemisphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The opposition leaders of Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela have already begun to approach the Trump administration. They are convinced that perhaps this is the last chance to get rid of the dictatorships and restore democracy. The time is right, and so is the leadership. Lets get to work. Arturo McFields is an exiled journalist, former ambassador to the OAS and former member of the Norwegian Peace Corps. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. According to Israels former national security advisor, Giora Eiland, Regarding Gaza In warfare, the aim is to engage as little as possible. The ideal outcome is to win without prolonged fighting. But can you end a war when your adversary is unwilling to concede defeat and release its hostages, demanding Israel permanently leave the Gaza strip to begin the reemergence of Hamas? That is a Hamas victory and a recipe for recurrent disaster. Israel has dismantled Hamas military infrastructure, leaving behind thousands of terrorists emerging to ambush from tens of miles of undiscovered tunnels. At the same time, the jihadists continue to survive and thrive by reselling hundreds of millions of dollars of stolen humanitarian aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Lebanon, Israel has recaptured a narrow strip along the Lebanese-Israeli border from which Hezbollah long planned Oct. 7-like assaults to kidnap and terrorize the Israeli population. I visited one of those assault tunnels in 2019, twenty stories deep, nearly a half mile into Israeli territory, where the group could have massed hundreds of terrorists in a short time. In this war, Hezbollah has lost a significant portion of its launching pads and missile arsenal. However, it is still a very formidable foe that seems to be inviting Israel into a trap to try to conquer the rest of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River. UNSCR 1701 demanded after the 2006 Second Lebanon War, the disarmament of Hezbollah south of the river, 30 kilometers from the western Galilee Israel-Lebanese border. The impotent, unwilling and complicit Lebanese Armed Forces, along with United Nations peacekeepers, have allowed Hezbollah under Iranian control to thrive and grow for 17 years, amassing the worlds largest missile arsenal for a non-state actor. According to the State Department, from 2006-2022, the U.S. provided more than $2.5 billion of American taxpayer money to a failed states military without tangible metrics to advance our foreign policy interests. This will not sit well with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are now tasked with the fiduciary responsibility of protecting the American taxpayer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran the master puppeteer of Hamas, Hezbollah, Iraqi and Syrian militias, and the Houthis are now in direct conflict with Israel. The Iranian emperor has no clothes. Regime change and a vulnerable nuclear program are within reach if the U.S. were to agree its time to act. I am not sure why we are afraid of saying the obvious: We stand with the Iranian people against their repressive regime. There is nothing ambiguous about regimes standard mantra for decades, Death to America. According to Iran expert Ray Takeyh, Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, The core of the problem remains Iran only an America that stands with its allies and makes its red lines clear can deter a mushroom cloud over an already turbulent Middle East. A new administration will be pulled between two groups. The first comprises those with a clear-eyed perspective of the region Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Steve Witkoff, Pete Hegseth, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Mike Huckabee and Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), the nominees for secretary of State, Middle East envoy, Defense secretary, UN ambassador, ambassador to Israel and national security advisor. The second group is of those who follow the Tucker Carlson school of neo-isolationism. These have not learned lessons of Americas past, when we turned inward and caused more wars than stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caveat is that in too many wars, Americas failure to choose unapologetic victory handicapped realistic goals in reasonable timeframes. President-elect Trump wants Israel to win, for the sake of our national security interests. But how do he and his administration define victory? Diplomatic achievements and enforceable ceasefires flow from strength. The short time course the president-elect has given Israel to wrap up its wars before he takes office is a gift to patient adversaries, who are more than willing to wait out Americas impatience, as best evidenced by the catastrophe of President Bidens complete American withdrawal from Afghanistan or former President Obamas premature withdrawal from Iraq, which led to the emergence of ISIS. Israel has remained restrained in its Lebanese campaign, as Hezbollah has employed the jihadist strategy of using civilian structures as human shields. Several years ago, I was in Jordan during the Syrian civil war and met with the Greek physician in charge of Syrian refugees who had flooded into southern Lebanon. He told me that in every town, city, or village he had visited in south Lebanon, missiles were being stored in peoples homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we want Israel to achieve quicker victories, we need to give it a freer hand in Lebanon. That does not mean violating international law. For example, we should support Israel if it calls for the complete evacuation of civilian areas that are being used as terrorist bases, like the Dahiyeh neighborhood in Beirut. This is the path to victory and ending the war sooner under advantageous diplomatic terms. The failed state of Lebanon can regain its former independence only by profoundly degrading Hezbollah, which currently controls the country. That is the path toward sustainable diplomatic achievements; Israel is perceived as the victor and setting the stage for the long-awaited Israeli-Saudi normalization. Strength, not Western conciliation and appeasement, the strategy of previous administrations, is the path to long-term quiet. As for Gaza, the goal must be no Hamas governance or military presence, with Israels ability to act daily when terrorists emerge, as they have done in the West Bank since 2003 when they reentered Judea and Samaria during the Second Intifada. If America is resolute, our diplomatic leverage will be substantial. For Iran, the key to regional instability is that diplomacy will best be achieved with the return of maximum sanctions to starve the regime and its proxies financially, with serious consideration of allowing Israel to target their nuclear facilities as they race to obtain a nuclear weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets begin by training Israeli pilots on B-52 bombers that can deliver the bunker buster missiles to hit deeply embedded nuclear targets. The threat will force Iran to the negotiating table with a diplomatic outcome in our interests, unlike the Iran nuclear deal of 2015, which allowed the leading state sponsor of terror the right to enrich uranium with ineffective inspections and no restraints on their ballistic missile production. When does diplomacy work in the Middle East? When there is no daylight between the U.S. and Israel, and Israel is perceived as the victor. Israel and the new administration must coordinate a strategy for American interests to leverage Israeli tactical military achievements into definitive strategic diplomatic victories. Eric R. Mandel is the director of the Middle East Political Information Network and senior security editor for the Jerusalem Posts Jerusalem Report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Almost 22,000 civilians have been evacuated from the most dangerous areas of Kharkiv Oblast. Source: Oleh Syniehubov, Head of Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, on the air of the national joint 24/7 newscast, quoted by Ukrinform Quote from Syniehubov: "We are continuing the evacuation of civilians. We are evacuating both children and adults. If we consider the period from May of this year to the present day, we have already evacuated almost 22,000 civilians from dangerous areas." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: He noted that the dangerous areas include the Vovchansk front in the Chuhuiv district; Lyptsi, Kharkiv district; and the Kupiansk front. Syniehubov said that the evacuees are being provided humanitarian, psychological and financial assistance in relatively safe areas in the city of Kharkiv. Quote from Syniehubov: "We have opened civilian reception centres in Kharkiv for such people, and they have proved to be very effective. For example, more than 4,500 people have been accepted in such a centre in Kupiansk in just one month. People use all the services, and we will expand these practices to other hromadas where people are actively evacuating [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.]." Support UP or become our patron! KANSAS CITY, Mo. Police are investigating after a man was shot and killed early Sunday morning in Kansas City, Missouri. According to the Kansas City Police Department, just before 1:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to Research Medical Center on reports of a walk-in shooting. Pedestrian killed in deadly hit-and-run on KCK bridge: report Investigations revealed that a man had arrived at the hospital by a private vehicle and was suffering from a gunshot wound. He later died from his injuries. He has been identified as 41-year-old Robert Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the original scene of the shooting was believed to be in Raytown, however, they later said it could have happened near East 63rd Street and Manchester Avenue in Kansas City. The case is currently being investigated as a homicide and nobody has been taken into custody. Detectives and investigators are working to find witnesses and determine what led up to the shooting. Five men arrested in Platte County Counter Human Trafficking Operation If you or anyone you know has information regarding the deadly shooting, KCPD asks that you contact Homicide detectives at (816) 234-5043 or the TIPS Hotline anonymously at (816) 474-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. BURLINGTON, Wis. (WFRV) A homeowner in Burlington has been arrested after a fire that heavily damaged a three-story home early Friday morning. The fire broke out around 3 AM at 201 S. Kane Street, prompting an immediate response from the City of Burlington Fire Department. Firefighters found the building engulfed in flames and began a defensive attack to contain the fire. Additional fire crews from surrounding areas were called in to assist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manitowoc County Sheriff: 43-year-old veteran found dead in Lake Michigan The fire was eventually extinguished, but the origin and cause of the blaze remain under investigation. To read the original story posted by Local Five, click here. An update from The Burlington Police Department states the homeowner, Robert A. Staton, has been taken into custody and is facing multiple charges, including Negligent Handling of Burning Materials, Unsafe Burning of Own Building, Resisting or Obstructing an Officer, and, Felony Bail Jumping. One person rescued from vehicle after collision with train closes roads in Wisconsin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Facebook post from the police department says that Staton is currently being held on a $15,800 bond at the Racine County Jail. Fire crews worked together with additional teams joining in until the flames were put out. The City of Burlington Fire Department thanked the Town of Burlington, Rochester, Wheatland, Lyons, Elkhorn, Raymond, South Shore, Salem Lakes, Lake Geneva, Bristol, Paris, the Racine County Fire Investigation Task Force, the Burlington Police Department, and the Racine Fire Bells for their assistance. No further details about the fire or the investigation have been released at this time. The investigation into the fires cause is ongoing. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. POTTSVILLE When Richard Melendez returned from assisting victims of Hurricane Helene with Skook Road Trip Relief in mid-October, he couldnt get the devastation he witnessed out of his mind. So, Melendez went back and spent three weeks working in the recovery effort at hard-hit Asheville. On a third trip, he cleared downed trees in Pensacola, a mountain town where more than half of the 524 residents are over 50 years old. It was horrific, said Melendez, 68, former owner of Patterson Hardscape & Supply in Mount Carmel. The people are devastated, and theres no sign of fixing it anytime soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Early Sunday morning, Melendez will make another trip to North Carolina. This time, he will be in his fifth-wheel equipped Ram 3500 pickup, pulling a large camper to Todd, North Carolina, about an hour from Asheville. With him will be Charlie Stancavage, a Pottsville man whos donating the camper to a North Carolina family. Chatting with Jeff Dunkel recently at the Mechanicsville Fish & Game Association, Stancavage learned of the critical need for housing in North Carolina. Stancavage had a 35-foot Chateau camper that he and his late wife, Sally, bought about 15 years ago. Though it has been in storage, the side pull-out style camper is in good condition and has all the amenities Queen and bunk beds, kitchen, running water and sewage hookups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though it harbors memories of good times at Camp-A-While campground, Hegins, Stancavage believed it could be used by a needy family that lost everything to the hurricane. If somebody can use it, Im happy to donate it, said Stancavage, 70, a retired truck driver. I hope it helps out a little bit. Stancavage put new tires on the unit, which will be delivered with a new generator purchased with remaining funds from the more than $100,000 raised for the first Skook Road Trip Relief. One of the organizers of the relief effort, Dunkel said winters coming on in the mountains of North Carolina, where some families are still living in tents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, the area was hit with 45 mph winds and a couple inches of snow. A local family donated a camper that was recently delivered to Marion, North Carolina, he said. Next week, Dunkel will tow a camper donated by a former Lake Wynonah resident to North Carolina. The campers are delivered with dishes, bedding, staples and toys for kids. I posted an Amazon wish list with 87 items, and everything was bought within four hours, Dunkel said. Its amazing the way the people of Schuylkill County have responded to this disaster. What if doing something good was as easy as buying a can of soda? For a second year, the Light the World Giving Machine returns to Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto to help local organizations get items they need to the people who need them most. The idea started with somebody thinking of how you could turn a vending machine into a giving machine. It started with one location, and this year we have 106 locations in 13 countries and five continents, said Troy Mangrum, communications director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Lodi-Turlock region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mangrum said holiday gifting can be daunting, with so many opportunities to give. This option allows someone to do good locally and have a significant impact simply by pressing a button. The machines have contributed over $32 million in worldwide donations to both local and international charities since launching in 2017. Modesto city councilmember Jeremiah Williams has a picture taken with his chosen donation during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Light the World Giving Machine at the Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. Last year, a Giving Machine in Vintage Faire Mall generated more than 2,600 items donated over three weeks. This year, Mangrum said the vending machine will be operate for six weeks, Nov. 22 through Jan. 1. We used to share a machine with Sacramento, but the enthusiasm for donations allowed us to request a separate machine for the Modesto area, he said. The local charities benefiting this year are The Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus, Al-Misbaah Charitable Aid, Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County, West Modesto Community Collaborative, and Catholic Charities, Diocese of Stockton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The machine also offers donations to global charities such as The Academy for Creating Enterprise and World Food Program USA. Mangrum said donations start at $5 for 10 healthy meals from The Food Initiative of Greater Stanislaus and can go up to $120 for mental health support from West Modesto Community Collaborative, giving a wide range of options for all gifting levels. For $75, you can even donate a pair of piglets and business mentoring from the Academy for Creating Enterprise. A full list of available items is at www.givingmachinesgreatersacramento.org. Mangrum said part of the fun is involving the whole family in choosing items to purchase. I showed this to my grandchildren and they all had their items picked out, he said, When they go down to the machine, we talk about the charities who provide this, so its helping them to have a giving spirit and to have that happiness in their life. A unique feature of this initiative is that 100% of the donations go to the charity. Mangrum said the LDS church covers all credit card and administrative fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once a purchase is made, a card with details of the item is dispensed. Last years first donor was Mayor Sue Zwahlen, who Mangrum said will again be the first patron. The Light the World Giving Machine is open during mall hours on the first floor near JCPenney and Champs Sports. It will be open from until Jan. 1. For more information, and to donate online, visit www.givingmachinesgreatersacramento.org/whats-inside-modesto. Jasmine Corena from the West Modesto Community Collaborative tells how the giving machine donations from last year impacted the community during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Light the World Giving Machine at the Vintage Faire Mall in Modesto, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024. PICKETT COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) An investigation by members of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Pickett County authorities that lasted more than 18 months led to the arrest of a man for sexual exploitation of a minor Friday. The TBI said special agents from its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) squad worked with the Pickett County Sheriffs Office and the office of 13th Judicial District Attorney General Bryant Dunaway on this case. Ashland City man convicted for possession of child porn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in April 2023, ICAC agents got a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) about a cloud storage account containing child sexual abuse material, according to officials. Over the course of the investigation, authorities said they identified Wade Ellis Williams, a convicted sex offender from Pall Mall, as the owner of the account. Then, in July 2023, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Williams home, seizing multiple electronic devices that reportedly had more than 100 files of child sexual abuse material stored on them. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee More than a year later, on Friday, Nov. 22, the TBI said agents and deputies arrested 51-year-old Williams and charged him with sexual exploitation of a minor. He was booked into the Pickett County Jail on a $1 million bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional details have been released about this investigation. If you have any information about online child exploitation cases, youre asked to contact the TBI Tipline at at 1-800-TBI-FIND or TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov. You can also report it via the NCMEC CyberTipline. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. WANTAGH, N.Y. (PIX11) A pedestrian was hit and killed by a police vehicle on Long Island on Friday, authorities said. The incident happened in Wantagh at 6:28 a.m., according to the Nassau County Police Department. More Local News A Nassau County police vehicle hit and killed a man who was attempting to cross westbound over Wantagh Avenue at the intersection of Duck Pond Drive North, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pedestrian suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at a hospital, police said. Police identified the victim as 22-year-old Wantagh resident Marc Salomone. The New York Attorney Generals Office of Special Investigation is investigating the incident. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images People in Pakistan could soon lose access to their VPN apps as the government sets the deadline for November 30, 2024, to implement a new policy regulating VPN usage. The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is urging businesses and freelance workers to register their VPN services before the end of the month to avoid disruptions. The debate is still ongoing on whether or not commercial VPNs should also be blocked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What's certain is that residents increasingly rely on virtual private network (VPN) tools as a way to access restricted social media apps like X (formerly Twitter) which has been blocked since February. VPNs are also security software that anyone can use to boost their online privacy. Crackdown on "unregistered VPNs" The new directive doesn't come as a surprise. The government first shared plans to regulate the use of VPNs back in August, in fact, to curb VPN misuse. Authorities have also deemed unregistered VPNs a "security risk" for Pakistan as they can be used to access "sensitive data." VPN usage is still permitted in Pakistan for legitimate purposes. These include banking, foreign missions, corporate enterprises, universities, IT companies, call centers, and freelance professionals. "We don't say block the VPNs, but to regulate the VPNs. If somebody needs a VPN for business purposes, for some positive use, nobody will stop him, let me reassure you, we will facilitate him," said PTA chairman Major General (r) Hafeezur Rehman on Thursday at the Youth Safety Summit Pakistan conference organized together with TikTok and the PTA (see video above). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rehman also pointed out that PTA issued the first letter for VPN registration almost "15 years ago," in December 2010. VPN usage at risk for all? As the deadline approaches, digital rights experts are worried that the new policy could negatively affect Pakistanis' rights to privacy, free speech, and free access to information. As the Pakistani English-speaking publication Dawn reported at the beginning of the week, Rehman told the Senate that the PTA was only registering commercial VPNs. Nonetheless, "individuals should not access unauthorized social media apps or websites through VPNs," he added. Since then, some Pakistani lawmakers have questioned the PTA's authority to block non-commercial VPNs. Gytis Malinauskas, Head of Legal at VPN provider Surfshark, told TechRadar that, at the moment, it is still difficult to determine the impact such a plan will have on consumers. "It's still unclear how it will be implemented in practice if implemented at all," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do you know? VPN encrypting a flow of data The best VPN apps are security software that encrypts your internet connections to prevent snooping. They also spoof your real IP address location to boost anonymity and grant access to otherwise geo-restricted content. However, according to Malinauskas, it seems that the government aims to prevent users from accessing certain websites/services by blocking VPN access for people who are not registered as VPN users in Pakistan. Just a week ago, in fact, Pakistan's top religious body said that using a VPN service to access blocked content goes against Islamic law, calling for a ban. The Ministry of Interior also called to block all "illegal" VPNs, claiming that terrorists use these tools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This further contributes to a worrying trend of internet censorship and limitation of peoples digital rights in Pakistan," said Malinauskas. As Surfshark's Internet Shutdown Tracker shows, Pakistan imposed six nationwide internet restrictions in 2024 alone. Many popular social media apps cannot be accessed without a VPN until this day. Instagram was the first to be blocked in May 2023, X went dark starting in February this year, and then Facebook in July. Authorities also blocked Bluesky on Thursday as the platform gained momentum worldwide as X's alternative. One person has been hospitalized after an overnight shooting outside a restaurant in Lynn. According to police, officers received a call for shots fired outside Mama Blanca Restaurant & Lounge on Oxford Steet around 12:17 a.m. Upon arrival, officers did not find a victim on the scene. Police say that restaurant workers told them they saw the victim get into a vehicle. It is unknown if the victim was driving the vehicle or was the passenger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police added that an unoccupied car was also hit by gunfire. Police say Boston Police later called Lynn officers and reported a victim had shown up to Mass. General Hospital with non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. There is no danger to the public. No arrests have been made and the shooting remains under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Philippine Justice Department said on Sunday it was investigating a threat by Vice President Sara Duterte to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself was killed. "The matter is now subject to an ongoing investigation," the department said. "If the evidence warrants, this could lead to eventual prosecution." Duterte made the statement in response to comments urging her to stay safe while she was at the House of Representatives, where her chief of staff was detained for failing to reply to questions during a hearing on alleged misuse of funds at the vice presidential office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This country is going to hell because we are led by a person who doesnt know how to be a president and who is a liar," she said in the profanity-laden briefing broadcast on her Facebook page on Saturday. Dont worry about my safety. I have talked to a person and I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM [Marcos], [First Lady] Liza Araneta, and [Speaker] Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke, she added. I said, do not stop until you kill them and he said yes. Legislators said the statement appeared to be an attempt by Duterte to divert attention from the investigation on the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.4 million) worth of Education Department funds. Thats just to divert attention from the unexplained utilization of 612.5 million pesos of confidential funds when she was still education secretary, House Deputy Speaker David Suarez said Sunday. They are experts in peddling bluffs, he added. The Philippine Justice Department said on Sunday it was investigating a threat by Vice President Sara Duterte to have President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assassinated if she herself was killed. "The matter is now subject to an ongoing investigation," the department said. "If the evidence warrants, this could lead to eventual prosecution." Duterte made the statement in response to comments urging her to stay safe while she was at the House of Representatives, where her chief of staff was detained for failing to reply to questions during a hearing on alleged misuse of funds at the vice presidential office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This country is going to hell because we are led by a person who doesnt know how to be a president and who is a liar," she said in the profanity-laden briefing broadcast on her Facebook page on Saturday. Dont worry about my safety. I have talked to a person and I said, if I get killed, go kill BBM [Marcos], [First Lady] Liza Araneta, and [Speaker] Martin Romualdez. No joke. No joke, she added. I said, do not stop until you kill them and he said yes. Legislators said the statement appeared to be an attempt by Duterte to divert attention from the investigation on the alleged misuse of 612.5 million pesos ($10.4 million) worth of Education Department funds. Thats just to divert attention from the unexplained utilization of 612.5 million pesos of confidential funds when she was still education secretary, House Deputy Speaker David Suarez said Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are experts in peddling bluffs, he added. Duterte resigned from her post as education secretary in Marcos Cabinet in June, indicating a crack in the political alliance that propelled the duo to a clear victory in 2022. She is the daughter of Marcos predecessor, who was notorious for his crude language and a controversial war on drugs that left thousands dead during his six-year term from 2016. The growing rift between the Marcos and Duterte political families and their allies is happening ahead of mid-term elections in May, when Filipinos are to vote for new members of the House of Representatives, half of the Senate and thousands of local officials. It will be a litmus test of Marcos popularity and an opportunity for him and his political allies to consolidate power. Two Phoenix-area police departments worked together to apprehend a suspect on the grounds of a police headquarters on Thursday night, according to the Tempe Police Department. About 11 p.m., Phoenix officers in the area of 27th Avenue and Glendale Avenue attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic violation, but the vehicle fled from the scene and was tracked to the Tempe area, according to Phoenix police Sgt. Rob Scherer. About 11:30 p.m., Tempe police received a call from Phoenix police requesting assistance in locating a suspect who had entered the downtown Tempe area, according to a news release from Tempe police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect reportedly drove into the parking garage of the Tempe police headquarters near Mill Avenue and Fifth Street, breaking through the guard arm blocking the entrance. "We cant make this stuff up!" read the Tempe police news release. While in the garage, the suspect reportedly jumped from the second floor and onto the courtyard, where he attempted to flee on foot before police arrested him, according to the Tempe police news release. Police found the man's vehicle on the second floor and a gun believed to belong to him on the third, according to Tempe police. The suspect was taken to the hospital and faced charges of felony flight related to the encounter with Phoenix police, in addition to criminal damage and trespassing while in Tempe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phoenix police said the suspect remained in the hospital on Saturday. Tempe police did not respond to The Arizona Republic's inquiry on the suspect's condition. 'I can't wait to watch him die': Mother of murdered Tempe woman reacts to arrest What to know: Man arrested in connection with Tempe woman Mercedes Vega's murder This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Tempe police arrest suspect on grounds of headquarters PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) An Amtrak train travelling through Northern Washington hit a fallen tree, causing the tree to impale the trains front windshield Tuesday night during a major bomb cyclone storm, authorities said. 20 cars stranded in snow on Union County road due to faulty GPS directions According to Washington State Department of Transportation, the incident happened just south of Stanwood when the tree went through the front window of a cab car after being hit. A fallen tree crashed through the window of an Amtrak train after the train hit the tree the night of Nov. 19, 2024. (Courtesy: Amtrak) A fallen tree crashed through the window of an Amtrak train after the train hit the tree the night of Nov. 19, 2024. (Courtesy: Amtrak) A fallen tree crashed through the window of an Amtrak train after the train hit the tree the night of Nov. 19, 2024. (Courtesy: Amtrak) A fallen tree crashed through the window of an Amtrak train after the train hit the tree the night of Nov. 19, 2024. (Courtesy: Amtrak) An engineer was taken to the hospital with minor injuries, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No other passengers or crew members were injured, authorities said. Thanksgiving weekend at PDX to see major increase in Alaska Airlines passengers According to WSDOT, the train was originally traveling from Vancouver, B.C. to Seattle and passengers were taken by bus to their final destinations. Overall, the bomb cyclone battered the entire region with strong winds and rain, causing widespread power outages, closing schools and downed trees that killed at least two people in the same area of Northwest Washington earlier this week. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Determining the passage of time in our world of ticking clocks and oscillating pendulums is a simple case of counting the seconds between 'then' and 'now'. Down at the quantum scale of buzzing electrons, however, 'then' can't always be anticipated. Worse still, 'now' often blurs into a haze of vagueness. A stopwatch simply isn't going to work for some scenarios. A potential solution could be found in the very shape of the quantum fog itself, according to a 2022 study by researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their experiments on the wave-like nature of something called a Rydberg state revealed a novel way to measure time that doesn't require a precise starting point. Rydberg atoms are the over-inflated balloons of the particle kingdom. Puffed up with lasers instead of air, these atoms contain electrons in extremely high energy states, orbiting far from the nucleus. Of course, not every pump of a laser needs to puff an atom up to cartoonish proportions. In fact, lasers are routinely used to tickle electrons into higher energy states for a variety of uses. In some applications, a second laser can be used to monitor the changes in the electron's position, including the passing of time. These 'pump-probe' techniques can be used to measure the speed of certain ultrafast electronics, for instance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inducing atoms into Rydberg states is a handy trick for engineers, not least when it comes to designing novel components for quantum computers. Needless to say, physicists have amassed a significant amount of information about the way electrons move about when nudged into a Rydberg state. Being quantum animals, though, their movements are less like beads sliding about on a tiny abacus, and more like an evening at the roulette table, where every roll and jump of the ball is squeezed into a single game of chance. The mathematical rule book behind this wild game of Rydberg electron roulette is referred to as a Rydberg wave packet. Just like actual waves, having more than one Rydberg wave packet rippling about in a space creates interference, resulting in unique patterns of ripples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throw enough Rydberg wave packets into the same atomic pond, and those unique patterns will each represent the distinct time it takes for the wave packets to evolve in accordance with one another. Electrons moving when nudged into a Rydberg state are less like beads sliding about on a tiny abacus, and more like an evening at the roulette table, where every roll and jump of the ball is squeezed into a single game of chance. ( graphics.vp/Canva It was these very 'fingerprints' of time that the physicists behind this set of experiments set out to test, showing they were consistent and reliable enough to serve as a form of quantum timestamping. Their research involved measuring the results of laser-excited helium atoms and matching their findings with theoretical predictions to show how their signature results could stand in for a duration of time. "If you're using a counter, you have to define zero. You start counting at some point," physicist Marta Berholts from the University of Uppsala in Sweden, who led the team, explained to New Scientist in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The benefit of this is that you don't have to start the clock you just look at the interference structure and say 'okay, it's been 4 nanoseconds.'" A guidebook of evolving Rydberg wave packets could be used in combination with other forms of pump-probe spectroscopy that measure events on a tiny scale, when now and then are less clear, or simply too inconvenient to measure. Importantly, none of the fingerprints require a then and now to serve as a starting and stopping point for time. It'd be like measuring an unknown sprinter's race against a number of competitors running at set speeds. By looking for the signature of interfering Rydberg states amid a sample of pump-probe atoms, technicians could observe a timestamp for events as fleeting as just 1.7 trillionths of a second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Future quantum watch experiments could replace helium with other atoms, or even use laser pulses of different energies, to broaden the guidebook of timestamps to suit a broader range of conditions. This research was published in Physical Review Research. An earlier version of this article was published in October 2022. Related News GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) On this To The Point, the election of 2024 changed the balance of power in Lansing. Well talk about what that could mean with state Rep. John Fitzgerald, D-Wyoming. I want us to be productive, I want us to be responsive, and I want us to really find again, those consensus-building areas that if nothing else we can be pragmatic for the people of Michigan. That is my hope for this coming term, and Ill work to be a part of that solution, Fitzgerald said. What state government will look like in the coming year on this To The Point episode for the weekend of Nov. 23. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The New Smyrna Beach Police Department are on the lookout for a suspected armed robber who allegedly held up a convenience store Saturday. NSBPD responded around 6:21 a.m. to the Circle K located at 2450 State Road 44, where a white male with a firearm reportedly demanded money from the cash register before running off, according to NSBPD. The suspect was described as around 6 feet, 4 inches tall and between 40 to 60 years of age with dark-brown hair and a blue mask with yellow stripes, according to a facebook post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No injuries occurred during the robbery. Read: Warm weather returns after quick cold front Anyone with any information is asked to contact NSBPD. Stay with Channel 9 for the latest updates. Read: Have you seen him? Police search for missing 12-year-old boy in Orlando Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. A suspect is in custody after leading Los Angeles police on a car chase Saturday afternoon that ended in the death of a driver and injuries to two other people in the San Fernando Valley. About 1:45 p.m., officers spotted a stolen white Mercedes near the intersection of Vanowen Street and Corbin Avenue in Winnetka, according to LAPD Officer Mike Lopez. As the officers followed the car, Lopez said, the driver of the Mercedes accelerated away, prompting a pursuit. As the driver fled, he struck a white Tesla that was westbound on Saticoy Street, police said. The Tesla then hit two other cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect, a 42-year-old man, was taken into custody and transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. The Tesla driver, a 40-year-old woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. Another woman in a car hit by the Tesla was treated at the scene, and a man from a separate car was taken to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Police had not released the name of the suspect but said they would do so once he was booked. Almost half of the people injured or killed during police chases in Los Angeles since 2018 were bystanders, according to LAPD data released last year. According to findings presented to the Board of Police Commissioners, LAPD officers have been involved in at least 4,203 pursuits since 2018; roughly a quarter (1,032) resulted in a crash that caused injuries or death. Nearly half of those injury crashes hurt people who werent involved in the chase with 496 injured and nine killed. By comparison, 462 fleeing suspects were injured in that span, with five dying, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under LAPD policy, officers are allowed to initiate a pursuit in response to a suspected felony or for certain misdemeanors such as reckless or drunk driving. 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. Police in Georgia are seeking the publics help in locating a 36-year-old woman wanted for aggravated assault. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The incident happened on Oct. 26 and was all caught on camera, according to Albany police. According to police, Keshundra Latese Jones, 36, used an SUV to run over her boyfriend. She also hit a fence at a local motel, authorities said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her last known address was in the 1300 block of E. Society Ave. Jones is wanted for aggravated assault and criminal trespass. Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 229-436-8477 or the Albany Police Department at 229-302-0756. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Police are seeking suspects in the fatal shooting of a Long Beach woman inside her home in an attack that investigators believe is not random. Long Beach Police Department officers responded to a report of a woman shot at a home in the 900 block of Gaviota Avenue at 11:42 a.m. Friday, according to a statement from the department. They found a young woman with a gunshot wound to her upper body. Long Beach Fire personnel transported the woman to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was identified as Justice Lopez, 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a preliminary investigation, homicide detectives do not believe this was a random attack, the statement said. Detectives believe Lopez was approached by a male suspect inside her home who shot her before fleeing on foot. The motive is not clear, police said. They did not have further details as of Saturday afternoon. Police urge anyone with relevant information to contact homicide detectives Oscar Valenzuela or Michael Hubbard at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted by calling 800-222-TIPS or online at www.lacrimestoppers.org . 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. Polish farmers ended their blockade of the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing with Ukraine on the evening of 24 November. Source: Western Regional Directorate of Ukraine's State Border Guard Service Quote: "Polish farmers have stopped blocking the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing. The Polish side reported that the blockade of freight traffic by Polish farmers at the Medyka border crossing has ended. As of now, the protesters have ceased their demonstration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crossing of all types of vehicles is now operating as usual." Background: The blockade at the Medyka-Shehyni border crossing began on the morning of 23 November. Polish farmers cited two main reasons for their protest. The first was dissatisfaction with the failure to maintain the agricultural tax at the 2023 level in 2024. The second was concerns over the European Unions potential agreement on a free trade deal with South American MERCOSUR countries (Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay). On 24 November, Ukraine's State Border Guard Service reported that Polish farmers had blocked the crossing for two days, adding that the protest might continue. Support UP or become our patron! SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) A 36-year-old Portland man is facing decades in prison after being convicted of sex crimes involving minors, according to officials. In a ruling on Friday, Nov. 22, the District Attorneys office said a Sumner County Criminal Court jury found Sergio Bermudez guilty of two counts of continuous sexual abuse of a child, 10 counts of aggravated sexual battery, and seven counts of sexual battery by an authority figure. Pall Mall man charged with sexual exploitation of minor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said this marks Sumner Countys first conviction under the Child Protection Act. Charges were first brought against Bermudez in 2019 after three children came forward and reported he had sexually abused them for years, according to the District Attorneys office. Ashland City man convicted for possession of child porn Bermudez is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 7, 2025. Officials said he faces up to 138 years in prison without the possibility of parole or early release. No additional details have been released about this case. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A local non-profit is making sure hundreds of families have a festive Thanksgiving meal. Product of the Project held its 5th annual Thanksgiving Turkey giveaway Saturday afternoon at the Meca Center in Peoria. They gave out 700 turkeys this year on a first-come, first-serve basis. CEO and founder Antwaun Banks said its incredible to see how far the organization has grown in just five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I started the organization from a logo. So to be able to see it grow to this with the pop turkey drive, the college tour, the safer streets, just all the different things we can do, said Banks. It is fulfilling for me to be to give some things back to the community I once took some things out of. Product of the Project will hold its Christmas toy drive on December 21st. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Progressives are debating who should lead their movement as they seek to remake the Democratic Party in a new populist mold following devastating losses in November. Initial conversations are starting to take place on the left among political strategists, activists and sources close to lawmakers about who is poised to advocate for their flank in the coming Trump era. Some believe the progressive left is at its best without a dominant figurehead tethered to Washington, instead shifting much of the power and influence within the movement to the grassroots. The progressive movement is strongest when we arent overreliant on any single leader to guide us forward, said Usamah Andrabi, spokesperson for Justice Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After helping to identify and recruit progressive candidates from working-class backgrounds, Andrabi says he sees an upside when we build the collective power of the people that no amount of corporate influence or super PAC spending can break. As progressives prepare to face an incoming Republican-controlled Senate and House, some believe theres even more of an imperative to seize on the anger felt toward Democrats who lost both the executive and legislative branches of government and channel it toward a search for a strong leader. Theyre especially not going to care now that the Democrats got [handled] so thoroughly, said Nina Turner, who co-chaired Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) 2020 presidential campaign. Theyre going to say they dont want more of the same. The Democrats need an opposite and equal force in terms of celebrity, Turner said, referring to President-elect Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finding that celebrity figure a charismatic leader who resoundingly rejects corporatism has its challenges in a capitalist country. But progressives like Turner are urging fellow leftists to look beyond places like the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which is thought of as a go-to pool of liberal talent, for rising stars. Very few of them have charisma, Turner said. They have a title that gets media attention. But they cant motivate. Trump was an anomaly in that, she continued. He was able to galvanize in a moment when people were desperate for change. And were right back in that moment now. To me, the progressive left has the strength because this is our moment. The masses of people on the Democratic side or people who would lean Democrat, theyre over mainstream Democrats, she said. Theyre saying yall lost. Who builds a monument to the losers? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Figures on the outside are, for now, operating on a smaller scale than those who hold office. Alternative media personalities like Cenk Uygur, Kyle Kulinski and Turner herself are being talked about in some circles, along with former squad members and former Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Jamaal Bowman (D-N.Y.), who have ties to urban activism. Progressives close to Sanders privately agree that at 83, he likely wont be at the top of the ticket again, and they have begun whispering about who could realistically take up his economic populist message and potentially have his blessing. But many also believe they need to turn to their existing talent to find someone who could replace him. In the House, two young congresswomen, Reps. Summer Lee (D-Pa.), 36, and Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), 41, are being quietly discussed, along with Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), who also served as a top adviser for Sanderss 2020 campaign, and the widely known Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Sens. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) and Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) have been critical of Democrats in the past few weeks, creating postelection buzz about their future aspirations. Murphy, who has worked with Sanders on anti-war initiatives, publicly agreed with some of the Vermont senators critiques of the corporate influence of the party, while Fetterman said he would consider voting for several of Trumps Cabinet nominees. Both approaches went against the establishment Democratic ethos, which is to resist Trump wholeheartedly and not appear too critical of the centrist election playbook. Campaign operatives who have spent the past cycles getting progressive candidates ready for prime time, however, believe this is their chance to change up the Democratic blueprint and encourage fresh talent to step up. To get there, theyll face several key tests, including the 2026 midterms, and before that, the race to lead the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Conversations about 2028 could be informed by that choice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some believe the top DNC job is largely symbolic it doesnt have sway over legislation, for example it will be the first tangible marker of the ideological direction of a party out of power in early January following the losses this fall. Progressives are weighing our options, but its clear the fight right now is for party leadership, said one senior Democratic source directly familiar with current talks around the early list of names. Progressives are pushing for Ben Wikler and Ken Martin, the state party chairs of Wisconsin and Minnesota, respectively, but are already fearful that a bigger national figure, Rahm Emanuel, a staunch centrist who served as Chicago mayor and former President Obamas chief of staff, is the front-runner. Martin has officially declared his candidacy, while Wikler has so far been quiet. If the DNC opts for Rahm Emanuel, good luck, the source said. You will see a [mass] exodus from the party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ocasio-Cortez, whose megaphone reverberates far beyond Congress, also shared her distress over Emanuels name being floated: There is a disease in Washington of Democrats who spend more time listening to the donor class than working people, Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. If you want to know the seed of the partys political crisis, thats it. Another moderate, former Maryland Gov. Martin OMalley, has also tossed his name into the race. The ideological battle to helm the DNC is expected to foreshadow the ongoing fights that have centrists blaming progressives for their losses and vice versa. Its also happening amid some smaller fights among progressives themselves, who are debating how much to prioritize things like personal identity over economic class. Governors are historically considered to be prime presidential candidates-in-training, and many statewide Democratic executives are expected to play a key role in the anti-Trump effort. But while traditional Democrats in the party eye up leaders like California Gov. Gavin Newsom, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, progressives dont see many names who meet their populist criteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One exception, some note, is Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who was considered on Vice President Harriss running mate shortlist. By sheer geography alone, the 46-year-old presides over one of the top 10 rural states in the country. The guy who, I dont know, who is impressing me right now is Beshear, said one former Sanders 2016 adviser who worked on issues affecting rural voters. He has a solid list of economic accomplishments. And did not shy away from the cultural stuff, the former adviser said. He might be able to make the argument Im proof caring for these other things doesnt mean you cant deliver for everyday people where it really matters. The pocketbook. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A view in autumn between Telluride and Dolores Scenic Highway 145 in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. (Craig Zerbe/Getty Images) Fall is here and hunting season is in full swing. Even as many of us turn our thoughts to filling freezers, its important not to lose sight of the conservation fights at our doorstep. For those who arent familiar with the 920-page manifesto that is Project 2025, just Google it. Its a blueprint for dismantling American democracy and includes something (bad) for everyone, including hunters, anglers and anyone who recreates on our great public lands estate. Like many Colorado elk (and other) hunters, I depend on public lands for hunting, hiking, camping, canoeing, and outdoor recreation in general. More importantly, wildlife species like deer, ducks, grouse, turkeys, and dozens more need that habitat for their survival. As I noted in a July Colorado Newsline opinion piece (Project 2025 is coming for our public lands), the Department of Interior section of Project 2025 starts on page 517 and includes, for example, the following proposals: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restoring mining claims and oil and gas leases in Colorados Thompson Divide Reviewing national monument designations with an eye to reducing their size Seeking repeal of the Antiquities Act of 1906 One proposal calls for a repeal of the Biden administrations withdrawal of mineral and energy leases on 221,000 acres in the Thompson Divide. And then theres national monuments created with the Antiquities Act, which has been used by 18 of 21 presidents since 1906 to establish or enlarge 163 national monuments. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Hunters, anglers and other public lands advocates are encouraging President Joe Biden to protect the Dolores River Canyons region in southwest Colorado as a national monument. A multitude of stakeholders, including Sportsmen For The Dolores, are rallying outdoors enthusiasts to help push this proposal over the finish line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in 2019 then-President Donald Trump reduced the size of Utahs Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument by 45% and the Bears Ears National Monument by 85%, removing more than 2.2 million acres of protected public lands. The Trump administration went on to orchestrate the largest reduction of protected public lands in U.S. history, according to a study published in Science, an academic journal. It worked to weaken safeguards for nearly 35 million acres. Its no surprise, then, that the public lands-related (and other) Project 2025 proposals are very unpopular. A September 2024 Newsweek story (Project 2025s Unpopularity Continues to Grow) references an NBC News poll that shows 57 percent of voters view Project 2025 as unfavorable, with only 4 percent seeing it as favorable. Unfortunately, Project 2025 proponents are now primed to take control of our federal government. This will inevitably lead to more public lands habitat degradation, if for no other reason due to their drill, baby, drill mantra, and more motorized and mechanized trails on public lands. The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership estimates that 40% of Colorados most important elk habitat is affected by recreational trail use. Every Colorado Parks and Wildlife district wildlife manager I talk to emphasizes that the proliferation of motorized and mechanized trails (legal and illegal) is negatively impacting elk herds. In addition, multiple Western states have thrown their support behind a Utah lawsuit that could transfer millions of acres of public land into private hands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an amicus brief filed by Wyoming, Idaho, Alaska, and the Arizona State Legislature endorsed Utahs request to have their case heard by the Supreme Court. Selling off BLM land in an auction would allow private interests to swoop in and turn what was protected wildlife habitat or hunting grounds into whatever those developers could imagine, MeatEater conservation director Ryan Callaghan explained. Since the election theres (rightly so) been a lot of handwringing and angst amongst those of us who now find ourselves preparing to play defense against a determined but misguided foe. So, take a week or two to shake off the shellshock and self-pity, and then get up and get back to work! Conservation derives from the Latin conservare, meaning to keep guard. As Americas first conservationists, hunters have a century-old tradition of protecting public lands habitat and fighting those driven by myopic greed. Although greed never sleeps, neither do we when it comes to the protection of our wild public lands, waters and wildlife. Project 2025s minions think they have a mandate to dismantle democracy, public lands, and everything thats good and decent about these United States of America. They underestimate our resolve. They will overreach, badly, and well be there, waiting. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A prominent Staten Island pediatrician accused of mowing down a dad and his 6-year-old daughter before leaving the scene of a January crash paid a $300 fine to make it all go away. Dr. Sam Leuzzi, 66, of Middletown, N.J., cut a plea deal with the Staten Island District Attorneys office this month where he receives no prison time just a fine and community service, court records show. But the pain lingers for Guy Seth and daughter Zoey, who both suffered traumatic brain injuries, and Malgorzata (Gosia) Seth, the wife and mom who became their caretaker. The Seths Gosia, Guy, and Zoey with their Yorkie, Coco. A family friend created a GoFundMe to ease their mounting medical bills. Brian Zak/NY Post Dr. Sam Leuzzi is a prominent pediatrician on Staten Island. He was arrested in January on a charge of leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it, a misdemeanor, cops said. Staten Island Advance Dr. Leuzzi destroyed our life on January 9th. We wish we could pay $300 to someone and get our life back! Guy Seth fumed to The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leuzzi drove his black GMC truck into Seth and Zoey, who was sitting on her dads shoulders while crossing the busy corner of Arthur Kill and Drumgoole roads in Greenridge with the family Yorkie around 5:10 p.m., police said. They were in the crosswalk. I would love to know why he [Leuzzi] left the scene of the accident. It just boggles my mind, said Seth, 52, a former NYPD maintenance worker who still suffers from chronic headaches, double vision, facial numbness and severe hearing loss in his left ear. Guy Seth and his 6-year-old daughter Zoey were crossing the street inside of the designated crosswalk an intersection on Staten Island Jan. 9 when they were struck by a black truck, police said. Brian Zak/NY Post The crash permanently harmed my family, resulting in severe physical and psychological damage, the devastated dad noted during his impact statement at Leuzzis Nov. 13 sentencing. A summer 2023 photo. Neither dad nor daughter remembers being struck, but witnesses told the family Guy Seth who stands 5-foot-11 and weighs 184 pounds, was walking with 3-foot-6, 38-pound Zoey on his shoulders and holding her legs, when they were hit by the black truck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The little girl fractured her skull, requiring surgery and a titanium plate, and the father suffered a catastrophic, traumatic brain injury, said family attorney Ravi Batra, who in September filed a notice of claim that he is planning to sue the city Department of Transportation for $101 million. I would love to know why he [Leuzzi] left the scene of the accident. It just boggles my mind, fumed Guy Seth, 52, a former NYPD maintenance worker. Aristide Economopoulos Leuzzi was arrested the day after the crash and charged with leaving the scene of an accident without reporting it, a misdemeanor, according to the criminal complaint. I was driving. I was turning left and I struck a pedestrian, an adult, and child, the pediatrician later told investigators, according to a complaint. I did not tell anyone I was the driver, I did not give my information because nobody asked me. I left. I felt terrible what had happened and I was going to go to the police precinct in the morning. Dr. Leuzzi was sentenced to a $300 fine and 100 hours of community service. Facebook Leuzzi apologized to the family during his sentencing, but directed his comments towards Judge Lisa Grey and not his victims, the familys lawyer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, no justice system can sentence Dr. Leuzzi to have the same pain and suffering as the Seth family does for the rest of their life, Batra told The Post. Guy Seth, who suffered a traumatic brain injury, told the sentencing judge, Thank God I did not die in the accident. Leuzzis lawyer, Joseph Corozzo, previously insisted his client remained on the scene tending to both parties and waited for the ambulance to take the father and daughter to the hospital. Said Corozzo on the plea deal: After proving himself remorseful and accepting responsibility for his violation of a class B misdemeanor, Dr. Leuzzi was sentenced to a conditional discharge, $300 dollar fine and a continued order of protection. Dr. Leuzzis charged conduct involved his failure to display his license and proof of insurance during the twenty minutes that he remained at the scene of the accident attending to the injured parties. The crash permanently harmed my family, resulting in severe physical and psychological damage, devastated dad Guy Seth, seen here with Zoey, told the court at Leuzzis sentencing. Brian Zak/NY Post Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leuzzi, who was indicted on a felony charge for leaving the scene of an accident, pleaded guilty to a charge of leaving the scene of an incident causing physical injury without reporting a misdemeanor. He faced up to a year in jail had he gone to trial and been convicted of the top charge. The Staten Island District Attorneys office did not return messages. Leuzzi is not named in the pending suit against the city, whose claim alleges the city Department of Transportation negligently designed and created the dangerous intersection of Arthur Kill Road and Drumgoole [Road] West. (WKBN) As we are only days away from Thanksgiving, it is time to start thawing your turkey. Read next: Update on possible Thanksgiving storm According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, while frozen, a turkey is safe indefinitely. As soon as it begins to thaw, bacteria that may have been present before freezing will begin to grow again. Here are some safe ways to dethaw your Thanksgiving bird: Refrigerator Thawing (Most Recommended) Thawing a turkey in a refrigerator is the safest method because it will thaw at a consistent, safe temperature. This method takes some time, so allow one day for each four to five pounds of weight. If your turkey weighs 16 pounds, it will take about four days to thaw. Once thawed, the turkey is safe for another two days, so you can start thawing it six days before Thanksgiving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cold Water Thawing leave the turkey in its original wrapping and submerge it in a sink or container full of cold water. The water must be cold so that the turkey stays at a safe temperature. You should change the water every 30 minutes. Empty out the water and replace it with fresh cold water. This method allows 30 minutes of defrosting time per pound, so a 16-pound turkey will take eight hours to thaw using this method. Once the turkey has thawed, cook it immediately. Microwave Thawing Before you commit to thawing your turkey in the microwave, check your owners manual for the size of turkey that will fit in your microwave oven, the minutes per pound and the power level to use when thawing a turkey. Remove all outside wrapping and place the turkey on a microwave-safe dish to catch any leaking juices. Use the defrost function based on weight. As a general rule, allow six minutes per pound when thawing a turkey in the microwave. Be sure to rotate it several times and flip it during thawing. If the turkey starts to actually cook instead of just defrosting, let it rest for five minutes or so before you resume thawing. Partway through thawing you may wish to cover the tips of the wings and drumsticks with a small piece of foil to shield them from the microwaves and keep them from cooking. Once the turkey has thawed, you should cook it immediately. How not to thaw a turkey thawing a turkey on the counter, in the garage or on the back porch thawing a turkey in a brown paper grocery bag or plastic garbage bag using the dishwasher to thaw a turkey (with or without water) any method that is not the refrigerator, cold water or the microwave Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How to Cook a Frozen Turkey It is perfectly safe to cook a turkey in a frozen state; it will just take longer to cook. A solidly frozen turkey will take at least 50 percent longer to cook than a thawed turkey. If your turkey is only partially frozen, remember that it will take a bit longer to cook. Use your food thermometer, and when your bird measures 165F in the innermost part of the thigh, the innermost part of the wing and the thickest part of the breast, it is ready. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Its time New York City ditches the sanctuary policies that protect criminal migrants and endanger New Yorkers, a Queens Democrat urged this week after some inspiration from President-elect Trumps new border czar. I write with grave concern about the continued impact of New Yorks sanctuary state and city policies, which not only violate [federal law] but also put New Yorkers in harms way, said moderate Councilman Robert Holden in a letter Wednesday to Mayor Adams, Gov. Hochul and top city and state legislative leaders. Federal statute explicitly prohibits the harboring, shielding, or concealing of illegal aliens, particularly those engaged in criminal activities, he added. Queens Councilman Robert Holden called on New York City and state leaders to ditch sanctuary city policies. Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Image Holden said he was inspired to write his letter after seeing President-elect Trumps border czar pick Tom Homans warning to sanctuary cities. AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File Holden called on Adams, Hochul and leaders on the City Council and state Legislature to back stalled legislation he co-sponsored over the summer to repeal migrant-friendly sanctuary laws that limit local law enforcements ability to cooperate with the feds on immigration matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The councilman told The Post he was inspired to write the letter after hearing Trumps incoming border czar Tom Homan warn local leaders across the country days earlier he wont tolerate them continuing to break the law. Homan sent the letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and other legislative leaders. Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images Holden called on the leaders to support a bill he co-sponsored repealing sanctuary city laws. Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire/Shutterstock Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a felony to harbor and conceal illegal aliens from [federal immigration officers] Dont cross that line! Homan told Fox News. Mayor Adams has said repeatedly that we will continue to uphold [NYCs] sanctuary city laws, but we must have a serious conversation about the small number of individuals who repeatedly commit violent crimes and the consequences they face, as well as fix our unsuccessful border policies, said his spokesperson. Adams, a moderate Democrat, doesnt have the political support needed of the City Councils far-left majority to change the laws. Reps for Hochul didnt return messages. An Israeli rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been murdered in what is believed to have been a targeted killing, Israeli officials said on Sunday. Zvi Kogan, who ran a kosher supermarket in Dubai, was found dead in Abu Dhabi after his abandoned car was discovered an hour away from his home. The UAEs interior ministry said on Sunday that three suspects had been arrested over his death, which they listed as a murder, without proving further details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli-Moldovan rabbi was an envoy of Chabad, an Orthodox Jewish organisation that seeks to build links with secular Jews and other sects of the faith. The 28-year-old worked with Chabad emissaries to expand Jewish life in the Emirates, the organisation said in a statement. On Sunday, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, vowed to punish the killers, saying in a statement: The murder of Zvi Kogan is a criminal anti-Semitic terrorist incident. The State of Israel will act in all of its abilities to bring to justice the criminals responsible for his death. The young rabbi, a public face of Israels growing footprint in the UAE, had also served in the elite Givati unit of the Israeli military. @dudikepler Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli security experts said suspicion for the crime fell on Iran. Oded Ailam, a former head of counter-intelligence at Israels Mossad, told The Telegraph: The case raises a wave of questions and speculation about what happened, with Iran immediately suspected of being behind the incident. The pattern of action attributed to the Iranians is well known recruiting local or foreign criminals to carry out acts of sabotage, kidnapping or assassination. Iran is suspected of kidnapping and later killing Abbas Yazdi, a British-Iranian national, in Dubai in 2013, although Tehran has denied involvement. Iran also kidnapped Jamshid Sharmahd, an Iranian-German national, from Dubai in 2020, taking him back to Tehran, where he was executed last month. Reuters reported that according to court documents and public statements by government officials, there have been at least 33 assassination or abduction attempts in the West in which local or Israeli authorities allege an Iran link since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UAEs Jewish community has been the fastest growing community in the Middle East since the 2020 US-brokered Abraham Accords, which opened ties between Israel and Arab states including the UAE. Hundreds of Israelis and Jews from the diaspora now call the UAE home, with many young rabbis such as Mr Kogan among those serving the community. Choosing the Emirates as an arena for action is a statement in itself, said Mr Ailam. This is a very complex target, a country that excels in advanced security mechanisms including a network of smart cameras and sophisticated surveillance software. In addition, the Emirates boasts an effective security system, although it has not always proven its effectiveness, and allies such as Israel and the United States. The choice to operate there specifically indicates Iranian desperation and a willingness to risk a harsh diplomatic response from the UAE. Rabbi Zvi Kogan worked with Chabad emissaries to expand Jewish life in the Emirates, the organisation said The UAE and Iran reopened diplomatic ties in 2022. Intelligence agents would be investigating any links between Iran and the killers, said Mr Ailam. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not surprising that at this stage the authorities in the UAE are refraining from public statements attacking Iran, and are devoting their efforts to clandestine activity. The assumption is that they are focusing on trying to locate the culprits, he said. Along with the intensive activity of the local authorities, it can be assumed that Mossad and the CIA are also cooperating in the investigation. If Iran is indeed indicted, it will be another blow to its international image. Ronen Solomon, an Israeli security analyst, said Mr Kogan was a vulnerable target, with his routine of travelling from his home in Abu Dhabi to Dubai each day. His number was accessible because he managed Dubais kosher supermarket, and his photo, although taken from behind, was used on its website. Its very easy to connect with him under the guise of being a Jewish tourist looking for kosher food, community events, and generally intelligence gathering, Mr Solomon told The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asher Ben Artzi, Israels former head of Interpol, said that in spite of the deal between Israel and the UAE, the high presence of Iranians in the country makes it high-risk. Since the war in Gaza began, Israel counts it as a medium-level threat and has reminded citizens to avoid it for anything other than essential travel. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. An investigation has been launched at Beverly Hills High School following Black students and an instructors claims that they were harassed and intimidated by white pupils during a racist demonstration on campus. Video acquired by Fox 11 showed the mob of teenagers gathered outside of teacher Bella Ivorys classroom with a pro-Donald Trump flag on Election Day. Trending Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fashion instructor recalled that on Nov. 5, there were just so many kids outside my door. One of them had a Trump flag on a pole... some of them had on MAGA hats, some just had on Trump fan apparel. In the footage, multiple students are observed knocking on the door. On the other side were students who were terrified. Ivory reassured the young scholars that she would not breach their safety by opening the door. Students said they looked like the KKK, she told the news outlet. According to the Beverly Hills Courier, a school security guard was also shown holding up a Trump flag during the lunchtime demonstration. Days later, on Nov. 10, Principal Drew Stewart issued the following statement: While student political expression is an important tenet, it does have limits. Unfortunately, over the past two days there have been multiple instances of students assembling in a manner that has created a material disruption to the operation of our school, as well as the education of our students. As a result, students are prohibited from assembling in mob-like fashion, shouting, jumping or making physical contact with peers. On Nov. 12, the school board heard directly from Ivory and her students who were impacted by the protest. Although I was aware of the pure hatred and racism in my time being here, it was never expressed in the way that it was last week, said one teen. Another said, That week, being stormed, being called the N-word, being shunned all because you were Black became the normal. A male student recounted seeing racial slurs scrawled across the walls of our bathrooms, hateful rhetoric being spoken by fellow students in the hallways we share, and violent behavior towards Ms. Bella and our club [the Black Student Union]. Following the meeting, Superintendent Dr. Michael Bregy told the Courier, We sincerely appreciate all of the speakers who contributed this evening. Alongside my colleagues, I take all concerns regarding hate speech and safety extremely seriously, and we are actively addressing these through regular meetings with our students. As we heard during public comment, our community includes individuals with varying perspectives, and we are listening to all voices as we continue to navigate this important dialogue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The uncivil celebration comes as the FBI has launched two investigations into racist texts targeting Black, Latino and LGBTQ+ communities with texts threatening deportation and enslavement post-election. Trump, who was reelected four years after completing his first term, has been largely blamed for inciting the uptick of division in the country. You Might Also Like BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A local non-profit is bridging the food insecurity gap for several Panama City families this Thanksgiving. Rebuild Bay County held a Thanksgiving meal box distribution on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Residents who qualified for the free meals picked up their food at the A.D. Harris Center, Forest Park church, or Waller Elementary School in Youngstown. Attendees received pre-made Thanksgiving meal boxes at the church and school, but they were able to choose their own foods and ingredients at the A.D. Harris Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 6th Annual Forgotten Festival of Trees gives families a time to remember Rebuild Bay County officials say food insecurity is a big problem in Bay County, so theyre happy to help where needed. We are finding our community is still not as resilient as we would like it to be, so because were still seeing utility and housing costs rise, we will continue to have food insecurity. We want to be here to be able to meet that as much as possible or at least support those other organizations that can help, Rebuild Bay County Executive Director Donna Pilson said. Rebuild Bay County is also partnering with BASIC of Northwest Florida for their World Aids Day Awareness and Holiday Services Fair on December 7th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A recount in the Frederick County Board of Education race was called off on Saturday by Josh Bokee, ending his effort to win one of three open seats. Tom Coogan, an election program manager with the Frederick County Board of Elections, said the recount was stopped late on Saturday afternoon after Election Director Barbara Wagner received word that Bokee did not wish to proceed. With the recount suspended, the three candidates with the most votes upon certification of the election Jaime Kiersten Brennan, Janie Monier and Colt Morningstar Black have officially won the three open seats on the school board, Coogan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the time all Election Day votes and some early votes had been counted on Saturday, Bokee said in an interview, "we felt it was in everybody's best interest to end the recount based on where the math was at that point." Bokee said the experience of running for school board was "very meaningful" and he wished the best for the new school board members. Under Maryland law, a losing candidate may request a recount up to three days after the certification of an election as long as the margin of difference between the two candidates in question is not greater than 5% of the votes cast for those two candidates. If the margin of difference between the two candidates in question is less than 0.25% of the total votes cast for those two candidates, the county must cover the cost of the recount. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results of the 2024 general election were certified by the Frederick County Board of Elections on Tuesday. According to the official results, Brennan was the top vote-getter with 55,444 votes. Monier was second with 54,976 votes and Black was third with 53,403 votes. Bokee was in fourth place with 53,190 votes, putting him 213 votes behind Black. The margin of difference between the two candidates was 0.2%, meaning Bokee had the right to request a recount at the county's expense. Bokee said Saturday that he thought requesting a recount was the right decision "given how incredibly close the election was." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day on Thursday, the first day of the recount, election teams at the Frederick County Board of Elections had recounted 19 of the 66 precincts from Election Day. Bokee's Election Day total decreased by 10 votes in those 19 precincts and Black's Election Day total decreased by four votes. Teams continued the recount on Friday and finished all 66 Election Day precincts. However, there were more votes to recount on Saturday. Reached by phone on Saturday after the recount had been called off, Black said that as of 3 p.m. on Saturday, his lead over Bokee was appropriately 250 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black said he was grateful that Bokee requested the recount because it resulted in an increase in his lead. "Without the recount, we wouldn't have [widened the lead] and affirmed what we already knew, which was that I won the election," Black said. "We prevailed, and that's what we expected." Black said he didn't think the recount was Bokee's idea in the first place and suggested he had been put up to it by others, possibly the local Democratic Central Committee. Bokee refuted that claim. "The recount was firmly my decision, and it was part of state law," Bokee said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday marked the final board meeting for Sue Johnson, David Bass and Jason Johnson the three Frederick County Board of Education members who were elected in 2020 and decided not to run again this year, leaving three open seats. The swearing-in ceremony for Brennan, Monier and Black is scheduled for Dec. 3 at 11:30 a.m. The certified results from the school board election were: Brennan 55,444 Monier 54,976 Black 53,403 Bokee 53,190 Chad King Wilson Sr. 48,860 Veronica D. Lowe 41,200 Heather Fletcher, who registered as a write-in candidate, received 21,185 votes. Monier, Bokee and Wilson were endorsed by FCPS employee unions and were considered the apple ballot. Black, Brennan and Fletcher made up an informal opposing slate that was endorsed by the local Republican Central Committee. Officials have positively identified the remains of a girl whose body was found hidden in brush under a plastic tarp in 1973, Pennsylvania authorities said this week. The remains belong to Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, 14, Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Josh Lacey told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. Two game wardens found the decomposed remains of a young girl in a wooded area of Lebanon County on Oct. 10, 1973, approximately 47 miles from Brenneman's home in York County, Lacey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It couldn't be determined how she died. Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who went missing in 1973. Officials have spent the last 50 years attempting to identify the girl, Lacey said. In another effort to identify her, officials, with the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, exhumed the girl's body from Mount Lebanon Cemetery in May 2016. Finally, the positive identification was made last month after her remains were examined at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Lacey said she was identified using genealogy. "As a result of their efforts, this young female will no longer be known as Jane Doe," Lacey said. Identifying the body is a "huge step in this investigation," State Trooper Ian Keck said. "We have to know about the victim and their everyday life, who they associated with and their different activities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brenneman was last seen "after she left for school and never returned home," Lacey said. Officials are looking into whether she made it to school that day. They are also trying to determine whether Brenneman was considered missing and on what day she went missing, Keck said. "Just because we identified her today that doesn't end our investigation," Keck said. "We're going to do our best and put our best foot forward here to come to a conclusion." Anyone who knew Brenneman or knows anything about her is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police. Lacey declined to say whether there is a person of interest in the case and couldn't say for sure whether it was a homicide, as that is still "pending" with the coroner's office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He did say there was "some level of suspicion" to Brenneman's death "given the fact she was found underneath a tarp in some brush." Brenneman's family, in a statement read by Lacey, said her identification "has provided us with some closure on questions that have lingered for the past 51 years." This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Human remains found under a plastic tarp and brush by two Lebanon County game wardens in Pennsylvania in 1973 have now been determined to belong to a teen girl who went missing that year from the city of York, about 50 miles away. Authorities had found the remains in a wooded area near Ridge and Tomstown Roads in Union Township in October 1973 but had been unable to identify to whom they belonged, describing them as a Jane Doe with long brown or blonde hair. In 2016, police exhumed the body and have since used a mixture of DNA testing and fresh interviews with living relatives to determine that the remains belong to Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, a 14-year-old girl from York, police said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruth left for school one morning at the start of the 1973 school year but never returned home. It remains under investigation whether she ever made it to school. The cause of Ruth's death has not been determined and police are offering a $5,000 reward for information that helps solve the case. Anyone with information regarding this case should call the Pennsylvania State Police-Jonestown at 717-865-2194. Nov. 24 (UPI) -- Human remains found in a nature preserve in upstate New York have been confirmed to have belonged to a woman who went missing more than a decade ago. A citizen walking her cat on Oct. 20 found part of the human skeleton in Burden Pond Preserve near Campbell Avenue in the city of Troy, a suburb of Albany, police said in a news release. Police said they have now confirmed through dental records and a DNA comparison that the remains belong to a woman named Amanda King, who went missing from the town of Glenville about 30 miles away in November 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It has been determined that these remains have been identified as Amanda King," police said. "Our work continues while keeping Amanda's family & loved ones at the forefront of our minds." The Troy Police Department said in its news release that it is being aided in its investigation by the Albany Police Department and the cold case unit of the New York State Police. King was last seen at the age of 27 when she was taken to an inpatient addiction treatment center called Conifer Park in East Glenville for heroin addiction, the Albany Times Union reported. After arriving at the facility, King called her father to tell him she had left treatment early against the recommendation of her care team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is believed that she may have been picked up by someone from the facility, but no surveillance footage was available to help track who might have helped her leave the treatment center. People with information about King's disappearance are advised to contact the Troy Police Department Lead Detectives at (518) 270-4771 or submit a tip online at TroyPD.org. The remains of a York, Pennsylvania, teenager who vanished in 1973 have been identified through genealogy research and DNA analysis more than 50 years after she went missing, authorities said. Two game wardens discovered the decomposed remains under a plastic tarp and brush in a wooded area in Union Township on October 10, 1973, according to Pennsylvania State Police. Investigators at the time were unable to identify them, but described the Jane Doe as a White female with long brown or blonde hair. The manner of her death was ruled undetermined. Over half a century later, investigators using DNA analysis and interviews with living relatives determined the remains as those of Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, a 14-year-old from York who had been missing since the beginning of the 1973 school year, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their work has provided us with some closure on questions that have lingered for the past 51 years, Ruths family said in a statement read by police at a news conference Thursday. The case went cold until 2016, when police exhumed the remains from a remote corner of a cemetery in Lebanon, Pennsylviana, to obtain her DNA. That was after years of unsuccessful attempts to identify Ruth that included developing two busts of what the girl could have looked like. The remains were taken to an area hospital, where they were examined. But it wasnt until years later as genealogy technology advanced that investigators last month identified the remains as belonging to Ruth, police said. Ruth, born November, 26, 1958, left for school and never returned home. Whether she actually made it to school and how far she got to and from school remains under investigation. A couple months later, her remains were found about 50 miles north of her hometown, Keck said. There were no records declaring Ruth dead and its unclear whether she was reported missing, according to state police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the genealogy research process, investigators interviewed family members, looked through old news articles and perused court documents. Once you make that contact with the family, its kind of that moment you realize who they were looking for the whole time, Pennsylvania State Police Trooper Ian Keck said at the news conference on Thursday. It kind of brings a surprise to the family. Its 51 years later, and they always had that unanswered question, and finally with the investigation we were kind of able to give that answer to them. The case marks another example of how investigative genetic genealogy a field that combines DNA evidence and traditional genealogy to find biological connections between people is helping detectives solve cold cases and identify the remains of unknown people found decades ago. At that time, genealogy was most likely in the infancy stage, Keck said. But it was with the advancement of technology that was our hope to kind of keep moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its still unclear how the girl died. Pennsylvania State Police are continuing the investigation into Ruths death to determine her last known activities, authorities said. While there was some level of suspicion to her death, whether it was a homicide is still pending through the coroners office, Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Josh Lacey said Thursday. A $5,000 reward is being offered for information on the case, police said Friday. Theres another part of this investigation, and its not over yet, so we need to keep going, Keck said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) In the fall of 1973, 14-year-old Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman of York County, Pennsylvania, left her home to go to school and never returned. Now, more than 50 years later, authorities say they have identified Brennemans remains. According to Pennsylvania State Police, after Brennemans disappearance, two game wardens discovered decomposed remains in a wooded area off Moonshine Road near Ridge and Tomstown Roads in Union Township, Lebanon County, on October 10, 1973. The remains were found under a plastic tarp and brush approximately 47 miles away from Brennemans York County home. A manner of death, as well as an identity, were not determined. Brennemans case then went cold and those remains were laid to rest as a Jane Doe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Left in blood: How a Michigan cold case was solved, 35 years later Investigators tried to solve her case multiple times over the last five decades, Nexstars WPHL reports. Officials developed two busts of what the teenager may have looked like and used forensic analysis, as well as other three-dimensional representations, to no avail. In May 2016, those remains were exhumed from Mount Lebanon Cemetary with the hope of identification. Investigators got a break in October of this year when, with the help of good old genealogy research including interviews and public records research, they were able to positively identify the remains as Brennemans. Pennsylvania State Police provided this photo of Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who went missing in 1973. (Pennsylvania State Police) Authorities released images like this to help identify Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman. (Via Pennsylvania State Police) Authorities released busts like this to help identify Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman. (Via Pennsylvania State Police) The circumstances regarding her death remain unknown at this time, according to state police, but investigators consider her death suspicious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just because we identified her today, that doesnt end our investigation, Trooper Ian Keck said at a news conference Thursday, according to the Associated Press. Learning about her everyday life and who she associated with is a key part of this investigation. Whooping cough on the rise in the US: The states with the most cases this year The family of Ruth Brenneman, who also called her Ruthie, provided a public statement expressing gratitude toward investigators who worked on the case. Their work has provided us with some closure on questions that have lingered for the past 51 years, the family expressed. Brenneman would have turned 66 on Tuesday, November 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A $5,000 reward is being offered for information that solves this case. Anyone with information regarding this case should call PSP Jonestown at 717-865-2194 or PSP Tips Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477). Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The jury has returned with the sentencing in The State of Texas v. Ryan Joaquin Renfroe after two days of listening to testimonies and analyzing evidence. The jury sentenced Ryan Joaquin Renfroe to life in prison for shooting and murdering Jakob Jones in the alley way of Fat Boss Pub on New Years morning. Previous Trial Coverage Both sides close in New Years Day murder trial Forensic scientist and witnesses of killing take the stand in Renfroe murder trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pub manager, deceaseds friend testify in New Years Day murder trial Law enforcement testifies in New Years Day murder trial Trial begins for man accused of New Years Day murder Pre-Trial Coverage Grand jury indicts man for New Years killing Details emerge in San Angelo New Years killing San Angelo man arrested on murder charge WATCH: Police investigate death in downtown San Angelo New Years Day Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Nov. 23Advocates worried the rate of Pennsylvania children lacking health insurance would worsen in 2023, particularly due to the post-pandemic unwinding of automatic renewal of coverage under public plans. It had already climbed by nearly a full percent the year prior. Instead, the rate stabilized with just a slight uptick in the aggregate count growing by about 2,000 kids, far fewer than expected, according to a new analysis. Without any improvement, however, Pennsylvania still has the fifth largest number of uninsured children in the nation, researchers at Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The estimated 147,000 children without health insurance exceed the entire population of Lebanon County, the 24th most populous county in the commonwealth. "One of the first things that could be done is just to make sure children who are eligible retain their coverage. It's very easy for families with children who are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program) to unfortunately lose their coverage when they're still eligible," said Becky Ludwick, vice president of public policy, Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. Ludwick reiterated the policy proposal included in PA Partnerships' 2024 State of Children's Health report improving and expanding automated renewals. According to Ludwick, the Department of Human Services could determine re-enrollment without a paperwork prompt from a family, pursuing the determination for continued coverage automatically. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also spoke of the need for community engagement so those eligible are aware of free or subsidized options through Medicaid, CHIP or Pennsylvania's online insurance marketplace, Pennie. About 47% of children in Pennsylvania are insured through one of the three programs. According to the State of Children's Health report, nearly 7% of Pennsylvania families that meet the income limit for Medicaid coverage still have uninsured children. All of those children could be covered. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved a waiver application from the Department of Human Services that would provide continuous enrollment in Medicaid and CHIP for all children from birth through age 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children younger than age 6 are more likely than their school-aged peers to be uninsured, according to the PA Partnerships analysis. The waiver would also provide 12 months of coverage for persons released from a state correctional institution. DHS must work with the Legislature to settle whether the waiver will be initiated. Unwinding When a pandemic-era rule allowing continuous coverage for all recipients of Medicaid and CHIP regardless of eligibility ended in April 2023, advocates feared children would lose insurance in droves. That didn't materialize. PA Partnerships discovered that of the more than 460,000 children affected, 8 in 10 remained covered through one of the three aforementioned public programs. The report states that fewer than 2 in 10 lost coverage, with more than 42% dropped not due to eligibility but administrative issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear how many remain uninsured or receive coverage through a private option. The report covers 2023 only and the federal unwinding process as it was known continued into June 2024. A fuller scope of the impact is pending. Lost in the system Lacey Cassidy, 35, of Berks County, is a stay-at-home mom of two children, ages 7 and 3. Her husband is a plumber. Family coverage isn't an option through his work. Cassidy finds insurance for herself and her kids through the public marketplace and CHIP, for which the latter has income-based free coverage, low cost or full cost. The family doesn't qualify for free coverage, she said, rather, they receive a moderate subsidy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cassidy has continually struggled to enroll and maintain insurance through CHIP and Pennie, whether it be fluctuations in income jeopardizing enrollment or what she describes as a communication breakdown over state filing deadlines. She once lost insurance while pregnant and fears a late application post-unwinding could cost her kids' CHIP coverage next year. That would mean a potential return to the marketplace, public or private, for all three. It would bring insurance costs she said they likely can't afford, potentially piling onto a credit card as in the past. "Honestly, if I didn't use the advocacy network group I would be lost," Cassidy said of help she received through the Pennsylvania Health Access Network. She wondered aloud how many others are overwhelmed when navigating the system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think that some people, officials, whoever handles it, realize how much it affects the mental well-being of a family. I've spent hours crying, wondering if my kids can see a doctor," she said. Lisa Davis, director of the Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health and outreach associate professor with Penn State, said a lack of insurance means kids don't get wellness appointments as babies or toddlers. Immunizations and public school enrollment could be at risk, she said. "Kids get sick with everything," Davis said. "What if they need to have their tonsils out or any kind of surgery? That is a real challenge." One result, whether in rural or urban areas, is that families take their children to hospital emergency rooms for care that should be done through a family doctor, Davis said. Another is that even if they're insured through Medicare, they may have to travel hours to find a pediatric dentist who accepts the insurance. "There is no reason why any child should be uninsured and not receiving the care they deserve," Davis said. MANOA, Hawaii (KHON2) Officials at the University of Hawaii Manoa are looking into reports of a person allegedly trying to take photos of people in a bathroom. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news On Thursday, Nov. 21, the Universitys Department of Public Safety sent an email about an incident that occurred in Saunders Halls first-floor bathroom. The e-mail stated a student had reported that an unknown person held a cell phone over the stall he was using in the all-gender bathroom. He told authorities he believed the person was attempting to take a photo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aiea attempted murder suspect turns himself in to police According to the e-mail, the student left the restroom and called DPS, but was unable to get a description of the offender. The following day, DPS received another report from the same bathroom, but this time by a female teacher. Another e-mail was sent out saying this time the person held the cell phone under the door of the stall. She was not able to get a description of the offender. It was just really shocking and surprising that someone would do that, said UH student Erin Linsenmaier. I was surprised but I wasnt surprised because I knew there would be an issue or problems down the line with these restrooms, explained one woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One faculty member we spoke with said the bathrooms at Saunders Hall became all-gender about a year and a half ago. I personally feel if a person is making the transition and dedicated to being another identity thats fine, but if youre curious about it, or just thinking about it you have to use male or female bathrooms, the woman said. Another woman told KHON2 she normally bikes to Saunders Hall and changes in the first-floor bathroom before going upstairs, but after seeing those e-mails, she said shell no longer change in that bathroom. With the person on the loose, many said they feel uneasy and will avoid all-gender bathrooms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would go into a womens bathroom and make sure nothing happened, Linsenmaier added. Im very cautious with who walks into the bathroom now, Im not going to lie, after seeing those emails. There are unisex bathrooms for transgender individuals who dont feel comfortable using their biological bathroom and thats fine there are special accommodations for that, but for the most part it should simply be guys use guys restrooms and girls use girls restrooms, said Rep. Diamond Garcia, minority floor leader. According to UHs website, there are 20 all-gender bathrooms on campus. The doors to the Saunders Hall bathroom were locked over the weekend. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. Governor Cooper asked for $3.9 billion in hurricane relief. Republicans answered with $454 million in a bill that has little to do with relief but a lot to do with rules changes facilitating a Republican power grab. With regard to the rule change to take the governors power to appoint state election board members, soon-to-be Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) said, What were doing now, very clearly, is not working. The only thing that didnt work here is his partys candidates werent elected. Instead of looking inside their own party for answers, such as picking better candidates, they pull this political stunt. What an embarrassment for our state, for the Republican Party and mostly for the people of Western North Carolina, who should be enraged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brad Bradshaw, Raleigh Voucher madness We need $5 billion to repair roads after Hurricane Helene and the Republicans have spent millions on letting rich people send their kids to private schools with few standards. All while starving the public schools. Its madness. Laura Toler, Durham Do your job, Sen. Tillis Sen. Thom Tillis must do his job as a member of a co-equal branch of government. While a president should be allowed to choose cabinet members aligned with their vision and priorities, they should never be given free reign to turn the process into a big joke. I hope I represent a constituency where character still matters and putting a security risk in charge of our nations intelligence services and a threat to public safety in charge of health care is beyond the pale, where we expect more of a justice department leader than someone investigated for sexual misconduct, and in a world threatened on multiple fronts by Russia, China and North Korea, we demand more of our defense secretary than weekend culture war punditry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While I have no hope that Sen. Ted Budd will ever do the right thing for our country, Tillis seems to have shown signs that he can put the integrity of our nations institutions above partisan politics. I hope Im right about that. Leo Sadovy, Wake Forest Spiteful Republicans The override of Gov. Coopers veto by Republican legislators, taking money for more vouchers and anti-immigrant requirements for local law enforcement, indicates to me that there are some mean and spiteful members. Republicans legislators, you could choose to actually care about the people of the state, the teachers, students, displaced people after a hurricane and our immigrant workers. You could be a help and act out of compassion, why do you not? Ellen Canavan, Cary Removed art This week, Chapel Hill Town Manager Chris Blue removed an image of a woman in a hijab and wearing a keffiyeh, a Palestinian symbol, from Peace and Justice Plaza, saying the image was evoking strong feelings by pro-Israel residents. Advocating for the removal of the image of the woman with a keffiyeh is an attempt to erase Palestinian culture from our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a group of white residents objected to an image of a Black person, insisting the photo evoked strong feelings, would Mr. Brown immediately remove said image and send out an email about how it was causing harm? Or is anti-Palestinian racism the only acceptable form of racism in Chapel Hill? The town of Chapel Hill has contributed to the ongoing erasure of Palestinians, both symbolically and literally. Nizar Wattad, Chapel Hill Let Stein lead I should not have been surprised by yet another ploy by Republican legislators to hide partisan language in a totally unrelated bill. This time its to block Governor-Elect Josh Stein from making appointments to the State Board of Elections hidden within a bill for disaster relief. Stein was elected by a resounding majority. Lets let Stein do his job and appoint election board members. The legislature should be focused on helping the people of Western NC, not playing politics. Our lame-duck Republican super majority should take a high school civics lesson and preserve the will of the people. Cindy Jackson DiLiberti, Hillsborough A Republican senator has blocked the promotion of a general who oversaw troops in Kabul during the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, according to a Senate aide. The move by Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullin, who is a Republican, follows threats from President-elect Donald Trump to fire senior officers and officials who oversaw the chaotic pullout from Afghanistan in 2021, and as Trumps transition team weighs possible court-martial proceedings against current and former officers involved in the withdrawal. Army Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was nominated for promotion to four-star general and to oversee U.S. Army forces in Europe. His nomination was among more than 900 proposed nominations sent to the Senate, but Donahues was put on hold by Mullin, according to the Senate aide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mullins office declined to comment. Donahue was dubbed by the Army the "last man out" of Afghanistan when he boarded his U.S. military flight out of Kabul in 2021. A night-vision photograph of Donahue boarding a cargo plane went viral, capturing the symbolism of the end of Americas 20-year-long war. After the U.S.-backed government in Afghanistan fell to Taliban militants, Donahue then commander of the 82nd Airborne Division was ordered to Kabul to oversee the final withdrawal of U.S. forces and evacuation of American embassy staff and civilians. Retired Gen. Tony Thomas, former head of Special Operations Command, said in a social media post that the decision to put his promotion on hold was a disgrace and that Donahue was being treated as a political pawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heather Nauert, who worked for the State Department in Trumps first presidential term, said in a social media post that she is a Trump supporter and likes Mullin but disagreed with the holdout on Donahues promotion. Unless there are facts I dont know, holding up military promotions bc of our disgraceful Afghanistan withdrawal is wrong, she wrote on a post on X. But other officials who served in the Pentagon offered support for Mullin, arguing Donahue and other generals bore some responsibility for the disorderly exit from the 20-year war, including the Abbey Gate airport bombing that left 13 U.S. service members and hundreds of Afghan civilians dead. Anthony Tata, who performed the duties of the under secretary of defense for policy during the Trump administration and served for 28 years in the Army, argued Donahue should be held "accountable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Under Chris Donahues command, 13 servicemen and women were killed with dozens of others grievously wounded, not to mention the hundreds of civilians. ... Blame whomever you want for that colossal failure, but Donahue reaped the accolades for being the last boots on the ground, as evidenced by the staged photo," he wrote Saturday in a post to X. Ezra A. Cohen, who served as the acting under secretary of defense for intelligence during the Trump administration, suggested that all promotions for general officers and flag officers should be held during the transition between presidential administrations. "This should not be about any one promotion. This is about ensuring that [general officer and flag officer] promotions are merit based," he wrote Friday on X. "Unfortunately we know that the Biden Administration has heavily corrupted the promotion process." Donahue is currently commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps at Fort Liberty in North Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His promotion could now be at risk as the current Senate will soon go into recess and the new Republican-controlled Congress will start its work in 2025. Trump often touched on the Afghanistan withdrawal during the campaign trail in 2024, condemning it as a humiliation and the most embarrassing day in the history of our country. On the three-year anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, Trump visited Arlington National Cemetery and laid wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with the families of the victims. Caused by Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, the humiliation in Afghanistan set off the collapse of American credibility and respect all around the world, Trump said later that day, addressing the National Guard Association of the United States conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since his election, Trumps transition team has begun to compile a list of current and former U.S. military officials involved in the chaotic withdrawal and has looked into possibly court-martialing them for their involvement, NBC News previously reported. The transition team is considering creating a commission to investigate the withdrawal, namely who was directly involved in the decision-making process and how it was carried out. Two sources familiar with the matter told NBC News earlier this month that the commission could investigate whether military leaders involved are eligible for charges as serious as treason. But the Trump administration might not pursue treason charges, instead potentially focusing on lesser charges that highlight the officers involvement. They want to set an example, a person with knowledge of the plan told NBC News earlier this month. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Link in Bio A team of researchers led by Penn State have found that American conservatives on Facebook are substantially more likely to share article links containing false information without even reading them. Liberals aren't off the hook, though; Facebook users overall were astonishingly bad at vetting information before spreading it online. "The closer the political alignment of the content to the user both liberal and conservative the more it was shared without clicks," study author and media effects researcher S. Shyam Sundar said in a Penn State writeup of the research. "They are simply forwarding things that seem on the surface to agree with their political ideology, not realizing that they may sometimes be sharing false information." Reading Rainbow Sundar and his team's study, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, is an alarming indication about how dismal media literacy and due to the time period it focused on, the past may be prelude to Donald Trump's upcoming second presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why? The group's research looked at 35 million public Facebook posts shared between 2017 and 2020, the bounds of Trump's first presidency. In total, about 75 percent of users, regardless of political stance, shared links without clicking on them first. Behavior sharply divided along political lines, though, with conservatives making up about 77 percent of those shares, compared to just 14 percent of liberals. It's easy to imagine why. Trump often crusades against the media, repeating many times that reporters should be jailed for breaking news, or assaulted in jail until they give up their sources. Trump's favorite frenemy, Elon Musk, likewise enjoys expressing his disbelief in factual reporting on X-formerly-Twitter, posting many times to his 205 million followers that the press "[lies] relentlessly," and shouldn't be trusted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Disinformation or misinformation campaigns aim to sow the seeds of doubt or dissent in a democracy the scope of these efforts came to light in the 2016 and 2020 elections," Sundar said in Penn State's blurb. But Sundar wasn't prepared to discover how these powerful disinformation campaigns could be. "It was a big surprise to find out that more than 75 percent of the time, the links shared on Facebook were shared without the user clicking through first," he said. "That was a surprising, very scary finding." More on Trump: Trump Comes to Watch as Elon Musk's Spacecraft Crashes Into the Ocean and Explodes When President-elect Donald Trump said he would nominate one of the nations most prominent anti-vaccine movement leaders to run the Health and Human Services Department, some social media users warned Americans to update their vaccinations. "IMPORTANT vaccines could now be BANNED for part of this winter by Trump and RFK Jr, although hopefully any such ban would get halted with an injunction in court," said one Nov. 15 Threads post. "GET CAUGHT UP ON VACCINES NOW just in case." For two decades, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has repeated false and misleading claims about science and public health. His unsuccessful presidential campaign of conspiracy theories earned him PolitiFacts 2023 Lie of the Year. Kennedy, the nephew of Democratic President John Kennedy and the son of former presidential candidate Sen. Robert Kennedy Sr., D-N.Y., ran as an independent before suspending his campaign in August and backing Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists signaled their alarm at Trumps decision to tap Kennedy. There are 13 agencies housed within that department, including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health. Scientists were far from alone in expressing concern about what Kennedy could do as Health and Human Services secretary. "Serious question can he outlaw vaccines?" one Threads user asked Nov. 14. "Like if I want to get a Covid and flu vaccine next year, is it possible they wont be available?" The outlook is murky, partly because we cant be sure what Kennedy will do. On Nov. 6, before Trump officially tapped him for the seat, Kennedy told an NBC News reporter, "If vaccines are working for somebody, Im not going to take them away." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vaccine law and policy experts told PolitiFact that Kennedy couldnt unilaterally ban vaccines and that any effort to ban vaccines would probably face a legal battle. But Kennedy could still reduce how accessible they are for Americans, they said. And some of his power rests on whether Trumps administration can get buy-in from other lawmakers and public health leaders, some of whom Trump could also appoint. Wendy Parmet, a Northeastern University law professor and the director of the law schools Center for Health Policy and Law, said Kennedy couldnt ban vaccines "by fiat," or with one order or decree. But he "could begin the process of having the FDA rereview the safety of vaccines and move to revoke or place restrictions on some vaccine approvals," she said. "But this would take time and would undoubtedly be challenged in court." There are limits to the Health and Human Services secretarys level of control over vaccines, Parmet said. But if hes confirmed, Kennedy would "control the people who control the agencies that have a lot of authority over vaccines," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy could have those people act to limit vaccine access by revoking vaccines licenses or directing the CDC to change its vaccine messaging and recommendations, which would affect insurance coverage and medical practice, Parmet said. Still, "there is no authority to ban vaccines as a group nationwide," she said. "He would need an act of Congress for that." Dorit Reiss, a vaccine law and policy expert at University of California Law, San Francisco, told PolitiFact that federal regulations dictate how approved vaccines are taken off the market. "You need to meet procedural requirements and show that the removal was not arbitrary and capricious," she said. "And the main actor on that is the FDA commissioner, not the secretary, and we do not know who that will be" or whether the person will be "sympathetic to the idea yet." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The regulations say the FDA commissioner whom Trump would also appoint could begin the license revocation process if the commissioner finds that "the licensed product is not safe and effective for all of its intended uses." For years, Kennedys refrain has been that vaccines are unsafe. In July 2023, he told a podcaster that some vaccines "are probably averting more problems than theyre causing," but in the same breath Kennedy maintained, "Theres no vaccine that is, you know, safe and effective." After notifying the manufacturer of the agencys plan to revoke a vaccine license, the FDA commissioner would have to hold a hearing and provide the manufacturer "reasonable" time to achieve compliance with whatever the government had asked of it. "Manufacturers may well sue if they disagree," Reiss said. "If there is no sufficient justification, (they) may win in court against the revocation." Kennedy could make vaccines less accessible, experts said Reiss said its easier to stop the approval of new vaccines than it is to revoke access to existing vaccines, but it would require an FDA commissioner who is receptive to the idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that, as secretary, Kennedy could, for example, rescind emergency use authorizations for COVID-19 vaccinations for children, which would result in children younger than 12 losing access to those vaccines. Kennedy could also nominate or remove members of federal advisory committees, including the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, which recommends vaccines that the CDC reviews and adopts. He could fill the committee with people who hold anti-vaccine beliefs who could then rescind vaccine recommendations, Reiss said. Parmet said the CDCs adopted vaccine recommendations determine the vaccines "covered without charge" under the Affordable Care Act and the immunizations available under the Vaccines for Children program, which provides vaccines to Medicaid-enrolled and uninsured children. Kennedy could undermine grant programs that support state and local immunization programs, such as the CDCs Section 317 Immunization Program, a reference to Section 317 of the Public Health Service Act. The program aims to ensure that children and adults are immunized by awarding federal grant money to state and local public health agencies to support vaccine purchases and operation costs, the 317 Coalition website said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvanias Health Department says the program "plays a critical role in achieving national immunization coverage targets and reductions in disease." Oklahomas State Department of Health described the program as "a precious national resource" that provides routine vaccination for people without insurance and responds to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases. Even without changes to official vaccine recommendations, Parmet said, "informal changes" in CDC recommendations might change parents willingness to vaccinate their kids, influence states vaccination recommendations and affect some pediatricians practices. "In other words, by simply changing the wording on its website," the CDC could "discourage or reduce vaccine uptake," she said. Efforts to ban vaccines would face legal challenges, industry pushback Dr. Leon Haley Jr., CEO of UF Health Jacksonville, gets the first injection of the COVID-19 vaccine in Jacksonville from nurse manager Vickie Perez. Vaccine approvals and availability could be problems in the new Trump administration. If Kennedys agency tries to enact a nationwide ban without any congressional action, the effort would probably face successful legal challenges, Parmet said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its unclear whether a vaccine ban would win congressional support, but anti-vaccine lawmakers have made gains in statehouses nationwide in recent years, passing legislation that removes vaccine requirements for homeschooled children or preemptively prohibits schools from requiring students to receive COVID-19 vaccines. Kennedy could also begin to have the FDA rereview vaccine safety and move to revoke or restrict some vaccine approvals. But those actions "would take time and would undoubtedly be challenged in court," Parmet said. Reiss said existing laws and regulations could constrain Kennedy. "He cannot violate express statutory provisions unless they change, and (he) needs to contend with other agency heads," such as the people in charge of the CDC and FDA, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as hell name the Health and Human Services secretary and FDA commissioner, Trump will appoint the CDC and National Institutes of Health commissioners. In 2025, all these roles will need Senate approval, and the Senate will have a Republican majority in January. Kennedy could "certainly try and persuade these people, and theres some interdependence they need the secretary to pass rules and to appoint people to advisory committees," Reiss said. "But it's the president who has the removal power over them, not the secretary." Its also likely that pharmaceutical companies would resist by lobbying against efforts to ban vaccines and suing the government, Reiss said. PolitiFact researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report. Our sources This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: If Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is confirmed as HHS secretary, could he ban vaccines? (NewsNation) Amid worldwide pushes for a more restricted online experience for minors, a popular game is giving parents more power than ever before. Roblox, which has been downloaded millions of times, has unveiled new parental controls. With their own device and linked account, guardians can now remotely monitor their childs gaming experience, lock a childs private messaging options and set maturity and time limits for the app. Best Prime Day Deals for 2024: Big Black Friday savings are already live shop the best here Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The best gifts currently on sale for under $50 Stock up on stocking stuffers while theyre cheap BestReviews is reader-supported and may earn an affiliate commission. Users under 13 will be allowed only to send broadcast messages by default. If a child wants private messaging capabilities, only a linked parent account can change it for them. Bluesky traffic surges 500% after election: Will the popularity last? The changes come after multiple rounds of internal research, including interviews, usability studies, and international surveys with parents and kids, and consultation with experts from child safety and media literacy organizations, Roblox said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The platform came under fire in 2023 for targeted ads that children might not recognize as marketing ploys due to the platforms already sponsorship-laden environment. Its also been the conduit for multiple court cases. John Piecuch, 64, admitted in July to posing as a 13-year-old boy on the platform to solicit sexually explicit photos of a 13-year-old girl and her 5-year-old relative. Social media bans for minors Other popular apps among kids including Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat have faced calls for similar parental intervention. Though none have implemented controls as restrictive as Roblox, legislators are moving to control childrens online activity through legal means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridas law, which was approved as HB 3 earlier this year, is set to take effect Jan. 1. The measure will ban social media accounts for children under 14 and require parental permission for 14- and 15-year-olds. Its one of the nations most restrictive bans, and its drawn a lawsuit from the Computer & Communications Industry Association (Meta, X and Google are members) and co-defendant Netchoice. Metas Threads app launches custom feeds amid Bluesky surge The computer lobbying group alleges the bill is the latest attempt in a long line of government efforts to restrict new forms of constitutionally protected expression based on concerns about their potential effects on minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several states have considered similar legislation. In Arkansas, a federal judge in August blocked enforcement of a law that required parental consent for minors to create new social media accounts. In 2023, Utah banned those under 18 from using social media without parental permission. It was temporarily blocked by a federal judge in September, mere days before it wouldve taken effect. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. ROCK VALLEY, Iowa (KCAU) After a year of hard work, the Arteaga family is one step closer to moving into their future home. My daughter cried when she saw her own room. Shes already picking out where shes going to put her bed and her vanity, Rebecca Arteaga said. And my son has already told me that she is not allowed in his room. With the help of Siouxland Habitat for Humanity, the Arteaga family is on the path to being first-time home owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To start from just having a bare lot to now having a finished home that can be their own space, I think it will be really exciting for them to move in and be at the end of one part of their journey, Siouxland Habitat for Humanity Sioux County Director Kurt Franje. Norfolk looks at possible solution to affordable housing shortage For the past seven months, the Arteagas, along with many volunteers, put in more than 400 hours of hard work to complete their home, even working through this summers natural disaster. When you look at the whole scale of Rock Valley and everything that has happened to Rock Valley with the flood that happened in June, were just a very small portion of Rock Valley, Arteaga said. It feels so nice to feel welcome and blessed and wanted in this community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To celebrate the complete structure, many friends and family gathered to dedicate the next step of turning the Arteagas new house into a home. Our home was built with love from the inside out, Arteaga said. The studs in our home are filled with love and scriptures and messages and blessings, so its just a really nice feeling to know that our house was truly given to us by God and help built by our family and friends. The Arteaga family will officially move into their new home sometime before the Christmas season. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. China and Morocco share a longstanding positive relationship, with the synergy fostered under the Belt and Road Initiative holding great promise for both nations, said Abdelkader El Ansari, Morocco's ambassador to China. Ambassador El Ansari, who began his tenure in February, has visited several places across China, including Shandong province and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region. "Everywhere I've visited, I've seen significant dynamism, growth and ongoing projects. It reflects a national momentum," El Ansari told China Daily. "The infrastructure and major companies I've visited across various provinces highlight the tremendous potential for deeper economic cooperation between our two countries. This aligns perfectly with Morocco's role in the Belt and Road Initiative." With its strategic position as a gateway to Africa and its proximity to European markets, Morocco has naturally emerged as a key partner in the BRI. "Morocco will be a main pillar in implementing this initiative in our region," Ansari said. In 2017, Morocco and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly advance the Belt and Road Initiative. In 2022, Morocco became the first country in North Africa to sign an implementation plan for the BRI. Currently, China is Morocco's largest trading partner in Asia and third-largest globally. Morocco is a key trade partner for China in Africa. In 2016, the two countries decided to establish a China-Morocco strategic partnership. One of the key projects in the partnership with China is the Mohammed VI Tangier Tech City, launched in 2017. It is expected to host around 200 Chinese companies and include a 1,000-hectare industrial acceleration zone, Morocco World News reported. "In this smart city, we hope to welcome Chinese companies to implement next-generation projects with high technological value, particularly in the automotive, electronics and robotics sectors," he said. Morocco's automotive exports surged to 160 billion dirhams ($16 billion) in 2023, according to a report from the Exchange Office, the country's foreign trade regulator. Morocco has become a leading auto exporter "thanks to a conducive business environment", Ansari said. Electric vehicles are one of the many sectors where Moroccan and Chinese companies have built strong synergies, he said at a forum organized last week by the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. "In Morocco, we have the human resources and the raw materials needed for electric vehicles and, especially, the batteries. To produce electric vehicles, you need raw materials, technology and skilled labor elements that Morocco possesses along with access to other markets." Chinese EV battery giant Gotion High-Tech signed a $1.3 billion agreement in June with the Moroccan government to build a gigafactory in Kenitra. On Nov 13, an MoU was signed between Gotion and Morocco's state-owned investment fund to advance the project. Morocco is aligning its development strategy with the BRI across 14 sectors, including infrastructure, energy, health, education and tourism. "The initiative represents a comprehensive cooperation program between Morocco and China," Ansari said. In 2016, Morocco introduced a visa waiver policy for Chinese citizens, quickly becoming a popular destination for Chinese tourists. Before the visa waiver program, Morocco received about 15,000 Chinese visitors every year. Three years after the policy, the number surged to 200,000. "I am confident that within the next three to four years, we will reach the target of 500,000 visitors," he said. Ansari also highlighted his active participation in key events, such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and the China-Arab States Cooperation Forum. "These platforms provide an excellent framework for China, African and Arab partners to celebrate shared friendship and solidarity, discuss mutual interests and build a common vision for the future," Ansari added. Over the past week, Russia has launched over 800 KAB-guided aerial bombs, nearly 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 24. The air raid siren has sounded almost daily across Ukraine this week. Only last night, our air defense forces managed to shoot down about 50 attack drones, Zelensky wrote on Telegram, sharing a video showing Russian attacks across the country. On the morning of Nov. 21, Russia unveiled a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), dubbed "Oreshnik," in an attack targeting the city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign, independent state. Yet Russia persists in its attempts to destroy our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us, Zelensky said. He also reiterated the urgent need for bolstered air defenses. Ukraine needs more air defense systems, and we are working on this with our partners. It is crucial to strengthen the protection of our sky, he said. On Nov. 22, Zelensky instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to engage with international allies to acquire advanced air defense capabilities. The IRBM attack followed Ukraines reported first successful strike on a military target within Russian territory using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike cruise missiles, IRBMs are guided only in the initial phase of launch, making them less precise. However, their exceptional speed often exceeding 3,200 kilometers per hour as they near their targets makes them a formidable threat. Read also: Dont overreact Oreshnik missile isnt as new as Russia claims, experts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine is under attack from North Korean missiles that may be fitted with Western components. Source: CNN citing sources Details: The report states that about a third of the missiles used by Russia to attack Ukraine are North Korean and equipped with Western components obtained in violation of sanctions. A representative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence said that this year Russia has used about 60 North Korean KN-23 missiles against Ukraine. CNN estimates this represents almost a third of the 194 ballistic missiles fired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement August and September saw a rise in ballistic missile attacks when Ukraine first publicly disclosed the use of the KN-23. CNN adds that Ukrainian officials have since provided them with access to fragments of weapon debris that show the apparent extent of US and European circuitry in their guidance systems. A recent report by the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission of Ukraine (NAKO) states that nine Western manufacturers, including companies from the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, produce critical components used in North Korean missiles. Some of the parts analysed from the KN-23/24 missiles were manufactured as early as 2023, indicating that they were being delivered to North Korea at a rapid pace. CNN was shown one of the warehouses where Ukrainian investigators are analysing pieces of wreckage, looking for small details that indicate the origin of the weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warehouse was full of damaged drones and burnt-out missile parts, and hundreds of microchips were stored in different buildings, carefully sorted by weapon type Shahed drones, Iskander missiles, and KN-23 missiles. "Everything that works to guide the missile, to make it fly, is all foreign components. All the electronics are foreign. There is nothing Korean in it," said Andrii Kulchytskyi, head of the military research laboratory of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise. "The only thing Korean is the metal, which quickly rusts and corrodes," he added. A representative from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU), speaking on condition of anonymity, said that their investigations appear to be complicated by the damage to the missile fragments but that it is still possible to determine that "the vast majority of components are Western components. Probably 70% are American, from well-known companies... They also use components made in Germany and Switzerland." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report published earlier this year by the UK-based investigative organisation Conflict Armament Research (CAR) found that 75% of the components of one of the first North Korean missiles used to attack Ukraine were made by US-based companies. Arms tracing experts say there is no reliable information on how the components get to North Korea. But all indications are that China is a likely supply channel, experts say. "We have successfully traced some of those components, and the last known custodians are Chinese companies," said Damien Spleeters, deputy director of operations at CAR, which independently documents diverted weapons. This means that Chinese companies bought components from manufacturers and a number of intermediaries. CAR and others believe the main problem is the intermediary companies, not the manufacturers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are more than 250 companies whose components have been found in North Korean missiles. However, five major distributors based in the US and Canada sell most of these electronics. The US Commerce Department has already tightened controls on companies and shell companies that supply sanctioned goods to Russia and Belarus. Ukrainian officials claim that one of the main problems is poor compliance with sanctions by Western countries. Vladyslav Vlasiuk, the Ukrainian President's Commissioner for Sanctions Policy, expressed hope that the new administration of US President-elect Donald Trump will try to tighten control over illegal trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No manufacturers entities have been held responsible for any of these supplies yet. We think that if any of these manufacturers would be held responsible for the quantity of microelectronics found, say, in Russian missiles hitting Ukraine, (they) would really, really start to do more in that regard," Vlasiuk told CNN. This echoes the views of the US Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which earlier this year criticised US manufacturers for not doing enough to vet potential buyers despite having sufficient "resources, funding, and knowledge". The anonymous DIU official said that the diversion of components to Iran and directly to Russia also continues. "Russia uses Western components in the whole segment of both lethal weapons and reconnaissance drones," the DIU source told CNN, noting that the downing of one of Russia's heavy drones, the Okhotnik, showed that it was made mainly of US components. "We also need to do the appropriate work to close these supply channels," he said. Background: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on allies to tighten sanctions and export controls after the discovery of freshly manufactured Western components in a North Korean missile shot down in Ukraine. Western intelligence believes that half of the approximately 3 million artillery shells per year used by Russia come from North Korea. Evidence of new deliveries of North Korean ballistic missiles to Moscow also emerged in September. Support UP or become our patron! Russia has lured several hundred Yemenis into joining the war in Ukraine, promising them high-paid jobs and Russian citizenship. Source: Financial Times, DW Details: The American newspaper reports that when the Yemeni citizens arrived in Russia, they were forcibly enlisted in the army and sent to the line of contact in Ukraine. The recruitment was carried out with the help of a company registered in Oman and linked to the Yemeni Houthis, the publication said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FT releases a document that looks like a contract dated 3 July and signed by the head of a contract recruitment centre in Nizhny Novgorod. It is claimed that at least 200 people were recruited in this way. The recruitment is believed to have been organised by the Houthis as part of their efforts to establish connections with Moscow. Support UP or become our patron! Russia has removed a senior commander from his post for making false claims about the progress of the war in parts of eastern Ukraine, according to military bloggers and Russian media. Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, the commander of the South Forces Group, was dismissed after providing misleading information about Russias progress near the Siversk settlement in the eastern region of Donetsk, according to the bloggers. Russian media RBC reported Anashkins removal, citing unnamed sources within the Russian Ministry of Defense who said he was removed as part of a planned rotation. There has been no official confirmation from Russian officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces are facing one of the most powerful Russian offensives since the start of the war on the frontlines, according to Ukraines army chief. But progress has been slower in some regions, with many settlements becoming synonymous with lies and unjustified losses, Rybar, one of the most prominent Russian military blogs, said on Telegram. Only the lazy did not write about the problems there: in general, it took the system about two months to respond to it properly, Rybar added, referring to multiple settlements near the frontline that Anashkin allegedly lied about capturing. Some bloggers claim that false reports made by several commanders about the situation on the ground have led to heavy losses among Russian units. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military bloggers have become a key source of information since Russians full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Many have deep sources within the states armed forces or among pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. CNN has contacted the Russian Ministry of Defense for comment. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russian forces are preparing to break through to the southern part of Donetsk Oblast, Vladyslav Voloshyn, the spokesperson for the Ukrainian military's Southern Command, said on Nov. 24. Kyiv has been warning of a potential Russian offensive in the south, as Moscow's troops continue advancing in Ukraine's eastern regions. "The enemy is trying to break through to the south of Donetsk region, where Donetsk and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts meet," Voloshyn told Apostrophe TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voloshyn said the push would likely concentrate around Velyka Novosilka, one of the largest settlements in the area. Russian troops are also gearing up for assault operations in the direction of Orikhiv and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. "There is a high probability that the enemy will also launch assault operations, trying to break into our defense," he said. Russian forces are creating assault groups, transferring ammunition, and conducting aerial reconnaissance with drones, Voloshyn said, citing Ukrainian intelligence. These actions signal preparations for an upcoming offensive. "In addition, the enemy is actively trying to hit the previously scouted areas in these areas... and is finding out where our firepower is located, trying to suppress and destroy it to make it easier for them to conduct assault operations," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces have been preparing for a Russian push in the south. Voloshyn on Nov. 12 said that Russia could launch a renewed assault on Zaporizhzhia Oblast "any day." Ukraine is busy building heavy fortifications near Zaporizhzhia, the military told the Economist on Nov. 24. Earlier in October, Voloshyn said that Russian forces were massing for a breakthrough in the direction of Orikhiv and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. The area was the main axis of Ukraine's southern counteroffensive in 2023, which led to the liberation of the settlement of Robotyne but achieved no major results. Russia is currently gaining territory in eastern Ukraine at a rapid rate, seizing towns in Donetsk Oblast at the cost of heavy personnel losses. Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said on Nov. 2. that Ukraine is now facing "one of the most powerful" Russian offensives since the start of the all-out war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukraine war latest: Ukraine has lost over 40% of territory previously gained in Kursk incursion, Reuters reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russia has recruited hundreds of mercenaries from Yemen to fight in its war against Ukraine, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Nov. 24. The recruits told the FT they had been promised lucrative jobs, "high salaries," and even Russian citizenship. However, after arriving in Russia with the help of a Houthi-linked company, they were forcibly inducted into the Russian army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine, according to the report. The FT described the operation as a shadowy trafficking operation, underscoring the deepening ties between the Kremlin and Yemens Iran-backed Houthi militants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the start of its full-scale invasion, Moscow has relied on various methods to enlist migrants and foreign nationals to offset its heavy battlefield losses while avoiding full-scale mobilization. Reports indicate that Russia has recruited individuals from Nepal, Somalia, India, Cuba, and other nations. North Korea has also sent an estimated 10,000 troops to Russia, many of whom are stationed in the western Kursk Oblast and engaged in combat, a Pentagon spokesperson said during a Nov. 12 briefing. In October, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that Yemens Houthi militants have been using Russian satellite data to target ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. The targeting information was reportedly provided through Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enabling the Houthis to expand their strikes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This collaboration demonstrates how far Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to go to destabilize the Western political and economic order, the WSJ reported. Analysts suggest that Moscow aims to foment unrest from the Middle East to Asia to distract the United States. According to the FT, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking confirmed that Russia is actively pursuing contacts with the Houthis, including discussions involving weapons transfers. While Lenderking declined to elaborate, he noted that Russian personnel in Sanaa are facilitating this dialogue. The kinds of weapons being discussed are very alarming and would enable the Houthis to better target ships in the Red Sea and potentially beyond, Lenderking told the FT. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Russian government is concerned about the continuing economic costs of the war in Ukraine and is trying to force its military to better adhere to discipline. Source: Institute for the Study of War (ISW) Details: Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced on 23 November that Russia does not currently plan another partial involuntary reserve call-up as authorities continue relying on crypto-mobilisation strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peskov stated that Kremlin officials are not discussing a second wave of mobilisation and that Russia is recruiting adequate numbers of contract volunteer personnel. Meanwhile, other Russian officials are intensifying efforts to encourage contract volunteer enlistment. On 23 November, Russian leader Vladimir Putin signed a law allowing soldiers who served in Ukraine to write off loans of up to 10 million roubles (approximately US$95,869) if courts initiated debt collection before 1 December 2024, likely aimed at motivating indebted Russians to enter into contracts with the Ministry of Defence. The Russian government remains wary of the economic burden of the ongoing war in Ukraine, particularly regarding compensation for soldiers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 22 November, the Russian Defence Ministry submitted a draft law requiring soldiers to repay their one-time enlistment bonuses if they committed "gross disciplinary offences" or avoided military duties. Putin has recently expressed concern over Russia's long-term economic stability, including by reducing payments for soldiers wounded in combat. The draft law likely aims to improve discipline among military personnel, as complaints about poor treatment by the Russian military command persist. To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 23 November: The Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) likely attempted to cover up the recent removal of the acting commander of the Southern Military District (SMD) Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, following widespread accusations within the Russian information space that Anashkin's subordinates submitted false frontline progress reports to superiors. Ukrainian military officials denied claims of North Korean personnel's presence in Kharkiv Oblast amid new unconfirmed reports that North Korean "technical advisers" are operating in occupied Mariupol. Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and near Velyka Novosilka. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia does not currently need to conduct another partial involuntary reserve call-up as Russian authorities continue leaning into crypto-mobilisation efforts. Support UP or become our patron! A senior Russian general has been sacked for faking reports of battlefield successes in Ukraine, according to Russian media and war bloggers. Colonel General Gennady Anashkin had been the commander of the Russian Armys Southern Group which is fighting around Siversk, near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. Very recently, false reports about supposedly deep successful breakthroughs began to come from Siversk, said Military Informant, a Russian military blogging channel, after reporting the sacking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rybar, another prominent pro-Kremlin Telegram channel, said that as well as providing inaccurate reports, Col Gen Anashkin had thrown poorly prepared and ill-equipped units into battle, unnecessarily killing hundreds of men for little apparent tactical gain. Neither the Kremlin nor the Russian Army has officially confirmed the sacking of Gen. Anashkin. Russian state outlet RBK reported that a source in the Russian ministry of defence acknowledged Col Gen Anashkins dismissal but claimed that it was due to a planned rotation. Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the ministry of defence leadership, representatives of the defence industry and missile systems developers, in Moscow - Gavriil Grigorov/Reuters Ahead of winter, Russian forces advanced at the fastest rate in Ukraine since the start of the 2022 invasion, though progress was much slower in some areas particularly around Siversk in the war-battered Donetsk region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Institute for the Study of War, a US-based think tank, said the Russian defence ministry had falsely claimed that its forces near Siversk had seized the villages of Bilohorivka on May 20 and Serebryanka in late October 2024. Russian military bloggers widely applauded Col Gen Anashkins removal, saying it was likely to lead to improvements in military operations and place increased value on soldiers lives at the front. However, Rybar said it was disappointed to learn that Col Gen Anashkin was being reassigned to a military training centre. It called the move part of a harmful policy of sending generals who have committed offences to organise the training process. Col Gen Anashkin was only appointed commander of the Russian Armys Southern Group in May. He was made a Hero of Russia, the highest honorary title of the Russian Federation, after leading airborne units during Russias five-day war in Georgia in 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His sacking comes two days after Andrei Belousov, Russias defence minister, made a rare trip to view front-line Russian troops in Ukraine. Putin installed Mr Belousov as his defence minister in May to improve the efficiency and performance of his army. In his reports on the change of command, prominent pro-Russian war blogger Yuri Podolyaka quoted Mr Belousov as saying that you can make mistakes but you cannot lie. Another Russian military blogger, the Two Majors, said the incident shows Mr Belousov was now taking a personal interest in the army, rather than just administrative reforms, by trying to root out poor commanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all of Belousovs visits to the front are made just to boost the morale of the fighters and the status of the commanders. Some of them are actually inspections, it said. Vladimir Putin has previously sacked senior generals for failures on the battlefield and for insubordination. The section of the frontline around Siversk is considered vital. If Russian forces capture the town, analysts have said that they could then launch attacks on the larger Ukrainian city of Kramatorsk, a major supply hub in the region. Andrei Belousov (L), the defence minister, gives an award to a Russian serviceman - AP Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the front lines, Russian forces continue to push forward, with Russian sources suggesting the Kremlins forces had scored battlefield successes across the northern sector towards the Ukrainian city of Kupyansk. Ukrainian intelligence has also reported that North Korean technical advisers have been spotted in Mariupol, a port city on the Sea of Azov in occupied Ukraine. Western intelligence had said that up to 12,000 North Korean soldiers were being thrown into battle in Russias southern border region of Kursk, which the Kremlin is attempting to recapture from Kyiv. However, Ukrainian intelligence now suggests that they may play a wider role in the conflict as they move into Russian-held Ukrainian territories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin is also accused of recruiting hundreds of men from Yemen to fight in its war in Ukraine, according to the Financial Times. The men were allegedly tricked into travelling to Russia with promises of work and citizenship but were instead forced into the army and sent to the front line. A company linked to Iran-backed Houthi rebels, with whom Moscow has been building ties in recent years, is said to have helped organise the mens transfer to Russia. Overnight, Russia launched another major wave of drone attacks against Ukraine. Volodymyr Zelensky called on his Western allies to supply better air defences after voicing concern that 23 of the 73 drones launched by Russia managed to break through Ukraines defensive shield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An air alert has been sounded almost daily across Ukraine, the Ukrainian president said, after a week in which Moscows forces launched more than 20 missiles, 800 guided aerial bombs, and 460 attack drones. Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons, he added. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The engine of a Russian-made passenger plane caught fire after landing at southern Turkeys Antalya Airport on Sunday, the Turkish transport ministry said in a statement. The ministry said landings at the airport were suspended until 3 a.m. local time while authorities towed the plane from the runway. All 89 passengers and six crew were safely evacuated from the Sukhoi Superjet 100 passenger plane that had come from the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, the ministry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video shared on social media by Airport Haber news website showed emergency units responding at the site of the fire, with flames and smoke coming out of the aircrafts engine. Videos shared by the transport ministry following the incident showed the aircraft with fire extinguishing foam underneath as firefighters continue to spray the left-side engine to cool it down. According to the Antalya Airport website, an Azimuth Airlines plane from Sochi landed at 6.25 p.m. GMT. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russian troops fatally shot two civilian women and injured a man in Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast, the regional prosecutors office reported on Nov. 24. According to the report, at around 6 p.m. on Nov. 21, Russian soldiers entered an apartment in a residential area of Toretsk and "deliberately" opened fire with automatic weapons on three civilians. Two women were killed on the spot, while a man sustained injuries, including fractures to his shoulder and collarbone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation into the incident has been launched, the prosecutor's office said. Toretsk has emerged as one of the hottest areas in Donetsk Oblast in recent months as Russian forces press their offensive in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has accused Russian troops of committing over 137,000 war crimes since the start of the full-scale invasion. These include the mass abduction of Ukrainian children, the torture of civilians in occupied areas, and widespread killings. Read also: Investigation: Russians carry out systemic terror in occupied part of Kherson Oblast Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian soldiers have killed two civilians and wounded one in the city of Toretsk, Donetsk Oblast. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: Investigators say that at 18:00 on 21 November, representatives of Russian troops once again cynically violated international humanitarian law. Russian servicemen entered an apartment in a residential district of Toretsk as three civilians were inside. The Russians deliberately opened fire on them with automatic weapons, killing two local women instantly. The man who was next to them was injured. He suffered fractures of his shoulder and collarbone. Support UP or become our patron! On Sunday 24 November, a Russian missile strike on Chernihiv Oblast injured a civilian man, also destroying houses and outbuildings. Source: Viacheslav Chaus, Head of Chernihiv Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram; Ukraine's Air Force on Telegram Quote: "The enemy launched a missile strike on Chernihiv Oblast. There were two explosions in the Koriukivka district. Outbuildings were damaged. Sadly, a man, 28, was hurt and brought to one of the local hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The Russians hit) a hromada in the Chernihiv district [a hromada is an administrative unit designating a town, village or several villages and their adjacent territories ed.]. There are damaged houses." Details: Chaus noted that information on the consequences of the attack is being specified. At 16:18, the Air Force warned of missiles moving in the direction of Chernihiv. Support UP or become our patron! Shocked by cruel action Sacramento church has fed homeless for 7 years. Then deputies gave them trespass notices, (sacbee.com, Nov. 14) I am shocked by the political and societal hypocrisy made evident by the trespass notice given to the four Mercy Pedalers volunteers feeding the homeless. In 1981, then-President Ronald Reagan said that if only every church and synagogue would take in 10 welfare families each, homelessness could be weathered until it passed. In true conservative fashion, Reagan planned to save the taxpayer the cost and the messiness of finding actual solutions to homelessness. Faith communities have always done the work of caring for the vulnerable in society, and now we are being punished for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think this was what the late president had in mind. Kathy Stricklin Mercy Pedalers Arden Arcade Opinion Shameful behavior Sacramento church has fed homeless for 7 years. Then deputies gave them trespass notices, (sacbee.com, Nov. 14) Recently, a team of four Mercy Pedalers volunteers offered unhoused persons near the Arcade Library food, coffee, water and other resources. In response, they were cited by the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office for trespassing on private property and threatened with arrest if they returned to this location. The recent election may have emboldened law enforcement and politicians to act more cruelly toward citizens, but these actions still stand in stark contrast to the mandate of Jesus to be guided by justice, love, kindness and mercy, and to feed the hungry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The specific irony here is that it is the countys duty to provide for its indigent citizens not faith groups. John McCormack Sacramento Restaurant deserves better Sacramento CA revives waterfront revitalization plans, (sacbee.com, Nov. 14) Just a few short months after the City of Sacramento refused to make the necessary repairs to keep the Rio City Cafe operational, Mayor Darrell Steinberg hosted a press conference heralding a plan to upgrade buildings and repair docks, among other improvements. Now that the pandemic is over, the city wants to fast-track improvements to the waterfront district. But what of the citys responsibility to the owners of the Rio City Cafe, with whom they had a long-term rental agreement? The city neglected to make necessary maintenance and repairs, promising vaguely to address the issues in the future. The owners of Rio City were good tenants through good times and bad, including weathering the storm during the pandemic, with no help from the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isnt it time to right a recent wrong and provide Rio City with the upgrades the city should have provided as landlords? Bill Motmans Sacramento Drax plans to pollute California Stockton residents fight back against wood pellet proposal, (sacbee.com, Aug. 31) Wood pellet plants and their associated mass transportation are proven to cause extreme increases in air pollution. Drax, the wood pellet company planning to open shop in California, has plants in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana that are riddled with citations from the Environmental Protection Agency. Studies surrounding the plant in Mississippi indicate a correlation between pellet production and asthma rates in neighboring counties. Drax plans on polluting Stockton, Lassen and Tuolumne so they can sell expensive carbon credits to European companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must stop pretending that the supposed biomass benefits outweigh the harms to Californians. Why are we selling our health and the health of our forests so these companies can make a quick buck? Luke Zaelke Chatsworth Big oil CEO speaks out Americas Largest Oil Company Asks Trump Not to Pull Out of Paris Deal, (sacbee.com, Nov. 12) ExxonMobil CEO Darren Woods encouragement of Donald Trump to stay in the Paris Agreement highlights the dangers the world faces from climate change. When oil company execs are (finally) speaking out strongly in favor of climate action, we should listen. Woods told Politico, I dont think the challenge or the need to address global emissions is going to go away... Anything that happens in the short term would just make the longer term that much more challenging. In other words, we cant afford a four-year delay in climate action or a rollback of the progress weve already made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. is a net exporter of fossil fuels and produces more oil and gas than any country. We need to transition away from fossil fuels as the world agreed to do last year to ensure a stable climate for our children and grandchildren. Lisa Howard Rocklin ST. LOUIS The Saint Louis Zoo has announced the birth of a male Asian elephant calf that was born on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024, at 4:32 a.m. The calf was named Jet by their Elephant Care team. The Zoos 17-year-old Asian elephant, Jade, gave birth to the baby boy. The team chose the name Jet because it is a gemstone and is in line with the Zoos elephant family history of gemstone names. Jets great grandparents are Onyx and Pearl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thrilled to welcome this calf, which starts the fourth generation of our Asian elephant family at the Zoo, said Tim Thier, Curator of Mammals/Ungulates and Rivers Edge, and Director, Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Institute Center for Asian Elephant Conservation. Jade and baby are doing well and bonding. The Zoo says that this is the first Asian elephant birth from artificial insemination at the Saint Louis Zoo. Jets father, Jake, currently lives at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in Denver, CO. Jake was born at African Lion Safari in Ontario, Canada. The Saint Louis Zoo explained that using the science of artificial insemination allowed Jade to contribute to the genetic diversity of the population while being able to remain with her family group. Jade was born at the Saint Louis Zoo in 2007, and her parents are Rani and Raja. She and her calf are part of an eight-member, four-generation elephant family at the Zoos Rivers Edge. The other elephants in the family are Ellie, Maliha, Pearl, Priya, Sri, and Raja. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. On Saturday, the Salvation Army distributed nearly 30,000 pounds of food to families in need ahead of Thanksgiving. Members of the Salvation Army and local volunteers assisted at the event to help supply over 2,000 families a Thanksgiving meal. Families came in went to Bostons Salvation Army center, from 10am-12pm, families picked up Thanksgiving care packages. The packages include all of the traditional turkey day fixings, including a turkey and plenty of side additions to make it a complete holiday meal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause is apart of Salvation Armys annual Boston Holiday Help program to aid those families that are food insecure. 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 SANDY, Utah (ABC4) The community in Sandy celebrated two new custom-designed fire engines Saturday morning, working together to push the 40,000-pound engines into the bay at Fire Station 32. This is a long-standing tradition where the community can help push the new fire engines and welcome them into the city. A large crowd came out to see the new engines, the Pierce Enforcer and Pierce Responder, getting the chance to look inside them too. The community in Sandy joined in a push-in ceremony to welcome the citys two newest fire engines. (KTVX/Jeff Hunter) I just wanted to again acknowledge the contribution of Sandy City, the citizens of Sandy City that make it possible for us to have stations, to have these new fire engines, to have the new fire station 31 thats being constructed down near the freeway, said Sandy Fire Chief McConaghie. All of these things that we are given come from you, and I appreciate that. I want to say thank you for showing up today. I want you to recognize that these are your engines and we take that seriously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief McConaghie explained the origins of the push-in ceremony. He said it started back in the days when the apparatus that the fire department used were pulled by horses to events and emergencies in the community. They would have to disconnect the horses from the fire trailer, or whatever type of apparatus it was, and then they would push that apparatus backwards into the fire station, into where it would sit, and then put the horses away, he said. So, this push-in ceremony is a representation of that history. When we are able to get a new piece of apparatus, like these two new engines, we go through that as a tribute to those that have gone before us, and also a celebration to recognize and share with our community partners the new engines and the new apparatus, he said. The engines were specifically built with Sandy City in mind, Sandy Mayor Monica Zoltanksi remarked. The Responder has a 4-wheel chassis, which will give it better access to steep hillsides in Sandys east bend, canyon access areas, and Dimple Dell Park. It will be housed in Fire Station 33. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Enforcer is replacing an outdated engine at Fire Station 35. It will carry medical gear and is intended to enhance the citys hazmat crew. Each of the engines, Mayor Zoltanski said, will improve safety in the city. This is possible, as others have said, because of the strong support of our Sandy residents The reason Im so proud to be here with all of you today is because your presence recognizes the hard, courageous work of the women and the men in our Sandy Fire Department, Mayor Zoltanksi said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A Santa Clarita man was charged with dealing a drug three times more powerful than fentanyl, causing one fatal overdose, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Arraigned on Wednesday, Benjamin Anthony Collins, 21, was charged with one count of distribution of protonitazene that resulted in what the DOJ says could be the nations first death-resulting criminal case involving this narcotic. The indictment alleges Collins knowingly and intentionally dealt protonitazene to a victim in the early morning hours of April 19, 2024. The DOJ only identified the victim as a 22-year-old man from Stevenson Ranch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Los Angeles Times reports that hours before his death, the victim called Collins asking for Percocet pills, and Collins sold him five oxycodone pills for $20 each. Also included in the L.A. Times report was a recount of text messages between the two before the drug deal that were shown in court documents: I need real Percs tho. Cuz my boy just died. I get worried, texted the victim. According to the report, Collins responded by saying, yeah bro same with my best friend bro. He just died 3 days ago. Off fake pills. He also then said, those fake Percs get you . . I test all my [expletive] negative every time. Soon after the deal, the DOJ says the 22-year-old took the pills in the front seat of his car and quickly died. His mother found him parked outside her home and called 911, officials say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent years, protonitazene has been sold over the internet and is believed to be several times more powerful than fentanyl, which itself is 50 times stronger than heroin, the DOJ wrote in a statement released Thursday. According to the World Health Organization, protonitazene and other nitazenes were first synthesized in the late 1950s as novel opioid alternatives to morphine, but were soon abandoned and never approved for medical use. The DOJ says Collins, in addition to giving the victim the pills that ended his life, had planned on also selling him a bulk supply of the same drugs in the future. Collins was arrested on Monday, Nov. 18, and he pleaded not guilty on Wednesday. He is scheduled for a trial date in January, and meanwhile is being held without bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If convicted, Collins would face a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years in federal prison and a statutory maximum sentence of life imprisonment. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.) has a theory for why Republicans are so focused on what bathroom she will use in the upcoming Congress: it is an attempt to distract from what they are actually doing. Every single time, every single time we hear them say the word 'trans,' look what they're doing with their right hand, McBride said in an interview with host Margaret Brennan on CBS Face the Nation." Look at what they're doing to pick the pocket of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing Social Security and Medicare. Look what they're doing, undermining workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added, Every bit of time and energy that is used to divert the attention of federal government to go after trans people is time and energy that is not focused on addressing the cost of living for our constituents. And we have to be clear that there is a real cost for the American worker every time they focus on this. McBride, who is about to become the first openly transgender member of Congress, has landed at the center of debate over what bathroom transgender people should be allowed to use on Capitol Hill. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) recently introduced legislation that bars transgender women from using the women's restroom, and, soon after, Speaker Mike Johnson announced he would enforce it. A man is a man, and a woman is a woman, and a man cannot become a woman, Johnson said last week. That said, I also believe- that's what Scripture teaches, what I just said. But I also believe that we treat everybody with dignity. According to Newsweek, Mace on X "posted, reposted and responded for a total of 326 times" about the topic over a three-day period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout the week of this controversy, McBride has brushed aside the debate, pointing to the fact that she plans to focus instead on the issues her constituents sent her to the Capitol to fight for. She added that she hopes to work with fellow members of Congress who want to work on these serious issues. I didn't run for the United States House of Representatives to talk about what bathroom I use. I didn't run to talk about myself. I ran to deliver for Delawareans, McBride said. And while Republicans in Congress seem focused on bathrooms and trans people, and specifically me, I'm focused on rolling up my sleeves, diving into the details, setting up my office, and beginning the hard work of delivering for Delawareans on the issues that I know keep them up at night. She added, How I'm being treated does not matter. What matters is how the American people are being treated and whether we're actually focused on the issues that matter to them. McBride also addressed concerns over messaging on transgender issues within the Democratic Party. In the wake of a resounding rejection of Democrats across the country, some members, like Reps. Seth Moulton (D-Mass.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), have suggested Democrats need to shift their messaging on some issues, like transgender women playing womens sports. I think this country is still entering into a conversation about who trans people are, the full diversity of the community, McBride said. And I've had conversations with colleagues in the Democratic caucus already that span diversity of thought about how the party should engage on a whole host of issues. But I think we are all united that every single American deserves equal rights. American companies are developing unmanned aircraft systems that are larger than drones. The goal is for the aircraft to help agricultural producers and reduce risks to human safety. Rotor technologies When Hector Xu was learning to pilot a helicopter in college, he remembered having a few bad experiences while flying at night. The experiences led him to research unmanned aircraft systems while getting his doctorate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Then, Xu formed Rotor Technologies in 2021 to develop unmanned helicopters. Rotor has built two autonomous helicopters that the company calls Sprayhawks. Rotor aims to have as many as 20 Sprayhawks ready for market next year. The company also is developing helicopters that would fly shipments into disaster areas and to oil rigs in oceans. The helicopters could also be used to fight wildfires. For now, Rotor is paying attention to agriculture. The industry has accepted automation with drones but sees unmanned helicopters as a better way to spray larger areas with pesticides and fertilizers. Safety A major appeal of automation in agriculture flights is safety. Because special airplanes called crop dusters fly at around 240 kph and only about 3 meters off the ground, there are tens of accidents each year. The small planes hit power lines, cell towers and other planes. Older planes in disrepair and pilot tiredness play a part in accidents. A 2014 report from the National Transportation Safety Board found there were more than 800 agriculture flight accidents between 2001 and 2010, including 81 that were deadly. A separate report from the National Agriculture Aviation Association found nearly 640 accidents from 2014 until this month with 109 deaths. It is a very, very dangerous, profession, said Dan Martin, a research engineer with the U.S. Department of Agricultures Agriculture Research Service. Martin said about the pilots, They make all their money in those short few months so sometimes it may mean that they fly 10 to 12 hours a day or more. Job risks also include possible contact with farming chemicals. In recent years, safety and cost concerns have led to a number of drones flying above farmers fields, Martin said. He added that some 10,000 drones will likely be sold this year alone. Its growing exponentially as a market, super fast, Martin said. But the size of the drones means they only can cover a small amount of the area that a plane or helicopter can. The limitation is providing an opening for companies building bigger unmanned aircraft like Rotor and another company, Pyka. California-based Pyka announced in August that it had sold its first autonomous electric aircraft for crop protection to a buyer in the United States. Pykas Pelican Spray, a fixed-wing aircraft, received official approval last year to fly for crop protection. The company also sold its Pelican Spray to Dole for use in Honduras and to the Brazilian company, SLC Agricola. Lukas Koch is chief technology officer at Heinen Brothers Agra Services, the company which bought the Pelican Spray in August. Koch has called unmanned aircraft part of a coming revolution, that will save farmers money and increase safety. The Kansas-based company operates out of airports from Texas to Illinois. Koch does not see the unmanned aircraft replacing all the companys pilots but rather taking over the riskiest jobs. The biggest draw is taking the pilot out of the aircraft inside of those most dangerous situations, Koch said. But Koch also says that autonomous aviation systems could bring new dangers to an already busy airspace. Still, the risk is less of a concern in rural areas with plenty of open space and fewer people. The future Companies like Rotor have developed their systems to work if bad events come up. Rotors helicopter, for example, has a half-dozen communications systems and, for now, a remote pilot in control. If the ground team loses contact with the helicopter, Rotor has a system to deal with the problem. The system makes sure the engine can be turned off and the helicopter can perform a controlled landing. The safety measures will go a long way to helping the company receive what it expects will be official government approval to fly its helicopters for business purposes. Once the company has approval, the difficulty, as Xu sees it, will be building more devices to meet the demand in the United States and Brazil. Im John Russell. Michael Casey reported on this story for the Associated Press. John Russell adapted it for VOA Learning English. _______________________________________________ Words in This Story drone n. a small uncrewed aircraft guided by remote control or onboard computers helicoptern. an aircraft whose lift comes from one or more powered rotors turning about vertically autonomous adj. undertaken or carried on without outside control pesticide n. a chemical or agent used to destroy pests crop duster n. the airplane used to spray crops especially with pesticides exponentially adv. characterized by an extremely fast increase Neighbors Terry Graham and Kristi Peterman show off Halloween decorations at Liberty Landing Cooperative in Liberty, Mo. Residents collectively purchased the mobile home community in 2021 from its longtime owner a model more state lawmakers hope to emulate to preserve affordable housing. (Kevin Hardy | Stateline) LIBERTY, Missouri During her 25 years living in a quiet suburban mobile home park, Kristi Peterman got to know the neighbors directly next door and a few across the street. But since she and her neighbors collectively purchased the sprawling park outside of Kansas City from its longtime owner in 2021, shes gotten to know just about every resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a community, and not just a neighborhood, she said. A neighborhood is a group of houses or homes that are in proximity of each other. A community is something entirely different. Housing prices are soaring across the country, and the shortage of affordable housing is a primary concern for many voters. As the crisis continues, an increasing number of policymakers are championing laws that promote the type of collective ownership at Liberty Landing Cooperative. Manufactured homes, long known as mobile homes, are widely viewed as the last bastion of affordable housing. Millions of Americans own mobile homes but rent the ground beneath them. And despite the mobile moniker, these factory-built homes are difficult and costly to relocate. That makes owners of such homes particularly susceptible to rent hikes especially as longtime communities get bought up by big investors. Residents at Liberty Landing were phenomenally lucky, Peterman said. The parks longtime owner was looking to get out of the business and suggested the resident-owned model. Working with a nonprofit organization, residents bought the park by securing a $9.5 million loan debt that is being repaid by monthly lot rents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a community, and not just a neighborhood. Kristi Peterman, who owns a mobile home in Liberty, Mo. Though they hired a property management firm, co-op board members, including Peterman, are now responsible for the finances and upkeep of the park. Like a homeowners association, they ensure residents are maintaining their lawns and homes. And the board evicts those who neglect their property or dont make rent payments. The co-op requires more work from residents, Peterman said, but assures they will control their own destiny. We really try hard not to have people come in with a renters mentality, because its a lot different than just going in somewhere and paying your rent, she said. Youre an owner here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the federal government made available $225 million in grants for improvements at mobile home communities, including those owned by residents, and announced plans to allow resident-owned parks to access federally insured financing to keep rents low or make improvements. But park owners and a leading trade organization for manufactured homes and park owners question the actual benefits of resident ownership and have expressed concern over governments tipping the scales in favor of the model over private ownership. States embrace resident ownership Because they dont own the land beneath their homes, mobile home residents are at the mercy of the parks owners, who could raise their rents or even shut down the park altogether as the land is redeveloped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, 12 private equity funds own more than 1,300 American mobile home communities, home to more than 250,000 lots, according to the Private Equity Stakeholder Project, a nonprofit watchdog group that tracks the impact of private equity investors. It can cost thousands of dollars to move a manufactured home, and some older models are essentially considered immobile. Without long-term land leases, that leaves many residents vulnerable, said Carolyn Carter, deputy director of the National Consumer Law Center. Residents in manufactured home communities, while theyre subject to a lot of the same abuses as apartment renters, they need even more protection, she said. Currently, 22 states have laws requiring or encouraging owners of manufactured home parks to give homeowners the opportunity to purchase their land collectively. Those laws can vary wildly, with some requiring that the residents be given the right of first refusal, while others simply require park owners to provide notice of their intent to sell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres lots of interest in the states, Carter said. More than Ive ever seen. Last year, six states enacted or strengthened laws encouraging resident ownership, Carter said. This year, Illinois passed legislation requiring community owners to give residents advanced notice of potential sales and an opportunity to purchase the park collectively. Last week, New Jersey Democratic Assemblyman David Bailey Jr. introduced a bill to strengthen the states resident ownership law after visiting several mobile home communities. This model works. It has worked. Its extremely successful, Bailey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A bill passed in Maine last year requires park owners to give residents and the state 60 days notice of a potential sale. The owner also must disclose the sale price and give residents the option to make their own offer and negotiate in good faith. For me, it was a matter of fairness and providing an option for people in that situation, so they dont lose their home, said Maine Democratic state Rep. Traci Gere, who sponsored the bill. Residents in Brunswick, Maine, were the first to benefit from the new law. They paid $26.3 million, raised through loans and grant money, to purchase the Linnhaven Mobile Home Center, which has nearly 300 homes. Its an example to others not only in Maine, but across the country that you can do this and you can take control of your own futures, Gere said. And its such an empowering feeling for everybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But park owners have pushed back on some of these laws, which they argue can complicate sales. Another mobile home community owner in Maine, for example, told The New York Times that the notification and negotiation process can drag out the sale, creating a horrible, horrible experience. And the industry doesnt necessarily agree that resident ownership is good for homeowners. In some cases, it could be beneficial to the residents, and there are other cases where a lot of problems can come from that, said Lesli Gooch, the chief executive officer of the Manufactured Housing Institute, a trade group that includes manufacturers, retailers and community owners. She said cooperatively owned communities may not have the same resources available to private owners to invest in long-term maintenance and infrastructure needs. And many residents just dont want to be in the business of property management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are various structures of resident-owned communities involving assistance from nonprofits or government groups. And homeowners may never see a financial return on the purchase of land. The residents need to make sure that they understand what theyre getting into, Gooch said. And so, if theres legislation that puts the finger on the scale toward one form of ownership over another, we are concerned about that. The stigma is changing Manufactured homes face unique financing and land use challenges not to mention growing concerns over their ability to withstand disasters in the face of climate change. But many site-built homes face the same issues as those built in factories, said Arica Young, an associate director at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a research organization that studies the issue and advocates for the use of manufactured homes. Given how critical our housing issue is, we need everything on the table, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a square-foot basis, manufactured homes cost 45% less to build than site-built homes, according to Freddie Mac. But many communities have resisted their use, either with outright bans or with more subtle regulations on design features such as roof pitch or windows that effectively keep out factory-built homes, Young said. A lot of the regulations, a lot of the unease around it, comes from stigma, she said. That is the underlying problem that I think not a lot of people are willing to talk about. Local opposition has pushed some legislatures to step in. This year, Maine and Maryland enacted laws allowing manufactured housing in any location that allows single-family homes. And in New Hampshire, a bill was signed into law that requires municipalities to provide reasonable and realistic opportunities for new manufactured housing parks and blocked zoning codes that effectively bar housing parks. I think the stigma is changing, but slowly, said Republican state Rep. Joe Alexander Jr., who sponsored the New Hampshire legislation. Alexander views manufactured homes as a viable option for many young people, who simply cant afford to purchase a site-built home in a high-cost state such as New Hampshire. Aside from their affordability, he said, manufactured homes are more energy efficient than many other homes. He hopes to bring a manufactured home to the statehouse lawn in Concord next year to show off their benefits. These units are a lot nicer than some of the old trailer park ideas from the past, he said. Whats the goal? In Massachusetts, mobile home park owner Tom Lennon came under fire for raising mobile home lot rent by nearly 150%. In February, the monthly rent at his West Street Village Mobile Home Community in Ludlow rose from $207 to $503.06. That move was sanctioned by the towns mobile home rent review board a decision being challenged in court. Lennon, who owns eight mobile home communities, said that increase was needed because the previous owner was charging too little for too long the park has only seen two rent hikes over the last five decades, he said. That left the park poorly maintained, he said, with a backlog of costly upgrades needed. Since his purchase, Lennon has paved roads, added fencing and installed new mailboxes, among other improvements. Lennon, who also sells mobile homes, noted they offer big cost savings compared with other types of housing. But residents in co-ops are not building long-term wealth on their investment in the land because theyre still paying rent on their lot, he said. Whats the goal for these people? he said. There isnt one. Mike Bullard, vice president of communications at ROC USA, an organization that works with mobile-home owners across the country, acknowledged that owners generally dont buy their parks with hopes of a big financial return. They do it to keep their rents affordable and ensure stability over the long term, he said. The mobile home park in Missouri, for example, doesnt expect residents to ever fully pay off its debt. Rather, the co-op plans to refinance over time and draw on equity to fund needed infrastructure improvements. ROC USA has helped create more than 330 resident-owned parks across the country. Bullard said the organization generally helps communities secure a 10-year loan with a balloon payment toward the end. The idea is that communities build a financial track record within a few years of conversion and can refinance in traditional lending markets. They have the equity, so they can pull some equity out and repave their roads or replace their, you know, septic systems, he said. Thats a sound and smart approach. This story was originally produced by Stateline which is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network, including the Daily Montanan, supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said Sunday that its a slur to call former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (Hawaii) a Russian asset. I think its its really interesting that anybody that has a different political view now is being cast as a Russian asset. Its totally ridiculous, Schmitt told NBC Newss Kristen Welker on Meet the Press. Tulsi Gabbard has served in our military. She served as a congresswoman from Hawaii, as a Democrat, I might add, part of this unique coalition that President Trump has put together and won and got that mandate. But I think its insulting. Its a slur, quite frankly, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President-elect Trump announced earlier this month that he selected Gabbard to be director of national intelligence in his next administration. I know Tulsi will bring the fearless spirit that has defined her illustrious career to our Intelligence Community, championing our Constitutional Rights, and securing Peace through Strength. Tulsi will make us all proud! Trump said in a statement at the time. Gabbard has in the past shared content implying that the U.S. was involved in making biological weapons in Ukraine, perpetuating a Russian narrative. She also met with Syrian leader Bashar Assad, who has been accused of using chemical weapons on Syrian civilians, seven years ago. In his appearance on Meet the Press, Schmitt said of Gabbard that theres no evidence that shes [an] asset of another country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She served this country honorably, and by the way, she cares deeply about our Constitution and civil liberties and making sure people arent being targeted by these intelligence agencies, he added. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Following the disappointing close of the COP29 World Climate Conference in Azerbaijan on Sunday, the German government sought to draw some positives and talk up future goals. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said in a post on X that the outcome was "not perfect, but we can keep going with this," admitting that countries around the world must still increase their efforts together. Germany's Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock of the country's Greens earlier said: "We know that our decisions today alone will not be enough to meet all the needs," but noted that the participating states had agreed that funding needed to be increased. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Germany's Development Minister Svenja Schulze meanwhile said "the results from Baku are no cause for celebration, the progress made is too small for that." But: "In future, more people will take on responsibility than before," she added. The event, which was extended by 30 hours to resolve the financial commitments of participants, was close to failing before a compromise was reached. However, several countries were still outraged at the outcome, with Nigeria's representative calling the $300 billion asked annually of industrialized countries until 2035 a "joke" and an "insult." Germany, meanwhile, sought solace in the wider possibilities that emerged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A commitment by a small group of industrialized countries will now become a "joint global task" to which other countries will also contribute, according to Schulze. "That is an important signal." It was crucial that private investments worldwide are channelled into climate-friendly paths on a major scale. This was reflected by the new overall target of $1.3 trillion annually through 2035 to help poorer countries fight climate change, she noted. "This can be achieved through good framework conditions, government incentives and fair international cooperation," said Schulze. Economy Minister Robert Habeck focussed on the same points: "In view of the tense global situation, this is a success for international cooperation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The negotiations at UN level were working, even if there were still many unresolved issues that would need to be discussed in the coming year, he noted. "It is pleasing that the states have adopted solid rules for the carbon markets as part of the Paris Agreement and that these mechanisms can now be utilised," said Habeck. Even holdouts such as Saudi Arabia "will not be able to stop the real market forces that have long since decided in favour of renewable energies and the climate-neutral transformation," he added. Kirra Pendergast talks to thousands of teenagers each year in her role as a cyber safety educator. She knows what they get up to online the texting, the bullying, the sextortion, the threats but nothing prepared her for the hostility she faced this month in a roomful of students ages 12 and 13. Shed been booked to give three talks at a high school in Australia but just minutes into the first session, a group of boys started shouting insults common among misogynistic online influencers about the women pictured on Pendergasts presentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers tried to shush them, then a girl in the front row made the final expletive-filled comment that shattered Pendergasts veneer and saw the special guest speaker flee the room in tears. I cant believe Im crying on film on here, Pendergast said in a selfie video filmed soon after in her car. I believe that the behavior that I witnessed today is completely driven by things that theyve seen online, she said. In fact, I know it is, and it has to change. Pendergast, the founder and CEO of global cyber safety training company Safe on Social, once opposed a ban on social media for children, but now shes totally on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I went through absolutely every argument that had been thrown at me and had a counter argument for every single one of them. And then I thought, You know what? Ban it. Just ban it, she told CNN. The Australian government hopes to pass what it calls world-leading legislation this week to wipe social media accounts including Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Reddit and X from the devices of children under 16. If passed, the law would see courts impose fines of nearly 50 million Australian dollars ($32 million) on social media companies found not to have taken reasonable steps to prevent age-restricted children from using their service. The government is not telling tech companies how to do it, but at the very least, it says it expects them to adopt age verification technologies. That comes with privacy issues that the government said will be addressed in the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But critics arent convinced. They say its a rushed piece of legislation driven by political maneuvering ahead of a federal election, one that could push children who flout the rules deeper into unregulated areas of the internet. Supporters say if it saves one life, its worth it. Deadly bullying In recent months, two more young girls have joined a growing list of children who have taken their own lives after allegations of online bullying. Charlotte OBrien took her own life in September. - Seven Network Australia Ella Catley-Crawford also died after alleged bullying online. - GoFundMe Charlotte OBrien died in September, followed by Ella Catley-Crawford both were 12, and their families say they were targeted by bullies who taunted them through Snapchat. In Ellas case, girls allegedly catfished her by pretending to be someone else on the app and spread private videos she sent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SOCIAL MEDIA BULLYING IS REAL, her relatives said in bold caps on a GoFundMe page set up to raise money for her funeral. Charlottes parents Matthew Howard and Kelly OBrien have since joined the campaign to push for a ban on social media for under 16s. Theyre acting on Charlottes last request an appeal to them to raise awareness. Earlier this month, they travelled to Canberra to present the prime minister with a petition then signed by 124,000 people the worlds largest on the topic calling for the age limit for social media to be raised 36 months from 13 to 16. No parent wants to go through what were going through, Howard recently told the 36 Months campaign group in a video shared with CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Danielle Einstein, clinical psychologist and author, says schools are navigating a minefield of interactions that are playing out online, outside school hours, on platforms that are beyond their reach. Teachers are under so much pressure to solve the fact that the culture has been undermined by social media, by this sort of mean behavior that subtly is being permitted to exist, just because its so hard to stop, she said. Einstein supports the social media ban because she believes phones and group chats are replacing face-to-face interactions that teach children how to connect with people and resolve conflict. All of a sudden, any errors they make are broadcast and they go straight out to a whole group, she said. They dont have the opportunity to make these little mistakes, and for the mistakes not to matter. Political leaders push for a ban Agreement between the major political parties is rare in Australia, but on this issue, theyre presenting a united front. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Liberal opposition party proposed a social media age limit in June that was backed by the prime minister, then all the state and territory leaders. I want to talk to Australian parents, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a video posted to Instagram, one of the targets of the ban. Too often social media isnt social at all, and we all know that. The truth is its doing harm to our children, and Im calling time on it, he said. Dany Elachi called time on it in his household a few years ago, when he and his wife caved into their daughters demands to use their old smartphone. She was 10 at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within a matter of weeks, we saw that it overwhelmed her life, he told CNN. The straw that broke the camels back, I think, for her mom and I was catching her messaging friends under the covers at midnight. And so, we just connected all these dots together. We thought, we cant do this for another 10 years. They started the Heads Up Alliance to encourage other parents to delay giving smartphones to their children, and since then their network has grown. Elachi says theres no question that social media is harming Australian kids. Parents are seeing with their own eyes. I mean, there are suicide notes. Children whove killed themselves write their suicide notes, telling us that social media played a role in their deaths, and were seriously still debating whether social media is harmful to our childrens mental health? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its actually disgraceful. Legislation motivated by political issues For many experts, the debates not so much about the negative effects of social media but whether an outright ban is the right response. Last month, more than 140 experts sent a joint letter to the government saying the ban is a blunt response to the problem that removes the incentive for tech companies to invest in more ways to keep children safe online. This week, a joint select committee investigating social media in Australia seemed to agree. Its final report, after months of public hearings and hundreds of submissions, did not call for a ban. Instead, it recommended that laws be changed to effectively bring digital platforms under Australian jurisdiction, and that any changes that affect young people should be co-designed with young people. Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University. - Monica Pronk Amanda Third, co-director of the Young and Resilient Research Centre at Western Sydney University, says for many children, the current sign-up age of 13 is entirely appropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of a ban is incredibly seductive for parents, because it feels like its just going to take that off your list of things to worry about, she said. But in actual fact, a ban is not going to deliver the relief that parents are looking for. Its a fact of life that this will continue to be a key part of parenting into the future. She believes calls for a ban are motivated by political and economic issues. The two major parties that support the ban will contest a federal election next year. And media heavyweight News Corporation, which has pushed for the ban, has a separate dispute with Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram. Meta announced in March it would stop paying Australian providers for news, provoking a furious reaction from News Corp, the dominant player in Australias highly concentrated news industry. Michael Miller, executive chairman of News Corp Australasia, addresses the National Press Club in Canberra in June. - Hilary Wardhaugh/National Press Club News Corp Australia executive chairman Michael Miller delivered a nationally televised speech in June calling for the government to push Meta to pay, saying, We cant let ourselves be bullied. News Corp had launched its Let Them Be Kids campaign the month before, telling the stories of children harmed by social media and pushing for a ban for under 16s. News Corp-owned The Courier Mail recently credited the campaign with leading discussion around the damage caused by tech platforms to young people with that reporting now set to result in seismic changes to online laws. Theres a long way to go before any ban comes into place. Even if it becomes law, the government says itll give tech companies 12 months to comply, with the switch-off date to be set by the communications minister. DIGI, the industry body that represents social media companies including Meta, Snap, TikTok and X, faced a hostile reception on Monday during a hastily called senate committee hearing into the bill. In a line of questioning about how providers would destroy data to meet privacy requirements, senators laughed when DIGI managing director Sunita Bose said: Our members believe in the principle of data minimization. Independent Senator David Pocock replied: I hope they pay you a lot of money, because it must be a hard job trying to make some of your members look like good faith actors. The committee is due to report Tuesday before the senate looks to pass the bill on Wednesday. In a post last week, X owner Elon Musk suggested the bill was excessive government intervention. The self-proclaimed free speech absolutist and close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, posted that the ban seemed like a backdoor way to control access to the Internet by all Australians. Social media apps subject to the proposed ban include Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit and X. - Mateusz Slodkowski/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images Other providers have made an effort to engage on the issue. Snap Inc., whose messaging service Snapchat was allegedly used to bully Charlotte OBrien and Ella Catley-Crawford, said bullying has no place on the app, and has encouraged children who have problems to block and report offenders. Instagram, owned by Meta, recently paired up with Kids Helpline in an anti-bullying campaign How do you mean? that asks content creators how they cope with bullying online. Asked why they wouldnt just log off, some said it would be unfair and unrealistic to leave because their community, friends and family are online. The message was that everyone faces mean behavior but there are ways to deal with it notably pressing a button to report and block before seeking adult help. Under the law, social media accounts already created by children under 16 would be deactivated. - skynesher/E+/Getty Images Some parents believe theres enough mean behavior in real life, without adding social media to the mix especially in junior high, a time, Einstein the psychologist says, when children are forming friendship groups, and sometimes ostracizing classmates who for whatever reason arent deemed to fit in. Pendergast, the cyber safety educator, says shes seen enough mean behavior in her travels to schools across the country to know that something needs to change. If a simple rule protects just one child and helps them grow into a strong, resilient young person with their privacy intact, isnt that worth it? she wrote in a Facebook post. Why would we deny a child that protection? Why is child online safety being treated like a political game? And why has the debate over ban or no ban turned into a competition, when the only ones losing while we argue are the kids? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com This article was originally published in The Hechinger Report. WASHINGTON During Donald Trumps first term as president, he was reluctant to speak boldly about school choice. Thats according to Kellyanne Conway, an aide to the president back then, and one of his former campaign managers. He would say Arent we the ones who say it [education] is local? Why would the president of the United States bigfoot all that? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expect that reticence to be a thing of the past, Conway told the audience at an event last week devoted to promoting the benefits of school choice from sweeping education savings accounts in the style of programs in West Virginia and Arizona to charter schools and microschools. On the campaign trail, Trump already has been vocal about his embrace of parental choice. We want federal education dollars to follow the student, rather than propping up a bloated and radical bureaucracy in Washington, D.C., he said at a rally in Wisconsin last month. Put Students First: Support Journalism That Exposes Truth and Inspires Action. Donate to The 74 (To be sure, Trump did issue an executive order near the end of his first term offering states the opportunity to use federal money to create school choice programs. When I looked into it a few years ago, I couldnt find any state that had taken him up on the offer.) Conway urged participants at the post-Election Day gathering to speak a certain way in their advocacy to lawmakers going forward. Lead with solutions not problems. The problems can be the second part of the sentence, or maybe the second paragraph. The panelists including the founder of a group of charter schools for students with autism in Arizona, the leader of a private school for boys in Alabama and the head of a foundation that supports microschools were all winners of the Yass Prize, fueled by billionaire Jeff Yass and run by the Center for Education Reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also urged the crowd not to make school choice about teachers unions, which is fun to do, especially this week but it doesnt educate another child. (The National Education Association, the nations largest labor union, generally has opposed private school vouchers and has been celebrating the defeat of school choice measures at the ballot box in three states. The decisive defeat of vouchers on the ballot across multiple states speaks loudly and clearly: The public knows vouchers harm students and does not want them in any form, NEA President Becky Pringle said in a statement.) Lawmakers who need convincing arent holding out just because of union pressure, Conway said. In Texas, for instance, rural lawmakers worried about the effect of vouchers on their schools have repeatedly voted down or torpedoed plans in that state that would allow parents to use public money for private school tuition. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott helped elect enough new members in place of those rural holdouts, however, that school choice may soon be a reality in his state. The school choice event at the Ronald Reagan Building in D.C. was notable for the range of people it featured, including parents and pastors, people who are white, Black and Latino, and several Democrats, including Colorado Gov. Jared Polis and state Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams of Pennsylvania. Some of the speakers told stories about opening their own charter schools and private schools. They urged the president-elect to take action on choice, including allowing federal subsidies for school meals for children in low-income families to follow those kids to private schools or other settings outside public schools. In Congress, with Republicans taking hold of the Senate and expected to retain control of the House, lawmakers already have proposed legislation that has, until now, mostly been a nonstarter. Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who is likely to become chair of the committee that oversees education in his chamber, introduced a bill this session that would give families and corporations tax credits if they contribute to groups that give scholarships to students to attend private or parochial schools. It would target students whose families earn no more than 300 percent of the area median gross income. Cassidys wife, Laura, runs a charter school for children with dyslexia in Baton Rouge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that theres going to be a real opportunity to promote innovation in school choice, Cassidy said. There is great promise in this administration, and I am looking forward to working with them. This story about school choice was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. MEMPHIS, Tenn. A 14-year-old has been arrested after Shelby County Sheriffs Office detectives say he took part in the burglary of a motor vehicle this week. At approximately 8:00 p.m. on Friday, SCSO detectives, including BRATS (Burglary, Robbery and Auto Theft) detectives, responded to the 5800 block of Chadwell Road regarding a shooting, attempted auto theft and recovery of a stolen vehicle. The victim saw three males in front of his house and told detectives they were attempting to steal his vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the victim exited his house, the suspects ran to their vehicle and fled the scene while allegedly firing shots at the victim. Neither the victim nor his property was struck. As the suspects left the area, they crashed on Raleigh-Millington Road, south of Pleasant Ridge. Multiple people arrested, drugs seized during motel closure While attempting to flee, two teenage occupants were taken into custody and later taken to Le Bonheur Hospital for treatment for non-critical injuries sustained in the crash. A third suspect fled on foot and is still at large. Detectives determined that the vehicle occupied by the suspects was stolen prior to this incident in the same neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 14-year-old juvenile was charged with evading arrest in an automobile, burglary of a motor vehicle and theft of property $10,000-$60,000. SCSO detectives say this is an ongoing investigation with more arrests and charges forthcoming. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Fox News host Rachel Campos-Duffy invited Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) on Fox & Friends Weekend, turning a Sunday interview into a commiseration riddled with transphobia. Campos-Duffy, whose husband was just nominated to be President-elect Donald Trumps transportation secretary, asked Mace to lay out her recent quest to ban trans women from using womens bathrooms on federal property, prompting Mace to repeat her oft-used lines that shes trying to defeat the radical left and claiming that men shouldnt be allowed in womens restrooms. But it was at the tail-end of the interview where Campos-Duffy joined in the transphobia, bringing up Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-DE) only to misgender her. She then referenced Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes idea that Congress introduce womens bathrooms for each political party, saying Democrats can just open the doors to the transthose." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campos-Duffy then attacked Biden administration official Rachel Levine, claiming Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs statement that Republicans want to suspect someones gender identity through Maces bill didnt hold water. Ive seen Rachel Levine, I know thats not a woman, so I dont understand this idea, Campos-Duffy said. But Nancy Mace, youve taken a lot of abuse for standing up for the rights of women, especially in their private spaces, and we appreciate that. Campos-Duffys anti-trans advocacy on Sunday is in line with a pattern of conspiracy theories and anti-LGBTQ remarks. She previously claimed libraries were attempting to sexualize our children by labeling LGBTQ books, and she suggested that the Catholic Church could try to introduce a lesbian Virgin Mary after Pope Francis approved blessings for same-sex couples. Mace, for her part, previously touted her support for transgender equality in 2021, making her reversal this month one of her many, many policy flip-flops. Nov. 23SACKETS HARBOR One hundred years ago this month, the engine of a seaplane was trucked to a local garage in this village. In its wake was a mystery: the craft that the engine was taken from was found empty on the shore of Lake Ontario near Sandy Pond. Its two flyers were nowhere to be seen. Gone from the battered seaplane were the aviators' two suitcases which contained their personal belongings. About 15 gallons of fuel reportedly remained in the tank of the plane, which was found tilted on its side in the sand. The plane's engine was turned off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mechanics wanted to check to see if the engine was faulty. Meanwhile, a frantic search for the two flyers was underway. On Sunday, Nov. 23, 1924, pilot Carl Groby and mechanic Harry Dionne took off in a Curtiss Seagull seaplane from Ogdensburg. Another plane of the same make took off with them, piloted by William Talbot and with mechanic Joseph Rasbach Jr. at his side. The weather was clear, with a slight breeze. The final destination of the four was Florida. The planes and crewmen had spent the summer months carrying passengers in observation flights over the Thousand Islands. On Nov. 24, 1924, the Watertown Daily Times reported, "As they neared the (Ontario) lake, a heavy mist was hanging over the water, making flying difficult. The planes became separated and the last seen of Groby's machine was when they were flying together over the Main Ducks about two hours after the start was made." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talbot changed course and set his plane down near Sackets Harbor. "A watch was maintained at intervals throughout the night, but no word of the lost aviators came," the Times reported. The search resumed the following morning, but waves were running 10-12 feet high, winds were also high and visibility low. Nonetheless, groups of villagers gathered along the waterfront, gazing into the abyss in hopes of spotting the two flyers. The missing plane was discovered on the beach at Little Sandy by a member of the "life guard" who was patrolling the beach, the Times reported. He was 7 miles from his station and "hastened back to the telephone at the station" to alert authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people wondered about the suitcases that were missing from the plane, and if they could have tumbled out. But the Times reported that they were placed in the cockpit and several other articles were placed on top of them, such as a fire extinguisher and a rope, attached to an anchor. "If the suitcases had fallen from the machine, the other articles would also have been thrown out." On Friday, Nov. 28, an update on the situation in the Times had the following headline: "Two Aviators May Still be Alive." There was hope that Groby and Dionne, after ditching their seaplane on the heavy waves, made their way to Galloup (aka Galloo) islands. But that hope was abandoned a day later. Two boats arrived at the islands and a search showed no trace of the men. Back at Sackets Harbor, people stood on the shore awaiting the return of the boats and any word on the fate of the flyers. Pieces of the plane were found along the shore within days of its disappearance. Part of a steering apparatus was found about 2 miles from where the plane washed ashore. "There is every reason to believe that if the men did not take their personal belongings with them, some of them, at least, would have been found along the shore, for every portion of it has been patrolled in an effort to secure some new clue as to the fate of the missing flyers," the Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first boat to return back from the islands was the barge Louis Donald, owned and operated by R.I. Gowing of the village. A Times reporter was in Sackets Harbor to record the vessel's arrival: "As the barge came slowly into the harbor, large groups of people, including Rasbach and Talbot, eagerly watched the craft in hope that the two missing aviators were aboard. As the boat neared shore, hope faded when someone aboard the Donald shouted that the men were not aboard." Gowing was of the opinion that the missing aviators were forced down near Mexico Bay and were washed from their plane by huge waves. On Nov. 29, the Times reported on a witness, C.W. Cole, "owner of "the Ducks" who said he saw the situation of the two airplanes unfold. "Mr. Cole watched with field glasses the operation of the two planes, one of which made a safe landing off Sackets Harbor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One plane was about two miles ahead of the other when they came into sight," Cole said. "They kept about this distance apart until they got in front of the Ducks, when one suddenly slowed down considerably and sank into the water. We could not see the plane after it struck, as the wind was blowing in mammoth waves, which completely cut off our views." The wind and waves also prevented a rescue attempt by Cole and associates. "The last vestige of hope" that the two aviators were alive were dashed by early December. Hope was rekindled after two soldiers from Madison Barracks turned over to post authorities two life belts which they picked up along the shore of the village. It was determined that the life belts were "not from the flying boat." "The life belts were of the jacket type and bore signs of hard usage," the Times reported on Dec. 4, 1924. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 6, 2025, the Times reported on "a sensational and unverified rumor that the frozen bodies of Groby and Dionne had been found, clasped in each others arms on a bleak island of the Main Duck group." Attempts to verify the rumor were futile. On Sept. 28, 1925, the Times reported that a man's body had been found on the shore of Lake Ontario at Three Mile Bay. "Ogdensburg Patrolman Louis Dionne expressed the opinion that the body was not of his brother or of Carl Groby." From there, the Times could find no records of the fate of two missing aviators. A Nov. 26, 1924, Times story noted that Carl Groby was 24 and unmarried, served in World War I and had a mother in Teaneck, New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, on April 4, 1925, the Times published a story saying that a Mrs. Carl Groby of Jersey City, New Jersey, Carl's widow, was trying to get affidavits from Harry Dionne's brother so she could collect life insurance on him. Rough landing Talbot and Rasbach had an eventful return trip to Ogdensburg from Sackets Harbor. The Times reported on Sunday, Dec. 1, 1924, that weather forced their seaplane down the day before 2 miles from Chippewa Bay. They tied up for the night at Taylor's Island. "Grave fears for the safety of the two men were felt by friends of the two flyers when they did not put an appearance at Ogdensburg this morning," the Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border Patrol vessels began a search. But another pilot who also searched spotted the missing plane at Taylor's Island. There, Talbot and Rasbach had found a houseboat inhabited by hunters. There was no telephone on the island for the pair to send word of their plight. Their seaplane was later towed back to Ogdensburg. As an early aviator, Rasbach was no stranger to close calls. In July of 1924, he was bruised and his plane wrecked when he was forced to make a landing on Oneida Lake while flying from New York City to Ogdensburg Rasbach, a pioneer in local airplane passenger service, would die in March in 1941 at the age of 47 from injuries suffered in an automobile crash near Ogdensburg when his Lincoln Zephyr, a luxury car, left the road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The story on his death noted: "Rasbach was the owner of the seaplane which carried Harry Dionne and Carl Groby of this city (Ogdensburg) to their deaths in Lake Ontario in the fall of 1924." THE SEAPLANES The description of the seaplanes that flew out of Ogdensburg in this account were only described as Curtiss Seagulls. They may have been Model F Seagulls, according to the San Diego Air & Space Museum. "First flown in 1912, that airframe type would stay in service under many different names and designations until 1927," the museum's website says. "Later models were powered by a 100 hp Curtiss 0XX3 100 hp engine enabling them to reach nearly 70 mph and fly for 5 1/2 hours." Also: "From its inception, different models of the aircraft flew under many colorful names, among them Flying Fish, Freak Boat, Tadpole and Seagull. Ten Seagulls were still flying with Rogers Airlines out of Miami and Nassau as late as 1927. They flew in the south in the winter, then flew north to New York in the summer to do barnstorming and undergo repairs." The News The US Securities and Exchange Commission summoned Indian billionaire Gautam Adani to appear in court over bribery and corruption allegations, including allegedly paying Indian officials more than $250 million dollars to secure lucrative contracts. The summons is part of a civil lawsuit brought by the SEC against Adani and several other of his conglomerates executives; it is separate from a criminal fraud case filed by Department of Justice prosecutors last week. The Indian billionaire has 21 days to respond to the SEC summons or risk a judgment by default, according to the Press Trust of India. Unless Adani appears voluntarily, US officials could ask New Delhi to extradite him a lengthy process that could take months if not years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the final call is up to the Indian government on whether Adani will face charges in the US, Bloomberg reported, with the cases likely hinging on future Indo-US relations: Adani has strong business links to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while President-elect Donald Trump could see an opportunity to make a deal with Modi to dismiss the case. The Trump team sees India and the Adani Group as strategically important to push against Chinese hegemony, the outlet noted. Nov. 23WILKES-BARRE The 2024 election is over, and in Northeast Pennsylvania, it marks the end of the road for three-term U.S. Sen. Bob Casey of Scranton. Casey, 64, was defeated by Republican Dave McCormick, 59, who rode a huge red wave that rolled through Pennsylvania and across the U.S. This week, Casey conceded the election and issued a statement: "I just called Dave McCormick to congratulate him on his election to represent Pennsylvania in the United States Senate. As the first count of ballots is completed, Pennsylvanians can move forward with the knowledge that their voices were heard, whether their vote was the first to be counted or the last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This race was one of the closest in our Commonwealth's history, decided by less than a quarter of a point. I am grateful to the thousands of people who worked to make sure every eligible vote cast could be counted, including election officials in all 67 counties. "When a Pennsylvanian takes the time to cast a legal vote, often waiting in long lines and taking time away from their work and family, they deserve to know that their vote will count. That's democracy. "I'm proud of the work we've done since Election Day to enfranchise voters across the state no matter whom they voted for and to ensure that the democratic process could unfold. In just a few days, we built an organization of 350 staff across the state, joined by more than a thousand volunteers, who helped more than 6,000 Pennsylvania voters make a plan to fix small issues with their ballot so their vote would be counted. "From the 100-year-old woman in Butler County, who voted in every election since she was eligible, to the 19-year-old in Montgomery County who cast her ballot for the very first time, we made sure those voices were heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And we stood up against efforts to silence and disenfranchise voters in every corner of the Commonwealth. Thanks to our work in the courts, nearly a thousand eligible voters in Philadelphia will have their votes counted, despite efforts to throw them out. "This work mattered. And I am grateful to the many people who helped with this effort. As you know, no public official serves alone, and I have been blessed by the love and support of my wife, Terese, and our daughters, Elyse, Caroline, Julia, and Marena, all these years. "Every day I have served in public office, I've fought for Pennsylvania workers, children, seniors, people with disabilities and our veterans. During that time, I've been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: 'All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor.' "Thank you for the trust you have placed in me for all these years. It has been the honor of my lifetime." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Casey's concession, his campaign submitted a request to the Department of State to halt ongoing recount efforts. After the completion of two audits to ensure the reported outcomes are correct, counties must certify election results by Nov. 25. Local reactions State Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-Wilkes-Barre, was reelected for a two-year term. He said it has been a tremendous honor to serve as the State Representative of the 121st Legislative district, and because of this position, he had the "distinct pleasure and honor of serving and collaborating with outstanding leaders like Sen. Bob Casey." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pashinski also praised U.S. rep. Matt Cartwright, D-Moosic, who was defeated in his quest for a seventh term in Congress. Republican Rob Bresnahan of Dallas Township will assume the seat. "My staff and I, as well as the Senator's/Congressman's staffs, collaborated on countless issues affecting the people we all represented," Pashinski said. "Our relationship was very positive and we all eagerly looked forward to reaching out to each other to address issues or situations in our attempt to reconcile an array of challenges in a positive way." Pashinski said besides discussing issues and projects for the region, and attempting to get projects funded, he and Casey and Cartwright also discussed issues directly affecting various segments of the population. "The one major issue that we discussed and worked to improve was the tragic and sad circumstance of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren," Pashinski said. "I became aware of so many sad stories affecting thousands of Grandfamilies in our state by meeting several grandparents who shared their stories and their challenges which then led to establishing the Advocacy Fund for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (AF4GRG), here in Luzerne County." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pashinski said "these wonderful grandparents" began organizing and bringing other grandparents in the same situation, along with various state agencies, community organizations, and nonprofits to begin meeting to hear and understand the challenges of raising their grandchildren. He said they then devised methods and solutions to address their concerns and needs. "Because of the AF4GRG and the countless meetings, discussions and hearings we conducted, several pieces of legislation were developed, and presented to, and passed both the PA House of Representatives, our PA Senate and signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf," Pashinski said. "Sen. Casey, his staff, the members of the AF4GRG, my staff engaged in a series of discussions leading to Sen Casey introducing his bipartisan Grandfamily Housing Act which would finance the upkeep and retrofitting of inter-generational housing and provide supportive services to grandfamilies and kinship families." Pashinski said Casey also improved the financial security of many of the grandfamilies by expanding access to benefits and providing staff with the expertise to utilize the resource guide to help guide these families in the right direction. Pashinski said Casey has also helped fund projects throughout various NEPA counties one of those extremely important projects was the new LCTA Transportation Center on Pennsylvania Avenue in Wilkes-Barre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This center provides excellent service at a reduced cost to all our citizens that relies on this vital service," Pashinski said. "Sen. Casey and Rep. Cartwright have also worked diligently to acquire money from the Biden Infrastructure Bill to begin funding the very important Rail Transportation Project from Scranton to New York and finally, after years of meetings, negotiations and acquiring the finances to fund this important connection to our big city neighbor, this project is on track to be completed." Besides both Casey and Cartwright working to help NEPA and all of Pennsylvania, Pashinski said the two legislators they have always cared about all the people they represent. "Their open door policy with my office and so many local leaders created a positive and productive atmosphere that accomplished a great many positive outcomes," Pashinski said. "They are both wonderful, highly capable and caring leaders and they will be missed for sure. There are no words to adequately express my sincere respect and admiration for both of these great government leaders." Romilda Crocamo, Luzerne County Manager Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From advocating for health care access to championing services to our seniors, Sen. Casey has consistently worked to improve the lives of all Pennsylvanians. "His efforts in supporting education, protecting survivors of domestic violence, and promoting social justice have made a lasting impact, and we are grateful for his tireless service. "Thank you, Sen. Casey, for your dedication to our great state. Your service is deeply appreciated by many, and your legacy will inspire future generations." Mayor Mike Lombardo, Pittston "Sen. Casey has had a significant impact in many areas as it relates to the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most recently, the Senator played a vital role in securing $18 million dollars of federal transportation dollars to assist in the replacement of two bridges that serve as vital links here in Greater Pittston." U.S. Sen. John Fetterman "This hits me. "It's been a supreme honor to have Bob Casey as a colleague, friend, and mentor. "His legacy is a better Pennsylvania. "Unassuming while delivering for PA for nearly two decades, he fought for working Pennsylvanians and unions, rural communities, seniors and people with disabilities all of us. "Bob Casey was, is, and always will be Pennsylvania's best senator." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senator-elect McCormick thanks Casey U.S. Senator-elect Dave McCormick this week thanked Sen. Bob Casey for his years of service to the commonwealth after Casey called McCormick and conceded the race for U.S. Senate: "Sen. Bob Casey dedicated his career to bettering our commonwealth. Dina and I want to extend our sincere gratitude to Senator Casey, Terese, and their family for their decades of service, hard work, and personal sacrifice. "I am so honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania in the United States Senate and will fight for you every day. Thank you!" Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel, pulled no punches when discussing Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps pick to lead the Department of Defense. The Democratic senator sounded off on Hegseths lack of experience, calling him a pretty low-ranking guy when he was in the military. Hegseth served as an infantry officer in the Army National Guard in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as at Guantanamo Bay. He has worked at Fox News in various on-air roles since 2014. He was a pretty low-ranking guy in the military, and he never had a command position, Duckworth told host Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation. He was a platoon leader, I think, once or twice, but he never even commanded a company. And so this is a man who is inordinately, unqualified for the position. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senator continued, The Pentagon is 3 million servicemen and women and civilians. It is over a $900 billion budget. Hes never run anything anywhere near to that size. Even Republican senators have spoken out anonymously against Hegseths nomination, with one senator telling Rolling Stone Trumps choice makes no sense! Duckworth additionally criticized Hegseths vocal opposition to women serving in combat roles. Hegseth has said, Im straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasnt made us more effective, hasnt made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated. Hes wrong, Duckworth said of Hegseth. Our military could not go to war without the 220,000 plus women who serve in uniform. Women [serving] in our military does make us more effective, does make us more lethal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duckworth was co-piloting a Black Hawk helicopter in 2004 in Iraq when it was shot down by an RPG. Duckworth was severely injured, losing her legs and partial use of her right arm. In addition to his terrible takes on women in combat, Hegseth wrote in his book that the Pentagons social justice messaging and woke policies have harmed recruitment efforts. Americas white sons and daughters are walking away [from military service], and who can blame them, he wrote in the book, The War on Warriors: Behind the Betrayal of the Men Who Keep Us Free, published in June. Hegseth also faces a sexual assault allegation, which, according to Rolling Stones reporting, he hid from Trumps transition team. A woman accused Hegseth of sexually assaulting her in a California hotel room in 2017. According to a police report, the woman said Hegseth took her phone and blocked the door with his body, preventing her from leaving the hotel room. She said she remembered saying no a lot to him. Hegseth told investigators he had sex with the woman, but it was consensual. He later paid the woman a settlement in an undisclosed sum. In exchange, she signed a nondisclosure agreement. Hegseth made the payment to save his career, since the matter would result in his immediate termination from Fox, Hegseths attorney, Timothy Parlatore, told The Washington Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its frankly an insult and really troubling that Mr. Trump would nominate someone who has admitted he paid off a victim who has claimed rape allegations against him, Duckworth said. This is not the kind of person you want to lead the Department of Defense. Duckworth also expressed worry that Republicans in the Senate are prepared to approve not just Hegseth but Trumps other nominees. Im deeply concerned that they will green-light [anyone Trump nominates], she said. From what Im hearing from my Republican colleagues on everything from defense secretary to other posts, it sounds like they are ready to roll over for Mr. Trump. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Sen. Eric Schmitt said Sunday that the Department of Justice employees behind the investigations into Donald Trump should be fired immediately. While speaking on Meet the Press, Schmitt added, And anybody part of this, this effort to keep President Trump off the ballot and to throw him in jail for the rest of his life because they didnt like his politics, and who continue to cast him as a quote, unquote threat to democracy, was wrong, and so well see where that goes. The cases against Trump all fell apart under the weight of the law, Schmitt continued, and there has to be accountability for these kinds of abuses. Kristen Welker pushed Schmitt to describe what he meant about accountability. I think accountability means first and foremost the people involved in this should be fired immediately, he explained. And anybody part of this effort to keep President Trump off the ballot and to throw him in jail for the rest of his life because they didnt like his politics and to continue to cast him as a quote/unquote threat to democracy was wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I just dont think in this country, unless we want to be a banana republic, I dont want to see that happen, you cant have the Justice Department abused in this way, he added. Schmitt also explained to Welker that he supports Pam Bondi, Trumps new nominee for attorney general. Shes a very serious person, and I think shes seen the weaponization everybodys seen this weaponization of the Justice Department over the last four years, he said. It really is a tragedy for a once respected agency that has gone after Catholics. Its gone after parents who showed up to school board meetings under the auspices of the Patriot Act this is in the United States of America, and then clearly weaponized that department Joe Biden did, and Merrick Garland, to go after their chief political opponent. And Ill tell you Kristen, the arc of that story is really terrifying if you care about the republic. After the midterms, Joe Biden said that there was no way President Trump would ever be back in the White House, Schmitt continued. After that speech, these zombie cases were resurrected. The number three person from DOJ went to New York and you had the Alvin Bragg case. The number two prosecutor in Atlanta went to the White House and coordinated. You saw all these cases resurrected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump repeatedly went after the Justice Department throughout his presidential campaign, often by way of incoherent rants on Truth Social. On Nov. 6, the Justice Department announced plans to drop the criminal cases against Trump, according to multiple media reports relying on information from unnamed sources. Those sources also indicated the DOJ now have no room to maneuver, and see no point in carrying on. You can watch Schiffs interview on Meet the Press in the video above. The post Sen. Eric Schmitt Says Trump Should Immediately Fire DOJ Employees Who Investigated Him | Video appeared first on TheWrap. Makenzie Huber South Dakota Searchlight U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, is confident that bipartisan legislation to help low-income Native Americans obtain home mortgages on tribal land will win approval from Congress. The U.S. Department of Agriculture offers low-interest housing loans to low-income rural Americans, often without private mortgage insurance or a down payment. But the department struggled for years to distribute its rural housing loans to Native Americans on tribal trust lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trust lands are held by the federal government for tribes and tribal members, making mortgages on trust land more complex and less appealing to traditional banks. Thats where Native Community Development Financial Institutions come in. The institutions represent rural reservation and urban Native communities, and are better able to navigate lending on trust land for the USDA program and other housing loans while also investing more time in their communities through financial and homebuyer education. The USDA expanded its rural housing relending program to include Native institutions in 2018, starting with a pilot program on the Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River reservations. Since then, the program has expanded to 10 states with over $20.1 million loaned to Native organizations. The bill, introduced by Minnesotas Democratic Sen. Tina Smith and cosponsored by Rounds, would set aside $50 million annually within the USDAs relending program for Native financial institutions and homebuyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rounds said Native institutions on Pine Ridge and Cheyenne River made the pilot program a real success. They knew the right people to go to, they knew how to have that happen, Rounds told South Dakota Searchlight after a recent appearance at the Downtown Sioux Falls Rotary Club. And what we found was that once it had occurred there, it was repeatable elsewhere. Nikki Gronli, state director of USDA Rural Development, said the bipartisan bill will solidify the program and support her offices mission to make thriving, economically sustainable communities. We all know that when it comes to economic development and generational wealth, owning a home is very important, Gronli said. Economically, we know over time this builds a stronger community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added some homes purchased through the program are constructed through the Governors House program. Cheyenne Rivers Four Bands Community Fund and Pine Ridges Mazaska Owescaso Otipi Financial have received a combined $7.1 million from the program and have made a combined total of 24 loans. People want to get out of rentals, create assets, have something to pass down, said Lakota Vogel, executive director of Four Bands. Vogel wants to buck the stereotype that low homeownership rates on reservations are because of poor credit scores or because community members dont make enough income to support a mortgage. Even people who who can afford private mortgages struggle to obtain them, she said, because of systemic problems that make it more complex and burdensome to leverage private wealth on trust land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres been misinformation in the financing world that you cant collateralize trust land. Ive seen it written in papers and listened to bankers say it, and its just not true, Vogel said. While Vogel sees a permanently funded program as a win-win for Native communities and the federal government, she said rising housing costs have made it more difficult for the program to help qualifying people. The legislation awaits action by the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, which includes Rounds and Smith as members. A US senator and combat veteran who lost both of her legs in a helicopter crash in Iraq has slammed Donald Trumps nominee to lead the Department of Defense for his stance on women in combat roles. Pete Hegseth, a veteran and former Fox News host, claimed allowing women to serve in combat roles like Duckworth was not providing any benefits to the armed services and argued it was making warfare more complicated. Tammy Duckworth, a Democratic senator from Illinois, tore into Hegseth during an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation on Sunday. Senator Tammy Duckworth lost both of her legs and some function in one arm when her helicopter was hit by a rocket fired by an insurgent during her deployment to Iraq in 2004. (CBS Face the Nation) Mr. Hegseth is not qualified for the position because he doesnt understand apparently, even after having served, that women are actually vitally important to an effective military, she said. With the recruiting challenges were having right now, if we were to pull all those women out and say, you cant go into combat, we would face a severe personnel crisis in the military. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She then targeted his military record: He was a pretty low-ranking guy in the military, and he never had a command position ... He was a platoon leader, I think, once or twice, but he never even commanded a company. And so this is a man who is inordinately unqualified for the position. Duckworth retired from the military after being one of the first women to fly combat missions during the Iraq War; her rank upon retiring was lieutenant colonel. Hegseth retired at the rank of major. Her comments came after Hegseth said on a recent podcast: Everything about men and women serving together makes the situation more complicated, and complication in combat, means casualties are worse. Im straight up just saying that we should not have women in combat roles it hasnt made us more effective, hasnt made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Access to all combat roles in the US military was expanded to women by Defense Secretary Ash Carter in 2016, authorized by then-President Barack Obama. Hegseth has been criticized for saying woman should not be in combat roles (REUTERS) The scuffle over Hegseths past comments is likely to take center stage in the coming days as he becomes the Trump Cabinet nominee facing the most scrutiny from both senators who will determine the fate of his confirmation as well as reporters, who have begun digging into an allegation of sexual assault for which Hegseth was not charged criminally. Hegeseth later settled with his accuser in a civil case. He has denied any wrongdoing, and claimed that a sexual encounter with his accuser was consensual. Trumps transition team, already dealt a blow by the withdrawal of Matt Gaetz from contention for attorney general, was reportedly blindsided by the release this week of a largely-redacted police report detailing two accounts of the encounter between Hegseth and his accuser. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gaetz pulled out of the running to lead the Justice Department on Thursday; his announcement, according to CNN, came 45 minutes after the news channels reporters contacted him for comment on the revelation that the House Ethics Committee had heard testimony about a second alleged sexual encounter between the ex-congressman and a 17-year-old high schooler at a drug-fueled party in 2017. Like Hegseth, Gaetz strongly denies the allegations. Following another day of heavy Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon with dozens of victims, the Iran-allied Hezbollah militia has fired an unusually large number of rockets at Israel. According to the Israeli military, around 250 missiles had been fired by the evening. An alert had been in place in many regions since Sunday, not only in the north of Israel, but also in the centre of the country and in the coastal metropolis of Tel Aviv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Magen David Adom rescue service, at least six people were injured. In Petach Tikwa, east of Tel Aviv, houses were damaged. Sirens were heard again there in the evening. According to the latest update from the Health Ministry, around 84 people were killed and 213 injured in Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon on Saturday. The Hezbollah militia has been firing rockets at Israel since the beginning of the Gaza war more than a year ago. Israel has responded with massive airstrikes and a ground offensive in southern Lebanon. A member of Israeli emergency personnel inspects the site, where a building was hit by a Hezbollah rocket strike from Lebanon. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Several juveniles were arrested on Saturday night after a person told police they were robbed at gunpoint. According to Colonel Oscar Perez, just before 8 p.m., a boy told police he was robbed of his sneakers at gunpoint by a group of boys near the Providence Place mall. The victim said the suspects took off on foot towards the Capitol Grill and that one of them showed a handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez added that the outstanding quick response and swift action by patrol officers, several people matching the description the victim gave them were identified and arrested a short time later in Burnside Park. Officers found the sneakers matching the victims description and a firearm near the playground in the area of the park. In all, seven suspects were positively identified in the incident. Six of the boys were sent to the training school and charged with robbery and conspiracy. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Sirens sounded across Israel and multiple people were injured on Sunday in rocket strikes from Lebanon, the Israeli military said, as the Lebanese Army recorded another fatality from an Israeli attack. It said roughly 165 rockets were fired by the Iran-aligned Hezbollah militia, forcing civilians to shelter across central and northern Israel, including in Tel Aviv. According to the military, around 30 missiles were fired at the coastal city of Haifa and the western Galilee region within minutes, some of which were intercepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several people were reportedly injured in the attacks. The attacks came one day after an Israeli airstrike in Beirut reportedly killed at least 20 people. Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging fire repeatedly since the October 7, 2023 attacks. Israel launched a ground offensive to root the militia out of southern Lebanon in September. Lebanese Army soldier killed Also on Sunday, the Lebanese Army said one of its soldiers died and 18 others were injured in an Israeli attack on a military centre in southern Lebanon. The army added in a statement on the social media platform X that the attack had targeted the outpost in the al-Amiriya area near the coastal city of Tyre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The army did not specify the nature of the attack but said that the site was heavily damaged as a result. Lebanon's state news agency NNA reported that the post had come under Israeli artillery shelling and its depots caught fire as a result. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. The Lebanese army remains neutral in the ongoing war between Israel and Hezbollah, but has recently found itself caught between in the crossfire. Several Lebanese soldiers have already been killed since fighting between Hezbollah and Israel intensified in September. Israeli Security personnel inspect the site, where a building was hit by a Hezbollah rocket strike from Lebanon. Ilia Yefimovich/dpa Three years ago, Cassandra Thompson called 911 over a death threat at Central District Health. The episode traumatized her, according to records the Idaho Statesman obtained last year, and she wound up exhausting her employee family medical leave as she tried to recover. She asked for extended leave, but was instead medically laid off. In response, she sued CDH in U.S. District Court in July, alleging that the agency violated the Americans with Disabilities Act by failing to provide her with reasonable accommodations, the Statesman previously reported. Thompson and CDH reached an amicable settlement to the lawsuit, CDH spokesperson Maria Ortega told the Statesman by email. The agency last month agreed to pay Thompson about $82,000, though it emphasized that the settlement is not to be construed as an admission of any liability, according to a document obtained by the Statesman through a public records request. Central District Health in Boise. Though it agreed to a payout, the agency turned down Thompsons biggest request, Thompson told the Statesman: She wanted the agency to create an anonymous whistleblower line for employees. Agency officials told her attorney they rejected the change because they already had a process in place, Thompson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Thompson expressed concern that the existing process of voicing concerns to the agencys board of directors first routes emails to the executive assistant of CDH Director Russ Duke. It just breaks my heart because I know that Im not the only one that has gone through this, Thompson told the Statesman by phone. Later, by text message, she added: I am choosing to have faith in the board of directors that they will see (that) their current process for complaints is not sufficient, as it is not uncommon for CDH employees to prefer to remain anonymous for fear of their livelihood. Thompson was one of several CDH employees who went on family medical leave, and then were fired and barred from receiving unemployment benefits, the Statesman reported. In November, the Statesman covered employees concerns about a worse than toxic culture of retaliation at the district that they said jeopardized the provision of public health services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many blamed Human Resources Officer Gary Foote and Stephanie Myers, a division administrator. Myers resigned from the district in mid-September, the Statesman reported. Thompson felt targeted by CDH leaders In late 2021, a man who was unhappy with his wifes care called CDH and threatened to kill a provider, the Statesman previously reported. At the time, Thompson worked with customer service representatives, and in an incident report, she described a CDH worker who took the call nearly in tears and a lobby filled with several clients. CDH officials kept the doors unlocked and the clinic open to the public despite the threat, according to the incident report. Ortega previously told the Statesman that the doors were closely monitored after an officer told a manager there was no imminent threat, and staff were provided with counseling resources. Still, the event was stressful and traumatic for Thompson, according to her lawsuit. She was afraid people could be killed or injured if a gunman entered the clinic. She suffered from severe anxiety, which her provider later diagnosed as post-traumatic stress disorder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months later, a separate dispute with agency leaders over whether workers could speak Spanish with each other in the workplace triggered Thompsons PTSD, according to her complaint. She took her remaining family medical leave, which ran out around April. She asked the agency whether she could start the ADA process to receive reasonable accommodations, and her provider sent the agency an email asking for her medical leave to extend into May. CDH officials asked for some clarification, but provided limited information on the status of her request. Thompson received a termination letter from the agency in May. Hayat Norimine contributed to this report. She was medically laid off after FMLA from Boise public health district. Now shes suing Official at Central District Health in Boise quits. Employees accused her of retaliation The California mother of two eventually admitted to fabricating her November 2016 abduction and pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli Sherri Papini Sherri Papini On Nov. 2, 2016, Sherri Papini, then a 34-year-old mother of two, claimed to have been the victim of a violent abduction after going on a morning jog in her Redding, Calif., neighborhood. Her husband, Keith Papini, reported her missing that evening, after he came home to find she wasn't there and had not picked up their kids from daycare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After more than three weeks missing and an extensive search, a motorist spotted Sherri on Thanksgiving morning walking along the side of the road in Yolo County, Calif. about 150 miles from where she'd disappeared and alerted authorities. She looked malnourished and badly beaten. Sherri told police that she was abducted at gunpoint by two Hispanic women in a dark SUV and that the women tortured her and branded her skin. When Keith received the news that she was found alive, he rushed to a Woodland, Calif., hospital to see her. As soon as I saw her face, the way she looked up at me in that moment, I just felt, this is fake, this is not real, Keith previously told PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday, Nov. 24, marks eight years since the day Sherri Papini was found. After several years of investigation, the truth about her purported abduction was revealed, and Sherri eventually admitted to making the entire story up. Related: What Was Marriage Like Between Keith and Sherri Papini After Kidnapping Hoax? 'You're Not Going to Win Against Her' (Exclusive) Despite his initial gut feeling, Keith, who helped authorities in the investigation, stood by his wife for years and believed that she'd been taken against her will. "I was constantly trying to solve the case," Keith told PEOPLE in June 2024. "I always was reaching out to the FBI. Every time she would tell me something, I was writing it down or trying to find a picture of it, and I would give that to the FBI." Chloe Aftel Keith Papini Keith Papini However, the case was seemingly going cold, with no leads on the suspects who Sherri said abducted and tortured her. During the investigation into her disappearance, investigators began poking holes in her claims. Authorities learned that during the 22 days she was missing, Sherri was willingly at the Costa Mesa, Calif., home of her ex-boyfriend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sherri was arrested in March 2022 in connection with the hoax. After Sherri's arrest, Keith told police he was "blindsided" and "in shock" at the fact that she faked her own disappearance. She pleaded guilty weeks later to one felony charge each of making false statements to federal agents and mail fraud. She was also ordered to pay back more than $300,000 in restitution for government funds expended on her after her self-inflicted disappearance. Related: Where Is Sherri Papini Now? What to Know About Her Life After 2016 Kidnapping Hoax After the truth came out, she said in a statement through her attorney that she was "deeply ashamed" of what she did, adding, "[I am] so sorry for the pain I've caused my family, my friends, all the good people who needlessly suffered because of my story and those who worked so hard to try to help me. I will work the rest of my life to make amends for what I have done." Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Sherri was sentenced to 18 months in prison and was released early in 2023. After Sherris guilty plea, Keith filed for divorce and stopped communicating with her. He told PEOPLE earlier this year that he now has sole custody of their two children, and Sherri sees them once a month during supervised visits. "And ever since [cutting off contact with Sherri] it's been a lot easier, because now I just get to focus on the kids," he said. Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) said hes not dismissing another Senate run after he was defeated in his run for reelection this year. Brown spoke with CNNs Manu Raju on Sunday, where he said he wouldnt rule out another Senate campaign or a run for Ohios governorship in 2026. The outgoing Ohio senator was defeated by Republican businessman Bernie Moreno in one of the countrys upsets in the recent election that left several Democratic incumbents reeling. After his defeat, Brown told Politico that he isnt ruling anything out as the other Ohio senator, JD Vance (R), prepares to leave his position to become vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown reflected on Democrats losses and suggested the party lost its messaging with working-class voters on the issues that matter to them. President-elect Trump and Republicans campaigned on issues that were distracting from what Democrats tried to say, he said. Brown has represented Ohio in the upper chamber since 2007. Moreno, who built a successful network of car dealerships across the state, originally trailed Brown, but he later cruised to victory with the help of Trump at the top of the ticket. Brown said Sunday he really thought he was going to win, because he was on the ground campaigning and saw encouraging reactions from Ohioans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The wife of British Prince Harry, the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, demonstrates excellent taste in clothing during every public appearance. How does she do it? Firstly, she always chooses items that outline her figure well and match her color type. And secondly, she makes sure that the outfits are up-to-date: if the style is outdated, she changes it by adding or ditching unnecessary elements. In this way, she follows the example of Princess Diana, who loved to alter old dresses, as well as popularizes the trend for eco-friendly fashion. ADVERTISIMENT So, which Meghan Markle outfits boasted striking transformations? Read the article prepared by OBOZ.UA. 1. Red silk dress In November 2021, the Sussex couple visited the Intrepid Museum in New York for the Salute To Freedom gala. Meghan wore an exquisite red dress with a train and a U-neckline from the Carolina Herrera brand, as well as pumps decorated with silk fabric. Later, in October 2024, she appeared at the Children's Hospital Los Angeles gala wearing the same dress, but slightly altered. There was no longer a train and no decor on the dress. The Duchess completed the look with open-toed shoes and a Cartier Love bracelet. ADVERTISIMENT 2. Purple maxi dress In January 2019, Meghan Markle attended the unveiling of a sculpture in Birkenhead, England, dedicated to the centenary of the death of the English poet and soldier Wilfred Owen. The Duchess wore a purple dress with long sleeves and a matching belt, red pumps and a bright red coat. She gathered her hair in a bun and left a few strands in front of her face. In October 2019, Prince Harry's wife wore a purple dress again. This time, it was for the One Young World Young leaders forum, which took place at London's Royal Albert Hall of Arts and Sciences. What has changed in her look? Meghan removed her belt and didn't put a coat over her outfit. Instead, she put on blue suede pumps and let her curls down. The different styling made the same dress look completely different. ADVERTISIMENT 3. Navy blue dress In April 2018, the Duchess of Sussex and her husband attended the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II's 92nd birthday. Since Her Majesty liked to wear bright and saturated colors (often even acidic), Meghan Markle, in order not to outshine her, wore a dress in a restrained navy blue shade with cap sleeves and blue suede shoes. Six months later, in October, Prince Harry's wife chose this outfit for a public appearance again, namely the opening of the Invictus Games in Sydney, Australia. She asked the designers to cut off the cap sleeves and instead threw a dark blue silk shawl over her shoulders. 4. Beige trench coat ADVERTISIMENT In October 2018, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex visited Sydney as part of an official tour. Meghan wore a simple white dress, beige pumps and a classic sand-colored trench coat. A year later, this trench coat changed beyond recognition. Thus, the designers made a sleeveless trench dress out of it and added a matching belt. In October 2019, the Duchess met with Mozambican and South African politician Graca Machel in the updated item. 5. Emerald dress In July 2018, Meghan Markle and her husband visited Dublin, Ireland. For one of her public appearances, the Duchess chose an elegant emerald-colored sheath dress with decorative pockets. She stylized her look with a copper-brown bag and "cappuccino" shoes. Later, in October 2018, she made some changes to the cut of the outfit: she shortened the sleeves a little, removed the pockets and added tucks at the top of the garment. The result was a radically new itm that Meghan wore in Fiji during the official unveiling of a statue honoring the British-Fijian soldier Talaiasi Labalaba. Only verified information is available on OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes! Sen. Sherrod Brown, who was defeated Nov. 5 in his reelection bid, said he won't rule out running for the Senate again or for governor of Ohio in 2026. Speaking in an interview that aired Sunday on CNN's "Inside Politics With Manu Raju," the Ohio Democrat said, "I'm not dismissing anything at this point." Brown was defeated by Republican Bernie Moreno, losing 50 percent to 46 percent. Brown, who was seeking his fourth term in the Senate, ran better than Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris, who lost to President-elect Donald Trump by 11 percentage points in Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio will have a special Senate race in 2026 after Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, fills the pending vacancy created by Sen. JD Vance ascending to the vice presidency. There will also be a gubernatorial election in Ohio that year, with the term-limited DeWine unable to seek another term. (Oddly enough, Brown won his Senate seat in 2006 by defeating DeWine.) The next Senate will have a 53-47 Republican advantage. Brown noted that in only three states will be there be a split Senate delegation (Maine, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania), with all the others being either one party or the other. Brown told Raju people are "more and more willing to vote a party line," then added: "That's troubling, but it's people's decisions." (Bloomberg) -- Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is set to take charge of the ruling Peoples Action Party, consolidating his leadership ahead of a general election due next year. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outgoing party secretary-general and former premier Lee Hsien Loong said on Sunday that he would recommend Wong take the reins once the next central executive committee convenes. Party cadres have already voted for a new CEC, which will later pick a new secretary-general. I will lead the PAP into the next general election, Wong said during the convention. As your secretary-general, I will renew and strengthen our party. The 51-year-old Harvard graduate is seeking a fresh mandate in elections that must be held by November 2025. While the party is certain to extend its grip on power over the financial hub, it has faced some setbacks including a former minister sentenced to jail, and rising living costs that the resurgent opposition has described as a crisis. The PAP has run the city-state uninterrupted since independence in 1965. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This will complete the leadership transition from me to my successor, said Lee, who will remain on the central executive committee in an advisory role. In May, he took over from me as prime minister, and that transition, I am happy to say, has gone very smoothly. Wong, who is also finance minister, has pledged to boost safety nets and re-skilling programs as part of a national strategy to fight income inequality. In his first major policy speech in August, Wong introduced temporary unemployment benefits, a notable departure for a government that has long resisted such programs. He has pitched budgets over the past three years that are becoming more worker-friendly. This year, the budget included S$5 billion ($3.7 billion) for measures including cash payouts and tax breaks, a figure that will reach nearly S$40 billion by the end of the decade. Singapore raised its growth forecast for this year to around 3.5% as the trade-reliant economy recovers faster than anticipated, but the government cautioned on risks for 2025 given an expected barrage of tariffs from a new Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wong has expressed concerns about the tariffs, saying Singapore needs to reinforce trade links with multiple partners. America is still preeminent, but it no longer wants to be the worlds policeman, Wong said on Sunday of the US election result, adding that Trumps mandate reflects the growing sentiment amongst the American public that they are paying too high a price to uphold this global order. Meanwhile, there are other rising powers like China and India but they too are focused on their own domestic issues, and they are not yet in a position to take on larger global responsibilities, and so the world is in flux, he said. In the last election in 2020, the PAP won 89% of the parliament seats but it was its worst performance ever due in part over concerns about growing inequality. It prompted the PAP government to later impose a tax on the top 1% earners and raise the minimum salary thresholds for expatriates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the PAP cedes a few more seats in parliament to the opposition or theres a drop in the popular vote in 2025, there could be further policy changes, analysts have said. Wong warned on Sunday that the party cant be complacent. The opposition in Singapore is here to stay, he said. (Updates with remarks from Wong from third paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. PHOENIX, Arizona On a scorching Sunday afternoon in August, Jenny Clark, who runs the non-profit Love Your School AZ, stood in the cool atrium of the Phoenix Art Museum, offering swag to families passing by on their way to story time and collage-making. Do you want a pin? she asked. Bright blue and pink buttons with slogans in block letters beckoned to children at eye-level: You Rock. Too Cool. And, for parents, I love my kids On certain days, Clark joked, as she held out a sample to a mother with two young children draped around her waist. The largest pins and not by accident said Ask me about ESAs. ESAs are Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, the school voucher program that in 2022 opened to every family in Arizona. Originally created for students with disabilities who needed services they could not get at their neighborhood public schools, ESAs have morphed over the last two years into a budget-busting free-for-all used by more than 50,000 students nearly 1 in 20 school-age children in the state many of whom were already enrolled in private and religious schools or home-schooled. Families, mostly from high-income zip codes, have applied the taxpayer funds for everything from ski lift passes to visits to trampoline parks, a $4,000 grand piano, more than a million dollars in Legos, online ballet lessons, horse therapy and cookie-baking kits. Proponents justify expenditures like these in the name of parents' prerogative to shape their childrens education or by pointing to wasteful spending by public schools. As a result, ESA costs have ballooned from the legislatures original estimated price tag of $100 million over two years, to more than $400 million a year a figure, critics have noted, that would explain more than half of Arizonas projected budget deficit in 2024 and 2025. And the person most responsible for organizing this growing cohort of parents, and steering their newfound interest in the minutiae of state education funding, is Jenny Clark. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A longtime ESA mom who homeschools all five of her children, Clark is the bubbly, upbeat culture warrior at the leading edge of the national movement for what she calls education freedom a messaging successor to school choice, the term the term favored by conservative funders like Betsy DeVos, the former education secretary under Donald Trump. Where school choice sought to expand charter schools and open enrollment, allowing families to send their kids to schools in other neighborhoods or districts, proponents of education freedom want to end public schools reign as the preferred destination for public education dollars, placing them on equal footing with private and religious schools, or indeed, homeschooling. Through its website, social media channels and 10,000-user Facebook group, the non-profit Clark founded in 2019 acts both as an on-ramp for parents navigating the paperwork required to sign up for ESAs and a nerve center to respond to public criticism that might curtail the program. And Clark has emerged as the public face for the new and growing constituency of parents who have come to rely on taxpayer dollars to educate their children where they want anywhere, that is, but public schools. Since Arizona passed its universal voucher bill in 2022, eight more states have followed suit: Florida, Ohio, North Carolina and Indiana expanded existing voucher programs. Arkansas, Alabama, Iowa and Utah joined West Virginia, whose Hope scholarship program began in 2021, in creating new programs set to become universal. Clarks Love Your School AZ has expanded to Alabama and West Virginia, and Clark has started a series of related groups to bolster the national ecosystem supporting school vouchers. Shes also become one of the movements key messengers, aided by the prestige of an appointment to the Arizona board of education, and the most visible antagonist of the states public school advocates. At the museums family fun day, Clark wore jeans and a pink button-down and made small talk with a fluid cadence honed over long hours mingling at childrens birthday parties. She and three Love Your School staff members stood by a folding table and a vertical banner that read Celebrating School Options in Arizona. Clarks grasp of Phoenixs K-12 options seemed near-encyclopedic, but the pitch offered on the heels of every Kids Rule pin was more narrowly tailored. A mother and her sixth-grade son paused to take in the scene while they walked past a Keith Haring sculpture in the hall. Clark took a small step out from the table to offer a pin and to ask where the boy attended school. Were Love Your School. Were a school choice organization. We help families navigate your options, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That would be great, the mom said. Her son loved his current charter school, she said, but couldnt continue past eighth grade. Im panicking even though its like two years away. Have you heard about ESAs? Clark asked, brochure at the ready. If you did want to consider a private school, that could help you pay tuition. That would be even better! the mom replied. Clark had the same suggestion for a grandmother whose grandson attended a specialized public school for children with special needs; an immigrant mother trying to enroll her child in another district; the father of a gifted son reaching the upper bounds of the math curriculum offered at Phoenixs only free Montessori program. As Clark and her team chatted with dozens of parents over the course of an afternoon, not a single exchange went by without some version of the question: Have you heard about ESAs? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The experience that set Clark on her trajectory as a voucher advocate came in the fall of 2013, when she began to worry that her five-year-old wasnt progressing more quickly as a reader. I mean, we would spend all day, like, on a letter, and then, like, the next day, he wouldnt remember the letter or the sound. And Im like, What? Other moms in her orbit suggested taking him to get a free evaluation at the local public school. In Clarks telling, it was a humiliating experience, with school staff insinuating that the real problem was her instruction. Basically, like, its your fault, you dumb home-school mom, you know? Clark and her husband decided to request an independent evaluation, also at the districts expense, both for her eldest and his younger brother. Both boys were found to have dyslexia and dysgraphia. With the diagnoses in hand, they returned to the school district and learned they would qualify for the earlier version of the Empowerment Scholarship Account, for students with disabilities, as long as the boys first spent a year in a district school. They enrolled in an online charter school for nine months, and then returned to home-schooling, this time, with tens of thousands of dollars in public support. (Clark declined to reveal how much her children receive in ESA dollars.) Clarks personal introduction to ESAs coincided with the state legislatures first attempt to make the program universal, which ended up galvanizing a movement to oppose it. Beth Lewis, a fifth grade public school teacher outside Phoenix, spent the legislative session organizing parents and teachers to lobby against the bill in pursuit of higher teacher pay and per pupil spending, a metric by which Arizona ranked 47th out of 50 states. When the voucher expansion bill passed on a party line vote in April 2017, Lewis and a small group of allies formed a non-profit, Save our Schools Arizona, and collected enough signatures to have the bill referred to the ballot the following year in hopes that voters would rise to defend public schools and reverse the legislature. At the time, Clarks husband, Michael, was working at the Center for Arizona Policy, whose political arm was a major voucher supporter, and Jenny Clark began running publicity for the pro-voucher side of the referendum, making television and radio appearances touting ESAs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, the legislatures voucher expansion was defeated at the polls by nearly 30 points, reprising a long history of unsuccessful pro-voucher ballot measures in states as diverse as Massachusetts and Utah. Clark thought she understood why. Afterward, she met with the funders behind the voucher campaign, and made the case that it had been defeated for lack of a clear constituency among parents. Nobodys out there helping parents actually get their kids evaluated, find a school for them. Its almost like social work, she said. The Center for Arizona Policy and the Goldwater Institute agreed to help fund Clarks non-profit: Love Your School AZ. Lewis had a decidedly more cynical view of this origin story, calling Love Your School a vehicle for conservative donors. Its not organic, its not grassroots, she said. These people assessed the landscape and said, Hmm, we need some moms, right? If were going to do this whole parental choice thing, if were going to really focus on these parental rights, and thats what were doubling down on, we need some parents. While the 2018 bill called for universal eligibility, it also capped the program at around 5,000 students statewide; the bill Republicans brought forward in 2022 was a dramatic expansion, with no limits to participation. Once again, Save our Schools Arizona embarked on a drive to put universal ESA legislation before Arizona voters. This time, they faced organized opposition from parents Jenny Clark was helping to mobilize. SOS parents gathering signatures in suburban supermarket parking lots were met by opposing groups wielding printed signs that read DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING FROM SOS ARIZONA, paid for by the American Federation for Children, founded by Betsy DeVos to advance voucher programs around the country. Clarks arena was largely online. Love Your School AZ steered parents in its network through the ESA application process while Clark pumped out blue and pink graphics and cheerful Instagram reels calling SOS an anti-parent activist group willing to mislead and deceive the public. Clark has the sunny affect of a pre-school teacher, and on video, she delivers even her most withering commentary with a resting half-smile and the tone of someone speaking to a small child. SOSs materials at the time called universal ESAs an entitlement for wealthy families that would effectively dismantle public education, and opposed opening the program to children already attending private school. Let me just say that is disgusting and reprehensible and we should all call it out for what it is, Clark countered on Instagram. All children deserve access to a great education and thats what the universal ESA does. By the end of September 2022, the secretary of states office announced that SOS hadnt collected enough signatures for a second referendum; the new law would stand. More than 10,000 applicants were waiting for universal ESAs to go into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Jenny Clark delivers her jeremiads wrapped in pink, Lewis is sharper, and often equally strident. When we spoke, she didnt hesitate to call Clark a charlatan. But Clarks upbeat-warrior tone dovetails with her broader presentation as the mom-next-door, and downplays the extent of her political advocacy and connections with the conservative network of power that has sustained and expanded voucher programs around the country. Clark's appointment by Republican Gov. Doug Ducey as a lay member of the state board of education came in April, 2022, two months before universal ESAs passed the legislature, and she spoke at a ceremonial bill signing for universal ESAs in August. Shes been a fellow of the Club for Growth Foundation and spent a portion of the afternoon at the museum reviewing her schedule for the Koch-funded State Policy Network conference in Phoenix. Clark was featured as a panelist for a conversation about passing the symbolic finish line of universal vouchers and identifying the next race for education freedom. This fall, school districts around the country are finally facing the full fiscal implications of the Covid pandemic, as a $190 billion infusion of federal funding passed in 2021 runs out. Nationally, vouchers still support only a tiny proportion of the overall student population. Voucher advocates, like Clark, are eager to argue that students taking their education dollars elsewhere wont hurt public district schools left behind. But the evidence from Arizona and other states is that per-pupil funding for public schools tends to freeze or decrease as voucher programs expand. In Arizona, the governors office projects that ESAs will steer more than half of new education funding this year to just 8 percent of the states children. Part of what first attracted other states attention to Arizonas proposal was the extremely low budget estimate, said Mike Griffith, a researcher at the Palo Alto, California-based Learning Policy Institute, who co-authored an analysis of the costs of Arizonas ESAs. That initially got a lot of states interested because they thought, We can offer universal vouchers in our state and it would only cost $60 million. We have $60 million, he said. But with costs in each of the first two years estimated at more than five times that amount, Most advocates realize theyre not going to get something like Arizona passed, Griffith said. Theres no limit to the cost of the program. Alabama was one of those states that saw Arizonas example as both something to emulate and a lesson in the risks of a voucher program with no upper limit. As Alabama senate appropriations chair Arthur Orr put it to me, The history of Arizona fed into the proverbial smoky back rooms of Alabamas state legislature. We wanted something that was manageable, and that we had control of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill Orr co-sponsored, the CHOOSE Act, passed in March 2024, with family income limits for the first five years. Like Tennessee and Florida, or even model voucher legislation proposed by the conservative American Legislative Exchange Council, it also stipulates regular audits of private schools and vendors, and requires participating students to take standardized tests. It caps homeschooling expenses at $4,000 per family. (In, Arizona, most students receive between $7,000 and $8,000, and children with disabilities receive as much as $43,000.) Lastly, Orr said, he was anxious to make sure that allowable expectations tracked with the publics idea of what school means. Weve all read the horror stories of the family going to Disney World with their voucher money to talk about velocity on the roller coaster, he said. We wanted to avoid that categorically. Over the long term, voucher programs have tended to expand, like both Floridas and Arizonas, and parents like Jenny Clark have defended the outer flank of any arguments over proposals for reform. Clark argues, among other things, that religious schools getting taxpayer dollars should be free to discriminate for instance, a Muslim school excluding Christian students; that audits are unnecessary since a certain amount of waste is inevitable in any public program; and that theres no difference between subsidizing a wealthy familys attendance at public schools and paying for their private school tuition. In lieu of closer oversight of private schools, she envisions a parental whisper network, organized by groups like Love Your School. Thats like Yelp, right? Theyre like, Dont go to this restaurant. The service is really bad. That is good. That is competition. Clark has argued that the term voucher is inaccurate because ESA dollars flow through accounts controlled by parents, not directly to specific schools, and that the program saves state dollars for every student that enrolls. In fact, roughly half of ESA students have never before attended public schools, so they represent an entirely new cost for the state averaging some $9,800 per student per year. When I challenged Clark on this point, she began pointing to gaps in the data. Since the Department of Education estimates of prior public-school enrollment only covered the year before a student signed up for an ESA, she said, it was impossible to know whether that student had truly never been in public schools, or, perhaps, only attended until the pandemic. Griffith, of the Learning Policy Institute, shared some frustration with the quality of public data on ESAs: If the data were available, it probably would have taken us just a couple of days to put together a cost analysis, but it took us several months to do it, he said. So far, Arizona hasnt reported the number of ESA kids in private schools, how many students come from which districts, what their educational needs are, or the proportion that transfer back into public schools during the school year all information the state department of education already collects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clark isnt necessarily arguing for better data. Shes against imposing standardized tests or financial reporting requirements on private schools and parents who receive ESA funds. Any government program is going to have some sort of percentage of misuse, she told me. We just know that thats the case. But I dont think that we should look at ESA programs like we need to restrict them even more because we dont want parents buying Legos. But one states horror story is another states policy victory. After Floridas Step up For Students program quietly added theme park entrance fees as an approved voucher expense in 2023, the ensuing controversy ended up affirming Disney tickets as a legitimate expense. Earlier this year, a proposal to excluded similar expenses was stripped by an amendment passed two days before the end of the legislative session. Many families contacted their lawmakers or testified at committee hearings opposing the changes, arguing they would limit their ability to provide arts and other enrichment opportunities to their children, Step Up's spokesman reported. Tellingly, both the proposal for reform and the amendment that killed it were sponsored by Republicans, tussling over the outer limits of what school choice means. Despite the debates inside legislative chambers around the country, Clark continues to focus on the constituency that most matters namely, conservative families looking for publicly-funded options outside public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Love Your School expanded into West Virginia in 2022, just as the state began accepting applications for its own voucher program, the HOPE scholarship, which started later that year and is set to become universal in 2026. At the time, Leah Peck had a job recruiting foster parents, but she had a good rapport with Clark during their first meeting over Zoom, and she was floored by the pay she was offered to join Love Your School $3,500 a month to work from home on a project whose outlines remained hazy to her. We were paid to kind of float around and publicize the HOPE scholarship, she said. For what we were doing, I was like, Where was all this money coming from? Over the next two years, Peck co-hosted a podcast, posted about Love Your School in dozens of Facebook groups and did outreach across the state, handing out pens and stickers at churches, storefronts and libraries. At most events, she said, she spoke with fewer than five people. It would be hunting for people to help. As in Arizona, Love Your Schools remit was to offer ostensibly neutral navigation services, but in practice, she said it was definitely HOPE scholarship, HOPE scholarship, HOPE scholarship. Peck was impressed with Clarks poise and charisma, and with the way that she seemed to have grown a base of support among Arizona ESA parents, but she felt Love Your School was an odd fit in West Virginia nearly everyone she met who was interested in the HOPE scholarships had either been able to figure things out on their own, or had already gotten help from a longstanding local non-profit. Peck didnt see the need for what one local school choice advocate described as franchising a mommy group. Jennifer Wolverton, a homeschooling advocate in Alabama, had a similar reaction to Love Your Schools expansion there, where the groups sole employee is a leader of the state Republican party who quickly began publishing op-eds defending Alabamas CHOOSE Act with arguments reprised from Clarks talking points on Arizonas ESAs. She worries that Alabama will replicate the experience of other states where the bulk of voucher funds go to existing private schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The powerful people of the school choice movement have decided to fund a franchise, Wolverton told me, citing the Koch brothers network, and Ed Choice, a non-profit founded by the conservative economist Milton Friedman, who first proposed school vouchers in 1955. Last October, Wolverton attended a weekend-long media training for advocates at Ed Choices Indianapolis headquarters, where participants got feedback on filmed mock interviews at the beginning and end of the session. In between, the organizers used one of Clarks past media appearances as a featured example, a Good Morning America-type setting, Wolverton recalled, where Clark parried every attempt to steer her off-message. I hear what theyre saying, and I want to answer, Wolverton lamented, of her own media appearances. Clark knows how to go into an interview and have your things you want to get out of it without getting derailed, she said. She knows what the talking points are. Clark has continued to look beyond Arizona. In October, Clark wrote an op-ed for the Louisville Courier-Journal, and appeared on public television in Kentucky supporting a constitutional amendment that would clear the way for a voucher program. On TV, Clark was introduced not as an operative of conservative funders who have been pushing vouchers for decades but as an Arizona mother who says school choice is working for her family. ESAs completely transformed our lives, she said. We were able to afford the best therapies, the best programs, the best tutors, and now all five of my kids are on an ESA because now, its universal. The amendment in Kentucky failed, just as voters rejected pro-voucher measures in Nebraska and Colorado, but Clark doesnt see the result impacting ESAs national trajectory. The future that parents overwhelmingly want is one full of choices for their kids education, she wrote to me by email. If thats true, its a preference that hasnt shown up at the ballot box yet. But if you take Arizonas experience as a template, it may not need to. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Symone Cooper is devastated at the loss of her stepfather, Mark Holley, who was gunned down in Portlands Wilkes neighborhood early Monday night. He helped raise us. He was always there for us. He was just a call away, Cooper said in a Zoom from her home in Ohio as she wiped away tears. Hes genuine. Hes kind. Hes a really good soul. And his life was taken way too early. Holley, 35, was killed around 5:46 p.m. Monday near 15900 block of NE Fremont Street. He had already died by the time officers arrived at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elderly disabled man rescued, woman dead after two-alarm house fire in Kelso He showed up to every award event for my sister. He made sure she made honor roll, was taking care of all of the time. She was destroyed (by his death), she said. To lose him from our world, who are we going to call for major events or when we need help? Mark Holley in an undated photo released November 22, 2024. (Family via PPB) The case remains open and active. No one has been arrested at this time and Cooper told KOIN 6 News Portland police detectives told her not to share details of the shooting. But she did say, This seems like the person that did this obviously didnt have a respect for human life or law enforcement. Shes pleading with anyone who has information to contact the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was someones dad. He was someones brother. He was someones cousin. He was someones nephew. He was someones friend. And what if you know one of theirs? This happened to one of theirs. One of their people. Wouldnt you want justice? she said. She wants the killer identified and arrested. I hope he gets caught. I hope he goes to jail. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Won Jang, 20, was found dead in the Connecticut River near campus on July 7 after being served alcohol at a party organized by the Alpha Phi sorority Linkedin Won Jang. Won Jang. Authorities in New Hampshire have charged two Dartmouth College students in the death of 20-year-old Won Jang, whose body was found in the Connecticut River near campus in July. According to a news release from the Hanover Police Department, two members of the Beta Alpha Omega fraternity, identified as Matthew Catrambone and Samuel Terry, were each charged with a misdemeanor for providing alcohol to a person under 21 during a party on July 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dartmouth's Alpha Phi sorority also has been charged as a corporation for facilitating an underage alcohol party, per the release. Police said that prior to his death, Jang who was a member of Beta Alpha Omega had attended an off-campus party organized by the sorority, where he was given alcohol by the fraternity members. Most of the attendees at the party were under the age of 21 and consuming alcoholic beverages. Police said that towards the end of the party, several attendees "made a spontaneous decision to swim in the river," where Dartmouth has docks for students. A heavy rainstorm hit the area, and the party goers began to leave the river, but Jang, who could not swim, was left behind. Jang's body was recovered in the river by a search and rescue team on July 7. Police said that, following an autopsy, the New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner's Office determined that Jang's cause of death was drowning. The toxicology report found that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.167 at the time of his death. Related: A Dartmouth College Student Was Found Dead in River. Was He the Victim of Hazing? Getty Dartmouth College Dartmouth College Dartmouth previously confirmed to PEOPLE at the time of the incident that it had suspended both Beta Alpha Omega and Alpha Phi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The entire Dartmouth community is grieving over the tragic loss of Won Jang," the college said in a statement. "Our counseling team has been by the family's side since yesterday, and Dartmouth is providing every possible support it can to Won's parents, family and friends." Although police said they received several anonymous tips claiming that Jang's death was a result of hazing, Hanover Police Chief Charles Dennis told WMUR that hazing did not appear to be a factor. A Dartmouth spokesperson told WMUR and 6 ABC in a statement that the college's Greek organizations have "a responsibility" to keep its members and other students safe. "Dartmouth has long valued the contributions that Greek organizations bring to the student experience, when they are operating within their stated values and standards," the spokesperson told the outlets. "These organizations, as well as all Dartmouth students and community members, have a responsibility to ensure Dartmouth remains a safe, respectful, equitable and inclusive community for students, faculty and staff." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Following the tragic loss of Won Jang during the summer, Dartmouth immediately suspended both Alpha Phi and Beta Alpha Omega, and an internal investigation was initiated," the spokesperson continued. "These suspensions remain in effect pending the results of Dartmouths internal investigation and conduct process, which is still ongoing." google maps The Beta Alpha Omega fraternity house at Dartmouth College The Beta Alpha Omega fraternity house at Dartmouth College Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. The college added that it would not comment on students' individual disciplinary matters because of federal law, but said it would have increased security presence near its swimming docks as well as more lighting and signage for swimmers. Dartmouth did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his LinkedIn page, Jang studied biomedical engineering and economics and worked as a research assistant on a project for the engineering school, during which he studied COVID vaccine antibodies. One Dartmouth student told WMUR they hope the school's Greek organizations can make an effort to protect students. "I was here this summer when that whole incident happened. Obviously, it's very tragic. I think the school is doing what they can to mitigate stuff like that in the future," the unnamed student said. "I'm a part of a Greek organization right now and I can see first-hand we are making the effort to be better at looking out for each other." A South Korean man has been convicted of evading compulsory military service by eating so much he became too obese to fight. A court in Seoul sentenced the 26-year old, who has not been named, to a year in prison, suspended for two years. A friend was convicted of abetting the man, after providing a high-calorie meal plan. The friend, also 26, received a six-month suspended sentence, according to the South Korean daily JoongAng Ilbo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The binge-eating man dramatically increased his food intake over a period of three months in hopes of hitting a body mass index (BMI) high enough to be categorised as fit only for non-combat roles. South Korean army troopers in Seoul - Kim Jae-Hwan/SOPA The defendant acknowledged his wrongdoing and expressed a commitment to fulfilling his military duty, said the Seoul eastern district court, according to JoongAng Ilbo. The paper said he was sentenced more leniently as a result. South Korea, which is still technically at war with its nuclear-armed neighbour North Korea, requires able-bodied men under 30 to undergo about two years of military service. Exemptions have in the past been given to Olympic medallists and musicians judged to have exceptional skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The convicted man qualified for active duty during an initial physical examination in 2017. But he was allowed to postpone his service after arguing he had to sit university entrance exams and other tests. Five years later, he became eligible for another physical evaluation and that is when he reportedly decided to binge-eat, doubling the size of his meals over three months. He also drank large amounts of water before being officially weighed for his final evaluation and his BMI was recorded as 36.9. Over 30 is considered obese, and 35 and above makes a person eligible to carry out social service, rather than military, in South Korea. It is not clear how the offending came to light. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A fire at Paradise Spa condos in the south Las Vegas valley claimed one life and left several displaced early Saturday morning. Homeowner association president Dennis Snapp watched as the flames were put out at the home of a long-time resident. She lost her life, which is very sad. Shes lived here for 20 years, Snapp said. The American Red Cross is assisting those have to leave their homes because of the fire, but this isnt the first time theyve been to the neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in the 1960s, a common sight at Paradise Spa would be the old Las Vegas luxury picture. Now, neighbors say the common sight of today is burned-down homes. Back in the 1960s, a common sight at Paradise Spa would be the old Las Vegas luxury (KLAS) Snapp told 8 News Now that throughout the past 12 years, fires have claimed buildings and lives at Paradise Spa. In recent history, The last four months have been devastating, he said. Fires have become so common that Red Cross volunteers like Diane Orgill know the condo neighborhood by heart. South Las Vegas valley fire leaves 1 dead, 1 hospitalized, 14 displaced I worry when I see that address pop up, she said. Some of these people have been here for a very long time. And its just sad to see them go, and especially like this. Because this is terrifying. Around 12:47 a.m. Saturday, firefighters and volunteers from the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada responded to the blaze at the Paradise Spas Condominiums on Las Vegas Boulevard near Richmar Avenue. (Dennis Snapp) Around 12:47 a.m. Saturday, firefighters and volunteers from the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada responded to the blaze at the Paradise Spas Condominiums on Las Vegas Boulevard near Richmar Avenue. (KLAS) Around 12:47 a.m. Saturday, firefighters and volunteers from the American Red Cross of Southern Nevada responded to the blaze at the Paradise Spas Condominiums on Las Vegas Boulevard near Richmar Avenue. (KLAS) Clark County Firefighters are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snapp told 8 News Now a property developer has acquired Paradise Spa and is inspecting the neighborhood to tear it down and build a new one. He said the process should take a year before any change is seen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. A Southern California woman was arrested for allegedly operating brothels at the skin care spas she owned in Ventura and Orange counties. The suspect was identified as Amanda Xia, 44, from Yorba Linda, according to the Ventura County Sheriffs Office. In early 2024, detectives began investigating reports that Swan Spa, located in the 100 block of North Rancho Road in Thousand Oaks, was allegedly operating as a commercial sex establishment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said evidence was found that confirmed the suspect, Xia, was financially benefitting from the illicit services her employees were offering to customers. Xia also owned three other spa locations which investigators identified as brothels involved in similar illegal sex operations. Detectives were able to positively identify multiple male individuals suspected of purchasing commercial sex at each of the four locations under investigation, officials said. Xia was arrested at her Orange County home on charges of pimping, pandering and money laundering. On Nov.13, search warrants were served at the suspects home and all four spa locations: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Swan Spa 100 block of North Rancho Road, Thousand Oaks Star Spa 400 black of North Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park Victoria Spa 23000 block of El Toro Road, Lake Forest Four Seasons Spa 20000 block of Lake Forest Drive, Lake Forest The coordinated operation involved multiple agencies including the Ventura County Sheriffs Office, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Xia was taken into custody and is being held on $100,000 bail. The Ventura County Sheriffs Office would like to thank members of the public for their ongoing support and due diligence in providing information to assist our agency in solving crimes, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with additional information can call the Ventura County Sheriffs Office at 805-654-2380. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) A shooting at a bar in Spencer County has left one man in critical condition. A release obtained by Eyewitness News says a fight at The Chateau bar ended in gunfire Saturday morning. Indiana State Police say Paris Keaton and three men had a verbal argument inside the bar. Keaton and Rafael Barboza of Dale walked outside the bar, and then the fight began. Barboza was shot in the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release goes on to say that Keaton walked back inside the bar and pointed the firearm at two other men who were located inside. All parties remained at the scene until officers arrived. Barboza was transported to Owensboro Regional Health Hospital in Kentucky to be treated for his injuries. Keaton is being held on bond in the Spencer County Jail. Paris Keaton (Courtesy of the Spencer County Sheriffs Office) Keaton is charged with the following: Aggravated Battery with Deadly Weapon Pointing a Firearm Criminal Recklessness Driving While Suspended Prior Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Police Department is asking for the publics assistance in locating 12-year-old Perseus Gonzalez, who has been reported as a runaway. Police believe Perseus may be in the area of Worthington Street or Plainfield Street. Authorities are urging anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts to come forward. Courtesy of Springfield Police Department Community members can contact Springfield Police detectives at 413-787-6360 or reach out to the departments non-emergency line at 413-787-6300 to provide information. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Like a lot of people, I agree with individuals making their own decisions about their own lives. I agree with individual autonomy. I agree the state should have as limited a role in our lives consistent with a fair society where everyone is given the opportunity to, in the parlance of young people, live their best lives. The strength of a persons character is all that should matter. I also agree that the opinions or beliefs of one person should only be of limited consequence in strictly defined circumstances to those who may think differently. What I think about abortion does not trump a womans right to make her own decisions. What I think about faith should not particularly matter to people of faith, as long as they offer me an atheist the same respect. I believe this makes me a liberal in the true sense of the word, not the morally righteous progressive sense, a word I wish could be dropped from the political lexicon. I am a firm proponent of Isaiah Berlins concepts of negative liberty (freedom from interference) and positive liberty (freedom to do). Both are essential to a passably good society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given all this, when it came to assisted dying I thought I would know my own mind sufficiently well to come to a firm conclusion. As a proponent of negative freedom, if someone of sound mind who is at the very end of their time on earth wants to end their life because of intolerable suffering, well, who am I to stand in their way? At its heart, this is the argument Labour MP Kim Leadbeater makes in her private members bill which Parliament will vote on at the end of the week. Her arguments are powerful. Death, where possible, should be dignified. Not just for the individual, but for those around them. If we are to make assisted dying legal, then controls should be immutable. Leadbeater insists that her bill guarantees that assisted death will only be possible in strictly defined circumstances that obviate slippery slope dangers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public should be broadly supportive. Most polls suggest they are, by a substantial margin. Last month IPSOS revealed that a majority of the UK public continue to believe it should be legal for a doctor to assist a patient aged 18 or older in ending their life. Just 16 per cent think it should not be legal. Given all this strong evidence, why then do I believe that MPs should vote against Leadbeaters bill when it comes before them? My reasons are political and practical in a debate that is often overwrought with understandable emotion. I will leave moral judgements on the sanctity of life to others better qualified than I. Suffice to say the argument from leaders of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Sikh faiths that it is impossible to discern whether someone has been coerced into a decision to end their life is not easily discarded. At its simplest, a private members bill (PMB) is the wrong route to a change of such significance. That Keir Starmer has allowed it cements his reputation for being very poor at politics (a rather disturbing weakness for the Prime Minister of the country). His pledge to Esther Ranzen before the election that he would make time for a debate and vote on the issue should never have been via such a thin mechanism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First it leaves it to campaigners for and against to make the case, and to one individual (in this instance someone without a long track record in the subject) to be the face of the pro lobby. The debate by design becomes binary with the whiff of the amateur when it should be nuanced, drawing on the expertise of the professional, such as those with deep knowledge of hospice care. MPs are left scrabbling with Google to find out as much as they can. Before the election Wes Streeting, the health secretary, said he wanted to throw open his department so that politicians and all concerned parties could see the evidence. Nothing of such substance has happened. Second, PMBs are a very poor way to legislate. MPs will be given just five hours to debate such a momentous change on Parliaments most desolate day Friday when minds are already turning to the weekend and the scrutiny of the news cycle is waning. As the Hansard Society says of PMBs: The lack of programming [government support] and absence of time limits on speeches facilitate filibustering rather than effective debate and scrutiny. Procedural tricks are commonplace. Starmer, who is sympathetic to assisted dying, should have taken the lead, not cowered behind the conscience vote defence. He should have set up a judge-led inquiry into assisted dying, palliative care and whether a dignified death really means the state being able to sanction the taking of someones life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could have been given a one year timeframe to report, the evidence base then becoming the foundation of a legislative proposal backed by the government and given proper time in Parliament. The final vote could still be a free vote, as it was in 2008 with significant parts of the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill. Instead we are left with a situation where the elected government is remaining neutral on the issue. Simon Case, the Cabinet Secretary, told all government ministers, including the Cabinet, they should not take part in the public debate. Case was following protocol, put in a ridiculous position by his boss, the PM. Of course, the position has not held, making Number 10 look weak. If the bill on assisted dying were to pass, we know that the two lead departments concerned with its implementation health and justice are headed by ministers who do not agree with the policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Streeting has said that he is concerned about the risk of people being coerced into taking their own lives sooner than they would have liked and that palliative care is not where it needs to be. Shabana Mahmood, the justice secretary, wrote to her constituents this weekend saying that assisted suicide would fundamentally change the relationship between the state and individuals. Sadly, recent scandals such as Hillsborough, infected blood and the Post Office Horizon have reminded us that the state and those acting on its behalf are not always benign. These are arguments of substance that cannot be settled by a brief debate and a second division process. Just as with winter payments for pensioners and inheritance tax for farmers, the Labour government is allowing policy to be bundled through Parliament with little thought of the consequences. On assisted dying, MPs are dealing with peoples lives. We all deserve better. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. CHEYENNE The Wyoming Supreme Court decided in early October that the state-owned land leased to Pilot Corporation in Uinta County was not exempt from property taxes, despite the fact revenue generated from the lease benefited the Wyoming State Hospital. Pilot is a private company that has operated a truck stop on the land since 1999, said Revenue Department Director Brenda Henson during the Legislatures Joint Revenue Committee meeting on Monday. The lessee paid taxes on the truck stop itself, but not the state land surrounding it. In 2022, a Uinta County assessor charged Wyoming property tax on the 3.37 acres of state land surrounding the truck stop. The state fought this all the way to the Wyoming Supreme Court, arguing the revenue benefiting the state hospital served a governmental purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wyoming Statute 39-11-105 exempts state-owned land from property taxation if it is used primarily for a governmental purpose. However, Chief Justice Kate Fox wrote in the decision that the state land was used to operate a truck stop, which is a non-governmental purpose. Fox also pointed out theres no definition of governmental purpose provided anywhere in statute. (T)he exemption the State argues for does not exist, Fox wrote. The 3.4 million acres of state-owned land used for grazing leases is now subject to property tax as a result of the decision, which Henson said would amount to just under $3 million. Gov. Mark Gordon requested an appropriation of $3 million to the Office of State Lands and Investments in his supplemental budget request to pay it off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSLI Interim Director Jason Crowder told lawmakers on Monday the $3 million will either be paid to the Department of Revenue or county assessors. Im not sure how it will break that down yet, but thats where itll go, and then theyll distribute it, Crowder said. County assessors and the Department of Revenue have struggled with this topic for years, Henson said. There were at least three different interim topics in the last decade to study what qualifies as a governmental purpose, but no bill has come before the Legislature. When the government leases out lands to an entity for a non-governmental purpose, should those be taxable? County assessors across the state and the Department of Revenue believe that that was a question the Legislature needed to answer, Henson said. We have not, as a Legislature, defined what is a governmental purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Committee co-Chairman Sen. Bo Biteman, R-Ranchester, asked if the high courts decision affected leased federal lands, as well, since those are also exempted under the same statute. Henson said that is currently being researched, since federal lands are a slightly different scenario. Wyoming grants counties the authority to tax, she said, and the federal government grants that authority to the state. That will be explored, Henson said. We do not have clear guidelines for the 2025 tax year as of yet, but that relationship is very similar. Two bills coming up Two legislative bills passed in different committees are headed to the 2025 general session, each containing different language that broadens the property tax exemption for state-owned land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislatures Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee forwarded a bill at its last meeting in October that would provide a property tax exemption for state-owned land used for agricultural purposes, as well as governmental purposes. The bill has a two-year sunset date and includes language requiring further study after the 2025 general session, during the Legislatures off-season, as an interim topic. The Revenue Committee unanimously passed its own bill on Monday that takes a broader approach. As written, it provides a property tax exemption for all state-owned land, regardless of the use of the lands. A Legislative Service Office (LSO) staff note in the bill suggested providing similar exemptions for federal, county, city and school district lands that are also used primarily for a governmental purpose. LSO also noted this may require additional review and would likely be appropriate for an interim study in 2025, since those exemptions are all applied in different ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Co-Chairman Rep. Steve Harshman, R-Casper, successfully added an amendment that included a two-year sunset date and a requirement for an interim study in 2025. What is fair? Director Henson said part of the tax exemption issue is deciding whether its fair to just exempt everything that the state of Wyoming owns. Is it fair that these lands that arent being used for a governmental purpose should not be paying taxes? Henson said. I think that there will be a very robust discussion related to the taxation of these lands. Rep. Dan Zwonitzer, R-Cheyenne, said it didnt seem to be equitable for the state to pay property taxes on leased land serving one purpose, such as agriculture, but not for another purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do we know what it would cost to pay the taxes across the board for everyone caught in the situation, not just grazing leases? Zwonitzer said. Henson said a majority of state land leasing contracts that arent for grazing make the lessee responsible for any taxation. Improvements on state land in these special leases, such as buildings and infrastructure, are assessed by the county assessor. The statute says that thats not a government purpose and has never been interpreted as such. So county assessors will now just include the land in the valuation with those improvements, Henson said. A complex issue Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Time is of the essence as county assessors put together assessment schedules for the 2025 tax year, said Converse County Assessor Dixie Huxtable. I cant wait till Jan. 1, and respectfully, I cant wait to make sure that the Legislature is going to pass something, Huxtable said. Ive got to be ready. And I think all the other assessors fall in that same category. Huxtable told lawmakers its difficult to go back and repeal legislation once its been signed into law. Putting an expiration date on the law gives the Legislature time to further study the issue and make a final potentially different decision, she said. I am a little concerned about how this will play out if it was to make everything just exempt, Huxtable said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her biggest concern, shared by Crowder and some members of the committee, is the lack of definition of a governmental purpose, which neither of the proposed bills provide. Somewhere along the line, theres got to be some definition of governmental purpose, Huxtable said. I do think there could be some legal challenges, and Im not a lawyer ... but Ive heard rumblings. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham announced her office is offering a 1,400-acre plot of land in Starr County to the Trump administration. Buckingham says it would be an ideal spot for a deportation facility. I am 100 percent on board with the Trump administrations pledge to get these criminals out of our country, and we are more than happy to offer our resources to facilitate deportations of these violent criminals, Buckingham said. Were happy to make this offer and hope they take us up on it. Buckingham described the plot as essentially farmland, and easy to build on. Her office did not specify how much the state paid to acquire it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tom Homan, President-elect Trumps pick to serve as border czar, told Fox News that the incoming administration expects to use the gifted land as part of its deportation program. He did not go into details about any plans. Homan is scheduled to visit the Rio Grande Valley on Tuesday. He will join Gov. Greg Abbott to present holiday meals to National Guard troops serving along the border. Commissioner Buckingham announced a border wall construction kick-off on the newly acquired state land in Starr County on the same day. Migrant crossings along the Texas border are at their lowest level in years, a dip achieved through seasonal trends, federal executive action and the states Operation Lone Star but state leaders are not pulling back from the border yet. Were not letting up at all, Gov. Greg Abbott told Fox News Sean Hannity Tuesday night. We have to get them out of our country as quickly as possible, but we have to multitask we have to at the same time ensure that we are building the barriers and denying the illegal entry into our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, Abbott shared a video of additional buoy barriers the state is placing in the Rio Grande River. A thousand feet of bright-orange balls have cut through the river in Eagle Pass for more than a year, designed to deter and redirect migrants considering walking across the shallow water. Last week, Abbott shared images of Texas troops conducting training exercises in preparation for what he calls potential mass migration. DHS reportedly considered the possibility that migrants may try to cross the border before President-elect Trump takes office. There has been no extraordinary surge reported at this point. The Texas legislature is also preparing to take state border enforcement even further. State Sen. Bob Hall, for example, has filed bills to establish the Texas Department of Homeland Security and to authorize the Texas Department of Public Safety to deport migrants measures the Biden administration challenged as unconstitutional. State Board of Education approves educational materials that include religious themes The State Board of Education approved new teaching materials for elementary school students with religious themes in an 8-7 vote Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While school districts are not required to use the new Bluebonnet curriculum, there are financial incentives for those that do. The new materials have come under controversy for their inclusion of Christian stories, with some SBOE members saying it favors Christianity over other faiths and may violate the separation of church and state. I appreciate the effort to include other faith traditions, I appreciate that, but it seems it me it is trying to place a band-aid over a gaping wound, said Rebecca Bell-Metereau, SBOE member for District 5. Texas Freedom Network, a grassroots organization that opposed the new curriculum, released an analysis of it on Nov. 5. According to the analysis, the amended version of the curriculum does fix some of the issues with the original May version but is still lopsided in its coverage of Christianity and the Bible in a way that suggests that this is the only religious tradition of any importance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is not a message that Texas public schools, which are called to serve a religiously diverse population, have any business conveying, said the analysis, which was prepared by David R. Brockman, a religious studies scholar and Christian theologian. The analysis said there is an overemphasis on Christianity and the authors appear to go out of their way to work detailed Bible lessons into the curriculum even when they are both unnecessary and unwarranted. A fifth-grade poetry lesson in the curriculum includes the Psalm of David and identifies it as a core text of the Jewish and Christian faiths. It also identifies King David as a central figure in Islam. Another lesson for fifth graders uses the Christian allegory The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, by C. S. Lewis and instructs students that a central character represents Jesus who it says the Bible teaches died for others and was resurrected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faith advocates argue that the Bible is a legitimate historical and literary focus. Attacking these materials merely because of their academic study of the Bible is denying students the right to learn and create a learning environment that is hostile to Christianity and religion, said Mary Elizabeth Castle, director of government relations at Texas Values, a conservative advocacy group. The new materials will be available for schools that choose to use them in August 2025. Proposed dementia research institute could follow CPRIT model Monday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick announced a new major legislative initiative for the Texas Senate, a state-funded research institute that could focus entirely on dementia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dementia is going to increase as the population increases, so as we get a larger population, the state will have more and more people who are experiencing dementia, said Dr. Karen Fingerman, director of the UT Austin Texas Aging and Longevity Consortium. Theres a projection that the population over the age of 65 in Texas is going to increase by 90% in the next 20-30 years, so this is a really pressing issue. The Dementia Prevention Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) would be modeled much like the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), Patrick said. Structured like CPRIT, and funded for a decadeDPRIT will be laser-focused on Dementia, just as CPRIT is laser-focused on Cancer. Like CPRIT, this investment will draw leading researchers and companies to Texas and require them to be based in Texas, leading to their further investment in our state, Patrick said in a release Monday. Cancer Prevention & Research Institute of Texas hopes to advance research with $49 million in grants Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Patrick, Senate Committee on Finance Chair Joan Huffman, a Republican lawmaker from Houston, will author the legislation in the Senate. Recently, I also traveled to Midland to meet with former Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, to help shape the legislation with him so we can build unanimous support in both the Senate and House, Patrick said in a release Monday. As with the CPRIT in 2007 (voters then re-authorized it in 2019), should lawmakers pass the DPRIT through the legislature, voters would still need to approve it as a constitutional amendment. We know that every dollar invested in Alzheimers and dementia research is a dollar that brings us closer to identifying better treatments and ultimately to finding a cureit helps recruit people into the field of Alzheimers and dementia where otherwise they might be working on a different disease, said Richard Elbein, CEO of the Alzheimers Association Houston & Southeast Texas chapter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Elbein also said he doesnt want the state to lose sight of families dealing with this disease now, something the Alzheimers Association has been working on getting more funding for. The critical additional need is to provide support for those affected by Alzheimers diseaseso thats the reason for the last three legislative sessions the Alzheimers Association has been advocating for funding specifically to invest in care and support and thats been our number one priority, he said. The Texas legislature passed, and voters approved the creation of CPRIT in 2007. In 2019, Texas voters again voted overwhelmingly to support CPRIT with an additional $3 billion, for a total $6 billion investment in cancer research and prevention, CPRITs website says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CPRIT, the agency has granted more than $3 billion to Texas research institutions CPRITs work is personal for CEO Kristen Doyle. A cancer survivor herself, Doyle got involved in the agency early on. To be in the middle of all of this fantastic work is just one of the highlights of my life, Doyle said. Over 150,000 people will be diagnosed with cancer this year in Texas, Doyle said, and 44,000 will die. It remains a tremendous threat, and we are seeing more and more cases of what they call early-onset cancer, so cancers that are occurring in early adulthood, Doyle said. Ten percent of CPRITs funds go towards cancer prevention, while 90% goes towards research, Doyle said. CPRIT can do screenings in every county in Texas and has detected over 46,000 cancers and cancer precursors through CPRIT-funded screenings. Early detection means easier to treat, easier to survive, Doyle said. Weve literally saved lives with these screenings. At this point now, more than 410,000 Texans have had their first screening through cancer prevention projects funded by CPRIT. The grants that CPRIT provides go through a peer review process. Experts make recommendations to CPRITs oversight committee, which is made up of appointments from the governor, lieutenant governor and the speaker, on which grant applications should be funded. The peer reviewers are all from outside of the state of Texas, so theyre not eligible to receive grant funds from us, Doyle said. So, theres really no you scratch my back, Ill scratch yours. They really are looking at it from the very best science. CPRIT also recruits talent from around the world to bring to Texas. Weve really seen just an acceleration in the innovation that is coming out of Texas, Doyle said. Governor, Regents make moves to ease college cost burden In a Nov. 13 letter to Texas universities and colleges, Gov. Greg Abbott said undergraduate tuition and fee increases in the next two years are prohibited. Abbott said in the letter this is a way for public universities to ease the financial burden on our students and their families. As this tuition freeze expires, let me be clear: I will not support any tuition increase at any public higher education institution in the upcoming biennium. My office has spoken to the Board of Regents at every public university system, and we are in agreement that no institution in Texas should approve tuition increases for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 academic school years, he said. Abbott said that the state has invested in higher education, which includes increased funding for universities and financial aid programs to ensure that higher education remains accessible and affordable for all Texans. When all Texans have access to quality and affordable education, they can earn better wages, meet workforce qualifications, and experience a higher quality of life, Abbott said. I will ensure college affordability remains a top priority for the state as we head into the next legislative session. A spokesperson with the University of Texas tells KXAN that the University shares Gov Abbotts passion for finding new and innovative ways to make higher education more affordable and accessible, especially for those with limited financial means. A few days after the Governors letter, the University of Texas System Board of Regents voted to cover tuition free of charge for undergraduate students whose families have an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $100,000 or less, UT officials said in a news release. Currently, the UT System provides free tuition for undergraduate students coming from families making $65,000 or less. The change will take effect beginning in fall 2025, officials confirmed. It will apply to students at all UT System institutions, the release added. Officials said 14,500 UT Austin undergraduates currently receive free or reduced tuition as part of the Texas Advance Commitment, or TAC. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Its time for some stats about stolen vehicles in Portland. These stats may surprise you. Since March 2022, theres been a 63% drop in the number of reported stolen vehicles in Portland, police said in a statement Saturday evening. In that same time frame, there have been 53 coordinated law enforcement missions that recovered 474 stolen cars, arrested 564 people, recovered 84 illegal guns. And the data-driven techniques used by law enforcement are responsible in large part for the improved ratio of stops/recoveries. The 53rd mission, on Friday night, resulted in 10 vehicles recovered out of 16 stops, 5 people in custody, 7 warrants serviced, 4 vehicles that tried to flee and then 2 pursuits, plus one gun seized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two of those arrested may also face federal charges, officials said. Two Portland Police officers work the scene of a traffic stop of a stolen vehicle, November 22, 2024 (PPB) Portland Police officers, including Chief Bob Day, and a PS3, investigate a recovered stolen Saab, November 22, 2024 (PPB) A Multnomah County Sheriffs Deputys vehicle stopping a motorcyclist, November 22, 2024 (PPB) A black compact semiautomatic pistol seen on a bed of moss, recovered after being pitched by a suspect during an attempt to elude police, November 22, 2024 (PPB) This mission in East Portland involved 79 people from PPB, Gresham PD, Port of Portland PD, the sheriffs offices from Multnomah and Clackamas counties, Parole and Probation, the US Department of Justice and the Multnomah County DAs Office, plus the group PDX Stolen Cars. They contributed 4 unoccupied stolen vehicles plus one with an occupant inside. There was also air support from a plane and a drone, officials said. There are a lot of factors that go into crime trends, but enforcement efforts driven by data analysis, efficient use of limited resources, and interagency partnerships have been key factors in the reduction in car thefts in Portland, police said in a statement. Stolen vehicles are often used by suspects in other crimes including robberies and shootings. Interdicting those occupied stolen cars can prevent other crimes. Common place for car thieves The car thieves have many different reasons for taking a vehicle, said PPB Officer Michael Terrett. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could be a range of a car thief whos literally just looking to go from A-to-B, it could be a range from the car thief whos looking to take the car and use it for the commission of another crime. We see that commonly, Terrett said. Gun violence, we see it, robberies. we see it in burglaries. So it is a spectrum. Their goal is to catch the thief in the car. So we talk about active stolen vehicles, meaning that if we catch the person in the vehicle, if we can apprehend them, then we can prosecute them, he said. One place thieves often target is airport parking lots. And if a thief takes your car from the airport, they may also find your home address inside the car and then break into your home because they know youre out of town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To protect yourself, PPB suggests the Club on the steering wheel, plus remove items from inside the car and add a GPS tracking device, like an air tag, that can help locate your vehicle if its stolen. KOIN 6 News will continue to follow these stories. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. One woman died and three people were injured, including the suspect, after a police chase ended in a collision in the San Fernando Valley on Saturday, officials say. The chaotic scene unfolded in the Winnetka neighborhood at about 1:32 p.m. Police say the suspect, believed to be in his 40s, noticed officers following him on suspicion of a stolen vehicle a Mercedes SUV. The suspect sped away southbound on Mason Avenue and drove into the intersection of Saticoy Street as a white Tesla was crossing westbound. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The light had turned green for the east and west traffic on Saticoy, said LAPD Deputy Chief Don Graham. The suspect vehicle crashed into the Tesla as it was heading southbound at a high rate of speed, and the Tesla then crashed into the other two vehicles. The suspect in the stolen SUV was immediately detained after the vehicle overturned, and officials say he was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The drivers of a black car and a silver car were also sent to the hospital with minor injuries, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. A woman behind the wheel of the white Tesla died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was bad, recounted a nearby resident, Maria Toribio. That was my initial reaction, my stomach started to churn. Neighbors like Toribio who heard the crash told KTLAs Angeli Kakade that theyll never forget the sound. A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) A chaotic scene unfolds in a Winnetka neighborhood after a one-minute-long police chase ended in a 4-vehicle crash that injured three, including the stolen car suspect, and killed a woman driving the white Tesla. November 2024. (KTLA) This is the kind of tragedy that will live with this family forever, so close to the holidays, said Graham. It is unfathomable to think about. The suspect now faces vehicular homicide charges. With Saturdays tragedy top of mind, Toribio said she hopes city officials will finally address the numerous issues that have plagued the intersection where the deadly crash happened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A man from the northwest suburbs is trying to make the holiday season brighter for people affected by Hurricane Helene. Contractor Denny Syms has made multiple trips to the South since the deadly storm ravaged parts of North Carolina and neighboring states. Two months since Helene wiped out so much, killing more than 100 and leaving thousands without a home, Syms found himself inspired by a friend online to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The last trip, we brought 20 heaters. My friend went down there with like 50 heaters, Syms said. Were trying to give them some sense of livability if you will and doing whatever we can. Syms said anyone who wants to donate trailers or other supplies can reach out to him at dennisfornc@gmail.com. A GoFundMe can also be found here WGNs Sean Lewis has more on his mission. To see the full story, watch the video in the player above. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. VIGO COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) A local teen heads Florida this weekend to represent the state of Indiana at a national pageant. Lydia Quinn, a senior at Union High School, took home the crown of NAM Miss Indiana Teen title back in September. Now, Quinn will compete this upcoming week in Orlando, FL for the National American Miss Teen crown. Everything that Ive been working so hard for just came true, said Lydia Quinn. I just felt so much gratitude first of all, and just so much overwhelming joy. Im ready to kick off my year of service and show Indiana why I have this title. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National American Miss, or NAM is a pageant organization that offers opportunities for contestants to showcase their talents, public speaking, and personal achievements in a supportive and encouraging environment. Crown or not, I am just thankful to have the opportunity to not only represent myself and my community, but my entire state of Indiana, said Lydia Quinn, 2024 NAM Miss Indiana Teen. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. After a storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to Puget Sound, rays of sunshine finally broke through the clouds on Saturday, a perfect day for a giveaway. On Saturday morning, the Tacoma Police Department handed out 450 turkeys and sides to the families in need in their community. In total 950 families have been served in the past week. On Monday, Nov. 25, the community has one more opportunity to get a turkey before all supplies run out. The giveaway will be held at the Peoples Community Center on 1602 Martin Luther King Jr. Way at 6 p.m. Tacoma police recommend that you arrive early as supplies are limited. A man accused of killing a 20-year-old mother and her 4-month-old son in an apparent drive-by shooting in Hartford, Connecticut, has been arrested in Puerto Rico, officials said. Lance Morales, 23, will face murder charges in connection to the deadly shooting on Tuesday, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Morales is from Waterbury, Connecticut, but following the shooting, he fled to Puerto Rico, where he was arrested on Saturday, the Marshals Service said. PHOTO: Lance Morales in a photo released by police. (Hartford Police Department ) MORE: 20-year-old mother, infant killed in drive-by shooting in Connecticut Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is now awaiting extradition to Connecticut, where he'll face charges, authorities said. Police were dispatched to Hartford Hospital on Tuesday afternoon after it was reported that a vehicle arrived carrying multiple people who had been shot, the Hartford Police Department said. Jessiah Mercado and her son Messiah Diaz were pronounced dead at the hospital. Another victim in his 20s suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound, police said. The driver of the car was not injured. PHOTO: Police at the scene of a drive-by shooting in Hartford, Conn., Nov. 19, 2024. (WTNH) MORE: 3 charged with murder in connection with fatal shooting of New Jersey detective Investigators determined the shooting had occurred moments before, when the suspect vehicle pulled alongside the victims' car and opened fire, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Since the commission of this senseless and heinous act of violence, investigators from the Hartford Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service Violent Fugitive Task Forces in Connecticut and Puerto Rico have tirelessly worked around the clock to bring the suspect to justice," Lawrence Bobnick, acting U.S. marshal for the District of Connecticut, said in a statement Saturday. "This arrest is a testament to the close collaboration between the U.S. Marshals Service and our valued law enforcement partners and it demonstrates the reach these partnerships bring to the pursuit of justice." ABC News' Nadine El-Bawab contributed to this report. Suspect in drive-by shooting of 20-year-old mom and infant arrested in Puerto Rico originally appeared on abcnews.go.com John Hult South Dakota Searchlight Corrections Secretary Kellie Wasko told the South Dakota Corrections Commission that prison staff found contraband in sweat lodges disassembled during a weekslong prison lockdown earlier this fall in Sioux Falls. She also said the lodges have been rebuilt and became operational again a few weeks ago on the grounds of the South Dakota State Penitentiary. Sweat lodges are ceremonial spaces for Native Americans. Ceremonies involve pouring water over hot rocks in an enclosed dome while prayers are sung, typically in an Indigenous language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wasko gave the commission an update on the lockdown Tuesday during the advisory groups last meeting of the year. The secretary offered the same presentation shed shared last month with the Legislatures Government Operations and Audit Commission, which includes several photos of contraband seized during the lockdown. Most of the details on the results of the 17-day lockdown were shared with lawmakers behind closed doors during that October audit committee meeting. The following day, Teresa Bittinger was out as penitentiary warden. Through a spokesman, the Department of Corrections declined to share if shed resigned or been let go, saying the agency cant share personnel information. DOC: Contraband continues to circulate The lockdown, Wasko said in October and again on Tuesday, was a preemptive measure meant to clear the Sioux Falls prison facilities of dangerous contraband, not a response to a specific incident. Wasko told the commission that the photos shared, including fiberglass and plexiglass formed into weapons, only represent a portion of the contraband seized during the lockdown. She also said that more contraband has been found in the periodic cell shakedowns that have taken place since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lynette Johnson, the widow of a correctional officer killed by two inmates in 2011, attended Tuesdays meeting. She wanted to know where the contraband was found, and how inmates were able to access the materials. She also asked how many inmates had been referred to the Attorney Generals Office for prosecution as a result of the lockdown. Individual inmates had some of the contraband, Wasko said, but other items were found in common areas. I want to say that it involved roughly six inmates that were directly correlated to contraband, she said. She declined to offer details on where any of the items might have come from before being uncovered by DOC staff, citing security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOCs job, Wasko said, is to stay ahead of contraband issues. Complaint management The commission also discussed the finances of the prison shops. Two years ago, the DOC adopted a policy of instituting corrective action plans for prison industry shops that lose money for six consecutive fiscal quarters. DOC Finance Director Brittni Skipper said this month, for the first time in that two-year window, none of the shops currently operating are on corrective action plans. Skipper also offered an update on commissary, essentially the inmate general store. The DOC took on the management of commissary a few months ago under the terms of a new contract with Union Supply Group, a company owned by food service giant Aramark. The company pays to lease warehouse space in the prison in Sioux Falls, and also pays inmate labor costs. Skipper said the next update on prison finances will reflect a 5% commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was also discussion from commission members on what to do with citizen or inmate inquiries. Commission member and Minnehaha County Circuit Judge Jon Sogn said hed gotten letters from inmates in recent months, as did state Sen. Shawn Bordeaux, D-Rosebud, who chairs the commission. Bordeaux also mentioned calls and emails from DOC employees, who told him they didnt want to share their names for fear of retribution. David McGirr, who represents retailers on the commission, said hed gotten messages about changes in the price of popular commissary items. Several inmates and family members have expressed frustration over price increases, or over items in smaller packages priced similarly to the larger packages available through the previous contractor. At the last commission meeting in September, Skipper said most of the prices are within a few cents of the old prices. After being questioned on the much higher price attached to in-cell televisions, Wasko said the new TVs are corrections-grade, sturdier and clear for security purposes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Wasko told commissioners that any complaints should be forwarded to the DOC to investigate and resolve. Judge Sogn asked if the responses and resolutions would be distributed to all the commission members, and Wasko said that typically wouldnt happen. Our goal is more so to answer the questions and rectify any problems that come up, Wasko said. To then send it out to the whole commission, Im not sure what that would accomplish. Bordeaux, who was elected to serve as chair but will vacate his legislative seat on the commission due to his loss on Election Day, suggested that commissioners share complaints among themselves, and that the DOC ought to share any follow-up information. I think its very important that we all stay informed, especially right now, Bordeaux said. It seems like its more chaotic now than all the years that Ive sat on a commission. Wasko said the agency is committed to resolving problems. When an inmate, DOC employee, volunteer or inmate family member has a complaint, Wasko said, were going to look into it. (Bloomberg) -- Swiss voters approved a government plan to alter funding in the health-care system, a decision that could see more outpatient treatments being chosen over hospitalizations. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill to give state support not only to inpatient care, but also to therapies at doctors offices, received 53.3% in Sundays plebiscite, according to final government results. So far, only hospitalizations are partially funded by Swiss cantons the countrys states while other therapies have to be fully paid by insurers or the treated themselves. By boosting the incentive for outpatient care, the government aimed for savings of some 440 million francs ($490 million) per year. An alliance of Social Democrats and unions contested the reform, saying that it would hand too much power to health insurers. Polls had seen supporters and opponents essentially tied before the vote. I think people have realized that we need a reform of the health care system, Green Liberal lawmaker Patrick Hassig told Swiss public broadcaster SRF. People dont want things to go on the way they are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expensive Swiss health-care system in which residents bear the highest costs in Europe frequently gives rise to heated campaign battles. In a vote in June, citizens narrowly rejected a cap on insurance premiums favored by left parties. Three other measures that also were on the ballot were rejected: A plan to extend highways at congestion hotspots which regularly trigger drivers to divert on surrounding roads only 47.3% backed the proposal. A plan to tighten subletting rules seeking to prevent overcharging of tenants and unlawful renting 48.4% supported to measure. A plan to make claiming back rented-out properties for personal use easier just 46.2% voted yes. In Switzerlands system of direct democracy, citizens vote as much as four times a year on issues ranging from taxation to whether apes should have human rights. The plebiscites can easily yield surprises, like when citizens unexpectedly voted for a 13th annual pension payment, which saw the government proposing to raise the sales tax for funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (Updates with final results starting in second paragraph) Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. HALIFAX, Nova Scotia Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said Saturday that the United States should prioritize helping Ukraine despite the looming threat of a Chinese cross-strait invasion of the self-governing island. They should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians, Tsai said at the forum. We [Taiwan] still have time. The comments from the former Taiwanese leader at the Halifax International Security Forum came after U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo said Tuesday that supplying weapons to Ukraine had begun to affect the U.S. militarys ability to prepare for a conflict in Asia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Up to this year, where most of the employment of weapons were really artillery pieces and short-range weapons, I had said: 'Not at all,' Paparo said at the Brookings Institution think tank earlier this week. But now, with some of the Patriots that have been employed, some of the air-to-air missiles that have been employed, it's now eating into stocks. Tsai left office in January, ceding power to her Vice President William Lai. She also accepted an award for her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic at the Halifax conference. While Taiwan is heavily reliant on purchasing American weapons and receiving U.S. military aid for its defense, Tsai said that American support for Ukraine would help deter China from a cross-strait attack. A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression globally Tsai said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwanese officials have said that the island has boosted defense spending by 80 percent in the past eight years, hitting a record $19 billion in 2024. But that hasnt been enough to placate President-elect Donald Trump, who has suggested that Taiwan should pay and has also called for the island to boost defense spending to 10 percent of GDP. Tsai did not directly respond to whether Taipei should raise its budget to that level. We would have some difficulty accepting an arbitrary figure, Tsai said. For the past year, partly in response to Trump allies who have argued that American support for Ukraine is disadvantageous to the United States in the Indo-Pacific, the Biden administration has argued that it hasnt hampered the Pentagons ability to prepare for a conflict with China. Tsai demurred on questions at the forum about whether Taiwan would make a major purchase of American weapons in the first months of the new Trump administration. Taiwan is waiting on an order of 66 new F-16V fighter jets that are expected to begin to arrive before the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the former Taiwanese president said she expected the United States to continue to be a major seller of weapons to the island. We seem to be a very sensitive buyer, Tsai said. Some people may have some hesitation or have to extend [the] price before they agree to sell this weaponry. The United States seems to be more generous. Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen suggested that the U.S. should focus on helping Ukraine before it prioritizes Taiwan in her keynote speech during the annual summit of the Halifax International Security Forum, Politico reported Saturday. They should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians. We [Taiwan] still have time, she said, as reported by Politico. Ukraines defensive war against Russia surpassed 1,000 days this week amid raised anxieties in Kyiv over President-elect Trumps return to the Oval Office. Trump has pledged to pursue peace through strength, though his criticism of U.S. spending on Ukraine has raised concerns in Kyiv and among Ukraines allies that his push to end the war could involve painful concessions to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Taiwan has been bracing itself for a potential Chinese invasion in 2027, but it remains unclear whether China will do so. Chinese President Xi Jinping has told his forces to be ready for a potential attack in 2027. Tsais suggestion comes as Adm. Samuel Paparo, U.S. Navy commander in the Indo-Pacific, said that the Pentagons arms shipments to Ukraine and Israel are eating into stocks that could go towards handling China, Business Insider reported. Some have also warned that if Ukraine falls first, Taiwan will follow. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the outgoing chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has been critical of far-right members of his party who reject U.S. assistance for Ukraine, and of the Biden administration for moving too slow on decision-making related to assistance for Kyiv that has handicapped their fight against Russia. Now we have these pro-Putin, Russia-loving people, and I dont understand that, he said in a panel discussion at the Atlantic Council earlier this week, referring to critics of Bidens decision to allow Ukraine to use Western-provided weapons to strike deep into Russian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant afford to lose this fight, and its vital to our national interests, because if Ukraine falls, Taiwan is next. And that will be World War III, he cautioned. Tsai echoed a similar sentiment during her remarks, Politicos reporting showed. Taiwan largely relies on purchasing American weapons and receiving U.S. military aid for its defense, and Tsai said that American support for Ukraine would help deter China from a cross-strait attack, Politico reported. A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression globally Tsai said, as reported by Politico. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine during the Halifax International Security Forum on Nov. 23, urging Washington to prioritize helping Kyiv despite the rising threat of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan. "They should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians," Tsai said, according to a Politico report. "We [Taiwan] still have time." Tsais comments came after U.S. Indo-Pacific Command chief Adm. Samuel Paparo acknowledged that aiding Ukraine has begun to strain the U.S. militarys capacity to prepare for potential conflict in Asia. Paparo highlighted the depletion of critical weapon stockpiles, including Patriots and air-to-air missiles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During her Halifax appearance, Tsai argued that Ukraine's success against Russian aggression would serve as a global deterrent. "A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression," she said. Taiwan has increased its defense spending by 80% over the past eight years, reaching $19 billion in 2024. However, Tsai dismissed calls for Taiwan to raise its defense budget to 10% of GDP, a suggestion made by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. "We would have some difficulty accepting an arbitrary figure," she said, according to Politico. While the Biden administration has consistently defended its ability to balance support for Ukraine and preparations for a conflict with China, Trump allies argue otherwise. Tsai remained cautious about Taiwan's defense strategy under Trumps presidency, declining to comment on potential major arms purchases in early 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: JD Vance says Taiwan more vital to US than Ukraine due to key role in chip production Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. Arkansas is seeing a shortage of engineers and computer scientists. Talk Business & Politics host Roby Brock met with Heartland Forward CEO Ross DeVol and First Orion chairman Charles Morgan, who addressed the looming workforce retirement challenge and how billions of dollars of return to the states economy could be seen if the needle could be moved just a little forward. Roby then talks with State Treasurer Larry Walther to discuss what hes been doing since August of 2023 when he was appointed to the role and his upcoming exit from the position in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talk Business & Politics airs Sunday at 9:30 a.m. on FOX 16. For more coverage, head to TalkBusiness.net. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLRT - FOX16.com. The morning sun rose over the Muslim Community Center for Human Services, where about 50 people gathered Saturday for an open house showcasing an organization that has provided services to a community for nearly 30 years. Together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate community, Dr. Basheer Ahmed told the crowd. The challenges are significant, but so is our collective strength, and thats what Im relying upon. By working together, we can make a lasting impact, one person, one family, one community at a time. The Muslim Community Center for Human Services is at 7600 Glenview Drive in Richland Hills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those gathered were donors, board members, local organizations and supporters of the Muslim Community Center. Ahmed founded the organization in 1995, when Catholic Charities sought his help with Bosnian and Somali refugees settling in the area. There were no services at the time to provide services for Muslim refugees. There are over 31,000 Muslims in Tarrant County, according to data from The Association of Religion Data Archives. Ahmed met with about 35 Muslim leaders in the area and soon established a help line in his garage, fielding questions about local mosques, schools and more. Eventually, the Al-Shifa Clinic opened, providing free and low-cost medical services to patients with no health insurance or exorbitant deductibles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It eventually grew to provide dental, mental health, domestic violence prevention and social services. The center has over 20 volunteers in medical and social services, from counselors to psychiatrists and therapists. They treat some 1,600 to 1,800 patients a year; low-cost lab work and prescription drugs are available. The organization relies on volunteers, donations and grants to maintain its services. State Rep. Salman Bhojani, one of the first Muslim and first South Asian state representatives, spoke about the honor it is to see Ahmed and the center provide much-needed services. Hes not saying, Oh, Im from the Muslim community, Im going to help only the Muslim community, Bhojhani said. Hes saying its non-denominational, its non-ideology, and no matter what your ethnic background is, what your gender is, he wants to open this up for everybody and he has been doing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azhar Azeez, CEO of Muslim Aid USA, said his organization will continue to give grants to the organization because of the important work the Muslim Community Center is offering. Ahmed has contributed so much, not only building Islamic centers and community building, but also establishing this legacy project, Azeez said. A caretaker has been arrested and charged with murder in the death of his elderly client, the Travis County sheriff's office said. The arrest came Friday after deputies responded to a request for a welfare check at a home in the 16300 block of East Lake Shore Drive in Spicewood, the office said. When they arrived, the deputies found an 80-year-old man who used a wheelchair in "advanced stages of decomposition." They also found the man's caretaker, 37-year-old Chad Wayne Christopher of Austin. The sheriff's office said a family member requested the welfare check of the deceased man, whom authorities did not identify. The relative said the man had been living with a caretaker because he required assistance but that the caretaker had stopped communicating with the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher was charged with murder and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail at the Travis County Jail, records show. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the Travis County sheriff's office tip line at 512-854-1444. Chad Wayne Christopher, 37, of Austin was arrested and charged Friday in the death of an elderly Spicewood man, according to the Travis County sheriff's office. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Caretaker charged with murder in death of elderly Spicewood man Police are searching for a suspect after a hit-and-run collision in Los Angeles left a teenager dead on Friday. According to the California Highway Patrol, the Exposition Park Department of Public Safety received a report for a hit-and-run crash on state property, within the park in an outdoor parking lot. Investigations revealed that at about 4:30 p.m., an altercation occurred between a group of bicyclists and a person behind the wheel of a vehicle in the area of Figueroa Street, north of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. That altercation continued into a parking lot on Exposition Park property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adoptive parents charged with murder, torture, child abuse after boy dies at Southern California hospital It was in that parking lot where the driver struck a 16-year-old Hispanic boy. He was pronounced dead at the scene. His name was not released. The driver fled the scene after the collision. No information about the suspect and the suspects vehicle has been made publicly available. Anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact the Major Crimes Unit at 323-644-9550 during normal business hours or the Los Angeles Communication Center at 323-259-3200 after hours. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. Leslie Recine, who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott to temporarily fill a vacant State Board of Education seat, sits at a Friday meeting in Austin during which the board approved a new state curriculum that critics say overemphasizes Christianity. Recine was the deciding vote in approving the curriculum. Abbott appointed Recine to fill the seat through the end of the year, bypassing Democrat Tiffany Clark, who was elected earlier this month to serve in that role starting next year. (Photo by Lorianne Willett/The Texas Tribune) A majority of the Texas State Board of Education gave final approval Friday to a state-authored curriculum under intense scrutiny in recent months for its heavy inclusion of biblical teachings. Eight of the 15 board members voted to approve Bluebonnet Learning, the elementary school curriculum proposed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year. The curriculum will become available in the spring, with schools that choose to adopt the materials expected to begin using them at the start of the 2025-26 school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The curriculum was designed with a cross-disciplinary approach that uses reading and language arts lessons to advance or cement concepts in other disciplines, such as history and social studies. Critics, which included religious studies scholars, say the curriculums lessons allude to Christianity more than any other religion, which they say could lead to the bullying and isolation of non-Christian students, undermine church-state separation and grant the state far-reaching control over how children learn about religion. They also questioned the accuracy of some lessons. The curriculums defenders say that references to Christianity will provide students with a better understanding of the countrys history. Texas school districts have the freedom to choose their own lesson plans, so the choice to adopt the materials will remain with them. But the state will offer an incentive of $60 per student to districts that adopt the lessons, which could appeal to some as schools struggle financially after several years without a significant raise in state funding. Three Republicans Evelyn Brooks, Patricia Hardy and Pam Little joined the boards four Democrats in opposition to the materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leslie Recine a Republican whom Gov. Greg Abbott appointed to temporarily fill the State Board of Educations District 13 seat vacated by former member Aicha Davis, a Democrat who ran successfully for a Texas House seat earlier this year voted for the curriculum. Abbott handpicked Recine, who was the deciding vote on the materials, to fill the seat through the end of the year days before the general election, bypassing Democrat Tiffany Clark. A majority of District 13 residents voted this election for Clark to represent them on the board next year. She ran unopposed. Board members who expressed support for the curriculum said during the week they believed the materials would help students improve their reading and understanding of the world. Members also said politics in no way influenced their vote and that they supported the materials because they believed it would best serve Texas children. In my view, these stories are on the education side and are establishing cultural literacy, Houston Republican Will Hickman said. And theres religious concepts like the Good Samaritan and the Golden Rule and Moses that all students should be exposed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed curriculum prompts teachers to relay the story of The Good Samaritan a parable about loving everyone, including your enemies to kindergarteners as an example of what it means to follow the Golden Rule. The story comes from the Bible, the lesson explains, and was told by a man named Jesus as part of his Sermon on the Mount, which included the phrase, Do unto others as you would have done unto you. Many other religions have their own version of the Golden Rule. Brooks, one of the Republicans who opposed the materials, noted this week that the Texas Education Agency is not a textbook publishing company and said treating it like such has created an uneven playing field for companies in the textbook industry. Brooks also said she has yet to see evidence showing the curriculum would improve student learning and that she was opposed to the state using Texas schoolchildren as experiments. Hardy, a Fort Worth Republican who also opposed the materials, said she did so without regard for the religious references. She expressed concern about the curriculums age appropriateness and her belief that it does not align with state standards on reading and other subjects. Little, a Fairview Republican, expressed concern on Friday that the state would have no way to see its return on investment with the materials, considering schools have wide latitude to adopt lessons as they see fit meaning districts could pair Bluebonnet Learning with other learning materials, making the effectiveness of Bluebonnet as a standalone curriculum unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little said on social media earlier in the week that she supports the teaching of biblical values in education but criticized the curriculum for some of its teaching methods, which she said leave little time for students to practice reading and develop critical skills like fluency and comprehension. Meanwhile, some of the Democrats who voted against the curriculum said they worried the materials would inappropriately force Christianity on public school children. Others cited concerns about Texas violating the Establishment Clause, which prohibits states from endorsing a particular religion. If this is the standard for students in Texas, then it needs to be exactly that, said Staci Childs, a Houston Democrat. It needs to be high quality, and it needs to be the standard, free of any establishment clause issues, free of any lies, and it needs to be accurate. The state had until late Wednesday to submit revisions in response to concerns raised by board members and the general public before the official vote took place Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic members said Friday, however, that their concerns still remained. Childs, who is also an attorney, said she believes if someone were to sue the state for a violation of the Establishment Clause, they would likely succeed. San Antonio Democrat Marisa B. Perez-Diaz said she found value in the materials but that the Christian bias kept her from supporting it. Rebecca Bell-Metereau, a San Marcos Democrat, said that although the curriculum attempts to reference faith traditions other than Christianity, she doesnt feel the state did so in a meaningful way. It seems to me like it is trying to place a Band-Aid on a gaping wound, Bell-Metereau said. In a statement Friday, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath said the approval of Bluebonnet Learning means that an important, optional new resource will be available for students, teachers and schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These materials were developed using the best evidence on how to teach reading and math with extensive feedback from teachers and parents to construct a product that is effective, engaging and grade-level appropriate, Morath said. Bluebonnet Learning provides Texas teachers with textbooks and instructional materials that are of the highest quality, aligned to our states standards and foundational for student success. Abbott called the State Board of Educations approval of the materials a critical step forward to bring students back to the basics of education and provide the best education in the nation. In contrast, the approval drew immediate criticism from both national and local organizations. Americans United for Separation of Church and State said in a statement that Texas new Bible-infused elementary curriculum is part of the nationwide effort by Christian Nationalists to impose their religious beliefs on public school students. The Texas American Federation of Teachers blasted the state for infusing school lessons with Bible-based references more appropriate for Sunday Schools than public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can anticipate what will come next, whether thats the erasure of contributions of marginalized populations in social studies or the minimization of climate change in science, the union said. Meanwhile, conservative organizations like the Texas Public Policy Foundation, which helped develop the materials, applauded education officials for taking the next big step toward dramatically improving the quality of education in Texas. Teachers will be able to spend more of their time doing the critical job of teaching and evaluating students, rather than spending their nights and weekends searching for lesson plans, said Greg Sindelar, the organizations CEO. And parents will get to follow along as their children learn thanks to the online resources that come with the lessons. More than 100 Texans signed up Monday to speak for and against the state-authored curriculum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtnie Bagley, education director for the Texas Public Policy Foundation, told board members that the Texas Education Agency has made every effort to respond to concerns from the public. She said rejecting the lessons would give other materials not owned by the state an unfair advantage. It would create a double standard, as Bluebonnet Learning has been held to a different and more stringent review process than other materials under consideration, Bagley said. Opponents argued that revisions did not go far enough, and some questioned whether the states intentions with crafting a curriculum that leans heavily on Christianity are political. I am a Christian, and I do believe that religion is a part of our culture, but our nation does not have a religion. Were unique in that, said Mary Lowe, co-founder of Families Engaged for an Effective Education. So I do not think that our school districts should imply or try to overtly impress to young impressionable children that the state does have a state religion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education officials say references to Christianity will provide students with a better understanding of the countrys history, while other supporters have stated their belief that the use of religious references does not violate the U.S. Constitutions Establishment Clause. Legal experts note that recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Courts conservative majority have eroded decades of precedent and made it unclear what state actions constitute a violation of the Establishment Clause. State leaders also say the materials cover a broad range of faiths and only make references to religion when appropriate. Education Commissioner Mike Morath has said the materials are based on extensive cognitive science research and will help improve student outcomes. Of 10 people appointed to an advisory panel by the Texas Education Agency to ensure the materials are accurate, age-appropriate and free from bias, at least half of the members have a history of faith-based advocacy. The Texas Tribune recently reported how parents, historians and educators have criticized the ways the materials address Americas history of racism, slavery and civil rights. In public input submitted in response to the curriculum and in interviews with the Tribune, they have said the materials strip key historical figures of their complexities and flaws while omitting certain context they say would offer children a more accurate understanding of the countrys past and present. Bell-Metereau and other Texans referenced the Tribunes reporting during public testimony on Monday. In response to those concerns, the Texas Education Agency has said the lessons will provide students with a strong foundation to understand more complex concepts as they reach later grades. State officials have also said those materials are written in an age-appropriate manner. Disclosure: Texas Public Policy Foundation has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization that is funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in the Tribunes journalism. Find a complete list of them here. This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2024/11/19/texas-sboe-bible-christianity-curriculum/. Forty-one bodies have been found inside a Buddhist monastery in Thailand where they were allegedly being used in meditation practices. Police are now trying to identify the cadavers discovered on Saturday and whether they were obtained legally by the Pa Nakhon Chaibovorn monastery in the lower north province of Phichit. Maj Gen Tadej Klomkliang, chief of Phichit provincial police, told the Bangkok Post he was investigating how the deceased had died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monastery claimed the bodies, which police said were accompanied with death and body donation certificates, were willingly donated by devoted followers. Phra Ajarn Saifon Phandito, head of the monastery, said that the use of corpses was part of a meditation technique he developed. Many of the people who come to learn are abbots and all these monks... pass on the knowledge, he told Thai PBS, the state broadcaster. I dont know how many have adopted my technique. The police raid came days after 12 mummified bodies were discovered at another remote monastery, in neighbouring Kamphaeng Phet province, on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found the bodies, including that of a child, being used in meditation practices at the Siri Chan Forest Monastery. Followers believed dead bodies could provide supernatural powers, according to local media reports. Ancient ritual Corpse meditation is an ancient Buddhist ritual, largely limited to Thailand, where practitioners meditate next to cadavers at different stages of decomposition in order to increase awareness that death can strike at any time. The corpse is often a child or young adult who died unexpectedly and whose body was donated to a temple by their family. Thailands population is overwhelmingly Buddhist, but many hold beliefs outside the religion that include the worship of spirits and ghosts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phichit police said they were working with authorities in other provinces to investigate how widespread the practice of corpse meditation was. Thailands National Office of Buddhism was also looking into whether the monasterys corpse meditation practices conflict with Buddhist principles. In May 2022, Thai police arrested Thawee Nanra, a 75-year-old suspected cult leader, whose followers worshipped corpses and consumed bodily fluids in an attempt to cure illnesses. Police found 11 corpses inside the secret forest encampment, allegedly the bodies of former followers of Mr Thawee, who was later charged with illegally transporting corpses. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Rain or shine, Southern California residents are beginning to flood the roads and the skies ahead of Thanksgiving. AAA projects that the 2024 Thanksgiving travel period (which they consider to be Nov. 26 through Dec. 2) will be the busiest one ever with nearly 80 million Americans expected to travel, which exceeds pre-pandemic levels. This years projection of nearly 80 million travelers is an increase of 1.7 million people compared to last year and 2 million more than in 2019, AAA said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sunday is expected to be one of the busiest days at LAX, according to airport officials, and Terminal 7 was already bustling at 6:30 a.m. Travelers at LAX Terminal 7 on Nov. 24, 2024. One group of four siblings heading to Maui for Thanksgiving spoke to KTLA 5s Erin Myers and said they arrived at the airport with extra time just in case it was very busy. Traveling during the holidays is a little chaotic sometimes, so we definitely wanted to be here early and make sure that we catch our flight, one of the siblings, Katie, said. Our flight is at 8:50 a.m., and we woke up at 5 to be here on time. Familys dog still missing after losing home to Mountain Fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inclement weather isnt the only thing that may interrupt holiday air travel plans; a rally and march organized by LAX ground workers those who clean planes, handle baggage, maintain airport safety and assist wheelchair passengers is scheduled for Monday, and according to travel experts, that could cause delays. Flying or driving, local travelers are advised to add extra time into their itineraries as a Pacific front brings rain to the region. According to the National Weather Service, the main impacts of the weather pattern will be wet, slippery roads and an increase in traffic incidents, and minor flooding problems cant be ruled out. Up to an inch of rain could fall in L.A. and Ventura counties by Wednesday, preliminary projections indicate. That number rises as you move north; communities in San Luis Obispo County could see up to 2.5 inches of precipitation. Most of the rain is expected to fall Monday and Tuesday, forecasters stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. BURLEY Heather Wilson remembers when leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that this city in Cassia County would be home to a temple. I literally almost fell off the couch, Wilson said. It was April 2021 when President Russell M. Nelson made the announcement during the televised general conference, surprising many local members, but in a good way. It took my breath away, Wilson said. The Twin Falls temple is just 40 miles to the west, and she figured that might be as good as it gets as far as traveling to a place Latter-day Saints revere as a sacred house of God. I never expected we would get one here, but Im so grateful, she said. Groundbreaking on the 38,600-square-foot temple took place in June 2022 and the building has steadily progressed. The granite-clad buildings exterior is now essentially complete, with some finish work on the interior left to be done. The number of workers on the construction site is now about 65, down from a high of 120. One highlight during the construction is when workers placed the spire on top, Wilson said. It seemed like a regular day when the spire, crafted in Tremonton, Utah, came in on a truck, Heather recalled. It wasnt soon after that a multitude of people showed up to see a pair of cranes lower the spire on the temple. All of a sudden, cars were here, she said. It was an exciting day. With the temples completion getting close, Wilson, who serve as communication directors for the church along with her husband, David, have been peppered with questions as to its completion date. Anticipation is running high. Everybody is asking us when the open house will be, David Wilson said. That is the big question. He doesnt know the answer, but he and his wife keep the Burley temple Facebook page updated with the latest information as it released from church headquarters in Salt Lake City. It wont be this year, but it doesnt appear too far off as the church announced this month that Paul Kenji Tateoka and Nadine Lani Tsutae Saito Tateoka will serve as the temple president and matron. Burley temple president and matron Paul Kenji Tateoka and Nadine Lani Tsutae Saito Tateoka of the Paul Idaho Stake were called Nov. 1 to be president and matron of the Burley Idaho Temple. Paul Tateoka is a temple ordinance worker and a former Oregon Salem Mission president, stake president, bishop and missionary in the Japan Okayama Mission. He was born in Salt Lake City to Jim Suetaka Tateoka and Ko Tateoka. Nadine Tateoka is a temple ordinance worker and a former mission president companion, stake Relief Society presidency counselor, stake Primary presidency counselor, ward Relief Society president, ward Young Women president, seminary teacher and missionary in the Uruguay Montevideo Mission. She was born in Provo, Utah, to George Goro Saito and Clara Yoshie Kuramoto Saito. The public has a chance to tour the temple during the open house that usually lasts several weeks. This will allow people who arent members of the church to learn more about their purpose, David Wilson said. The temple is about 10,000 square feet larger than the Twin Falls temple, which was dedicated in 2008. Both are made with high-quality materials. In the Burley temple, the marble and granite is from Italy and the mahogany from Africa. Its important that temples be constructed of the finest materials as church officials say they are a tribute to God, the Wilsons said. Holiness to the Lord The House of the Lord is a phrase that appears at the entrance of every temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition, the buildings are constructed to last hundreds of years. There are several local touches to the temple, including the placement of world-famous Oakley stone at the temples entrance plaza. Oakley, Heather Wilson said, is where the church was first established in the region, so it is a beautiful nod to that pioneer era. Another fitting tribute is to the regions agriculture roots. The temples motif, seen in places such as stained-glass windows, is a potato blossom. The 10 acres on which the temple grounds sit, at 40 South 150 East, is land on which potatoes were grown not many years ago and was donated to the church by the Funk family. The temple is being built by Okland Construction, based in Salt Lake City. This isnt the first temple theyve built, Heather Wilson said. They know how to do it. Church members have been showing their appreciation to the workers, providing cookies, if not a meal, each Tuesday. Childrens notes accompany the cookies. One of Heather Wilsons favorite notes reads, You get to help build the temple? Lucky! Temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints differ from meetinghouses or chapels where members meet for Sunday worship services. Church officials say each temple is considered a house of the Lord where Jesus Christs teachings are reaffirmed through baptism and other ordinances that unite families for eternity. After its dedication, admittance to the temple will be limited to those who are members in good standing. LDS temple to be built in Burley The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced plans Sunday to build a temple in Burley. The blessing of the temple comes with responsibility, Heather Wilson said, as church members will be urged to attend regularly. Church leaders are making plans to make a seamless transition for when the temple opens. The Wilsons are confident there will be plenty of temple workers available to keep both the Burley and Twin Falls temples running smoothly. One thing that has never ceased to amaze me is when the Lord does something, Heather Wilson said, it always works out. All eyes are on Thanksgiving week, one that has many people with time off and travelers on the move. Some of those AAA-estimated 80 million people traveling will be making their way to Florida. Are there hurricanes to worry about? Will it be as cold? A week before Thanksgiving, hoodie weather arrived in Florida after a cold front swept in from the east and across the state with another one coming behind it, bringing what the Florida Division of Emergency Management called "the coldest temperatures the state has seen since the winter months earlier this year." As much of Florida woke up to a chilly Sunday, it looks like the weather will pretty much moderate through Thanksgiving Day 2024. The National Weather Service's forecast maps for Florida show highs ranging from the low 70s to low 80s depending on location and nights in the 40s and 50s. Black Friday into Saturday looks to be somewhat cooler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location But what about hurricane season? It's not officially over until Saturday, Nov. 30. The National Hurricane Center is showing no tropical activity expected over the next seven days. That doesn't mean we're in the clear for the year, tropical storms and even hurricanes can develop at any time, But the chances historically drop off sharply around the end of the month. The National Hurricane Center stops issuing its twice-daily tropical outlooks Nov. 30, although it does ramp back into action if forecasters spot something we should know about. Here's the latest update from the NHC as of Sunday morning, Nov. 24: What is the travel weather outlook this week? Accuweather forecasts say most of the eastern United States should have good weather for travel, and that includes Florida. Colder predicted temperatures in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys, mid-Atlantic region and Northeast could bring rain and snow. NOAA Hurricane Center's tropical weather outlook There currently are no disturbances in the Atlantic basin. No tropical cyclones are expected over the next seven days, according to the National Hurricane Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Atlantic basin consists of the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Hurricanes in November: How many hurricanes have hit Florida in November? Warm oceans are increasing the odds Countdown clock: When does hurricane season end? The official Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, although tropical systems can develop at any time. The Atlantic basin includes the northern Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico. Will Florida, US see another hurricane, tropical storm this year? While a tropical or subtropical storm in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean is possible into early December, any U.S. impacts from additional tropical storms or hurricanes are highly unlikely for the rest of the year, DaSilva said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the cold front moves across Florida, it will "finally put an end to any further risk of tropical activity threatening the continental U.S. this year," said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist with WeatherTiger. Truchelut is a Florida meteorologist who works with the USA TODAY Network. "That will usher in temps with highs in the 60s and lows in the 40s for north and central Florida the first taste of Florida winter after a summery fall." Weather watches and warnings issued in Florida Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city What's next? We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Thanksgiving 2024 weather, hurricane outlook for Florida PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) If youre planning on traveling through the Portland International Airport over Thanksgiving weekend, you may want to start making a game plan now. Ahead of the upcoming holiday season, Alaska Airlines said they expect an 35% increase in travelers, or 85,000 passengers, at PDX during the last weekend of November. TIMELINE: When St. Helens teacher sex abuse scandal began, latest investigations, whats next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Portland, Alaska is expecting to see the largest surge in passenger volume across its network for Thanksgiving Weekend, an airline spokesperson said, meaning the percentage increase of passengers at PDX will be greater than anywhere else on the West Coast. According to Alaska, the holiday weekend is the busiest travel period of their fall season and they expect to see nearly half a million travelers fly between Friday, Nov. 29 and Sunday, Dec. 1. The most popular travel destination among Alaskas West Coast hubs is Hawaii with 66 daily flights running from the continental U.S. to the state all weekend. Trial ends in guilty verdict two years after murder of 13-year-old girl Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the airline has seen an increased popularity in small destinations such as Missoula, Montana, and Bellingham, Washington. To respond to the rising trend to these hidden gems, weve increased capacity between Bellingham and Seattle by 40%, adding one additional flight each way compared to last year, officials said. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. We are mere days away from the biggest food holiday of the year. Are you ready? Is your turkey thawed, prepped and ready to pop in the oven? Its showtime folks. But first, we are here to help you make Thanksgiving a breeze. Thanksgiving is a time when cooks have lots of questions, and the same questions tend to pop up every year. Here are answers to some of the most common ones. Sue Selasky's roast turkey with sage pan gravy sits ready to eat in the Detroit Free Press test kitchen on Tuesday, November 13, 2012. JARRAD HENDERSON/Detroit Free Press How do I thaw a frozen turkey? If you haven't yet taken your turkey out of the freezer, do it now. Place the frozen turkey in its original package on a sided tray or in a roasting pan. Make sure you have enough refrigerator space. Allow almost 24 hours for every 5 pounds of turkey. A 12- to 16-pound turkey will take three or four days to thaw in the refrigerator. I forgot to thaw the turkey. What do I do? If you forget to thaw your turkey, place it in a clean sink in its original wrapper and fill the sink with cold water. Change the water every 30 minutes. A 12- to 16-pound turkey will take 6 to 8 hours. The turkey will be ready to cook right away once it is thawed in this manner. Do I need to rinse the turkey? No. The U.S. Department of Agriculture does not recommend rinsing or washing the turkey once it is thawed, though this step is included in many recipes. Why? The splashing water can contaminate nearby foods and utensils. What internal temperature should the turkey be cooked to? This is crucial. For years now, the Department of Agriculture has recommended one safe internal cooking temperature for the overall turkey breast, thighs, legs and wings. That temperature is 165 degrees. Its important to have at hand an instant-read thermometer to check the temperature. You can buy thermometers at grocery stores, hardware stores, warehouse clubs, kitchen supply stores and retailers that have kitchen tools. Why should I brine the turkey? Brining has been a favorite (and my go-to) method for some time. It is a surefire way to get a moist and tender turkey. There are two methods: a wet brine and a dry brine. Wet brining is falling out of favor because it takes up much-needed space in the refrigerator and can be cumbersome. Dry brining is easier and, some chefs say, produces better results. Here are instructions for both methods. Wet brine Ingredients: You'll need 2 cups of kosher salt (or a mix of 1 cup salt and 1 cup sugar), at least 2 gallons of water and a 5-gallon bucket. You can also use other liquids such as wine, juices, cider and beer. Increase the amounts if you have a large bird. The turkey should be submerged in the water. How-to: Place 4 cups of the water in a saucepan and add the salt. Heat over medium heat until the salt is dissolved. Remove from heat and add ice cubes to cool. Place the mixture with the remaining water in a bucket. Submerge the turkey, breast side down. Refrigerate at least 12 hours or overnight. Before cooking, remove the turkey and discard the brine. Rinse turkey under cold water, pat dry and return to the refrigerator for another couple of hours to dry the skin. Let the turkey sit an hour before roasting. Dry brine Ingredients: You'll need 4 tablespoons kosher salt (or a mix of salt, brown sugar or dry herbs) and an oven bag or sealable bag to hold the turkey. How-to: At least one day before roasting, rinse the turkey and pat dry. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of kosher salt in the turkey cavity. Rub the remaining salt all over the bird. Place the turkey in the bag and refrigerate for 12 hours. There should be no visible salt on the skin. Let stand at room temperature 1 hour before roasting. How can I make gravy in advance? You can make gravy in advance using turkey wings. Weve provided a recipe below. Once you roast the turkey on Thanksgiving, you can add more pan drippings to the gravy for added flavor. Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy Makes: About 8 cups / Prep time: 10 minutes / Total time: 3 hours (not all active time) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can make this gravy, adapted from several recipes, up to three days in advance. It can also be frozen. The consistency is almost like gelatin but will thin when you add turkey drippings. 4 turkey wings (about 3 to 4 pounds) 2 medium sweet onions, peeled, cut up 1 cup water 8 cups less-sodium, fat-free chicken broth, divided 1 large carrot, chopped teaspoon dried thyme, optional cup all-purpose flour 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter teaspoon freshly ground pepper Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Place the turkey wings in a roasting pan; scatter onions on top. Roast 1 hours or until wings are golden brown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Put wings and onions in a large stockpot. Add water to the roasting pan; stir to scrape up any brown bits on the bottom and add all to the pot. Add 6 cups broth (refrigerate the remaining 2 cups), the carrot, and thyme if desired. Simmer, uncovered, for 1 hours. Remove the wings and cool. Once cool, remove and discard skin; reserve meat for another use. Strain broth into a fat separator or into a bowl. Let sit 10-15 minutes until the fat rises to the top. Pour de-fatted broth into a saucepan. You also can put the bowl in the freezer. The fat will rise to the top and become solid. What's left underneath will be jelled, which is what you want. Whisk flour into the remaining 2 cups broth until well blended and smooth. Bring broth in a saucepan to a gentle boil. Whisk in the flour mixture and cook for 5 minutes to thicken the gravy and cook out the raw flour taste. Stir in butter and season with pepper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cook's note: Freeze the gravy for up to 1 month. Thaw and reheat, adding fat-skimmed pan drippings from a roasted turkey. Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: sselasky@freepress.com. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Here's why and how you should brine your Thanksgiving turkey At least 10,000 bar and door staff are to be trained to spot drink-spiking as part of plans to make it a specific offence punishable by prison. The Home Office is to pay for the training from next month with 10,000 staff expected to complete it by the spring to tackle spiking. Polls show up to one in 10 women have been victims of the crime. Ministers are also encouraging police forces to deploy plain-clothes officers in city centres, clubs and pubs to spot predatory sexual behaviour following a successful pilot of the strategy by Thames Valley Police. Some 20 constabularies have so far introduced the tactic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Keir Starmer will host a summit of police chiefs, industry executives and public transport bosses in Downing Street on Monday to discuss ways of cracking down on spiking to protect women and girls in the run-up to Christmas and beyond the festive period. He will confirm his manifesto pledge to make spiking a standalone offence. Currently, spiking can be prosecuted under the Offences Against the Person Act or as an assault but not as a separate offence. Ministers believe making it a standalone offence will improve the investigation, prosecution and reporting of the crime. Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, says people shouldnt have to worry about the safety of their drinks on a night out - Benjamin Cremel/AFP Both Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, and Dame Diana Johnson, the new policing minister, backed the move before entering Government. They both chaired the home affairs committee in the last Parliament which recommended the new offence should be punishable by up to 10 years in jail. Sir Keir said cracking down on spiking was central to his Governments mission of halving violence against women and girls within a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know it can be incredibly difficult for victims to come forward to report this awful crime, and these cases can be very hard to prosecute. We must do more to bring the vile perpetrators who carry out this cowardly act, usually against young women and often to commit a sexual offence, to justice, he said. That is why I made a promise that, if elected, I would make spiking a new criminal offence. Today, I am proud to have come good on that pledge. Spotting the signs The Home Office is to set aside 250,000 to pay for the training, which will be overseen by the hospitality industry, represented at the Downing Street summit by Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality. She told The Telegraph the training aimed to ensure staff were alive to the risk of spiking so that when a person presented at a club, pub or bar apparently drunk, they were aware of the warning signs and could discretely and appropriately question them to establish any vulnerability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff would be trained to ensure potential victims were properly supported and taken to a safe space within a club, bar or pub, not separated from their friends and, if necessary, the police or other relevant authorities contacted. Staff will also be trained to minimise risks within the venue by watching out for the warning signs among customers, clearing unattended or empty drinks promptly and preserving any evidence if spiking is suspected. Dame Diana Johnson, the new policing minister, recommends the offence should be punishable by up to 10 years in jail The Institute of Licensing is rolling out a scheme, Best Bar None, which sets minimum standards for the management of pubs, clubs and bars to offer a benchmark for the safety of women, LGBTQ+ and other vulnerable customers. It could be signposted on venues in the 150 town centres involved so far. This is a very welcome step by the Government. The aim is to have 10,000 training places by March. We are committed to delivering that, Nicholls said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police received 6,732 reports of spiking in the year ending in April 2023, 957 relating to needle-spiking. Police data suggested the average age of victims was 26 with women accounting for 74 per cent of all cases. In a YouGov poll in December 2022, 10 per cent of women and five per cent of men said they had been spiked. According to data from the National Police Chiefs Council, most spiking incidents 80 per cent are in public places, taking place in bars or nightclubs in particular. The latest Met Police figures show there has been a significant increase in recorded spiking cases in London in the last few years, with a 13 per cent increase in cases last year after a quadrupling in recent years. Ms Cooper said: Spiking is a disturbing and serious crime which can have a damaging and long-lasting impact on victims. People shouldnt have to worry about the safety of their drinks on a night out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These changes are about giving victims greater confidence to come forward, and ensuring that there is a robust response from the police whenever these appalling crimes take place. Assistant chief constable Samantha Millar, of the National Police Chiefs Council, said: Police forces across the country have been working proactively to stop spiking from happening in the night-time economy and improve feelings of safety for women and girls. This includes regular, targeted patrols of busy town centres and visiting organisations, such as universities, to raise awareness of the symptoms of spiking. Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said: Protecting women from serious violence and preventing repulsive crimes like spiking drinks has been my lifes mission, and the Prime Minister has made it this governments mission to halve violence against women and girls in just 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly there is an uptick in crimes like spiking during Christmas when people are out enjoying themselves with friends and celebrating. The public can be sure that I will not rest until vile crimes like these are stamped out. We are determined to protect more women; support more survivors so that they receive the help they need to recover; and ensure perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice. Thats why this government will introduce a new criminal offence for spiking. Spiking peoples drinks has absolutely no place in our society and making it absolutely clear that this vile act is illegal is vital to encourage victims to come forward to police. Were also rolling out specialist training for bar staff across the country to help deliver the most effective response. To do this, we will all have to work together which is why the Prime Minister has brought together Police chiefs, who arrest the perpetrators, pub and bar owners who help identify when this has happened on nights out, and transport bosses who can help protect victims when travelling home or around our towns and cities. We recognise that there is still a very long way to go but make no mistake we will use every tool available to us to provide the support that victims deserve and to relentlessly pursue the most dangerous perpetrators that have for far too long brought misery to thousands of women and girls every year. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. CHICAGO Thousands of people are visiting The Loop this weekend to take part in holiday season festivities, and while things appear to be calm, that wasnt the case Friday night after a fight broke out. WGN News obtained videos of Chicago police officers trying to stop dozens of young people from fighting near State and Monroe Friday evening, just after the Christmas tree lighting at Millennium Park. At least two people were put into handcuffs and one person was on a stretcher being loaded into an ambulance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annual City of Chicago Christmas Tree Lighting is Friday night in Millennium Park. What to know if youre going WGN News reached out to CPD to learn more, including how many people were injured and whether any arrests were made, but has not yet heard back. On Saturday, thousands of people in the holiday spirit descended on Michigan Avenue to see this years tree. Its beautiful, its huge. Ive never seen a tree that big, said Jeff Timothy visiting from Indiana. Despite Fridays incident and crime in general in Chicago, people WGN News spoke with did not appear too concerned about their safety. I dont feel any safety concerns. I have my wife and my two daughters here and were very much enjoying our time, said Ryan Crouthamel, whos visiting from Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines I havent seen anything crazy. I feel like its a very hospitable area, safe for families, people of all ages, added Redell Atkinson, whos visiting from Virginia. Chicago residents WGN News spoke with also did not seem too concerned. I feel safe on the CTA. I feel safe on the buses, the train, Chicago resident Deonte White said. Chicago, theyre prepared for anything. They have CTA security, officers, I feel definitely safe. An increased police presence will be visible downtown for much of the weekend due to the parade and other activities. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Thousands of people have taken part in nationwide protests in France demanding better protection of women amid a high-profile rape case currently awaiting a verdict in court. The CGT trade union spoke of 100,000 participants at the rallies on Saturday, including 80,000 in Paris. Police estimated the number of demonstrators nationwide at 20,000, the broadcaster France Info reported, with more rallies planned for Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests are linked to a prominent trial in the south of France, which is due to end in the next few days. The main defendant is Dominique Pelicot, who, according to the indictment, drugged and abused his ex-wife Gisele Pelicot for almost ten years and offered her to other men to be assaulted. Pelicot, who is now 72, believes she was raped around 200 times. Her former husband confessed in court. In addition to him, 50 other men who were charged face up to 20 years in prison. The trial in Avignon has triggered a shockwave in France with calls for better protection of women. The case has also reignited the debate on sexual consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists have long been calling for sexual acts to be explicitly consented to and for this to be enshrined in criminal law in a reform known as "yes means yes." Alleged perpetrators would then be unable able to argue in court that they did not know about the lack of consent. The French parliament is currently considering a proposal to amend the law on the definition of sexual violence. According to the CGT, further demonstrations are planned in the southern city of Avignon on Monday. The trade union saw the number of participants as a sign that sexual violence against women, ranging from sexual harassment to femicide, is finally being brought to light in public. Thousands of people have taken part in nationwide protests in France demanding better protection of women amid a high-profile rape case currently awaiting a verdict in court. The CGT trade union spoke of 100,000 participants at the rallies on Saturday, including 80,000 in Paris. Police estimated the number of demonstrators nationwide at 20,000, the broadcaster France Info reported, with more rallies planned for Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protests are linked to a prominent trial in the south of France, which is due to end in the next few days. The main defendant is Dominique Pelicot, who, according to the indictment, drugged and abused his ex-wife Gisele Pelicot for almost ten years and offered her to other men to be assaulted. Pelicot, who is now 72, believes she was raped around 200 times. Her former husband confessed in court. In addition to him, 50 other men who were charged face up to 20 years in prison. The trial in Avignon has triggered a shockwave in France with calls for better protection of women. The case has also reignited the debate on sexual consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Activists have long been calling for sexual acts to be explicitly consented to and for this to be enshrined in criminal law in a reform known as "yes means yes." Alleged perpetrators would then be unable able to argue in court that they did not know about the lack of consent. The French parliament is currently considering a proposal to amend the law on the definition of sexual violence. According to the CGT, further demonstrations are planned in the southern city of Avignon on Monday. The trade union saw the number of participants as a sign that sexual violence against women, ranging from sexual harassment to homicides directed against the female sex - femicides- is finally being brought to light in public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Germany too, the Pelicot case has strongly resonated, with protest actions planned in numerous cities to mark Monday's International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. Events will include a rally at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin with an address by Minister for Family Affairs Lisa Paus. Paus, together with Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the Federal Criminal Police Office, recently presented figures showing that more and more women in Germany are affected by violence. In 2023, 938 girls and women in Germany were victims of attempted or completed femicide, resulting in 360 deaths, according to official statistics cited by the ministers. "Despite these alarming figures, women's shelters and counselling centres in Germany are still underfunded," leading members of the Left Party said in a joint statement. Protesters hold placards reading "Faith in victims saves lives" (L) and "We stand up, we walk and we burn everything", during a demonstration to condemn violence against women. Stephane De Sakutin/AFP/dpa If you care about public lands, its time to put your head on a swivel. It is no exaggeration to say that public lands are in their most precarious position in a century. If you hike or climb, hunt or fish, float or ride, graze or recreate on public lands, the next few years could determine the shape of your future in the great outdoors. Just months after the state of Utah filed its case attempting to seize most federal land within its boundaries, the threat to public lands has become even more dire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was bad enough when all that was involved was a court challenge, and one that most experts agreed was of no legal merit. (Your name is now on this argument because Idaho Attorney General Raul Labrador filed an amicus brief on behalf of the state of Idaho supporting Utahs position.) But legal merit matters less and less as the U.S. Supreme Court has become increasingly not only ideologically conservative but partisan. Now the recent election, after which Republicans will likely hold all three branches of government, has amplified that threat considerably. Its likely the push to dispose of federal lands will no longer simply be pushed in the courts, but through the House and Senate. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, has been named chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Lee has for years been a supporter of Utahs federal land-grabbing movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were heading toward the most anti-federal public lands congress in history, said Michael Carroll of The Wilderness Society. We can anticipate that everything thats being advocated for by Utahs lawsuit will also become legislation. And the incoming Trump administration has been clear that its public lands priority will be more resource extraction. That was crystalized by the announcement that North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum would be nominated to lead the Department of the Interior, with just one directive: drill more. (Dont count on more jobs. Trump has a history of failing to meet these promises. Bolstering the coal industry was a key pledge of his first campaign. Nothing he did changed the steady course of its decline.) The arguments against federal landholding are obviously meritless. Idaho, Utah and every other western state agreed that the federal government would continue to own large tracts of land in perpetuity, and wrote that agreement into their state constitutions. This was a condition of becoming states admitted to the union. The effort is now to go back on those promises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when a single party holds the power to write, interpret and enforce the laws with no substantial checks or balances, as will be the case for at least the next two years, all bets are off. The basic problem with transferring public lands to the states is the same as its always been: States have no hope of being able to afford managing these lands at least not as a public trust, the way the federal government does. So if the land transfer movement succeeds, the most likely outcome is huge swaths of public land ending up on the auction block, transferred to private hands, lost forever to the general public. Weve lived in a world where being an American means you can get out into nature at least in the West, where public lands havent been disposed of the way they have in the rest of the country. There is an alternate model: one where nature is accessible only to the highest bidder. As Nicole Blanchard reported last year, theres been a growing movement to treat access to the outdoors as a primarily money-making commodity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just a private-sector phenomenon. Many states have experimented with it as well through auctioning hunting tags. Want a tag in a prime hunting unit? Instead of entering your name in a fair drawing, the way Idaho does, you can put in a bid, and for the low-low price of $390,000, you can get a mule deer tag, as one Canadian guide bid for a chance to hunt on Antelope Island, according to the Salt Lake Tribune. That was in 2015. Today, thats chump change. A Nevada man recently paid $750,000 for an Arizona statewide mule deer tag, according to Outdoor Life. And theres no reason the same thing cant happen for access to hiking, mountain biking, trail riding or rock climbing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What could be coming is a world where the outdoors are increasingly accessible only if youre rich, and theres a lot of money in it for whoever controls these lands, so there will be plenty of pigs at the trough. For the rest of us, just locked gates and no trespassing signs. Only sustained pressure from the public can hold that world at bay. Bryan Clark is an opinion writer for the Idaho Statesman. The National Security Council (NSC) on Sunday deemed all threats to the President of the Philippines as serious. National Security Adviser Eduardo Ano stated that any and all threats against the life of the President will be validated and treated as a matter of national security. - Advertisement - We shall be closely coordinating with law enforcement and intelligence agencies to investigate the nature of the threat, the possible perpetrators, and their motives. We shall do our utmost in defense of our democratic institutions and processes which the President represents, he said. He also reminded the Filipino people to remain calm and confident, knowing that the security sector will ensure the Presidents safety and will always uphold the constitution, democratic institutions, and the chain of command. We underscore that the safety of the President is a non-partisan issue, and we stand united in our commitment to upholding the integrity of the office and the democratic institutions that govern our great nation, he explained. This statement follows Vice President Sara Dutertes press conference early Saturday morning. During the conference, which was held via Zoom, Duterte warned that she arranged for President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, and Speaker Martin Romualdez to be assassinated if she were killed. Want to better understand Florida's "pre-emption" laws? Try driving along a still-idyllic stretch of Lyons Road just west of Delray Beach during the afternoon rush hour. Heading north, the two-lane road offers a big-sky view of what's left of the Ag Reserve before encountering several gated communities named after an orange. At that point, traffic slows to a bumper-to-bumper pace, and thanks to your state government, it'll get worse before your local government can address the gridlock. GL Homes is building a high-end subdivision, Whitworth South. By the end of 2025, 481 new homes will dump more vehicles onto an already crowded road that won't be widened before 2026, and that's an optimistic estimate, according to some county officials. It's not like Palm Beach County isn't aware of the problem. Their hands are simply tied. They are pre-empted by the state of Florida from rejecting or even delaying Whitworth South, no matter its impact on traffic. Rush hour traffic along Lyons Road west of Delray Beach. Florida law Chapter 163.3180 (5) (h), to be exact gives leeway to developers building in counties that have comprehensive land use policies, like Palm Beach County. Developers in those counties can propose paying a "proportionate share" to help mitigate the negative impact of additional traffic from their projects. The law doesn't put a specific value on proportionate share. It could be almost any improvement that helps mitigate traffic congestion but not resolve it. Once an agreement is reached, that's it. No do-overs, no delays and no demands for additional payments. GL Homes met its obligations, leaving the county as a law-abiding bystander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic gridlock in Palm Beach County: Bottlenecked: Palm Beach County road projects lag behind massive population growth We are going to have all this traffic going onto a road that the applicants own traffic expert says is deficient, County Commissioner Maria Sachs said last month when the county commission was considering GL Homes' 12th luxury residential community in the area. Give us the time to build the infrastructure. This is not good for the people. Sachs' pleas fell on deaf ears. Citing the developer's earlier traffic mitigation agreement and the state law barring local governments from taking any action that might delay the project, the commission sided with GL Homes. State has a history of pre-emption laws State preemption laws aren't new. To hear Cragin Mosteller, spokeswoman for the Florida Association of Counties, tell it, legend has it that it was pre-emption law that led to the association's formation in 1929. The controversy? Fences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmers, Mosteller said, protecting their property, put them up. Ranchers hated the obstruction and opposed the fences. The two groups turned to their local governments, and the counties supported the farmers. The ranchers, upset that counties had the nerve to side with farmers and fences, turned to state lawmakers in Tallahassee. The result? A pre-emption was born. "So the story goes, thanks to a pre-emption, that's why we exist," she said. Since then the state has pre-empted local governments from banning plastic bags, and issuing parade permits for events Tallahassee might deem inappropriate for children, like gay-pride parades. In 2020, Key West voters concerned about crowding and environment, passed a referendum limiting the size and number of ships visiting the city. It didn't take the state long to pre-empt the referendum. The Post's View on the Ag Reserve: Palm Beach County's Ag Reserve vote shows importance of growth management | Editorial Thanks to state pre-emption, counties and cities can't keep e-scooters off of public sidewalks, and last year the state banned local governments from helping tenants cope with rising rents. It's the state that now supposedly protects outdoor workers from heat exposure, a concern Miami Dade County officials tried to address. So much for assuming local governments are best equipped to handle local issues because they're the closest to their constituents. Douglas C. Lyons For developers like GL Homes, traffic mitigation pre-emption saves money from delays by local governments that may find the initial agreements unsatisfactory to meet the impact of additional traffic. For the drivers stuck in gridlock as they crawl by signs of new communities to come, pre-emption has a different meaning entirely. Doug Lyons is an editorial writer for The Palm Beach Post. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ease rush-hour traffic by fixing Florida's preemption laws | Opinion In our weekly list of business people on the move, we highlight Palm Beach County professionals who are making a difference. These are people from across the spectrum of public and private endeavors, those working in charities, court houses, private practices and beyond. They are moving up within their industry, advancing their careers and standing out for their services within our community. Here are this week's professional standouts: Place of Hope names communications, marketing coordinator Thomas Pinder Thomas Pinder was recently named the communications and marketing coordinator at Place of Hope. He will be in charge of managing their website, social media content, and podcast production. Pinder will also assist with filming, editing audio and video, and developing and editing digital and print materials to help bring awareness to Place of Hope and the services they provide. Place of Hope is a faith-based, state-licensed organization providing programs and services to children, youth, and families to end the cycles of abuse, neglect, homelessness, poverty, and human trafficking in our local communities. Place of Hope gains community engagement coordinator Joy Tomaselli The new community engagement coordinator at Place of Hope, Joy Tomaselli will focus on developing and executing community engagement initiatives, corporate drives, in-kind contracts, peer-to-peer fundraisers, and events to support Place of Hopes residents and those touched by the child welfare system in our community. Riviera Beach printing company adds partner/co-owner Jim Wahlburg K12 Print, the fastest, most reliable, custom print shop in the nation has announced Jim Wahlburg as a new partner and co-owner in the Riviera Beach-based company. Wahlburg is an award-winning author, filmmaker and philanthropist. He joins the print shop to assist with local philanthropic efforts. South Florida-based law firm adds associate to roster Alexis OHagan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Hermann recently announced that Alexis OHagan has joined the firm as an associate attorney. OHagan will focus her practice on trusts and estates, probate, and general corporate matters. She graduated with honors from the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law. During her time at Drexel, she was an active participant in the Entrepreneurial Law Clinic and volunteered with the Christian Legal Clinics of Philadelphia, providing vital support in estate planning and tangled title matters. Shapiro, Blasi, Wasserman & Hermann, P.A. is one of the largest independent law firms in South Florida. Alzheimer's care group official named to national board on aging Dr. Karen Gilbert Vice president of education and quality assurance at Alzheimers Community Care, Dr. Karen Gilbert has been named to the American Society on Aging board. Dr. Gilbert has worked in health care administration for more than 35 years and for the past 14 years has worked with patients experiencing various stages of Alzheimers Disease and related neurocognitive disorders. The American Society on Aging is a leader in driving the discourse and advocating for the change necessary to address issues in aging. Alzheimers Community Care is a local nonprofit organization that has been providing care and resources to families in South Florida coping with Alzheimers disease and related neurocognitive disorders for more than 25 years. Local lawyer joins YMCA of the Palm Beaches board Robert Bobby Kane III The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has announced the appointment of Robert Bobby Kane III as the newest member of its board of directors. Kane is a litigation shareholder in Greenberg Traurigs West Palm Beach office. The YMCA of the Palm Beaches has served the community for more than 100 years, providing essential programs, activities, and services for thousands of children, seniors, and families annually. Riviera Beach family support organization names vice president for mental health Dr. Kaisha Thomas Palm Beach County non-profit organization Community Partners of South Florida has announced the appointment of Dr. Kaisha Thomas as the new vice president of child and family mental health services. Dr. Thomas brings over 20 years of extensive experience in mental health and addiction treatment, program development, and clinical leadership to her new role. Community Partners of South Florida is a comprehensive community development nonprofit agency headquartered in Riviera Beach that provides services to families facing social, emotional, and financial adversity. Dreyfoos School of the Arts names musical theatre program head Stephanie Nixdorf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dreyfoos School of the Arts recently announced Boca Raton resident Stephanie Nixdorf as the new head of the schools musical theatre program. Nixdorf brings over 20 years of experience in professional theatre, education, and performance, marking an exciting new chapter for the department. Nixdorf has a distinguished career in musical theatre direction and performance, having worked with notable theatre companies and academic institutions across the country. If you are looking for more insight into the movers and shakers operating in the Palm Beaches, subscribe to our real estate newsletter, The Dirt, keep an eye out for stories and perspective from veteran reporters Kimberly Miller and Alexandra Clough. If you have an announcement for Business People on the Move, please send it to Pbbusiness@pbpost.com. Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best businesses, professionals, business people in Palm Beach County HILLIARD, Ohio (WCMH) One woman died Saturday night after being involved in the second of two major collisions within minutes of each other on a major highway running through Hilliard. Hilliard police said the first crash happened at 8:44 p.m. and involved three different cars, but reported no serious injuries in the aftermath. The second crash happened at 8:54 p.m. in backed up traffic from the first crash, and involved four vehicles. A Pontiac hit a Honda Civic, which then hit a BMW, which then hit a Honda CRV. Columbus woman charged with robbery allegedly left jail ID card in stolen purse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Honda Civic, 36-year-old Haley Ziverts from Columbus, was taken to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Ohio Department of Transportation cameras captured blurry photos of a large line of cars in the northbound lanes of I-270 past Roberts Road, while there was little traffic on the southbound side of the highway. (Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Transportation) (Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Transportation) (Courtesy Photo/Ohio Department of Transportation) A public information officer for Hilliard police confirmed to NBC4 that all lanes of I-270 heading north were shut down. Emergency crews diverted cars in the northbound lanes off the highway around 11 p.m. The highway reopened in full just before midnight. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. After widespread rain across California over the past week resulting in at least one fatality weather officials are expecting a reprieve come Thanksgiving. An atmospheric river storm this week dumped record rain in Northern California, before weakening as it moved down the coast into Southern California. Weather officials say light rain is expected across the region starting Monday and continuing until Tuesday. Our biggest concern for this week is people traveling for Thanksgiving, said Dylan Flynn, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. "If youre leaving on Wednesday, youll have better odds of staying dry." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another system rolling through on Monday aimed more at the Central Coast area could bring with it maybe 1 to 3 inches of rain, Flynn said. That would essentially be as much rain as the region saw over a six-hour period during the atmospheric river now falling over a two-day period. Spreading that out is going to make it much less impactful," Flynn said. "Overall this is kind of a more typical winter event compared to what we just went through. Read more: Tracking Californias water supplies Actual Thanksgiving Day and Wednesday, Flynn said, "looks like were going to be drying up." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flynn called the system's impact on Northern California this week "unprecedented," citing a record amount of rainfall in Santa Rosa, with 12.47 inches falling over three days. Flynn said officials have never seen that much over that length of time going back 120-plus years. "Statistical analysis shows that that amount of rain in downtown Santa Rosa is only really expected to happen once every thousand years," he said. It was extremely unprecedented, weve never seen it before, we dont expect to see it very often at all." Flynn said the atmospheric river was unmoving for a couple of days, sitting over the North Bay with moderate rain for 48 hours straight before it started moving and impacting the rest of the Bay Area. When the system finally started marching south, it resulted in a flash flood warning in San Francisco, which he called "pretty rare." Weather officials also saw the earliest flooding they've seen of the Russian River, near Guerneville. That area typically floods in late winter, usually in February, according to Flynn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities saw at least one fatality: A driver recovered from a car found in floodwaters. According to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, at around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, a bystander called to report a vehicle in the flood waters near Mays Canyon Road and Highway 116. Authorities were able to recover the man from the car, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. According to Flynn, all the major rivers are below flood stage now, with just a couple creeks that are still flooding. The big story is what happened last week and just recovering from that, he said. In the L.A. area on Saturday, rainfall totals were mostly under a tenth of an inch, with some mountain areas getting about a quarter of an inch, according to Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wofford said the next chance of rain in the L.A. and Ventura areas is more likely Monday night into Tuesday, with mostly under half an inch expected. Temperatures are expected to range from the low to high 60s, with mostly cloudy skies. A little bit of light rain at times, but for us its going to be not normal since most of us just expect it to be sunny and 72 every day itll be different than that, but not be that impactful," Wofford said. Getting closer to Long Beach and down to Orange County, that rain drops off, with probably less than a quarter inch expected, he said. The rain is expected to stop after Tuesday, with some potential to resume next weekend. 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. TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) The Travis County Sheriffs Office said in a Saturday afternoon press release that it had arrested and charged a 37-year-old man in connection to a Friday afternoon homicide. A 911 caller had asked for a welfare check on an elderly man, living in the 16300 block of E. Lake Shore Drive, around 2 p.m. Friday. The caller was one of the mans relatives and told TCSO that the family hadnt heard from him in an extended period of time, according to the release. The mans assisted living caretaker had also not contacted the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies found an adult man in advanced stages of decomposition at the residence, according to the release. TCSO said its deputies also allegedly found a Chad Wayne Christopher at the scene. According to a TCSO spokesperson, the agency believes Christopher was the victims caretaker. Christopher was charged with one felony count of first-degree murder. He was booked into the the Travis County Jail around 10:30 p.m. Friday, according to jail records. The victims name has not been released by authorities, pending notification of next of kin. The Travis County Medical Examiner is working to identify the victim. Those who have information about the incident should call TCSO at 512-854-1444. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Thanksgiving is one of the most-traveled holidays of the year. Tens of millions will be taking to the roads and airways before and after the holiday too, and AccuWeather meteorologists say travel will be feast or famine, depending where one's travels take them. A new travel record is expected for Thanksgiving 2024. According to AAA, 79.9 million people are expected to travel throughout Thanksgiving week. This includes both air travelers and those taking a trip by car. This is up 1.7 million people from Thanksgiving week of last year. The storm-weary West will continue to deal with rain and snow. While a repeat of last week's bomb cyclone is not expected, more precipitation is on the way. In addition, rain and snow will be farther to the south than last week's event. Rain will soak Central California, largely centered on Tuesday. As the moisture encounters colder air in the mountains, several feet of snow is expected to accumulate. This storm will continue to progress eastward, with snow in the Wasatch of Utah and Colorado Rockies. Some snow will also fall a bit farther to the north in eastern Idaho and western Wyoming. While slightly less snow will fall than in California, several feet will still accumulate at the mountain peaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One tricky travel area will be in and around the Denver area as snow spreads across the area on Wednesday, where 1-3 inches of snow is expected to fall," said AccuWeather Meteorologist Emma Belscher. Quieter weather is expected for the holiday itself as the strong progresses to the east. The week will begin quietly across the nation's midsection, meaning travel by ground or air on Tuesday should be smooth sailing. By Wednesday, the storm in the Rockies will be making its way into the Plains. Most of the day will be dry, although a bit of snow could streak out into Kansas in the afternoon, making travel a bit tougher compared to earlier in the week. For most of the region though, travel will be less hazardous than farther to the west. Cold air will plunge southward for Thanksgiving Day. However, precipitation should be off to the south and east. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travel on Wednesday will be free of any issues in the Southeast. On Wednesday night and Thursday, things will change. As the cross-country storm makes its way into the Southeast, thunderstorms will rumble in much of the region. In fact, AccuWeather meteorologists warn that some of those thunderstorms could turn severe. Rain from the thunderstorms could cause ponding on roadways and lightning delays are possible at airports in cities from Houston to Atlanta. There will be the potential from other hazards as well. "Thunderstorms Wednesday night into Thursday across the South can spell trouble for any last-minute travelers as they can be accompanied by flooding downpours, damaging wind gusts and even isolated tornadoes," warned Belscher. Travel conditions should improve on Friday, but there could be lingering impacts along the coast. The weather will be a bigger issue in the Northeast and Great Lakes throughout Thanksgiving week as multiple storms sweep through the regions. The week will begin with snow, rain or a mix of rain and snow from Minnesota to Michigan and southward into the Ohio and Tennessee valleys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colder air will arrive on blustery winds in the Great Lakes and Ohio and Tennessee valleys on Tuesday. A few snow showers are likely to fly in portions of Wisconsin and Michigan. Meanwhile, rain will arrive in the Northeast and mid-Atlantic. A bit of snow is also possible in northern New England and far UPstate New York. The only hindrance to travel on the day before Thanksgiving will be wind around the Great Lakes and northern New England. Those regions could also have some snow showers. While the Southeast will potentially have severe thunderstorms on Thanksgiving, the storm will present different problems farther to the north. The western Great Lakes will continue to have snow showers, but the mid-Atlantic will have rain with a swath of snow on the northern edge of the precipitation shield. Some places near the line between rain and snow may have precipitation begin as snow before mixing with and changing over to rain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cold air farther to the West will encompass much of the East as well in the wake of the Thanksgiving storm. The chilly air flowing over the Great Lakes that are still relatively warm in late November and early December will spawn lake-effect snow. Flurries can fly dozens of miles away from the lakes, but locations closer to the Great Lakes will have steadier, heavier snow. Prolonged cold air could make this a lengthy lake-effect event. "Post-holiday travelers near the Great Lakes will not be in the clear as lake-effect snow will continue into the weekend," said Belscher. Whether traveling just a few miles or flying across the country or anything in between, it is always a good idea to check the free AccuWeather app before leaving for your destination. Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer. https://www.orlandosentinel.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/7-AM-WX-SENTINEL-112424.mp4 Drier and cooler air continues to move south into Florida on Sunday, Spectrum News 13 meteorologist Zach Covey said. Temperatures are forecast to be 10 degrees warmer than yesterday, Covey said. There will also be an abundance of sunshine in the area. The high today will be 76 degrees and the low will be 46 degrees. As President-elect Donald Trump makes his transition to the White House, its not just his cabinet picks garnering scrutiny its now also his funding as hes keeping the donors funding the transition effort a secret. Trump has not yet signed an agreement with the outgoing Biden administration a requirement laid out in the Presidential Transition Act that places restrictions on the amount of fundraising cash in exchange for more than $7 million in federal funds for the orderly transfer of power. Because Trump hasnt signed the agreement, he doesnt have to work within the confines of the fundraising limits or disclose what interest groups are funding his transition to the White House, The New York Times first reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This side-step opens the door for anyone, including foreign nationals, to donate directly to Trump without their identities or potential conflicts of interest ever being brought to the public eye, the outlet noted. The Presidential Transition Act also puts a cap on the amount donors can contribute: $5,000. When the money isnt disclosed, its not clear how much everybody is giving, who is giving it and what they are getting in return for their donations, said Heath Brown, a professor of public policy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Times. Its an area where the vast majority of Americans would agree that they want to know who is paying that bill. While a Trump adviser told CNN earlier this month that the president-elect plans to sign the documents, a timeline was not provided for when that would be completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump-Vance transition lawyers continue to constructively engage with the Biden-Harris administration lawyers regarding all agreements contemplated by the Presidential Transition Act, Brian Hughes, a Trump transition spokesman, told the Times in a statement. The Independent has reached out to the Trump transition team for more information. The White House confirmed earlier this week that the agreements have not been signed. Our teams continue to stay in touch, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said at a press briefing. As of now, the Trump-Vance transition team has not yet entered into the agreements with the White House and the General Service Administration. By not signing the required paperwork, Trump remains unbound by donor contribution limits and disclosure requirements, and is relying on private donors rather than federal funds opening Trumps team to financial corruption with no public transparency even before he takes office, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren said in a November 21 letter to the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps refusal to sign the agreements is unprecedented and threatens the American public by hamstringing incoming officials ability to govern responsibly, she continued. Warren also noted that the FBI cannot start its background checks of Trumps nominees for national security roles until the agreement is signed. Another member of Congress sounded the alarm that Trumps team had missed two mandatory pre-election deadlines. Federal law creates a process for major party candidates to engage in smooth transition planning, Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin wrote on X in late October. Trump and Vance have so far boycotted the process, thus already obstructing prospects for an orderly transition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Maryland Democrat also wrote a letter on October 23 to Trump and JD Vance urging their transition team to sign the agreements: Your actions depart from well-established norms of the federal government and demonstrate a spectacular disregard for the successful continuation of the essential institutions of American democratic government. Trump has officially nominated all of his top 15 cabinet picks as of Saturday. HALIFAX, Nova Scotia Canada is hinting that it will accelerate plans to boost its defense spending to hit a long-elusive NATO target. But its looking like thats too little, too late to avoid the wrath of the incoming Trump administration and its push to get NATO allies to spend more. Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair said Friday that Canada will make good on its pledge from this summer to meet the alliances target of spending 2 percent of GDP on defense by 2032. He even suggested it could be earlier. There are "many opportunities to accelerate plans to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense, Blair told reporters at the Halifax International Security Forum, a three-day gathering of political, diplomatic and military leaders from around the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican lawmakers have delivered a blunt response: It wont be enough. Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) is a leading critic of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's track record. Turner let loose in an interview with POLITICO ahead of his own trip to Canada this weekend to Montreal where he was leading the U.S. delegation to NATOS Parliamentary Assembly on Friday. The Trudeau policies are the freeloading policies of a NATO of decay. If everyone had the policies of Trudeau, there would be no NATO, said Turner, who also serves as vice chair of the Defense and Security Committee of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. In Halifax, a Republican colleague of Turner expressed a similar sentiment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), the ranking member on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee who is poised to take the chair next year, seconded Turner's tough talk on a panel with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Turner wasn't very diplomatic. Unfortunately, it was true," Risch said. "I do not speak for the president-elect of the United States. If he were in this room, you would get a very large guffaw from him on talking about 2032. It's gotta be better than that." Blair called Turner's remarks "unfair." "Nobody has to argue with me that we need to spend more money. I came here last year and said we needed to spend more money, we needed to do more," Blair told reporters in Halifax on Friday. "We've been working tirelessly over the past 12 months to do just that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allies who demand more from Canada "are pushing on an open door," he said, saying there are "many opportunities to accelerate" plans to spend 2 percent of GDP on defense. Canada is one of just eight nations in the 32-member alliance that dont meet the benchmark of spending 2 percent of their GDP on defense. Ottawa currently spends about 1.37 percent of its GDP on defense. Though it has the sixth-largest GDP among NATO allies, it ranks 27th in defense spending as a proportion to its GDP, according to a recent study from the Heritage Foundation, a conservative Washington-based think tank. In April, a new federal defense policy set a spending target of 1.76 percent by 2030. Facing renewed pressure in the leadup to July's NATO summit in Washington, Trudeau's government unfurled the 2032 date. The U.S. lawmakers take is also getting the backing of some in the U.S. military establishment, suggesting that Trumps crusade to get allies to pony up more on defense could have wider appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is no longer possible (or right) to skate along while others are doing more given the emergency were in, said Jim Townsend, a former senior Pentagon official who ran NATO defense policy during the Obama administration. Canada will certainly catch it from the Trump administration and rightly so. Canada is a stand up neighbor and ally and they need to stand up again. Blair told reporters in Halifax that he's asking American counterparts to help get money flowing more quickly. His Cabinet colleague, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, said in an interview that Canada's military relies in part on American suppliers and efficient defense industry supply chains. Asked about the incoming Trump administration, Joly said: "Yes, it is the investments we're making and the money, but it is also the timeframe, and we need to be able to work with the administration to speed up procurement processes. Risch, who met with Blair in Halifax, wasn't doing much applauding onstage: "There are a lot poorer countries, and a lot of countries that are in a more difficult position than Canada is, that are stepping up and doing the 2 percent right now." Mickey Djuric contributed to this story. A dialogue session on transnational marriages, as part of the "U.S.-China People's Dialogue: Charting a Path Forward" series, is held in Beijing, China, Nov. 22, 2024. [Photo by Liao Jiaxin/China.org.cn] Three representatives from the United States and China gathered Friday in Beijing for a session of the "U.S.-China People's Dialogue: Charting a Path Forward" series to discuss the challenges and approaches related to transnational marriages. The event, co-hosted by the Center for International Security and Strategy at Tsinghua University and the National Committee on United States-China Relations, aimed to promote greater understanding between the peoples of the two nations through cross-sector dialogue. Cameron Johnson, vice chair of the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, commented on the difficulties of maintaining long-term relationships and the decline in marriage rates, noting, "I think one of the challenges is the decreasing willingness to work through problems." Li Yanying, managing director and deputy head of China research at UBS and Johnson's wife, shared her personal experiences, stating, "Relationships are hard. Relationships are work." She shared how she brought her family together with Johnson's five years ago, creating a new household that started living together two years ago. Addressing the challenges of blended families, she recognized the skepticism and financial concerns she encountered about her decision, including high international school fees, but emphasized the importance of their togetherness: "For me, what's more important is the opportunity we could live together for all of us." Johnson compared his transnational family dynamics to the broader bilateral relationship, noting examples like his sons arguing in their native languages and his and his wife's differing preferences for coffee and tea. However, despite these differences, Johnson said they understand each other and their diversity enriches their home life. On the topic of parenting, Johnson revealed that their household employs a hybrid parenting style, which he initially thought would lead to significant conflict. Contrary to his expectations, disputes rarely arose over core values; instead, they occurred over minor issues like differing tolerances for "dust" and "clutter." John Osburg, associate professor and chair of anthropology at the University of Rochester, another participant in the dialogue, shared insights from his own transnational marriage. He described how he integrated into his wife's social network, often fielding inquiries related to America on topics ranging from the best architecture schools to cultural practices regarding family independence. He humorously noted his role as a cultural ambassador, adding, "It does place a kind of burden on you, knowing that I might be the only American that the whole family is directly interacting with." Participants unanimously agreed that more transnational marriages improve bilateral relations and offered suggestions for strengthening these connections. Johnson reflected on the broader implications of personal relationships in international contexts, saying, "If we don't see somebody as just an observer, anything is possible." Li Yanying pointed out that, in bilateral relations, like in a marriage, both parties should avoid being too self-centered and approach each other's development with openness. She emphasized, "The potential shift of power is a good thing for the human race. We can do something together as partners, rather than consider each other as rivals," highlighting the importance of unity over exaggerating differences. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest health threats of our time. With microbes increasingly evading the effects of the drugs designed to combat them, we risk losing the ability to treat even common infections effectively. While the urgency of this issue is clear, addressing it requires innovative and targeted approaches, particularly in education. As we conducted a recent cross-sectional study examining the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of pharmacy students across seven Middle Eastern countries, I was struck by both the promise and the challenges presented. This study, conducted between March 2021 and January 2022, surveyed 4,265 pharmacy students from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, the UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait. It provided a comprehensive snapshot of how future pharmacists perceive antibiotic resistancea critical concern for global healthand revealed vital insights into their potential role in mitigating this crisis. The findings are published in the journal Medicine. A promising foundation of knowledge One of the standout findings was the students' median knowledge score: 5 out of 7, or 71.4%. This figure is heartening, especially given the importance of equipping future pharmacists with a robust understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Notably, students in their fourth and fifth years of study and those enrolled in Bachelor of Pharmacy programs displayed higher levels of knowledge compared to their peers. This progression underscores the transformative impact of formal education, hands-on training, and years spent immersed in the subject. Pharmacists are at the frontline of health care. They play a pivotal role in antibiotic stewardship by educating patients, preventing misuse, and ensuring the rational use of medicines. The foundational knowledge displayed by the students in this study is a crucial asset for addressing AMR effectively in their future careers. However, as the findings suggest, there remains significant room for improvement, particularly in translating this knowledge into everyday practices. Risk perception and attitudes Beyond knowledge, the students' attitudes toward AMR were overwhelmingly proactive. An encouraging 89.2% recognized the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, while more than 93% emphasized the need for greater awareness and education about antibiotic use. Many also agreed about the importance of stricter regulations, particularly regarding antibiotic use in industries like poultry and dairy. These findings demonstrate a commendable understanding of the broader context of AMR and the systemic changes required to address it. However, their reported practices revealed gaps that cannot be ignored. While 73% of respondents said they use antibiotics only with a doctor's prescription, more than half (51.7%) admitted to taking antibiotics to manage feveran approach that is often unnecessary and can exacerbate resistance. This disconnect between knowledge and behavior points to the need for targeted interventions that go beyond theoretical understanding, focusing instead on shaping practical decision-making and habits. Understanding the role of risk perception in combating antibiotic resistance is critical. In the context of the study, pharmacy students' knowledge and attitudes reflect varying levels of awareness about the risks associated with improper antibiotic use. While many students recognized antibiotic resistance as a significant and growing threat, their practicessuch as using antibiotics for fever or other non-specific ailmentsindicate a potential underestimation of personal risk. Risk perception plays a pivotal role in shaping behavior. Students who perceive themselves as less vulnerable to the consequences of antibiotic misuse may engage in risky practices, such as self-medication or relying on outdated prescriptions. This disconnect between perceived risk and actual behavior underscores the need for targeted education that emphasizes not only the global implications of antimicrobial resistance but also its immediate personal risks. Incorporating concepts of risk perception into educational interventions can make a significant difference. Role-playing scenarios, case studies, and visualizations of resistance trends could help students better internalize the risks of inappropriate antibiotic use. By bridging the gap between knowledge and personal accountability, educators can empower future pharmacists to make safer, more informed decisionsboth for themselves and the communities they will serve. Regional nuances and their implications The Middle East presents unique challenges when it comes to antibiotic resistance. Factors such as cultural norms, health care systems, and regulatory frameworks vary significantly across countries, influencing how antibiotics are prescribed and consumed. For instance, students from Egypt demonstrated the highest knowledge scores, a reflection perhaps of a stronger emphasis on AMR education in pharmacy curricula. At the same time, countries with stricter antibiotic dispensing laws reported lower instances of self-medication among students, underscoring the critical role of policy in shaping behavior. Despite these regional differences, the study found common areas for improvement across all participating countries. For example, while many students agreed that governments should play a larger role in raising awareness about AMR, only a fraction had actively participated in related campaigns or initiatives. This suggests untapped potential for pharmacy schools to integrate community engagement into their programs, equipping students not only with knowledge but also with the confidence and experience to advocate for responsible antibiotic use. A call to action Reflecting on the results of this study, we feel a mix of hope and urgency. The pharmacy students surveyed represent the next generation of health care professionals, and their knowledge and attitudes position them well to make a difference. However, the gaps in their practices and the regional disparities in understanding and behavior remind us that there is no room for complacency. Antibiotic resistance is a formidable challenge, but it is not insurmountable. By investing in the education and empowerment of pharmacy students, we are laying the groundwork for a future where antibiotics remain effective tools in our health care arsenal. The journey starts in classrooms and extends to communities, where knowledge meets practice, and awareness transforms into advocacy. The question now is: Are we doing enough to prepare these future leaders? The answer will determine the success of our fight against AMRand the health of generations to come. This story is part of Science X Dialog, where researchers can report findings from their published research articles. Visit this page for information about Science X Dialog and how to participate. More information: Abdallah Y. Naser et al, Knowledge, attitude, and practices of pharmacy students in 7 Middle Eastern countries concerning antibiotic resistance: A cross-sectional study, Medicine (2024). DOI: 10.1097/MD.0000000000039378 Dr. Amer Hamad Issa Abukhalaf is an Assistant Professor in the Nieri Department at Clemson University. Dr. Abukhalaf's research focuses on risk management, mental health, safety design, and crisis management. An engineer and a designer by training, he also holds a master's in executive management from Ashland University in Ohio, and he earned his doctorate from the University of Florida. Dr. Abukhalaf is a member of the Hazard Mitigation and Disaster Recovery Planning Division at the American Planning Association. He has received the University of Florida Outstanding Merit Award in both 2021 and 2023. Additionally, Dr. Abukhalaf has authored 26 peer-reviewed papers in prestigious journals, including the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction and Disaster Prevention and Management. Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have been locked in a bitter rivalry for supremacy in space exploration. Donald Trumps return to the White House could boost Musks ascent. As it stands, Musks SpaceX is the competitions undisputed leader: It regularly sends astronauts into orbit, while Bezos Blue Origin has yet to launch anyone beyond the outer edge of space. But Bezos company, even if far behind SpaceX, is seen as its closest American competitor, and the two companies have clashed in court over billions of dollars in government funding. More recently, their battle has become increasingly bitter, as the billionaires themselves traded barbs on Musk-owned X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, as Musk spends weeks palling around with Trump at Mar-a-Lago after the election, their proximity has the space industry fearing that Musk could rig the space race in his favor by diverting billions of dollars in government funding to SpaceX. The chief threat to SpaceXs peers is that Musk will aim to create a monopoly in the private space industry. People are concerned whats in place to stop it, said one space industry lobbyist granted anonymity to discuss private conversations about Musks influence. Youre talking about two of the most unpredictable people in the world getting together. Its not like chocolate and peanut butter, and you get a great combination. Youre talking about world dominance here. Of the two entrepreneurs, one has developed a close partnership with the president-elect; the other has drawn his ire and the nickname Jeff Bozo. The implications of their relationships with Trump could shape the next chapter of private space exploration, and the space industry is scrambling to understand how Musk could crowd out competitors or fill influential government positions with his allies, including the head of NASA. Musks SpaceX and Bezos Blue Origin have been dueling to be the most technologically advanced company in the private space flight sector. Investments from the federal government have propelled the companies but also forced them to compete over resources. The matter came to a head in 2021 when SpaceX snagged a multibillion-dollar contract for a moon landing mission and Blue Origin sued the federal government over it. Blue Origin lost that case but was later awarded its own contract to create other technology for a moon mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Musk, who has called Bezos company Sue Origin, this fight is personal and years in the making. In an early Thursday morning post on his platform X, he gleefully accused Bezos of telling others to sell their SpaceX and Tesla stock because Trump would lose the election. Tesla stock prices have soared since news of Trumps victory. 100% not true, Bezos responded to which Musk said Well, then, I stand corrected with a laughing emoji. Despite the nickname from Trump, Bezos has seemingly changed his tune on the president-elect. In the lead up to the election, the Washington Post owner killed a planned endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris. And after Trump won, Bezos quickly congratulated him. Blue Origin CEO David Limp met with Trump the same day the Post announced it would not endorse a candidate. But Bezos has a long way to go to make nice with Trump. Few companies have felt Trumps ire like Amazon, which he accused of not paying taxes and ripping off the U.S. Postal Service. Trump has condemned the Amazon Washington Post as Bezos lobbyist newspaper. Amazon also previously accused the first Trump administration of giving a contract to Microsoft because of improper pressure from President Donald J. Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By contrast, Trump called Musk a supergenius in his victory speech, and the Tesla chief is privy to the highest levels of planning for the next administration. Trump traveled to Texas on Tuesday to visit a SpaceX facility and to watch a rocket launch. Everybody in the space industry is worried about Elons influence right now. Everybody, said Charles Miller, a NASA alumnus who worked on the agencys planning for the first Trump transition team. They kinda imagine what they would do if they were so close to the president. SpaceX and Blue Origin did not return requests for comment. The competition between Musk and Bezos is a microcosm of how industries are preparing to grapple with an administration that shows favoritism to its allies and vengefulness toward those who have not shown adequate deference to Trump. After he was first elected, Trump threatened new taxes on General Motors, blasted Merck for its pharmaceutical prices, and delivered a foreboding message about the end of Harley-Davidson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blue Origin has been closely following what effect Musk may have on Trumps pick to lead NASA, the agency that has contracted out billions of dollars to both Blue Origin and SpaceX, according to a person who works with Blue Origin. The industry is particularly concerned that Musk may move the government to appoint Kathryn Lueders, general manager at SpaceXs Starbase facility in Texas, to run the agency, according to a space industry lobbyist. Both people were granted anonymity to discuss private details about strategy in Washington. On Capitol Hill, Blue Origin is trying to raise alarms about potential unfair advantages in the space race. The company has been arguing that any policy that crowds out competition and capacity in civil or military space business could hurt the countrys space program and national security, according to the person who works with Blue Origin. Another person familiar with Blue Origins Washington strategy said the company has been trying to remind those on the Hill that its technology will be flying soon and intends to be a competitor. Elon wants a monopoly in space, argued the person familiar with Blue Origins Washington strategy. Ultimately, government contracting officers in the executive branch will have significant power over who receives federal dollars, and its unclear what influence Musk who was tapped to co-lead a new commission dubbed the Department of Government Efficiency may have over those lower-level hires. One lobbyist in the space industry wondered whether Musk would attempt to put his own people in those positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently, Blue Origin has been trying to thwart some of SpaceXs work with the federal government. For example, SpaceX has sought approval to launch its large Starship model from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and Blue Origin has been moving to limit it. Bezos company has argued to the Federal Aviation Administration that SpaceXs launches at the Florida facility could have environmental and safety impacts for the surrounding site. Blue Origins latest strategy is to try to leverage others in the space industry against Musks SpaceX. In the wake of the election, the company was quietly rallying the industry to speak out about SpaceX and Musk potentially pushing to dissolve the National Space Council, according to two space lobbyists. There is no public evidence that SpaceX is attempting to do away with the panel. The first Trump administration revived the National Space Council, a White House group for space policy, in 2017. Executives at SpaceX and a number of its competitors hold seats on its advisory group, providing industry feedback for policy. If the group were dissolved, it would bolster Musks relative access and influence compared to peers in space exploration. Without the Space Council, its just Elon talking to Trump about all things space, said one of the space lobbyists. I dont think thats just Blue Origins concerns. Thats everyones concern. When Donald Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton appeared on CNN Friday night, he didnt hold back when commenting on Trumps pick for his counterterrorism director. Sebastian Gorka is a con man, Bolton told host Kaitlan Collins. He needs a full-field FBI background investigation about his educational claims and things like that, he added. I think he is a perfect example of somebody who owes his position purely to Donald Trump, he doesnt display loyalty, he displays fealty, and thats what Trump wants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boltson said Trump doesnt want Gorkas opinions. He wants Gorka to say, Yes, sir, and I am fully confident thats exactly what will happen, no matter what it is Trump says, Bolton argued. To hear Trump put it, Gorka has been a tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement since 2015, according to the president-elects announcement on Friday. Gorka speaks during a press conference while on a break from Trump's hush money trial outside Manhattan criminal court on May 21. Gorka has been appointed to return to the White House as Trumps counter terrorism director (Getty Images) Gorka, who was born in the UK to Hungarian parents, is a legal immigrant with more than 30 years of National Security experience, Trump said. What Trump neglected to mention was that Gorka was pushed out of his White House role as a strategist to the president in his first administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Divisive and combative as he staunchly defended Trump, Gorka was one of the main backers of the then-presidents ban on refugees and people from several Muslim-majority countries. Gorkas views on Islam have been a source of controversy specifically, comments he has made about violence being an intrinsic part of the Islamic faith. His academic credentials have also been questioned, as Bolton suggested on CNN. Obviously hes not the expert he claims to be obviously, Hungarian newspaper editor Gabor Horvath told NBC News in 2017. He got his masters degree and his PhD from the Corvinus University in Hungary. The Corvinus University is not a center for national security studies, certainly not internationally recognized studies of this kind, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An op-ed inThe New York Times once referred to him as The Islamophobic Huckster in the White House. Trumps nominee for counter terrorism director has been critized as a con man by former national security adviser John Bolton (REUTERS) Trumps then-White House chief of staff John Kelly reportedly pulled Gorkas security clearance when he was on vacation, making it impossible for him to do his job, HuffPost noted at the time. This time around, Trump has suggested sidestepping the background check process usually conducted by the FBI to get his nominees and appointees into their expected roles. Gorka has dismissed the threat of white nationalism, and instead argued that Islamist extremists constituted the biggest threat to the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His supposed ties to the Nazi-connected Hungarian political group Vitezi Rend have also worried some during his first short stint in the White House. The group collaborated with the Nazis during the Second World War and reformed following the end of the countrys Communist government in 1989, according to HuffPost. Jewish outlet The Forward reported in March 2017 that Gorka was a member of the group. Gorka wore the groups insignia at Trumps first inaugural ball, later saying that the medals he wore belonged to his father, who was handed them as a declaration for his resistance to [Communist] dictatorship, Gorka told Breitbart, one of his former employers. Before coming to the US in 2008, Gorka moved to Hungary in 1992 and worked for the countrys Ministry of Defense before becoming an adviser to Prime Minister Viktor Orban in 1998. Gorka ran for mayor in the small town of Piliscsaba in 2006, coming in third place. Several members of the community told NBC News that he was a member of Vitezi Rend; one of the groups leaders told CNN that the organization was never connected to the Nazis and that Gorka was not a pledged member. Since leaving the White House, Gorka has become a familiar voice on right-wing media and at CPAC and other Republican-led conferences (AFP via Getty Images) Gorka became a US citizen in 2012, which made it possible for him to work for the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He lasted about eight months in the White House before he was forced to leave. He claimed he resigned, a version of events disputed by the Trump White House. Sebastian Gorka did not resign, but I can confirm he no longer works at the White House, a White House official told several news outlets at the time. After his departure, Gorka became a political and counterterrorism commentator on right-wing media, with his own radio show and frequent appearances on Fox News and Newsmax. The 54-year-old pugilist is well-known for his aggressiveness towards the press, often telling reporters to take a long jump off a short pier, as Politico noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I wouldnt have him in any US government, Bolton told CNN. Fortunately, its not the highest position he had been mentioned for, he added. But I dont think its going to bode well for counterterrorism efforts when the [National Security Councils] senior director is somebody like that. ... But the questions of who are the deputy secretaries, who are the undersecretaries, and so on, is also going to tell us a lot about whos actually running the government. Nascent right-wing venture capitalist Donald Trump Jr. has become the leading Trump family member in his fathers inner circle during the presidential transition period. A half dozen sources told Reuters that President-elect Donald Trumps eldest child has been a key advisory figure as his dad has put forward a string of controversial cabinet nominees, marshalling some of the wildest picks himself. Trump, who steadfastly advocated for his good pal and Ohio Senator JD Vance as Trumps running mate, blocked former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo from returning to Trumps cabinet, the news agency reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also, apparently, a driving force behind two the planned nominations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services Secretary and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence. Kennedy is the anti-vaxxer conspiracist black sheep of the famous Massachusetts clan that has produced three generations of Democratic politicians. Gabbard is a former Democratic politician turned MAGA diehard who surprised Don Jr.s dad with the news that shed joined the GOP at a rally in North Carolina last month. Kennedys habit of spreading scientifically disproven nonsense and Gabbards habit of downplaying alleged crimes by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad have made both controversial picks. Don Jr. is said to pride loyalty to his father and an anti-establishment worldview that includes a desire to implement protectionist economics and cut back on foreign military intervention, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His dad has not, however, taken Don Jr.s counsel as gospel. Trump chose Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL), whose foreign policy views are more in line with the mainstream GOP, as his nominee to lead the State Department. Don Jr. wanted his friend Ric Grenell, a former ambassador to Germany, a source told Reuters. Don Jr. is set to join right wing venture capital fund 1789 Capital and is listed as a Web3 ambassador for World Liberty Financial, the Trump family crypto venture. He plans to continue advising his father when he is back in the White House, though not on a day-to-day basis, and wont give up podcasting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means he will likely remain the most active and influential Trump family member in the presidents inner cloister. During his first term in office, that role went to Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and daughter Ivankathe married couple were both tapped as presidential advisors. Kushner will be informally involved in the second Trump term, advising on Middle East policy, the half dozen sources Reuters spoke to said. Kushner confirmed he has already been briefing real estate investor Steve Witkoff, Trumps planned special envoy to the region. Kushner, Ivanka and sibling Eric Trump, the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, dont plan to join the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teenage son Barronwho advised his father on which bro-y podcasts to appear on during the campaignis busy with his studies at New York University. While Don Jr. has emerged as an influential voice, hes not currently advising his father full-time, and a source told Reuters that Trumps second term may find him leaning less on his family than before. They noted Susie Wiles, Trumps co-campaign manager who is poised to be his White House Chief of Staff, as having built a disciplined organization that can operate without Trump leaning on his family. Stuff is really buttoned down, the source told Reuters. He may not need the family this time like he used to. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., on Sunday suggested that one of President-elect Donald Trumps first priorities in his new term should be to fire any staff at the Justice Department who worked on cases that involved charges against Trump. First and foremost, the people involved with this should be fired immediately, Schmitt said in an interview on NBC News Meet the Press. And anybody part of this, this effort to keep President Trump off the ballot and to throw him in jail for the rest of his life because they didnt like his politics, and who continue to cast him as a quote, unquote threat to democracy, was wrong, and so well see where that goes, Schmitt added. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said he supports Pam Bondi, Trumps pick to lead the Justice Department. His remarks come as special counsel Jack Smith, who was prosecuting two cases against Trump one related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and one related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office in 2021 plans to wind down the cases against Trump and resign before he takes office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the week after Trump was projected to win the election, Smith asked U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to hit pause on the 2020 election case. Chutkan granted the motion shortly after the request was filed. Schmitt framed his call to fire anyone who worked on these cases as a form of accountability, telling moderator Kristen Welker, [The cases] all fell apart under the weight of the law. And so I do think there needs to be accountability. I think that getting it back to crime-fighting is important, but there has to be accountability for these kinds of abuses. Trump repeatedly attacked the Justice Department while campaigning this year and detailed what he would expect from the department if elected. Trump has often said he would pardon the more than 1,000 supporters who have been charged with crimes related to storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the campaign trail, he also indicated that he would use the Justice Department to target his political opponents, including Smith. On his social media site Truth Social, Trump once reposted a photo of Smith with the words, He should be prosecuted for election interference & prosecutorial misconduct. And after a September campaign rally, Trump wrote in a post, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences. Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Schmitt also said he would back former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Trump said he would nominate for attorney general after his previous pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew himself from consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oh, absolutely, Schmitt said when asked whether hed vote to confirm Bondi. He added, I intend to to help Pam Bondi get the votes. I know her well. Shes a friend. Ive come to respect Pam Bondi. She was a great attorney general in Florida. This is a home run by President Trump. In an interview with CNN Sunday, Oklahoma GOP Sen. James Lankford said he wasnt sure whether Trump would pressure Bondi to go after his political adversaries. I dont think we know one way or the other, Lankford said. He added, Every single U.S. attorney around the country works for them and with them. So, it is very important that we get this role right, and that theyre actually focused on diminishing crime in America and making sure were getting good prosecutions. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences graduate to be U.S. Surgeon General in his second term. Janette Nesheiwat, a former Fox News contributor and medical doctor in New York and New Jersey, was nominated on Friday. FILE Janette Nesheiwat arrives at the Fox Nations Patriot Awards, Nov. 16, 2023, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV, File) I am proud to announce that Dr. Janette Nesheiwat will be the Nations Doctor as the United States Surgeon General. Dr. Nesheiwat is a double board-certified Medical Doctor with an unwavering commitment to saving and treating thousands of American lives, Trump said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump taps NFL player Scott Turner as head of HUD Nesheiwat currently serves as the medical director for CityMD, a network of urgent care centers in New York and New Jersey. Trump continued, Dr. Nesheiwat will play a pivotal role in MAKING AMERICA HEALTHY AGAIN! According to the Associated Press, Nesheiwat encouraged COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic and called them a gift from God in a 2021 opinion piece for Fox News. Nesheiwat was previously a physician at Washington Regional Medical Center and at Northwest Medical Hospital in Northwest Arkansas. She is a double board-certified medical doctor and a graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, according to her website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nesheiwat will need to be confirmed by the Senate. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. True to character, Donald Trump is already flouting ethics laws and norms even before he takes office as president in 2025. The president-elect is accepting secret donations to fund his transition while refusing to sign ethics pledges or deliver an ethics plan mandated by the Presidential Transitions Act. The transition also has not signed an agreement with the Federal Bureau of Investigation that would allow the agency to do background checks on Trump nominees. The transition has missed deadlines in September and October despite transition team leaders Howard Lutnick and Linda McMahon promising to sign memorandums of understanding with the Biden White House that would facilitate the outgoing administrations collaboration with Trumps transition team. According to The New York Times, the Trump transition has privately created an ethics code and conflict-of-interest guidance for transition staff, but those documents do not include a legal requirement a statement regarding how Trump will handle conflicts of interest while in office. This failure undercuts the fundamental purpose of presidential transition laws, Sen. Elizabeth Warren wrote in a letter to the Biden administration on Thursday. She added, In effect, President-elect Trump is undermining his administrations ability to manage urgent national security threats, health and safety threats, and serious conflicts of interest starting on day one of his presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Historically, presidential transitions including Trumps 2016 transition have signed an agreement to receive financial assistance from the General Services Administration, which is responsible for monitoring the transition process. By accepting the funds and signing the agreement, transitions are agreeing to abide by certain conditions that would limit individual donations to $5,000 and mandate transparency regarding donors. Without disclosing donors, foreign influence is also a concern since there are no restrictions on international donations to transitions, unlike presidential campaigns. When the money isnt disclosed, its not clear how much everybody is giving, who is giving it, and what they are getting in return for their donations, Heath Brown, a presidential transition expert and professor of public policy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told The Times. Its an area where the vast majority of Americans would agree that they want to know who is paying that bill. Instead of allowing the FBI to investigate Trump administration nominees backgrounds, the transition is conducting private background checks. According to CNN, Trump and his acolytes believe that the FBIs process is too slow and could get in the way of the work Trump wants to do to implement his agenda. Sources told CNN that behind closed doors, Trump has questioned whether background checks are necessary. Last week, Trumps nominee for attorney general, former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz dropped out of consideration following reports that a woman told the congressional Ethics Committee that Gaetz had sex with her multiple times when she was 17 years old. Gaetz was also under investigation by the FBI for sex trafficking and illicit drug use in 2021, but the Justice Department did not bring charges against him. Another woman told the House Ethics Committee that she witnessed Gaetz having sex with a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These allegations are invented and would constitute false testimony to Congress, Gaetz said in response to the womans testimony. This false smear following a three-year criminal investigation should be viewed with great skepticism. Former Fox News commentator Pete Hegseth, Trumps nominee for secretary of defense, faces a sexual misconduct allegation from a woman who says he sexually assaulted her in a hotel room in 2017. Four sources familiar with the situation told Rolling Stone that they are furious he hid the allegation from them. Trump picks Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also have been accused of sexual misconduct. How did he not know? Why didnt he tell us? a source close to Trump told Rolling Stone. Pete wasnt interviewing for a job at McDonalds; this is the fucking Pentagon! Even if the allegations are fake, it doesnt matter because he was supposed to tell us what we needed to know so we could be better prepared to defend him not learn about it from the media. Trumps noncompliance with background checks, transparency rules, and ethics set the table for a corrupt administration, perhaps even worse than his first time in office, during which Trump used the government to enrich himself and perform favors for his rich friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story has been updated. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. President-elect Trump rounded out his health team for his upcoming White House term by announcing his Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and surgeon general picks on Friday. In a flurry of administration announcements on Friday, Trump said he tapped Johns Hopkinss surgeon, Marty Makary, to lead the FDA. The president-elect chose former Florida Rep. Dave Weldon (R) to be the director of the CDC while medical doctor Janette Nesheiwat was named to be the next surgeon general. Just over a week ago, the president-elect said he would nominate environmental lawyer Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which has raised alarms in the public health community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some experts have said Kennedy will not have the authority to ban vaccines, a medical treatment he has criticized, but he could withdraw vaccine recommendations and look to downsize vaccine funding requests, according to some health experts. On Tuesday, Trump said he would nominate television personality Dr. Mehmet Oz to be the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) administrator. The director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has yet to be announced. FDA commissioner Trump intends to nominate Makary to head the FDA, a position subject to Senate confirmation. The FDA oversees the security and safety of medical devices, cosmetics, food and medications. Makary is an author and a surgical oncologist at Johns Hopkins University. Makary has at times expressed contrarian views regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In op-eds, he has stressed the importance of herd immunity during the pandemic But herd immunity is the inevitable result of viral spread and vaccination. When the chain of virus transmission has been broken in multiple places, its harder for it to spread and that includes the new strains, he wrote in February, 2021 in a Wall Street Journal and predicted that herd immunity would come by April. He also criticized the FDA in 2021 for halting the rollout of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine rollout due to blood clot complications among some patients. I am confident that Dr. Makary, having dedicated his career to High-Quality, Lower-Cost Care, will restore FDA to the Gold Standard of Scientific Research, and cut the bureaucratic red tape at the Agency to make sure Americans get the Medical Cures and Treatments they deserve, Trump wrote in the announcement. CDC director Trump picked Weldon to be the next CDC director. The position is also subject to a Senate confirmation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weldon is an Army veteran and a medical doctor who served for seven terms in the lower chamber. He held posts on several House committees, including Health and Human Services, and Appropriations. Following his tenure on Capitol Hill that ended in 2008, he pivoted back to practicing medicine. Weldon got his medical degree at SUNY-Buffalo. He has voiced skepticism about some vaccines. In 2007, he introduced a bill to shift the oversight of vaccine safety to an independent agency within HHS and away from the CDC. Theres an enormous inherent conflict of interest within the CDC, and if we fail to move vaccine safety to a separate independent office, safety issues will remain a low priority and public confidence in vaccines will continue to erode, Weldon said at the time. Surgeon general Trump tapped Nesheiwat, a medical doctor and Fox News contributor, to be his next surgeon general. The Senate has to confirm Nesheiwat to serve in the role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She is a graduate of the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and a double board-certified medical doctor working at CityMD, a web of urgent care centers. She has authored a book titled Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine. I am proud to announce that Dr. Janette Nesheiwat will be the Nations Doctor as the United States Surgeon General. Dr. Nesheiwat is a double board-certified Medical Doctor with an unwavering commitment to saving and treating thousands of American lives, Trump said on Friday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Advisers to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reached out to the Health and Human Services Department multiple times after Donald Trump tapped him to lead the massive agency, hoping to jumpstart coordination before his takeover in late January. They were rebuffed. Kennedys inability to communicate with the agency he may soon manage, confirmed by an administration official with knowledge of the episodes granted anonymity to describe internal deliberations, is just one consequence of the president-elects continued foot-dragging on signing the standard trio of ethics and transparency agreements with the federal government something his team pledged to do shortly after the election. The Trump transitions unprecedented delay in signing the agreements has so far prevented the incoming administration from having any formal contact with federal agencies, including sending in groups of policy advisers known as landing teams. It also means they cant access cybersecurity support or secure email servers for transition-related work, or request FBI background checks for their nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the Trump transition and the White House confirmed to POLITICO that negotiations on the agreements are still underway. But until the standoff is resolved, Trump's Cabinet nominees will gain no more insight than the general public into the workings of the departments they're supposed to run. Watchdog groups, ethics experts and former government officials say the delay in coordination with federal agencies, which typically begins by mid-November, means the new administration wont be up to speed on the state of the career workforce and budget and what headaches may await them when Trump takes the oath of office on Jan. 20. The failure thus far to sign the memorandums has also troubled Biden officials, who are particularly concerned about the potential national security implications. Without the agreements in place, Trumps team cant access any non-public government data depriving it of a full view of efforts the White House and federal agencies are taking to safeguard against a range of threats. That includes classified elements of the administrations involvement in conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, and details of high-level conversations with allies. The stalemate has also left the Trump transition largely in the dark on threats closer to home that could quickly mushroom into crises, like the continued spread of avian flu. Members of Congress in both parties are also alarmed, with three Senate Democrats suggesting to POLITICO that the lack of FBI background checks could prevent Trumps nominees from securing confirmation pointing to revelations this week about Defense Secretary pick Pete Hegseth and Matt Gaetz, who decided to withdraw from consideration to be Attorney General on Thursday after a series of leaks about investigations into alleged sexual encounters with underage women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If there is a lack of proper investigation into a nominee, I don't think [the Senate Armed Services Committee] would allow the nomination to move forward, said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), a senior member of the panel. One Republican close to the transition suspected that Trump officials are in no rush to sign the agreements because they believe the operation is running smoothly from Mar-a-Lago without federal assistance. And many on the right are urging Trumps team to buck the rules by continuing to use private funds to pay transition staff and conducting their own personnel vetting as they prepare to take over the federal government. They don't need the hassle, argued one Republican familiar with Trumps 2016 transition and the current one, granted anonymity to speak about private deliberations. [Without the public funding], they'd be left to organize [the transition] the way they want, instead of taking the public money, which opens them up to the GSA and quasi-public organizations whose sole mission will probably be to derail them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as ethics experts worry that the Trump transition hasnt yet begun the agency review work needed to be ready to govern, they warned against starting that work before signing the three memorandums of understanding with the General Services Administration, the White House and the Justice Department. There is no basis for a president-elect's team to enter federal agencies and have discussions without signing the MOUs, said Valerie Smith Boyd, the director of the Center for Presidential Transition at the nonpartisan nonprofit Partnership for Public Service, which assists all parties with transition planning. The main thing that it says is that the members of the transition team will be bound by an ethics agreement that ensures that they're using information appropriately, that they limit the use of lobbyists and foreign agents, and that individuals who leave the transition and go back to the private sector won't use this information for personal gain, she said. Several agencies, including the Pentagon and State Department, confirmed to POLITICO that theyve received no formal outreach to date from the Trump transition from the landing teams or other officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department, meanwhile, offered just days after the election to start briefing the Trump team on ongoing operations and processing security clearances for its incoming officials, but cannot do so until the Trump transition signs the agreements. Without the DOJ agreement, the FBI also cannot conduct background checks of Trumps Cabinet picks, which has already emerged as a potential hurdle to confirmation. Soon-to-be Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said Thursday that in the absence of that federal scrutiny, he and his fellow lawmakers who will be voting on the slate of officials will have to be very thorough in vetting these nominations and ensure that the correct background information is available. Republican Sen. Roger Wicker (Miss.) was even more direct, saying yes, when asked if the president-elects team should be allowing the FBI to conduct background checks of nominees. We need to do it by the numbers. Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes said his teams lawyers continue to constructively engage with the Biden-Harris Administration lawyers regarding all agreements contemplated by the Presidential Transition Act. But he declined to explain the reasons for the holdup, which provisions have yet to be resolved, or when they expect to reach an accord. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the Biden administration remains hopeful Trump officials will ultimately sign at least some of the agreements, and has both publicly and privately offered the incoming team whatever assistance they need to be ready to govern on Day One well aware of the havoc even a temporary pause in transition prep can wreak. The multi-week delay Bidens team experienced in 2020 due to Trumps refusal to concede, for example, blocked their access to government agencies and data and hampered their work on national security and controlling the then-raging Covid-19 pandemic. People involved in the Biden-Haris transition felt like they were not as prepared for the intelligence threats to the country on Day One as they should have been, said Heath Brown, an associate professor of public policy at CUNYs John Jay College who wrote a book about Bidens 2020 transition. They felt like they had not been fully briefed. And in 2004, the 9/11 Commission published its investigation that found the legal battle over who won the 2000 election that delayed the transition from getting underway was one of the reasons the eventual winner, President George W. Bush, and his administration were caught off guard by the terrorist attack months later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps decision, thus far, to forgo federal transition assistance and cooperation is unprecedented in the modern presidential system. Kamala Harris team signed all three federal memorandums with the General Services Administration, the White House and the Justice Department before the November election. Trumps team did as well the first time he ran in 2016, and Joe Bidens team did in 2020. Holding off on signing the agreements has freed the Trump transition from having to abide by a $5,000 cap on donations and a requirement to disclose their donors. But in addition to delaying coordination with federal agencies, it has prevented them from gaining access to secure government email servers, office space, and FBI background checks for incoming officials, sparking concerns beyond the incoming administrations readiness to govern. Amid an uptick in hacking this year including breaches of Trumps own team as recently as August experts are alarmed that the transition is eschewing federal cybersecurity support, particularly as they begin to receive intelligence briefings. And the public remains in the dark about potential ethical and financial entanglements of the transition staffers helping Trump select the bevy of Cabinet nominees he has announced in recent days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Until they sign this agreement, theyre not yet government employees. They can do anything they want. They can have any conflicts of interest they want. They could be taking money from foreign governments for all we know, said Richard Painter, the chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration. Trump and his team need to convince the American people, including the people who voted for them, that theyre working to help the country, not just make a bunch of billionaires even richer. Not signing these agreements is a great way to tell all those working class voters: Thank you very much. Now eff you. Hailey Fuchs, Ursula Perano, Joe Gould, Connor OBrien, Robbie Gramer, Paul McLeary and Gavin Bade contributed reporting. Donald Trump may be at war with Washington but hes still eager to make peace with the rest of the world. The incoming 47th president is stocking his Cabinet with super-hawks and mega-disrupters who, in the eyes of Trumps critics, threaten to immolate the entire federal government. Yet some officials who know him say Trump the agitator is still Trump of the Art of the Deal the self-styled master negotiator who sought to cut deals with U.S. adversaries around the globe when he was president last time and wants to do it again. I told the president very early in my tenure, Youre going to be known as the peacemaker, Robert OBrien, who was Trumps last national security adviser in his first term and has been deemed a top contender for a senior role in the new administration, said in an interview. I think that is still his vision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem: Even in his first term, Trump failed in his efforts to achieve successful agreements with China, Iran and North Korea. And in the four years since he left the Oval Office, the world has moved on, changing in ways that mean he faces a much harsher international environment than last time an environment that makes it unlikely that even the wars in Ukraine and the Mideast, which have exhausted all sides, will end anytime soon. Here are five ways conditions have changed globally that all but ensure Trump is going to find it harder to get his way this time around. 1. Russia Is Escalating the War in Ukraine Trump already faces the prospect of breaking one of his biggest campaign promises, having repeatedly pledged to end that war before I even become president." Over the summer he said hed do it in 24 hours, presumably by declaring a cease-fire on the current front lines and then striking a deal in which Ukraine gives up some territory and future NATO membership in return for peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But any such deal requires the front lines to be somewhat stable, and in a phone call two days after the election, Trump reportedly warned Vladimir Putin not to escalate his 2-year-old invasion. The Russian president has, instead, done the opposite: He is still massing forces in Ukraines southeast in apparent preparation for a new offensive, and over the past week Putin has launched some of his biggest missile attacks on Ukraine in months. Ukraine, meanwhile, is running out of troops. This week, President Joe Biden sought to give Kyiv more leverage before he leaves office by supplying the Ukrainians with long-range missiles. Ukraine promptly used them to attack Russia, which responded by threatening, yet again, nuclear war. Bidens move led Trumps incoming national security adviser, Michael Waltz, to comment: "This is another step up the escalation ladder, and no one knows where this is going. True, this would seem to be Trumps moment: On the stump he repeatedly said the greatest danger America faced was World War III and only he could prevent it, and Putin has indicated hes willing to discuss a cease-fire. But neither Putin nor the Ukrainians are playing along for now. The GOP, meanwhile, is still heavily populated with fairly strong supporters of Ukraine, including Trumps incoming secretary of State, Sen. Marco Rubio. If they have his ear, Trump may be loath to begin his presidency with a display of weakness by simply surrendering large parts of Ukraine to Putin. 2. Israels Threats of Annexation Could Prolong Hostilities When it comes to Israels two-front war in Gaza and Lebanon, the president-elect has indicated to both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior negotiators in Qatar that he supports Netanyahus military plans but wants to see him wrap things up by the time Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while Netanyahu is expected to be more willing to bend to Trump than he has been with Biden, the Israeli leader is also in a stronger position politically and more able to resist U.S. pressure than he has been since the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas. Following Israels successful campaigns against Hezbollah and Hamas, Netanyahu has strengthened support in his cabinet and made it likely he can survive in power for at least another year. True, the Israeli Defense Forces have been saying for some time that its military objectives in Gaza have been met, and the Washington Post reported recently that Israel is preparing a cease-fire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon as a gift to Trump when he takes office in January. But Netanyahu said a week laterthat Israel will continue to operate militarily against Hezbollah in spite of any cease-fire. And Netanyahus government is openly discussing annexation of the West Bank. That might win support from the pro-Israel hawks on Trumps team including Rubio, U.N. Ambassador-designate Elise Stefanik, and Israel Ambassador-designate Mike Huckabee but it would also almost certainly prolong hostilities and indefinitely delay a proposed Saudi-Israeli normalization pact that is seen as the crux of a broader peace deal in the region. 3. Iran Is Much Closer to Going Nuclear Trump also faces new obstacles in fulfilling another campaign pledge: Getting Iran to surrender its nuclear weapons program. Trump plans to renew his maximum pressure campaign by dramatically increasing sanctions on Iran and choking off its oil sales, according to reports. And Iran's relatively moderate new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is showing a willingness to negotiate, saying, "Whether we like it or not, we will have to deal with the U.S. in the regional and international arenas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problem for Trump is that Tehran is also newly motivated to go nuclear. In recent months, its conventional deterrence suffered a catastrophic failure against Israel, with the Israelis virtually wiping out the top leadership of its proxies, Hezbollah and Hamas, including conducting strikes inside Iran. Earlier this year, a senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander suggested Iran might review its "nuclear doctrine" in the face of the Israeli threats. And Iran is now far closer to a nuclear weapon than it was in 2018, when Trump repudiated the nuclear pact negotiated by his predecessor, Barack Obama. What could also change Iranian calculations in favor of expediting their nuclear program is the confirmation by U.S. and Israeli officials that Israels retaliatory attack on Iran last month destroyed an active nuclear weapons research facility. Irans hard-liners have warned openly that such a degree of strategic vulnerability is unacceptable to them. We have the capability to build weapons and have no issue in this regard, Kamal Kharrazi, an adviser to Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said on Nov. 1. 4. North Koreas Kim Has a New Paramour: Putin Nor can Trump count on any kind of disarmament deal with North Korea. In his first term Trump embarked on what he described as a special friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, who reciprocated eagerly in a bizarre exchange of letters, calling their relationship deep and special. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Kim has advanced his nuclear and ICBM program dramatically since Trump left the White House. Kim has also embraced a new military alignment with Russia that has rendered Pyongyang less reliant on U.S. assistance. The mutual defense agreement between Russia and North Korea, announced in June, means Kim is getting food aid, money and oil and likely military technology that previously only a deal with Washington could provide. We are not going to be able to get the agreement we were able to get in the first Trump administration, said Stephen Wertheim, a foreign policy strategist at the Carnegie Endowment. Its going to take a lot more to pry North Korea away from the Russians. 5. China's Xi Has Become More Hard-Line Trump will find it far more difficult to push China to play fair on trade and stand down on its threats to Taiwan, because Chinese President Xi Jinping is more of a hard-liner on all these issues than he was four years ago. Trump will also be forced to confront the fact that the deepening ideological partnership between Beijing and Moscow one built on their mutual opposition to U.S. hegemony does not lend itself well to his purely transactional, bilateral approach to geopolitics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement True, Chinas economy is slowing dramatically, and Xi is relying partly on exports to revive it. Xis economic mismanagement has led to mounting debt, declining foreign investment and capital flight. Thus Trumps threats to impose new 60 percent tariffs could hurt China badly. But while Trump has all but promised a trade war with Beijing, he has also indicated he wants to avoid an actual shooting war over Taiwan. And that signal of softness on the Taiwan issue, along with Xis grand plan of turning China into a self-reliant global superpower, could make the Chinese leader even less willing to alter Beijings fundamental trade practices including illegal subsidies to companies and widespread intellectual property theft than he was last time Trump was in office. It didnt work the last time, and I see no reason why it would work this time, said William Reinsch, a former U.S. Commerce undersecretary now at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. The countrys ability to navigate these shifts will depend heavily on the personnel Trump brings in. Even under his iron rule, the GOP is undergoing an ideological battle between traditional hawks who seek to project strength abroad and are averse to negotiation, and on the other hand restrainers and realists who seek to avoid foreign conflicts, taking a more neo-isolationist, America First view. For now, it appears the hawks are being appointed to the most senior positions, including Rubio at State, Waltz as national security adviser and, most surprisingly, former Fox News host and combat veteran Pete Hegseth as Defense secretary. But there are countervailing forces already surfacing in the new administration who will be more inclined to counsel accommodation, especially when it comes to China. Trump has declined to appoint some longtime China hawks such as Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton and his own former secretary of state, Mike Pompeo, who earlier this year said it was time to recognize Taiwans independence.Trumps new inner circle includes several business people who might take a more diplomatic approach. Among them is his would-be adviser-in-chief, Elon Musk, whose success with Tesla manufacturing in China has depended on Beijings favor and who once described himself as kind of pro-China. Another is the co-chair of Trumps campaign, Howard Lutnick, who has been nominated to serve as his Commerce secretary and who Trump said will lead his tariff and trade agenda. Lutnicks Wall Street financial services firms, Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Group, also have substantial business interests in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other former Trump officials likely to gain senior roles in the new administration, such as former senior defense official Elbridge Colby, have blamed Taipei for being a security freeloader and implied that Trump wouldnt be as quick to defend the island as Biden. As Trump himself said in a July interview with Bloomberg Businessweek: Taiwan should pay us for defense. Taiwan doesnt give us anything. These people believe we cant risk sinking the Pacific fleet for a country [Taiwan] that doesnt want to help itself, said one national security expert who is close to the Trump transition. So China policy could end up being more dovish than people think. The incoming president is already sending out peace feelers to foreign adversaries, even as he embarks on what can only be described as a hostile takeover of the federal government and a domestic war against the deep state. As Trump said at a Colorado rally in October, the enemy from within is a bigger enemy than China and Russia. Im not going to start wars, Im going to stop wars, Trump declared in his victory speech the night of Nov. 5. In meetings with foreign delegations at Mar-a-Lago, Trump has said hes looking to end all of these conflicts, even when it comes to Iran, although Tehran plotted to assassinate him, according to a diplomatic official briefed on one of those conversations. He noted that Trump himself started up a back-channel mediation with Iran after he ordered the Jan. 3, 2020, assassination of Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani. Musk met secretly with Irans U.N. ambassador after the election to defuse tensions, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gwenda Blair, author of the 2000 book The Trumps: Three Generations of Builders And A President, said for Trump the drive to leave a legacy as the great peacemaker is fundamental. He would indeed like to be the dealmaker of the ages, using that same transactional DNA that propelled his grandfather during the Gold Rush, his father [building a housing empire] in the New Deal, and his own career in real estate, casinos and reality TV, said Blair. She warned, however, that everyone else at the table is as self-interested as he is and far less vulnerable to lies, exaggerations, and distortions. In a global landscape of shrinking American hegemony, he may run aground on demanding a bigger slice for himself than they are willing to give. Trump might heed his own advice on this score. As he wrote in his 1987 book The Art of the Deal: "The worst thing you can possibly do in a deal is seem desperate to make it. That makes the other guy smell blood, and then you're dead. The best thing you can do is deal from strength, and leverage is the biggest strength you can have. The very real question is whether Trump, in his pronounced eagerness to make deals, will have the leverage he thinks he needs. Without it, he may well find himself engaged in a series of one-sided negotiations in his second presidency in which he walks away, once again, empty-handed. WASHINGTON When Matt Gaetz abruptly withdrew as President-elect Donald Trumps candidate for attorney general on Thursday, many career attorneys in the Justice Department breathed a sigh of relief. Hours later, though, Trump nominated former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, a longtime loyalist who backed the former presidents lies about the 2020 election and said horrible people in the department were trying to make names for themselves by going after Donald Trump and weaponizing our legal system. Justice Department attorneys now hope that Trumps pick for the critical No. 2 position at the department Todd Blanche, the president-elects defense lawyer can help protect the departments career civil servants from Trumps wrath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If confirmed as deputy attorney general by the Senate, which is widely expected, Blanche will no longer serve as Trumps defense lawyer. He will then, like all DOJ officials, take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States and be required to adhere to the departments conflict of interest rules. People close to Blanche say his past work as a career federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York gives him an understanding of the departments tradition of barring presidents and politicians from influencing individual criminal investigations. Many current DOJ officials hope that Blanche, who will oversee day-to-day operations in the department, can help prevent a worst-case scenario: Trump wielding federal law enforcement as a cudgel against his political enemies. Hes more the kind of guy I would have expected. Intelligent, former federal prosecutor, experience working as an attorney, no statutory rape, said a source inside the Justice Department, referring to the allegation that Gaetz paid a 17-year-old for sex, which the former congressman has denied. You know, small things like that. Donald Trump appears in court with attorneys Emil Bove, left, and Todd Blanche, right, for his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 21. Close relationship with Trump Blanche served as Trumps lead criminal defense lawyer in the Stormy Daniels hush money case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump was ultimately convicted of 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and became the first former president to be convicted of a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blanche, who until recently was a registered Democrat, left the law firm of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft in early 2023 to represent Trump in the case. Trump's sentencing has been repeatedly delayed and may never happen now that hes the president-elect. Karoline Leavitt, a spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team, praised Blanche and said that Trump was re-elected by the American people to change the status quo in Washington. Thats why he has chosen brilliant and highly-respected leaders, like well-respected attorney and prosecutor Todd Blanche to serve in his Administration, she said in a statement. She did not respond to questions from NBC News about whether the administration would maintain the long-standing policy of limiting White House contacts with DOJ officials and whether Blanche would follow the ethics recommendations of career DOJ officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some current and former DOJ officials say Blanches close relationship and record of legal work with Trump has raised concerns. They are concerned that Blanche wont stand up to Trump, who throughout his first term repeatedly flouted post-Watergate restrictions on contacts between the Justice Department and the White House that are in place to stop presidents from using federal law enforcement to target their political enemies. Hes the presidents personal criminal defense attorney. Thats what his job will be, said one law enforcement official. Hes there to protect the president, not the American people. Other Justice Department employees were cautiously optimistic that Blanche whom one referred to as the closest thing to Team Normal that well see would at least prevent some of the scenarios theyve been conjuring since Trump won the 2024 presidential race and nominated Gaetz. One Justice Department official said people are feeling better about Blanche because hes a legitimate lawyer and a former Justice Department official, but that reflects the low expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mimi Rocah, the district attorney for Westchester County, New York, said on MSNBC last week that shed worked with Blanche as a federal prosecutor in New York and that Blanche knows what the Justice Department is supposed to be and how it is meant to function. He believes in the vision of the Department of Justice to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons, Rocah said. And I do hope and believe that he knows that, and that he will continue that once he rises to the occasion in that role. A former colleague described Blanche as a smart and thorough attorney well-versed in the intricacies of the Justice Department, and the independent role it is meant to play. That person anticipated that Blanche would be a moderate relative to Gaetz, and despite his rapport with Trump would be unlikely to carry out an illegal order. Michael Bromwich, who previously served as the Justice Departments inspector general, said Blanche would be taking on one of the hardest jobs in government with enormous management challenges, and that his position as the presidents criminal defense attorney would complicate matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Needless to say, weve never faced this circumstance before, Bromwich said. I think its ethically problematic for Blanche. I think one of the reasons Trump selected him is that hes comfortable with Blanche, he communicates with him, and that they have a relationship in which Blanche does what Trump wants him to do. I think its going to be an extraordinarily challenging job for Blanche, Bromwich added. I think the ethos and the culture that he was brought up in in the U.S. attorneys office is the antithesis of how Trump uses the criminal justice system, which is that it should do what he wants, rewards his friends and punishes his enemies. Rod Rosenstein during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in 2020. How Trumps first deputy attorney general fared When Trump first took office in 2017, he didnt know his deputy attorney general well, and their relationship immediately became vital and volatile. Rod Rosenstein, a career federal prosecutor with a reputation for being nonpartisan, chose FBI Director Robert Mueller to serve as a special counsel after Trump fired FBI Director James Comey and Attorney General Jeff Sessions recused himself from the bureaus probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision infuriated Trump, who berated Sessions and Rosenstein for it. For the next two years, though, Rosenstein defended Mueller and protected his team as it completed its investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Mueller found that Trump and his team welcomed help from Moscow during the 2016 election but did not find enough evidence to prosecute them for coordinating with Russia. Mueller reached no conclusion about whether Trump had obstructed justice. Rosenstein resigned from the DOJ in 2019. Rosenstein told NBC News this week that Blanche would face challenges. He said Trump was very hands on and called him directly during his time in the DOJs No. 2 position. President Trump often called the deputy attorney general, that is me, when he wanted something done, and sometimes we were able to do it, and sometimes we werent, Rosenstein recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres nothing wrong with that kind of relationship. I think the president obviously seems to want to put into senior jobs people who have been unfailingly loyal to him, Rosenstein added. Its legal to do that. The risk is, if you prioritize loyalty over competence, you might not get accomplished what you wanted to accomplish. But Rosenstein said the deputy attorney general has a duty to prevent the president or White House officials from trying to improperly influence criminal investigations. He said the departments No. 2 official must make sure things are implemented in a nonpartisan way in all criminal investigations. He added: Sometimes that requires saying no if the president or somebody in the White House wants to pursue a particular case that the department concludes is not appropriate to pursue. Its not hypothetical, right? Its real under Trump, Rosenstein said. The Supreme Courts conservative majority in July gave the president absolute immunity when it comes to his interactions with the attorney general, including ordering criminal investigations of specific individuals. But that immunity does not extend to the attorney general, deputy attorney general or other DOJ prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the president to call for the prosecution of particular individuals is unusual, but its not illegal, Rosenstein said. However, it would be illegal for department officials to implement that kind of a request, and so you need to make sure to serve your appropriate role as an official of the Justice Department. Rosenstein added, There are some things that the president may want that you cant do. You just have to tell him no. Rosenstein said the deputy attorney general also needs to have the management experience and temperament to get things done. It requires you to know how to manage the institution, not from a partisan perspective, right? You dont come in and say, Hey, we need to fire all the Democrats and hire all Republicans. Rosenstein said. You need people who actually know how to litigate, know how to put together and try cases. You cant send a politician into court to try to win a case. You need a lawyer. And so they need to make sure they have people who know how to get that job done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blanche must also be able to withstand intense public scrutiny. Rosenstein said the media environment is far different than it was when he joined the DOJ in 1990, when career officials or even a deputy attorney general had very little chance of getting any national attention. Blanche could also be targeted on social media by the president himself if he stands up to him behind the scenes, as Trump has done to his own Justice Department appointees before. Bromwich, the former DOJ inspector general, predicted that Blanche, given Trumps track record during his first term, is on a mission impossible. I think it will be enormously difficult for Blanche to balance the orders he gets from the president with what he knows is the right thing to do, Bromwich said. If I were he, I would have stayed as far away from the Justice Department as I could. I dont think it will end well for him. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Florida congressman Mike Waltz, who is set to become national security advisor to newly elected US President Donald Trump, described Russias war against Ukraine as a "meat grinder" and compared it to the trench warfare of World War I. Source: Waltz on Fox News Sunday, as reported by European Pravda Details: When asked to comment on the Biden administration's decision to allow Ukraine to use anti-personnel landmines, Waltz referred to them as "smart mines" but emphasised that the decision must be part of a broader strategy to end the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its just an absolute meat grinder of people and personnel on this front. Its more akin to World War I trench warfare," Waltz said. He noted that Trump is concerned about the conflict. Quote: "President Trump is incredibly concerned about the carnage thats taking place there (and) about how do we restore deterrence and bring peace." Waltz added that Europeans must play a central role in this process. When asked why Trump does not frequently discuss the situation in Ukraine publicly, Waltz replied that the new president is "worried about escalation and where this is heading". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to bring this to a responsible end We need to restore deterrence, restore peace, and get ahead of this escalation ladder rather than responding to it," Waltz said. Background: Waltz also stated that the Biden administration's approval for ATACMS strikes on Russian territory contributes to escalation. Support UP or become our patron! Mike Waltz, Donald Trump's future National Security Advisor, stated that the president-elects transition team is working closely with President Joe Biden's administration on critical national security matters. Source: Mike Waltz, during an interview with Fox News Sunday, as reported by European Pravda Details: Commenting on the Biden administration's decision to allow the use of ATACMS missiles deep into Russia, Waltz said he had spoken and met with Jake Sullivan, Bidens National Security Advisor, to ensure that the current White House and Trumps transition team are aligned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "For our adversaries, who think this is a time of opportunity to play one administration off the other, theyre wrong. We are hand in glove. We are one team with the United States during this transition period." Waltz compared the Russo-Ukrainian war to the trench warfare of World War I and insisted that the conflict must be brought to an end. He also stated that the Biden administration's approval for ATACMS strikes on Russian territory contributes to escalation. Support UP or become our patron! U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Nov. 24 that escalation between Russia and Ukraine must come to a "responsible end." Waltz, like Trump, has expressed skepticism about ongoing U.S. military aid to Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale war. As national security adviser, he will play a key role in Trump's stated plan to bring about a negotiated end to the war. "The President-elect has been very concerned about the escalation and where it's all going. ... We need to bring this to a responsible end," Waltz said in an interview with Fox News on Nov. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to restore deterrence, restore peace, and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it." Waltz's comments come as outgoing President Joe Biden looks for ways to shore up support for Ukraine ahead of Trump's inauguration. In recent days, the Biden administration has made a series of decisions aimed at giving Kyiv leverage in future negotiations. These steps including approving the delivery of anti-personnel mines and granting permission for Ukraine to launch U.S.-made long-range ATACMS at targets within Russia. Waltz criticized Biden's decision to send anti-personnel mines, comparing it to "World War I trench warfare." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this criticism, Waltz said he and his transition team were collaborating with the current administration and that he had met with current U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. "Jake Sullivan and I have had discussions, we've met," Waltz said. "For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other they are wrong." Read also: What do Trumps first team picks mean for Ukraine? Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Nov. 23MASSENA The tugboat Robinson Bay has a new home. The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) held a ceremony Friday at the GLS Maintenance Base to mark the official donation and transfer of the tugboat to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, where it will be used as a training vessel. The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located at Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City, Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those on hand for the ceremony were GLS Administrator Adam M. Tindall-Schlicht, Great Lakes Maritime Academy Superintendent Jerry P. Achenbach, U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Jon P. Hickey, Director of Lock Operations and Marine Services Paul Braden, Chief of Marine Services Nate Jarvis, retired Tugmaster Danny Brabon, Marine Division retiree Kevin Regan, and American Federation of Government Employees Local 1968 President Frederick Carter Jr. "Thank you again for being with us as we commemorate the transfer of the Robinson Bay, a vessel that has nobly served the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation for over 60 years," Tindall-Schlicht said. "We extend her into the capable hands of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, and the transition of this vessel marks an exciting new chapter in this tugboat's both long and storied career." He said the Robinson Bay, which was built in 1958, "has been a symbol of resilience, of reliability, and of steadfast service on the St. Lawrence River." "For us, the Robinson Bay is not just a tugboat. She's a legacy of safety. She's a legacy of operational excellence. And she's a legacy of teamwork, which is the heart of the GLS. The women and men who have worked on this vessel have long taken great pride in her service, and we honor that legacy today. In transferring the Robinson Bay to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, we pass on not just a vessel, but we pass on an important piece of Seaway history. I have no doubt that the Great Lakes Maritime Academy will carry forward the Robinson Bay legacy with great honor," Tindall-Schlicht said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hickey said the transfer of the "Robbie Bay" from GLS to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy was "a special moment in maritime history because the Robbie Bay has had such a storied history." He said the transfer was "critically important" because it would help the Great Lakes Maritime Academy execute its mission. "I can tell you that having a qualified, a trained, a licensed, a documented maritime workforce is so critically important to our maritime industry, our maritime execution of our maritime duties," Hickey said. "Developing that workforce is a key part of our strategy to bolster our maritime capabilities in our nation, and this is a significant step forward in that endeavor. So, this is a monumental achievement." Carter said Friday's ceremony "marks the end of the incredible chapter in service of the Robinson Bay." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Each year, a 14-member crew boards Robbie Bay in March to tame the river once again before the shipping season opens. I was lucky to have had the opportunity to experience both the fall and spring run. As we departed the locks, it gave me a great, great pride to see the crews come out to wish us a safe trip," he said. Carter said crews could be faced with freezing temperatures, high winds and snow, making the ice breaking and placement of buoys one of the most dangerous jobs at GLS. But, with the Robinson Bay handling the job, "there has been no need for another vessel or tug to break ice in the channel between Eisenhower and Snell locks." "Upon our arrival home, there was a sense of accomplishment from all employees... and the crew returned safely home to their families," he said. Those who worked on the Robinson By became family, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Robbie Bay is as much a part of the GLS family as any employee here," Carter said. "I'm excited for what the future holds. It is bittersweet to say goodbye to a vessel that has taken such good care of my brothers and sisters." Braden said the Robinson Bay was a workhorse. "I would draw the comparison of Robbie Bay to a particular watch and battery brand. The two that come to mind are a Timex watch and the Energizer" with their slogans of "Timex takes a licking and keeps on ticking" and "Energizer keeps going and going." "These brand slogans really depict the Robinson Bay being durable and able to withstand just about anything in all the years of its operation," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Achenbach said Friday's ceremony was "a milestone event in the 55-year history of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy." "We're incredibly grateful that (Tindall-Schlicht) has made the decision to hand over the Robinson Bay to the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, where it will have a second career assisting us in development of the next generation of merchant marine officers," he said. Achenbach commended Jarvis for his efforts in maintaining the Robinson Bay over the years. "It's one thing to build a vessel. It's another to maintain it for 60 years to a point where a college is fighting to receive it," he said. "I can say, without hesitation, I cannot recall an engine room as clean, as organized, as labeled. Everything on there is labeled as I saw in the Robinson Bay yesterday. Thank you for trusting us with this incredible asset. I can promise you its heritage will be preserved and it will continue to make a lasting contribution to the industry." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement GLS officials had announced in September that they were looking to give the Robinson Bay a new lease on life by donating the historic tugboat to interested parties who had a vision for its future use. They said it was part of the transition of the GLS vessel fleet for future operations, which include the use of the recently delivered tugboats Seaway Trident and Seaway Guardian. The Robinson Bay started its service in Massena in July 1958. But GLS officials had announced in October 2015 that after nearly six decades of service, it was time to replace the tug that had helped break ice in the system since the opening of Eisenhower and Snell locks and had been responsible for placing buoys and navigation aids in the St. Lawrence River and removing them at the beginning and end of every shipping season since 1959. GLS officials sought proposals from interested parties "who have a vision for the tugboat's future, whether that be in an operational capacity, as a training vessel, or as part of a museum or historic exhibit." "The academy's proposal stood out for its commitment to using the Robinson Bay to educate and train the next generation of mariners while preserving its historical significance and strong ties to the Great Lakes," GLS officials said. In the summer of 2015, three Syrian girls who had narrowly survived an airstrike some weeks earlier stood before Tulsi Gabbard with horrific burns all over their bodies. Gabbard, then a US congresswoman on a visit to the Syria-Turkey border as part of her duties for the foreign affairs committee, had a question for them. How do you know it was Bashar al-Assad or Russia that bombed you, and not Isis? she asked, according to Mouaz Moustafa, a Syrian activist who was translating her conversation with the girls. Tulsi Gabbard has been accused of being a Russian asset (Getty) It was a revealing insight into Gabbards conspiratorial views of the conflict, and it shocked Moustafa to silence. He knew, as even the young children did, that Isis did not have jets to launch airstrikes. It was such an absurd question that he chose not to translate it because he didnt want to upset the girls, the eldest of whom was 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From that point on, Im sorry to say I was inaccurate in my translations of anything she said, Moustafa told The Independent. It was more like: How do I get these girls away from this devil? Even before Gabbard left the Democratic Party, ingratiated herself with Donald Trump and secured his nomination to become director of National Intelligence, she was known as a prolific peddler of Russian propaganda. In almost every foreign conflict in which Russia had a hand, Gabbard backed Moscow and railed against the US. Her past promotion of Kremlin propaganda has provoked significant opposition on both sides of the aisle to her nomination. Her journey from anti-war Democrat to Moscow-friendly Maga warrior began in Syria. The devastating conflict was sparked by pro-democracy uprisings in 2011, which were brutally crushed by the Assad regime. It descended into a complex web of factions that drew extremist Islamists from around the world and global powers into the fray. Gabbard on a congressional fact-finding mission to southern Turkey in June 2015 (Mouaz Moustafa/The Independent) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group with a network of sources on the ground, documented the deaths of 503,064 people by March 2023 . It said at least 162,390 civilians had died in that same time, with the Syrian government and its allies responsible for 139,609 of those deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Gabbard, a veteran of the Iraq War, viewed it all as a regime-change war fueled by the West and aimed at removing the dictator from power. She saw Assad and Russia, when it entered the conflict as legitimate defenders of the state against an extremist uprising. In 2015, when Russia entered the Syrian war on the side of the dictator Assad, Gabbard expressed support for the move, even as the civilian toll from Moscows devastating airstrikes grew into the thousands . Al-Qaeda attacked us on 9/11 and must be defeated. Obama wont bomb them in Syria. Putin did. #neverforget911, she wrote on Twitter. It was precisely because of her support for Assad and Russias war that Moustafa was keen for her to attend the congressional delegation to southern Turkey to meet the victims of the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From experience, everyone that we bring over to the border, and they see the victims, they always come back with a realistic view of whats happening and who is behind the mass displacement and killing and atrocities and so on, and so that was the objective, he said. What was shocking was her lack of empathy. Shell sacrifice the facts, even when it came to little girls in front of her telling her they got bombed by a plane it didnt matter. Gabbard at a campaign rally for Donald Trump during the 2024 election campaign (Reuters) Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute who testified twice on Syria to the House Foreign Affairs Committee when Gabbard was a member, spent years debunking her various conspiracy theories about the war. Her consistent denial of the Syrian regimes crimes is so wildly fringe that her potential appointment as DNI is genuinely alarming, he told The Independent. Lister said her views appear to be driven by a strange fusion of America First isolationism and a belief in the value of autocratic and secular leaders in confronting extremism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They included a suggestion that Syrian rebels staged a false-flag chemical weapons attack against their supporters to provoke Western intervention against Assad something the US intelligence agencies she will soon lead had concluded was false. She declined to call Assad a war criminal when pressed , despite masses of evidence, and used a video of Syrian government bombings to criticize US involvement in the war. Her descriptions of the crisis in Syria read like they were composed in Assads personal office, or in Tehran or Moscow not Washington, Lister added. Gabbard was not swayed by meeting the victims of Assads airstrikes in 2015. In fact, two years later, she went to Damascus to meet the Syrian president in person and came away even more convinced of her opinions. The congresswoman said her visit to meet Assad the first by a sitting US lawmaker since the conflict began was aimed at bringing an end to the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt its important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then weve got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we could achieve peace, she told CNN at the time. Fire rises following a Syrian government airstrike in Aleppo in 2016 (AP) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard was forced to defend her embrace of Assad and other dictators during her 2020 run for the Democratic presidential nomination. During the Democratic primary debate, she clashed with Kamala Harris, who accused her of being an apologist for an individual Assad who has murdered the people of his country like cockroaches. She has embraced and been an apologist for him in a way that she refuses to call him a war criminal. I can only take what she says and her opinion so seriously and so Im prepared to move on, added Harris, who would subsequently drop out of the race and later be selected as Joe Bidens running mate. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard again defended Russian aggression. This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/Nato had simply acknowledged Russias legitimate security concerns, she posted on Twitter in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard appeared to fall for various conspiracy theories about the conflict that were promoted by Russia, as she had done in Syria. One of those conspiracy theories was a Russian claim about the existence of dozens of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine that were supposedly producing deadly pathogens. She later walked back on those remarks, suggesting that there might have been some miscommunication and misunderstanding. Gabbards frequent echoing of Kremlin talking points has earned her praise in Russian state media. Indeed, an article published on 15 November in the Russian-state controlled outlet RIA Novosti went so far as to call Gabbard a superwoman. The possibility that Trump would tap someone with Gabbards history to be Americas top intelligence official shouldnt be a surprise to anyone who followed the president-elects first four years in the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his 2018 summit with President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, the then-president was asked if he believed the US intelligence communitys assessment, which stated that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election on his behalf. That assessment was based on analysis of what was determined to have been state-sponsored campaigns of fake social media posts and ersatz news sites to spread false stories about his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, as well as cyberattacks targeting the Democratic National Committee and prominent operatives associated with the Clinton campaign. But Trump, whod just spent several hours in a closed-door meeting with Putin, stunned the assembled press and the entire world by declaring that he trusted the Russian leaders word over that of his own advisers. Gabbard has repeatedly defended Vladimir Putin and has been accused of using Kremlin talking points (Getty) "President Putin says its not Russia. I dont see any reason why it would be," he replied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump would go on to repeatedly clash with his own intelligence appointees during the remainder of his term. He sacked his first DNI, former Indiana senator Dan Coats, after Coats repeatedly declined to back away from the governments assessment of what Russia had done during the 2016 presidential race. Larry Pfeiffer, the director of George Mason Universitys Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security, said Gabbards apparent susceptibility to foreign disinformation and her affinity for strongmen will give pause to American allies with whom the US routinely shares intelligence on common threats. Intelligence services, he explained, are notoriously territorial and tight-lipped on sources and methods particularly when it comes to so-called human intelligence, or Humint, which refers to information collected by and from spies and sources within hostile governments. Pfeiffer said foreign allies are likely already concerned about how a second Trump administration will handle intelligence, given the president-elects record. He also predicted that Gabbards confirmation as DNI would cause even more problems among skittish partners. I think they wouldnt feel like theyve got an American confidant that they can deal with on a mature level, he said. I can guarantee you that the foreign intelligence services of Europe, including the Brits, are all having little side conversations right now about what is this going to mean, and how are we going to operate, and what are we going to do now. Gabbard has taken the side of Syrias Bashar al-Assad as well as the Russian president (AP) The former US intelligence veteran also said Gabbards record of spreading foreign talking points calls into question whether she will be able to carry out the DNIs important responsibility of briefing the president on threats to the nation. He told The Independent: Somebody like Tulsi Gabbard, you look at her long history of statements that seem to come out of the Kremlins notebook, her propensity to be influenced by their viewpoint [it] raises questions as to whether she has the ability to present the intel communitys perspective as it is, or is she going to be one whos going to want to discount it, influence it, color and change it, or ignore it and just present her own view? I think it also raises questions of judgement. You know, heres an individual who seems very prone to misinformation, prone to conspiracy theory. That should worry anybody whos worried about Americas national security, he added. Trumps selection of the former Hawaii congresswoman could be a problem for the senators tasked with confirming her, on several different levels. For one, the position is unique among cabinet agencies in that there are strict requirements for who can serve in the directors role. The text of the 2004 law which established the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington and the intelligence communitys failures leading up to the US invasion of Iraq, specifically states that any person who serves in the DNI job shall have extensive national security expertise. Formerly a Democrat, Gabbard is now described as a Russian puppet The first person to serve as DNI, John Negroponte, was a widely respected foreign service veteran who had served as US ambassador to Iraq, Mexico, Honduras and the Philippines, as the countrys ambassador to the United Nations, and as a deputy national security adviser during the Reagan administration. The next three people to hold the office were flag-rank military officers with significant intelligence experience. Pfeiffer, a US intelligence veteran of three decades standing who once ran the White House Situation Room and served as chief of staff to then-CIA director General Michael Hayden, told The Independent that Gabbards experience in the House and her military service, while admirable, do not match the standards envisioned by the authors of the 2004 law which established the office. Thats national security experience but she was a freaking military cop operating at a largely tactical level, not that strategic, long-term national security perspective that one would expect, he said. Gabbard may have left the Syrian conflict behind, but Moustafa still works with its victims every day. And he believes the connection between her views on Syria and Ukraine is clear. What happened in Syria is what allowed the Russians to feel that they could do the very same in Ukraine, he said. And what she is doing with Ukraine shows that it goes beyond her maybe misunderstanding one conflict. She is, hook, line and sinker, a Russian puppet. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Ankara on Monday and will discuss the war waged by Russia against Ukraine, among other topics. Source: Reuters, citing an unnamed Turkish official, as reported by European Pravda Details: Turkiye, which has condemned Russia's invasion, affirms its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and provides military assistance to Kyiv. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the country also opposes Western sanctions against Russia, with which it has crucial defence, energy and tourism ties. The Reuters source noted that during Monday's talks, Erdogan and Rutte will also discuss removing obstacles to defence procurement between NATO allies and the military alliance's joint fight against terrorism. Background: Media reports recently suggested that Erdogan's "peace plan" for Ukraine envisages a freeze on hostilities at the parties' current positions and postponing the discussion of Kyiv's accession to NATO for at least 10 years as a concession to Putin. In addition, the Turkish president has previously made it clear that he does not support the US decision to allow Ukraine to use US-supplied ATACMS missiles in Russia. Support UP or become our patron! Two people were killed and one was injured after a Civil Air Patrol plane crashed near Storm Mountain in Colorado. Authorities responded to a report of a plane crash roughly 80 miles north of Denver shortly after 11 a.m. on Saturday, the Larimer County Sheriffs Office said. Emergency crews and deputies found three passengers on board. Two were confirmed dead while the third was transported to a local hospital with severe injuries, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane belonged to the Thompson Valley Composite Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, a civilian auxiliary of the US Air Force. The plane, which the National Transportation Safety Board identified as a Cessna 182, was conducting a routine aerial photography training mission when the incident occurred, Colorado Civil Air Patrol confirmed. Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten lost their lives in the crash while co-pilot Randall Settergren suffered injuries, the states Governor Jared Polis announced Saturday. Aerial photos show the wreckage from the crash (Fox31 Denver) These individuals served the Civil Air Patrol as volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all. The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten, the governor said. The sheriffs office is still working on recovery operations, which it expects will take several days due to the extreme, rugged terrain, authorities said. An investigation into the crash is also ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Major General Laura Clellan, the Adjutant General of Colorado of the states department of Military and Veterans Affairs, also issued a statement in the wake of the tragedy. The volunteers of Civil Air Patrol are a valuable part of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, and the lifesaving work they do on a daily basis directly contributes to the public safety of Coloradans throughout the state, she said. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the families of those involved in the crash. I would also like to thank all of the first responders who assisted with rescue efforts. Colorado Civil Air Patrol missions range from search-and-rescue of lost hikers or hunters, location of downed aircraft, and transport of emergency personnel or medical materials, the statement said. Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS, UCHealth LifeLine, Larimer County Parks Rangers, Loveland Police Department, the United States Forest Service, and the Colorado Air National Guard also assisted with the incident response. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Two men have been displaced following a grease fire in the kitchen of a Virginia Beach home on Saturday. At approximately 5:25 p.m., the Virginia Beach Fire Department was dispatched to a reported multi-family residential fire in the 570 block of Chancery Lane. Upon arrival, crews observed heavy smoke from the two-story townhouse. Crews quickly responded and extinguished the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was determined to be an accidental grease fire that extended up into the cabinets and ceiling. It was marked under control at around 5:35 p.m. and marked out by 5:40 p.m. One adult was treated for smoke inhalation on scene, however there were no injuries reported. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. TYLER, Texas (KETK) Darius Jubarne Davis was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Nov. 15 after he was arrested in connection to a Tyler shooting that injured a 3-year-old in March. East Texan receives 20-year sentence for deadly 2023 drunk driving crash Darius Jubarne Davis, 31 of Tyler, pleaded guilty to unlawful possesion of a firearm by a felon and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance between four and 200 grams, according to Smith County judicial records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, Davis was also charged and indicted for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon but that charge was dropped. Judicial records show that he was sentenced to 45 years in state prison for the firearm charge and 20 years for the controlled substance charge. Davis was arrested in March after a 3-year-old was hit in the buttocks by a bullet and had to be taken to a local hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The 45-year sentence and the 20-year sentence both started on Nov. 15. Davis was given a 248-day jail credit, according to Smith County Jail records. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. In the lonely country hugging the northeastern border of Glacier National Park, needling winds shot east out of the parks mountain peaks, blasting construction crews. Workers along the waterway that connects the St. Mary and Milk rivers operated cranes and scissor lifts, guiding pieces of a new bridge into place, while welders worked in tents blocking them from the wind and cold. Despite the months of effort put into repairing two siphons outside the small community of Babb the failure of which has jeopardized the water supply for thousands of people across northern Montana manpower and machinery is expected to continue to be committed into the new year. The failure of the siphons compounded water dilemmas for Montana's Hi-Line residents who were already working to bolster their water infrastructure. The incident also prompted a spike in state and federal funding commitments. Until repairs are completed, those whose livelihoods depend on the Milk River will have to rely on Mother Nature to ensure their water supply holds up. As of late November, officials managing the catastrophic failure of the St. Mary siphons hope to complete repairs by August 2025. (Workers) are pushing as hard as they can through the winter to try and increase that timeframe, said Steve Darlington with the Bureau of Reclamation (BOR) and one of two project managers overseeing the installation of new siphons. But that comes with its own challenges. 'First time I've seen a failure' In mid-June of this year, just as work was underway to renovate and repair the St. Mary Dam, the siphons that feed water from the St. Mary River to the Milk River burst open. Water erupted from the pipes, carving away the surrounding earth, flooding portions of nearby Babb and sending chunks of debris downriver. The BOR, which manages the site, was forced to shut down the waterflow. The St. Mary River flows from Glacier National Park and into a dam near Babb on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. From the dam, a 29-mile-long canal system diverts the water into the Milk River using the siphons, which function like giant drinking straws. For over a century that water system, known collectively as the Milk River Project, has then made a 730-mile trek across the Hi-Line, sustaining residents along the way. Along the route, the Milk River runs through a series of drops and through two reservoirs. Junes failure at the siphons was the second time in four years water to Milk River stakeholders has been interrupted. In 2020, a "drop," a structure meant to keep water flowing at a slope, collapsed and halted movement of the St. Mary River into the Milk River. With that failure, Milk River water users were completely reliant on what water was available from the Fresno and Nelson reservoirs. With thousands of irrigated farm acres, including two Indian reservations and the major towns that make up the Hi-Line in jeopardy of losing their water supply, the failure spurred an immediate mobilization of state, federal and tribal engineers. The most recent disruption of the water flow for the Milk River, however concerning for its stakeholders, was not a surprise. The Milk River Project was designed to supply 850 cubic feet per second of water to the Hi-Line throughout the irrigation season, running from April through October. That was 100 years ago, and since then that water flow diminished to 600 cfs, according to a study from the private engineering firm HDR. That same report, published in 2023, described the siphons as being in very poor condition and the most vulnerable piece of the canal system. Weathering the weather By mid-November, crews had already weathered their first flurries of snow, but conditions will only worsen. Throughout February the area around Babb sees highs in the 30s, and lows consistently drop into the single digits. We started with the demolition, said Tony Speed, a BOR civil engineer assigned to the repair effort at the siphons. "Ive been working with BOR for nearly five years now," he said, "and working on safety and dam projects. This is the first time Ive seen a failure. Its not very likely. We take a lot of care in assessing the health of our infrastructure." Excavators carved out the warped plumbing, along with its concrete support, said Speed, speaking just feet away from the valley where the 30-foot-long pieces of steel pipe were being welded into place. The design of the siphons, which is being handled by HDR, will have the new 6-foot-diameter pipes running underground. The demolition was the first step in a massive effort that involved collaboration between the BOR, state regulatory agencies and the Blackfeet Tribe. Crews were at the site within days of the failure, followed by funding secured for its repair. "The alignment between groups, to understand the impact of this on communities, and then to act accordingly, you just dont see that very often," Speed said. 'Bracing ourselves' Jennifer Patrick, head of the Milk River Joint Board of Control and one of the project managers for the siphons repair, similarly lauded the swift response to the emergency. She said the scope of the most recent failure dwarfed that of 2020. It took 22 weeks and came at a cost of $8 million, but crews quickly made long-term repairs to the drops that failed. The cost of repairing the siphons, Patrick said, has been estimated at around $70 million. "Right now, were bracing ourselves for no water in the 2025 season," she said. Precipitation, including snowfall throughout the winter and rains going into the spring and early summer, will be crucial to keeping enough water in the reservoirs to meet demand. Moisture will also have to be above average to meet that demand, Darlington said. That leaves many Milk River stakeholders with questions, Patrick said, as there is no way of predicting how much rain and snow will come. Even with the runoff, some of it will just soak into the ground. The reservoirs held up this year, she said, and certain areas got lucky with rainfall. An entire season of no water from the Milk River, Patrick said, could cost millions in terms of revenue lost for irrigators. Current water storage projections published by the BOR has the irrigation season starting in mid-May, with the waterflow peaking at 800 cfs. Downriver South of Babb and Browning U.S. Highway 2 meets up with the Milk River just west of Havre, following it all the way to Glasgow near the eastern border of the state. Within that swath of land, known as the Milk River Basin, some 140,000 acres of mostly dryland farming depend on the Milk River for irrigation. That includes crops of wheat and soy, along with cattle ranching. In some areas, the river acts as a natural fence to contain livestock. The biggest town on the Hi-Line, Havre, is a municipality of roughly 10,000 people who get their water from the Milk River. Prior to the St. Mary failure, Havre residents had spent the previous few months receiving updates from their county health department regarding contamination of their drinking water. High turbidity of the water when it made its way into Havres water treatment plant, combined with several confirmed cases of giardiasis, spurred the Montana Department of Environmental Quality and county health officials to put the citys residents on a boil order. Just weeks after the boil advisory was lifted, the siphons upriver failed. Like many, Havre Public Works director Trevor Mork got the news of the failure through social media just hours after water started exploding out of the pipes. Since then, hes been sitting in on meetings hosted every two weeks by the BOR to receive updates on repairs. Despite the failure, Havres municipal water supply was not threatened through the summer. Its difficult to determine just how much of an impact the siphon failure has had on the citys water supply, Mork said, as Hill County was in the midst of a drought in the weeks after the rupture. As such, Havres public works published notices asking residents to forgo nonessential water use. The communities along the Milk River have noticed a quality change in the source water, which has added challenges to the treatment process, he said. We are not getting fresh water. We are relying completely on water in reserve. Its being held, so its stagnant. One project city officials have been pursuing since Mork became the public works director is tapping into well water to augment the municipal water supply. An optimistic estimate would be an additional 3 million gallons of water a day, which is currently the daily demand for Havre. That project notwithstanding, Mork stressed the need for everyone along the Hi-Line to take water conservation seriously. Every community in Montana should conserve water, he said, as we are on top of the watershed for other communities downstream. 'We're agriculture' From Havre, the Milk River flows east to Fort Belknap Agency, the seat of the Fort Belknap Indian Community. The tribal members on the 675,000-acre reservation have a relationship with the Milk River dating back centuries. Victories in federal court cemented the tribes right to the river. The landmark Winters v. United States, decided in 1908 and originating out of the Fort Belknap Reservation, set the legal standard for securing Indigenous claims to water nationwide. The Gros Ventre and Assiniboine Tribes, along with the Blackfeet Tribe, hold senior water rights to the Milk River. At the time of the siphons' failure, the Fort Belknap tribes were awaiting approval of a water compact that would be a boon to the reservations water infrastructure. As the legislation sits in the U.S. Congress, Fort Belknap irrigators get their water through a gravity-fed system managed by just two people. Those two staff members got a lot of work done during the irrigation season, said Kristal Hawley-Fox, administrator of the Fort Belknap Indian Community's Water Resources Division. Despite their efforts, she said the tribes' irrigation system is old, dilapidated and plagued by drainage issues. The reservation irrigates just over 10,000 acres, she said, with the Fort Belknap irrigation project being one of the oldest in the United States. "Thats what we have. Were agriculture. Thats our economy," Hawley-Fox said. "Were dependent on the settlement to modernize the irrigation system." That settlement and water compact waiting for approval in the House of Representatives would secure about $1.3 billion in funding for water infrastructure within the Fort Belknap Indian Community. In the fallout of the St. Mary siphon failure, $300,000 from that block of funding was dedicated to St. Mary. Hawley-Fox said the settlement would assist in getting water flowing at the St. Mary Canal, which everyone on the Hi-Line needs to bring jobs onto the reservation for decades. "We were surprised but not surprised," Hawley-Fox said regarding the siphons failing. "St. Mary's infrastructure is over 100 years old. Everybody suspected this was going to happen sooner or later, and sure enough it happened." Like the water management officials in Havre, Hawley-Fox said Fort Belknap engineers are exploring options to tap into well water to offset any drop in the flow from the Milk River. The goal is to get the well functioning by March, just before the irrigation season. Until that happens, Hawley-Fox said the Fort Belknap tribes, the same as the rest of the Milk River stakeholders, are at the mercy of Mother Nature. She said she is trying her best to be conservative regarding water use, but isn't confident others are. (The Milk River's) our lifeblood," she said. "Were very concerned. I just pray that we have a really good, wet winter. U.K. businessman David Crisp will not face criminal charges after he was caught on camera admitting to selling luxury perfume in Russia despite government sanctions, the BBC reported on Nov. 24. Crisp was arrested in 2023 by the U.K. agency responsible for sanctions enforcement, but the investigation was dropped earlier in 2024. There have been no criminal convictions in the U.K. for violating sanctions against Russia since the launch of the full-scale invasion, according to the BBC. A private investigator filmed Crisp confessing that he knowingly ignored trade sanctions in order to sell high-end perfume in Russia. The video, previously only shown in court, was obtained by the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigator, posing as a Las Vegas businessman, asked Crisp about his dealings in Russia during a conversation in Dallas in July 2023. "Don't tell anyone," Crisp said. "We're doing really well. ... We ignore government edicts. They said we shouldn't, weren't allowed to trade there." Crisp told the agent that sales in Russia in 2023 were the same as in previous years, but that getting products to Russia including bottles of perfume worth over $1,200 was becoming increasingly challenging. The U.K. imposed sanctions against Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The restricitions specifically include bans on luxury perfume products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crisp's former business partner, David Garofalo, hired the undercover investigator after he became suspicious that Crisp was continuing to sell to Russian customers in violation of sanctions. Garofolo described Crisp's statements in the video as "sickening." "He had actually gone out of his way to disguise the fact that hed continued selling to Russia," Garofalo told the BBC. "He had deceived our in-house lawyer and misled our auditors." After Crisp's arrest, Garofolo took over full control of the company and halted all sales to Russia. Despite the evidence against Crisp, which also included company paperwork and international shipping data, the investigation against him was dropped in July 2024. The U.K.'s HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) agency said it would take no further action against Crisp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crisp is alleged to have hidden over $2.1 million in illegal sales to Russia. U.K. lawmaker Iain Duncan Smith criticized the government's track record on sanctions enforcement. "In terms of prosecution and seriously pursuing people over sanctions, the U.K. is very poor indeed," Smith said. "If we don't prosecute, who the hell is deterred from breaching sanctions?" Read also: UK targets Russian-backed mercenaries, defense industry in major sanctions package Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine shot down 50 of the 73 drones launched by Russia overnight on Nov. 24, the Air Force reported. Russia reportedly targeted Ukraine with Shahed drones and an unspecified type of drone launched from the Russian oblasts of Oryol and Bryansk. The drones were downed over Kyiv, Cherkasy, Kirovohrad, Chernihiv, Sumy, Poltava, and Zhytomyr oblasts, according to the Air Force. There have been no reports of casualties or damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 9 a.m. local time, four Russian drones remained in Ukrainian airspace, with combat operations ongoing. Kyiv authorities reported in the morning that air defense forces shot down more than a dozen drones targeting the capital. "Preliminary reports indicate no damage in the capital, and no information about casualties has been received," the Kyiv City Military Administration wrote on Telegram. Russia has increased large-scale drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, depleting Ukraine's air defense systems and targeting critical infrastructure. On Nov. 17, Russian forces launched one of the heaviest aerial strikes of the full-scale war, primarily targeting the energy grid. Ukrainian air defenses shot down 102 of the 120 missiles and 42 of the 90 drones launched overnight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR), reported on Nov. 18 that Russian forces are using cheap decoy drones with foreign components to overload Ukraine's air defense systems. According to HUR, Russian manufacturers produce the Gerbera drone a cheaper and less deadly equivalent of Iran's Shahed at a plant in Yelabuga, in the Republic of Tatarstan, central Russia. These drones are reportedly made with components from the United States, China, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Read also: Investigation: Who helped Russians increase production of domestic attack drones despite sanctions Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Faced with waves of counterattacks from nearly 60,000 Russian troops, Ukraine has lost more than 40% of the territory it once controlled in its August invasion of Kursk, Reuters reported, citing a member of the Ukrainian General Staff. At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometers (531 square miles), now of course this territory is smaller. The enemy is increasing its counterattacks, the source told Reuters. Now we control approximately 800 square kilometers (309 square miles). We will hold this territory for as long as is militarily appropriate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has lost more than 40% of the territory it seized in Russia's Kursk region in August, a senior Ukrainian military source said. (Not much of a bargaining chip for Kyiv.) https://t.co/OOK9g8BgqD Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) November 23, 2024 Adding to Ukraines problems in Kursk is the presence of some 12,000 North Korean troops, Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate, told us. In exchange for its support, North Korea is reportedly getting air defense systems and other military equipment from Russia, according to South Koreas National Security Adviser Shin Wonsik. Energy shipments are also occurring. You can read more about that here. Still, Ukraine continues to do what it can to hold Russian forces at bay. The following video shows another strike on a pontoon bridge Russians used to cross the Seym River. It was reportedly attacked with U.S.-donated GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB). Respect to Ukrainian military. In Russia's Kursk region across the river Seym, they waited several days for Russian army to build 2 pontoon bridges across the destroyed Karyzh bridge then said Hi-de-Hi! https://t.co/lRDBEwZjc0pic.twitter.com/FuTHsLlsgl Glasnost Gone (@GlasnostGone) November 22, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we previously reported, Ukraines goal was to draw Russian troops into Kursk to alleviate pressure on forces in the countrys eastern region. However, that does not appear to have worked, with the Russians advancing across wide areas of the front lines in Ukraine. Towns like Kurakhove in the Donetsk region and Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region are especially in danger. The General Staff source said the Kurakhove region was the most threatening for Kyiv now as Russian forces were advancing there at 200-300 meters (yards) a day and had managed to break through in some areas, according to Reuters. In some places, Ukrainian troops are outnumbered six to one and are exhausted, allowing Russia to make its largest gains since the first weeks of the all-out war, The New York Times reported. "Outnumbered by more than six to one along some stretches of the front, soldiers and commanders say they are hindered by a lack of combat infantry after years of heavy fighting and, just as important, by a shortage of experienced platoon and company commanders to lead untested https://t.co/2EPZzIiD6Y pic.twitter.com/W4goCQGruk Rob Lee (@RALee85) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All told, Russia has about 575,000 troops fighting in Ukraine now, Reuters source said, and aims to increase its forces to around 690,000. Ukraine, meanwhile, is struggling with recruiting and President Volodymyr Zelensky has continued to avoid lowering the draft age to get more troops. Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to show that he will fulfill, as he said, the tasks of the so-called special military operation, occupy the entire Donbas, and he needs to push us out of the Kursk direction, Zelensky said on Saturday. He has these two tasks. This is the reason for our results: difficulties in the east. Yes, there is an insufficient number of Ukrainian Armed Forces there. Yes, Ukrainian units are understaffed there for various reasons, including the slow delivery of aid. You can see Ukrainians in Kursk coming under attack in the following video. In the Kursk region, a Russian fiber-optic FPV drone flies straight into the open troop compartment of an American Stryker armored personnel carrier full of Ukrainian soldiers. Full with soldiers pic.twitter.com/FESIf89MeE Lord Bebo (@MyLordBebo) November 20, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraines struggles come as Donald Trump is set to return to the White House in two months. As we discussed at length, Trump has promised to quickly end the war, with some in his inner circle suggesting a freeze in the front lines as they are. Thats adding pressure on Ukraine to keep as much territory as possible both at home and in Russia, the latter for a bargaining chip. To do so becomes more difficult every day. However, no concrete plan for Ukraine has yet emerged from Trump. Meanwhile, there are many in Ukraine who see positives in his election, because theyve been frustrated by what theyve seen as a slow rollout of needed equipment like tanks and F-16 fighters. There is a confluence of events between the Kursk invasion and Trumps inauguration, Zelensky posited. The most important thing for Putin is to push us out of the Kursk region, Zelensky said. And all these stories, all these demonstrative strikes with new missiles are not just for show. He has set this task. I am sure that he wants to push us out by January 20 next year, Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement #Zelensky said that #Putin wants to oust the Defense Forces of #Ukraine from the #Kursk region of #Russia before Trumps inauguration. I am sure that he wants to oust us by January 20 of next [2025] year. It is very important for him to demonstrate that he controls a situation pic.twitter.com/eGt2mdI3Dd Babel.ua: Ukraine at war (@UaBabel) November 23, 2024 More clarity should emerge in the coming weeks as the calendar ticks off to Trumps return. The Latest Elsewhere on the battlefield, Russian forces continued to advance, especially west of Svatove, south of Chasiv Yar, south of Toretsk, northeast of Vuhledar, and northeast of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast, according to the latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW). The news out of Velyka Novosilka is particularly bad for Ukraine, according to Ukrainian open-source investigator Andrew Perpetua . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news coming from the Velyka Novosilka area is very bad. There is no way to sugar coat it, the area has reached crisis and needs immediate intervention. Andrew Perpetua (@AndrewPerpetua) November 23, 2024 In the wake of Russias aforementioned unprecedented strike on the city of Dnipro using a ballistic missile with multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) capabilities, officials in Kyiv opened up the flow of information about the weapon. Today, more details have been revealed about the new missile that Russia used to strike Dnipro, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on social media Friday. These details will be shared with international journalists and media because the world must know the truth. It must understand that the only party that does not want peace is Russia. That is why Russia is constantly escalating. Today, more details have been revealed about the new missile that Russia used to strike Dnipro. These details will be shared with international journalists and media because the world must know the truth. It must understand that the only party that does not want peace is Russia. pic.twitter.com/dmuYRF6G2F Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 22, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskys statement came on a day when Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (GUR) released a new assessment of the missile, offering previously unpublished details. The missile reached a terminal velocity of Mach 11, or more than 8,400 miles per hour, and traveled 15 minutes from its launch site about 500 miles to the east, GUR claimed on social media. That lines up with Russian President Vladimir Putins claim yesterday that the weapon he called Oreshnik, was a non-nuclear missile with hypersonic technology. Hypersonic speeds are defined as anything above Mach 5. However, GUR indicated the missile was moving even faster than Putins claim that Oreshnik topped out at Mach 10, or about 7,610 mph at sea level, but that number decreases with extreme altitudes a ballistic missile flies at during different phases of its flight. The missile contained six warheads with six submunitions each, GUR explained. The submunition part is likely lost in translations and could mean the explosive warhead in each reentry vehicle as opposed to six subventions on each one. Videos emerging on social media showed what appeared to be six warheads hurtling toward the ground and multiple impacts as a result. You can see one of those videos below. Another video of the ruSSian ICBM's multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles https://t.co/maEa5qFcQi pic.twitter.com/88fEGZHy1r (@TheDeadDistrict) November 21, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov, GUR commander, said Russia only produced two of the missile variants that hit Dnipro. Head of Ukrainian Intelligence, Budanov, says Russia likely only produced two of the Kedr long range ballistic missiles which hit the city of Dnipro yesterday, both prototypes, and that it indicates that Russians "have lost their minds", throwing their last resources into pic.twitter.com/kwDLFZ8ONj KyivPost (@KyivPost) November 22, 2024 GUR also provided details about the origin of the missile, listing a half-dozen companies it claims helped develop it. The Oreshnik is based on the previous RS-26 Rubezh ballistic missile, the Pentagon said on Thursday. You can read much more about in our deep dive here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days before the attack, Telegram channels began posting information about a looming attack by the RS-26. Information appeared on the territory of the TG that, POSSIBLY, the Russians are preparing to launch the RS-26 from Kapustin (Astrakhan) in an experimental version, the Ukrainian Donbas Operational Telegram channel stated on Wednesday, a day the attack occurred. Donbas Operational even included a map in its post that showed the launch site location. A day before the new Russian ballistic missile test, the Donbas Operational Telegram channel predicted it could happen and posted a map that is close to the actual launch direction. (Donbas Operational) Shortly after that post, the Paratroopers Diary Telegram channel was one of many Russian channels to suggest that GUR put out information about the pending attack. Ukrainian intelligence has received information that today Russia plans to strike Ukraine with an experimental RS-26 Rubezh (Avangard) non-nuclear missile, Paratroopers Diary claimed. The post included an image purporting to be the weapon on its launcher. A day before Russia fired a new ballistic missile at Ukraine, the Russian Paratroopers Diary Telegram channel claimed Ukrainian intelligence had warned the attack was coming. (Paratroopers Diary) Ukrainian officials quickly pushed back on these claims. A terrorist country is conducting a massive information and psychological attack against Ukraine, GUR stated on Telegram Wednesday. A message about the threat of a particularly massive rocket-bomb attack on Ukrainian cities today is being spread through messengers and social networks, allegedly on behalf of the GUR. This message is a fake, it contains grammatical errors typical for Russian information and psychological operations. GUR urged people to trust information only from official resources and from the spokespersons of the Ministry of Education and Culture. The enemy, unable to subjugate Ukrainians by force, resorts to measures of intimidation and psychological pressure on society. Please be vigilant and persistent. As the rumors were swirling, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv temporarily closed after officials received information about a potential significant air attack on November 20, the embassy announced. Several NATO allies followed suit. A senior Ukrainian official said Russia was using the closures to stoke fear. In terms of information, now they are also trying to shake panicky moods against the background of the closing of embassies, Andriy Kovalenko, head of Ukraines Center for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defense Council, said on Telegram Wednesday. Ukraine has been well aware that Russia was planning future attacks and stockpiling munitions to hit the nations power and heating infrastructure ahead of winter, Kovalenko noted. The Russians prepared for shelling in the cold season this is their tactic, he posited. Rockets were stockpiled, aviation and fleet were being prepared. Bet on cruise missiles and ballistics, as well as drones for the depletion of air defense. These plans are not unexpected, they are known and warned about. A view of a damaged hangar aftermath of a Russian strike on Kyiv on Nov. 13, 2024. (Photo by Kyiv Regional Military Administration/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images) Anadolu A North Korean general was wounded in a Ukrainian missile strike on southwestern Russias Kursk region, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday, citing anonymous Western officials. A day earlier, Ukraine fired at least 10 U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles at the Maryino estate, a site located around 32 kilometers (20 miles) from the front lines in the Kursk region, Western and Ukrainian officials said. It was the first use of those missiles inside Russia. The Journals sources did not reveal the North Korean generals identity. However, Ukrainian and South Korean officials previously told the newspaper that Pyongyang sent Colonel General Kim Yong Bok to oversee North Koreas coordination with Russia. Several Russian officers were also killed and wounded in that attack, a Ukrainian Telegram channel claimed. As a result of the strike, 18 servicemen were killed and 33 more were injured to varying degrees of severity, the Dosye Shpiona Telegram channel claimed. Among the wounded were three DPRK servicemen ( two men with serious injuries and one female medic with minor injuries). The wounded were taken to the Rylsk Central Regional Hospital. Most of the victims were officers from the Southern and Eastern Military Districts. Another 13 Russian sappers were injured in the aftermath of the attack as they worked on unexploded ordnance. Contrary to many reports appearing online, there was no confirmation by Dosye Spiona that a Russian general was killed in the attack. It is also reported that at the time of the strike, the first deputy commander of the Leningrad Military District, Lieutenant General Solodchuk, was at the command post, Dosye Shiona added. There is no information yet about his condition. The War Zone cannot independently verify any of these claims. The incident was reportedly captured by a Ukrainian drone unit, which you can see in the following video. A spokesman for the French Foreign Ministry reiterated his nations position that there are no preclusions to the use of SCALP cruise missiles against targets in Russia. Frances view is clear. As President [Emmanuel] Macron said, theres no red line on this. Ukraine has the right to defend itself against the aggression it has suffered from the Russians since [24] February 2022, and its in a situation of self-defense, said M. Christophe Lemoine. Its a principle in keeping with public international law, its in the UN Charter. So it absolutely has the right to defend itself and must be able to do so. France fully supports Ukraines right to use SCALPs to strike Russia, he added. France has provided Ukraine with substantial military support since the start of the aggression. It has supplied various assets, including missiles, the spokesman explained. And once again, theres no red line. Its quite a clear point that President Macron reiterated recently. The French Foreign Minister said there are no red lines in supporting Ukraine, including firing French missiles at Russia "in self-defense." pic.twitter.com/Sg1xumTYNs MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) November 23, 2024 Zelensky said he plans to increase Ukraines production of long-range drones and missiles in its latest attempt to gain an edge over Russia. Kyiv plans to produce some 30,000 long-range drones next year, along with 3,000 cruise missiles and drone-missile hybrids, reported the Kyiv Independent. The announcement was made in a speech to Ukraines parliament on Tuesday just two days after President Joe Biden approved Kyivs use of U.S.-donated Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) short-range ballistic missiles to hit targets inside Russia. It came as Kyiv carried out its first strike with ATACMS on a military arsenal near the Russian town of Karachev in the Bryansk region, more than 70 miles from Ukraines border. I set the task to produce 3,000 cruise missiles, Zelensky Next year the state will produce at least 30,000 long-range drones; This year we produced more than 2.5 million shells. pic.twitter.com/VIBkE1LD8d MAKS 24 (@Maks_NAFO_FELLA) November 19, 2024 Before the Biden administrations change of heart on ATACMS, Zelensky said that permission wasnt enough. He told Fox News those missiles, along with SCALP-ER and Storm Shadows, are needed in greater numbers. NEW: Hours before Ukraine launched longe-range, U.S. supplied missiles into Russia, President Zelenskyy spoke with Fox News about ATACMS. He also responded to the Russians saying this could start World War III. pic.twitter.com/SAsVUqZ8de Trey Yingst (@TreyYingst) November 20, 2024 Long-awaited U.S.-made missile defense systems that the Canadian government helped to purchase have been delivered to Ukraine, Defense Minister Bill Blair said, according to the Canadian CBC news outlet. Blair told the House defense committee Thursday morning that Ukraine now has the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) Ottawa pledged $406 million for almost two years ago, the outlet reported. I cant give you more information on that because of operational security, but we have been able to deliver at long last and I think its going to make a difference because it will enable them to protect communities, Blair told the committee. Canada's donated NASAMS surface-to-air missile battery has been successfully delivered to Ukraine. The brand-new system, including multiple launchers, an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar, control station, and support vehicles, was ordered at the end of 2022. pic.twitter.com/midn4g2Tj9 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) November 22, 2024 Denmark donated another $138 million to help develop Ukraines arms industry, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said on Tuesday. And today Im pleased to announce a new Danish donation to Ukraine. More than 130 million euros ($138 million) directly to Ukraines defense industry because we know now what your industry is capable of. Canada's donated NASAMS surface-to-air missile battery has been successfully delivered to Ukraine. The brand-new system, including multiple launchers, an AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar, control station, and support vehicles, was ordered at the end of 2022. pic.twitter.com/midn4g2Tj9 OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) November 22, 2024 The Presidential Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine posted a nearly three-minute-long video of Russian vehicles, many kitted out with so-called cope cages, being destroyed by the brigades drone units as they convoyed through the town of Velyka Novosilka in Donetsk Oblast. The entire column was completely destroyed, the equipment was burned to the ground, the brigade claimed on Telegram. Many occupiers were eliminated. Those who managed to escape from the hit equipment were finished off with mortars, FPV-kamikaze and a machine gun on a drone. Full footage (with subs) of the defense forces repelling a mechanized assault by the Red Army near Velyka Novosilka in the Donetsk region. As seen, the enemy's equipment is heavily modified with various upgrades, resembling Frankenstein's monsters. pic.twitter.com/h7CzR9zJ0C WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) November 23, 2024 You can see a Ukrainian drone firing a machine gun in the following video. Given how much the muzzle moves as it fires, it is likely not very accurate, but as Ukrainian troops claim, lethal nonetheless. Fragment of video showing a Ukrainian drone firing on enemy positions in a treeline southeast of Velyka Novosilka using a mounted gun. pic.twitter.com/jB20qKTyUL WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) November 23, 2024 Senior Lieutenant Vladyslav Stotskyi, a 25-year-old platoon commander in the 4th Brigade of the National Guard, recounts the horrors of being encircled with seven other soldiers by Russians for 67 days near Siversk in Donetsk Oblast. In an interview with Ukrainian journalist Yuri Butusov, an emotional Stotskyi recalled firing his weapon, seeing his comrades wounded and trying to staunch the bleeding, and tossing grenades at the enemy. This interview is one of the strongest impressions for me in the war and in life, Butusov said on Telegram. Eight soldiers from the Svoboda battalion of the National Guard of Ukraine fought for 67 days in an encirclement to stop the Russian offensive on the city of Siversk. pic.twitter.com/pJEqsdoB6Y MilitaryNewsUA (@front_ukrainian) November 23, 2024 Video emerged of a Russian Gerbera drone being used to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses. #Russia Bryansk region decoy UAV "Gerbera" to overload air defense pic.twitter.com/Fft4qolvCy C4H10FO2P (@markito0171) November 21, 2024 Russian troops came upon a fellow soldier in a burning vehicle hit by a Ukrainian drone. After examining the situation, they decided there was nothing they could do and kept on moving. Russian "tourists" encountered another tourist on their path, who got "lit up" by a Ukrainian drone. They didn't try to save him; they just drove off. pic.twitter.com/yZo9f0DeuV WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) November 23, 2024 And finally, after being struck during a Ukrainian attack near Kurakhove in Donetsk Oblast, ammunition exploded in the turret of a Russian T-90 Breakthrough tank. That reportedly caused it to soar more than 600 feet into the air, shown in the video below. The Russian T-90M tank may have achieved a world record in the "turret yeet" category following an ammunition detonation. Struck by fighters from the National Guard's special unit, its turret reportedly soared an astonishing 200 meters into the air. This remarkable feat took pic.twitter.com/nQhmVfEKdZ WarTranslated (Dmitri) (@wartranslated) November 23, 2024 Thats it for now. Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com Andrii Melnyk, a former Ukrainian ambassador to Germany, believes Ukraine will get Taurus long-range missiles if the Christian Democratic Union wins early elections in Germany and CDU leader Friedrich Merz becomes chancellor. Source: Melnyk in an interview with Radio Liberty, as reported by European Pravda Details: Melnyk said that Merz, who is expected to become chancellor, has repeatedly spoken about the need to deploy Taurus missiles to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "I cannot imagine in any scenario of this coalition, even if the Social Democrats become a minor partner in it, that they will block it [the provision of missiles]," according to the diplomat. Merz's odds of replacing Social Democrat Olaf Scholz as Germany's chancellor are predicted at 99%. The remaining one percent Melnyk describes as "something unpredictable." "For this to happen, there should be some kind of a political earthquake, a super-scandal, which the Russians can easily ferment. Unfortunately, they are capable of this. Some form of scandal, which, for example, will result in image losses for the future Chancellor Merz, in order to prevent this from happening," Melnyk added. Germany is holding early elections on 23 February, but Ukraine will not be able to receive the Taurus missiles until the end of April, according to the diplomat. According to him, this is a positive circumstance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Typically, coalition negotiations last at least two months. This is typical. Perhaps a little longer. That is, the current government will continue to discharge its obligations until that time... This suggests that nothing will likely happen in the next nearly six months. What will happen in six months, given what will happen in America, and so on, I don't want to make baseless predictions today," the diplomat said. Background: The Taurus debate has resumed after the US lifted restrictions on the use of long-range weapons by Ukraine to strike Russian territory, and Germany is approaching early elections. The leader of the largest opposition party, the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Friedrich Merz, who has a good chance of becoming the next chancellor, is in favour of the Taurus transfer, while the Social Democratic Party of Germany partners are also in favour of the decision, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz insists that he will not do so. Recently, Spiegel published an editorial harshly criticising Scholz for delaying the decision. More than 60% of Germans oppose providing Ukraine with Taurus missiles. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's air force said that at least 73 Russian attack drones entered the country's airspace on Saturday into Sunday morning, after a week in which both sides made battlefield history with new advanced weapons systems. Ukraine's air force said it downed 50 of the 73 Russian drones that crossed into the country. Another 19 drones were lost in flight, while four more were still flying in Ukrainian airspace as of just after 7 a.m. local time. Russia's Defense Ministry reported downing 36 Ukrainian drones overnight Saturday and early Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ministry said its own strikes were part of a wider campaign of attacks on "military airfields, production facilities and storage sites for drones, as well as concentrations of enemy manpower and military equipment." PHOTO: Ukrainian personnel use searchlights to search for drones in the sky over Kyiv during a Russian drone strike on Nov. 20, 2024. (Gleb Garanich/Reuters) MORE: Russia launches new IRBM at Ukraine, Zelenskyy says Putin is 'terrified' Drone exchanges have been a constant element of Russia's full-scale invasion of its neighbor, with the size and regularity increasing as the war wears on. Russia also often combines its UAV barrages with missile strikes. "This week, the air alert sounded almost every day throughout Ukraine," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram early Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During the week, Russia used more than 800 guided aerial bombs, about 460 attack drones and more than 20 missiles of various types against Ukraine and our people," he added. "Ukraine is not a weapons testing ground," Zelenskyy wrote. "Ukraine needs more air defense, and we are working on this with our partners. It is very important to strengthen the protection of our sky." Tensions rose last week following Ukraine's use of ATACMS long-range missiles against military targets in Bryansk -- the first time Kyiv had used the advanced American weapon on Russian soil. PHOTO: Parts of a Russian ballistic missile used in a strike on Dnipro are displayed at an undisclosed location in Ukraine on Nov. 24, 2024. (Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters) MORE: Russia claims it shot down US-made ATACMS missiles and issues nuclear threat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. official also confirmed to ABC News the first Ukrainian use of British Storm Shadow cruise missiles in Russia's western Kursk region, with a wounded North Korean general among the casualties. The Kremlin response to Tuesday's ATACMS attack was furious. Russian President Vladimir Putin signed off long-planned changes to Russia's nuclear doctrine within hours of the strike. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the changes meant "the use of Western non-nuclear rockets by the Armed Forces of Ukraine against Russia can prompt a nuclear response." Russia followed up its latest round of nuclear threats by striking with a new intermediate-range ballistic missile in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday. Moscow warned the U.S. of the "Oreshnik" missile strike 30 minutes beforehand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We consider ourselves entitled to use our weapons against military objects of those countries that allow to use their own weapons against our objects," Putin said shortly after the strike. "In the event of an escalation of aggressive actions, we will respond decisively and in a mirror manner," the president added. Zelenskyy, meanwhile, said Moscow's retaliatory strike showed that "Putin is terrified." The Russian leader, he added, "is doing whatever it takes to prevent his neighbor from breaking free of his grasp." PHOTO: A Ukrainian officer stands with a downed Shahed drone launched by Russia in a research laboratory in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on Nov. 14, 2024. (Efrem Lukatsky/AP) MORE: Russia increases Ukraine drone attacks by 44% since Trump election Yehor Cherniev -- a member of the Ukrainian parliament and the chairman of his country's delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly -- told ABC News that Kyiv would not be cowed by Russian threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ukraine has every right to use the entire arsenal of available conventional weapons to the full depth of the aggressor's territory," he said, shortly after the ATACMS strike in Bryansk. "We will continue to strike military targets on the territory of the Russian Federation until the threat to Ukraine is eliminated," Cherniev said. ABC News' Luis Martinez contributed to this report. Ukraine and Russia launch overnight drone attacks amid missile strike tensions originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Key developments on Nov. 23-24: Ukraine has lost over 40% of territory previously gained in Kursk incursion, Reuters reports West should 'not set red lines' on providing military support for Ukraine, French foreign minister says Russia attacked Ukraine with over 800 KAB bombs, 460 drones, 20 missiles this week, Zelensky says Russia recruits hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, FT reports Ukraine has lost over 40 percent of the territory it previously gained in Russia's Kursk Oblast due to Russian counterattacks, Reuters reported on Nov. 23, citing a source in Ukraine's General Staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At most, we controlled about 1,376 square kilometres, now of course this territory is smaller. The enemy is increasing its counterattacks," the source told Reuters. "Now we control approximately 800 square kilometres. We will hold this territory for as long as is militarily appropriate." Ukraine first gained a foothold in Kursk Oblast during a surprise incursion into the Russian region in early August. Since then, Russia has launched extensive counterattacks in an effort to take back the region. NATO allies believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin is aiming to recapture territory lost in Kursk Oblast before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on Jan. 20, hoping to gain leverage in future peace negotiations, The Telegraph reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The source added that nearly 60,000 Russian army personnel are currently stationed in Kursk Oblast, planning to reach the border with Sumy Oblast to create a "buffer zone" there, as Ukraine looked to do with its incursion into Kursk Oblast. Kyiv has previously said that about 11,000 North Korean soldiers have joined the counteroffensive in Kursk, with the General Staff source noting that the majority of North Korean soldiers was finalizing training along Russian forces. The Kyiv Independent has not been able to verify the information provided by the General Staff source. As Russia's attempt to take back Kursk continues to progress, Russia has also intensified its attacks along the eastern front in recent weeks, putting Ukrainian forces under mounting pressure as they struggle to defend key positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: ATACMS, Trump, and the increasing importance of Kursk Oblast for Ukraine West should 'not set red lines' on providing military support for Ukraine, French foreign minister says Western allies should "not set and express red lines" on providing Ukraine with military support against Russian aggression, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told the BBC in an excerpt of an interview published on Nov. 23 . The comments come just days after U.S. President Joe Biden approved Ukraine's use of U.S.-supplied long-range missile to strike targets within Russia, many months after President Volodymyr Zelensky first made the request. Barrot stated that Ukraine could use French-supplied long-range missiles "in the logics of self defense" to strike targets within Russia, but did not elaborate as to whether Kyiv has already used the French-provided weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(France) will support Ukraine as intensely and as long as necessary," Barrot said. "Why? Because it is our security that is at stake. Each time the Russian army progresses by one square kilometer, the threat gets one square kilometer closer to Europe." During the interview Barrot also hinted France may eventually invite Ukraine to join NATO as part of Zelensky's five-point victory plan. "We are open to extending an invitation, and so in our discussions with friends and allies, and friends and allies of Ukraine, we are working to get them to closer to our positions," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days before Biden granted approval to use ATACMS in Russia, the leaders of France and the U.K. met in Paris on Nov. 11 to discuss a last-ditch attempt to persuade the U.S. to allow Ukraine to strike deep inside Russia with Western weapons before Donald Trump enters the White House in January. Read also: Long-range strikes can help push Russia toward peace, US official says Russia attacked Ukraine with over 800 KAB bombs, 460 drones, 20 missiles this week, Zelensky says Over the past week, Russia has launched over 800 KAB-guided aerial bombs, nearly 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Nov. 24. "The air raid siren has sounded almost daily across Ukraine this week. Only last night, our air defense forces managed to shoot down about 50 attack drones," Zelensky wrote on Telegram, sharing a video showing Russian attacks across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the morning of Nov. 21, Russia unveiled a new intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), dubbed "Oreshnik," in an attack targeting the city of Dnipro in eastern Ukraine. "Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign, independent state. Yet Russia persists in its attempts to destroy our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us," Zelensky said. He also reiterated the urgent need for bolstered air defenses. "Ukraine needs more air defense systems, and we are working on this with our partners. It is crucial to strengthen the protection of our sky," he said. On Nov. 22, Zelensky instructed Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to engage with international allies to acquire advanced air defense capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IRBM attack followed Ukraines reported first successful strike on a military target within Russian territory using U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles. Unlike cruise missiles, IRBMs are guided only in the initial phase of launch, making them less precise. However, their exceptional speed often exceeding 3,200 kilometers per hour as they near their targets makes them a formidable threat. Read also: Dont overreact Oreshnik missile isnt as new as Russia claims, experts say Russia recruits hundreds of Yemeni mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, FT reports Russia has recruited hundreds of mercenaries from Yemen to fight in its war against Ukraine, the Financial Times (FT) reported on Nov. 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recruits told the FT they had been promised lucrative jobs, "high salaries," and even Russian citizenship. However, after arriving in Russia with the help of a Houthi-linked company, they were "forcibly inducted into the Russian army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine," according to the report. The FT described the operation as a "shadowy trafficking operation," underscoring the deepening ties between the Kremlin and Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi militants. Since the start of its full-scale invasion, Moscow has relied on various methods to enlist migrants and foreign nationals to offset its heavy battlefield losses while avoiding full-scale mobilization. Reports indicate that Russia has recruited individuals from Nepal, Somalia, India, Cuba, and other nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Korea has also sent an estimated 10,000 troops to Russia, many of whom are stationed in the western Kursk Oblast and engaged in combat, a Pentagon spokesperson said during a Nov. 12 briefing. In October, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that Yemen's Houthi militants have been using Russian satellite data to target ships in the Red Sea with drones and missiles. The targeting information was reportedly provided through Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, enabling the Houthis to expand their strikes. This collaboration demonstrates how far Russian President Vladimir Putin is willing to go to destabilize the Western political and economic order, the WSJ reported. Analysts suggest that Moscow aims to foment unrest from the Middle East to Asia to distract the United States. According to the FT, U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking confirmed that Russia is "actively pursuing contacts" with the Houthis, including discussions involving weapons transfers. While Lenderking declined to elaborate, he noted that Russian personnel in Sana'a are facilitating this dialogue. "The kinds of weapons being discussed are very alarming and would enable the Houthis to better target ships in the Red Sea and potentially beyond," Lenderking told the FT. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has urged foreign partners to improve the Ukrainian air defence with weapons capable of intercepting Russian medium-range ballistic missiles. Source: Sybiha on Twitter (X), as reported by European Pravda Details: The minister emphasised that Russia's use of a medium-range ballistic missile is typical blackmail, as Putin is attempting to scare everyone away from helping Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Ukraines partners should do the exact opposite: reject blackmail, increase support, and strengthen Ukraines air shield with systems capable of intercepting such missiles," he stressed. Russias use of an IRBM is typical blackmail. Putin tries to scare everyone off from supporting Ukraine. Ukraines partners should do the exact opposite: reject blackmail, increase support, and strengthen Ukraines air shield with systems capable of intercepting such missiles. Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) November 24, 2024 Background: On 22 November, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Kyiv had requested assistance from allies in strengthening air defence to protect against ballistic missiles such as the one fired at the city of Dnipro the previous day. The General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces previously informed reporters that Ukraine is working with its US partners to obtain a THAAD anti-ballistic missile defence system or upgrade the Patriot in the wake of Russia's attack with a new experimental missile type. Support UP or become our patron! Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council (NSDC) has rejected Russian propaganda claims that embassy staff from several countries left Ukraine in November 2024. Source: NSDC Details: Russian propaganda has recently started disseminating claims that the staff of the US, UK, French and German embassies have left Ukraine. According to the propagandists, most of the embassy staff reportedly left for Poland, while others returned to their home countries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from the NSDC: "The information that the staff of the US, UK, French and German embassies, as well as representatives of Belgium, the Netherlands and Scandinavian countries, have left Ukraine is false." Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian air defence forces destroyed more than 10 Russian drones threatening the city of Kyiv on the night of 23-24 November. Military administration officials said there were no casualties or damage to the capital. Source: Kyiv City Military Administration (KCMA) Details: KCMA notes that the Russian Armed Forces once again attacked the Ukrainian capital at night with unmanned aerial vehicles. The UAVs were flying on Kyiv from different directions. An air-raid warning was in effect in the city for more than 3 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defence forces detected and destroyed more than 10 drones that threatened the capital. Based on preliminary data from KCMA, no damage in the capital and no casualties were reported. Quote: "There is currently no air-raid warning in effect in the capital. However, UAVs are still being observed in Kyiv Oblast. Therefore, it is possible that the drones may change their direction and pose a threat to Kyiv. Be careful and watch out for an air-raid warning." Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian air defence forces were operating in Kyiv Oblast on the night of 23-24 November to target Russian drones. Source: Kyiv Oblast Military Administration (KOMA) Details: The KOMA reported that Russian UAVs were spotted in the oblast. Quote: "Air defence forces are operating in the region." Updated: The work of air defence forces was heard in Kyiv from the direction of Vyshhorod after 05:00. Background: The Air Force reported an attack by Russian UAVs on Ukrainian oblasts. Support UP or become our patron! Ukrainian troops from the 36th Marine Brigade have successfully repelled yet another Russian attack near the village of Zeleny Shlyakh in Russia's Kursk Oblast. Source: a video posted by the 36th Marine Brigade; Ukrainska Pravda sources in the brigade Details: Ukrainska Pravda has found that the Russians recently launched an attack in several groups, moving on quad bikes. Ukrainian defenders effectively repelled the attack using a combination of artillery, First-Person View (FPV) drones, and explosive drops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian forces destroyed 11 Russian quads and one vehicle carrying troops, killing 20 Russian soldiers and wounding 16 others. Ukrainska Pravda sources note that the Russians are also using other vehicles in this area, such as motorcycles and cars, which are also being crushed by Ukrainian forces. Quote: "Our resilience and resistance remain steadfast despite the enemy's changing tactics and methods." Support UP or become our patron! Governor Maura Healey has issued a statement regarding the ongoing teacher strikes in Marblehead and Beverly. It is unacceptable that students have been out of school for over two weeks. Its hurting our young people, parents and families above all else. Students need to be back in school on Monday. Healey issued the statement Saturday afternoon. I have spoken to all parties, and I believe they are at a place where they should be able to reach an agreement this weekend, and they should do so. If they dont reach that agreement, they should ensure that students can return to the classroom on Monday while these negotiations continue. Beverly School Committee Chair Rachael Abell also issued a statement regarding the strikes, as the Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations (DLR) issued a fact finding order which would delay a deal getting done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you know, an Essex County Superior Court Judge ordered that if a negotiated deal is not reached by Sunday at 6 p.m., the Committee and the Beverly Teachers Association (BTA) will be required to begin an arduous state-led fact-finding process. Abell said. If a fact-finding hearing were to take place, it would likely not occur until December 2, delaying the strike and school even longer. The Beverly School Committee still holds its offer, giving educators six weeks in district-paid parental leave with access to up to 12 weeks using accrued time or bank and six weeks of family sick leave from accrued time The offer also gives their highest paid teachers to make $127,936, and the longest-serving paraprofessionals up to $49,500. In a recent press release, Beverly Teachers Association (BTA) provided updates regarding their proposals and recent comments made by the School Committee and Mayor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BTA has stated that their last settlement proposal would not only give teachers higher raises, but also cost $1 million dollars less for the town. After almost two weeks of delays and blocking from the School Committee, the BTA was able to ascertain basic information to calculate the base wage costs themselves. The data shows that the combined cost of the BTAs last proposed settlements is actually one million dollars ($1,017,548) less than what the School Committee last proposed. In our proposals, members of the BTA end up with a higher final base salary than what the school committee is offering, but at a lower cost for the city of Beverly. The BTA is also stating that Beverly Mayor Michael P. Cahill and the Beverly School Committee are trying to go into a fact-finding hearing as a stall tactic to continue to force the union to rack up fines and break the unions spirits. Both Beverly and Marblehead are holding press conferences tonight for updates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands owns site the Hale Moiliili site that was once occupied by Stadium Bowl-O-Drome. 1 /2 JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands owns site the Hale Moiliili site that was once occupied by Stadium Bowl-O-Drome. RENDERING COURTESY DHHL Construction of Hale Moiliili is projected to be done in two years and will allow Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries on the waitlist to receive a homestead lot to live in Honolulus urban core at below-market rental rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 /2 RENDERING COURTESY DHHL Construction of Hale Moiliili is projected to be done in two years and will allow Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries on the waitlist to receive a homestead lot to live in Honolulus urban core at below-market rental rates. JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO @STARADVERTISER.COM The state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands owns site the Hale Moiliili site that was once occupied by Stadium Bowl-O-Drome. RENDERING COURTESY DHHL Construction of Hale Moiliili is projected to be done in two years and will allow Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries on the waitlist to receive a homestead lot to live in Honolulus urban core at below-market rental rates. About two years from now, a new Honolulu high-rise will become the first rental apartment tower serving state Department of Hawaiian Home Lands beneficiaries, and a divisive question will be answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question is whether enough beneficiaries of DHHLan agency established to return Native Hawaiians to ancestral lands under residential, agricultural or pastoral land leaseswill move into the apartment tower. Stanford Carr Development, a local firm developing the 23-story Hale Moiliili project with 278 units in Oahus urban core, is highly confident that more than enough demand will exist for the project featuring studios to three-bedroom units where monthly rent is estimated to range from $675 to $3, 461 and will be reserved for households with very low to moderate incomes. The firm also believes that Hale Moiliili can be a template for additional similar projects on DHHL land well-suited for multifamily rental housing. Earlier this year, however, the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, which is insuring a $59 million loan that is helping finance the $154 million tower, was very concerned about some units remaining empty when Hale Moiliili opens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To mitigate this perceived risk, HUD pushed to make units available to nonbeneficiaries if demand from beneficiaries fell short. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with top news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. What was described as a condition of HUDs financing was presented to the Hawaiian Homes Commission in March, stirring considerable debate. We have not navigated these waters before, Kalani Fronda, a DHHL special projects official, told the commission while describing the first-of-its-kind project. Multifamily (housing ) is a different language for us. We are very ma a (accustomed ) to moving forward on single-family (home ) development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surprise condition At the meeting, commissioners were asked to approve a 65-year ground lease, under which the developer would build, own and operate the tower on the DHHL-owned site that was once occupied by Stadium Bowl-O-Drome. Information provided to commissioners didnt mention the broader tenant eligibility sought by HUD, but commissioner Dennis Neves noticed that written meeting materials described the projects tenant profile as primarily Native Hawaiian beneficiaries. What does that mean ? Neves asked. State Deputy Attorney General Alana Bryant explained that the commission should decide whether Hale Moiliili units can be rented to nonbeneficiaries if theres not enough demand from beneficiaries. This backup eligibility, she said, could first go to Hawaiians who dont meet the 50 % minimum blood quantum for DHHL, and then to the general public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Randy Awo, a commissioner at the time, said he wasnt inclined to vote for such an option. This raises concerns for me because it opens the door for nonbeneficiary use, Awo said. I cant imagine that happening, given the current situation for our waitlisters. DHHL has a waitlist of roughly 28, 700 beneficiaries seeking homesteads, including about 11, 500 wanting residential leases on Oahu. Many have waited for decades, and more than 2, 000 applicants have died while waiting. Unique project Tenants at Hale Moiliili wouldnt be removed from the homestead waitlist if they move into the rental tower. Partly because of this, DHHL doesnt consider broader eligibility for tower tenants to be a violation of the federal Hawaiian Homes Commission Act governing DHHL and reserving homestead leases for beneficiaries, who are allowed to pass $1-a-year leases to certain family members who are at least 25 % Hawaiian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHHL also regards Hale Moiliili, which the agency is not funding, as more akin to one of its commercial property leases where the agency leases its land to private developers for retail, industrial or other commercial uses that generate income for the agency to support homestead development. For Hale Moiliili, though, the developer is paying $1 a year for the land lease. Neves declared at the March meeting that he wasnt going to approve broader tenant eligibility for the tower project. Our responsibility is to ensure that the trust is being maintained, he said. Our fiduciary responsibility is to provide homes for small-n native Hawaiians (at least 50 % Hawaiian ), and Im not in favor of going outside of that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaloa Robinson, a Stanford Carr Development project manager, told commissioners the company regards broader eligibility as unnecessary. But Robinson also said the commissions decision could determine whether the tower gets built because HUD wasnt willing to back the loan, a critical piece of financing, without the provision. Robinson explained that HUD saw Stanford Carr Development as facing too much risk of defaulting on the loan without a broader pool of potential tenants. HUD is scared, he said, also acknowledging that 10 empty units for such an affordable-housing project is the difference between defaulting or not defaulting. The vacancies are razor thin. DHHL Director Kali Watson, who is also commission chair, encouraged approving the broader eligibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioner Michael Kaleikini said providing affordable rental housing for at least some beneficiaries on the old Bowl-O-Drome site would be better than none, especially given that the property has been owned by DHHL since 1995 and hadnt been put to much good use since bowling operations ceased in 2004. Commissioners voted 6-3 to approve the broader eligibility. HUD flip-flop Yet sometime after the March meeting, HUD abandoned the provision it pushed to obtain. Agency officials would not publicly say when the change was made or why. In a statement, HUD said, We worked closely with the DHHL to ensure that the property will provide affordable homes to DHHL beneficiaries in alignment with applicable laws. FHA (part of HUD ) is insuring the mortgage with the requirement that occupancy of (Hale Moiliili ) will be restricted to (Native ) Hawaiian beneficiaries as defined by DHHL, in compliance with Hawaiian State law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal Hawaiian Homes Commission Act also governs DHHL and is overseen by the U.S. Department of the Interior. Kaiini Kaloi, director of the Office of Native Hawaiian Relations within the Interior Department, said in an interview that opening DHHL rental housing to nonbeneficiaries gets into a breach-of-trust area under federal law. DOI has been consistent that housing on Hawaiian home lands is for beneficiaries and no one else, he said. Our position is really plain. Some members of the Hawaiian Homes Commission are uncertain about whether enough beneficiaries will move into Hale Moiliili when it opens. The eligible pool will be smaller than the waitlist total because households will need to meet income limits to live in the tower. Of the 278 units, 183 will be reserved for beneficiary households earning up to 60 % of the median income on Oahu. That equates to $58, 500 for a single person, $66, 840 for a couple and $83, 250 for a family of four. Another 14 units are for households earning up to 30 % of the median income, along with 53 units at an 80 % limit and 28 units up to the median income. Hale Moiliili should appeal to beneficiaries who cant accept a homestead lease because they cant afford to buy or build a home. The project also may appeal to elderly beneficiaries who dont want homeownership responsibilities. About 20 years ago, DHHL had major problems filling a rental townhome complex reserved for seniors earning between 30 % and 100 % of the median income. That 86-unit project in Waimanalo, Kulanakauhale Maluhia O Na Kupuna, was 56 % vacant about a year after opening and took more than two years to reach 90 % occupancy. DHHL at the time attributed the results to paperwork issues and a lack of publicity. Stanford Carr Development plans to elevate leasing efforts for Hale Moiliili and asserts that high demand for affordable rentals among beneficiaries will make the tower successful. Watson also recently expressed strong confidence there will be more than enough demand from beneficiaries. We dont anticipate a problem filling the units, he said in an email. Construction is expected to begin in December and finish about two years later. Workers sort peaches at the packing house after they were harvested from the trees at Pearson Farm on July 24, 2023, in Fort Valley, Georgia. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images) Trevor Hawkins, an attorney at Legal Aid of Arkansas, remembers how busy his job got when the state for a time imposed work requirements on Medicaid recipients: His office was swamped with frantic phone calls from people who said they couldnt comply with the new rule because they werent healthy enough to work or had to care for sick relatives. A whole heap of folks, after a month or two, started getting notices saying, Hey, youre out of compliance, and youre going to lose your coverage, Hawkins told Stateline. For many people, he said, keeping their coverage was absolutely vital to maintaining their health or getting better so they might work again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2018, Arkansas became the first state to require some Medicaid recipients to work, volunteer, go to school or participate in job training to receive benefits. By the time a federal judge halted the policy in April 2019, 18,000 adults had lost coverage. Arkansas was one of 13 states that received permission to impose work rules on at least some Medicaid recipients during the last Trump administration. Nine additional states requested permission to enact Medicaid work requirements during Trumps term but had not won approval by the time it ended. When the Biden administration came into office, it rescinded all the approvals. But now that Trump is coming back, many of those states will try again and theyll have a supportive U.S. Congress in their corner. Republicans on Capitol Hill are eager to find ways to pay for extending tax cuts enacted during Trumps first term in office, and Medicaid funded jointly by the federal government and the states is in their sights. Requiring states to establish Medicaid work rules, as many Republicans would like to do, would cut federal spending by an estimated $109 billion over a decade, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Thats because the cost for about 900,000 people would shift entirely to states, while another 600,000 people would become uninsured, CBO estimated. About 72.4 million people are enrolled in Medicaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas renewed its efforts even before Trumps victory. Last year, Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders requested federal approval from the Biden administration to apply work rules to able-bodied adults who are covered through the states expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, and who are enrolled in health plans that Arkansas Medicaid purchases for them on the states health insurance exchange. That application is pending. Georgia, after prevailing in a legal fight with the Biden administration, already has work requirements in place for people covered by its partial expansion of Medicaid. And Idaho, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Tennessee have pending requests to require at least some of their Medicaid recipients to work. Meeting requirements Supporters say requiring Medicaid recipients to work, study or train for a career gives them a boost toward self-sufficiency and financial stability. Kristi Putnam, the secretary of the Arkansas Department of Human Services, said in a statement announcing her states latest request that it would challenge people to embrace economic opportunities that can lead to true job advancement. Meaningful work connects people to purpose and through the pandemic we have seen negative mental health impacts from people feeling disconnected, Putnam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics, however, say such rules end up hurting far more people than they help. In a 2020 study examining how the Arkansas work requirements played out, researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found no evidence that the policy succeeded in its stated goal of promoting work and instead found substantial evidence of harm to health care coverage and access. More than 95% of the Arkansas beneficiaries the researchers surveyed already met the work requirement or should have qualified for an exemption. The main reason people lost coverage, the researchers found, was because they had trouble verifying that they were complying with the rules. Many of those who lost their coverage stopped taking their medications, delayed care and fell into medical debt. Our results should provide a strong note of caution for federal and state policy makers considering work requirement policies in the future, the researchers concluded. Under the rules Arkansas put in place during the first Trump administration, Medicaid participants under age 50 had to report that they spent at least 80 hours each month working, attending school, in job training or volunteering. The rule only applied to people who became eligible after Arkansas expanded Medicaid under the ACA to cover adults making up to 138% of the federal poverty level. And people were exempt if they were pregnant, had a child under 18 at home, were disabled, had to care for a person unable to care for him or herself, were in alcohol or drug treatment, or were in school or job training full time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 70,000 of the roughly 270,000 Arkansans on Medicaid were subject to the new rules, and about 1 in 4 of those lost coverage. Unlike Arkansas, Georgia has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. But its Pathways to Coverage program, launched in July 2023, allows people with household incomes up to 100% of the federal poverty level who arent already eligible for Medicaid to enroll in the program if they fulfill work requirements. Georgias qualifying activities and exemptions are similar to the ones Arkansas had. Fiona Roberts, a spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Community Health, told Stateline that as of Nov. 15, there were 5,548 people enrolled in the program and that a total of 7,518 people had been enrolled at some point evidence, she said, that the program is helping people move from Medicaid to private insurance. Even eligible people can't keep up with it. Leah Chan, Georgia Budget and Policy Institute director of health justice But in its first year, Pathways to Coverage only enrolled about 4,200 people many fewer than the 25,000 the state had predicted. The cost of the program as of the end of 2023 was $26.6 million, and more than 90% of that went toward administrative and consulting costs, according to KFF, a nonprofit health research group. If Georgia had opted for a full expansion under the ACA, the federal government would have picked up 90% of the tab and the state would have covered about 359,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leah Chan, director of health justice at the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, said work requirements are particularly challenging for people living in rural areas. If you dont have broadband internet at your house, youre not going to be able to upload the documentation and your pay stubs, Chan told Stateline. Even eligible people cant keep up with it, particularly in rural areas where there are additional barriers to participation. Learning from mistakes Benjamin Sommers, a professor of health care economics at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and one of the authors of the Arkansas study, said the experience with work requirements there and in Georgia should give other states pause. All that ended up happening was people lost coverage due to red tape, became uninsured, and in some cases, we saw that they had worse access to health care, Sommers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Arkansas Republican state Rep. Aaron Pilkington, who serves on the health committee in his chamber, said Medicaid work rules are 100% on the table and something well look to ask for from the Trump administration. They can find work and get better health insurance through their employer, said Pilkington. He said the volunteering and education options make the rules even more attractive. Meanwhile, in some of the 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA, the inclusion of work requirements might be the only way politically to get expansion over the finish line. Most of the Democrats Ive spoken to did not want the work requirements, but to get it passed through the Mississippi legislature its most likely going to have one, Mississippi Republican state Rep. Sam Creekmore told Stateline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve looked at Georgias plan. We recognize the pitfalls and are hopefully learning from mistakes. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Follow Stateline on Facebook and X. JAMES CITY COUNTY, Va. (WAVY) A Virginia fire department is now investigating after an underground fire caused part of a parking lot to collapse on Saturday. The James City County Fire Department said they were dispatched around 9 a.m. to the Williamsburg Premium Outlets for a possible fire underground. Units arrived to find the parking lot behind the stores partially collapsed and an active fire in the underground stormwater detention facility. They shared a photo below of the parking lot, showing cracked and sagging pavement spanning roughly a dozen parking spots. Photo Courtesy: James City County Fire Department Out of an abundance of caution, and due to smoke, some area businesses were evacuated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, the James City County Fire Department said this fire continues to burn, and smoke has increased. Firefighters remained on the scene and were working to cool down the area to keep the smoke down as much as possible. Nearby businesses have reopened and the cemetery near the Premium Outlets is not in danger. They warned the public should consider avoiding the area if they have respiratory problems. Authorities have not yet shared what may have caused the fire. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Police in Barcelona are investigating the disappearance of the missing bag after it was reported stolen Getty A United Airlines flight. A United Airlines flight. A police investigation is currently underway to find the missing luggage of two United Airlines travelers who flew to Barcelona earlier this summer. We kind of planned this trip for a long time. It was like the trip of a lifetime, Dan Adams told NBC 4 Los Angeles of his getaway with his partner Kurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To ensure the safe arrival of their luggage, Adams inserted AirTags into all four of the couples checked bags. But, when he and Kurt went to baggage claim, only three of his bags showed up at the carousel. I looked on the phone to see where it was, and it was only a few feet from where I was standing. I figured they probably forgot to put it on the belt that takes it up to the carousel from down below. Its probably just stuck there, and somebody forgot it, Adams told NBC 4. Related: 2 Passengers Injured After United Airlines Flight Abruptly Slowed Its Descent to Avoid Possible Mid-Air Collision When Adams informed a baggage rep about the situation, she went to go look for his missing luggage, but returned empty-handed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She came back and said, No, theres no sign of your bag. Probably somebody took it. I said, Nobody took it. The AirTag shows it right there. She said, We dont go by AirTags, we go by our own system, recalled Adams. After the rep assured him that the bag would turn up and be delivered to him later that night, he and his partner left the airport. We were tired, jet-lagged, and I said okay. And that was my mistake. I trusted United when I shouldnt have, said Adams. Related: United Passenger Bites Flight Attendant During 'Aggressive and Disruptive' Meltdown Melina Mara/The Washington Post via Getty An Apple AirTag. An Apple AirTag. The bag never arrived, however, and when Adams checked his AirTag app later that evening, he was in for another surprise the bag had moved 34 miles away from the city in the opposite direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It came into Barcelona and then just kept moving out of Barcelona, he said. I knew at that point that I'd never see that bag again and all the stuff that was inside of it. United Airlines are responsible to compensate for delayed or lost baggage as per limits set in a Montreal convention as it is an international flight. Liability can reach up to US$2,080.a Adams eventually filed a claim with United, though the airline didn't reimburse him for everything at first. I've been a really good United customer for years and years. And they know that. Yet they treated me this way, he told NBC 4. In a statement to PEOPLE, United said, We reimbursed the customer and issued travel credits for the frustrating experience. Police in Barcelona are handling the investigation into this missing bag." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company added, "In the coming months, United will begin accepting Find My item locations as part of our customer service process for locating mishandled or delayed bags. Well share more details over time. Related: California Woman Uses Apple AirTag to Track Down Her Stolen Packages Heres How She Did It Still, Adams was displeased with how United Airlines handled the whole ordeal and has words of advice to help other travelers avoid the situation he found himself in. I just want people to know what happened to me, so it doesnt happen to them, he said. Even if you take precautions of putting an AirTag into your luggage to see where it is, there are elements out there that are going to make sure you dont get your luggage, no matter what." Unmanned aerial vehicles have been sighted near Royal Air Force bases utilised by the US Air Force in Suffolk and Norfolk. Source: The Guardian, as reported by European Pravda Details: Between 20 and 22 November, small UAVs were detected over Lakenheath and Mildenhall air bases in Suffolk, as well as the Feltwell base in Norfolk. The US Air Force, which utilises the sites, said it was unclear at this time if the drones could be deemed hostile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also declined to comment on whether any protective mechanisms had been applied, but said they reserved the "right to protect" the facilities. A spokesman for the US Air Force in Europe said the UAVs were actively monitored, and facility managers found that "none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure." A UK Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We take threats seriously and maintain robust measures at defence sites. This includes counter-drone security capabilities." Background: On Friday 24 November, a drone was discovered in the harbour of Hamburg, Germany, tracking British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth. On the afternoon of Sunday 23 November, the ship left the port of Hamburg. Multiple attempts to damage infrastructure and military facilities have recently been reported in Germany. Support UP or become our patron! (Bloomberg) -- Uruguay is on the cusp of becoming the latest country to oust an incumbent party this year, with violent crime and an economic recovery that has left many behind bolstering the hopes of the leftist opposition candidate in Sundays presidential election. Most Read from Bloomberg Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polling shows leftist Yamandu Orsi holding a slim lead over Alvaro Delgado, a former senior aide to President Luis Lacalle Pou, heading into election day, with the outcome likely hinging on which way a small pool of undecided voters breaks as the country heads to the polls. A victory for Orsi and his Broad Front party would add Uruguay to the list of places in which disappointed voters have punished incumbents across a tumultuous year of votes although absent in the the South American nation is the sort of fury-filled ideological swing that has hit the US, neighboring Argentina and a litany of other countries over the past year. Orsi, 57, is pitching himself as the safe change candidate, while Delgados campaign slogan is to re-elect a good government in reference to the Covid-19 policies and job growth under Lacalle Pou. Both are running as predictable options rather than disruptive outsiders. Uruguayans, meanwhile, have already rejected a proposal to dismantle the countrys $23 billion pension system that had markets on edge about the nations safe-haven reputation. Its the sort of race that has come to typify famously stable Uruguay, a country of 3.4 million people that has avoided the populist firebrands that have roiled the regions politics. Investor-friendly policies and its aversion to radical political change help rank the nation as one of Latin Americas wealthiest, with a tech sector that punches above its weight and cities like Montevideo and Punta del Este that serve as popular homes for foreign billionaires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even so Orsi has emerged as the slight favorite due to voter perceptions that Lacalle Pou, who won the 2019 election, has failed to fulfill promises to reduce crime and improve salaries problems that have afflicted incumbent parties across the world in the pandemics wake. There is a certain degree of disillusionment among people who voted for the parties of the coalition in 2019 and feel defrauded with respect to the change they expected, Eduardo Bottinelli, a director at pollster Factum, said in an interview. Hundreds of thousands of Uruguayans are struggling to make ends meet in a country where growth averaged a meager 1% per year over the last decade. And while while impoverishment among elderly Uruguayans is now a rarity thanks to a broad welfare state, almost a fifth of children and teenagers live in poverty. In Montevideo, the capital, more than 130,000 people are thought to inhabit shanty towns. The number of workers taking home less than 25,000 pesos ($586) a month swelled to 548,000 people last year from 453,000 in 2019, according to think tank Cuesta Duarte. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lacalle Pou administration has also struggled to contain violent crime, with 10.7 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants last year, according to government data. Thats more than double the same measure in Argentina, where a deep economic crisis helped fueled the rise of libertarian outsider Javier Milei a year ago. Both candidates agree on the need to fight crime, lower child poverty, boost growth and avoid increasing the countrys already high taxes. Orsi, a former two-term governor and history teacher, has also pledged to lower the minimum retirement age to 60 from 65 as part of his plan to overhaul the social security system. Delgado, a 55-year-old former National Party lawmaker, promises to continue the coalitions pro-business policies to make Uruguay the most developed country in Latin America by 2030. Uruguays sovereign dollar bonds have lost almost 0.6% so far this year, compared to a 12.7% gain for Latin American sovereign debt, according to the Bloomberg EM USD Sovereign index. Uruguays peso has fared better than most of its regional peers, weakening just 8.8% against the greenback this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Broad Front won a majority in the 30-member Senate in general elections Oct. 27. Neither it nor the ruling coalition control the 99-seat lower house, where an upstart anti-establishment party won two seats last month. If Orsi wins, he should be able to convince at least two lower house lawmakers from the coalition to back his legislative agenda in exchange for government funding for their districts, said Daniel Chasquetti, a political scientist at the University of the Republic. The Broad Front will be able to block any legislation a Delgado presidency submits to congress as well as his nominations to the board of directors of the central bank and state-run companies that dominate key industries, he said. The program on which Alvaro Delgado is elected wont end up being his program of government, rather it will be one that is negotiated with the Broad Front. It will be a major test for Uruguays democracy, Chasquetti said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 2.72 million Uruguayans are eligible to vote Sunday. Polls open from 8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. local time, with the Electoral Court expected to publish the preliminary results later that evening. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek 2024 Bloomberg L.P. HALIFAX, Nova Scotia European allies spent the weekend here working to convince one another they absorbed the lessons of the first Trump term and are ready for another go. But it wasnt clear they were buying their own message. I dont think the U.S. will back off from Europe in the coming years, said Gen. Onno Eichelsheim, The Netherlands top general. I don't think that will happen, but what could happen is that the European nations do more, they will step up. I don't see why they should not do that. The view was shared, cautiously, in panel discussions, sideline chats and interviews over the weekend at the Halifax International Security Forum a three-day conference packed with officials from NATO and its allies in the Indo-Pacific. Yet few could fully articulate what they expected to happen next. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't know what the plan will be, for Ukraine and Russia, NATOs top military official, Adm. Rob Bauer, admitted. I honestly don't know so we have to wait. A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers came to town to try and assuage nervous allies, but with so few details available about what the new administration will do about continuing to help Ukraine, and the certain new demands for more defense spending in Europe, left them with a steep hill to climb. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-N.D.) said he came to Halifax with a message that there are still three branches of the U.S. government, and the Senate will guard its independence from the White House even if the Republican-controlled Congress is sure to back most of the new administrations initiatives. Rounds said he spent the weekend working to reset the stage, let everybody know that everything is going to be okay, that we're moving forward and that there is a consistency within the Senate, and we believe there will be a consistency within the House as wewelcome former President Trump back in as the president-elect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Europeans at the conference pointed to actions theyve taken in the past few years that should please the president-elect. This is not 2016, we are much better prepared than 2016, said Tobias Lindner, Germanys coordinator for transatlantic relations. And this is not 2016 also looking to my own country, too. Our defense spending is now above 2 percent, we have stopped our dependency on Russian fossil fuels Nord Stream is history and we have taken a tougher stance on China too also with respect to our 5G grid. But those were the demands of 2016-era Trump. And the incoming president may have different, or more aggressive demands in 2025. There is already talk of a new mark for NATO spending at next Julys NATO summit in The Hague, where the goal will likely be for members to dedicate 3 or even 5 percent of their GDP to defense. The argument from many here at Halifax was that while unpredictable, the first Trump term was high on bluster about NATO spending but on the ground, the U.S. actually increased its troop presence in the East near the Russian border, and alliance members had woken up to the need to re-invest in their diminishing military capabilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the Trump and Biden administrations pushed for NATO to modernize, though using very different rhetoric to do so. I think it doesn't matter if it was Trump or Kamala Harris, they would have asked Europe to stand up, Eichelsheim said. One NATO official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the incoming administration in Washington, stressed that we want to interact with the Trump administration in a constructive manner so it will not be being opposed to everything or just defending our own position. Others, especially in Eastern Europe, welcomed that Trump could call out more NATO countries to up their defense spending. I believe that Trump is not destabilizing, he's pushing for the allies to do more, Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said in an interview on the sidelines of the conference. When we want to deter Russia, the only clear message to Russia is that, look, our warehouses are full. Our inventory is enough to defend our countries. Still, behind the scenes, the event felt like a therapy session, one attendee told POLITICOs Playbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NATOs Bauer also warned that the strategic dilemmas that the U.S. and its allies face in 2025 are much different than those of eight years ago. That makes it unclear how Trump will approach world crises like Ukraine. With North Korean troops having joined the war between Russia and Ukraine and a steady flow of missiles and drones from Iran and North Korea raining down on Ukrainian cities, the war has become an issue both for Europe, as well as for allied nations in the Indo-Pacific. That global turn of the war was underscored by Indo-Pacific commander Adm. Samuel Paparo who warned attendees that in return for the deployment of around 12,000 North Korean troops to Russias Kursk region, he expects Moscow to provide missile technology and submarine technology to Pyongyang. On Sunday, reports emerged of Russia recruiting mercenaries from Yemen, linked to the Iran-backed Houthi militant group, to fight in Ukraine. Estonias Pevkur decided to choose optimism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day, I truly believe that President Trump wants to be on the side of the winners, and I truly believe that the United States as a country wants to stay as a stronghold of democracy, he said. So just be honest. Just say what is at stake. What is the situation when Russia prevails? This is the only way to end this war in Ukraine. Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.), who just won the U.S. Senate seat for New Jersey in the next Congress, observed that there's just a lot of anxiety about unpredictability right now. It's not just Trump, thats just one part of it. There's so much unpredictability on Ukraine, on the Middle East, on everything. Eli Stokols contributed to this report. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) U.S. Marines and Sailors with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) returned to Camp Pendleton Saturday after completing an 11-month deployment. MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of more than 2,000 personnel. The MEU consists of four major parts: a command element, a ground combat element, an aviation combat element, and a logistics combat element. On Saturday, the families of the Marines and Sailors had a chance to join them on the tiger cruise aboard the USS Boxer, a new combat vehicle the unit trained on while at sea. They were able to experience what day-to-day life was like on the ship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a good experience. You know, it showed me that these kids have a hard life right now and they are doing it for our country and trying to make things better, and my hats off to all of them, said Tim Brown, the father of a Marine who returned home. Throughout their deployment, the Marines and Sailors trained with several counties, including Thailand, India and the Philippines. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. BELOIT, Wis. (WTVO) Citizens of Beloit gathered to watch the USS Beloit take its first visitors as they took a tour of the ship. The ship was commissioned in Milwaukee, so residents of Beloit who could not travel to Milwaukee watched a live stream of the moment in the Beloit Public Library. This is the first ship to be named after the Wisconsin city. The ship is roughly 380 feet long and will house 88 crew members. Those who were there to watch the historic moment from the library reflected on the ships progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been fun because, like Senator Baldwin said we make the engines for the ships, its about time we finally got one, said Beloit native James Sharp. The USS Beloit will eventually call Jacksonville Florida its home. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) The Utah National Guard received four of the United States Armys newest and most advanced attack helicopters on Saturday, Nov. 23rd. These new AH-64E Apache Guardian are just a few of the remaining 20 aircraft the Utah National Guard will receive in the next six months. These are the most advanced attack aircraft in the world, says Col. John Dzieciolowski, the commander of the 97th Aviation Troop Command. With this fielding, Utah will become home to 24 Apache Guardian aircraft and return to a full-size battalion for the United States Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These helicopters, the National Guard said, have increased flight safety instruments, as well as state-of-the-art communication upgrades that allow the flight crew to better integrate with active crews servicing in the U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Army. Increasing combat power here in Utah by 33%. For the Apache Guardian, these upgraded components offer increased power and improved capability to operate in high elevations like our mountainous terrain and higher temperatures like we experienced here in Utah. The Guardian is a true workhorse that will greatly improve our safety and training in Utah and increase our lethality on the battlefield, Col. Dzieciolowski said. The first Apache helicopters arrived in Utah in 1992 when the Utah National Guard modernized its attack aviation battalion. Since the early 2000s, the battalion has been deployed three times but the next time the battalion is called to action. Theyll take this new and improved Apache model to the nations defense. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. A vehicle crashed into a fire station in Washington County on Saturday. The crash happened at the Richeyville Fire Department building on Firehall Road in Richeyville at around noon. Firefighters said two women were taken to a hospital after the crash. The vehicles bumper was detached from it. One of the buildings garage doors sustained damage. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Someone stole a vehicle and crashed it into another vehicle in Ellwood City. Ellwood City Police Department were called to the crash at the 1200 block of Lawrence Avenue at 11:20 p.m. on Friday. Officers believe someone stole a set of keys from a house and took off with the vehicle before crashing it. After the crash, the ran away on foot. Police are still looking for them. Multiple other vehicles have been rummaged through in the area. Investigators said this happened after 10:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents in the citys West End area are asked to check their cameras to see if they have footage of anyone trying to break into vehicles or houses. Anyone with helpful information is asked to contact the Ellwood City Police Department non-emergency line at 724-656-9300. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Ventura County sheriff's detectives arrested a woman who they say operated brothels disguised as spas. Detectives began looking into Swan Spa in Thousand Oaks this year after suspecting employees were selling sex services to customers. Spa owner Amanda Xia, 44, was arrested Nov. 13 on suspicion of pimping and money laundering. Xia owns three other businesses advertised as massage and wellness centers, which the Sheriff's Office said were also operating as commercial sex establishments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Detectives were able to positively identify multiple male individuals suspected of purchasing commercial sex at each of the four locations under investigation," the department said in a news release. The other businesses were Star Spa in Newbury Park, Victoria Spa in Lake Forest and Four Seasons Spa in Lake Forest, according to the sheriff's department. 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. Basel residents on Sunday voted to approve public funding to stage the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest in the Swiss city. Preliminary results suggest a clear majority of citizens gave the green light for a 40 million loan to comprehensively finance the 69th edition of the event in May. The funding will be used to finance expenses for the accompanying programme, but also for accommodation, welcome campaigns and the expansion of local public transport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the postal votes, which usually account for around 90% cast, 66.4% elected in favour of the loan. The final result in the referendum was not expected until later on Sunday afternoon. Citizens also weighed in on other local and national issues in votes held across the country, ranging from the widening of motorways to proposals on health care funding and housing and tenant law. Voters in Zurich were heading to the polls to decide whether to allow the city to use the so-called gender asterisk in official publications. The asterisk has been introduced in the German language, in which nouns are normally gender-specific, to make more nouns gender-inclusive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The practice is frequently criticized by social conservatives, and several political parties collected signatures in Zurich to push the referendum to prohibit the practice. Eurovision debate The question of funding for Eurovision was initiated by the right-wing Federal Democratic Union (EDU) party, which helped coordinate the collection of signatures. EDU politicians have criticized the contest as a "propaganda platform" for homosexual and non-binary people, who they accused of encouraging Satanism and occultism. The party also argued that the charged political atmosphere posed a security risk. Basel will host the event following the country's victory at the 2024 contest in Malmo with the song The Code by Nemo. Former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Sunday that he does not expect the Russia-Ukraine war to end quickly when President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Speaking on CNN's "Fareed Zakaria GPS," Kuleba said, "I do not expect any quick ending of the war." Trump made a major point during his presidential campaign of saying he would be able to end the war on his first day in office, if not sooner. The president-elect has not specified how he would do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kuleba, who served as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's foreign minister from March 2020 until stepping down in September, said there were three major factors that make a rapid-fire solution truly unlikely. "What I know for certain is that first: Zelenskyy will not leave under pressure," he said. "Second, Ukraine will not agree to any quick solution. And third, most importantly, I would like to remind everyone that the key to peace lies in Moscow not in Kyiv." Zakaria asked Kuleba if there were concerns in Ukraine that Trump and his team would push Ukraine to accept a peace plan that would require Ukraine to yield the territory now occupied by Russian forces, which amounts to about a fifth of Ukraine. While saying Ukraine was "not wearing rosy glasses" about the incoming Trump administration, Kuleba said the question needs to be flipped around to what Russian President Vladimir Putin would conceivably accept in order to secure a cease-fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "With utmost respect, we should not start the conversation with what Ukraine is ready to accept. We should put full responsibility on the side that launched this war," Kuleba said. The war has recently stepped up in intensity, with North Korean soldiers joining Russia in combat, President Joe Biden approving the use of long-range American missiles against Russian territory, and Putin confirming the use of new ballistic missiles against Ukraine. Zakaria asked Kuleba if the insertion of more lethal Russian weaponry into the war has frightened Ukrainians. "I will not conceal that people in Ukraine are nervous about this latest, latest strike," he said, "and the announcements by Putin that other strikes with intercontinental missiles will follow." The Washington Posts editorial board released an op-ed on Saturday detailing the potential threats to Ukraine and the U.S. if President-elect Trump moves to strike a deal with his Russian counterparts. The reason for this surge in fighting is clear: Mr. Trump seems inclined to strike a quick deal to end the conflict once he takes office. He has been vague about what an eventual deal would look like, promising only that he would swiftly solve the conflict upon taking office or perhaps, somehow, even before, the board wrote. Vice President-elect JD Vance was more specific, saying an eventual settlement would probably entail a demilitarized zone that would include lands currently occupied by Russia, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hence the Kremlins drive to grab as much additional land as possible before Inauguration Day, and Ukraines desperate bid to resist it. However, the Post warned that if Ukraine cedes land overtaken by Russia it would damage its growing alliance with the West and give other countries the green flag to act with similar aggression towards desirable sovereign nations. An abandonment of Ukraine or a deal that leaves Ukraine untenably territorially diminished would signal to dictators around the world that Western resolve comes with an expiration date, the board stated. Imagine how Chinese President Xi Jinping would take a Western retreat from Ukraine as he contemplates taking Taiwan or the atolls and shoals in the oil-rich South China Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has already deployed North Korean troops to the frontlines on the battlefield and is actively working to combat Ukraines use of ATACMS missiles and F1 fighter jets supplied by their allies. A Ukraine left with a chunk of its eastern territory under Russian occupation is tantamount to a defeat for Ukraine and for the West, the board wrote, adding details about Trumps harsh critique of President Bidens withdrawal from Afghanistan which he deemed weak. An abandonment of Ukraine, after nearly three years of what has been a unified American and European front, would send the same sort of signal, the board added. And if it came as a result of Mr. Trumps negotiated deal, the onus would be on him. He wont have Mr. Biden to blame anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Manila DRRM Office A fire has torn through a coastal area of Manila, the Philippine capital, destroying 1,000 homes and sending smoke billowing into the sky. Military helicopters doused raging flames, which took hold of the densely-built slum area of Isla Puting Bato, in the Tondo region, on Sunday. Manila Fire District said around 1,000 houses were burned in the blaze, believed to have started on the second floor of one of the homes at around 8am local time. A Philippine air force helicopter drops water on the inferno on Sunday - Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images A man surveys the destruction from the safety of the water - Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images Drone footage shared online by the citys disaster agency showed houses razed to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other videos showed improvised buildings, stretching into Manila Bay on stilts and walkways, engulfed in flames. There were no immediate reports of casualties, but around 2,000 families have been displaced, according to the fire department. It is estimated that around 2,000 families have been displaced by the fire - Jam Sta Rosa/AFP via Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A child stands amid the wreckage of a destroyed house - Lisa Marie David/Reuters Resident Leonila Abiertas, 65, lost almost all her possessions but managed to save her late husbands ashes. I only got the urn with the ashes of my husband, she said. I really dont know how I can start my life again after this fire. A firefighter carries a dog that was rescued from the blaze - Lisa Marie David/Reuters Some residents were seen escaping out to sea on boats and improvised flotation devices, putting as many belongings as they could onto makeshift rafts before abandoning their homes. Fire and disaster services deployed 36 trucks and four fire boats, while the Philippine air force sent in helicopters to help extinguish the fire. The air force said it had deployed a Black Hawk, B205 and Sokol helicopter to conduct heli-bucket operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That area is fire-prone since most of the houses there are made of light materials, said Geanelli Nunez, a firefighter. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. MEMPHIS, Tenn. Ill-informed and unfair are the words District Attorney Steve Mulroy used to describe harsh criticisms from a state lawmaker. You know, Mr. Earnest, youre not a punk kid anymore. Welcome to adulthood, Shelby County Judge Bill Anderson said. If you get convicted of this, youre going to the state penitentiary, sir. This audio from the courtroom was sent in by State Senator Brent Taylor, who had harsh criticisms of the judges decision to release Tyreese Earnest. Tyreese Earnest (SCSO) Earnest, 18, is accused of shooting a co-worker at the FedEx World Hub three weeks ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a Facebook post, Taylor argued that the District Attorneys office didnt fight enough to keep Earnest behind bars. In the post, he said, Despite DA Mulroy stating The DAs office opposed lower bond and ROR, the ADA in this case was as weak as a kittens meow. There are a lot of questions that I have after looking at the affidavit about what happened. I have questions about what exactly Mr. Earnest told police because they do acknowledge he agreed to speak with them, the defense attorney said during Earnests bond hearing. 3 arrested in connection to FedEx employee shooting The defense is heard saying Earnest is a hard worker and had two jobs while attending high school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no audio available of the prosecutors, which the DAs office said was because it wasnt recorded. In a statement, Mulroy said, This happens on occasion because General Sessions is not a court of record, and court staff must turn the recorder on. He went on to say that the prosecution did note the violent nature of the crime, the fact that someone could have died, the strength of the prosecutions case and more. This past week, state and local lawmakers expressed unhappiness with Judge Andersons decision. I think he has a screw loose. I wish he would trade in his robe for an orange jumpsuit because I think he is a threat to the public, Commissioner Mick Wright said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man accused of shooting FedEx employee released without bond House speaker Cameron Sexton said his team is now reviewing all of Judge Andersons criminal cases. We believe the facts and circumstances that suggest a task to public safety and so we think these people need to be in custody, Mulroy said. WREG spoke with Mulroy last Thursday, the same day his office filed an appeal on Earnests release. He said the appeal was necessary to keep the public safe. We werent responding to outside political pressure or public outcry. This was not political, Mulroy said. We made a decision on the facts and the law and thats what we will do in every case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earnest is due back in court on Tuesday. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Demonstrators packed the Senate gallery and hoped to stop the power grab by Republican lawmakers. (Photo: Brandon Kingdollar /NC Newsline) NC legislature approves bill that shifts government power away from Democrats The NC Senate chamber (Photo: ncleg.net) By Galen Bacharier and Brandon Kingdollar Lawmakers from western North Carolina leave Raleigh frustrated at lack of substantial Helene aid spending Republican lawmakers in North Carolina approved wide-ranging legislation Wednesday that was billed as another round of hurricane relief, but instead primarily shifts power within state government away from Democratic officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 382 is advertised as the third round of relief for western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene caused unprecedented damage in the states western counties. But it provides just a fraction of the spending allocated in the previous packages instead making major changes to the distribution of power within the executive branch.[Read more...] Legislation would place NC elections under GOP auditors purview, stripping power from governor North Carolina Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland), surrounded by state lawmakers, address reporters ahead of a vote on a first round of Hurricane Helene relief money in October. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) By Galen Bacharier and Lynn Bonner Wide-ranging draft bill also includes changes to absentee voting and ballot counting processes Republican lawmakers in North Carolina plan to transfer authority over the states Board of Elections to the state auditors office, a move that will place administration and appointment of its members under GOP purview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Changes would make it harder for people who use absentee ballots to have their votes count. [Read more] Bonus read: Republicans select Rep. Destin Hall to serve as next NC House Speaker NCs top elections official asks Senate leader to retract his statement casting doubt on elections NC State Board of Elections executive director Karen Brinson Bell and Senate President Phil Berger. (File photos) By: Lynn Bonner Former Gov. Pat McCrory condemns latest GOP effort to seize powers, alter state election laws The states top election official wrote Senate leader Phil Berger with an urgent plea to retract his statement casting doubt on election results. The legislature passed a bill this week that, along with several provisions removing powers from offices that will be filled by Democrats in 2025, drastically limits the time counties would have to count ballots. Counties usually certify vote totals 10 days after an election. A few counties took longer this year. [Read more] NC Senate joins House in overriding Cooper veto of voucher expansion-immigration enforcement bill The North Carolina Legislative Building (Photo: Clayton Henkel) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By: Brandon Kingdollar North Carolina sheriffs must comply with Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainer requests with the passage of House Bill 10 over Governor Roy Coopers veto Wednesday. The bill will also funnel more than $2 billion to the states Opportunity Scholarship school voucher program over the next decade expanding the program to allow students of all income levels to receive taxpayer funding for tuition at private schools in the state. [Read more] Bonus read: NC House overrides veto, votes to boost school voucher program by $2B over next decade Gov. Cooper asks Congress for $25B for Helene recovery in NC. What his request includes North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper outlines the damages and relief money needed after Hurricane Helene at a press conference on Oct. 23, 2024 in Raleigh. (Photo: Galen Bacharier/NC Newsline) By Galen Bacharier State legislature has failed to approve meaningful funding, governors office says Gov. Roy Cooper is asking Congress to send more than $25 billion in aid to help western North Carolina recover from Hurricane Helene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cooper is leading a delegation of state and local officials to Washington this week, urging an infusion of federal money as North Carolina lawmakers lay out far less state aid than Cooper had requested.[Read more...] Republican NC Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin challenges more than 60,000 ballots Democrat Allison Riggs leads Republican Jefferson Griffin by 625 votes. (Courtesy photos) By Lynn Bonner Challenger seeks to revive GOP efforts to have large groups of voters disqualified at the same time that Republican lawmakers move to further tighten voting rules Trailing incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs by 625 votes, Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin wants to have batches of votes discounted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin has challenged ballots of more than 60,000 voters, according to a NC Republican Party press release. He has filed protests in every county. [Read more...] Bonus read: GOP candidate sues state elections board over Supreme Court contest NC State students demand accountability for PCBs found on campus NC State students tape a list of demands to Holladay Hall, the building containing the chancellors office, on Nov. 19, 2024. (Christine Zhu/NC Newsline) By Christine Zhu One year after the closure of Poe Hall at North Carolina State University, students are demanding more action from the schools administration to address the issue of PCBs on campus, which are linked to breast cancer. PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyl, were found with levels up to 38 times greater than EPA standards at Poe Hall last December.[Read more] DENVER (KDVR) After decades of no final answers, a man has pleaded guilty to charges in the death of Evelyn Kay Day, 29, who was found strangled to death in the back of her Datsun hatchback on Nov. 27, 1979. According to Colorado court records, James Herman Dye, 68, pleaded guilty under a plea deal to one count of manslaughter. He was sentenced Friday to serve 977 days in prison (over 2 and a half years) and was given 1,342 days as credit for time already served. 2 killed, 1 injured in Civil Air Patrol plane crash in Larimer County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dye was arrested in March 2021 after years of law enforcement considering Days husband as a person of interest in the case. His case may have been one of hundreds impacted by a former forensic scientist with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, who is accused of manipulating data in hundreds of cases between 2008 and 2023. The Weld County District Attorney demanded information from CBI earlier this year showing the DNA testing with a profile match belonging to Dye, a resident of Kansas. Case begins: Nov. 27, 1979, near Aims Community College Evelyn Kay Day was a business lab monitor at Aims Community College, according to investigators, and was last seen alive by students on Nov. 26, 1979, at about 10 p.m. Evelyn Kay Days coworkers found her dead in her station wagon in 1979, according to the Weld County Sheriffs Office. (Distributed by the Weld County Sheriffs Office) When law enforcement first began their investigation, Kays husband, Chuck Day, was named the main suspect in her death. He maintained his innocence throughout the decades, despite unconventional investigative tactics that sheriffs office detectives used to get the husband to confess to his wifes murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These tactics would be considered unorthodox at the time they took place, and more so by todays standards of policing, the Weld County Sheriffs Office wrote in a press release on Nov. 22. For the sake of transparency, no current personnel at the sheriffs office had anything to do with the anguish detectives put Chuck, and his family through. The agency said current administration recognizes Chucks suffering at the hands of sheriffs office employees, both publicly and privately. Watchdog groups: CBI failed to use federally mandated oversight in forensic testing We offer our sincerest apologies to the surviving family members of Chucks family as he passed away in October of this year, the sheriffs office wrote. Prior to his death, Sheriff Steve Reams met with Chuck at his home and apologized to him in person for what occurred and cleared him of all allegations. Cold case arrest made in April 2020 of Kansas man The Weld County Sheriffs Office Cold Case Unit began a review of the case in April 2020 and found Kays autopsy had a sexual assault examination that showed unknown DNA was present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That DNA was submitted to CBI for testing, and the state agency reported in August that the DNA was a match to Dye, who had a history of sexual assaults and was a student at Aims in Fall 1979. Dye was also known to have attended classes in the building next to where Kay worked. Dye was found living in Wichita, Kansas, in 2021. He was arrested in March of that year. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox I was glad to see the DNA evidence identified the real suspect and cleared Chuck Days name. It gives me hope that our other cold cases may receive similar breakthroughs needed to deliver the answers and the justice the victims families so rightfully deserve, said Detective Byron Kastilahn, who uncovered the DNAs presence, in a release from the Weld County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. WEST SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)- Police in West Springfield are asking for the publics help in identifying a suspect involved in the theft of a purse and the fraudulent use of credit cards. According to the West Springfield Police Department, the individual in question was caught on camera stealing a purse from a shoppers cart at a local business. Following the theft, the suspect allegedly used the victims credit cards to make multiple fraudulent transactions in the area. Courtesy of West Springfield police department The department has released an image of the suspect and is urging anyone with information about their identity to come forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have information related to the case, please contact Detective Dente at 413-263-3210 ext. 229. Those wishing to remain anonymous are encouraged to do so. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. DENVER (KDVR) Westbound lanes of Colfax Avenue were closed in Aurora on Saturday night for a hit-and-run crash between a vehicle and a pedestrian. The road was completely opened by 10:32 p.m. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox The Aurora Police Department reported that the crash occurred between Oswego and Peoria Streets. The crash was originally reported at 7:51 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A department public information officer told FOX31 that officers were canvassing the area in search of a white or silver pickup truck with a black bed. Police said the area would be closed for several hours and recommended that motorists take 13th Avenue or 17th Avenue as alternate westbound routes. A pedestrian involved had been taken to a local hospital with serious injuries. Details were sparse on Saturday, but investigators were headed to the scene. The area is near the UCHealth Anschutz campus and Mount Nebo Cemetery. Nearby, at the cross streets of East 16th Avenue and Oswego Street, a fatal police shooting occurred earlier this summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The White House has taken its show largely behind closed doors after Vice President Harriss stinging defeat to Donald Trump. Harris has all but disappeared from the public eye, jetting off to Hawaii after a few scarce appearances around Washington following her massive loss on Nov. 5. President Biden, meanwhile, managed to keep the press at arms length during a recent six-day foreign trip and held meetings and events at the White House upon his return that normally would have been at least briefly on camera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of engagements give a window into what a lame duck White House may look like in its final months. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre was pressed this week about Biden not taking questions from the media during his trip. She suggested that he could engage more before the new year but the president is known for largely avoiding questions from the media. I get that you all want to hear from the president. I get that. I understand that, she said. And Im not saying that you wont. You will. He will certainly continue to engage with all of you. The lack of visibility for Biden could prove problematic for his legacy in the final months of his administration, Michael LaRosa, former special assistant to the president and press secretary to first lady Jill Biden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I really wish he would start talking to the press, holding news conferences, and engaging with the media more frequently as I always believed he should be doing, LaRosa said. But they appear to think they can shape his legacy by producing scripted or rehearsed events for the next few weeks. Given his unceremonious and slapdash passing of the torch last July and the results of the election, one would think he would want to start framing his legacy on his terms, in his own words, and telling his story, he added. Biden stunned the political world when during a June debate he gave such a poor performance that members of his own party ultimately convinced him to drop his reelection bid. He threw his support behind Harris, whose campaign skyrocketed out of the gate but resulted in another Democrat, and woman, losing to Trumps brand of brash politics. Since the election, Harris has largely stayed out of public view aside from a concession speech she gave the day after, an appearance at Arlington National Cemetery on Veterans Day and a brief stop at the White House during a foreign leader visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She left for Hawaii on Tuesday and hasnt been seen or heard from since. As president of the Senate, Harris, who can cast tie-breaking votes in the upper chamber, was also missing earlier this week when Senate Democrats pushed through Bidens judiciary nominees before Republicans take over. The White House was also faced with questions this week about Harris and the appearance of her being on vacation while hundreds of Democratic staffers braced for being jobless in January when the GOP will take over the House and Senate as well. The vice president has taken time off to go spend time with her family. I dont think theres anything wrong with that. I think she deserves some time to be with her family and to have some downtime, Jean-Pierre said. She has worked very hard for the last four years, and her taking a couple of days to be with her family, good for her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back at the White House, Biden this week held a meeting with Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper to discuss hurricane relief efforts there. Such meetings typically come with a brief on-camera appearance but the White House did not make public that the meeting was occurring until later in the evening after it was over. It marked an unusual way to convey a closed-door meeting about a topic the president addressed multiple times publicly, including during a visit to Coopers state. That same day, Biden also held a private ceremony to give the Medal of Freedom to former Planned Parenthood president Cecile Richards. Those ceremonies are typically public and make for compelling photo opportunities but Richards was diagnosed in 2023 with a glioblastoma, a rare and aggressive form of brain tumor that Beau Biden died from. Such ceremonies can be requested to be private by families of the recipient. Biden was back on camera on Thursday when he held an event for the Boston Celtics. But by Friday, the White House again went dark for much of the day. Biden and first Lady Jill Biden hosted a dinner on the South Lawn but officials were silent about what the dinner is in honor of for days. The answer ultimately came in something else that White House should have touted in their favor, which was to thank longtime supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite Biden being on his way out, staying largely out of the spotlight will do little to tame increased scrutiny on his age and mental fitness, including questions being raised about his ability to serve out the remainder of his term. Some Republicans suggested Biden resign when he dropped out from the 2024 race in July but those calls are being renewed since Harriss loss. Pollster Nate Silver publicly asked this week if Biden is competent enough to be the president. La Rosa said that Biden not being in the public eye doesnt do him any favors. If we cant hear from him and if we dont see him actively making the case for himself in unscripted and unchoreographed situations, the age issue would never go away, LaRosa said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaRosa noted that when Biden wasnt active with media during the Democratic primary in 2019, the first lady stepped in before the COVID-19 pandemic forced him into a bunker during the general election. LaRosa suggested the first lady could push Biden to be accessible again before January. The bunker mentality did not serve him or the presidency well and I hope in these final weeks, the first lady steps in again, lets him off the leash, and let Biden be Biden at the end of his long career, he said. He didnt come this far by being shy. Why now? Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. With election season behind us, Im looking forward to the holidays and getting together with friends and family. Its generally a peaceful time of year, filled with joy, good food and fond memories. But this year, I'll be thinking about a storm brewing at the Statehouse when the Iowa Legislature returns in early January. Were in for a big fight that will pit multinational chemical companies and their billion-dollar profits against the health and well-being of everyday Iowans. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and other grassroots groups will be in the thick of it. Earlier this spring, Bayer was asking Iowa legislators for protection from pesticide lawsuits. The giant chemical company, which manufactures the popular weed-killer Roundup, was asking for this protection in other states, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Bill to shield Bayer, pesticide makers from warning label lawsuits advances in Iowa Bayer wants immunity because it's been sued by thousands of individuals whove gotten sick. Cancer is the main focus of these lawsuits, and Roundup is the main cause for concern. As a nurse in rural Iowa, Ive noticed an increase in cancer during my years working to help take care of people. In fact, some of my family members whove been involved in agriculture a long time have battled cancer. Roundup is the most widely used weed killer. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Iowa State University, Iowa farmers spread nearly 54 million pounds of pesticides annually, which is more than many other states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, the Iowa Cancer Registry reported that Iowa has the second-highest cancer rate in the country. And the National Cancer Institute said were the only state where the rate of new cancers increased significantly from 2015 to 2019. It seems like Iowa has become a ground zero for cancer and maybe our heavy use of farm chemicals is a contributing factor. Its encouraging that our public health officials are taking note. According to journalist Keith Schneider, the Iowa Cancer Consortium is developing a five-year plan for cutting public exposure to environmental carcinogens including potentially cancer-causing chemicals used in agriculture. Given all of this data and the lawsuits that have been filed, its no surprise chemical companies are running scared. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last May, Bayer ran full-page ads in the Des Moines Registerproclaiming Health for all, Hunger for none in an obvious attempt to convince us the company is looking out for our best interests. And then in October, just weeks before the general election, Bayer and other corporate ag groups ran two more full-page ads in the Registerthanking 28 GOP legislators (including Reps. Pat Grassley and Matt Windschitl and Sens. Amy Sinclair and Ken Rozenboom) for supporting Senate File 2412, the bill that would have protected chemical companies and their profits from pesticide lawsuits. Bayer is well-versed at using corporate speak and "feel good" messages to sway public opinion and win support for its cause. But isnt its cause to sell more product and make more money? Isnt that what its in business to do? When the Iowa Legislature reconvenes in January, well be demanding that House Speaker Grassley, Senate President Sinclair and other GOP leaders do the right thing. That means protecting the health and well-being of everyday Iowans, and saying no to Bayer. It's time to put people before profits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barb Kalbach is a fourth-generation family farmer, a registered nurse, and board president of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. Contact: barbnealkalbach@gmail.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Why were challenging Bayer and the chemical industry | Opinion Nov. 23EUFAULA McIntosh County residents say they worry how proposed wind turbines could affect their health, livestock and property values. TransAlta, a power generating company based in Alberta, seeks to install at least 125 wind turbines in southwest McIntosh County. TransAlta sent a notice of intent to build to the Oklahoma Corporation Commission on Sept. 9. Turbine opponents packed the Eufaula Veterans of Foreign Wars post Thursday night to share concerns and hear what they can do to stop the turbines. The meeting was hosted by the McIntosh County Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We want to stop these things from coming in," said Tim Stacy, who lives near Hanna in the southwest part of the county. "There's the health issues they cause people." Stacy encouraged people to sign a petition requiring a public vote before allowing commercial wind farms in the county. "Damage to livestock is horrific, and the wildlife leaves," Stacy said. "This is duck hunting country. They spend millions of dollars on duck hunting in this area. It will change migration patterns." Stacy said he was concerned about synthetic chemicals associated with wind turbines, as well as vibration caused by the turbines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The vibrations compacts the soil," he said. "The vibration and electric current also drive out the wildlife and the worms. When you lose the worms, you lose good soil." Shannon Porter, who lives near Stidham, signed the petition. He said he worries about "the dangers of what they could do to our property contamination." TransAlta Media Relations declined to comment on why the company chose McIntosh County, how many turbines it plans to install, who would benefit from the turbines or reported risks associated with turbines. Earlier this month, more than 200 turbine opponents recently asked McIntosh County Commissioners to issue a moratorium against the turbines, according to the Eufaula Indian Journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an Oct. 30 letter in the Journal, TransAlta senior environmental planner Chad Macy said the wind project is in its early stages and construction is not anticipated for at least a couple of years. The letter said TrransAlta met with land owners and have secured wind lease agreements totaling approximately 22,000 acres. A project map in TransAlta's Corporation Commission notice showed an area going from Stidham and Lenna to Vernon in far southwest McIntosh County. The area goes slightly into Okfuskee County. TransAlta's notice said the company intends to install wind turbine generators and related infrastructure for the Canadian River Wind Project in McIntosh County. The notice was accompanied by Federal Aviation Administration reports for at least 126 turbines to be located near Lenna, which is west of Stidham. Each study said the turbine would have no adverse affect on aircraft or air navigation. Oklahoma Corporation Commission's jurisdiction over wind projects is very limited, said Jack Money with the Oklahoma Corporation Commission public information office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the commission serves as an information and document repository for wind projects. "Though we do have the authority to enforce fines if information is not shared with the applicable party," he said. "After construction is complete, our jurisdiction remains limited to enforcing annual reporting and fee submission requirements. We have also investigated and enforced safety violations in the past." Money said the facility owner must publish a legal notice in a county newspaper within six months of submitting notification to the Corporation Commission. For TransAlta, the notice must be published by March 9, 2025. TransAlta then would have to hold a public meeting within 60 days of newspaper publication, he said. One of Thursday night's speakers, activist Saundra Traywick, said wind turbines have been associated with livestock reproductive problems, infrasound, deaths of birds and bats and water contamination. She also spoke against other forms of green energy. It was another warm day with mostly sunny skies across the state. Some unsettled weather will begin to move in on Sunday as westerly winds pick up statewide. West winds could gust over 35 mph at times, bringing in even warmer weather. Snow will begin by Sunday night in the San Juans in southern Colorado, but well stay dry in New Mexico. As cloud cover increases early next week along with a backdoor cold front, temperatures will be cooler Monday afternoon. A better chance for rain and mountain snow moves into northern New Mexico beginning late Monday night, and this will continue into the middle of next week. Theres a little more uncertainty with how much rain will actually fall in the lower elevations, but places like Farmington, Durango, Taos, and Raton will have the highest chances for rain. While the mountains in northern New Mexico could see anywhere from a few inches of snow to nearly a foot. Drier weather will return by Thanksgiving Day, but so will the colder temperatures. This colder and drier air will likely continue into next Friday as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Wisconsin is bracing for a high-stakes state Supreme Court election that will determine its balance of power just months after President-elect Trump flipped the battleground state. Dane County Judge Susan Crawford and former state Attorney General Brad Schimel (R) are vying for retiring liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradleys seat on the high court, which currently has a 4-3 liberal tilt. Bradleys departure brings the partisan balance to a 3-3 split. Republicans are eager to net a seat on the court after losing a consequential Wisconsin Supreme Court race two years ago, handing Democrats control for the first time in 15 years. Rusty Schultz, whos worked for former Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) and Sen. Ron Johnsons (R-Wis.) campaign, noted that conservatives are starting to wake up to the importance of the court. I think there was this, like, maybe sense of apprehension or just not necessarily understanding, because for so long, we pulled all three levers of government, right, and we kind of took that court for granted, he explained. And I think in 2023, after that loss, people started to wake up to that. Voters will be heading to the polls early next year to weigh which candidate should fill the vacancy on the states highest court. So far, Crawford and Schimel are the only declared candidates, though there could be late additions. Though Wisconsin Supreme Court races are technically nonpartisan, both candidates have clearly leaned into issues that resonate with their Republican and Democratic bases. Most voters know Schimel as a former Republican state attorney general, though hes currently a Waukesha County Circuit Court judge. His website touts his time as Wisconsin attorney general the states Top Cop, as his campaign describes him and his record on advocating for crime victims and his work on the opioid abuse. I watched in 2023 what happened in the last Supreme Court race, and I felt compelled to run, Schimel told The Hill. We had a candidate for office who won promising how she would rule on cases, and the other the other liberals on the court were applauding that. They were just wildly in favor of it, he said, alluding to then-liberal candidate Janet Protasiewicz, who irked Republicans by saying she believed in womens freedom to make their own choices over abortion and called the state electoral map rigged in the 2023 race. Protasiewicz never said how she would rule on any cases before her, though it didnt quiet GOP criticism around her remarks. Crawfords campaign notes she represented Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin and protected voting and workers rights. She also leaned into the issue of crime, noting her background as a former assistant attorney general within the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Sam Roecker, a consultant for Crawfords campaign who also worked on Protasiewiczs team in 2023, acknowledged that while the issues between the 2023 race and now might be similar, at its heart though, this is still about do we want a court thats fair and impartial in Wisconsin or do we want a court that acts more as a rubber stamp for a really extreme, right-wing agenda? The race has shown early signs that the contest is turning personal. Crawfords campaign has already characterized Schimel as a right-wing extremist. She and Wisconsin Democrats targeted him over issues like abortion, noting he signed onto a Wisconsin Right to Life white paper in 2012 arguing that Wisconsin unborn children will be best protected by keeping the states 1849 abortion law rather than a personhood amendment if Roe v. Wade gets overturned. That was a long time ago. I did that when I was in a different role as a judge, Schimel told The Hill. I never would I would never sign something like that because that would be improper in my role as a judicial officer. I cant be more clear when I say that, as a justice on the Supreme Court, I am not running to undo the will of the people. Laws that are passed are the laws that are passed, and Ill respect that, he said. Unless they run afoul of the Constitution, Ill uphold the will of the people through those laws. Meanwhile, when Crawford announced her candidacy, Schimel suggested in a statement that the Dane County judge didnt have Wisconsinites interests at heart. Ive spent my career defending and upholding Wisconsin law and shes spent much of hers suing the state of Wisconsin, he argued. Roecker brushed off those attacks, saying that Crawford has been fighting to protect rights and freedoms. Shes been a prosecutor, shes been a judge, shes held criminals accountable. Shes prosecuted violent offenders. I think thats thats pretty clear, Roecker said. Shes also been an attorney and as an attorney, she fought to protect access to reproductive care. She fought for workers rights. There are uncanny parallels between the 2023 Wisconsin Supreme Court race and next years. Both are determinative of partisan control on the states high court, and so far, the focus of this race appears to be on similar issues to that of the previous battle: abortion and crime. The campaign this cycle has shown signs it could turn nasty, as it did two years ago. Wisconsins last state Supreme Court race shattered a record for spending in a state judicial election, and observers expect the same to happen by next year. So much money was spent in last cycles race particularly because the Badger State is one of seven battleground states, and the opportunity to tilt partisan control on one of those high courts is few and far between. Some of the courts most consequential rulings in recent years have included tossing out challenges to the 2020 election results in the state, ordering new maps created for the state Legislature and allowing drop boxes to be used during the 2024 election. The court is expected to issue a decision over a case on the states 1849 abortion law that bars nearly all abortions. Howard Schweber, professor of political science and legal studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, explained that some of the issues worth keeping an eye on are abortion, elections, Act 10 Walker-era legislation that curtailed collective bargaining rights for many public employees redistricting and religious freedom. Schweber suggested that if Schimel wins, its likely that the court could see another lawsuit over the state Legislature maps. He also expected that a conservative majority would be friendlier toward religious organizations and other entities kind of following the Roberts Court in breaking down what have been traditional barriers between church and state. If Crawford wins, I expect to see the Wisconsin Supreme Court do what some other state courts have done, which is to say, Well, the U.S. Supreme Court can say whatever it wants about the U.S. Constitution, but under the Wisconsin Constitution, we think theres a separate, independent principle of separation of church and state, and then develop doctrines from there, he explained. Schweber also noted that if Crawford won, it could encourage Democrats to challenge Act 10 constitutionally. Crawford previously represented the teachers union in Madison during their lawsuit over Act 10. While Trump won the state earlier this month, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) survived a competitive Senate reelection bid, raising questions around how both parties are parsing through the election night results heading into the judicial election. Democrats in the Badger State say there are reasons to be optimistic. There was much written at the time about the vaunted Scott Walker machine that won so many races for so many years, said Democratic strategist Thad Nation. Thats gone. I mean, its just completely and utterly gone in the Wisconsin landscape and has been replaced by state Democratic Partys turnout efforts that just keep getting better and better and better. Republicans say they have reason to feel good heading into next year, too. Wisconsin GOP Chair Brian Schimming noted theyve kept on staff that they normally would not have at this point. Republicans, too, may also get to avoid a nasty primary battle. I think our organization is very hot, Schimming said, adding Wisconsinites are enthused about Schimel, and hes already been elected statewide. I think folks nationally on both sides recognize that its not just a court seat, itll be the gift that keeps on giving for three years, he chuckled, adding because it wont be until 2028 until conservatives get another opportunity on this court. THE BRONX, N.Y. (PIX11) A woman who was killed in a crash involving a suspected intoxicated driver in New York City earlier this month is being remembered for her bright spirit and boundless love for others. Dorilys Ramos, 27, was a passenger in a car that was involved in a collision at the intersection of Randall Avenue and Castle Hill Avenue in the Bronxs Castle Hill neighborhood on Nov. 16, according to the NYPD. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A suspected intoxicated driver allegedly crashed his SUV into the car containing Ramos and a 27-year-old driver, police said. Ramos was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. The driver in Ramos car was also hospitalized and survived, police said. Later that day, police arrested the alleged driver of the SUV, 43-year-old Bronx resident Dimas Cuadrado, who was charged with vehicular manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide, and driving while intoxicated, according to the NYPD. Dorilys Ramos, 27, was killed in a crash in the Bronx on Nov. 16, 2024, police said. (Photo courtesy of GoFundMe) Ramos lived in the Bronx and is survived by her parents, sister and boyfriend, according to a GoFundMe page raising donations to help her family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dorilys kindness, bright spirit, and boundless love left an indelible mark on everyone fortunate enough to know her. Her family, friends, and students are heartbroken by this immense loss, but her legacy of generosity, warmth, and love will live on in their hearts, the GoFundMe page states. Finn Hoogensen is a digital journalist who has covered local news for more than five years. He has been with PIX11 News since 2022. See more of his work here. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A woman is dead after she made threats and pulled a knife on deputies, the Greenville County Sheriffs Office said. At 2:15 a.m. Saturday, deputies were dispatched to the corner of Kmart Plaza and Marue Drive, near the Spinx gas station, after reports of a woman threatening to hurt people, local news said. The sheriffs department said the deputies were dealing with a suspect for a short while before the woman brandished a weapon, which Greenville television station WYFF reported to be a knife. A deputy shot her and she was taken to a local hospital, where she died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her name was not released. The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division is investigating the incident. The deputies involved will be placed on paid administrative leave. Video footage of the incident will be released on Jan. 7, the sheriffs office said. CHICAGO Chicago police are investigating after a woman was shot downtown near Macys Saturday night. Police said just before 9 p.m., a 19-year-old woman was walking near the Macys at State and Washington when an unknown male suspect fired shots. The woman was taken to Northwestern Hospital in fair condition. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A second woman was taken to Northwestern Hospital as well. The extent of her injuries are unclear at this time, but investigators said she was not shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlie Wheeler was in Daley Plaza last night when he heard gunshots nearby. Sometimes car backfire and its hard to tell, but this was clearly gunshots from the get-go, Wheeler said. First one got my attention, listened then to figure out the direction to run from. Glad to see most people did the same thing. Instead of hanging around, they took action to be safe. A heavy police presence was seen outside Macys Saturday night. Really amazed how fast the cops responded. It was moments and the area was flooded with CPD. I did not feel unsafe, but for just a few seconds, Wheeler said. Vasileia McFadyen was further down the street. She said her friends texted her to make sure she was okay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was at the end of State Street walking near the Harrison station. My friend texted saying, Go inside. I heard a shooting. Something is happening,' McFadyen said. They were really scared. The shooting happened amidst a weekend of holiday parades, tree lightings and Christmas markets kicking off the festive season. I hope that person is okay. Theyre kind of close in age to me, McFadyen said. No arrests have been made and Area Three Detectives are investigating. WGN News has also reached out to Macys for comment and their communications team sent the following statement: We are saddened about the incident that took place outside of Macys State Street. The safety of our customers and our colleagues is our top priority. We are working closely with the local police department on this investigation and defer all comments about the case to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Are we forever playing catch-up? Kamala Harris failed presidential campaign led to laments that America was not ready for a woman to be president. About 30 other countries, rich and poor, have elected female presidents or prime ministers. How did we fall behind Mexico, Germany, the United Kingdom, all the Scandinavian countries, Switzerland, Slovenia, Lithuania, Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Nicaragua and so many others? Are we no longer the worlds most advanced country? - Dan Levine, Fort Worth Immigrants part of US fabric I didnt vote for Donald Trump. But he won, so hes my president. Will I be better off in four years? (Nov. 20, 12A, Trump names Wall St. executive Lutnick to lead Commerce) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not unless millions of immigrants here illegally have been deported, tariffs have replaced taxes (and prices reduced, of course) and the swamp has actually been drained. Trump being Trump will not be acceptable to me. Campaign bluster? Nope. He said those things, which makes them campaign promises. And Ill be holding him to those promises. - Tom Kelly, Arlington Democrats, look at yourselves Responses from the left after the election have been typical. (Nov. 10, 12A, Devastated Democrats lay blame, and stare at a dark future) Some groups have blamed racism and misogyny; others claim nefarious interference in the election. The possibility that their candidates were not well received by voters or that their platforms turned off many voters hasnt entered their minds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They remind me of the schoolboy who tells the teacher the family pet ate his homework. That line works only once or twice, and the kid will flunk if he doesnt wake up. Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer might have predicted what just happened when he admonished the Supreme Court for a decision he didnt like: You have released the whirlwind, and you will pay the price. - Bob Schultz, Haslet Reality of why we are here Are Americans sobering as they consider the outcome of the elections? The circus of the campaigns has been replaced by the realities of mass deportations and appointment of astonishingly incompetent Cabinet members. (Nov. 20, 1A, How might Trumps Cabinet picks affect immigration policy?) Are we ready to see families separated and kids caged on TV? What will you tell your children and grandchildren that they were all criminals? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigrants are a vital part of our economy, especially in farming, construction, meatpacking and cleaning. They pay taxes, including into Social Security. There are not enough native citizens to fill these jobs. This situation has existed for decades: Neither political party has developed an immigration plan with clarity and fairness to those who come here. - Loveta Eastes, Fort Worth Media, we dont care about you I hope that our recent election helps the mainstream media realize just how little attention the majority of Americans pay to its political commentary. Just report the news. - Mike Holt, Fort Worth Cornyn is looking out for Texas I admire Sen. John Cornyns willingness and actions in the best interest of Texas and our Constitution. (Nov. 17, 4C, Republicans trashing Cornyn Senate leader bid hurt Texas) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He does not suck up to Donald Trump, whom I despise for his failed attempt to steal the 2020 election and his draft evasion. Family members tell me they have friends who were injured guards at the Capitol. No way the convicted insurrection prisoners should be pardoned. - Lou Conde, Belton For more than three decades, 92-year-old Joan Andersen VanderMolen has fought for one thing - the release of her nephews, Erik and Lyle Menendez, from prison. "My grandmother is staying alive to see those boys get out," her granddaughter Natasha Leonardo told Los Angeles. "She knows they were victimized, and that's why they did what they did." On Aug. 20, 1989, VanderMolen's sister, Kitty Menendez, and her husband Jose were watching "The Spy That Loved Me" in their Beverly Hills mansion when their sons shot them dead, a killing the brothers have steadfastly maintained was triggered by fear and in self-defense after a lifetime of physical, emotional and sexual abuse suffered at the hands of their parents. They were arrested in 1990 and, after two separate trials, convicted in 1996 and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a sentence that VanderMolen believes is an unfair and brutal one for a crime she calls "the desperate response of two boys trying to survive the unspeakable cruelty of their father." Related: Juror Who Wanted Manslaughter, Not Murder Conviction, for Erik Menendez Speaks Out On Monday, attorneys for the Menendez brothers will appear in a Los Angeles Superior Court in Van Nuys to address a resentencing petition tiled by recently defeated District Attorney George Gascon, who was ousted from his seat by Nathan Hochman. Hochman said a review of the Menendez case will be a top priority when he takes office in the coming weeks. The brothers are expected to appear for the hearing via a video feed from the San Diego jail where they are both being held and where their rehabilitation efforts have been part of the reason Gascon has decided to push the court for their freedom. Mark Geragos embraces 92-year-old Joan VanderMolen who has fought for her nephews, Lyle and Erik Menendez, to be freed after serving decades behind bars for the killings of her sister Kitty and brother-in-law Jose in 1989 Michele McPhee Gascon is also slated to reply to the writ filed in May of 2023 by Menendez attorneys Cliff Gardner and Mark Geragos that details new evidence, which includes a bombshell claim from Roy Rossello Diaz, a former member of the iconic boy band Menudo, that Jose Menendez anally raped him. Rossello told the producers of a Peacock documentary "Menendez + Menudo: Boys Betrayed" that he shared a limousine with Menendez after a concert in New York City when he was 14 that took them to a mansion in New Jersey where he was given wine, and then lost consciousness and woke up back in his hotel. He was bleeding from the anus. He was in unbearable pain for a week. [Geragos is the co-owner of Engine Vision Media, the parent company of Los Angeles.] The Menendez brothers' lawyers also point to a horrifyingly detailed letter written by Erik Menendez to his cousin Andy Cano eight months before the sensational killings detailing horrific abuse. "Ive been trying to avoid Dad. Its still happening, Andy, but its worse for me now. I cant explain it. He is so overweight that I cant stand to see him. I never know. When its going to happen, and its driving me crazy. Every night, I stay up thinking he might come," Erik wrote in the chilling hand-scrawled cry for help. "I dont know Ill make it through this." Letter written by Erik Menendez to a cousin detailing sexual abuse from his father, Jose MenendezL.A. Superior Court filing That new evidence, the lawyers insist, proves that the brothers' case proves "imperfect self-defense" because they genuinely believed their lives were in danger, a theory that was also bolstered by Hazel Thornton, one of the jurors who sat on Erik Menendez's first highly-publicized trial in 1993 where prosecutors argued that the brothers killed their parents in an unprovoked attack and went on a wild spending spree, while their defense lawyers insisted the murders were spawned by years of sexual abuse at the hands of Jose Menendez. Those trials ended in a hung jury. "The men on the jury and in the public were having a hard time accepting the fact that boys could be abused by their father," Thornton remembered. "They couldn't believe Jose could abuse sexually abuse his kids. They thought Erik was gay, and he was describing homosexual acts." The theory that Erik was gay was floated by the prosecution during closing arguments delivered by then-Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Lester Kuriyama at the end of the Menendez brothers' 1993 trial. In his closing statement, Kuriyama suggested that Erik Menendez's closeted homosexuality, not molestation by his father, was the catalyst for the pent-up rage that led to the killings. Prosecutors went as far as to call the molestation claims "the abuse excuse." Related: Dozens of Lyle & Erik Menendez Family Members Met With L.A. County Prosecutors To Push For Brothers Release The state retried the case in 1995, and the brothers were convicted of first-degree murder in 1996, after which they were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. During that trial, the judge did not allow in some of the evidence related to the sexual abuse allegations, and prosecutors argued the brothers, who were 21 and 18 at the time of the killings, were lying about the allegations. But the Menendez brothers' attorneys say the new evidence proves what defense attorneys have been arguing all along, that the killings prove imperfect self-defense, which relies on the idea that they were genuinely afraid for their lives. "The theory of defense at both trials was straightforward. Neither Erik nor Lyle denied the shooting. Instead, the crime was manslaughter, not murder." The attorneys argue that the unrelenting fear that came from "sexual abuse began when the brothers were just children," which also came with "death threats should the abuse ever be disclosed," from Jose Menendez, epitomizes imperfect self-defense. At the very least that argument, the attorneys say, should have been presented to jurors who then would have had "one critical factual question to decide: were Erik and Lyle victims of sexual abuse? Related: The Menendez Brothers' Long Fight For Release Could Be Closer to Realization Monday's hearing - which is expected to be the hottest ticket in Los Angeles with sixteen seats being raffled off in a lottery outside the Van Nuys courthouse - is a status conference presided over by Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic. The actual resentencing for the Menendez brothers is tentatively set for Dec. 11. Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is putting his decision on clemency for the siblings on hold until Hochman has a chance to conduct his review of the case. The governor respects the role of the district attorney in ensuring justice is served and recognizes that voters have entrusted District Attorney-elect (Nathan) Hochman to carry out this responsibility, Newsoms office said in a statement. The governor will defer to the DA-elects review and analysis of the Menendez case prior to making any clemency decisions. Get Your Daily Dose! Sign up for The Daily Brief to receive Los Angeles Magazines latest stories directly in your inbox. Subscribe below or by clicking here. ST. LANDRY, La. (KLFY) One person is dead and another injured after a pickup truck driving the wrong way on I-49 crashed into an 18-wheeler Tuesday night, authorities said. Louisiana State Police Troop I was called shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday to investigate a two-vehicle crash on I-49 about 3 miles south of La. 106 in the Evangeline Parish community of St. Landry. The crash resulted in one fatality. The victims identity has not yet been determined pending forensic identification, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said a 2020 Ram 1500 was traveling south in the northbound lanes of I-49. At the same time a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia 18-wheeler was traveling north, and the Ram struck the Freightliner head-on. Following the impact, both vehicles traveled off the roadway into the median, where they caught fire. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The driver of the Ram was pronounced dead at the scene, while the driver of the Freightliner sustained minor injuries, authorities said. The driver of Freightliner was determined not to be impaired and voluntarily provided a breath sample that indicated no alcohol was detected, officials said. Standard toxicology samples were also collected and submitted for analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This crash remains under investigation. Latest news Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A man is dead after driving the wrong way and crashing into a metal guardrail near Pahrump, Nevada State Police officials said. Around 10 p.m. on Saturday, Nevada State Police Highway Patrol responded to the crash report near State Route 160 and Mile Marker 25, about 15 miles south of Pahrump. Authorities said the driver was traveling in the wrong direction, heading westbound in the eastbound lanes. The man crashed with a metal guardrail as he attempted to leave the eastbound lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, NSP said. Stay with 8 News Now for updates as the preliminary investigation continues. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. Of West Virginias 683 public schools, a state department of education report indicates that 272 schools more than a third still dont have security vestibules, also known as man-traps. Man-traps are small, enclosed vestibules, with two sets of interlocking doors between which an individual can be trapped and can prevent intruders from entering the main building. In most cases, one door cannot be opened without the other being shut or locked. Legislators were told during the recent interim meetings that it will take $258 million in state funding for safety upgrades this school year money the state Department of Education does not have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late September, Gov. Jim Justice created a School Safety Task Force due to an increase in school threats statewide. The task force is made up of the West Virginia Fusion Center, West Virginia State Police (WVSP), West Virginia Safe Schools Unit, WVSP West Virginia Intelligence Exchange, federal law enforcement partners, West Virginia Department of Education, and West Virginia Prevention Resource Officer Program. The governor also proposed $1 million in state funding to improve safety, knowing it would not be enough to cover the total costs. It was my understanding that the $258 million in state funding needed for the upgrades is for schools that still need the man-traps and other upgrades, noted Sen. David Bugs Stover, R-Wyoming, who is a member of the Senate Education Committee. Wyoming County has not received state funding for school safety improvements, according to John Henry, county schools superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than wait for state or federal funding, however, Wyoming County has moved step-by-step, year-by-year, with available funding, to ramp up safety features across the county with much of the cost funded with excess levy monies. Added to the regular tax levy residents pay on personal property, the excess levy has been approved by county voters since 1927. Wyoming County is always ahead of the curve, Stover emphasized. They dont wait for the state. Were really blessed here with the excess levy voters continue to approve every few years, Henry emphasized. A big chunk of that is for school safety. If we see a need, we take care of it, Henry said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Wyoming County, the majority of the 14 schools have security vestibules, or man-traps, complete with security windows and package transfers. Permanent improvement funds were used to construct man-traps at visitor entrances in several of the schools. In the schools where the installation is more complicated and more costly, additional funding comes from the $20 million facilities bond sale approved by county voters in November 2022. Our citizens always step up to the plate and support our schools, Henry said. The facilities bond that our citizens passed includes three man-traps inside the bond Oceana Middle, Pineville Middle, and Baileysville Elementary and Middle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oceana Middle Schools visitor entrance, complete with man-trap, will be moved to the rear of the building. Parents will continue to drop-off and pick-up their children in the front of the building just as they always have. Once the man-trap is complete, however, visitors coming to the school during the day will have to enter at the rear of the building, coming in from the Gilliland Park side. The office will also be moved from its second-floor location to the rear of the building to improve school safety. Most recently, the county Board of Education earmarked nearly $1 million for a new security camera system that links into the Wyoming County Emergency Services/911 Center as well as law enforcement agencies and includes facial recognition software. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new camera system gives us such a needed upgrade in terms of school safety, Henry noted. All schools will be on the same system that will be integrated into our 911 Center. All police departments will also have access to our cameras. This will allow everyone to get on the same page and scene quickly. We hope that feature will never be needed, but it sure is nice to know it is here if we need it, Henry said. School buses are also equipped with state-of-the-art camera systems that provide both audio and visual coverage to increase protection. Additional measures include customized door entries that feature each schools mascot in the window coverings that prevent visitors from looking inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Classroom doors and all exterior doors are locked at all times, per county policy. Visitors must enter through the main door by ringing the security bell. The school system also uses See Something, Say Something, a national campaign initially used to build public awareness about terrorism, then adapted more recently to raise awareness concerning school safety threats. It may appear to be no more than a passerby peeping in vehicle windows. Or maybe someone tries several side or rear entries into a school. Maybe a strange vehicle makes several passes by a school. A student may appear overly anxious or is suddenly combative when always before he was placid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything out of the ordinary may constitute a threat to student and staff safety. Every school in the county now exhibits a banner containing a QR code. A QR (quick response) code consists of black or colored pixels on a white background a type of barcode loaded with specific information which can be read by an imaging device. Thus students, staff, or parents can use their phones to scan the QR code and report any suspicious behavior to the central office. A See Something, Say Something alert oftentimes results in a school-wide lockdown an emergency procedure that closes the school, preventing anyone from entering or exiting the building, in an effort to prevent a potential threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lockdowns can be called for a wide variety of issues, Henry explained. Our students and staff utilize our See Something, Say Something app quite well. Lockdowns could come from a report from a student, staff member, or community member. When a report is received, the administrator decides on a soft lockdown or a full lockdown. Anytime a lockdown is called, we always notify law enforcement, Henry noted. Additionally, both high schools have Prevention Resource Officers (PROs) experienced deputies working under the authority of the county Sheriffs Department. Initial funding for two officers came from a grant that included the school systems partnership with the county Sheriffs Department and county Commission. Currently, the school systems share of the cost comes from excess levy monies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers are in the school buildings every day to provide security for the students and staff and trained to identify situations that may escalate into trouble. Sheriffs Lt. Scott Cook is assigned to Wyoming County East High and Sgt. Kenny Wallen is stationed at Westside High. The deputies handle any criminal activity, violence or threats of violence in the building, fights, among other incidents. Additionally, the officers handle drug violations, which includes vaping. Inhaling, and exhaling, the vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device is considered vaping. Vapor products, such as electronic cigarettes and vapor pens, are now classified as drug paraphernalia in county schools due to the extreme threat to students health. Also, the deputies facilitate non-traditional classes designed to open student discussions on drug abuse, tobacco and tobacco-substitute products, cyber bullying, among other topics, according to officials. The officers want the students to see them as someone they can trust, someone they can come to with a problem, someone who cares about them as an individual. They also strive to get to know each student well enough to identify potential issues before they become significant problems. The deputies are armed, drive police cruisers, and make arrests in the event of any criminal offense. The officers also visit the feeder schools for both high schools, explained Wyoming County Sheriff Brad Ellison. The students, staff, as well as parents can share concerns with the officers, Ellison said. With the violent events that have occurred in other locations, Ellison said his department often discusses the possibilities and plans of action. Weve also conducted practice drills and exercises at both high schools, the sheriff said. Additionally, all the deputies make random visits to all the schools across the county during the school day, in the evening, as well as in the wee hours of the morning. Anything can happen at anytime, Ellison said, and we want to be ready. Whatever the situation is, these officers will go straight into it. They will confront it immediately, the sheriff emphasized. Their presence alone prevents many occurrences from even coming about, Henry noted. We will continue this at both high schools. In addition to the high schools, they are on call for the feeder schools. They monitor feeder buildings regularly. A relationship with (the Sheriffs Department) and other city/town departments is essential and appreciated in keeping students safe, Henry emphasized. In addition to police presence, administrators as well as teachers and other school personnel remain vigilant. We are blessed with some wonderful, vigilant school administrators in Wyoming County, Henry said. Along with their staff, they are constantly monitoring who is in their building. All threats are taken seriously. We are constantly evolving on school safety and security. This means that we are constantly looking for additional ways to keep our students and staff safe. Communication is always key, Henry emphasized. We will continue to train our staff and students on the latest security measures. Im grateful for the work that our principals and employees do to keep our kids safe. They are vigilant and protectors of our most precious gift our children. WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) Police in Wyoming say a man was taken to the hospital Saturday morning after a shooting. Officers responded to the 100 block of Wilbur Street SE, near Jefferson Avenue SE, shortly after 8 a.m., authorities told News 8. According to the Wyoming Police Department, the man was hospitalized with injuries that were not considered life-threatening. Police told News 8 that the man was not cooperative. They said he would not tell them where the shooting took place, nor would he provide other information. Its not clear what led up to the shooting. No one was in custody as of Saturday afternoon, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. Nov. 24 (UPI) -- New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, who has been married for 40 years, signed a bill into law Friday that overturns a 117-year-old ban on adultery -- a move praised by those who said the seldom-used law could be used to target women. Under the law, it was a class B misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail for engaging in "sexual intercourse with another person at a time when he has a living spouse, or the other person has a living spouse." Patrick Hirsch, a wealthy railroad contractor, and a woman named Ruby Yeargin were the first people to be charged under the law in September 1907, The New York Times reported at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hirsch's wife hired a private detective, fearing her husband was having an affair, and the couple were detained at Yeargin's home where they were ordered to put their clothes on after begging police not to arrest them. They were ultimately released after paying the fine. But the law was rarely used over the years. The last known case was in 2010 when local police in the town of Batavia charged a 41-year-old married woman caught in the act with a man on a picnic table in a public park. The adultery charge was later dropped. Paul Keable, chief strategy officer of the clandestine dating platform Ashley Madison, spoke to UPI about the law and the impact such laws have, noting it is the third time such laws have been struck down recently including in India and Taiwan. New York Assemblyman Charles Lavine, a Democrat who co-sponsored the bill to undo the 1907 legislation, noted in a statement after Hochul signed the bill that the United Nations Human Rights Commission issued a 2012 report advocating that adultery should not be a criminal offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If you look into the history of adultery laws, they generally were created as a means to control women, and very, very few men were ever charged or punished for their adultery, whereas many, many women were," Keable added. "And so, it's not lost to me that it was a female governor in New York who struck down this law, because she more than likely saw the hypocrisy within it and that it just has no place in a modern state." Keable noted that Ashley Madison and companies like it could not have been held civilly or criminally liable under the law because the language in it explicitly stated that it only pertained to a person in a marital relationship. "There were specific provisions there that would exclude any charges against a third party. But there have been laws in other states over the years that have affected Ashley Madison," he said, particularly states like North Carolina where the company was sued in 2012 by a jilted husband. Ultimately, the man was not awarded any damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We successfully pushed back, and the law has been revised to only be accountable to the individuals perpetrating the act," Keable said. "Because if you were to charge Ashley Madison, you'd have to charge the hotel rooms. You'd have to charge Apple for letting people use their iPhones to commit these acts of adultery." But while the New York law didn't really stand in the way of Ashley Madison offering its services in the state, Keable still hailed the change in the law as a win for the company, and society at large. "It's a recognition of changing morals and mores for Western culture," he said. "Truly not that long ago, a woman needed her husband to sign a bank form to give her a credit card, so her economic means was very much tied to her marital status. I wouldn't necessarily say we're at full equality, but we're getting closer to it there." As for whether there are any other laws out there that Ashley Madison still finds limiting, he noted that Wisconsin and Michigan still have laws on the books that make adultery a felony while another 14 states still have it as a misdemeanor with fines can be up to $10,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keable noted that such laws also effectively ban polyamory and ethical non-monogamy, which are a growing part of Ashley Madison's business. The company has seen an increase to about 20% of its users who have disclosed non-monogamy, meaning their partners are aware -- if not participating outright -- in their activities. "Over the past couple of years, we've seen a significant increase in people who might be considered polyamorous and open relationship, but they just don't want their friends, family, and colleagues knowing about their business," Keable said. "So, they use Ashley Madison with their husband or wife's consent, if not participation." He foresees the company seeing even more of an increase over time because of the growing acceptance of this path, not so much just because of the downfall of laws like the one in New York. "This is not an activist action by a governor," he said. "This is just a simple recognition that society's moved on since 100 years ago when that law was originally put on the books." President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Group of 20 (G20) leaders on Nov. 23 following the most recent summit in Brazil, adding that Brazilian President Lula da Silva, the current holder of the G20 Presidency, showed a "weak position" on Russia's war in Ukraine. The group, which includes Russia among its members, also includes a number of countries who have contributed to Russia's economic development throughout its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, including China and India. Despite ongoing divisions among G20 nations regarding the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, negotiators managed to reach a consensus on a final communique that broadly condemned the human suffering caused by both wars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The G20 summits final communique devotes just one paragraph to the war in Ukraine, a stark contrast to the seven paragraphs in last years declaration from New Delhi. This years statement omits any condemnation of nuclear threats tied to Ukraine or appeals to halt attacks on food and energy infrastructure. The statement has faced criticism for its weak stance on Russia, avoiding a direct condemnation of its actions in Ukraine. The worlds major economies used ambiguous language, merely referencing the "human suffering" caused by the war and stopping short of directly naming Russia. "If we want good, normal relations between our nations, between our peoples, then, we should probably support people first, not aggressors, leaders of aggression in the world, like (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, like today's modern Russia," Zelensky said. Zelensky added that a lack of a strong, unified condemnation by G20 leaders led Putin to strike Ukraine with new weapons, including Russia's use of the new type of intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) against Dnipro on Nov. 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Without a clear stance from major countries the United States, Brazil, Asian and African states agreements with Putin will amount to mere stalling tactics and further intimidation by Russia," the Presidential Office wrote in a news release. Read also: Russia reportedly uses new Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine what we know so far Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasises that the world possesses air defence systems capable of countering missiles like the one used by Russia this week to strike Dnipro. He underscores the need for global efforts to force Russia to seek genuine peace. Source: Zelenskyy's evening address Quote: "And no matter how much Russia tries to blackmail everyone it can, we must not lose our resolve, we must keep pushing, and only in this way will real peace become closer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Ukraines Security Service and the Ministry of Internal Affairs presented media agencies with fragments of the Russian missile that struck Dnipro. Experts are currently analysing the evidence and working with our partners to establish all the details and specifications of this missile, and to find a response together to this latest Russian escalation. The world has air defence systems capable of countering such threats. Everyone must focus on this. Russia must feel that every step it takes to expand the war has consequences for it." Details: Zelenskyy stressed that the world must not allow Russian leader Vladimir Putin to be "given a single week to adapt or find countermeasures". "We must consistently do everything to force Russia into seeking peace true peace. This can only be achieved through two things: helping Ukraine and pressuring Russia," he said. Background: Ukraines Air Force noted that during the latest missile attack on the city of Dnipro, Russia used an intercontinental ballistic missile. Ukrainska Pravda sources reported that it could have been a Rubezh missile, a potential carrier of nuclear warheads. In his Thursday address, Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin indirectly confirmed US reports, stating that during the morning attack on Dnipro on 21 November, Russia used the Oreshnik medium-range missile. On 22 November, Defence Intelligence of Ukraine announced that Russia had struck the territory of Ukraine on 21 November, using a ballistic missile, probably launched from the Kedr missile system. On 24 November, the AP agency published the photos of the remains of the Oreshnik missile that hit the city of Dnipro on 21 November. Support UP or become our patron! PCMag editors select and review products independently. If you buy through affiliate links, we may earn commissions, which help support our testing. A well-known Stanford professor is accused of including fake AI-generated citations in a legal argument on the dangers of deepfakes. Minnesota has proposed a law that will enforce legal restrictions on using deepfakes around election time. Professor Jeff Hancock, a founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab, submitted in support of the bill, the Minnesota Reformer reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, journalists and legal professors have been unable to locate some of the studies cited in the argument, such as Deepfakes and the Illusion of Authenticity: Cognitive Processes Behind Misinformation Acceptance." Some commentators suggest this could be a sign that parts of the argument were generated by artificial intelligence, which has a history of making up answers. Opponents of Minnesotas bill have argued that these AI hallucinations make the professor's legal argument less reliable. The court filing, from conservative and Republican Representative Mary Franson, said the mysterious citations calls the entire document into question. Professor Hancock is a well-known name in the field of misinformation. One of his TED talks, The Future of Lying, has racked up over 1.5 million views on YouTube, and he also stars in a documentary on misinformation that is available on Netflix. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Professor Hancock has yet to publically respond to the allegations against him. Last year, two New York lawyers after submitting a legal brief that included fake citations generated by OpenAIs ChatGPT Elon Musks X is spearheading a comparable lawsuit challenging Californias Defending Democracy From Deepfake Deception Act of 2024, which will also impose limits on creating and sharing deepfakes around election time, on First Amendment grounds. Weighing in on the bribery allegations against the Adani Group by US prosecutors and its market regulator, former foreign secretary Kanwal Sibal argued on Sunday that these allegations represented an extraterritorial application of US laws. In a post on X, Sibal argued that simply because some money was raised in the US by a company and that company allegedly paid bribes in India, it cannot be argued that the principal cause of action lies in the US. "Have US investors lost financially or morally?" Sibal questioned. Sibal argued that legal route should be taken if charges are proved after investigation. He suggested that the case should be transferred to India with all the evidence, including how the electronic information including details of company meetings in India, were obtained. "It would then be for the Indian administrative and judicial processes to take appropriate action. Rejecting the extraterritorial application of US laws does not mean shielding an Indian industrialist from legal action. The issue is one of national sovereignty," Kanwal Sibal explained. In a pointed critique, Sibal noted that the moral posturing of the US District Attorney sounds comical, with so many financial, business, and moral infirmities within the US system. "Robert Kennedy Jr who will be a Minister in the Trump administration has publicly accused the Biden government and US defence companies of large-scale money laundering in supplying billions worth of arms to Ukraine. The moral posturing of the US District Attorney who wants to clean up the international market place sounds comical with so many financial, business, and moral infirmities within the US system," he argued in his post. Earlier this week, a five-count criminal indictment was unsealed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, charging prominent Indian executives, including Chairman of the Adani Group, Gautam Adani, by linking them to an alleged bribery and fraud scheme. In response, Adani Group strongly denied the bribery allegations made by the US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of the Adani Green as "baseless." An Adani Group spokesperson in an official statement had said all legal recourse will be taken. "The US Department of Justice and the US Securities and Exchange Commission against directors of Adani Green are baseless and denied," the statement had read. The Adani Group also reaffirmed its dedication to high standards of governance, compliance, and transparency across its operations. (ANI) Maharashtra Assembly Election Results: After securing a massive victory in the Maharashtra Assembly polls on Saturday, the partners in the Mahayuti allianceBJP, Shiv Sena, and NCPare holding crucial meetings with elected MLAs on Sunday, according to an India Today report.The crucial meetings come amid the discussions over the Chief Minister post. The parties will be electing their respective legislative party leaders. Meanwhile, senior NCP leader Ajit Pawar has been elected as the Legislative Party Leader of his party at a meeting held at his official Mumbai residence. Separate meetings are set to be conducted by the BJP and the Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) camp with the respective newly elected MLAs. As far as the saffron camp is concerned, the core committee of the BJP is set to meet at Devendra Fadnavis official residence in Mumbai, while Eknath Shinde has called a meeting with all newly elected MLAs at a hotel in Bandra. After wrapping up separate party meetings, all Mahayuti MLAs will gather for an alliance meeting on Monday to hold discussions over the selection of Maharashtra's next Chief Minister. As far as the results of the Maharashtra Assembly polls are concerned, the Mahayuti alliance retained power in Maharashtra after winning 233 out of 288 seats and dealing a major blow to the Opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), who were reduced to mere 49 seats and rendering them unable to claim the post of Opposition Leader. The BJP emerged as the largest party with a record 132 seats, while Shiv Sena and NCP also strengthened their positions, securing 57 and 41 seats, respectively. The Mahayuti leaders will make the decision regarding the Chief Minister's post in consultation with the BJPs top brass in Delhi, India Today reported, citing sources. Amid the suspense over the CM face, the swearing-in ceremony is expected to be held on Tuesday, November 26, at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The event will see the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries from various sectors. Amid growing global interest in the indigenous multi barrel rocket launchers (MBRL), India has started the supply of the highly capable Pinaka rockets to Armenia. The supplies of the DRDO-developed rocket launchers have started around the same time India has started deliveries of the Akash air defence missile system to that country. The first lot of the Pinaka multi barrel rocket launcher systems has been supplied to Armenia, defence sources told ANI. The Pinaka rocket launchers are highly capable weapon system with variants which can strike targets over 80 Kms. The contract between Indian firms and Armenia for the supply of these weapons was signed about two years ago after extended negotiations. Armenia is one of three largest buyers of Indian weapons and equipment along with the US and France. A number of countries from South East Asia and Europe have shown interest in the Pinaka rockets whose multiple variants have been developed in recent times and the Indian Army is looking to induct them in a big way. The DRDO recently also carried out important test of the guided Pinaka rockets which are produced by Nagpur-based Solar Industry's Economic Explosives Limited along with government-owned Munitions India Limited. France has shown interest in the acquisition of this weapon system. Named after the Hindu god Shiva's divine bow, the French interest in the rocket system was shown during a high-level visit by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan earlier this year. India has been pushing the indigenous systems for export markets and the Centre has been able to achieve success by three times since 2014. Notably, France is the second largest importer of Indian defence equipment after the US with a lot of electronics items going there from India. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Saturday praised the concept of 'Brand Bharat,' describing it as a "statement of authenticity" in how India is represented, articulated, and in its beliefs. He stressed that it also conveys a message that "we are now more comfortable in our own skin." Jaishankar highlighted during a virtual address at India Ideas Conclave that it also represents the "brand of Vishwa Bandhu" where on the global stage, a "multi-vector approach" engages the Quad and BRICS, Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Iran, as well as the Global North and Global South. Nations, like people, enterprises or services, have a reputation. When this reputation becomes deeply ingrained in people's minds and easily recognizable, it evolves into a brand. Clearly, this is tied to the merits of the nation and its track record, he explained. "When it comes to a country, the national brand is obviously a fusion and aggregation of different facets of its life. On the global stage, it is much more an integrated positioning of multiple endeavours. We, in the world of diplomacy, have that responsibility. My thoughts today are about how we discharge that for an India that is more Bharat," he said. In his virtual address, the External Affairs Minister outlined India's journey from its struggle for freedom to achieving independence, and the path the country followed in the decades that followed. "Our initial decades after independence saw us struggling with the brand challenge. Given the ground situation, this was not unsurprising. A society recovering from two centuries of colonialism obviously had to painstakingly build itself up, creating new capabilities, institutions and practices," he added. Jharkhand Government Formation: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha executive president Hemant Soren tendered his resignation as Jharkhand Chief Minister to the Governor Santosh Gangwar and staked a claim to form government at the Raj Bhawan. He is set to take the oath as Chief Minister of Jharkhand on November 28. "On November 28, the oath ceremony of the new government will take place," Hemant Soren told reporters on Sunday. "Today we have started the procedure to form the (INDIA) alliance government, and in that series, we have staked a claim to form government in front of the Governor. I also tendered my resignation to him...Congress and the RJD in charge were also present here...On November 28, the oath ceremony will take place," he added. Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahay said that Soren has been elected as the leader of the INDIA bloc in Jharkhand. "All the party workers and leaders extended their support, and Hemant Soren was chosen as leader of Jharkhand Assembly House. The tentative date (for oath taking) is the 28th," Sahay said. Hemant Soren-led JMM steered the INDIA bloc to victory with 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. In the Jharkhand Assembly polls, the JMM bagged 34 seats, while its allies secured 22 seats. Among the allies, the Congress won 16 seats, the RJD won four, and the CPI-ML won two seats. The BJP-led NDA won only 24 seats in Jharkhand. The BJP secured 21 seats, while its alliesthe AJSU party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD-Uwon one seat each. Additionally, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, a smaller party contesting state assembly elections, won a seat with its chief, Jairam Kumar Mahato, emerging victorious in the Dumri constituency. The JMM-led alliance retained power in Jharkhand, where assembly polls were conducted in two phaseson November 13 and November 20. (With ANI Inputs) Kerala Lottery Results Sunday 24-11-2024 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "AKSHAYA AK-678" Lucky Draw Result today Akshaya AK-678, November 24, 2024. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2024 for "Akshaya AK-687" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Akshaya AK-678 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Akshaya AK-678 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 24-11-2024 November: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR AKSHAYA AK-678 Draw LUCKY NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS: AU 260287 LUCKY NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKHS IS: AX 933882 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: 1) AN 203066 2) AO 801038 3) AP 322922 4) AR 886234 5) AS 628984 6) AT 769869 7) AU 378075 8) AV 225499 9) AW 717194 10) AX 240015 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE: AN 260287 AO 260287 AP 260287 AS 260287 AT 260287 AV 260287 AW 260287 AX 260287 AY 260287 AZ 260287 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: 0019 1472 1538 2057 2249 2743 3111 3419 4424 5034 5126 5459 5569 7727 9067 9089 9538 9650 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE: 0196 4910 5237 5391 6836 7965 8299 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 2471 2799 2856 2862 3191 3561 3732 3733 4197 4313 5100 5124 6015 6179 6237 6275 6912 6961 6995 7271 7354 7445 7977 8582 9845 9965 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0066 0075 0248 0286 0484 0620 1015 1437 1972 2044 2081 2082 2325 2326 2389 2399 2467 2622 3010 3127 3152 3190 3413 3505 3746 3760 4033 4198 4352 4499 4650 4681 4691 4802 4949 5225 5298 5369 5424 5468 5555 5689 5724 5790 6284 6683 6776 6813 6939 6970 7088 7150 7436 7780 7812 7832 8199 8204 8343 8417 8521 8576 8677 8781 8791 8876 9064 9368 9375 9664 9982 9990 LUCKY NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0076 0082 0232 0242 0263 0423 0514 0580 0752 0805 1081 1094 1170 1222 1370 1463 1474 1542 1546 1597 1686 1779 1914 1939 1957 2215 2228 2321 2331 2554 2637 2681 2693 2808 2869 2959 3001 3011 3053 3122 3158 3160 3169 3175 3507 3595 3860 3944 4063 4067 4140 4175 4185 4310 4353 4400 4437 4606 4782 5004 5023 5135 5511 5550 5556 5598 5652 5654 5731 5782 5864 5976 6007 6041 6092 6119 6334 6500 6802 6818 6827 7000 7074 7105 7144 7316 7649 7652 7707 7721 7823 7888 7957 7979 8084 8197 8215 8313 8327 8363 8414 8548 8550 8625 8679 8685 8697 8746 8862 8878 8991 9131 9139 9175 9255 9319 9326 9653 9790 9836 9899 9961 9967 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT 24-11-2024 November TODAY: AKSHAYA AK-678 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 5 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs. 5,000 5th Prize: Rs. 2,000 6th Prize: Rs. 1,000 7th Prize: Rs. 500 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Stay Tuned To Zee News For Live And Latest Updates On Kerala Lottery Result 2024 An actress who had announced that she is withdrawing her complaints in the sexual harassment case against seven individuals, including Malayalam film actors Mukesh M and Jayasuriya said that she was doing so because she was distressed about not getting support to prove her innocence in a POSCO case filed against her. In a conversation with ANI, she said, "I boldly came to this case because I have faced a lot of atrocities in Malayalam film industry 15 years ago that I concealed because I gave priority to my children's education and also I was scared.. So even I acted in more than 16 Malayalam films, then nobody didn't, you know, try to give me association. member in AMMA (Association of Malayalam Movie Artists). They didn't give me a membership. Then I thought of being here in Kerala." She said, "I had left Kerala and went to Chennai. For 15 years I was not in film industry, then I came to live here in Kerala. I was living here peacefully. Then suddenly I heard that our chief minister is declaring that if anybody is abused, if they come forward, we will take an action about them," "Atrocities are still going on, when I came to know, I felt very bad. So I thought that for tomorrow's welfare, I have to come forward and tell the truth. Then I disclosed everything and some about seven prominent actors. And I was, even I had a very good support from the government..., and even I too cooperated with them" the actress said. A case was filed against the actress under the POSCO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) Act on a complaint made by one of her relatives who alleged that the actress misused her and took her to some place offering roles in movies. The actress later claimed innocence and said that the POSCO case against her was false and she failed to receive support from the government to prove the same. "In between, one girl, my cousin, registered a case about the POSCO case. It was a fabricated case, and I felt so shocked because it is from my cousin, first cousin... She has come to my house three days. It is true. That time I was at a location. I used to go early morning, 6 am to the shoot location, and used to return at 8 o'clock. When they came, my children were there, my servants were there. She is telling that the second day I took her, to some hotel and I sold her to sex media. On the second day, I was at the location only, and the same second day, she had gone with my children to beach, shopping mall and all. They came late, nine o'clock only. So all the proof I have, but no one called me." The actress continued, "I became distressed because my children are also a little worried, my parents and my relatives, they were worried about the POSCO case. I gave a complaint, a counter-complaint to the police Station where the case was registered. And then I gave a complaint to the SP. Then I gave a complaint to the DGP. Then I sent a mail to Chief Minister. Then even I sent a mail to Prime Minister regarding it's a fabricated case." The actress had accused actors Mukesh M, Jayasurya, Maniyanpilla Raju, and Idavela Babu of both verbal and physical abuse during their collaborations on film projects. The Justice Hema Committee report highlighted the sexual harassment allegations faced by some members of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) executive committee. She said that she decided later to take the complaint back as, "I realized the government is not with me. This social media bullying is going on, and the government is still silent. And being accused, I have right to know about the status of the case. And nobody is ready to respond to what is the status. And they're not responding to my phone also. Then I thought that it's better to give up on the case. I decided to give up all the cases. I decided to revoke the cases." "Only because of, no other things, because of POSCO, I want to get justice. And I want to reveal my innocence about this POSCO. I want to get justice. And I want to reveal my innocence about this case. I'll wait for three days if I get any response from any other high officials regarding the POSCO, I will proceed. I have all the clips. But that I will not give it now because I'm keeping it for trial. So now I am giving up these cases only because I need justice. I want to reveal my innocence about this POSCO case. And she has to be questioned," the actress said. In August this year, the Kerala Police registered an FIR against actor and Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI(M) MLA from Kollam, Mukesh M. "FIR has been registered against actor Mukesh, CPI (M) MLA from Kollam constituency. The FIR was registered on the basis of the complaint of an actress," Kerala Police told ANI. The police also added that another FIR has been registered against Actor Jayasurya on the complaint of the same actress, under section 354 which deals with intent to outrage modesty. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had taken the statement of the actress. Speaking to ANI, the actress detailed her experiences, alleging a range of misconduct. "Once, as I was coming out from the toilet, Jayasurya hugged me from behind and even kissed me forcefully... After that, Idavela Babu expressed his interest in a sexual relationship with me," she claimed. (ANI) Violence erupted in Sambhal district, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday following a disputed survey of a mosque, leading to three fatalities and several injuries. In response to the unrest, local authorities enforced a 24-hour internet ban in the Sambhal Tehsil area and declared schools would remain closed. The situation worsened as the death toll from the violence increased to three, with many others, including approximately 20 law enforcement officers, injured. Protesters, opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque, clashed with the police, setting vehicles on fire and hurling stones. The police responded with tear gas and baton charges to disperse the crowd. Here are the 10 key updates on the incident: 1. Internet Shutdown and School Closures Sambhal District Magistrate, Rajendra Pensia, ordered the suspension of internet services for 24 hours in Sambhal Tehsil to control the situation. The decision will be reassessed after 24 hours. Additionally, all schools in the area will remain closed as a precautionary measure. 2. Casualties and Injuries The violence left three individuals dead: Naeem, Bilal, and Nauman. Over two dozen people, including police officers and government officials, were injured in the clashes. Four senior police officers, 20 policemen, and a deputy collector were among the seriously hurt, with a police PRO suffering a gunshot wound to the leg. 3. Magisterial Inquiry Ordered Following the violence, a magisterial inquiry was ordered to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. Local authorities are working to determine the cause of the clash and identify those responsible for the violence. 4. Clashes Erupt During Mosque Survey The unrest started when a team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid for a court-ordered survey. Initially, the survey proceeded without incident, but tensions quickly escalated when a large group gathered and began throwing stones at security personnel. Police responded by using tear gas to disperse the crowd. 5. Survey Background and Legal Context The survey was part of a legal process stemming from a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain. The petition claimed that the Shahi Jama Masjid, built in 1529, was originally a Hindu temple, Harihar Mandir, that had been demolished to make way for the mosque. The local court had ordered a fresh survey to examine the claims. 6. Police Response and Security Measures Superintendent of Police, Krishan Bishnoi, addressed the media, defending the police's handling of the situation. He clarified that the police forces were deployed in accordance with orders from the District Magistrate and denied any intelligence failure, stating that the violence was an unexpected escalation after a community gathered overnight. 7. Escalation of Violence What started as a peaceful survey soon turned violent as the crowd grew to about 2,000 to 3,000 people. Protesters began throwing stones at the police and the survey team, prompting the security forces to deploy tear gas and use pellet guns. Some vehicles were set on fire, and several people were arrested for their involvement in stone-pelting. 8. Opposition Parties React Samajwadi Party President, Akhilesh Yadav, condemned the violence, accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the government of orchestrating the unrest to divert attention from allegations of electoral malpractice. Yadavs comments added a political dimension to the incident, fueling further debate in the region. 9. Timeline of Earlier Surveys The initial survey of the Shahi Jama Masjid took place on November 19, following a local court's instructions. The court's directive was based on the claim that the mosque was built after the demolition of a Hindu temple in the 16th century. The mosque has since been a focal point of tension, with locals opposing the survey and raising questions about its historical significance. 10. Legal Process The ongoing legal proceedings, led by Vishnu Shankar Jain, have prompted the court to order a detailed survey. The survey includes videography and photography of the mosque, with a report expected by the next hearing on November 29. The case has drawn in multiple parties, including the central and state governments, the mosque committee, and local authorities. Lucknow: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday alleged the violence in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district over the survey of a mosque was "orchestrated" by the BJP, the government and the administration "to divert attention from electoral malpractice". Police used tear gas and "minor force" in the face of stone pelting by locals in Sambhal on Sunday as tension escalated during a second survey of the Mughal-era mosque, claimed to be originally the site of an ancient Hindu temple. Ten people have been detained and a probe was launched into the violence, an official said. Tension has been brewing in Sambhal over the past few days after the Jama Masjid was surveyed last Tuesday on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site. A day after the Uttar Pradesh bypoll results were declared and the Samajwadi Party managed to win just two seats while the BJP and its ally RLD bagged the other seven, Yadav levelled serious allegations against the police and administration. "A serious incident occurred in Sambhal. A survey team was deliberately sent in the morning to disrupt discussions about the elections. The intention was to create chaos so that no debate on election issues could happen," the Samajwadi Party chief claimed. Citing reports, he said several people were injured in the violence in Sambhal and asked when a survey of the mosque was already done, why was a new survey conducted again and "that too in the morning and without preparation?" "I don't want to go into the legal or procedural aspects, but the other side was not even heard. This was intentionally done to provoke emotions and avoid discussions on election rigging," Yadav said. "What happened in Sambhal was orchestrated by the BJP, the government and the administration to divert attention from electoral malpractices," the former UP chief minister alleged. Asserting that in democracy, true victory comes from the people, not the system, he said, "The new democracy created by the BJP ensures that people cannot vote while the system dominates." He added that whenever an impartial investigation takes place, and the truth comes out through booth recordings and CCTV footage, it will be evident that "voters did not cast their votes and someone else became the voter inside the booth". Yadav claimed that on the polling day, the police and the administration removed the Samajwadi Party's almost all booth agents and many supporters who wanted to vote. "If voters were prevented from voting, then who cast the votes? If Samajwadi Party votes didn't reach those booths and our candidate didn't get support, then who voted there? This is a serious issue," he said. "Additionally, there were two types of slips, -- one with a red mark and another regular slip. We raised this issue on the voting day itself, stating that the administration had created such arrangements, leading to discrimination," Yadav alleged. The Samajwadi Party's candidate for the Kundarki assembly bypoll Haji Rizwan too has alleged that his supporters were prevented from voting. The BJP's Ramveer Singh won the bypoll in the Kundarki seat by a margin of over 1.45 lakh votes. Mumbai: The newly-elected assembly members of the Shiv Sena have authorised Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde to hold talks with the ruling Mahayuti allies for the formation of next government in the state. The Shiv Sena Legislature Party meeting will be held on Sunday evening after all its newly-elected members reach Mumbai. Sena leader Deepak Kesakar said there was no dispute on the issue of the chief minister's post. The Mahayuti, comprising the Shiv Sena, BJP and NCP of deputy CM Ajit Pawar, retained power in the state on Saturday by winning 230 of the 288 assembly seats. On Saturday evening, CM Shinde held an online meeting of his party's working committee and newly-elected members, who authorised him to hold talks with the allies, a party functionary said. He was also authorised to appoint the legislature party group leader, chief whip and other office-bearers. Shiv Sena leader Deepak Kesarkar told reporters on Sunday that the new government has to be sworn in by November 25 as the term of the outgoing assembly ends on November 26. "It looks like the swearing-in may be held at the Wankhede stadium in Mumbai. Ajit Pawar and Eknath Shinde are national presidents of their respective parties. They will elect their own group leader while the decision on chief minister will be taken in Delhi," he said, adding there is no dispute on the issue. Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday celebrated outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office by bursting crackers after the results of the by-elections to nine assembly seats in the state were declared. On Saturday, the Election Commission of India declared the results of by-elections for 48 assembly seats held across 13 states, with the BJP and its allies winning the majority of the seats, while Congress won both Lok Sabha constituencies of Wayanad in Kerala and Nanded in Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won six assembly by-polls, and its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD) won one seat, while the Samajwadi Party was able to win just two seats out of nine contested. Following the massive win in UP by-elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday congratulated party leaders and workers and said that the credit for the "historic win" goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "Today the results of the Maharashtra Election 2024 and Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024 have come, and the results of the by-elections have also come... PM Modi's vision and leadership have helped us to win. The public has shown their trust in PM Modi's vision and policies... I congratulate all the winning candidates," CM Yogi said while addressing a press conference in Lucknow. Among the assembly by-polls, the BJP and its allies won the maximum seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) also won all six seats in West Bengal, while Congress won only seven seats, including all three assembly constituencies in Karnataka. In Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was making her electoral debut, registered a massive victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll. According to the Election Commission, Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad by-poll by 410,931 votes by defeating BJP's Navya Haridas and CPI's Sathyan Mokeri. She won 622,338 votes against Navya Haridas' 109,939. This win will allow Priyanka Gandhi to join her mother, Sonia Gandhi, a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan, and her brother Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Rae Bareli constituency in the Lok Sabha. In Assam, the BJP won three seats while its allies, the United Peoples Party, Liberal, and Asom Gana Parishad, won one seat each. In Rajasthan, the BJP emerged victorious in five out of seven assembly constituencies, while the Congress and the Bharat Adivasi Party won one seat each. Similarly, the BJP won the lone assembly seat each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, while the National People's Party won the lone seat in Meghalaya. The by-elections were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states. New Delhi: Actor Ranveer Singh and acclaimed filmmaker Aditya Dhar visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek blessings ahead of commencing the next schedule of their highly anticipated film in the city. The visit to the holy temple is a heartfelt gesture from the duo, who paid homage to the sanctity of the city and its rich heritage. For generations, Amritsar has been a beacon of spiritual strength for people and the actor-director duo wanted to visit the Temple before starting the next schedule of the film. The team shot for an elaborate schedule in Bangkok earlier and this will be their second schedule. Ranveer Singh took to instagram and shared a picture of their visit to the holy temple. Have A Look At The Post: Ranveer captioned the post, '' , '' It means that if God (or a higher power) is protecting someone, no harm can come to them, regardless of the circumstances. Ranveer Singh's Next Project This upcoming project brings together two powerhouses in Indian cinemaAditya Dhar, whose debut 'URI: The Surgical Strike' became a record-breaking phenomenon, and Ranveer Singh who is recently seen in Singham Again is ready to deliver another career-defining performance under Dhars meticulous direction. The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande from Jio Studios along with Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar under their banner B62 Studios. Espionage thriller features a star-studded cast, including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal. With such a powerhouse ensemble and Dhars exceptional storytelling, this project is set to be one of the anticipated theatrical releases in recent years. Aditya Dhar's directorial project is yet to be titled, and further details are highly anticipated. Stay Tuned! Mumbai: Actor Naga Chaitanya announced a new film titled 'NC24' on his birthday On Saturday, Naga Chaitanya took to Instagram and shared a new poster. Along with the poster, he wrote, "#NC24 - An excavation into Mythical thrills & shivers. Excited to be part of your amazing vision @karthik_cinema." The poster features Chaitanya standing on a rock in a cave with a bag full of mountaineering equipment. An eye captures the essence of the film. It hints at a thrilling narrative that blends mythology with suspense. Netizens chimmed in the comment section with birthday wishes and blessings. A user wrote, "Happy Birthday ANNA all the best nc 23 24." Another fan commented, "Happy Birthday Chay." Talking about Naga Chaitanya's personal front, he is all set to tie the knot soon with Sobhita Dhulipala. Their pre-wedding festivities have already started. Sobhita took to Instagram and shared mesmerizing pictures from the 'Pasupu Danchadam' ceremony. In August, Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita got engaged at a private ceremony in Hyderabad in the presence of the couple's families and friends. Veteran star Nagarjuna Akkineni announced this exciting news by sharing pictures of his son Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita Dhulipala from their engagement ceremony on his X handle. Along with the post, he wrote, "We are delighted to announce the engagement of our son, Naga Chaitanya, to Sobhita Dhulipala, which took place this morning at 9:42 a.m.!! We are overjoyed to welcome her into our family. Congratulations to the happy couple! Wishing them a lifetime of love and happiness. God bless! 8.8.8 A beginning of infinite love Sobhitad chayakkineni." Naga Chaitanya was previously married to actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu. They announced their separation on social media in a joint statement in October 2021. Naga Chaitanya and Sobhita have remained tight-lipped about their relationship. If reports are to be believed, the newly engaged couple met a few months after Naga's divorce with Samantha. Meanwhile, on the work front, Naga Chaitanya will be seen in 'Thandel' alongside Sai Pallavi. Directed by Chandoo Mondeti, produced by Bunny Vas under the prestigious Geetha Arts banner and presented by Allu Aravind, the film's production is nearing completion, and the makers have officially announced the release date by unveiling a special romantic poster featuring the lead actors. Taking to X handle, Naga Chaitanya treated fans with new poster along with release date. ''#Thandel GRAND RELEASE WORLDWIDE ON FEBRUARY 7TH, 2025 #ThandelonFeb7th," he captioned the post. The poster captures the chemistry between Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi, set against a picturesque ocean backdrop. 'Thandel' will be hitting the screens on February 7, 2025. The film has already created a strong buzz, with the teaser and posters receiving positive responses. Fans are excited to see the much-loved pairing of Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi reunite on screen after their blockbuster hit 'Love Story', directed by Sekhar Kammula. 'Thandel' is inspired by real-life events that took place in the village of D Matchilesam in the Srikakulam district of Andhra Pradesh, and it promises a compelling mix of love, action, drama, and adrenaline rushing moments. The film also boasts an impressive crew, including National Award-winning composer Devi Sri Prasad for the music, Shamdat handling cinematography, and National Award-winning editor Naveen Nooli. The art department is headed by Srinagendra Tangala. The film features Naga Chaitanya and Sai Pallavi. It is written and directed by Chandoo Mondeti and is presented by Allu Aravind. Produced by Bunny Vas under the Geetha Arts banner, the film's music is composed by Devi Sri Prasad, with cinematography by Shamdat. Beirut: At least 20 people were killed and 66 others injured in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the Lebanese capital Beirut, Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported. The air raid at dawn targeted the eight-storey building in the Basta Fawka neighbourhood, destroying it and damaging the buildings nearby, the Ministry said on Saturday, noting Civil Defence teams are still working to remove the rubble in search of victims. Israeli media outlets reported that the airstrike was aimed at targeting a prominent Hezbollah official, Xinhua news agency reported. In a statement, Hezbollah lawmaker Amin Sherri said "there was no party figure, neither military nor civilian, in the targeted building in Beirut". On Saturday night, two paramedics were killed, and four others injured in Israeli airstrikes in the village of Ain Baal in Tyre district, southern Lebanon, according to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center affiliated with the Ministry. According to the Ministry, an Israeli drone attacked an Islamic Health Authority ambulance en route to Ain Baal for rescue operations. When a second ambulance team arrived to assist, it was also targeted by an Israeli drone, resulting in the death of two paramedics and injuries to four others from both teams. The Ministry condemned "this terrible disregard for humanitarian rescue work," reiterating its call for the international community to take a "firm stance" against Israel's "violations of international law". According to a statement issued by the World Health Organisation on Friday, at least 226 health workers and patients were killed and 199 others injured in Lebanon between October 7, 2023, and November 18, 2024. Since September 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. New Delhi: Elon Musk on Sunday praised Indias electoral system, comparing it to that of the United States. The Tesla CEO took a jab at Americas 2024 Presidential election, which concluded earlier this month on November 5. While Donald Trump secured a clear mandate to return to the White House, the vote counting process is still ongoing. On his platform, X, Musk shared a post stating, India counted 640 million votes in a single day. California is still counting 15 million votes... 18 days later. He captioned it as Tragic. California, the most populous US state with nearly 39 million residents, saw at least 16 million voters participate in the November 5 elections. Despite this high turnout, the state remains one of the slowest to tally and report election results, largely due to its reliance on mail-in voting. Election officials note that processing mail-in ballots, which require individual validation, is significantly more time-consuming than scanning in-person votes. This delay, compounded by the states vast size, means final results could take weeks to determine, similar to the 2020 presidential election. The vote-counting process in the United States is laborious. Ballots are counted manually, and results are shared with parties, officials, and the public. While preliminary results are usually announced on Election Night, final tallies, especially in close races, can take days to complete as every vote is carefully verified. In contrast, India employs Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for vote counting, with one EVM randomly selected per assembly segment of a parliamentary constituency for VVPAT matching. This efficient process allows the total votes, including postal ballots, to be tallied within a single day or just a few hours. The United States recently held its four-yearly presidential election, electing Donald J. Trump as the new President. The Republican Party secured 312 electoral votes, surpassing the 270-vote threshold needed for victory. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris managed to secure 226 electoral votes. Trump will officially assume the presidency after the inauguration ceremony at the U.S. Capitol on January 20. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has condemned the US "illegal interventions" in Venezuela's internal affairs. He made the remarks in a post on Saturday on social media platform X while reacting to a post earlier this week by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said his government recognised Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the South American country's "president-elect". "We condemn illegal interventions by the United States and some of its allies in Venezuela's internal affairs, which is reminiscent of (the) malign and divisive interventions of 2019 via recognition of a parallel government (in the country), and express our solidarity with Venezuela's legitimate and elected president Nicolas Maduro," said Baghaei. Baghaei said Iran considered any foreign intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs as contrary to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter and a blow to peace and stability in the South American country, Xinhua news agency reported. On July 29, Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential election after securing 51.2 per cent of the votes in the election held on July 28. The US has maintained a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against Maduro's government. New Delhi: India has rejected the new climate finance package of USD 300 billion for the Global South at the UN climate conference on Sunday in Baku, Azerbaijan. India labelled the aid package as too little, too late. The climate summit overran for 32 hours as the deal hit some roadblocks before being finalised. Many developing countries including Cuba and Nigeria are still unsatisfied with the arrangement. The summit, initially scheduled to conclude on Friday evening, extended into early Sunday due to prolonged negotiations. Chandni Raina, Adviser to the Department of Economic Affairs, stated that India was not given a chance to speak prior to the deal's adoption. "We are very unhappy, disappointed with the process, and object to the adoption of this agenda," PTI quoted the Indian negotiator as saying. "USD 300 billion does not address the needs and priorities of developing countries. It is incompatible with the principle of CBDR (Common but Differentiated Responsibilities) and equity, regardless of the battle with the impact of climate change," she added. Nigeria backed India, calling the $300 billion climate finance package a joke, with Malawi and Bolivia also voicing their support. World Resources Institute President and CEO Ani Dasgupta described the agreement as an important down payment toward a safer, more equitable future. However, he noted that the poorest and most vulnerable nations are rightfully disappointed that wealthier countries didnt put more money on the table when billions of peoples lives are at stake. In the early hours of Sunday, nations at the United Nations climate talks finalised an agreement on financing support for poorer countries impacted by climate change. While the deal has left many parties dissatisfied, others view it as a potential step forward despite its imperfections. UMB Mrs. India first runner-up Akshita Sharma on Sunday met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla to share her experiences from the competition. The Chief Minister congratulated Akshita on her remarkable achievement and praised her for bringing laurels to Himachal Pradesh. Akshita Sharma, who hails from Rohru in Shimla district, currently works as a banker in Chandigarh. She completed her schooling at Tara Hall School, Shimla, and pursued higher education at Panjab University. Akshita was accompanied by her husband, Pradhyut Sunta, their son Abir, and other family members during the meeting. Recently, Akshita shared an emotional post on Instagram expressing her gratitude and experiences from the competition held earlier this month. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCg6_hjP8mp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link She wrote, "Walking back into my hometown today feels like a dream come true--a moment of pride, joy, and gratitude that I will treasure forever. Bringing home the 1st Runner-Up title of UMB Pageants Mrs. India 2024 is not just a personal victory but a shared celebration of all the love and support I've received." "This achievement is not just mine--it's ours. To my incredible family and my loving in-laws, thank you for being my pillars of strength, for believing in me, and for standing by me through every step of this journey. Your unwavering support, love, and encouragement have made this dream possible. To everyone welcoming me home with such warmth and joy, I'm truly humbled and overwhelmed. This title is a reflection of all your love, prayers, and faith in me. I'm emotional, grateful, and ready to take on the world with all of you by my side. This is just the beginning!," the post further reads.(ANI) According to the police, 12 agricultural labourers from Nellutla village in Kuttluru Mandal were travelling in an auto to work in Garldinne. On their way back, the RTC bus, coming from the opposite direction, collided with their vehicle. Among the deceased, two died on the spot. As per the police, the other two died while being transported to the hospital, while the other three succumbed to their injuries during their treatment in the hospital. The remaining injured are being treated at the Anantapur Government Hospital. Upon receiving the information, District SP Jagadeesh and DSP Venkateswarulu inspected the accident site. Police have taken the RTC bus driver into custody for further investigation. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu expressed profound shock over the incident. He announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased and also directed officials to ensure proper medical care for the injured. (ANI) Chavan, who switched from Congress and joined the BJP earlier this year, slammed his former party, stating that it has no leadership in Maharashtra. "A huge change has come in Maharashtra. Mahayuti has got a huge mandate. Congress has no leadership and it does not have any leader left. People have understood that if we stay together, there is benefit," Ashok Chavan told ANI. The ruling Mahayuti alliance won the Maharashtra assembly polls. While the BJP has won 132 seats, Shiv Sena led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has won 57 seats, and NCP led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar won 41 seats. The state has 288 assembly seats. The constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a rude jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray winning 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP (SCP) led by Sharad Pawar only 10 seats. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora said that the implementation of good schemes and the negative campaigning by the opposition leaders benefited the Mahayuti alliance. "This is a huge victory and I congratulate all the leaders of the Mahayuti. We implemented very good schemes and the negative campaigning by the opposition benefited us," said Milind Deora while speaking to ANI. Milind Deora lost the Worli seat to Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Aditya Uddhav Thackeray by 8801 votes.On Saturday, Shiv Sena leader Milind Deora said that the results confirm the "real gaddari (betrayal)," was in 2019. He also said the trending results show Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's leadership and vision. Celebrating the results being in favour of the Mahayuti alliance, Deora posted on X, "Key takeaways from #Mumbai so far: 1- CM @mieknathshinde (Eknath Shinde) has proven his leadership & vision for #Maharashtra; 2 -Voters chose 'progress without speed limits' over 'speed breaker' politics; 3- The real *gaddari* was in 2019, not 2022; 4 Hope always triumphs over fear!". (ANI) Union Minister Piyush Goyal termed Mahayuti's win in Maharashtra a 'good message' to accelerate the goal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developed India 2047, adding that the people in Maharashtra supported the good work done by PM Modi. Piyush Goyal also noted that the people of Maharashtra have rejected the politics of appeasement of the Congress party and the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA). "Once again, under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the BJP-Mahayuti has achieved a resounding victory. This victory is a good message to accelerate the goal of Prime Minister Modi's developed India 2047, to further advance the development of Maharashtra," Piyush Goyal told ANI. He further highlighted that the victory reflected the people have supported the good work done by leaders like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Devendra Fadnavis, Eknath Shinde, and Ajit Pawar. "I thank all the voters," he added. Notably, the ruling Mahayuti alliance won the Maharashtra assembly poll. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance registered a smashing victory, carrying its allies--Shiv Sena and NCP--with its momentum. The BJP has won 132 seats; Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, has won 57 seats, and the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, won 41 seats. The state has 288 assembly seats. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a rude jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray winning 20 seats, Congress securing 16, and NCP(SP) led by Sharad Pawar managed just 10 seats. The BJP saw a fabulous strike rate with the party winning 133 of the 148 seats it contested in Maharashtra. The party's allies Shiv Sena and NCP also have a very good strike rate. The assembly elections in Maharashtra were held on November 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined celebrations at BJP headquarters following the party-led Mahayuti's landslide victory in Maharashtra assembly elections and said the people of the state have defeated "negative and parivarvad politics." Addressing party members in the BJP headquarters, PM Modi said it is difficult for Congress to win elections on its own. "Congress has now become a parasitic party, increasingly difficult for it to form a government on its own. Congress not only sinks its boat but also the boats of its allies. Today we have seen the same thing in Maharashtra also," he said. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday celebrated outside the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) office by bursting crackers after the results of the by-elections to nine assembly seats in the state were declared. On Saturday, the Election Commission of India declared the results of by-elections for 48 assembly seats held across 13 states, with the BJP and its allies winning the majority of the seats, while Congress won both Lok Sabha constituencies of Wayanad in Kerala and Nanded in Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP won six assembly by-polls, and its ally Rashtriya Lok Dal (RJD) won one seat, while the Samajwadi Party was able to win just two seats out of nine contested. Following the massive win in UP by-elections, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday congratulated party leaders and workers and said that the credit for the "historic win" goes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership. "Today the results of the Maharashtra Election 2024 and Jharkhand Assembly Election 2024 have come, and the results of the by-elections have also come... PM Modi's vision and leadership have helped us to win. The public has shown their trust in PM Modi's vision and policies... I congratulate all the winning candidates," CM Yogi said while addressing a press conference in Lucknow. Among the assembly by-polls, the BJP and its allies won the maximum seats in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) also won all six seats in West Bengal, while Congress won only seven seats, including all three assembly constituencies in Karnataka. In Kerala, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was making her electoral debut, registered a massive victory in the Wayanad Lok Sabha by-poll. According to the Election Commission, Priyanka Gandhi won the Wayanad by-poll by 410,931 votes by defeating BJP's Navya Haridas and CPI's Sathyan Mokeri. She won 622,338 votes against Navya Haridas' 109,939. This win will allow Priyanka Gandhi to join her mother, Sonia Gandhi, a Rajya Sabha member from Rajasthan, and her brother Rahul Gandhi, who represents the Rae Bareli constituency in the Lok Sabha. In Assam, the BJP won three seats while its allies, the United Peoples Party, Liberal, and Asom Gana Parishad, won one seat each. In Rajasthan, the BJP emerged victorious in five out of seven assembly constituencies, while the Congress and the Bharat Adivasi Party won one seat each. Similarly, the BJP won the lone assembly seat each in Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, and Uttarakhand, while the National People's Party won the lone seat in Meghalaya. The by-elections were held in 48 assembly seats and two Lok Sabha seats across 15 states. (ANI) A unique two-day philately exhibition organised by the Sivasagar Postal Division, showcasing a rich collection of postal stamps, postcards, and other memorabilia, is underway at Jorhat. The exhibition, which includes rare postal items from pre-independence India, as well as items from several countries, is attracting a large number of visitors, particularly students and philatelists. The exhibition is a part of the Sivapex Sivasagar Postal division, which includes five districts: Jorhat, Golaghat, Sivasagar, Majuli, and Charaideo. The exhibition features an impressive array of postal stamps from the pre-independence era, providing a glimpse into the history of India's postal system during British rule. Visitors are also treated to a fascinating collection of Indian Army postcards, which serve as a tribute to the country's military history. Inspector Simaluguri sub-division Chandan Dey said, "This is a two-day philately exhibition organized by the Sivasagar Postal Division. The name of this exhibition is 'Sivapex', which stands for the Sivasagar Postal Division's philately exhibition. It encompasses five districts: Sivasagar, Charaideo, Golaghat, Jorhat, and Majuli. This is a district-level philately exhibition organized by the Sivasagar Postal Division. We are showcasing a wide range of topics, such as flora and fauna, stamps depicting the northeastern region, and the region's traditions and cultures. Additionally, we have stamps from both national and international sources, including countries like the Republic of Dominica, England, Korea, Bhutan, and more. We are also featuring stamps from the pre-independence era, such as those from 1934-35, alongside a collection of more recent stamps from 2023. The postal department has diversified in many directions, including banking, insurance services, and parcel networks." Several students from schools across these districts are attending, providing them with a valuable opportunity to learn about the history of communication through postal items. A student of Carmel School, Jorhat, standard 9 Kaustav Banerjee said, "I just arrived here two hours ago, and I am surprised to see there is so much to learn. Here, you can explore both Assamese and Indian culture in one place. Additionally, you can learn about how postal stamps worked during the British era and after independence. I will urge all my friends to attend the exhibition." A notable highlight of the exhibition is the display of postal cards that have been awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, a mark of distinction for products of cultural or historical significance. This inclusion adds an extra layer of significance to the event. Additionally, the exhibition showcases a variety of postal tickets related to different games, as well as postcards featuring legendary figures who have shaped India's history. The first-ever postal stamps issued after India's independence are also on display, offering a glimpse into the early days of the country's postal evolution. In addition to students, people from various regions are also attending the exhibition. For many, the postal tickets and postcards evoke a sense of nostalgia, as these were once the primary means of communication. Visitors have expressed appreciation for how the exhibition allows them to experience a bygone era and offers an educational insight into the past, especially for today's generation, who rely heavily on modern communication technologies. A visitor said, "I came here to see a variety of Stamps and postcards from different states and times. They feature postcards of flora and fauna, as well as our legendary figures. This is a great opportunity for gathering knowledge. Every postal ticket reflects its history. Along with technology and the internet, letter writing should continue simultaneously. Writing one letter a month could be very good. Many of us have forgotten how to write since we mostly type on mobile phones or computer keyboards. When we were young, we used to collect inland letters, which is a very fond memory for me." The Philately Exhibition continues to draw interest, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the rich history of India's postal system while celebrating the cultural legacy preserved in postal items from around the world. (ANI) Residents in the national capital complained of breathing difficulties as the air quality in Delhi remained in the 'very poor' category on Sunday for the third week post-Diwali. According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the overall AQI in Delhi was recorded at 362 as of 8 am on Sunday with the national capital engulfed by a thick layer of smog. According to the CPCB data, the AQI measured in Vivek Vihar was 399, 403 at Nehru Nagar, 317 at ITO and 349 at Chandni Chowk. An AQI between 0-50 is considered good, 51-100 is satisfactory, 101-200 is moderate, 201-300 is poor, 301-400 is very poor and 401-500 is severe. Residents complained of breathing difficulties, fever and other health issues as they urged the concerned authorities to find a permanent solution to the rising pollution levels. "We have been facing problems due to the pollution. It has taken a toll on our daily life activities and we have also been facing issues in breathing as well," said a cyclist near India Gate. Speaking to ANI, another person said that people would have to stay indoors and take precautions to protect their health. "The cars need to be checked properly and stubble burning needs to be checked to reduce the pollution. It has taken a toll on the lives of both adults and children. It is a time for everyone to stay indoors as of now," he said. "The situation has been deteriorating day by day. People go out early in the morning to breathe fresh air but here we are breathing pollution in the morning. It is high time that steps need to be taken to tackle the problem. People should start using masks," said a pedestrian near the India Gate. A resident near the Red Fort complained that apart from health issues, students cannot attend schools as most institutions remain closed while some switched to online classes. "The situation have become very worrisome. It is getting difficult to even breathe. Fever among people has rised, schools have closed, travel has been disrupted," he said. In Agra, the iconic Taj Mahal looked ethereal amid a thin layer of smog. AQI was measured as 139 falling in the 'moderate' category as per CPCB data recorded at 8 am Krishna, a tourist visiting the Taj Mahal said "We came here to visit the Taj Mahal because it was the weekend. However, the monument is barely visible due to the pollution and fog." "It is disappointing. We hope it clears up in some time," he added. Earlier this week, the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government and Police to immediately set up checkpoints on all 113 entry points to Delhi to check the entry of trucks in the national capital. It appointed 13 members of the Bar as court commissioners to visit the entry points to Delhi and verify whether entry of trucks is being stopped. The apex court expressed dissatisfaction with the compliance of GRAP IV measures saying despite orders passed by the apex court and CAQM, there is a failure on the part of the Delhi government and Police to comply with clauses under GRAP stage IV. "So far as complaince is concerned, we are not satisfied. Government has not stated clearly as to at how many entry points there are officers present to comply with measures of GRAP IV," it said. "We direct the Delhi Government and Delhi Police to ensure that checkposts are immediately set up at all 113 entry points," the bench ordered. As per the GRAP-IV restrictions imposed by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the entry of trucks is prohibited to Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution. Keeping in view the rising level of pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage-IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), imposing restrictions like bans on truck entry and a halt to public construction projects. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has urged Chief Secretary Dharmendra for strict enforcement of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) to address the worsening air quality in the national capital. The minister highlighted the need for coordinated efforts in all departments to implement the Winter Action Plan-2024 and achieve sustained improvements in air quality. Rai directed that all departments should also submit daily reports on actions taken and the progress made in implementing GRAP. He stressed the importance of strict enforcement mechanisms to penalize violators of air pollution norms. (ANI) Seers of Varanasi have come out in support of religious leader Baba Bageshwar's 'Sanatan Ekta Padyatra'. They said this is just the beginning and such journeys will be organised across the country. Pandit Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, also known as Bageshwar Dham Sarkar, initiated a 'padayatra' where he will walk for 160 kilometres. Many young saints gathered together in Varanasi to extend their support for the 'Sanatan padayatra' being undertaken by Shastri from Chhatarpur to Orchha in Madhya Pradesh. On the call of Baba Bageshwar, Peethadheeshwar Balak Das of Varanasi's Patalpuri Math extended his support by reciting Hanuman Chalisa along with his disciples. "The way our Pandit Dhirendra Shastri ji is on a padayatra... he is trying to wake up the Hindus. He has done a huge work at such a young age. I believe that such a person should be supported and it is the duty of every person to extend their support. If they are not able to join the yatra, they should recite Hanuman Chalisa at their homes," Patalpuri Math's Peethadheeshwar Balak Das told ANI. Patalpuri Math's Peethadheeshwar Das appealed to the people to gather in Orchha and said that those who are unable to reach should pray to Lord Hanuman to give strength to Baba Bageshwar. "This is the beginning of the Yatra and such yatras will be organised all over the country so that Hindu awakening can happen. Baba Bageshwar had said that if any Sanatani is unable to reach the Yatra, then he can support by reciting Hanuman Chalisa in his house," Das said. Meanwhile, Acharya Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, the Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham, on Thursday suggested that the national song Vande Mataram should be sung after the Aarti in both temples and mosques. He believes this practice would help identify true patriots and distinguish them from anti-nationals. Speaking to ANI, he said, "In temples and even in mosques, Vande Mataram should be sung. If this is implemented, it will clearly show who are true patriots and who are anti-nationals."Describing this practice as a unifying gesture for the nation, Shastri added that it would reflect the shared respect for the country among all communities. "This initiative would not only instil patriotism but also bring clarity to the intentions and loyalties of people," he said. (ANI) As many as eight people were injured after a canter hit two cars on the Yamuna Expressway on the route from Agra to Noida in the Gautam Buddh Nagar district, said an official. The injured have been identified as Hansa Patel, Kanchan Patel, Garima Gupta, Sanjay Malik, Deepak Bhareja, Vishakha Tripathi, Shyama Tripathi and Krishna Tripathi. According to the District Police Commissionerate, "A canter on the Yamuna Expressway near the 8 kilometer board on the way from Agra to Noida, hit two cars from behind, injuring eight people." The police official said that the injured and their companions were travelling to Vrindavan in a group and were en route to Vrindavan from Delhi. Following the incident, concerned officials arrived at the spot of the incident and the injured were sent to the hospital immediately. The reason for the accident has not been ascertained as yet. Further details on the matter are awaited. Earlier on Thursday, a truck and a double decker bus collided under the Tappal police station on the Yamuna expressway in Aligarh, police officials confirmed. "The double decker bus was travelling from Delhi to Azamgarh. During this time, the incident took place due to a massive collision between a truck and a double decker due to fog. The truck was trying to overtake the bus. The accident occured under the Tappal Police Station area on the Yamuna expressway," Chief Officer, Khair, Varun Kumar said. The 15 injured people were admitted to the nearby Kailash Hospital in Jewar for treatment. Post mortem of the deceased was also filed. (ANI) Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called people to celebrate "Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu" in a festive atmosphere throughout the state from December 1 to 9 to mark the first anniversary of the Congress government, Telangana CMO said in a press release. The Chief Minister ordered the officials to make arrangements on a grand scale for the celebrations by involving all departments. The government will explain the achievements in the first year of rule as well as the plans for future programs during the celebrations. CM Revanth Reddy held a meeting to make arrangements for the celebrations with Secretaries and higher officials of all departments at the Secretariat on Saturday. Ministers D Sridhar Babu, P Prabhakar, government advisors K. Keshava Rao, V Narender Reddy, Srinivasa Raju, Chief Secretary Santhi Kumari and DGP Jitender participated in the meeting. The Chief Minister congratulated the officials for conducting the Mahila Shakti Sangham meeting successfully in Warangal on November 19. The Chief Minister instructed the authorities to make necessary arrangements for the farmers' conference to be organized in Mahabubnagar on November 30. The officials have been asked to organise awareness programs from November 28, two days before the Farmers conference, and also set up exhibition stalls at the venue. The programs, which have been launched by the People's Government in the first year, for farmers' welfare mainly Farm loan waiver schemes, farmer assurance, crop insurance and bonuses for small farmers will be campaigned extensively. The Chief Minister decided to organise a victory rally with unemployed youth in Peddapalli districts on December 4. Arrangements will be made to hand over appointment letters to 9,000 selected candidates through various recruitments, including Group 4, at the venue. CM Revanth Reddy suggested that department-wise programs be taken up from December 1. A plan is being prepared for various development programs including foundation stone laying and inaugural ceremonies during the week-long celebrations. The Chief Minister asked the ministers to take up a campaign to explain the progress achieved in their respective departments in the first year of rule and also future plans to the public through media every day. The government will organise Celebrations on December 7,8 and 9 in a festive atmosphere. CM Revanth Reddy directed the officials to make arrangements for the celebrations in the Secretariat area, Tank Bund and Necklace Road for three days to spread the Telangana glory. Various stalls will be set up to create an exhibition-like atmosphere. Musical shows, air shows and eye-catching drone shows will also be organized for three days along with cultural programs to showcase Telangana culture and art forms. All sections will be involved in the programs. The officials are ordered to make arrangements for the victory celebrations in all schools, hostels and colleges across the state. A festive atmosphere will be created from the village level to the state level. The CM decided to unveil the statue of Telangana Thalli on the Secretariat premises on December 9. Telangana activists, intellectuals, educated people and all those who excelled in various fields will be invited to the celebrations to be held in the evening. Around 1,000 Mahila Shakti representatives from each constituency will be invited for the Telangana Talli statue unveiling program. Necessary arrangements are being made to unveil the statue in the presence of 1 lakh women group members. Police officials have been asked to take appropriate measures to avoid traffic problems in the city during the celebrations in Hyderabad from December 7 to 9. Police are advised to divert vehicles on Secretariat, Necklace Road and Tank Bund Road for the smooth conduct of celebrations. (ANI) You are here: World Flash A delegation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) attended the 12th International Conference of Asian Political Parties and related activities in Cambodia from Thursday to Saturday, at the invitation of the Cambodian People's Party. Led by Sun Haiyan, deputy head of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, the delegation had extensive contacts with representatives of participating political parties. Foreign parties highly valued and supported the three major global initiatives proposed by China and looked forward to deepening exchanges, mutual learning and international cooperation with the CPC to jointly promote regional peace, stability, development and prosperity. The initiatives include the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. Thousands of devotees from various religious communities participated in the 50th annual Urs of Baji Mian Ghulam Nabi Naqshbandi celebrations in Trimili Sharif Kanthol, which is 50 kilometres from Rajouri district headquarters in Jammu and Kashmir. "I have come to this area for the first time. The Urs happens every year for the Sufi saint. People are encouraged to learn from the Sufi saint who promoted brotherhood and knowledge all his life. All this is done so that people take inspiration to be a better human being and a follower of not only their religion but humanity as well," Islamic Scholar Abdul Rashid Dawoodi told ANI on Saturday. The celebrations were held in the Kotranka sub-district yesterday where people from Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian communities participated in the event that was marked by spiritual devotion and unity. The program was attended by prominent Kashmiri scholar Raheed Dahoodi who presided over the event and Kotranka MLA Iqbal Choudhary. Baji Mian, a revered Sufi saint from Kashmir, arrived in this region many years ago and settled in Trimili Sharif, where he passed away. His shrine, located in the heart of Trimili, has become a symbol of spiritual solace and unity. It is said that anyone who came to him with a sincere wish or request had it fulfilled, earning him a special place in the hearts of people from all walks of life. The shrine remains a place of communal harmony, where people from all religions come together, sharing meals in the same 'langar' as an expression of brotherhood. However, despite its spiritual significance, the region remains remote and underdeveloped. Located approximately 50 kilometres away from the Rajouri district headquarters, Trimili Sharif and Kotranka are hilly and difficult to access, with limited connectivity. Due to the area's sensitive nature, extensive security measures were put in place during the event, including the deployment of central forces and local police officials, ensuring the safety of all attendees. The 50th Urs was not only a celebration of faith, but also a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of Baji Mian Gulam Nabi Nakshbandi, whose teachings continue to inspire unity and peace across religious divides. (ANI) Delhi's Karkardooma Court recently framed charges against 26 accused persons including Mohd. Saleem Khan, Saleem Malik, Athar Khan in a case of alleged conspiracy, rioting, unlawful assembly, assaulting public servant on duty allegedly by mob causing the murder of Delhi Police Head Constable Ratan Lal and injuries to other police officials. The DCP and ACP were assaulted and injured by the riotous mob on main Wazirabad Road. This case is related to rioting in the area of Police Station Dayal Pur on February 24, 2020. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Pulastya Pramachala on Friday framed charges against 26 accused persons including Mohd. Saleem Khan, Saleem Malik alias Munna, Athar Khan and others. Saleem Khan and Saleem Malik are also accused in the larger Conspiracy of Delhi riots case. "On the basis of statements and materials appearing on the record,.I find a prima facie case against accused Mohd. Saleem Khan for offence punishable under Section 120-B IPC (Criminal Conspiracy) read with Section 148 (Rioting with deadly weapon), 186 (Obstructing public servant from Discharging official duty), 302 (Murder), 323 (Causing Hurt), 325 (Causing Grievous hurt), 332 (causing harm to public servant on duty), 333 (Causing Grievous hurt to public servant to deter him from performing public duty), 353 (Assault on public servant on duty), 427 ( mischief by fire causing damage to property), 435 (damage people by fire or explosive substances)IPC," ASJ Pramachala said in the order passed on November 22. The court also said that a prima facie case is also made out against him for offence punishable under Sections 148, 186, 302, 307, 308 (attempt to commit culpable Homicide not amounting to murder), 323, 325, 332, 333, 353, 395 (dacoity), 427, 435 IPC read with Section 109 (Abetment to commit offence), 120-B, 149 (Unlawful Assembly) IPC and under Section 188 (Not complying the order issued by a public servant) IPC as well as under Section 4 of The Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984. The court has framed charges against all accused persons for similar offences. However, the court has discharged an accused namely Wasim alias Bablu. One accused Suleman alias Salman Siddiqui is absconding in this case. Special public prosecutor Madhukar Pandey appeared for Delhi police and argued that there is sufficient to frame charges against accused persons. In this case, Delhi police had filed one charge sheet and nine supplementary charge sheets against 27 accused persons. As per prosecution, protest against CAA/NRC was continuing at the service road of Chand Bagh for some time. It is stated that On 24.02.2020, since morning protest against CAA/NRC was going on at Chand Bagh. Large gathering of mob present there, was in aggressive mood. Several senior police officials along with other security officials, were present there to pacify the situation. Senior officials such as DCP Shahdara, ACP Gokalpuri and other police staff tried to pacify the mob of protesters, however, the situation did not improve, it stated. It is alleged that at about 01.00 PM, mob became much violent and started attacking the police officials present there. Mob was so huge that they outnumbered the police officials. It is further alleged that Mob started attacking police by pelting stones and assaulting them. They also started snatching their danda etc. The police had to take back steps, and they tried to move to the other side of road. It is stated that there was road divider on this road, known as main Wazirabad road. Due to height of the road divider at Wazirabad Road, many police persons could not jump to the other side. Delhi police alleged that they were brutally assaulted with danda etc. by this mob and several police officials were injured critically, which included Amit Sharma (then DCP Shahadra), Anuj Kumar (then ACP Gokulpuri) and HC Ratan Lal. Amit Sharma, Anuj Kumar and HC Ratan Lal were taken to hospital. HC Ratan Lal was declared brought dead in the hospital. It was found that he had also sustained gun-shot injury, the police alleged. After completion of investigation, on 08.06.2020 chargesheet was filed against 17 accused namely Mohd. Saleem Khan, Saleem Malik alias Munna, Mohd. Jalaluddin alias Guddu Bhai, Arif, Mohd. Ayub, Mohd. Yunus, Md. Danish, Shahnawaz, Ibrahim, Furkan, Badrul Hasan, Nasir, Shadab Ahmed, Md. Sadiq alias Sahil, Imran Ansari, Adil and Suvaleen, for offences punishable under section 186/353/332/333/323/109/144/147/148/149/153-A/188/336/427/307/308/397/412/302/201/120-B/34 IPC; 3/4 PDPP Act; and 25/27 Arms Act. On 20.08.2020, second supplementary chargesheet against accused namely Athar Khan, was filed. While framing the charges the statments given by the prosecution witnesses. It noted that Constables Gyan, and Sunil and Head Constable Sunil were the beat officials of that area. They had been present on duty at this site of protest against CAA/NRC at Chand Bagh. The court noted that In their statements, they narrated various facts incorporating the situation leading to incident of 24.02.2020. As per their statements, protest against CAA/NRC was going on at that site for last 40-50 days. This protest site was on the service road, Chand Bagh, near 25 Foota road and main Wazirabad road. This protest was organised by several persons including D.S. Bindra, Salman Siddiqui, Saleem Malik alias Munna, Salim Khan. In the speech, the speakers used to call upon persons from Muslim community to oppose CAA/NRC and unite against the government and block the road. Several persons including Athar, Shadab, Nazam, Ayub, Upasna, Tabassum, Ravish, Rumi, Ruhi, Ishrat and Ruby were regular participants in this protest, it is stated. It was also stated that they actively managed affairs of stage and other work of the protest. They were also among the speakers. These persons used to incite the attendees against the government. In that process, these persons started narrating that peaceful manner of protest was not having any effect on the government, therefore, they had to change their approach and resort to violence also, if so required, it is stated. (ANI) As the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led Mahaghatbandhan won the 2024 assembly elections in Jharkhand, Congress leader Rajesh Thakur on Sunday said that the people of the state sidelined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). "Winning is in the hands of the public. We have got the mandate of the people. In a democracy, people are always superior. We have got the mandate of the public. We do not care about those making allegations against us. I believe they have returned to their homes and it is better if they work for the welfare of their own states. People have worked to sideline the BJP here. Now we have to focus on the work we have to do. Our central point will be to cater to the public," former Jharkhand Congress president Rajesh Thakur told ANI. Speaking on the cabinet shuffling, Thakur said that this will be decided when they hold a meeting with the MLAs. "We will take further decisions in the CLP meeting and in the meeting with our INDIA alliance partners," the Congress leader added. Meanwhile, Jharkhand Congress in-charge Ghulam Ahmed Mir on Sunday said that a meeting of the winning candidates of the alliance has been called today to start the process of forming the government in the State. "Today at around 12 o'clock there is a meeting of the MLAs of the alliance and from there the process of forming the government will start," Mir told ANI. Reacting to the results of Jharkhand polls, Mir stated that the mandate, the alliance has received is enough and 'respectable'. He said, "...Today, those people who were spreading rumours about Congress have got an answer. This is a respectable mandate, although our expectations were more than this... I do not think that the figure we have received is less because BJP's fight was with Congress only, apart from this there were many other elements who were fighting with Congress...." Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) won 34 seats, with its allies winning 22 seats. Among JMM's allies, the Congress won 16 seats, RJD four seats, and CPI-ML two seats. The BJP won 21 seats, and its allies AJSU, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD-U won one each. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led alliance is set to retain power in the State where assembly polls were conducted in two phases. The first phase was held on November 13 and the second phase on November 20. (ANI) Stressing that many experiments are being done to instil creativity and love for books among children, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised the establishment of such libraries in different states that became a hub of "creativity" and "learning." In his address during the 116th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat,' Prime Minister Modi said that the endeavour is to instil more creativity and more love for books. "It is said that books are a man's best friend and now to make this friendship stronger what could be a better place than a library," he said. PM Modi, at first praised 'Prakrith Arivagam', a library in Chennai for helping children to be more creative. "In Chennai, one such library is set up for children which has become a hub of creativity and learning. It is known by the name of 'Prakrith Arivagam'. The idea of this library has been given by the person associated with the world of technology, Shriram Gopalan. During his work abroad, he stayed connected with the world of latest technology but he also thought of inculcating the habit of reading and learning among children," the PM said. "There are more than three thousand books here for which children compete with one another. Besides books, several activities in this library also keep children engaged. Be it a storytelling session, art workshops, memory training classes or public speaking, there is something for everyone, which they like," he added. The Prime Minister also mentioned Hyderabad's 'Food for Thought Foundation' that has made many remarkable libraries. "They also aim to provide books so that children get authentic information on several topics," he said. PM Modi also highlighted Bihar's Golapganj, 'Prayog Library' which is being talked about in many nearby cities. "This library is providing reading facilities to youth from around 12 villages. Besides this, the library provides other necessary facilities for education as well. Many libraries are even helping students in preparing for competitive exams. It is delightful to see that today libraries are being put to best use to empower the society," the Prime Minister emphasized. He also encouraged everyone to connect with books and observe remarkable changes in their lives. "You also increase friendship with books, and see how your life changes," PM Modi said. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai were seen listening to PM Modi's monthly radio broadcast Mann Ki Baat. (ANI) Union Minister Giriraj Singh on Sunday reacted to the stone pelting incident in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal stating that the attack on the survey team, which was part of government machinery, was not just an assault on the government but an attack on India's democracy and rule of law. Giriraj Singh criticized the community responsible for the attack, accusing them of showing distrust in the country's democratic institutions and emphasized that the nation will not tolerate such actions. Speaking to ANI in Begusarai today, the Union Minister said, "The attack that was carried out by a community in Sambhal and that too on the government machinery, this attack is not on the government machinery but on the democracy and law of India on which they do not trust. Now the country will not tolerate how this attack was carried out." Meanwhile, Samajwadi Party (SP) MP Ram Gopal Yadav on Sunday also reacted to the same and said, "There will be stone pelting when the police will conduct proceedings like this." Earlier in the day, Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar who on Sunday morning arrived at the incident of stone pelting in Sambhal assured that the law and order situation has been brought under control and that peace was restored in the area. The survey of the mosque was successfully completed despite the chaos, the official said asserting that stringent action will be taken against the accused after their identification. The Superintendant of Police also said that some of the vehicles of sub-inspectors of police parked near the premises of Jama Masjid were set on fire and several properties in the area suffered damages during the stone pelting incident. Senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain spoke to ANI about the survey and said that in compliance with the Court's order issued on November 19, the second-day survey was conducted on Sunday by the Advocate Commissioner. He confirmed that all features were examined, and the videography and photography as directed by the Court were completed. Jain added that the survey has now concluded, and the report will be submitted to the court by November 29. State Minister Jaiveer Singh condemned the stone pelting in Sambhal today, terming it as "hooliganism" and "disrespect" of the court's order. DGP of Uttar Pradesh Prashant Kumar said that a survey was being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the court.The DGP said that the stones were pelted by some "anti-social elements" and police and senior officers were present on the spot to bring the situation under control. An ASI team that arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a survey of the mosque in Sambhal district amid heavy police deployment faced stone-pelting from some "anti-social elements" on Sunday morning, police said. This survey was part of a legal process following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple. A similar survey was previously conducted on November 19, with local police and members of the mosque's management committee present to oversee the process. (ANI) Delhi's Patiala House court dismissed the bail plea of one Mahesh Kumawat, one of the accused in Parliament security breach case. Delhi Police have invoked sections of anti-terror law UAPA along with the sections of Indian Penal Code. Kumawat was arrest on December 16, 2023. While dismissing the bail plea, the Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Hardeep Kaur said that there are sufficient grounds to believe the allegations against the accused prime facie is true. "There are sufficient reasonable grounds for believing that the allegations made against accused Mahesh Kumawat are prima facie true. Therefore, this Court does not find it to be a fit case to grant regular bail to accused Mahesh Kumawat and the present bail application stands dismissed," ASJ Kaur ordered on November 22. The court also noted that charges of conspiracy are also invoked against the accused, therefore, his role cannot be viewed in isolation. The court said, "As per the material available on record and perusal of the charge-sheet further reveals that prior to committing the alleged terrorist act, meetings were organized where the whole planning to commit the alleged terrorist act was discussed and total five such meetings were conducted from February, 2022 till the day of incident 13.12.2023. Accused Mahesh Kumawat attended all the meetings except the last meeting." The court noted that it has also come on record that before the incident, the accused persons erased all the data from their mobile phone and handed over their mobile phones alongwith Sim Cards to accused Lalit Jha who along with Mahesh Kumawat destroyed the mobile phones. The court observed, "As per the analysis of Call Detail Records of the accused persons, they all were continuously in touch with each other during this period. Though it has been contended by learned Defence counsel that applicant/accused parted ways on 6th or 7th December, 2023 and did not participate in the alleged incident." They rejected the contention and said, "To this count, this Court is of the view that even if accused Mahesh Kumawat was not present at the spot on the date of alleged incident but he was fully aware of commission of alleged incident on 13.12.2023, the date as fixed during the meetings." "If he had parted way and was not part of the alleged conspiracy, then he should have infact informed the competent authority but he chose to remain silent and infact after the incident, he shared the video of alleged incident on the social media and the said video was given to him by co-accused Manoranjan on whatsapp," the court pointed out. The counsel for accused had submitted that accused has surrendered before the police on 14.12.2023 but he is shown to have been arrested on 16.12.2023 and since then, he is in judicial custody. Accused's counsel also submitted that provisions of UAPA have been arbitrarily and illegally invoked in the present case and the alleged actions of applicant/accused does not construe an act of terrorism and UAPA is intended to address grave threats like terrorism, extremism or insurgency and in the present case. The counsel alleged that the investigating agency has wholly ignored the principle of just application of law. It is further submitted that all accused persons are youth struggling for a job. The intention of the accused was merely to raise his voice and draw attention of the State machinery towards certain issues having grave democratic and political importance and this fact is evident from the nature of slogans raised and contents of pamphlets found in the possession of accused persons inside the parliament. The action of accused persons while disruptive did not result in loss of life, serious injuries or widespread destruction making it disproportionate to label it as a terrorist act, the counsel argued. It was also argued that in the present case, there is no evidence to suggest that action of accused persons were intended to fracture "national unity and sovereignty of India". It is further submitted that prima facie no case under UAPA is made out in the present case by stretch of imagination in so far as no act on the part of applicant/accused amounts to an unlawful activity within the meaning of Section 2 (1) (o) of UAPA nor does any act meet the threshold of terrorist act within the meaning of Section 15 of UAPA. The Counsel for accused also argued that no evidence has been placed on record to link the incident with that of threat issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannu. Accused was infact not present inside the premises of Parliament or in Delhi and he also conveyed his unwillingness to other accused persons to take part in any such activity. He had voluntarily surrendered before the police and cooperated in the investigation. On the other hand, Advocate Akhand Pratap Singh, Special public prosecutor (SPP) for Delhi police opposed the bail application and submitted that on 13.12.2023, during live session of Lok Sabha in Parliament, accused Manoranjan D and Sagar Sharma started moving towards the well by jumping over the empty seats and opened coloured smoke canisters in the Lok Sabha, as a result, the hall was engulfed in thick, yellow smoke coming out from the canisters and the said act of both the accused persons inflicted terror in the minds of not only the members of Lok Sabha, staff and spectators present in the Lok Sabha but also of the millions who were watching the proceedings live on TV. It was further submitted that while the above incident was playing inside the Lok Sabha, simultaneously, outside Gate Nos. 2 and 3 of the Parliament building, accused Neelam along with her associate Amol was apprehended from outside the Parliament where they were raising slogans and also opened coloured smoke canisters in full public view alongwith throwing of pamphlets. During preliminary enquiry, it was revealed that all the accused persons, in furtherance of their common intention, in a premeditated and conspiratorial manner committed the terrorizing act and the act pertains to a larger conspiracy and was committed in pursuance of conspiracy. It was submitted by the SPP that during investigation, it was revealed that accused alongwith his associates had always been planning a disruptive terror attack in the Parliament. All the accused persons made elaborate efforts to maintain secrecy using end to end apps like Signal as they very well knew that data from Signal app, once the instruments are destroyed, is almost impossible to retrieve. "All the accused persons consciously erased all data from their social media platform and specifically they tried to destroy all digital evidence before the incident in order to ensure absolute publicity post incident. As per the forensic examination report, accused Manoranjan formatted his laptop," SPP argued. (ANI) All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) is likely to contest at least 35-40 seats in the upcoming 2026 assembly polls in Assam. AIUDF MLA and party General Secretary Rafiqul Islam told ANI that, as of now AIUDF has 15 MLAs and there are another 15-25 seats where AIUDF has the possibility to win. "As of now, we have not decided on how many seats we will contest. There is more than 1 year left for the assembly polls. We will set our target because we have now 15 MLAs. Apart from these 15 seats, there are another 15-25 seats where we may contest. We will try our best in these 20-25 seats to win these seats. We will target these seats also. How many seats we will contest is yet to be finalised, we will discuss it later," Rafiqul Islam said. He also said that AIUDF is preparing for the upcoming assembly polls in the state. "We are now preparing for the upcoming assembly polls in Assam. We are now working on a grassroots level. The panchayat elections in Assam will be held in the next two months. We are now forming our district committees and almost all district committees have been formed, now the formation of block committees is going on and the panchayat-level committee formation process has also started. Within this month we will start the booth-level committee formation process. Our Youth front, Mahila front, and Students' front are also working to form district, block level committees," Rafiqul Islam said. He further said that, as of now AIUDF has 15 MLAs in Assam. "In 2011, we had 18 MLAs. In 2021 assembly election, our 21 MLAs were elected, but one MLA left our party and we have now 15 MLAs. We will take target for the upcoming assembly polls so that more MLAs can win the election. As of now, our organisational works are going in around 20 districts of the state, like as Dhubri, Goalpara, Kokrajhar, Bongaigaon, Barpeta, Nalbari, South Kamrup, Morigaon, Nagaon, Hojai, Karimganj, Cachar, Hailakandi. We have the MLAs in these districts and we are working in these districts," Rafiqul Islam said. The AIUDF MLA claimed that his party had received more than 20 lakh votes in the last assembly polls in the state. "We have more than 20 lakh workers, and supporters across the state and we are trying to increase the number," the AIUDF MLA said. (ANI) Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati condemned the stone pelting on the survey team in Sambhal on Sunday morning and held the Uttar Pradesh government responsible for the 'ruckus' and 'violence' in the district. The BSP leader claimed that the survey should have been carried out thoughtfully and peacefully, considering the interests of both communities. Speaking to ANI, BSP chief Mayawati said, "I would also like to tell the UP government that after the unexpected results of the by-elections in UP yesterday, there was a lot of tension in the entire Moradabad division, especially in Sambhal district." "The government and administration should have taken forward the work of surveying the mosque-temple dispute in Sambhal. This would have been much better, but by not doing so, whatever ruckus and violence happened during the survey today, the UP government and administration are completely responsible for that," said Mayawati. "This is highly condemnable. This work should have been done peacefully by taking both parties together, which is not being done. I strongly appeal to all the people of Sambhal to maintain peace there," she added. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya assured strict action against those who "tried to hinder" proceedings ordered by the court. "Action will be taken against those who attempted to hinder the survey of the mosque which was being conducted by government and police personnel, who were following orders of the court," the Deputy CM said. Maurya's remarks came in the backdrop of a clash that erupted in Sambhal as police used tear gas shells and lathicharged a crowd who pelted stones at a team from Archeological Survey of India team who had arrived for a survey of the mosque. Several vehicles were set on fire and clash resulted in significant property damage in the area, police said. Reacting to the incident, RJD leader Manoj Jha said, "The whole world saw the face of Uttar Pradesh police during the by-elections. People are being threatened with revolvers... Every effort should be made to maintain peace at any cost, whether the ruling party or the opposition party is in power. The image of Uttar Pradesh police is not good." "A survey is being conducted in Sambhal on the orders of the court. Some anti-social elements have pelted stones. Police and senior officers are present on the spot.The situation is under control, the police will identify the stone pelters and take appropriate legal action," Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar said while speaking to reporters in Sambhal. A survey at the mosque earlier on November 19 on the orders of a local court following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shanker Jained who claimed that a temple originally stood at the site. The survey was conducted with local police and members of the mosque's anagement committee present to oversee the process. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to participate in the 'Odisha Parba 2024' in Delhi on Sunday evening. In a post on X, PM Modi said that he will attend the event at around 5.30 pm at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. "At 5:30 PM this evening, I look forward to attending 'Odisha Parba 2024' - a programme that celebrates the history and culture of Odisha. It is noteworthy to see efforts like this, which highlight India's vibrant diversity," he said. Odisha Parba is a flagship event conducted by Odia Samaj, a trust in New Delhi. Through it, they have been engaged in providing valuable support towards preservation and promotion of Odia heritage. Continuing with the tradition, this year Odisha Parba is being organised from November 22 to 24. It will showcase the rich heritage of Odisha displaying colourful cultural forms and will exhibit the vibrant social, cultural and political ethos of the State. A National Seminar or Conclave led by prominent experts and distinguished professionals across various domains will also be conducted, an official release said. Earlier on Friday, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan attended the 'Odisha Parba' at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. He also visited the stalls with Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, which set up by the people of Odisha to showcase the art and culture of Odisha. Speaking to ANI, Pradhan said, "The 7th edition of 'Odisha Parba' is being hosted in Delhi. The Odia samaj is here to showcase the art, culture and food of Odisha. People are very excited for the festival." President Droupadi Murmu inaugrated the Odisha Parba earlier this week. Speaking on occasion, President Murmu said that Odisha Parba has played an important role in making people aware of the rich heritage of Odisha's art, literature, dance, music and cuisine. She appreciated all stakeholders for organising this event for a decade in New Delhi. The President said that the Kalinga War turned 'Chandashoka' into 'Dharmashoka'. This war teaches us that peace is important for progress. Some parts of today's world are facing conflicts. The Kalinga war chapter of Odisha's history can show the path of peace to the world. She also said that the most important aspect of Odisha's culture is tolerance. She urged people to live with affection and harmony and work to the best of their ability for India and Odisha. (ANI) As the winter session is scheduled to kick off on November 25, Azad Samaj Party (ASP) National President Chandrashekhar Azad said that the government should discuss on issues like youth employement, health policies, edudcation and caste census. Speaking to ANI on Sunday, Azad said "The government has no plan for employment of the youth. The way government schools are being closed in Uttar Pradesh and the path of progress for the children of the poor people is also being closed. Our health policies are also very weak. There is also the issue of the caste census. There is also a matter of acquisition of religious places, matter of loot and corruption that occurred in the by elections of Uttar Pradesh is also not hidden from anyone. These topics should be discussed in the house." Ahead of the Winter session of the Parliament that is all set to commence on Monday and is slated to continue till December 20, Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju convened a meeting on Sunday morning with the floor leaders of political parties in both the upper and lower houses of Parliament. The all-party meeting that began at 11 am at the Main Committee Room, at Parliament House Annexe in the national capital was was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the union government is "ready to discuss any topic" while calling for a peaceful session of Parliament. "A total of 42 leaders from 30 political parties were present in the meeting. There are many topics. Everyone has asked for discussion on some topics but we want that there should be a good discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The government is ready to discuss any topic. Our only request is that the House should run well and there should be no ruckus. Every member wants to participate in the discussion but the House should run well. To run the winter session well, everyone's cooperation is needed and everyone's participation is necessary," Kiren Rijiju said. The Waqf Amendment Bill 2024, Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, Railways Amendment Bill are among the bills that are likely to be considered for discussion in this Winter Session of Parliament that will be convened on November 25. In the legislative business, the Bhartiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill are likely to be taken up during the third session of the 18th Lok Sabha and 266th session of the Rajya Sabha. Along with these, the Boilers Bill 2024, Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya Bill, 2024, Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill, 2024, Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Indian Ports Bill, 2024 will also be taken up. During the Financial business, there can be a discussion and voting on First Batch of Supplementary Demands for the year 2024-25 and introduction, consideration and passing/return of Appropriation Bill. (ANI) Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech under the title "Shouldering Responsibility to Our Times And Jointly Promoting Asia-Pacific Development" at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the Lima Convention Center in Lima, Peru, Nov. 16, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping's just-concluded visit to Latin America is a journey of friendship across mountains and seas, a journey of solidarity to jointly promote development, and a journey of cooperation to expand partnership, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said. From Nov. 13 to 23, Xi was invited to attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to Peru, and to attend the 19th G20 Summit and pay a state visit to Brazil. During the 11 days, Xi attended nearly 40 bilateral and multilateral events and reached more than 60 cooperation documents, said Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. From Lima to Rio de Janeiro, Xi once again sent a clear message of firmly upholding multilateralism at the crossroads of human history, illuminated the "Latin American moment" of global governance with Chinese wisdom, and demonstrated China's image as a responsible major country with fairness, justice, courage, openness and inclusiveness, Wang said. Xi attended the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Lima and delivered a written speech to the CEO summit, calling on Asia-Pacific economies to continuously adhere to true multilateralism, build an open and interconnected paradigm for Asia-Pacific cooperation, make green innovation a catalyst for the Asia-Pacific, and uphold a universally beneficial and inclusive vision for Asia-Pacific development, Wang said. Wang said that Xi has always attached great importance to the issue of development. At the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Xi elaborated on China's concept of global governance in a comprehensive and systematic way, stressing the need to make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient, and build a just world of common development, Wang said. Xi called for building a world economy characterized by cooperation, stability, openness, innovation and eco-friendliness, and announced China's eight actions for global development, including joining the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, Wang said. The important initiatives have responded to the strong will of the Global South to seek equality and promote change, and have defined the right direction for improving global governance, Wang said. Wang noted that the key highlight of Xi's visit to Peru was the Chinese president and his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, jointly attending the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link. Chancay Port is the first smart port and the first green port in South America, Wang said, adding that once completed, it will bring huge revenues to Peru and contribute to establishing a new Asia-Latin America land-sea corridor with the Chancay Port as a starting point. In Brazil, Xi and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva engaged in in-depth and amicable strategic communication, agreeing that the China-Brazil relationship is at its best in history, said Wang. The two countries announced an elevation of their ties to the community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet and decided to establish synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and Brazil's development strategies, said Wang, adding that Xi's visit is an important milestone in the history of China-Brazil relations. Wang said that Xi held more than 10 bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the multilateral gatherings. In Xi's meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, the two heads of state stressed the extreme importance of China-U.S. relations, noting that a stable China-U.S. relationship is critical not only to the interests of the two peoples, but also to the future and destiny of the entire humanity, Wang said. Xi reiterated China's principles and positions on such major issues as Taiwan, urging the two sides to shoulder the responsibilities of major countries and keep exploring the right way for two major countries to get along well with each other and inject more certainty and positive energy into the world, Wang said. Xi also met with leaders of France, Germany, Britain and other major European countries respectively, stressing that China and Europe should view each other from a long-term and strategic perspective, adhere to partnership, commit to properly resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, and continue to write cooperative stories of mutual achievement, said Wang. During his trip, Xi elaborated on China's important measures to promote high-quality development and high-level opening-up through talks and meetings, public addresses, written speeches, and signed articles, Wang said, adding that the Chinese president welcomed all parties to grow together with the Chinese economy and work together for the modernization of all countries featuring peaceful development, mutually beneficial cooperation and common prosperity. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers an important speech entitled "Working Together for a Fair and Equitable Global Governance System" at the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit on Reform of the Institutions of Global Governance in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 18, 2024. Xi attended the G20 Summit here on Monday. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a grand welcome ceremony hosted by Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. Xi on Thursday held talks with Boluarte in Lima. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, attend the opening ceremony of the Chancay Port via video link in Lima, Peru, Nov. 14, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping holds talks with his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Brazilian counterpart Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sign and issue a joint statement on jointly building the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet in Brasilia, Brazil, Nov. 20, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping and other leaders and representatives from APEC member economies pose for a group photo in Lima, Peru, Nov. 16, 2024. Xi on Saturday delivered an important speech at the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting under the title "Shouldering Responsibility to Our Times And Jointly Promoting Asia-Pacific Development." [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese President Xi Jinping poses for a group photo with other participating leaders after the closing session of the 19th G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Nov. 19, 2024. Xi attended the closing session of the 19th G20 Summit on Tuesday. [Photo/Xinhua] BJP leader and Odisha Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan expressed disappointment over the debacle in the Jharkhand Assembly polls and said that there might be some flaws and the party would analyse it. Prithviraj Harichandan said, "We accept the people's mandate. I believe there will be some flaws. The party will analyse it. The party will see what is the defect and why we lost in Jharkhand despite misrule in the state. And accordingly, we'll try to rectify our path. In Maharashtra, the performance was good and the people have lost their faith in the Congress party and its allies. The result was very good only because of the reason of good governance." Soren-led JMM steered the INDIA bloc to victory with 56 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) won 34 seats, with its allies winning 22 seats. Among JMM's allies, the Congress won 16 seats, RJD four seats, and CPI-ML two seats. However, the BJP-led NDA won just 24 seats out of the 81 assembly constituencies. The BJP won 21 seats, and its allies AJSU, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), and JD-U won one each. Notably, Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha, a party fighting state assembly elections also won a seat. Party chief Jairam Kumar Mahato won the Dumri seat. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha-led alliance is set to retain power in the State where assembly polls were conducted in two phases. The first phase was held on November 13 and the second phase on November 20. In Maharashtra, the BJP won 132 seats while its allies- the Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde won 57 seats, and the NCP, led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, won 41 seats. The state has 288 assembly seats. The constituents of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a rude jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray winning 20 seats, Congress 16, and NCP(SP) led by Sharad Pawar only 10 seats. (ANI) The 11th edition of the International Sustainability Conference (SUSCON-XI), organized by Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Shillong on the theme 'Climate Positive World' concluded successfully on Saturday, marking another landmark in the Institute's flagship annual event. The conference was supported by GAIL India Ltd and Numaligarh Refinery Ltd as Industry Sponsors, IIMS Journal of Management Science as Publication Partner, and the Corporate Environmental Management (CEM) Research Group at Jyvaslyla School of Business and Economics (JSBE), University of Jyvaskyla, Finland as Knowledge Partner. Prof. Basav Roychoudhury, Dean-Research, IIM Shillong, welcomed the participants and dignitaries to the conference, setting the stage for a fruitful exchange of ideas and insights on sustainability. Over the course of the conference, participants from across India, Hungary, USA, and Finland shared their research and prototypes, with an overwhelming response of 301 submissions, out of which 118 papers were selected after a rigorous review process. The high-quality research presented this year underscores the growing global interest and importance of sustainability across academia, industry, and civil society. SUSCON has evolved into a global platform for dialogue over the past 15 years, uniting stakeholders from academia, industry, government, and civil society. Reflecting IIM Shillong's commitment to sustainability, the conference has featured prominent figures such as Bharat Ratna Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, Padma Bhushan Dr Sundarlal Bahuguna, and Jadav Payeng, the 'Forest Man of India.' The Chief Guest, Shyam Sundar Paliwal (Padma Shri), delivered an address on the importance of self-reliance and sustainability in rural communities. Paliwal, who was awarded the Padma Shree for his work, shared the inspiring story of his initiatives in Piplantri, where 111 trees are planted for every girl born in the village, as a symbol of growth and empowerment. His work not only addresses environmental conservation but also promotes girl-child education, reduces dowry practices, and fosters community resilience. He emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to sustainability, integrating environmental, social, and economic aspects to create self-sufficient, empowered communities. In his address, Prabodha Acharya, Chief Sustainability Officer, JSW Group, Guest of Honour, delivered a keynote address that focused on three mega-trends impacting sustainability: nature, inequality, and diversity. Drawing from his vast experience in the corporate sector, Acharya highlighted the urgent need for businesses to adopt sustainable practices and manage the impacts of their actions on society and the environment. He encouraged the next generation of leaders, particularly the students attending the conference, to think critically about their roles in addressing these issues through their careers and leadership positions. The 11th edition of the conference reinforced IIM Shillong's role as a hub for thought leadership in sustainability. The discussions, collaborations, and new ideas that emerged during the event will undoubtedly influence future sustainability initiatives across sectors, inspiring individuals and organizations to contribute meaningfully to a sustainable, climate-positive world. (ANI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday held a meeting along with senior Congress leaders from Mandi district, to discuss various developmental projects in the region. The Chief Minister reaffirmed his commitment to the holistic development of Mandi district and assured that all government welfare and development schemes will effectively benefit the residents. CM Sukhu emphasized the government's focus on improving facilities at Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College and Hospital, Ner Chowk. He announced that an MRI machine would soon be installed at the hospital to address the challenges faced by patients requiring advanced diagnostic services. The Chief Minister said that the state government is constructing Rajiv Gandhi Government Day Boarding School in every assembly constituency in a phased manner and these schools will also be constructed in Mandi district. To enhance public services, the Chief Minister stated that the government is considering setting up separate divisions of the Public Works Department, Jal Shakti Department, and Electricity Board in every assembly constituency. He also mentioned the Mukhyamantri Sukh Shiksha Yojana, a welfare scheme designed to bear the educational expenses of children of widows. He asked all leaders to ensure the widespread dissemination and implementation of these welfare initiatives within their respective constituencies. During the meeting, the leaders from various constituencies presented their priorities and urged the Chief Minister to include them in the budget for the upcoming financial year. They expressed their appreciation for the government's inclusive development approach and pledged to raise awareness among the public about the welfare schemes. The leaders also pointed out the neglect faced by other constituencies during the previous BJP government's tenure, which prioritized the development of the Siraj assembly constituency alone. Prominent leaders present at the meeting included MLA Chander Shekhar, former Ministers Thakur Kaul Singh and Prakash Chaudhary, Chairman APMC Mandi Sanjeev Guleria, former MLA Sohan Singh Thakur, and Congress leaders Champa Thakur, Lal Singh Kaushal, Naresh Chauhan, Pawan Thakur, Advocate Jeevan Thakur, Chet Ram Thakur, and Mahesh Raj. (ANI) The troops of Border Security Forces evacucated children, elderly persons and women after responding to a distress call reporting outbreak of fire in Assam's Bhogdore village. The troops of the 19 Battalion, BOP Bhogdore, under SHQ Dhubri, extended timely assistance to a local resident in distress. "On November 24 about 9: 45 am, a distress call was received from Nizamuddin Ahmed, Vice President of Gram Panchayat Bhogdore, reporting a fire outbreak at the residence of Najrul Hoque S/o Sur Hoque, located in the village of Bhogdore. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, BSF personnel immediately rushed to the spot with firefighting equipment," the BSF said in a statement. "One BSF team swiftly evacuated children, elderly persons, and women from nearby kuccha houses, while another team began efforts to extinguish the fire using fire extinguishers and other available tools. With coordinated efforts and the support of local villagers, the fire was successfully controlled and extinguished within 30 minutes. The timely intervention prevented the fire from spreading to adjacent areas, safeguarding approximately 14 nearby kuccha houses. No casualties or injuries were reported. The affected house sustained only minor damage," the BSF added. The villagers and family members expressed their heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for the swift and compassionate response exhibited by BSF troops, it added. This incident underscores the BSF's commitment to the welfare and safety of border communities, reinforcing its role as guardians not only of the nation's borders but also of the people residing there. The BSF remains steadfast in its mission to assist and protect the border populace at all times, the release added. (ANI) Union Minister and Republic Party of India's (Athawale) President Ramdas Athawale on Sunday expressed desire to get a ministerial post for his party in Maharashtra government as "Mahayuti has received a majority of Dalit votes" in the state polls. Athawale presently served as the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the Centre. "Earlier also we had demanded one ministerial post for RPI. This time Mahayuti has received a majority of Dalit votes...So, I feel that RPI should get a ministerial post. Our society also has this hope. Giving ministerial post to RPI will also benefit Mahayuti," the Union Minister told ANI. Athawale also criticised Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut for saying that the swearing in ceremony shouldn't happen in Maharashtra but at the Modi Stadium in Gujarat, and said that Raut has caused the most damage to Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray. "We have got a big benefit from Sanjay Raut's statement. If Sanjay Raut keeps giving such statements, we will benefit more. People do not take him seriously now. Sanjay Raut has caused the most damage to Uddhav Thackeray. He is also responsible for taking Uddhav Thackeray to Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (SCP)," he said. On being asked about the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra, he said the decision will be made collectively by the leaders of three parties, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Shiv Sena and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP). "The leaders of the three parties (BJP, Shiv Sena, NCP) will decide who will become the Chief Minister. Earlier, Eknath Shinde came with the BJP with 50 seats and then he was made the CM. But now BJP's demand will be that Devendra Fadnavis should be made the CM. They have got the full majority," he said. The ruling BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls by winning 230 (BJP-132, Shiv Sena-57, NCP-41) out of total 288 seats. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback. The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray, won only 20 seats, Congress managed 16, and the NCP(SP) led by Sharad Pawar won just 10 seats. The BJP demonstrated an impressive strike, winning 132 of the 148 seats it contested in Maharashtra. The party's allies, the Shiv Sena and NCP factions, also performed well. The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20 and the results were declared on November 23. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday called Odisha the "land of saints and scholars," and said that the progress of the Northeast is a priority of the government. Addressing the 'Odisha Parba 2024' in the national capital, PM Modi said that "Odisha has always been a land of saints and scholars. The way the scholars here took our religious texts to every household and connected the public with our scholars, it has played a crucial role in the cultural prosperity of India." He further said that the budget that the central government now allocate to Odisha is three times what it was 10 years ago. "Once, the eastern parts of India, like Odisha, were considered backward. However, I consider them as the growth engine of development, and therefore, we have prioritized the progress of eastern India. In the entire eastern part, work is being done at a faster pace in every field. Today, Odisha is getting three times more than the budget it used to get 10 years ago from the central govt. This year, for the development of Odisha, 30 per cent more budget has been allocated compared with last year," he added. PM Modi further praised President Droupadi Murmu and said that Inspired by her leadership, numerous projects have been initiated for Adivasi community "Odisha has provided strong leadership to the country. Today, Droupadi Murmu, a daughter of Odisha from the Adivasi community, serves as India's President. This is a great source of pride for all of us. Inspired by her leadership, numerous projects worth crores have been initiated for the welfare of the Adivasi community," he said. The Prime Minister further said that he considers the North Eastern states as India's growth engine. "In 2036, Odisha will celebrate its 100th year of its establishment... There was a time when the eastern part of India was considered backward. But I consider the North Eastern states as India's growth engine. The progress of Northeast is a priority," the PM said. He further said that all four doors of Jagannath Temple are open and the Ratna Bhandar of the temple is also open now. "Last year, the G20 Summit was held in India. During the G20 Summit, we showcased a photo of the Sun Temple (of Konark). I am also glad that all four doors of Jagannath Temple (in Puri) are open now. Besides, the Ratna Bhandar of the temple is also open now," PM Modi said. PM Modi attended the 'Odisha Parba 2024'. Union Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Dharmendra Pradhan were also present. Odisha Parba is a flagship event conducted by Odia Samaj, a trust in New Delhi. Through it, they have been engaged in providing valuable support towards the preservation and promotion of Odia's heritage. Continuing with the tradition, this year Odisha Parba is being organised from November 22 to 24. It showcases the rich heritage of Odisha displaying colourful cultural forms and will exhibit the vibrant social, cultural and political ethos of the State. (ANI) As suspense over who will become the next Chief Minister of Maharashtra continues, NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Sunday backed his party's chief, Ajit Pawar, for the top post. Of 288 assembly constituencies, the ruling Mahayuti secured 230 seats in the assembly polls, the results for which came on Saturday. The BJP won 132 seats while its allies- the Shiv Sena, led by Eknath Shinde, won 57 seats, and the NCP, led by Ajit Pawar, won 41 seats. "All the three parties will sit together and decide who will be our leader. We three parties will sit together and decide who will become the Chief Minister. Ajit Pawar can also become the CM, his strike rate is very good," Bhujbal told ANI. "Today all our MLAs came to the meeting, many council members also came, and everyone has decided that Ajit Pawar will lead us in the Vidhan Sabha. But who will be the CM, we three parties will decide together," he added. Earlier in the day, NCP president Deepak Mankar said that the party workers are in favour of making 'dada' (Ajit Pawar) the Chief Minister of the state. "The workers of NCP wish that if 'dada' (Ajit Pawar), then Maharashtra will get a good direction. Dada has the capacity to do work...we know the kind of work he did in Maharashtra as deputy CM in the last 2.5 years...let's see...Mahayuti is taking everyone along," Mankar told ANI. When asked about CM's face, he said it had been decided that leaders of three parties would sit together and decide on the chief minister. "PM Modi and Amit Shah will take the decision, everyone will sit together. Fadnavis, Shinde and Dada (Ajit Pawar) three of them are capable," he added. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a rude jolt with Shiv Sena (UBT) led by Uddhav Thackeray winning 20 seats, Congress securing 16, and NCP(SCP) led by Sharad Pawar managed just 10 seats out of 288 member Maharashtra Assembly polls. The BJP saw a fabulous strike rate with the party winning 133 of the 148 seats it contested in the state. The assembly elections in Maharashtra were held on November 20. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Sunday lashed out at Congress, announcing that there will be no Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state legislature. Bawankule further said that Maharashtra not having a Leader of Opposition (LoP) was a result of "wrong deeds" committed by Congress and the opposition parties. "Maharashtra will not have a leader of the opposition (LoP) this time. This is the result of the wrong deeds of Congress and the opposition. They spread fake narratives in Lok Sabha Elections and duped voters at that time. So when people came to know about this in assembly polls, voters kicked them out as they did in Haryana," BJP Maharashtra chief said. (ANI) Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai commended the state's security forces for their successful operations in eliminating Naxalites, praising their courage and dedication on Sunday. He emphasized the state government's commitment to establishing peace and ensuring citizen safety. The CM highlighted that over 210 Naxalites have been eliminated in 11 months, marking significant progress toward eradicating Naxalism. "After the formation of the government, the security forces are fighting the Naxalites bravely and the recent success in eliminating the Naxalites is commendable. I wanted to spend time with the security forces and see the conditions in which they live and carry out operations. I spent time with the security forces in a security camp...I also planted a sapling there...it was a very good experience. I salute them as they have succeeded in eliminating more than 210 Naxalites in 11 months," he said. Earlier, CM Sai had lauded the security forces for their 'indomitable courage' and 'dedication' after they successfully eliminated at least 10 Naxals in an operation in Sukma district on Friday, November 22. The encounter between the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Naxals led to the killing of 10 Naxals. In a post on X, CM highlighted that this achievement by the security forces is commendable, as the state government continues its strong fight against Naxalism, adhering to a policy of zero tolerance. He reaffirmed that ensuring development, peace, and security in the Bastar region remains the top priority of his government. "Displaying their indomitable courage, the security forces took major action against the Naxalites in Sukma district this morning and killed 10 Naxalites in an encounter. This success achieved by the soldiers is commendable. Our government is fighting strongly against Naxalites by working on the policy of zero tolerance. Ensuring development, peace and security in Bastar is the top priority of our government," CM Sai wrote in his post. On November 20, CM Sai met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi to discuss the progress in combating Naxalism in Chhattisgarh. The CM expressed confidence that the state would be 'Naxal-free' by March 2026. CM Said said that both the state government and the security forces are working relentlessly in the direction of uprooting the Naxals from Chhattisgarh and fulfilling the Union Home Minister's commitment to eradicating the Naxals by 2026. (ANI) Delhi's Saket District Court recently acquitted a man accused of stabbing a woman to death 26 years back in 1998. The accused had absconded and was declared a proclaimed offender by the Court. He was arrested in the year 2022 from his native village in Dausa Rajasthan after 24 years of the incident. An FIR was registered in the police station Okhla Industrial Area in March 1998. Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Rajneesh Kumar Gupta acquitted Niranjan of the offence of murder of Maya. The court said that the prosecution has failed to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt against the accused for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC. "Accordingly, the accused Niranjan is acquitted for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC and under Section 174-A IPC. The bail bond was cancelled. Surety discharged," the court ordered on November 22, 2024. The husband of the deceased was the complainant and the material witness of the case as he is the only eye-witness of the incident. "Perusal of his testimony shows that he has not supported the case of the prosecution. He has been declared hostile by the prosecution. He has been cross-examined on behalf of the state but no such material has been come on record which would support the case of the prosecution against the accused," the court observed. The court said that he has specifically denied the suggestion of the state that the accused attacked his wife near her backbone with the knife and the accused was carrying a knife in his hand and thereafter accused fled away. Advocate Harsh Sharma appeared for accused Niranjan. This case was registered on the complaint of one Kallu Ram under Section 302 IPC. After the investigation, a charge sheet was filed against the accused as Proclaimed Offender in Patiala House Court. By way of an order dated March 5, .2005 of the Metropolitan Magistrate (MM), the file was consigned to the record room. This case was restarted after the arrest of the accused Niranjan. He was arrested on May 30, 2022. As per the prosecution, on May 17, 1998, from a Jhuggi in Rajeev Camp Okhla, the police had found the dead body of Maya, the wife of the complainant having injury with stitches on her back. At the spot, the complainant produced one saree having cut marks of knife and blood stains, blood stained petticoat, blouse of the deceased to the police. The police recorded the statement of her husband Kallu Ram. He alleged that on May 17, 1998, at around 11:00 am in Okhla Phase II, the accused Niranjan attacked Maya near her backbone with the knife and ran away from the spot with the knife. On the way to the hospital, Maya died. During the investigation of the case, a Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) was issued against the accused and the process under Section 82 and 83 Cr.P.C. had been issued against the accused as he was evading the arrest. On September 10, 2001, the accused was declared a proclaimed offender by the court and the chargesheet was filed against the accused as a proclaimed offender. On May 30, 2022, the accused was arrested in the present FIR with the permission of the court. Thereafter, the supplementary chargesheet was filed against the accused under Section 302/174-A IPC. Charges under Section 302 IPC and under Section 174-A IPC were framed against the accused to which he pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. (ANI) Around 20 people have been taken into custody following the alleged stone-pelting and clashes that erupted during a survey of a mosque in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal on Sunday morning, police said. The incident left three people dead and around two dozen others, including policemen and senior officials, injured. Officials said that those responsible for the violence will be charged under the National Security Act (NSA). As a precaution, internet services across the district have been suspended for a day. "We have taken 20 people into custody. The survey was conducted as per court orders, with adequate police deployment at the site. Some individuals made children stand in front and started pelting stones at the police. The police tried to control the situation and also appealed to anti-social elements to maintain peace. They also set some vehicles on fire. The police used anti-riot measures, including tear gas, to disperse the crowd," Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Moradabad Range, Muniraj G told ANI. Sambhal Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishna Kumar Bishnoi said that additional police personnel have been deployed to maintain law and order. He further said that the alleged firing, in which a police PRO was injured, was done by using a country-made weapon. "The situation is under control, and more forces have been deployed. Internet services have been suspended for a day...Some people started pelting stones at the police and the police also retaliated. They torched some vehicles and the police were targeted...Police dispersed the crowd...When DM and DIG were patrolling, two women pelted stones at them and firing was done through a country-made weapon and a PRO got shot in the foot," SP Bishnoi said. "It is very unfortunate...An FIR has been filed under relevant sections, and strict action will be taken under the NSA. We are also investigating whether there was a conspiracy by examining the mobile phones of the people detained in connection with the violence," the SP added. In view of the violence, the district administration issued a notice prohibiting citizens from buying or collecting stones, soda bottles, or any flammable or explosive materials on their roofs. The notice, issued by local SDM, warns that strict action will be taken against anyone found violating this order. Additionally, instructions were given to the Municipal Corporation to confiscate any construction material lying on roads immediately. The stone-pelting incident occurred when a team arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a fresh survey of the mosque. Locals, including those protesting the survey, allegedly pelted stones at survey team and security personnel. Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh explained, "After the survey was completed, three groups started pelting stones from different directions. The mob also set vehicles on fire and opened fire. The police responded with tear gas and plastic bullets to control the situation." "The police PRO was shot in the foot during the firing. The deputy collector's foot was fractured. The Circle Officer (CO) was injured. A total of three people are confirmed dead in the firing. The situation is under control, and we are speaking to with their representatives," he said. The deceased have been identified as Nayeem, a resident of Court Karvi; Bilal, a resident of Sarai Tareen, Sambhal; and Noman, a resident of Hayatnagar Sarai Tareen, he added. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered to investigate the incident. Officials said that an ASI team had arrived at the Shahi Jama Masjid to conduct a fresh survey of the structure. The survey of the mosque was being conducted peacefully in presence of police force, following court orders, when a mob gathered at the site and started pelting stones at the survey team and security personnel. "The survey was conducted between 7 am and 11 am, as per court directions. The process was initially peaceful with adequate police deployment. However, some people started stone-pelting, and the police dispersed them. Then, a larger mob of 2000-3000 people gathered and started stone-pelting again," Divisional Commissioner Singh told ANI earlier. The survey was part of a legal process following a petition filed by senior advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, who claimed the mosque was originally a temple. A similar survey was carried out on November 19 in the presence of the local police and members of the mosque's management committee. (ANI) Flash Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Saturday condemned U.S. "illegal interventions" in Venezuela's internal affairs. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X while reacting to a post earlier this week by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said his government recognized Venezuelan opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez Urrutia as the South American country's "president-elect." "We condemn illegal interventions by the United States and some of its allies in Venezuela's internal affairs, which is reminiscent of (the) malign and divisive interventions of 2019 via recognition of a parallel government (in the country), and express our solidarity with Venezuela's legitimate and elected president Nicolas Maduro," said Baghaei. Baghaei said Iran considered any foreign intervention in Venezuela's internal affairs as contrary to international law and the principles of the United Nations Charter and a blow to peace and stability in the South American country. On July 29, Nicolas Maduro was declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential election after securing 51.2 percent of the votes in the election held a day before. The United States has maintained a policy of economic sanctions and diplomatic isolation against Maduro's government. Former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday, slammed the opposition parties and said that those parties, which used to abuse the AAP for its freebie schemes, are now using the same schemes to get votes across the country. "The AAP government is completing 10 years in Delhi, and the kind of work that happened here is being discussed in every corner of the country. Those parties who used to abuse us for our schemes are using the same schemes to seek votes across the country," Kejriwal said while addressing a Dangal programme organized in Karala village of Mundka assembly constituency. Lauding the AAP government in Delhi, Kejriwal said Delhi receives free electricity and water as the government works for poor. "We have worked for the poor, lower-middle, and middle-class people. Also, we worked for the infrastructural development. We made electricity and water free for the poor and middle class. We made such schools that you won't find anywhere. Over 4 lakh students from private schools got themselves enrolled in government schools. We opened mohalla clinics for the people. We made buses free for women. Delhi has electricity for 24 hours. There is no other place that has 24 hours of electricity," he added. Earlier on Saturday, Kejriwal congratulated Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren after the JMM coalition registered victory in the Jharkhand assembly elections and said the people rejected the "deceit" of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Notably, the JMM-led alliance is set to return to power, winning 56 seats, with JMM alone winning 34 seats. Its allies are poised to win 22 more seats - Congress 16, RJD 4, and CPI (ML) 2. The opposition BJP's hopes of coming to power were shattered, as it was reduced to 21 seats and its allies AJSU Party, Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) and Janata Dal (United) could win one seat each. Hemant Soren retained the Barhait seat, defeating the BJP's Gamliyel Hembrom by a margin of 39,791 votes, according to the Election Commission. Soren secured 95,612 votes, while Hembrom got 55,821 votes. Kejriwal, who was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in March this year, in connection with the Delhi excise policy case, came out of Tihar Jail last month, after being granted bail by the Supreme Court. After coming out, in a surprising move, the AAP national convenor announced his resignation from the CM post, and said he won't take the position, till the public gives him the "certificate of honesty" by making AAP victorious again in the assembly elections next year. Party leader and minister Atishi succeeded him as the Chief Minister. The assembly elections in Delhi will be held next year. Meanwhile, the Delhi Assembly 'Winter Session' session is to be convened from November 29 to December 3, according to a notification released by the legislative Assembly Secretariat on Monday. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the 43rd India International Trade Fair (IITF-2024) 'Uttarakhand Diwas Samaroh' organized at Pragati Maidan in the national capital on Sunday. On this occasion, CM Dhami said that wherever the people of Uttarakhand go, in the country and abroad, they always keep alive their culture, folk tradition, food and sense of belongingness. He said that this international fair gives us an opportunity to bring and present our culture, handicrafts and rich heritage on the global platform. "The best products of the state have been brought in various stalls set up in the fair. It has also been decided to constitute the Uttarakhand Pravasi Parishad so that Uttarakhand migrants can contribute to the development of the state," Dhami said. CM Dhami said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resolved to make the country a developed India by 2047, on which our country is moving forward rapidly. "The country is setting new records due to the farsighted thinking of the Prime Minister. In the last 10 years, the country has progressed rapidly in every field. Many schemes like 'Make in India', 'Startup India' have established India as a hub of startups, which is creating employment and self-employment in the country. Today, India has become the 5th largest economy in the world," Dhami said. CM Dhami said that Uttarakhand has completed 24 years of its establishment. Now the state has entered its silver jubilee. "PM Modi had described the third decade of the 21st century as the decade of Uttarakhand from the land of Kedarnath. The state government is bringing those words of the Prime Minister to reality. Our state is progressing in every field," Dhami said. "The dream of reaching the mountains by rail is being fulfilled with the construction of Rishikesh Karnaprayag rail line. Under the Udaan scheme, heli service is being started at many places in the state. Our state is doing historic work in every field like road, education, and health. 20 model colleges are being established along with the medical college of the state. AIIMS satellite centre is also being built in Udham Singh Nagar," Dhami added. CM Dhami highlighted the strengthening of the infrastructure in the state and local industries. "The state is becoming self-reliant in many areas like agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts. Women of the state are participating enthusiastically in making Uttarakhand self-reliant. Women of the state are giving employment to other people along with themselves. Women are playing an important role in the progress of the state. More than 1 lakh women in the state have become 'Lakhpati Didi'. Doors of employment are being opened in the state through many policies," Dhami said. (ANI) The Union Government on Sunday held a meeting with the floor leaders of all political parties ahead of the Winter session of Parliament set to begin on Monday. The meeting was chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, said a statement from the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. The meeting has been attended by 42 Leaders from 30 political parties including Ministers. Kiren Rijiju, Union Minister for Parliamentary Affairs welcomed all in the meeting of the floor leaders of both the Houses of Parliament. In his opening address, he informed that the Winter Session of Parliament will commence on Monday, and subject to exigencies of government business, the session may conclude on December 20.The Session will provide 19 sittings spread over a period of 26 days. He also informed that tentatively 16 items of legislative business and 1 item of financial business have been identified for being taken up during this session. "The Government is always ready to discuss on the floor of the House, any issue as permitted under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business by respective Presiding Officers," the release stated. He also requested all party leaders for active cooperation and support for the smooth functioning of the two Houses of Parliament. Rijiju further informed the leaders that there will be no sitting on 26th November as this year, we will be celebrating the 75th anniversary of adoption of the Constitution of India by Constituent Assembly in 1949, which will be followed by yearlong activities across Nation. The meeting was also attended by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, Jagat Prakash Nadda, who is also Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Law and Justice and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal and Minister of State in the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Minister of State in the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, L Murugan, the release added. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, thanked all the leaders for flagging important issues in the meeting, which have been noted. He also stated that Government is ready for discussion on all these issues subject to the rules of the respective Houses of Parliament and the decisions of the respective Presiding Officers. (ANI) The Chief Minister visited the stalls of local products of Uttarakhand, and said the demand of Uttarakhand manufactured goods is increasing across the country. Highlighting the increasing demand for Uttarakhand-made goods, Dhami said, "The demand for products manufactured in Uttarakhand, including those under the 'House of Himalaya' brand, has been rising across India. This growth has especially benefitted women, boosting their financial independence and creating employment opportunities. Producers based in Uttarakhand are getting a huge platform at this event to showcase their products." Dhami added that the state has witnessed significant progress in women's empowerment. "A big revolution is taking place in the field of women empowerment in Uttarakhand. One lakh women have become Lakhpati Didis, and in the next 1.5 years we will make 1.5 lakh women Lakhpati Didis," he added. Earlier in the day, CM Dhami listened to the 116th edition of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' in Hathibarkala and said that this program of PM Modi is "always inspiring." "The Prime Minister inspires the countrymen for better work by sharing the collective efforts of the country, the youth dreams and the aspirations of the citizens," Uttarakhand CM said. The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has urged to connect the youth with NCC. "NCC instils a sense of discipline, leadership and service among the youth. He has appealed to the youth of the state to definitely join NCC," he added. Addressing the nation in his 116th 'Mann ki baat' episode today, Prime Minister Modi highlighted his personal experience as an NCC cadet and recalled how his NCC experience had been "invaluable" in inculcating "discipline, leadership and service among the "youth." (ANI) Calling the Waqf Amendment Bill a "farce," Karnataka Chief Minister's political secretary Naseer Ahmed on Sunday said that All India Muslim Personal Law Board along with the muslim scholars and leaders will "oppose" the amendment that the central government is trying to bring. Ahmed said this after the two-day meeting of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), that was held here on November 23 and 24, during which the strategy regarding the protection of Waqf was discussed. "Today's meeting consists of Islamic scholars from all over the country...they lead this community and make decisions... want the message to go to the Centre that the Waqf Amendment Bill is totally a farce and it is going to be an injustice to the community. The All India Muslim Personal Law Board along with the scholars of the Muslim community and leaders all together will oppose the amendment that the central government is trying to bring in the Waqf Bill," Ahmad told ANI. The Centre has brought the Wakf (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to amend the Wakf Act, 1995. The bill is being examined by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) of the two Houses of Parliament. Hefurther alleged that the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) consists of centre's "own people" who are working against the interest of the Muslim community. "You (Centre) made a JPC and that too consists of your own people and you haven't given an opportunity to other members to express their opinion. The government should consider...if they still go ahead...we have no option but to approach the court. That is why today in Bengaluru, All India Muslim Personal law Board members from Delhi have called an important meeting to discuss about the future course of action if the central government try to impose and enforce the law on the minority community," Ahmed said. Ahmed further added that Muslim leaders and all the stakeholders of the minority community discussed about how "we can force the central government to take back the decision instead of enforcing amendments on the Muslim community." The Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, is on the agenda of the government in the winter session of Parliament beginning on December 25. The bill is being examined by a joint committee of the two Houses of Parliament. The bill seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is holding a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members and community representatives from different states and Union Territories, aiming for the most comprehensive reform possible. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday met with beneficiaries of 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, where he expressed his gratitude to them for the historic win of the Mahayuti alliance in assembly polls. Addressing the gathering, CM Shinde said that the government will soon increase the amount to Rs 2100 as promised. "I am with you all, I thank all Majhi Ladki Bahin for electing me. You all chose Mahayuti, as we promised we will be giving Rs 2100 to all my sisters. This government is yours and you choose this government again. I feel blessed you all came here and gave me blessings. This is a common people's government and we are working for the growth of Maharashtra," he said. In the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections, the ruling Mahayuti alliance secured 230 out of 288 seats. The BJP won 132 seats, its allies in Shiv Sena (led by Eknath Shinde) won 57 seats, and the NCP (led by Ajit Pawar) won 41 seats. On Saturday, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar also credited the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' for Mahayuti's success in the Maharashtra Assembly elections. "Some of the schemes like Ladki Bahin yojana have played a major role in our victory...I want to thank my voters for once again giving me this responsibility. I will continue working for the development of the state for the next five years," Ajit Pawar told reporters here. Union Minister Ramdas Athawale also underlined the scheme's role in securing Mahayuti's win. "The reason for the victory is the development role of PM Modi in 'sabka saath sabka vikas' and the decisions taken by the Maharashtra government in the last 2.5 years. A lot of those decisions were anyway great, but the Ladki Bahin (yojana) decision was revolutionary," Athawale told ANI. The 'Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana' was launched by the Maharashtra state government to provide financial assistance and empowerment to women in the state. Under this scheme, eligible women receive Rs 1500 per month. However, the Mahayuti alliance has promised to increase this amount to Rs 2100. (ANI) The Winter Session of Parliament is scheduled to begin on Monday in which various bills, including the Waqf Act (Amendment) Bill, will be discussed. The session will run till December 20. Other bills that are listed for introduction, consideration and passing include the Mussalman Wakf (Repeal) Bill, the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, the Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill, the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, the Bills of Lading Bill, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, the Railways (Amendment) Bill, the Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, and the Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill. The Boilers Bill, the Rashtriya Sahkari Vishwavidyalaya Bill, the Punjab Courts (Amendment) Bill, the Merchant Shipping Bill, the Coastal Shipping Bill, and the Indian Ports Bill, are also included in the list. The winter Session of Parliament will commence tomorrow and subject to exigencies of Government Business, the session is set to conclude on December 20. There will be no sitting of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on November 26, to commemorate "Constitution Day" as per a statement. Meanwhile, ahead of the commencement of the Winter Session of Parliament on Monday, floor leaders of INDIA bloc parites will hold a meeting in Parliament House to decide the strategy of opposition, sources said. The meeting will be held at 10 am on November 25. Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to decide the strategy of the Opposition for the Parliamentary Session, they said. Notably, Congress is expected to raise the Manipur issue and bribery charges against the Adani Group. Earlier in the day, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the union government is "ready to discuss any topic" while calling for a peaceful session of Parliament. Speaking to reporters on Sunday after the all-party meeting in Delhi, Rijiju said several topics were raised requesting for discussion in Parliament as winter session is scheduled to kick off tomorrow. "A total of 42 leaders from 30 political parties were present in the meeting. There are many topics. Everyone has asked for discussion on some topics but we want that there should be a good discussion in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The government is ready to discuss any topic. Our only request is that the House should run well and there should be no ruckus. Every member wants to participate in the discussion but the House should run well. To run the winter session well, everyone's cooperation is needed and everyone's participation is necessary," Kiren Rijiju said. The all-party meeting was attended by all floor leaders of political parties in both the houses of the Parliament. The all-party meeting in the national capital began at 11 am in the Main Committee Room, at Parliament House Annexe in the national capital. The meeting was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Congress MPs Jairam Ramesh, Pramod Tiwari and K Suresh along with JD(U) MP Upendra Kushwaha and other leaders joined the meeting. PV Midhun Reddy (YSRCP), V Vijaysai Reddy (YSRCP), Sasmit Patra (BJD), Vaiko (MDMK), Ramgopal Yadav (SP), K Suresh (Congress), Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (TDP) were also present. (ANI) This announcement was made during a meeting with the party's newly elected MLAs. Ajit Pawar, who now leads a faction of the NCP that broke away from Sharad Pawar's leadership, was formally chosen as the party's leader in the meeting. "Today a meeting of the NCP's newly elected MLAs was held. We welcomed all the MLAs and we also elected Ajit Pawar as the leader of the party...We also appealed to him to take further decisions regarding the party...," he said. Meanwhile, when asked about the Maharashtra Chief Ministerial post, Patel stated that the decision would be made in a meeting involving all alliance partners. "I am not aware of any program related to the Oath-taking ceremony of the CM... The decision regarding this will be made in a meeting of all three parties (Shiv Sena, NCP, and BJP)," he said. The ruling Mahayuti alliance secured a decisive victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance registered a smashing victory, carrying its allies--Shiv Sena and NCP--with its momentum. The BJP won 132 seats, Shiv Sena, led by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde secured 57 seats, and the NCP faction led by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar claimed 41 seats. The Maharashtra assembly has a total of 288 seats. In contrast, the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback. The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray won only 20 seats, Congress managed 16, and the NCP (SCP) led by Sharad Pawar won just 10 seats. The BJP demonstrated an impressive strike, winning 133 of the 148 seats it contested in Maharashtra. The party's allies, the Shiv Sena and NCP factions, also performed well. The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20. Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the Mahayuti alliance's victory at the BJP headquarters, commending the people of Maharashtra for rejecting "negative and parivarvad politics." (ANI) In a meeting held in Mumbai on Sunday, Shiv Sena leaders passed a resolution unanimously electing Eknath Shinde as the legislative party leader. The resolution was moved by Shiv Sena leader Uday Samant in the party meeting chaired by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. After the meeting of Shiv Sena leaders, Uday Samant said that the party leaders have decided to give all authority to Eknath Shinde to decide on the cabinet and swearing-in process. "CM Eknath Shinde has been unanimously elected as the leader of the party... We have given all authority to Eknath Shinde to decide on the cabinet and swearing-in process," Uday Samant told ANI. Following the meeting, party leader and newly elected MLA from Aurangabad West, Sanjay Shirsat, said, "There are chances that the Mahayuti leaders will head to Delhi tomorrow... Every party worker wants their party leader to be the CM, but the final decision lies with Ekanth Shinde, Devendra Fadnavis, and Ajit Pawar." Meanwhile, party leader Rahul Shewale also said that all the newly elected MLAs unanimously nominated CM Eknath Shinde as their leader. This decision comes after the ruling Mahayuti alliance, of which Shiv Sena is a part, resounding victory in the recently concluded Maharashtra assembly election. The Mahayuti alliance comprises Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde), the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), and the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance secured a landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly polls by winning 230 (BJP-132, Shiv Sena-57, NCP-41) out of a total of 288 seats. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) suffered a major setback. The Shiv Sena (UBT), led by Uddhav Thackeray won only 20 seats; Congress managed 16, and the NCP (SCP) led by Sharad Pawar won just 10 seats. The BJP demonstrated an impressive strike, winning 132 out of the 148 seats it contested in Maharashtra. The party's allies, the Shiv Sena and NCP factions, also performed well. The Maharashtra assembly elections were held on November 20, and the results were declared on November 23. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Sunday met with beneficiaries of the 'Majhi Ladki Bahin' scheme, where he expressed his gratitude to them for the historic win of the Mahayuti alliance in assembly polls. Addressing the gathering, CM Shinde said that the government will soon increase the amount to Rs 2100 as promised. "I am with you all, I thank all Majhi Ladki Bahin for electing me. You all chose Mahayuti, as we promised we will be giving Rs 2100 to all my sisters. This government is yours and you choose this government again. I feel blessed you all came here and gave me blessings. This is a common people's government and we are working for the growth of Maharashtra," CM Shinde said. (ANI) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Sunday inaugurated a blood donation camp at the premises of Agiye Chalo Sangha in Agartala, emphasising that voluntary blood donation is gradually becoming a significant social movement in the state. "Voluntary blood donation is now taking the form of a social movement in the state. There is no substitute for blood. Blood has no religion. We have heard about various donations, but blood donation is above all donations," he said during his address at an event. The event was organised by the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association in collaboration with Agiye Chalo Sangha. CM Saha highlighted the need for maintaining a proper blood reserve, stating that about 1 per cent of the population's blood needs to be stored in blood banks to meet the demands. "Forty thousand units of blood need to be stored for about 40 lakh people in Tripura. Maintaining a balance between the demand and supply of blood is very important because blood can be stored for a certain period of time. The Blood Transfusion Board is keeping a close watch on this," he added. The Chief Minister also mentioned that there is currently a blood separation centre in the state. He commended the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association for setting an example of social responsibility by actively participating in social programs like blood donation. During the event, Chief Minister Manik Saha interacted with the blood donors at the camp and encouraged them. On the same day, Manik Saha also listened to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 116th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' along with BJP workers at the Bankumari Bagal Mata Temple premises under Pratapgarh Mandal. In a post on X, he said, "Listened to the 116th episode of Hon'ble PM Narendra Modi Ji's MannKiBaat along with the Karyakartas and others at Bankumari Bagal Mata Temple premises under Pratapgarh Mandal." "Modi Ji's words and his insights on the undying spirit of the common people across the country always inspire us," he added in the same post. He underscored that PM Modi's 116th episode highlighted inspiring stories of innovation, resilience, and collective efforts of 'YuvaShakti' in various fields from across India & nature conservation. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi addressed the declining population of sparrows in the country and said that unique efforts are being made to revive the population of the bird in the 116th episode of Mann Ki Baat. "In childhood, we had watched sparrows on our roofs; they play an important role in maintaining biodiversity. But nowadays, we can barely spot a sparrow in cities, due to increased urbanization. Many children of today's generation have seen sparrows only in pictures or videos. Some unique efforts are being made to bring back this lovely bird in the lives of such children," PM Modi said in his address during the 116th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat.' Citing the example of Chennai's Kudugal Trust, the Prime Minister said that this institute, through its efforts, has significantly increased the population of the sparrows in the area. This institute trains children to make small wooden houses for sparrows, and in the last 4 years, they have made 10,000 such nests. He also highlighted the success of the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign, saying that the country has planted around 100 crore trees under this campaign in just five months. Expressing happiness, PM Modi said that the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign has gone global, as he witnessed people participating in this campaign in Guyana. He added that Guyana President Irfan Ali, his mother-in-law, and other family members participated in this campaign. (ANI) Flash Representatives celebrate the adoption of an important rule during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 24, 2024. The presidency of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) announced on Saturday that it has concluded negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, enabling cross-border carbon trading to support global climate goals. [Photo/Xinhua] The presidency of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) announced on Saturday that it has concluded negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, enabling cross-border carbon trading to support global climate goals. Article 6 provides trusted and transparent carbon markets for countries to collaborate on emission reductions, potentially saving up to 250 billion U.S. dollars annually in implementing national climate plans. "We have ended a decade-long wait and unlocked a critical tool for keeping 1.5 degrees in reach," said COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev. "Climate change is a transnational challenge and Article 6 will enable transnational solutions." With the agreement, carbon markets are poised to drive substantial investment in developing countries, ensuring transparency and environmental integrity. The newly adopted rules will facilitate real, additional, and measurable emission reductions while respecting human rights and promoting sustainable development. The agreement follows years of stalled negotiations at previous COP meetings, including those in Glasgow and Sharm El-Sheikh, where initial rules for carbon markets were set but key components remained unresolved. COP29's dual-track approach broke the deadlock, leading to a unanimous adoption of the final rules for Article 6. The COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev bangs a gavel to signify the adoption of a rule during the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, Nov. 23, 2024. The presidency of the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) announced on Saturday that it has concluded negotiations on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, enabling cross-border carbon trading to support global climate goals. [Photo/Xinhua] As the Waqf (Amendment) Bill is on the agenda of the government among sixteen bills for the winter session of Parliament beginning on Monday, residents of Kochi have raised their concerns through a protest against the Act. According to the people protesting, the Munambam community is facing hardship due to the Waqf Act. One of the protestors stated that they have been protesting for the last 33 days, following a non-violent approach. Despite purchasing the property between 1988 and 1993 and residing there for over 150 years, the Waqf Board has now claimed ownership. The community has urged the government to review the Waqf Act and facilitate the return of their property. "We are on the 33rd day of our protest and this is a fasting protest following the method of non-violence. Today, we brought an effigy of the Waqf Act. We are not against any particular religion, we are only against the Waqf Act which has to be amended... We need to amend the laws because we have to address certain issues which are deeply rooted in today's India," he told ANI. "The Munambam people here are suffering due to this Act. In 1995, the act enabled the Waqf Board to claim this property. These fishermen have been living in this place for the last 150 years. They bought this property in 1988-1993. After 35 years of possessing this property, today they are asked to leave because the Waqf Board has entered this property into their registration. We expect that the Government will notice all these things and make the necessary changes to change the Waqf Act and enable us to reclaim this property," he added. Meanwhile, the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, which is listed for consideration and passing, is being examined by a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament. The panel is scheduled to submit its report during the winter session. Opposition members are seeking an extension of time for the panel to provide its report. The winter session will begin on November 25 and will continue till December 20, with 19 sittings. Since August 22 of this year, the Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on the Waqf Amendment Bill, 2024, has held 25 meetings. The JPC has reviewed the work of six ministries and heard from 123 stakeholders, including representatives from six states, eight Waqf boards, and four minority commissions. It is worth noting that the Waqf Act of 1995, which was created to regulate waqf properties, has long faced allegations of mismanagement, corruption and encroachments. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 seeks to bring sweeping reforms, introducing digitisation, stricter audits, transparency and legal mechanisms to reclaim illegally occupied properties. The JPC is holding a series of meetings to gather input from government officials, legal experts, Waqf Board members and community representatives from different states and Union Territories, aiming for the most comprehensive reform possible. (ANI) The prestigious event brought together talent from Taiwan, Thailand, China, Hong Kong, and beyond, recognising achievements in 26 categories, Taiwan News (CNA) reported. Taiwan's premier film awards show was hosted at the Taipei Music Center, with actor Liu Kuan-ting serving as the evening's host. Liu, known for his Golden Horse-winning role in the 2019 Taiwanese drama "A Sun," led the ceremony. The show highlighted the best in Chinese-language filmmaking, drawing international attention. This year, the Taiwanese film Dead Talents Society has garnered the most nominations, competing in 11 categories. Directed by John Hsu, the film is a contender for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction, and several other honours. Its strong presence in the nominations underscores the impact of local talent on the Chinese-language cinema landscape, reported CNA. A historic moment for the awards was marked by the inclusion of Thailand's Wanlop Rungkumjad in the Best Actor category, the first Thai nominee for this prestigious honour. Rungkumjad, recognised for his performance in Singaporean filmmaker Chiang Wei-liang's Mongrel, competed against a line-up of accomplished actors, including Taiwan's King Jieh-wen, Chang Chen, and Zhang Zhi-yong, as well as Hong Kong's Yau Hawk-sau. The Best Actress category featured a similarly competitive line-up. Taiwan's Sylvia Chang and Kimi Hsia faced off against Hong Kong's Au Ga-man, Chung Suet-ying, and Sandra Ng. Each nominee has demonstrated exceptional talent, promising a closely watched contest in one of the night's most anticipated categories. Audiences can view the full list of nominations on the official Golden Horse Awards website, CNA reported. Taiwan Television (TTV) also provided a live stream on its website, allowing fans around the world to join in celebrating the achievements of the nominees. (ANI) In a historic yet contentious outcome at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, wealthy nations pledged to provide USD 300 billion annually by 2035 to help developing countries combat the escalating effects of the climate crisis. Despite the agreement being lauded as a step forward, it drew sharp criticism from many vulnerable nations, which viewed the sum as inadequate given the enormity of the challenge, CNN reported. The deal was reached after more than two weeks of heated negotiations, marred by boycotts and disagreements. Talks nearly collapsed when representatives from small island states and the least-developed countries walked out in protest on Saturday. However, after 30 hours of extended discussions, negotiators managed to finalise the agreement early Sunday morning. Simon Stiell, head of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, described the deal as "an insurance policy for humanity," acknowledging the arduous process that led to its conclusion. "It has been a difficult journey, but we've delivered a deal," he said. The funding will assist poorer nations in managing devastating climate impacts and transitioning to clean energy. The USD 300 billion figure falls significantly short of the USD 1.3 trillion economists estimate is required to address the crisis in developing countries. India's representative, Chandni Raina, condemned the amount as "a paltry sum" in a fiery post-agreement speech, calling the deal "nothing more than an optical illusion." Similarly, Tina Stege, climate envoy for the Marshall Islands, criticised the agreement for leaving vulnerable nations with "a small portion" of the funds they urgently need. Stege also highlighted the obstructive role of fossil fuel interests in the negotiations, accusing them of undermining multilateral goals. "Fossil fuel interests have been determined to block progress," she said in a statement, reported CNN. The new agreement commits developed countries, including the US and European nations, to provide USD 300 billion annually by 2035. While there is an aspiration to eventually scale up to USD 1.3 trillion, developing nations argued for a greater share of the funding to come from grants rather than loans, fearing debt entrapment. The G77 group of developing nations had called for USD 500 billion annually, but wealthier nations deemed this unfeasible under current economic conditions. Avinash Persaud, special advisor to the President of the Inter-American Development Bank, acknowledged the compromise, stating, "We have arrived at the boundary between what is politically achievable today in developed countries and what would make a difference in developing countries." Efforts to include contributions from wealthier emerging economies like China and Saudi Arabia yielded little success. The agreement only "encourages" such countries to make voluntary contributions, without imposing any obligations. Li Shuo, director of the China Climate Hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute, described the deal as "a flawed compromise," reflecting the difficult geopolitical landscape. COP29 unfolded against the backdrop of a record-breaking year for extreme weather, with catastrophic events highlighting the urgency of climate action. However, the summit faced significant challenges, from its host country's status as a petrostate to the overwhelming presence of fossil fuel lobbyists. More than 1,700 fossil fuel representatives attended the talks, outnumbering many national delegations. This prompted criticism from climate groups like Kick Big Polluters Out, which accused such interests of derailing meaningful progress. The political climate further complicated negotiations. Saudi Arabia, a key oil exporter, openly rejected any mention of fossil fuels in the agreement. Meanwhile, the potential re-election of Donald Trump in the US loomed large, raising concerns about the future of global climate commitments. The agreement has drawn widespread condemnation from climate activists and developing nations, CNN reported. Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at Imperial College London, described the summit as "another shady, oil-stained COP," criticising the low public engagement and pervasive cynicism. Tasneem Essop, executive director of Climate Action Network, accused developed nations of betraying the Global South. "This was meant to be the finance COP, but the Global North turned up with a plan to betray the Global South," she said. Harjeet Singh of the Fossil Fuel Treaty Initiative echoed these sentiments, calling the outcome "false hope" for those already suffering the worst climate impacts. "We must persist in our fight, demanding a significant increase in financing and holding developed countries to account," he added. Despite the criticisms, the agreement represents a fragile step toward addressing the global climate crisis. Yet, with mounting climate disasters and political challenges ahead, the path to meaningful action remains fraught with obstacles. (ANI) The Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations recently organised the Diamond Jubilee of Hindi Diwas in New York. This significant event marked the 75th anniversary of Hindi being adopted as an official language in India. "Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations organised the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Hindi Diwas on November 22, 2024 in New York. The day marks adoption of Hindi as an official language in India, on 14 September 1949," Permanent Mission of India in New York said in a press release. The visiting delegation of Members of Parliament from India, consisting of Birendra Prasad Baishya, Pradan Baruah, Sushmita Dev, Akshay Yadav, Sandhya Ray, Tejasvi Surya, Bansuri Swaraj, graced the event. The event was also attended by Permanent Representatives (PR) and Deputy PRs of over 40 countries, senior officials of the UN, Academics, Diaspora Members and award winners of competitions. Speaking on the occasion, Birendra Prasad Baishya said that Hindi is growing at a rapid pace in the 21st century in different parts of the world and added that the heightened global stature of Hindi is increasingly making it a medium in international polity and diplomacy. He also commended the addition of Hindi under the ambit of Multilingualism Resolution of the UN in September 2024. PR of India, Ambassador P. Harish noted that the importance of Hindi as a bridge language is reinforcing national integration, given India's multilingual and multicultural background. PR of Mauritius highlighted Hindi was a bridge to preserve culture, tradition, and identity whereas PR of Nepal underlined that Nepali and Hindi share common linguistic roots and Hindi is widely understood and spoken in Nepal. Deputy PR of Guyana spoke about Hindi's remarkable contributions towards enriching the cultural fabric of her country and noted that Hindi is very popular in her country. Charge d'affaires of Suriname mentioned that Hindi is part of school curriculum in Suriname. Director of Global Communications commended the initiative of Government of India in establishing the Hindi Project at UN. The mission also organised competitions in essay writing, poetry, and recital in Hindi, and the winners were awarded prizes. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to embark on an official visit to Italy from Sunday. During his trip, Jaishankar will participate in the Outreach Session of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Fiuggi, Italy, where India has been invited as a guest country. The Ministry of external Affairs (MEA) in a statement said, "External Affairs Minister (EAM), S Jaishankar, will undertake an official visit to Italy from November 24 to 26, 2024." "EAM will travel to Fiuggi, Italy to participate in the Outreach session of the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, where India has been invited as a guest country. He is also expected to meet his counterparts from Italy and other participating nations in the G7 related engagements and hold bilateral discussions during the visit," the statement added. During the visit, the union minister will also participate in the 10th edition of the MED Mediterranean Dialogue in Rome, being organised by Institute for International Political Studies (ISPI) in collaboration with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. EAM will also inaugurate the new premises of the Embassy of India in Rome. The conference on the Mediterranean, promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and ISPI is hosted annually in Rome. The MED Dialogues aim to rethink traditional approaches to the area, bringing in new ideas and suggestions as to draft a "positive agenda" for the region, which tackles security and socio-economic challenges through common visions. The MED community will reconvene in Rome on November 25-27. Jaishankar had visited Italy from November 2-3, 2023, his first bilateral visit to Italy. The EAM and his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani reviewed the Strategic Partnership. Both sides signed agreements on Migration and Mobility Partnership, and Executive Programme on Cultural Cooperation for the period 2023-27. Earlier on June 14 this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 'Outreach Session' of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Italy. PM Modi met Pope Francis upon reaching the Summit after he was welcomed by Italy's PM Giorgia Meloni as India participated as an 'Outreach Nation' in the G7 Summit. On the sidelines of the G7 Summit, PM Modi met President Emmanuel Macron of France, then Prime Minister Rishi Sunak of the United Kingdom and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. The summit took place at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attended the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni. (ANI) The buoy was discovered in July near Okinotorishima, a remote atoll which lies 1,730 km south of Tokyo and is among the southernmost feature claimed by Japan. Though China and others have argued that the coral reef does not qualify as an island under UN definitions, Japan insists it can use the outpost to extend its exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Okinotorishima is strategically positioned in the Philippine Sea approximately 875 nautical miles southwest of Tokyo. The Japanese government has repeatedly called for the removal since the buoy's presence was confirmed in July near the uninhabited, Tokyo-controlled, Beijing-claimed islets, Kyodo news reported. According to the sources, as per the Japanese news outlet, China told Japan through diplomatic channels in the summer that it would remove the buoy, with Japan welcoming the move and closely monitoring the situation to make sure Beijing follows through. Officials from both countries during high-level consultations on maritime affairs in Tokyo in October, Kyodo reported. The Japanese news agency reported that Chinese Foreign Ministry has said the buoy was installed to monitor ocean currents and weather. Some observers said the data including water temperature has been collected and used by the Chinese military. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba met with Chinese President Xi Jinping for the first time in Peru last week, where he expressed serious concerns about the situation in the East China Sea and the increased activity by the Chinese military. (ANI) Notably, four of the detected aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, entering Taiwan's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) in both the northern and southwestern regions. The MND assured that the situation is being closely monitored and responded to accordingly. Sharing a post on X, the Taiwan MND wrote, "8 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1860488510249050186 On Saturday, the MND had detected 25 Chinese aircraft and seven vessels around Taiwan. In a post on X, the MND noted, "25 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today." The MND noted that 13 aircrafts "crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern ADIZ." In recent times, Chinese incursion has increased in Taiwan. In response, Taiwan has stepped up security on its maritime borders. On Friday, Taiwanese President, Lai Ching-te attended the completion ceremony for the #ROCN Shuei-Sing Barracks. This base will serve as the new home for the Taiwanese Navy Underwater Operations Unit and enhance its training capabilities. Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude towards the US, Japan, and Australia for their joint statement calling for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan News reported. This statement followed the 14th Trilateral Defence Ministers' Meeting (TDMM) in Darwin, Australia, where defence ministers from the three nations, Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Richard Marles, Japanese Minister of Defense Nakatani Gen, and US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin III reaffirmed their commitment to regional security. (ANI) The European Union approved new regulations banning the sale of products made with forced labour, a move that activists hope will help combat the exploitation of Uyghurs in Xinjiang, as well as forced labour in North Korea and other nations. According to the Radio Free Asia report, the Forced Labor Regulation, approved on Tuesday, marks the final step in a decision-making process that began four years ago. According to the EU, around 27.6 million people are subjected to forced labour worldwide, with most of it occurring in private industries, though some is also enforced by government authorities. The new regulation mandates that all EU member states prohibit the sale of products or components in the EU that are made, in whole or in part, with forced labour. The EU aims to eliminate incentives for companies to profit from forced labour in their supply chains. However, the effective enforcement of this regulation will require EU countries to enhance their capacity to investigate and prevent the sale of forced-labour-made products, as noted by Human Rights Watch. The regulation was first brought up in 2020 when the EU was on the verge of signing an investment deal with China, according to Helene de Rengerve, a senior corporate accountability advocate at Human Rights Watch. According to Radio Free Asia, she explained that the European Parliament made it clear that it would not approve the agreement unless the EU took action on forced labour in the Uyghur region. As a result, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, called in 2022 for the creation of a dedicated tool to address forced labour. However, de Rengerve noted that the regulation's implementation will not start until 2028. Maya Wang, the associate China director at Human Rights Watch, stated that while the approval of the regulation this week was anticipated, it still represents a significant victory for human rights activists. She explained that, although the regulation is not targeted at specific countries, it largely addresses forced labour in the Uyghur region. Wang noted that the EU's regulation is "unfortunately" weaker than the US version. However, she suggested that activists can now shift their focus to encouraging the United Kingdom and Australia to adopt similar measures. In 2021, US President Joe Biden signed the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, which allows sanctions against foreign individuals and entities responsible for human rights violations. The US law also prohibits the import of goods from Xinjiang unless there is "clear and convincing evidence" proving they were not produced using forced labour. According to de Rengerve, under the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), there is a presumption that forced labour is involved, meaning it is not up to authorities to prove that forced labour is occurring in the Uyghur region. "It's actually the companies that have to demonstrate that they are not linked in any way to the Uyghur region," she said. In contrast, Wang noted that the EU regulation does not assume that all products from Xinjiang are made with forced labour. "Nonetheless, it's a big step," Wang said. "The priority is to acknowledge that certain regions are at the highest risk of forced labour. Without this acknowledgement, it becomes very difficult to monitor or enforce the regulations." China has strongly rejected criticism of its treatment of Uyghurs, labelling it as foreign interference in its internal matters. However, Beijing has faced numerous international condemnations in recent years for its policies towards the 12 million Uyghurs, as well as smaller groups of ethnic Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, and other Turkic-speaking Muslims. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday highlighted the impact of Indian diaspora in the Caribbean nation of Guyana and said that 'a Mini India' also exists in Guyana, where people of Indian origin have become leaders in politics, business, education, and culture. The remarks by PM Modi came during the 116th episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' and following his official state visit to Guyana. He said, "A 'Mini India' also exists in Guyana, thousands of kilometres away from India. About 180 years ago, people from India were taken to Guyana to work as labourers in the fields and for other work. Today, people of Indian origin in Guyana are leading Guyana in every field of politics, business, education and culture. The President of Guyana, Dr. Irfan Ali, is also of Indian origin and is proud of his Indian heritage." He added, "Like Guyana, there are millions of Indians in dozens of countries across the world. Their ancestors from decades past, 200-300 years ago, have their own stories..." PM Modi further spoke about a project in Oman and said that numerous Indian families who have lived in Oman for centuries are having their history preserved. With the support of the Indian Embassy in Oman and the National Archives of India, a team is working to safeguard the history of these families, collecting documents, with some dating back to 1838. "You will also find an extraordinary project going on in Oman. Numerous Indian families have been living in Oman for many centuries. Most of them who have settled there are from Kutch in Gujarat. These people had created important links of trade. With the support of the Indian Embassy in Oman and the National Archives of India, a team has started the work of preserving the history of these families," PM Modi said. He added, "Thousands of documents have been collected so far under this campaign. These include diaries, account books, ledgers, letters and telegrams. Some of these documents are also from the year 1838. These documents are full of emotions. When they arrived in Oman years ago, what kind of life they led, what kind of joys and sorrows they faced, and how their relations with the people of Oman progressed - all this is part of these documents." PM Modi also highlighted an effort in Slovakia aimed at preserving and promoting Indian culture and said that for the first time, the Upanishads, ancient Indian texts, have been translated into the Slovak language. He said, "I have come to know about another such effort being done in Slovakia which is related to preserving and promoting our culture. Here, for the first time, our Upanishads have been translated into the Slovak language. These efforts also show the global influence of Indian culture. It is a matter of pride for all of us that there are crores of people around the world who have India in their hearts." Notably, PM Modi was on an official visit to Guyana from November 20 to 22. He became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the nation in 56 years. India and Guyana signed 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the country, covering areas such as culture, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and the deployment of UPI in the Caribbean nation. During the visit, PM Modi and Guyana President Ali planted a sapling under the 'Ek Ped Ma Ke Naam' initiative. India also extended credit facilities to Guyana for mutually agreed fields such as agriculture and information technology. Indian companies have shown interest in sectors such as biofuels, energy, minerals, and pharmaceuticals. While bilateral trade turnover remains modest, the trend is positive and promising. The Prime Minister's visit is expected to open new avenues for collaboration, strengthen India-Guyana ties, and encourage broader regional partnerships. PM Modi also received the 'Key to the city of Georgetown' during his visit to Guyana. He also received a resounding welcome from the members of the Indian community in Guyana. (ANI) A protest will be held in Quetta on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Naseeb Ullah Badini's enforced disappearance. The rally is set to be held outside the Quetta Press Club, according to the rights organisation Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ). The group announced that an online campaign will take place on November 25, from 8 pm to midnight, on X, to raise awareness about Badini's case, the Balochistan Post reported. BVJ also announced an online campaign on November 27 to mark the 12th anniversary of Abdul Rashid Langove's disappearance. Langove was allegedly abducted from Jinnah Town, Quetta, in 2012. His family stated they would initiate the campaign on X to bring attention to his case. According to the report, BVJ urged political activists, students, and the public to take part in the protest in Quetta and engage in the online campaigns. The group called on social media users to actively share information on both days to raise awareness about enforced disappearances. In its statement, BVJ urged human rights organisations to step in and work towards the recovery of both Badini and Langove. The group condemned enforced disappearances as a form of "collective punishment" and highlighted the continued suffering of the families impacted by such cases. In a post on X, BVJ wrote, "Justice for Naseeb Ullah Badini! Forced disappearance is an atrocity that must end. Stand up for Naseeb's rights. Free him now!" https://x.com/BalochV4Justice/status/1860576904702525704 Ethnic Baloch communities in Pakistan's Balochistan province continue to accuse the state of systemic discrimination and political marginalisation. The Pakistani government has faced growing criticism for its forceful suppression of Baloch nationalist movements, with reports emerging of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture targeting activists, journalists, and civilians. Military, intelligence agencies, and paramilitary forces have been implicated in these abuses, often justifying them as part of counter-insurgency efforts against Baloch insurgents and pro-independence groups. Despite Balochistan's vast natural resources, including oil, gas, and minerals, the province remains plagued by severe economic underdevelopment. Widespread poverty, limited access to education and healthcare, and inadequate infrastructure have intensified resentment among the Baloch population, fueling ongoing protests and calls for greater autonomy. (ANI) Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Indian Army, General Upendra Dwivedi, concluded a successful five-day official visit to Nepal on Sunday, strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and cultural ties between the two nations. The visit underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Nepali Armies to fostering peace, security, and partnership in the region. The visit, which exceeded all stated objectives, further solidified the robust defence cooperation, cultural ties, and mutual respect between the two nations. It underscored the shared commitment of the armies of India and Nepal to foster peace, security, and partnership in the region,according to a release by the Ministry of Defence (MOD). During his visit, the COAS engaged extensively with Nepal's political and military leadership. He held high-level meetings with the President of Nepal Ram Chandra Paudel; the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli; and the Defence Minister Manbir Rai. General Dwivedi also engaged in meaningful discussions with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, along with other senior military officers. These interactions were characterised by exceptional openness and mutual respect, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. The visit resulted in some key outcomes. The COAS in a solemn ceremony, paid his tributes to Nepal's Bravehearts by laying a wreath at Bir Smarak, Tundikhel. Later, he reviewed an impressive Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters; strengthening India-Nepal ties was a central theme of the visit and General Dwivedi called on General Sigdel and discussed aspects of mutual interest and avenues to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. The COAS was briefed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Nepali Army and engaged in high-level discussions with other senior military leaders. These discussions focused on enhancing military bonds, joint exercises, training cooperation, and capability development, reinforcing the shared commitment to global peace and security. As a gesture of friendship between the two armies, the Indian Army presented Valour Mount horses and Sentinel dogs to the Nepali Army, the MOD said. Other key outcomes included conferment of Honorary General Rank. General Dwivedi was conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by the Nepal President Paudel at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu; address at the Army Command and Staff College, Shivapuri, enlightening the future leaders at the Nepal Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri, the COAS delivered a lecture on 'The Changing Character of War.' The COAS also attended an Ex-Servicemen Rally at the Pension Paying Office in Pokhara, interacting with Gorkha veterans and Veer Naris of the Indian Army and the COAS lauded the role of veterans in civil society, acknowledging their contributions across various fields. General Dwivedi also reiterated India's unwavering commitment to their welfare, including the announcement of an increase in the number of ECHS empanelled hospitals besides addition of two ECHS polyclinics, one each at Butala and Dungadhi, MOD said in a statement. The visit also resulted in General Dwivedi extending a formal invitation to the Nepali Army's COAS to visit India, aiming to build on and amplify the outcomes of the current visit. This visit, marked by comprehensive discussions and mutual respect, has reinforced the strong partnership between the Indian and Nepali Armies. The outcomes of the visit are expected to usher in a new era of collaboration, with a greater focus on defence cooperation, cultural exchange, and regional security, the MOD added. Meanwhile, the Nepali Army welcomed General Dwivedi's visit, expressing its belief that such high-level visits will strengthen the friendship between the two militaries and countries. The Nepal's Ministry of Defence in a statement said, "General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, Chief of the Army Staff, Indian Army and Sunita Dwivedi returned home today after a successful five-day official visit to Nepal. Major General Prem Dhoj Adhikari, Head of Department, Department of Military Operations and his wife bade farewell to General Dwivedi and Mrs Dwivedi at Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). General Dwivedi had arrived in Kathmandu on November 20, 2024 on the official invitation extended by COAS General Ashok Raj Sigdel." "Nepali Army firmly believes that such high level visits will help to further cement the friendship between two militaries and two countries," the statement added. (ANI) Chairman John Moolenaar and Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi of the United States House Select Committee on Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to investigate a recent transaction involving Zhejiang Dahua Technology, a Chinese surveillance equipment manufacturer, to determine whether it is an attempt to circumvent US national security restrictions. In a letter to FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel on November 20, the lawmakers expressed concerns that Dahua's recent sale of its US subsidiary Dahua Technology US, to Luminys Systems, a company reportedly affiliated with the Taiwanese firm Foxlink might be a deliberate move to bypass existing US regulations. These regulations prohibit the sale of Dahua products, particularly video surveillance equipment, for national security purposes due to the company's ties to the CCP and its involvement in alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. The lawmakers highlighted that while Luminys' press release touted the transaction as a strategic step toward expanding its distribution in the US market, publicly available information suggests Dahua's firmware and software will still be developed and controlled in China. This raises the possibility that the transaction is designed to sidestep legal restrictions such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 889, which bans the US government from procuring products from Chinese companies like Dahua. The letter further notes that analysts have raised concerns that this move could allow Dahua to claim it no longer manufactures these products, potentially evading the FCC's new device authorization requirements and NDAA-related bans. The lawmakers urged the FCC to closely scrutinise the transaction and brief relevant congressional committees to ensure that national security protections remain intact and that foreign companies are not exploiting loopholes to continue selling surveillance technology with ties to the Chinese government. This request follows ongoing efforts by US agencies, including the FCC, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Commerce, to combat the national security risks posed by Chinese-made communications and surveillance equipment. The lawmakers emphasised the need for vigilance to prevent foreign entities from exploiting regulatory gaps, ensuring that the US remains protected against potential security threats. (ANI) Jerusalem [Israel], November 24 (ANI/TPS): Israel warned its nationals to avoid non-essential travel to the United Arab Emirates after the body of a missing Israeli-Moldovan rabbi was discovered on Sunday. Israel's National Security Council (NSC) had already designated the UAE's threat level to Israeli citizens as "moderate." The NSC urged Israelis to avoid businesses and venues associated with Israelis or Jews, not to overtly display Israeli or Jewish symbols or share travel details on social media, and to be vigilant in public areas. The announcement came as Israel announced that the body of Rabbi Tzvi Kogan, who had been missing since Thursday, was found. Kogan, an outreach rabbi with the Chabad movement, worked in Abu Dhabi. In addition to his outreach, the 28-year-old Kogan also ran a kosher grocery store. He is survived by his wife, a US national. "This vile antisemitic attack is a reminder of the inhumanity of the enemies of the Jewish people," tweeted Israeli President Isaac Herzog. "It will not deter us from continuing to grow flourishing communities in the UAE or anywhere - especially with the help of the dedicated commitment and work of the Chabad emissaries all over the world." "I thank the UAE authorities for their swift action, and trust they will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice," he added. According to Israeli media reports, the killers are thought to be Uzbek nationals working on behalf of Iran who fled to Turkey. Amid a major spike in attacks against Israeli and Jewish targets worldwide since Hamas's October 7 massacres, Israel has issued travel warnings for countries across the Middle East. Israel and the UAE signed the Abraham Accords in September 2020. (ANI/TPS) Farmers from the southern region of Pakistan's Sindh province have pledged to resist the construction of six proposed canals on the Indus River in Punjab's Cholistan area, arguing that the project would render their lands "entirely infertile." They held a rally organised by the Anti-Canals Action Committee, a coalition of three farming organizations Sindh Abadgar Board (SAB), Sindh Chamber of Agriculture (SCA), and Sindh Abadgar Ittehad (SAI). The Sindh United Abadgar Forum, affiliated with the Sindh United Party, is also a member of this coalition as reported by Dawn. According to the report, the demonstrators stated that the new canals, authorised by the Central Development Working Party, threatened the livelihoods of millions in Sindh. SAB president Mahmood Nawaz Shah emphasised that the farmers were protesting "for the welfare of this country and Sindh." He criticised the decision to build canals to irrigate the Cholistan desert, asking, "Why create canals to water a desert and turn fertile lands into barren land? What's the reasoning behind this?" Shah further raised concerns about the use of excess water for these canals, pointing out that Sindh's water problems have existed for over 150 years, not since 1935. He further claimed that the British colonists had acknowledged that Sindh once had more cultivated land than Punjab. The report further stated that He stated that farmers would not support "illegitimate projects" and questioned the approval given by those who "swear an oath on the holy book to remain loyal to the country." SCA's Miran Mohammad Shah urged Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, whose PPP is part of the federal government coalition, to lead the farmers' protest, just as his mother, Benazir Bhutto, did. He was referring to the protest against the Kalabagh Dam led by Benazir Bhutto in August 1998 in Ubauro, Ghotki. Shah stated that this is a matter affecting the entire country, not just Sindh or Punjab. He urged the urban population, particularly the people of Karachi, to "understand the seriousness of the situation," as the K-IV project, designed to supply water to the city from the Kotri barrage, would be ineffective if the barrage itself lacked water. Miran expressed confusion, questioning whether policymakers were lacking in wisdom or simply indifferent to the reality that the water flow downstream of the Kotri Barrage is zero under normal conditions. He added that if these canals were constructed, all of Sindh would become barren. The report further stated that SAI president Zubair Talpur condemned the project and questioned the future of existing lands in Sindh if new lands were to be irrigated in a desert. He pointed out that Sindh was already struggling with the issue of not receiving its rightful share of water as per the 1991 Water Accord. SCA vice president Nabi Bux Sathio presented data from the Indus River System Authority, revealing that between 1999 and 2023, Sindh experienced a greater water shortage (40 per cent) compared to Punjab (15 per cent). He argued that the federal government should invest Rs240 billion in the Diamer-Bhasha dam rather than the Cholistan canal, which would "ruin 12 million acres of agricultural land in Sindh to irrigate 1.2 million acres of the Cholistan desert." Syed Zain Shah, convener of the Sindhu Darya Bachayao Committee, warned that Sindh would experience significant migration within 10 years if water from the Indus River is diverted to these six canals. He asserted that the new canals would "devastate" Sindh and called on the federation to make a "wise decision" and cancel the project. Bashir Shah of the Sindh United Abadgar Forum emphasised that the province would never compromise on three key issues: language, homeland, and water. He also urged the president to revoke the decision made during the July 8 meeting. Other speakers at the protest included Syed Nadeem Shah, Zahid Bhurgari, Mir Zafarullah, Mohib Marri, Zulfikar Yousfani, and former Sindh advocate general Yusuf Leghari. Leghari appealed to the lawyers' associations to hold weekly court boycotts to raise awareness of the issue within the judiciary. (ANI) The Indian Naval Sailing vessel INSV Tarini departed from Fremantle, Australia, on Sunday, marking the beginning of the second leg of the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition to Lyttelton, New Zealand. Tarini and her intrepid crew were seen off by an enthusiastic crowd cheering for the safe passage to Lyttelton, an official release stated. Navika Sagar Parikrama-II, which was flagged off by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff, on 2 October, is an Indian Navy expedition undertaking a dual-handed circumnavigation of the earth by two women officers of the Navy onboard 56 ft INSV Tarini. Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A made a planned stop at Fremantle on 9 November 24 after a 39-day voyage covering 4900 nautical miles under sail, to a warm welcome by Consul General of India in Perth, DA Canberra, officials of the Royal Australian Navy, and members of the Indian diaspora comprising mainly Indian Armed Forces Veterans, as per the release. During their stay in Fremantle and Perth, the crew engaged in various impactful activities showcasing the Indian Navy's contribution to promoting gender equality and global maritime cooperation while also representing India's progress in maritime exploration and women's empowerment, according to the release. The crew were honoured as special invitees at the Western Australia Parliament where they interacted with parliamentarians and also attended a session of the Parliament where a statement was made in the house, acknowledging the expedition and their journey thus far. Before departure, Tarini underwent checks of all systems and repairs to defects under the supervision of a shore support team from India and stocked up with provisions for the next leg. The crew was briefed by the team mentor, Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd) on the passage ahead, who also assessed the boat. Serving as ambassadors of India's rich maritime heritage, they interacted with the Indian diaspora at a vibrant event coordinatedP by the Consul General of India in Perth. They also visited the Royal Australian Naval Base HMAS Stirling and the Ocean Reef High School. Sharing their journey and experiences with the students, the crew left a lasting impression on young minds, emphasising the importance of resilience, innovation, and pursuing dreams against challenges. Notably, Phase II of the expedition will see INSV Tarini cross Cape Leeuwin, the Great Australian Bight, Tasmania and the South Island of New Zealand before calling on at Lyttelton. The voyage will cover 3400 nautical miles (6300 kilometres) in approximately 20 days, and it will see the crew experience varied weather conditions, including frontal weather systems and dropping temperatures, the release added. (ANI) General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Indian Army, returned to India today after a successful five-day official visit to Nepal. The visit, which exceeded all stated objectives, further solidified the robust defence cooperation, cultural ties, and mutual respect between the two nations. It underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Nepali Armies to fostering peace, security, and partnership in the region, the Ministry of Defence said in a release on Sunday. During his visit, Dwivedi engaged extensively with Nepal's political and military leadership. He held high-level meetings with the President of Nepal, Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli; and Defence Minister Manbir Rai. He also engaged in meaningful discussions with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, along with other senior military officers. These interactions were characterised by exceptional openness and mutual respect, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations, the ministry said. Dwivedi in a solemn ceremony, paid his tributes to Nepal's Bravehearts by laying a wreath at Bir Smarak, Tundikhel. Later, he reviewed an impressive Guard of Honour at the Nepali Army Headquarters, the ministry said. Strengthening India-Nepal ties was a central theme of the visit. General Upendra Dwivedi, COAS, called on General Ashok Raj Sigdel, COAS, Nepali Army, and discussed aspects of mutual interest and avenues to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. The COAS was briefed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Nepali Army and engaged in high-level discussions with other senior military leaders. These discussions focused on enhancing military bonds, joint exercises, training cooperation, and capability development, reinforcing the shared commitment to global peace and security. As a gesture of friendship between the two armies, the Indian Army presented Valour Mount horses and Sentinel dogs to the Nepali Army. Dwivedi was conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by the Paudel, at Sheetal Niwas, Kathmandu. This unique tradition underscores the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the Indian and Nepali Armies. Dwivedi experienced firsthand, the cultural and social bonds between the two countries and their armies. Increased cultural exchanges between the Indian and Nepali Armies were also discussed, recognising their importance in strengthening bilateral ties. Enlightening the future leaders at the Nepal Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri, the COAS delivered a lecture on "The Changing Character of War". He emphasised on strengthening and deepening the engagements for mutually building the competencies and capabilities of both Armies. Dwivedi attended an Ex-Servicemen Rally at the Pension Paying Office in Pokhara, interacting with Gorkha veterans and Veer Naris of the Indian Army. The bond between the veterans and the Indian Army was very visible and thriving, reflecting their strong ties. The COAS lauded the role of veterans in civil society, acknowledging their contributions across various fields. A heartfelt moment during the rally was his interaction with Subedar Major and Honorary Captain Gopal Bahadur Thapa (retd) of the 18th Battalion, The Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, the Subedar Major of his own unit, showcasing a personal and emotional connection with the veterans. He also reiterated the Government of India's unwavering commitment to their welfare, including the announcement of an increase in the number of ECHS empanelled hospitals besides addition of two ECHS polyclinics, one each at Butala and Dungadhi. These initiatives is reflective of the Government of India's and Indian Army's resolve towards the welfare of veterans. Invitation to Nepali COAS: General Dwivedi extended a formal invitation to the Nepali Army's COAS to visit India, aiming to build on and amplify the outcomes of the current visit, the ministry said. This visit, marked by comprehensive discussions and mutual respect, has reinforced the strong partnership between the Indian and Nepali Armies. The outcomes of the visit are expected to usher in a new era of collaboration, with a greater focus on defence cooperation, cultural exchange, and regional security, it added. (ANI) An international outcry has erupted over the case of Yashar (Yaxia'er Xiaohelaiti), a 26-year-old Uyghur songwriter and musician, who is currently serving a three-year prison sentence in China's Xinjiang region. Yashar was convicted on 20 June 2024, for "promoting extremism" and "illegally possessing extremist materials" due to his music and possession of Uyghur-language books. He suffers from chronic bronchitis and is reportedly in serious health danger due to inadequate medical care in Wusu Prison, where he is being detained. His condition requires regular medication, but there are widespread concerns that he is not receiving the necessary treatment. Yashar's plight comes amid increasing global attention on the treatment of Uyghur cultural figures in China. Human rights advocates argue that these charges are part of a broader crackdown on Uyghur cultural expression under the guise of countering terrorism and extremism. Yashar's case highlights the increasing risks faced by Uyghur artists, many of whom are targeted simply for expressing their ethnic identity through music, literature, and other cultural outlets. The musician was arrested on August 11, 2023, by municipal authorities in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, after participating in the White Paper Movement, a series of protests against China's strict COVID-19 lockdowns following a deadly fire in Urumqi, Xinjiang. During these protests, Yashar joined others in holding blank sheets of paper to symbolize opposition to censorship. The charges against Yashar primarily relate to his Uyghur-language music, which he shared online, and his possession of books written in the Uyghur language--materials that many Uyghurs view as vital to understanding their cultural history. These materials, however, have been labelled "extremist" by the Chinese authorities, fueling concerns over the criminalization of cultural expression. Since 2017, China has launched an extensive crackdown on the Uyghur population, labelling their cultural and religious practices as signs of extremism. Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have condemned these actions, which are considered by many to be crimes against humanity. More than a million Uyghur Muslims are believed to have been detained in Xinjiang's internment camps, where they have faced torture, forced labor, and various forms of abuse. Yashar's case is a stark example of the broader repression faced by Uyghur artists and intellectuals. Many in the Uyghur community live in constant fear of arrest for expressing their cultural identity, leading to widespread self-censorship. In response to Yashar's arrest and detention, human rights advocates are calling for his immediate release, along with the provision of urgent medical care. An international action appeal has been launched, urging global leaders and organizations to press the Chinese government for Yashar's release and to ensure his health and safety. Additionally, there are calls for an end to the persecution of Uyghur cultural figures and the removal of arbitrary restrictions on Uyghur cultural practices. (ANI) The Sindh Rawadari Committee held a rally from the Old Campus area and made its way to the Hyderabad Press Club on Saturday, condemning the federal government's proposal to construct six canals on the Indus River and the police's inability to apprehend the killers of Shahnawaz Kunbha. A significant number of women took part in the rally and the protestors chanted slogans opposing the canal construction plan. Several members and supporters from PPP-Shaheed Bhutto, JSQM, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, as well as other civil society groups and organizations, took part in the Sindh Rawadari rally, as per News International. According to the report, on this occasion, Alia Bakhshal, Asda Butt, Irfana Mallah, Amar Sindhu, Niaz Kalani, Iqbal Mallah, and others stated that they would not compromise on Sindh's rights and would not allow any disturbance to peace and order. They called for the arrest of Shahnawaz Kunbhar's killers and demanded the halt of the plan to construct six canals on the Indus River, warning that the protest would intensify if their demands were not met. Meanwhile, the Tehreek Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) had announced plans to hold a rally in Hyderabad, prompting the police to arrest TLP workers on Friday night. On Saturday, as the Sindh Rawadari rally participants arrived at the press club, TLP workers also gathered at Hyder Chowk but were halted by the police near the DC House. To manage the tension, police were stationed around the press club and Hyder Chowk, and the area was barricaded with barbed wire. DIG Tariq Dharejo and SSP Farrukh Lanjar closely monitored the situation. The police used tear gas, batons, and made arrests to disperse the TLP rally. Later, TLP leaders held a press conference at the Hyderabad Press Club, where they criticized the administration and police for permitting a rally by liberals while stopping a religious party, calling it unjust. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], November 24 (ANI/TPS): Israel's Ministry of Health launched a new campaign to raise awareness about special hospital emergency rooms that offer services for victims of sexual assault. The launch came after what the Ministry called "very sensitive work" by the department for the treatment of domestic violence and sexual abuse in the national service for social work in the Ministry of Health together with other teams. The campaign, which cost NIS 1 million, started with the first beat and includes a short infographic video and banners explaining what the acute room is. These special emergency rooms are for sexual assault victims only and are separate from the regular emergency rooms. A professional team specializing in the field of treating sexual assault victims accompanies and provides support, as well as both physical and mental care to the victims, no matter what their age. There is no need for a doctor's referral and the service is provided free of charge. The Ministry reminded victims that it is important to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases as soon as possible after a sexual assault. Minors over the age of 14 will be able to come without a parent/guardian and receive care - although it is always recommended to come with an escort if possible. There are 11 such emergency rooms currently in operation in 11 hospitals in Israel: Yoseftal in Eilat, Soroka in Be'er Sheva, Kaplan in Rehovot, Hadassah Ein Kerem in Jerusalem, Wolfson in Holon, Ichilov in Tel Aviv, Hillel Yafe in Hadera, Bnei Zion in Haifa, Galil Medical Center in Nahariyya, The English (also Scottish) Hospital in Nazareth, North Medical Center in Tiberias. (ANI/TPS) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav arrived in London on Sunday and received a warm welcome from Vikram Doraiswami, the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, and the Indian diaspora upon his arrival at his hotel. CM Yadav is on a six-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany, starting Monday, with the focus on enhancing investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh by engaging with industrialists, business leaders, and government representatives in both countries. High Commissioner Vikram K. Doraiswami welcomes the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Mohan Yadav, to the United Kingdom. This exclusive event will showcase the vast investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting key sectors like Renewable Energy, Electric Vehicles, and Food Processing. It's an exciting opportunity to connect with industry leaders, engage with the Indian diaspora, and discover how Madhya Pradesh is driving growth and innovation. During the first leg of his UK visit, CM Yadav is expected to visit the British Parliament and is also likely to pay floral tributes at Mahatma Gandhi's statue at Parliament Square on Monday. He will also visit King's Cross and redevelopment sites on the same day. CM Mohan Yadav is on a six-day visit to the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany, starting on Monday, and will focus on enhancing investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh by engaging with industrialists, business leaders, and government representatives in both the UK and Germany. The Chief Minister will meet with representatives of industrial organizations and industrialists to increase investment and industrial cooperation in the state. He will also attend a dinner program organized by the NRI group "Friends of Madhya Pradesh" in London, which will be attended by over 400 members of the Indian diaspora. During his visit, CM Yadav will interact with industrialists and the High Commissioner of India to the UK, Vikram K. Doraiswami, at breakfast on November 26. Following this, a session will be held to discuss investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh, with over 120 participants. The discussion will focus on sectors such as electric vehicles, automotive, renewable energy, and food processing in roundtable meetings after the lunch break. On Tuesday, CM Yadav will visit BR Ambedkar House and pay his respects. On November 27, CM Yadav will visit Warwick University, where he will interact with the dean, faculty members, and researchers of the Warwick Manufacturing Group. Later, he will travel from Birmingham Airport to Munich, Germany. After his three-day visit to the UK, CM Yadav will spend November 28 and 29 in Germany, attending several events in Munich and Stuttgart. In Germany, CM Yadav will hold discussions with leaders of the Bavarian state government and the Consul General of India in Munich on the morning of November 28. After that, he will visit SFC Energy and participate in an interactive session on investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh. Representatives from the Consulate General of India, CII, Invest India, and the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce will also be present. Approximately 80 representatives will take part in the session, followed by one-to-one meetings with industry representatives to discuss investment matters. Additionally, the Chief Minister will visit the State Museum of Natural History in Stuttgart. This museum, established in 1791, houses a significant collection of ancient fossils and dinosaur remains, with more than 11 million objects in its archives. Following this visit, CM Yadav will travel to Frankfurt before returning to New Delhi. This foreign tour aims to effectively showcase the investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh to international investors. This follows four successful interactive sessions on investment opportunities in Madhya Pradesh held in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, and Kolkata, along with Regional Industry Conclaves in Ujjain, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Sagar, and Rewa. (ANI) Taylor Swifts concerts have always drawn famous faces, and Friday night was no exception. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was seen enjoying the pop stars hits as she brought her Eras Tour to Toronto for a second weekend. In now-viral videos, Trudeau is caught busting out dance moves and looking captivated by Taylor Swifts performance. Adding to the fun, he joined in on the Eras Tour tradition, swapping friendship bracelets with nearby Swifties. READ MORE: Taylor Swift Eras tour: City of Toronto offers shelter to unhoused residents displaced by concert activity Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who could have guessed the PM was a Swiftie? Trudeau's carefree night at the Eras Tour sparked outrage as anti-NATO demonstrations in his home riding of Montreal turned violent Friday night. Police reported smashed windows and fires during the protest as the city hosted the NATO Parliamentary Assembly. At around 6:10 p.m., protesters lit a mannequin on fire in the middle of the crowd and began marching together, throwing objects including smoke bombs and metal barriers into the street to obstruct police work, according to CBC News reports. Riots have broken out in Montreal - the mob is smashing buildings and rampaging through the streets. And where is Prime Minister @JustinTrudeau? Dancing at a Taylor Swift concert. pic.twitter.com/aviemasUDc Aviva Klompas (@AvivaKlompas) November 23, 2024 Trudeau's Eras Tour appearance sparks mixed reactions As news of the prime minister's Eras Tour debut spread, Canadians flooded social media with reactions some playfully embracing his Swiftie era, while others slammed his carefree concert outing as riots erupted in Montreal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leader of Canada's Conservative Party was quick to jot down his thoughts on social media sharing "Trudeau fiddles while Montreal burns." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all social media reactions were negative, with some lauding the opportunity to scream the lyrics of You Belong With Me alongside the prime minister. One social media user simply stated "Canada is lost," as videos of the prime minister dancing the night away filled social media. Canada is lost. We have no leadership and no safety anymore. Ana Elenzo (@helenezonana) November 23, 2024 Another Toronto TikToker captured the moment Trudeau exchanged friendship bracelets with fans seated next to him, jotting a caption reading "Imagine trading friendship bracelets with the prime minister?" "The city is burning and like roman emperor Nero, pm Trudeau is partying," jotted down another X user. Pro-Palestine mobs in Montreal, Canada last night - rioting and destroying shops and clashes with police. It feels like history is repeating itself. The city is burning and like roman emperor Nero, pm Trudeau is partying. When will the West wake up? pic.twitter.com/FdMCXpflfD Brian BJ (@iamBrianBJ) November 23, 2024 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not every social media user was out to get the PM, with many applauding the Canadian leader's decision to have a night out with family. Instagram comment via @constanceque/Instagram Should Trudeau have left the concert and appeased rioters in Montreal? This X user thinks so. Like all Canadians, Im disappointed Justin Trudeau didnt leave the Taylor Swift concert, fly to Montreal, and deliver Lord Humongous just walk away speach from Max Max 2. Glyn Bowerman (@glynbowerman) November 23, 2024 "Justin Trudeau dancing at a Taylor Swift concert while Montreal is burning," shared this X user, while posting a side-by-side view of the Eras Tour footage and Montreal riots. Germany has suggested that it will not arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he travels to the country because of its Nazi history. Mr Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, was made the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant over alleged war crimes in Gaza on Thursday, a move he has described as anti-Semitic. A number of European countries, including the UK, have said they will respect the ICCs decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a spokesman for Olaf Scholz, the German chancellor, suggested the country would not carry out such an arrest due to its history and unique relationship with Israel. I find it hard to imagine that arrests could be carried out in Germany on this basis, said Steffen Hebestreit, a government spokesman. His words came as the German government said in a statement that it had taken note of the ICC decision and said it was one of the courts biggest supporters. But it added: At the same time, it is a consequence of German history that we share unique relations and great responsibility with Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will carefully examine the domestic steps. Any further action would only be taken when a visit [to Germany] by prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant is foreseeable. In an interview with The Telegraph last December, Ron Prosor, the Israeli ambassador to Berlin, said Germany had become Israels second strategic partner, behind the United States, due to its amazing response to the Oct 7 attacks. In a clearer show of support for Mr Netanyahu, Viktor Orban, the prime minister of Hungary, has invited the Israeli leader on a state visit, defying the ICCs decision to issue an arrest warrant. Mr Orban criticised the ICC ruling, labelling it a political decision that discredits international law and that could add fuel to the flames in the war between Israel and Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hungary signed the statute of the ICC in 1999, ratifying it two years later, meaning it is technically obliged to arrest the Israeli prime minister should he step foot in the country. Mr Netanyahu thanked Mr Orban for the invite and for his warm support of Israel. Vowed to make an arrest Mr Orbans rejection of the ICCs ruling marks a split among European countries after Italy and the Netherlands vowed to arrest Mr Netanyahu, as well as Mr Gallant. The ICC arrest warrant against prime minister Netanyahu is brazen, cynical and completely unacceptable. I invited prime minister Netanyahu for an official visit to Hungary, where we will guarantee his freedom and safety, Mr Orban said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that the disgraceful decision would have no impact whatsoever on Israel and Hungarys relationship. Mr Netanyahu said: I thank Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orban for the warm support for me and the state of Israel. Against the shameful weakness of those who have lined up alongside the outrageous decision against the state of Israels right to defend itself, Hungary like our friends in the US has shown moral clarity and steadfastness on the side of justice and the truth. Mr Orban has become an outlier in Europe in recent years, particularly over his willingness to maintain open communication with Vladimir Putin during the war between Russia and Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His decision to invite Mr Netanyahu to Hungary is in marked contrast to the position of fellow European Union member states, including Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands. Guido Crosetto, Italys defence minister, told RAI television on Thursday: We would have to arrest them. He added that it was not a political choice but that Italy was bound as a member of the ICC to act on the courts warrants. It followed a call by the European Union on its member states to respect and comply with the arrest warrants following the ICCs landmark decision. Josep Borrell, the EUs foreign policy chief, also disputed Israels claim that the courts decision was political. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Netanyahu condemned the decision on Thursday, labelling it an anti-Semitic decision motivated by hate. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In the wake of former President Donald Trump's re-election, Israel's far-right minister of finance suggested the country would look to annex the occupied West Bank in 2025. Here's what you need to know: What is the West Bank? The West Bank is an area of land on the west bank of the Jordan River, which is part of the former British-mandated territory of Palestine. It is surrounded by Israel on three sides the north, west, and south and it borders the country of Jordan on its east, across the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the departure of British forces in 1948 when the modern state of Israel was created, Arab forces entered and retained the West Bank, and the city of Jerusalem was divided into two sectors: the Israeli west and the Jordanian east. During the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel occupied the West Bank and established a military administration there. Israel claimed East Jerusalem as part of its own territory, but fighting between the Israelis and the region's Palestinian inhabitants who live with significant restrictions on their movement and other aspects of life under the decades-long occupation has continued. A map shows Israel and the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank, and Israel's borders with neighboring nations Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt's Sinai Peninsula (not labelled) to the southwest. / Credit: Getty/iStockphoto Hamas, designated a terrorist organization by the United States and Israel, decisively won a 2006 West Bank parliamentary election over the Western-backed Fatah faction, led by Mahmoud Abbas, which had been administering the Palestinian Authority. The Hamas victory brought sanctions and boycotts by the U.S., the EU and Israel of the new, Hamas-led joint Palestinian leadership. In 2007, Abbas dissolved the Hamas-led administration in the West Bank and created an emergency cabinet that favored Fatah. The power struggle between the two Palestinian factions led to a split between the West Bank and Gaza, with Western powers supporting the Fatah-administered West Bank diplomatically and economically, while blockading the Hamas-run Gaza Strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How could U.S. policy change during the second Trump administration? The longstanding position of the United States has been support for a two-state solution to the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, meaning the creation of an independent state of Palestine alongside the independent state of Israel. Most iterations of this policy envision a future Palestinian state made up of the West Bank and East Jerusalem, as well as Gaza. Trump's previous administration bucked tradition, but did not flat-out reject a two-state solution. Trump moved the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and offered a plan that would have cemented Israeli control over the entire city. It also would have protected Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are illegal under international law, while moving toward Palestinian self-rule. President-elect Trump's pick to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to Israel, former Arkansas governor and Baptist preacher Mike Huckabee, has never supported a two-state solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with The Associated Press when he was running to be the Republican presidential nominee in 2015, Huckabee said that, if elected, his administration would formally recognize the West Bank as part of Israel. "I feel that we have a responsibility to respect that this is land that has historically belonged to the Jews," Huckabee told the AP. In a podcast interview earlier this year, Huckabee said that there "isn't such a thing" as Palestinians, describing himself as an "unapologetic, unreformed Zionist." He voiced similar views during his campaign in 2008. Israel "is an extraordinary oasis in a land of totalitarianism surrounded by tyranny," he said on the podcast earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump's pick for Secretary of State, has repeatedly voiced support for the Israeli government's response to Hamas' brutal Oct. 7, 2023 attack. "Although the Biden-Harris Administration has publicly backed Israel's right to defend itself, it has also undercut Israel's maneuverability, leading to a schizophrenic policy towards the region," Rubio said in a letter to current Secretary of State Antony Blinken in August. Voicing his objection to U.S. sanctions against individuals alleged to be supporting "extremist settler violence" against Palestinians in the West Bank, Rubio wrote that, "Israel has consistently sought peace with the Palestinians. It is unfortunate that the Palestinians, whether it be the Palestinian Authority or FTOs such as Hamas, have rejected such overtures. Israelis rightfully living in their historic homeland are not the impediment to peace; the Palestinians are." Israel's far-right government says it's preparing for annexation of the West Bank Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of those who do not support the creation of an independent Palestinian state do support Israel's annexation of the West Bank, including members of the current far-right Israeli government led by Netanyahu. Netanyahu's Likud party is currently part of a coalition, formed to keep Netanyahu in power, with radical right-wing nationalist parties such as the Religious Zionist Party. Netanyahu, who has spoken out against the creation of a Palestinian state, committed to pursuing the annexation of the West Bank in Likud's coalition agreement with the Religious Zionist Party. "The people of Israel have a natural right to the Land of Israel," the agreement says. "In light of the belief in the aforementioned right, the Prime Minister will lead the formulation and promotion of a policy within the framework of which sovereignty will be applied in the West Bank, while choosing the timing and considering all national and international interests of the state of Israel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bezalel Smotrich, the Israeli finance minister who's a member of the Religious Zionist Party, said he believed Israel could work with the incoming Trump administration to promote annexation of the West Bank. "I am convinced that we will be able to work closely together with President-elect Trump and all members of the incoming administration, to promote the common values and interests of the two countries, to strengthen the strength and security of the State of Israel, to expand the circle of peace and stability in the Middle East out of strength and faith and on the basis of recognition in the unquestionable historical belonging of the whole Land of Israel to the people of Israel," Smotrich said on social media. Israeli settlements and smaller outposts in the West Bank are illegal under international law. They're also seen as a barrier to a potential two-state solution, because the more Israeli Jews live in the occupied territory, the less likely it seems that Israel would ever abandon control of the land for it to become part of a Palestinian state. A Pew Research Center survey carried out in the summer found Israelis divided on the potential security risks and benefits of continued settlement expansion, with 40% of respondents saying they help make Israel more secure and 35% saying they hurt security. The survey found 21% of Israelis didn't believe settlement expansion would have any significant impact on security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Israeli activists believe their government is taking advantage of the country's collective grief after the Oct. 7 attack to push an agenda in the West Bank that doesn't have broad public backing. "In Israel, there's very little public criticism or any sort of public debate on what is going on in the West Bank," Sarit Michaeli, international advocacy lead for the Jerusalem-based rights group B'Tselem, told CBS News of the situation post-Oct. 7 attack. "Israelis are furious. They're angry. They're hurt. They're traumatized, and this collective trauma has been exploited by our government to push forward policies that most Israelis don't necessarily agree with in the West Bank." In June, the Israeli body that governs the West Bank transferred many powers over the territory from Israeli military officials to civil ones, who work under Smotrich. Since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, the monitoring group Peace Now says it has documented at least 43 new illegal outposts in the West Bank, mostly on farmland. Dozens of new roads have been paved to facilitate the establishment of these outposts, the group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What would it mean if Israel does annex the West Bank? In 2020, Tel Aviv University's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) analyzed what Israeli annexation of the West Bank could actually entail. They looked at three possible scenarios, with Israel either taking full security and administrative control of a portion of the Palestinian territory, or just preventing future evacuation of existing Israeli settlements. In all three of the scenarios examined, Israeli sovereignty would not necessarily be applied in full to Palestinians in the area. If it were to be, Palestinians would live under the jurisdiction of the State of Israel and, under Israeli law, would be entitled to request citizenship. Israeli soldiers are seen next to a Palestinian family's house that was burned by Jewish settlers in the town of Beit Furik, east of Nablus, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, Nov. 16, 2024. / Credit: Nasser Ishtayeh/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty The INSS said annexing West Bank territory would make it harder for future Israeli governments to give up that land as part of any deal to create a Palestinian state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In actuality, annexation means tying the hands of future Israeli governments that would be willing to transfer territories for a political settlement," the INSS report said. One senior Palestinian politician in Gaza recently told CBS News that regardless of what changes Israel ushers in under the new leadership in Washington, it would not end the Palestinian people's decades-long fight for a state of their own. "We will struggle for our rights," Mustafa Barghouti, a doctor in Gaza and the leader of the Palestinian National Initiative party, told CBS News. The Palestinian National Initiative party champions a unified democratic government for both the West Bank and Gaza. "It will take time. We will suffer. We know that. But what's the alternative? To cease to exist? It's ethnic cleansing. We cannot accept that," Barghouti said. Judge expected to reveal next steps in Trump sentencing in "hush money" case Ukraine uses U.S. long-range missiles in attack on Russian territory, officials confirm U.S. envoy says there is "real opportunity" to end fighting between Israel, Hezbollah Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), President-elect Trumps pick for ambassador to Israel, criticized the U.S. on Friday for pressuring Israel instead of holding Hamas accountable. We have seven American hostages being held by Hamas, yet the U.S. is putting more pressure on Israel than on the Iranian-funded terrorists who butchered Jewish civilians. I cant comprehend, Huckabee said Friday on NewsNations On Balance, adding that protests supporting Palestinian militant group Hamas make no sense. HIs comments come just days after Trump tapped him to serve in the major diplomatic role that will take on added importance amid the heightened tensions in the Middle East. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee told NewsNations Leland Vittert his number one priority is securing the hostages release. Those hostages must be released and accounted for, and then, and only then should Israel or anyone else even entertain (the idea of a cease-fire), Huckabee said in the interview. On Morning in America, the Arkansas Republican said the job is all about carrying out responsibilities assigned by the president, not to make policy. An ambassador doesnt get to make policy. Hes there to represent the policy, Huckabee said. An ambassador serves at the pleasure of the president. Huckabees nomination comes during the 13-months-long Israel-Hamas war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels campaign in Gaza has killed 44,056 people, according to local health authorities, who say more than half of those killed were women and children. Parts of Gaza have been decimated and more than 2.3 million people driven from their homes. The war began Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking some 250 others hostage. The International Criminal Court also issued arrest warrants earlier this week for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas official. NewsNation is owned by Nexstar Media Group, which also owns The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (WHTM) Pennsylvania Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt has ordered counties to halt recounting ballots in Pennsylvanias U.S. Senate race. The order comes a day after incumbent U.S. Senator Bob Casey conceded the race to Republican Dave McCormick. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nittany Insiders An automatic recount had been triggered after the initial tally showed Casey within a half point of McCormick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you to all of Pennsylvanias elections officials for their hard work throughout this election cycle, including counting millions of ballots and continuing to diligently conduct two audits to ensure every eligible vote cast in the Nov. 5 election is accurately counted, said Schmidt on Friday morning. Casey called the race one of the closest in our Commonwealths history and said Pennsylvanians can move forward knowing their voices were heard. Every day I have served in public office, Ive fought for Pennsylvania workers, children, seniors, people with disabilities, and our veterans, said Casey, who will leave the Senate as Pennsylvanias longest-serving Democrat after 18 years. During that time, Ive been guided by an inscription on the Finance Building in Harrisburg: All public service is a trust, given in faith and accepted in honor. McCormick, a former hedge fund CEO and Army veteran, said he extended sincere gratitude toward Casey and his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am so honored to represent every single citizen in Pennsylvania in the United States Senate and will fight for you every day, added McCormick. Counties must certify election results by November 25. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Philippines Vice President Sara Duterte said Saturday if she is killed, she has contracted an assassin to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., his wife Liza Araneta-Marcos and House of Representatives Speaker Martin Romualdez. The Presidential Security Command referred the "active threat" by the 46-year-old Duterte to the Presidential Security Command. "Acting on the Vice President's clear and unequivocal statement that she had contracted an assassin to kill the President if an alleged plot against her succeeds, the Executive Secretary has referred this active threat to the Presidential Security Command for immediate proper action," according to a statement. "Any threat to the life of the President must always be taken seriously, more so that this threat has been publicly revealed in clear and certain terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement later Saturday, the PSC said Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin implemented tighter security measures. "Pursuant to the directive of the Executive Secretary, the Presidential Security Command (PSC) has heightened and strengthened its security protocols. We are also closely coordinating with law enforcement agencies to detect, deter, and defend against any and all threats to the President and the First Family," the PSC said. Duterte made the threat in an online news conference Friday, saying "I have talked to someone. I told him that if I am killed, he should kill [Marcos Jr.], Liza Araneta and Martin Romualdez. No joke. I already left instructions." Tingog Party-List Rep. Jude Acidre said: "What happened was a meltdown, plain and simple." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duterte has criticized Romualdez for allegedly ordering a lockdown of the House premises, which she said delayed medical response for her detained chief of staff Zuleika Lopez. Lopez has been detained since being cited for contempt due to "undue interference" in the House probe into alleged misuse of confidential funds by Duterte. He was initially taken to the Veterans Memorial Medical Center for evaluation. Duterte had decided to stay at the Batasang Pambansa. Romualdez is the president's ally and cousin. Marcos Jr, 67, is the son of Ferdinand Marcos, who was president from 1965 to 1986. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marcos ran with Duterte as his vice presidential running mate in the May 2022 elections and they won by a landslide. But the two have had a falling out. She has said Marcos Jr. is unfit for office. Her father is former President Rodrigo Duterte, who ended his six-year term in 2022. He is not allowed to run for a second term. In his war on drug, he saw 6,252 people killed by unknown gunmen and police operations. Duterte, 79, wants to become mayor of Davao City again. Russia has launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the first time in Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine, claims Kyivs air force. It stated that the weapon, which has a range of thousands of kilometres, was fired from Russias southern Astrakhan region during a morning attack on Thursday on the central city of Dnipro. Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky said: "Today there was a new Russian missile. All the characteristics speed, altitude are (of an) intercontinental ballistic (missile). An expert (investigation) is currently underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian claim of an intercontinental ballistic missile has not been confirmed and one western official told ABC News that the weapon did not appear to be an ICBM and was instead a ballistic missile. Another source suggested it was an intermediate range ballistic missile, though the most developed of these are close to lower level ICBMs. Russian President Vladimir Putin later said the attack was carried out with a "new conventional intermediate range" hypersonic ballistic missile codenamed Oreshnik. In response to the use of American and British long-range weaponry on 21 November this year, the Russian armed forces carried out a combined strike on one of Ukraine's military-industrial complex sites," Putin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In combat conditions, a test was carried out of one of the latest Russian intermediate-range missile systems. In this case, with a non-nuclear hypersonic version of a ballistic missile," he said, before adding that the "test was successful. The target was reached". Ukraine reportedly used US and British long range missiles to strike targets inside Russia this week. Moscow had warned of a response to the move by America and the UK which came after North Korea sent thousands of soldiers to western Russia to join Putins 33-month-old war. Putin suggested the new missile could be attack military facilities of the UK and US if their weapons were being used to strike into Russia. Intercontinental ballistic missiles can be used for delivering conventional or nuclear warheads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Zelensky said later the use of the missile was a "clear and severe escalation" in the war and called for strong worldwide condemnation. "This is a clear and severe escalation in the scale and brutality of this war," Zelenskiy wrote on X, referring to a strike on the central city of Dnipro. "The use of a ballistic missile against Ukraine today is yet more proof that Russia has no interest in peace." "The world must respond," he wrote. "Right now, there is no strong reaction from the world." The Russian missile attack targeted enterprises and critical infrastructure in Dnipro, the air force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The air force did not say what the missile had targeted or whether it had caused any damage. But regional governor Serhiy Lysak said the missile attack caused damage to an industrial enterprise and set off fires in Dnipro. Two people were hurt. Russia also fired a Kinzhal hypersonic missile and seven Kh-101 cruise missiles, six of which were shot down, the Ukrainian air force said. In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation, the air force said, detailing types of weapon used in the attack. It did not say what kind of intercontinental ballistic missile was fired, what it targeted and whether it caused any damage. Firefighters at the scene of a Russian strike in Dnipro on Thursday (via REUTERS) The development came after British Storm Shadow missiles were reportedly used by Ukraine to strike in Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wreckage from one of the long-range weapons was found in Russias Kursk region, which borders Ukraine, with up to 12 of the missiles deployed, according to multiple reports. Kyiv forces seized a part of Kursk in a surprise attack in the summer. The use of Storm Shadows in Russia comes a day after Moscow said American ATACMS long-range weapons had been fired into its territory. The Russian Ambassador to the UK on Thursday claimed the use of the British long-range missiles meant Britain was now 'directly involved' in the Ukraine war. In apparent response, Putin lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons, after President Joe Biden gave Kyiv permission to fire US ATACMS long-range missiles into Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, military experts doubt the Russian president will use nuclear weapons, a move which China has reportedly warned against doing. In London, Defence Secretary John Healey was due to face questions from MPs on the Commons Defence Committee on Thursday amid the reports of Storm Shadow missiles provided by Britain being used by Ukraine within Russia. The Government has not been commenting on the use of Storm Shadows by Ukraine. Might Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant ultimately be handed over to the International Criminal Court by Israel itself? This was the suggestion made on Friday by Geoffrey Robertson KC, one of Britains most senior lawyers, who noted its what happened in the end with Serbias Slobodan Milosevic. It would be an easy way of disposing of [Netanyahu] were he to fail at the next elections send him off to defend himself, said Mr Robertson, the founder and joint head of Doughty Street Chambers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It lacks a certain Hollywood punch but most of those who end up in the dock at The Hague are eventually handed over by their own countrymen without a fight. In its first 20 years of existence, from 2002 to 2022, ICC judges issued 37 arrest warrants. Asking around the office, most thought that only two or three were brought to justice. But the real number is much higher: 21 people were detained and appeared before the court over the period, a hit rate of 56 per cent. Charges against another three were dropped as a result of their deaths. Its the passage of time and shifting political alliances that leave defendants vulnerable. That and the relentless grinding bureaucracy of modern justice. Geoffrey Robertson says Israel handing over Mr Netanyahu to the ICC would be an easy way of disposing of him were he to fail at the next elections - Tristan Fewings/Getty Images The case of Milosevic is instructive. He was first indicted in May 1999 for war crimes during the Kosovo War. Charges for crimes against humanity in Croatia and Bosnia were later added, including genocide and complicity in genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, his people rallied around, swearing loyalty and promising to defend their guy to the last. But old bonds quickly faded. In October 2000, Milosevic was swept from power after mass street protests. In January the following year, the new Serbian authorities placed him under surveillance in Belgrade. He was then imprisoned and charged with fraud and abuse of power. All UN states were, meanwhile, ordered to freeze assets linked to Milosevic and his co-defendants. Aid for the countrys rebuilding was made conditional on his being handed over. Then on 28 June 2001 just ahead of an international donors conference Serbian prime minister Zoran Djindjic authorised Milosevics transfer to The Hague. A significant part of Serbia cheered the move, many having only then become fully aware of the horrific crimes he had committed in their name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On 11 March 2006 after a long trial he died alone of a heart attack in his prison cell. The following year posthumous verdicts found him guilty of a slew of war crimes. Does a similar handover ultimately await Messrs Netanyahu and Gallant? Is it possible that in the end, Israels future leaders, like Serbia, will deliver them to the ICCs prosecutors in The Hague? Could Israels future leaders deliver Messrs Netanyahu and Gallant to the ICCs prosecutors? - ABIR SULTAN/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock Mr Robertson, who first raised the prospect, conceded it was not likely in his interview on Channel 4. For a start, unlike Serbia, Israel is not a member of the ICC and so cannot be pressured as directly. Dahlia Scheindlin, an Israeli pollster, is also sceptical. She pointed to polling that showed 87 per cent of Israelis believe the ICC to be strongly or somewhat biased against Israel. If the question is turned around, 77 per cent of Palestinians think the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Scheindlin said there was zero chance of the two defendants being handed over by Israel as things stand. The situation domestically would have to become much worse for that to happen. Serbia needed everything from the West that Israel already has (or doesnt need), she added. Gershon Baskin, a former Israeli negotiator and peace activist, said he did not think Israel would hand over the two men, but that warrants for their arrest may create change. This might be the beginning of the end of Israels impunity on what it has done for years to the Palestinians, he said. Israelis dont accept the charges and have little ability to confront the reality of Israel committing war crimes. But Israel is gradually becoming a pariah nation and this is one big step in that direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, it was a similar transformation in Serbia that led to the handover of Milosevic. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Within a decade, it is expected that China will have as many nuclear warheads deployed as the United States. Pentagon estimates suggest that Beijing will have 1,500 operable nuclear weapons by 2035. It will mean for the first time since the end of the Cold War, Washington will have to contend with more than just a single adversary considered a nuclear superpower. And to make matters worse, both the Russians and Chinese have only recently signed a treaty of friendship without limits, cementing their opposition to the Western world order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Moscow and Beijing pose their own challenges to the United States. Vladimir Putin has repeatedly flirted with the prospect of a nuclear war since invading Ukraine, a Western ally, in February 2022. The Russian despot most recently signed into law lower thresholds for the use of nuclear weapons, in response to increased Western support to Ukraine. Whereas China has eyes on the seizure of Taiwan, another US ally and vital for the global supply of microchips. Experts widely believe Xi Jinping has ambitions to make the land grab beyond 2028, after the Chinese president won another term as the countrys leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A military attempt to capture Taiwan by Chinas Peoples Liberation Army could well put them in direct contact with the US armed forces. This is why there is a growing chorus of voices inside and outside of government in Washington that argue for Americas nuclear deterrent to be modernised at an accelerated rate. Normal practice would see an incoming administration, in this case Donald Trump, carry out a review of nuclear policy and strategy. These are timely and costly, and often are not finished by the time the presidents term comes to a close. Russia, if its leaders are to be believed, has already completed its own modernisation programme of its nuclear weapons programme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of this is also designed solely around destroying Americas possibility to retaliate in a first-strike scenario. Multiple nuclear competitors Worryingly, Chinese modernisation is happening even faster. The rapid expansion by both countries of their nuclear weapons means being left behind is a genuine concern for the Americans. Richard Johnson, who oversees nuclear policy at the Pentagon, recently warned: We are now in a world where were facing multiple nuclear competitors, multiple states that are growing, diversifying and modernising their nuclear arsenals and also, unfortunately, prioritising the role that nuclear weapons play in their national security strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But how could the US nuclear deterrent be brought up to scratch for an era of competition from Moscow and Beijing? One theory often spoken about is the scrappage of New Start, an arms reduction treaty signed with Russia, under which both sides are restricted to maintaining 1,550 deployed warheads each. The pact is due to expire in May 2026, and Putin has already insisted he is not interested in renewing it. As of 2023, the US had more than 3,000 unused warheads stockpiled, meaning it could significantly scale up the number of deployed weapons as a show of strength. And then there is the issue of modernisation to make sure of the US nuclear triad - a three-pronged delivery system of air, sea and land-launched weapons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Air Force General Anthony Cotton, Americas most senior officer in charge of strategic forces, argued recently it was crucial because both China and Russia needed to know how US forces would respond. We started talking about nuclear modernisation in 2010, but the world has changed since then, he said. Our posture must align with todays reality, where nuclear weapons are foundational to adversaries strategies, he added. That modernisation programme is currently a 30-year project, but if it doesnt happen sooner, China will have taken over as the worlds foremost nuclear superpower. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 3 months with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. NEW YORK, Nov 25 (News On Japan) - A renowned Japanese photographer based in New York, Yasuomi Hashimura, known for his groundbreaking contributions to American advertising photography, died after being pushed on the street by a man. According to police, Hashimura was returning home from shopping on October 22nd when a man knocked his cane away and pushed him, causing him to fall and sustain a severe head injury. He was rushed to the hospital but remained unconscious for about three weeks. He passed away at the hospital on November 11th at the age of 79. Police arrested a 32-year-old white male the day after the incident for pushing Hashimura. 'Hashi' moved to the United States in 1968 and gained recognition for his innovative techniques, capturing fleeting moments of liquid movement. His work included major advertising campaigns for Coca-Cola and other brands, making him a prominent figure in the American advertising industry. Website - Hashi Studios: www.hashistudio.com Source: ANN Gov Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State By Bola Badmus Lagos State Government has applauded the Supreme Court ruling which nullified the National Lottery Act, and reaffirmed the constitutional authority of state governments to regulate lotteries and gaming activities within their jurisdictions, describing the Apex Court judgement as a landmark decision. The state government also described the judgement as a historic victory for the rule of law, federalism, and the constitutional rights of states across the country. It would be recalled that the Supreme Court gave its ruling in respect of Suit No. SC/1/2008 between the Attorney-General of Lagos State & Ors and the Attorney-General of the Federation & Ors. The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said this in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday, noting that the decision was also a significant affirmation that the regulation of lotteries and gaming is a residual matter, falling squarely within the purview of state governments. According to him, the judgement is a vindication of the consistent belief of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regarding the nations quest for true federalism, saying that it was gratifying to see that the restructuring battle he had led was coming to fruition during this administration. The judgement is a historic victory for the rule of law, federalism, and the constitutional rights of states. The Supreme Courts decision is a significant affirmation that the regulation of lotteries and gaming is a residual matter, falling squarely within the purview of State Governments. This judgement reinforces the principles of true federalism, empowering States to chart their path for effective regulation, the commissioner said. The judgement is a vindication of the consistent belief of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, regarding the nations quest for true federalism. It is gratifying to see that the restructuring battle he has led is coming to life during this administration, he added. Omotoso, while further noting that the Apex Court judgement on the nullification of the National Lottery Act was a fitting tribute to Tinubus visionary and progressive leadership, said it was also worthy to salute the tenacious belief of his successors in office, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), who ensured that he followed the traditional pathway Tinubu had charted to test all contentious constitutional issues in court. This judgement is a fitting tribute to his (Tinubu) visionary and progressive leadership. It is also worthy to salute the tenacious belief of his successor in office, Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, who followed the traditional pathway Asiwaju Tinubu had charted to test all contentious constitutional issues in court. Mr. Fasholas courage to follow through with the suit has brought the nation to yet another dawn of light, Omotoso stated. Besides, he also hailed the steadfast leadership of the incumbent Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, saying that his commitment to upholding the rule of law and defending the rights of Lagosians has been pivotal in securing this outcome. This outcome would not have been possible without the vision and resolute backing of Mr. Governor whose commitment to integrity in governance has set a benchmark for true federalism. The Lagos State Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LSLGA) remains the sole regulatory body for lotteries and gaming in Lagos State. It will continue to ensure that gaming activities are conducted transparently, responsibly, and in alignment with international best practices, Omotoso said. The commissioner, therefore, called on all illegal and unlicensed lottery and gaming operators in the state to immediately approach the LSLGA for regularisation or face prosecution, assuring that the state government would foster a conducive environment for legitimate operators and safeguard residents from the adverse effects of unregulated gaming activities. Omotoso further assured that the state government remained committed to creating a business-friendly environment for licensed operators by ensuring that the gaming sector contributes to the states economic growth and prosperity of its citizens. Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA), have arrested a 50-year-old businessman, who allegedly ingested 90 wraps of cocaine at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, (AIIA), Enugu. The Director, Media and Advocacy, (NDLEA), Femi Babafemi made this known in a statement on Sunday on Sunday in Abuja. Babafemi said that the suspect was intercepted on Wednesday at the arrival hall of the Enugu airport. He said that the suspect was arrested during the inbound screening of passengers arriving from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on an Ethiopian Airlines flight following months of intelligence and surveillance on him. "The suspect was subsequently placed on excretion observation. He excreted 90 pellets of cocaine weighing 2.019kg." "Investigation revealed that the suspect, who operates a phone and accessories business in Lagos and Gabon, Central Africa, travelled by road from Gabon to Douala, Cameroon." This was where he took a flight to Addis Ababa where he swallowed the pellets of cocaine while in transit and thereafter continued his journey to Enugu with Lagos as his final destination, Babafemi said. According to him, the suspect deliberately complicated his movement to distort traces of his travel history unknown to him that he has been on the NDLEA watchlist for the past three months. The NDLEA spokesperson said the suspect in his statement said, he desperately needed the money from the criminal drug trade to boost his declining phone and accessories business. In another well-coordinated operation carried out by a Special Operations Unit of the agency on Thursday, the spokesman said, the coordinator of a cocaine distribution cartel, a 42-year-old man, was arrested. Babafemi said that he was arrested along with five of his associates at the Ago Palace Way in Okota, Isolo, Lagos. He said that a total of 2.412kg of cocaine was recovered from them. In a related development, he said, another alleged drug syndicate operated by a 58-year-old Chinese man, has been dismantled by NDLEA operatives following his arrest at his hotel in the Ikeja area of Lagos. Babafemi said that officers of the Seme Special Area Command of the agency had on Thursday, intercepted a 40-year-old suspect. According to him, the suspect was intercepted in a commercial bus going to Ghana at the Gbaji checkpoint along Badagry-Seme expressway based on credible intelligence. Babafemi said that when he was searched, a total of 750g of cocaine was found in his bag. A swift follow-up operation was organised to trace and arrest the kingpin behind the trans-border drug trafficking syndicate, who turned out to be a Chinese citizen. He was eventually traced to MC Hotel behind Alade market, Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos, he said. The NDLEA spokesperson said when his hotel room was searched, 4.3g of cocaine; one gram of methamphetamine; and two electronic weighing scales were recovered. Other items recovered were Chinese National Identification Number Card, among other exhibits while he was arrested in the vicinity of the hotel, he said. Lyle and Erik Menendez at their trial. Photo: Ted Soqui/Sygma/Getty Images Lyle and Eric Menendez, the brothers convicted of murdering their parents in their Beverly Hills mansion in 1989 when they were 21 and 18, respectively, were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. But in a dramatic turn of events, the brothers, now in their mid-50s, could be freed. This fall, a hit docudrama and docuseries brought renewed focus to their claims that their father had sexually abused them. In October, Los Angeles district attorney George Gascon asked a judge to impose a sentence that would make them immediately eligible for parole, invoking a new California law that allows for such an extraordinary intervention. But with the November election came another reversal in fortune. Gascon, who ran on a progressive platform of reforming the criminal justice system, was tossed out by voters in favor of Nathan Hochman, a Republican turned independent who describes himself as part of the hard middle. Hochman, who takes office on December 2, nine days before the Menendez case was scheduled to be considered by the court, has pledged to conduct his own review. That is ominous news for the Menendez brothers: Hochman has the power to pull Gascons recommendation and demand that they remain behind bars. It is equally ominous for any Los Angeles defendant convicted of a violent crime who has served decades in prison, has demonstrated extensive rehabilitation, and is seeking relief under this same law. The legal standard is broad and vague: Any prisoner in California can be resentenced and released if the prosecution decides it is in the interests of justice. That includes those on death row or, as in the case of the Menendez brothers, people sentenced to die in prison, often when they were quite young. Under Gascons tenure, more than 300 people have been resentenced. With Hochman in charge, the odds of anyone getting this kind of second chance in Californias most populous county will dim considerably. Since the resentencing law was enacted, it has been used sparingly if at all by self-described tough-on-crime district attorneys. Now progressive prosecutors are on the verge of extinction. The backlash started in 2022 with the recall of Chesa Boudin, San Franciscos liberal DA, and continued through this election with the recall of the Alameda County DA. These prosecutors were rejected by voters fed up with smash-and-grab robberies, open-air drug dealing, and a feeling that too much tolerance had bred rampant disorder. (Diana Becton, the district attorney of Contra Costa County, was elected on a progressive platform but has had her head down ever since. In September, a group representing crime victims launched a recall campaign against her.) California is not an outlier. Across the country, voters rejected progressive candidates running for top prosecutor positions in blue or purple districts in major cities in Oregon, Arizona, and Florida. In Pennsylvania, a Republican easily bested a Democrat who ran on his strong progressive credentials for attorney general, becoming the most powerful law-enforcement official in the state. There were also high-profile exits. In Chicago, top prosecutor and noted progressive Kim Foxx decided not to run for reelection this year following a torrent of criticism that her soft on crime stance led to rising crime. In 2023, St. Louis circuit attorney Kim Gardner, another progressive prosecutor, resigned after years of attacks culminating in a lawsuit filed by the Missouri attorney general seeking to remove her from office. The progressive-prosecutor movement that began less than ten years ago with the election of bold reformers pledging to reduce incarceration by rolling back many of the tough-on-crime policies of the 1980s and 90s is on the wane. As the director of a criminal- and racial-justice law-school clinic, my students, staff attorneys, and I have lived through these seismic shifts in real time. Partnerships we forged in 2020 and 2023 with progressive prosecutors in San Francisco and Alameda have led to the release of scores of people convicted of murder and other violent crimes who have demonstrated that after serving decades behind bars they no longer pose a risk to the public. One case at a time, we have been able to convince judges and prosecutors to replace their impossibly long sentences with something less: sometimes immediate release, sometimes just a chance to go before the parole board. The people we have recommended for relief who have come home have been reunited with their families, gotten jobs, and devoted themselves to helping other people, including at risk youth. The Menendez brothers stand out because of their wealth, privilege, and fame. But behind them are countless others who also committed heinous crimes when they were young, suffered extreme abuse, and have a proven track record of rehabilitation. The hard truth is that we will never make a dent in the problem of mass incarceration until we release violent offenders who fall into this category. In California, they make up 50 percent of a prison population that exceeds 94,000 people; three out of every ten are serving life sentences. This is also an aging population: 16 percent are 55 years old or older. One year of incarceration in a California prison costs more than $130,000. It is a waste: of taxpayer dollars and of human potential. It is my hope that, in what I call the Prosecutor 2.0 Era, there will be a greater openness to giving prisoners like the Menendez brothers a chance at freedom. Hard middle prosecutors like Hochman would be wrong to reflexively turn their backs both on this population and on the new laws that the legislature passed to reward the hard work they have put into remaking their lives and to save the taxpayers money. In the meantime, I hold out hope of convincing at least some of them that when rehabilitated prisoners are deprived of a hard-won second chance, we all lose. This post has been updated. Illustration: Hulton Archive/GraphicaArtis/ Getty Images At first glance, the story of the U.S. government grappling with evidence of unidentified flying objects has cooled off since last year, when a whistleblower claimed (without firsthand evidence) that the Pentagon had alien bodies and otherworldly spacecraft in its possession. But the past few weeks have seen a number of developments in the UFO story in Congress, where lawmakers like Chuck Schumer are trying to make the Department of Defense be more forward with their information on the unknown objects hovering over U.S. airspace. Meanwhile, the incoming Trump administration and its UFO-curious intelligence staffers could provide more clarity on a topic that has disappointed some alien hopefuls in the past couple years. To get an update on where things stand, I spoke with former Defense appointee and State Department staffer Marik von Rennenkampff, who has been following the story closely since leaving government. What are the most recent developments in the governments approach to UFOs? There have been two House hearings within about a week. On one side, we have these whistleblowers or individuals who are claiming that there are unreported programs or activities that allegedly retrieve and reverse-engineer craft of nonhuman origin. There was also a hearing with Jon Kosloski, the new director of the governments UFO analysis office, called AARO. It was an astounding change in tone because for 80 years, the government had said theres nothing to this. Its all nonsense. Weve gone from that to the sitting head of the governments UFO analysis office saying, in essence, we have true anomalies. The direct quote is, There are interesting cases that I with my physics and engineering background and time in the [intelligence community] I do not understand, and I dont know anybody else who understands. The other big development seems to that lawmakers are still saying that they are not getting the full reports, and the Defense Department is still obscuring what theyre supposed to be seeing. Last week at the House hearing, Nancy Mace said that there are certain individuals who didnt want this hearing to happen because they feared what might be disclosed. What are those fears? If the intelligence community and the military had their way, nothing would ever be released, period, ever, right? Because anything out there is a potential advantage for an adversary. But theres nothing inherently classified about the forward-looking infrared pods that are on U.S. aircraft. Its just infrared technology. You can scrub out any of the metadata and all the symbology. You can redact that stuff and you can put out what the actual object is. But if some of this is foreign intelligence-gathering operations, we dont want our adversaries knowing what we know about them and what weve discovered. So its challenging. UFO disclosure is a bipartisan concern, with senators Chuck Schumer and Mike Rounds proposing a bill for further transparency. What is in this bill? I think it is the most extraordinary legislation that has ever been proposed in the U.S. Congress. I mean, you literally have nonhuman intelligence defined and mentioned 24 times. It defines legacy program. Its exactly what these whistleblowers are claiming. Theres a provision for, you probably know this, but theres a provision for the U.S. government specifically inserted into this legislation to assert eminent domain over retrieved craft and biological evidence of nonhuman intelligence. I mean, thats just stunning to see in black-and-white, let alone that this isnt some random representative from who knows where. This is the Senate majority leader leading a bipartisan effort. Does it have a chance at passing? I am a little pessimistic. After it failed in December of last year, Schumer went on the Senate floor and was furious. I mean, you could see it. He called out House Republicans for blocking this. I believe thats where he also said that weve been informed by multiple credible sources that elements of the government are withholding information from Congress illegally. Thats a pretty remarkable assertion on any topic, let alone on UFOs. But Senator Rounds is locked onto this. He wants to get, he said hes personally fairly confident that eventually some kind of review board will be approved. Im speaking very anecdotally here, but I feel like Ive known a good number of people who were really excited by the UFO developments, beginning with the New York Times story in 2017 about Harry Reid funding this research. Over time, thats become more skeptical. Some of that is due to terrestrial explanations, like balloons and camera issues. But Ive heard some frustration about whistleblowers like David Grusch, who presents his bombshell claims with multiple degrees of separation between him and the source. Wondering what you think about that skeptics case of, Oh, its all just balloons or something. Thats the mind-set we should all have. We should all be skeptical about this, right? I will say, lets talk about balloons, lets talk about GOFAST. Im sure youre familiar with the GOFAST. But according to former pilot Ryan Graves, GOFAST was part of a formation of four objects that were flying in a line- abreast formation. Balloons dont do that 300 miles off the coast of Florida. How did you become interested in the UFO story? Ill be brutally honest with you, I didnt think about UFOs. I thought it was completely tinfoil, conspiracy territory, and I missed, Im sure youre well familiar with the New York Times story that came out in December of 2017. I missed that completely, just as to prove the point here that I just did not think about this topic. I thought it was all nonsense. Then I stumbled upon a Joe Rogan episode with Navy commander Dave Fravor, the pilot who encountered the Tic Tac object in 2004. I knew the type, and hes a hundred percent the real deal. I mean, I think hes very, very well respected in the naval aviation community. So that was my ticket down the rabbit hole. And how is the second Trump administration going to push UFO disclosures forward? Some of the key nominees for national security positions have all made some remarkable statements about this topic in recent years. I go first and foremost to Senator Marco Rubio, who has over and over vouched for the credibility of the individuals coming forward. Mike Waltz, the national security adviser, has said hes interested. John Ratcliffe, the CIA nominee, has said perhaps the most eyebrow-raising quote, which is that UFOs exhibit technologies that we dont have and that we cannot defend against. So from a transparency perspective, Im cautiously optimistic based on what weve heard from these key individuals over the last few years. Sign Up for the Intelligencer Newsletter Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world. Email This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive email correspondence from us. Alongside several other major world powers developing new nuclear projects, Canada plans to rapidly expand its nuclear power sector to contribute heavily to the countrys energy demand. Nuclear power contributes around 15 percent of Canadas energy at present. However, with plans to develop several new nuclear facilities, this figure is expected to grow significantly in the coming decades. The industry had stagnated for several decades due to public concerns around safety, as well as the high costs of building new nuclear plants, but a 2023 Ipsos poll showed that 55 percent of Canadians now support nuclear energy. The 2023 Federal Budget showed strong support for nuclear power, including a refundable Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for clean electricity and a 30 percent ITC for clean technology manufacturing. The budget also backed nuclear power through several other initiatives, including an extension of reduced tax rates, funding from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, cash for the regulatory authority, and half a billion dollars in SMR project investment. The province of Ontario announced plans in 2023 to develop Canadas first Small Modular Reactor (SMR) project. The Darlington new nuclear site is expected to host four SMRs to provide a total output of 1,200 MW, enough to power around 1.2 million homes. Pending regulatory approval, Ontario Power Generation hopes construction will begin on its first SMR unit in early 2025, to become operational by 2029. OPG expects the other three SMRs to come online by the mid-2030s. The plan aligns with the government's aims to decarbonise the economy and increase the provinces green energy capacity, with plans under development to mandate a net-zero power grid nationwide by 2035. Bruce Power also plans to expand its existing Ontario nuclear facility to become one of the largest in the world, adding 4.8 GW. The company submitted its initial project description in August, as part of its pre-development work for the proposed expansion. The Minister of Energy and Electrification Stephen Lecce stated, As we look to expand energy generation, our government remains committed to nuclear refurbishments, a clean energy source that well positions Ontario as a clean energy leader in the world. Lecce added, Ontario is forecast to double its electricity grid by 2050. Bruce Power plays a vital role in expanding our electricity system. There have been several other advancements in Canadas nuclear power industry over the last year. The federal government announced an investment of $9.74 in nine SMR research projects in October. Meanwhile, Saskatchewans utility SaskPower created a nuclear subsidiary called SaskNuclear in September, aiming to advance the provinces SMR project through the regulatory and licensing process. The U.S. has also announced big plans for its nuclear power industry in recent years, with several large-scale conventional and SMR developments. However, many of these projects have stalled due to the global shortage of enriched uranium. Nuclear energy-producing countries worldwide have long relied on Russia for the supply of High-Assay, Low-Enriched Uranium (HALEU). Until recently, TENEX, part of the Russian state-owned nuclear energy company Rosatom, was the only company to sell HALEU commercially. Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent sanctions on Russian energy, the U.S. established its own HALEU production industry, with Centrus Energy Corp producing the countrys first 20 kilos of the fuel in November 2023. The Canadian energy firm NexGen is now developing a project that could make Canada the worlds biggest producer of uranium over the coming decade, knocking Kazakhstan off the top spot. Due to the shortage of uranium, several countries started looking for alternative suppliers of the power source to fuel the new nuclear era. NexGens mine in the uranium-rich Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan is now valued at almost $4 billion. The company hopes it will be operational by 2028. Other companies are also exploring the region, as well as reopening dormant mines, thanks to the revived interest in Canadian uranium. Almost two dozen countries, including Canada, committed to tripling their nuclear energy output by 2050 at the COP28 climate summit last year, and Canadas uranium could be key to achieving this. With COP29 currently underway, we can expect even more ambitious nuclear energy pledges from a range of countries. Canada is the worlds second-biggest producer of uranium at present, contributing around 13 percent of the global output. NexGen predicts that once its mine is operational, this figure will increase to 25 percent. Thanks to the renewed public support for nuclear power, as well as pressure to support a green transition, Canada is currently seeing a nuclear resurgence. Several conventional and SMR developments are expected to be established across the country in the coming decades, supported by federal funding in SMR research and development. Meanwhile, thanks to the increase in nuclear development worldwide and a shortage of enriched uranium, Canada could soon overtake Kazakhstan to become the largest supplier of uranium globally. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com While private investment in solar energy has increased, providing some relief for those who can afford it, the lack of government investment and regulatory oversight has led to severe energy inequality. The conflict has led to the displacement of over a million people, further straining the already overstretched energy infrastructure and deepening the economic crisis. Lebanon has been facing an energy crisis for several years, with regular blackouts leading to an overreliance on diesel generators for power. This is largely due to years of misspending public funds and underinvestment in the countrys energy infrastructure. Now, there are concerns that Lebanons ongoing conflict with neighbouring Israel could make it even more difficult to tackle the worsening energy and economic crises. Lebanon has been facing a severe economic crisis for the last five years, owing largely to political instability, a financial crisis, and the Covid-19 pandemic. Unemployment rates have risen sharply, and the banking sector has been hit hard, with many losing confidence in the countrys financial institutions. Infrastructure development has lagged in response, primarily due to financing shortages. This has exacerbated the countrys energy crisis, with little public finance available for the state-owned electric company Electricite du Liban (EDL) to improve Lebanons energy system and limited interest from private and foreign investors due to ongoing economic and geopolitical instability. In the summer of 2021, following years of on-and-off blackouts due to severe underinvestment in Lebanons ageing energy infrastructure, the country entered an energy crisis when the State became unable to secure the foreign currency needed to purchase fuel. Since then, the ESL has only been able to provide a few hours of electricity per day on average. While the government has long been open to the development of Lebanons renewable energy capacity, it continues to rely heavily on fossil fuels for its power. In 2022, oil contributed 55 percent of Lebanons electricity generation, followed by solar PV (29 percent) and hydropower (16 percent). The government has introduced diverse energy policies over the last decade and a half to limited success. In 2010, the government launched the National Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Action, a mechanism to support the financing of green energy projects across the country. In 2023, the government introduced a new decentralised renewable energy law, which simplifies regulatory processes and ensures grid access for decentralised systems. It encourages private sector participation and helps local communities to generate and manage their own energy, thereby reducing reliance on the unstable national grid. The government is now drawing up the second National Renewable Energy Plan (NREAP 2024-2030), which could support the development of a strong green energy sector and grow Lebanons renewable energy capacity to contribute 40 percent of electricity consumption by 2030. The government has aimed to diversify Lebanons energy mix in recent years to enhance energy security in recent years. To date, the government has signed power purchase agreements for 11 projects with a projected total of 165 MW of PV capacity. Meanwhile, private investment in rooftop solar projects has increased as citizens respond to several years of unstable energy provision, regular power cuts, and rising electricity costs, which have driven many to rely heavily on diesel generators for power. A 2023 report from the NGO Human Rights Watch stated that between November 2021 and January 2022, Lebanese households allocated 44 percent of their monthly income to meet their electricity needs, spending mainly on keeping their generators running. However, private investment in solar energy has risen sharply in the last couple of years, as those with the means are investing in personal solar power systems to provide a more stable flow of electricity a longer-term solution to the lack of power than generators. The solar sector has expanded significantly, from a capacity of 100 MW in 2016 to around 1,000 MW by 2023, with little oversight and regulation. This has led to severe energy inequality in Lebanon between those who can afford solar panels and those who cannot. In addition to battling continued economic and energy crises, the Lebanese government must now find a way to support hundreds of thousands of people who have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict with Israel. Between mid-September and mid-November, around 1.2 million people were reported to have fled their homes because of the conflict. Since the beginning of the conflict, losses suffered by the public water and energy sectors have been estimated at $480 million. The energy sector alone has suffered more than $320 million in losses, due to increased demand from displaced persons, infrastructure damage, and revenue losses. The government and EDL are under pressure to provide economic support and energy to displaced persons under an already overstrained system. The longer the conflict persists, the more likely that the government will be unable to meet even the basic needs of the Lebanese population without external economic intervention. Despite the governments support for the expansion of Lebanons renewable energy capacity, there has been little formal sectoral growth. The countrys solar energy capacity has, instead, grown largely thanks to small-scale private investment in response to the failure of the EDL to provide a stable flow of energy to consumers. Lebanon has faced an economic and energy crisis for five years, with no end in sight. Further, the forced displacement of over a million Lebanese due to the conflict with Israel is likely to exacerbate the crises unless the government can attract funding from foreign actors to support short- and long-term investment in energy capacity growth and distribution. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Booming oil and natural gas production from Argentinas Vaca Muerta shale play hasnt translated into an export boom amid a lack of infrastructure and still early days in the new fiscal regime to facilitate private investment in the Argentinian energy sector. The government of libertarian and business-friendly president Javier Milei has enacted market and fiscal reforms aiming to attract private investment into energy projects and infrastructure to boost the domestic supply of oil and gas and lay the foundations for exports. Interest in Argentinas top shale play, Vaca Muerta, has increased since Milei took office a year ago. But the new government has also announced an end to state financing for pipelines and other infrastructure projects. So companies have to rely on private investment and the new tax breaks and other incentives in the new free-market approach to the economy. They would also want to see capital and foreign currency controls lifted in the country before committing billions of U.S. dollars to developing export routes out of Vaca Muerta, analysts say. Argentina will need about $58 billion worth of new or upgraded pipelines, processing plants, and export terminals to ship the rising oil and natural gas production in Vaca Muerta, according to estimates by Reuters. Vaca MuertaSpanish for dead cowhas been dubbed the Argentinian Permian, although its geologic properties have been compared more appropriately to the Eagle Ford. The shale play in the Neuquen province is estimated to hold recoverable resources consisting of 16 billion barrels of oil and 308 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Those numbers make the Vaca Muerta the worlds second-largest shale gas deposit and the fourth-biggest shale oil resource. Related: U.S. Drilling Activity Slips Further As Market Volatility Remains With Mileis market reforms to encourage large-scale and foreign investments into the energy sector, Argentina hopes that future oil and gas exports will bring billions of U.S. dollars to Argentinas depleted foreign currency reserves. The so-called Large Investment Incentive Regime or RIGI, by its Spanish initials is offering tax breaks and other incentives for major investors in the South American country. Argentinas market deregulation efforts are expected to raise the energy investments in the country by about $2.5 billion to $15 billion next year, officials have said. The energy sector saw the highest oil production in 15 years in the first half of 2024, as well as the highest natural gas output in 17 years over the same period. As a result, Argentina has been posting monthly energy trade surpluses this year and is on track to book a rare surplus in energy trade for the full year 2024. But to bring more of this energy to foreign markets, companies operating in Argentina will need to mobilize private investment in energy infrastructure, especially natural gas pipelines out of Vaca Muerta, since the government at least this government isnt financing projects anymore. Private investors will look to see what happens with the foreign currency controls in Argentina before racing to commit billions of U.S. dollars into energy projects. To attract energy investments and monetize on the huge resources of the Vaca Muerta shale play, Argentina will need fiscal and monetary stability. In this, Argentina has failed for decades. Mileis austerity with no public money for energy infrastructure could be offset by the tax breaks and other investment incentives for big projects in the new market and fiscal reforms for large-scale investments. Nevertheless, companies will need long-term stability in Argentina as they would be averse to frequent changes in fiscal and market regulations. Case in point: the UK North Sea, where operators are quitting or threatening to leave amid unpredictable and often-changing regulatory framework. The world will talk more about Vaca Muerta when were a more credible and trustworthy country, German Burmeister, Shells senior vice president and country chair for Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, said last month, as quoted by Reuters. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com 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: Chimpanzees are steadily honing their tool-using skills -- a process unfolding over millennia, driven by the exchange of ideas through migrations between populations, according to a new study published in Science. "Planet of the Apes" may have been onto something. Chimpanzees are steadily honing their tool-using skillsa process unfolding over millennia, driven by the exchange of ideas through migrations between populations, according to a new study published Thursday in Science. The finding in chimpshumans' closest living relativesholds relevance for us too, as it supports the idea that, deep in the mists of time, our own ape ancestors leveraged social connections to improve their technologies, lead author Cassandra Gunasekaram told AFP. Scientists have long marveled at chimps' ability to pass down intricate behaviors, like tool use, from one generation to the next. Yet while human civilization has leapt from the Stone Age to the Space Age, chimpanzee "culture"defined as socially learned behaviorsseemed to have remained static. Gunasekaram, a doctoral student at the University of Zurich, set out to challenge this assumption. Connections spark innovation She and colleagues combined genetic data tracing ancient chimpanzee migrations across Africa with observations of 15 distinct foraging behaviors across dozens of populations and the four subspecies. These behaviors were categorized into three levels: those requiring no tools, those with simple tools, like using chewed leaves as a sponge to absorb water from tree holes, and the most complex, which involve toolsets. One striking example of toolset use comes from Congo, where chimps use a stout stick to bore a tunnel into the ground to reach a termite nest, then modify a plant stem by chewing its tip into a brush to "fish" for termites in the tunnel they've made. The study found that advanced tool use strongly correlated with populations connected by genetic exchanges over the last 5,00015,000 years, suggesting such behaviors spread when groups interacted. Areas where three subspecies overlap exhibited the most complex tool use, highlighting how cross-group connections foster cultural knowledge. By contrast, simpler behaviors, such as foraging without tools, seemed less tied to migration and likely evolved independently in different regions. Foraging efficiently Gunasekaram said this mirrors how trading ideas and incremental innovation have been critical to human technological progress, taking us from early abacuses to modern smartphones. "They've become so complex that one person alone could not reinvent them from scratch," she said. But unlike humans, chimps have far fewer opportunities to encounter new individuals and ideasmigrations occur gradually, driven by sexually mature females moving to new communities to avoid inbreeding. Analyzing ancient genetic flows helped the team overcome one of the biggest challenges in studying the evolution of chimpanzee culture: the limited window of observation, as the species has only been researched scientifically for about a century. What's more, "Chimpanzee tools are made of sticks and stems, which are all perishable," Gunasekaram explained, making it nearly impossible to trace how their artifacts have evolved over time. So, will chimps one day rival human ingenuity? Hardly. But given enough time, they could become more efficient foragers. For example, some populations are already more advanced in cracking nuts with hammers and anvils made of stone , and one particularly innovative group has even invented a stabilizer for the anvil, said Gunasekaram. More information: Cassandra Gunasekaram et al, Population connectivity shapes the distribution and complexity of chimpanzee cumulative culture, Science (2024). DOI: 10.1126/science.adk3381 Journal information: Science 2024 AFP U.S. Rep. Chip Roy pushed back on Gonzales warning that mass deportations are unfeasible. Roy says everyone in the country illegally must be deported. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) J. Scott Applewhite/Associated Press U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales warns that mass removals of undocumented immigrants are unfeasible. Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Imag WASHINGTON U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio, warned that indiscriminate mass deportations under a new Trump administration would be unfeasible and damaging to the Republican Party. If the message is, Were here to deport your abuelita, thats not going to work well, Gonzales said Sunday on ABC News. It has to be one of holding these hardened criminals accountable. But Gonzales stance got pushback from the right wing of the party. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, a hardliner who has led policy for the House Freedom Caucus, asserted that all immigrants in the country who entered illegally must be deported. Roy has also called for closing the country to legal immigration until undocumented immigrants are deported. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Our starting place (for deportation) should be for any individuals who came here illegally or were released into the U.S. illegally, illegitimately, by the Harris-Biden-Mayorkas regime, Roy said Monday. They need to be removed. They need to be deported. That is the starting place. Congress is going to have to support (Trump) and I frankly dont want to hear excuses out of my Republican colleagues, Roy added in a Fox Business interview on Monday. President-elect Donald Trump is vowing mass deportations of undocumented immigrants as soon as he enters the White House, potentially impacting over 11 million people in the country and over 1.7 million people in Texas. Democrats and immigrants rights activists have denounced the agenda as inhumane and impossible to realistically execute. Gonzales asserted that the number of undocumented convicted criminals is already in the hundreds of thousands and deporting them would already be a considerable logistical challenge. Other Republicans, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, said the incoming Trump administration should focus on the dangerous persons that we know are here. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Begin there and then see how it transpires, Johnson said Monday on CNN. The nations undocumented population includes tax-paying residents who have lived in the country for years as well as recent arrivals who are waiting for their asylum claims to make their way through the nations backlogged immigration courts. Over 1.7 million of them live in Texas, according to the Migration Policy Institute, the second highest number behind California. Trump is already moving ahead on his agenda of mass deportations. Stephen Miller, an architect of the previous Trump administrations border and immigration policy, will return as a top aide in the new Trump White House. Trump also named Tom Homan, a hardline former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, to be his border czar last week. Homan has advocated the removal of all undocumented immigrants and defended the most controversial aspects of the previous Trump administrations border policy, including the separation of parents from their children. I got a message to the millions of illegal aliens that Joe Biden has released into our country in violation of federal law: You better start packing now, Homan said during the Republican National Convention this summer. The Trump transition team is also planning out the mechanics for mass deportations, including expanding detention facilities and executive action reversing protections for migrants from prosecution rolled out by the Biden administration, CNN reported Monday. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Democrats and immigrants rights groups have expressed horror at the proposals. The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Monday for more information on the Trump teams deportation plans. U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso, warned that legal U.S. residents and citizens could get mixed up in mass deportation schemes. It is going to be very important for every family that is a mixed status family, or an undocumented family, or even a family that has legal permanent residence, you have to have a plan, Escobar said. You need to connect with advocates and lawyers. Congress has failed to pass substantive border or immigration policy for decades, with successive presidential administrations filling the gaps with executive orders. House Republicans passed a hardline border security bill last year shaped by Texas Republicans. The Secure the Border Act would increase penalties for overstaying visas, require migrants to stay in Mexico as they seek asylum and prevent migrants from seeking asylum outside of ports of entry. The bill went nowhere in the Democratic-controlled Senate. Roy was a major architect of the legislation. Months prior, he introduced his own bill that would effectively shut down the border and detain asylum seekers. He and Gonzales openly feuded over the bill, which Gonzales said would end asylum. Gonzales called Roys legislation un-American and un-Christian, labels that angered Roy. Even with the Secure the Border Act passed, Roy and Gonzales continued to have frosty relations into the elections, with Gonzales denouncing Roys far-right wing of the party as scumbags and Klansmen for voting against foreign aid for U.S. allies. Shortly afterward, Roy endorsed Gonzales primary challenger, Brandon Herrera, whom Gonzales defeated in a primary runoff in May. 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: Author provided/Google Earth Earlier this year, a caver was poring over satellite images of the Nullarbor Plain when he came across something unexpected: an enormous, mysterious scar etched into the barren landscape. The find intrigued scientists, including my colleagues and me. Upon closer investigation, we realized the scar was created by a ferocious tornado that no-one knew had occurred. We outline the findings in new research published today. Tornadoes are a known threat in the United States and elsewhere. But they also happen in Australia. Without the power of technology, this remarkable example of nature's ferocity would have gone unnoticed. It's important to study the tornado's aftermath to help us predict and prepare for the next big twister. Australia's tornado history Tornadoes are violent, spinning columns of air that drop from thunderstorms to the ground, bringing wind speeds often exceeding 200 kilometers an hour. They can cause massive destructionuprooting trees, tearing apart buildings and throwing debris over large distances. Tornadoes have been reported on every continent except Antarctica. They most commonly occur in the Great Plains region of the United States, and in the north-east region of IndiaBangladesh. The earliest observed tornado in Australia occurred in 1795 in the suburbs of Sydney. But a tornado was not scientifically confirmed here until the late 1800s. In recent decades, documented instances in Australia include a 2013 tornado that crossed north-east Victoria and traveled up to the New South Wales border. It brought winds between 250 and 300 kilometers an hour and damaged Murray River townships. And in 2016, a severe storm produced at least seven tornadoes in central and eastern parts of South Australia. It's important for scientists to accurately predict tornadoes, so we can issue warnings to communities. That's why the Nullarbor tornado scar was useful to study. A whirlwind mystery The Nullarbor Plain is a remote, dry, treeless stretch of land in southern Australia. The man who discovered the scar had been using Google Earth satellite imagery to search the Nullabor for caves or other karst features. Karst is a landscape underlain by limestone featuring distinctive landforms. The discovery of the scar came to the attention of my colleagues and I through the collaborative network of researchers and explorers who study the Nullarbor karst. The scar stretches from Western Australia over the border to South Australia. It lies 20 kilometers north of the Trans-Australian Railway and 90 kilometers east-north-east of Forrest, a former railway settlement. We compared satellite imagery of the site over several years to determine that the tornado occurred between November 16 and 18, 2022. Blue circular patterns appeared alongside the scar, indicating pools of water associated with heavy rain. My colleagues and I then traveled to the site in May this year to examine and photograph the scar and the neighboring landscape. Our results have been published today in the Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science. Map showing tornado events in Western Australia and South Australia between 1795 and 2014. The location of the tornado scar in the study is shown with a red dot. Credit: Severe Thunderstorm Archive/Australian Bureau of Meteorology Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What we found The scar is 11 kilometers long and between 160 and 250 meters wide. It bears striking patterns called "cycloidal marks," formed by tornado suction vortexes. This suggests the tornado was no ordinary storm but in the strong F2 or F3 category, spinning with destructive winds of more than 200 kilometers an hour. The tornado probably lasted between seven and 13 minutes. Features of the scar suggest the whirling wind within the tornado was moving in a clockwise direction. We also think the tornado moved from west to eastwhich is consistent with the direction of a strong cold front in the region at the time. 'Cycloidal marks' in the tornado scar, caused by multiple vortexes. Credit: Google Earth satellite imagery Local weather observations also recorded intensive cloud cover and rainfall during that period in November 2022. Unlike tornadoes that hit populated areas, this one did not damage homes or towns. But it left its mark nonetheless, eroding soil and vegetation and reshaping the Earth's surface. Remarkably, the scar was still clearly visible 18 months after the event, both in satellite images and on the ground. This is probably because vegetation grows slowly in this dry landscape, so hadn't yet covered the erosion. Predict and prepare This fascinating discovery on the Nullarbor Plain shows how powerful and unpredictable nature can besometimes without us knowing. Only three tornadoes have previously been documented on the Nullarbor Plain. This is likely because the area is remote with few eye-witnesses, and because the events do not damage properties and infrastructure. Interestingly, those three tornadoes occurred in November, just like this one. Our research provides valuable insights into the tornadoes in this remote and little-studied region. It helps us understand when, and in what conditions, these types of tornadoes occur. It also emphasizes the importance of satellite imagery in identifying and analyzing weather phenomena in remote locations, and in helping us predict and prepare for the next big event. And finally, the results are a stark reminder that extreme weather can strike anywhere, anytime. More information: Matej Lipar et al, Tornado scar on the Nullarbor Plain, Australia, Journal of Southern Hemisphere Earth Systems Science (2024). DOI: 10.1071/ES24023 This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Country-level counts of specimens (yellow scale) and supported records (blue scale) of Slender-billed Curlew. The color intervals on both axes of the bi-plot indicate counts of 0, 25, 610, >10 so that strength of yellow increases as the number of specimens increases, and strength of blue increases as number of records increases. High numbers of both are indicated by dark blue. Dotted line indicates the widest possible breeding area by Buchanan et al. (2018), and black dot indicates area of breeding identified by Ushakov (1912). Credit: Ibis (2024). DOI: 10.1111/ibi.13368 A small team of conservationists, biodiversity specialists and bird researchers has found that it is likely a third species of bird has gone extinct in the Western Palaearctica large area of land spanning parts of North Africa all the way up to polar regions. In their paper published in the journal Ibis, the group notes that the extinction would also represent the first bird species from Mainland Europe, West Asia and North Africa to go extinct. Prior research has shown that almost all bird extinctions happen to birds that live on islandsthey tend to happen due to the introduction of a predator. Because of that, bird scientists find it surprising when a species native to land, especially to a very large area, disappears. But that appears to be the case with the Slender-billed Curlew. To date, the IUCN Red List describes 164 birds as having gone extinct in the modern ageand virtually all of them have come to that end due to human activities. The Slender-billed Curlew is still listed as endangered, but that is expected to change soon as more evidence is processed. Posterior probability density curve after the last known specimen (skin of known whereabouts) in 1983 indicating the likelihood that Slender-billed Curlew is extant, based on patterns of records. Horizontal line indicates P = 0.05. Insert is an adult male Slender-billed Curlew photographed in February 1995 at Merja Zerga, Morocco, by Chris Gomersall. This is the last known bird documented in a photograph in which the identification features of Corso et al. (2014) can be seen. Credit: Ibis (2024). DOI: 10.1111/ibi.13368 The Slender-billed Curlew once bred in bogs in Siberia during the short summers there. As it grew cold, most of the birds would fly to wetlands on the shores of the Mediterranean Seasome went further, to the tropics or to Australia. But problems for them arose at both ends of their migration route. Global warming has led to temperature increases in Siberia, which has led to bogs being drained for farming. Places to live around the Mediterranean became scarce, even as pollution problems increased. The result was a slow drop in numbers. Sightings in places like Morocco, which once hosted some of the largest numbers of birds, became few and far between. The last known occurred in 1995. Since that time, several efforts have been made to find evidence of the birds in both Siberia and their other haunts. No evidence has been found of nests, feathers, eggs, or the birds themselves. The researchers of this new effort have outlined the efforts to find the birds and their hopes that some evidence will arise in a place where the birds have never been seen before. They also suggest the disappearance of the Slender-billed Curlew likely portends the loss of many more species in the coming years. More information: Graeme M. Buchanan et al, Global extinction of Slenderbilled Curlew (Numenius tenuirostris), Ibis (2024). DOI: 10.1111/ibi.13368 2024 Science X Network 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: The storms disrupted transport in Ireland, Britain and France. Ireland, Britain and France faced travel chaos on Saturday and one person died as a winter storm battered northwest Europe with strong winds, heavy rain, snow and ice. Hampshire Police in southern England said a man died after a tree fell onto a car on a major road near Winchester early in the day. Police in West Yorkshire said they were probing whether a second death from a traffic accident was linked to the storm. It is understood the road was not icy at the time of the incident. Storm Bert left at least 60,000 properties in Ireland without power, and closed roads and some ferry and train routes on both sides of the Irish Sea. Channel ports and airports in Britain were badly affected while in France, tens of thousands remained without power after Storm Caetano on Thursday. Hundreds of passengers were stranded when trains were halted by power cuts. Media footage showed flooding in the west of Ireland, which also caused rail closures in Northern Ireland. Snow impacted travel across Britain. The heaviest snow hit Scotland and parts of northern and central England, with dozens of flood alerts in place. The UK Met Office issued snow and ice warnings for those regions, saying there was a "good chance some rural communities could be cut off". Scottish hills could see up to 40 centimeters (16 inches) of snow, while winds approaching 113 kilometers (70 miles) per hour were recorded in Britain. Ferry operator DFDS cancelled services on some routes until Monday, with sailings from Newhaven and Dover in southern England to Dieppe and Calais in France severely affected. Flights were disrupted at Newcastle airport due to heavy snow, with some flights diverted to Belfast and Edinburgh. Blackouts Avanti West Coast, which runs rail services between England and Scotland, advised customers not to attempt travel beyond the northern English city of Preston, as it cancelled numerous trains. National Highways also issued a "severe weather alert", warning of "blizzard conditions" affecting Yorkshire and northeast England, with a number of road closures announced. Met Eireann, the Irish National Meteorological Service, also issued a warning for "very strong winds and heavy rain". The worst affected areas for power outages in Ireland were in western and northwestern counties, according to ESB Networks, which runs the country's electricity system. "Crews and contractors are deployed and restoring power in impacted areas where it is safe to do so," it said. In Britain, the National Grid operator said power had been restored to "many homes and businesses" but more than 4,000 properties across the country were still without electricity on Saturdaythe majority in southwest England. Some 47,000 homes remained without power in northern France on Saturday, two days after the country was battered by Storm Caetano, power company Enedis said. Up to 270,000 people had been cut off due to the storm but Enedis said it had 2,000 technicians working to reconnect electricity lines torn down by winds of up to 130kph. Several hundred passengers were stranded on two trains in western France halted by power cuts. Some 200 people on a train going from Hendaye to Bordeaux and 400 on high-speed TGV going from Hendaye to Paris spent up to nine hours in the carriages. Junior transport minister Francois Dourovray told RTL radio that up to 1,000 passengers on different trains were affected by the power cut. 2024 AFP 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: Carbon credits are generated by activities that reduce or avoid planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions. New rules allowing wealthy polluting countries to buy carbon-cutting "offsets" from developing nations were agreed at UN climate talks Saturday, a move already raising fears they will be used to greenwash climate targets. This decision, taken during extra time at the COP29 conference, is a major step forward in a debate that has dragged through climate talks for years, and diplomats broke into applause when the decision was given. Supporters say a UN-backed framework for carbon trading could direct investment to developing nations where many credits are generated. Critics fear that if set up poorly, these schemes could undermine the world's efforts to curb global warming. An Lambrechts from Greenpeace said the agreement delivered "carbon markets with loopholes and a lack of integrity" that would allow fossil-fuel companies to keep polluting. Reuben Manokara of WWF said the final text was "a compromise" and though not perfect it provided "a degree of clarity that has long been absent" from global efforts to regulate carbon trading. Carbon credits are generated by activities that reduce or avoid planet-heating greenhouse gas emissions, such as planting trees, protecting existing carbon sinks or replacing polluting coal with clean-energy alternatives. Until now, these credits have mainly been traded by companies on an unregulated market dogged by scandal. But the 2015 Paris climate deal envisaged that countries could also take part in a cross-border trade of carbon reductions. The broad idea is that countries -- mainly wealthy polluters -- can buy carbon credits from other nations that are doing better on their own emissions-cutting targets. Article 6 The initiative, known as Article 6, includes both direct country-to-country trading and a separate UN-backed marketplace. It has proved popular with both developing countries looking for international financing, and wealthier nations eager to find new ways to meet steep emissions-reduction targets. The European Union and the United States pushed for an agreement at COP29 in Azerbaijan's capital Baku. Many developing nations, particularly in Asia and Africa, have already signed up for projects. But experts fear that the systems could allow countries to trade dubious emissions reductions that cover up their failure to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As of earlier this month, more than 90 deals have already been agreed between nations for over 140 pilot projects, according to the UN. But so far only one trade has happened between countries, involving Switzerland buying credits linked to a new fleet of electric buses in Thailand's capital Bangkok. Switzerland has other agreements lined up with Vanuatu and Ghana, while other buyer countries include Singapore, Japan and Norway. 'Biggest threat to Paris agreement' The Climate Action Tracker project has warned that Switzerland's lack of transparency over its own emissions cuts risks "setting a bad precedent". Niklas Hohne of NewClimate Institute, one of the groups behind the project, warned there was a concern that the market will create an incentive for developing countries to underpromise emission cuts in their own national plans so they can sell credits from any reductions that go above this level. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "There's big motivation on both sides to do it wrong," he said. Injy Johnstone, a researcher specializing in carbon neutrality at Oxford University, told AFP the fact that nations can set their own standards in these country-to-country deals was a major concern. She said overall the risk of greenwashing makes Article 6 "the biggest threat to the Paris agreement". Alongside this decentralized, state-to-state system, there will be another UN-run system for trading carbon credits, open to both states and companies. On the opening day of COP29, nations agreed a number of crucial ground rules for setting this UN-administered market in motion after nearly a decade of complex discussions. "There are many projects waiting" for the market, Andrea Bonzanni of the IETA International Emissions Trading Association, told AFP. The IETA has more than 300 members including energy giants such as BP. Despite these positive signs, some experts expressed doubt that the quality of the carbon credits traded on the regulated market would be much better than those that came before. Erika Lennon of the Center for International Environmental Law said it would be necessary to make sure these markets do not create "even more problems and more scandals than the voluntary carbon markets". These "voluntary" markets have been rocked by scandals in recent years amid accusations that some credits sold did not reduce emissions as promised, or that projects exploited local communities. 2024 AFP R.K. Radhakrishnan Nepal Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Olis decision to travel to Beijing first before his visit to India and Bangladesh demanding the extradition of its former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina are being viewed as acts of assertion of the two countries in South Asia that have so far been exceedingly sensitive to Indian concerns on almost all issues in the neighbourhood. This comes on the heels of Sri Lanka handing over to its Navy the Indian fishing boats that were apprehended while illegally fishing in Sri Lankan waters recently and the Maldives signing a series of strategic cooperation agreements with China earlier this year. On November 13, the National Peoples Power government in Sri Lanka ordered that 13 Indian fishing boats be handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy for its use. Oli claimed that he did not receive an invitation from India and hence decided to visit China. This is in contrast to Hasina who, after her election, waited for nearly six months for an invitation from India. Till that time, she declined to visit another country. The Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML) asserted that Olis decision to visit China is a reflection of Nepals independent foreign policy and not a gambit of card diplomacy. Speaking to The Hindu, former Nepal Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who is also the leader of the Opposition in Nepals parliament, took exception to Olis decision and said that the Prime Minister was playing the China card. Former Nepal Prime Minister and Nepal Socialist Party leader Baburam Bhattarai described as unfortunate and embarrassing the public spat about the Prime Ministers first visit. Referring to Prachandas statement, he said: Additionally, when a former revolutionary degenerates into a petty opportunist politician and indulges in the dirty manoeuvring for personal power, it is all the more disgusting. In the public eye their public accusations against their political rivals having played a particular foreign card is just like the pot calling the kettle black, he said, adding that the national interest of Nepal was above the interest of any Party or leader. Nepal cannot drift away from the age-old policy and practice of non-alignment and good relations with both the neighbours. The sequence of foreign visits is just a transactional issue based on mutual convenience and a necessity, he added. The CPN-UML party condemned Prachandas statement and claimed that his outburst was a blatant breach of diplomatic protocol. The remarks undermine the delicate balance Nepal maintains with its two friendly neighbours, India and China, both of whom are part of Nepals development and prosperity... Foreign policy is not a matter for petty political squabbling, the party said, and added that the party reiterates its commitment to maintaining Nepals balanced relations with both India and China. There are other irritants in the India-Nepal relationship. One is the problem with Gorkha recruits from Nepal in the Indian Army. Earlier, after India introduced the Agneepath (short-service recruitment) scheme, Nepal adopted a policy to not allow the recruitment of its citizens as soldiers into the Indian Army. A news report on News18.com stated that the number of Nepali Gorkhas in active service has dwindled. Although the Indian Army chief was expected to hold discussions with the Nepali leader during his five-day visit from November 21, the issue is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. India-Bangla relationship The India-Bangladesh relationship took a turn for the worse following the June 2024 uprising, which unseated Prime Minister Hasina. Hasina fled to India and has been in New Delhi since then, and the new Bangladesh leadership has accused her of indulging in acts of destabilising Bangladesh while in India. The Chief Advisor to Bangladeshs interim government, Muhammad Yunus, told The Hindu that the government would formally request India to extradite Sheikh Hasina to stand trial in Bangladesh. A second issue that has grown to become an irritant in the India-Bangladesh relationship involves an Indian corporate entity. A court in Bangladesh on November 20 ordered an enquiry panel to review the power deals that the country made with the Indian conglomerate, the Adani group. From early this year, the opposition in Bangladesh has claimed that the power price is too high. It asked the Sheikh Hasina government to re-examine the deal. The Hasina government refused to do so. The Adani business house is seen as being close to the ruling BJP government. The Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake too had made comments against the power purchase deal with an Adani Group company in his country ahead of the Presidential election in September 2024. After the election, he or his party, the National Peoples Power, are yet to make any statement on the issue. Regardless of the highs and lows in its relationship with neighbouring countries, India remains an important ally for all countries in the region and is engaged in several infrastructure and security architecture-related issues in each of them. Although multilateral fora such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) and Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) are barely functional, bilateral arrangements are working better in the region. Despite some friction with the Maldives after Mohamed Muizzu was elected President in September 2023, it is India that has promised budgetary support to the country at a time of its extreme need. As with Bangladesh, Indias relationship with Nepal is deep and multi-faceted. The transition in Nepal [signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2006] from war to peace and from royal absolutism to republican democracy would not have happened without Indias mediation and support, notes the academic Constantino Xavier. He characterised the first trilateral power transaction from Nepal to Bangladesh via India as something that was dreamt about for decades but denied. Now finally [it is] a reality. He added that this was also an example of how the bet on infrastructure and economic interdependence enhances Indias regional power and reputation. South Asian geopolitical experts believe that Indias vast and deep engagement in the region and the strong people-to-people relationships, which have stood the test of time, cannot be undone because of the governments in these countries. These are civilisational ties. There will always be problems in any relationship. These problems have been overcome in the past. They will be in the future too, a serving diplomat said. Source: frontline.thehindu.com A 32-year-old man was shot and killed after confronting a burglar outside a Northwest Side restaurant on Saturday. mbbirdy/Getty Images A 32-year-old man was shot and killed after confronting a burglar outside a Northwest Side restaurant. San Antonio police responded to a shooting in progress shortly before 1:23 a.m. Saturday at the Twin Peaks in the 12700 block of Interstate 10. According to a police report, officers found a man with a fatal gunshot wound. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ALSO READ: Northside ISD student struck by car near Harlan High School A sergeant at the scene said the man and woman were leaving the restaurant when they saw multiple burglars breaking into their car. According to the report, the man saw flashlights lighting up the inside of his car and broken glass outside of the car. The 32-year-old confronted one of the burglars and was shot in the chest, police said. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The woman was also grazed by a bullet during the incident and was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Sagarmatha Network Pvt. Ltd. is the organization dedicated in the field of printing, publishing service since 2001. As part of media, we've been publishing Review Nepal, an English medium weekly registered at District Administration Office (DAO) Kathmandu with registration number 130-162-163 and reviewnepal.com as an online digital newspaper, with registration number 849-075-076 at Department of Informational and Broadcasting (DIB) from Kathmandu, Nepal since 2003. Kathmandu: H.E. Mr. KIKUTA Yutaka, Ambassador of Japanese Ambassador to Nepal Kikuta Yutaka has handed over the Foreign Ministers Commendation for FY2024 to Mr. KAMIMURA Yoshiharu, Head of the Japanese Language Department at the Campus of International Languages (Bishwo Bhasa Campus), Tribhuvan University, amid a ceremony organized at his official residence today. The Foreign Ministers Commendations are awarded to individuals and groups with outstanding achievements in international fields to acknowledge their contributions to the promotion of friendship with Japan. The Commendations also aim to promote understanding and support from the Japanese public regarding the activities of the recipients. Mr. Kamimura was awarded the Commendation on August 8, 2024, in recognition of his significant contributions to the promotion of Japanese language, culture, and the development of mutual understanding and friendship between Japan and Nepal. He has also served as a member of the management committee of Japanese Supplementary School in Kathmandu to improve the educational environment for Japanese children in Nepal. As the Department Head, Mr. Kamimura has been teaching Japanese language to students from basic to advanced levels since 2004. He has also lectured on Japanese culture, history, and literature at the campus. At the same time, as an advisor to the Japanese Language Teachers Association, Nepal (JALTAN), he has supervised Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) and cultural activities such as Japanese speech contest and Japanese karaoke contests. Thus, he has been dedicated to broadening the base of Japanese language and culture in Nepal as well as fostering advanced Japanese language speakers. On the occasion, Ambassador Kikuta congratulated Mr. Kamimura on receiving the Foreign Ministers Commendation as a testament to the friendship between Japan and Nepal and stated that his efforts and contributions were truly worthy of the Commendation. Ambassador also expressed his confidence that Mr. Kamimura would continue to take lead in promoting Japanese language in Nepal. The Embassy of Japan hopes that all the students and teachers he has taught or worked with, as well as he himself, will be the bridge between Japan and Nepal, further strengthen the friendly relations between the two countries in the days ahead. In a new exhibit titled Virginia & the Vietnam War, activist Ben Ragsdale recalls marching to the U.S. Capitol from Arlington National Cemetery, where soldiers had picked a name of a victim lost in combat to carry with them. Wed throw our name over the fence, Ragsdale said before taking an emotional pause. And (wed) just say the name. That was it. And walk on. More than 230,000 Virginians served in Vietnam, and 1,490 Virginians died in Vietnam. Virginia ranked fifth in the nation for the number of prisoners of war held in Vietnam. Open now through July 6 at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Virginia & the Vietnam War examines what Virginia soldiers, families, activists and Vietnamese migrants carried physically and emotionally during the war and its aftermath through personal objects and oral histories. The walls of the exhibit in the museums South Gallery are lined with personal stories, photos and artifacts. The space is intimate, a reflection of the exhibits content. Thats what led me to the theme of the exhibit, which is the things they carry, said Emilie Raymond, the exhibits curator. So all of the objects are small, intimate objects, and some of them are everyday items, and other things are more unusual, but all of them are personalized or customized in some way. So I think people will feel a really strong personal connection to the stories through these objects, and they will also get a strong insight into what was happening in the war. Raymond, a history professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, says her research on the topic began long before she was approached by the museum. She previously worked with the Virginia War Memorial and had students gather information about Virginians listed on the Shrine of Memory there. Raymond is currently writing a dual biography of Paul and Phyllis Galanti titled Bring Paul Home: Love and Heroism during the Vietnam War. She says she sent questionnaires to interviewees beforehand asking about the draft, first impressions of Vietnam and the nature of their jobs. A sensitive subject, many have been reluctant to open up about their experiences. A lot of the people are in their 70s, so there is this sort of feeling like weve really got to start sharing this information. Its emotional, but I think its less raw than it would have been 30 years ago, Raymond said. Artifacts in the exhibit include a personalized towel used by a Navy pilot while confined in the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison camp; a Yippie flag used in an anti-war demonstration in Washington, D.C.; and a claymore bag that belonged to Susan McLean, a Donut Dollie. A Donut Dollie was a Red Cross volunteer who had to be a college-educated female, Raymond said. Their job was to bring a touch of home to the soldiers, to put programs on for them, to visit them in the field and be there for morale. McLean, who was also interviewed for the exhibit, had gotten the claymore bag from a solider. It had been like repurposed from its original mine and she used it just to carry stuff around in it. And for all the units that she visited, they would give her a pen or a patch representing their unit. So one of the artifacts that we have on display is this bag with all of the pins and the patches on it. Its so cool because it just really shows how active she was in the field and how much they appreciated her, Raymond said. The exhibit lines up with the 50th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon. One photo shows Vietnamese evacuees boarding an Air America helicopter. About 200,000 Vietnam-era veterans live in Virginia, and Virginia is home to 60,000 Vietnamese Americans. In the exhibit, Joe Tiet recalls his familys decision to leave Vietnam together instead of in groups like his father had first suggested. If we survive, all survive. If we die, we all die, Tiet said. Tiet was a soldier in the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. He and his family fled Vietnam in 1977. A photo shows the Tiet family arriving at Richmonds Byrd Airport, now Richmond International, in 1979. Tiet has lived in Richmond ever since. Were not trying to tell the history of the entire Vietnam War, but I think that they (audiences) will get a sense of how deeply the war affected people and how these different policies affected people through these objects, Raymond said. I think that they will come away having that insight. Bacalar cenote search and rescue mission turns into search and recovery Bacalar, Q.R. A special search and recovery team has located the body of a man reported drowned Saturday. The drowning happened inside Cenote Azul of Bacalar Saturday afternoon. The body was found several hours after a dive team began their search. The victim, a 72 year old man, was with family visiting the cenote when he entered the water. When he failed to return, 9-1-1 was notified. A special cenote dive team was brought in to help find the man. The search and rescue mission quickly turned to search and recovery after dive professionals spent hours scouring the cenote. The mans body was finally found late Saturday night in an area of water around 60 meters deep. The man is reported to have been a Mexican national tourist to the area. Authorities have not named him publicly. An autopsy will determine the official cause of death. Albert Delgado, 53, was sentenced to prison Thursday for sexually assaulting a child younger than 6 years old in 2020. Bexar County Sheriff's Office A San Antonio man was sentenced to prison for sexually assaulting a young girl in 2020. Albert Delgado, 53, was sentenced to 35 years in prison by Judge Michael Mery on Thursday after pleading no contest. He was arrested in February on four counts of aggravated sexual assault of child. He will receive credit toward his sentence for the time he served in jail. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Delgado knowingly and intentionally engaged in sexual contact with a female child younger than 6 years old, according to the Bexar County District Attorneys Office. He could have received a sentence of 25 to 99 years in prison. Sexual crimes against children are unacceptable in any situation, but they are particularly reprehensible when committed by a close family member who violates the trust bestowed upon them. Our office will continue to seek justice and fight for victims of crime, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonazles said in a statement. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/80-years-ago-red-army-liberated-the-baltics-where-neo-nazism-has-once-again-reared-its-ugly-head-1120991629.html 80 Years Ago Red Army Liberated the Baltics, Where Neo-Nazism Has Once Again Reared Its Ugly Head 80 Years Ago Red Army Liberated the Baltics, Where Neo-Nazism Has Once Again Reared Its Ugly Head Sputnik International Sunday marks the 80th anniversary of the Red Army's Baltic Operation, which culminated in the liberation of the region from Nazi German and collaborator forces. How did the operation proceed? And how is it remembered today? Sputnik explores. 2024-11-24T19:17+0000 2024-11-24T19:17+0000 2024-11-24T19:21+0000 military adolf hitler military & intelligence baltics latvia riga red army nazis nazi lithuania https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/18/1120991780_0:156:3000:1844_1920x0_80_0_0_7b9661e866e86823c17c8014b43943a4.jpg Between September 14 and November 24, 1944, the Red Army carried out a massive counteroffensive in the Baltic region, with the operation involving some 1.5 mln troops, 17,500 guns and heavy mortars, 3,000+ tanks and self-propelled artillery pieces, and over 2,600 aircraft.Arrayed against them was Nazi Germanys battle-hardened Army Group North, including over 571,500 troops, 7,000 guns and mortars, 1,200+ tanks and assault guns and 400 aircraft, plus 43,000 Hiwi SS auxiliary volunteers recruited among the local population.In battles stretching across a front up to 1,000 km in length and 400 km in depth, forces from the Leningrad Front, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Baltic Fronts, the 3rd Belorussian Front and the Baltic Fleet smashed through heavily echeloned and fortified defenses, with the main thrust of the operation initially directed toward Riga, Latvia before being redirected toward the strategic Lithuanian Baltic Sea port of Klaipeda a move which surprised Wehrmacht commanders and ultimately led to the pocketing of as many as 200,000 German troops from the 16th and 18th Armies in the so-called Courland Pocket, western Latvia, where they would remain trapped until the end of the war in May 1945.The Estonian capital of Tallinn was liberated on September 26, with Riga taken on October 22. Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, had been freed earlier in mid-July 1944 as part of the third phase of the Operation Bagration summer counteroffensive. From September 29-November 24, Soviet forces engaged the Nazis in fierce fighting for the west Estonian archipelago of Moonsund.Overall German losses included over 200,000 troops, 33,500 of whom became POWs. 61,648 Soviet troops were killed, with left 218,622 injured or sick. 112 Red Army servicemen and officers were awarded the Hero of the Soviet Union title. 332,000 received other medals and orders.Why Was the Baltic Operation Important?The German defeat in the Baltics opened the door to East Prussia, cut off key transport arteries and deprived Berlin of farmland, and oil shale processing plants in Estonia which provided the Nazis some 500,000 tons of petroleum products per year.Soviet and Russian historians have dubbed the Baltic Operation the eighth of Stalins Ten Blows ten strategic offensives carried out in 1944 which culminated in the liberation of the western Soviet Union, and pushed the front into eastern Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Yugoslavia and Hungary.The defeat also had important ideological implications, not least of which being Adolf Hitlers plans to resettle the Baltics with ethnic Germans, and deport or exterminate the local population. These ambitions were based in Nazi lore of the ancient German knights conquest of the region in the 13th century, which reduced local populations to serfdom status. The Baltics were also key to Hitlers Final Solution for Jews, Roma, Russians, and local antifascist fighters, with Latvia alone home to 23 concentration camps and 18 ghettos.How is the Baltic Operation Remembered Today?While more than 200,000 ethnic Balts served in the Red Army during WWII (including over 108,000 Lithuanians, 85,000 Latvians, and up to 30,000 Estonians), their heroism, and that of the other Soviet troops who liberated the Baltics from the Nazis, has largely been forgotten by the three countries modern governments, whose nationalism and lionization of local SS volunteers, rewriting of history books and demolition of monuments to the Red Army have echoed processes taking place in Ukraine following the 2005 color revolution and the 2014 coup.The modern-day Baltic states political class has been characterized by unparalleled disdain for Russia within the EU and NATO, and cheerleading for Kiev in the NATO-sponsored proxy war against Russia in Ukraine.Their efforts have taken a heavy toll on the three nations welfare and even basic demographic viability, with the Baltics suffering among the highest rates of deindustrialization and depopulation among the post-Soviet republics. Between 1991 and 2023, the populations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania dropped from 1.5 to 1.3 mln (14%), 2.6 to 1.8 mln (31%) and 3.7 to 2.8 mln (25%), respectively. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240922/estonia-nurturing-atrocious-legacy-of-nazi-collaborators-in-neocon-driven-rewrite-of-wwii------1120247475.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20221214/by-demanding-russias-complete-isolation-baltics-risk-economic-annihilation-heres-why-1105452660.html baltics latvia riga lithuania estonia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov when did ussr defeat nazis in the baltics, what are baltic attitudes toward nazis today, when did red army free vilnius, tallinn and riga MATAMOROS, Mexico In early March, Pedro Arandia, a 29-year-old from Venezuela, and his two young nieces crossed the Suchiate River on Mexicos southern border, paying the equivalent of $30 to be rowed from the Guatemalan side. They stepped off the boat and right into the arms of gangsters. That was my first experience getting kidnapped in Mexico, Arandia said in a recent interview at a migrant shelter in Matamoros, just across the Rio Grande from Brownsville. The one-time delivery driver said he and his nieces, 11 and 14, were taken to a building with small, crowded concrete rooms the kidnappers called chicken coops. They were released once he paid the $100-per-person ransom a pittance compared to a later ransom his family was forced to pay. Pedro Luis Arandia Godoy, 29, from Venezuela, posed for a portrait in the mens sleeping quarters at a migrant shelter on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Arandia said hed heard about Mexican immigration officials preventing asylum seekers from going north, so they avoided bus lines, where they would have been easy to identify as immigrants. He and his nieces sometimes traveled by foot and slept outdoors. It took them a month to make it to Mexico City, he said. In the Mexican capital, they found a large community of expats planning to seek asylum in the U.S. Arandia learned from them that Mexican officials wouldnt let them go any farther north without an appointment from the U.S. government, for which he needed a smartphone app called CBP One. So he installed it on his phone. (CBP stands for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.) Arandia, who said he fled Venezuela because of its collapsing economy and increasing lawlessness, received notice in early May that he had been approved for an appointment in three weeks at the port of entry between Matamoros and Brownsville. He purchased plane tickets to Reynosa, a border city near McAllen, because he was afraid taking a bus would make them easier targets for kidnapping. He was right to be wary. In Reynosa, he and his nieces had to take a bus to Matamoros there was no flight. Only a few minutes after buying their tickets, three men approached them in the middle of the crowded bus station. One of the men grabbed his youngest niece. And he says to me, Keep quiet or face the consequences, and he shows me the gun in his waistband, Arandia said. At both the airport and the bus station, Arandia had to show his CBP One appointment to purchase tickets. He believes one of the ticket agents tipped off the kidnappers. Asylum seekers and employees of non-governmental organizations that work with immigrants said in interviews they believe criminal gangs target people who have appointments through CBP One, one of the very few ways the U.S. government permits people to claim asylum at southwest border ports of entry. Because asylum seekers need CBP One appointments to travel through Mexico, its easy to track their movements and set them up for kidnapping and extortion. Dangers multiply President Joe Bidens term in office has been defined in part by the huge numbers of asylum seekers coming to the U.S. in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, driven by instability in Central and South America and as far away as Ukraine. To slow the flow at the border, the Biden administration has made it extremely difficult to request asylum without one of the 1,450 lottery appointments granted daily through the app. Over the last four months, the number of people allowed to request asylum without CBP One interviews has fallen more than 90 percent, according to the federal government. It's unclear whether CBP One will remain in effect after Donald Trump is sworn in as president on Jan. 20. He campaigned on slashing the number of illegal border crossings and deporting millions of immigrants who are living in the U.S. without authorization. Crossing Mexico has long been dangerous for asylum seekers. The countrys drug traffickers expanded their business years ago to include human smuggling and extortion. And as the U.S. and Mexican governments try to clamp down on the flow of people, they create opportunities for organized crime, said Oscar Hernandez, a professor and researcher at Mexicos College of the Northern Border. The Mexican governments efforts to control the flow north of asylum seekers means cartels know when and where people are arriving at the border, Hernandez said. Arandia said his experience showed how intertwined the kidnapping rings are with Mexican government officials. No one in the crowded Reynosa bus terminal paid attention as the kidnappers marched him and his nieces out, and a passing police patrol ignored them on the street as they made their way to an abandoned house nearby, he said. For more than two weeks, they were moved from house to house, going days without eating or bathing, Arandia said. The kidnappers beat him, threatened his nieces and sent an extortion video to his sister in Texas. Arandia said he would hear the gangsters on the radio, communicating with their contacts in police departments and bus companies. They get a call that said, Look, we have five Cubans arriving at 2 p.m. Come get them, he said. The kidnapped Cubans arrived at the safe house later that day. After Arandia and his nieces had been held for 18 days, his sister paid nearly $8,000 in ransom. The family was taken to the bus station in Reynosa, where the kidnappers had already purchased tickets to Matamoros. Before they boarded the bus, Arandia said, one of the cartel associates took his picture to record that hed paid the ransom. They also gave him a code word jaguar to say if he was stopped by another arm of the same cartel. In Matamoros, he went to the international bridge. By then, his CBP One appointment had expired. The U.S. agents turned him away, and told him to go to one of Matamoros' migrant shelters. The CBP said in a statement that "individuals who miss their CBP One appointment for any reason will be accommodated as operationally feasible for the following 24 hours." "Beyond that 24 hour period," the federal agency said, "individuals will need to request a new appointment." But Christina Asencio, the director of research and analysis for refugee protection at Human Rights First, a New York-based advocacy group, said that's not always the case uncertainty rules for immigrants in such situations. "There's no transparent, formal process for someone whos missed an appointment to seek to have that appointment honored by CBP and be processed," Asencio said. About two months ago, Arandia received welcome news. He had applied for a CBP One appointment in Tijuana, hoping the process might be faster there, and had been approved. In October, he and his nieces flew to Mexicos west coast and were able to cross into the U.S. without incident. Migrants gather in a makeshift shelter in Huixtla, Chiapas state, Mexico, Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024, hoping to reach the country's northern border and ultimately the United States. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo) Moises Castillo/Associated Press Sitting ducks on the border U.S. asylum laws make the first stage of the process, called the credible fear interview, a low bar to clear. If an immigration official decides an asylum seeker's case has merit, the immigrant is allowed to present it to an immigration judge, even if they entered the country illegally. Biden initially billed CBP One as a way for those trapped in Mexico as a result of those Trump-era policies to claim asylum. But illegal crossings and asylum claims have been at record highs each of the last four years. In response, the Biden administration has taken additional steps not only to punish immigrants for crossing the border illegally, but also to discourage people from requesting protection at ports of entry. Last year, the administration announced that for two years, people from countries other than Mexico who didnt have CBP One appointments or had been denied asylum in another country would be presumed ineligible for asylum. There were limited exemptions for people who cant use the app, which is only available in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. Left, migrants are taught how to navigate the U.S. government's CBP One app on Oct. 4, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Right, a migrant logs in to the CBP One app at a temporary shelter set up in the parking lot of a former hospital on Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Top, migrants are taught how to navigate the U.S. government's CBP One app on Oct. 4, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Bottom, a migrant logs in to the CBP One app at a temporary shelter set up in the parking lot of a former hospital on Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. In June, Biden issued an executive order and new regulations that restricted all asylum applications to those with CBP One appointments, and further reduced the number of exceptions unless the number of apprehensions at the border fell below a certain level. Under the rules created last year, CBP officers at ports of entry were processing a trickle of asylum seekers without appointments, Asencio said. Since the summer, that trickle has all but dried up. The number of credible fear interviews conducted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fell from 20,000 in May to 1,200 in October. Illegal border crossings are down as well. Of the eight ports of entry where CBP One appointments are accepted, five border Texas. Three of those are in Tamaulipas, which the State Department gives a Level 4 travel warning, its most severe. Do not travel due to crime and kidnapping, the department warns on its website. Organized crime activity including gun battles, murder, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping, forced disappearances, extortion, and sexual assault is common along the northern border. Asylum seekers "are stranded in situations of life-threatening danger waiting to get one of these appointments, Ascencio said. Children of two families from Mexico that rent a small house in order to avoid staying at migrant shelters, which often are hotspots for exploitation by cartels, on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Children of two families from Mexico that rent a small house in order to avoid staying at migrant shelters, which often are hotspots for exploitation by cartels, on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Children of two families from Mexico that rent a small house in order to avoid staying at migrant shelters, which often are hotspots for exploitation by cartels, on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Children of two families from Mexico that rent a small house in order to avoid staying at migrant shelters, which often are hotspots for exploitation by cartels, on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Two families from Mexico rent a small house in order to avoid staying at migrant shelters, which often are hotspots for exploitation by cartels, on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Living in fear Igor Babkin fled Russia last year after men assaulted him in his apartment lobby and threatened him because of public statements he'd made against Russia's war on Ukraine. He spent more than two months earlier this year in a camp on the international bridge in Nuevo Progreso, near Reynosa, waiting to enter the U.S. Cartel operatives acted as the de facto authorities. Babkin said Mexican officials looked the other way as the gangsters entered the encampment. The Russians were instructed to select one representative to deal with the cartel. The criminals communicated via a translator app on their phones, and the representative passed their instructions to the Russians. They were told when they could leave to buy food and where they were allowed to go. The cartel would warn the people on the bridge ahead of time when Mexican immigration officials planned to close off the camp to new entries. One day, Babkin said, a group of Russian-speaking immigrants apparently from a smaller country within Russia's orbit left in violation of the instructions. After they left, nobody ever saw them again, he said through his wife, who speaks English. The missing people stopped posting in the WhatsApp group used by asylum seekers on the bridge. Last year, Babkin, a 31-year-old childrens art teacher, met up in Mexico City with a friends brother who also planned to seek asylum in the U.S. Both had permits to travel in Mexico. They flew to Tijuana in fall 2023, where they planned to wait for a CBP One appointment. Babkin said asylum seekers waiting for CBP One appointments lived in constant fear of Mexican security forces and criminal organizations, who raided hotels and apartment complexes known to house foreigners and staked out retail stores where they bought supplies. Still, during the four months Babkin was there, he made connections and socialized. And because he had a travel permit he shared a photo of it with the San Antonio Express-News he felt fairly secure. But he wasn't. His wife, Liza Kalinina, was studying in Texas. She kept track of Babkin with a phone app. When she woke up one morning in January and checked her phone, it showed that her husband was in the desert east of Tijuana. I thought the cartels got him and he's probably dead and like they just threw away his phone, Kalinina said. Igor Babkin, 31, an art teacher who fled Russia and says he was wrongfully detained by Mexican authorities as he traveled to seek asylum in the U.S., poses for a portrait with his wife, Liza Kalinina, on Oct. 29, 2024, in Central Texas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer She frantically messaged social media groups for Russian asylum seekers trying to figure out what happened. Hours were like days, Kalinina said. That evening, Babkin called her from a detention center in Tijuana. Despite his travel permit, he and his traveling companion had been arrested by Mexican immigration authorities. Hed been sitting and waiting in the desert to be transported to a detention center. The two men were bused to Villahermosa in Mexicos southern state of Tabasco. Immigration officials released Babkin and gave him back his passport, but not his money or his phone. Kalinina eventually hired a lawyer in Mexico who got a judge to issue a document called an amparo that allowed Babkin and his friends brother, whose visa by then had expired, to travel north. The judge found that Babkins rights had been violated when Mexican officials detained him and forcibly relocated him to southern Mexico, according to the amparo, a copy of which Kalinina gave to the Express-News. Babkin and his companion bought bus tickets north. Shortly after leaving Tabasco in January of this year, he said, they were stopped at an immigration checkpoint. The bus waited while they called their lawyer, who called the judge who issued the amparo. The judge told the immigration agents to let them go. Babkin said hardly any time had passed before they reached another checkpoint. This time, the immigration agents told Babkin he could go on, but his companion couldnt. Babkin decided to stay with his acquaintance, watching as the bus drove away. The immigration agents eventually took his friends brother in one of their vehicles, leaving Babkin stranded on the side of a rural highway. He said he later learned that his companion was released from immigration custody. Kalinina hired a taxi to drive her husband to the Gulf Cost port city of Veracruz. The friend's brother walked to a bus station and purchased a new ticket, but was once again stopped at a checkpoint and taken by immigration officials to the same detention center where hed been released hours earlier. He eventually spent the night on the side of the highway, then walked hours the following day, passing through the same immigration checkpoint where hed been stopped the night before, this time without incident. Eventually, he, too, took a taxi to Veracruz. Stories about extortion, harassment and forced relocation to southern Mexico by that countrys immigration officials are common, said Human Rights Firsts Asencio. Yet those same officials are the ones in charge of transporting people with CBP One appointments to the border. In September, the Mexican government announced it would start busing asylum seekers to the border. The first caravans arrived in Matamoros in October. But Asencio question whether Mexican authorities can, or are willing to, protect displaced persons in the country. If that can avert kidnapping and sexual assault and torture of migrants by transnational criminal organizations, absolutely thats a benefit, she said of the new busing program. But at the same time its concerning that its the same actors that have been forcibly relocating people to the south and inflicting other abuses. Babkin eventually made it to Mexico City and began applying for a CBP One appointment. While there he was diagnosed with several mental health conditions, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, according to medical records he shared with the Express-News. After two weeks, he left for the border hoping to be allowed into the U.S. without an appointment. When he and his companion arrived at the Reynosa airport, they paid a large sum of money to a taxi driver who was known in the emigre community as being able to get people safely to the international bridge in Nuevo Progreso. There he joined the crowded, cartel-controlled camp of 300 people, including families with children, living on the bridge. Photos Babkin shared with the Express-News show a long line of tents on the bridges pedestrian walkway. At that time, in February of this year, the Biden administration was allowing a small number of asylum seekers to enter the country at international bridges every day. If they didnt have a CBP appointment, they would have to meet a higher standard of evidence to make an asylum claim. Babkin said his camp's Russian representative and the cartel maintained a list of who would be allowed into the U.S. every day. After two months in the encampment, it was Babkins turn to be processed by CBP. He was transferred to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center and released nearly a month later after he passed his credible fear interview. Now hes living in Central Texas, awaiting an immigration court date. He communicates with other Russian asylum seekers through social media and has heard about people suffering far worse than he did at the hands of immigration authorities and cartel members. They end up with no money, no devices, nothing, in the middle of nowhere or are being kidnapped, he said. And some of them are forced to go back to Russia and face persecution. Migrants from Haiti and Latin American countries wait in limbo at a temporary shelter set up in the parking lot of a former hospital on Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Many staying at the shelter log in everyday at 11 a.m. to the CBP One app in hopes of securing an appointment to present their asylum claims to American authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer A map of migrant shelters along the immigration routes from southern to northern Mexico at a shelter on Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Migrants from Haiti and Latin American countries wait in limbo at a temporary shelter set up in the parking lot of a former hospital on Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Many staying at the shelter log in everyday at 11 a.m. to the CBP One app in hopes of securing an appointment to present their asylum claims to American authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Perla Dayana, 4, from near Tejupilco de Hidalgo, Mexico, in the womens sleeping quarters at a migrant shelter on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Migrants from Haiti and Latin American countries wait in limbo at a temporary shelter set up in the parking lot of a former hospital on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Many staying at the shelter log in everyday at 11 a.m. to the CBP One app in hopes of securing an appointment to present their asylum claims to American authorities at the U.S.-Mexico border. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Kimberly Carolina, 23, from Guatemala, and Edimarila Peres, 53, from Honduras, arrange their belongings on a bunk bed in the womens sleeping quarters at a migrant shelter on Oct. 3, 2024, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer 'The family is devastated' Mornings for Nadiesha, a 32-year-old asylum seeker from Cuba, have begun the same way every day for the last four months, since she, her husband and their two children were released by the kidnappers who were waiting for them when they approached Mexicos northern border. Nadiesha wakes up in one of the tents crowding the parking area of a former hospital the site of a makeshift shelter for more than 300 displaced persons and checks her CBP One app to see if shes gotten an asylum appointment. If not, she joins a crowd gathered at around a wifi router at 11 a.m. to once again enter the lottery for people looking to present their asylum case in the U.S. Nadiesha said she and her family fled Cuba after facing persecution because her husband participated in national protests in 2021. They flew to Honduras and crossed Guatemala and Mexico, facing extortion along the way. They arrived in Mexico City in May and received a CBP One appointment. But Nadiesha said they couldnt pay a 20,000 peso bribe (equivalent to about $1,000) demanded by immigration officials when they tried to leave the capital, so they were taken back to southern Mexico and left there, missing the appointment. The family finally made it to the border in June, Nadiesha said. She described a kidnapping similar to what Arandias family went through, and said her father sold his home in Cuba to pay the $8,000 ransom. The family is devastated, Nadiesha said at an interview in front of her tent, which was decorated with Cuban flags. Juan, my husband, has gotten very skinny, hes lost a lot of weight because hes not sleeping. My youngest daughter has regressed. Now shes using diapers because she wets herself. She wakes up in the night now, saying, Leave my dad alone! Leave my dad alone! Sometimes I go three days without sleeping. As 11 a.m. approaches one day in early October, Nadiesha and others gather as usual. Theres a moment of frustration as the spotty internet connection fails. The internet returns and shes given a list of ten ports of entry where she can request one of the 1,450 appointments issued each day. She picks a location and makes her request. A few seconds of hope and suspense. And then this message appeared on her phone screen: Wait for your appointment. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/australian-govt-recalls-bill-on-combating-misinformation-on-internet-1120990470.html Australian Gov't Recalls Bill on Combating Misinformation on Internet Australian Gov't Recalls Bill on Combating Misinformation on Internet Sputnik International has decided to withdraw a bill that would have allowed media watchdogs to monitor and fine digital platforms for spreading misinformation online. 2024-11-24T16:19+0000 2024-11-24T16:19+0000 2024-11-24T16:20+0000 world australia anthony albanese bill misinformation social media https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/09/1c/1120327371_16:0:1253:696_1920x0_80_0_0_ece8cbfebf11ed7bf36efefbee84bb05.jpg The government introduced the bill in mid-September in an effort to prevent and reduce the spread of harmful misinformation online, while also providing transparency through the publication of risk assessments, policies, and reports. "Based on public statements and engagements with Senators, it is clear that there is no pathway to legislate this proposal through the Senate. The Government will not proceed with the Communications Legislation Amendment (Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation) Bill 2024," the statement read. The bill was criticized by representatives from the ruling coalition, green parties, and senators from independent factions. They argued that it would violate freedom of speech and be considered a censorship law. On Thursday, the Australian government introduced a bill banning children under the age of 16 from using social media. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that social media platforms themselves will be responsible for ensuring that children under 16 cannot create an account, with fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.2 million) for systemic breaches.On Thursday, the Australian government introduced a bill banning children under the age of 16 from using social media. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that social media platforms themselves will be responsible for ensuring that children under 16 cannot create an account, with fines of up to 49.5 million Australian dollars ($32.2 million) for systemic breaches. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/australia-restricts-access-to-social-media-for-children-under-16---government-1120949596.html australia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International australia misinformation bill, australian government recalls misinformation bill https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/biden-vows-to-arm-ukraine-as-much-as-possible-before-trumps-january-inauguration---reports-1120983262.html Biden Vows to Arm Ukraine as Much as Possible Before Trump's January Inauguration - Reports Biden Vows to Arm Ukraine as Much as Possible Before Trump's January Inauguration - Reports Sputnik International US President Joe Biden is trying to strengthen Kiev as much as possible during his remaining time as head of the country before Donald Trump, who won the election, comes to power in late January, Bloomberg reported. 2024-11-24T04:52+0000 2024-11-24T04:52+0000 2024-11-24T04:52+0000 world us joe biden ukraine crisis donald trump ukraine russia nato russia's new oreshnik ballistic missile army tactical missile system (atacms) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/18/1120983948_0:126:3071:1853_1920x0_80_0_0_ea4cfee360719fd5ce32c2cfc0c63c80.jpg This intention explains Biden's latest decisions in the Ukrainian direction, including permission to use long-range missiles and approval of sending anti-personnel mines, the publication said. At the same time, the agency acknowledged that Biden's options were very limited, since most of the remaining money for Kiev could only be used for weapons that are already at the Pentagon's disposal. Thus, too much cannot be allocated, otherwise it will jeopardize the defense capability of the United States itself. According to the agency, the Biden administration considered a possible public call for an official invitation to Ukraine to join NATO, but decided that the likelihood of this call being successful would be too low. Instead, the current US authorities are considering a number of bilateral agreements with Kiev in the security sphere. Russia believes that arms supplies to Ukraine hinder the settlement and directly involve NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov noted that any cargo containing weapons for Kiev would become a legitimate target for Russia.Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised speech on Thursday that Ukraine fired US-supplied ATACMS missiles and the UK's Storm Shadows at facilities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions on November 19. Russia responded by launching a combined strike against a defense industry complex in Dnepropetrovsk on Thursday using the Oreshnik missile. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/putin-russia-strikes-ukrainian-defense-facility-with-new-oreshnik-ballistic-missile-1120955755.html ukraine russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International biden legacy, biden presidency, biden sabotage, oreshnik attack, oreshnik launch, missile attack, zelensky terrorist, terrorist zelenskyy, us terrorist, atacms attack, atacms missiles, atacms munitions, american atacms, us-supplied munitions, us atacms, us arms for ukraine, us aid, us amrs for ukraine, us arms, us aid, arms supplies, funding for ukraine, proxy war https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/israeli-officials-asked-netanyahu-to-ease-position-on-hamas-deal-he-refused---reports-1120983729.html Israeli Officials Asked Netanyahu to Ease Position on Hamas Deal, He Refused - Reports Israeli Officials Asked Netanyahu to Ease Position on Hamas Deal, He Refused - Reports Sputnik International The heads of Israel's security agencies asked Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to soften his position on the deal with the Palestinian movement Hamas, but he refused, the media reported, citing two Israeli officials familiar with the matter. 2024-11-24T04:45+0000 2024-11-24T04:45+0000 2024-11-24T04:45+0000 world benjamin netanyahu middle east palestinians israel gaza strip palestine israel defense forces (idf) hamas https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/08/1118856178_0:96:3072:1824_1920x0_80_0_0_5d6988a3bb8539dc4208b243d98ba267.jpg The heads of the Israel Defense Forces, the Mossad and the Shin Bet told Netanyahu that they believed Hamas was unlikely to back down from its conditions for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip and an end to the war, the publication said. They told him that if the Israeli government was interested in a deal, it should soften its current position, but Netanyahu refused to end the war in exchange for a deal to release the hostages, it added. Netanyahu reportedly justified his position by the fact that such a deal with Hamas would allow the movement to continue its existence. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After that, Hamas militants penetrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. According to the authorities, about 1,200 people were killed on the Israeli side. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords, which included strikes on civilian targets, and announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip: supplies of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicine were stopped. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 43,500 Palestinians have died since the beginning of the conflict, and over 102,000 have been injured. The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to cease hostilities. According to Moscow's position, a settlement is only possible on the basis of the formula approved by the UN Security Council with the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241123/hamas-claims-israeli-hostage-killed-in-strike-idf-says-verifying-report-1120981741.html israel gaza strip palestine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International netanyahu to ease position on hamas deal, israel's security agencies, palestinian movement hama https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/one-lebanese-soldier-killed-18-injured-in-israeli-strike-on-army-post-1120988359.html One Lebanese Soldier Killed, 18 Injured in Israeli Strike on Army Post One Lebanese Soldier Killed, 18 Injured in Israeli Strike on Army Post Sputnik International One Lebanese soldier was killed, 18 others injured in a recent Israeli strike on an army post south of the Lebanese city of Tyre, the Lebanese army said on Sunday. 2024-11-24T13:38+0000 2024-11-24T13:38+0000 2024-11-24T13:38+0000 world israel lebanon hezbollah the united nations (un) middle east israel-lebanon tensions https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e7/0c/04/1115374382_0:100:1974:1210_1920x0_80_0_0_30c6505852b7c6ee2614fd986526dfe9.jpg "One soldier was killed and 18 injured as a result of an Israeli strike on an army position in Al-Amiriya. The facility was badly damaged," the army said on X. Acting Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on X that the targeted attack on the army headquarters indicates Israel's rejection of the ceasefire agreement. The official has also expressed his commitment to continue working toward reaching a ceasefire and has called on international organizations to take appropriate measures in response to Israel's ongoing attacks on Lebanese civilians and military. Since October 1, Israel has been conducting a ground operation against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. Despite suffering losses, the Lebanese movement has been fighting Israeli troops on the ground and launching rockets across the border. Israel says its main objective is to create conditions for the return of 60,000 residents who fled shelling in the north. Though Israel has said it targeted only the positions of Hezbollah, the Lebanese army and UN peacekeepers have reported repeatedly coming under Israeli attacks. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241115/hezbollah-says-attacked-over-10-idf-troop-concentrations-on-lebanon-israel-border-1120891201.html israel lebanon Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International lebanese soldier was killed, lebanese city of tyre, lebanese army https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/russian-foreign-ministry-urges-ukraine-to-confirm-yuzhmash-existence-amid-oreshnik-missile-denial-1120984864.html Russian Foreign Ministry Urges Ukraine to Confirm Yuzhmash Existence Amid Oreshnik Missile Denial Russian Foreign Ministry Urges Ukraine to Confirm Yuzhmash Existence Amid Oreshnik Missile Denial Sputnik International Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on Sunday urged Kiev authorities, who deny the existence of the Oreshnik missile systems, to find out whether the Yuzhmash plant exists. 2024-11-24T06:58+0000 2024-11-24T06:58+0000 2024-11-24T06:58+0000 world russia's new oreshnik ballistic missile russia maria zakharova ukraine kiev foreign ministry yuzhmash army tactical missile system (atacms) kursk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/01/15/1116301155_0:160:3072:1888_1920x0_80_0_0_d24dc0d1f4bdc7929a49ad0b5c5c2126.jpg Earlier this week, the head of the Russian Civic Chamber's commission on sovereignty, Vladimir Rogov, told Sputnik that the Oreshnik ballistic missile had hit the Yuzhmash facilities in Dnepropetrovsk where rockets and strike drones were manufactured. Zakharova said that "terrorist scum" adviser Mykhailo Podolyak, who is an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, claimed that the Oreshnik missile does not exist. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised speech on Thursday that Ukraine had fired US-supplied ATACMS missiles and the UK's Storm Shadows at facilities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions that week. In response, Russia launched a combined strike against a defense industry facility in Dnepropetrovsk on November 21, using its newest medium-range missile, Oreshnik. Moscow also updated its nuclear doctrine earlier in the week. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241123/how-russias-icbm-design-school-laid-the-groundwork-for-the-oreshnik-hypersonic-ballistic-missile-1120980603.html russia ukraine kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian foreign ministry, oreshnik missile systems, yuzhmash plant exists https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/russian-troops-capture-uk-mercenary-in-kursk-region---security-source-1120991059.html Russian Troops Capture UK Mercenary in Kursk Region - Security Source Russian Troops Capture UK Mercenary in Kursk Region - Security Source Sputnik International KURSK REGION (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces captured British mercenary James Scott Rhys Anderson in the Kursk Region, a security source told Sputnik on... 24.11.2024, Sputnik International 2024-11-24T16:40+0000 2024-11-24T16:40+0000 2024-11-24T16:40+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine russia kursk united kingdom (uk) mercenary https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/18/1120990716_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_415f44716183ca12c89488532aa01050.jpg "A mercenary from the United Kingdom, who introduced himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, was captured. He is testifying now," the source said. Ukrainian forces launched an offensive in the Kursk Region on August 6. Their advance was halted, Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said, adding that Russia's operation in the region would be completed by defeating the enemy and reaching the border. The Russian Defense Ministry said that Ukraine had lost more than 35,000 troops in the fighting in the Kursk direction. Russian President Vladimir Putin called the move a large-scale provocation aimed at civilians and vowed a proper response. The Russian Defense Ministry has been warning foreign mercenaries against traveling to fight in Ukraine. Those who do not have the status of combatants under international law are not eligible for protection as prisoners of war, it says. russia kursk united kingdom (uk) Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia, kursk, united kingdom (uk), mercenary https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/russias-update-on-nuclear-doctrine-can-be-considered-signal-to-west---kremlin-1120988505.html Russia's Update on Nuclear Doctrine Can Be Considered Signal to West - Kremlin Russia's Update on Nuclear Doctrine Can Be Considered Signal to West - Kremlin Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putins decree updating Russias nuclear doctrine can be considered as a signal to the West and should not be seen as a coincidence, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in an interview with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin published on Sunday. 2024-11-24T13:42+0000 2024-11-24T13:42+0000 2024-11-24T13:52+0000 world ukraine vladimir putin joe biden russia kiev yuzhmash army tactical missile system (atacms) kremlin kursk https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/16/1119457055_0:134:3164:1914_1920x0_80_0_0_7b2f35448965997caa45c66599b18eaf.jpg "Surely, there cannot be any coincidences here. There is certain consistency," Peskov said, when asked about the doctrine update. The spokesman added that Russia constantly has to respond to unprecedented escalation incited by the West. And the United States is continuing to take even more reckless steps to escalate the Ukrainian conflict, the spokesman added. When commenting on the Oreshnik missile strike, Peskov said that Putin had sent a clear signal to the West in September. Peskov added that a "frenzy" among decision-makers in Washington had led to the current situation. Peskov also said that the Biden administration had effectively halted dialogue with Russia, adding that "political foresight" is in short supply in Washington. "During the election campaign, [US President-elect Donald] Trump spoke about his intention to somehow ensure peace and bring everyone into a peaceful course. And now they are trying to escalate the situation so much that these peaceful conditions are doomed to failure," the spokesman said. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised speech on Thursday that Ukraine had fired US-supplied ATACMS missiles and the UK's Storm Shadows at facilities in the Kursk and Bryansk regions this week. In response, Russia launched a strike against a defense industry facility, the Yuzhmash plant, in Dnepropetrovsk on November 21, using its newest medium-range missile, dubbed Oreshnik. Moscow also updated its nuclear doctrine earlier in the week.US President Joe Bidens outgoing administration's decisions on Ukraine are an attempt to take revenge on President-elect Donald Trump for his victory in the presidential election, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has said.Bidens administration is trying to leave "some kind of heritage" to Trump and bring him to bay in the Ukraine conflict settlement, Peskov added.The statements about the possibility of Kiev obtaining a dirty bomb are dangerous and represent much more than "play with fire," Dmirty Peskov said.Earlier this month, UK newspaper reported, citing a report prepared by Ukrainian researchers for the Defense Ministry, that Ukraine could develop a nuclear bomb within a few months if the United States reduces military aid to Kiev. Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said later that Ukraine does not possess nuclear weapons, does not intend to create them, and closely cooperates with the International Atomic Energy Agency. However, Kievs existing capabilities allow it to create a dirty bomb, Lt. Gen. Igor Kirillov, the head of the radiological defense troops of the Russian armed forces, has said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241119/nuclear-doctrine-changes-signal-russias-willingness-to-take-on-global-power-obligations---expert-1120928505.html ukraine russia kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian president vladimir putin, nuclear doctrine https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/senator-graham-threatens-allies-with-sanctions-if-they-assist-icc-in-arresting-netanyahu-1120983186.html Senator Graham Threatens Allies With Sanctions If They Assist ICC in Arresting Netanyahu Senator Graham Threatens Allies With Sanctions If They Assist ICC in Arresting Netanyahu Sputnik International US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has threatened US allies with sanctions if they try to help the International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 2024-11-24T04:33+0000 2024-11-24T04:33+0000 2024-11-24T04:33+0000 world us genocide war crimes ethnic cleansing lindsey graham benjamin netanyahu joe biden israel gaza strip https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/18/1120983444_0:0:2893:1628_1920x0_80_0_0_7b5e48a21c94be058ce3f371e2930fd7.jpg "To any ally Canada, Britain, Germany, France if you try to help the ICC, were gonna sanction you," the senator said on Fox News.When asked about the nature of such sanctions, Graham doubled down on his threat, saying the US should "crush" the economies of countries that support the ICC's efforts.On Thursday, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant over alleged war crimes in the Gaza Strip. The court also dismissed Israel's objections to its jurisdiction over such cases. Israel has consistently challenged the ICC's authority to hear cases related to Palestine as a whole. US President Joe Biden called the ICC's decision "outrageous."Since October 1, Israel has been conducting a ground operation against the forces of the Lebanese Hezbollah movement in southern Lebanon and continues aerial bombardment of the neighboring country, where more than 2,500 people have already been killed, including leaders of the Shiite movement, and more than a million people have become refugees. Despite losses, including in the command staff, Hezbollah is waging ground battles and does not stop firing rockets at Israeli territory.On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. After that, Hamas militants penetrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians, and took more than 200 hostages. According to the authorities, about 1,200 people were killed on the Israeli side.In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords, which included strikes on civilian targets, and announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip: supplies of water, electricity, fuel, food, and medicine were stopped. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, more than 43,500 Palestinians have died since the beginning of the conflict, and over 102,000 have been injured.The Russian Foreign Ministry called on the parties to cease hostilities. According to Moscow's position, a settlement is only possible on the basis of the formula approved by the UN Security Council with the creation of a Palestinian state within the 1967 borders with its capital in East Jerusalem. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241122/italy-canada-uk-to-arrest-netanyahu-to-comply-with-icc-ruling-1120958263.html israel gaza strip Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International lindsey graham, arrest warrant, netanyahu arrested, yoav gallant, us supports israel, genocide, ethnic cleansing, 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, killings of civilians, civilian infrastructure, civilians dead, civilians die, israel kills civilians, civilian casualties, civilian deaths, indiscriminate shelling, indiscriminate killing, war crimes https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/trump-taps-sebastian-gorka-as-senior-director-for-counterterrorism-whats-his-stance-on-ukraine---1120989182.html Trump Taps Sebastian Gorka as Senior Director for Counterterrorism: Whats His Stance on Ukraine? Trump Taps Sebastian Gorka as Senior Director for Counterterrorism: Whats His Stance on Ukraine? Sputnik International What is Sebastian Gorka's stance on the Ukraine conflict? 2024-11-24T15:00+0000 2024-11-24T15:00+0000 2024-11-24T15:00+0000 world us donald trump sebastian gorka ukraine ukraine crisis proxy war nato volodymyr zelensky vladimir putin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/18/1120989008_0:43:3490:2006_1920x0_80_0_0_c10709ad4b17b13b57215b63bd616053.jpg Sebastian Gorka worked in Trumps first administration as an advisor on counterterrorism. Trump has touted Gorka, born in the UK to Hungarian parents, as a legal immigrant to the United States, with more than 30 years of National Security experience. Gorka is known as a pro-war hawk. What has he said about the Wests proxy war in Ukraine? When the West is weak and there isn't robust leadership from the White House for example, then bad guys do this kind of thing. They make hay when the sun shines, Gorka said when the Ukraine conflict escalated in February 2022. He added: We need to bolster NATO nations, we need to arm Ukraine [] to give them as much lethal force that they need to fight for themselves, and make sure that Russia understands that there is a tripwire, and that tripwire is any NATO nation. Sending unaccountable pallets of cash to any country is dumb. I dont care whether its Afghanistan, the Ukraine, or whether its Iraq. A, its not good geopolitics, and B, it smacks of corruption, Gorka said in a January 2023 podcast. He speculated that the US must bear part of the moral burden for developments in Ukraine, noting that We, the Americans, convinced post-communist Ukraine to give up all its nuclear weapons. To give them to who? To Moscow. "If you think Ukraine doesn't matter, I've got a wake-up call for you, they're coming after the rest of the former Soviet Union, and we will not be able to say Sorry, that doesn't matter to us," Gorka said in an interview in February 2023. He emphasized that sending blank unaccountable checks to Kiev is insanity. [Ukraine needs] ammunition, artillery shells, the US intelligence target packet [] to make the Russians bleed. Donald Trump will bring Vladimir Putin and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky to the negotiating table, Gorka said earlier in November. He will tell Zelensky that certain things have to be sacrificed, getting Crimea back is probably off the table right now, and he is going to tell Putin Look, if you think that the last few years were bad, the aid given to Kiev will look like a picnic if you dont stop the fighting, Gorka said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241114/ukraines-bluster-about-making-nuclear-bomb-if-trump-scraps-us-aid-is-desperate-blackmail---analyst-1120883976.html https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/biden-vows-to-arm-ukraine-as-much-as-possible-before-trumps-january-inauguration---reports-1120983262.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Svetlana Ekimenko Svetlana Ekimenko News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Svetlana Ekimenko who is sebastian gorka, tapped by trump as senior director for counterterrorism, what is sebastian gorka's stance on ukraine conflict, what has sebastian gorka said about ukraine conflict https://sputnikglobe.com/20241124/us-plan-for-fiji-buildup-follows-hijacking-of-island-nations-democracy-to-flip-it-against-china-1120990000.html US Plan For Fiji Buildup Follows Hijacking of Island Nations Democracy to Flip It Against China US Plan For Fiji Buildup Follows Hijacking of Island Nations Democracy to Flip It Against China Sputnik International Lloyd Austin became the first Pentagon chief ever to visit Fiji, with his two day trip Friday and Saturday including talks on a new "status of forces" pact which would allow US troops to ramp up their presence in the South Pacific Ocean island nation. A leading Asia-based politics and finance analyst explains what's at stake. 2024-11-24T17:31+0000 2024-11-24T17:31+0000 2024-11-24T17:31+0000 analysis china fiji us ministry of public security pentagon https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/0b/18/1120990211_0:0:1280:721_1920x0_80_0_0_735657178ca128e355920caf230ec02d.png The US defense secretary's Fiji trip signals a clear shift of the Fiji Islands from being pretty much pro-China to being pro-US, pro-Australia and New Zealand, Hong Kong-based international affairs and economics observer Angelo Giuliano told Sputnik, commenting on the country's gradual pivot toward Washington.Fiji used to have a security agreement with China, Giuliano recalled, referring to the 2011 memorandum between Chinas Ministry of Public Security and the Fijian Ministry of Defense, National Security and Policing, which allowed Fijian police to receive training in China, and for Chinese officers to be deployed on the islands.In late 2022, elections forced Fijis China-friendly PM out, replacing him with Sitiveni Rabuka, a retired major general who instigated or was involved in four separate coups between 1987 and 2006.China did not try to influence the politics within Fiji because it goes against Chinas philosophy of noninterference in other countries affairs, Giuliano said, recalling that the PRCs approach is grounded in engaging nations through trade.US efforts to force Fiji to pivot toward Washington are designed to further American control of the Pacific, but arent as concerning to China as tensions over the Philippines, Taiwan, etc., the observer believes.Washington's push to maintain hegemony in the South Pacific is linked to its longstanding efforts to keep other powers from challenging its dominant standing in the broader Pacific region, and to set up a series of "island chain" defenses aimed at containing China's naval capabilities, with Fiji situated smack dab in the middle of the so-called "third island chain."Sputnik recently documented US efforts to dislodge another China-friendly government - using a campaign of election influence in the Solomon Islands through the US Agency for International Development. Like Fiji, the Solomon Islands' government ran afoul of US strategy and plans for the region by signing a security pact with China in 2022. The China-friendly government survived the vote and successfully formed a new governing coalition. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241123/fiji-on-the-frontline-how-americas-pacific-strategy-seeks-to-squeeze-china-1120981469.html china fiji Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2024 Ilya Tsukanov Ilya Tsukanov News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Ilya Tsukanov did us overthrow fiji government, why is us interested in fiji, is fiji pro-us or pro-china Rhyma Castillo is a trending reporter for the Express-News and a member of its Digital Go Team. She can be reached at rhyma.castillo@express-news.net. A native of San Antonio and a Texas A&M University graduate, she is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. She has reported on politics, immigration, climate change, gun violence, and workers rights. Additionally, she excels in lifestyle and entertainment writing, covering music, television, video games, technology, and relationships. In her free time, she enjoys painting, drawing, cooking, hiking, climbing, gardening, playing video games, cuddling with her cats, and making music with her band. James MacDonald completed a sweep of the Ontario Sired Harvest Series finals on Saturday, Nov. 23 at Woodbine Mohawk Park, delivering with favoured Stony Burke and Brudon. In the $35,400 Harvest Series final for three-year-old male trotters, Stony Burke ($5.30) made his way to the top down the backside after a :28.4 opener and then didn't relinquish his lead after that. Carving out middle panels of :58.1 and 1:27.3, Stony Burke opened up a lead by more than three at the head of the lane and that was enough to repel the late challenge of Market Banker (Chris Christoforou) for the 1:57 decision. Market Banker and Major Bank (Trevor Henry) completed the top trio. "I felt strong and I tried to get a couple lengths in the last turn," noted MacDonald after the win. "And like you said, I got to re-move pretty easy, I got there unscathed and and he felt good in the last turn, so I was confident I had enough to get home. But you never know...Chris' horse was so good last week. So I was waiting to hear from him." Stony Burke (Muscle Mass - Royaltys Pearl) surpassed six figures in earnings with the victory, his fourth lifetime, for trainer and co-owner Julie Walker of Carlisle and co-owners Nancy Holmes of Clinton, Ont., Yvon Parmentier of N-D-Ile Perrot, Que. and 1035840 Ontario Inc. of Arthur, Ont. The sophomore colt's bankroll now stands at $108,468. Brudon ($3; pictured above) provided MacDonald with a different route to the winner's circle in the Harvest Series final for three-year-old pacing colts and geldings, but the voyage was just as successful for the series sweeper. Set up second over around the far turn and heading for home, the 1-2 choice steamrolled past his rivals in the stretch to pick off late leader Lotto Max (Doug McNair) for the 1:52.4 tally, winning by 1-1/2 lengths. Brightside Maseo (Jody Jamieson) was just back of the top tandem to complete the triactor ticket. After an 0-for-16 start to his sophomore season, Brudon (McWicked - Summer Thriller) has now won his last three starts for trainer Carmen Auciello and owners Frank Lamacchia of St. George, Tony Miceli and Deanmar Sons Stable of Mississauga, Ont. "A lot of it is just starting to get it," Auciello told post-race interviewer Randy Waples of the gelding with $57,837 in earnings. "You get those horses that are really green, and you can tell they have ability, but they just haven't been able to show it to you. All of a sudden the last four starts, I'd say he's just starting to learn and get it. And, you know, he's really starting to pay off." In addition to the two Harvest Series finals, the Saturday card at Mohawk also featured a robust and accomplished sextet of pacing mares in a $36,000 Preferred Pace. Originally slated as a septet but reduced to six with the sick scratch of last week's winner Sylvia Hanover, the public supported the Nick Gallucci-trained duo of Silver Label and Prohibition Legal. But it was Dabarndawgswatchin ($22.40) and Trevor Henry in the winner's circle after the dust settled. After Prohibition Legal (Jamieson) and Tells On A Roll (Travis Cullen) fronted the field through fractions of :26.1 and :55.2, Henry angled Dabarndawgswatchin out of third ahead of favoured Silver Label (McNair) to challenge for the lead. After a 1:23.4 third station, Dabarndawgswatchin headed Tells On A Roll turning for home. Silver Label flipped off Henry's helmet in midstretch and appeared poised to pass, but Dabarndawgswatchin showed bark and bite to hold on for the 1:51.1 tally. A nose shy of the leader was Silver Label, with Prohibition Legal in the show spot. With her 25th career win, six-year-old Dabarndawgswatchin (Hes Watching - Addison Bay) lifted her lifetime earnings to $735,460. David Menary trains for owner Julia Ferguson of Greely, Ont. Alain Carrier's homebred pacing colt G A Speed Expert made his local debut a winning one to extend his current win streak to five. After a pair of wins at Hippodrome 3R and and another two at Rideau Carleton Raceway, the three-year-old son of Sportswriter - Surprise De Mars prevailed in a $18,000 conditioned event for driver Trevor Henry and trainer David Pilon. For the results from Saturday's card of harness racing in Campbellville, click the following link: Saturday Results - Woodbine Mohawk Park. (Standardbred Canada) This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Science fiction has long been a window into possible futures, often anticipating technological advancements and societal shifts with surprising accuracy. While AI is now widely recognized for its practical useslike natural language processing and pattern recognitionscience fiction often brings more captivating and thought-provoking perspectives. Movies and shows have depicted AI and robots both as harmonious and menacing, imagining futures where technology seamlessly integrates into daily routines. These stories spark important conversations about how AI might shape our world. In a recent study with Carmela Cucuzzella, dean of the Faculty of Environmental Design at Universite de Montreal, and Negarsadat Rahimi, a doctoral researcher examining the impact of facade design on sustainability and livability in the city, we explored how AI can be harnessed to raise environmental awareness and foster meaningful community dialogues. AI for environmental education and action Public spaces like streets, squares, transportation hubs and vehicles create ideal environments for fostering community interaction, raising awareness and promoting environmental action. One effective way to raise awareness and educate people in public spaces is through eco-art, which has a powerful emotional impact and can inspire individuals to adopt more eco-friendly behaviors. Our study examined the potential real-world applications of AI and other futuristic technologies as represented in science fiction series like Black Mirror, Westworld and Altered Carbon. Trailer for Season 1 of Westworld. Sci-fi technologies seen on TV We conducted a survey asking people how likely it is they would want to see various sci-fi technologies from these series become a reality. The survey included 30 participants from North America and Europe, recruited through social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Instagram and X. The top two preferred technologies were smart screens and mirrors (grouped together as one category) and smart assistants with voice activation; self-driving cars and flying vehicles were among technologies which followed. This indicates a preference for safer, low-impact innovations. In contrast, the least favored technologies were simulated reality, AI-driven behavioral prediction, social media rating systems for human interaction and AI humanoids. These choices reveal a reluctance towards AI's deeper involvement in social interactions often depicted in shows' dystopic visions. We also interviewed Ozgur Ozkan, CEO of Keymate.AI, who noted that popular culture influences tech innovation by driving public demand and investor interest, crucial for major developments. On AI's environmental impact, he argued that while AI could be used to reduce waste, its energy demands and the push for cost reduction could undermine true sustainabilitya problem also flagged by computing and energy researchers. Environmental public communication We developed two contrasting future scenarios related to how governments can communicate with people about the environment and sustainability. The first, scenario, "Participatory Communication in the Public Realm," envisions safer technologies with a focus on individual control and strict regulations. AI would be used to enhance public spaces like parks and libraries to encourage community collaboration on environmental education. Data privacy is safeguarded by strong regulations, balancing technological progress with social welfare. In the second scenario, "AI-Operated Social Structure," our society permits less regulated technologies, prioritizing surveillance. Minimal regulation would allow advanced AI to offer personalized services in urban areas, focusing on individual data harvesting to be leveraged for corporate profit. AI algorithms gather personal data from citizens, identify patterns and customize the environmental content to suit individuals' needs and learning styles. However, privacy concerns arise due to the lack of data protection. These scenarios are both plausible. The key question is: how can we design safe and inclusive public spaces to foster discussions on environmental issues and sustainability? Public spaces should be welcoming to diverse communities and promote a sense of belonging. Technologies like virtual reality and augmented reality offer opportunities to create new digital spaces for interaction and collaboration, though they also pose challenges in maintaining meaningful human connections. Environmental impact AI technologies have the potential to support sustainable practices. But the substantial energy demands of advanced AI systems must be carefully managed to prevent undermining their environmental benefits. Generative AI requires massive amounts of energy to even train the models, not to mention using them. Policy researchers suggest AI will intensify greenhouse gas emissions, consume increasing amounts of energy and demand bigger amounts of natural resources. Yet AI also offers opportunities for optimizing energy use. For example, AI can be used to track behavioral patterns to adjust energy use in buildings. We should do our best to use AI efficiently and for good causes. Stakeholders such as designers, architects, engineers, policymakers and educators should create sustainable solutions for its applications and use the technology in meaningful ways. Energy-efficient AI? New technologies are being developed to support energy-efficient use of AI. For example, a recent breakthrough from Massachusetts Institute of Technology introduces new "nanoscale" transistors that solve energy limitations of traditional silicon-based devices like smartphones. These transistors work efficiently at much lower voltages. Implementing thoughtful policies and developing innovative energy-efficient and environmentally sustainable solutions matters for steering AI towards sustainable and ethical uses. Additionally, emphasizing the artistic and design elements of public space experiences can enhance their value and accessibility for everyone. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. The judge in Donald Trump's criminal hush money case ordered on Friday that sentencing be delayed indefinitely, a legal win for the President-elect as he prepares to return to the White House. Trump was convicted of 34 felony counts in May after a jury found he had fraudulently manipulated business records to cover up an alleged sexual encounter with a porn star ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors argued that concealing the alleged tryst was intended to help him win his first run for the White House. Trump, who had been scheduled to be sentenced on November 26, had fought against any effort to sentence him before his return to the presidency in January. "It is... ordered that the joint application for a stay of sentencing is granted to the extent that the November 26, 2024 date is adjourned," said judge Juan Merchan in an order. Trump's legal team have cited a Supreme Court ruling giving presidents sweeping immunity for official acts. That landmark ruling saw the court, with a 6-3 conservative majority, decide that presidents have sweeping immunity from prosecution for a range of official acts committed while in office. Ahead of the election, Trump's lawyers moved to have the case thrown out in light of the Supreme Court decision, a move which prosecutors have firmly rejected. On Friday the judge granted Trump leave to seek to have the conviction thrown out, likely meaning several further hearings that could be delayed once Trump is sworn in. "The defendant's request for leave to file a motion to dismiss... is granted," added Merchan's order. In a separate 2020 election interference case, Special Counsel Jack Smith moved to vacate deadlines, delaying the case indefinitely -- but not yet dropping it outright. The move was in line with long-standing Department of Justice policy not to prosecute sitting US presidents. The Manhattan prosecutor previously acknowledged in correspondence with the court that "these are unprecedented circumstances" and called for the competing interests of the jury's verdict and Trump's election to be balanced. Trump's former attorney general Bill Barr previously said that both the New York case as well as others around the country had been "plainly brought for political purposes (and) have now been extensively aired and rejected in the court of public opinion." Trump has repeatedly derided the hush money case as a witch hunt, saying it "should be rightfully terminated." Alongside the New York case, brought by state-level prosecutors, Trump faces two active federal cases: one related to his effort to overturn the 2020 election and the other connected to classified documents he allegedly mishandled after leaving office. However, as president, he would be able to intervene to end those cases, and Smith, the special counsel handling both cases, has reportedly begun to wind them down. A Trump-appointed federal judge already threw out the documents case, but Smith had sought to appeal that decision. British oil giant invests in $7 billion gas project in Indonesia By Vietnam News Agency Sun, November 24, 2024 | 10:12 am GMT+7 UK oil giant BP announced a joint $7 billion project with its partners to exploit nearly 85 billion cubic meters of gas in Tangguh, West Papua province of Indonesia. UK oil giant BP plans to invest in a $7 billion project in Indonesia. Photo courtesy of The Peninsula Qatar. The agreement was signed in the framework of the visit to the UK by Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. In a statement, BP said the great investment demonstrates its confidence in Indonesia's investment environment. The project includes the development of the new Ubadari gas field and enhanced gas recovery through through carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). It will expand and utilize existing infrastructure at the Tangguh liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility in Papua Barat. Production at the new field is expected to begin in 2028. According to BP, the new project will be the first large-scale CCUS project to be developed in Indonesia, with the potential to separate about 15 million tonnes of CO2 from Tangguh's emissions in the first phase. ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover is the founder of the Chauncy Glover Project, a program to mentor and empower young black and Hispanic boys. Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle The Chauncy Glover Project, a mentoring program for Huoston boys, culminates in a performance of There is a King in Me! at the Hobby Center. Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! at the Hobby Center on Friday, June 22, 2018, in Houston. (Annie Mulligan / For the Houston Chronicle) Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan The Chauncy Glover Projects second annual Black Tie Gala carried the theme There is a KING in ME! It was held at the Hobby Center. Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan KTRK (Channel 13) anchor Chauncy Glover provides mentorships and scholarships for black teens through his Chauncy Glover Project. Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan Scenes from the Chauncy Glover Project's Second Annual Black Tie Gala There is a KING in ME! Annie Mulligan, Freelance / Annie Mulligan ABC13 anchor Chauncy Glover Elizabeth Conley, Staff photographer / Houston Chronicle In the moments before showtime at Hobby Center for Performing Arts, the 55 young boys who are part of the Chauncy Glover Project arrive backstage looking like kings. They stand tall in their sharp tuxedos. Not a wrinkle or a worry, even. The boys have been preparing for this moment all year as part of the mentoring and college-preparatory program founded by KTRK (Channel 13) anchor Chauncy Glover. During the yearlong program, the students participate in tutoring, team-building activities and leadership training that culminates with a black-tie gala in which they perform an original play written by Glover and based on the boys lives. Advertisement Article continues below this ad One of the best moments for me is when they finally get dressed, and they are peeking out from behind the curtain to see all of the people in the audience who have come to see them, Glover said. A lot people dont understand what that does for them. If they stand up there on stage and kill it in front of a crowd like that, they leave the stage and go to college believing they can do anything. This year, the production of There Is a King in Me! captivated a packed audience filled with educators, such as Grenita Lathan, interim superintendent of Houston Independent School District; politicians, including Mayor Sylvester Turner and Councilman Dwight Boykins; and community leaders, including the Rev. William A. Lawson as well as the parents each boy brought to the stage during a monologue ending with I promise to make you proud. The Chauncy Glover Project is the 33-year-olds spiritual calling, and a way to empower black and Hispanic boys who often get lost in the world. Some need a father figure who wont let them down. Others need someone to give them hope. All of them need to know they are kings, he said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad They need reinforcement as to how great they are because a lot of them have been through tough times, Glover said. When youre homeless and dont have what other kids have, you dont think you are great. Or when you are trying to find out who you are, people can isolate you and think you are less than. This entire group needed to be reminded that they are kings. Glover, an Emmy Award-winning reporter, started the program while working in Detroit in 2014. After witnessing a teen robbery suspect die on the scene, he arranged to meet with 15 of the teens male high school friends. Glover began to mentor the boys each week, bringing them food and offering direction. I had never seen anyone die, but I cried for this boy, he said. He was a good kid who just got caught up. I wanted to make sure his friends didnt go down the same path. Glovers mentoring centered on the motto, I am confident. I am respectful. Im faithful and powerful. I am a leader, which he had the boys repeat out loud over and over. Glover funded the effort for the first year and a half out of his own money. Then in 2016, he founded a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was able to raise funds to grow the effort. He continued running the program in Detroit even after he moved to Houston in 2015. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Glovers passion for helping boys become men comes from his strong relationship with his parents, Robert and Sherry Glover, who live in Madison, Ala. He grew up in a close-knit family with a younger brother, Marchas, who died in a car accident in 2012. A lot of people think I started this because I was one of those families who grew up without a father or in a bad home, he said. It was the exact opposite. I had a great family and have an exceptional dad. But what makes me go hard with this program is that I cant imagine my life without my dad in figuring out life. Hes taught me so much, from how to change a tire to balancing my budget to dealing with people, and being a good Christian and a good man. As a boy, Glover was drawn to TV news. His dad built him a pretend anchor desk so that every Sunday after church Glover could report the family news and gossip right from his living room. He went on to graduate with a degree in journalism from Troy University in Troy, Ala., getting his first TV job as a reporter in Columbus, Ga. He took at TV job Jacksonville, Fla., for two years, then worked in Detroit for three years before moving to Houston. Here, the Chauncy Glover Project started with 40 boys from Wheatley High School, Navarro Middle School and Foster Elementary. It has since grown to include 10 area schools. Glover recruited Christina Porter, a school counselor at Hamilton Middle School in Cypress Fairbanks ISD, to work with the program. Chauncy has an amazing vision, Porter said. Hes very passionate about helping these boys, and we share that passion. We want to see them succeed, and to see them be successful is the ultimate satisfaction. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Bimonthly meetings focus on academic and writing skills, grooming and etiquette, public speaking, financial responsibility and helping students identify and apply for scholarships. The project has received support from the community, including Marcus Davis Breakfast Klub restaurant, which has provided food for the boys at every meeting over the past year, and the Houston Parks and Recreation Department, which provides meeting space. We dont force this upon these kids, Glover said. We guide them and encourage them. They ultimately decide to become brothers. Theres a lot of power in that. Glover demands the boys commit to meetings; two unexcused absenses will get them dropped from the program. This school year, the program recieved 280 applications and selected 55 boys with 15 volunteer mentors, black men working in various professions. Curtis Bell, a culinary arts instructor at Westside High School with his own meal-prep business, has been a mentor in the program since 2016. At the beginning of the year, the boys are pretty reserved, and some are really closed off, Bell said. But when the boys see you care, they start to really express themselves. Advertisement Article continues below this ad At Hobby Center, Glover watches the boys onstage performance like a proud parent. He has become a father figure, a mentor and friend. Many of the high school seniors onstage announce where they will be attending college this fall. Since the program started five years ago, Glover has sent more than 100 black young men to college. The first one is set to graduate this fall from Eastern Michigan University. A lot of our kids were not even thinking of college when they got accepted into the program. Now, they are headed to college, Glover said. Ive won awards for my work, but the work Ive done with these boys is the proudest thing Ive ever done. South Carolina State University alumna Dr. June Graham-Bethea is the 2024 Professor of the Year for the College of Graduate & Professional Studies and the university overall. Graham-Bethea was not always focused on a career in speech pathology and audiology. Growing up in Marion, she only knew she wanted to help others. So when she started her undergraduate studies at South Carolina State University, she researched which disciplines might fulfill that quest and interviewed some professionals in those areas. Speech pathology was top on the list, she said, and after taking classes in the department here at SCSU, I knew that I found what I really wanted to do and a home away from home. Having earned both her bachelors and masters degrees at SC State, Graham-Bethea completed her Ph.D. at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in North Carolina. She spent more than 30 years in Greensboro before returning to SC State as an assistant professor in 2022. It did not take long for her to establish herself as a leader. She has served as the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiologys acting chair since fall 2023. Less than a year later, she was named SC States Professor of the Year for the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and the overall university. She has been married for 37 years to Malcolm Bethea and has two adult daughters, Kiersten Bethea and Carmen Bethea. University Relations recently asked Graham-Bethea a series of questions about experiences and her role at SC State. Q: What has inspired you during your journey as an academic? Graham-Bethea: My students are my inspiration! My students inspire me to be the best that I can be and my hope is that they see me as an inspiration to them. Throughout my journey in academia, I have been profoundly inspired by the intellectual dance with my colleagues -- those who innovate and create technologies that transform the way we teach and learn. However, what drives me most is witnessing the success of students who face challenges yet persevere. The collective support and mentorship provided to these resilient students often lead them to not only overcome obstacles but to thrive in their academic pursuits. Their determination and triumphs are what ignite my passion for teaching and inspire me every day. Q: How would you describe your teaching philosophy? Graham-Bethea: My teaching philosophy centers around fostering critical thinking and independent learning. All students have the potential to learn and grow, but as a professor, I feel that I must model and encourage resilience and persistence. I think that we must tailor our instruction to individual needs and create an inclusive environment where students feel safe. Additionally, as professors we must facilitate learning where students are encouraged to take ownership of their learning through exploration, inquiry and collaborative problem-solving. I incorporate activities that promote analysis, evaluation and synthesis of information challenging my students to question assumptions and multiple perspectives. I am genuinely passionate about the work that I do and hope that my students see this in everything that I do. Q: What drives you as a teacher and/or researcher? Graham-Bethea: Student success is at the heart of my teaching philosophy. Every lesson I craft and every interaction I have with my students is fueled by the desire to see them excel. As a researcher, I am motivated and driven by the need for innovation and mentorship in education. I strive to contribute to the existing body of evidence that showcases new pathways to academic success. It is this commitment to enhancing student outcomes that drives my work and fuels my passion for both teaching and research. Q: What in your career are you most proud of? Graham-Bethea: I am most proud of returning to my alma mater and serving as an assistant professor and the acting chair for the Speech Pathology & Audiology Department, where I am impacting the future of the profession. I am also most proud of the work that I have been able to do with those who are communicatively impaired. Q: What has been your most exciting or valuable experience in your career at SC State? Graham-Bethea: The most exciting and valuable experiences that I have had here at SCSU involve working with the most wonderful people in the world and serving our students because they are the greatest and deserve the highest level of educational rigor that we can provide. It has been my honor and my obligation to provide those experiences to and for them. Q: Tell us about a personal challenge you have encountered and how it affected your life. Graham-Bethea: One of the most significant personal challenges I have faced was relocating to Orangeburg to take on the role of assistant professor while also being close to my mother. The passing of my mother less than a year after my move was an incredibly difficult experience. This loss profoundly impacted my life, teaching me the importance of resilience and the necessity of cherishing every moment. It has reinforced my commitment to mentoring students, as I understand firsthand the value of support during challenging times. Q: Tell us about an anecdote from your life that would allow people to know you better. Graham-Bethea: Growing up as a country girl in the rural town of Marion ... shaped my identity and aspirations. My early experiences of growing up in a one-parent home instilled in me a strong motivation to pursue higher education and build a prosperous life. I had high school teachers and principals who served as my mentors and encouraged me to envision a future where I would thrive as an educated woman. This humble beginning is a reminder of where I came from and resonates with many who know me, as it reflects my journey toward personal and academic fulfillment. Q: Is there anything else we should know about you and your experiences at SC State? Graham-Bethea: My journey as an educator is defined by the success of my students, a commitment to innovation in teaching, and the personal experiences that shape who I am. I am honored to be recognized as Professor of the Year, and I remain dedicated to inspiring the next generation of leaders and learners. Mentees with the Chauncy Glover Project, a mentor program for inner-city youth, are recognized by senior pastor Dr. Marcus C. Cosby during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Mentees with the Chauncy Glover Project, a mentor program for inner-city youth, comfort each other as they get emotional while speaking during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Dr. Christina Porter, project coordinator with the Chauncy Glover Project, a mentor program for inner-city youth, speaks during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Congressman elect and former Houston mayor Sylvester Turner speaks during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Violinist Jamie Perry performs during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Mentees with the Chauncy Glover Project, a mentor program for inner-city youth, wear gold jackets as they are recognized during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Mentees with the Chauncy Glover Project, a mentor program for inner-city youth, are recognized during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor The Chauncy Glover Ensemble performs during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor Congresswoman elect Erica Lee Carter reads letters from President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris sent to the parents during a memorial service for the ABC13 news anchor and personality Chauncy Glover, held at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024 in Houston. Michael Wyke/Contributor In a little more than an hour, pews packed with church-goers in their best attire heard the late Chauncy Glover described as everything from a "party waiting to happen," to a Southern gentleman, a fashionista, a trailer-park kid whose hairbrush turned into a reporters microphone, a man who threw his head back when he laughed and a man who was "born to enrich the lives of others." The late ABC13 anchor, who died on Nov. 5 of this year, was in shorter words, remembered at a Celebration of Life at Wheeler Baptist Church on Saturday afternoon as a lot more than a news anchor. This shows how much he meant to Houston, not just as someone who was on television, but as someone who was just a good brother, Pastor Marcus Cosby said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Glover was remembered as a late churchgoer, too. Cosby, with an undeniably warm smile, told attendees of how often he watched Glover shuffle into the overflow after service already started. Cosbys point was that Glover still made the time; the time to praise, to call his inner-city kid mentees in between broadcast commercial breaks, to dash to a coworkers babys christening and to learn the names of every elected official, barber and bus driver in just the first week he spent in Houston after moving from Detroit, noted his ABC13 colleague, Melanie Lawson. He did more in 39 years than most of us could do in a century or two. He was born to enrich the lives of others, Lawson said. You could feel his laugh through the screen, Lawson said. Everyone thought they were his best friend. And maybe, everyone was right. The service, which boasted tall bouquets of red roses and white hydrangeas, cardboard cut-outs of Glover, gospel ensembles and three large projector screens playing documentaries from Glovers time leading his nonprofit mentoring program, The Chauncy Glover Project, was a public affair and a private one, too. The pews caught attendees as they rose and fell through standing ovations and song. Hallelujahs, hands, and even one gold-capped cane swung spiritedly in the air for the ensembles performance of Is My Living in Vain. The pews were readied with tissues, too, for the tears that lapped out during I Know Who Holds Tomorrow. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The speakers a group that included colleagues, kids in Glovers mentorship project, former Houston City Council Member Dwight Boykins, Congresswoman Erica Lee Carter and former Mayor Sylvester Turner spoke in a mix of fond, personal memories of their relationships with Glover and proud announcements of commemorations bestowed upon the late anchor from elected officials up and down the ballot. A resolution in the sanctuary to honor the life and legacy of Chauncy Glover was announced from the office of County Attorney Christian D. Menefee. Houston Mayor John Whitmires office proclaimed Nov. 3, 2024 as Chauncy Glover Day. And Erica Lee Carter, who recounted Glovers deep friendship with her mother, the late Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, presented a letter of sympathy from President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. She saw his passion for uplifting young men and our community, Carter said of her mother, Sheila Jackson Lee. Its up to you to keep his legacy and spirit alive, she said, to the young Black boys of the Chauncy Glover Project, who then lined up styled in gold suit jackets in front of the crowd. When I first joined the project, I didnt say a word because I thought everyone would judge me, Jerry Ledoux III, a mentee, said to the crowd. Chauncy told my mom, Dont worry. I got him. Chauncy said Jerry is gonna be my personal mentee, and he said it with a big smirk on his face. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ledoux III said when he was a senior in high school, he had it embedded in his head that he would not attend college. But Chauncy was serious about education. He didnt play, said Ledoux III, who is now a junior at Texas Southern University, majoring in broadcast journalism to follow in Glovers footsteps. The one thing the project taught me is to persevere through rough times. The Chauncy Glover Project has since 2013 mentored 1,000 disadvantaged young men and sent 350 to college in scholarships. Lawson told the story of how Glover came to launch the project after he went to cover a breaking news story in Detroit where a teenager from Martin Luther King High School was shot to death in a failed robbery. Advertisement Article continues below this ad [Glover] watched the teen take his last breath. He couldnt sleep at night, Lawson said. I know a lot of reporters. Only he turned that in a way to help people. When Former Mayor and Congressman-elect Sylvester Turner took the stage for the final speech of the afternoon, he said, as reporters are interesting people, that he wasnt sure he could become close with Glover. Glover "had reached out to me, but I said to him, I know youre a brother, but youre still a reporter. I dont know if we can be friends, Turner said. But soon enough, Turner said his guard came down. He owed the shift not only to the work Glover did with young Black men that Turner admired, but also to Glovers personality itself. Theres something about him that pulled you in, Turner said. If I were still the Mayor, Id present a proclamation, too. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some people are long-distance runners that will be around for a long time. But God designed [Glover] to be a sprinter. He wasnt supposed to run a lot of laps, but the lap he did run, he ran it hard. And Turner did present a proclamation of his own kind one that though unofficial, may have superseded Whitmires, at least in the eyes of church-goers, who whooped and roused for Turners announcement as the services final violins kicked in. Gia vang the gioi sang nay ap sat moc 3.000 USD/ounce muc ky luc chua tung co trong lich su. Trong nuoc cung khong ngoai le, khi lan luot tang tu 700 en 1 trieu ong/luong. "Vang ang trong thi truong tang gia dai han. Chung toi du bao gia se giao dich trong khoang 3.000-3.200 USD trong nam nay", Alex Ebkarian, giam oc ieu hanh tai Allegiance Gold cho biet. Adrak Developers has announced the soft launch of its premier residential and commercial project - Yenaier - which is set to redefine luxury living in Oman by blending the nations rich cultural heritage with modern elegance. On completion, the freehold development located within the Sultan Haitham City project will offer residents with more than 700 apartments, spanning studio units to three-bedroom homes as well as a range of commercial space. The landmark project, expected to be a cornerstone of Omans urban scenery, was announced during the Urban October and Home Building exhibition, the largest event in urban planning in the Sultanate of Oman. It coincides with key global events like World Habitat Day, World Cities Day, and World Architecture Day, focusing on urban planning, real estate, and construction. Speaking on the project, the Adrak Developers Chairman Dr. Thomas Alexander said Yenaier (Arabic for January) symbolises renewal and fresh opportunities. "As Omans throne month and a time for cultural celebration, January holds deep significance for the nation and serves as the perfect inspiration for this new community. Yenaier reflects Adrak's commitment to excellence, embodying the warmth, optimism, and cultural pride that characterize Omani heritage," he stated. During the exhibition, which hosted industry leaders, stakeholders, and prospective residents, Adrak Developers shared exclusive insights into the architectural marvels and lifestyle enhancements that Yenaier will offer. Designed as an oasis of comfort, the development will feature a blend of modern amenities and natural landscapes, encouraging an active outdoor lifestyle, said Alexander. Residents will have access to carefully curated spaces that embrace Omans favorable January climate, with lush green parks, communal areas, and opportunities for outdoor activities that honor Omani traditions. Alexander pointed out that Yenaier was more than a residential project - its a tribute to Omani culture and the spirit of renewal that January symbolizes. "We envision a place where residents can celebrate life and foster a strong sense of community while being surrounded by the natural beauty of Sultan Haitham City," he added. Adrak Developers confirmed that Yenaiers grand launch is scheduled for January 2025, with off-plan sales opening the same month. Dr Aadil Alexander, Executive Director, said: "We are honoured to collaborate with the Ministry of Housing for the remarkable Sultan Haitham City project by launching Yenaier. Our vision for this modern luxury development focuses on creating refined, thoughtful spaces that seamlessly blend comfort, exclusivity, and high-end finishes." "Designed for all nationalities, the project aims to foster an integrated community where individuals can live, socialize and thrive within an environment of balance and elegance," he stated. Work on the project is likely to start in April next year with completion milestones aligning with Omans ambitious urban development goals, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Bahrain's Labour Fund (Tamkeen) said it has won the 'Best Workplace' recognition from the international organization Great Place To Work, as part of the official ranking for the Kingdom of Bahrain for the period from November 2024 to November 2025. This award comes as a result of Tamkeens continuous efforts to build a work environment that fosters productivity and excellence, which the organization has achieved through the adoption of policies that promote equal opportunities, the promotion of flexible work models, and a strong focus on continuous training and development. Tamkeen said these efforts are rooted in its core institutional values, which include leveraging innovation, enhancing positive impact, fostering effective collaboration among team members, and consistently delivering an exceptional customer experience. The award was granted based on a trust index and a comprehensive culture review survey conducted among Tamkeens team members, gathering feedback on the work environment and the key factors driving institutional performance, it stated. On the top recognition, Eman Al Sharif, the Chief Human Resources Officer at Tamkeen, said: "We are proud to receive this recognition, which reflects our commitment to building a productive corporate culture and our focus on empowering talent across various roles to play their effective part." "This contributes to delivering the best solutions and programs that support our main goal of enhancing the status of local talent as the choice for employment in the job market," she stated. Lauding Tamkeen's achievement, Jules Youssef, the Managing Director of Great Place To Work for Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, said: "We warmly congratulate Tamkeen on earning the Best Workplace certification in Bahrain. This achievement reflects Tamkeens dedication to cultivating a positive and inclusive work environment, fostering a culture that values every team member and instills pride within its workforce. "Great Place To Work is one of the world's largest organizations specializing in developing workplace environments and providing consulting services for human capital development across various institutions. The organization also publishes an annual list of the best workplaces worldwide," stated Youssef. Tamkeen is a leading institution in adopting policies that empower employees and create a work environment based on equal opportunities, adopting flexible work models and launching initiatives that encourage active employee contributions toward achieving institutional goals. Al Sharif said Tamkeen had previously won the "Innovation in Employee Engagement" award at the 10th Annual GCC Government HR Summit. Additionally, it received the HRH Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Award for Women's Advancement in the official institutions category. "This recognition was earned due to Tamkeen's dedication to tailoring internal policies and procedures to enhance the work environment, promote family-work balance, and adopt high levels of institutional flexibility. These efforts ensure greater women's participation and productivity across various roles," she noted. This achievement in alignment with Tamkeens 2024 strategic priorities focused on economic impact and the private sector under three pillars: increasing economic participation through new employment opportunities for new entrants, expanding career development opportunities available to Bahraini workforce, and further developing the private sector by supporting enterprises and boosting productivity and adoption of technology, she added.-TradeArabia News Service The Saudi Ministry of Energy has announced that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has officially joined the International Partnership for the Hydrogen and Fuel Cells in the Economy (IPHE), as part of its ongoing efforts to foster international collaboration in developing this vital sector. This accession marks a major step for the Kingdom, reinforcing its pioneering role in global sustainability efforts and in innovating advanced solutions for clean energy, reported SPA. It aligns with Saudi Arabias ambition to become a key producer and exporter of clean hydrogen, and to achieve greenhouse gases (GHGs) net-zero through the circular carbon economy approach by 2060, or before depending on technology maturity and availability. Saudi Arabias involvement in IPHE underscores its commitment to international cooperation as a cornerstone for attaining a more sustainable energy future, stated the report. The move also supports the objectives of the Saudi Green Initiative and Middle East Green Initiative , which focus on reducing carbon emissions and stimulating global demand for clean hydrogen. It also aims to contribute to the development and harmonization of regulations and standards that bolster the clean hydrogen economy. IPHE serves as a crucial platform for fostering collaboration among member states to expedite the advancement and deployment of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The partnership is dedicated to exchanging knowledge, supporting relevant research and technologies, and raising awareness about the importance of clean hydrogen in achieving sustainable development, said the SPA report. In this spirit, Saudi Arabia actively participates in numerous international organizations and initiatives linked to the production of clean and low-emission fuels, including the Innovation Mission Initiative, the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting, the Zero Neutrality Forum for Producers, the Global Methane Initiative, and other related efforts. Aqualia, one of the worlds leading companies in water management and desalination sector, continues to build a legacy of innovation and sustainability in Saudi Arabia, contributing significantly to the kingdoms water sector. Through its strategic partnerships and cutting-edge technologies, Aqualia is playing a pivotal role in supporting Saudi Vision 2030, with a focus on water sustainability, resource management, and expanding access to clean water, said the company in a statement. A leading water management company owned by the citizen services group FCC (51%) and Australian ethical fund IFM Investors (49%), Aqualia is the fourth largest in Europe by population served and ninth largest in the world. At the heart of Aqualias operations in Saudi Arabia are three major projects that demonstrate the companys commitment to advancing desalination technologies - the North Cluster, South Cluster, and the operation and maintenance of Haji Abdullah Alireza & Company Integrated Services (HAAISCO). These initiatives are central to Aqualias efforts to support the kingdoms growing water demand and ensure the efficient use of resources across the region. One of the key achievements in Aqualias portfolio is the Seawater Reverse Osmosis (SWRO) desalination plant at King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah. With the ability to produce 42,500 cu m of fresh water daily, the plant exemplifies Aqualias commitment to delivering sustainable water solutions that adapt to changing environmental conditions. This project is a testament to the companys ability to combine efficiency and sustainability, providing Saudi Arabia with the resources it needs to meet its water challenges head-on, said the statement from Aqualia. Serving over 30 million travellers annually, including Hajj and Umrah pilgrims, the plant provides a sustainable solution by optimising energy efficiency and reducing emissions, ensuring a reliable and eco-friendly water supply to meet the demands of one of the busiest airports in the region. In addition to the Jeddah airport desalination plant, Aqualia said it is actively involved in other critical projects such as Sea4Value, a cutting-edge initiative that focuses on extracting valuable resources from seawater. This project, which will be showcased at the IDRA World Congress in Abu Dhabi next month, highlights Aqualias innovative approach to desalination beyond just water production. "Moreover, Aqualias MIDES Project, which explores the future of microbial desalination, has garnered international attention," said a company spokesman. "The project is a clear example of how Aqualia is driving the next generation of sustainable desalination technologies," he stated. Aqualia's work in Saudi Arabia extends far beyond individual projects. The company remains committed to supporting the kingdoms sustainable development goals, ensuring that water resources are managed effectively for future generations. With ongoing projects like the North and South Clusters, and the O&M of HAAISCO, Aqualia is setting the standard for water management in the region, stated the spokesman. As Aqualia continues to expand its operations in Saudi Arabia, it remains focused on delivering innovative, sustainable, and scalable water solutions that align with the Kingdoms Vision 2030 and help secure the future of water for all, he added.-TradeArabia News Service Lucia Salas stood outside an apartment in west Houston frantically calling local women's shelters at midnight, looking for a safe place to house a woman who police said had just been assaulted by her boyfriend. The woman, who was seven months pregnant, sat inside an apartment with its door frame cracked and splintered. The apartment was rented by the her friend, who had taken her and her 1-year-old child in earlier that evening. But her boyfriend found her, Salas said, and kicked in the door before beating and attempting to strangle the woman. The call they received that night in mid-October was a familiar one for the civilian advocates and officers assigned to the Houston Police Department's Domestic Abuse Response Team (DART). Salas, a victim's advocate with DART, is in her late 20s and has worked with the department for a year and a half. In that time, she's responded to hundreds of incidents like this one, and weekends are generally when DART receives the majority of its calls for service, she said. Luckily, DART does have a contract with one of the womens shelters here, but it took us a long time to build that relationship and even then were not always able to find a bed, Salas said as she waited to hear back from one of the shelters. That gives me a bit of solace, because when we can get someone in a shelter, that opens up a lot of other resources we can provide them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A man kicked in an apartment door to assault his intimate partner, she said, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at an apartment in west Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer This case, she said, was challenging because she needed to find somewhere that could take in the woman, her child and the friend who took them in a tall order for the understaffed and often-overburdened women's shelters. DART Victim Advocate Lucia Salas, a licensed master social worker, tries to coordinate a shelter stay for a woman, her child and her friend after her intimate partner kicked in her door and strangled her Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at an apartment complex in west Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer For the woman, its a brief moment that could determine the rest of her life a chance to escape violence and fear she said had dominated the last few years of her life. It's a feeling Salas has experienced herself. Much of her childhood, she said, was colored by family violence. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Back then I felt like no one could see my humanity like no one was there for me, Salas said. So being able to be there for someone in one of the worst moments in their life, to really see their humanity, thats why I do this. Personal experience with domestic violence can make it easier to empathize with victims, but it can also amplify the emotional toll of an already stressful job. People return to their abusers or refuse to file charges, shelters often lack the space to accommodate victims on short notice and abusers are sometimes quickly bailed out of jail, she said. But that night was an exception. Salas looked up from her phone at the officers waiting patiently nearby she found somewhere that could house the trio for the night. A DART team from the Houston Police Department interviews a woman who said her intimate partner kicked in the apartment door and strangled her in front of their son Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at an apartment in west Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Houston Police Lt. Olga Gonzalez scans for calls related to intimate partner violence as she works another scene Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in the Midtown neighborhood in Houston. A man said his wife changed the locks on their home after assaulting him earlier in the day. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer DART Officer J. Bass, left, and Lt. Olga Gonzalez speak with a woman who said she was assaulted by her intimate partner Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at an apartment complex in west Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Sr. Vitcim Advocate Brittany Miller fills out paperwork related to a domestic violence call after a woman said she was assaulted by her intimate partner Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at an apartment complex in west Houston. Miller said she was first on the scene. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer DART Victim Advocate Jeanne Aladin speaks with a man who called police Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in the Midtown neighborhood in Houston. The man said his wife changed the locks on their home after assaulting him earlier in the day. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Overcoming the barriers DART is a specialized unit of HPD formed in 2020 to combat domestic violence and connect victims with resources like housing and counseling services. Comprised of a patrol officer and an unarmed, civilian advocate, DART teams serve as a liaison between victims of abuse and city services geared toward helping them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad As an advocate, Salas does not carry a badge or a gun. She's armed only with information, much of which is contained on a blue tri-fold pamphlet HPD provides crime victims. The "blue cards," as Salas called them, contain resources and contact information for various organizations in and around Houston. Sometimes they don't want to go to the hospital because they don't have medical insurance, they don't have access to transportation, theyre worried about their job stuff like that," Salas said. DART Officer M. Guerrero interviews a woman who said she was assaulted by her intimate partner Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, at an apartment complex in west Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer ACTIVISTS WARN OF INCREASE: Houston area domestic violence organizations report uptick in calls after Beryl Cutting through red tape is what DART does best, according to Salas. She can help victims terminate their leases early, write excuse letters for work and even provide Visa gift cards to help victims get back on their feet. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It's an important role, because those obstacles are often used as leverage by abusers, according to Lt. Olga Gonzalez, a 22-year veteran of HPD who occasionally oversees DART operations. Like Salas, Gonzalez's personal experience with domestic violence as a child has equipped her with an understanding of how abusers operate. At the time, I didn't feel like I had any control over the situation at all, and that's one of the things that inspired me to become a police officer, Gonzalez said. Houston Police Lt. Olga Gonzalez scans for calls related to intimate partner violence as she works another scene Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in the Midtown neighborhood in Houston. A man said his wife changed the locks on their home after assaulting him earlier in the day. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer The struggle for control is often what defines intimate partner violence, Gonzalez said. Its a deadly game of push-and-pull between the abuser, who feels a need to exert absolute authority over their partner, and the victim, who often struggles to regain some feeling of agency over their life, she said. But every situation is different, which means advocates must approach each incident delicately, Salas said. Untangling the web of factors that can trap someone in a violent situation is often a fraught process, and DART advocates must be careful to avoid triggering a trauma response. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Whenever I go in, a big part of what I do is I don't try to ask them verbatim what they went through, because I don't want to re-traumatize them, Salas said. I just focus on the simple stuff. Questions like: How are you doing as a person not a victim in this moment? What do you need? DART Victim Advocate Lucia Salas, a licensed master social worker, tries to coordinate a shelter stay for a woman, her child and her friend after her intimate partner kicked in her door and strangled her Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, at an apartment complex in west Houston. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Close to a quarter of Houstons homicides this year involved some level of domestic violence, according to data provided by HPD. Previous reporting from the Chronicle found that number represents a significant uptick from 2023, during which time around 18% of homicides were found to involve domestic violence. Its a problem that has prompted local leaders to take action. In late October, sources who work closely with HPD told the Chronicle that the department is gearing up to establish a family violence division, which would mark HPDs first new division since 2018. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Houston Police Lt. Olga Gonzalez talks with Sgt. C Corgey, left, and DART Officer E. Powell as they respond to a scene Friday, Oct. 18, 2024, in the Midtown neighborhood in Houston. A man said his wife changed the locks on their home after assaulting him earlier in the day. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Looking forward Five DART advocates work for HPD, although the department said a sixth is in training and should be ready to join the team soon. Even with the added help, DART has their work cut out for them. According to publicly available data published by the Harris County District Attorneys Office, there are more than 15,000 defendants awaiting trial for domestic violence cases, with close to half classified as fugitives. A 2023 study from the University of Houston called for expanded investment into programs such as DART and the various shelters and support groups that make up the citys safety net. While outreach is an important part of the process, real headway will only be made if its coupled with robust social services, the report stated. The lack of a strong safety net is acutely felt by Salas and other advocates operating at the ground level. Frustration with various aspects of the system as a whole is something she grapples with regularly. Sometimes you just have to remember that this isn't about you, its about the victim, she said. There have been many times where Ive had to fight back tears of frustration, but its all about keeping a healthy mindset. I go to therapy. I have a support network of friends that help me cope. This is a stressful profession, and dealing with your emotions is just part of the job. Nokia has announced a five-year expansion of its multi-year agreement to supply Microsoft Azure with datacenter routers and switches. Nokias data center networking portfolio will enhance the scalability and reliability of Azure datacenters around the world. The partnership will grow Nokia's global footprint to over 30 countries and strengthen its role as a strategic supplier for Microsoft's worldwide cloud infrastructure. The new agreement also builds upon the companies existing collaboration around open source SONiC, and highlights Nokia's continued innovation in developing and expanding SONiC capabilities, including in the area of chassis-based support for high-capacity network roles within the datacenter. As part of the expansion, Nokia said it will supply its 7250 IXR-10e platform to deliver multi-terabit-scale interconnectivity within Microsofts datacenters. Nokia will also continue to deliver its custom developed management top of rack switch that is used extensively throughout the Azure network. The Nokia SONiC-based data center routers and switches will be deployed both in greenfield locations and used in support of Microsoft's migration from 100GE to 400GE connectivity within existing facilities. This will enable Microsoft to meet increasing traffic demands for years to come with Nokias exceptional networking performance and reliability. Deployment of the Nokia 7250 IXR-10e will begin in February, it stated. Vach Kompella, the Senior Vice President and General Manager of IP Networks business at Nokia, said: "We are pleased to move to the next phase of our relationship with Microsoft by expanding the agreements product scope, geographical reach and time commitment to five years. As a result of this new deal, Nokia will further increase the scalability and reliability of Microsoft Azure datacenters around the world." "This win affirms Nokia's commitment to being a strategic supplier for tier one hyperscaler companies, and highlights that our multi-year strategic investments and approach have put us on the right trajectory," he stated. David Maltz, Technical Fellow and Corporate Vice President, Microsoft Azure Networking, said: "As leaders in the advancement of cloud compute, we are continuously expanding our global footprint to support the massive growth in compute workloads." "Over the past six years we have worked with Nokia's engineers to develop their routers running SONiC to rapidly advance our expansion at the quality our customers demand," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Batelco, part of the Beyon Group, has signed up Almoayyed Contracting Group to develop Bahrain's first-ever White Space Data Center. The new facility will be strategically located within the Beyon Data Oasis and adjacent to a scalable solar farm highlighting the projects emphasis on both sustainability and innovation. Batelcos new White Space Data Center will cater to a wide array of customers, including cloud providers, AI-driven platforms, content delivery networks, internet exchanges and global submarine cable systems, leveraging the latest technologies to meet their evolving needs, said Beyon in a statement. Once completed, the facility will stand as the largest and most power-dense in the kingdom, ensuring high availability, redundancy and industry-leading energy efficiency, it stated. "We are excited to partner with Almoayyed Contracting Group for the construction of our new White Space Data Center at the Beyon Data Oasis," said Batelco Chief Global Business Officer Hani Askar after signing the agreement with Almoayyed Contracting Director and CEO MT Mathews, in the presence of officials from both companies. "The facilitys modular design provides a flexible, scalable infrastructure, perfectly suited to the high-density and technically sophisticated demands of our clients. This facility embodies our commitment to delivering customized solutions that can adapt and grow with our customers evolving needs," he stated. Askar pointed out that this project aligns with Batelco's ongoing strategic goal of establishing a robust digital infrastructure that positions it as a leader in Bahrains digital transformation. "With this new white space data center, we are ensuring that Batelco is future-ready and equipped to support the expansion and growth of the digital sector in the Kingdom, in line with the Economic Vision 2030," he added. Mathews said the Batelco White Space Data Center will be built with sustainability at its core, leveraging the solar farm for a greener and more energy-efficient approach to data centre operations, aligning with global standards for green data center practices. "It is our honour to contribute to this important venture, and we are committed to ensuring the timely completion of this project. The Batelco Data Center is a pivotal project in advancing Bahrains telecommunications landscape and its completion will be an important addition to the digital technology projects within the Kingdom," he added.-TradeArabia News Service Students from New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) have won the Adnoc-Bloomberg UAE Energy Investment Academy 2024, the second phase of the annual Adnoc-Bloomberg Trading Challenge, held at the Abu Dhabi International Petroleum Exhibition & Conference (Adipec), this unique competition allows students in the UAE to showcase their expertise in data analytics and commodities trading within a real-world energy context. Meera Almarzooqi, Mariam Alhosani, Afra Alshehhi, Sultan Aljallaf, Nada Al Mosheky and Reem Almarzooqi from NYUAD were named the winners for their well-crafted strategy and impressive understanding of market dynamics. The winners are eligible for internships with Adnoc Global Trading. A total of 40 students comprising eight teams from five universities across the UAE participated in the challenge, with five teams advancing to the final round. BloombergNEF (BNEF), a strategic research provider covering global commodity markets and the disruptive technologies driving the low-carbon economy transition, played a key role in designing this phase of the challenge, which focused on the future of commodities and climate technologies. The Adnoc-Bloomberg UAE Energy Investment Academy aims to qualify the next generation of Emirati graduates. The university team simulated a real-world investment environment, developing comprehensive reports and specialised financial strategies for the energy sector. Dr Hassan Al Mheiri, Acting Assistant Undersecretary at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, praised the importance of this challenge, emphasising the ongoing collaboration between the ministry and the strategic partners in supporting initiatives that enhance students' skills and keep pace with labor market demands. He added that these efforts contribute significantly to realising the UAE's vision of building a diversified knowledge-based economy driven by sustainable innovation. The second phase of the annual trading challenge, which forms part of the Adnoc-Bloomberg for Education Initiative, is a collaborative effort by Adnoc, the Ministry of Higher Education and Bloomberg that aims to support the UAEs next generation of graduates. Using Bloomberg Terminals and guided by BNEF analysts and industry experts, teams from competing universities simulated analyst workflows and commodity trading strategies, culminating in research reports presented to a jury of energy sector experts. Saif Al Falahi, Executive Vice President, Group Business Support & Special Tasks, Adnoc said: We are proud of the commitment and exceptional talent displayed by all the students in the Adnoc-Bloomberg Energy Investment Academy Challenge 2024 and warmly congratulate the winners of this year's competition. The challenge provides an excellent platform to catalyze the development of our nations youth in financial and commodity trading and Adnoc will continue to support educational initiatives such as this as we foster a knowledge-based economy in the UAE. Giuseppe Netti, Regional Head of Enterprise Sales, Middle East & Africa, Bloomberg said: The years competition once again highlighted the exceptional talent emerging from UAE universities. The students demonstrated remarkable skills in understanding and applying real-world financial data to tackle complex challenges within the energy sector. As the UAE continues its journey toward a knowledge-based economy, it is encouraging to see these young professionals play a key role in driving the countrys future economic success. In 2019, Adnoc, Bloomberg, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement and develop a training programme to equip future generations of UAE students with the financial skills needed to thrive in todays dynamic and globally connected world. To date, this partnership has supported over 9,000 students, with 100 Bloomberg Terminals installed across five of the UAEs leading universities - Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi University, UAE University, New York University Abu Dhabi, and the Higher Colleges of Technology. -TradeArabia News Service AlDyar AlArabiya, a leading real estate developer in Saudi Arabia, has appointed JLLs Hotels & Hospitality Group as its exclusive hospitality advisor for a landmark hotel project within the Masar masterplan in Makkah. This appointment will leverage JLL's real time market knowledge and extensive track record in the kingdom to secure optimal contract terms for its new partner. Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed at Cityscape Global (November 11-14) in Riyadh, JLL will select the most suitable operating partner and negotiate competitive contractual terms for the hotel located at the gateway of the Masar project. Designed to accommodate the growing number of Makkah visitors from overseas as well as residents from across the kingdom, the hotel features rooms, suites, and serviced apartments, and will be managed by an internationally reputed hotel management company. This strategic collaboration embodies a shared commitment to creating a world-class hospitality destination in Makkah, aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 to increase visitor numbers and enhance the Kingdoms stature as a premier global tourist destination. In partnership with AlDyar AlArabiya, JLL will conduct a rigorous evaluation of potential operators to identify the perfect fit for this landmark project. JLLs expertise and deep market insights will guide AlDyar AlArabiya through a holistic, strategic approach to ensure a seamless process from setting objectives to successful contract negotiation and execution. Anchoring a vibrant mixed-use development within Masar, the proposed hotel will offer guests unparalleled convenience and connectivity. With retail offerings integrated into the project and proximity to both a planned mall and the Haramain Railway Station, guests will have access to shopping, dining, and transportation. Naif AlAtawi, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of AlDyar AlArabiya, said: We are delighted to partner with JLL for this strategically important project within the Masar masterplan. Together, we will adopt a transparent and purpose-driven approach in selecting the projects operator and a strategy aimed at achieving optimal value. AlDyar AlArabiya's new focus on the hospitality sector represents a significant investment step aligned with the companys strategic vision to maximize the potential of its real estate projects in Masar Makkah, within Alharam. The Diyar Alharam project, consisting of 12 residential and hotel towers with a total investment of SAR 8 billion, is part of our commitment to delivering innovative real estate solutions that meet the needs of property owners in Makkah as well as visitors to the Masjid Alharam." Aboudi Asali, Executive Vice President and Head of Hotels Advisory, MENA at JLL, said: Partnering with AlDyar AlArabiya on this visionary project within the Masar masterplan is a tremendous opportunity for JLL to bring our deep expertise in the KSA hospitality market to one of the regions most iconic destinations. Our tailored approach to operator selection and contract negotiation will ensure exceptional results, exceeding AlDyar AlArabiya's strategic objectives. We are committed to maximising this assets value and supporting Makkahs growth as it prepares to welcome 30 million pilgrims by 2030, in line with the kingdoms visionary goals. This partnership underscores JLLs commitment to supporting AlDyar AlArabiya in establishing a benchmark hospitality destination in Makkah and setting a new standard for future developments. The project will deliver a distinctive, culturally rich guest experience and drive economic growth, create jobs, enhance infrastructure, and leave a sustainable legacy for the community. JLLs Hotels & Hospitality Group is one of the most active and experienced advisors in the MENA region. Since 2000, JLLs hotel valuation, brokerage, asset management and consultancy services have tracked over 10,000 hotel transactions, collected more than 24,000 hotel profit and loss statements, and analysed insights from over 400 operating agreements to provide clients with unmatched market intelligence and strategic guidance. TradeArabia News Service Riyadh Airports Company (RAC), which manages and operates King Khalid International Airport, has won five awards from the Customer Centricity World Series Awards. These were presented at a ceremony in Amsterdam, Netherlands, which was attended by international government and private sector organizations, reported SPA. RAC won five awards for its outstanding customer focus, including recognition for its digital strategy and customer experience design. On the top recognition, CEO Ayman Abdulaziz AboAba said: "These awards are a source of pride and a great incentive for us at Riyadh Airports to continue our efforts to improve the customer experience and adopt digital transformation initiatives while maintaining innovation and excellence to achieve a competitive level of service regionally and internationally.'' WE all have the power to break down the barriers that have held us back for too long. This was the statement from attorney-at-law and lay assessor of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal Veera Bhajan as she addressed the American Chamber of Commerce for T&T (Amcham T&T) Womens Leadership Conference yesterday. The event was hosted at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain. Students attend class next to a noisy portable AC unit at Cage Elementary School in Houston, TX on September 25, 2024. Cage Elementary, has foundation problems causing cracks and uneven floors in the building. They also have an unreliable central air unit and have to supplement with noisy portable AC units. The school is slated to be torn down and rebuilt. Sharon Steinmann Cage Elementary School principal Deirdre Riordan peels back a poster to reveal cracks in the schools walls on September 25, 2024 in Houston, TX. Cage Elementary, which was built in 1983, has foundation problems causing cracks and uneven floors in the building. They also have an unreliable central air unit and have to supplement with noisy portable AC units. The school is slated to be torn down and rebuilt. Sharon Steinmann A rented and unreliable central AC unit is seen at Cage Elementary School on September 25, 2024 in Houston, TX. Cage Elementary has foundation problems causing cracks and uneven floors in the building. They also have an unreliable central air unit and have to supplement with noisy portable AC units. The school is slated to be torn down and rebuilt. Sharon Steinmann Furniture damaged by water during Hurricane Beryl is seen at Cage Elementary School on September 25, 2024 in Houston, TX. The school is currently Co-located with Project Chrysalis Middle School. Cage Elementary has foundation problems causing cracks and uneven floors in the building. They also have an unreliable central air unit and have to supplement with noisy portable AC units. The school is slated to be torn down and rebuilt. Sharon Steinmann State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles came to Houston ISD in June 2023 with a laser focus on improving academic achievement, a talking point that became briefly overtaken by the public discourse surrounding the district's failed $4.4 billion bond. The bond would have invested $2.3 billion on rebuilding and renovating schools and $1 billion for lead remediation, security upgrades and heating, ventilation and air conditioning improvements. Miles said the investments would have improved "unspeakable conditions at many schools," and many bond opponents said their "no" vote represented distrust in the district's leadership rather than opposition to much-needed school upgrades. Houston ISD currently has 988 portable buildings at 114 campuses, and nearly every campus in HISD reported air conditioning issues in August, according to media reports. The district's failed bond and aging facilities could potentially impact Miles' primary goal, according to several studies that indicate that certain structural deficiencies can affect student performance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Here's how the structural elements of a campus can impact student achievement: Temperature The optimal temperature range for learning appears to range between 68 and 74 degrees, with an ideal temperature of around 72 degrees, according to studies testing students' performance at different temperatures. Studies also point to air flow and quality impacting both students' performance and attendance and a teacher's ability to teach well, said Sapna Cheryan, a social psychologist at the University of Washington who helped conduct a 2014 study on classroom design and student achievement. In a separate 2014 study, 9% of public schools with permanent buildings and 16% of schools with temporary buildings had unsatisfactory or very unsatisfactory air quality. Advertisement Article continues below this ad HISD has been plagued with hundreds of work orders due to heating, ventilation and air conditioning since the start of the school year, which the district's interim chief operating officer of business operations Alishia Jolivette attributes to aging structures. "When we look at the overall construction and designs of our buildings, there's really no consistency, there's no uniformity. We rely on temporary buildings as well, and it's really difficult to keep them cool or warm," Jolivette said in September. Duncan Klussmann, a former Spring Branch ISD superintendent who helped pass what was then that district's largest bond, said heating and cooling older schools can be difficult even with upgraded systems. "When air conditioning really started being installed in schools in the 60s, all of those buildings had to be retrofitted for air conditioning," Klussman said. "Bottom line is, retrofitted air conditioning just does not work as well." In an October safety and security meeting, HISD said it had conducted HVAC upgrades at 33 campuses across the district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ten schools received new HVAC system upgrades with ESSER funds by September, Jolivette said, while 17 received new controls. Eleven others received either controls, boilers, rooftop units or installations with TIRZ funding, Jolivette said. Lighting and noise Excessive external noise within a classroom, including humming HVAC systems, airplane flight paths and road traffic, can also significantly impact student performance. The likelihood of having distracting external noise increases in schools with temporary buildings and can be a more serious concern for students with hearing loss or attention deficits, according to the 2014 study. A classroom with more natural lighting may also correlate to higher test scores, although adding too much daylight could cause discomfort and temperature increases. A school with temporary buildings is more likely to have inadequate natural lighting than those with permanent buildings, according to the 2014 study. Klussmann said having too much fluorescent lighting can also factor into students' comfort and performance. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Schools with a higher percentage of economically disadvantaged students disproportionately struggle with structural deficiencies in lighting, temperature and noise, Cheryan said. "These structural features that are lacking, are especially likely to be lacking in schools with high numbers of students of color or students from lower-income backgrounds," Cheryan said. "So really, it's the most vulnerable students who are bearing the brunt of this." Looking ahead After the bond's failure, Miles said the district would do its best to keep "long-expired" heating and cooling systems running. Advertisement Article continues below this ad "On very hot or very cold days, we are likely going to have to close campuses to keep students safe, Miles said. More frequently, students are going to be forced to learn in conditions that are not ideal, in classrooms that are either too hot or too cold to learn comfortably. Typically, a district would look to adjust the packages that were most unpopular in a failed bond and trim it to its most necessary components. But HISD's next approach may need to be different, said Klussmann, now a clinical associate professor in educational leadership at the University of Houston. "Voters typically vote against the bond because they don't like what's in the package. But in this case, it seems to be that .... it's because their lack of trust and support of the system. So I don't think it's as much about tweaking their package and getting their package correct as it is, they've got to go out and build support among the people who voted against it," he said. Some bond opponents, including parent Brooke Longoria, have said they would support a future bond that includes more community input and transparency, a smaller price tag and a narrower focus on security upgrades and improvements to HVAC systems. Longoria said she was eager for a potential bond and looking forward to Miles' leadership before the superintendent expressed regret at closing schools amid a freeze in January 2024. Two-thirds of schools experienced heating issues during the freeze, according to a Houston Landing report, and Longoria said she felt the administration put student achievement over basic needs by keeping schools open. Still, she said the district could eventually restore trust with more community input. If youre planning to start seeds indoors this season, you likely know youll need a growing medium (packaged, sterile seed-starting mix is ideal), a sunny windowsill or grow lights and, of course, seeds. But have you given thought to what containers youll use? You might be planning to buy rimmed trays, peat pots or compartmentalised plastic flats, but theyre not your only options. With a bit of imagination, you can easily upcycle items you already have while keeping trash out of the landfill and your money in your wallet. Samsung has concluded the beta testing phase of its cloud gaming platform, Samsung Gaming Hub, making it officially available to all Galaxy users. The service allows users to stream and play games directly on their updated Galaxy devices without downloading them, offering a seamless experience that aligns with the growing trend of cloud-based gaming. Initially introduced in 2023 for select regions, including the United States, Samsung Gaming Hub underwent extensive testing to fine-tune its offerings for mobile gamers. Now, the platform is ready for widespread use across North America, marking a significant milestone in Samsung's venture into mobile cloud gaming. Samsung Gaming Hub Brings Cloud Streaming Directly to Devices The Gaming Hub introduces a new level of convenience for mobile gamers. Users can launch and play games instantly via the app, provided they are connected to the internet, eliminating the need for storage-consuming downloads. Samsung also promises improved latency for smoother gaming experiences, though performance still depends on external factors such as internet speed and bandwidth. Moreover, the Gaming Hub is free to use for all Galaxy device owners without requiring a subscription, making it an appealing option for users seeking cost-effective gaming solutions. Samsung Gaming Hub's Notable Limitation Despite its promising features, the Samsung Gaming Hub has a notable limitation it supports only Android-native games. This restriction means users are limited to mobile games available on platforms like the Galaxy Store or Google Play Store. In contrast, competitors such as Xbox Cloud Gaming, Amazon Luna, and NVIDIA GeForce Now offer access to a broader range of titles, including PC and console games, giving them a competitive edge in terms of game variety. Cloud Gaming Platforms Leading the Market Samsung's entry into the cloud gaming market places it in competition with these well-established platforms. Microsoft's Xbox Cloud Gaming is renowned for its extensive library of first-party titles, though it requires an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. NVIDIA GeForce Now is praised for its high performance and broad accessibility, offering smooth gameplay experiences for PC and mobile gamers alike. Meanwhile, Amazon Luna provides a cost-effective option for Prime members, with a growing library of games available at no extra charge. While these platforms cater to diverse gaming preferences, Samsung is carving its niche by focusing on Android gamers and offering a subscription-free service. The launch of Samsung Gaming Hub represents a bold step forward in making cloud gaming accessible to mobile users. Though limited in its scope compared to rivals, its free access and focus on Android-native games could attract casual gamers seeking convenience and affordability. As Samsung continues to refine the platform, the Gaming Hub could play a pivotal role in shaping the future of mobile cloud gaming. For now, Galaxy users can explore this latest innovation and experience gaming without boundaries provided they stay within the Android ecosystem. An outcome long held to be unthinkable for the Colorado River Basin litigation has entered the realm of the thinkable. It may even be likely, in the face of continued river water shortfalls and irreconcilable conflicts between the Lower Basin states including Arizona and the Upper Basin states over how to fix them. The clear possibility of lawsuits loomed large this past week at a public meeting in Phoenix. Top Arizona water officials made the case that the Upper Basin states are only three years away from the point where theyre not sending enough water from Lake Powell downstream to Lake Mead to meet legal obligations set by the 1922 Colorado River Compact. That and the differences between the two basins over how to share the pain of water shortages could spark court fights, an outcome that until now was seen as highly undesirable for many reasons. Not least, its that a lawsuit would blow up and jeopardize a longstanding tradition of collaboration among the basin states. It would also drag out the conflicts over the Colorado almost indefinitely as the rivers supplies continue declining. The 1922 compact divided the rivers water rights between the two basins and set minimum requirements for how much Upper Basin states must send downriver to the Lower Basin states over 10-year periods. Arizona, Nevada and California are the Lower Basin states. Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Wyoming make up the Upper Basin. Litigation would be preceded by what water experts say is a compact call, a never-used tactic in which Lower Basin states would demand that the Upper Basin reduce its water uses to bring releases in line with compact requirements. When you do a compact call, that is akin to dropping a bomb into the process, said David Wegner, a retired U.S. Bureau of Reclamation engineer who still works on water issues as a member of a National of Academy of Sciences Advisory Board. Both basins officials agree the compact requires the Upper Basin states to deliver 75 million acre-feet of water to the Lower Basin over a decade. One big difference arises because the Lower Basin states also make the case and the Upper Basin disagrees that the Upper Basin states must make available another 750,000-acre feet annually over a decade to help satisfy U.S. obligations to deliver twice that much in that time to Mexico. The latter boosts the total delivery obligation to 8.25 million acre-feet the equivalent of eight years worth of Central Arizona Project deliveries to Arizona. There is no provision in the 1922 compact for someone to make a compact call, said longtime water researcher and former Colorado regional water official Eric Kuhn. But the idea of such a call has evolved over the years to mean the Lower Basin states would demand the Upper Basin states curtail uses and deliver more water to the Lower Basin, Kuhn said. The Upper Division states would almost certainly say hell no! The Lower Basin States would then go to court to ask the Supreme Court to force the Upper Division states to implement a compact call to deliver more water, Kuhn said. At the meeting of water officials Monday in Phoenix, Arizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke said he doesnt want Arizona being backed into a corner and taking an unacceptable negotiated deal to avoid litigation. At the same time, he said, I do not want litigation. There is uncertainty with litigation. We see that in other basins, with judges running rivers. Its not good for anybody. Nevada officials declined to comment on remarks by ADWR and Central Arizona Project officials about the possibility of going to court. But Californias Colorado River Commissioner J.B. Hamby said California officials are united with Arizona on the need to enforce the compacts legal obligations if necessary. And a number of local officials, including Tucson City Manager Tim Thomure, said they also would support Arizonas position if it comes to that. A compact call is the elephant in the room on the Colorado River, Hamby said. The risk of conflict will only grow if the Upper Basin states fail to work in good faith with the Lower Basin to achieve basin-wide reductions and sustainable river management. Inaction places the entire Colorado River Basin at risk, including the risk of involuntary curtailments to Upper Basin water users, he continued. These risks are far from hypothetical and have been known for decades they could disrupt major metropolitan areas like Denver and provoke serious conflicts between senior agricultural users and junior urban users within the Upper Basin. The only viable path forward is compromise anything less jeopardizes the future of the entire basin and Upper Basin water users, Hamby said. A giant chasm in viewpoints CAP General Manager Brenda Burman outlined serious concerns at Mondays meeting of the Arizona Reconsultation Committee. Those concerns are that fairly soon, the Upper Basin wont meet its obligation, if annual releases from Lake Powell to Lake Mead stay at their current level of 7.48 million acre-feet until then. If it continues like this, the Upper Basin will be out of compliance, possibly as early as 2027, Burman said. This is happening at the same time the two basins have been deadlocked for nearly nine months over competing proposals for reducing humans take from the Colorado. The Upper Basin proposal calls for the Lower Basin to take all the needed future cuts in water supplies. Thats partly on the grounds that the Upper Basin currently uses far less river water every year than its annual legal share. The Lower Basin is using much less water than it used to, but it still uses significantly more water than the Upper Basin, and when evaporation is considered, it uses more water than its 1922 compact allocation. The Lower Basin proposal says it will swallow the first 1.5 million acre-feet of cuts needed to eliminate its long-standing structural deficit between water use and supplies. But if more cuts are needed, its proposal would split them equally between the basins. The Lower Basin states argue that its not fair to ask them to bear the entire burden of bringing the depleted river into balance. At Mondays meeting, Burman said that under the Lower Basin proposal, the Upper Basins share of cuts would be much less than the cuts it would have to take if the Lower Basin states sued to force the Upper Basin into complying with the compact. I hope this underlines why we believe the Lower Basin alternative is a compromise, Burman said. So far, the Upper Basin has only offered to make voluntary, compensated reductions in water use, but those reductions wouldnt have any certainty and would be pretty small in size, said ADWR Director Buschatzke. The Upper Basin states also want to eventually grow their water use by building additional projects to store and/or divert river water, without regard to their river compact obligations, he said. This is a visceral issue. Theres a giant chasm between the two basins on that point, he said, and it is a bottom line for all three of us (Lower Basin states). Disappointed with Arizona Responding, Becky Mitchell, Colorado River commissioner for the state of Colorado, said, It is disappointing that Arizona is considering destabilizing litigation in the Colorado River Basin. It appears to be in an effort to avoid reducing their uses in sufficient amounts to stabilize the system in a drier future. The Upper Division States have fully complied with the Colorado River Compact, and use millions of acre-feet less than our apportionment every year, said Mitchell, in a written statement. Thats due to what she called strict administration of water rights and regular water shortages on tributaries to the river in the Upper Basin from which farmers draw their water. The Upper Division States alternative suggests that the Lower Basin water users should also take steps to live within the available supply, as Upper Basin water users have done for years, Mitchell wrote. Colorado is committed to working with the other basin states, the tribal nations, and the Bureau of Reclamation towards collaborative and sustainable solutions on the Colorado River. We are prepared to defend Colorados significant interests in the Colorado River. But I believe that the best outcomes, particularly for Arizona and the other Lower Basin States, happen when the states negotiate together, Mitchell said. This moment makes it clear that the status quo is not working. We cannot continue the demand-based management of Lakes Powell and Mead. We must move to a supply-based framework where actual water supplies mean the entire Colorado River Basin is living within the means of the river. 50/50 who would win Legal experts are split over the Lower Basins chances of winning in court over the compact. Kuhn said, Id say its 50/50 as to which side has the better case, but its a certainty that such a case would take years for the court to make an actual decision. Sarah Porter, director of Arizona State Universitys Kyl Center for Water Policy, said she believes the Lower Basin has a pretty strong case if water releases drop below 8.25 million acre-feet annually over 10 years. The Upper Basin states and their legal supporters note the compact required them not to deplete the rivers flow below that level. They say that requirement doesnt apply when the depletion is caused by climate change. But nothing in the compact appears to make an exception for something like climate change, Porter said. Officials did contemplate a long-term drought back in 1922, and there was an understanding that weather was super unpredictable and the risks were allocated, she said. As for the Upper Basins obligation to Mexico, ASU law Professor Rhett Larson noted that the 1968 law that authorized construction of the CAPs canal system makes it explicit that the Upper Basin has an obligation to Mexico. The law makes it a national obligation to satisfy Mexicos water right to the Colorado River under a 1944 treaty. A national obligation is hardly national if it applies only to some of the states, or to one basin, Larson said. But University of Colorado law Professor Mark Squillace said he suspects Lower Basin state officials understand that suing to enforce an alleged compact violation opens a can of worms that would be better off left closed. If the Lower Basin were to sue, the Upper Basin might well choose to defend itself on the grounds that the 1922 compact is void, as a matter of contract law, at least as to its water allocation because it was based upon a fundamental mistake of fact, he said. That mistake, of course, was the assumption that the river would produce on average about 16.9 million acre-feet, which was roughly the amount that was being produced during the period that preceded the compact, he said. Its been far less and is now down to about 12 million. The Lower Basins claim of being entitled to 8.25 million acre-feet a year would leave the Upper Basin with something less than 4 million a year. Whatever one thinks of the compact, this is surely not what the drafters intended, Squillace said. This case could go several different ways, but I think the federal government would get involved before it turns into a bloodbath between the states, said Wegner. ASU water researcher Kathryn Sorensen, however, said the amount of water over which the basins are fighting up to 4 million acre-feet in potential annual cutbacks may be too big to be settled through collaboration. I desperately hope someone pulls a rabbit out of the hat, Sorenson said. With 2 million acre-feet, you may be able to find the right package of wins and losses and tradeoff. At 4 million, those tradeoffs become so enormous, so obstructive, at that point, you might as well play this out and see who wins. What are you left with? You go to the mat. The University of Arizonas administration sometimes seems like a science-fiction monster. You can try to strangle it, smother it, or slice a piece of it off, but it always seems to survive and even grow bigger. Even after the UAs financial crisis came into a view a year ago, it has managed to defy limitations. As weve found out in the last couple of weeks, its even tried to defy physical limits of Old Main. My colleague Prerana Sannappanavar noted Nov. 3 that the University of Arizona responded to its financial crisis by cutting 13 vice president positions, out of a jaw-dropping total of 109. These cuts and the total number include assistant vice presidents, associate vice presidents and senior vice presidents as well as run-of-the-mill vice presidents. Despite those cuts, as Sannappanavar reported Nov. 17, the UA still is managing to spend more on administration this year than it did last year. John Arnold, the UAs chief financial officer, chalked that up mostly to starting a new College of Health Sciences, which created seven new administrative jobs. What we saw was those vice presidents we talked about went away, but we hired other positions that replaced a lot of those, Arnold said in an interview. Thats annoying to say the least. The University of Arizona is universities in general are a hotbed of inscrutable administrative titles often accompanied by inflated salaries, sometimes in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. The total payroll for administration went up by $1.5 million between last year and this. While the numbers tell part of the story, so do certain blindered administrative actions. The Associated Students of the University of Arizona blew the whistle in a Nov. 14 post on Instagram about a planned encroachment by UA administration into the Student Union building, a move that would displace three student programs. The UA administration gave short notice to the leaders of these programs that it would be moving the enrollment management office from its digs in Old Main to the fourth floor of the Student Union. This is the office that oversees admissions, recruits and enrolls new students, conducts orientation and family programs. It also gives the tours to prospective students seen around campus regularly. The offices move as announced would have meant displacement of the students survivor advocacy program, which supports victims of stalking, sexual violence and other serious mistreatment; the office of fraternity and sorority programs; and the Cultural and Inclusive Experiential Learning Opportunities program. ASUA urges senior administration to include students in decisions impacting campus spaces, particularly for organizations providing essential services, the student governments statement said that day. No student group should be displaced without clear communication and viable alternatives. Indeed, after public pressure, the administration reversed course Wednesday and announced it would not be displacing the student groups from the Student Union after all. That obviously was the right choice, but it shouldnt have required a reversal of course it should have been evident from the get-go that student programs take precedence in the Student Union. This should especially be true in the administration of new UA President Suresh Garimella. He has frequently said that the north star at the university should be student success. The way I view my work as a university professor is were all about student success, Garimella told the Faculty Senate Nov. 4. We offer them the most exceptional education possible. How can we enrich the experience of our students while theyre here? That is our north star. Hes also preached the need to emphasize reducing administrative costs above all other costs when belt-tightening is required. In general, as a faculty member, Id say the universities have too many vice presidents, he said. Its not about numbers. Its really about functions. Of course, its going to require constant attention for Garimella to prove that he means what he says. And early signs are inconclusive. It raised eyebrows around the university when Garimella received the high honor of being named a University Distinguished Professor a month after arriving at the university. While that honor could be viewed as more than a reward for good performance at the UA, the fact is, he had never taught a class here. It looked bad, and he shouldnt have accepted the honor. But Garimella can prove his worthiness if he runs the university by the principles he set out at that Faculty Senate meeting. I will always focus on the efficiency of the administrative side, he said. Give me a little time youll see. He can show that by making actual cuts to the cost of administration, not cuts that are quickly backfilled by new, high-paid assistant vice presidents and the like. A South Korean real estate firm and a Malaysian entrepreneur have expressed their interest in projects of property developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, whose chairwoman Truong My Lan was already sentenced to death in one of the biggest corruption cases in history, with an estimated US$27 billion in damages. South Koreas APM Luxe has sent a document to the High People's Court in Ho Chi Minh City, claiming that it is interested in three projects of Van Thinh Phat. They include the 31.5-hectare Nha Rong - Khanh Hoi housing complex at the namesake wharf in District 4, Ho Chi Minh City; the Mui Den Do urban area spanning over 117 hectares and designed to boast a park, a trade center, offices, hotels, a convention and exhibition center, and a high-rise residential area in District 7, Ho Chi Minh City; as well as a complex of a trade center, high-end offices, and apartments covering 3.5 hectares in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. APM Luxe has urged the court to review its proposal and provide support in gaining access to and negotiating potential acquisitions or investments in the projects. The company emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the interests of all parties involved while ensuring full compliance with Vietnams legal framework. APM Luxe was established in South Korea in 2011. The Seoul-headquartered companys legal representative is its chairman Song See Yong. The company has not undertaken any projects in Vietnam but participated in an event in Hanoi in 2018, where it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Hanoi Peoples Committee to explore the development of a trade center complex in the capital. Meanwhile, Malaysian businessman Vincent Tan has expressed interest in Van Thinh Phat Groups 26-hectare 6A residential project in Ho Chi Minh Citys Binh Chanh District. Should the investment procedures be finalized, Lan could potentially secure VND20 trillion ($786.6 million) to compensate victims affected by her legal violations. Vincent Tan. Photo: Berjaya Vincent Tan is the founder of Berjaya Corporation, one of Malaysia's largest conglomerates. In 2023, he transitioned from his role as chairman of the corporation to serve as an advisor to its board, according to information on the firms website. He is now chairman of Berjaya Hills Resort Berhad and U Mobile Sdn Bhd, Berjaya Corporations 2024 report showed. He also serves as the CEO of STM Lottery Sdn. Bhd. and holds directorships in several subsidiaries of Berjaya Corporation and his private companies. Berjaya operates in various sectors but focuses on property development. The firm has invested in Japan, Vietnam, and China. Its total assets exceeded $4.7 billion as of the end of the 2023 fiscal year, according to Berjayas financial report. Data from Forbes indicated that Vincent Tan was a U.S. dollar billionaire in six years, from 2010 to 2016. By April 2024, his net worth totaled $730 million, making him among the 50 richest people in Malaysia. Vincent Tan is well known in Vietnam as he owns many property projects in the country. Nguyen Hoai Nam, CEO of Berjaya Vietnam, an arm of Berjaya Corporation, was nominated to the board of directors of Vincom Retail JSC for the 2023-28 tenure. In April, Lan was sentenced to death in a trial after being found guilty of embezzlement, bribery, and violations of banking rules. In October, she received a life sentence for financial fraud charges in another trial. She was found guilty of obtaining property by fraud, money laundering, and illegal cross-border money transfers. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Vietnam's low-cost air carrier Vietjet officially inaugurated its new direct service connecting Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur during Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam's official visit to Malaysia from November 21 to 23, fostering economic, cultural, and tourism ties between the two countries as well as across Southeast Asia. The launch of the new route comes as Vietnam and Malaysia elevated their bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership, creating new opportunities for collaboration and development. The Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur route will enhance regional aviation connectivity and add further value to economic and cultural cooperation. With seven return trips weekly, the Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur service will serve passengers starting November 28 this year. This marks Vietjets second route connecting Vietnam and Malaysia, following the launch of the Ho Chi Minh City-Kuala Lumpur route in 2016. With this addition, Vietjet will double its weekly flights between the two countries to 14 round trips, catering to the growing demand for travel. The capitals of Malaysia and Vietnam are destinations rich in cultural and historical heritage. Vietnams Party General Secretary To Lam (C) and leaders of Vietnam, Malaysia as well as Vietjet inaugurate the Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur air route. Photo: Vietjet Kuala Lumpur stands out with its iconic Petronas Twin Towers and a diverse culinary scene blending the essence of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cuisines. Travelers can easily explore ecological zones and pristine tropical rainforests from this city. Meanwhile, Hanoi enchants visitors with historical sites like the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and Hoan Kiem Lake, as well as its unique street food culture. It also serves as a gateway to other fascinating destinations in Vietnam, offering unforgettable experiences. Leaders from both Vietnam and Malaysia praised the significance of the new route, expressing confidence that the Hanoi-Kuala Lumpur route will contribute to strengthening bilateral cooperation, deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and promoting the shared development of ASEAN. Vietnamese Party chief Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation visited Malaysia at the invitation of PM Anwar Ibrahim and his spouse. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! A recent Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper report on the impact of cheap imported goods on the Vietnamese market has sparked widespread debate, with many readers expressing a desire to support local products but admitting to their preference for cheaper Chinese products. Reader Le Nga admitted to frequently purchasing Chinese goods on e-commerce platforms, citing their affordability, attractive designs, and variety. "Money is hard-earned, so I'll choose products that are practical, affordable, and appealing, said Nga, hoping Vietnamese businesses adopt a consumer-focused approach to produce practical, high-quality, and competitively priced products. Economic pressures were echoed by reader Rayluan, who pointed out how rising living costs and stagnant wages force consumers to prioritize affordability. Reader Dan recounted buying a Chinese power strip with a three-meter cable for just VND15,000 (US$0.59), delivered from China to Vietnam via Shopee, a popular e-commerce platform, in a week. High domestic shipping fees further exacerbate the issue. Reader Lao Hac explained that shipping costs for small items in Vietnam often exceed their price. For instance, shipping fees for a small item can reach VND30,000 [$1.18], doubling for two items, and surpassing VND500,000 [$20] for larger orders, he said. Reader Lucas also compared shipping costs, noting that delivery from China to Ho Chi Minh City costs only VND18,000 ($0.71), while that from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is some VND36,000 ($1.42). Consumers will always opt for whats good, affordable, and appealing, Lucas said, urging Vietnamese manufacturers to innovate and improve their offerings to stay competitive. Despite the allure of low prices, some readers pointed out the drawbacks of Chinese products. Theyre undeniably cheap and attractive, but they often break within a few months, said reader Hieu Nhoc. Reader Thanh warned that without regulatory intervention, Chinese imports could increasingly replace Vietnamese commodities across various sectors. To address this, reader Lan Anh proposed stricter technical barriers against imports, modeled on practices from Europe, the U.S., and even China itself. Lan Anh also suggested upgrading Vietnams testing facilities, investing in better equipment, and enhancing capabilities to protect domestic industries. She further recommended anti-dumping taxes, removing tax exemptions for goods valued above $5, and stricter regulations for live selling. These could include requiring quality certifications for imported products, licenses for streamers, and clinical trials for pharmaceuticals. Reader Nguyen Van Hien expressed concern that an influx of cheap Chinese goods could bankrupt small domestic manufacturers, causing job losses and reducing tax revenue. Tariff barriers alone wont stop the wave of cheap imports, and appealing to consumers to prioritize Vietnamese goods isnt practical at this stage, Hien said. While acknowledging the need for import controls, reader Tran Thu viewed the influx of foreign goods as a natural outcome of global integration. Tran Thu urged Vietnamese producers to focus on creating high-quality, competitively priced products, improving logistics, embracing technological innovation, and delivering excellent after-sales service to reclaim the domestic market. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! Park Shin Hye was recently caught in a cute moment with ASTRO's Cha Eunwoo at a brand event, and fans and netizens buzzed about the interaction. Audemars Piguet celebrated the opening of its first flagship boutique in Seoul with an event on Nov. 22. It was a star-studded event, with guests ranging from BTS's J-Hope to industry A-listers. Park Shin Hye, who married actor Choi Tae Joon in 2022, seemed to look at Cha Eunwoo with sparkling eyes in a video circulating on social media. Park Shinhye falls in love with Cha Eunwoo pic.twitter.com/MU7VTL9yWb mati - missing eunwoo (@dongminbunny) November 22, 2024 Fortunately, her raw response immediately attracted the attention of the viewers with comments joking that she was "forgetting about her husband" next to the handsome idol-turned-actor. A follower said:" I do not blame her! Cha Eunwoo is too adorable!!" Another wrote: "Nice to see celebs enjoying themselves. But there is no denying their chemistry!" The two stars were subsequently seen having a chat, adding to speculation that the two may hit it off. Netizens reacted to the exchanges online, some joking about Park Shin Hye's supposed fan-girling. "She literally looked straight out of a K-drama! So cute!" one user wrote. Here are other comments from X users: As both actors rise within a public eye that grows with each film, this moment has just added another page to their respective scrapbooks. Vietnamese authorities have confirmed that about 150 sets of human remains recently discovered beneath an alley in Hanoi belonged to ordinary people who died and were buried up to 70 years ago. They also dismissed rumors suggesting the remains were those of soldiers from a Chinese dynasty who died 235 years ago. A representative from the Quang Trung Ward administration in Hanois Dong Da District provided the clarifications on Friday. The remains were uncovered during drainage system upgrades beneath an alley on Tay Son Street. He rejected a hypothesis spreading on social media that these remains came from soldiers of Chinas Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), who died and were buried there after Vietnamese Emperor Quang Trung defeated the invading Qing troops in 1789. This image shows coffins containing nearly 150 sets of human remains that were found beneath Tay Son Street in Dong Da District, Hanoi, Vietnam. Photo: Anh Hung / Tuoi Tre An investigation confirmed that all the remains belonged to ordinary people who were buried 50-70 years ago, the official stated. Approximately two weeks ago, workers renovating a drainage system beneath Alley 167 on Tay Son Street discovered the remains buried nearly one meter below the surface. Local authorities promptly directed relevant agencies to place the remains into coffins and collaborated with Phung Hung Funeral Home to relocate them to Yen Ky Cemetery in Hanois Ba Vi District for reburial. According to the official, this is not the first time remains have been discovered in the area. In the past, similar cases were reported when workers were building foundations for houses or executing other construction projects, the official noted. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! A crash occurred between two motorcycles in Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, leaving two foreign men dead and a female foreigner injured. Police said that the fatal incident happened on Nguyen Thong Street in Phan Thiet City at around 4:30 pm the same day. Aleksei Burygin, a 49-year-old Russian, was steering a motorcycle with his wife, identified as Tatiana Burygin, a 47-year-old Russian, riding pillion on Nguyen Thong Street, heading from the city center toward Ham Tien Ward. His motorcycle collided with another motorcycle ridden by a foreign man, whose identity remains unknown, traveling in the opposite direction near Ong Dia Rock Beach. The crash led to the deaths of the two foreign men. Meanwhile, the woman was injured and rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. Police are investigating the cause of the deadly accident. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Society -- Two foreigners, including a 49-year-old Russian man and another man whose identity remains unknown, died and a 47-year-old Russian woman was injured after the Russians motorbike collided with the unidentified mans motorbike in Binh Thuan Province, located in south-central Vietnam, on Saturday afternoon. -- A family in Dong Nai Province, neighboring Ho Chi Minh City, has placed their four-seater car, which they used for 20 years, on their house gate because they have no parking space but still want to keep it. -- Firefighters rescued seven people trapped in a fire that broke out at an eight-floor house in Hanoi on Saturday afternoon. -- Police in An Giang Province, southern Vietnam said on Saturday that they were keeping a 19-year-old woman in temporary custody as she allegedly threw her three-month-old child into a local canal following a conflict with her husband and his family the previous day. -- A large downpour-triggered landslide occurred in Binh Dinh Province, south-central Vietnam on Saturday afternoon, blocking traffic on a road section. The incident caused no human casualties, a local official reported the same day. -- From November 11 to 17, Ho Chi Minh City recorded over 12,000 dengue fever cases, a 27.8-percent decrease compared to last year. Despite the drop, it was still the highest number of cases logged in a locality in the southern region during that period, according to the municipal Department of Health. -- The Peoples Council in Quang Ngai Province, central Vietnam has ratified a project to upgrade traffic infrastructure in Dung Quat Economic Zone, with a budget of VND350 billion (US$13.8 million). This project is slated for execution between 2024 and 2027. Business -- A South Korean real estate firm and a Malaysian entrepreneur have expressed their interest in projects of property developer Van Thinh Phat Holdings Group, whose former chairwoman Truong My Lan was earlier sentenced to death in one of the biggest corruption cases in history, with an estimated $27 billion in damages. World News -- Countries at the COP29 summit in Baku adopted a $300 billion a year global finance target on Sunday to help poorer nations cope with impacts of climate change, a deal its intended recipients roundly criticized as woefully insufficient, Reuters reported. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! An initiative helping artisans and traditional craft organizations in Hoi An City, central Vietnam gain an online presence claimed an international prize for innovation, an official from the municipal administration said on Saturday. The Kotler Awards 2024 ceremony took place in Ho Chi Minh City on Friday night, where the 'Hoi An - Craft Villages Go Digital' project was recognized as the winner in the 'Impactful Digital & Inno-tech' category. The project, designed to connect artisans and support them in navigating online sales, began with a series of seminars, workshops, and consulting activities, with a view to revitalizing traditional craft villages by leveraging the growth of e-commerce. Despite the sheer number of skilled artisans and a variety of unique products, many craft villages in Quang Nam Province, which houses Hoi An City, are struggling to survive because of their reliance on traditional selling practices. Through the Hoi An - Craft Villages Go Digital initiative, several marketing experts and consultants visited Hoi An-based craft villages and helped the craftsmen utilize technology to elevate handicraft value and reach the global market. Wooden handicrafts on display at the Driftwood Village in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. Photo: B.D. / Tuoi Tre Hoi An City is home to some 50 traditional crafts and craft villages, with many of them being recognized as national intangible cultural heritage. Local authorities are focusing on preserving and promoting these crafts and craft villages for tourism. In particular, Hoi An is a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of craft and folk arts, being honored in late October 2023. The Kotler Awards, prestigious economic accolades founded by professor Philip Kotler, recognizes outstanding achievements and contributions in the fields of marketing, innovation, and leadership in various industries. This is the second time the Kotler Awards has been held in Vietnam. The Southeast Asian nation hosted the awards for the first time in 2022. Like us on Facebook or follow us on X to get the latest news about Vietnam! Presenter Matt Doran is leaving Seven after 7 years with the network, including 5 as co-host of Weekend Sunrise and just over 2 years with Sunday Night. A bit of breaking news from the Doran household, he told viewers yesterday morning. I want to share with you a decision Ive made, with my beautiful wife Kendall and of course in earnest consultation with our beloved Italian greyhound Murphy and that is, after five years at Weekend Sunrise, I will be finishing up at the end of the year. Its something Ive agonised over because its honest to say this is one of the best jobs on earth, but we think its right and at the right time for our little family. While Im sad, and Im doing everything possible presently not to look Mon in the eye, where I am right now is honestly a place of incredible gratitude. For the laughs, the lessons, the tears, the phenomenal sense of life perspective, the carousels of astonishing snacks (even the tofu). It is my unshakeable belief that this role specifically, being entrusted with the telling of peoples most intimate, most personal stories is one of the more privileged positions on the planet. Prior to Seven, Doran was with Foxtel and Network 10 and hosted daily American series Crime Watch Daily. And actually, storytelling is probably at the heart of this decision finding ways to tell stories that break the mould. I came to the Seven Network eight years ago with a background in crime and documentaries, and Im being pulled back in that direction again now, he continued. But I need to take a moment to emphatically and wholeheartedly thank you, our viewers, for allowing me into your loungerooms for the last half-decade. What a monstrous honour to be afforded a few hours of your precious time on your precious weekends no less. That is one thing I have never, ever taken for granted. I am even grateful for the likes of Janet who keeps me humble she stopped me on street and said, you should do the weather every day.. Im assuming she thought I was (James Tobin) Then there are those incredible viewers who have told me that our stories have helped them or changed things for them in some small way.. And probably the thing Im most proud of, is when you write in or say to me gee that segment made me laugh or made me smile. When I say this, I am saying it from the very bottom of my heart you have supported me, in ways I never imagined would be possible. If you would indulge just a moment longer. I would like to thank Kerry Stokes our Chairman for the privilege of this role for the last five years. Anthony De Ceglie and of course a very special thanks to Sarah Stinson the Director of Morning TV she is an incredible leader, one of the best executive producers Ive worked for, and she genuinely cares about her team. Acknowledging co-host Monique Wright he said, There will be time over the next few weeks to properly say goodbye and thank my family and the amazing Weekend Sunrise family but for now.. I do need to say this.. Mon you are not just a colleague; you are my best friend, and I am going to miss you. Let me tell you, however incredible you think Mon is on camera, its 10-fold behind the scenes its the little things she does as a friend for her friends, that she doesnt broadcast, and they in my opinion sum up her character, and define her. Monique Wright, said, Ive had the great joy of spending weekends over the past five years with a best friend. Matt is a brilliant broadcaster. His empathy, depth, warmth, fierce intelligence and humour is such an extraordinary combination, and I feel honoured to have got to work alongside him for as long as I have. His ability to connect and show how much he genuinely cares means he always gets the very best out of people. As one of the funniest, most self-deprecating people Ive ever met, I am forever grateful for the huge, uncontrollable belly laughs I have shared with Matt. Our friendship and laughs will continue off screen and while Ill miss him terribly at work, Im so happy for Matt and Kenny [Matts wife Kendall] and for them to now enjoy their much-deserved weekends together! Sarah Stinson, Sevens Director of Morning Television: Matt has been an integral and much-loved member of the Weekend Sunrise family. His warmth, humour, and unique perspective have brought so much to our mornings over the past five years. While we will greatly miss him, we are excited for his next chapter and extend our heartfelt thanks for all he has contributed not only to our viewers but to the entire team. Anthony De Ceglie, Sevens Director of News and Current Affairs and Seven West Media Editor-in-Chief: We thank Matt for his commitment to the network for nearly a decade, include five standout years as co-host of Weekend Sunrise. His passion for news and on-air rapport with Monique have been key to the programs continued ratings dominance. His skill in live reporting and brave investigations in that time are also to be commended, bringing critical stories to audiences that have driven meaningful change. We wish Matt nothing but the best for the future. His final Weekend Sunrise is Sunday 8 December. Seven is yet to announce a successor. Monkeys flown to UK for lab tests found injured and terrified in blood-soaked plane crates The monkeys spend up to 25 hours in wooden crates too small to allow them to stand upright or move naturally (Animal Rights) Monkeys flown into the UK for laboratory testing were so badly injured that their crates were smeared with blood, photographs suggest. The long-tailed macaques endured journeys of up to 25 hours from Mauritius and Vietnam, transported in cramped wooden crates too small for them to stand upright. After quarantine in the Netherlands, the macaques were driven to Brussels airport before being flown to Manchester airport. Activists, who said the animals would have been terrified on the journeys, slated the cruel conditions and the fact the UK still conducts experiments on primates. (Animal Rights) Long-tailed macaques are the main primate species used in toxicology tests for drugs and chemicals by research organisations for pharmaceutical and chemical companies, as well as by universities. Dogs, pigs and rodents are also used. ADVERTISEMENT Toxicity testing involves placing monkeys in restraining devices and dosing them with drugs or chemicals through a tube inserted into their stomachs (gavaging). The substances may also be injected, often without anesthetic, or inhaled. This may be daily, and studies show side effects include vomiting, convulsing, internal bleeding and death. Importing monkeys is quicker and easier than breeding them in the UK, insiders say. The photos, which were brought to light in freedom of information requests by the Dutch-Belgian group Animal Rights, sparked renewed criticism over the ethics of animals in research. Group members who tracked the journeys of the planes and vans believe the monkeys were destined for a drug developer. The company did not respond to a request for comment. A macaque with blood on the crate (Animal Rights) The FOI replies revealed that one animal, imported on 28 May, suffered an anal prolapse a potentially fatal condition. ADVERTISEMENT A Belgian animal welfare inspectors checklist stated no animals were wounded, yet photos appear to show an injured monkey with the condition. On another occasion, blood was seen in a monkey crate transported on 30 April, but the injury was deemed minor. UK Home Office guidelines state that sick or injured animals should not normally be considered fit for transport. In July last year, 80 long-tailed macaques were transported in a planes hold at just 10C, despite warnings from Flemish officials that such conditions were unsuitable. Officials also flagged that prolonged loading times in Brussels risked causing significant stress to the primates. Crates carrying macaques. Some details are blacked out for legal reasons (Animal Rights) In a separate case, a monkey died on a flight to New York after reportedly suffering an adverse reaction to sedation. The animal was among hundreds flown from the Netherlands, France, and Spain. In 2021, more than one monkey died en route to the US. ADVERTISEMENT Animal rights organisation Action for Primates described these cases as the tip of the iceberg, highlighting that between July 2022 and May 2023, 10 flights from Mauritius and Vietnam delivered macaques to the UK via European airports. Research confirms air travel as a major stressor for primates. According to Ned Buyukmihci, emeritus professor of veterinary medicine and adviser to Action for Primates, flight-related stress could exacerbate injuries, leading to severe pain, shock or even death. Last year, 80 long-tailed macaques were flown in a planes hold that was just 10C (Animal Rights) Sarah Kite, co-founder of Action for Primates, said: Shipped as cargo, primates are forced to spend many hours confined in small single transit crates and may have to endure poor ventilation, unfamiliar and loud noise, temperature fluctuations and delays en route as they are shipped around the globe. However, the Understanding Animal Research organisation says experiments involving non-humans have provided many treatments for conditions such as cancer and diabetes as well as human vaccines. It argues that hundreds of millions of human and animal lives have been saved or improved as a direct result of research on animals. ADVERTISEMENT A spokesperson for Cheshire Animal Rights Campaigns and Animal Welfare Party called on Manchester airport and shareholders to end monkey imports. An airport spokesperson said that, like other airports, it could not take a stance on the import of any cargo, adding: There are clear laws, set by government, that define what can and cannot be brought into the UK as cargo, and it would not be appropriate for the airport to act independently of those laws. More than 10 shipments were imported in a year (Animal Rights) The Belgian government said: In our opinion, there was no failure. An assessment of the situation was made and what seemed to be the best option for the animals was acted upon. They said the injured monkeys were otherwise in good condition, adding: It was decided that given the short duration of the transport it was better to allow the animals to travel. They added that on arrival no further problems were found and the inspector reminded workers to avoid low temperatures in future. A separate freedom of information request has shown 2,118 primates were imported last year, and UK government statistics show there were 2,169 procedures on primates. An animal welfare inspector stated no animals were wounded (Animal Rights) While they are not believed to have received the monkeys in the latest incident, some of the leading institutions conducting animal research include the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, the Francis Crick Institute, University of Edinburgh, UCL, the Medical Research Council and Imperial College London. A spokesperson for the governments Animal and Plant Health Agency said: Its upsetting to receive reports of animals in distress; we always take reports of breaches in animal welfare regulations very seriously and we are looking into the exact details of this case. When animals are transported, it is the responsibility of the vet in the country of origin to decide if the inspected animal is fit to travel. Return to the Magical Oz with Jon M. Chu's 'Wicked' on 4K UHD, SteelBook, Giftset, and Blu-ray on February 4 THUA THIEN-HUE The central province officially received the Memory of the World Register recognition for a collection of nine Nguyen Dynasty urns from UNESCO in a ceremony on November 24, contributing to the provincial list of eight world heritage certificates. Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long and ministerial and provincial officials were attendees at the ceremony. At the same time, the province also inaugurated the restoration of the Thai Hoa Palace (Palace of Supreme Harmony), a UNESCO-recognised world heritage site within the Hue monuments complex after a three-year upgrade, and began a new renovation project of the Can Chanh Palace. Chairman of the provincial peoples committee Nguyen Van Phuong said the UNESCO recognition of the bronze-cast urns showed their huge historical value and the important role during the reign of Emperor Minh Mang (1802-1945). The urn collection, built in 1835-37, was seen as an encyclopedia of Viet Nam in the past centuries. It was recognised as a National Treasure in 2012 by the Prime Minister and now its officially listed in the world heritage value and the countrys precious historical and cultural treasure, Phuong said. The province also officially reopens the Thai Hoa Palace after a three-year restoration and starts the upgrading and restoration of a new project on the Can Chanh Palace in improving the world heritage for longer preservation, he added. Phuong emphasised that the restoration of the world heritage items of the Hue monuments complex has been designed for sustainable development. He said the province is strongly committed to implementing the preservation and promotion of the world heritage for prosperity and long-term preservation as well as socio-economic development. Speaking at the ceremony, Representative of UNESCO in Viet Nam Jonathan Baker said it was an honour to celebrate the new inscription of bas-reliefs on the Nine Bronze Urns in Hue Imperial Palace in the Asia Pacific documentary heritage list'. The worlds documentary heritage belongs to all of us. It must be fully preserved, protected, and made permanently accessible, with due recognition of cultural practices and practicalities, for all people, without hindrance, he said. The prestigious recognition has increased Viet Nams total registered documentary heritage properties to ten, including three world documentary heritage properties and seven in the Asia-Pacific region, he added. He stressed that the urns have preserved the values of intercultural exchanges and interactions between Viet Nam society and other East Asia countries, part of an incredible heritage in Hue. UNESCO highly values our enduring partnership with Hue, where conservation of Hue monuments has been carried out with great dedication and has achieved remarkable results. Thirty years ago, UNESCO and global community recognised the urgent need to collaborate with Viet Nam in safeguarding these precious heritage elements. He said: The challenges we face, as UNESCO and as an important member state of UNESCO such as Viet Nam, involve the preservation, maintenance and physical safeguarding of our world heritage sites. Equally important are contemporary issues that prompt us to engage actively such as increasing preparedness against the impacts of climate change, making our world heritage sites more resilient to human-induced or natural disasters and optimising the well-being of local populations. This involves greater community engagement, including youth and women, living in and around these heritage sites. The nine urn collection, situated in the The Mieu (Purple Citadel) yard in the former Hue Imperial City, is one of the most popular destinations for domestic and international tourists. Each urn represents a king of the Nguyen Dynasty. All the urns were crafted with the best artisans of the time by the order of Minh Mang to symbolise the royal power of the ruling dynasty and showcase the kingdom of ai Nam's beautiful flora and fauna. The urns, cast over two years, were created with the aspiration of building a strong and stable country for future generations. VNS HCM CITY After its debut in Ha Noi last year, the public in Viet Nam once again has the opportunity to explore the unique creativity and innovation of one of the leading French luxury design houses and manufacturers. Le Monde d'Hermes Kiosk, inspired by the iconic news stands of Paris, has opened from November 21-24 at Bach ang Park, a popular destination for the citizens of Ho Chi Minh City, offering visitors the chance to delve into the richness and diversity of the Hermes world through images and words and engaging, joyful conversations. Embodying 'The Spirit of the Faubourg' the brand's theme for 2024, the Le Monde d'Hermes Kiosk invites visitors to immerse themselves in the wonderful universe created by the world of the luxury brand. Numerous activities reflecting the brand's core values have been organised during the four-day event. Visitors are warmly welcomed by the kiosk gentleman and receive the latest issue of Le Monde d'Hermes to read along with a refreshing drink in the peaceful setting of Bach ang Park. Additionally, visitors can interact with local artists and receive a sketched portrait and impromptu poetry based on their thoughts on the theme 'The Spirit of the Faubourg', as well as take part in dances reminiscent of the horse and immerse themselves in vibrant musical performances at scheduled times. Before leaving, visitors can stop by the fresh flower stall to take home beautiful bouquets. The Le Monde d'Hermes Kiosk first appeared in Prague in the fall of 2021. Before arriving in Ho Chi Minh City, the iconic orange Hermes Kiosk visited Barcelona (April 2023), Kuwait, Austin and Haikou (May 2023), Jakarta (June 2023), Lisbon (September 2023) and Ha Noi (October 2023). Created in 1973, Le Monde dHermes is a bi-annual magazine with a print-run of 600,000 copies, published in 11 languages. An editor-in-chief and an artistic director are invited to create two issues per year with Hermes teams, who collaborate each season with selected writers, illustrators and photographers. VNS Many people from provinces around Viet Nam have been migrating to HCM City and other big cities to work in factories. However in recent years, more and more migrant workers are moving back to work in their hometowns. Viet Nam News asked Nguyen uc Nha, director of SATAMO Co Ltd, a manufacturer and supplier of mechanical products located in HCM Citys Hoc Mon District, on his assessment of this trend. What do you think about the trend of migrant workers moving back to their hometowns to work? More and more migrant workers have preferred quitting their jobs in big cities and returning to their hometowns to work at local industrial parks. I think there are several reasons for this. One big reason is the rising development of industrial parks in provinces across Viet Nam, even smaller ones. This is creating plenty of job opportunities for people who want to work near their families. The cost of living in big cities such as HCM City is getting more and more expensive. Rising population means that commuting in big cities is massively slowed down by traffic jams, and air pollution is also a problem. Many factories are also moving to provinces with attractive land rent fees and favourable policies, especially for local workers. It is understandable that workers trend towards solutions that benefit them most. When they can work near their homes as opposed to having to travel to another locality, it helps lessen both the financial burden (because they get to save on daily expenses and housing fees) and the emotional stress. They can enjoy being able to make a decent income while still caring for their families. How does this affect enterprises in big cities? This poses a challenge for large industrial parks and enterprises in big urban areas, namely a labour shortage. A business may have a harder time competing with those from other provinces in terms of keeping their employees. An unstable, shifting workforce means that production capability is hindered and is susceptible to interruptions, affecting a businesss ability to fulfil customer orders. The fact that experienced workers can leave also means that a business may have to further endure the costs of recruiting and training future workers, and the general workforce quality is not stable, which can harm profit. Additionally, when workers come and go, a firm can struggle to educate everyone on their workplace culture, which can lead to complications. Conflicts can also arise if a firm ends up adjusting and providing an uneven amount of benefits for migrant employees in order to keep them, when compared to local employees. Regarding this problem, what should businesses in big cities and provinces do to attract workers back to them? There are many solutions and policies to tackle this challenge. For example, businesses should figure out how to optimise their operation and productivity, and cut costs, which would allow them to increase the income of their employees. At the same time, generally, employees should receive more work benefits so they are more committed, loyal and contribute more to their workplaces. If they love their jobs, they would stick with them for longer. If possible, businesses can invest in housing programmes and policies to better support the lives of employees, so that their living conditions in big cities can be improved. How can the authorities help businesses deal with the trend of workers moving out of big cities? Traffic infrastructure development and the improvement of public services are important to create better conditions for both employers and employees. Businesses should receive financial support and favourable tax policies so that they can make investments in industrial parks and develop the manpower in these big cities. Policies to encourage industrial development in cities and provinces are also important. All of these help businesses improve their operations and create a better workforce balance between urban and rural areas. VNS Netizens have drawn backlash over Yeonjun's AI-generated VCR at the 2024 MAMA Awards. On November 22, the second day of the highly anticipated 2024 MAMA Awards was held at the Kyocera Dome, in Osaka, Japan. The event's star-studded lineup also contained fourth-gen boy group TXT, who made MOAs proud with their wins and impressed them with their energetic performances. However, during the event, the award show played an opening VCR of Yeonjun, who was shown in a surrealistic setting. The VCR, which introduced the concept of the "Big Blur" that obscures the line between fantasy and reality, also placed a caption acknowledging the use of artificial intelligence. According to the caption, the VCR contained AI-generated music and other aspects of the content. "All of its music and part of this video were crafted by AI," it stated. 2024 mama opening vcr - #yeonjun show me the big blur, the line between imagination and reality pic.twitter.com/nCUFz50vDF TXT Translations (@translatingTXT) November 22, 2024 'all of its music and part of this video were crafted by AI' https://t.co/CL5vYpRExB pic.twitter.com/8wqZVmklOA majcia (@jjongzenl) November 22, 2024 The use of AI in the music industry has been controversial among fans, as the usage ethically raises questions regarding originality and artistry. The video not only displayed AI-generated motions in its clip, but also claimed to instill AI in its music background. Fans were outraged by the revelation and many of them directed their anger at HYBE. If AI is so great, why don't they ever use it to make something good and interesting? Sorry to Yeonjun, no hate to him, but this is genuinely a waste of his talents and time, as well as ours. https://t.co/owMhOasjEh Delia Harrington (@DeliaMary) November 23, 2024 wtf do u mean all the music is created using ai ?? UR AN ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY THAT PRODUCES MUSIC AND MUSIC ARTISTS ???? https://t.co/UAJmp8me50 (@revelrevelnomi) November 22, 2024 This is genuinely repulsive https://t.co/bRaecXwFGz Boohan Propagandist (@gayboohan) November 23, 2024 In other news, TXT won the awards for Ponta Pass Global Favorite Artist and Fans' Choice at the 2024 MAMA Awards. HA NOI Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his wife arrived at Noi Bai International Airport yesterday noon, starting their official visit to Viet Nam which will last until November 28 at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong. Bulgarian Ambassador to Viet Nam Pavlin Todorov has said the Bulgarian Presidents official visit to Viet Nam ahead of the 75th anniversary of the diplomatic relations next year demonstrates the Balkan countrys commitment to enhancing and upgrading the traditional friendship with Viet Nam. Talking to the Viet Nam News Agency, he stated that the visit presents a crucial opportunity for both nations to evaluate their time-honoured friendship and effective cooperation, while charting a new path for collaboration in various domains. President Radevs itinerary includes meetings with Viet Nams key leaders, including President Cuong, Party General Secretary To Lam, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. The Bulgarian leader is set to deliver a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam, participate in a business forum, have a meeting with the Viet Nam Bulgaria Friendship Association and visit Hai Phong City and several other localities. A number of bilateral agreements are expected to be signed during the visit, comprising a joint declaration and cooperation deals in education, investment and trade, he said, adding they will provide strong momentum for the bilateral cooperation in respective fields. Ambassador Todorov highlighted that the discussions and events during the visit will focus on identifying concrete ways to develop new areas of cooperation with tangible outcomes, particularly in the economic sector. He expressed his hope that the visit will showcase Bulgaria as a reliable partner and an attractive destination for business, tourism, and education. He also noted his wish that the Bulgarian delegation would have a chance to explore beautiful Viet Nam and its unique cultural and historical heritage. Touching on the highlights of the bilateral cooperation over the recent past, Ambassador Todorov particularly stressed that high-level political dialogue has been regaining its pre-pandemic momentum, citing recent exchanges between the two countries' parliamentary leaders in September 2023 and January 2024. He stressed the concrete developments in the bilateral relations, including the 24th session of the Viet Nam-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Committee held in Sofia earlier this year and robust cooperation between ministries, agencies and sectors through multiple bilateral agreements. Affirming the significance of the 75th anniversary celebrations next year, he said Bulgaria is planning a series of commemorative events, including exchanges of congratulatory messages, high-level visits and political consultations at the deputy foreign minister level. Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria o Hoang Long affirmed that the Party, State, Government and the people of the two countries have made constant efforts to foster and consolidate bilateral relations throughout the seven-decade journey of relations, through regular exchanges of high-level delegations and periodic political consultations. The two sides have implemented many programmes and cooperation agreements and actively support each other at international forums. Notably, Viet Nam-Bulgaria trade turnover doubled from US$102.5 million to $211.5 million in the 2015-2023 period and is forecast to reach approximately $300 million this year an increase of more than 20 per cent compared to last year, said Long. Cooperation between the two countries has been conducted synchronously in recent times, achieving many positive results in all areas of politics, economics - trade, investment, education - training, science - technology, culture - tourism, defence - security, labour and justice. Ambassador Long said that President Rumen Radev's visit to Viet Nam is expected to promote and deepen the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in areas where one side has advantages and the other side has needs. VNS HA NOI National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking Party and State delegation arrived in Hanoi on Sunday afternoon, concluding a successful trip to Cambodia for an official visit and attendance at the 12th General Assembly of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) and the 11th plenary session of the International Parliament for Tolerance and Peace (IPTP-11). During the four-day stay in Cambodia, the top legislator held talks with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Khuon Sudary, met with key Cambodian leaders, including President of the Cambodian Peoples Party (CPP) and Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Prime Minister Samdech Hun Manet, and attended an inauguration ceremony for the Cambodian NA's administrative building a work that symbolises the solidarity and traditional friendship between the two nations. He was awarded the Royal Order of Sahametrei (The Grand Cross), the highest honour that Cambodia bestows upon foreigners. The diplomatic mission also comprised an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni, a reception for Chairman of the Cambodia-Viet Nam Friendship Association Samdech Men Sam An, and a meeting with former President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin. On the occasion, Man and the delegation also visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the country. As a special guest at the 12th ICAPP, he laid stress on Viet Nam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of external affairs as well as its readiness to be a friend, a reliable partner and an active, responsible member of the international community while addressing the opening session. Viet Nam strongly supports the ICAPP's efforts in promoting peace, security, and stability in the region, he underscored. Speaking to parliamentary leaders and legislators at the IPTP-11, he said Viet Nam is a peace-loving nation, with a long-standing tradition of tolerance, compassion, and harmony. Having experienced numerous wars for national independence and reunification, Viet Nam particularly values peace, stability, and friendship, ensuring that every citizen can enjoy independence, freedom, prosperity and happiness. He affirmed Viet Nam's strong support for Cambodia's efforts to step up dialogue, reconciliation, and cooperation, stating as a neighbour of Cambodia, Viet Nam believes that Cambodia's successful experiences in national development and building of friendly relations and cooperation with neighbouring countries will contribute to promoting peace and cooperation, both regionally and globally. The visit, comprising nearly 30 diplomatic activities, achieved all its objectives, advancing Viet Nam-Cambodia relations into a new phase of development based on equality, mutual benefit, and effective cooperation while strengthening strategic trust and deepening parliamentary cooperation between the two nations. VNS NEW DELHI A delegation from the Communist Review led by its Editor-in-Chief Assoc. Prof Le Hai Binh is paying a working trip to India from November 21-26. The delegation started the agenda by laying a wreath at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in New Delhi. They later visited the headquarters of the Communist Party of India (CPI) and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) in the capital, and met with National Secretary of the CPIs International Department Pallab Sengupta and R.Arun Kumar, member of the CPI-M Central Committee and its International Department. During the meetings, both sides provided updates on their Party activities. The CPI-M and the CPI are planning their Party congresses for April and September 2025, respectively, while the Communist Party of Viet Nam(CPV) is actively preparing for Party congresses at all levels in the lead-up to the 14th National Party Congress, scheduled for early 2026. Discussions also focused on cooperative relations between the CPV and the CPI/CPI-M, as well as measures to further strengthen their ties, especially in political theory and communications. Binh, who is also alternate member of the CPV Central Committee, expressed the enduring friendship that the Vietnamese Party, State and people cherish with their Indian counterparts and members of the CPI and the CPI-M. Praising the role and stature of the CPI and the CPI-M in India, he hoped for a stronger and more sustainable relationship between the CPV and the two Indian parties. He stressed the importance of fostering coordination and mutual support at international forums for political parties, increasing the exchange of information and cooperation in political theory and dissemination, and the sharing of the best practices for national development. In response, the CPI and the CPI-M affirmed their strong commitment to the traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation with the CPV, spoke highly of Vietnams achievements under the CPV leadership, particularly in poverty reduction, social welfare, and other key areas, which have contributed to elevating Viet Nams global standing. Meeting with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, Binh informed them about the domestic situation, highlighting the nations collective efforts to follow the Partys and the Politburos directions for a new era - the era of Viet Nam's rise. VNS HA NOI President Rumen Radev of the Republic of Bulgaria expressed his heartfelt wish for Vietnamese friends who had lived, studied, and worked in Bulgaria to always cherish the country as their second home. He encouraged them to hold onto fond memories of their time there. The President made this statement during a meeting on Sunday evening in Ha Noi with members of the Viet Nam-Bulgaria Friendship Association under the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, as well as Vietnamese alumni and former workers in Bulgaria. The meeting was part of his official visit to Viet Nam. Jointly organised by the Viet Nam-Bulgaria Friendship Association and the Bulgarian Embassy in Viet Nam, the event underscored the longstanding friendship between the two nations. President Radev emphasised that his visit held special significance as Viet Nam and Bulgaria approach the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties (19502025). Highlighting the growing cooperation between the two countries, the President pointed to significant potential in areas such as trade, investment, energy, technology, construction services, IT, tourism, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. He noted that the accompanying Bulgarian delegation, including three ministers, two mayors, and representatives from leading companies, reflected this promise. Educational collaboration also featured prominently in his remarks. President Radev expressed pride in the strong educational ties between Bulgaria and Viet Nam and welcomed the upcoming signing of an educational cooperation agreement, which aims to further develop this traditional area of partnership. The President extended his gratitude to the Viet Nam-Bulgaria Friendship Association for its warm reception and its pivotal role in fostering bilateral relations. He noted that the association had been instrumental in strengthening the ties between the two nations. Strengthening bonds through shared history and future cooperation Huynh Quyet Thang, President of the Viet Nam-Bulgaria Friendship Association, echoed the sentiment, celebrating the association's role as a hub for Vietnamese people who had lived, studied, or worked in Bulgaria. He praised their enduring affection for Bulgaria and its people. Thang highlighted the associations efforts to organise significant cultural and diplomatic initiatives, which have been highly appreciated by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organisations and the Bulgarian Embassy. With strong connections to both the Bulgarian Embassy in Ha Noi and the Vietnamese Embassy in Sofia, the association continues to promote solidarity and mutual support between the two nations. He also acknowledged the contributions of the Vietnamese alumni community in Bulgaria, noting their success in diverse fields and their role in fostering traditional friendly cooperation between the two countries. Thang expressed confidence in the continued growth of Viet Nam-Bulgaria relations, particularly in the context of globalisation and evolving political and economic landscapes. He underscored the importance of enhancing these ties to benefit both nations and contribute to regional stability and development. According to estimates, around 30,000 Vietnamese have lived, studied, or worked in Bulgaria. Their experiences and knowledge gained abroad have significantly contributed to Viet Nam's progress, with many alumni becoming distinguished officials, experts, scientists, and entrepreneurs. Bulgaria's commitment to enduring friendship Ambassador Pavlin Todorov of Bulgaria described President Radevs visit as a new chapter in the enduring Viet Nam-Bulgaria friendship. He praised the Viet Nam-Bulgaria Friendship Association for acting as ambassadors of goodwill and inspiring future generations to uphold the warm relationship between the two nations. Economic cooperation has also seen significant progress. As of March 2024, Bulgaria had 14 active direct investment projects in Viet Nam, with a total registered capital of US$31.32 million, ranking 69th among 145 countries and territories investing in Viet Nam. Bilateral trade has shown steady growth, reflecting the sustainability of the partnership. The event concluded on a hopeful note, with both nations reaffirming their shared commitment to fostering a peaceful, prosperous, and mutually supportive global community. VNS K tc x vung bin tai x Tam Quang, huyen Tuong Duong (Nghe An). Anh: TTXVN phat Chap cnh nhung uoc mo Tai Nghe An hien c 2 m hnh K tc x vng bin do cc on Bin phng trien khai, o au at tai x Tam Quang (Tuong Duong) v Truong Trung hoc co......[Nhieu Hon...] 2025-02-25 Maharashtra Assembly Elections: Mahayuti Alliance Secures Historic Victory 2 Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Saturday, November 23, 2024, hailed the Assembly election results as historic, asserting that they clarified the true allegiances of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and Shiv Sena. The BJP-led Mahayuti alliance, which includes the BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP, is set to form the state government within three days, with winning MLAs directed to assemble in Mumbai immediately. Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the victory to the publics rejection of appeasement politics and their embrace of Prime Minister Narendra Modis unity-driven message, Ek Hai Toh Safe Hai (United We Stand). Mr. Shinde emphasized that the three parties had reached an amicable agreement on seat-sharing, ensuring a smooth process for government formation. According to the Election Commissions final tally, the Mahayuti alliance secured a commanding victory, winning 233 out of 288 Assembly seats. In contrast, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) managed only 50 seats. Meanwhile, Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange addressed speculation about his movements influence on the elections. Refuting claims that his stir had no impact, Jarange clarified that he neither contested the polls nor endorsed any candidate. How can one say the Jarange factor failed in the assembly polls when I neither contested nor supported anyone? My goal was to free the Maratha community from political exploitation and empower them to vote independently, he stated. Expressing satisfaction with the outcome, Jarange highlighted that 204 Marathas were elected to the 288-member Assembly, reflecting significant representation for the community. SEC Nation will originate from Tuscaloosa for the 2024 Iron Bowl on Saturday. The two-hour SEC Network pre-game show featuring host Laura Rutledge and analysts Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Tim Tebow and Jordan Rodgers will broadcast from outside Wade Hall (across from Denny Chimes) on the Alabama campus from 9-11 a.m. on Saturday. Alabama (8-3, 4-3 SEC) faces Auburn (5-6, 2-5) at Bryant-Denny Stadium at 2:30 p.m. on ABC. Its the second trip to Tuscaloosa this year for SEC Nation, which was also in town for the Crimson Tides Oct. 20 homecoming game vs. Missouri. Marty & McGee, which airs from 8-9 a.m. on the SEC Network, will also broadcast from the Alabama campus on Saturday. ESPN College GameDay which airs from 8 a.m.-11 a.m. on ESPN will broadcast Saturday from College Station, Texas, site of Saturday nights Texas A&M-Texas game at Kyle Field. The Aggies (8-3, 5-2) and Longhorns (10-1, 6-1) kick off at 6:30 p.m., also on ABC. Its a unique ache to possess a talent that others appreciate while feeling that the essence of who you are remains unseen. Youre not alone in your wish that someone would recognize and desire the real you. Of course, who you are is a constantly evolving concept. Seeking a deeper understanding of others will help us draw closer to accepting and revealing what is essential within ourselves. ARIES (March 21-April 19). Patience doesnt mean waiting passively; its an active force. By cultivating calm amidst uncertainty, you become more resilient. Slow down today, trusting that some things need time to ripen before they reveal their full value. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). No interaction is ever truly neutral. However subtle someones energy, youll always leave their presence with a little more or less than you arrived with. Choose your company carefully, mindful of each persons potential to drain or energize. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). Plans change, stances shift, the unexpected rolls in. Flexibility isnt giving up on goals; its dancing with whatever comes. Youre the pro whose first instinct is to adapt rather than resist, so youll snatch up opportunities the rigid will miss. CANCER (June 22-July 22). You have charismatic power to wield, if so inclined, but what is the point in mesmerizing your subjects if you dont even know what you want? So as not to waste your powers, think about what youd really like to experience. LEO (July 23-Aug. 22). For a lifelong learner like you, learning isnt limited to books or classrooms; its woven into every experience. Today brings another example of the good that happens because you stay curious and open. Youll be touched by a balmy breeze of insight. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22). The truth is not one thing. Today, the truth will land like a messy blob -- many truths blended together, sticky and indiscernible. Leave it alone awhile. Come back later to see how it all settles and what emerges from the slime. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23). Grace is a flexible kind of strength, an intelligent balance that knows when to push and when to rest. Honor your ambitions but also take the pressure off. No need to race to the end when the journey is open-ended. SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21). Even when youre not actively searching for love, youre always open to welcoming more of it into your life. Today, love will be searching for you -- and before long, youll be calling yourself found. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21). Appreciation gives value to lifes small, overlooked gifts. As you pause to notice the way light falls, a strangers smile, the warmth of a favorite spot, gratitude fills your heart and attracts a premium of ordinary beauty to your life. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19). Youll get practice meeting situations as they are. Once you recognize just how much of this is out of your hands, you can detach, observe and relax into the peace and clarity there is to be found in what you cant control. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18). Generosity of small acts is the theme. A word of encouragement, a little extra attention, an unspoken kindness; youll give freely and brighten paths wherever you see the opportunity, and youll see them everywhere. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20). Maybe independence isnt trying to be whole in yourself but in recognizing that interdependence is human nature. A paradox: Its good relationships that make you stronger and more self-sufficient. TODAYS BIRTHDAY (Nov. 24). The universe seems to know what you long to hear, and the stars hum those promises that delight your ear -- sweet, plausible and, because you believe them, you work with the forces that be to make it all happen. More highlights: a financial investment teaches you skills of management and beyond, an old friendship rekindles, and celebrations twist the plot. Taurus and Aquarius adore you. Your lucky numbers are: 5, 11, 13, 39 and 42. CELEBRITY PROFILES: Actress and pop star Sarah Hyland recently starred in the stage revival of Little Shop of Horrors, a performance that earned critical praise and highlighted the vulnerability and charm her sun sign is known for. A show business pro since she was 4 years old, Hyland had dozens of credits before she landed the role of Haley Dunphy on Modern Family, and her fun-loving, forward-thinking Aquarius moon and natal Jupiter in Leo suggest the hits will keep coming. Holiday Mathis debut novel, How To Fail Epically in Hollywood, is out now! This fast-paced romp about achieving Hollywood stardom is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit creatorspublishing.com for more information. Write Holiday Mathis at HolidayMathis.com. A man critically hurt in a southwest Birmingham shooting has died. Police identified the victim as DeCarlos Perez Smith Jr. He was 22 and lived in Birmingham. Smith is the citys 145th homicide this year, pushing the citys 2024 homicide total to the highest in recent memory. Smith was shot on Thursday, the same day that three other people were killed in two other incidents. Until 2022, when there were 144 homicides, the highest number recorded in recent memory was 141 in 1991. The city ended 2023 with 135 homicides. Birminghams all-time record for homicides was in 1933 with 148 killings. The citys population today is a little under 197,000 people. In 1933, Birmingham had just under 269,000 people. Of the citys homicides this year, 11 have been ruled justifiable and are not deemed criminal. One of the deadly shootings was an officer-involved shooting, and two others happened in previous years but the victims died in 2024. In all of Jefferson County, there have been 181 homicides including the 145 in Birmingham. Smiths shooting happened at 6:45 p.m. Thursday in the 300 block of 25th S.W. West Precinct officers responded to the neighborhood after the citys gunfire detection system Shot Spotter alerted them to round fired in that area. Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service rushed Smith to UAB Hospital where he died at 7:22 p.m. Friday, police announced Sunday. Thursdays bloodshed began at 3:51 p.m. at Park at Wood Station apartments. That location is in the 6000 block of Wood Station Drive, which is off First Avenue South in Woodlawn. Justin Lee Henry Grant, 33, was found inside an SUV that had been peppered with gunfire. He was pronounced dead inside the vehicle on the scene at 4:11 p.m. Police said the victim was ambushed, possibly by multiple shooters. At least 15 to 20 rounds were fired, if not more. No arrests have been announced in the brazen, targeted attack. At 6:30 p.m., East Precinct officers responded to a call of shots fired in the 4400 block of 41st Place North, which is the Inglenook community. Officers went to the back area of an abandoned house where they found a man shot and lying unresponsive in the driveway. He was pronounced dead at 7p.m. Police found a second victim inside the house following a search of the area. He was pronounced dead at 7:10 p.m. Their identities have not yet been released. Two men were quickly detained. Police on Friday said they were being held in the Birmingham City Jail on a 48-hour investigative hold. Anyone with information in any of the shootings is asked to call detectives at 205-254-1764 or Crime Stoppers at 205-254-7777. Alaina Bookman reports for the Beyond the Violence collaborative, a partnership between AL.com, The Birmingham Times and CBS42. Support her work here. As homicides fall in other big cities in Alabama, Birmingham is grappling with a dramatic increase in deadly shootings. With well over a month left in the year, Birmingham has already surpassed 2023s homicide total. And the Magic City is on track to break the all-time homicide record of 148 , set nearly a century ago in 1933. Im sick of feeling unsafe in my own city, Birmingham City Council member Crystal Smitherman said after a recent mass shooting killed four people and left 17 uninjured. Im getting calls from people in different cities asking, Are you okay? I hear at the nail salon, the hair shop, everywhere, talking about crime. Im sick of it because people feel so comfortable to commit crime...Thats so disrespectful to everyone who lives here. Huntsville and Mobile both have growing populations and fewer murders. Birmingham, which is losing people, stands out among the states four biggest cities for its growing homicide rate. Birmingham officials, advocates and community members say they continue to work toward solutions to curb the violence. Experts say change is possible. There are solutions that exist right now in places across the country and state, Cassandra Crifasi, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions, told AL.com. The Offender Alumni Association , a Birmingham-based nonprofit, provides resources to gunshot victims starting at the hospital bed. Such credible messenger programs can be effective, experts say, and the association has results: Of more than 100 gunshot victims who enrolled in the hospital linked violence intervention program since its inception in 2023, only one person had been reinjured, according to the program. Coming from the community and actually having been those youth and having made some of those same choices that they are now making, we are now able to be that role model to not only show them a different path but to help them navigate, Deborah Daniels, executive director & cofounder of the Offender Alumni Association, said. AL.com has put together a list of the number of homicides that have taken place in Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville and Mobile, from 2014 to 2024. Nationally, homicides and violent crime decreased in the first half of 2024, according to the Council on Criminal Justice . As of Nov. 20, 2024, Huntsville had 16 homicides, Mobile had 32 homicides, Montgomery had 55 homicides, And Birmingham had 131 non-justifable homicides. Each city reports homicides that can be investigated as murders. In 2024, Birmingham also reported 10 homicides that were determined to be justifiable, and therefore arent deemed criminal. In all, the city has recorded 141 homicides as of Nov. 20. How safe are Alabama cities? Huntsville, now Alabamas largest city and home to more than 225,000 people, has recorded just 14 homicides so far in 2024. Over the past 10 years, trust with our community members, strong partnerships and the dedication of our department personnel in everyday policing have been instrumental in solving the citys homicides. These relationships are the foundation of our success in bringing justice to families, but more importantly, they are key to preventing future tragedies, Huntsville Police Chief Kirk Giles told AL.com in a statement. One homicide is one too many and we remain committed not only to solving crimes but to working alongside the community to stop them from happening in the first place, Giles said. Huntsville is very different than other major cities in the state, though. According to federal data, the individual median income was $43,202, the poverty rate was 14.1% and the owner occupied housing rate was 57.5% in 2022. By contrast, in Mobile , the individual median income was $31,328, the poverty rate was 20.7% and the owner occupied housing rate was 50.6% in 2022. Poverty rates dont equal crime, of course, but experts say that when resources flow out of communities, local residents can be vulnerable. And once violence occurs, cycles can repeat. Crifasi said public health solutions such as violence intervention programs and street outreach can help to interrupt that cycle. It allows a deep dive into what kinds of missed opportunities were there for intervention, what kinds of services might help. And it gives communities a voice. They have a seat at the table. They are a part of the creation of solutions, Crifasi said. So far in 2024, Mobile has reported 32 homicides. Our team of homicide investigators work tirelessly to solve each case, seeking justice for the victims and their families. Its never easy for any of these men and women to walk onto a scene where theres been life lost, but they do it with such determination to make sure every lead is looked at carefullyIts imperative we settle our arguments in a peaceful way, Mobile Police Department Chief William Jackson told AL.com in a statement. Our work isnt finished. Violence is never the answer. We wont stop investigating these crimes, and those found responsible for committing such acts, will be arrested and charged, accordingly. USA Health University Hospital is erecting a Hospital Based Violence Intervention Program to curb violence and retaliation, decrease reinjury rates and build trust with the community. The hospital will put gunshot victims in touch with credible messengers and the resources they need to thrive throughout the healing process. Its like a walk throughout their journey. We want to make sure that they have that full circle, that ecosystem of violence prevention, Ashley Williams, a trauma acute care surgeon and the director for the Center for Healthy Communities at USA Health University Hospital, said. In Montgomery , the individual median income was $31,549, the poverty rate was 21.2% and the owner occupied housing rate was 53.5% in 2022. The citys population is a little under 200,000. The city reported 75 homicides in 2023, and 52 so far in 2024. Montgomery Police Department remains dedicated to working each homicide from onset to conclusion, Montgomery Interim Chief of Police James Graboys said. Our current clearance rate of 65 percent is well above the national average and is evidence of our efforts, In June, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency launched the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit , made up of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies, to address what it called a surge in violent crime in Montgomery . MPD is also dedicated to taking all actions possible to reduce and prevent homicides by utilizing and partnering with the Metro Area Crime Suppression Unit in proactive policing. We are also actively working closer with churches, community groups and the citys Office of Violence Prevention to pursue de-escalation measures within our communities, Graboys said. Since its inception, the taskforce has seized over 137 firearms. Not only are officers removing dangerous drugs and firearms from the streets, but they are also proactively working to uncover the direct source of illegal [machine gun] conversion devices before they fall into the possession of criminals, ALEA Secretary Hal Taylor told AL.com in October . What is Birmingham doing? Then there is Birmingham. While the Birmingham metro is home to about 1.1 million people , the city itself has a population of about 196,000 and dropping. And, for the last decade, it has had a growing homicide problem. During this tragic time, the Birmingham Police Department is actively pursuing those accountable with unwavering dedication. We stand committed to bringing justice to the victims and their families and holding those responsible accountable, Sergeant Laquitta Wade, public information officer for the Birmingham Police Department, said in a statement after a slew of shootings, including one that killed a local teen, Gerald Andre Lomax Jr . Many of Birminghams homicides go unsolved. In 2022, 37% of Birmingham homicides were solved, according to the annual City of Birminghams Comprehensive Financial Report . Nationally, about half of homicides result in an arrest and less than half result in a conviction, according to the Council on Criminal Justice . Gun violence is a public health crisis in our nationwe refuse to rest on our laurels, Mayor Randall Woodfin said earlier this month . The key to a safer Birmingham lies in collaboration, the coming together of like minds and shared experiences to create a game plan to effectively address crime, particularly gun violence. In October, Woodfin announced the creation of a new crime commission after a mass shooting in Five Points South injured 17 people and killed four to reduce violence throughout the city. Curbing the violence: Experts weigh in Birminghams individual median income between 2018 and 2022 was $29,289, lower than the other cities, according to the Census Bureau. The poverty rate was 26.1% and the owner-occupied housing rate was 49.5%. In order to combat violence, experts say, local residents need to know that they have options for safer, happier and more secure lives. Alabama initiatives like the UAB Hospital based violence intervention program, Magic City YouthBuild program, RESTORE program, Surge Project , Kings Kids Outreach and Barbers Against Bullets are working to provides their communities with educational and job opportunities, transportation, food, clothing, housing and safe spaces to curb violence. RESTORE program coordinators work to strengthen communities that have experienced violence or lack the resources residents need to thrive. Antski Williams, program manager for RESTORE, a Birmingham-based juvenile reentry initiative, leads weekly workshops with justice involved youth, teaching them about goal setting, self respect and accountability. He and other RESTORE program coordinators can often be found doing street outreach, knocking on doors and working directly with families in need. Williams said building relationships with the communitys youth and their families is the key to stopping the violence. Were saving lives, Williams told AL.com. That helps us work on prevention because for two hours, twice a week, every week, they are able to put down their street beef until they change the politics in the street. That means that theyre not out there dying or killing. We touch their lives everyday. Were restoring lives, restoring communities. Since the RESTORE programs inception in 2023, the number of Jefferson County youth ages 13-22 years old who were charged with murder decreased by 80%, and homicide victims in the same age group dropped by 61%. Experts also recommend implementing firearm licensing that includes background checks and mandatory safety training, removing firearms from those at risk of harming themselves or others, repealing stand-your-ground laws and more stringent permitting for open and concealed carrying of firearms. In 2023, Alabama made it legal to carry a concealed handgun without a permit . Recently, some GOP lawmakers and law enforcement personnel have begun to back stricter laws amid a local rise in gun violence . If policymakers were serious about wanting to address the continuing burden of gun violence in this country, there are things that they could do that could help stem the tide, Crifasi said. Stephanie Hawkins, vice president of the Transformative Research Unit for Equity at RTI International , a nonprofit research organization, said structural changes such as community investment in schools, transportation, clean water, violence intervention programs, job opportunities and representation of diverse voices in community violence prevention research and policies are all key to preventing homicides. Effective violence prevention efforts require us to embrace the long game, Hawkins said. Information was found through crime reports and responses to public records requests from local police departments. This is a guest opinion column In 1986, the first Childrens Advocacy Center (CAC) opened its doors in Alabama as a safe and supportive environment for child victims of abuse to share their experiences, receive necessary services and begin the healing process. In the decades since, CACs have sprung up across the nation and the Alabama Network of Childrens Advocacy Centers, Inc. (ANCAC) pioneered the commitment to bring justice and care to child crime victims and their families. But now, centers spanning the whole country, including all 67 counties in Alabama, are facing severe budget cuts that may force us to shut our doors. For decades, The Victims of Crime Act (VOCA), and through it the Crime Victims Fund (CVF), has assisted CACs and our workers in creating a safe environment for children to heal and find justice. This fund consists solely of the fines and fees paid by criminals during prosecution or following a guilty plea or conviction. Through it, countless children and their families have found a safe haven they can rely on during their most difficult moments. This year, VOCA experienced a $600 million cut, posing an unprecedented challenge for the nearly 1,000 centers nationwide. CACs nationally are now forced to consider making cuts to resources and staffing or, in the worst cases, closing down for good. In Alabama, VOCA is a vital funding source, providing nearly 67% of our operational budget. Without this foundation, our ability to effectively respond to the needs of child victims would be severely compromised, making it near-impossible for us to protect and advocate for the most vulnerable population in our community. Our CACs also coordinate the multidisciplinary response to child abuse throughout the state, working in partnership with law enforcement and the Alabama Department of Human Resources. However, with the impending funding cuts, 315 fewer cases of child abuse will be prosecuted in Alabama, 4,079 children at risk of losing access to vital services and too many will face their abuse alone. These cuts will not only limit our ability to assist child victims but also weaken efforts to hold offenders accountable, ultimately putting more children at risk. When facing a cut of $8,578,000 to victim advocacy services across the state, and knowing that the cost to serve a single child is $2,103, it becomes evident that now is the time to address the problem before the worst comes to pass. While we work for a long-term solution for CVF funding, its paramount that we keep these services up and running. That is precisely what Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO) along with Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), and Jim Costa (D-CA) propose with the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024. This bill ensures that innocent victims can continue to receive the support that they rely on most, at no cost to taxpayers. We thank Reps. Mike Rogers, Terri Sewell, Robert Aderholt and Dale Strong who have already given their support for the CVFS Act of 2024. Now, we urge all of the Alabama delegation, both House and Senate to follow suit and support this critical bill to build a future where all child victims of crime have access to the essential services that let these kids get back to being kids. Lynn Scott is state executive director for the Alabama Network of Childrens Advocacy Centers, Inc. (ANCAC). She is an experienced educator, quality assurance manager, and director with over 25 years of experience in teaching, leadership, and advocacy. By Dave Williams Capitol Beat News Service ATLANTA Solar power advocates in Georgia are renewing a push for legislation that would let Georgia Power customers buy electricity from third-party providers of solar energy. A bill that would open the door to so-called community solar projects in the Peach State failed to gain traction in the General Assembly during this years legislative session. However, the state House of Representatives created an ad hoc committee to consider the proposal this summer and fall. Community solar projects are smaller than utility-scale solar projects but larger than rooftop solar panels installed by individual property owners. Community solar allows residential and business property owners who might not be able to afford rooftop solar to participate in solar energy development. We are confident a market-based community solar program under the regulation of the (Georgia) Public Service Commission would be a benefit to Georgia, Bob Sherrier, a staff attorney with the Atlanta-based Southern Environmental Law Center, told members of the committee during a recent hearing. What I see here is an opportunity for free-market principles to operate, added state Rep. Brad Thomas, R-Holly Springs, a member of the committee. Under this years House Bill 1152, customers could subscribe with community solar providers for projects producing no more than six megawatts of power and receive a credit in return. The fees subscribers pay would go toward building community solar projects. Sherrier cited a recent study conducted by the Coalition for Community Solar Access, a national solar power advocacy group, that found solar projects create 16 jobs and $2 million in economic impact for every solar megawatt produced. The community solar model works because community solar adds significant value to the whole grid, he said. But Georgia Power opposes third-party community solar projects for several reasons. Wilson Mallard, the Atlanta-based utilitys director of renewable development, said Georgia Power already offers a robust community solar program with about 2,000 customers. Weve got a vibrant renewable market, he said. Putting that at risk for the benefits this bill would provide is not in Georgians best interests. Since the PSC would regulate community solar providers under this years bill, the measure would not have applied to Georgias electric membership cooperatives. But Chris Stephens, president and CEO of Coweta-Fayette EMC, told the committee hes concerned that any legislation introduced in 2025 might be extended to cover EMCs. He questioned the need for third parties to build community solar projects in Georgia when the state already ranks seventh in the nation for solar. For solar developers, House Bill 1152 is a dream piece of legislation, Stephens said. It allows any independent solar developer to set up as many 30- to 35-acre solar installations as they like across the state. Mallard also argued that allowing Georgia Power customers to buy electricity from third-party community solar providers would force customers who dont sign up for community solar to shoulder some of the programs costs. The customers who participate in community solar no longer pay to Georgia Power but to a third-party provider, he said. That causes a shortfall a shift in the cost recovery from participants to non-participants. Rep. Ruwa Romman, D-Duluth, another member of the ad hoc committee, said the status quo doesnt seem to be working when so few Georgia Power customers are participating in the utilitys in-house community solar program. After Hamas raped, tortured, burned, kidnapped, and murdered innocent Israelis on October 7, the worst genocidal act against Jews since the Holocaust, it is astonishing to see how so much of the world has turned to blame the victims and reignite the historic scourge of anti-Semitism. Are you perplexed by the pro-Hamas demonstrations and the International Criminal Courts arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, the democratically elected prime minister of the State of Israel, Yoav Gallant, Israels former defense minister, and Mohammed Al Dief, a leading Hamas official, who has been dead for four months? Let me offer a few thoughts. Demonstrations Pro-Hamas and anti-Jewish demonstrations are meant to terrorize, muzzle and isolate anyone who is Jewish or who supports Israel. Its a pretense of unearned power. Some of those who join in -- particularly in places like the UK -- have been deliberately gaslit by the media. The BBC comes to mind, but it is an international phenomenon. On campuses, some of the same mind distortions by faculty who equate all the troubles of the world on fantastical notions of white oppression and colonization, ignore the fact that their safe, padded perches were -- like all the technological advances of the modern age which improved the lives of everyone on earth -- products of the very people and cultures they attack. The press and faculty who play such an important and destructive role are, in my view, people with chaotic minds, and such people inexorably work to recreate a world as chaotic as the one in their own psyches. In places like London where these have not been kept in check by law enforcement, they grow and become ever more lawless. Ignoring rational laws about harassment, destruction of property, and assault by mobs only encourages more of it. In places like Calgary which doesnt allow this, they quickly cease as unproductive. Regardless of the size and endurance of these mass thuggish displays, they are not winning where it counts -- at the ballot boxes. Instead, they are provoking ever stronger enmity almost everywhere. As for the campus outbursts, weak administrations have only begun to taste the bitter gall coming their way as donors flee, top students apply elsewhere, and a new national administration will certainly give them a jolt when federal funding is sharply reduced and an effective Justice Department starts enforcing civil rights laws on the books, which the current administration has steadfastly ignored. The ICC The ICC is an international tribunal in the Hague with authority to prosecute individuals in signatory states for war crimes and genocide. It was created in 1998 by the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court. Neither the U.S. nor Israel is a signatory to this agreement. It does not have universal territorial jurisdiction. Like most international organizations, it has exceeded its authority and, indeed, become organs of anti-Western, anti-democratic states. The ICC prosecutor Karim Khan, who issued the arrest warrants, for example is an Ahmadiyya Muslim who focuses on missionary work to spread Islam and considers the Quran the ultimate and unalterable word of God. He has faced allegations of sexual misconduct, and his prior legal work included representing William Ruto, the Kenyan vice president who killed 1200 in post-election violence. He was appointed earlier for his roles in the UN by none other than Antonio Guterres -- a world-renowned racist and anti-Semite and puppet of the Islamic Republic. Under the established definition of genocide, there is no possible interpretation that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Take it from those of us who have prosecuted people for participating in genocide: [quote] Last month, protesters in our nations capital burned American flags and defaced memorials, including with pro-Hamas slogans, while asserting that Israel is committing genocide -- and that it is doing so with American complicity. These accusations have spread on Americas campuses and elsewhere since Israeli forces commenced their defensive response last year to the murderous, indeed genocidal, rampage committed in Israel on Oct. 7 by Hamas. [snip] The six colleagues who join me in writing this essay -- Bruce J. Einhorn, Kathleen N. Coleman, Clarice R. Feldman, Joel K. Greenberg, Jeffrey N. Mausner, and Philip L. Sunshine -- worked as U.S. federal prosecutors of perpetrators of Nazi genocide who fled to this country after the war. {snip] In our work at the U.S. Department of Justice as prosecutors of Hitlers henchmen, we meticulously investigated acts of genocide and then we proved them in court. We feel impelled to declare that any fair review of the verifiable, publicly available facts shows that the accusation of genocide against Israel is false and indeed outrageous. Simply put, we have seen no evidence of Israeli commission of genocide, and there is much evidence that disproves that charge including the recent report that, since October, Israel has facilitated the entry of more than 870 metric tons of food and other humanitarian aid to Gazas two million inhabitants. [snip] Genocide is defined in the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948) as killing and other specified acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group. Israel has targeted only Hamas and its terrorist group partners, not the civilian population of Gaza. Hamas is not a national, ethnical, racial or religious group; it is a designated terrorist organization that itself engages in genocidal acts. Israel has, in fact, done more than any other military has ever done to minimize civilian casualties during large-scale urban warfare, even sacrificing the lives of many of its own soldiers in the process. [snip] We are not alone in rejecting the false genocide accusation. For example, the German government, which is well familiar, of course, with the genocide committed by a prior German government in murdering millions of Jews and Roma, has declared that the accusation of Israeli genocide has no basis in fact and that Berlin decisively and expressly rejects it. The United States government too has rejected the claim. Unfortunately, many voices nonetheless remain arrayed against Israel, and they have frequently overwhelmed the analyses of qualified experts who have subjected the allegation to careful analysis and have found it wanting. [snip] Israel and other signatories of the Genocide Convention have a legal obligation to stop Hamass genocidal actions; Article I of the Convention obligates all nations not just to refrain from committing genocide, but also to prevent and to punish that crime. That is exactly what Israel is doing [snip] The core truth is that the genocidal frenzy of killing, rape, torture, kidnapping, and mutilation that Hamas launched in Israel on Oct. 7 were crimes of monstrous evil that every American should stand against. As for the unprofessional manner in which the ICC acted, heres former head of the Department of Justices Office of Special Investigations Eli Rosenbaums November 22 statement: The November 21 public statement by three ICC Pre-Trial Chambers judges announced, without releasing, their decision to issue arrest warrants for Israels Prime Minister and former Defense Minister in connection with Israels defensive military response to the grisly October 7 massacre of more than a thousand people in Israel perpetrated principally by Hamas, the openly genocidal de facto governing authority in Gaza. Unfortunately, the statement raises more questions than it answers, especially regarding the nature and reliability of the largely undisclosed evidence on which their decision is based. Independent analyses, including those submitted to the judges and made public in August by the High Level Military Group and separately by the U.K. Lawyers for Israel organization, persuasively demonstrated that the publicly stated factual conclusions undergirding ICC Prosecutor Khans request for the issuance of arrest warrants were incorrect. In addition, although the amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief that I submitted the same month asked the judges to obtain explanations from Prosecutor Khan regarding numerous extremely serious irregularities and double standards evident in his offices investigation and its request for issuance of arrest warrants (additional such deficiencies were identified in an important amicus brief subsequently submitted by U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham), the judges seem to have addressed none of them -- precisely as Prosecutor Khans August 23 responsive brief had, quite outrageously, urged them to do. In effect, Mr. Khan asked that his office be permitted to avoid timely accountability for its official actions. Now the judges appear to have granted his unprofessional request. As someone who, in my former official capacity at the U.S. Department of Justice (USDOJ), met several times with Mr. Khan in 2022-23, had high hopes for the success of his leadership, and participated in USDOJs efforts to assist his offices investigations as authorized by Congress, it is enormously disappointing to see that his offices actions in the Gaza matter and their unfortunate ratification by a three-judge panel have critically undermined the International Criminal Courts credibility. Credibility, bolstered by appropriate transparency that is lacking in this instance, is indispensable to achieving the crucial and noble goal of the ICC, as set forth in the Preamble of its governing statute, to guarantee lasting respect for and the enforcement of international justice. Ironically, the handling of this matter to date instead serves the interests of those who have no regard for accepted principles of international justice and wish to see the Court fail as an institution. Mosab Hasan Yosef, son of a founding member of Hamas who regularly exposes the lies about the organization, was clear about the bias expressed in this absurd action by the ICCs Khan: The ICC issued an arrest warrant for the corpse of Muhammad Al Dief and did nothing about Hamas leaders who have been traveling freely between Qatar and Turkey. Hamas smuggles weapons using humanitarian aid trucks. Israel does everything within its ability to minimize the civilian casualties in Gaza, and Hamas does everything within its ability to maximize the civilian deaths. Hamas statistics are false and the humanitarian organizations depend on Hamas's lies. The ICC is a corrupt organization working around the clock to pressure Israel to surrender. The Divided Nations failed to condemn Hamas under the Chinese and Russian pressure, giving terrorists a lifeline. Pressuring Israel to ceasefire will keep Hamas in power, and such a move will keep the vicious cycle of violence for eternity. It does nothing about Turkeys slaughter of the Kurds or the fact that it just cut off water and electricity to drought-parched Kurds, nothing about the genocide against the Yazidis, 500,000 of whom have been murdered by ISIS. Leaders of Israel, Argentina, Hungary, and Czechia have spoken out against the ICC action as has party leader Geert Wilders of the Netherlands. Czechia has gone so far as to initiate the process of suspending their countrys participation in the ICC. Others like Jordan, Norway, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ireland, and Spain are A-OK with this. Pick your allies. Netanyahu compared the warrants with the false accusations against Alfred Dreyfus, dismissing as false accusations of genocide: ...despite the fact that we do everything in our power to avoid civilian casualties[snip]. The court in The Hague accuses us of a deliberate policy of starvation even though we supplied Gaza with 700,000 tons of food to feed its people. That amounts to 3,200 calories per day for every man, woman, and child in Gaza. These supplies are regularly looted by Hamas terrorists, who deprive their people of much-needed food. Just in the past few weeks, Israel facilitated the vaccination of 97% of Gazas population against polio. Yet, the court accuses us of genocide, what in Gods name are they talking about in The Hague? The truth is simple: no war is more just that the war Israel is waging I Gaza after Hamas attacked us unprovoked, launching the worst massacre against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. The decision to issue an arrest warrant was made by a rogue prosecutor attempting to escape sexual harassment charges and by biased judges motivated by anti-Semitic hatred against the one and only Jewish state. These judges have done nothing -- absolutely nothing -- against the real war crimes committed by the dictatorships in Iran, Syria and Yemen, where millions have been murdered or uprooted. Instead, they falsely accuse the one democracy in the Middle East Israel -- thereby endangering the right of all democracies to defend themselves against murderers, terrorists, and tyrants. I think the ICC just spelled its own demise by this outrageous effort. The incoming National Security advisor Michael Waltz indicates that both the ICC and UN can expect a strong response. What do Hamas and illegal immigration activists have in common? Both hide behind human shields. On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked innocent civilians. Not soldiers, not the Israeli Defense Force. They went after men, women, and children in adjacent towns and villages, raping, kidnapping, and killing. When Prime Minister Netanyahu launched raids to rescue hostages taken on October 7, Hamas put human shields between themselves and rescuers to create casualties. Throughout the Gaza war, Hamas terrorists hide behind UNRWA schools and hospitals to shield themselves. It dares Israel to come after them, hoping human shields provide kinetic vetoes. Hamas doesnt care about innocent civilians; it cares about the propaganda it generates by casualties that are the result of its immoral battle tactics. Hamas cares about that propaganda because, in the topsy-turvy morality of the world today, Israel gets blamed for fighting back. For defending itself. For rescuing hostages. For exposing its own troops to greater harm to minimize collateral damage to civilian because of Hamass immoral fighting tactics. The horrific casualties of Gaza could be avoided if Hamas surrendered or at least came out in the open rather than hiding behind women and children. But we have the International Criminal Court issuing warrants for Israels leadership. Sure, they included one Hamas figure. They didnt have others to include because Prime Minister Netanyahus policies have already dispatched most of them to another judgment seat. I mention the Hamas human shield strategy because one hears its eerie echoes on the American left intending to interfere with immigration law enforcement. Theyre not just threatening noncooperation with federal authorities. These modern-day George Wallaces are promising active interference and obstruction. And one way they seem to be planning that is by using human shields. George Wallace at least put himself in the schoolroom door. These guys want to put civilians in harms way. Denver mayor Mike Johnston threatens civil resistance. He says that if the feds try to round up illegals in the Mile High City, civil opposition will swell into a Tiananmen Square uprising. (Maybe Tim Walz can arrange to be there so he can attend a Tiananmen uprising.) Mike Johnston isnt saying he plans to tell people to stay out of it and stay home. The social justice activist group Truthout is calling on the U.S. military to disobey orders if told to round up illegals. Their post is invidious in two ways. The straightforward way is to claim that soldiers need not obey unlawful orders, thus undermining chain of command and military discipline. The devious way is to be found in the responses of commentators. Its clear that many want civilians in sanctuary jurisdictions to place themselves between the illegals and any military force executing the Immigration and Nationality Act. In other words, like Hamas, they want to use Americans as human shields to obstruct federal law enforcement. Like Hamas, they probably wouldnt be upset if some of those Americans are injured or even killed. It gives them talking points to divert public attention. As the Soviet communists used to say, youve got to break some eggs to make an omelet and, like todays left using human shields, they never cared if some of those broken shells were useful idiots. In other words, to protect the rights of people who have no right to be here, they are willing to use Americans as shields to interfere with federal law enforcement and score propaganda points. The former sounds like insurrection, the latter like the callous disregard for their fellow Americans so characteristic of leftist pieties. Consider, after all, how MSNBC initially headlined the verdict on the conviction of Jose Ibarra, Laken Rileys convicted murderer. Before changing it, MSNBC initially titled the story, Laken Rileys Killer Never Stood a Chance. As bizarre as the headline is (what chance did Laken Riley have?) the real question is, what motivated it? Most likely, it was the lefts objection to the speed at which Georgia showed that it could try and convict Ibarra. Presumably, an open-and-shut case should have been dragged out and spend the next 30 years on appeal. Whats clear here is disregard for the rights and interests of American citizens in favor of preferred causes. And the same disregard will likely be operating in any case to use Americans as shields for illegals. Shields will be called peaceful protesters. (No insurrection to see here, folks.) Theyll be said to be defending their communitys values. (Theyll ignore the fact theyre using the same slogan as Southern segregationists.) Theyll be defending states rights and civil rights even though, by their own lawfare (Arizona v. United States), its clear that states cannot pre-empt federal jurisdiction in immigration cases and that illegal aliens rights are rather limited. And theyll egg on such peaceful protests in defense of rights and values not because they believe any of those things, but because they are useful deflection points while setting up people as shields to become victims for their cause. Local jurisdictions can, indeed should cooperate with federal law enforcement on illegal immigration e.g., holding illegals for handover. We should even incentivize them to do so and exact financial costs from them if they dont. But even if they dont cooperate, they certainly cannot affirmatively obstruct federal law enforcement. At that point, officials ordering such policies expose themselves to arrest for obstructing federal immigration law enforcement and their forces to federalization. What I fear is not so much Mike Johnston leading the Denver Police to cordon off parts of the city inhabited densely by illegal aliens as much as the wink-and-nod approach of blue-state officials egging civilian protesters into the streets and then doing nothing about it. Like Hamas, they want human shields to deter enforcement and create victims to generate sympathy for their cause and rewrite the narrative. As in the case of Hamas, we cant let the story be hijacked by those using human shields. Image via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 (cropped). There are still two months left in Joe Biden's and Kamala Harris's presidency. And for Joe, having spent half his presidency on vacation, what's another vacay to cap it off? According to the New York Post's Miranda Devine, he's heading to Nantucket, presumably for a Thanksgiving with billionaires. Kamala Harris is still holidaying in Hawaii and Joe Biden is heading off to Nantucket for another holiday. Good thing theres no trouble in world. FAA NFZ alert says it all. pic.twitter.com/Dv8Xivk7qv Miranda Devine (@mirandadevine) November 24, 2024 That comes as Kamala Harris is continuing her no-show vacation on Hawaii's Big Island, given the Kona destination. Yes, Kona's nice this time of year, it doesn't usually have snow. The Weather Channel says it's 79 with a chance of rain, which beats the snowstorms and freezing rain back east. Sure, they aren't overlapping these vacations. One is coming and the other is going. All the same, as Devine notes, it comes at a pretty vulnerable time to the U.S., with Biden having issued the go-ahead to Ukraine to launch U.S. missiles deep into Russia, with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, threatening retaliation. Over in Israel, some of the fiercest fighting yet has been seen, while back in the states, the illegal migrant caravans are still massing. Winter has set in in the hurricane-ravaged parts of western North Carolina with locals needing help and shelter more than ever. In Venezuela, the Argentinian embassy is under siege. In the U.K., mass protests over a raft of issues is taking hold, with the ruling Labour party quite possibly tottering. President Trump has wasted no time getting his cabinet ready for incoming work, with a couple of lieutenants, Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy of the newly launched Department of Government Efficiency project aleady deep into work at finding areas for cutbacks -- air-conditioned empty federal buildings, United Nations funding encouraging illegal migration to the states, preposterous 'Larry Lightbulb' science projects. Sure, Kamala Harris probably needs some rest after the election, and unverified rumors of marital turmoil. But so does Trump. Trump got his rest and is at work. But Biden and Harris are all about salving themselves, they always have been, even as the pair of them made it a campaign cornerstone that Trump was "in it for himself." Trump is working. Biden and Harris have kicked back. They still have two months left in their failed presidency and odds are, these won't be their last vacations. Feel safer now? Image: Pexels / Pexels License Are the authorities covering up the circumstances of this horrific crime? On July 29, 2024, in Southport, United Kingdom, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana (A.R.) allegedly knifed to death three girls (Bebe King, six; Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven; and Alice da Silva Aguier, nine). He also allegedly knifed eight other children and two adults, all of whom survived with severe injuries. Rumors spread that A.R. was an asylum-seeking Muslim who had arrived in the country on a small boat. Anti-Muslim riots broke out in Southport and elsewhere in the United Kingdom. Police put down the riots, and on August 1, Liverpool Crown Court announced that A.R. had been born in Britain and was not a Muslim. A.R. was initially charged with murder and attempted murder. However, the police later learned that at the time of these alleged crimes, ricin and al-Qaeda terrorist materials were stashed at his house. As a consequence, on October 29, he was additionally charged with offenses under the Biological Weapons Act (1974) and the Terrorism Act (2000). (However, the police refused to identify the attack as terror-related.) The Southport horror is no longer front-page news, but questions remain. Prior to A.R.s alleged attack, were the authorities aware of A.R. as a threat? If so, what did they do about it? Did the murderer single out young girls? If so, why? Were the knifings a terrorist act? How did al-Qaeda terrorist materials and ricin end up in A.R.s house? How much ricin was in the house, and what was its lethality? What are the contents of the terrorist materials? What has A.R. been up to online? Then, on November 17, Winston Marshall aired his Nigel Farage interview on YouTube. (Farage is a member of Parliament who leads the Reform Party. He stands head and shoulders above other British politicians due to his intelligence, verbal skills, and rightness on the issues.) Farage commented on the Southport murders and mutilations. All I can say to you right now is that I know a hell of a lot more than the British public know. I have been completely silenced. ... I have been told by the speaker of the House of Commons that I cant ask questions about (Southport) in the House of Commons. ... We are witnessing one of the biggest cover-ups weve ever seen in our lives. ... I cant go any further than that other than to say I will be proved right. But later in the interview, Farage did go further: [Prime Minister Keir] Starmers instincts on all of this are deeply authoritarian. ... When the truth comes out about all this, his reputation as prime minister will take a dent of enormous proportions. What are the answers to the questions and concerns raised above? For example, is Farage correct when he says, We are witnessing one of the biggest cover-ups weve seen in our lives? During the coming year, I hope to find out. Scott Varland is an American living in the United Kingdom. Image via Pexels. For a while now, we've seen a lot of radical leftist lunacies coming out of Britain. We've since seen people thrown in prison for social media posts, killers getting let off the hook for atrocious crimes against children while conservatives have been given long prison terms for literally talking out of turn, migrants getting special treatment, people thown in prison for thought crimes, such as silent praying outside abortion clinics, along with unprecedented British interference in our own elections. (That was followed by the Eddie Haskell-like congratulations Starmer extended to President Trump on his great re-election victory.) There's also this, in Britain's fairly rural Cornwall county, where Labour has targeted family farms: PITCHFORK PROTESTS PERSIST IN THE UK. In Truro, Cornwall, farmers in tractors took to the streets to protest against the left-wing PM Starmer government's inheritance tax hike. Stay tuned.pic.twitter.com/RSUpD7hQfT Steve Hanke (@steve_hanke) November 24, 2024 The British voters recently elected this radical leftist Labour government this past July, led by the deceptively mild-mannered-looking Keir Starmer, which up until now made it easy to dismiss what was going on over there as a cautionary tale. After all, that was what they wanted. Enjoy your Orwell live, Brits. But now that Trump been re-elected president, things seem to be different. A sleeping giant has stirred. According to Breitbart News: A petition calling for a general election to remove the recently installed left-wing Labour Party government has garnered nearly three-quarters of a million backers in less than a week. A call for a new general election has received over 750,000 signatures at the time of reporting in what has been described as one of the fastest-growing petitions in Britain. They've passed a million votes as of this writing -- see here. It will be more by the time you look. The county map is interesting, too, (U.K. has counties, not states) showing the deepest content in Britain's far north, which has long been a Labour stronghold, as well as the eastern part of the county of Nottingham, which is another storied Labour area associated with the industrial north. The fast-ring candidate is Reform party leader Nigel Farage, who could easily be compared to President Trump, and indeed the pair of them seem to be good friends. In parliament, Farage represents Clacton, a town on the eastern shore of England in Essex County, not far from the mouth of the Thames, which is deepest red on the map. Based on Britain's complicated parliamentary system, the entry of his third party in politics pretty much kept them as backbenchers at best in parliament. The widely held view has been that Farage has no chance of getting elected. Upstart parties in general in Europe are growing, but have a very hard time ever taking power, as Marine Le Pen can attest. But this looks like a rising upstart movement that might just be different, given its speed and strength. This petition has already reached 750,000 signatures in 24 hours. It wont be long before it passes 1 million. Ive never seen anything like it.https://t.co/wMHbibpz5V Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) November 24, 2024 Correlation is not causation, of course, but U.S. and British politics tend to move in tandem, which may be a factor, too. The left there has gone haywire with a little power, just as the left here under Joe Biden did. The reaction from citizens is in both countries pretty strong. Might it have at least emboldened the Brits to think a little harder about where their interests lie? The farmer protests are fairly similar to the kinds of protests in the Netherlands before Trumpian Geert Wilders took the most votes in the last election. That surprised a lot of the establishment, which viewed him as crazy, too. Trump, in fact, had been demonized across Europe as an extremist, a Nazi, a crazy man, and by extension, probably viewed as unelectable by a lot of them. But Trump won, which might have made them think they could win. Recall that Labour had gotten into power from a three-way race, drawing only over a third of the votes, which they took as a broad mandate. This was the situation Chile was in, by the way, during the Allende regime. Like Chile, they had had a RINO-style Tory government they threw out in favor of the radical leftists of Labour who promised to be moderate. That was a lie, it always is when one is dealing with the radical left, and few nations' radical lefts are as radical as Britain's. Now the Brits are looking to Nigel, whose support is growing in leaps and bounds. They had to have been desperate -- the unthinkable is becoming thinkable. If so, that's good news for all of us. Farage is an old commodity trader, and he would know better than anyone that the trend is his friend. Image: Twitter video screen shot Pam Bondi, Trumps nominee for Attorney General now that Matt Gaetz has withdrawn, is an interesting choice. On the one hand, she seems like a conservative attack dog and comes out of Ron DeSantiss Florida, which argues that shes solid. On the other hand, a lot of RINOs are awfully pleased that shes been named, which is always worrisome. One other worrisome thing is how Bondi handled the George Zimmerman-Trayvon Martin case back in 2012 as Floridas AG twelve years ago. Sundance, at Conservative Treehouse, has written a detailed analysis about Bondis decision to force George Zimmermans case to trial, and what Sundance says is worth thinking about. He describes the facts and the risk that the Swamp now has a hold on her. The undisputed facts were that Martin, who was black, attacked Zimmerman, slammed him onto the sidewalk, and started to bash Zimmermans head against the pavement, a potentially deadly act. Zimmerman, fearing for his life, was able to free his gun and shoot Martin, killing him. Image: YouTube screen grab (cropped). The case was carefully vetted at the local level. The responding officer determined that it was justifiable self-defense. The chief of police and the local prosecutor came to the same conclusion. No charges were filed. But Martin was black, and Zimmerman is Hispanic, which surprised the usual race hustlers who had assumed he was white. They instantly pivoted, calling him a white Hispanic. Black trumped white Hispanic, so we were off to the race-hustler races (pun intended) with Bondis help. Apparently acting at attorney Benjamin Crumps behest, Bondi told then-Governor Rick Scott to appoint a special prosecutor, forcing out the responding officer, the chief of police, and the local prosecutor. The special prosecutor, Angela Corey, was Bondis campaign manager. Corey charged Zimmerman with second-degree homicide and convinced the judge to hold Zimmerman in jail until the trial. Per Sundance, Bondis friend and colleagues built a false case against Zimmerman. She knew what they were doing and approved or perhaps even directed it as AG. Law enforcement at the local level and the local prosecutor were not consulted until the case came to trial. Likewise, the two Zimmerman supporting witnesses were not consulted until the trial. But the usual race hustlers were consulted in a slashing PR campaign to convict Zimmerman in the public eyethe ever-available Al Sharpton, Barack Obama, and like ilk. The usual mobs wildly demonstrated for conviction. Against all race-baiting odds, Zimmerman was acquitted. Thanks to that case, Bondi improved her career by appearing to be a minority champion. Now, she stands on the verge of being AG of the US. Unfortunately for Trump, Sundance contends that she is severely compromised because the DC sewer knows all the case details and will be prepared to control Bondi with this sordid information. This may explain why she is likely to sail through Senate confirmation. One possible way for her to partially redeem herself when she becomes AG is to appoint Matt Gaetz as a prominent DOJ official and turn him loose. I keep reading articles claiming that this is the reason Kamala lost, with this being one of, or any combination of (in no particular order, and excuse any overlaps and omissions)... The economy, stupid; Uncontrolled spending; No border control; Abortion up to and after birth; BLM/Antifa rioting DIE/CRT; Preferred pronouns; Transgender policy madness; Males in female sports; COVID policies; Woke education; Pro-Hamas campuses unsafe for Jews; Targeting of conservatives, traditional Catholics, school moms; Targeting of gas stoves, meat, and more; Censorship; Climate change agenda; J6 exploitation; Lawfare against Trump; Fight! Fight! Fight! Unlimited military support for Ukraine; Kamala never went through the nomination process; Kamala did not nice things as a prosecutor; Kamalas not a nice person; Kamala is a moron unfit to be president. But theres one thing that has hasnt really been discussed: why didnt the Deep State, sensing all this resentment attributable to numerous causes, adopt a pre-election strategy toning all those policies down the six months or so before the election, or at least four months before, when Kamala was anointed? Slow the illegal immigration spigot at the border, stop spending, increase the supply of oil, stop censorship and targeting, tone down the transgender madness, etc. Then resume all the original policies with a vengeance right after the elections, with no one to stop them ever again. (The only policy I get why they didnt tone down was the pro-Hamas tilt, for fear of losing Michigan in the elections. The fence-straddling, with very wishy-washy support of Israel, probably resulted in a net election loss anyway, but I get it.) Now, some might say it wouldve weakened the Democrat position if Kamala deviated from Bidens policies, but lets be honest: everyone knows that a vice president doesnt set policy. (In fact, I dont fault Kamala or Alejandro Mayorkas for incompetence on the border issue as others have, since they were just carrying out the Deep States policy. I dont think Kamala has ever made a policy decision on her own.) Kamala would have looked independent, resourceful, and maybe even competent with such policy improvements. Some might say that if she had done this, she would have had to remove Joe Biden from office through the 25th Amendment due to mental incapacity. To that I say maybe she should have, especially since his decline was exposed to everyone, but even if not, she anyway should have had to do that when she de facto took over, yet didnt, so she couldve just ignored the complaints for a few more months, especially with a compliant press. So why didnt the Deep State adopt a pre-election strategy of toning things down? Was it overconfidence of victory? To avoid charges of hypocrisy? It couldnt ruin Joes legacy? Im not sure, but not doing so may be the reason for Kamalas loss and Trumps landslide victory. W.A. Eliot is a pseudonym. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0. Both Target and HBO have taken steps indicating that LGBTQ+ tyranny is finally ending. This does not mean a return to discrimination against homosexuals; it means an end to discrimination against those who do not want sexuality thrust on their toddlers or biological reality dumped into the garbage. More than that, it sees the death of a false religion that has held sway for too long. For over a decade, Target has raised the LGTBQ+ agenda to an almost religious level. During Pride Month, its stores become shrines to rainbows and proud statements about sexuality, including for children: The kids pride collection from Target (US) includes a penis tucking swimsuit for babies. pic.twitter.com/N2hbP6KVtw Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) May 15, 2023 Thats why people were outraged when a woman in North Dakota was fired for writing Trust in Jesus on her name tag. However, showing that the LGBTQ+ moment in America may be over, Target has backed off from its stance, apologizing to the woman for having fired her: Target is apologizing after they said an employee was wrongfully terminated over a dress code issue. Denise Kendrick, an employee of a Target store in Fargo, North Dakota, said she was fired over the weekend after she wrote trust in Jesus on her nametag at work. Kendrick said she was approached by a manager who told her she cant wear that nametag. I replied, Well, Ive seen people with rainbows on theirs. Im going to continue to wear this nametag, and then they said, Well, you cant work here anymore, Kendrick said. The manager went ahead and fired Kendrick, but Target reversed that decision: In a statement Tuesday, a Target spokesperson said: Upon learning of the situation, we conducted a review and determined that the team member should not have been terminated. We apologized to her and offered to reinstate her immediately. We are taking the appropriate steps to address the actions taken by the individual leader involved in this situation and are working with the store to ensure our policies are appropriately followed moving forward. The same news cycle reports that HBO, disregarding the hysteria coming from the so-called transgender crowd, is working with JK Rowling on a new Harry Potter series: As casting for the upcoming Harry Potter TV series gets underway, more information has come out about controversial author J.K. Rowlings level of involvement in the show, which will stream on Max. According to a statement from HBO provided to Hollywood trade publications Variety and TheWrap, Rowlings contribution has been invaluable to the company and the Potter show will only benefit from her involvement as executive producer. We have been working with J. K. Rowling and in the Harry Potter business for over 20 years, the statement read. With millions of fans continuing to enjoy movies, games and experiences, weve had great success and her contribution has been invaluable. We are proud to once again tell the story of Harry Potter the heartwarming books that speak to power of friendship, resolve and acceptance. J.K. Rowling has a right to express her personal views, the statement continued. We will remain focused on the development of the new series, which will only benefit from her involvement. What were witnessing is something very important: It suggests that the religious rule of the LGBTQ+ cohort is finally at an end. And yes, I did say the religious rule. Let me explain. This goes back to an expression thats familiar to those who lived through the 1980s: secular humanism. The Moral Majority wanted prayers and Bibles in schools and pushed back against the secular humanism that prevented them from doing so. I, of course, was entirely on the side of the secular humanists because I believed that their values were non-religious. I had the whole rap down, talking about the First Amendment and the separation of church and state. It boiled down to this: You could teach abortion in schools (non-religious), but you couldnt teach abstinence (religious). It wasnt until much later that I understood that leftism is every bit as much of a religion as Judeo-Christianity is. Its just that the former elevates humans to the status of gods, while the latter keeps humans firmly below the one God. In other words, this wasnt the clash of mindless god-faith with pure, incorruptible rationalism. It was a war of values, one God-centric and the other god-centric (the Divinity versus the self, one might say). This war accelerated dramatically in the 21st century and reached its apex with the whole LGBTQ+ movement, which has effectively crowded out all other faiths in the public square, including the Judeo-Christian rules about the sexual binary and the centrality of heterosexuality. But why do I say its a faith? I say that because a central aspect of paganism is that all the pagan gods can transform their shapes and identities, whether theyre Egyptian cat or falcon gods or Greek and Roman gods endlessly assuming alternative human and animal identities. If humans can abandon their biological reality and transform themselves into identities that others must respect (a level of respect akin to worship), they have elevated themselves to pagan gods. Thats some religion! But of course, as is typical for all paganism, there are ultimately only negative traits. There is no moral doctrine, no corrective for failures (e.g., remorse, repentance, and redemption), and no ultimate salvation. There are just the gods endless efforts to satisfy their own base desires. Humans are pawns rather than unique individuals made in a sacred image. The fact that the LGBTQ+ religion is declining in the public sphere is a good thing because it brings nothing beneficial to humankind. Instead, it brings only the pain, chaos, and arbitrary and capricious irrationality of paganism. This means that the climbdowns on the part of Target and HBO are excellent signs for a return to sanity and moral health in America that we must ensure are never again reversed. Image by AI. The latest reports regarding the Galaxy S25 series claim that Samsung will skip the Exynos 2500 chip. The low yield rate issue on the companys 3nm wafers was impossible to overcome in the required time. However, this does not imply that they have abandoned the development of their next flagship SoC. A new report claims that we will see the Exynos 2500 in Samsungs foldables in 2025. According to reports, the Galaxy S25 series will hit the market in January 2025. That left Samsung with very little room to resolve the issues at its factories. According to reports, the company made last-minute efforts to integrate the Exynos 2500 into its next-generation flagship smartphones. However, in the end they will have to use the Snapdragon 8 Elite chip across the entire lineup. The Exynos 2500 chip tipped to be present in all next-gen Samsung foldables That said, the next Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip series will arrive in mid-2025. So, the South Korean giant has plenty of time to improve the yield rate on Samsung Foundrys 3nm wafers until then. According to tipster Sanju Choudhary on X/Twitter, the Exynos 2500 chip will power Samsungs next-generation foldable devices. The post also includes some key specs for the SoC. The Exynos 2500 could feature a 10-core CPU architecture distributed across 3 clusters. The hardware could have 3x Cortex-X925 cores, 5x Cortex-A725 cores, and 2x Cortex-A520 cores. For gaming, an Xclipse 950 GPU may ensure high performance even in the most demanding titles. Recent reports have revealed that Samsung will launch a tri-fold device, an affordable Galaxy Z Flip 7 FE, and a Galaxy Z Fold 7 Special Edition in 2025. The company is likely to integrate the Exynos 2500 chip across its entire foldable lineup. For reference, the latest Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Galaxy Z Flip 6 use Snapdragon hardware. Mass production of Exynos 2500 for Galaxy S25 is unfeasible Industry insiders have revealed that Samsung Foundrys current 3nm yield rate is hovering between 1020%, which makes it unfeasible to mass produce the Exynos 2500 chip for the Galaxy S25 series. After all, Galaxy S flagships typically sell tens of millions of units each year. However, the company expects to improve the situation significantly in the coming months. Samsung has posted a new ad for its foldable smartphones but the company ridicules Apple and iPhone users in the video. The latest promo even goes as far as implying iPhone users are merely following Apple mindlessly. Samsung suggests its foldable phones are better than Apples innovations Samsung and Apple have regularly indulged in ad campaigns that poke fun at each other. In fact, Apple also targets Microsoft via video ads. This time around, Samsung has fired the first shot at Apple with a new ad. The advertisement is now live on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms. In the minute-long video, Samsung is seen promoting its foldable phones. The South Korean tech giant has included the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 6. Samsung shows how versatile and innovative its foldable devices are. The company has included a few scenarios where the foldable displays offer additional functionality, especially with Samsung Galaxy AI. If you try to fit in, you wont stand out. #UpgradeYourUpgrade with #GalaxyAI pic.twitter.com/WtfWDFIVd2 Samsung Mobile US (@SamsungMobileUS) November 21, 2024 Why the Samsung ad may come across as offensive to iPhone users Samsung keeps referencing Apple, iPhones, and the Apple Store in the ad. The ad claims Apples iOS smartphone users are following the dictates of a mysterious character called Simon. It could be a veiled reference to Steve Jobs. Samsung seems to reportedly imply, iPhone owners are all very iSheep-y. Needless to say, Samsung doesnt use the term anywhere in the video. However, the ad surely implies the same, on multiple occasions. With the ad, Samsung seems to be suggesting that Apple has abandoned its Be Different philosophy. The ad does, however, claim, Samsung says do your own thing. What the statement seems to strongly imply that if smartphone users buy a Samsung device, they are no longer following Simon, and deciding to set their own path. Samsung could be doing well in the smartphone market. However, Americans still prefer iPhones. Moreover, many Chinese smartphone brands have been steadily eating into Samsungs market share in developing countries. Under such circumstances, Samsung may be trying to convince iPhone users to switch to its foldable smartphones. In recent weeks, US authorities have been warning about a potential campaign of attacks on US telecommunications infrastructure from China. Hackers have reportedly been trying to breach the most prominent mobile carriers for months. A new report reveals that White House officials held a meeting with telecom executives to address the alleged hack. White House officials and telecom executives addressed hacking campaign from China in meeting An earlier report revealed that a US Senate panel will hold a meeting with cybersecurity experts to discuss the situation. Now, according to Reuters, White House officials conducted a similar meeting with executives of US mobile carriers. The meeting was an opportunity to hear from telecommunications sector executives on how the U.S. Government can partner with and support the private sector in hardening against sophisticated nation state attacks, reads a White House statement. We do not know which mobile carriers or executives participated in the meeting with the White House. However, Jake Sullivannational security adviserand Anne Neubergerdeputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology hosted it. Attacks targeting US officials and police telecommunications channels According to the FBI, the attacks on US carriers targeted prominent public officials, including the latest presidential candidates. The breach could have also compromised the data of election campaign staff and all those who communicated with them. The most recent attack on the U.S. telecommunications infrastructure targeted communication channels for U.S. law enforcement agencies. It aimed to obtain sensitive surveillance data by creating backdoors through advanced technology in official police surveillance systems. Senator Mark Warner referred to the multiple attacks as the worst telecom hack in our nations historyby far. The attacks could have been carried out through carriers such as Verizon and AT&T over an eight-month period. The hackers could have had access to data such as call logs and SMS. A recent report added T-Mobile to the list, but the carrier denied any data breaches in an official statement. Dwayne Johnson on his Moana role: It has brought me closer to my own culture Dwayne The Rock Johnson has said starring in Moana has brought him closer to his Polynesian culture as he reflected on the importance of representation on screen. The Hollywood star, whose mother is Samoan, returns to his role as the beloved demi-god Maui for the sequel to Disneys 2016 animated hit. Set three years after the original film, Moana 2 will see Moana and Maui reunite for the new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. Johnson told the PA news agency on the blue carpet of the films UK premiere in central London: I think its critically important to be an advocate for representation and for culture. I can tell you, just by experience with Moana, its been, not only an incredible experience, but also, I think, one that has brought me closer to my own culture. The wrestler-turned movie star, 52, said he has realised every day can provide a learning lesson for your culture, despite how much you may already known or has been embedded in your DNA. So every time I go back home to Hawaii or speak with my Samoan elders or call on my ancestors, you always learn so much, he added. So I think to be able to bring Moana 2 to the big screen and to have a lot of people around the world who anticipate the film is really a great thing. But also, I think, embracing not only our culture, our Polynesian culture, but also embracing their own culture too, as well. Johnson, who his a girl dad of three daughters aged 23, eight and six, said one of the greatest things about the project was how his children can see themselves represented in Moana. Aulii Cravalho returns to voice the title character (Lucy North/PA) Its also amazing when I go around the world to promote the film, like here in London, wherever Ive been, you meet all these little girls around the world and little boys who see themselves, who are not brown skin, and its beautiful, they see themselves in Moana and Maui, and its amazing, he added. He revealed another special aspect of the role for him was that his character Maui was largely inspired by his grandfather. So in a way, I speak as him and Im in his skin, he said. Hawaiian actress Aulii Cravalho returns to voice the title character, who is set to embark on a new adventure through the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous waters after receiving an unexpected call from her ancestors. She hailed the film as a celebration of all types of people from the Pacific Islands who have been known for their voyaging and wayfinding skills for thousands of years. The actress, who was cast for the first film aged 14, said she could have never anticipated the impact the character has had on young fans and the Disney world. Dwayne Johnson being interviewed at the UK premiere of Moana 2 (Lucy North/PA) She added: Its amazing to see just how far Moana impact has gone. I love that she is strong and brave and kind, and I think that shes at the forefront of a conversation where she gets to rebrand the princesses a bit. You might never see her in a ball gown, but shes at the helm of her ship and that means that princess and hero those two words are interchangeable. Directed by David Derrick Jr, Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the sequel will feature music by Grammy-winners Abigail Barlow, Emily Bear and Mark Mancina and Grammy nominee Opetaia Foai. The original film followed the story of adventurous teenager Moana as she set sail on a daring mission to save her people, enlisting the help of the gregarious demi-god Maui. It was nominated for two Oscars in the best animated feature and best original song categories. The track How Far Ill Go, written for the film by Hamilton star Lin-Manuel Miranda, won the Grammy for best song written for visual media. Moana 2 is set to be released in cinemas on November 29. A British man has reportedly been captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine. In a widely circulated video on Sunday, first posted on Telegram, the man identifies himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, aged 22, and says he is a former British Army soldier. He is dressed in combat fatigues and speaks with an English accent while appearing to have his hands tied. He said to the camera: I was in the British Army before, from 2019 to 2023, 22 Signal Regiment. Just a private. I was a signalman. One Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment, 252 Squadron. He said he signed up to fight for Ukraines International Legion after losing his job. When I left, I got fired from my job, I applied on the International Legion webpage. I had just lost everything. I just lost my job, he said. I see it on the TV, he added, shaking his head. It was a stupid idea. He described how he had travelled to Ukraine from Britain, saying: I flew to Krakow, Poland, from London Luton. Bus from there to Medyka in Poland, on the Ukraine border. Russian state news agency Tass reported that a military source said a UK mercenary had been taken prisoner in the Kursk area of Russia. The UK Foreign Office said it was supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention. The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment at this stage. Irelands Climate Minister has said the Cop29 agreement struck late on Saturday is far from perfect, but is a foundation that can be built on in an uncertain world. Eamon Ryan, the former Green Party leader, said it was a hopeful step towards ensuring financial fairness for the countries that need it most. Groups have criticised the climate conferences 300 billion dollar (239.5 billion) funding agreement designed to help developing nations combat the impacts of global warming as insufficient amid already-rising seawaters. Mr Ryan, who along with his counterpart from Costa Rica was charged with negotiating on adaptation, said he was proud of the Irish teams work in the talks. He said: We protected the aim to transition away from fossil fuels reached in Dubai last year, despite attempts by fossil fuel countries to disrupt the process and we overcame real difficulties in the negotiation process to still get a deal over the line. I am particularly proud of the role our Irish team played in the negotiations. We have a proud record in climate finance for adaptation and can help build bridges between north and south in our world. Many in attendance were less than impressed with the multi-nation financial commitment, with the final sum more than 125% less than the 1.3 trillion dollars (1.03 trillion) per year impacted nations had said was needed. The new climate bursary is, however, three times more than the 100 billion dollar (79.8 billion) a year 2009 deal that is soon to expire. There was an imperative on us all to deliver here in Baku, Mr Ryan said. To walk away would have been unforgivable and shameful given the scale of the crisis we all face. This agreement is far from perfect and it does not go nearly far enough, particularly on mitigation, gender and human rights but it keeps the core principles of the Paris Agreement alive and it gives us a basis to work from as we move forward to make Cop30 in Brazil transformational. He added: Importantly, it maintains north-south collaboration and co-operation. If this had broken down, particularly against the spectre of geopolitical uncertainty we are all facing in the coming months, it would have done incredible damage. We have to avoid division on climate at all costs. We have to keep the needs of the most vulnerable at the centre of everything we do. This Cop was all about bringing development and climate justice together, and I think weve left Baku with this in a stronger place. Negotiations have not been easy here with a lot of fossil fuel interests looking to stop a deal, particularly on mitigation, but multilateralism has prevailed and the world has stood firm together for climate and financial justice. Singer Kate Nash has said she believes the music industry can learn a lot from the sex industry. The musician announced on Thursday that her OnlyFans income will help to subsidise her shows. Nash, who started her UK dates in Glasgow on Thursday, told LBC: Ive started an OnlyFans account and Im selling pictures of my arse because I think thats quite funny. And you know, I do find it empowering. I think sex work is really empowering. I think that women being in control of what theyre selling is really empowering. The singer Kate Nash said her OnlyFans work is empowering (Gareth Fuller/PA) I mean in the past 72 hours Ive had so many more conversations about ethics, consent, what Im willing to do, what Im not willing to do. People really wanting to pay me for things, asking me questions, theres like boundaries and control that I dont think artists are taught when they enter the industry from the music business. I think the music industry could really learn from the sex industry and I know a lot of people are also exploited in the sex industry as well. Nash previously told the BBC she was losing money from her tours and claimed her OnlyFans income will subsidise her shows because, according to her Instagram, touring makes losses not profits. When asked why she felt being a musician was no longer a financially viable career, she told LBC: The cost of touring has gone up. Just like the cost-of-living crisis, theres a cost-of-touring crisis where the cost of travel, accommodation, crew wages, bus rental, all the things that you need to pay for when you go on tour, everythings gone up. The singer hit out exploitation in the music industry (Niall Carson/PA) But a lot of bands and artists fees for gigs have not gone up, whereas ticket prices have gone up. She added: Theres a big disparity between artists where we even have billionaire musicians, but the majority of musicians are not billionaires and millionaires. The major labels and streaming companies and massive promotion companies have decided how things are going to be and they havent decided to value musicians or give them a fair cut of those deals. When asked about a potential lack of equality on OnlyFans, she said there was a lack of equality in every single industry that everyones worked in. She added: Theres a lot of interesting niche things about the sex industry, too. And theres a lot of open-minded people that people are turned on by lots of different things. So Im not sure that people are attracted to different things too. And theres a lot of really amazing feminist queer people creating interesting feminist queer sex work for sale. And theres a lot of feminists and queer people that want to also watch adult films or I mean, Im not making adult films but theres like a massive spectrum in sex work, right? But there is inequality, as you say, in every single industry. This is sort of a punk protest that Im making. If I had posted a picture of me at a gig and I said: Im going on tour and its really hard touring right now, I dont think I would be here. I dont think Id be on the front page of Reddit. I dont think that I would into the BBC. Nash also called for a drastic change to what she deemed to be quite an exploitative industry. She said: We need drastic change. We need HR departments, we need fair wages. I have had lots of experience of being exploited. Nash said touring leads to losses, not profits, for many artists (Chris Radburn/PA) Im getting a lot of attention for doing this. I have a name thats recognisable. I can attract attention. I dont feel I have power to make real change in the business. But this. Doing this is empowering me. And theyre two separate things as well. And theyre not to sort of be conflated that you know, sending pictures of my bum is funny and fun and enjoyable and sexy and like, all these different things. I think that theres a lot of comedy in it. Theres a punk protest in it, and then theres fun and theres too much shame surrounding sex and sex work. And people will raise eyebrows and have judgments, but thats part of the fun as well. And thats part of, like encouraging people to sort of just loosen up and like lose shame around their bodies and they want to do with their bodies and sex and pleasure. Nash has just finished a three-week US tour and started her UK dates in Glasgow on Thursday. She will then move on to Europe. Her date at Londons Koko is sold out. Kim Leadbeater (centre) and MPs visit trees bearing 650 dying wishes in Parliament Square - Michael Leckie/PA The Bill to legalise assisted dying has enough support to pass the parliamentary vote on Friday, MPs sponsoring the legislation believe. A cross-party group backing the Bill put forward by Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP, believes it will pass if all MPs who have pledged their support attend the vote. The Bill would legalise assisted dying for terminally ill, mentally competent adults with six months or less to live. It needs to win a majority of MPs in attendance to be voted through at the second reading on Friday. It is co-sponsored by MPs from across the political spectrum, including Kit Malthouse, the former Conservative minister, Christine Jardine, the Liberal Democrat, and the Green Party MP Sian Berry. A source close to the MPs campaigning in favour of legalisation told The Telegraph: If all the MPs who have said they support the Bill turn out and vote for it, then it will pass. MPs on the opposing camp have described the vote as on a knife-edge, with some warning of a potential Brexit-style 48-52 split that could divide Parliament. It comes after a former chief coroner warned that the Bill would cut out the robust safeguard of the requirement for all assisted deaths to be automatically referred to the coroner. In a letter to The Telegraph, Thomas Teague KC, chief coroner of England and Wales from 2020 to 2024, wrote: Since the coroners jurisdiction affords a powerful deterrent against misfeasance, the public may wonder why the Bill proposes to abandon such a robust safeguard. The Telegraph revealed last week that almost a third of the Cabinet are against legalising assisted dying. On Saturday, Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, wrote to her constituents warning that MPs would be putting the country on a slippery slope towards death on demand if they moved to legalise the practice. Lord Falconer, the former Labour justice secretary, told Sky News that Ms Mahmood was motivated by her religious beliefs and that these shouldnt be imposed on everybody else. On Sunday, Jonathan Ashworth, the former shadow health secretary and now the chief executive of Labour Together, told GB News he would not vote for the assisted dying legislation if he were still an MP. Kim Leadbeater presented the Assisted Dying Bill in the Commons on Oct 16 - Reuters Ms Leadbeaters proposed legislation is a Private Members Bill. If all 639 voting MPs attended the debate, she would need 320 MPs to back her Bill to pass it to committee stage. Previous Private Members Bills attempting to legalise assisted dying have failed, but Fridays free vote will be unpredictable due to the large number of MPs with no prior record on the issue. It hinges largely on the votes of the 402 Labour MPs, over half of whom were newly elected last July. Ms Leadbeaters team believes they have enough support from the party for the Bill to pass. Her supporters also claim that the 121 Conservative MPs are evenly split. This would be a significant departure from 2015, when the majority voted against. Opponents of the Bill argue that Tory MPs remain significantly against it. Both sides of the debate agree that most of the 72 Liberal Democrat MPs support the Bill despite Sir Ed Davey, the partys leader, and Tim Farron, its former leader, opposing a change in the law. Opponents of the Bill suggest that up to a quarter of Parliament is still undecided. Campaigners in favour of the assisted dying legislation demonstrate outside Parliament - Justin Tallis/AFP via Getty Images Ms Leadbeaters supporters are understood to expect strong attendance, arguing that MPs will want to demonstrate their engagement with the issue to constituents. But MPs opposing the law change argue that up to a third of members may not attend the debate, fearing that their personal stance could upset constituents. More than 100 MPs are understood to have already registered their interest in speaking in the debate. Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker, is not expected to impose time limits on speeches, raising the prospect that the Bill could run out of time to be voted on within the allotted five hours for the debate. It also risks the Bill being filibustered by opponents seeking to talk it out and stop it from becoming law. However, if the debate has not finished towards the end of its slot, Ms Leadbeater can move a closure motion. Passing this motion requires a majority of MPs present and at least 100 votes in favour, and would allow the Bill to be voted on even if the debate has not finished. Roman rests from collecting recyclables, near Saran, Kazakhstan 2018. Photograph: Andrew McConnell The photographer Andrew McConnell first went to Kazakhstan in 2015, to witness what the Earths primary space portal looked like on the ground. A particular corner of the remote steppe-land, near a village called Kenjebai-Samai, was where, every three months, astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station fell to earth, having been launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome 400 miles to the south. McConnell had spent much of the previous years working in war zones and was keen to focus on something more life-affirming. Related: Portal to space: the place where astronauts take off and land in pictures He discovered a curious landscape that was both on the frontier of human exploration and unchanged for centuries. Over a dozen visits in the subsequent years, McConnell became used to the rhythm of the landings. He would sleep out on the steppe in a tent with the ground crew of the Russian space agency; on hearing the explosion that heralded the capsule separating in the sky above, they would drive out over the wasteland to meet it as it landed a vehicle no bigger than a family car. Over time McConnell became at least as fascinated by those who assembled to watch the spacecraft descend. On each visit I would stay in Kenjebai-Samai or explore further afield, he recalls. The steppe, which at first appeared as a boundless void, would over time reveal unexpected details. I found a people largely uninterested in the space travellers and yet somehow bound up in this strange ritual. He took this picture of one of the village boys, called Roman, at a waste tip in the district in 2018, where he had come to collect scrap to recycle. In McConnells book, Some Worlds Have Two Suns, the images of astronauts and their mission are juxtaposed with those of local Kazazh nomads in the moonscape of the steppe. Dr Lawrence Newport - Christopher Pledger Good news on crime is rare, but today we report that Lawrence Newport is turning his attention from dangerous dogs to career criminals. Dr Newport made his name last year by drawing public attention to the spread of American XL bully dogs. The former law lecturers evidence-based approach to the in-breeding of these super-sized pit bulls persuaded the then prime minister, Rishi Sunak, to ban them, after a campaign of just 77 days. Now this intrepid boffin is calling for a new effort by police and the courts to tackle the scourge of career criminals. Just 10 per cent of offenders account for half of all crimes and most are getting away with it. Dr Newport warns that more than 200,000 repeat offenders with an average of 25 previous convictions have avoided jail, including some 2,000 villains with over 100 convictions. Without prison as a deterrent, crime is a lucrative career. We can all see the terrifying results of such impunity. For example, London is now the phone-theft capital of Europe, with over 52,000 cases last year. Professional thieves can snatch dozens of phones an hour, often using e-bikes to escape. The anonymity of e-bikes makes it hard for police to trace the culprits. All too often, they do not bother. Phone theft is, of course, only one of many categories of crime that are seldom solved. The public has long been fobbed off with the excuse that burglaries, bike thefts, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are low priorities for overstretched police officers. Many such incidents are not even reported, unless for insurance purposes. But responsible citizens never grow accustomed to flagrant violations of the law, which ruin their quality of life. Ignoring petty offences opens the door to more serious crime, as the American political scientist James Q Wilson showed with his broken windows theory 40 years ago. While the Government has announced a sentencing review, expectations that anything will change are low. The Home Secretary seems less concerned about crime than about non-crime hate incidents. How much longer must the public wait before the police, the judiciary and the politicians focus on putting career criminals where they belong: behind bars? Maureen Rainford died after a medical emergency in a Bolivian ayahuasca retreat A British mother of three died at a remote retreat in Bolivian Amazon rainforest after allegedly drinking tea laced with the psychedelic drug ayahuasca. Maureen Rainford, 54, a social worker from Romford, in Essex, had paid 800 for a ten-day stay last month at the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat. The secluded eco-lodge describes itself as a sacred space to work with plant medicines, including ayahuasca and an ideal environment to heal, expand consciousness, and connect with the wonders of the Amazon. Her daughter Rochel, 32, said that staff at the retreat told her that she had suffered a medical emergency. Other witnesses said that 10 minutes after drinking the ayahuasca tea, she complained of feeling unwell and then her heart and breathing rate plummeted. After an hour trying to resuscitate her, she died before the doctor arrived, the family were told. Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic that can cause a person to hallucinate and is registered as an illegal Class A drug in the UK. It is a bitter beverage made from brewing leaves and stalks from two local plants and has been long used by the indigenous tribes in South America for medicinal, spiritual and ceremonial purposes. Tourist boom In recent years, the Amazon has experienced a boom in Western tourists travelling to the retreats to take part in the ayahuasca ceremonies, seeking alternative therapy. In Prince Harrys memoir, Spare, he admitted to taking the drug therapeutically and medicinally in order to help him overcome PTSD connected to his mothers death. [Ayahuasca] didnt simply allow me to escape reality for a while, they let me redefine reality, he wrote, before adding he would not advise taking it recreationally. Rochel said that after contacting the British consulate, her mothers body was returned to the UK and a post-mortem examination confirmed she suffered a heart attack. The funeral was held last week. There should be a trained medic on standby when hallucinogenic drugs are being handed out in a remote area, Rochel told the Sun on Sunday. Rochel, who described her mother as fit and healthy before her trip to the Amazon, added: I want to raise awareness about these places for people tempted by glossy brochures selling a dream. A spokesman for the retreat said that her death was unrelated to ayahuasca, instead claiming it was caused by a medical emergency. The Telegraph has contacted the UK Foreign Office and the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat for comment. Kate McElwee, centre, leads a demonstration in Rome calling for the ordination of women. Photograph: Serrano/AGF/Shutterstock Catholic women whose hopes of ordination were dashed at a recent worldwide synod in Rome are being urged to go on strike from church duties in protest at inertia on a reform that many now see as not only just but also inevitable. Catholic Women Strike: Global Witness for Equality was launched this month and is calling on women who are regular churchgoers, who work for the church on a voluntary basis or who have paid jobs with Catholic organisations to withhold their labour through Lent next year (5 March to 20 April). We believe the time is ripe to demand what is right Instead of waiting for a papal yes, we issue forth our no to the systems of misogyny, sexism and patriarchy, says the campaigns website. For the last three years the Catholic church has been engaged in a worldwide synod on synodality, with people encouraged to take part in meetings at parish and diocesan level to focus on the future of the church. Womens issues, especially the need to allow women greater leadership roles and give them more of a voice in the running of the church, topped the agenda across the world. Pope Francis has twice, in 2016 and 2020, commissioned reports to study the history of women deacons. The findings were not publicised, but it is widely acknowledged that women have performed this role. Many believe that, once women are ordained as deacons, it will only be a question of time before they are also ordained as priests. The issue is urgent because fewer men, in Europe especially, are coming forward for ordination. Matters came to a head as the synod in Rome ended last month. Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, charged with heading a group on womens ministry, failed to attend an important meeting on the subject. Then the final synod document appeared to sideline the project, saying: The question of womens access to diaconal ministry remains open. This discernment needs to continue. Women are already doing priestly work, but by virtue of their gender they are never recognised. It's not good enough Miriam Duignan, Catholic Women's Ordination Kate McElwee of the Womens Ordination Conference, the body behind the strike plan, said the Vaticans decision sparked a widespread belief among Catholic women that action is required. We were founded in 1975, and at that time there was a sense, on the back of the Second Vatican Council, that change would soon happen, she said. Over the decades since, there have been many setbacks but then the synod came along, and we felt inspired, excited and hopeful. Womens ministry was clearly high on the agenda. For the first time in its history, the Womens Ordination Conference was mentioned by name on the Vatican website. McElwee said: That seemed to signal change, and that there was room for more. But over time, hopes of reform have been dashed by a pope and cardinals who turned out to be unwilling to make it central, she said. Its felt like a betrayal it has been heartbreaking. The final document [of the Synod] was disappointing and insufficient and deeply theological, which may not resonate with people in the parishes. It felt hollow. It has all been extremely frustrating we want to make visible the huge contribution women make to the church, she said. If enough women join us, this will make an enormous difference and were working with many organisations across the world. Miriam Duignan, of the UK-based Catholic Womens Ordination, said the church was full of women who did its hard work while male priests took the credit. Its not good enough, she said. There are women who prepare people for the sacraments, such as baptism and marriage, and they do a whole host of other work.Women are already doing priestly work but by virtue of their gender they are never recognised. Duignan said she believed the vast majority of Catholics now realised the injustice of the current set-up, and were in support of change: The church hierarchy says this is a white, western agenda but it isnt: the whole world is saying: we want women to be recognised. Pat Brown, a Leeds-based member of Catholic Womens Ordination, said the church would fall apart without women. The Synod has left many of us feeling angry. They kept saying they would look at the issue of womens role, but how many hundreds of years do they need to do what is right? The new rules were agreed on Saturday at the Cop29 climate summit in Azerbaijan. Trading could begin as soon as 2025. Photograph: Maxim Shemetov/Reuters It was once among the most promising ways to funnel climate finance to vulnerable communities and nature conservation. The trading of carbon credits, each equal to a tonne of CO 2 that has been reduced or removed from the atmosphere, was meant to target quick, cost-effective wins on climate and biodiversity. In 2022, demand soared as companies made environmental commitments using offsets, with the market surpassing $2bn (1.6bn) while experiencing exponential growth. But the excitement did not last. Two years later, many carbon markets organisations are clinging on for survival, with several firms losing millions of dollars a year and cutting jobs. Scandals about environmentally worthless credits, an FBI charge against a leading project developer for a $100m fraud, and a lack of clarity about where money from offsets went has caused their market value to plunge by more than half. Predictions that standing rainforests and other carbon-rich ecosystems would become multibillion-dollar assets have not yet come to pass. But at Cop29 over the past two weeks, governments have given the sector fresh hope by signing off rules that will create an international carbon trading system for countries to meet their Paris commitments. Related: Cop29: what are carbon credits and why are they so controversial? In Azerbaijan on Saturday evening, governments agreed to rules on how countries can create, trade and register emission reductions and removals as carbon credits after years of deadlock on article 6 of the Paris agreement. It paves the way for top emitters such as Germany and Japan to buy cheap removals and reductions from decarbonisation schemes in developing countries such as renewable energy schemes, rainforest protection or tree-planting, counting them towards their own targets. Trading could begin as soon as 2025 once technical bodies have agreed on the finer details. If it works well, the market would fund the low-hanging fruit of climate mitigation while making sure emissions are capped in line with the Paris agreement. There is particularly strong interest in carbon removal, with many large tech firms buying credits and trying to scale up the market. After several false starts, negotiators and observers say this is the last chance to get it right. International carbon markets have crashed twice in two decades. This was due to an erosion of credibility. At Baku, the operationalisation of international carbon trading under Paris can prevent a third meltdown that could be fatal, said Axel Michaelowa, a carbon markets expert at the University of Zurich. They are a powerful tool to accelerate the diffusion of low-carbon technology around the world. The Paris carbon market is now ready to roll out in 2025. It can accelerate mitigation and thus help close the gaping emissions gap that separates us from achieving the 1.5C target, he said. Big concerns about carbon markets remain. In the run-up to Cop28 in Dubai last year, it emerged that vast tracts of African forest had been sold off in a series of huge carbon offsetting deals to a little-known UAE firm overseen by a member of Dubais royal family, prompting fears of a new scramble for Africa over the continents carbon resources. The potential size and impact of any country-level market is also unclear. Norway has reserved up to $740m (590) for purchases under the Paris carbon market, signing agreements in Baku with Benin, Jordan, Senegal and Zambia, but there are questions over how many other developed countries will make purchases despite predictions it could soar into a multibillion-dollar market. Then, there is the issue of environmental integrity, which has repeatedly undermined faith in carbon credits, including the previous UN carbon trading system. A new study in Nature Communications published during the first week of Cop29 found that less than 16% of carbon credits issued represent real emissions reductions, meaning that the vast majority are hot air. Moments after governments approved the Paris carbon trading system, observers warned that the rules were not strict enough to avoid similar issues. Dr Lambert Schneider, one of the co-authors and a senior researcher at the Oeko-Institut, said these problems would undermine the Paris agreement if they spilled into the official UN system. The available evidence suggests that many carbon credits are not backed by any actual emission reductions. If these quality issues continue under article 6, this could undermine our efforts to achieve our climate targets. It is critical that we fix the integrity issue of the market, he said. We currently see proposals on the table that would credit the natural absorption of carbon dioxide by forests. But these removals occur anyways and not because of any human intervention. If these credits are used by buyers to emit more, this would result in more carbon added up to the atmosphere. And the potential for issuing such credits is very large, he said. There have been efforts to clean up standards in the sector, which could form part of the UN market. Verra, the leading carbon credit standard which was the subject of a joint Guardian investigation into their rainforest offsets that found they were mostly worthless, is introducing a new system for generating the carbon credits. Mandy Rambharos, the non-profits CEO, said they were determined to get it right and move on from recent issues. Related: Cop29: wealthy countries agree to raise climate finance offer to $300bn a year Weve invested in millions of dollars for no guarantee of any return [in the new rainforest carbon credit methodology]. Its all done at risk, she said. We need to take accountability for some things that went wrong. But Im saying as well, its not just Verra. The idea to grow the carbon market is to get climate financing to the right places. A London taxpayer is not going to give thousands of dollars to developing countries to reduce the emissions, especially if youre not sure about those developing countries commitment. Were all in the same bucket, whether its Mali, Saudi Arabia or China; thats where the idea of where carbon markets came about, she added. This month, a carbon credit integrity initiative the ICVCM approved three rainforest methodologies as high quality, including Verras new rules, meaning that buyers can trust that the credits represent real emission reductions. But those involved with the process have raised concerns about their approval. The Guardian understands that many experts did not think the methodologies met the standards. This is strongly contested by the ICVCM. Credits such as this could eventually form part of country-to-country carbon deals, and experts say that ensuring these deals have real environmental benefits will be key to their success. The new rules are a start, but the risk of abuse still remains alive and well, said Injy Johnstone, a research fellow at the University of Oxford. We have to learn the lessons of past mistakes and watch for new ones this system could create, otherwise we risk the Paris agreement becoming a market failure, she said. James Scott Rhys Anderson pictured prior to his reported capture by Russian forces Photograph: Telegram A British national has reportedly been captured by Russias forces in the Kursk region while fighting for Ukraine. In a video posted on pro-war Russian Telegram channels on Sunday, a man wearing combat fatigues identifies himself as 22-year-old James Scott Rhys Anderson from the UK. The man, speaking with an English accent, says that he served as a signalman in the British army until 2023 before joining the International Legion in Ukraine to fight against Russia. In the footage, which has not been verified, the captured man appears with his hands tied. It is unclear when the clip was recorded. Since the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, issued a call in February 2022 for foreigners to join the fight, thousands of people from around the world have travelled to Ukraine. Many have joined units such as the International Legion, known as the most selective of the foreign groups and operating as part of a military unit within the Ukrainian ground forces. Yuri Podolyaka, a popular pro-Kremlin military blogger, wrote on Telegram that Anderson was captured near the village of Plekhovo in Russias Kursk region. Russia usually claims that the foreign fighters it has captured are mercenaries and are not entitled to protection as prisoners of war under international law. The UK Foreign Office said it was supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention. The Ministry of Defence has declined to comment at this stage. Russian forces have been battling Ukrainian troops in the Kursk region since 6 August, when Kyiv surprised Moscow with the biggest foreign attack on Russian soil since the second world war and subsequently seized 100 villages over an area of more than 1,300 sq km. On Sunday, Reuters reported that Ukraine had lost more than 40% of the territory it initially captured in the Kursk region after Russian forces, bolstered by 11,000 North Korean troops, launched a wave of counter-offensives. In the summer of 2022, two Britons captured while fighting in Mariupol as members of Ukraines marines were sentenced to death following a show trial in a court in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine. The men were later released as part of a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine that was brokered by Saudi Arabia. Chinas foreign ministry has described Tsai as a Taiwan independence figure. Photograph: Dorota Holubova/Reuters Taiwans former president Tsai Ing-wen had been due to visit the UK between 16 and 18 October before the Foreign Office intervened, the Guardian can disclose. Tsai was scheduled to visit London for two days as part of her first international tour since leaving office and was in discussions about addressing the UK parliament, according to a leaked letter. But the trip, which had been due to coincide with David Lammys visit to China, was pulled and Tsai was hosted by the French parliament on those dates instead. The leaked letter, sent to the Commons and Lords speakers in August, said Tsai will visit London between 16th and 18th October and that the UK Taiwanese office wanted to explore the possibility of her being hosted by parliament. The letter said Tsai would greatly value an invitation to address parliamentarians and attend a reception in the Commons speakers house. It said: A significant number of MPs and peers would wish to hear her views on the years ahead in Taiwan. A source involved in the discussions said the trip was cancelled after the Foreign Office indicated to Taiwanese officials that it was not a good time for it. The source told the Guardian last month: We got a note from the FCDO [Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office] via the Taiwanese representative to the UK. It said: Please can you defer this for a while because the foreign secretary is about to make a goodwill visit to China and this would absolutely put the kibosh on it. This message will not have been relayed by ministers because the UK does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Taiwans representative in London can only meet civil servants. An FCDO spokesperson said: We do not recognise this characterisation of events. Parliamentarians are independent of government and are free to invite whoever they wish. When asked about the postponed visit by the Guardian at an event in parliament last week, the director of Taiwans political division in London said he was not authorised to discuss it. Tsais office did not respond to a request for comment. China often does not differentiate between government and parliamentary meetings. Beijing has reacted angrily to Tsais meetings with political figures in Brussels, Paris and Prague. The French parliamentarians who hosted Tsai said China had tried to dissuade them from doing so. Chinas foreign ministry described Tsai as a Taiwan independence figure last month and warned European countries that assisting her could harm bilateral relations with China. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually come under Beijings control, and there are fears it will eventually try to annex the island by force. Taiwan, which has never been ruled by the Peoples Republic of China, sees itself as distinct and has its own constitution and democratically elected leaders. The Taiwanese population has grown increasingly opposed to Chinas claims of sovereignty over it. The prospect of Tsai visiting the UK parliament next spring has been floated but the government will want this not to clash with Rachel Reevess planned visit to China early next year. Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said that Labour has subdued Britains voice on the geopolitical threats that China poses. Meanwhile, ministers are grappling with a controversial application to build a huge new Chinese embassy near Tower Bridge in east London, which has become a top issue in bilateral relations between London and Beijing. After it was rejected by Tower Hamlets council in 2022 following local opposition, the planning application was resubmitted this summer and has been called in by central government. In a letter published on the councils website this weekend, Jon Savell, a deputy assistant commissioner in the Metropolitan police, raised concerns about the proposal and warned it would have a significant impact on local policing and resources in the area. The Guardian reported last month that China has refused to allow the UK to rebuild its embassy in Beijing while the status of its own embassy proposal in London is pending. Keir Starmer raised the issue with Xi Jinping in the first bilateral meeting between a UK prime minister and the Chinese president in more than six years. You raised the Chinese embassy building in London when we spoke on the telephone and we have since taken action by calling in that application. Now we have to follow the legal process and timeline, Starmer told Xi in recorded remarks on the margins of the G20 summit in Brazil. People pour water back into the River Taff in Pontypridd, Wales, amid flooding caused by Storm Bert - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images A body has been found in the search for a dog walker who went missing during Storm Bert, bringing the total number of people killed during the storm to four. Homes, schools and businesses were flooded as a months rain fell in parts of Britain over the weekend. Brian Perry, 75, is feared to be the fourth casualty after police retrieved a body near the River Conwy in North Wales. He had gone missing on Saturday while walking his pet collie near the river with his wife, who later raised the alarm when he failed to come home. A body was found in the area of Gower Road following a major search operation involving a team of mountain rescuers, the coastguard and police. The body has not been formally identified, but Mr Perrys family has been informed. Brian Perry, 75, is feared to be the fourth casualty of the storm after police found a body - Wales News Service Between 200 and 300 properties in Pontypridd, South Wales, were flooded on Sunday, leading authorities to declare a major incident as they scrambled to set up emergency rest centres for residents. People were seen bailing water out of their front gardens and stacking sandbags on their doorsteps. A Welsh Government spokesman said the weekend had been exceptionally difficult and disruptive due to Storm Bert and the trauma and upset this causes should never be underestimated. The spokesman added: Given the scale of the impact, it will be vital that people continue to take extra care over the coming days and follow official advice. As the focus moves to recovery, it is important that those affected receive ongoing support, and we will play our part alongside our partners in delivering that. Since the storm began in the early hours of Saturday, 149mm of rain had fallen in Tyn-Y-Waun in Mid Glamorgan. On average, the area sees 180mm of rain in the whole of November, Met Office meteorologist Greg Dewhurst said. People walk along The Mall, in central London, in a blizzard of fallen leaves caused by Storm Berts strong winds - Vuk Valcic/Alamy Live News Tour guide shows sign on the gate of Hyde Park as all Royal Parks are closed due to severe winds - Tolga Akmen/Shutterstock Meanwhile, the Army was forced to cancel the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace, and all eight Royal Parks were closed because of the dangerous weather. Londons Winter Wonderland was also cancelled, with organisers saying the safety of staff and visitors was their top priority. In Devon, Exeter Racecourse abandoned all races on Sunday after the severe weather damaged its facilities. From the beginning of the storm until 11am on Sunday, 135.7mm of rain was recorded in White Barrow in the county, around half the total rainfall typical in November. A resident of Kingsteignton near Newton Abbot, in Devon, attempts to keep floodwater at bay - Graham Hunt/BNPS Elsewhere, three drivers were killed in accidents in Winchester, West Yorkshire and Northamptonshire. A man in his 80s was killed after his car entered water near Colne, Lancashire, on Saturday but it is unclear whether the incident was related to Storm Bert. An 11-month-old baby was rescued from a car submerged by flood water as the storm hit. Paige Newsome said her partner Andre Randles had pulled their son from the window of the Volkswagen on Woodhouse Road in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, on Saturday. Flooding hits a street in in Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire More than 200 flood warnings were issued as the Met Office warned that injuries and danger to life could occur in some areas because of large waves, flying debris and fast flowing floodwater. In a post on X, formerly Twitter ,Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said his thoughts were with those affected by the floods. 07:38 PM GMT Round-up of todays events Thank you for following our live coverage of Storm Bert. Here are the main events from today. A body has been found in the search for a dog walker who went missing in floodwater as Storm Bert continued to cause disruption across the UK - bringing the total number to four fatalities over the weekend. A major incident has been declared in South Wales, which has been one of the worst-hit areas with 80 per cent of a months rain falling in less than 48 hours. Emergency rest centres were set up for residents of Pontypridd when the River Taff burst its banks on Sunday. An 11-month-old baby was rescued from a car submerged by flood water on Woodhouse Road in Todmorden, West Yorkshire on Saturday. The British Army was forced to cancel the Changing of the Guard ceremony outside Buckingham Palace and all eight of the Royal Parks were closed because of the dangerous weather. Outside the Capital, more than 200 flood warnings were issued as the Met Office warned that injuries and danger to life could occur in some areas, due to large waves, flying debris and fast flowing floodwater. A Welsh Government spokesman said the weekend has been exceptionally difficult and disruptive due to Storm Bert and that the trauma and upset this causes should never be underestimated. 07:29 PM GMT Absolutely devastating says Welsh First Minister The Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan said it has been a really difficult weekend and it is absolutely devastating for those affected by flooding after Storm Bert hit. Speaking to broadcasters, Baroness Morgan said: Its been a really difficult weekend, and Id like to thank the emergency services for all the support theyre giving to the people affected. I think this is the second time that many of those have suffered as a result of the storm. Theres been huge investments since the last storm hit, so weve managed to protect lots more properties than last time. But obviously this is absolutely devastating, just before Christmas for those people who have been impacted. Asked if there will be emergency funding available to help people, she said discussions have already started, adding and of course, we will do everything we need to do to put measures in place to support people whove undergone this really, really difficult situation. She added that they have put hundreds of millions of pounds into flood defences over the past few years, which is helping to protect about 250,000 homes, but clearly, climate change is going to impact on us, and there will come a point when it will be too difficult for us to protect every home in the country but clearly, we want to put the support in place if were able to do that for the people impacted. Residents have been left to clear the flooding, such as in Kingsteignton, Devon 06:52 PM GMT Pensioner dies after car entered water, say police A man in his 80s has died after his car entered water near Colne on Saturday, Lancashire Police said. The force said the man was recovered from the water on Cockhill Lane, Foulridge, shortly after 4.15pm but was later pronounced dead at hospital. A woman in her 80s was also taken to hospital and her condition is not believed to be life-threatening. It is unclear whether the death was related to Storm Bert, which has caused flooding across parts of the UK this weekend. 06:39 PM GMT Prime Minister thanks emergency services in Wales The Prime Minister has said he has spoken to the Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan about the flooding in Wales and added that he is receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops. I've spoken with @PrifWeinidog about the severe weather and flooding in Wales. Thank you to the emergency services who are working tirelessly to protect communities my thoughts are with those impacted. I'm receiving updates on Storm Bert as it develops across the UK. Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) November 24, 2024 06:20 PM GMT Trauma of flooding should never be underestimated A Welsh Government spokesman said the weekend has been exceptionally difficult and disruptive due to Storm Bert and the trauma and upset this causes should never be underestimated. The spokesperson added: Given the scale of the impact, it will be vital that people continue to take extra care over the coming days and follow official advice. As the focus moves to recovery, it is important that those affected receive ongoing support and we will play our part alongside our partners in delivering that. Despite the significant impacts, it appears that flood defences played a role in protecting many homes and businesses, and we will continue our investment programme to make communities even more resilient to severe weather events in future. 06:03 PM GMT London and Edinburgh feel the force of Storm Bert Emergency services attend a scaffolding collapse in Bethnal Green - PA A family looks at a tree that fell on a car on a residential street in east London - Shutterstock Pedestrians brave the cold in Edinburghs Royal Mile - Euan Cherry 05:44 PM GMT Pictured: Fourth victim of Storm Bert The fourth victim of Storm Bert has been identified as Brian Perry, 75, who went missing while walking with his dog and wife near the Afon Conwy river after hours of torrential rain. North Wales police confirmed a body had been retrieved around Gower Road in Trefriw. Brian Perry, 75, went missing while walking with his dog and wife - Media Wales Police divers and the Ogwen Valley mountain rescue team had scoured the banks of the swollen river before making the discovery. His wife had become worried when he didnt return from the walk and the alarm had been raised, a collie dog was later found wet but alive. On Saturday night, a coastguard rescue helicopter was also involved in the searcht for the pensioner before returning to its base at Caernarfon. A statement from North Wales police said: A body has been located in the area of Gower Road, Trefriw, during the multi-agency search for 75-year-old Brian Perry who went missing yesterday. At this stage there has been no formal identification but his family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Chief Inspector Simon Kneale said: I would like to thank the efforts of all agencies involved in the searches in very difficult conditions and for the local community who supported the teams in the area. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. 05:21 PM GMT Severe flood warnings issued Two severe flood warnings have been issued by Natural Resources Wales (NRW). The warnings cover River Monnow at Forge Road, Osbaston and River Monnow at Skenfrith - both in southeast Wales. Severe flood warnings mean there is a significant risk to life and significant disruption to the community expected. 05:02 PM GMT We are working around the clock to stop the flooding Natural Resources Wales (NRW) says its team are working around the clock to deal with flooding across the country. South Wales has been hit particularly hard by Storm Bert, with hundreds of properties affected by flooding. Residents in some of those areas have blamed NRW and other officials for not doing enough to prevent flooding, saying preventative measures hadnt worked (see 15.30 post). We know that parts of South Wales have been particularly impacted, but the heavy rainfall has caused disruption right across Wales, said Nick Bettinson, a duty tactical manager at NRW. Our teams have been working around the clock with other emergency responders and local authorities checking and operating flood defences and working to help reduce flood risk to communities. While Storm Bert is expected to move away throughout the rest of the day, some rivers will continue to respond particularly as waters move down slow responding catchments, and we have multiple flood warning and alerts in place. Mr Bettinson said people affected by flooding should remain vigilant and check the NRW website for the latest information. 04:40 PM GMT Water levels in Pontypridd fall The water levels on Sion Street, Pontypridd, where several homes were flooded during Storm Bert, have dropped considerably. The fire service has been working to pump water off street and back into the river. One car, which was partly underwater, is no longer submerged 04:27 PM GMT Sir Keir Starmer offers assistance to Pontypridd The deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies visited Pontypridd on Sunday, and the Prime Ministers office has been in touch, the leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council said. Councillor Andrew Morgan told a press conference: So first of all, the deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies was here this morning, I met with him to have conversations around the scale of the impact and whats going on. He added that there has already been conversations with the Welsh Government, the First Minister has been in touch on Sunday afternoon, and he has had contact from the Prime Ministers office seeking again for an update and asking what assistance we may need. Pontypridd Resident Claire Instrell watches on as firefighters help tackle the flooding - PA 04:19 PM GMT Lives are at risk Councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council, said clearly lives are at risk due to the flooding. Asked at a press conference if he believes lives are at risk, he said: Well, absolutely, you know, when you got a river flooding in peoples houses, and were asking the fire service to rescue people by boat, then clearly lives are at risk. South Wales Fire and Rescue Services chief fire officer Fin Monahan said that they have had messages from all over the UK with offers of assistance and they have taken some of the offers up. 04:03 PM GMT Up to 300 properties flooded in South Wales Hundreds of properties have been flooded in South Wales. At a press conference in the Rhondda Valley, council leader Andrew Morgan said two to three hundred properties have been affected by flooding. He said the buildings are a mixture of residential and commercial properties. Mr Morgan told the press conference the weather was worse than forecast. I am amazed that it was only a yellow weather warning issued, he said. We absolutely thought on Saturday... we were preparing for the possibility of an amber warning.It didnt come but we took the decision ourselves to step up our resources and have depots open and crews in. Firefighters pump water from Sion Street inn Pontypridd - Getty Images Europe 03:45 PM GMT Entire bridge washed away An entire bridge under construction was washed away during widespread floods in Wales on Saturday night. The Abercynon Feeder Pipe Footbridge over the River Taff in South Wales, which was being rebuilt after being substantially damaged during Storm Dennis in 2020, was completely washed away, councillor Andrew Morgan, leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Borough Council, said. It was completely washed away last night, so the scaffolding, the piers ... everything has completely gone, Mr Morgan told a press conference on Sunday afternoon. It comes as record river levels were recorded on the Taff on Saturday Night. Mr Morgan said the river was 23mm higher than it was during Storm Dennis in 2020 at Abderdare monitoring station, which was considerably higher than previous records at the time. 03:42 PM GMT Storm Bert in pictures Londoners walk along the Mall in a blizzard of fallen leaves - Alamy Townsfolk in Pontypridd bail water back into the River Taff - Getty Images Europe A building engineer in Devon inspects the damge after a large tree collapsed on a listed building - Phil Mingo/PPAUK Bournemouths Christmas Tree Wonderland Trail was closed after one of its 100-year-old trees was brought down by the violent winds - BNPS 03:16 PM GMT Welsh first minister thanks emergency services Eluned Morgan, the first minister of Wales, has thanked emergency services for their hard word as the nation battles with flooding caused by Storm Bert. Diolch to emergency services and council staff working hard to keep us safe during this awful weather and flooding. Diolch i'r rhai sy'n gweithio'n galed i ddiogelu ni. Cymerwch ofal a dilynwch gyngor lleol - follow advice from your council, emergency services and @NatResWales. Eluned Morgan (@Eluned_Morgan) November 24, 2024 02:57 PM GMT Nobody took any action yesterday Rania Koutsikou, 32, a part-time lecturer and PhD student at the University of South Wales, said: We woke up around seven oclock only because our neighbour was knocking on our door saying that we have to move our car. Obviously it was already pretty bad even then. We moved our car, moved some of our stuff and our dog upstairs, and we went to our neighbours who offered us help. Were just trying to save what we can. Nobody (official) took any action yesterday, like brought us sandbags or anything. Residents rescue a car from flood water on Sion Street, in Pontypridd - PA 02:51 PM GMT Pontypridd residents criticise authorities for not acting quickly enough Residents of a flood-hit street in Wales have criticised Natural Resources Wales for not doing enough to prevent the flooding. Paula Williams, whose house on Sion Street flooded, said: We do as much prep as we can when we know theres going to be an issue. The river levels were going down last night when we went to bed. We only knew something was happening because we had a neighbour knocking us. She was shouting get the cars moved. We managed to get the dog out down my parents so we didnt have to worry about her and then it was all hands to the pump. She added: This time, theres only about four inches of water come in but its in exactly the same place that we told NRW about last time, and they didnt do anything about it. River Taff in Pontypridd burst its banks - PA 02:32 PM GMT Body found in search for dog walker A body has been found in the search for 75-year-old Brian Perry after he went missing in the River Conwy on Saturday, North Wales Police said. The force had put an appeal out to find Mr Perry after he was last seen at around 4.30pm wearing a red Berghaus waterproof jacket and accompanied by his wife and dog. He had been walking near Gower Road, which has been affected by severe flooding due to Storm Bert. There has been no formal identification but his family have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Chief Inspector Simon Kneale, of North Wales Police, said: I would like to thank the efforts of all agencies involved in the searches in very difficult conditions and for the local community who supported the teams in the area. Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time and they have asked that their privacy is respected. 02:17 PM GMT Watch: Cars submerged in Wales Residents in Pontypridd have shared videos of cars being submerged by rising floodwater on residential streets x/@Terrified_brit 02:09 PM GMT Welsh pub has river running through it Sir Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore, said there are about 10 different areas in his constituency affected by flooding and a fundraising page has been set up to help those in need. The MP said the river was 53cm higher in Rhondda than it was during Storm Dennis in February 2020. He said: Theres about 10 different areas in the constituency where theres been flooding, some have flooded previously and others are completely new. He added that the Rheola pub has been flooded for about the third time in five years and this time it was like a river running through the middle of it. Sir Chris said: Quite a few of the local people who Ive spoken to today dont have any insurance as if youre hard up its the last bill you pay. 02:04 PM GMT Watch: River Taff Pontypridd bursts its bank Video footage shows the River Taff in Pontypridd bursting its banks amid ongoing heavy rainfall. Elsewhere, firefighters have begun to pump water out of Sion Street where several homes have been flooded. This is the second time in four years the street has experienced major flooding. Members of the public have been arriving to pass out food and drinks to the emergency workers and people bailing water from their homes. 01:54 PM GMT Man killed after tree fell on car near Winchester A man in his 60s died after a tree fell on a car on the A34 near Winchester, Hampshire. Police found the driver of a black Mercedes E350 dead at the scene. Officers are investigating whether the incident was linked to the storm. Two other fatal collisions happened while the storm took hold in England. In Todmorden, West Yorkshire an 11-month-old baby was rescued from a submerged car Paige Newsome said her partner Andre Randles pulled their son from the window of the Volkswagen on Woodhouse Road. Paige Newsome with her 11-month-old baby son who was saved from drowning in a submerged car by her boyfriend 01:47 PM GMT Exeter races called off In Devon, Exeter Racecourse was forced to abandon all races on Sunday after the severe weather damaged its facilities. In a post on X, Jack Parkinson, the sites general manager, said tiles had been ripped from the roof of its owners and trainers building. He said: Weve had a significant amount of rainfall and strong winds of up to 50mph here this morning and this has resulted in damage being caused to a number of our facilities. RACING HAS BEEN ABANDONED pic.twitter.com/X6rSstRPnu Exeter Racecourse (@ExeterRaces) November 24, 2024 01:45 PM GMT Changing of the Guard ceremony cancelled The Changing of the Guard ceremony was cancelled and parks across the capital have been closed as Storm Bert continued to barrel down on Britain. Royal Parks closed all eight of its parks as a result of the weather, as severe weather warnings remained in place across the UK. Waves crashing over the harbour arm in Folkestone, - REUTERS The Guard Change at Buckingham Palace was cancelled while Londons popular Winter Wonderland was also cancelled, with organisers saying the safety of staff and visitors was their top priority. Locked gates at Londons Hyde Park - PA Outside the capital, more than 200 flood warnings are in place across the UK, as the Met Office said there was a small chance that injuries and danger to life could occur in some areas, due to large waves, flying debris and fast flowing floodwater. 01:42 PM GMT Homes and cars underwater in Wales Rising waters have been reported in towns across the country, including Pontypridd, Ebbw Vale and Aberdare. Videos and pictures being shared on social media show parts of Pontypridd underwater, with cars submerged and homeowners bailing out their properties next to the River Taff. Townsfolk bail out water from their homes into the River Taff - Matthew Horwood/Getty Images Europe The Pontypridd Parkrun Facebook page said: Our park has been flooded again whilst we do not know the full extent of any damage yet, initial pictures do not look good. Five adults and five children had to be rescued from a house in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog, near Llangollen in north Wales, following a landslide on Saturday. A North Wales Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said all the occupants were being assessed by ambulance services away from the scene somewhere warm. David Lammy, the foreign secretary, pledged in opposition to appoint a special envoy to help secure the freedom of those detained for years without a fair trial. Composite: Alex Mellon for the Guardian: AP/AFP/Getty Images Families of prominent British prisoners detained abroad have urged the foreign secretary to deliver on pledges to help secure their release amid signs of growing resistance from diplomats. David Lammy, the foreign secretary, vowed in opposition to appoint a special envoy to help secure the freedom of those detained for years without a fair trial. Giving British citizens a legal right to consular access when they run into trouble overseas was also a Labour manifesto pledge. But there are fears that pushback against the envoy plan in particular is being mounted by senior UK diplomats who fear it would cut across relationships with other countries and affect trade deals, the Guardian has been told. Richard Ratcliffe, the husband of Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was detained in Iran for six years, said: My personal worry is that Lammy will miss the opportunity to change this and the special envoy will be stalled by civil servants until he leaves office. I saw it happen too often with previous foreign secretaries. Helpful initiatives get delayed. Ending individual injustices gets deflected. There is little action, lots of yes, minister. Lammys office said he had not shelved the plans, with meetings under way inside the department on the practical details of the envoy and right to consular assistance. But Alicia Kearns, the former chair of the foreign affairs select committee, who has set up an all-party parliamentary group on the issue, said she had never seen such resistance to a proposal from within the department. I have never come across an issue or part of the Foreign Office that is more belligerent or unwilling to be reformed, she said. The Foreign Office is always defensive, but I have never seen a level of defensiveness as I have on this issue. The idea of a dedicated UK envoy loosely modelled on the US role of presidential envoy for hostage affairs was put forward by a Conservative-led foreign affairs select committee in 2022 but was formally rejected by the Foreign Office in June last year. Sources said there was institutional opposition to the proposal as ambassadors and officials believe they hold the necessary geopolitical expertise to secure releases, and a special envoy may undermine or contradict bilateral relationships. The Foreign Office does not disclose how many cases of arbitrarily detained Britons there are believed to be. As well as calling for an envoy, relatives of some of those imprisoned abroad have told the Guardian of the hurdles they have faced in getting help for their loved ones. Some described dealing with a churn of foreign secretaries and ministers, each with a different view on how their case should be handled. Families said they were left feeling unsupported and isolated. Similar complaints have been voiced by citizens of other European countries, underlining how often the interests of a family and a state conflict. Mona Seif, the sister of Alaa Abd el-Fattah, a human rights activist who is serving a five-year sentence in an Egyptian jail and has been denied British consular access, urged Lammy to act. There is something about how the Foreign Office system works right now that makes every family with a loved one detained abroad [forced] to figure everything out from scratch and in isolation, she said. Matthew Hedges, who was held in solitary confinement for nine months by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also backed the idea of a special envoy, saying: It would certainly help to raise the profile of cases and give energy since at present it is solely up to the families to push the government into action. A special envoy could harness resources and also give families someone far easier to access than, say, officials. They would have a degree of freedom and expertise to produce results. He said it was crucial to establish who defines the threshold of someone being arbitrarily detained, adding: Otherwise there is a risk it is only used in cases such as Iran and China, but not allies like the UAE. Nor should the envoy mean the right to consular access is a discretionary service. Gurpreet Singh Johal, whose brother Jagtar is a Sikh activist held in jail for seven years in India without trial, said: If you have someone thats specifically looking at the individual detainees as their main area of responsibility, that is a lot more helpful than having civil servants saying: You cant rock the boat because next week we want to sign a trade deal. Chris Pagett, the brother-in-law of Ryan Cornelius, a property developer arrested in Dubai 16 years ago and since sentenced to 10 and then 20 years in jail, said: We would emphatically support [the] call for creation of the special envoy post. Sebastien Lai, whose father, the 76-year-old businessman Jimmy Lai, is standing trial after being held in solitary confinement in a Hong Kong jail since 2020, said: An envoy will give institutional memory to these cases that sometimes last longer than one administration. It also shows that we as a country are taking the freedom of our citizens unjustly incarcerated abroad seriously. Jimmy Lais lawyer, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, told MPs this month that the Foreign Office was too slow out of the block in such cases, in stark contrast to the handling of cases by the US and EU. James Cunningham, a former US diplomat, urged Britain to seriously consider appointing a special envoy. Satar Rahmani, who has campaigned for the release of Mehran Raoof, a dual national in prison in Iran since 2020 facing national security-related charges, said he backed the envoy role but asked: The point is, is this going to happen? Or will the British government involve families and friends? Im really disappointed with the foreign policy that they have. Their business is their priority compared to the citizens. Labour is in the same category. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: The government is committed to strengthening support for British nationals, including a right to consular assistance and the appointment of a new envoy. Liz Kendall will unveil a long-awaited welfare white paper this week entitled Get Britain Working - Lucy North/PA The Work and Pensions Secretary will tell councils to work with local employers to crack down on worklessness in their areas. In a major welfare announcement this week, Liz Kendall will demand town halls draw up Get Britain Working plans to help reduce the benefits bill by collaborating with the NHS and local charities. She will tell them that it is vital they liaise with local employers to find out the type of skills they want and the help they could give to return people to work. Ms Kendall will set up a funding pot for local authorities to kick-start any innovative ideas to tackle economic inactivity. She warned young people they would lose their benefits if they repeatedly refuse to take work but she would not be drawn on what exactly these sanctions would look like. If people repeatedly refuse to take up the training or work responsibilities, there will be sanctions on their benefits, she told Sky News. The reason why we believe this so strongly is that we believe in our responsibility to provide those opportunities, which is what we will do. We will transform those opportunities but young people will be required to take them up. On Tuesday, Ms Kendall will unveil a long-awaited welfare white paper entitled Get Britain Working. As part of the plans, she wants to transform Britains jobcentres from a benefits administration service into hubs for all of those seeking work or a better position. The Government will also target millions of pounds towards eight trailblazer areas in large urban areas across the country such as Greater Manchester and South Yorkshire. However, Ms Kendall will tell all councils even those in more suburban or rural areas that they should draw up plans to deal with the problem of worklessness in their areas. A government source said: We will support local areas to develop their own local Get Britain Working plans which bring together a range of partners in each area as we tackle economic inactivity across the country. Local areas know best what works for them. Ms Kendall will announce radical plans to reform jobcentres, which she describes as not fit for purpose - Steve Parsons/PA Ms Kendall told the BBC young people have a responsibility to take up the opportunities presented to them. We will transform those opportunities for young people, we will put in place a youth guarantee so everyone has the chance to be earning or learning, she said. But in return for those new opportunities, young people will have a responsibility to take them up. Let me tell you why, because if you lack basic skills in todays world, that is brutal. If you are out of work when youre young, that can have lifelong consequences in terms of your future job prospects and earnings potential. So we, the Government, will face up to our responsibility, unlike the last government, of having that guarantee in place. She said young people she had spoken to said it was better for their mental health to be in work. Ms Kendall will also announce radical plans to reform jobcentres, which she describes as not fit for purpose. Rather than just administering benefits, as at present, she wants them to become a genuine public employment service where everyone can access advice to help them into work and progress in their careers. A survey for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found that less than a third (32 per cent) of people say they would use a jobcentre for advice about jobs, and less than half (45 per cent) of all respondents trust the DWP to help them reach their full career potential. Very few employers want to engage with Jobcentre Plus and use it to recruit staff, the survey found. Of employers surveyed in 2022 who had either recruited or tried to recruit in the past 12 months, only 14 per cent had used Jobcentre Plus. The UK is the only G7 country that has higher levels of economic inactivity now than before the pandemic, with a near record 2.8 million people out of work due to long-term sickness. HMS Queen Elizabeth in the port of Hamburg - Action Press/Shutterstock A mystery drone has been spotted following a British aircraft carrier at sea after unmanned aerial vehicles were seen hovering over three air bases in England. An unidentified 1.5 by 1.5 metre drone appeared to tail the Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth as it entered the port of Hamburg, in Germany, on Friday. The German military positioned guards around the port and attempted to target the drone with HP-47 jammers before it flew away, the German newspaper Bild reported. On Saturday, yhe US Air Force also revealed that small unmanned aerial systems flew over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, as well as RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk, last week. USAF, which uses the bases, said the size and number of drones overhead had fluctuated. The Ministry of Defence said it would not comment on security procedures. While it is unclear whether the drones were hostile, the incidents occurred during a week that saw significant escalation of hostilities between the West and Russia over the war in Ukraine. Kyivs forces struck targets inside Russia with US and British-supplied long-range missiles for the first time. In response, Russia tested a newly-developed mid-range hypersonic ballistic missile in a strike on Dnipro, in Ukraine the strongest missile believed to have been used in the war so far. The Kremlin called the strike a message to the West that Moscow will respond harshly to any reckless actions by Ukraines allies, while Vladimir Putin proclaimed the right to strike nations that allow their weapons to be used against Russia. Credit: social media In response to the drone sightings this week, the USAF said it had the the right to protect bases in England from threats. It did not comment on whether defence mechanisms were used to target the drones. To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation, it said. We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets. An MoD spokesman said: We take threats seriously, and maintain robust measures at defence sites. This includes counter drone security capabilities. We wont comment further on security procedures. RAF Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, including F-35A and F-15E fighter jets. RAF Mildenhall hosts the USAFs 100th Air Refuelling Wing, which conducts combat support operations throughout Europe and Africa. RAF Feltwell provides housing and other services for military personnel. British soldiers were warned last year that spies could be flying reconnaissance drones over UK military bases. 05:48 PM GMT Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage. 05:47 PM GMT British soldiers told to be wary of drones British soldiers were warned last year that spies could be flying reconnaissance drones over UK military bases. The Field Army Threat Handbook, published in October last year and promising clear military information concerning best practice for commanders and troops, details the tactics, techniques and procedures favoured by hostile foreign intelligence services. Listed under threats to the homebase, the handbook warns of tactics such as the use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) and physical reconnaissance, stating there were particularly credible espionage and subversion threats surrounding the training of Ukrainian soldiers. Rachel Reeves and John Healey with Ukrainian soldiers at the Stanford Training Area on Oct 20 - LEON NEAL/GETTY IMAGES 04:48 PM GMT US warns it has right to protect bases in England The US Air Force (USAF) has warned that it has the right to protect bases in England from threats amid drone sightings this week. Several clusters of unmanned aerial systems were spotted in the skies above RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell between 20 and 22 Nov. To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation, the Air Force said, adding: We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets. Lakenheath is home to the 48th Fighter Wing, which provides cutting-edge worldwide responsive combat air power in the form of fighter jets. Mildenhall hosts the 100th Air Refueling Wing, which conducts combat support operations throughout Europe and Africa, while Feltwell provides housing, schools and other services. 04:13 PM GMT Trump key pick plans deal to end war in Ukraine Donald Trumps pick for US national security advisor (NSA) has called for an end to the war between Ukraine and Russia, and for both parties to come to the negotiating table. Mike Waltz said: We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace, and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it. The Republican congressman has been critical of Russia but has opposed increasing aid to Ukraine. President Trump has been very clear about the need to end this conflict, he told US media outlet Fox News on Sunday, adding: We need to be discussing whos at that table, whether its an agreement, an armistice, how to get both sides to the table and then whats the framework of a deal? Waltz said he had met with Joe Bidens NSA Jake Sullivan and warned adversaries abroad against thinking they could gain an advantage in the months before Mr Trump takes office in January. Mike Waltz outside the hush money criminal case of former president Donald Trump in New York, May 16 - TED SHAFFREY/AP 03:39 PM GMT Zelensky calls for better air defences after Russian drone attack Volodymyr Zelensky has called for better air defences after an overnight Russian drone attack evaded interception. The Ukrainian president voiced concern after 23 of the 73 drones launched by Russia managed to break through the countrys defensive shield. An air alert has been sounded almost daily across Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said on Telegram messenger, after a week in which Russia launched more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 460 attack drones, and more than 20 missiles of various types. Ukraine is not a testing ground for weapons. Ukraine is a sovereign and independent state. But Russia still continues its efforts to kill our people, spread fear and panic, and weaken us, he added. The Ukrainian military said earlier on Sunday that air defence units had destroyed more than 10 Russian drones that were targeting Kyiv overnight. Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska pay tribute to the victims of the famine of 1932-1933 at the National Museum of the Holodomor - UKRAINIAN PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE VIA GETTY/AFP 03:06 PM GMT Erdogan calls Putin to discuss further cooperation Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Vladimir Putin during a telephone call on Sunday that he wishes to increase trade between Turkey and Russia. President Erdogan declared that he aimed to increase the cooperation between Turkey and Russia in a number of areas, notably expanding the volume of trade, the Turkish presidency said in a statement. Turkey initially condemned Russias invasion of Ukraine but has since retreated to a neutral stance, justifying the relations as a necessity born out of Turkeys dependency on Russian oil and gas. 02:22 PM GMT Pictured: Oreshnik wreckage An investigator shows parts of a ballistic missile which Russia used to strike Dnipro city this week - VALENTYN OGIRENKO/REUTERS 01:42 PM GMT Putin rolls out new incentives for recruits Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. The new legislation allows those signing up for a one-year contract to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles (77,000), according to Russian state news agency Interfax. The law applies to debts for which a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings had commenced before Dec 1, 2024. Russia has ramped up military recruitment by offering increasing financial incentives, in some cases several times the average salary, to those willing to fight in Ukraine. 01:23 PM GMT Ukrainian missiles downed over Kursk Two Ukrainian missiles and 27 drones have been destroyed over Russias Kursk region, claims the governor of the region that borders Ukraine. Kursk regional governor Alexei Smirnov did not provide further details in a post on his Telegram channel. The Ukrainian military later said on Telegram that its forces had destroyed a Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile system in Kursk. 12:48 PM GMT Pictured: Ukrainian military braces for winter Ukrainian service members attend a military exercises on Nov 22 - MAKSYM KISHKA/REUTERS NATO chief Mark Rutte on Tuesday warned this winter could be the most difficult faced by Ukraine since Russia invaded in 2022 - REUTERS/MAKSYM KISHKA Drills took place in Chernihiv region, Ukraine - MAKSYM KISHKA/REUTERS 12:26 PM GMT Russia fires commander for misleading Ukraine reports, war bloggers claim Vladimir Putin has fired a senior general for providing inaccurate reports about the progress of the war in Ukraine, according to pro-Russian war bloggers and Russian media. Colonel General Gennady Anashkin, the commander of the Southern Grouping, has reportedly been removed from his command, though there was no official confirmation. Russian war bloggers have criticised the operation around Siversk, where they said poorly supported Russian units were thrown into deadly battles for little apparent tactical gain. Russian state outlet RBK reported that a source in the Russian ministry of defence acknowledged Anashkins dismissal but claimed that it was due to a planned rotation. 11:51 AM GMT Ballistic name for Russian baby A Russian man wants to name his 15th child Oreshnik after Vladimir Putins new ballistic missile. Vladimir Sukhov told media that the missile, unveiled by Putin on Thursday, was Russias protector and that it was his patriotic duty to have as many children as possible. For the glory of our great and powerful country Russia, our Russian people, our victorious warriors, our great commander-in-chief Vladimir Putin, he said. Media reported that Mr Sukhov had had 15 children with different women. This month the Russian parliament banned childless propaganda in an attempt to boost Russias birth rate, an obsession of Putin. 11:28 AM GMT Russia threatens Seoul over supplying arms to Kyiv The Russian foreign ministry has warned Seoul that it will respond in every way if South Korea supplies arms to Ukraine. South Korea has been considering sending military assistance to Kyiv in response to the growing alliance between Russia and North Korea. Seoul must realise that the possible use of South Korean weapons to kill Russian citizens will fully destroy relations between our countries, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko told the state-run Tass news agency. He added: Of course, we will respond in every way that we find necessary. It is unlikely that this will strengthen the security of the Republic of Korea itself. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Friday night that he expects the 10,000 or so North Korean troops amassing in Russia to soon enter combat against Ukraine. 11:08 AM GMT Fears for grain exports as Russia targets ports Volodymyr Zelensky has said 321 port facilities have been damaged by Russian drone and missile strikes since July 2023, hampering Ukraines ability to export grain around the world. Ukraine, known as the Breadbasket of Europe, exported around six million tonnes of grain every month from its Black Sea ports before the Russian invasion in 2022. President Zelensky emphasised that Ukraine remained committed to being a reliable contributor of food to 400 million people in 100 countries and pledged to help share knowledge, cutting-edge technologies and industry expertise to fight against world hunger. Speaking at the third Grain from Ukraine summit in Kyiv, he said: It is so important that we continue to stand together in protecting food security, the security of routes, supplies, food and other critical export goods. 10:44 AM GMT Russia recruits Yemeni mercenaries The Kremlin has recruited hundreds of men from Yemen to fight in its war in Ukraine. According to the FT, the men were tricked into travelling to Russia with promises of work and citizenship but were instead forced into the army and sent to the frontline. It published a video of four alleged Yemeni mercenaries wearing military uniforms, sitting in a wood in Ukraine. Speaking in Arabic, the videos commentator complained that a colleague has tried to commit suicide. We are under bombardment. Mines, drones, digging bunkers, he said. A company linked to Houthi rebels in Yemen helped to organise the mens transfer to Russia, the FT said. The Kremlin has built strong links with Iran-backed Houthi rebels since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. This has reportedly included sending weapons to the rebels. 10:39 AM GMT Prioritise Ukraine, urges Taiwans former president Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has urged the US support to prioritise support for Ukraine, despite the rising threat of a Chinese invasion of the self-governing island. They should do whatever they can to help the Ukrainians, we [Taiwan] still have time Ms Tsai told the Halifax International Security Forum. A Ukrainian victory will serve as the most effective deterrent to future aggression, she said. Ms Tsai served as president from 2016 to 2024, leaving office in January after poor local election results and ceding power to her Vice President William Lai. Tsai Ing-wen accepted the John McCain Prize for Leadership in Public Service at the forum in Halifax, Nova Scotia - KELLY CLARK/THE CANADIAN PRESS VIA AP 10:30 AM GMT Watch: A week of drone attacks on Ukraine This week, air raid alerts have sounded almost daily across Ukraine. Just last night, our air defense forces managed to shot down nearly 50 strike drones. Over the past week, Russia has launched more than 800 guided aerial bombs, around 460 strike drones, and over 20 missiles of pic.twitter.com/wUeKmbGcIF Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) November 24, 2024 10:30 AM GMT Welcome to our live coverage Hello and welcome to our live coverage. Well be keeping you up to date with the days events as they happen. Bali Nine member Scott Rush, right, talks to his father through the bars at a court cell in Indonesia while awaiting trial in January 2006. Photograph: Firdia Lisnawati/AP The parents of the surviving Bali Nine members are quietly hopeful their children will be repatriated to Australia in a deal with the Indonesian government, according to a pastor who has been in close contact with them for 20 years. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, raised their repatriation during a meeting with the Indonesian president, Prabowo Subianto, on the sidelines of the Apec summit in Peru last week. Senior Australian ministers have confirmed negotiations between the two nations are ongoing. Indonesias law minister, Supratman Andi Agtas, has also confirmed the presidents in-principle support for the extradition. He said the delay in officially announcing a deal was due to the two nations not having a prisoner swap arrangement. When asked by Guardian Australia if the remaining members of the Bali Nine could be home by the end of the year, the minister said: Hopefully, but it will depend on the president. Its based on humanitarian grounds and also about good relations between Australia and Indonesia, he said. Supratman confirmed any deal with Australia would involve some Indonesian prisoners in Australia being returned. He said his department was working to create the legal mechanisms required to exchange prisoners. He said that in principle we want to do it and that its in process. Supratman also confirmed he had discussed the issue with Australias ambassador in Jakarta, Penny Williams, in recent days. The Australians were arrested in 2005 for attempting to smuggle heroin out of the Indonesian resort island. The remaining members, who remain in Bali serving life sentences, are Scott Rush, Matthew Norman, Si-Yi Chen, Martin Stephens, and Michael Czugaj. The bishop of Townsville, Timothy Harris, has provided pastoral care to the Rush and Czugaj families since their arrest. He has also visited both men in Balis notorious Kerobokan prison. It is fantastic news, if true, Harris said. But I am being very cautious. I am very grateful for conversations that have taken place between the Australian prime minister and the president of Indonesia. I think those two men need to be congratulated and credit given where it is due. Related:Courts, politicians and police in the sea: the many battles for climate activists at NSWs Rising Tide protest Harris said he has spoke with Rushs father, Lee, in recent days and he believed the family has not yet received any official confirmation of a deal. He was wary of hard-line Indonesian politicians seeking to stop the repatriation. Scotts parents are salt-of-the-earth people, Harris said. They have been through hell and I think they are quietly hopeful they will get their son home. After 20 years, how much more can a person take? There comes a time where it is better to bring them home. Harris stressed that he and the Rush family wanted the Indonesian justice system to be respected. On Sunday, the trade minister, Don Farrell, said the five men would continue to serve their sentences in Australia if the deal went through. The proposal isnt, as I understand it, to release these people, he told Sky News. They would continue to serve their sentence, except theyre serving them in Australia. The shadow attorney general, Michaelia Cash, said the prime minister should provide Australians with more information about the deal. She did not say whether the opposition backed the reported deal. Lets be clear, in the first instance, these individuals were part of a heroin-smuggling ring to bring back into Australia in excess of 8kg of heroin, she told Sky News on Sunday. Drug offences are some of the worst offences our society sees because of the devastating consequences on people, including death. Chief Constable Kate Meynell of Nottinghamshire Police - John Robertson A senior police chief is set to be investigated by the watchdog over claims that she covered up failings linked to Nottingham knifeman Valdo Calocanes stabbing frenzy. Chief Constable Kate Meynell, of Nottinghamshire Police, told journalists that the knifeman had been reported twice to police for stalking before murdering three victims. However, the police chief then allegedly made reporters at the private press briefing sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) forbidding them from publishing what she said. The Nottingham Post went on to reveal the alleged gagging attempt, prompting victims families to send a formal complaint to the citys Police and Crime Commissioner, claiming that the press briefing was improper and a bid to avoid negative headlines. The police watchdog has now confirmed it will probe the allegations against Chief Constable Meynell. From left to right: Ian Coates, Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar - PA/Nottinghamshire Police Barnaby Webber and Grace OMalley-Kumar, both 19, were killed by Calocane in a knife frenzy along with Ian Coates in the June 2023 attack. On Sunday, the relatives said of the coming probe: It is no less than she deserves. In a joint statement, they told the Sunday Mirror: We welcome news that the appalling actions and decisions of Kate Meynell, the Chief Constable of a failing police force, will be fully investigated. We believe she chose to hold a non-reportable media briefing to withhold information and shackle the press from reporting further gross actions of her force. Killers sentence Calocane stabbed Webber and OMalley-Kumar as they returned from a night out, before killing school caretaker Coates. The 32-year-old Calocane was sentenced to an indefinite period in a high-security medical facility after pleading guilty to manslaughter. The Attorney General deemed the sentence unduly lenient and tried to have jailed time included but this was rejected by the Court of Appeal. Webbers mother, Emma Webber said: The agony we are forced to endure is unimaginable. No victims or families deserve to be treated like this. Change has to happen - those in senior roles who grossly fail, lie and/or make poor decisions that result in catastrophic outcomes must be held accountable. Our message to those individuals in both police forces and also the Nottingham mental health trust is we will not stop until this has happened. A spokesman for the Independent Office for Police Conduct said: As part of our ongoing investigations into complaints made against Nottinghamshire Police by the families of Ian Coates, Grace OMalley-Kumar and Barnaby Webber, we are looking at the forces decision to hold a non-reportable briefing for media in February this year (2024). The families maintain that this decision was improper and an attempt to hide information. Our inquiries include assessing the content of the briefing, the communication of that briefing to the families, and whether it was conducted in line with relevant policies and procedures. Many incarcerated Britons and their relatives complain of feeling isolated and unsupported by the Foreign Office. Composite: Alex Mellon for the Guardian : AP/Rex/Shutterstock Gurpreet Singh Johal is sitting in a London hotel lobby the night before he is due to meet David Lammy. He recalls in his soft Scottish burr that this will be the fifth UK foreign secretary he will have seen in his quest to secure the release of his brother, Jagtar, who has been detained in Indian prisons for seven years, with the case making virtually no progress. He can rate each foreign secretarys strengths and weaknesses. Jeremy Hunt, whom he met with Jagtars wife, took me seriously, and registered at that stage, after two years in jail, my brother had not had a fair trial. But he did not take it beyond that. Dominic Raab would not have a meeting. He just wanted a trade deal. Liz Truss was sort of forced to have a meeting in 2022, and then she became prime minister and did nothing. And then: James Cleverly it was the worst meeting of the lot since all he said was that he would do everything in Jagtars best interest. But he said he would not call for his release. I asked him how it could be in my brothers best interest for his government not to call for his release? The argument of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office was that critical comments on the domestic laws of another state might limit the detained Britons consular access. But this experience a cycle of hope, then hopes dashed, and repeat is familiar to other families of those who have been detained abroad. The Foreign Office and British consular services are there to help incarcerated Britons and their relatives. Yet many complain of feeling isolated and unsupported, forced to contend with punitive or highly politicised justice systems, a lack of transparency, dire prison conditions including solitary confinement, or no access to lawyers. Now a number of relatives, as well as campaigners and MPs, are calling for the Labour government to up its game and usher in a step-change in the handling of hostage situations and other cases of Britons unlawfully held overseas. Cultural defensiveness The case of 37-year-old Jagtar Singh Johal, from Dumbarton in Scotland, is particularly galling. He was arrested in connection with targeted killing cases in Punjab in 2016 and 2017 allegedly part of a conspiracy by the Khalistan Liberation Force, an organisation that Indian police say he was a member of. Reprieve, the charity supporting him, has insisted the charges are based on a false confession he gave after being tortured with electricity by police, who are also alleged to have brought petrol into the cell and threatened to burn him alive. For his brother, the exchanges he had with Cleverly the penultimate in a run of Conservative foreign secretaries involved in the case represented a step backwards ince Boris Johnson, as prime minister in 2022, had said his brother was arbitrarily detained. Gurpreet gives credit to the former prime minister David Cameron, the final Tory to hold the role of foreign secretary, who met him in Scotland. He said to me: The one thing I do not understand is if they have got evidence against your brother, why are they not doing anything? What benefit do they gain? And I explained keeping him in jail is a punishment in itself, and that is how the system works. It took Cameron to understand that, despite there being a legal case against Jagtar, that if India wanted, they could release him tomorrow and send him back. Its about political will. None of the other foreign secretaries understood that point, but he did. But then the [UK general] election intervened. I genuinely believe he would have done more. He recalls that, lower down the ministerial ladder, Rory Stewart as a Foreign Office minister promised in 2017 that extreme action would be taken if claims that a British national had been tortured proved to be true. Two months later Stewart switched departments, becoming prisons minister. Frankly, Mark Field [another Foreign Office minister] was the best. He was very honest and candid in our first meeting. He said: Keep up the pressure because the more pressure you put on, the more we will do. Without the pressure we wont do anything. Its not just the churn in ministers and what can seem like arbitrary inconsistencies in their approach, but the constant swirl of case workers. It makes Johal ensure that everything is in writing so there is a paper trail about what has been promised. The consular staff often want to have a conversation, but I say I want it in writing to keep them on point, he says. Other families of high-profile detainees also complain of a cultural defensiveness and a sense that other unspoken interests are always in play. In Jagtars case there have even been doubts over whether the whole of the government machine was on his side. Multiple attempts were made to remove his wife from the UK, and some Sikh activists who had campaigned for his release were subject to dawn raids by counter-terrorism police. The UK has never confirmed whether British intelligence acted as an informant to the Indian government in this case. They let him down Richard Ratcliffe, who held two hunger strikes to secure the return of his wife, Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, from Iran after six years, said that trying to discover what lay at the centre of the governments thinking was like peeling an onion. It took his own detective work and a tip-off from two foreign diplomats from Oman and Switzerland, rather than a UK Foreign Office disclosure, to realise that a 450m debt owed by the UK to Iran was the barrier to securing her freedom. Repeated letters sent by his solicitors asking what was being done about the debt were left not just unanswered but often unacknowledged. The government refused to accept the self-evident link between the debt and her detention. Matthew Hedges, a PhD student detained by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May 2018 on suspicion of being a spy and released after seven months, always felt the UKs relations with a close Gulf trading partner inhibited the Foreign Office. Freedom of Information Act requests revealed that the Foreign Office knew within hours of his arrest that he was being held on national security grounds, yet his case was not immediately elevated. A rare report by the parliamentary ombudsman in 2023 ordered the Foreign Office to apologise to him. It found Hedges trusted them to help him and they let him down. Officials failed to notice signs of torture, failed to intervene and failed to help. The Foreign Office made many requests to see him in jail in Dubai. He was visited by the officials three times, the first time after two months, and once on the day after he had signed his confession papers. Hedges feels he survived because of the choices he took, including the confession. It potentially endangered my life. It certainly endangered the lives of others, who I know were picked up by state security authorities, either in the UK or abroad in Egypt, in Jordan, in Russia, and in Yemen, he said. I tried to reduce the impact on others, but I was also trying, quite literally, to survive. He is now pursuing the UAE in the French courts. Textbook case Another case in point is Alaa Abd el-Fattah, the British-Egyptian pro-democracy activist and writer. He was to have completed his five-year prison sentence on 29 September this year but Egyptian officials decided not to count the two years he had spent in pre-trial detention. Egypt does not recognise him as a British national. John Casson, the former ambassador to Egypt, says Abd el-Fattahs detention has been a textbook case of how to do all the wrong things to put effective pressure on the Egyptian government. He said the UK sacrifices leverage through our culture of non-offence, not upsetting people and being seen to say the right thing, adding: We dont think about how to use access and political conversations for leverage. The Egyptian foreign ministry is a pantomime designed to keep foreigners away from the real conversations. The key levers British intelligence and the defence industry operate largely independently of UK diplomats, and are not used to secure releases. Casson pointed out: Here we have got Britains most fundamental right under the Vienna convention of diplomatic access being denied. We are not being treated as a serious country and allowed access to the British national in prison, and the Egyptian ambassador in London is welcomed cordially. While in opposition Lammy, as MP for Abd el-Fattahs sister Mona Seif, called for reciprocal measures to be applied to the Egyptian embassy in London, saying: UK officials in Egypt have no consular access to this British national and youve got to ask why is it that the Egyptian ambassador has access to Whitehall in those circumstances I think it should stop. Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, an Australian-British academic who like Zaghari-Ratcliffe was held in Iran, did not receive any communication from the consular sections of either the British or Australian governments until after four months of interrogation in Iran. Arms length Of course, securing the release of a Briton in jail is not just a matter of political will. The era of simply demanding that an authoritarian government, ally or foe, should release a British detainee, with the doors to the jail then springing open, have long gone. It takes tact, patience and understanding the motives and weaknesses of the captor. Many of the cases solved privately are by definition hidden from view. Each case has its unique ingredients, and there are many cases. The Foreign Office says in any given year it supports about 20-25,000 British nationals and their families, including about 4-5,000 detained or arrested abroad. Spotting the high value cases early is key. Nor is the Foreign Offices task made easier by the strict rule that ransoms will not be paid by the UK. But nevertheless, too many times families feel they have not been involved in a shared endeavour, but instead are treated as someone to be kept at arms length, just one factor among many to be weighed when shaping the bilateral relationship with a country. Bland reassurances that an issue has been raised by a minister on such a date on an overseas visit do not assuage the agony of the families or their sense of burning injustice. Counterproductive One of the most controversial issues is publicity, and Whitehalls bias towards quiet diplomacy. The Labour peer and human rights specialist Helena Kennedy recalls after contacting the Iran desk early in the Zaghari-Ratcliffe case that she was personally visited by officials and told not to go public. Similarly the Foreign Office sought to disrupt Hedges efforts to go public, the foreign affairs select committee concluded. Johal says: Ive spoken to other families and they say Foreign Office advice is always: Do not go public. It wont be beneficial to you. Whereas you often didnt have a choice. And genuinely, I believe if I didnt go loud, my brother would be dead. I was worried he would have a fatal encounter with the police. The torture wouldnt have stopped. It could have cost him his life. The quiet diplomacy route forms part of a pattern of refusing to use tools at the Foreign Offices disposal for fear of damaging bilateral relationships. In its report entitled Stolen Years, the foreign affairs select committee found: The Foreign Office has a policy of not commenting on, or interfering with, a foreign states legal system. For instance the evidence suggests that the existence of an opinion from the UN working group on arbitrary detention that a British national is illegally detained makes little or no tangible difference to the way the [Foreign Office] approaches resolving that case. This is counterproductive and risks undermining an important tool, as well as the governments commitment to a rules-based international order. At one point, ministers became aware that the Foreign Offices handling of consular cases might be part of a cultural pattern, so in 2019 Hunt appointed a senior diplomat, Dame Judith Macgregor, to conduct a published but largely internal review of how the department dealt with such issues. The top line finding that no systematic attempt existed to protect the bilateral relationship at the expense of the individual disguised her sharp criticism. It found: Amongst families there was an admission of a shared belief albeit with different levels of acceptance that the Foreign Office was overly sparing with what was revealed to them and when, which had undermined their trust The department could move from seeking to manage and contain complex cases to setting out clearer plans to resolve them. Since then the foreign affairs select committee has produced a damning report informed by the experience of families. Specialist unit? So what is the solution? When in opposition, the twofold solution that the Labour party alighted on was a legal right to consular access, included in the Labour manifesto, and a US-style special envoy for hostages, dedicated to pursuing these cases. In the US, one of the few Trump appointments kept on by the Biden administration, Roger Carstens, is seen as a success as the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. Carstens has clearly been effective, and the existence of a specialist unit would be very reassuring to those who didnt know where to go and who to talk to, or how to manage those things, Lady Kennedy said. The Foreign Office will say it does not need specialist units and everyone is trained to handle consular cases, but there are specialist units dealing with atrocity crimes and sexual violence in conflict. She added: Im afraid there is a reticence in this country to fall out with the people that we do business with. Johal encapsulates the level of frustration for those who feel trapped in a nightmare. I was born and brought up here. I expected my country to look after me, and its not happened, he said. So Ive been campaigning for the last seven years, not just against the Indian government, but for the UK government to do a lot more. And I think thats totally unfair, because other countries like America go out of their way to help the citizens, whereas the UK government has not. I genuinely believe it is because they put a trade deal first. He added: Some people in the community feel like I have got as far because I am a lawyer. But I was never trained to do this. I have had to learn as I go along. Too often you feel like you are someone to be handled, not confided in. I just have to hope with Lammy it is different. The warning comes days after Vladimir Putin said that his military could target the UK in response to Ukraines use of Storm Shadow missiles - Gavril Grigorov/ AFP/Getty Russia is prepared to launch a wave of cyber attacks on Britain that could turn out the lights for millions, a Cabinet minister will warn at a Nato conference on Monday. Vladimir Putin is willing and capable of triggering a destabilising and debilitating electronic strike on the UK, Pat McFadden will say. Russia is exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm and wants to gain a strategic advantage and degrade the states that support Ukraine, Mr McFadden, who oversees policy on national security and state threats, will warn. The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster will say there is an imminent risk of a Russian cyber attack on British infrastructure and businesses that could shut down the power grids and deal a hammer blow to the economy. Addressing the Nato cyber defence conference in London on Monday, he will add that in the past year, the Russian military and its unofficial army of cyber criminals and hacktivists have not just stepped up their attacks, but widened their targets to a number of Nato members and partners. In the UK, Russia has targeted our media, our telecoms, our political and democratic institutions and our energy infrastructure, he will say. Military hard power is one thing. But cyber war can be destabilising and debilitating. With a cyber attack, Russia can turn the lights off for millions of people. It can shut down the power grids. This is the hidden war Russia is waging with Ukraine. The warning comes just days after Putin said that his military could target the UK in direct response to Ukraines use of British-made Storm Shadow missiles. The Russian leader said that Russia had tested a new intermediate-range missile in a strike on Ukraine and that it could legitimately use the weapon against countries that had allowed their missiles to strike Russia, which include Britain and the US. Credit: Telegram / dnepr_operativ Ministers believe that while they cannot stop Russia from launching cyber attacks on the UK, they are confident that they are taking the necessary steps to prevent the disruption of power supplies. Mr McFaddens warning is designed to ensure that Britains critical national infrastructure and businesses do not underestimate the threat, and have the right protections in place. Earlier this year, two NHS hospital trusts in London were hacked, causing the postponement of more than 800 planned operations and 700 outpatient appointments. The patients disrupted included those in need of cancer treatment and organ transplants. The hack was thought to be the work of Qilin, a Russian cyber criminal gang. It took place via a ransomware attack on computers run by Synnovis, which provides pathology services to hospitals and GP surgeries. Data published by the NHS in London showed that nearly 100 cancer treatments had to be postponed in a six-day period because of problems arising from the attack. Last month, pro-Russian hackers claimed to have targeted several local councils. A group named NoName057(16) boasted that it had knocked the websites of the Salford, Bury, Trafford and Tameside councils out of use by flooding their websites with internet traffic. Hacktivist threat Mr McFadden will highlight the danger posed by unofficial hacktivists committing increasingly frequent, and in some cases, increasingly sophisticated attacks around the world. There are gangs of cyber criminals and mercenaries not directly under the Kremlins control, but who are allowed to act with impunity so long as theyre not working against Putins interests, he will say. They recently targeted Natos Indo-Pacific partner South Korea in response to its monitoring of the deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk, where Russia is fighting Ukraine. And Russian state-aligned groups have taken responsibility for at least nine separate cyber attacks of varying severity against Nato states, including unprovoked attacks against our critical national infrastructure. These groups are unpredictable, they act with disregard for the potential geopolitical consequences, and with just one miscalculation could wreak havoc on our networks. He will say that Russia wont think twice about targeting British businesses as Putin is happy to exploit any gap in our cyber defences. Previous estimates have put the cost to the UK economy from cyber crime at 27 billion per year. Mr McFadden will meet business leaders this week, along with senior national security officials, to discuss how they can strengthen their defences against cyber attacks. Ministers are drawing up legislation aimed at shoring up the UKs defences against cyber attacks. The Cyber Security and Resilience Bill will strengthen regulators powers and force businesses to report attacks they currently brush under the carpet. The Bill is expected to mandate that all providers of essential infrastructure understand and protect their supply chains from attack. The measures may also include improving the management of data on cyber attacks to learn lessons from previous hacks. Ukraine used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles in Russia for the first time this week. Joe Biden gave Kyiv the green light to use US-made long-range missiles inside Russia, paving the way for restrictions to be lifted on the UKs Storm Shadows. Opponents of assisted dying protest outside parliament in London in April. Photograph: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Rex/Shutterstock It is entirely possible that future generations will puzzle over how such a fundamental right could ever be denied to them. These are the words of David Steel, the veteran former leader of the Liberal party and a Westminster MP for more than three decades, referring to this Fridays historic vote in parliament on whether to legalise assisted dying. But Steel could just as well have been referring to a private members bill he brought before parliament 57 years ago that was also about the right to bodily autonomy and was the subject of fierce debate and vocal opposition from church leaders. That bill passed under a free vote by MPs became the 1967 Abortion Act, the landmark legislation that underpins womens and girls right to safe abortion services nearly six decades on, Steel wrote in the Sunday Times. One of the arguments deployed by opponents of the abortion act was that it would result in a slippery slope that its strict criteria would inevitably be widened to allow abortion on demand up to a pregnancys full term. A similar argument is being used by opponents of assisted dying. But the fears raised more than half a century ago in relation to abortion have not been realised. Under the original terms of the Abortion Act, a woman could terminate a pregnancy at less than 28 weeks gestation under certain conditions, including harm to her physical or mental health or the foetuss health. Abortion was allowed beyond 28 weeks in very limited circumstances, such as if the womans life was at risk. Since then, the law has been changed twice but the criteria for an abortion have remained the same. The act was tightened in 1990 to lower the gestation limit for abortions from 28 weeks to 24 weeks, the point at which a foetus was considered viable outside the uterus. The law was further changed in 2022 to permit women in the first 10 weeks of pregnancy to take medication at home to terminate a pregnancy. This confirmed in law a temporary approval issued during the Covid pandemic, when access to clinics was limited. Despite the furore at the time around the legalisation of abortion, it is widely accepted today that women should have the right to choose whether or not to continue with a pregnancy. Nearly nine in 10 people surveyed by YouGov last year agreed that abortion should be allowed, with 49% saying the current 24-week limit was about right. Two-thirds of people said abortion should be available to any woman who wants it up to 24 weeks. In 2022 there were 251,377 abortions, the highest number since the Abortion Act was introduced. The high numbers of great concern to those opposed to abortion are an illustration of how the law has been utilised. Related: UKs assisted dying law wont be slippery slope says California doctor who has helped dozens end their life As Steel pointed out, there are other areas of the social-legal landscape that are almost unrecognisable from that of the middle of the last century. For a young person reaching adulthood today, the idea that the state could wield its power to prohibit them from marrying the person they love, dissolving a marriage when love is absent, or choosing when and whether to have children would be viewed as not just alien but irrational, he wrote. Those putting forward the slippery slope argument on assisted dying often point to other countries principally Canada that have legalised it. Canadas medical assistance in dying (Maid) laws, crafted in response to a supreme court decision, initially covered only terminally ill Canadians. However, in 2019 a judge ruled that restricting access to those who had a reasonably foreseeable death was unconstitutional, forcing federal lawmakers to expand the law. Now, a person must have a grievous and irremediable medical condition to be eligible. They must meet all the criteria of having a serious illness, disease or disability; being in an advanced state of decline that cannot be reversed; and experiencing unbearable physical or mental suffering that cannot be relieved. The Canadian government has shelved an expansion of the law to include people with mental illnesses. The US state of Oregon, which legalised assisted dying in 1997 and whose law has been used as a model for many other jurisdictions, has not changed its criteria for eligibility in the past 27 years. Kim Leadbeater, the Labour MP who has put forward the assisted dying bill to the Westminster parliament, has said there is a misconception that the scope of the law has been broadened in other countries. Of her bill, she said this weekend: The strict eligibility criteria make it very clear that we are only talking about people who are already dying. That is why the bill is called the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill; its scope cannot be changed and clearly does not include any other group of people. Danny Kruger, a vocal opponent of assisted dying, was responsible for ensuring the group complied with the rules. Photograph: Yui Mok/PA One of the UKs most high-profile campaigners against assisted dying is being investigated over funding to a parliamentary group that received 55,000 from lobbyists linked to the Christian right. Westminsters standards watchdog has opened a case into Danny Kruger, Conservative MP for East Wiltshire, who was chair of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on dying well from its launch in 2021 until earlier this year. Kruger is a vocal opponent of assisted dying, writing newspaper articles and fronting a documentary debating the subject with his mother, the Great British Bake Off star Prue Leith. The website for the parliamentary commissioner for standards, Daniel Greenberg, said the investigation into Kruger related to an alleged breach of the rules for APPGs linked to the registration of an interest received by the APPG on dying well. A second potential breach relates to the production and publication of an income and expenditure statement by the APPG on dying well. All APPGs must produce an accurate statement and promptly declare donations. As the APPGs chair and registered contact, Kruger was responsible for ensuring the group complied with the rules. The specifics of the allegations are unclear because details of watchdog probes are kept secret while they continue. But Observer analysis of financial disclosures raises questions about an apparent failure to promptly register several donations from pressure groups. Records indicate that in 2022, the dying well APPG received 37,500 in donations from three anti-assisted-dying campaign groups with strong links to the evangelical Christian right. Of that figure, 22,500 was not registered until January 2024, according to the groups entry to the APPG register. Rules for APPGs say registrable benefits worth more than 1,500 should be registered within 28 days. In one case there appears to have been a 564-day gap before a donation from the groups main funder, Care Not Killing, was declared. A spokesperson for Danny Kruger said: The rules state that a member under investigation should not comment publicly on the allegations being investigated. We will therefore not be commenting. The parliamentary standards commissioner looks at evidence that individual MPs may have broken the rules of conduct. If a breach is found, MPs will typically be required to apologise and put matters right. More serious breaches are referred to a committee that decides on further action. It is unclear who made the complaint or why the investigation has been launched now. However, it comes ahead of a key vote on legalising assisted dying by MPs on 29 November. If adopted, the terminally ill adults (end of life) bill would make it legal for over-18s in England and Wales who have mental capacity and are expected to die within six months to be assisted to end their life. They would have to be assessed by two independent doctors and have the decision signed off by a high court judge. A separate bill is under discussion in Scotland. Those in favour of legalising assisted dying say it would give terminally ill people control at the end of their lives, alleviating unnecessary suffering. Those opposed fear it could put pressure on people to end their lives. Kruger, an evangelical Christian, has been vocal in his opposition, arguing for improved palliative care instead. During a Commons debate in April he suggested legalising assisted dying was akin to telling society that some people would be better off dead. Last year he fronted a Channel 4 documentary about assisted dying alongside his mother. Leith also wants better palliative care but favours a change in the law, saying: My feeling is that it should be their death, their decision. All-party parliamentary groups have previously been the subject of scrutiny by transparency campaigners, who warned they could be used as a back door by lobbyists seeking to influence MPs. The groups are informal committees made up of MPs or members of the House of Lords from different parties who share a common interest. They have no official parliamentary status but can be influential in promoting issues in Westminster. In the time Kruger was chair, the dying well APPG hosted events attended by anti-assisted-dying campaigners and MPs, including a reception in April at Portcullis House. Kruger is no longer the chair of the APPG and the membership has recently changed. After a period of inactivity following the general election, it has restarted with a new chair, the Labour and Co-operative MP Rachael Maskell, and a new secretariat, Living and Dying Well, according to transparency records for November. Its previous funders Care Not Killing, Christian Action, Research and Education (Care) and Jersey Evangelicals are not mentioned. Maskell said the three groups were not involved in the new APPG in any capacity. She added that she had not been made aware of historic management aspects of the former APPG under Kruger, adding that the groups new secretariat was not a faith-based organisation and had come out of the hospice movement. Another dying well APPG member, Ilora Finlay, a crossbench peer, said she had been unaware of the investigation into Kruger and that the APPG had recently started from scratch. Related: Should MPs legalise assisted dying? Our panel responds In total the APPG registered 10 donations worth 55,801 from three Christian pressure groups in the time Kruger was chair, between April 2021 and May 2024. This included funding worth 4,500 to create a website, according to transparency records. Last week, the Observer revealed that one group that funded the APPG, Care Not Killing, was behind an opaque campaign against assisted dying. The campaign was presented as a grassroots, doctor-led movement, with no mention of its religious affiliation. Care Not Killing has close links to Care, and shares an office address with the Christian Medical Fellowship both evangelical organisations opposed to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights as well as assisted dying. Both Care Not Killing and Care provided funding to the APPG while Kruger was chair a fact not mentioned on the APPGs website. Care Not Killing said it was a secular organisation supported by people of all faiths and none. Care said concerns about its campaigning methods were bad faith attacks by proponents of assisted suicide. The Jersey Evangelical Alliance said it believed assisted dying was ethically wrong and that its campaigning complied with charity watchdog rules. Bill Clinton says Donald Trumps cabinet would say yes to the president-elect no matter what the facts, no matter who gets hurt - Aaron P Bernstein/Getty Images Bill Clinton has accused Donald Trump of demonising people with a good education and who wear ties to work with his cabinet picks. The 42nd president said the Republican president-elections selections represented an attempt to destroy any remaining public confidence in the federal government. Mr Trump has made a number of controversial picks for influential positions to manage his second term in the White House, including an intelligence chief with pro-Kremlin views and an attorney general with lingering accusations of paying for sex with a 17-year-old girl. The Telegraph has previously reported that his main priority in building the next administration was loyalty after Mr Trump felt hed been betrayed by many of more establishment-friendly picks during his first stint in office. Matt Gaetz, selected to be attorney general, stepped down amid a string of allegations of sexual misconduct - Mike Blake/Reuters The pick for defence secretary, Fox News anchor Pete Hegseth, also faces allegations of sexual assault - Shutterstock In an interview on MSNBC, Mr Clinton said Mr Trumps latest cabinet would say yes to the president-elect no matter what the facts, no matter who gets hurt. He believes that his supporters have no confidence whatsoever in the federal government. And, Lord knows he has done everything to destroy that confidence, Mr Clinton said. He believes he can just say: Well, I appointed these people. Theyre smart, and theyre going to shake things up. But I think in demonising all establishments, and people who wear a tie like you and me to work and have a good education, were breaking down the legitimacy of not only people who are too sanctimonious and too set in their ways, but people who know things that are very important for us today and very important for our continued growth, prosperity and harmony. Mr Trumps anti-establishment cabinet faces an uphill battle to get confirmed by the Senate, which has already forced his candidate for attorney general to withdraw from the confirmation process. Matt Gaetz stepped down amid a string of allegations of sexual misconduct that were being investigated by the House Ethics Committee. He denies the accusations. Pete Hegseth, a Fox News anchor, Mr Trumps pick for defence secretary, is also facing allegations of sexual assault. He says the encounter was consensual. Mr Hegseths lawyer said his client had paid the accuser to keep the allegations quiet amid fears he would lose his job at the broadcaster. Perimenopause can make sex more painful and orgasms more elusive - Getty There are two narratives about the sex lives of midlife women playing out right now. One sees fifty-something actresses such as Nicole Kidman having the best orgasms of their life in movies like A Family Affair and the upcoming Babygirl. Meanwhile Renee Zellwegger is back in the saddle as Bridget Jones in Mad About The Boy, in which our now middle-aged heroine looks set to get it on with a much younger man, played by 20-something Leo Woodall. The other, far more alarming story, however, is that menopause could be decimating the sex lives of up to a third of women in the UK and their partners. So which is nearer the truth? The answer is both. The hormonal changes that happen during perimenopause (a period of several years between a womans mid-40s and early 50s leading up to the menopause when her periods stop for good, can for many turn their libidos off) make sex painful and orgasms elusive. However, when they come out the other side, for many women there can be a new sense of freedom, self awareness and sexual re-awakening. But how do you cope when youre in the middle of the maelstrom? Understanding what is happening with your hormones is crucial. The reducing levels of oestrogen from perimenopause onwards can have a significant impact on the vagina and vulva, leading to thinning of the tissues, reduced elasticity, reduced blood flow and reduced lubrication, explains Dr Juliet Balfour, the founder and lead of the Somerset NHS Menopause Service. The clitoral tissue and labia can shrink and the nerve endings become less sensitive. The loss of oestrogen can also affect the bladder, leading to disruptive urinary symptoms and urinary tract infections after sex. All these changes, says Dr Balfour, mean that sex can become painful and, even if not painful, can become a lot less enjoyable. For 45-year old Tui McClelland, her sex life with her husband Jo was derailed by perimenopause, but she is back to having orgasms once again after going on HRT (hormone replacement therapy). I hadnt realised I might be in perimenopause, as so much was going on in my life at the time, I didnt join the dots until my husband suggested seeing my GP, says Tui. I was grieving for my mother who had died, and I just felt so low and not myself. Sex would hurt as I was very dry, I had to use lube for the first time, and orgasm was harder to reach and less intense. Tui missed having the endorphin rush of orgasms, which she says makes her feel calmer, more relaxed, less anxious. If Ive had a really tough day, an orgasm always makes it better, whether I have one by myself or with my husband. Dr Balfour agrees that as well as being pleasurable, orgasms can boost mood, reduce stress, improve sleep, increase blood flow to the pelvic area and strengthen pelvic floor muscles. For her perimenopausal patients struggling with their sexual response among the many other symptoms of perimenopause, such as hot flushes, night sweats, joint pain and brain fog to name just a few, Dr Balfour will suggest treating the symptoms ideally with HRT, unless you need to avoid it due to health issues. Its also important, she says, to look at any other medication that is known to reduce desire, arousal and the ability to orgasm such as some antidepressants, certain types of blood pressure medication, antihistamines, the combined oral contraceptive pill, medication for an overactive bladder and opioid painkillers. But it is essential that women do not stop any medication without discussing alternatives with their doctor first, she stresses. Vaginal oestrogen can help orgasm Many women, including those on HRT, will benefit from local oestrogen, which is a very low dose inserted into the vagina via a tablet, pessary, cream, gel or ring. The cream or gel can also be applied to the vulva to plump up the tissues and improve sensation, says Dr Balfour. Reassuringly, she adds that local oestrogen is safe for almost every woman to use long-term and the sooner treatment is started the better as unfortunately symptoms will only get worse without it. In the meantime, to make sex more pleasurable with a partner or solo with a vibrator, using a skin-safe lubricant during sex will help. Once the physical symptoms have settled after a period on HRT, if a woman is still struggling with her libido and ability to reach orgasm, a trial of testosterone can be considered. Some GPs have extra training and are allowed to prescribe it, otherwise a referral to a menopause specialist is needed. Its been shown to have a moderate benefit to the sexual response of about 60 per cent of women who try it, as long as other significant factors are ruled out, says Dr Balfour. These include lifestyle (eg nutrition, exercise, weight, sleep, stress), relationship and psychological issues. The psychological element For women of any age, orgasm requires the interaction between three key elements to occur, says Dr Karen Gurney, a consultant clinical psychologist and the author of How Not To Let Kids Ruin Your Sex Life. These are: psychological arousal (an erotic situation or dynamic with a partner), physical stimulation (pleasurable touch to our bodies) and the ability to be in the moment (as opposed to distracted). Any one of these can impact a womans ability to orgasm and stop it in its tracks, so looking at each of these aspects can often reveal the area where women in midlife might be struggling beyond menopausal symptoms. For Tui, while physical touch is important, arousal is more about whats going on in her mind. For my husband Jo and I, its really important to talk openly about sex and what we both want and need, she says. With a lot of the physical and emotional symptoms of perimenopause relieved by HRT, she is now able to think about sex and want it. An open and evolving conversation about what feels good can certainly help. I find my husband really attractive and sexy because of the way he talks to me and treats me, he doesnt take me for granted, says Tui. She sees their sex life as a journey they are on together, adapting how and when they have sex as their bodies change with age. It definitely takes longer for me to orgasm now, she says, so weve had to adapt how we make love such as trying different positions and using a vibrator, which is exciting. Dr Gurney agrees that trying new things can be the key for couples in long-term monogamous relationships to stop sex feeling predictable, routine or monotonous. Our brains, she says, are more geared up to difference and novelty, so if we are going to keep one variable the same (our partners), we generally need to find a way of bringing in difference somewhere else. Too many couples fall into a predictable pattern of a fumble then penetrative sex. Get to know your body Learning to reconnect or maybe even to connect for the first time with your sensuality and feel comfortable exploring your own body is also a big part of your ability to orgasm in midlife, according to Coco Berlin, a movement therapist, the founder of the pelvic floor integration method and the author of Pussy Yoga: Pelvic Floor Training for Radiance, Confidence, and a Fulfilling Love Life. Most women tend to live in their heads and not feel their bodies, she says. When we dont practise inhabiting and enjoying our body in our daily life we cant expect to get turned on easily and to feel so much when we have sex. A former belly dancer, Berlin teaches online courses to help women to tune into their bodies and rewire the nervous system for pleasure. Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports your pelvic organs and plays a vital role in sexual sensation and function, she says. These muscles help control vaginal tightness and relaxation, they also contribute to the swelling of the clitoris with arousal and help make the vagina plump and elongated for pleasure. Orgasms involve rhythmic contractions of pelvic floor muscles, so exercising them to be strong and flexible will create more intense and pleasurable sensations. Tui agrees that all women should be much more aware and tuned into their bodies. Its so important to give yourself pleasure, she says. You should be able to orgasm every day if you want to. The Conservatives would not support a decision to arrest Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to the UK, shadow housing secretary Kevin Hollinrake has said. It comes after Downing Street indicated the Israeli prime minister faces arrest if he enters Britain after an international arrest warrant was issued for him. Number 10 refused to explicitly comment on hypotheticals, but said the UK would follow its legal obligations. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued a warrant for Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Asked on the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme on Sky News that if Sir Keir Starmer obeyed the International Criminal Court ruling, would he support a decision to arrest the Israeli prime minister if he came to London, Mr Hollinrake said: No, no, I wouldnt. For a number of reasons. Israel is not a signatory to the Rome statute on this, Palestine is not a recognised state. The International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) We think this is the wrong move diplomatically as well as legally, so no, we wouldnt. We think Labour should, Keir Starmer should definitely say that hes not going to participate in the ICC rulings. Number 10 previously said the domestic process linked to ICC arrest warrants has never been used to date by the UK because no-one wanted by the international court had visited the country. The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamass armed wing, over the October 7 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in Gaza. A domestic court process would be required before Mr Netanyahu faced arrest if he set foot in the UK. The ICC said there are reasonable grounds to believe Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The courts pre-trial chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. The impact of the warrants is likely to be limited since Israel and its major ally, the US, are not members of the ICC. The Conservatives have called on Sir Keir Starmer to reject an international arrest warrant issued for Benjamin Netanyahu as they accused the Government of holding a nonsensical position on the issue. In a letter to the Prime Minister, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) had no proper basis in international law. They said the UKs refusal to explicitly say whether or not the Israeli premier would be detained if he arrived in the country opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest of an ally to Britain. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel sent the Prime Minister a joint letter with shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick (Victoria Jones/PA) Criticising the ICC warrant, the shadow ministers said: It is hard to escape the conclusion this is an activist decision, motivated by politics and not the law. They argued the court was established to pursue cases in instances where countries do not have robust and independent judiciaries, which could not be said of Israel. The UK Governments response to the decision has been nonsensical, they said. On Friday, the Home Secretary refused to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be detained if he travelled to the UK. This opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest on UK soil of the leader of an ally of the UK, while you continue a diplomatic charm offensive with the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. It falls to you to clarify the Governments position now. The Government must make clear that it does not support an arrest warrant being issued which has no proper basis in international law. Downing Street on Friday indicated that Mr Netanyahu could face arrest if he entered the UK, refusing to comment on hypotheticals but saying Britain would always follow its legal obligations. The International Criminal Court Act 2001 states that a Secretary of State must, on receipt of a request for arrest from the ICC, transmit the request and the documents accompanying it to an appropriate judicial officer. Asked whether the UK would comply with requirements under the Act, Sir Keirs spokesman said: Yes, the Government would fulfil its obligations under the Act and indeed its legal obligations. The ICC has issued a warrant for Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Number 10 previously said the domestic process linked to ICC arrest warrants has never been used to date by the UK because no-one wanted by the international court had visited the country. It added that Israel remained a key partner across a range of areas. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: It is important that we have a dialogue with Israel at all levels to reach the ceasefire that we all want to see, to bring an end to the violence, to protect civilians and ensure the release of hostages. The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamass armed wing, over the October 7 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in Gaza. A domestic court process would be required before Mr Netanyahu faced arrest if he set foot in the UK. The ICC said there are reasonable grounds to believe Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The courts pre-trial chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. The impact of the warrants is likely to be limited since Israel and its major ally, the US, are not members of the ICC. Perfectly cooked turkey starts with an accurate temperature reading. Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley If you've ever had that moment of doubt while cooking a turkeywondering if it's truly done or if you're about to serve a dry or undercooked birdyou're not alone. Knowing the bird's internal temperature is the best way to make sure it is juicy, delicious, and most importantly, safe to eat. A thermometer is essential to getting an accurate read, ensuring that your turkey is cooked to perfection. Depending on your cooking method, thermometer placement is key. For example, when roasting a turkey in the oven, you'll want to place the thermometer in the thickest part of the breast or thigh. The same goes for deep-fried turkeypull it out of the oil briefly to insert the thermometer. When grilling, make sure to check the temperature on the side facing away from the heat source. There are several types of thermometers to choose from, each offering different advantages. Instant-read thermometers provide quick, accurate readings, probe thermometers are best for oven-roasting, digital thermometers offer precise results and alarms, and traditional dial thermometers are cost-effective and reliable. Related: Uh-Oh: You Overcooked The Thanksgiving Turkey. Here's How To Fix It Southern Living / Kevin Liang Types of Food Thermometers When it comes to cooking turkey, choosing the right thermometer can help ensure your bird reaches a safe internal temperature without overcooking. Each type of thermometer offers unique benefits, making it easier to achieve a perfectly cooked turkey. Here's a look at different types of thermometers to help you discover which one might be best suited for your needs: Digital instant-read thermometers: These thermometers provide quick, precise readings, making them ideal for checking turkey temperatures during cooking. Simply insert the probe into the thickest part of the breast or thigh, taking care not to touch the bone, which can affect the accuracy of the reading. These thermometers deliver almost immediate results, allowing for easy and precise monitoring throughout the cooking process. Digital probe thermometers: Also known as leave-in thermometers, these allow continuous monitoring of the turkey's temperature without opening the oven door. The probe is inserted into the turkey and connected to an external display via a wire or wireless system. This type is perfect for hands-off cooking, alerting you when the turkey has reached the desired temperature so you can focus on all your other tasks. Dial thermometers: A more traditional option, dial thermometers are a reliable option for checking the temperature of your turkey. These thermometers consist of a metal probe with a dial display that shows the temperature. These require insertion to a depth of at least two inches to work properly. Dial thermometers come in both instant-read and oven-safe types, with the latter providing a constant temperature reading throughout cooking. For cooking turkey, digital instant-read thermometers and digital leave-in probe thermometers are top choices. Instant-read thermometers offer quick, reliable results, while leave-in probes allow you to monitor temperature continuously without disrupting the cooking process. Both options give you the control you need to cook your turkey to perfection. Vstock LLC/Getty Images Where To Place The Thermometer In A Turkey For accurate temperature readings when cooking turkey, where you place the thermometer matters just as much as what type of thermometer you use. When checking the temperature, be sure to test these key areas: Thickest part of the breast : The thickest part of the breast is the most reliable spot to check for doneness, as it typically takes the longest to cook. Insert the probe of the thermometer into the thickest part of the breast without touching any bone (which can affect the accuracy) for the best reading. Thigh placement: Dark meat, such as the thigh, needs to reach a higher temperature than the white meat to be fully cooked. Insert the temperature probe into the thickest part of the thigh, just above where the thigh meets the body of the turkey. Make sure the probe is inserted horizontally and positioned in the center, avoiding contact with the bone for an accurate reading. How To Avoid Hot Spots Turkeys have natural hot spots, such as around the wing joints or near the stuffing cavity. These areas heat up faster than the breast or thighs, so checking them can give you a false reading, making it seem that the turkey is done when it's not. For the most accurate reading, always check the breast or thigh for a more reliable indication of overall doneness. The Right Temperature for Turkey Following temperature guidelines is key to making sure your turkey is safe to serve. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends cooking turkey to an internal temperature of 165F in the thickest part of the breast and thigh. This ensure that all harmful bacteria is destroyed, while keeping the turkey tender and moist. Why You Should Rest Turkey Before Slicing Before you slice in, make sure to give your turkey time to rest. Letting the bird rest for 20 to 30 minutes after cooking will not only increase the temperature of the bird slightly with carryover cooking, but also allow the juices to redistribute throughout the meat for the most tender and juicy results. This resting period also helps the fibers in the meat relax, which ensures a moist and flavorful turkey when carved. Skipping this step may result in the juices running out as you slice, leading to a drier result. Common Mistakes to Avoid When checking the temperature of your turkey, it's easy to get distracted or rush through the process. However, avoiding these common mistakes will help you achieve the best results: Inaccurate placement: One frequent error when checking the turkey's temperature is placing the thermometer probe too close to the bone. This can give a falsely high reading since bones heat faster than the surrounding meat. Another is not inserting the probe deep enough, particularly in larger turkeys, leading to an inaccurate reading. Not calibrating your thermometer: Calibration of your thermometer is also essential for accurate results. If your thermometer has been stored deep in a drawer since last Thanksgiving, check your brand's instructions for how to calibrate it, or test its accuracy by checking the temperature of boiling water (which should register around 212F). Waiting too long: To prevent overcooking your turkey, it's best to start checking the temperature about 30 to 45 minutes before the estimated end of cooking time, especially if your bird is on the smaller side for its weight range. If you're using a probe thermometer, set it to alert you when the turkey approaches the target temperature of 165F. Checking early gives you a chance to remove the turkey at just the right moment for the most delicious results. Related: How Long To Cook A Turkey: A Pound-By-Pound Guide A last-minute $300bn climate finance deal has been secured at Cop29 after a dramatic day of prolonged negotiations, which saw walkouts by vulnerable nations and protests echoing through the corridors. Countries agreed to the annual finance target to help poorer countries deal with the impacts of climate change, with rich countries leading the payments, according to a hard-fought agreement clinched at the United Nations summit in Azerbaijan on Sunday, which saved the talks from collapse. It is not near the full amount of $1.3 trillion that developing countries were asking for, but it is three times the $100bn a year deal from 2009 that is expiring. The treaty acknowledged the need for $1.3 trillion and called for mobilising that amount annually through various sources. The fresh agreement was criticised by developing nations, who called it insufficient, but UN climate chief Simon Steill hailed it as an insurance policy for humanity. "It has been a difficult journey, but we've delivered a deal," Mr Steill said after the agreement was finalised. Activists participated in demonstrations for climate finance at the Cop29 summit (AP) This deal will keep the clean energy boom growing and protect billions of lives. It will help all countries to share in the huge benefits of bold climate action: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all. But like any insurance policy, it only works if the premiums are paid in full and on time. Fiji delegation chief Biman Prasad said: Everybody is committed to having an agreement. They are not necessarily happy about everything, but the bottom line is everybody wants a good agreement. US President Joe Biden said that while substantial work remained to be done, the conference had set an ambitious international climate finance goal. He added: While some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution thats under way in America and around the world, nobody can reverse it nobody. The Cop29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital Baku had been due to finish on Friday, but ran into overtime as negotiators from nearly 200 countries struggled to reach consensus on the climate funding plan for the next decade. At one point delegates from poor and small island nations walked out in frustration over what they called a lack of inclusion, worried that fossil fuel producing countries were seeking to water down aspects of the deal. An initial proposal of $250bn, drafted by Azerbaijans Cop29 presidency on Friday, was denounced by vulnerable countries and campaigners as a joke and insult to the victims of climate disasters. We walked out because at the moment, we dont feel that we are being heard, said the representative from Samoa. The Cop29 climate conference in the Azerbaijan capital Baku had been due to finish on Friday (AP) In the early hours of Friday, negotiators were wrangling over every word of the text to be able to provide assurance to vulnerable nations of the delivery of the finance they need. Rich countries have repeatedly failed to provide the previous $100bn climate finance, with the target only completed for the first time in 2022. UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, said the commitments must quickly become cash. Developing countries swamped by debt, pummelled by disasters, and left behind in the renewables revolution, are in desperate need of funds. I had hoped for a more ambitious outcome but this agreement provides a base on which to build. It must be honoured in full and on time. Andreas Seiber, associate director of policy at climate advocacy 350.org said the new fund is a step forward compared to where we stood before on climate finance but falls far short of what is required for true climate justice. Rich nations, led by the EU, USA, and Japan, took steps that were long overdue, but their actions remain insufficient to meet the scale of the crisis or to uphold their historic responsibilities, he told The Independent. After the deal was formally adopted by consensus, India strongly objected to the agreement. I regret to say that this document is nothing more than an optical illusion. This, in our opinion, will not address the enormity of the challenge we all face, Indian delegation representative Chandni Raina told the closing plenary session of the summit. Campaigners had been calling for developing countries to reject the proposal. The fast-emptying corridors of Baku Stadium, which were once filled with thousands of people walking around at pavilions and cafes, were just echoed by chants of pay up. John Podesta, the US climate envoy, was met with demonstrators shouting shame as he walked out of a meeting (AP) John Podesta, the US climate envoy, was met with demonstrators shouting shame as he walked out of a meeting. The Cop29 summit had been dampened by tricky geopolitical challenges since its start, with Donald Trumps election victory in the US putting it on track for another withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Several Western leaders were absent from this years conference and many countries have challenging elections. Wopke Hoekstra, the EU commissioner for climate action said: We are living in a time of truly challenging geopolitics so seeing a deal truly is exceptional. The summit cut to the heart of the debate over financial responsibility of industrialised countries whose historic use of fossil fuels have caused the bulk of greenhouse gas emissions to compensate others for worsening damage wrought by climate change. It also laid bare divisions between wealthy governments constrained by tight domestic budgets and developing nations reeling from costs of storms, floods and droughts. On Saturday evening, countries also agreed on rules for a global market to buy and sell carbon credits that proponents say could mobilise billions more dollars into new projects to help fight global warming, from reforestation to deployment of clean energy technologies. Countries are seeking financing to deliver on the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5C (2.7F) above pre-industrial levels beyond which catastrophic climate impacts could occur. The world is currently on track for as much as 3.1C (5.6F) of warming by the end of this century, according to the 2024 UN Emissions Gap report, with global greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuels use continuing to rise. After 45 years, authorities in California were finally able to tell the Gonzalez family who they believe killed their loved one. The Riverside County Sheriffs Office used DNA and forensic genealogy to identify the suspected killer, who turned out to be the same man who reported finding Esther Gonzalezs body to authorities. On February 9, 1979, 17-year-old Gonzalez was walking to her sisters house in Banning, California, about 85 miles east of Los Angeles. She never made it home. The next day, her body was found in a snowpack off a highway near Banning, the Riverside County District Attorneys Office said in a news release. She was attacked during her walk, raped and bludgeoned to death, authorities said. Deputies described the unidentified man who found the body as argumentative, according to the news release. The man, later identified as Lewis Randolph Randy Williamson, called the county sheriff to report the body and said he didnt know whether it was a man or woman. Williamson was later asked by sheriffs investigators to take a polygraph test. The district attorneys office said he agreed to the test and passed, which at the time, cleared him of any wrongdoing, according to the release. Nearly five decades later, the district attorneys office said a cold case homicide team used forensic genealogy to confirm Williamson is Gonzalezs suspected killer. Forensic genealogy is surging across the country as investigators analyze DNA in addition to traditional genealogy research to generate leads for unsolved cases. Jason Corey, the master investigator for the Riverside County Sheriffs Office, said the technique is a tremendous addition to an investigators toolbox. I think it will be a great investigative tool moving forward in the future, Corey said. It will help do a lot of good and not only identify victims, but it will help point the investigators in a direction with their investigative leads that will help bring those suspects to justice. Even as the Gonzalez case went cold, Riverside County detectives kept searching. The homicide team continued to investigate the case for decades after Gonzalezs death. The team uploaded a semen sample from the crime scene into the Combined DNA Index System but there werent any leads. In 2023, detectives sent various items of evidence to a genetic lab in Texas that specializes in forensic genealogy and identifying victims in unsolved murders. Earlier this year, a crime analyst laid out all the facts of the case. Then, the light bulb went off. Although Williamson was seemingly cleared by the polygraph in 1979, he was never cleared through DNA because the technology had not yet been developed, the district attorneys office said. Lewis Randolph Randy Williamson - Riverside County District Attorneys Office Conducting another polygraph was not an option, as Williamson died in Florida in 2014. However, a blood sample had been collected during his autopsy. Authorities in Florida sent the sample to the California Department of Justice, which confirmed Williamsons DNA matched the DNA semen sample recovered from Gonzalezs body. Corey said this case was in Riverside Countys cold case unit since it launched about five years ago. Over the years, multiple investigators have worked on the case. That all came to an end this Wednesday. I cant imagine what its like for them, Corey said. That whole family has just been devastated over the years. This is a day in and day in, day out thing. I dont think this is something that ever got easier for them as time went on. I dont know if you can say youre happy that its done, because its still, its still a terrible tragedy, but I hope it can bring them some closure, Corey said. The latest development in the cold case does bring peace and closure to the Gonzalez family, Esthers older sister Elizabeth said. She was happy to hear her sisters suspected killer was finally identified. We are very happy that we finally have closure, Elizabeth Gonzalez, 64, wrote in an email to CNN. We are happy about it but, since the guy has died, a little sad that he wont spend any time for her murder. Esther and Elizabeth Gonzalez grew up very close as they were only one year apart in age. Esther is now remembered by her family for her shy yet funny and mild-mannered personality. She the fourth out of seven children. Esthers oldest brother, Eddie, wrote on Facebook, The Gonzalez family would like to thank the Riverside County sheriffs department on a job well done after 40 years the Gonzalez family has closure. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The 28th Black Nights Film Festival, known as POFF, wrapped Nov. 22 with an awards ceremony in Tallinn where filmmakers took centre stage to ask for the end of war in the Middle East, solidarity with Georgia under Russian influence and the defence of culture. Oscar-nominated British-Palestinian filmmaker Farah Nabulsi whose debut feature The Teacher scooped the Dennis Davidson Spotlight Award to improve diversity, inclusion and representation in cinema was the first to take a political stand. More from Variety The Teacher is a film that we shot in militarily occupied and colonized Palestine, in the West Bank a little over two years ago. Never could I have imagined that the film would arrive at such a crucial juncture in the discourse on Palestine as Israel continues to conduct genocide, the crime of all crimes in Palestine, in Gaza, as we speak. I really believe cinema has the power to raise the global social consciousness and that this is an award that understands that, she said. Portugal-based Japanese filmmaker Takashi Sugimoto whose documentary Black Gold won the Jury Prize from the Doc@POFF Competition, followed suit on stage, saying I feel for Gaza-this [issue] resonates in me and I hope we will find a way to meet and discuss. Israeli filmmaker Nir Bergman, named best director from the main competition jury for his drama Pink Lady, addressed the conflict in the Middle East with a clear message. The most important for us right now is for the 101 hostages to be brought back home and for the war to stop, he urged. Meanwhile the grand-old dame of Georgian cinema Lana Gogoberidze, recipient of the 2024 POFF Lifetime Achievement, voiced her concern for her country under Russian influence. My country has been struggling for independence for centuries and we did achieve this. But now we are in danger again. We really need friends and we consider Estonia as our friend, she said, standing on stage next to festival director Tiina Lokk. I dont think human beings have invented anything better than the word solidarity as a way to express compassion to those in difficulty. Salvation comes with solidarity, she claimed. POFF itself, whose tagline reads Standing with Ukraine, kicked off under unpleasant political pressure from the State Film Agency of Ukraine which called on the festival to remove from its program the feature Deaf Lovers by Russian-born filmmaker in exile Boris Guts, even before its world premiere in the main competition, Nov. 17. Silent City Driver Shot in Istanbul, the Estonian-Serbian pic, which depicts a heated relationship between a Ukrainian woman and a Russian man, was criticized for blurring the boundaries of understanding the reality of Ukrainians. POFF eventually excluded it from the Standing with Ukraine program but kept it in its official selection competition. Going back to the Deaf Lovers controversy, Lokk who founded the A-listed festival in 1997, told Variety her energy the first week of the festival was partly highjacked from the joyful festival events to tackle aggressive online attacks. I have experienced in the past cordial pressure from different organisations, government representatives, but nothing of that scale, she said. Today, its all behind us; were all friends again, and the screening and interviews with the director clearly proved his anti-war stance. Going forward, we will of course, continue to promote independent voices and keep the door open to all filmmakers whose films represent democratic values. Film in all its power of reflection upon the world we live was celebrated throughout the full duration of the festival, over Nov. 8-24. In her closing speech Lokk proudly said: Weve had a fantastic run over these 16 days, with more than 250 films, 350 short films from 81 countries, international guests from 60 countries, more than 800 screenings and audience-breaking numbers [above last years 88,400 admissions, notable for a city of 457,000, although at press time the figures werent yet available]. POFF Winners POFFs Grand Prix for best film was handed out to the Mongolian film Silent City Driver, written and directed by Sengedorj Janchivdorj whose previous pic The Sales Girl scooped the Audience Award at POFFs summer open-air festival Tartuffe 2023. The film follows an enigmatic hearse driver as he navigates the solitude and injustice that haunt his tormented life, reads the logline. This dark fairy tale from Mongolia took us by surprise, said the jury, headed by German filmmaker Christoph Hochhausler (Till the End of the Night, I Am Guilty). From the very first shot on, we felt the sensation of a film breaking new ground. Silent City Driver is a very stylish film, but style here is substance, the formal choices are not used to divert but to deepen this very cinematic universe, populated by unique larger than life characters which nevertheless remain very human. The feature was also honored for its production design. From the same competition strand, seasoned Israeli filmmaker Nir Bergman (Broken Wings, BeTipul), won best director for Pink Lady, a queer drama set in ultra-Orthodox circles in Jerusalem. MK2 handles global sales. Empire Of The Rabbits In the acting categories, Pirjo Lonka and Elina Knihtila shared the best actress award for their portrayal of two very different sisters in the Finnish comedy 100 Litres of Gold, by Teemy Nikki (The Blind Man Who Did Not Want to See Titanic); best actor honors went to Lee Hyo-Ye for Korean thriller The Loop. The Turkish drama Empire of the Rabbit, by Seyfettin Tokmak, described as haunting, meditative, heart-breaking and poignant by the jury, scooped both best script and cinematography. In the first feature competitive section, German drama No Dogs Allowed by student Oscar-nominated Steve Bache was voted best film by the jury headed by marketing industry veteran John Durie who stated: Mr Bache has made a movie for today and tomorrow dealing with one of the most taboo subjects in society: Paedophilia via online grooming, but it is made with absolute sensitivity and vulnerability thanks to the excellent cast and in particular the two lead characters. In the Baltic Film competition, Lithuania underscored its dominant position in the fiction space among Baltic nations scoring a clean sweep with film and directing awards handed out respectively to The Southern Chronicles by Ignas Miskinis, and Drowning Dry by Laurynas Bareisa. Described by Varietys Alissa Simon as an exploration of trauma, which Bareisa investigates in unconventional ways that defy and subvert dramatic conventions, Lithuanias Oscar rep Drowning Dry was recently picked for U.S. distribution by Dekanolog via a deal with sales outfit Alpha Violet. Other best film winners were the French-Belgian The Watchman, which screened in the inaugural Doc@POFF Competition; the German satirical thriller The Protected Men, part of the Rebels with a Cause program, and the Japanese father-son comedy The Brothers Kitaura,screened in the Critics Picks strand. Multiple plaudit winners included Canadas Mongrels by debut helmer Jerome Yoo, which took home the Fipresci Award and the Special Prize for the cast from the First Film Competition, and Denmarks Kontra by Jonas Risvig, honored in the kids and youth section with the Just Film Grand Prix and Just Film Youth Jury best film prize. No Dogs Allowed At the closing ceremony Lokk also announced that Catalonia will be in the Black Nights Focus for 2025, following on Germany this year. The Focus may well take in the muscular support for film and TV from the Catalan government its Ministry of Culture dedicated 55 million ($58.3 million) to its audiovisual sector in 2023 plus the emergence of a new generation of filmmakers, many women, which snag major awards, such as a Berlin 2022 Golden Bear for Carla Simons Alcarras; a zeal for overseas co-production bulwarked by a minority co-production fund; notable animation and genre production; a significant international shoot scene; and new ambitions for Catalonias TV sector. Official Selection Competition Best Film, Silent City Driver, Sengedorj Janchivdorj (Mongolia) Best Director, Pink Lady, Nir Bergman (Israel/Italy) Best Cinematography, Empire of the Rabbits, Seyfettin Tokmak (Turkey, Croatia, Mexico, Lebanon) Best Script, Empire of the Rabbits, Seyfettin Tokmak (Turkey, Croatia, Mexico, Lebanon) Best Actress, ex quo Pirjo Lonka and Elina Knihtila for 100 Litres of Gold (Finland, Italy) Best Actor, Hyo Je Lee for The Loop (South Korea) Best Original Score, Alyana Cabral, Moe Cabral for Some Nights I Feel Like Walking (Philippines, Singapore, Italy) Best Production Design, Munkhbat Shirnenfor Silent City Driver (Mongolia) First Feature Competition Best Film Award, No Dogs Allowed,Steve Bache (Germany) Best Director: A Yard of Jackals, Diego Figueroa (Chile, Spain) Jury Special Prize for the cast: Sein Jin, Jae-Hyun Kim, Da-Nu Nam, Candyce Weir, Jedd Sharp, Morgan Derera, Sangbum Kang for Mongrels (Canada) Jury Special Prize for the Director: Ciao Bambino, Edgardo Pistone (Italy) Baltic Film Competition Best Baltic Film Award, Southern Chronicles,Ignas Miskinis(Lithuania, Estonia) Best Director, Drowning Dry, Laurynas Bareisa(Latvia, Lithuania) Critics Picks Competition Best Film Award, Brothers Kitaura,Masaki Tsujino (Japan) Best Director, I, The Song, Dechen Roder(Bhutan, Norway, Italy, France) Jury Special Mention, Fishgirl, 2024, Javier Cutrona (Ecuador) Rebels with a Cause Competition Best Film Award, Protected Men, Irene von Alberti(Germany); Best Director, Contact Lens, Ruiqi Lu(China) Doc@POFF Competition Best Film Award, The Watchman, Victoire Bonin, Lou de Pontavice (France, Belgium) Best Cinematographer, Linas Ziura for Murmuring Hearts (Lithuania, France) Jury Special Prize, Black Gold, Takashi Sugimoto(Portugal) International Federation of Film Critics (Fipresci) Mongrels, Jerome Yoo (Canada) Audience Award Pyre, Vinod Kapri (India) Youth Film and Children Film Festival Just Film Awards Just Film #Young Filmmaker Award 40 Days For Inge, Betra Kasper (Estonia) Just Film Toddlers Just Best Film Award, Niko Beyond the Northern Light, Kari Juusonen (Finland, Germany, Ireland, Denmark) Just Film Childrens Best Film Award I Accidentally Wrote a Book!, Nora Lakos (Hungary, Holland) Just Film Youth Best Film Award Kontra, Jonas Risvig (Denmark) Jury Special Mention Rolling Papers, Meel Paliale (Estonia) Just Film EFCA Award Living Large, Kristina Dufkova (Czech Republic, France, Slovakia) Just Film Grand Prix Kontra Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. (Reuters) - Oil major BP's former CEO Bernard Looney is set to chair Prometheus Hyperscale, the U.S.-based data company said on Sunday. Looney, who resigned in 2023 after four years in the British energy giant's top job for failing to fully disclose details of past personal relationships with colleagues, will provide strategic guidance on the development of the data-driven company's growth plans, Prometheus Hyperscale said in a statement. In his new role, Looney will also assist with tasks including work on the company's flagship $10 billion data center in Evanston, Wyoming, Prometheus Hyperscale said. "I'm wishing BP well, and of course for me I'm thinking about the next 32 years of my career, and I can't think of anything more exciting, more challenging to do than get stuck into this space," Looney was quoted as telling the Financial Times in an interview published on Sunday. In May, Prometheus Hyperscale, a company focused on data center infrastructure, signed a partnership agreement with Oklo, a nuclear energy company backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Will Dunham) Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) fired back at what he described as dangerous and false accusations by a senate colleague about President-elect Donald Trumps pick for Director of National Intelligence being a Russian asset. In an interview on CNN Sunday, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) harked back to DNI-designate Tulsi Gabbards 2017 meeting with Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad and coziness with Russia, implying she might be compromised. I think by going to Syria and basically backing this brutal dictator there I mean, Russian-controlled media called her a Russian asset. So I do think that we have a real deep concern whether or not shes a compromised person, Duckworth told CNNs State of the Union Sunday earlier in the program. Frankly the U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with Americas foes. And so my worry is that she couldnt pass a background check. Duckworth, 56, who sits on both the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations, added that I worry that she will not have Americas best interests at heart. Tulsi Gabbard sought to be the Democratic Partys nominee for president in 2020. REUTERS Mullin, 47, who had stressed he has respect for Duckworth, an Iraq war veteran who lost both her legs in battle, leaped to Gabbards defense and insisted there was no file on her. For her to say ridiculous and outright dangerous words like that is wrong. You have got to keep in mind that Tulsi Gabbard is still a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army, the Oklahoma senator said on the program. She is a true patriot of the United States, and theres no reason why the Democrats are going after her, other than the fact theyre upset that she left their woke party, he went on. Tammy Duckworth questioned whether Tulsi Gabbard has been compromised. REUTERS Trump, 78, had announced Gabbard, 43, as his pick to serve as DNI, a position created in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks to ensure coordination between the US 18 intelligence agencies. Gabbard was registered as a Democrat until 2022 and changed her party affiliation to Republican earlier this year. Shes accused Democrats of falling prey to war hawks. She vied unsuccessfully in the 2020 Democratic presidential primary and has made a name for herself over her staunch opposition to interventionist foreign policy. In 2017, while serving as a congresswoman from Hawaii, Gabbard publicly conveyed skepticism to allegations from the US that Assad deployed chemical weapons in Khan Shaykhun. Earlier that year, she revealed that she met with the ruthless Syrian dictator as part of a fact-finding mission. Gabbard has also been critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, accusing him of authoritarianism for his wartime policies as Kyiv struggles to fend off Russian invaders. The Oklahoma senator hailed Tulsi Gabbard as a patriot. Notably, his neighbor, Russian leader Vladimir Putin, has been accused of ordering assassination attempts against numerous dissidents. The former Hawaii reps nomination has even made some Republicans uneasy, especially luminaries on foreign policy and more moderate members of the Senate GOP conference. We will have lots of questions. She met with Bashar Assad. We will want to know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was as a member of Congress, Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) told State of the Union on Sunday. We will want to get a chance to talk about past comments that shes made and get them into full context. Sen. Markwayne Mullin had been wary of President-elect Donald Trumps selection for attorney general, Matt Gaetz, who later withdrew. AP Duckworth also underscored the lack of intelligence experience on Gabbards resume. When she was in Iraq, she was a medical records clerk E4, below the rank of sergeant, she said. I dont know of any intelligence work that she has done. Trump has been keen on filling up his next administration with disrupters who will shake up the status quo. To get confirmed, Gabbard will need approval from the Senate, unless Trump attempts to bypass the upper chamber and pursue a recess appointment. Tall and disheveled, with a scraggly salt-and-pepper beard, Ramon Rivera was just one month out of jail when he approached a construction worker early Monday and fatally stabbed him without saying a word, police said. He was not done, police said. An urban nightmare was unfolding on a mild autumn morning in New York. The 51-year-old made his way across Manhattan and, more than two hours later, police and prosecutors said, he fatally stabbed a fisherman and then a woman sitting on a park bench. His clothes covered in blood, Rivera was arrested shortly after the third attack with two bloody kitchen knives in his possession, according to police. New York City Mayor Eric Adams described Rivera as a homeless man with a criminal history and severe mental health issues, an example of failures of the criminal justice and mental health systems. The seemingly random killings highlight the challenges confronting New York City and other municipalities across the country as they maneuver a delicate balancing act how to deal with soaring homelessness and mental illness and its perceived and actual impact on public safety. We always hear something is being done but nothing changes, and every six months something unthinkable happens, said Mary Brosnahan, who for three decades led the Coalition for the Homeless, an advocacy and service organization. And thats what gives everybody a sense of insecurity. NYPD officers at the site where a suspect in a fatal stabbing spree was captured in Manhattan. - Yuki Iwamura/AP Rep. Jerrold Nadler, a Democrat who represents the area where the stabbings occurred, on Thursday joined nearly a dozen city and state elected officials to demand accountability, saying Rivera was released into the public without sufficient care or oversight. Mr. Riveras case is a damning indictment of the failures of the criminal justice and mental health systems in New York City, Nadler and the others wrote in a letter Thursday, echoing the mayor. The three deaths may have been prevented, they said in the letter. Adams, referring to Rivera, said part of the investigation will be to determine why he was on the street. We do not want to set you up for failure A month before his alleged rampage, Rivera stood in a Manhattan courtroom. After serving about eight months in Rikers Island for burglary and an attempted assault on a correction officer, Rivera appeared before a judge one day after his October 17 release this time for the alleged theft of a $1,500 acrylic bowl that occurred before his jail stint, according to police and court records. He was at Rikers from February 19 through the middle of last month with some stays at the Bellevue prison ward in Manhattan, police records show when he was released due to time served, New York City Department of Correction spokesperson Latima Johnson said. In May, police records obtained by CNN show, Rivera spent time at the Bellevue Hospital Prison Ward in Manhattan, where he was involved in an assault on a correction officer. He eventually pleaded guilty to attempted third-degree assault and was sentenced to 90 days concurrent with his time for burglary which he completed last month. Rivera was experiencing housing insecurity, food insecurity, and its difficult for him to keep a regular schedule, his Legal Aid Society attorney told the judge at the October arraignment, arguing for a less restrictive level of supervision, according to a court transcript. CNN has sought comment from his attorney at the time. His time on (Rikers Island) sent an unequivocal message, his lawyer told the court, asking for Rivera to be released on his own recognizance. He plans to fight this case. At the recommendation of prosecutors, the judge ordered supervised release, a program the city touts as providing community-based supervision and support for people with pending cases. Still, the judge noted the six failures to appear in court on Riveras rap sheet. We do not want to set you up for failure, but we do want to connect you with services and to make sure that youre coming to court, the judge told Rivera. Your next court date is on December 4th. Its unclear what, if any, services Rivera received in the month leading up to the stabbings. There was no immediate response to CNN requests for comment from the Manhattan supervised release program that handled his case. Most people with mental illness are not violent An NYPD officer at the scene of one of Monday's stabbings in New York. - David R. Martin/AP At the October 18 arraignment, Riveras Legal Aid lawyer told the court he was staying at the citys intake center for homeless men in Manhattan. The New York City Department of Social Services (DSS), which oversees the Department of Homeless Services, said privacy and social services laws prevented the agency from confirming or disclosing client information. We cannot comment on an ongoing investigation, a DSS spokesperson told CNN via email on Friday. Furthermore, the process of assessing and verifying the facts will necessarily take time. On Tuesday, Rivera was back before a judge. Now he was being arraigned on three counts of first-degree murder for what a prosecutor called a bloody and violent rampage which took the lives of three innocent New Yorkers who were doing nothing more than going about their day. He was indicted on Friday and will be back in court December 19, according to the Manhattan District Attorneys office. Toward the end of the proceeding, the arraignment judge referred to Riveras October court appearance, saying the larceny case was non-bail qualifying. The previous judge, she said, placed the defendant on the highest tier and level permittable by law on the supervised release program. The charges in the larceny case were not bail eligible, meaning he cant be held behind bars unless convicted, the Manhattan DAs office said in a statement Friday. In 2019, New York state passed legislation removing or limiting the use of cash bail against defendants accused of many misdemeanors or nonviolent offenses. The reforms aim to ensure most defendants are not held in jail while awaiting trial solely because they cannot afford cash bail. Several states and jurisdictions have passed versions of bail reform for misdemeanor offenses. The bail reform made release before trial automatic for most people accused of misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies, according to the Vera Institute of Justice, a nonpartisan research foundation. It was later amended to allow judges more situations to institute cash bail. In the triple-murder case, the judge on Tuesday ordered a psychiatric exam and that Rivera be held without bail. He pleaded not guilty. CNN has reached out to his attorney for comment. Over the last two years, Rivera had at least eight arrests, mostly for burglary and theft, according to police records. His rap sheet dates to 2003 at least 20 encounters with law enforcement and spans Florida, Ohio and New Jersey. Outside New York, he had arrests for assault, battery and driving under the influence. In New Jersey, he was accused of stealing CBD buds and damaging property from a Hoboken cannabis shop, prosecutors said. In the Bronx, he got an adjournment contemplating dismissal in June for a case involving the theft of steaks from a supermarket, according to prosecutors. In most cases, when you look at the intersection of people living with mental illness and criminal justice, its a lot of those more petty crimes, said Matthew Shapiro, senior director of government and community affairs at the National Alliance on Mental Illness in New York. A lot of it is survival mode. And most people with mental illness are not violent and are much more likely to be the victim of a crime than a perpetrator. In this case, theres someone who seems to have gone through several different systems and kind of has fallen through the cracks, Shapiro said. One of Riveras encounters with the NYPD occurred on November 19, 2023, when officers found him lying on a curb. He acted erratically and told officers he had pain in his left forearm, according to police records. The next month, the records show, he called police to say he was feeling suicidal and homicidal. An ambulance took him to a hospital. He reached out to the police. He was suicidal, said Brosnahan, the author of a new book, They Just Need to Get a Job: 15 Myths on Homelessness. And then what happens is, hes just released back into the general population. Thats not a coherent plan for anyone and what we see time and again is, suddenly the person escalates and does something horrific like a subway shoving, a slashing. Victims were alone and distracted Mariana Lada speaks about her brother, Angel Lata Landi, who was killed on Monday. - Sabrina Souza/CNN The first victim of Mondays homicidal spree, Angel Lata Landi, was a construction worker originally from Ecuador, his sister Mariana Lada told CNN. She said her brother had been living in the US for 20 years and he took care of their sisters son after she died a few years ago. At around 8:20 a.m., Lata Landi, 36, a Peekskill, New York, resident, was standing in front of a construction site near Chelsea when a bearded man approached him and, without provocation, stabbed him in the abdomen, police said. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. At around 10:25 a.m., Manhattan resident Chang Wang, 67, was fishing near the East River when he was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen. He was transported to Bellevue Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said At around 10:55 a.m., a 36-year-old woman, Wilma Augustin, was stabbed multiple times in the chest and left arm near the United Nations headquarters, police said. She was transported to New York Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center, where she later died from her injuries. She had an 8-year-old child, the mayor said. How do you explain to that child what happened? Adams asked Tuesday. Rivera allegedly told investigators he chose his victims because they were alone and distracted, according to a police official. No words exchanged. No property taken. Just attacked and stabbed viciously, said Joseph Kenny, the NYPDs chief of detectives. A complicated system needs fixing Adams on Tuesday reiterated his call for the city to take those who were unable to care of themselves off the streets. He addressed critics of his policies, including a controversial directive two years ago allowing first responders to enforce a directive that empowers them to involuntarily commit people experiencing a mental health crisis. His administration has come under fire for dispatching police and health care workers into the subways to remove homeless people. We need to have stronger laws that allow whats called involuntary removal. People who are a danger to themselves and a danger to others, we need to be able to take the action to involuntarily move them off the streets, Adams told CNN on Thursday. Manhattan City Councilman Erik Bottcher lamented that his constituents have grown tired of hearing about how broken the system is. Theyre tired of hearing about how complicated this is. They know its broken. They know its complicated. They want it fixed, he told CNN. The problem is not getting homeless people off the streets, its getting them into psychiatric beds at a time when those services are shrinking across the state, according to advocates. We cant continue with this Whac-A-Mole type of approach that were just going to step up NYPD presence in the subways or, you know, send NYPD out with outreach teams, unless you have the long-term psychiatric beds, Brosnahan said. Until we start addressing this systematically, nothings going to change. Kim Hopper, a medical anthropologist and Columbia University professor who has spent decades studying homelessness and mental illness in New York, said Mondays killing spree sounds like one of those instances where some guy winds up out of care, out of luck and out of choices. Weve just seen this over and over and over again. Its a whole rotten system, Hopper told CNN. To pin responsibility on any one of these sort of agents or agencies, none of them are equipped with the resources or the placement opportunities they need to pull it off effectively, he said. And so, I mean, its not surprising that they try and, you know, shuttle it to the next possible option. But its a pretty miserable set of circumstances theyre being asked to work with. CNNs Nic F. Anderson, Melissa Alonso, Sabrina Souza, Artemis Moshtaghian, Mark Morales and Zachary B. Wolf contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com (This story was updated to correct a misspelling.) HAMPTON, N.H. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped New Hampshire Seacoasts own Karoline Leavitt as his White House press secretary. At 27 years old, Leavitt will be the youngest White House press secretary ever, responsible for taking on questions from reporters and communicating Trumps message to the world. She has been the Trump campaigns national press secretary for the past year. "Karoline is smart, tough, and has proven to be a highly effective communicator," Trump said in a press release on Nov. 15. "I have the utmost confidence she will excel at the podium, and help deliver our message to the American People as we, Make America Great Again. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped the New Hampshire Seacoasts own Karoline Leavitt as his White House press secretary, seen here voting in Hampton in 2022. Leavitt interned at the White House during Trumps first administration and joined his team after graduating from Saint Anselm College in 2019 with a bachelor of arts degree in politics and communication. At the White House, Leavitt worked as a presidential writer and assistant press secretary under Kayleigh McEnany. Neil Levesque, the director of the New Hampshire Institute of Politics at Saint Anselm College, and a mentor for Leavitt when she was in college there, said shes a great fit for the role. She was a fantastic student, very smart, very capable and very optimistic, Levesque said. Certainly there's a lot of focus on her age, but the truth is that I think the most remarkable part about this is that she's really that good. She's just very talented in answering questions and communicating the president-elect's message. When living in Hampton in 2022, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshires First Congressional District. She won the primary, running as an unabashedly pro-Trump Republican, but lost to incumbent Democrat Rep. Chris Pappas. Leavitt also worked as a spokeswoman for Republican and close Trump ally Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, who has been tapped for his ambassador to the United Nations. Leavitt still lives on the Seacoast with her husband and young baby. Seacoastonline, part of the USA TODAY Network, spoke to Leavitt on Nov. 22 about how she got into politics, being selected for press secretary, and how she plans on approaching one of the most visible roles in a presidential administration. Below is a transcript of that conversation that has been lightly edited for clarity. What are your New Hampshire ties? I grew up in Atkinson and went to Atkinson Academy Elementary, Timberlane Regional Middle School, and then I went to Central Catholic High School in Lawrence, Mass. And then I moved to Hampton, and I live on the Seacoast still. When did you first gain an interest in politics? My interest in politics started, really when I went to St. Anselm College. You know, I was always enthralled with the news and what was happening around the world. I read the newspapers growing up as a kid. My mom has home videos of me pretending to be a reporter when I was little. But it really came when I went to St. Anselm. I went there on a softball scholarship but quickly learned politics was the new game that I wanted to play, and St. Anselm offers a wealth of opportunities for students who are interested in news media and politics. So, I just took advantage of every opportunity I could and started the St. Anselm College Broadcasting Club, I worked part-time at WMUR-TV, and I volunteered on a couple of campaigns, and then realized that this is, you know, what I wanted to do with the rest of my career. Republican candidate for New Hampshire's 1st District congressional seat Karoline Leavitt of Hampton votes at Winnacunnet High School Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022. She is challenging two-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas of Manchester. Your time on campus coincided with the beginning of Trumps era in politics. Did Trump himself bring you into politics? I was interested in it my whole life. But certainly President Trump, running in 2016 as an outsider and as a pro-business candidate, growing up in a small business and his America first message really resonated with me. In fact, I wrote an op-ed in a school newspaper when I was a student, and the title of it was, 'Why Donald Trump just keeps on winning.' I think that title of that op-ed is just as relevant today as it was then. Were you expecting to be selected for press secretary? What went through your head when that happened? Yeah, I was, I would say it didn't come as a huge surprise. It was an honor, and I had been doing the job, you know, on the campaign for the past year and a half. How are you planning on approaching the job? Is there anything you want to change? No, it's, you know, my goal to be the most effective messenger possible on behalf of President Trump and relaying his message to the American people. He just received a resounding mandate from the American people to implement the policies he campaigned on. And so I'm incredibly excited to speak on behalf of a president who has a mandate to deliver on the promises that he made and create real change for people that are currently hurting in our country. Karoline Leavitt listens during a Get Out the Vote Rally with U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) (not pictured), in Londonderry, New Hampshire, September 8, 2022 when she ran for Congress. Leavitt was a spokeswoman for Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Youre the youngest ever press secretary what do you think being a member of Gen Z brings to the table? I hope that it serves as an inspiration to other young people to just take advantage of every opportunity and work very hard. This is one of the most public positions in a presidential administration are you nervous? How do you handle that type of pressure? I feel excited and prepared. The press and Trump seem to have an adversarial relationship, how do you approach being the intermediary between that? Well, it's certainly something that I'm used to doing, having worked in this world for quite some time now, and speaking on behalf of the president on his campaign, and, you know, understanding that there is a hostile press that covers the president dishonestly, and they need to be held accountable for that. But I think if this election taught us anything, it's that the American people are no longer listening to the news media, the legacy news media, and are getting their news and opinions from outside voices like podcasters and its social influencers, and President Trump did an excellent job on the campaign of engaging with those outside voices. Many of your predecessors in the role have gone on either to be high-profile Trump supporters like Kayleigh McEnany and Sarah Sanders to Trump critics like Stephanie Grisham. And Sean Spicer went on "Dancing with the Stars." Who do you view as a role model among your predecessors? They are all role models, and I greatly look forward to talking to them before I take the podium, and taking their advice. Trump had four press secretaries during his first four years in office do you think you will last? We'll take it day by day. This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Trump press secretary pick Karoline Leavitt 'excited' for role Meet Peach and Blossom, two lucky birds expected to get a mealtime reprieve Monday from President Joe Biden during the White House's annual Thanksgiving turkey pardon. The Minnesota-born turkeys weigh 40 and 41 pounds. They were hatched on July 18 in Northfield, Minnesota, and raised on a farm by John Zimmerman, chairman of the National Turkey Federation, and his 9-year-old son, Grant, who introduced the birds at an event in Washington. The national Thanksgiving turkeys, Liberty and Bell, arrive for a pardoning ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC on November 20, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images) Zimmerman told reporters Sunday that raising the birds meant added training for being calm in a city environment. The event at the White House generally includes a speech from the president, a few jokes and the clattering of dozens of cameras along side the normal city traffic noises. More: Presidential turkey pardons: An illustrated guide to the Thanksgiving tradition "In order for these birds to be prepared for the hustle and bustle that they will experience in DC, we've been getting them used to lights, camera and even introducing them to a wide variety of music, everything from polka to classic rock. Grant and some other kids from our neighborhood, some of them who could join us here today, have done an amazing job helping raise these turkeys to feel comfortable and ready for the big event at the White House," Zimmerman said. The about 17-week-old turkeys gobbled and strutted around the famed Willard InterContinental Washington Hotel during the press conference. The birds stay at the hotel ahead of their short White House visit. After being pardoned by Biden at 11 a.m. ET Monday, the turkeys will return to live at Farmamerica, an agricultural interpretive center in Waseca, Minnesota. Not every one is a fan of the 77-year-old tradition, with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals calling it a "humiliating meat-industry stunt that uses the White House as its public relations backdrop, in a letter this week calling for Biden to stop it. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Biden to pardon turkeys named Peach and Blossom in Thanksgiving event Zvi Kogan had been missing in the United Arab Emirates since Thursday. (chabad.org) Three people have been arrested in connection with the death in the UAE of an Israeli rabbi who, according to Israel, was killed in an antisemitic act of terror. Zvi Kogan, who also holds Moldovan citizenship and is a representative of Chabad, a religious movement of Hasidic Jews with communities, synagogues and other institutions in many countries, was found dead on Sunday, according to the local authorities. The 28-year-old had been missing since Thursday afternoon. Chabads website says he was abducted from Dubai one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE. Kogans body arrived in Israel on Monday, and his funeral took place that night in the village of Kfar Chabad, southeast of Tel Aviv. Dear Zvi, our dear son, we miss you, we miss you a lot, his father, Alexander Hacohen Kogan, said at the funeral, crying. He loved everyone. We were blessed with many kids. He is one of the youngest. He loved his father, his mother, his brothers and sisters, he continued. His happiness in life was giving to others, he said, he loved everyone and everybody loved him. Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel Kalman Bar also spoke at Kogans funeral, calling him the ultimate sacrifice for the entire Jewish world. There are no words that can describe the pain we all feel. There are no words through which we can mourn and comfort the family, Bar said. The UAEs Ministry of Interior said on Monday it had started legal proceedings against three Uzbek nationals who were arrested in connection with Kogans murder. It said the authorities were committed to swiftly take the necessary measures to uncover the details, circumstances, and motives of the incident. The three suspects were caught while on the run in Turkey, according to a security source. The source said Turkeys National Intelligence Organization (MIT) and police force caught the suspects while they were leaving the airport in Istanbul, after the UAE government asked Turkey for help. On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Israel would use all means at its disposal to bring the murderers of Kogan and those who sent them to justice. Extending his heartfelt condolences to the Kogan family, Netanyahu added that the murder of an Israeli citizen and Chabad emissary is a heinous, antisemitic act of terror. At the same time, an Israeli foreign ministry official told CNN that Israel would not allow Kogans murder to sour relations with the Arab nation and that the country would use it as an opportunity to strengthen ties. If anything, we will only utilize this event to further and deepen our cooperation with our Emirati colleagues, the Israeli official said, adding that the murderers were enemies of those who are striving to have more relations between Israel and the UAE. The official refused to divulge details of the investigation into the murder but said Israel is working with UAE authorities to determine whether more people are involved and if outside influences had a role. There has been very strong cooperation with UAE authorities, the official said, adding that Kogans body was transported to Israel on Monday. Israeli authorities have reissued travel advice for nationals, recommending against non-essential travel and say visitors should minimize movement and stay in secure places. The official who spoke to CNN stressed this was not a new travel warning, only a reiteration of previously issued guidance. Kogan worked alongside other Chabad emissaries to establish and expand Judaism in the UAE. He founded the first Jewish education center in the region, as well as helped make kosher food widely available, according to the Chabad movements official website. Israels ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, vowed on Monday to bring the perpetrators to justice, saying none will escape. Zvi Kogans brutal kidnapping and murder in the UAE shocked and saddened the state of Israel. it was a monstrous act of terror that demands swift justice, Danon said ahead of a UN Security Council meeting. Kogans wife Rivky is a US national, whose uncle Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg was killed in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The White House said Kogans murder was a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coesistence. It was an assault as well on the UAE and its rejection of violent extremism across the board, White House National Security Council spokesperson Sean Savett said. The United States is working in close coordination with Israeli and UAE authorities, and we have offered all appropriate forms of support, Savett added. The UAE has a small Jewish community, thought to number thousands. Last year, the Gulf state opened its first-ever purpose built synagogue. Called the Abrahamic Family House, the interfaith complex also houses a mosque and a church. US President-elect Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner posted on X Monday that Kogan was senselessly murdered to stop the historic bridges he was building between Jews and Muslims in the UAE. Kushner seen by some as pivotal to the incoming US administrations Middle East efforts said he and his wife Ivanka Trump would donate $1 million to the Chabad of UAE. Relations between the UAE and Israel have thawed in recent years. In 2020, the UAE became the most prominent Arab nation in decades to open relations with Israel, under the US-brokered agreement known as the Abraham Accords. But Reuters says the public presence of Israelis and Jews has receded since the October 7 attacks. Jewish community members told the agency that informal synagogues in Dubai were closed in the wake of the attacks due to security concerns. This story has been updated with additional developments. CNNs Ivana Kottasova, Lauren Izso and Hira Humayun contributed to this article. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com In the summer of 2015, three Syrian girls who had narrowly survived an airstrike some weeks earlier stood before Tulsi Gabbard with horrific burns all over their bodies. Gabbard, then a US congresswoman on a visit to the Syria-Turkey border as part of her duties for the foreign affairs committee, had a question for them. How do you know it was Bashar al-Assad or Russia that bombed you, and not Isis? she asked, according to Mouaz Moustafa, a Syrian activist who was translating her conversation with the girls. Tulsi Gabbard has been accused of being a Russian asset (Getty) It was a revealing insight into Gabbards conspiratorial views of the conflict, and it shocked Moustafa to silence. He knew, as even the young children did, that Isis did not have jets to launch airstrikes. It was such an absurd question that he chose not to translate it because he didnt want to upset the girls, the eldest of whom was 12. From that point on, Im sorry to say I was inaccurate in my translations of anything she said, Moustafa told The Independent. It was more like: How do I get these girls away from this devil? Even before Gabbard left the Democratic Party, ingratiated herself with Donald Trump and secured his nomination to become director of National Intelligence, she was known as a prolific peddler of Russian propaganda. In almost every foreign conflict in which Russia had a hand, Gabbard backed Moscow and railed against the US. Her past promotion of Kremlin propaganda has provoked significant opposition on both sides of the aisle to her nomination. Her journey from anti-war Democrat to Moscow-friendly Maga warrior began in Syria. The devastating conflict was sparked by pro-democracy uprisings in 2011, which were brutally crushed by the Assad regime. It descended into a complex web of factions that drew extremist Islamists from around the world and global powers into the fray. Gabbard on a congressional fact-finding mission to southern Turkey in June 2015 (Mouaz Moustafa/The Independent) The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), a UK-based monitoring group with a network of sources on the ground, documented the deaths of 503,064 people by March 2023 . It said at least 162,390 civilians had died in that same time, with the Syrian government and its allies responsible for 139,609 of those deaths. But Gabbard, a veteran of the Iraq War, viewed it all as a regime-change war fueled by the West and aimed at removing the dictator from power. She saw Assad and Russia, when it entered the conflict as legitimate defenders of the state against an extremist uprising. In 2015, when Russia entered the Syrian war on the side of the dictator Assad, Gabbard expressed support for the move, even as the civilian toll from Moscows devastating airstrikes grew into the thousands . Al-Qaeda attacked us on 9/11 and must be defeated. Obama wont bomb them in Syria. Putin did. #neverforget911, she wrote on Twitter. It was precisely because of her support for Assad and Russias war that Moustafa was keen for her to attend the congressional delegation to southern Turkey to meet the victims of the conflict. From experience, everyone that we bring over to the border, and they see the victims, they always come back with a realistic view of whats happening and who is behind the mass displacement and killing and atrocities and so on, and so that was the objective, he said. What was shocking was her lack of empathy. Shell sacrifice the facts, even when it came to little girls in front of her telling her they got bombed by a plane it didnt matter. Gabbard at a campaign rally for Donald Trump during the 2024 election campaign (Reuters) Charles Lister, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute who testified twice on Syria to the House Foreign Affairs Committee when Gabbard was a member, spent years debunking her various conspiracy theories about the war. Her consistent denial of the Syrian regimes crimes is so wildly fringe that her potential appointment as DNI is genuinely alarming, he told The Independent. Lister said her views appear to be driven by a strange fusion of America First isolationism and a belief in the value of autocratic and secular leaders in confronting extremism. They included a suggestion that Syrian rebels staged a false-flag chemical weapons attack against their supporters to provoke Western intervention against Assad something the US intelligence agencies she will soon lead had concluded was false. She declined to call Assad a war criminal when pressed , despite masses of evidence, and used a video of Syrian government bombings to criticize US involvement in the war. Her descriptions of the crisis in Syria read like they were composed in Assads personal office, or in Tehran or Moscow not Washington, Lister added. Gabbard was not swayed by meeting the victims of Assads airstrikes in 2015. In fact, two years later, she went to Damascus to meet the Syrian president in person and came away even more convinced of her opinions. The congresswoman said her visit to meet Assad the first by a sitting US lawmaker since the conflict began was aimed at bringing an end to the war. I felt its important that if we profess to truly care about the Syrian people, about their suffering, then weve got to be able to meet with anyone that we need to if there is a possibility that we could achieve peace, she told CNN at the time. Fire rises following a Syrian government airstrike in Aleppo in 2016 (AP) Gabbard was forced to defend her embrace of Assad and other dictators during her 2020 run for the Democratic presidential nomination. During the Democratic primary debate, she clashed with Kamala Harris, who accused her of being an apologist for an individual Assad who has murdered the people of his country like cockroaches. She has embraced and been an apologist for him in a way that she refuses to call him a war criminal. I can only take what she says and her opinion so seriously and so Im prepared to move on, added Harris, who would subsequently drop out of the race and later be selected as Joe Bidens running mate. When Russia invaded Ukraine, Gabbard again defended Russian aggression. This war and suffering could have easily been avoided if Biden Admin/Nato had simply acknowledged Russias legitimate security concerns, she posted on Twitter in 2022. Gabbard appeared to fall for various conspiracy theories about the conflict that were promoted by Russia, as she had done in Syria. One of those conspiracy theories was a Russian claim about the existence of dozens of US-funded biolabs in Ukraine that were supposedly producing deadly pathogens. She later walked back on those remarks, suggesting that there might have been some miscommunication and misunderstanding. Gabbards frequent echoing of Kremlin talking points has earned her praise in Russian state media. Indeed, an article published on 15 November in the Russian-state controlled outlet RIA Novosti went so far as to call Gabbard a superwoman. The possibility that Trump would tap someone with Gabbards history to be Americas top intelligence official shouldnt be a surprise to anyone who followed the president-elects first four years in the White House. During his 2018 summit with President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, the then-president was asked if he believed the US intelligence communitys assessment, which stated that Russia had interfered in the 2016 presidential election on his behalf. That assessment was based on analysis of what was determined to have been state-sponsored campaigns of fake social media posts and ersatz news sites to spread false stories about his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, as well as cyberattacks targeting the Democratic National Committee and prominent operatives associated with the Clinton campaign. But Trump, whod just spent several hours in a closed-door meeting with Putin, stunned the assembled press and the entire world by declaring that he trusted the Russian leaders word over that of his own advisers. Gabbard has repeatedly defended Vladimir Putin and has been accused of using Kremlin talking points (Getty) "President Putin says its not Russia. I dont see any reason why it would be," he replied. Trump would go on to repeatedly clash with his own intelligence appointees during the remainder of his term. He sacked his first DNI, former Indiana senator Dan Coats, after Coats repeatedly declined to back away from the governments assessment of what Russia had done during the 2016 presidential race. Larry Pfeiffer, the director of George Mason Universitys Hayden Center for Intelligence, Policy, and International Security, said Gabbards apparent susceptibility to foreign disinformation and her affinity for strongmen will give pause to American allies with whom the US routinely shares intelligence on common threats. Intelligence services, he explained, are notoriously territorial and tight-lipped on sources and methods particularly when it comes to so-called human intelligence, or Humint, which refers to information collected by and from spies and sources within hostile governments. Pfeiffer said foreign allies are likely already concerned about how a second Trump administration will handle intelligence, given the president-elects record. He also predicted that Gabbards confirmation as DNI would cause even more problems among skittish partners. I think they wouldnt feel like theyve got an American confidant that they can deal with on a mature level, he said. I can guarantee you that the foreign intelligence services of Europe, including the Brits, are all having little side conversations right now about what is this going to mean, and how are we going to operate, and what are we going to do now. Gabbard has taken the side of Syrias Bashar al-Assad as well as the Russian president (AP) The former US intelligence veteran also said Gabbards record of spreading foreign talking points calls into question whether she will be able to carry out the DNIs important responsibility of briefing the president on threats to the nation. He told The Independent: Somebody like Tulsi Gabbard, you look at her long history of statements that seem to come out of the Kremlins notebook, her propensity to be influenced by their viewpoint [it] raises questions as to whether she has the ability to present the intel communitys perspective as it is, or is she going to be one whos going to want to discount it, influence it, color and change it, or ignore it and just present her own view? I think it also raises questions of judgement. You know, heres an individual who seems very prone to misinformation, prone to conspiracy theory. That should worry anybody whos worried about Americas national security, he added. Trumps selection of the former Hawaii congresswoman could be a problem for the senators tasked with confirming her, on several different levels. For one, the position is unique among cabinet agencies in that there are strict requirements for who can serve in the directors role. The text of the 2004 law which established the Office of the Director of National Intelligence in the wake of the 9/11 terror attacks on New York and Washington and the intelligence communitys failures leading up to the US invasion of Iraq, specifically states that any person who serves in the DNI job shall have extensive national security expertise. Formerly a Democrat, Gabbard is now described as a Russian puppet The first person to serve as DNI, John Negroponte, was a widely respected foreign service veteran who had served as US ambassador to Iraq, Mexico, Honduras and the Philippines, as the countrys ambassador to the United Nations, and as a deputy national security adviser during the Reagan administration. The next three people to hold the office were flag-rank military officers with significant intelligence experience. Pfeiffer, a US intelligence veteran of three decades standing who once ran the White House Situation Room and served as chief of staff to then-CIA director General Michael Hayden, told The Independent that Gabbards experience in the House and her military service, while admirable, do not match the standards envisioned by the authors of the 2004 law which established the office. Thats national security experience but she was a freaking military cop operating at a largely tactical level, not that strategic, long-term national security perspective that one would expect, he said. Gabbard may have left the Syrian conflict behind, but Moustafa still works with its victims every day. And he believes the connection between her views on Syria and Ukraine is clear. What happened in Syria is what allowed the Russians to feel that they could do the very same in Ukraine, he said. And what she is doing with Ukraine shows that it goes beyond her maybe misunderstanding one conflict. She is, hook, line and sinker, a Russian puppet. Officials have positively identified the remains of a girl whose body was found hidden in brush under a plastic tarp in 1973, Pennsylvania authorities said this week. The remains belong to Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, 14, Pennsylvania State Police Sgt. Josh Lacey told reporters at a news conference Wednesday. Two game wardens found the decomposed remains of a young girl in a wooded area of Lebanon County on Oct. 10, 1973, approximately 47 miles from Brenneman's home in York County, Lacey said. It couldn't be determined how she died. Ruth Elizabeth Brenneman, who went missing in 1973. Officials have spent the last 50 years attempting to identify the girl, Lacey said. In another effort to identify her, officials, with the help of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, exhumed the girl's body from Mount Lebanon Cemetery in May 2016. Finally, the positive identification was made last month after her remains were examined at Lehigh Valley Hospital. Lacey said she was identified using genealogy. "As a result of their efforts, this young female will no longer be known as Jane Doe," Lacey said. Identifying the body is a "huge step in this investigation," State Trooper Ian Keck said. "We have to know about the victim and their everyday life, who they associated with and their different activities." Brenneman was last seen "after she left for school and never returned home," Lacey said. Officials are looking into whether she made it to school that day. They are also trying to determine whether Brenneman was considered missing and on what day she went missing, Keck said. "Just because we identified her today that doesn't end our investigation," Keck said. "We're going to do our best and put our best foot forward here to come to a conclusion." Anyone who knew Brenneman or knows anything about her is asked to contact Pennsylvania State Police. Lacey declined to say whether there is a person of interest in the case and couldn't say for sure whether it was a homicide, as that is still "pending" with the coroner's office. He did say there was "some level of suspicion" to Brenneman's death "given the fact she was found underneath a tarp in some brush." Brenneman's family, in a statement read by Lacey, said her identification "has provided us with some closure on questions that have lingered for the past 51 years." By Bo Erickson WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Republican U.S. Senator Rand Paul voiced opposition on Sunday to the idea of using the military to carry out mass deportations of people living in the country illegally after President-elect Donald Trump signaled last week that he plans to do so. "You don't do it with the Army because it's illegal," Paul said on CBS's "Face the Nation" program. "If they send the Army into New York and you have 10,000 troops marching carrying semi-automatic weapons, I think it's a terrible image, and I will oppose that." A 19th century U.S. law prohibits federal troops from being used in domestic law enforcement except when authorized by Congress. Paul, at times a maverick within his party, noted that he supports the idea of deporting people living in the United States illegally who have criminal records, but said that law enforcement authorities are better equipped than the military to carry out that role and to heed the U.S. Constitution's Fourth Amendment prohibition on unreasonable searches and seizures. There is a "distrust of putting the Army into our streets" among Americans, Paul said. Asked if this is a red line for him and whether it would impact his Senate vote to confirm Trump's pick of South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem to run the Department of Homeland Security, Paul said, "I will not support and will not vote to use the military in our cities." Trump, who built his political profile on opposition to illegal immigration, has vowed to launch the largest deportation effort in U.S. history as soon as he is sworn in on Jan. 20. He appeared to confirm in a social media post on Nov. 18 that he would declare a national emergency and use military assets for his plan to deport a record number of immigrants in the United States illegally. Paul said agents from the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency could carry out these deportations. The senator also questioned the use of the National Guard for deportations, saying it is "less clear" whether it would be legal or illegal to use these forces. The National Guard is a part of the U.S. military that answers to both the president and to state governors. "President Trump will marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families," Karoline Leavitt, a spokesperson for the Trump transition, said in a statement on Sunday. U.S. voters, Leavitt added, gave Trump "a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, like deporting migrant criminals and restoring our economic greatness." Republican U.S. Representative Byron Donalds, a member of the ultraconservative House Freedom Caucus, on Sunday described the potential use of the military in deportation campaigns as "hyperbole." In an appearance on the Fox News program "Sunday Morning Futures," Donalds suggested that the threat alone of using the military in such a role could have a deterrent effect. "I think you're going to see a lot of self-deportation once this process begins," Donalds said. Other Republicans defended the idea of involving the military in the deportation effort. Senator John Barrasso, who will be the Senate's No. 2 Republican when his party takes control of the chamber in January, told "Fox News Sunday" that if Trump declares a national emergency "he can appropriately use the military." (Reporting by Bo Erickson and David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Will Dunham) Kylee Lunn, left, 9, and Laila El Ezri, right, 9, were killed in an auto accident on I-335 October 2022. A Kansas mother convicted of involuntary manslaughter in a 2022 car crash that killed three Girl Scouts including her daughter deflected blame, questioned the fairness of her trial and expressed optimism she would avoid prison during recorded jailhouse phone calls. Amber Peery, 35, was found guilty in August of three felony counts of involuntary manslaughter, two felony counts of aggravated battery and two traffic violations in a wreck on the Kansas Turnpike after she made an illegal U-turn and her vehicle was struck by a semi truck. In a series of calls hours after being found guilty, Peery alleged misconduct in the judicial system. "It's so rigged," she said, adding that, "I feel like the (expletive) jurors were paid off or something." In a September call, Peery was optimistic she would get probation. "This is a vacation at a two-star hotel and it's almost done," she said, appearing to laugh. The recordings were played during Peery's first sentencing hearing Friday. Amber Peery was in the courtroom Friday afternoon for the first day of her sentencing hearing. The proceedings came two days after a mother notorious for killing her children was denied parole in South Carolina. The state's parole board denied a request for release from prison by Susan Smith, convicted in 1995 of drowning her two young boys in a high-profile case that caused astonishment over a mother killing her own children. Peery, whose sentencing was continued to Dec. 3, was driving five girls in her van on Topeka's I-335 as they headed to a Girl Scouts event Oct. 8, 2022. Two of the children were injured but survived, including her younger daughter. Peery's lawyers have asked Shawnee County District Judge Jessica Heinen for a "non-prison sanction," saying she's enduring mental health issues that would be better treated outside prison. Peery's supporters also say her two living children would benefit from her presence at home. Families of the victims are pursuing a tougher sentence. What Amber Peery said in jailhouse calls At one point during the jail calls, Peery said, "I wish I would have taken a plea." She appeared to say that she rejected an offer from prosecutors to plead guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter in exchange for dropping the third count. In a September call, Peery said the semi driver "should have seen my (expletive) blinker and braked." She said she never saw the truck. "I literally didn't know what (expletive) hit me," she said. "I thought a bomb went off." In another call, she suggested her own vehicle was faulty in how it took the impact. "Everyone pinned this (expletive) (expletive) on me," Peery said. At one point, Peery weighed how the convictions would impact her chances of getting custody of her children. "Kansas likes to keep families together. This is a case where I shouldn't be taken from my kids," Peery said, before acknowledging the convictions would make it difficult. "It was a true accident anyway," Peery added. "I hope the judge sees that." In an October video call, Peery said of the prosecutor: "He's just a you know." "They're really out for me. I understand that the other families are suffering too," she said before being cut off by noise in the background of the other person on the call. Amber Peery looks back at supporters in the gallery during Thursday's preliminary hearing at the Shawnee County Courthouse in Topeka, Kansas. Amber Peery: 'I didn't kill three children. I got in a car accident' Peery paced around the jail room and blamed the Kansas Highway Patrol for what she considered a shoddy investigation. "Everything just went toward me," Peery said. "It's not fair. It's just not." She also blamed the truck driver and made it sound like having her blinker light on negated her culpability in the illegal U-turn. And she also accused the other parents of committing perjury on the stand during her trial. This diagram illustrating what happened in an Oct. 8 triple fatality crash on the Kansas Turnpike southwest of Topeka is part of a Kansas Highway Patrol accident report detailing circumstances of that crash. Later in the video, she said she read a newspaper article while in jail. "I just cried," Peery said. "I'm just tired. It was an accident. I didn't kill three children. I got in a car accident." What happened in deadly Topeka Girl Scouts crash? Peery was driving the children as part of a three-vehicle caravan heading to a Girl Scouts event in Tonganoxie, about 35 miles away, but she and the other drivers took the wrong ramp to the Kansas Turnpike at the south Topeka interchange. The southbound lanes have no off-ramps or legal turnaround spots for 30 miles, so the trio of drivers made illegal U-turns through an opening in the turnpike barrier wall. The first two vehicles made it through safely. But Peery's vehicle was hit by a semi truck, killing three girls while injuring two other children and Peery. This statement by driver Amber Peery was part of a Kansas Highway Patrol accident report acquired recently by The Capital-Journal. Peery has been held in the Shawnee County jail since Aug. 15, the day a jury convicted her at the end of a four-day trial. That day also would have been the 11th birthday of one of the victims, Kylie Lunn. Killed in the wreck were Kylie, who was 9; Laila El Azri, who was also 9; and 8-year-old Brooklyn Peery, the daughter of Peery. Injured were her then 5-year-old daughter Carrington Peery and then 9-year-old Gabriella Ponomarez. This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: What mom convicted in Kansas Girl Scouts deaths said in jail calls Incoming Rep. Sarah McBride, D-Del., called some Republican lawmakers' push to block transgender people from using restrooms that align with their gender an "attempt to misdirect" from issues Americans care about. McBride was elected in November as the first openly transgender person to Congress. "Every single time we hear them say the word 'trans,' look what they're doing with their right hand. Look at what they're doing to pick the pocket of American workers, to fleece seniors by privatizing Social Security and Medicare," she said on CBS' "Face the Nation." "Every bit of time and energy that is used to divert the attention of federal government to go after trans people is time and energy that is not focused on addressing the cost of living for our constituents. And we have to be clear that there is a real cost for the American worker every time they focus on this." Sen. Sarah McBride speaks during an interview outside her home in Wilmington, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024. Sen. McBride is running for the U.S. House of representatives. New policy House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced a policy last week banning transgender people from using some Capitol restrooms that correspond with their gender. Johnson announced the policy two days after Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., introduced a resolution that would bar transgender women from using women's restrooms at the Capitol. She also filed broader legislation that would apply to every federal building and federally funded school. Transgender rights was a prominent GOP campaign issue, and President-elect Donald Trump increasingly ran anti-transgender ads close to Election Day. About 0.5 percent of adults in the U.S. identify as transgender. McBride told CBS Friday that she never planned to use multi-stall bathrooms at the Capitol, something she would have shared with new colleagues if they had asked. It was unclear how the policy would be enforced for transgender tourists or staff. Thousands of people work on the Capitol grounds, and millions visit each year. Congresswoman-elect Sarah McBride delivers her victory speech to a room full of supporters at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on election night, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. McBride has been criticized by some, including some in the LGBTQ community, for complying with Johnson's new policy and not taking a stand on the issue. McBride has urged her new Democratic colleagues to push back on dehumanizing language but not to let Congress or the media's focus be on culture fights. "I didn't run for the United States House of Representatives to talk about what bathroom I use. I didn't run to talk about myself. I ran to deliver for Delawareans. And while Republicans in Congress seem focused on bathrooms and trans people, and specifically me, I'm focused on rolling up my sleeves, diving into the details, setting up my office, and beginning the hard work of delivering for Delawareans on the issues that I know keep them up at night," she said Sunday. "At the end of the day, how I'm being treated does not matter. What matters is how the American people are being treated and whether we're actually focused on the issues that matter to them." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Sarah McBride criticizes transgender bathroom ban at Capitol Travel could prove challenging and the best seats for the New York Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2024 may be in your living room as storms threaten to bring chaos to much of the nation during the long holiday weekend. In the West, heavy rain and snow chances increase on Tuesday as "another atmospheric river event arrives" across parts of central California, the National Weather Service said in a Sunday forecast. Not all the holiday weather news is bad. The Pacific Northwest, which has played host to a series of surly atmospheric rivers and a bomb cyclone in recent days, should finally quiet down, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys told USA TODAY on Sunday as that national weather picture for the holiday grew sharper. "It would be a mixed score for the country if I were to give it a score," Roys said. "There certainly will be areas of concern." Among the most pressing concerns will be Denver International Airport, where snowfall could delay travelers heading in and out on what should be one of the biggest airline travel days of the year. Roys said the current forecast of 1 to 3 inches of snow Wednesday could be enough to cause flight delays. Roys said Detroit, Chicago, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee, could see snow or rain expected to snarl flight and vehicle traffic. Travel records are also in forecast Anything that jams up flights would be coming at a historically bad time. Last week, the Transportation Security Administration said it expects to see its busiest Thanksgiving travel period on record, estimating its agents will screen 18.3 million people from Tuesday through Dec. 2. That would represent a 6% increase from 2023. Passenger volumes have reached record highs in 2024, with an increase of 17% since 2022, the TSA said in a statement. TSA Administrator David Pekoske said the 10 busiest travel days in the TSA's history have all occurred in 2024, adding that "we anticipate that trend to continue." Snow for Sierra Nevadas, Great Lakes, Northeast Some areas will see plenty of snow. Ahead of the long weekend, 7 to 10 feet of the white stuff could fall in the next couple days in parts of the Sierra Nevadas. Travelers may need to wait for the storm to pass, Roys said. "Any travelers trying to get through Donner Pass on Monday and Tuesday may find it to be very difficult," Roys said. "After that, other than some showers in Los Angeles, there should be some very good travel conditions in the West." Parts of the interior Northeast will see snow Thursday, but coastal cities from Boston down to Washington, D.C., appear poised to receive only rain. Black Friday could see lake-effect snow taking its toll in places such as Grand Rapids, Michigan, South Bend, Indiana, Syracuse, New York, and Erie, Pennsylvania. "Early indications are that it could be a significant snowfall," Roys said. "In some places, we can't rule out at least a foot of snow, although it will be very localized." Low gas prices could drive record travel That is troubling news given AAA projects 79.9 million people will travel 50 miles or more from their homes for Thanksgiving between Tuesday and Monday, Dec. 2. That represents 1.7 million more travelers than last year and 2 million more than in 2019. Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for travel, and this year were expecting to set new records across the board, from driving to flying and cruising, said Stacey Barber, Vice President of AAA Travel. Low gas prices are expected to fuel record travel, with the national average possibly dropping below $3.00 for the first time since 2021. 'Messy Thanksgiving travel': Thanksgiving week weather forecast by region Looking for a deal on holiday flights? Good luck. Sorry, there arent many great deals on flights this time of year. The holiday season is an extremely popular time to fly, and airlines take advantage of that to boost fares and make some money. Its basic supply and demand. But its not all doom and gloom for winter travel. A little flexibility can help you get, if not good, at least better prices. And of course, at other times, great flight deals abound. But it may already be too late to salvage a deal on flights for Christmas, experts say. "The reality is that when travelers are booking holiday fares, theyre often booking pretty last minute and booking for the most popular departure and return dates, Hayley Berg, lead economist at online booking platform Hopper, told USA TODAY. "What we recommend is starting the planning process for the holidays early, expecting to book both Thanksgiving and Christmas trips in October." Read more here. Zach Wichter Thanksgiving parades face challenges in the Northeast The details of the storm remain unclear, but wind gusts excess of 20 mph are possible from the Tennessee Valley to the Virginia coastline and into the Northeast. The winds could bring havoc to the big parades planned for New York City, Philadelphia, and elsewhere, AccuWeather warned. "Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York looks to be quite wet," Roys said. "It will be worth watching to see if it gets so windy that they can't put the balloons out." Thanksgiving by the numbers: See the best and worst times to travel amid a record year Weather for return travel remains a question mark The weather pattern through the extended holiday weekend is a crapshoot. A fast-tracking system could open the door for drier weather by the weekend after Thanksgiving but if the storm crawls, it could linger several days along the Northeast coast, AccuWeather said. That could snarl air and highway traffic again as holiday travelers make their way home. "We just have to watch how the storm evolves," Roys said. Contributing: Alexa Juliana Ard This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Thanksgiving weather forecast: Travel could prove challenging Jamie Squire Ed and Donna Kelce raised two boys who not only ended up in the NFL but eventually played against each other in the Super Bowl. Jason Kelce and the Philadelphia Eagles took on Travis Kelce and his team, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the 2023 game. The Chiefs won by a narrow margin, but both brothers are Super Bowl winners. (Jason won with The Eagles in 2017.) The boys have become increasingly famous with the success of their New Heights podcast and Traviss relationship with pop star Taylor Swift. By extension, Ed and Donna have gotten more attention, too. Heres everything to know about the parents of these star athletes with whom Swift regularly spends time with during her boyfriends games. Who is Donna Kelce? Donna grew up in a suburb of Cleveland. Her mother passed away when she was only 12 years old, and her father remarried to her stepmother, Mary, with whom she had a close relationship. On an episode of New Heights, Donna stated, By the grace of God, if we didnt have [Mary], I dont think we would have made it. Donna, like her sons, was an athlete, but her father was against women in sports. Mary supported her, and she eventually competed at the Junior Olympics in track and field. Though she had trained in secret from her dad, she won. Donna went on to college at Ohio University and eventually went into finance, working for Mastercard and then a local Cleveland bank specializing in commercial real estate. Who is Ed Kelce? Like Donna, Ed is from Cleveland and an athlete, playing football in high school. He went on to work in the steel industry at a mill. He told the Los Angeles Times that hed bring his boys to visit from time to time. Id take them therehard hat, safety glasses, boots, the whole nine yards, he said. Id tell them, You can have a job like your mothers, or you can have a job like mine. They both went with a third option. How did Ed and Donna meet? Donna was on her way to a date with a different guy when she dropped by Fagans bar in Old Cleveland Flats. Ed chatted her up, and she had such a great time, she never met up with the other man. I was supposed to go out with a guy that night. We were supposed to go to a play, and I never made it. Your dad and I talked forever, Donna told her sons on New Heights. It was a good play, too! I really wanted to see it. Ed shared that hed gone to the bar after work and wasnt in his finest attire. Im in coveralls that are covered in cement, Ed picked up the story. We started talking, and she gave me a ride home. She came in, and I told her, Hold on, let me change. Ed took a quick shower and then brought her to another bar. It was meant to be. Its just the way it was, Donna said. They were married in the late 1970s and raised their children in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. How many kids do Ed and Donna Kelce have? Donna and Ed only have two children, their football stars Jason and Travis. Jason was born in November 1987, and Travis was born in October 1989. Donna has suggested that their proximity in age led to a lot of fights and competition. In an interview on the Today Show, she discussed breaking up a lot of fights when they were kids. Everything was a competition, she explained. It was a competition to see who could get to the table first, who could get to the front seat of the carthis is just typical sibling rivalry. They egged each other on. Both the boys went to the University of Cincinnati and played college football, so the competition pushed them even further. Are Donna and Ed still together? The pair divorced shortly after their sons finished college after a quarter century of marriage. However, they remain friends. On New Heights, Donna said, I dont hate him. Were friends to this day. We get along great. We were like a tag team with you two. We got to do all sorts of fun things. When one of you had to go out of town, the other person would help with the other child. It was perfect. But she added that sometimes people move apart. The former couple did admit in the 2023 documentary Kelce that they chose to stay together longer for the sake of their sons. If we had split as we probably both would have preferred, that would have been a nightmare with the logistics, getting kids where they had to be and providing all the support, Ed said in an interview. Ed moved from Cleveland to Philadelphia to be closer to Jason and his grandkids. Donna continues to travel regularly for appearances and to watch her sons play. She can often be spotted in the stands on game days. What do they think of Taylor Swift? Taylor Swift was first publicly linked to Travis in September 2023, attending a game at Arrowhead Stadium to launch their romance. She seemed to hit it off with Donna immediately and sat beside her in the VIP box throughout the season. She met Ed in October 2023, at the Chiefs and Denver Broncos game. Ill tell you something very special that I noticed about Taylor the first time I met her. She gets up to go get a drink or something, and she starts picking up empty bottles, cans, plates that are scattered around. And that really, to me, said a whole lot, he told People of their first meeting. Donna also seems to think Swift is talented and down-to-earth, though shes not really a pop music fan. My era was Earth, Wind and Fire [and] Chaka Khan, she said, when asked about being a Swiftie. Thats more my music. But obviously, talent is talent. Has Swift spent a lot of time with Donna and Ed? Swift and Travis have kept some parts of their relationship private, but Swift hasnt hidden how close she is to her boyfriends parents. She is regularly seen at Traviss games sitting with them. Most strikingly, Swift spent Traviss first NFL 2024-2025 season game against the Baltimore Ravens with both Donna and Ed in a suite. She was filmed talking to Ed at the start of the September 5 game and photographed later spending quality time with Donna. Christian Petersen - Getty Images David Eulitt - Getty Images Christian Petersen - Getty Images Swift spent time with Donna and her mom, Andrea Swift, in November 2024. On November 4, Swift was hanging out with Donna again, this time with her mom, Andrea, joining them for Traviss game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Kansas City. Swift wore all black with denim shorts, knee-high boots, and a black and red leather jacket, plus some gold jewelry. Jamie Squire - Getty Images Ed attended Swift's show in Toronto in November 2024. On Saturday, November 23, Ed was photographed in the audience at Torontos Rodgers Centre enjoying Swifts last show in the city. He was smiling and wearing a number of beaded friendship bracelets. Travis was unable to make the concert because he had an away game in North Carolina on Sunday. Ed spoke about what he sees Swift and Traviss relationship being like after the 2025 Super Bowl. Ed gave rare reflections on his sons romance with Swift ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl. He told Australias Today show that he envisions great things in store for the duo once Travis finishes his season. I think, you know, once we get past the Super Bowl, I think its going to be a very good period of time for the two of them, he said, via Us Weekly. Without the NFL season, without the Eras Tour. Just them alone really connecting more. I think that can only be a good thing. He also shared what its like watching Traviss games with Swift. Shes learning much more about football, he said. Shes watching football with her dad a lot. Shes watching football whenever she can. It was funny. Were sitting in the game and the Chiefs were in the in the red zone. And they had to go for a field goal. And Im sitting there thinking, I hate field goals. And Taylor comes back and says, Ill take the points. And Im thinking, Look at you a year ago you didnt know a field goal from an extra point, and now youre doing all this football talk. So I think shes enjoying the game and shes a very smart young lady. You Might Also Like By David Morgan WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Top national security advisers to President-elect Donald Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden are working "hand in glove" to pose a united front against U.S. adversaries during the presidential transition, Trump adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday. Waltz, a Republican congressman tapped by Trump to serve as his national security adviser after taking office Jan. 20, said he is in discussions with his Biden administration counterpart, Jake Sullivan, as the United States confronts an escalating war in Ukraine and ongoing hostilities in the Middle East. "For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other, they're wrong," Waltz, a Trump loyalist and former Army Green Beret, told "Fox News Sunday." "We are hand in glove," Waltz added. "We are one team with the United States in this transition." Trump could face a rocky Senate confirmation process for other top national security picks viewed as inexperienced or otherwise flawed, including Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman who has been chosen as intelligence chief, and Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host nominated to head the Defense Department. Gabbard has implied that Russian President Vladimir Putin had valid grounds for invading Ukraine and stirred controversy by meeting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the midst of his bloody crackdown on dissidents in 2017. Hegseth, a military veteran, has been accused of sexual assault, though no criminal charges were filed, and Hegseth has said the encounter was consensual. Trump's initial choice for U.S. attorney general, Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration last week in the face of Senate opposition over allegations of illicit drug use and sex trafficking. Despite lawmaker concerns about Trump nominees, Senator John Barrasso told "Fox News Sunday" in a separate interview that Republicans are aiming to confirm most of Trump's cabinet picks quickly so that they would be in place soon after he takes office on Jan. 20. "It's critical for us in the Senate to make sure that on day one, President Trump has confirmed his national security team," said Barrasso, who will serve as No. 2 Republican when his party takes control of the chamber in January. Waltz said the incoming Trump administration is prepared to work with European NATO allies and others to end what he called an escalating conflict in Ukraine, where Russian forces have begun using a new intermediate-range ballistic missile. "It is just an absolute meat grinder of people and personnel on that front. It is more like World War One trench warfare," Waltz said, emphasizing the need to begin negotiations. "What we need to be discussing is who's at that table, whether it's an agreement, an armistice, how to get both sides to the table, and then what's the framework of a deal," Waltz said. "That's what we'll be working with this administration until January and then beyond." (Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone) Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., on Sunday suggested that one of President-elect Donald Trumps first priorities in his new term should be to fire any staff at the Justice Department who worked on cases that involved charges against Trump. First and foremost, the people involved with this should be fired immediately, Schmitt said in an interview on NBC News Meet the Press. And anybody part of this, this effort to keep President Trump off the ballot and to throw him in jail for the rest of his life because they didnt like his politics, and who continue to cast him as a quote, unquote threat to democracy, was wrong, and so well see where that goes, Schmitt added. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., said he supports Pam Bondi, Trumps pick to lead the Justice Department. His remarks come as special counsel Jack Smith, who was prosecuting two cases against Trump one related to his efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election and one related to his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left office in 2021 plans to wind down the cases against Trump and resign before he takes office. In the week after Trump was projected to win the election, Smith asked U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan to hit pause on the 2020 election case. Chutkan granted the motion shortly after the request was filed. Schmitt framed his call to fire anyone who worked on these cases as a form of accountability, telling moderator Kristen Welker, [The cases] all fell apart under the weight of the law. And so I do think there needs to be accountability. I think that getting it back to crime-fighting is important, but there has to be accountability for these kinds of abuses. Trump repeatedly attacked the Justice Department while campaigning this year and detailed what he would expect from the department if elected. Trump has often said he would pardon the more than 1,000 supporters who have been charged with crimes related to storming the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. On the campaign trail, he also indicated that he would use the Justice Department to target his political opponents, including Smith. On his social media site Truth Social, Trump once reposted a photo of Smith with the words, He should be prosecuted for election interference & prosecutorial misconduct. And after a September campaign rally, Trump wrote in a post, WHEN I WIN, those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the Law, which will include long term prison sentences. Please beware that this legal exposure extends to Lawyers, Political Operatives, Donors, Illegal Voters, & Corrupt Election Officials. Schmitt also said he would back former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, whom Trump said he would nominate for attorney general after his previous pick, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew himself from consideration. Oh, absolutely, Schmitt said when asked whether hed vote to confirm Bondi. He added, I intend to to help Pam Bondi get the votes. I know her well. Shes a friend. Ive come to respect Pam Bondi. She was a great attorney general in Florida. This is a home run by President Trump. In an interview with CNN Sunday, Oklahoma GOP Sen. James Lankford said he wasnt sure whether Trump would pressure Bondi to go after his political adversaries. I dont think we know one way or the other, Lankford said. He added, Every single U.S. attorney around the country works for them and with them. So, it is very important that we get this role right, and that theyre actually focused on diminishing crime in America and making sure were getting good prosecutions. President-elect Trump and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte met this week in Florida- as Europe awaits how the White House's incoming administration approaches the war in Ukraine. President-elect Trump met NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte this week in Florida as Europe awaits how the incoming administration approaches the war in Ukraine. Rutte and Trumps Friday Palm Beach sit-down included discussions on a wide range of global security issues facing NATO, said Farah Dakhlallah, a spokesperson for the transatlantic military alliance on Saturday. No other specifics on the session were provided. US President-elect Trump shakes hands with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte as they meet in Palm-Beach, Florida on November 22, 2024. NATO/AFP via Getty Images Rutte also met with Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.), Trumps pick to be his national security adviser, as well as other members of Trumps incoming national security team. Waltz has previously raised concerns over U.S. military aid for Ukraine, saying Europe should increase its spending. Rutte and Trumps meeting occurred as concerns mounted that his second term as president could see diminished support for Ukraines war effort. Rutte and Trumps Friday Palm Beach sit-down included discussions on a wide range of global security issues facing NATO, said a spokesperson for the transatlantic military alliance. AFP via Getty Images While on the campaign trail in February, Trump declared that if he was re-elected president hed encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO member that does not pay enough for defense. via REUTERS Rutte and Trumps meeting occurred as concerns continued that his second term as president could see diminished support for Ukraines war effort. via REUTERS While on the campaign trail in February, Trump declared that if he was re-elected president hed encourage Russia to do whatever the hell they want to any NATO member that does not pay enough for defense. Allies, however, remain cautiously optimistic that Trump will continue supporting Ukraine and NATO. Rutte earlier this month congratulated Trump on being re-elected. He wrote Nov. 6 on X that the president-elects leadership will again be key to keeping our Alliance strong. I look forward to working with him again to advance peace through strength through #NATO. A guide to properly tucking turkey wings for the most even cooking. Dane Tashima; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Christina Daley Here's a simple way to prepare your turkey like a pro before roasting: Tuck the wings to enhance the presentation while ensuring even cooking. Securing the wings behind and close to the body tightens up the appearance, but it also prevents them from overcooking or burning in the oven or on the grill. This method is particularly useful when roasting or grilling, as it helps the turkey cook more uniformly, allowing all parts of the bird to reach the ideal temperature without any risk of charring. Related: 19 Thanksgiving Turkey Recipes For Every Type Of Gathering Tools And Materials Needed Before you begin tucking your turkey wings and otherwise preparing your bird, you'll need some essential tools and materials on hand: Roasting pan: A sturdy pan with high sides will help catch the drippings of the turkey and provide a stable base for the bird. Kitchen twine: Used to tie the legs and wings to keep them in place during cooking. Scissors: For cutting the kitchen twine. Turkey: The star of the show! The size of the turkey doesn't matter herethis method will work for any size bird. Oven or grill: Whichever method you prefer for cooking your turkey. Caitlin Bensel; Food Styling: Torie Cox How To Ready Your Turkey For Cooking Now that you're ready to get started, here's a simple guide to help you achieve the most wow-worthy turkey: Step 1. Prepare the turkey: Before you start, make sure your turkey is completely thawed if it was frozen. We have some recommendations for how to best thaw your bird before cooking. Remove the giblets and any packaging from the turkey cavity, and thoroughly pat the turkey dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. Step 2. Locate and tuck the wings: Locate the joint where each wing meets the body of the turkey by gently lifting the wings. Now imagine you're laying back on the grass with your arms tucked behind your head. You'll want to treat the wings in the same way: Gently fold them back behind the bird's body so that the tips are tucked under, hiding them underneath the bird. Step 3. Truss the bird: While optional, you might want to use twine to further secure the wings and legs of the bird before cooking to keep them in place. Cut a piece of kitchen twine and tie the legs together at the drumstick ends. Take another piece of twine, loop it under the bird's body across the tucked wings, and tie securely. Check that all twine is tightly secured, cutting off some of the excess of twine if needed. Greg DuPree Troubleshooting Turkey Trussing Using kitchen twine If you tucked the wings of the bird back but didn't use twine, reconsider. It's best to tie a piece of twine around the bird to keep the wings in place. If you don't have twine, use metal or bamboo skewers to pin them in place, or unwaxed dental floss to get the job done. Use a roasting rack A roasting rack inside your roasting pan lifts the bird to promote airflow for the most even cooking. Related: What To Use If You Don't Have A Roasting Pan Tent with foil If the wings or any part of the bird are still picking up too much color in the oven, tent loosely with foil to slow down the browning process while the rest of the bird finishes cooking. What To Do With Turkey Wings After Roasting When plating your turkey, whether to include the wings on the platter is a matter of personal preference. If serving your bird whole and carving at the table, tucking the wings creates a neat and compact presentationshow it off! If you're carving the bird before serving, you may prefer to only serve the breast, thighs, and drumsticks. You can then use the wings in other dishes like soups, casseroles, or salads. Related: 23 Leftover Turkey Recipes For The Days After Thanksgiving 24 November 2024 09:00 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Sometimes they present themselves as descendants of heroes, sometimes they claim to belong to some ancient religion. The fact that Prophet Noah was one of the longest-lived prophets of his time is reflected in many heavenly books. However, the fact that Armenians attribute themselves to this generation raises some strange questions. Armenians have long been arguing about a controversial issue: they believe that all Armenians are descendants of Prophet Noah's son. This is a claim, and there are similar claims about the so-called fact that various territories of the world, historical monuments, shrines, tombs, and many more belong to Armenians. However, in the absence of a grounded claim, Armenians shifted to accusing Azerbaijan of the so-called destruction of cultural monuments. The Armenian media outlets have seized this opportunity to use it as a weapon against Azerbaijan but in fact, behind the issue lies more hatred, prejudice, and grudge than truth. Hatred against Azerbaijan in Armenian society has metastasized to such an extent that they do not miss any so-called "opportunity" to attack or defame Azerbaijan. Some media outlets in Armenia claim that Azerbaijan appropriated Patriarch Noah's tomb in Nakhchivan. Reading the title, one might mistakenly come to the conclusion that an Armenian Patriarch named Noah once lived in Nakhchivan and that Azerbaijan is now appropriating his tomb. However, upon reading the article, it becomes clear that "Noah" is actually the prophet whose name is mentioned in all monotheistic religions. Furthermore, the article claims that the Armenian Patriarch Noah established present-day Nakhchivan, and that "barbaric Azerbaijanis" are trying to erase the so-called Armenian heritage from Nakhchivan by appropriating Noah's tomb. It is unclear whether Armenian propagandists have lost their minds or are spinning the world around their little fingers. First of all, Noah is neither Armenian nor Azerbaijani by birth. Secondly, according to science, his place of origin is uncertain. Thirdly, even if he lived near the South Caucasus, he would have been Semitic, not Azerbaijani or Armenian. He is considered holy in both Azerbaijan and Armenia due to religion. Additionally, Armenians should not forget that Albania, which modern Azerbaijan is considered its heiress, was the first country in the world to accept Christianity as a state religion. So, the forefathers of Azerbaijanis accepted Christianity many years before Armenians did. I am not making this claim, but the book "The History of the Country of Albania" written by Moses Kalankatuatsi confirms it. In other words, Azerbaijan is not appropriating Noah today; Azerbaijan appropriated Noah 1,700 years ago. As for the claim of Armenians that Noah was an Armenian patriarch is another ridiculous issue. As mentioned above, Noah was not Armenian. To top it all off, religious books confirm that there were no people, let alone nations, during Noah's time. Therefore, Noah being Armenian is out of the question. According to the holy books, Noah was the forefather of all nations, including Azerbaijanis. So, Azerbaijanis have the right to repair the tomb of their forefather without needing anyone's permission. Furthermore, in terms of international law, Nakhchivan is Azerbaijans territory, and Azerbaijan can do what it wants within the framework of international law. In general, it seems Armenia continues to believe in fairy tales. All neighbors of Armenia hoped that after the 44-day war, they would relinquish such fabrications. These fabrications have brought calamities not only to Armenians but also to their neighbors. Based on these fabrications, Armenia has waged wars against three out of its four neighbors. Tens of thousands of people have lost their lives due to such fabrications. Thousands of villages, settlements, and cities have been leveled. Millions of people have become IDPs or refugees. In the end, Armenia has become an isolated country, and Yerevan has gained nothing except enemies and hatred. It seems Armenia has not learned a lesson or does not want to learn again. So we are afraid to say that all of this will lead to Armenia being erased from the political map. 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Having prepared for only 11 months, Baku received more than 70 thousand guests and coordinated the joint initiative to address global challenges by chairing the international event. However, this still did not win the full satisfaction of some parties. Let's think for a moment about how possible it is to please everyone in life. It was not easy for Azerbaijan to attract Western countries to COP29 within the framework of the existing political processes. Let's take France, which was the first country to sign the Paris Agreement, and its non-participation was the greatest rudeness towards the international climate change conference of the United Nations. Even on the eve of COP29, the world witnessed the attempts of the US and the European Union, the West to politicize the issue to evade responsibility, to create artificial obstacles to prevent the setting of a new financial target. Political turmoil to evade the main goal The Biden Administration and the EU leadership have systematically taken the path of diverting the discussions from the target. The Biden Administration has generally taken the path of leaving as many problems as possible for the newly elected President D. Trump. First, they used Donald Trump's name as an excuse to "not support climate finance". Then they started to distract from the core of the climate issue by creating unnecessary political complications. The main reason for the tense process of setting the financial target is the President of the European Union and the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. She knew that, in agreement with the Biden Administration, it was decided to allocate as little money as possible to the goals of the European Union in combating climate change, and that is why she did not come to Baku. It is no coincidence that the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, who represents the EU at COP29 and has been in Baku for several days now, instead of dealing with climate issues, held a press conference and spoke about human rights in Azerbaijan, and held meetings with the Azerbaijani opposition and Western network activists here. During the last day of the COP29 discussions, they were engaged in creating only tension. The point is that when Western representatives are asked questions about Frank Pallone and other pro-Armenian congressmen who unnecessarily came to Baku, they immediately dismiss it as purely political. But for some reason, these representatives, who took their first steps in Baku, are more interested in the issue of so-called "political prisoners" than climate action. However, in the face of pressure from the international community, leading Western countries had to make concessions. On the other hand, developing countries also made compromises. This historic agreement was reached in Baku. The $300 billion financial target at COP29 is truly a historic achievement and the groundwork has been laid for further increases in this amount in the coming period. Despite all the obstacles, COP29, hosted by Azerbaijan, was a historic event in terms of both organization, participation, and the results achieved, and will be remembered for its significant contributions to the fight against climate change. 24 November 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00) The closing session of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change occurred on November 23 in Baku, Azernews reports citing Azertag. Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President and Azerbaijan's Minister of Ecology and Natural Resources, urged everyone to collaborate and achieve important agreements, as the world was watching. He expressed the need to bridge any divides remaining in the discussions. "We have all been working very hard over the past two weeks. None of us want to leave Baku without achieving a good outcome on our key deliverable. The eyes of the world are intently focused on us. I urge you to step up your engagement with one another to bridge the remaining divide," said Mukhtar Babayev. Marina Silva, Brazils Minister of Environment, emphasized that the upcoming COP30 in Brazil should demonstrate how countries can work together better. She stressed the importance of reaching a final agreement at COP29, stating that urgent action is required due to the climate crisis, and called for unity and responsibility among all parties. "The COP30 conference, to be held in Brazil, should serve as a model of strengthened collaboration among all countries," said Marina Silva. She stressed the importance of achieving a final agreement despite the challenges encountered during COP29 discussions: "We must unite our efforts to reach a final agreement. Given the crisis we are facing, such issues require urgent solutions. The success of this agreement depends on building solidarity among the parties. Society expects us to move forward with responsible actions," the minister added. Furthermore, the reports from the discussions and the protocols of the meetings held within the framework of COP29 were approved, and the agreed documents were ratified. A resolution officially expressing gratitude to Azerbaijan for the exemplary organization of COP29 was adopted. The COP29 Presidency also announced the conclusion of the decade-long negotiations on high-integrity carbon markets under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This was one of the Presidencys top priorities for the year and was achieved through intensive dual-track technical and political negotiations. This strategy broke years of stalemate, finalizing the last outstanding item in the Paris Agreement. Article 6 provides trusted and transparent carbon markets for countries as they collaborate to reach their climate goals. This cross-border cooperation is expected to reduce the cost of implementing countries national climate plans (NDCs) by up to $250 billion per year. The COP29 Presidency encourages Parties to reinvest these savings in even greater climate ambition. The next generation of NDCs, due in February, will be critical for the worlds hopes of keeping the 1.5-degree goal within reach. Todays milestone has been reached just in time to aid countries in committing to more ambitious climate plans. Article 6 is one of the most complex and technical challenges in climate diplomacy. Its successful adoption means coal plants decommissioned, wind farms built, and forests planted. It means a new wave of investment in the developing world. The decisions unanimously adopted on Article 6 will play a pivotal role in ensuring the environmental integrity, transparency, and robustness of carbon markets through real, additional, verified, and measurable emission reductions and removals, while also unleashing their enormous potential to drive global climate investment. The guidelines and rules adopted are designed to ensure that carbon projects maintain practicality and inclusivity, respect human rights, and support sustainable development, enabling countries and project developers to cooperate under the Paris Agreement with confidence. At the closing plenary, a decision was made to ensure the full operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, long awaited by developing countries, including small island states, least developed countries, and African nations. This aligns with the priority set by Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, to address the challenges posed by climate change impacts on small island states under the COP29 Presidency. The establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund was agreed upon during COP27 held in Egypt. The fund aims to provide financial assistance to countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. During COP28 in the United Arab Emirates, a decision was made to launch the Fund's operations. The COP29 Presidency has taken significant steps to ensure the Fund's operationalization, working closely with its Board and the World Bank. In September of this year, during the Fund's third Board meeting held in Baku, critical measures were taken to commence its operations, including the appointment of Ibrahima Cheikh Diong as the Fund's Executive Director. Within the framework of COP29, several important agreements related to the Loss and Damage Fund were signed. These include the "Trustee Agreement" and "Secretariat Hosting Agreement" between the Fund's Board and the World Bank, as well as the "Host Country Agreement" between the Fund's Board and the host country, the Republic of the Philippines. To date, the total pledged financial support for the Fund exceeds $730 million. With these achievements, the Loss and Damage Fund will be able to start financing projects beginning in 2025. This marks yet another success of Azerbaijan's COP29 Presidency. During the closing plenary, a decision was adopted regarding the preparation of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) in line with Article 13 of the Paris Agreement. The decision emphasizes providing financial and technical support to developing countries for capacity-building efforts and the preparation of these reports. It highlights the implementation of the Enhanced Transparency Framework established by Article 13, which includes financial and technical assistance to support developing nations in meeting their reporting obligations. Additionally, the decision acknowledged the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform, an initiative by the COP29 Presidency. The platform was praised for advancing climate transparency through significant activities such as forums and capacity-building training sessions. The establishment of the Baku Global Climate Transparency Platform, a key legacy of COP29 in the field of climate transparency, has been commended by partner countries. At the COP29 closing plenary, a landmark New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on climate finance was adopted. The agreement commits developed nations to mobilize at least $300 billion annually by 2035 to support climate action in developing countries, significantly increasing the current $100 billion target. Funding will be drawn from public, private, and multilateral sources, while developing countries are encouraged to contribute voluntarily. Key documents were also approved, including strategies on Gender and Climate Change, the Global Goal on Adaptation, and the Sharm El-Sheikh Mitigation Ambition and Implementation Work Program. UNFCCC Executive Secretary Simon Stiell highlighted the importance of COP29's outcomes, particularly the tripling of the climate finance target, describing it as essential for aiding those most affected by climate change. He also praised the historic agreement on a global carbon market, achieved after a decade of negotiations. COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev extended his gratitude to Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for supporting the events high-level organization. He also acknowledged the contributions of UN leadership, Azerbaijans state agencies, the COP29 Operating Company, and the volunteers who ensured the conferences success. The session ended with speeches from representatives of various countries. 24 November 2024 10:50 (UTC+04:00) The Initiative Group for the Return to Western Azerbaijan of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan has issued a statement, Azernews reports. The statement reads as follows: "The attempt by Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan to draw a parallel between the question of Western Azerbaijan and the conception of the fictitious Western Armenia concept is unacceptable. The question of Western Azerbaijan is a topic of human rights, one which aims to serve a peaceful, secure and dignified return of the Azerbaijani people subjected to ethnic cleansing to Armenia. The words Western Armenia, on the other hand, represent a territorial claim that is enshrined in the Constitution and other key documents and political acts of Armenia. In reality, the Prime Minister should have long ago at least called into question the very notion of Western Armenia as well as made declarations about the transition from the mythical Armenia to the real Armenia. Still, this ought not to happen in prejudice to the right of the people of Western Azerbaijan, who were subjected to an ethnic cleansing, to return to their homes. It is inadmissible to compare our rights activism with territorial claims. We once again remind that the Western Azerbaijan Community has repeatedly appealed to the Government of Armenia for a dialogue about the issue of the return of the people of Western Azerbaijan in full compliance with international law standards and principles, including those concerning territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations. However, Armenia not only disregarded those appeals but distorted the activities of the Community, calling it a threat to its territorial integrity. Rather than making such erroneous comparisons, Prime Minister Pashinyan should respond to the appeals of the Community, ensure a safe and dignified return of the Western Azerbaijanis, start work on deleting territorial claims to Azerbaijan and the other neighbouring countries from Armenias Constitution and other documents immediately and unconditionally, and put an end to the hazardous militarisation policy." 24 November 2024 15:12 (UTC+04:00) "Rich countries refuse to fulfill their obligations and are attempting to shift the burden onto developing countries. As a result, the least developed countries, along with small island states, left the negotiating table and stated that they do not agree with the proposed text. This text is not supported by developing countries. We need climate justice. We want the main countries that cause climate change to be held accountable for the damage they cause," said Mohamed Adow, Director of Power Shift Africa, in an interview with journalists, Azernews reports. He added that developed countries had proposed a very small amount1.3 trillion dollars. This will not be enough to meet the goal. "We want developed countries to take responsibility for their historical actions. Developed countries should also accept their responsibilities and allocate at least 600 billion dollars in the form of grants and concessional financing. Furthermore, all parties must collectively mobilize for mitigation and adaptation measures, as well as the Loss and Damage Response Fund. Without this, fighting climate change globally will not be possible," Adow said. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11-22. The event gathered world leaders and negotiators from the member states (or Parties) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to further global progress, with business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society sharing insights and best practices to strengthen global, collective and inclusive climate action. Among the key priorities of COP 29 are securing a new goal on climate finance, ensuring every country has the means to take much stronger climate action, slashing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilient communities. 24 November 2024 15:38 (UTC+04:00) "No deal is better than a bad deal. The current deal is a bad deal. Therefore, the least developed countries and small island states left the meeting," Brandon Wu, the representative of ActionAid International Foundation, told journalists, Azernews reports. "I would like to emphasize that it is a bad deal not just because the number is too low. It is a bad deal because the text right now allows developed countries to walk away from any obligation to provide finance to the developing world. Only, the European Union spoke up in that meeting, and together with Japan supported this deal," Brandon Wu said. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11-22. The event gathered world leaders and negotiators from the member states (or Parties) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to further global progress, with business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society sharing insights and best practices to strengthen global, collective and inclusive climate action. Among the key priorities of COP 29 are securing a new goal on climate finance, ensuring every country has the means to take much stronger climate action, slashing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilient communities. 24 November 2024 16:12 (UTC+04:00) The leading Romanian newspaper "Evenimentul Zilei" ("Event of the Day") and news portal published article regarding the active participation of the Romanian delegation in the COP29 conference in Baku, Azernews reports. Led by Aleksandra Dobre from the Ministry of Family, Youth, and Equal Opportunities, the delegation participated in the "Youth Climate Forum" organized as part of the event. The article also highlighted the involvement of two Romanian youths, Eva and Miron, in a forum hosted by UNICEF. Aleksandra Dobre commended the participation of young people in such a significant event like COP29, noting their contributions to developing new and innovative climate policies. "Romania continuously supports the active participation of young people in climate policies and decision-making processes," Dobre emphasized. The article also reported on a meeting between the Romanian delegation and Antonio Jovanovski, UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia, where various initiatives aimed at enhancing youth involvement in climate and sustainable development were discussed. The article also noted discussions between the Romanian delegation and Azerbaijani officials, including a meeting with Ambassador Vasile Soare, where the focus was on enhancing bilateral cooperation, particularly in energy security. In the article, Aleksandra Dobres remarks in the panel discussions were highlighted, where she described the younger generation as the most vulnerable to the long-term effects of climate change. She stressed the importance of involving youth in environmental policies at both national and international levels. 24 November 2024 13:30 (UTC+04:00) US President Joe Biden has expressed his gratitude to Azerbaijan for the successful organization of COP29, Azernews reports. "I congratulate the Parties and the COP29 Presidency on reaching this outcome. While there is still substantial work ahead of us to achieve our climate goals, todays outcome puts us one significant step closer. On behalf of the American people and future generations, we must continue to accelerate our work to keep a cleaner, safer, healthier planet within our grasp," President Biden said in a statement. He pointed out, at COP29, the world reached agreement on another historic outcome. "Together, countries set an ambitious 2035 international climate finance goal. It will help mobilize the level of finance from all sources that developing countries need to accelerate the transition to clean, sustainable economies," the president added. 24 November 2024 14:00 (UTC+04:00) Elin Suleymanov, Azerbaijani Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, provided an insight into Azerbaijan's efforts against climate change, green energy transition, international cooperation, as well as the country's investments in alternative energy sources in tackling climate change, Azernews reports citing Azertag. "Azerbaijan is a regional leader in green energy transition. We are investing heavily in wind, solar, and other renewable energy sectors. Hosting of COP29 indicates Azerbaijan's leadership in global efforts, opening the doors to a greener world tomorrow," the diplomat said. In his interview, the ambassador underscored that Azerbaijan attaches importance to inclusive discussions on climate change. He noted that discussions should be held with the participation of all parties, including representatives of the resources that cause climate change: "If we want change, everyone should be around the table. 28 COPs have passed, however, we are still in negotiations. One of the main reasons for this is that there are not enough inclusive discussions. Azerbaijan is taking a different approach this time," the ambassador said. Ambassador Suleymanov also responded to several accusations against Azerbaijan. He stressed the importance of focusing on climate change, noting that issues unrelated to the discussions are distracting attention at the COP conferences. Th diplomat described COP29 as a key platform to present Azerbaijan's efforts on global climate change. "Azerbaijan's goal is not only to conduct discussions, but also to achieve concrete solutions: "Our goal is to reach a sustainable agreement on a global scale. Azerbaijan demonstrates its commitment in this area. If an agreement is reached, it will be discussed not only for Azerbaijan but for the whole world. Otherwise, it will be a collective failure. If the leaders of some Western countries really cared about the fight against the climate crisis, they would personally participate in COP29, like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer," the ambassador noted. 24 November 2024 15:53 (UTC+04:00) COP29 will usher in a new era of climate finance, said the European Commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, at the closing plenary session of COP29, Azernews reports. "The European Union and its Member States will continue to play a leading role in this process. We have worked actively with all participants to significantly increase the volume of financing. We have tripled the target of 100 billion dollars and consider this target ambitious, necessary, realistic and achievable," he noted. The European Commissioner stressed that all countries with the capacity should contribute to climate finance. "We are working hard to support those who are most vulnerable. Access to finance will be easier, and we have agreed to increase funding for adaptation measures. This is especially important, since public funds are the key driver in this area. "Increasing the donor base on a voluntary basis is an important step, given the scale of the problem. We also see a historic increase in the role of multilateral development banks in supporting this transition, which in turn will attract significantly more private funds. This is the approach we need to achieve the $1.3 trillion target," Hoekstra concluded. The 2024 UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC COP 29) was held in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 11-22. The event has gathered world leaders and negotiators from the member states (or Parties) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to further global progress, with business leaders, young people, climate scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and civil society sharing insights and best practices to strengthen global, collective and inclusive climate action. Among the key priorities of COP 29 are securing a new goal on climate finance, ensuring every country has the means to take much stronger climate action, slashing greenhouse gas emissions and building resilient communities. 24 November 2024 08:00 (UTC+04:00) A Japanese woman recently made waves in Spain after becoming the first foreigner to win the dance division of a prestigious flamenco competition in the European country, Azernews reports, citing kyodonews. "I have overcome a barrier as a foreigner," 48-year-old dancer Junko Hagiwara told Kyodo News in early November, although her success at the annual Festival Internacional del Cante de las Minas in August drew discriminatory comments online. Running since 1961, the competition has four divisions that also include singing and guitar playing. The event is considered one of the two major flamenco contests in the country. Born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Hagiwara moved to the southern Spanish city of Seville in 2002 and has studied under top dancers there. It was her second attempt to compete in the event after building her career in Japan and abroad. "I did not think I would win," Hagiwara said in an interview near Tokyo while on a visit to Japan, recalling how surprised she felt to be selected despite her age and nationality. Some even booed at Hagiwara when she was announced as the winner, with online comments directed at her described by Spanish newspaper El Pais as "obvious prejudice bordering on racism." Hagiwara received messages telling her to return the trophy and for a time she was scared to check her mobile phone. But people from various countries also sent positive messages that provided "great support" and helped Hagiwara to see the controversy in a positive light. Hagiwara said her trophy was so heavy she could not hold it with one hand. "I felt its weight is the weight of the award and responsibility as a dancer," she said. "I cherish what I have done and will carry on." 24 November 2024 08:30 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The hostile actions of the United States on the Korean Peninsula may lead to a "real war" with the DPRK, Azernews reports. "Today, as US military adventurism crosses a dangerous line on a global scale, the harsh military and political situation suggests that US military actions against our state could escalate into a real war at any time," Pyongyang stated. A representative from the Defense Department highlighted the Freedom Edge exercises, which involve the Republic of Korea and Japan, the arrival of the Columbia submarine in Busan, and the flight of the RC-135S reconnaissance aircraft. "We strongly warn and demand that the United States and its satellites, hostile to the DPRK, immediately cease further provocative and destabilizing actions that could lead to a real armed conflict on and around the Korean Peninsula," the People's Republic added. The Ministry of Defense stated that taking measures for self-defense and ensuring security to maintain the balance of forces in the region is "the constitutional duty of the armed forces of the DPRK." "The Korean Peoples Army is closely monitoring the actions of the United States and its allies in the military sphere and, while maintaining full combat readiness, does not exclude any possibilities. If necessary, it will immediately take measures to preemptively contain the threat and achieve the military and strategic goals of the state," Pyongyang warned. 24 November 2024 22:55 (UTC+04:00) Thousands of residents in Barcelona, Spain, have held a protest against rising living costs and the deterioration of living standards, Azernews reports. The demonstration saw thousands of participants voicing their concerns over the increasing cost of housing and the overall decline in the quality of life in Spain. The protesters demanded the construction of social housing in the city and called for an end to fraud in housing sales. Data from the Spanish National Statistics Institute reveals that while wages in the country have only increased by 17 percent over the past decade, housing prices have surged by 82 percent. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is proposing onerous "climate lockdowns" to reduce CO2 in the atmosphere. This could entail restrictions or even prohibitions on travel, consumption of meat, operation of industrial plants and other human or economic activity. The idea originally sprang from the globalist totalitarian World Economic Forum led by Klaus Schwab. This comes despite scientific evidence that CO2 does not cause warming of the climate. https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/imf-calls-carbon-restrictions-economy-bigger-covid-lockdowns Coal is one of the bugaboos of the climate alarmists, and they have browbeat Europe and America into closing coal fired power plants, which are reliable and cheap to switch to expensive and unreliable wind and solar. Meanwhile, China and India, and other non-western countries like Indonesia are building lots of new coal fired power plants for their own economies, while Chiina has the lions share of the market selling Europe and the US solar and wind generation equipment. This gives them a huge economic advanrage over western countries. Indeed, China with its Belt and Road program is currently building 150 new coal fired power plants in other countries. https://rmx.news/energy/while-the-eu-says-goodbye-to-coal-china-and-india-are-investing-in-it-big-time-to-boost-their-economies/ For those of you that attend the Beaufort County NC school board meetings and those that watch the recordings on-line, you often hear the chairman say when introducing an agenda item, you have two attachments.... What attachments? You, as a member of the audience, do not have any attachments to the agenda you viewed on-line prior to the meeting or presented to you when you attended the meeting in person. The referenced attachments are documents that have the details of the issue being discussed and considered. The board members have them, but you do not. To be fully informed about what is being discussed and considered, an attendee must have the information provided in the details which are hidden from you. Even when the approved meeting minutes are presented two to four weeks later, the attachments for most minutes are not included. The Beaufort County NC school board has a Policy Code 2340 that states the following in the preamble: To the extent not provided for in the following procedures and to the extent that the reference does not conflict with the spirit of these rules, the board shall refer to Suggested Rules of Procedure for Small Local Government Boards, by A. Fleming Bell, II, for unresolved procedural questions. This book has been updated and replaced by Suggested Procedural Rules for Local Appointed Boards, A. Fleming Bell, II, and Trey Allen. The book referenced in Policy Code 2340 has not been located. There is a section in the updated version that has a chapter devoted to Agenda. This chapter outlines in detail how meeting agendas are created, how discussion items are included, what supporting documents should be included, when the agenda is in draft form, and when it is ready for publication to the board members and made available to the general public. This chapter is very clear that the entire agenda with supporting documents should be made available to the general public at the same time as it is available to the board members. The school board does not follow the guidance of these suggested rules. The NC General Statutes require the meeting agendas for local boards to be made public. However, the statutes do not require supporting documents, commonly referred to as agenda packets to be made available to the public. However, NCGS 132-6 references public documents and the publics access to them. The question to be answered, Are the agenda packets a public document? 132-6. Inspection, examination and copies of public records. (a) Every custodian of public records shall permit any record in the custodian's custody to be inspected and examined at reasonable times and under reasonable supervision by any person, and shall, as promptly as possible, furnish copies thereof upon payment of any fees as may be prescribed by law. As used herein, "custodian" does not mean an agency that holds the public records of other agencies solely for purposes of storage or safekeeping or solely to provide data processing. 132-6 (a1) A public agency or custodian may satisfy the requirements in subsection (a) of this section by making public records available online in a format that allows a person to view the public record and print or save the public record to obtain a copy. If the public agency or custodian maintains public records online in a format that allows a person to view and print or save the public records to obtain a copy, the public agency or custodian is not required to provide copies to these public records in any other way. Another NC General Statute does address the issue of agendas and references to agenda items during a public meeting. 143-318.13 (c) states the following: 143-318.13. Electronic meetings; written ballots; acting by reference. 143-318.13 (c) Acting by Reference. - The members of a public body shall not deliberate, vote, or otherwise take action upon any matter by reference to a letter, number or other designation, or other secret device or method, with the intention of making it impossible for persons attending a meeting of the public body to understand what is being deliberated, voted, or acted upon. However, this subsection does not prohibit a public body from deliberating, voting, or otherwise taking action by reference to an agenda, if copies of the agenda, sufficiently worded to enable the public to understand what is being deliberated, voted, or acted upon, are available for public inspection at the meeting. Moreover, the legal council for the NC School Board Association offers the following opinion: Open Meetings ALLISON SCHAFER LEGAL COUNSEL/DIRECTOR OF POLICY NORTH CAROLINA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSN JANUARY 2017, Page 50 Taking Action by Reference Board members may not deliberate, vote or otherwise take action by reference to a document or other item unless copies of the document are made available to the public at the meeting. In other words, the public has a right to know and understand what the board is discussing and voting upon. N.C. Gen. Stat. 143-318.13(c). For the complete report copy and paste in your browser - https://www.ncsba.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/January-2017-Open-Meetings.pdf For reference, the Beaufort County Board of Commissioners meeting agendas are posted on the county website including an agenda packet containing detailed information on every item to be discussed or voted upon at the commissioners meeting. This is a discussion the school board members should deliberate upon and respond as to why the agenda packets are not available to the general public. Confidential information as defined by the general statutes is not being requested for release. Dwayne Johnson arriving for the UK premiere of Moana 2 in central London (Lucy North/PA) Dwayne The Rock Johnson has said starring in Moana has brought him closer to his Polynesian culture as he reflected on the importance of representation on screen. Many places across the country reported heavy flooding A man walking his dog carefully avoids the folded pathway as he walks on the grass along the banks of the Waterworks Swan Lake in north Belfast . Photo: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX This was the scene on the Hillhall Road in Lisburn which had been closed to traffic this morning This was the scene on the Hillhall Road in Lisburn which had been closed to traffic. Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press Northern Ireland is beginning to recover from chaotic weather over the weekend. Storm Bert arrived on Saturday causing power cuts, travel disruption and flooding, and a strong winds continued to batter Northern Ireland today. The Department for Infrastructure said it responded to more than 500 incidents since weather alerts were issued on Friday night. Winds of up to 67mph were recorded in Ballypatrick, Co Antrim on Saturday. Roads across counties Tyrone, Down and Antrim were blocked by trees and flood waters on Saturday, and properties were flooded in Dundonald, Kilcoo, Coalisland and Ballinamallard as well a Royal Mail property in Mallusk. The weather is expected to calm down as we head into the new week but many across the country will be dealing with the aftermath of the devastation wreaked by Storm Bert for many weeks to come. This was the scene on the Hillhall Road in Lisburn which had been closed to traffic. Photo - Andrew McCarroll/ Pacemaker Press Homes near Moat Park in Dundonald, Co Down were affected by flooding. Some residents at Park Avenue were trapped in their homes by the floodwater, with around 18 properties damaged. Several homes in Coalisland, Co Tyrone, have also been damaged. A local community centre has been opened for those affected. Their homes are now unoccupied with many residents currently waiting for emergency accommodation. Paul Gray is a Pastor of the Crosspoint Church in Dundonald. He opened the churches doors for residents affected by the flooding. I got a phone call first thing in the morning telling me that there was flooding and I should go check on the church, he said. I went out and the church was fine but you could see the street at Moat Park was flooded. So I said I would keep the church open for anyone that needed it. Mr Gray said many residents were trapped inside their homes while the NI Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) attempted to find the source of the flooding and pump water away from the homes. Initially we only had one family come to us because a lot of them were stuck in their homes, he said. That must have been very hard for them because the power had been out from the earlier morning and they had to stay upstairs. Paul Gray of Crosspoint Church As the NIFRS cleared the flooding more families were able to come into the church or see the damage the floods caused to their homes. Its awful. Ive seen videos from people and the water was up to their ankles or knee and everything they have is lost or water damaged, Mr Gray said. It clearly done a lot of damage to the homes. He said the flooding has upset many residents. It is a very distressing and stressful time for people because everything they have is ruined. Some of them didnt have house insurance and everything is gone. One of the families has a five or six month old little baby and they were very distressed by everything. Another family displaced by the flooding was an immigrant family who had only been living in Northern Ireland for a short time. We have an Iranian family and they have only been here three or four months and they lost absolutely everything. They didnt even have shoes, Mr Gray said. Their landlord came and sat with them, him and his partner sat with them for a long time and brought them some things they needed. He said the local community in Dundonald had come together to support those affected by the flooding. That is what the community is like here we always come together. I had people volunteering here, people messaging me asking if we needed anything. People were bringing down blankets, and cash donations and food. The local chip shop rang us up and said if we needed any food to just ring in and ask and theyd give it to us, he said. The church quickly became a hub for residents to receive support from locals as well as the Housing Executive. Not everyone came here. Some people just went and stayed with relatives but everyone that was here the council got them sorted with somewhere to stay for the next two nights before they get emergency accommodation sorted for them, the pastor added. Mr Gray praised the local council, the Housing Executive and the NIFRS for their fast response to the flooding. I can honestly say I think the response was flawless. They did everything they could as quickly as they could but it is very hard for the people affected, like they arent going to be back into their homes for months, he said. This was the scene on the Hillhall Road in Lisburn which had been closed to traffic this morning An emergency payment scheme was activated at the weekend by Communities Minister Gordon Lyons, meaning householders who have suffered severe inconvenience from flooding can claim a 1,000 payment through their local council. The Met Office said the weather this week is expected to be much calmer than the weekend. It will begin cloudy and windy with some bright spells and scattered heavy showers. However they are not expected to be as strong as the heavy rainfall Storm Bert brought. The wind will ease and the showers gradually clear during Tuesday. This will leave Wednesday and Thursday mainly dry with bright spells and light winds, perhaps with rain later on Thursday. Into next weekend, we could expect to see light rain changing to overcast by lunchtime on Friday which will likely stay for the duration of the weekend. In the Republic, the storm, which landed overnight on Friday, flooded villages and roads, and disrupted travel. Torrential rainfall caused havoc across many rural communities with homes flooded, infrastructure damaged, roads left impassable, festive attractions closed and Christmas shopping interrupted. At its peak, over 60,000 homes and businesses were left without power as Storm Bert battered Ireland with torrential rainfall and high winds. A man walking his dog carefully avoids the folded pathway as he walks on the grass along the banks of the Waterworks Swan Lake in north Belfast . Photo: Liam McBurney/RAZORPIX Almost 50,000 people were successfully reconnected on Saturday evening as repair crews began operations once it was safe to do so. All businesses and householders were expected to be reconnected by last night. Thousands of customers also had water supplies hit by Storm Bert as treatment plants in Banteer, Fermoy and Dunmanway in Cork were impacted by the storm winds and flood waters. More than 100 roads nationwide, mostly rural, were left impassable on Saturday due to the combination of flooding, fallen trees and storm debris. In Co Donegal, Bridge Street in Killybegs was dramatically flooded, with homes and charities impacted, while the River Feale in west Limerick burst its banks. After alerts warning of rain, wind and snow lifted on Saturday, clean-up operations began and power supplies were restored to thousands of homes and businesses. However, the combination of damage to property and infrastructure, allied to the disruption of critical Christmas trade, is expected to see losses run to millions of Euro. Some traders fear they have suffered flood-related damage to much of their critical Christmas stock. Forecasters issued a low-level wind warnings for 13 counties across the island. Forecasters at Met Eireann said gusty winds will create a risk of fallen trees and difficult travelling conditions in these counties. Storm Bert also played havoc with public transport across Ireland with dozens of Iarnrod Eireann and Bus Eireann services either delayed or cancelled because of the conditions. A number of flights were also either delayed or diverted at the height of the storm. The public has also been urged to stay away from exposed coastal areas due to hazardous gusts which could continue for a couple of days. Serial killer believed to be responsible for more than 20 sectarian murders A top killer in Johnny Mad Dog Adairs infamous Hallion Battalion, Smith is believed to have been personally responsible for around two dozen murders during the Ulster terror war. Smith died in Scotland on Remembrance Sunday and was buried earlier this week, according to his family. The 60-year-old is understood to have suffered a massive heart attack in his home in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, and died in hospital. Smickers with Johnny Adair The 20-stone-plus loyalist killer had been living in the former mining village since his conviction last year on child sex abuse charges. Last year, Smith narrowly avoided jail after he was convicted of communicating with a 12-year-old boy with a view to having sex. He also had a reputation as a wife-beater. A relative told us: Gary Smith had been ill for some time. In recent months, he had lost his peripheral vision and could only see straight in front of him. He survived two heart attacks, but on the day he died, a life-support machine was switched off. Gary Smickers Smith was a notorious member of the loyalist terror group the UFF And now on his death, the full horror of his career as a UFF serial killer can be revealed for the first time. Among his victims were two totally innocent council workers gunned down at their depot on Belfasts Kennedy Way in 1993. Smickers and his accomplice Stevie Top Gun McKeag sprayed the workers with bullets from automatic rifles, leaving five other workers badly wounded. A source said this week: When you look back on that today, its the lowest of the low. What sort of guy guns down road sweepers and binmen turning up for a days work? To think that Gary Smith would have been held up by some people as a hero is just sickening. He was a sectarian psychopath who should have spent the rest of his life behind bars. Gary Smickers Smith Originally from Broom Street in the Woodvale area of Belfast, Smith once held the rank of Military Commander of the UFF in west Belfast. A latecomer to the world of loyalist paramilitarism, Smith was 30 years of age when he quit his job as a pet shop owner to join Adairs feared terror unit. He was soon set to work to gun down innocent Catholics, and senior sources said he went on to play a central role in 20-plus sectarian murders. Last night Adair said: I cut all ties with him 12 years ago and Ive had no contact with him since. However, he ominously added: Put a gun in Smickers hand and he was very dangerous. Kennedy Way council depot in west Belfast where Smith shot dead two Catholic workers in 1993 The aftermath of the Kennedy Way massacre which Smith carried out with accomplice Stevie Top Gun McKeag A former RUC detective told us this week: There was nothing gradual about Gary Smiths involvement in the UFF. He was given a lesson in how to handle an assault rifle and days later he committed his first murder and then he never stopped. Smith was reputed to have taken part in scores of C Coy murder operations. And according to one retired police officer, his name topped the list when it came to follow-up arrests. If there were arrests to be made, it was a certainty Smickers was one of them, he said. Days after the IRAs bomb attack on a Shankill Road fish shop in October 1993, Smith and Top Gun McKeag launched the gun attack on a cleansing depot on Kennedy Way in Catholic Andersonstown. Stevie Top Gun McKeag And along with his accomplice Gary Whitty McMaster who is now dead Smickers also earned himself a reputation as a member of the UFFs two-man Rocket Team On Tour. Together the UFF men terrorised Sinn Fein members by repeatedly firing missiles at party offices in west Belfast. On February 12 1994, Smith and McMaster fired a rocket at Sinn Feins Connolly House HQ, causing extensive damage. Smith was eventually snared though when he was caught red-handed preparing to embark on yet another murder mission. He was arrested seconds before setting out to kill top INLA gun man Gino Gallagher, who was later shot dead in an feud. Smith was scooped by a team of top anti-terror cops in a house in the small Protestant enclave of Suffolk in west Belfast. Gary 'Smickers' Smith The police booted the door in just as Smith and his hit team were about to set out on the Gallagher murder mission. Smith was sent down for 16 years when he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to murder and possession of illegal weapons. The arrests and jail sentences marked the beginning of the end for Smickers boss Adair. His reign of terror on the streets of Belfast would soon be a thing of the past. RUC boss Ronnie Flanagan who had been born and brought up on the same Oldpark area as Adair vowed to take down Adair and the terror team which did his bidding. Soon after Smickers arrest and conviction, Adair was convicted of directing terrorism and he too was jailed for 16 years. Maire Drumm In December 1983, Gary Smiths brother Stanley confessed to the murder of Sinn Fein vice-president Maire Drumm who was shot while she was being treated in Belfasts Mater Hospital in 1976. Stanley Smith agreed to turn supergrass which led to the arrests of dozens of loyalist paramilitaries, including John McMichael, Andy Tyrie and Jimmy Craig. Smith later withdrew his statements, but he received a double life sentence. On his release from prison, Stanley Smith beat up a man in the Woodvale area after accusing him of being a paedophile. As a result of this, Smith was a victim of a hammer attack by other loyalist paramilitaries. Refusing medical treatment, Smith later suffered a heart attack and died. Locals in the village of Kirkintilloch where Smickers lived told the Sunday World that at first they knew very little about the quiet Ulsterman living in their midst. And they certainly didnt know Smith was a loyalist serial killer and a child sex offender. Johnny Adair and Gary 'Smickers' Smith at the height of their C Coy notoriety One man who works as a taxi driver in Kirkintilloch said: After a while we realised Gary Smith had some sort of past life in loyalism. But he never spoke about it or invited any questions. He was quiet. In truth, Smith spent most of his time going between the off-sales and the Chinese takeaway. That was it. Last year when he appeared Kilmarnock Sheriff Court on the child sex charge, the court heard that he consumed two grams of cocaine and 12 bottles of beer every night. He was sentenced to three years supervision and placed on the Sex Offenders Register. Smith had settled in the north Ayrshire town after a short stint in Bolton, where he fled following his release from the Maze under the terms of the Good Friday Agreement. Sinn Feins Mary Lou McDonald speaking to students at the launch of Sinn Fein policy document for young people at the DCU, Dublin, ahead of the General Election on November 29 (Brian Lawless/PA) Disability, housing and animal welfare were among the issues raised with Mary Lou McDonald while on a canvass in a Dublin shopping centre on Sunday. The Sinn Fein leader appealed to voters to lend their support to the main opposition party and told them that the only way to improve various services was to change the government. A 25-year-old teacher from Dublin told the Sinn Fein leader that she cant afford to do anything and felt guilty going shopping when she cannot afford to buy a house. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to members of the public as she canvasses in the Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre, Co Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) You cant sustain a life that you want in this country the way it is at the moment. You just cant, were being pushed out the way it is, everything is too expensive whether its groceries, shopping. Ms McDonald said: I want you to know at the heart of our efforts is housing, its young people in particular, and its not just the young people we want to come out to vote for your future, we want your parents, your grandparents. Ms McDonald spoke to two mothers about access to services for children with additional needs. She said it was important to keep speech and language therapist graduates in the country and attract young people who had emigrated back. If we have five more years of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael back in government together, it is not going to get better. Were asking for a chance and were very, very acutely conscious of families like yours, she told one mother. Another mother became visibly upset when speaking about her four-year-old son and how she had to stop working. Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald speaks to members of the public as she canvasses in the Swords Pavilions Shopping Centre, Co Dublin (Grainne Ni Aodha/PA) We have a real real problem with timely assessment of needs and then access to the therapies and the supports that children need, Ms McDonald told her. The truth is all of this needs to change and the government needs to change to drive it forward. Several people raised with her why enough candidates were not put forward by the party in the 2020 general election. One man raised an issue with Sinn Feins housing plan, claiming it still involved vulture funds, to which Ms McDonald said you need to get the mix right. I dont see that we do need that mix, he said, to which Ms McDonald said well, then we disagree before shaking his hand. One woman, Sonya Barrett OConnor, raised animal welfare issues and funding for the greyhound racing industry with Ms McDonald, who told the woman she has a rescue dog. Ms McDonald said: We are asking for a chance and then you will adjudicate and judge how we deliver, but we have to be given the chance to demonstrate what we can do. Earlier on Sunday, Ms McDonald and the Sinn Fein frontbench called on working people to come out in their droves next Friday and back the party in enough numbers to become Irelands largest party. Asked if she would be open to a rotating Taoiseach arrangement in the next government, Ms McDonald said it happened so often in the last coalition it left the population pretty dizzy. For me, personally, Im acutely conscious of the responsibility and the great honour that it would bring to be Taoiseach and, of course, a lot of hard work. Thats ultimately it. When the the excitement subsides, youre left with with hard work. I have, as my colleagues will Im sure confirm, a work ethic second to none. So my biggest feeling around will be the opportunity to get stuck in. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had an international arrest warrant issued for him after he was accused of alleged war crimes in Gaza (Stefan Rousseau/PA) The Conservatives have called on Sir Keir Starmer to reject an international arrest warrant issued for Benjamin Netanyahu as they accused the Government of holding a nonsensical position on the issue. In a letter to the Prime Minister, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel and shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick claimed the decision by the International Criminal Court (ICC) had no proper basis in international law. They said the UKs refusal to explicitly say whether or not the Israeli premier would be detained if he arrived in the country opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest of an ally to Britain. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel sent the Prime Minister a joint letter with shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick (Victoria Jones/PA) Criticising the ICC warrant, the shadow ministers said: It is hard to escape the conclusion this is an activist decision, motivated by politics and not the law. They argued the court was established to pursue cases in instances where countries do not have robust and independent judiciaries, which could not be said of Israel. The UK Governments response to the decision has been nonsensical, they said. On Friday, the Home Secretary refused to say whether Mr Netanyahu would be detained if he travelled to the UK. This opens the farcical spectre of your Government trying to sanction the arrest on UK soil of the leader of an ally of the UK, while you continue a diplomatic charm offensive with the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. It falls to you to clarify the Governments position now. The Government must make clear that it does not support an arrest warrant being issued which has no proper basis in international law. Downing Street on Friday indicated that Mr Netanyahu could face arrest if he entered the UK, refusing to comment on hypotheticals but saying Britain would always follow its legal obligations. The International Criminal Court Act 2001 states that a Secretary of State must, on receipt of a request for arrest from the ICC, transmit the request and the documents accompanying it to an appropriate judicial officer. Asked whether the UK would comply with requirements under the Act, Sir Keirs spokesman said: Yes, the Government would fulfil its obligations under the Act and indeed its legal obligations. The ICC has issued a warrant for Mr Netanyahu and his former defence minister Yoav Gallant over alleged war crimes in Gaza. Number 10 previously said the domestic process linked to ICC arrest warrants has never been used to date by the UK because no-one wanted by the international court had visited the country. It added that Israel remained a key partner across a range of areas. The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: It is important that we have a dialogue with Israel at all levels to reach the ceasefire that we all want to see, to bring an end to the violence, to protect civilians and ensure the release of hostages. The ICC also issued a warrant for Mohammed Deif, head of Hamass armed wing, over the October 7 2023 attacks that triggered Israels offensive in Gaza. A domestic court process would be required before Mr Netanyahu faced arrest if he set foot in the UK. The ICC said there are reasonable grounds to believe Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant were responsible for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts. The courts pre-trial chamber also found reasonable grounds to believe that Mr Netanyahu and Mr Gallant each bear criminal responsibility as civilian superiors for the war crime of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population. The impact of the warrants is likely to be limited since Israel and its major ally, the US, are not members of the ICC. Bill Clinton feared DUP would veto Sinn Fein First Minister following Assembly election Ex-US president reflects on NI politics in new memoir Former US President Bill Clinton David O'Dornan Sun 24 Nov 2024 at 08:15 Bill Clinton has admitted he was convinced the DUP couldnt believe they lost the balance of power in the last Assembly elections and feared they would not be prepared to sit alongside a Sinn Fein first minister. Disappeared victim Seamus Wrights fate revisited in new Disney series Say Nothing The 2015 search for Seamus Wright and Kevin McKee at a reclaimed bog in Coghalstown, Co Meath British spy chiefs abandoned Disappeared victim Seamus Wright to his IRA fate after he had outlived his usefulness. Recruited by the Armys secretive Military Reaction Force, the 25-year-old, whose story features in the new Disney series Say Nothing, was dumped in Birmingham having been paid 285 for betraying his comrades. Seven killers kicked out of Burren House for failing drug tests in latest embarrassment for open prison Security sources urge review of facility beset by scandal as lifers being primed for release regularly abuse privileges Burren House Ciaran Barnes Sun 24 Nov 2024 at 08:15 Seven dangerous killers have been kicked out of Northern Irelands only open prison for failing drug tests, sparking internal complaints that the unit is not fit for purpose. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the 116th episode of his monthly radio program Mann Ki Baat on Sunday, announced that 100 crore trees have been planted under the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign within just five months. He also shed light on the declining sparrow population and highlighted efforts by organisations working to raise awareness and restore biodiversity. "I now want to share with you one such achievement of the country which will make you happy and proud, and if you have not done it, you will probably regret it," PM Modi said. "A few months ago, we started the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign. People from all over the country participated in this campaign with great enthusiasm. I am very happy to tell you that this campaign has crossed the important milestone of planting 100 crore trees. 100 crore trees, that too, in just five months," he added. He credited this remarkable achievement to the tireless efforts of citizens and revealed that the campaign is now spreading to other countries. Sharing an instance from his recent visit to Guyana, PM Modi mentioned that Guyana's President Irfan Ali and his family also participated in the campaign. Highlighting some significant milestones under the campaign, he said, "In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, more than 12 lakh trees were planted in just 24 hours, turning the barren area of Revati Hills into a green zone. In Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, a team of women set a record by planting 25,000 trees in an hour. Mothers planted trees in the name of their mothers, inspiring others too." He noted that various organisations are aligning their efforts with local needs, planting medicinal plants, and creating ecosystems to support biodiversity. In Bihar, women from the Jeevika Self-Help Group are running a campaign to plant 75 lakh fruit trees to generate future income. Inviting people to join the campaign, PM Modi said, "By planting a tree in the name of your mother, you can keep her presence alive forever. Share your journey with a selfie on mygov.in." The Prime Minister also highlighted the near-endangered status of sparrows due to urbanisation. He urged citizens to work towards bringing the bird back into their surroundings. "All of you must have seen sparrows chirping on rooftops or trees during your childhood. Sparrows are known as Kuruvi in Tamil and Malayalam, Pichhuka in Telugu, and Gubbi in Kannada. Today, they are hardly visible in cities. Some children have only seen sparrows in pictures or videos. Unique efforts are being made to bring this bird back into our lives," he said. PM Modi shared the efforts of Chennai's Kudugal Trust, which engages schoolchildren to build nests for sparrows. "The organisation teaches children how to create small wooden houses for sparrows, complete with food and shelter arrangements. Over the last four years, they have prepared 10,000 nests, leading to an increase in sparrow populations in surrounding areas," he noted. He also praised the 'Early Bird' campaign in Mysuru, Karnataka, which runs a special library and distributes 'Nature Education Kits' to cultivate responsibility toward nature among children. "This organisation takes children from cities to villages to introduce them to birds. Their efforts have helped children recognise various bird species and foster a deeper connection with nature," PM Modi added. Concluding his remarks, the Prime Minister encouraged listeners to replicate these efforts in their communities. "By taking inspiration from these initiatives, sparrows and other birds can once again become a part of our daily lives," he said. A general election candidate has said the Social Democrats' plans for a 10 million fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland for medical treatment is a natural continuation of the solidarity Ireland has shown to Gaza. The 10 million fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland would be for education, cultural exchanges and medical treatment. Advertisement The proposal is contained in the partys Positive Neutrality policy document, which was launched by foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon, and Patricia Stephenson, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny. The policy highlights how, in government, the party would allocate 10 million to fund and facilitate grassroots community initiatives to bring Palestinian children and young people to Ireland for education, cultural exchange, and/or specific medical treatments. As part of this same scheme, there would be an exchange programme for Palestinian public servants to be mentored in Ireland, including sponsored attendance at the Institute of Public Administration. Ms Stephenson told BreakingNews.ie: "The context of what's happening in Gaza is so extreme, that to give humanitarian aid in situ when there aren't medical centres operating anymore and all those challenges, this plan is an action of solidarity within that context. Advertisement "Over the last 1,000 days of the war in Ukraine, the support people across Ireland have given to Ukrainians has been remarkable. These would be short-term schemes. A lot of them are children and young people who would come for specific training programmes and medical support. "I know there are huge challenges around housing and the healthcare system, but these would be targeted to those most in need." Ms Stephenson said a lot of Irish people want to do more to support Palestinians who are being subjected to "unimaginable horrors" as a result of the Israel-Hamas war. People have expressed so much solidarity with the Palestinian people, and I think there are a lot of people who want us to do more. "I think it's really important for solidarity, it's in line with what we do in humanitarian aid anyway. It's a different modality in bringing people here, but it's in line with our 2030 sustainable development goals, our commitment to tackling global injustices. Advertisement "I think it fits with the spirit of Ireland. People have expressed so much solidarity with the Palestinian people, and I think there are a lot of people who want us to do more. This would be an example of doing more." Six months ago, Ms Stephenson met with Raji Sourani, director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. She said he noted Ireland's solidarity, but also said any help possible would be welcomed. "I know it's hard to understand what that [solidarity] does for people in Palestine. We've seen the horror on our phones, but international solidarity helps people to keep going under this horrible oppression, and it is having an impact. He also said you can do more, you can pass the Occupied Territories Bill. This would be a further step to support those children who are facing unimaginable trauma. Advertisement "We're in favour of the Occupied Territories Bill." The proposal is contained in the partys Positive Neutrality policy document, which was launched by foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon, and Patricia Stephenson, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny. The policy also includes additional funding for the Defence Forces, and legislation that would mean any significant changes to Ireland's neutrality would be put before a Citizen's Assembly and possibly a referendum. It also pledges to stop the transfer of military equipment through Ireland bound for war zones. "The protests in Shannon have been large. I don't think anyone in Ireland is behind participating, in any way, in the delivery of military equipment to Israel. We're furious it has been done, and it puts our stance on neutrality into question. "In terms of Gaza, people are concerned about weapons being flown over the country. That is an active conversation that comes up regularly when I'm canvassing, brought up by people on their own volition." Donald Trump Jr has emerged as the most influential Trump family member in the transition as the US president-elect builds the most controversial cabinet in modern history, according to a half dozen sources with knowledge of his role, elevating inexperienced loyalists over more qualified candidates for top positions in his administration. Donald Trump, who fiercely prizes loyalty, has long relied on family members for political advice, but which relative has his ear is known to vary. Advertisement This time, it is Don Jr, who has helped cabinet contenders sink or rise to the fore - from championing senator JD Vance as Mr Trump's running mate to blocking former secretary of state Mike Pompeo from joining the cabinet, according to the sources, who include donors, personal friends and political allies. Don Jr is due to join conservative venture capital fund 1789 Capital, although one of the sources said he will continue to host his politics-focused podcast and support candidates that espouse Mr Trump's brand of politics. He will provide advice to his father in the White House, the source added, although they cautioned that Don Jr was unlikely to be involved in day-to-day deliberations. Don Jr and the Trump-Vance transition team did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement In addition to ensuring candidates are loyal to his father, Don Jr typically seeks out contenders who embrace an anti-establishment worldview, including protectionist economic policies, and a reduction in military interventions and overseas aid, according to a handful of the sources and Don Jr's own comments on social media site X and in public. Two of the candidates Don Jr championed may face a rocky confirmation process in the Senate: Robert F Kennedy Jr, who Mr Trump plans to nominate as the top US health official, and Tulsi Gabbard, who Mr Trump plans to nominate as intelligence chief. Mr Kennedy is an environmental activist who has spread misinformation on vaccines. Ms Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, implied that Russian president Vladimir Putin had valid grounds for invading Ukraine and stirred controversy when she met Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the midst of his bloody crackdown on dissidents in 2017. Influential - to a point Don Jr was also instrumental in lobbying his father to pick his close friend JD Vance as Mr Trump's running mate. Advertisement Mr Vance was popular with Mr Trump's base, but his anti-corporate rhetoric, opposition to Ukraine aid and past comments panning some Democratic women as "childless cat ladies" gave some donors and supporters pause. Mr Trump was ultimately happy with Mr Vance, giving Don Jr extra political capital as an adviser during the transition, one of the sources added. Not all of Don Jr's picks have landed jobs. He was keen on Ric Grenell, a personal friend and former ambassador to Germany, getting secretary of state, according to a separate source familiar with the matter. His father ended up picking senator Marco Rubio, whose views are deemed by Mr Trump's core supporters as too traditional and internationalist. Advertisement Two of the sources close to Don Jr said he does not weigh in on all personnel decisions and is not working on the transition process or at Mar-a-Lago full-time. He is also not expected to play a big role in vetting candidates for lower-level jobs, one of the sources close to him said. "The reality this time is we actually know what we're doing," Don Jr told Fox News earlier this month. "And it's about surrounding my father with people who are both competent and loyal." Following in his sister's footsteps Mr Trump's daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner were prominent in his 2016 presidential campaign, the subsequent transition and throughout his first term. Advertisement This time, they are far less active, although Mr Kushner, formerly Mr Trump's senior adviser who focused on the Middle East, told Reuters that he is briefing real estate investor Steve Witkoff on his new job as special envoy to the region. "I have been working with Witkoff to get him up to speed on Trump's past efforts," Mr Kushner said through a spokesperson. Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner were crucial in Donald Trump's first administration. Photo: Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images A half-dozen sources close to Mr Kushner said they expect him to be involved in Middle Eastern policy in an unofficial capacity, with the goal of normalising relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia under an expansion of the 2020 Abraham Accords. Mr Kushner helped broker the accords, a series of normalisation agreements between Israel and Arab nations. Ireland 'Ireland has Proud Boys': Expert warns no country... Read More Mr Kushner, Ivanka and sibling Eric Trump, who runs the Trump Organisation business, do not plan to join the new administration, according to their representatives as well as sources. One source close to the transition said Mr Trump does not appear to need his family for advice as much as in the past because of aides like Susie Wiles, who helped to run the most disciplined of his election campaigns to date. Mr Trump has named Ms Wiles as his chief of staff, a powerful position in Washington. "Stuff is really buttoned down," the source said of Mr Trump's current team. "He may not need the family this time like he used to." Hezbollah fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel on Sunday, wounding seven people in the militant groups heaviest barrage in several days, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut as negotiators pressed on with ceasefire efforts to halt the all-out war. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on a Lebanese army centre killed one soldier and wounded 18 others on the southwestern coastal road between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanons military said. Advertisement Israels military expressed regret and said the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah, adding that its operations are directed solely against the militants. An Israeli bomb squad policeman in Kibbutz Kfar Blum, northern Israel, carries the remains of a rocket that was fired from Lebanon (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP) The strike was under review. Israeli strikes have killed more than 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanons military has largely kept to the sidelines. Lebanons caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati condemned the latest strike as an assault on US-led ceasefire efforts, calling it a direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts to end the war. Advertisement Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamass October 7 2023 attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. It has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. Israel has launched retaliatory air strikes at Hezbollah, and in September the low-level conflict erupted into all-out war as Israel launched waves of air strikes across large parts of Lebanon and killed Hezbollahs top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several top commanders. Advertisement The Israeli military said some of the projectiles fired on Sunday were intercepted. Journalists take pictures of a damaged building in Haifa, Israel (Francisco Seco/AP) Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated seven people, including a 60-year-old man in severe condition from rocket fire on northern Israel, a 23-year-old man who was lightly wounded by a blast in the central city of Petah Tikva and a 70-year-old woman who suffered smoke inhalation from a car that caught fire there. In Haifa, a rocket hit a residential building that police said was in danger of collapsing. The Palestine Red Crescent reported 13 injuries it said were caused by an interceptor missile that struck several homes in Tulkarem in the West Bank. Advertisement It was unclear whether the injuries and damage elsewhere were caused by rockets or interceptors. Sirens wailed again in central and northern Israel hours later. Israeli air strikes without warning on Saturday pounded central Beirut, killing at least 29 people and wounding 67, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. Smoke billowed above Beirut again on Sunday with new strikes. Advertisement Israels military said it targeted Hezbollah command centres in the southern suburbs of Dahiyeh, where the militants have a strong presence. Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,700 people in Lebanon, according to the Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanons population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardments in northern Israel and in battle following Israels ground invasion in early October. I met today in Beirut with Lebanese Armed Forces Commander, General Aoun, and assured him of the EUs support. We discussed specific needs for #LAF deployment south of the Litani, as guarantor of Lebanese sovereignty. A strong LAF is needed to implement #UNSCR1701. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/eluAbL4ziM Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) November 24, 2024 Around 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from the countrys north. The Biden administration has spent months trying to broker a ceasefire, and US envoy Amos Hochstein was in the region last week. The European Unions top diplomat called on Sunday for more pressure on Israel and Hezbollah to reach a deal, saying one was pending with a final agreement from the Israeli government. Josep Borrell spoke after meeting with Mr Mikati and Lebanese parliament speaker Nabih Berri, a Hezbollah ally who has been mediating with the group. Mr Borrell said the EU is ready to allocate 200 million euros (165.8 million) to assist the Lebanese military, which would deploy additional forces to the south. The emerging agreement would pave the way for the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon below the Litani River in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution that ended the month-long 2006 war. Lebanese troops would patrol the area, with the presence of UN peacekeepers. Lebanons army reflects the religious diversity of the country and is respected as a national institution, but it does not have the military capability to impose its will on Hezbollah or resist Israels invasion. An Israeli strike on an army centre in Lebanon has killed one soldier and injured 18 others, the Lebanese military said. It was the latest in a series of Israeli strikes that have killed more than 40 Lebanese troops, even as the military has largely kept to the sidelines in the war between Israel and Hezbollah militants. Advertisement The Israeli military expressed regret over the strike, saying it occurred in an area of ongoing combat operations against Hezbollah. It said that its operations are directed solely against Hezbollah and not the Lebanese military, and that the strike is under review. But Lebanons caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned it as an assault on US-led ceasefire efforts, calling it a direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts to end the war. (Israel is) again writing in Lebanese blood a brazen rejection of the solution that is being discussed, a statement from his office read. The strike occurred on Sunday in south-western Lebanon on the coastal road between Tyre and Naqoura, where there has been heavy fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. Advertisement A firefighter extinguishes a fire at the site of an Israeli air strike that hit central Beirut on Saturday (Hussein Malla/AP) Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamass October 7, 2023 attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. Hezbollah has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. Israel has launched retaliatory air strikes since the rocket fire began, and in September the low-level conflict erupted into all-out war, as Israel launched waves of air strikes across large parts of Lebanon and killed Hezbollahs top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several of his commanders. Hezbollah fired barrages of rockets into northern and central Israel on Sunday, some of which were intercepted. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated two people in the central city of Petah Tikva a 23-year-old man who was lightly injured in a blast and a 70-year-old woman suffering from smoke inhalation from a car that caught fire. The first responders said they also treated three other people in northern Israel, including a 60-year-old man in a serious condition. Advertisement It was unclear whether the injuries and damage were caused by the rockets or interceptors. An Israeli police bomb squad officer inspects the site after a missile fired from Lebanon hit the area in Petah Tikva, Israel (Oded Balilty/AP) Israeli air strikes on Saturday pounded central Beirut, killing at least 20 people and wounding 66, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. Hezbollah has continued to fire regular barrages into Israel, forcing people to race for shelters and occasionally killing or wounding them. Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of the countrys population. Advertisement On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardments in northern Israel and in battle following Israels ground invasion in early October. Around 60,000 Israelis have been displaced from the countrys north. The Biden administration has spent months trying to broker a ceasefire, and US envoy Amos Hochstein was back in the region last week. The emerging agreement would pave the way for the withdrawal of Hezbollah militants and Israeli troops from southern Lebanon below the Litani River in accordance with the UN Security Council resolution that ended the 2006 war. Lebanese troops would patrol the area, with the presence of UN peacekeepers. Geordie Shore star Charlotte Crosby said she has been admitted to hospital but her baby is all fine after masked men attempted to rob her home this week. Her fiance Jake Ankers announced on social media that a group of men carrying a machete entered their home on Thursday evening while they were in the house with their two-year-old daughter. Advertisement Crosby, who is nearly eight months pregnant, thanked those who have sent their support to the couple in an Instagram Story post on Saturday. Charlotte Crosby (Owen Humphreys/PA) The reality TV star, 34, wrote: Im typing this Im laid in hospital. Baby is all fine, thank you for all the messages! She added: This month has had misfortune after misfortune. I want to thank you all for your kind messages about the break-in the other night. Still something Im really struggling to come to terms with. Advertisement Ankers also posted a photo of Crosby lying in a hospital bed to his Instagram Story, saying she had been rushed in to hospital as the TV star had been experiencing serious pains in her stomach. The businessman thanked their followers for reaching out and their local community for being fantastic since the burglary attempt. Ankers, who appeared with the reality star on BBC Three reality show Charlotte In Sunderland, previously said the thieves tried to rob my house with my two-year-old and my partner who is nearly eight months pregnant, armed with a machete. He said one of the four men had a red balaclava on and was carrying the weapon at the top of the stairs. Advertisement Charlotte Crosby and Jake Ankers (Doug Peters/Alamy/PA) Durham Constabulary were alerted at 7pm on Thursday to reports of an aggravated burglary in Houghton-le-Spring, a town in the Sunderland area. A spokeswoman for the force said: Officers attended the area however the suspects left the scene before their arrival. Nobody was injured in the incident and no items are believed to have been taken. She added that an investigation is under way and anyone with information is asked to contact police. Advertisement Crosby is best known for appearing in the MTV reality series Geordie Shore and winning the 12th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2013. She and Ankers got engaged in October 2023 after she gave birth to their first child in 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law granting debt forgiveness to new army recruits who enlist to fight in Ukraine. The measure underscores Russias needs for military personnel in the nearly three-year-old war, even after it fired a new intermediate-range ballistic missile last week. Advertisement According to Russian state news agency Interfax, the legislation allows those signing up for a one-year contract to write off bad debts of up to 10 million rubles (77,000). The law applies to debts for which a court order for collection was issued and enforcement proceedings had commenced before December 1 this year, and it also applies to the spouses of recruits. A man looks at fragments of a new Russian rocket which struck Dnipro on November 21 (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Russia has ramped up military recruitment by offering increasing financial incentives, in some cases several times the average salary, to those willing to fight in Ukraine. The strategy has allowed the military to boost its ranks in the conflict zone while avoiding another mobilisation order. A partial mobilisation in September 2022 sparked an exodus of tens of thousands of Russian men who fled the country to avoid enlistment. The intense and drawn-out war has strained Russian resources, and Mr Putin in September called for the military to increase its troops by 180,000. Advertisement The US, South Korea and Ukraine say North Korea sent more than 10,000 troops to Russia in October, some of whom have recently begun engaging in combat on the front lines, piling more pressure on Ukraines also weary and overstretched army. The push for recruits coincides with a new intermediate-range ballistic missile the Kremlin fired at Ukraine on Thursday. Mr Putin said it was in response to Kyivs use of American and British missiles capable of striking deeper into Russia. Ukraines Security Service on Sunday showed the wreckage of the new experimental ballistic missile, which struck a factory in the central city of Dnipro. The fragments of the missile called Oreshnik Russian for hazel tree, and which the Pentagon said is based on Russias RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile have not been analysed yet, according to security officials on site in an undisclosed location in Ukraine. They were shown to the media before they were taken by investigators. Advertisement The weapon can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP) Charred, mangled wires and an ashy airframe the size of a large snow tyre was all that remained of the weapon, which can carry either conventional or nuclear warheads. It should be noted that this is the first time that the remains of such a missile have been discovered on the territory of Ukraine, said an expert with Ukraines Security Service, who did not want to be named. Ukraines main intelligence directorate said the missile was fired from the 4th Missile Test Range, Kapustin Yar, in Russias Astrakhan region and flew for 15 minutes before striking Dnipro. The missile had six warheads, each carrying six submunitions. The peak speed was 11 Mach. In light of the missile strike, US President-elect Donald Trumps incoming national security adviser, Mike Waltz, said on Sunday that the incoming administration wants to get both sides to the table and is concerned about escalation. Advertisement Mr Waltz made clear on Fox News Sunday that he has met with Mr Bidens national security adviser, Jake Sullivan, to discuss US policy and options in Ukraine, and the Florida congressman assured that those conversations will continue. For our adversaries out there that think this is a time of opportunity, that they can play one administration off the other, theyre wrong, Mr Waltz said. We are hand in glove. We are one team with the United States in this transition. Mr Waltz seemed to endorsed Mr Bidens decision to send anti-personnel mines for Ukraine forces to use in the conflict. Advertisement It is a step towards somewhat solidifying the lines, and we also needed to stop Russian gains, Mr Waltz said. The congressman also emphasised Mr Trumps desire for the conflict to end quickly. Mr Trump, who has praised Mr Putin over the years, avoided throughout the campaign setting conditions for an end to the conflict, suggesting he would be open to considerable annexations of Ukraine. Mr Waltz avoided discussing any terms Mr Trump might pursue once he takes office. The president-elect has been very concerned about the escalation and where its all going, Mr Waltz said. We need to bring this to a responsible end. We need to restore deterrence, restore peace and get ahead of this escalation ladder, rather than responding to it. Meanwhile, Moscow sent 73 drones into Ukraine overnight into Sunday. According to Ukraines air force, 50 drones were destroyed and four lost, likely having been electronically jammed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday that Russian forces over the past week had struck Ukraine with more than 800 guided aerial bombs, about 460 attack drones and more than 20 missiles. In Russia, the defence ministry said 34 Ukrainian drones were shot down overnight into Sunday in four regions of western Russia, including Kursk, Lipetsk, Belgorod and one over the Oryol region. Romanians are casting ballots on Sunday in the first round of a presidential election which could pit a far-right nationalist against the incumbent leftist prime minister in the runoff. Thirteen candidates are vying for the presidency in the European Union and Nato member country, with the vote expected to go to a second round on December 8. Advertisement Polls opened at 7am local time and will close at 9pm, with Romanians abroad able to vote since Friday. By 2pm, 4.8 million people about 27% of eligible voters had cast their ballots, according to the Central Election Bureau. The final vote could see George Simion, the leader of the far-right Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR), face off against incumbent Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, who is backed by Romanias largest party, the Social Democratic Party (PSD). Elena Lasconi, the Save Romania Union candidate, smiles and waves while casting her ballot in Bucharest (Andreea Alexandru/AP) The presidential role carries a five-year term and has significant decision-making powers in areas such as national security, foreign policy, and judicial appointments. Advertisement Romania will also hold parliamentary elections on December 1 that will determine the countrys next government and prime minister. Mr Simion, 38, is a vocal supporter of US President-elect Donald Trump and has long been a figure of controversy. He campaigned for reunification with Moldova, which this year renewed a five-year ban on him from entering the country over security concerns, and he is banned for the same reason from entering neighbouring Ukraine. I would like that in the next five to 10 years, for Romanians to be really proud to be Romanians, to promote Romanian culture, Romanian products, he told reporters in the capital, Bucharest. As a Romanian president, I will promote Romanian interests. In most cases, Romanian interests coincide with partner interests. Mr Ciolacu said one of his biggest goals is to convince Romanians that it is worth staying at home or returning to Romania, which has a massive diaspora spread throughout EU countries. Advertisement George Simion, the Alliance for the Unity of Romanians candidate, accompanies his wife Ilinca at a voting station in Bucharest (Andreea Alexandru/AP) Romania has a huge chance to become a developed economy in the next 10 years, where honest work is fairly rewarded and people have the security of a better life, he said. But for this, we need balance and responsibility I am running for the Presidency of Romania because we need a change. Other key candidates include Elena Lasconi of the Save Romania Union party, former Nato deputy general secretary Mircea Geoana, who is running independently, and Nicolae Ciuca, a former army general and head of the centre-right National Liberal Party, which is in a tense coalition with the PSD. Romania has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia launched a full-scale invasion in February 2022. But Mr Simion of the AUR party said he opposes Romania which has sent a Patriot missile system to Ukraine contributing further military aid and that he hopes Mr Trump can stop the war. In 2020, the AUR party went from relative obscurity to gaining 9% in a parliamentary vote, allowing it to enter parliament. Opponents have long accused Mr Imion and AUR of being extremists, charges he denies. Advertisement We are sort of a Trumpist party in this new wave of patriotic political parties in Europe, Simion said. Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud Former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud on Sunday said that not only it is the right but also the responsibility of the judiciary to review the law enacted by Parliament. Former CJI Chandrachud, who arrived as a special guest in NDTV's special programme 'NDTV INDIA Samvaad - Samvidhan @75, said while making laws is the job of the Parliament, to review them is completely in the hands of the judiciary. Not only is it a right, but it is also our responsibility. To test the constitutional validity of the law is our responsibility, he said. On appointments through the Supreme Court Collegium in the constitutional judiciary, the 50th CJI said that the things going on in social media should not affect its functioning. "Look, there are many misconceptions about the Collegium system. But this is a very good system in the federal system. In this, the appointment process goes through many stages. All sections have been getting representation under this, former CJI Chandrachud said. In a farewell function organised by the Supreme Court Bar Association, former CJI Chandrachud said that the SC Collegium never had a difference of opinion while it made tough choices and decisions in recommending appointments to the constitutional judiciary. "I owe an eternal debt of gratitude to my Collegium for the way we have worked. We sat through the Collegium making tough choices and decisions. We never had a difference of opinion on Collegium. All meetings were conducted with a sense of humour, smile and some snacks," he had said. After a two-year-long stint in the highest judicial office of the country, ex-CJI Chandrachud retired on November 10 attaining the age of 65 years. He was first appointed as judge of the Bombay High Court on March 29, 2000, and also served as the Chief Justice of the Allahabad High Court since October 31, 2013, until his elevation as an apex court judge on May 13, 2016. Justice Chandrachud passed BA with honours in economics from St Stephen's College, New Delhi and completed LLB from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University. In June 1998, he was designated as a senior advocate by the Bombay High Court. He also served as Additional Solicitor General of India from 1998 till 2000. Uruguayans are at the polls for a second round of voting to choose their next president. The conservative governing party and the left-leaning coalition are locked in a close run-off after failing to win an outright majority in last months vote. Advertisement The election has turned into a hard-fought race between Alvaro Delgado, the incumbent partys candidate, and Yamandi Orsi from the Broad Front, a coalition of leftist and centre-left parties that governed for 15 years until the 2019 victory of centre-right President Luis Lacalle Pou. It oversaw the legalisation of abortion, same-sex marriage and the sale of marijuana in the small South American nation. Presidential candidate Yamandu Orsi holds his closing rally (Matilde Campodonico/AP) Mr Orsis Broad Front took 44% of the vote while Mr Delgados National Party won just 27% in the first round of voting on October 27, but the other conservative parties that make up the government coalition in particular, the Colorado Party notched 20% of the vote collectively, enough to give Mr Delgado an edge over his challenger. Congress ended up evenly split in the October vote. Most polls have shown a virtual tie with nearly 10% of Uruguayan voters undecided even at this late stage. Advertisement Analysts say the candidates lacklustre campaigns and broad consensus on key issues have helped generate extraordinary voter indecision and apathy in an election dominated by discussions about taxes and social spending, but largely free of the anti-establishment rage that has vaulted populist outsiders to power elsewhere. Mr Delgado, 55, a rural veterinarian with a long career in the National Party, campaigned on a vow to continue the legacy of current President Lacalle Pou in some ways making the election into a referendum on his leadership. He campaigned under the slogan re-elect a good government. While a string of corruption scandals briefly tainted the Lacalle Pous government last year, the president who constitutionally cannot run for a second consecutive term enjoys high approval ratings and a strong economy expected to grow 3.2% this year, according to the International Monetary Fund. Advertisement Alvaro Delgado, presidential candidate for the ruling National Party, holds his closing rally (Santiago Mazzarovich/AP) Mr Delgado served most recently as Secretary of the Presidency and promises to press on with his predecessors pro-business, market-friendly policies. His coalition would likely continue pursuing a prospective trade deal with China that has raised hackles in Mercosur, an alliance of South American countries that promotes regional commerce. Mr Orsi, 57, a former history teacher and two-time mayor from a working-class background, is widely seen as an heir to former president Jose Pepe Mujica, a former Marxist guerrilla who boosted Uruguays profile as one of the regions most socially liberal and environmentally sustainable nations during his 2010-2015 term. Promising to forge a new left in Uruguay, he has proposed tax incentives to lure investment and industrial policy to boost Uruguays critical agricultural sector. Advertisement He has also floated social security reforms that would buck the demographic trend in lowering the retirement age but fall short of a radical overhaul sought by Uruguays unions. MP: Well, I dont think we truly gelled for about five years because I was so nervous, and it took me time to be able to relax in front of camera. Fitz: So you became an iconic duo, just like Roy and HG. In their case, they never socialised much off-camera so as to keep their on-air stuff fresh. Did you spend much time with David Stratton when the cameras werent rolling? MP: We did, but never excessively, apart from when we went to things like the Cannes and Venice film festivals, when we would certainly see a great deal of one another. Back in Australia, we saw a bit of each other until he moved up to the Blue Mountains, which I was really shitty about, actually Fitz: And how do you judge the current state of the movie business globally and in Australia? MP: Well, I think the Australian film industry is really healthy. Its almost like its got the confidence in itself. Globally, on the one hand, Im sick of those Marvel Comics being translated to the screen, but on the other hand, you can get really good ones, like the one that Taika Waititi directed, Thor: Ragnarok. That was terrific. So you cant be narrow-minded about such films. Some are extremely good. Jeff Bridges in Peter Weirs brilliant Fearless. Credit: Warner Bros Fitz: And where are your professional energies going right now? MP: Nowhere! I am trying to get out of stuff, not into stuff. Fitz: Two more quick questions, then we can rip in. I read a blurry report that you might have had a cameo role in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Is that correct? MP: Yes, but blink and youll miss me, right? I had known the director, Stephan Elliott, for some time, and he said, would I play a part in his film? And I said, All right, as long as Im not playing anybodys mother. Not long afterwards, I was in Venice at the film festival, and a fax arrived for me, saying he wanted me in Priscilla, indeed playing someones mother, but Youre playing Guy Pearces mother. So I said, Oh, all right! Fitz: Meantime, I loved your review on Charlie Pickerings The Weekly on ABC of Married at First Sight where you said, Its a groundbreaking social experiment in which mentally fragile halfwits marry toxic fame tarts. Is there anything youd like to add to that? Or is that about it? MP: [Laughs.] No, thats about it. Fitz: OK, lets get to the nub of it. Can you please gimme the 10 films few of us have seen yet, but bloody well should? Dannielle Hall and Damian Pitt in Beneath Clouds. Credit: Bunya Productions MP: Well, my first one is the Australian film Beneath Clouds (2002). That was Ivan Sens debut feature about two Indigenous kids, played by Damian Pitt and Dannielle Hall, who accidentally join up as they head for various reasons to Sydney from country NSW. Sen had made a series of really fantastic shorts when he was at the film school, and once he was out he made this. It looks fabulous. Its heartrendingly great, but very little seen. Im always moved by the final image in a film, and in this one, its just heartbreakingly good. Have you seen it? Fitz: No, never heard of it, but I will see it soon! Next? MP: OK, going down the list, I loved Locke (2013) by Stephen Knight. Tom Hardy gives an outstanding performance in this film in which he is the only presence on screen. He plays a man driving to a construction site who takes 38 phone calls from various people as his life falls apart. Fitz: Hang on, just one actor? So when the screen credits roll for actors, theres one person? MP: Yes, apart from voice actors. Fitz: That sounds like that famous first film by Steven Spielberg, Duel, with the menacing truck being the key presence monstering the poor bloke in front. Go on, next? MP: Number three is Fearless (1993), by Peter Weir, starring Jeff Bridges and Rosie Perez as survivors of a plane crash who each experience the impact of the aftermath. Have you seen that? The 1997 film Gattaca imagines a future class divide between the enhanced (as played by Uma Thurman) and the unenhanced. Credit: Getty Images Fitz: No! Look, if its not Shawshank Redemption or the like, you may presume I havent seen it, but want to. I want you to educate me and mine on the finer things in films so we can say to our friends, I cant believe you havent seen those wonderful films, Beneath Clouds, Locke and Fearless! What kind of bogan ignoramus are you? MP: [Small groan.] Number four is District 9 (2009). This totally original, low-budget science fiction film from South African writer/director Neill Blomkamp has it all a wild imagination, drama, pathos, compassion, with a few laughs thrown in, as a man organising the relocation of a camp of segregated aliens becomes one of them. Fitz: You see, Margaret? Dont despair, Ive heard of it! MP: So is that all right? Fitz: Yes, please go on. MP: Ive chosen Nashville (1975). A gigantic tapestry of music, betrayal and politics set in the country music capital of the world and is the work of director Robert Altman. It has a multi-character cast and was the film that excited me most when I first saw it. It is still my favourite film of all time. I fell in love with Robert Altman when I saw it in Sydney, even though it was on screens for just a week, and it was gone. I dragged people to it, and then it disappeared. Fitz: If you say it is your favourite of all time, that is some recommendation. Next, please? MP: Gattaca (1997). This debut science fiction film from New Zealand born writer/director Andrew Niccol explores the ethics of genetic engineering. Niccol wrote The Truman Show, but when he went to Hollywood, they wouldnt let him direct it and gave him Gattaca to direct instead. It stars Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman and is riveting. Lust, Caution, directed by Ang Lee, is set in China during the Japanese occupation. Credit: Fitz: Not that you care, but I broadly hate sci-fi. Still, I will give it a go. MP: The Hill (1965) is a gruelling portrayal of men struggling to survive a military prison camp in North Africa during World War II, and it stars Sean Connery in one of his best performances. I dont like prison movies much, but this one has stayed with me. Fitz: I like Shawsha actually, never mind. Does The Hill have a happy ending? Youll despair to hear, Marge, my tastes are so plebeian: I genuinely like films where the hero and the heroine go through lots of struggles and get to kiss in the final frame with the exception of Brokeback Mountain, where it was the two heroes. MP: [Small pause.] I absolutely adored Brokeback Mountain. I saw that in Venice, and when everybody else was rushing off to the next screening, I just stayed sitting there alone, still absorbing it, it was so wonderful. But, moving on. I love tough films. And the one that I love most is The Lives of Others (2006), the debut film from German writer/director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck about the impact that Stasi agents, East Germanys secret police, have on a group of artists and intellectuals. A really powerful cinema experience. Fitz: Next? MP: Lust, Caution (2007). Ang Lees beautiful, emotionally powerful film is set in China during the Japanese occupation. Its about a young students relationship with a high-ranking collaborator despite the fact that shes part of a group that aims to assassinate him. And the next one after that is a soft one for you, Peter. Ive chosen Chef (2014), written, directed by and starring Jon Favreau. Its the story of a celebrity chef in an upmarket restaurant who loses his temper as hes not prepared to conform. So he starts up a food truck with the help of his son and estranged wife. And youll be thrilled to hear, Peter, this one has a happy ending. Loading Fitz: Excellent! And thats our 10. So the last thing is this. Weve talked about films that you know are great, that should be more widely celebrated. What about films where everybody loves them except you? I hate to say it, but the best example for me is the one youre in: Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Yes, all the actors are great, and Hugos a personal friend. But I just never understood the level of acclaim it received. MP: [Laughing.] Of course it was the one I was in! But, yes, I dont always like what everybody else likes. I dont necessarily like what David Stratton likes. I actually talked to him this morning about the list I just gave you, and I think he approves of just about all the ones on my list, but not all. Generally, I think that within seconds of a film opening, you know whether youre in good hands with a director or not, and its really weird that some films just scream: I am no good! from the very beginning. Fitz: And the blockbuster that you detest? MP: A really popular film that everyone else loved was the remake of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Its only one of the two films Ive ever walked out of. Fitz: And what is the other, please? MP: I will tell you, but its not for publication. [We go into the Cone of Silence.] Fitz: Oh! Oh, I see Thank you, indeed. I, and my readers, shall report back before Chrissie on what we think of your list. In the meantime, we are in your debt. At least we hope so. Returning to Canberra, where independent senator Lidia Thorpe has told the ABCs Afternoon Briefing that her push for a Senate review into racism was not solely motivated by her recent censure for interrupting an event featuring King Charles. Thorpe is co-sponsoring the motion with former Greens colleague Mehreen Faruqi. The pair want the Senates procedure committee to investigate racism and sexism in federal parliament. Independent senator Lidia Thorpe and Greens senator Mehreen Faruqi at a press conference at Parliament House on Monday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Thats been lots of motivators, Thorpe said. [Its about] my workplace and wanting it to be safe for future generations. The censure was just a process they felt they needed to go through because they were upset I told the King off for the genocide that his family are guilty of. Asked what would happen if the review isnt established and whether she has a breaking point for dealing with racism Thorpe said she had no intention of quitting parliament. I wouldnt let the racists have that much fun without me for the next 3 years. Im happy here to stand up against misogyny and racism. And theres no breaking point. Its just who I am. Thank you for joining us on this sunny Monday. We will be back tomorrow with more rolling news coverage from Brisbane and beyond, so please join us. In case you are just catching up, here are some of the stories making news today: As Brisbanes population booms, something strange is happening in one pocket of the city the number of residents is shrinking. Brisbane City Council has been slammed over the poorly planned repair of the 84-year-old Story Bridge, after asking the federal government for $4.5 million to complete a business case for the restoration. The man behind Brisbanes biggest Christmas light display has become the Grinch this year after his family received a barrage of online abuse, as well as threats to their safety. Premier David Crisafulli has promised swift recourse over a very alarming crime spree in Townsville over the weekend where a police officers gun and ammunition were stolen from an unmarked car. The Crisafulli governments new youth crime bill including its signature adult crime, adult time policy will be tabled on Thursday and be law by Christmas, the Premier said. The LNP has also cast doubt over the future of pill testing at schoolies. A striking family home in Brisbanes south that was inundated during the 2022 floods fetched $1.6 million under the hammer on Saturday, making it one of the top sales in the area for a home that copped internal flooding. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told federal parliament the rest of the world is applauding his governments steps to ban under 16s from social media, despite concerns about its effectiveness aired at a snap Senate committee hearing today. Swimmer Emma McKeon, the most decorated Australian athlete in Olympic history, announced that she has formally retired from competitive swimming. The team behind restaurant Rick Shores at the Burleigh Pavilion is about to unleash its spectacular Gold Coast follow-up. Half a decade in the making, Norte and Sueno will serve Latin-American inspired food and drink. And, in case you missed it, our Culture reporter Nick Dent revealed how Paul Kellys Christmas song How to Make Gravy became a Brisbane couples feature film debut. Beirut: Hezbollah fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel overnight, wounding seven people in one of the militant groups heaviest barrages in months, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut while negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. Some of the rockets reached the Tel Aviv area in the heart of Israel. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on an army centre killed a Lebanese soldier and wounded 18 others in the south-west between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanons military said. The Israeli military expressed regret, saying the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah and that the militarys operations are directed solely against the militants. A man walks past a damaged building after a rocket fired from Lebanon hit an area in Rinatya on the outskirts of Tel Aviv. Credit: AP Israeli strikes have killed more than 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanons military has largely kept to the sidelines. As a Muslim man living in Australia, I have overwhelmingly experienced peoples warmth, generosity, and at times, curiosity. At work, my colleagues often ask me questions about Islam, and I have no qualms in answering. For some, its the first time they have conversed with a Muslim since leaving high school or university. However, my experience hasnt been shared by all Muslims. Artwork: Matt Davidson. Credit: Matt Davidson Islamophobia, that word at once reviled, championed and misunderstood, has resulted in Australian Muslims being verbally and physically attacked and threatened, and Muslim institutions being vandalised. This spectre has found its home online, where Muslims have been subjected to abuse and hatred, simply because they are Muslim. The Islamophobia Register Australia has been reporting on Islamophobic incidents since 2014, though it existed long before this. After the 2019 Christchurch terror attack, where 51 Muslims were massacred at two mosques in New Zealand, the register reported a four-fold increase in Islamophobic incidents in Australia. Maha results: BJP emerges single largest party with 132 seats The BJP has emerged as the single largest party by winning 132 seats in Maharashtra while Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena came second winning 58 seats and Ajit Pawar-led NCP bagged 41 seats. The MahaYuti together have won a record 230 of the total 288 seats. On the other hand, Maha Vikas Aghadi, which was expected to repeat its performance in the Lok Sabha, failed to do so as it together could not cross 50 seats. Shiv Sena UBT won 20 seats, 16 by Congress, NCP-SP 10 and Samajwadi Party 2 seats. BJP had fielded candidates in 148 seats while Shiv Sena fought for 83 seats and NCP for 59 seats. Ahead of the counting, BJP had predicted that the MahaYuti would win 160 to 175 seats while both Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and DCM Ajit Pawar had said that the MahaYuti is likely to bag 175 to 180 seats weathering the anti-incumbency. The MahaYuti leaders have expressed surprise over the landslide victory. The people of Maharashtra, as well as the people of Vidarbha and Nagpur have blessed us immensely. Also, those who were saying that we will perish in Vidarbha, have been demolished. I thank the people for supporting the MahaYuti in a big way, said Fadnavis who spoke to the media after seeking blessings from Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at his residence in Nagpur late Saturday evening. BJP broke its previous records of winning 105 seats in the 2019 elections and 122 in the 2014 elections. BJP thereby has become a natural claimant for the Chief Ministers post and Devendra Fadnavis is the top front-runner. However, Fadnavis said: Leaders of three parties will sit together and discuss and decide on the chief ministership. This result is truly incredible, and unprecedented. When God and the people give us something, he gives abundantly. People have voted for us wholeheartedly. Meanwhile, BJPs central leadership is expected to send two observers for the selection of the party's legislature party leader. The BJP is expected to convene a meeting of the newly elected legislators on Sunday. Thereafter, the BJP-led MahaYuti will officially stake a claim for the formation of government with the Governor CP Radhakrishnan. The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place on Monday or Tuesday. By Grainne Ni Aodha, PA Minister for Climate, Eamon Ryan has said the Cop29 agreement struck late on Saturday is far from perfect, but is a foundation that can be built on in an uncertain world. The former Green Party leader, said it was a hopeful step towards ensuring financial fairness for the countries that need it most. Groups have criticised the climate conferences $300 billion dollar funding agreement designed to help developing nations combat the impacts of global warming as insufficient amid already-rising seawaters. Mr Ryan, who along with his counterpart from Costa Rica was charged with negotiating on adaptation, said he was proud of the Irish teams work in the talks. He said: We protected the aim to transition away from fossil fuels reached in Dubai last year, despite attempts by fossil fuel countries to disrupt the process and we overcame real difficulties in the negotiation process to still get a deal over the line. I am particularly proud of the role our Irish team played in the negotiations. We have a proud record in climate finance for adaptation and can help build bridges between north and south in our world. Many in attendance were less than impressed with the multi-nation financial commitment, with the final sum more than 125 per cent less than the $1.3 trillion per year impacted nations had said was needed. The new climate bursary is, however, three times more than the $100 billion dollar a year 2009 deal that is soon to expire. There was an imperative on us all to deliver here in Baku, Mr Ryan said. To walk away would have been unforgivable and shameful given the scale of the crisis we all face. This agreement is far from perfect and it does not go nearly far enough, particularly on mitigation, gender and human rights but it keeps the core principles of the Paris Agreement alive and it gives us a basis to work from as we move forward to make Cop30 in Brazil transformational. He added: Importantly, it maintains north-south collaboration and co-operation. If this had broken down, particularly against the spectre of geopolitical uncertainty we are all facing in the coming months, it would have done incredible damage. We have to avoid division on climate at all costs. We have to keep the needs of the most vulnerable at the centre of everything we do. This Cop was all about bringing development and climate justice together, and I think weve left Baku with this in a stronger place. Negotiations have not been easy here with a lot of fossil fuel interests looking to stop a deal, particularly on mitigation, but multilateralism has prevailed and the world has stood firm together for climate and financial justice. Kenneth Fox Campaigning efforts across 43 constituencies are ramping up ahead of polling day on Friday, November 29th. A poll by the Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks shows Fine Gael is down four points to 22 per cent, Sinn Fein up two points to 20 per cent, and Fianna Fail holding steady on 20 per cent. Aontu is up two points to 5 per cent, the Social Democrats are down one to 5 per cent, Labour no change on 4 per cent, Greens down one to 3 per cent, Solidarity-PBP no change on 2 per cent, and Independents or other parties up three points to 19 per cent. The poll was carried out on November 21st and 22nd amongst a sample of 1,420 people with a margin of error of +/- 2.6 per cent. It comes as Simon Harris said he apologised to a woman for not giving her enough time to speak about carers and disability services while he was out canvassing in Cork on Friday. The Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader said he spoke to Charlotte Fallon, a worker with St Josephs Foundation, on the phone on Saturday after a clip of an exchange between them on Friday went viral. RTE footage posted to the social media site X shows Mr Harris on a canvass in Kanturk when Ms Fallon tells the Taoiseach carers were ignored and the Government has done nothing for us. The disability sector is a joke, she says. Youve done nothing for us, our people are suffering. Im very passionate about my job. Mr Harris responds by saying: No, not at all, and: Im very passionate about disability too. Ms Fallon says: But theres no mention of (them in the) Budget. You ignored them, you ignore the carers, to which Mr Harris says: Thats not true, several times before shaking her hand and walking away. Workers picket outside the San Francisco Marriott Marquis as they join a two-month hotel strike that now includes 2,500 employees. Courtesy of Ted Waechter Police arrest striking workers they say blocked traffic on Powell Street during an October protest. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Members of Unite Here Local 2 march through downtown in San Francisco in October. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle About 500 workers at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis hotel downtown walked off their jobs Sunday to protest what they say are large workloads and low pay, joining hundreds of other hotel workers who went on strike two months ago. The members of Unite Here Local 2 union, which is organizing the strike, include housekeepers, bellhops, cooks, dishwashers, servers, bartenders and other workers. More hotel workers are on strike at the Palace Hotel, the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, the Grand Hyatt San Francisco Union Square and Westin St. Francis. The strike now includes about 2,500 workers, the union said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The hotel remains open, and we have well-established protocols in place to operate and take care of guests in the event of any impact to staffing, a Marriott spokesperson said. We remain available to meet with the local union negotiating committee to reach an agreement that is fair to all parties. In October, dozens of striking San Francisco hotel workers were arrested as hundreds blocked traffic by sitting in the middle of Powell Street. Hotel workers march through downtown in San Francisco in October calling for better wages and workloads. About 500 workers at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis joined the strike Sunday, bringing the number of picketers to about 2,500. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle As San Francisco hotels prepare for the holidays, the strike underscores the difficulty that many workers have had in recovering from a pandemic economic slump that has stripped downtown of shoppers, visitors and tourists. My job was always painful, but now its even worse, Consuelo Escorcia, lobby attendant at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis for 34 years, said in a news release. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Escorcia said fewer workers are doing more work. James Cox A general election candidate has said the Social Democrats' plans for a 10 million fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland for medical treatment is a natural continuation of the solidarity Ireland has shown to Gaza. The 10 million fund to bring Palestinian children to Ireland would be for education, cultural exchanges and medical treatment. The proposal is contained in the partys Positive Neutrality policy document, which was launched by foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon, and Patricia Stephenson, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny. The policy highlights how, in government, the party would allocate 10 million to fund and facilitate grassroots community initiatives to bring Palestinian children and young people to Ireland for education, cultural exchange, and/or specific medical treatments. As part of this same scheme, there would be an exchange programme for Palestinian public servants to be mentored in Ireland, including sponsored attendance at the Institute of Public Administration. Ms Stephenson told BreakingNews.ie: "The context of what's happening in Gaza is so extreme, that to give humanitarian aid in situ when there aren't medical centres operating anymore and all those challenges, this plan is an action of solidarity within that context. "Over the last 1,000 days of the war in Ukraine, the support people across Ireland have given to Ukrainians has been remarkable. These would be short-term schemes. A lot of them are children and young people who would come for specific training programmes and medical support. "I know there are huge challenges around housing and the healthcare system, but these would be targeted to those most in need." Ms Stephenson said a lot of Irish people want to do more to support Palestinians who are being subjected to "unimaginable horrors" as a result of the Israel-Hamas war. People have expressed so much solidarity with the Palestinian people, and I think there are a lot of people who want us to do more. "I think it's really important for solidarity, it's in line with what we do in humanitarian aid anyway. It's a different modality in bringing people here, but it's in line with our 2030 sustainable development goals, our commitment to tackling global injustices. "I think it fits with the spirit of Ireland. People have expressed so much solidarity with the Palestinian people, and I think there are a lot of people who want us to do more. This would be an example of doing more." Six months ago, Ms Stephenson met with Raji Sourani, director of the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. She said he noted Ireland's solidarity, but also said any help possible would be welcomed. "I know it's hard to understand what that [solidarity] does for people in Palestine. We've seen the horror on our phones, but international solidarity helps people to keep going under this horrible oppression, and it is having an impact. He also said you can do more, you can pass the Occupied Territories Bill. This would be a further step to support those children who are facing unimaginable trauma. "We're in favour of the Occupied Territories Bill." The proposal is contained in the partys Positive Neutrality policy document, which was launched by foreign affairs spokesperson Gary Gannon, and Patricia Stephenson, the Social Democrats general election candidate in Carlow-Kilkenny. The policy also includes additional funding for the Defence Forces, and legislation that would mean any significant changes to Ireland's neutrality would be put before a Citizen's Assembly and possibly a referendum. It also pledges to stop the transfer of military equipment through Ireland bound for war zones. "The protests in Shannon have been large. I don't think anyone in Ireland is behind participating, in any way, in the delivery of military equipment to Israel. We're furious it has been done, and it puts our stance on neutrality into question. "In terms of Gaza, people are concerned about weapons being flown over the country. That is an active conversation that comes up regularly when I'm canvassing, brought up by people on their own volition." Le Central, a power restaurant on Bush Street in San Francisco, celebrated its 50th anniversary last week. Carl Nolte/The Chronicle Wilkes Bashford and former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown play boss dice at their table at Le Central in 2015. Russell Yip/The Chronicle Something unusual happened on Tuesday at Le Central, the noted French bistro-style restaurant a lunchtime salute to lunch. Officially it was a celebration of Le Centrals 50th anniversary. Le Central opened for business on Bush Street in San Francisco in November 1974 and almost immediately became what one regular called a San Francisco institution. Among its first customers were Chronicle columnist Herb Caen, then-Speaker of the Assembly Willie Brown and clothier Wilkes Bashford, who helped set the style for well-dressed San Francisco men. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The three came every Friday for lunch at table No. 2 right next to the big plate glass window. You could walk by on the street and look in the window and see who was there with Willie and the others, said Sari Swig. She liked Le Central the food, the atmosphere, the good company and became a regular herself. She was a guest at the celebration. She was not alone: The place was packed with Le Central veterans for the anniversary lunch, men and women who knew the wait staff, the bartenders, the owners, and most of all each other. They listened as Brown described the guests who came to his Friday lunches: governors, senators, judges, lawyers, his friends Harry de Wildt and Matthew Kelly and Sandy Walker all people who were in the cast of a good Herb Caen column. Browns list might have sounded a bit dated, but current politicians were on hand, too. Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin was there to shake hands and read a proclamation from the supervisors hailing Le Central for perfecting the art of lunch. Mayor London Breed sent a proclamation as well. Mayor-elect Daniel Lurie, elegant in a dark suit, made a cameo appearance. Though he made no public remarks, one could feel the power in the room shift a bit. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Power was always in the air at Le Central, even away from the local celebrities at the front of the room. Le Central, located in a one-story brick building on Bush near Grant Avenue is on the edge of everything: near Chinatown, not far from Union Square, not far from Montgomery Street. Its not the oldest restaurant in the city: Tadich Grill (1849) and Sams Grill (1867) are far older, but Le Central, with its brick walls, its handsome bar and its French feel, had something else. It was a place where partners would take a young lawyer to lunch to size them up. A quiet place to work out a business deal on a cocktail napkin. It was a ritual, and it was not that long ago in the life of a city that is fond of rituals. It was a very long lunch, said Jim Anderer, a financial planner who has been a Le Central regular. It was the famous three-hour lunch part business, part social affair, along with a martini, maybe two. The food was an attraction as well, including chicken cordon bleu, escargot bourguignon and the specialty of the house, cassoulet, a dish that has been simmering at Le Central, they say, for 18,255 days. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The three-hour lunch, of course, has gone out of style. Even style has gone out of style, but thats a story for another time. Bob Anderson, an attorney, came in from his home in Mill Valley for the 50th anniversary. Hed been a regular, too, especially in the days when he worked in Montgomery Street law firms. He remembers the leisurely lunches, especially on Fridays, a tradition from another time. Its not that we didnt work, he said. Wed take a long Friday lunch, but that meant wed be in the office working on Saturday. Its just different now, he said. The younger generation doesnt do that. Its all virtual. And the role of the traditional office has changed, too. Business doesnt need the cost of an office anymore. But all life is virtual. People like to get together, and they like good food. So David Gabine and his partner Ignacio Colorado bought the place when the longtime owners retired last March. Its part of a tradition where ownership passes to veteran employees. Gabine started as a bartender at Le Central in 2005. Colorado was a dishwasher. We think this part of the city is coming back, Gabine said. We believe San Francisco is coming back. We hope to stay as long as possible. Advertisement Article continues below this ad photo credit: Unsplash/ Pedro Lima Christian voters are being recognized for their significant impact on the outcome of the 2024 presidential election, with data indicating that the faithful overwhelmingly supported President-elect Donald Trump. George Barna, director of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University, published a report last week detailing the findings of post-election research, conducted in the three days following the November 5 election. The data is based on interviews with a national sample of 2,000 voting-age adults. Among self-identified Christians, President Trump secured 56% of the vote, and since Christians represented 72% of the total voter turnout, their backing was pivotal in his re-election. The report noted, Although Harris won a larger share of the non-Christian vote than Trumps share of the Christian votes, Christians outnumbered non-Christian voters by a more than five-to-two margindelivering the decisive Nov. 5 victory to President Trump. The highest turnout rate of 99% was among those classified as Spiritually Active Governance Engaged Conservative Christians, known as SAGE Cons. Meanwhile, the turnout for Catholics rose from 67% to 70%, and Integrated Disciples, those with a biblical worldview, saw an increase from 64% to 67%. The turnout rate remained consistent at 62% for Pentecostal church attendees in both 2020 and 2024. However, turnout for those attending mainline Protestant churches slightly decreased from 66% to 65%, while there was a more significant drop among Evangelical church attendees, from 65% to 59%. In total, 59% of Protestants voted in 2024, compared to 62% in 2020. Among born-again Christians, 58% voted in 2024, down from 64% in 2020. Additionally, the turnout among self-identified Christians fell from 64% to 56%. In the 2024 election, Trump was the preferred candidate among all Christian voter subgroups, capturing 90% of the SAGE Cons vote, 75% of the Integrated Disciples vote, and 74% of the vote from Pentecostal church attendees. He also received support from a substantial majority of Evangelical church attendees (64%), born-again Christians (64%), and Protestants (60%). Support for Trump from mainline Protestant church attendees was at 56%, while 51% of Catholics backed him over Kamala Harris. A majority of Christian voters reported that their churches taught about the Bibles stance on specific issues, with 54% overall, and higher percentages among Pentecostal and Charismatic church attendees (69%) and Evangelicals (67%). Additionally, 53% of all Christians stated their churches encouraged voting without endorsing specific candidates. Among various groups, majorities of Pentecostal, Charismatic, and Evangelical church attendees supported that their churches took this course of action than non-denominational church attendees (52%) and Catholics (41%). Barna commented on the high level of Christian support for Trump, stating that he did a better job than Kamala Harris of representing hallowed Christian characteristics such as the importance and support of family, the rule of law, limited government authority, financial responsibility, and the like. In contrast, he noted that Harriss stance on issues like abortion on-demand and open borders clashed with the core values of the nations dominant spiritual perspectives. Lorie Smith, owner of the website design company 303 Creative. | photo credit: Alliance Defending Freedom The Christian business owner will receive over $1.5 million from Colorado as part of a settlement reached after winning her case at the United States Supreme Court. Last year, the court ruled that Lorie Smith of 303 Creative could not be compelled by a state anti-discrimination law to create websites that conflict with her Christian beliefs. The Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), a legal nonprofit that assisted in representing Smith, announced on Tuesday that state officials had agreed to the settlement, which includes over $1.5 million in fees. ADF CEO and President Kristen Waggoner stated that the government cannot force Americans to say things they dont believe, and Colorado officials have paid and will continue to pay a high price when they violate this foundational freedom. Waggoner further emphasized, Billions of people around the world believe that marriage is the union of one man and one woman and that men and women are biologically distinct. No government has the right to silence individuals for expressing these ideas or to punish those who decline to express different views. In 2016, Lorie Smith filed a pre-enforcement challenge against the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act, as she was concerned it would force her to violate her belief that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit ruled against her in July 2021, with a two-judge majority stating that Colorado has a compelling interest in protecting both the dignity interests of members of marginalized groups and their material interests in accessing the commercial marketplace. Circuit Judge Mary Beck Briscoe, a Clinton appointee, wrote in the majority opinion that when regulating commercial entities, like Appellants, public accommodations laws help ensure a free and open economy. She further noted that while the commercial nature of Smith's business does not diminish her speech interest, it provides Colorado with a compelling state interest. Smith then appealed to the Supreme Court, which heard oral arguments in December 2022. In June 2023, the court ruled 6-3 in her favor, with Justice Neil Gorsuch authoring the opinion. Gorsuch expressed that no public accommodations law is immune from the demands of the Constitution, raising concerns about the state's attempt to control Smith's speech. He wrote, Under Colorados logic, the government may compel anyone who speaks for pay on a given topic to accept all commissions on that same topicno matter the underlying messageif the topic somehow implicates a customers statutorily protected trait. Gorsuch added that the government could even force a male website designer married to another man to design websites for organizations that advocate against same-sex marriage, stating that the First Amendment tolerates none of that. Gorsuch further asserted that commitment to speech for only some messages and some persons is no commitment at all and affirmed that the opportunity to think for ourselves and to express those thoughts freely is among our most cherished liberties and part of what keeps our Republic strong. photo credit: World Reformed Fellowship A federal appeals court has narrowed a lower court's ruling that prohibited Louisiana from enforcing a law requiring Ten Commandments displays in public school classrooms. Last Friday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit issued an order allowing the law mandating the displays to take effect in school districts without active challenges from parents. This law is set to be implemented on New Year's Day. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed her approval of the court's decision, stating that she looks forward to immediately working with all of our school boards who are not involved in this lawsuit to implement the law soon! In June, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed House Bill 71 into law, which requires public school classrooms to display "certain historical documents," including the Ten Commandments, the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance. The law mandates that classrooms display an 11-by-14-inch version of the Ten Commandments along with a context statement explaining their historical significance. The legislation asserts, Recognizing the historical role of the Ten Commandments accords with our nation's history and faithfully reflects the understanding of the founders of our nation with respect to the necessity of civic morality to a functional self-government. It further adds, Including the Ten Commandments in the education of our children is part of our state and national history, culture, and tradition. Following the enactment of HB 71, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Freedom From Religion Foundation, and Americans United for Separation of Church and State filed a lawsuit on behalf of an interfaith group of parents. The complaint stated that for nearly half a century, it has been well settled that the First Amendment forbids public schools from posting the Ten Commandments in this manner. The plaintiffs seek a declaratory judgment declaring the Act unconstitutional and request injunctive relief to prevent enforcement of the law. U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, an Obama appointee, issued an order the previous Tuesday, temporarily blocking the law's enforcement while litigation continued. He noted, Plaintiffs have established a viable Free Exercise claim, adding that H.B. 71 is not neutral toward religion. The judge challenged the defendants' claims regarding the Ten Commandments' historical significance in public education, stating, In sum, the historical evidence showed that the instances of using the Ten Commandments in public schools were too scattered to amount to convincing evidence that it was common at the time of the Founding or incorporation of the First Amendment to utilize the Decalogue in public-school education. Photo credit: Unsplash / Pete Alexopoulos The Texas State Board of Education moved closer to final approval of a state-authored elementary school curriculum that includes biblical teachings for students statewide. On Tuesday, The board's 15 members voted 8-7 in favor of preliminary approval for Bluebonnet Learning, a curriculum proposed earlier this year by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for use in K-5 public school classrooms. Interestingly, three Republicans, including board member Pam Little (R-Fairview), a self-described Christian conservative, voted alongside the board's four Democratic members against the curriculum. Little was re-elected to another two-year term on the Republican-led panel earlier this month. While the board is poised to hold an official vote on the curriculum on Friday, members have until late Wednesday to propose any revisions. Although the vote is anticipated to proceed, board members can alter their votes up until the official decision is made. The proposed curriculum provides instructional guidelines for K-5 teachers and includes the early history of Christianity, with selections from the New Testament books of the Christian Bible providing context on beliefs about Jesus of Nazareth. It also clarifies its use of the terms BC/AD and BCE (before the Common Era) and CE (of the Common Era). The curriculum also features studies such as Christianity and the Roman Empire, with a reading objective that asks students to explain how Jesus of Nazareths life impacted the Roman Empire. In a statement to the Christian Post, Little expressed her doubts about the effectiveness of Bluebonnet Learning, stating, I dont think the Bluebonnet Learning will teach our students to be good readers, and added, I firmly believe we should teach our students the Biblical values of the Golden Rule, Good Samaritan, etc. Supporters of the curriculum have praised the inclusion of Bible passages as important literary works, while critics argue that the lessons are biased toward Christian teachings. They contend that this could alienate non-Christian students, lead to bullying, and undermine the separation of church and state outlined by the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Rep. James Talarico, D-Austin, referred to the curriculum in September as akin to Christian nationalism, suggesting that it elevates Christianity over other religions, which he believes leads to dominating our neighbors instead of loving them as ourselves. During a House Public Education Committee meeting in August, Talarico raised concerns regarding the perceived bias toward Christianity in school curriculum materials and the importance of maintaining separation between church and state. Once final approval is granted, the new curriculum is set to be implemented in school districts by August 2025, instructing nearly 2.3 million K-5 students in Texas. Trucks Carrying Food Aid for Palestinians Headed to Gaza. | Screenshot / TRT World YouTube Channel Ninety-eight trucks carrying food aid for Palestinians were violently looted after crossing into Gaza, according to the United Nations. The convoy, delivering provisions from the U.N. Relief and Works Agency and the World Food Programme, was attacked shortly after entering the enclave, resulting in injuries to some of the drivers last Saturday. Louise Wateridge, UNRWA Senior Emergency Officer, explained to Reuters that the convoy was instructed to leave from the Kerem Shalom border crossing on short notice and took an unfamiliar route. The looting affected 98 out of 109 trucks in the convoy, marking one of the most severe losses of food aid during the ongoing 13-month war. U.N. officials have expressed concerns about the worsening hunger crisis in Gaza, where most people rely on humanitarian aid for survival. The urgency of the crisis cannot be overstated; without immediate intervention, severe food shortages are set to worsen, further endangering the lives of over 2 million people who depend on humanitarian aid to survive, said Wateridge. In response to the looting, Hamas-run Al-Aqsa TV reported that more than 20 individuals allegedly involved in the incident were killed during a security operation conducted by Hamas militants in coordination with tribal committees. The operation aimed to reestablish control and security over the looted supplies, while Hamas Interior Ministry warned that anyone caught aiding future looting would face harsh punishment. An unnamed Israeli official blamed the U.N.'s distribution logistics for the challenges in delivering aid, stating that Israel has been making efforts to address the humanitarian situation since the conflict began. This incident follows allegations in May concerning irregularities within UNRWA regarding aid distribution. A series of messages posted in an online chatroom by former and current UNRWA employees accused the agencys staff of stealing and hoarding humanitarian aid designated for civilians. According to the Geneva-based NGO U.N. Watch, a former UNRWA employee, Haitham al-Sayyed, claimed that staff members had been misusing aid resources, hiding supplies, or hoarding them for personal use. Another UNRWA employee, Mohammed Musa al-Sawalhi, stated in February, 80 percent of employees in the shelters have no morals or dignity, alleging that agency workers had stolen supplies meant for civilians. These claims prompted increased scrutiny of UNRWA; accordingly, multiple countries, including the United States, suspended their funding. A team from the Placer County Sheriffs Office prepares to search the American River for two fishermen who were swept away by the current. Placer County Sheriff's Office Rescuers recovered the bodies of two men in the American River on Monday during a search for two fishermen were swept away and presumably drowned more than 24 hours earlier. The Placer County Sheriffs Office received a call around 7 p.m. Saturday that two men, both 20 years old, had been swept away into the river and had not resurfaced, the sheriffs office reported Sunday morning. The first man was pulled into the current while fishing, and the second man was swept away when he tried to help. A team from the Placer County Sheriffs Office prepares to search the American River for two fishermen who were swept away by the current. Placer County Sheriff's Office A crew first conducted an overhead search of the Oregon Bar area Saturday night, the sheriffs office said. A dive team also responded, but could not go rafting due to the darkness and current. The crew conducted a search from the shore, with no results. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The sheriffs office deployed 18 searchers, two K9 teams and a dive team to cover both sides of the river Sunday. Two drones were on standby waiting for the fog to lift, the sheriffs office said. On Monday afternoon, the sheriffs office said a drone operator had located the bodies, downriver from where the fishermen were last seen. Equipped with a rope pulley system and a boat, the dive team recovered the bodies in the middle of the river, in a portion with strong currents. Authorities planned to later identify the men. We extend our condolences to the loves ones impacted by this tragedy, the sheriffs office said. Home Books Seminary prof. aids church leaders with pastoral obligations like baptisms and weddings A seminary professor and Episcopal priest has written a book to help clergy and lay leaders navigate pastoral obligations such as baptism and marriage. The Rev. Shawn Strout, assistant professor of Worship and associate dean of Chapel at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, Virginia, authored Shepherding Souls: A Handbook for the Pastoral Offices earlier this year. He told The Christian Post his "primary reason for writing this book was to be a consolidated resource for pastors to guide people through the pastoral offices." 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 "As a professor of worship at the Virginia Theological Seminary, I realized that one would need a whole shelf of books to address these critical moments in people's lives," said Strout. "My book offers a brief historical overview, theological insights, cultural connections, and pastoral perspectives in one handbook. It also provides additional resources for pastors who want to explore those areas more deeply." Strout noted that his book also "looks at the pastoral offices ecumenically and interculturally," noting that many books on pastoral office duties "tend to speak within a particular church tradition." "However, the pastoral offices often bring people from different church traditions together. Therefore, an ecumenical perspective is paramount," he continued. "Also, these offices involve deep cultural connections. While the book is clear that the examples provided should not be taken monolithically, they can help pastors see the cultural complexities involved in these offices." Strout divides his book into five sections: "Baptism," "Confirmation and Other Rites of Affirmation," "Marriage," "Rites of Reconciliation and Healing" and "Ministration at the Time of Death and Burial." In each chapter, Strout examines the history of the pastoral office, seeing how the early Church administered the specific sacrament or rite, and how it has changed over the past couple of millennia. Strout said that while it is typical for a modern church to go back to Scripture and early Church practice to justify their tradition, practices found in Christian history regarding rites like baptism are quite diverse. "Because Christians take Scripture seriously, we often want to find our contemporary experiences modeled in it. A strong tendency exists among many Christian traditions to attempt to trace their contemporary practices back to a scriptural pattern," Strout explained. "However, modern historical research on the liturgy shows us that various worship practices existed in the New Testament period and after that. If we desire to find a sense of connection with the early Church, we will likely succeed as the early Church had various practices." Strout warned against the "desire to justify our practices over and against those of other traditions," as the "early Church was as diverse in its practices as the Church today." In the case of baptism, for example, Strout wrote that the Bible "does not give exact details of the elements involved in the baptismal rite" and "is also unclear about the role of infants in baptism." Strout noted that while there was no "explicit reference" to infant baptism in the Bible, passages like Acts 16:15 document "entire households" being baptized and thus imply infants, as well. After going through the history of each pastoral office, Strout examines the modern pastoral perspectives and applications, providing the reader with advice and resources on each topic. While churches throughout history often had diverse practices regarding various rites and sacraments, Strout believes there were still limits to where certain practices could be taken. For example, in the chapter on marriage, Strout analyzed the issue of cultural traditions and whether they can be part of a Christian wedding ceremony. One such example was the desire of some couples to include a "unity candle" as part of their ceremony. "While it can take many forms, essentially, it is two candles, one held by each person to be married, that they then use to light another candle. The idea is that two people become one in marriage," Strout told CP. "However, some pastors have come to question this symbol. Where does God fit into the picture? What about the families? How does the congregation who is witnessing and promising to support the marriage symbolized in it? Is this symbol too focused on the couple, leaving out even Christ's presence in the marriage?" Strout emphasized that "just as historical research has shown us that varied worship practices existed from the Church's earliest days, it has also shown us that worship practices have evolved." "All the worship rites used today, created by the pastor for the occasion or having a historical legacy, are the product of theological, cultural, social and political developments throughout history," he said to CP. "Wise pastors will appreciate this 'living tradition' by neither jettisoning it altogether nor adhering to it rigidly. Instead, they will glean it for the wisdom it provides to minister to the people left in their care." Home News Russian Orthodox Church providing military training to kids The Russian Orthodox Church has started offering military training to youth as young as 12 at the Elisabeth Church in Opalikha, according to reports which reveal that this training is conducted by veterans of the Ukraine war. According to the Kyiv Post, the Moscow Times reported on an earlier announcement posted on the website and Telegram channel of the Krasnogorsk city administration in the Moscow region promoting these military survival courses. The courses are free and open to anyone age 12 and older. The training is held every weekend in the forested area near the Elisabeth Church in Opalikha. The courses aim to establish a team well-versed in weapons handling, military affairs and tactical medicine. The training is conducted by experienced instructors, including those who served in the Northern Military District zone, which refers to the war in Ukraine, according to the Kyiv Post. 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 ROKOT Shoulder to Shoulder organization sponsors the courses. Alexey Naumov, the regional head of ROKOT, was quoted as saying, Future defenders of the Fatherland will master in practice not only military affairs, but also the history of the Moscow region, our Motherland. Now more than ever, it is important to unite our efforts and study well the glorious traditions of our fathers and grandfathers. Promotional material for these courses use enthusiastic language, particularly in sections describing the training on small arms and light weapons. The curriculum includes safety precautions, weapons disassembly and assembly, proper firing stances, forest maneuvers, attack, retreat, defense, map reading, landmine operations and casualty evacuation. A significant portion of the training is dedicated to medical instruction. Archbishop Thomas of Odintsovo and Krasnogorsk, head of the Administrative Secretariat of the Moscow Patriarchate, has given his blessing to the program. Priests are involved to impart lessons on patriotism and the history of Russia, reinforcing the moral and cultural dimensions of the training. This initiative is not the first of its kind from the Moscow Patriarchate of the Russian Orthodox Church. Ukraines Security Service previously reported on the creation of private military companies by the church, such as St. Andrews Cross, which recruits parishioners for combat roles at institutions like the Kronstadt Naval Cathedral in St. Petersburg. Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the MPROC decreed that priests must pray for victory over Ukraine daily, with defiance resulting in defrocking. Patriarch Kirill has repeatedly defended the invasion, urging daily prayers for President Putin and telling Russian military personnel that their sacrifice washes away all sins, according to the Kyiv Post. In contrast, at a synod of bishops last week, the Orthodox Church of Ukraine officially condemned the Russky mir (Russian world) doctrine as heretical. In addition to these courses, the Russian Orthodox Church has published a handbook, titled To Live is to Serve the Motherland, which instructs children on their patriotic duty to fight with the countrys armed forces, Church Times reported earlier. Advertised on the Moscow Patriarchates website, the handbook includes Russian proverbs, biblical passages and statements from Orthodox Church fathers, calling for courage, endurance and heroism. On the Ukrainian front, Metropolitan Epiphany (Dumenko), the Primate of the Ukrainian independent Orthodox Church, highlighted the importance of mercy, charity and mutual assistance as powerful weapons against the enemy, the Times noted. Since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Russian authorities have incorporated ideological and military-themed lessons into school curricula. The militarization of Russian childrens education has been compared to extreme measures taken during the Chinese Cultural Revolution, where youth were indoctrinated and even turned against their own families. Brian Kean, a freelance writer on Medium, noted in April that Russian children were being taught military skills and indoctrinated with a level of fervor that could have serious long-term implications. Kean noted that the Fundamentals of Homeland Security and Defense course is now approved for students as young as fifth grade and mandatory from eighth grade onward. The course covers the tactical and technical characteristics of various weapons, including the Dragunov sniper rifle, RPG-7 handheld anti-tank grenade launcher, Kalashnikov assault rifle and hand grenades. It also includes drill training, general military regulations, and the importance of military discipline and unified command. Home News Russian pastor arrested for speaking out against invasion of Ukraine: report A Russian pastor has been arrested after criticizing Russias invasion of Ukraine and urging believers not to participate in the conflict. Nikolay Romanyuk, senior pastor of the Holy Trinity Pentecostal Church in Moscow Region, is the first religious figure to be charged under legislation that deters criticism of the authorities amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, reports the Norway-based human rights watchdog Forum 18. Pastor Romanyuk, who is facing charges under laws targeting public calls against state security, is currently being held at Investigation Prison No. 11 in Noginsk, located roughly 50 kilometers east of Moscow. 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 Investigators arrested the pastor following early-morning armed raids on his home and the homes of several other church members on Oct. 18. Two days later, a judge ordered him to be detained for two months. The authorities' investigation into Romanyuk centers on a sermon he delivered in September 2022, during which he explicitly stated that, based on the teachings of the Bible, believers should not go to fight in Ukraine. The sermon was livestreamed and subsequently uploaded to the church's YouTube channel, leading to charges under Criminal Code Article 280.4, Part 2, Paragraph V which addresses public calls against the security of the Russian Federation using mass media or the internet. If convicted, the pastor faces a potential sentence of up to six years in prison or a fine of up to one million Roubles, or $9,600, roughly equivalent to seven months' average wage in Moscow. It remains unclear which state agencies carried out the raids or initiated the criminal proceedings, Forum 18 said, adding they sent inquiries to several branches, including the Federal Investigative Committee, the Moscow Region Investigative Committee and the Federal Security Service, seeking explanations about how Romanyuk's sermon posed a threat to state security and why armed raids were necessary. None of the branches responded. Holy Trinity Pentecostal Church is a registered religious organization with multiple sister communities across Moscow and its surrounding region. The operations were heavy-handed, with some homes forcibly entered, digital devices seized, and residents forced to lie on the floor at gunpoint, local sources were quoted as saying. Ukrainian pastor Vladimir Franchuk, an acquaintance of Romanyuk, wrote in a blog post, "The entire family has gone through great psychological trauma today, but such searches and arrests in modern Russia are predictable and expected to our great regret." During his September 2022 sermon, Romanyuk reportedly said: "When you are offered a hit, when you are offered a bottle of alcohol, or you are given a summons to send you to combat this is the same sin, and the same drug, and the same Satan. Find me in the Old Testament even a hint that we could somehow participate. This is not our war." He added, "It was written in our doctrine that we are pacifists and cannot participate in this. It is our right to profess this on the basis of Holy Scripture. We do not bless those who go there [to war]. [Those] who are taken by force, we do not bless them, but we pray that they are rescued from there." Other religious figures have faced similar accusations. Among them is Ilya Vasilyev, the founder and director of the Moscow Zen Centre, who is set to go on trial on Dec. 3 for allegedly spreading false information about the Russian Armed Forces. In June, Redemptorist Fathers Ivan Levytsky and Bohdan Geleta, two priests from the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, were released from Russian captivity after 19 months as part of a prisoner exchange, with diplomatic efforts including the Vatican's involvement. A church leader said there were alarming reports of the priests being regularly tortured during their captivity. Home News 1 million-member regional body leaves United Methodist Church over gay marriage, clergy A regional body of the United Methodist Church with approximately 1 million members has voted to leave the mainline denomination over its acceptance of gay marriage and noncelibate gay clergy. The Cote d'Ivoire Conference based in West Africa voted earlier this week to leave the UMC after the denomination's decision to remove rules banning the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of people in romantic same-sex relationships from its Book of Discipline. With approximately a million members, the conference was one of the largest regional bodies within the worldwide denomination, according to UM News. 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 approved decision argues that "the new United Methodist Church has preferred to sacrifice its honorability and integrity to honor the LGBT" and that "the new United Methodist Church is now based on sociocultural and contextual values which have consumed its doctrinal and disciplinary integrity." Mark Tooley, president of the theologically conservative Institute on Religion and Democracy, which monitors developments within the UMC, told The Christian Post it's "wonderful that Ivory Coast Methodists are prioritizing orthodoxy over ties to the USA church." Tooley said the conference was "independent before 2004 and may prefer that status" instead of joining the recently launched conservative denomination, the Global Methodist Church. "Most Africans cannot abide liberalized USA standards," said Tooley on the possibility of more Africa-based conferences disaffiliating from the UMC. But he noted that "it will take years" for more to leave. The Christian Post contacted The United Methodist Church for comment on this story. A spokesperson did not return a message by press time. Over the past few decades, the UMC had been embroiled in a divisive debate over whether to remove language from its Book of Discipline that prohibited the blessing of gay unions, the ordination of noncelibate homosexuals, and the funding of LGBT advocacy groups. In response to the never-ending nature of the debate and many liberal leaders within the UMC refusing to follow or enforce the rules, around 7,500 mostly conservative congregations disaffiliated from the denomination over the last few years. Most of these departing congregations opted to affiliate with the Global Methodist Church, a theologically conservative alternative to the UMC launched in 2022. At the UMC General Conference earlier this year, delegates overwhelmingly voted to remove the Book of Discipline language, opening the door for the acceptance of same-sex marriage and ordaining clergy in gay unions. At the same General Conference, delegates voted to approve the departure of the UMC Eurasian Episcopal Area, which has four annual conferences in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Bishop Eduard Khegay of the Eurasia Episcopal Area expressed his gratitude for the denomination, saying he became a Christian "because of The United Methodist Church." "This is for us like leaving home," Khegay said. "My hope is we can keep the friendships and relationships whenever it's possible. We want to remain your sisters and brothers." Home News Evidence for puberty blockers is 'scarce,' New Zealand's health ministry says in long-awaited report The New Zealand Ministry of Health released a long-anticipated report this week, stating that there is limited evidence supporting the use of puberty-blocking drugs for children suffering from gender identity issues. The ministry called for a more cautious approach to their prescription, aligning with a growing global trend towards tightening regulations on what critics had for years argued were experimental practices. The ministry stated in a release there is "a lack of good quality evidence to back the effectiveness and safety of puberty blockers when used for this purpose." 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 government agency also announced a public consultation process, inviting submissions until late January 2025 to assess whether additional safeguards should be established, potentially through amendments to the Medicines Act 1981. These safeguards could include regulatory measures to further restrict or condition the prescription of puberty blockers. "The Ministry's assessment is that the starting point for treatment is a holistic assessment determining the full spectrum of needs a young person may have including social and mental health," the release states. "The new precautionary approach signals the need for clinicians to exercise caution in prescribing, including that prescribing should only be initiated by clinicians who are experienced in providing gender-affirming care, and are part of an interprofessional team offering a full range of supports to young people presenting with gender identity issues." The review surveyed over 4,000 academic papers, narrowing its focus to 30 studies. "Evidence about the impact of GnRHa on clinical and mental health and wellbeing outcomes is scarce, with available evidence largely of poor quality," the brief states. "While there are studies on non-medical interventions that show improvements in the mental health and wellbeing of gender-dysphoric adolescents, these generally rely on small, localized cohorts, making it difficult to extrapolate to other, larger cohorts." The ministry says it will also commission new research to investigate the long-term clinical and mental health impacts of puberty blockers. In a position statement published along with the new evidence brief, the ministry stated that some evidence shows that bone density "appears to increase at less than the expected rate for individual stage of development" for children placed on puberty blockers, but there is "no evidence of impact on renal or liver function, the onset of diabetes, or fertility." "Whilst there are some studies that suggest an improvement in depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation for individuals treated with puberty blockers, the quality of the evidence is poor," the position statement reads. "Overall, the evidence brief found significant limitations in the quality of evidence for either the benefits or risks (or lack thereof) of the use of puberty blockers. This means there is insufficient basis to say that puberty blockers are safe or reversible (or not) for use as an intervention for gender dysphoria in adolescents." New Zealand has joined several other countries, including the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland and France, in re-evaluating the prescription of puberty blockers amid rising concerns. In the United Kingdom, these drugs are now largely restricted to clinical trials. In the United States, around two dozen states have taken action to restrict the prescription of puberty-blocking drugs to minors for the purpose of a so-called gender transition. The number of adolescents prescribed puberty blockers in New Zealand has fluctuated over recent years. In 2010, around 25 individuals between the ages of 11 and 17 began treatment, rising to about 140 by 2021. In 2023, that number had decreased slightly to 113. The Professional Association for Transgender Health Aotearoa (PATHA) welcomed the ministry's position statement while acknowledging the limitations in the quality of current research. However, the organization doesn't appear too supportive of the ministry's plan to open a consultation process for more potential restrictions, questioning the "appropriateness of opening this consultation on a medical matter to the wider public, particularly when the matter of gender-affirming care has become highly politicized and subject to disinformation." PATHA President Jennifer Shields believes the guidance reinforces existing best practices. "PATHA cautions against further restrictions," the organization states. The report also received attention from Genspect NZ, whose spokesperson Jan Rivers, criticized the decision to continue allowing the prescription of puberty blockers. Rivers argued in a statement that the report's findings pointed to significant gaps in scientific knowledge, which should have prompted more robust restrictions. "The Ministry's decision to entrust this treatment to the very clinicians who have misrepresented the evidence for years raises serious concerns about accountability and patient safety," said Rivers. The evidence brief, which included an addendum reviewing 160 articles published between October 2023 and May 2024, aimed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of puberty blockers' impact on clinical and mental health outcomes. Home News Pastor takes family into hiding after daughter raped, nearly kidnapped A pastor and his family have gone into hiding after a Muslim neighbor who raped his 14-year-old daughter tried to kidnap her and force her to convert to Islam and marry her, he said. The daughter of Pastor Aslam Masih of Muridke, Sheikhupura District, Punjab Province, was on her way to school on Oct. 31 when Suleman Azhar blocked her way with his motorcycle and forced her to board it, the pastor said. The panicked girl, whose name is withheld as a rape victim, freed herself and ran back home. Upon inquiring why she had returned home, she told us that Suleman had been harassing her for a long time to convert to Islam and marry her, Pastor Masih told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. When I confronted Suleman, he threatened me, saying I should do whatever I could to protect my daughter. I did not know then that he had already assaulted her once. 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 Fearing for his daughters safety, Pastor Masih moved his family to a relatives house in Lahore. Their disappearance angered Azhar, who attacked their home in Muridke, damaging property and firing shots in the air, the pastor said. Pastor Masih on Nov. 2 filed a complaint with police, who registered a First Information Report (FIR) but did not take any action against the suspect, he said. Their indifference helped Suleman in obtaining pre-arrest bail, and he has since been threatening us, demanding that we withdraw the case, Pastor Masih said. The 63-year-old pastor and his wife were stunned when their daughter later revealed that Azhar had raped her in September. She couldnt bear the agony and trauma any longer and broke down into tears, he said. She told us that Suleman and his friends bundled her into a car when she was returning home from school and took her to a house where Suleman raped her. She had kept quiet about the assault fearing Azhar would kill her and her family, he said. Pastor Masih again began visiting police, but his pleas for justice fell on deaf ears, he said. Frustrated and suspecting Azhar had influenced the police to take no action, he sought court intervention. His attorney, Malik Zaman Haider, said Pastor Masihs daughter has recorded her statement against Suleman in court, and that he has filed a request for a medical examination and the addition of rape charges to the FIR. Haider said the FIR had been registered under Section 354 of the Pakistan Penal Code against using criminal force against a woman with the intent to outrage her modesty, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison. Such a rape case should be registered under Section 375 against consensual or forced sex with a girl under the age of 16, which is punishable with death or imprisonment for 10 to 25 years, the attorney said. Aslam Pervez Sahotra, chairman of the Pakistan Masiha Millat Party, said her case highlighted the challenges that Christian girls and women face. Urging the Punjab chief minister and Punjab inspector general of police to take notice of the case, Sahotra said the victim was not only a daughter of the Christian community but of the country. We condemn the assault on our daughter as well as the threats being employed to force her to convert to Islam and marry her rapist, Sahotra told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. The polices refusal to act against the accused has exacerbated the familys ordeal, and they are forced to live in hiding away from their home. He appealed to the Muslim community to raise their voices as well against such brazen atrocities. Our daughters, our community, are living in fear, and the government must show that it cares for them by ensuring speedy justice and punishment to the accused, Sahotra said. The United Nations Human Rights Committee on Nov. 7 expressed concern about persistent reports of abduction and forced marriages of girls from minority religions in Pakistan, regardless of their age and prevailing law. Forced to convert to Islam under threat of violence, they suffer rape, trafficking and other forms of sexual and gender-based violence. The U.N. body also expressed concern about reports of the widespread impunity surrounding these cases. Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year. Originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News Vindictive: UMC criticized for plan to cut funds to departing African conference The United Methodist Church has garnered criticism for a plan to possibly cut funding to the 1-million-member Cote d'Ivoire Conference, which voted to leave the denomination earlier this year before the original deadline to do so. The UMC Council of Bishops recently asked the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration to cut funds for the Ivory Coast church immediately and is also looking into securing control of denominational properties in the West African nation. At issue is the alleged failure of the Cote d'Ivoire Conference to properly exit the global denomination. Had it followed the process, the conference would be given denominational funding until 2028, reported UM News. 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 UMC bishops also want to secure control of assorted United Methodist properties in the African country, citing the denominations trust clause as justification for retaining control. Mark Tooley, president of the theologically conservative Institute on Religion & Democracy, told The Christian Post that he believes these proposed measures looked very punitive and vindictive. They can successfully cut off funding from the United Methodist Church based in the U.S., said Tooley. I dont know how successful they will be in seizing property based in Ivory Coast. I would guess Ivory Coast will not be very sympathetic to United Methodist officials in the U.S. Tooley thinks the bishops' action communicates to other United Methodist churches around the world that the UMC USA will be punitive and vindictive. This might intimidate some from trying to quit the UMC. But it also might motivate others to get out as quickly as they can, Tooley continued. Regarding the claims to the denominational properties, Tooley said it's unclear what this action means about UMC property in Ivory Coast. Are they talking about the church buildings or other denominational property? he added. Local church buildings are held in trust not by the global denomination but by the local annual conference, which in this case is the Ivory Coast church, and which has now become independent. The Christian Post reached out to The United Methodist Church Council of Bishops for this story. A spokesperson was unable to return comment by press time. A previously independent Methodist church that affiliated with the UMC in 2004, the Cote d'Ivoire Conference was one of the largest regional bodies in the denomination. Earlier this year, at the UMC General Conference, delegates voted to remove the denominations ban on the blessing of same-sex unions, the ordination of people in same-sex relationships and the funding of LGBT advocacy groups. In response to this decision, the Cote d'Ivoire Conference voted in May to disaffiliate from the UMC, with their approved decision stating that the UMC has preferred to sacrifice its honorability and integrity to honor the LGBT" and that "the new United Methodist Church is now based on sociocultural and contextual values which have consumed its doctrinal and disciplinary integrity." UMC Council of Bishops President Tracy Malone said in a statement in June that the denominational leadership was working with the conference as it became an autonomous body. While we grieve Cote d'Ivoire Conferences decision to separate from The United Methodist Church, we commit to work with them through the process of becoming an Autonomous Methodist Church, stated Malone. While we are not all of one mind in all things, the strength of our connection is love, respect, compassion and a shared commitment to faith in Jesus Christ. Home Opinion 1 million United Methodists exit in 1 day United Methodisms largest overseas jurisdiction has voted to quit the denomination in response to the churchs divorcing sex from marriage at its governing General Conference earlier this month. The United Methodist Church in the Ivory Coast voted on May 28 to exit the denomination. In 2022, this conference reportedly had over 1.2 million members. So, its departure means over one tenth of United Methodism has in one day left the denomination. Oddly, United Methodist News Service reported the vote very briefly in an emailed news digest but as of today has no article on its website. Perhaps it will post a fuller account later. A European website, La Croix International, offers a fuller account: 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 For reasons of conscience before God and His word, the supreme authority in matters of faith and life, the annual conference of the United Methodist Church of Ivory Coast (EMUCI, Eglise Methodiste Unie Cote dIvoire), gathered for an extraordinary session on May 28 in Abidjan, and decided to leave the United Methodist Church denomination. The Ivorian United Methodists said United Methodism deviates from the Holy Scriptures and prefers to sacrifice its honor and integrity to honor the LGBTQ community. La Croix International quoted Bishop Benjamin Boni saying the United Methodist Church now rests on socio-cultural values that have consumed its doctrinal and disciplinary integrity. Heres the text of the Ivorian resolution. Amazingly, as shared in this video, the decision-making process for the Ivorian Methodists transpired over only a couple of weeks after the United Methodist General Conference concluded on May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina. At that General Conference, delegates removed the churchs longtime stance that sex is only for marriage between husband and wife. Adultery and extramarital sex were removed as chargeable offenses for clergy, along with homosexual behavior. The quickness of the Ivorian exit may inspire other United Methodist regions in Africa to act likewise. United Methodism in Africa is overwhelmingly conservative and displeased with United Methodisms new direction set by the recent General Conference. African delegates at the General Conference were widely ignored and already underrepresented, thanks to an unfair representation formula. Plus, over 70-90 delegates, at least one quarter, and perhaps one-third, failed to get U.S. visas. Some African delegates unsuccessfully urged the General Conference to establish a process for their exit, as there had been for U.S. churches 2019-2023. But unlike in the U.S., most African nations dont have clear laws giving the denomination clear ownership of church buildings. If an entire overseas conference votes to exit, theres little to nothing that U.S.-based church officials can do. Ivorian Methodism is different from United Methodism elsewhere in Africa because it originated with British Methodism. It gained independence in the 1980s and joined United Methodism in 2004. Now it returns to its previous independence. There are between 7 million and over 4 million United Methodists in Africa. In 2022, United Methodism reported nearly 7 million members in Africa, where the church often grows by several hundred thousand members annually. This number included 1.3 million in Ivory Coast. But now United Methodism reports 4.6 million members overseas with no explanation of the discrepancy. The recent United Methodist News Service report about Ivory Coasts exit assigns it one million members. United Methodism now reports 5.4 million members in the U.S., presumably based on 2022 figures. It does not include the full impact of 7,700 exiting churches, which combined with closed churches, included 1.5 million church members. U.S. membership is now likely close to 4 million, with Africans outnumbering Americans. But likely not for very long, as the impact of the dramatic General Conference liberalization sinks into African churches. Ivory Coasts example will be instructive for many others. In five years, very probably nearly all of Africa will have exited United Methodism, leaving a rump church of perhaps several million U.S. members. U.S. progressives at the General Conference were celebratory about their huge victories, even as they approved massive budget cuts reflecting the United Methodist membership decline. Maybe they should recall Winston Churchills warning after the Munich agreement: And do not suppose that this is the end. This is only the beginning of the reckoning. This is only the first sip, the first foretaste of a bitter cup which will be proffered to us year by year unless by a supreme recovery of moral health and martial vigour Only divine intervention could restore United Methodism to moral health and martial vigor. In the new age of post-denominational America, likely United Methodism, with other denominations, will not meaningfully exist as a national body in 10 years. But Methodism in Africa, in whatever format, will continue to thrive. Originally published at Juicy Ecumenism. Home Opinion Thanksgiving is around the corner. Are you always giving thanks in God? Everyone struggles to maintain a disposition of gratitude for any length of time. The Israelites exemplified this attitude of discontentment. God had delivered them from their bondage in Egypt, but they soon complained about their circumstances. Israels bad example led Paul to warn us not to be like them (1 Corinthians 10:10). One of Israels fatal sins was their lack of gratitude to God for His mercy. In every situation, whether good or bad, we are to give thanks to God. Yet, as much as Christians might want to consistently exemplify gratefulness, we often find ourselves acting just like the Israelites, complaining rather than giving thanks. 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 Thanksgiving is a good reminder that we should always be thankful. So, how can we move from an attitude of discontent to one of thankfulness? The answer is an understanding of the foundation for gratitude, which is found in Psalm 97. At the end of this passage, the psalmist reminds us to be thankful to God following a list of truths for consideration to be glad in the Lord. There are four truths about our Lord in this psalm, giving believers a foundation for thanksgiving. First, to build a foundation of gratitude, we must notice the Lords sovereign rule (verses 1-3). In the first three verses, the psalmist highlights the Lords sovereign rule. For the Christian, this understanding is foundational for perpetual gratitude. In a world of changing rulers, unjust authorities, perversions of justice, violence, and oppression, the Lord Jesus Christ reigns supreme! If the Psalmist could write these truths before Christs coming, how much more might we say it with assurance after the Incarnation! Christ is reigning now as He has ever reigned and always will reign (1 Cor. 15:25). The Psalmist, though, is looking even further to the Lords eternal reign. Christs sovereign rule has begun, but there is a greater dimension to it than we now see. One day, Jesus will rule alone as King, sovereignly administering His will. Jesus reign is a great hope now, reminding us He is triumphing over His enemies until He defeats death, and He will soon assume His rightful position as King over all forever. Christs rule is a great cause for thanksgiving, but it becomes even more so when we contemplate its extent. This rule is not for the benefit of only one nation but for all the remotest parts of the world! His sovereign rule is for the benefit of all races, nations, peoples, tribes, and tongues. His rules foundation is also righteousness and justice. It would be absolutely dreadful if God was a despotic or tyrannical ruler. Yet our Lord sovereignly rules in righteousness and in justice. This is what redeemed humanity yearns for someone whose throne is built upon righteousness and justice. The only person of whom that is true is the Lord Jesus Christ! Additionally, Christs rule allows for no rebels. He rules with an iron scepter. In this psalm, Jesus is pictured coming in glory with fire around Him, destroying His enemies. Those who refuse to submit to His reign will perish. The rule of Jesus Christ is a great cause for thanksgiving. We should be thankful knowing that Christ now sits as King, that He must continue to do so until He has subjected all His foes beneath His feet, and that He will reign forever with His saints. Second, as we consider how Gods greatness should cause us to be thankful, we need to consider His powerful presence (verses 4-7). One day, the Lords presence will cause physical disruptions over the earth. Christs future coming to establish His eternal Kingdom will be accompanied by cosmic phenomena due to His great power, and this power invokes great praise in the Heavens. What a scene! The physical world is shaken by the power of Gods all-consuming presence, and the inhabitants of Heaven praising His righteousness. Just like the reign of Christ is extensive, so also is the revelation of His glory. The Lords coming will not be seen by a select few. Rather, His return will be with such great power over all the universe that the whole earth will see His glory. As the psalmist contemplates Gods sovereign rule and powerful presence, he admonishes those who are not in subjection to the Lord. How foolish are those who worship idols in any form when the living God reigns for the benefit of all the earth! Why would anyone ever subject themselves to idols? The psalmist then gives an admonition of worship to the angelic beings. The Lords righteousness is continually praised in the heavenly places by those who inhabit them. This God, perfectly righteous, just, and all-powerful, has come in the person of His Son to reconcile us to Himself so we would benefit from His sovereign rule. O let our hearts be thankful! Third, to give us a foundation of thanksgiving, we see Christs exalted position (verses 8-9). Believers rejoice when they are reminded of the truth of Gods lofty position. Yahwehs decrees are authoritative because He is Most High over the earth. We are thankful because Jesus Christ is highly exalted. We are joyful when we hear of His judgments, knowing Christ has been exalted above all gods. Christs sovereignty, power, and exaltation are beyond our full comprehension. We are not able to see clearly all aspects of these truths. Yet we know that He is righteous and just, that He is omnipotent, that He reigns, and that He is highly exalted. The more we delight in these truths, our hearts will be increasingly thankful. What can shake us when we know that our Lord and Savior is reigning and more highly exalted than anything or anyone else? The psalmist has thundered these overwhelming truths about our God. In conclusion, he speaks to us tenderly. He shows how this God condescends mercifully to care for His lowly people (verses 10-12). Gods tender care for His people is shown in His preservation of their souls from destruction. The Lord keeps us believing, trusting, loving, and obeying. He delivers us from the evil one. He gives us grace to help in our need. This is the perseverance of the saints. Christ hides us in Himself, so we do not fall away. Our great God also delivers us from the power of evil. The Lords people will always overcome the world through faith. Try as they may, the wicked will never have the final say with us. Our God reigns, and He cannot but reign. He preserves our souls and delivers us, so we overcome the world in Christ. No one can thwart His purpose. The Lord has also sown joy for His people, and someday there will be a harvest of everlasting joy in His presence. Gods rule is for our benefit, joy, and good. He is reigning and working everything for our everlasting joy in Him by His exalted, omnipotent strength. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Are you always giving thanks to God? Are we truly glad in God, or do we find ourselves discontent, thinking just one more thing will make us happy? Here is a foundation for continual gratitude: Christs sovereign rule, powerful presence, exalted position, and tender care for His people. This is our Lord! O how we need to know this God and delight in Him! Be glad in the LORD, you righteous ones, And give thanks to His holy name. Sather Tower on the UC Berkeley campus. Paul Chinn/The Chronicle Students move from class to class on the UC Merced campus on Tuesday April 16, 2013, in Merced, Ca. The University of California Merced which opened in 2005 is growing in popularity after being shunned for many years as an unworthy addition to a good student's resume. Michael Macor/The Chronicle The UC application deadline for prospective first-year students is Monday, Dec. 2. After that, what should you do? The University of California system has strict rules that vary among its nine campuses on what types of updates applicants must make to their application after they have submitted it through the UC admissions portal, whether thats academic or extracurricular updates, said Dan Lee, co-founder of Solomon Admissions Consulting. So, as with other parts of the UC admissions process, what youll need to do next depends on the schools to which you have applied. The best course of action is to check the admissions website for each campus youve applied to, reach out to the office if you have questions, and look out for information from them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Be aware that each campus admissions office may ask for additional information from only some applicants, and not all. For example, UC Berkeley applicants should have two recommendation letters ready to go in case the university asks for them, which they do for some applicants, Lee said. According to UC Berkeleys undergraduate admissions website, select applicants are invited to submit two letters of recommendation, though it is voluntary and not required for full consideration of the admissions application. Advertisement Article continues below this ad However, it is highly recommended that students use this opportunity as it can provide additional academic and personal context, their website says. The university says it will not accept unsolicited letters or supplemental information. Embed: Keep in mind that any offers of admission you receive are provisional until you submit your final official transcript and the school verifies that you have successfully finished all the coursework required for UC eligibility. Ryan King, a spokesperson for UCs Office of the President, said in a statement that prospective students should continue meeting their academic goals and seek out the advice of local high school counselors and/or the local campus admissions office where they applied should they have questions about the process. According to the University of California admissions site, heres what applicants should do after submitting their application: Advertisement Article continues below this ad 1. Print a copy of your UC application UC officials recommend that applicants keep a record of their application ID and a summary of their application for reference. People walk through the student union at UC Santa Cruz. Nic Coury/Special to The Chronicle 2. Keep your UC application updated if your information changes If you need to change your telephone number, email, mailing address or exam scores, UC officials say you can log into your application to do so. You can also apply to additional campuses if your application is still open. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Keep in mind that if a school determines that any information on your application is incomplete or inaccurate, or if your academic performance drops significantly during your senior year, your offer of admission may be revoked. If changes occur in your academic record after you submit your application such as adding or dropping a course, failing to earn a C or better in a course or changing schools after submitting your UC application you may need to notify the campuses to which you have applied. Here are the guidelines from UCs admissions website: If you change schools or add or drop a course, notify all the campuses you applied to except for UC Berkeley, UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara. If you earn less than a C in a course, notify all the campuses you applied to except for UC Berkeley. If you receive an admissions offer, you should confirm with the campus office that they are aware of any deficient grades or schedule changes. Here are the instructions and websites for reporting changes at the nine campuses: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Minor changes such as new activities, awards, volunteer work or employment are unlikely to have an impact on the admissions decision, according to UC officials. Changes to the Activities and Awards and PIQ sections will not be accepted after you submit your application. Theres no guarantee that a particular campus can go back to review an application after they receive correspondence from you so be sure to save a copy of your correspondence, just in case. A view of the UCLA campus. Jen Osborne/Jen Osborne/Special to the Chronicle 3. UC transfer students must update grades and courses Transfer applicants are required to update their grades and records in their application. They must provide their final grades from the previous term and list all courses planned or in progress for all the semesters before enrolling into a UC. Even if you do not have any in-progress or planned courses and your record of course grades was complete in your original application, you must log in to your application and complete the Transfer Academic Update, officials say on their admissions webpage. However, they add that a review of your application is not guaranteed after you submit a new Transfer Academic Update, so save a copy of your correspondence. 4. Wait for an admissions decision Each campus you applied to for fall 2025 admission typically will notify you of its decision sometime from March 1 to March 31. If you missed the Dec. 2 application deadline or are applying to enter in the winter or spring terms, contact the admissions office at individual campuses for information about their notification dates. Campuses email applicants by January to set up a username and password to access their applicant portal. Admissions decisions and other updates will be posted there, so check each campus portal often. The exterior of UC Davis Memorial Union. Andri Tambunan/Special to The Chronicle 5. Admitted? Now its time to accept or decline For each campus where you are accepted, you will receive a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) form or be directed to a website to declare your intent to register. Use that form or website to tell the campus whether you accept or decline the admission offer. UC strongly encourages applicants to wait to hear from all the campuses they applied to before declaring their intent to register. Those admitted as first-year students for the fall term must submit the SIR by May 1. The process is online for most campuses, but if a paper form is required, it must be postmarked by that date. If you are admitted at a later date for winter or spring terms, respond by the deadline specified in your admission offer. You can accept admission to only one campus, and you cannot transfer your statement of intent to register to another campus after it's been submitted. You must also pay a $250 non-refundable deposit with your SIR. 6. Submit required documents Final, official transcripts, official AP, International Baccalaureate (IB) and A-Level exam scores and Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IDETC) certification must be sent to the campus that you plan to enroll in. Official transcripts must be postmarked or electronically sent on or before July 1. (Photo: Getty/iStock) Christian Today speaks to Sonya Pascoe, bereavement trainer at Care for the Family, about the organisation's new book The Grief Journey, penned by Sarah Rowlands and Clare Musters, and how churches can support people who have lost a loved one. The book says that it is normal to ask questions when coming to terms with death. Yet some believers may have been raised to never question God and feel like this is a lack of faith. What would you say to them? I would say: try not to panic or let yourself be unduly concerned when you have questions. When someone we are close to dies, grief can shake both us and our beliefs to the core. And itt can be completely normal to question God, perhaps asking 'why did He allow this to happen?', 'why did God not answer my prayer for healing?', or 'where is God?'. All of these questions are normal, although not everyone will ask them. Many times in the Bible, and particularly in the Psalms, we read of raw emotions like anguish and pain. For example, in Psalm 22, we hear David cry out to God, 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?' This is the natural outpouring of a grieving person's thoughts and emotions and it is ok to have feelings of doubt or fear. Perhaps sharing some of these thoughts with someone you trust would be helpful. In the Christian faith, God is often referred to as an 'anchor' in times of trouble. How can believers hold firmly onto God in the midst of grief? The Bible is filled with comforting verses and promises for people to lean on, and we also have a wealth of hymns and songs within the Christian church that help bring comfort in these times. People who have been bereaved often share how they find comfort and peace as they grieve, describing God as their rock or anchor for example. I know of others who have not had that peace in the initial days and that is very normal. When we are navigating grief, everything in our lives can feel uncertain and that of course can include our faith. Having faith does not mean that we have to shut down the gut wrenching agony of our 'whys' or the deep sense of loss. But it can bring comfort to know that the doubts and questions are all part of a grief journey. Last year our little granddaughter died before birth. We felt an almost crushing sadness. One of the hardest things was coming to terms with the loss of our hopes and dreams of not having another grandchild in our family and seeing all that she would have been able to achieve in her lifetime. A massive hole gaped in our family and coupled with our own grief was the agony of watching our daughter and son-in-law full of pain in grief and heartbreak after the loss of their precious daughter. Somehow amidst the chaos that comes with grief, we did feel a sense of comfort and hope. I have heard many people tell their story, perhaps months or even years after the person they loved died, who say that looking back now, they can see God was their anchor. At the time they couldn't always see it. It is difficult, but try to be patient and kind to yourself whilst grieving. How can churches support people walking through a season of grief and bereavement? Research tells us that many people turn to the Church after the death of a loved one. Those who have faith and those who don't normally attend church. Perhaps they come for a place to hold the funeral, or sometimes they are searching for hope. This gives the Christian community a massive opportunity to reach out to offer practical, emotional and spiritual support where appropriate. There are many ways we can do this, especially in the early days and weeks such as helping with funeral arrangements, providing meals or picking up shopping, babysitting or arranging a playdate for children. For those who have experienced loss, life does not go 'back to normal' after a while. Instead, they can begin to realise even more acutely the huge hole their loved one has left. Grief is lonely and many of those going through loss can feel very isolated, especially if others act awkwardly or appear to avoid them. Some churches have set up bereavement cafes where anyone can come along and meet people. When they are ready, they have a safe space to talk about the person who has died or simply how they themselves are feeling. There is some evidence to suggest that men sometimes find it more difficult to open up about grief, so one church started a men's walking group where men could come along and have an opportunity to talk as they walk. Simple things go a long way to reassure someone who is grieving that they are not on their own. Sending texts or cards, phone calls, going for coffee and remembering anniversaries can make a huge difference. Can therapy and counselling be helpful to those struggling with bereavement? Everyone's grief journey is unique. Different personalities will deal with bereavement in their own way. Some will want to speak openly about their loss whereas others may tend to isolate themselves. Whatever our personality, it can be helpful to speak to someone about how we are feeling. Seeking extra support through counselling can offer a safe space where you can speak openly and honestly without worrying about what the listener is thinking about you. Others may find it easier to speak to a trusted friend who they know will absorb what they say. Sharing how you feel is very often helpful to start the process of grieving. Sometimes it's hard to know what to say to someone experiencing bereavement. How can believers be a support in these moments? Many people will find comfort in the message of God's love. But glib or cliched statements, such as 'They are in a better place' or 'Everything happens for a reason' or 'They wouldn't want you to be sad' are unlikely to help. Be reassured that it is not our role to fix someone's pain or grief - that is impossible. But we can help hugely by being prepared to listen. When our granddaughter died, we had friends who listened. We probably repeated ourselves many times and probably still do, but they stayed and listened, again and again. We knew many of our questions could not be answered, but we were so grateful to those who allowed us to ask the questions anyway. They didn't try to mend it or explain it away they just listened and at times, cried along with us. They showed they care deeply by simply being there. When it comes to the complexities of loss, some of the answers we long to give may not be found this side of Heaven. But we know a God who comforts and His promise to comfort those grieving is true. Even if it's difficult to share this with them, we can pray this for them. How is Care for the Family helping churches to support people through bereavement? As people do often find it difficult to know what to say or do when someone is bereaved, we created training for churches to help give confidence to walk towards someone who is grieving rather than leaving it to someone else. Our Bereavement Care Awareness Training is designed to equip people with a deeper understanding of the grieving process and give practical advice on how their church can support bereaved people in their community. Anyone interested in hosting a session at their church can find out more on our website cff.org.uk/bereavement. The sessions are available online and in person. Another practical way of supporting those grieving is to offer them help or advice that they can access when the time is right for them. There are many good books that are suitable to recommend. At Care for the Family we have produced a new book, The Grief Journey, which may be helpful. It's an accessible, compassionate guide to navigating the initial weeks and months following loss, while providing hope for the longer journey. SOUTH EUCLID, Ohio Thanksgiving, which many U.S. families celebrate, is resplendent with food and, we hope, gratitude. We might savor or favor a special side dish or dessert, but the central attraction whether meat or another nourishing choice is a focal point. Conversation, we hope, can be positive and uplifting. In an atmosphere of goodwill, appreciation flows freely as do smiles, quips and a sense of being truly together. A memorable skit on Saturday Night Live years back featured a family at a nicely set table with extra servings of family drama. They dont need to sell that in a store; each home has its own, secret recipe. What made the skit tragically funny was the incongruity of what the day aspires to, and what it can actually be. The memorable Debbie Downer was played to the hilt by Rachel Dratch. For examples of real-life gratitude in action, we do not have to venture far. From kids sharing toys in the sandbox on a sunny day, to elders walking hand-in-hand, admiring the sunset, to a courteous clerk and customer chatting mutual appreciation helps us bond and feel connected. In a White Paper written for the Templeton Foundation and appearing on the University of California, Berkeley, website, we learn that [E]nvy, materialism, narcissism, and cynicism make gratitude difficult whereas [Expressed] gratitude inspires people to be more generous, kind, and helpful (or prosocial); strengthens relationships, including romantic relationships; and may improve the climate in workplaces. (pp. 3, 5). Source: https://ggsc.berkeley.edu/images/uploads/GGSC-JTF_White_Paper-Gratitude-FINAL.pdf As I see it and you are free to see it differently, wise readers an admonition that You should be grateful is unlikely to inspire others to genuinely feel appreciation. It may even provoke guilt. In my experience such a command is stated through gritted teeth by someone at the end of their rope to someone down in the dumps. Neither giver nor receiver of this imperative spreads much goodwill. The twin abilities to feel gratitude and the ability to give freely somehow blend gifts of attitude, demeanor and action. A friend who taught in Thailand wrote enthusiastically about Teacher Appreciation Day when students and parents alike came to school to acknowledge teachers vital roles. He had never felt so appreciated, respected, even loved and his writing had never been so lively and full of joy. Another friend turned down a small gift I hoped to bring her dog for the holidays. Maybe I do not even want it! she said. I was hurt and shocked that a small gesture would be rejected in that way. I gave it (a box of dog biscuits) to someone else, who shared his dogs appreciation. Snarkitude (a fashionable, if not entirely official term) is the polar opposite. A sneer, a fake smile, a clever twist of phrase ... all contribute to the effect. It reaches a peak, for some, in the second semester of 7th grade, while for others, that is just the beginning. They wear cracked snark-lenses with fingerprints and scratches; its amazing any light gets through. Through those lenses everything looks worse than it is. A hard shell may protect the wearers heart from music, beauty and even pain. A gratitude cape, by contrast, flows with the wind in a fabric soft, strong and supple. Gentle reminders. As a dairy farmer, I regularly appreciate all the food that we are provided with daily as I know first-hand what it takes to raise and harvest these products, but during the holiday season, I think farmers also rise to the top of the list as something to be thankful for. - Julie McCormick Source: Marie Morris, Harvest Gratitude this November. 20 Nov. 2024. Ohio Farm Bureau. https://ofbf.org/2024/11/20/harvest-gratitude-this-november/ I encourage you to reflect on all of the people you appreciate. Take the time to write notes, send text messages or make phone calls to let them know how much you value their contributions. Your kind words of thankfulness have the power to bring happiness and light to your co-workers, patients, friends, family and community. Source: Carol Bradford, M.D. The Power of Gratitude. The Ohio State University College of Medicine. https://medicine.osu.edu/ohio-state-medicine-dr-bradford-message/november-2020-gratitude Reminder: This years Giving Tuesday is Dec.3, 2024. Whether youre a nonprofit, business, or individual, consider some innovative ways to invoke spirit and support for your cause. To help organizations in their outreach, there is a website explaining the day: givingtuesday.org Tips on getting the word out, and stimulating enthusiasm, are included. And if you are a prospective donor, perhaps think about the causes or places that you are most grateful for. We are interconnected. No one can do everything, but everyone can do something. And the best advice I have ever heard on how much or how often to support a cause: Give till it feels good. Rev. George Hausmann. Vacaville police say they recovered this weapon from the car of a driver stopped on suspicion of DUI. The driver is a suspect in earlier gunfire in Fairfield. Vacaville Police Department A stop of a driver on suspicion of DUI led to an arrest in earlier gunfire, police say. Vacaville police said they stopped a vehicle moving erratically shortly after 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, suspecting the driver was impaired. The driver, identified as 46-year-old Matthew Fraticelli, appeared nervous and fidgety, and the officer had to repeatedly remind him to keep his hands in view, according to the Vacaville Police Department. A records check revealed that Fraticelli, a Vacaville resident, had a felony warrant from the U.S. Marshals Service for a firearms offense, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Another officer, approaching from the passenger side, spotted a partially concealed rifle in the back seat area, police said. After Fraticelli was detained, officers learned that his car matched the description of a vehicle involved in earlier gunfire in neighboring Fairfield, Vacaville police said. The vehicles plates matched those involved in the earlier gunfire, Fairfield police said. Fairfield investigators earlier had located about 15 spent casings along the 1900 block of Blossom Avenue and a vehicle that had been struck several times by gunfire, police said. Fairfield police did not respond to an inquiry on whether anyone was injured in the gunfire. Fraticelli was arrested in the U.S. Marshals warrant and turned over to Fairfield police, who also arrested him in the earlier gunfire, police said. Vallejo police say they recovered this unregistered gun and ammunition after searching a man who witnesses said was casually walking while carrying a firearm. Vallejo Police Department Vallejo police say they arrested a felon after receiving reports of a man casually walking in a residential area while carrying a gun. Officers spotted the man Tuesday walking on Tuolumne Street near Cassady Street after receiving calls from vigilant citizens, according to the Vallejo Police Department. He admitted to carrying a loaded gun, and a search revealed an unregistered firearm inside his jacket pocket, police said. A records check revealed he was a convicted felon with two arrest warrants for arson and vandalism, said police, who did not identify the man. Officers found a significant amount of methamphetamine while continuing to search him, police said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, and Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., react during a campaign event at Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, Nov. 4, 2024. A handful of Democrats are sounding their approval of Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., as President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for secretary of State, but some remain critical of other Cabinet picks. "I think Marco Rubio is enormously well-qualified for the job for which he's been nominated," current Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., who is a senator-elect, said on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday morning. "I still want to ask questions, I'm not going to completely prejudge even him, but he's unquestionably qualified." Trump has made a flurry of Cabinet picks in the last two weeks, naming his choices for all 15 heads of the executive departments. Eyes are now on the U.S. Senate to see whether they will confirm the candidates. Rubio is deemed one of the "less MAGA" options within Trump's circle, a Trump ally told NBC News earlier this month, with another saying that he has become "far more aligned with the president on issues regarding tariffs." Trump campaigned in support of universal tariffs in the 2024 election cycle, with an especially harsh 60% tariff on goods imported from China. Rubio is notoriously tough on China and is a fierce advocate for the demonetization of social media platform TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, in the United States. He is also hawkish on Iran while remaining ambivalent about support for Ukraine. Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania said he is a "fan" of Rubio's in an interview with Fox News' "Fox News Sunday" and said he will vote to confirm him. Fetterman said he might also "enthusiastically vote yes" for Rep. Elise Stefanik to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and for union-friendly Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor secretary. Fetterman also said he is keeping an open mind for other candidates, such as his former rival for the Senate seat Dr. Mehmet Oz, whom Trump nominated to be administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. "I'm not going to pre-hate this. I'm going to have an open conversation for anyone that I'm open to having part of that conversation," Fetterman said. Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois said in an interview on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday morning that she has "a friendship" with Rubio and that she's looking forward to talking with him about his proposed policies. Duckworth, a combat veteran injured in Iraq, weighed in on Trump's picks for the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, as well. The senator said she is open to conversations with Republican Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia, Trump's pick to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, she deemed Fox News host Pete Hegseth "unqualified" for the position of secretary of Defense. "He never commanded a company, let alone battalions, brigades or whole armies," Duckworth said of Hegseth, who is an Army National Guard veteran. "There are ways to be disruptors without actually putting people who have never run an organization larger than a platoon to be secretary of Defense," Duckworth said, adding that Collins would be a good example. "The VA has been having a terrible issue with their electronic medical records program. Hopefully Doug Collins gets in there and is a disruptor." Hegseth has also been under fire for a 2017 police investigation in connection with an alleged sexual assault at a California hotel. Another name that has drawn substantial criticism from the Senate is former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's candidate for director of national intelligence. Schiff said Gabbard's lack of experience in the House Intelligence Committee, as well as her purported Kremlin ties, concern him. Duckworth alleged that Gabbard is "compromised," and she worries that the former congresswoman couldn't pass a background check. "I think that she is someone who is wholly backing and supportive of [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and I worry that she will not have America's best interests at heart," Duckworth said. Some Republicans, however, dispute the claims that Gabbard is a Russian asset. "I think it's insulting. It's a slur, quite frankly," Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri said Sunday on NBC's "Meet the Press." Former national security advisor H.R. McMaster, who served in the role during Trump's first term as president, said he doesn't view Sebastian Gorka, who was briefly a deputy assistant to then-President Trump for several months in 2017, as the right person to advise on national security in the second term. "I think that the president [and] others who are working with him will probably determine that pretty quickly," McMaster said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. McMaster, who has been openly critical of some aspects of Trump's foreign policy agenda since his time in the administration, also said he is worried about some Republican officials' tendencies to parrot Putin's talking points. "They've got to disabuse themselves of this, you know, strange affection for Vladimir Putin," McMaster said. The vocal pushback from Democrats in Congress has led Trump to float the possibility of forcing the Senate into an extended recess in 2025 so he can bypass the confirmation process when appointing Cabinet officials. Recess appointments are "and should be on the table," Republican Sen. Bill Hagerty of Tennessee told ABC News' "This Week" on Sunday. "This is a constitutionally available tool. What we want to see is Democrats cooperate with us. But if the resistance movement gets as heavy as it was. ... We need to put a team in place around him, and [Trump] needs every tool at his disposal to do that," Hagerty said. Correction: Some Republicans refute the claims that Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset. An earlier version misidentified the person. Also, Sebastian Gorka was a deputy assistant to then-President Trump for several months in 2017. An earlier version misidentified his role. Troy Bonde (left) and Winston Alfieri (right) started Sauz after deciding there was room to disrupt the staid supermarket pasta aisle. To hear Troy Bonde and Winston Alfieri tell it, they never would've become so successful if they'd been smarter. That's because the pair who last year launched Sauz, a jarred pasta sauce popular with Gen Z that now retails nationwide got their start in business in 2020 by doing the unthinkable: wiring $9,000 to a person in China who they had never met before and only spoken to on WhatsApp. USC students at the time, Los Angeles natives Bonde and Alfieri had been sent home after Covid shut down in-person learning. Just 21 and 20, the pair saw a business opportunity amid their stay-at-home boredom. "We sat down together and thought 'What problem can we solve?'" Bonde tells CNBC Make It. "And in thinking about going back to a classroom with 200 students where people are using thermometer guns, sanitizing their hands and handing out masks, [we asked ourselves] is there any way we can speed up that process?" They reached out to a medical manufacturer in China with their idea for a combination device that could dispense sanitizer and take your temperature same time and learned that the manufacturer already had one in production. They got a sample of the product and cold emailed a local California school district to pitch and demo it to them. Soon, Bonde and Alfieri had a purchase order for nearly $20,000 worth of devices. The college students borrowed $9,000 from their parents to send to their Chinese manufacturer. Bonde calls the decision "the beauty of being naive as an early stage founder," while Alfieri describes it as "the scariest moment of our lives." "Today, I would never wire nine grand to a manufacturer in China that I'd never spoken to," Bonde says. "But we did it. And a week and a half later we had two pallets land on my parents' front door." The business, which they called NextPace Ventures, "scaled really quickly," eventually landing clients as big as Best Western. "Honestly, it was the craziest business in the world," Bonde says. "We had no marketing expenses. We had no employees. We had no accounting department. There was no formality and no budget. It was six months of just huge, huge growth. But after three months of scale we knew revenues weren't going to continue to grow at the rate that they were and they were actually going to significantly fall." To find their next venture, Bonde and Alfieri looked no further than their pantry. A Sauz is born Alfieri and Bonde hired a marketing and design agency to create bright, colorful packaging for their jarred sauces. Ally Kroeckel While working on NextPace Ventures, the pair spent most of their nights sleeping in Alfieri's dad's office. To fuel their long days of cold emailing prospective clients, they'd cook the classic college student meal of pasta with jarred sauce. During visits to their local Whole Foods, the duo noticed brands like Olipop and Poppi making waves in the beverage aisle with bright, colorful packaging. That kind of energy, they thought, was missing from the pasta sauce aisle. "We felt like pasta was the lowest hanging fruit with the largest addressable market and opportunity," Bonde says. "And we enjoyed it. It was something that we knew was going to be a lot of fun to do." They decided to take the profit they made from their first venture and use it to start the brand that would become Sauz. "We probably took $150,000 everything we made from that business, honestly, bottom line and put it into Sauz," Bonde says. "We were totally willing to risk everything." To stack additional cash, Alfieri sold his Ford truck while Bonde parted with his Mazda Miata. At the time, Bonde was interning at an investment bank while Alfieri was an intern at a real estate firm. Their parents, they say, "were thrilled" about their sons getting private school degrees and going into conventional careers. Breaking the news to their families that they wouldn't be following that plan wasn't easy. "To tell our parents that we were going to sell pasta sauce for a living was the craziest conversation we ever had to break to family," Bonde says. Even friends weren't supportive at the time, he says: "We knew people were laughing behind our backs." "One of our buddies, who actually is now an investor in the company, told us 'I thought you guys were so stupid for starting this,'" Alfieri added. They spent most of the money hiring a food scientist to develop their sauces and a marketing and design agency to create colorful and vibrant packaging that would help them stand out from the pack. Choosing flavors was another gamble. The pasta sauce aisle was crammed with basil marinaras, vodkas and creamy alfredos. Alfieri and Bonde wanted to do something different. They had noted with interest the rise of Mike's Hot Honey and how the spicy and sweet topping had become ubiquitous in pizza shops around the country. Maybe shoppers would enjoy the flavor in their pasta sauce. "We wanted to trust our guts," Bonde says. "If I went and surveyed 1,000 pasta sauce shoppers, I don't think any of them would have said hot honey marinara. They'd never seen it. I don't think a consumer knew they wanted it because they'd never had the opportunity to try it or buy it or think of it." They decided on Hot Honey Marinara and Summer Lemon Marinara as Sauz's first two flavors, confident that shoppers would be as excited about them as they were. They pitched their product to Erewhon, not expecting to hear back from the boutique LA grocery chain. Sauz It will be up to San Francisco school district Superintendent Maria Su to decide when and how to proceed with closures after they were tabled this year. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle The central question propelling the plot of nearly every rom-com is the same one facing San Francisco Unified School District leaders: Will they or wont they? For rom-coms, its whether the two main characters will get together. For the district, its whether its leaders will close schools amid a decline in student enrollment and a huge budget shortfall. Just like Billy Crystal and Meg Ryans characters in the iconic film When Harry Met Sally, the school district cant seem to make up its mind or get out of its own way. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But there has been no meet-cute in the districts indecision, no memorable restaurant scene. Its only caused upheaval and uncertainty for students and parents, diminishing already fragile trust. After presenting school closures as inevitable for much of the year and even releasing a list of schools targeted for closure or merger the district suddenly reversed course weeks before the Nov. 5 election. Was halting school closures really the right thing to do, or were Mayor London Breed and Board of Education President Matt Alexander who both faced tough reelection bids appeasing angry parents to keep their jobs? The district arguably should never have embarked on school closures which are incredibly difficult even in the best of times during an election year. Now that the election is over, district and city officials need to cut the politics and give us an honest answer: Do or dont we need to close schools? Most signs point to yes. Its the timing that remains uncertain. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Meanwhile, the district is facing a $113 million budget shortfall for the upcoming year after years of overspending and poor financial decisions, including pouring millions into a botched payroll system. Revenue will likely keep falling, given that state funding for schools is based on student attendance. The districts finances are in such bad shape that California recently gave state fiscal appointees veto power over its spending. Former Superintendent Matt Wayne was set to release a list of recommended school closures and mergers in September. But, on Sept. 15, he abruptly said he was delaying the announcement until October to develop a more fully fleshed plan. Things quickly fell apart from there. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There will be no school closures or mergers in the 2025-26 school year, the district website now states in bold letters. It would be naive to think that politics played no role in the decision to halt school closures or in Waynes ouster. But the districts lack of transparency, inadequate community outreach and inaccurate data made the process lose all legitimacy. Mike Fine, CEO of the states Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, told me the districts data systems are so poor that it doesnt even know how many teachers it employs. Ending the closure plan was the right decision amid this chaos. For now, the district can balance their budget without closing schools, Elliott Duchon, one of the state-appointed fiscal experts overseeing the district, told me. But that may not be the case for much longer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad There are fewer and fewer students, and so the underutilization of facilities becomes a bigger and bigger issue, Fine told me, adding that its critically important for the district to develop a game plan for those facilities. If closures do become necessary, the district cant be caught flat-footed and leave empty buildings to fester. It should be ready to go with a well-fleshed-out plan, such as developing housing or early education centers. Officials need to start preparing now for that possibility. Whether they will, however, is another question. When I asked Su if she thinks school closures are inevitable, she responded: Its hard to say, before reaffirming school closures are not on the table right now. She said her focus is on balancing the districts budget, overhauling its outdated and inefficient operating systems and restoring community trust. Overall, she sketched a hopeful vision of the future, one in which transitional kindergarten classrooms are expanded and more families flock to San Francisco, causing enrollment to tick back up. This would indeed be the ideal outcome. Yet its also one thats difficult to imagine unless San Francisco builds more housing and offers families the promise of a stable, well-run, high-quality public education system. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ultimately, it will be up to Su to decide when and how to proceed with the conversation around school closures. The board is committed to revisiting the process as soon as the superintendent asks us to, Alexander told me. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies If we are going to have the conversation around school closures, we need to do it as soon as possible, Su told me, seemingly acknowledging the irresponsibility of wishful thinking. In this article SBUX Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT Customers wait in a long line at a Starbucks cafe in a terminal at Miami International Airport, in Miami, Dec. 12, 2022. Jeff Greenberg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images Air travelers face a host of headaches on their journeys: slow security lines, long waits for plush lounges, the threat of delays or cancellations and the airport Starbucks . Many travelers, flight crews and even airport employees have at some point encountered long wait times for their Starbucks cappuccinos, cold brews and egg bites. "They need to have a better system," said Coresa Barrino, a Starbucks patron at New York's LaGuardia Airport Terminal B earlier this month who said she had been waiting 10 minutes and counting for her coffee. The nursing assistant, who was taking a flight back to Charlotte, North Carolina, said the wait when she buys her coffee at a Starbucks in Charlotte is about two minutes. The long waits have caught the attention of the coffee chain's new CEO, Brian Niccol, who joined Starbucks from Chipotle in September, pledging to win back customers and reverse the company's sales slump. Niccol told investors he thinks that licensed locations, such as those inside Target stores or airports, are interested in following the company's strategy of "getting back to Starbucks." "When I think about the airports and such, there's such a huge opportunity for us to simplify some of the execution there so that we get people the great throughput that they want so they can get on their way," Niccol said on the company's quarterly conference call Oct. 30. Starbucks' airport location staff and company technology will be put to the test this week during some of the busiest travel days of the year. The Transportation Security Administration forecast a record number of travelers during Thanksgiving week and said Sunday, Dec. 1, could be the busiest day of the year, with more than 3 million people screened at U.S. airports. The surge in air travel, especially during peak times such as Thanksgiving, has led to congestion in airport security lines, in lounges and at gates problems that airlines and the federal government are trying to fix. For the aviation industry, bottlenecks at airport Starbucks are just another sign of soaring demand and overcrowded airports. A record 1.05 billion people boarded airplanes going either to, from or between U.S. airports in 2023, narrowly topping the total in 2019, before the pandemic, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Struggles and fresh approaches Starbucks has recently struggled. Its sales fell for the third straight quarter in the period ended Sept. 30, as consumers pushed back against higher prices and ignored initiatives such as discounts and energy drinks aimed at bringing customers back. Same-store sales in the U.S. declined by 6% from a year earlier. In late October, Niccol unveiled plans aimed at improving customers' experiences and reviving the company's sales, from bringing back condiment bars, to eliminating surcharges for dairy alternatives and cutting down the menu. Cutting wait time is a key goal: He wants to trim service times down to four minutes, which would shrink long lines and improve the customer experience. And while Starbucks started rolling out mobile order and pay to its airport locations in 2022, the change can sometimes add to the confusion and chaos at the cafe counter instead of resolving it. Plus, some travelers might not be regular Starbucks customers who already have the app downloaded. Improving the coffee chain's airport outposts could boost both sales and the brand's reputation during a time when it needs it most. Even the customers Starbucks has lost might visit an airport location while they're traveling. With travelers returning in droves after the pandemic, it gives Starbucks and other restaurant chains a chance to boost sales. Concessions contribute about 4% of U.S. airport revenue annually, according to the latest available Federal Aviation Administration data, but they're an important feature to many passengers, who have limited time and, often, energy to fuel up before a flight. At Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, revenue from food and beverage outlets is growing faster than passenger numbers, said Jennifer Simkins, the airport's assistant vice president of concessions. The airport has become the world's third-busiest for passengers, up from 10th place in 2019, according to Airports Council International. Airlines are also packing more seats on their aircraft and in some cases are flying larger jets. More passengers per plane means restaurants can become crowded during peak times with more customers waiting to be served and space limited, said Ursula Cassinerio, an assistant vice president at Moody's Ratings who covers airports. She noted that many airports have been undergoing major renovations, if not building new terminals. That means "more opportunities for revenue if you have more square footage for retail and restaurants," she said. The 25 busiest airports in the U.S. have an average of 80 food and beverage brands as options for travelers, according to data from market research firm Technomic. Licensing model A challenge for Starbucks is that licensees not Starbucks itself operate its airport locations. Starbucks opened its first airport location with licensee HMSHost in 1991 at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, which serves Starbucks' hometown. For nearly three decades, HMSHost operated the chain's airport locations through an exclusive deal with Starbucks and gradually grew its airport footprint to roughly 400 outposts. But in 2020, HMSHost ended the deal, giving the operator flexibility to offer more coffee options to airports. While HMSHost still operates the overwhelming majority of Starbucks' airport cafes, more operators, such as Paradies Lagardere and OTG, have since taken a swing at it. HMSHost, Paradies Lagardere and OTG did not respond to requests for comment for this story. "Airport locations are tricky because they can make good money, but operationally, at times, they can be very challenging," said Mark Kalinowski, restaurant analyst and CEO of Kalinowski Equity Research. Customers wait in line at a Starbucks cafe in a terminal at LaGuardia Airport in New York City, Nov. 11, 2024. Leslie Josephs/CNBC Licensing its stores saves Starbucks the hassles of operating inside an airport, such as staffing problems, high rents and security checkpoints. And though the coffee chain is used to handling a surge of undercaffeinated customers in the mornings, the swell in demand at an airport can be even more erratic. "A plane lands, and all of a sudden there's a hundred people when there were zero people there before," said Kevin Schimpf, director of industry research for Technomic. The trade-off is that Starbucks makes less money from those licensed restaurants. The company has more than 16,300 locations in the U.S. as of Sept. 24. But it only runs about 60% of those cafes itself; licensees operate the rest. That number includes its cafes in 47 of the 50 busiest airports in the U.S., according to Starbucks. The company did not disclose its current airport store count to CNBC. In fiscal 2024, licensed locations accounted for 12% of Starbucks' revenue, or $4.51 billion. From those stores, Starbucks collects only licensing fees, a percentage of monthly sales through royalties, and payments for supplying its coffee, tea and food to licensees, according to company filings. For every dollar spent in a licensed store, Starbucks generates about 7 cents of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, according to estimates from Bank of America analyst Sara Senatore. Company-owned stores make about 23 cents per dollar spent, Senatore wrote in a research note in September. watch now SriLankan Airlines views India as a key market with vast growth potentials and plans to expand its flight operations to the country while attracting more tourists. A major initiative in this front is the introduction of the Ramayana Trail package, which is aimed at promoting religious tourism by connecting visitors to 20 locations in Sri Lanka that are associated with the Ramayana.Richard Nuttall, CEO of SriLankan Airlines, shared that the number of Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka has shown impressive growth this year, though it is still below pre-Covid levels. He made these remarks during an event in Colombo on November 23, while launching the Ramayana Trail package, which was attended by Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India, Kshenuka Senewiratne.The Ramayana Trail package offers travellers the chance to visit iconic sites such as the Seetha Amman Temple, where Sita is believed to have prayed during her captivity, and Rumassala Hill, where a piece of the Himalayas is said to have been dropped by Hanuman. These sites, among others on the trail, allow visitors to connect with their spiritual heritage and experience the rich cultural legacy of Sri Lanka.As of October 2024, Indian tourists accounted for nearly 20% of all visitors arriving in Sri Lanka. Nuttall emphasised that the airline is focusing on revitalising and enhancing tourism from India, noting that the Ramayana Trail is part of their strategy to offer something unique and engaging to religious travellers.Currently, SriLankan Airlines operates 88 flights per week to nine Indian cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai, Trichy, and Madurai. Nuttall expressed that the airline sees India as a region of "enormous growth and opportunities" and aims to increase its presence by enhancing flight frequencies and providing more convenient flight timings. The airline is also exploring the possibility of adding more destinations in India in the future.Kshenuka Senewiratne elaborated on the cultural significance of the Ramayana, describing it as more than just a storyit's a rich tapestry of culture, spirituality, and heritage that has for centuries inspired and strengthened the ties between India and Sri Lanka. The Ramayana, she noted, has always been central to people-to-people connections between the two nations, reinforcing shared values and traditions. Salmorejo with beet tartar The Headliner Seafood display Singapore Hainanese Chicken Rice Dessert table A Michelin Star dinner, cocktails made by mixologists from Singapore, a brunch curated by seven of top chefs in the Indian culinary industry were among the highlights of the Luxury Group Dining Series, which made a stopover in Mumbai last weekend.The three-day dining series started with Spanish Chef Miguel Navarro bringing his 1 Michelin Star restaurant Es Fum dining experience to Koishii, St Regis Mumbai. His arrival did keep the kitchen busy, but after trying the five courses one knew why!The first course started with an extraordinary 'Salmorejo with beet tartar' and every dish that followed had Navarros unique touch to it, whether the seabass, lamb, pickle avocado or the shiitake creamy rice. Each course was satisfying yet left you with a "whats next?".And to go with the delicious food, Cassandra Sim and Karina Coleen Lugtu of the Republic bar at Ritz-Carlton Singapore brought four of their signature cocktails The Greatest, The Headliner, Speed of Sound and Vision of Stellar to Mumbai for guests to try."At Republic, we have 16 signature cocktails, which are part of four pillars. Each drink we have here comes from each of the four categories," Cassandra said.The Headliner, a personal favourite, turned out to be one of her favourites too. A Jameson base, with cacao white concoction, berries syrup, filtered coffee topped with cream cheese foam, The Headliner was the perfect warm cocktail to sip on.Cassandra said that while she liked working with vodka, gin, whiskey, because their flavours were mild, she welcomed a challenge. "I think for me the up and coming trend is using tequila, mezcal, maybe rice wine like soju. Challenges are always welcome, challenges are good," she said.The second and third day comprised other events such as a Loy Krathong dinner with Chef Keith, a patisserie master class by guest chef Vinesh Johny, and concluded with the Seven Master Chefs Brunch at Seven Kitchens, featuring a collaboration of some of the top chefs across India Asif Qureshi from JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu, Alessandro Piso from JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, Kevin Chow Chee Meng from The Ritz-Carlton, Bangalore, Bhaskar Chakraborty from the JW Marriott Kolkata, Sahil Sharma from JW Marriott Hotel New Delhi Aerocity, Chef Paul Kinny from The St. Regis Mumbai and Chef Golpin Sianipar from The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake.The lavish brunch spread covered nearly the entirety of the restaurant. With live music playing in the background, each chef had a dedicated space to display their menu along with their signature dishes. And with more designated spaces for seafood, chaat, pasta, cheese, breads, a chocolate bar and a dessert table, diners were spoilt for choice."We have been preparing for this event for around three months now," said chef Golpin Sianipar. His signature dish was the black truffle chicken an oven roasted cornfed chicken infused truffle, served with ginger soy rice and black truffle sauce.Chef Paul Kinny said curating the Sunday brunch with his fellow chefs was an exhilarating journey of collaboration and creativity. "Each chef brought their unique flair, making it a true culinary symphony. The planning and preparation spanned weeks, involving brainstorming sessions and meticulous execution to ensure an unforgettable experience for our guests," he said.Chef Kevin Cho Chee Meng, who is originally from Malaysia, and has now been at Ritz-Carlton Bangalore for six years, said he was happy to showcase his Chinese cuisine here. His signature dish was the national dish of Singapore, the Hainanese Chicken Rice. It comprised poached chicken with seasonal rice, served with the chef's special chilli sauce. He said it is important to upgrade oneself as time passes and also learn the culture of every new place one visits.Chef Kevin, who has previously worked in Singapore, London, Indonesia, said that he thinks India is now opening up to the new culinary culture. "Earlier in Bombay, they were not very welcoming. Now, the young and the old, they know about the different types of cuisines and are welcoming towards it such as Cantonese, Chinese, Mediterranean cuisines," he said.Chef Paul too said the Indian culinary industry is poised for a renaissance in the next decade. "With the growing emphasis on sustainability, regional authenticity, and innovative techniques, were set to witness a fusion of deep-rooted traditions and global trends. Its an exciting time for chefs to redefine the narrative of Indian cuisine on the world stage," he said.The Luxury Group Dining Series, which commenced in September, will end at its next stop at the JW Marriott Hotel Singapore South Beach. For as much as we love them, were kind of dicks to animals. We poach them, eat them, make them participate in TikTok video trends its no wonder some of them decide to exact their revenge. Next time you try to make your kitten dance, just remember when 5 A Tiger Stalked a Poacher for Days In 1997, a poacher named Vladimir Markov shot a tiger in Russia, stole its food and just left it there. Its unclear whether he realized he hadnt finished the job, but he sure wished he had after the tiger tracked him to a cabin, trashed the place and then waited. And waited. For 12 to 48 hours, it waited, but as soon as Markov returned, the tiger tore his ass up. If you come at the king (of the tundra, that is), you best not miss. 4 A Tiger Avenged His Wife In 2016, a group of moonshiners were brewing booze in the Indian forest when they were surprised by a tiger. Its unfortunate but understandable that they shot her, though they also skinned and ate her, which is just rude. Her mate certainly seemed to think so. When they returned three days later, he was waiting for them. After killing their leader, the tiger continued patrolling the area for months, attacking any human that crossed his path. Hey, closure is hard. 3 A Pride of Lions Took a Trophy In 2018, suspected trophy hunter David Baloyi either killed a lion cub in a South African private game reserve or just walked around threateningly with a gun. Either way, a resident pride of lions didnt take too kindly to that. They devoured him until all that was left was a head, possibly as a trophy. 2 A Swarm of Elephants Avenged Their Bud Advertisement After a poacher killed an elephant for his tusks in an Indian forest, one of the female members of the herd (must have been wifey) stormed the nearby villages and went Kill Bill on the place. She eventually recruited a herd of more than 30 elephants to trash more than 50 houses in at least five villages over the course of about two weeks. Tough break for those innocent villagers who had nothing to do with the poaching, but sometimes you just see red. Female soldiers from the Army 101st Airborne Division train on a firing range while testing new body armor at Fort Campbell, Ky. Mark Humphrey/Associated Press 2012 I was only joking when I told my granddaughter in 2015 that she should accept an appointment to the Naval Academy so Donald Trump could be her commander-in-chief. Theres no way he could be elected. Well, now Trump is back, and he sees as his mandate the removal of wokism from the military. Peter Hegseth, Trumps nominee for defense secretary, has said women should not be assigned combat roles. Our military may soon resemble the one from my era, when women and minorities were given short shrift, to the detriment of our defense posture. During the year I served in Vietnam, I didnt see a single Black officer or stateside female, except for those on a USO tour. Advertisement Article continues below this ad What were hearing goes against the grain of the military culture weve learned to appreciate. This hits close to home because I have two Black (mixed) grandsons and a Filipina (mixed) daughter-in-law, who pilots helicopters, in the Army. All West Point grads. Hopefully, for their sake and our national defense, public opinion will prevail in stopping this nonsense. George Proctor, San Francisco Focus on real issues Regarding Republican targets new transgender House colleague with bathroom bill (Politics, SFChronicle.com, Nov. 19): Rep. Nancy Mace exposes her narrow-minded bigotry with a bill that would prohibit the use of a single-sex bathroom by transgender Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.). Advertisement Article continues below this ad It is easier to fan the flames of hate than to address the economy or health care. Perhaps Rep. Mace is too young to remember that when Justice Sandra Day OConnor was sworn in, there were no womens bathrooms in the Supreme Court and she had to use one in the chambers down the hall. Womens rights are being rolled back and the incoming administration will seek further curtailing of those rights. I suggest Mace work with her colleagues to focus on helping her constituents. Karen Friedman, Berkeley Vaccines work A Nov. 19 article in Vox summarized U.S. public health data on the spectacular annual decline of serious and often fatal diseases after the introduction of vaccines in the early- to mid-1900s. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Annual measles cases pre-vaccine: 530,000, annual cases post-vaccine: 13. Annual diphtheria cases pre-vaccine: 200,000, annual cases post-vaccine: 0. Annual rubella cases pre-vaccine: 48,000, annual cases post-vaccine: 6. Annual smallpox cases pre-vaccine: 29,000; annual cases post-vaccine: 0. Annual polio cases pre-vaccine: 16,000; annual cases post-vaccine: 0. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Smallpox has a 30% fatality rate. Thousands died of measles every year. Diphtheria killed 1,800 people annually. About Opinion Guest opinions in Open Forum and Insight are produced by writers with expertise, personal experience or original insights on a subject of interest to our readers. Their views do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Chronicle editorial board, which is committed to providing a diversity of ideas to our readership. Read more about our transparency and ethics policies Vaccines have been required in schools for decades, and that is why the diseases have disappeared. President-elect Donald Trump has said he will end federal funding of schools that make vaccines mandatory. Big mistake, Mr. President-elect. I remember my first job. I was 14 years old, and a local farmer paid me to clear out stones from his field. It didnt pay much, but I still remember the pride of earning some money, the feeling of independence and achievement that comes with earning a living. Thats what I mean when I talk about the dignity of work. A good job doesnt just pay the bills. Its about new skills, meeting new people and getting on. Its the confidence of knowing that your contribution is respected. The pride of being able to stand on your own two feet. But right now, the system is failing people. When I see young people who havent been trained in the skills they need, people who are unable to work because theyre stuck on NHS waiting lists, or small businesses unable to recruit and retain suitable workers, Im angry. There is so much wasted potential not just for people, but for the country as well. Now, theres one way to deal with this call people shirkers or go down the road of division. Like the now Shadow Chancellor Mel Stride, who berated anyone and everyone from behind his desk when he was Work and Pensions Secretary, and picked fights instead of governing. It was performative politics at its worst. Meaningless rhetoric to grab headlines, and desperate throws of the dice to cover the cracks. At best, the last government saw people as numbers on a spreadsheet and at worst used every cliche to sow division. We all know how that approach worked out. The economy stagnated. Growth flatlined. Economic inactivity rose, and the benefits bill rose with it. Trying to punish others for your own failures simply wont work. The Tories were taught that lesson at the election. When I see young people who havent been trained in the skills they need, people who are unable to work because theyre stuck on NHS waiting lists, I'm angry, writes Sir Keir Starmer Commuters walk over London Bridge towards the City of London. Having a good job is about new skills, meeting new people and getting on Theres another way. Treating people with dignity and respect, That always has been, and always will be, my starting point in politics. And to grow our economy, put more money in peoples pockets, and unlock our countrys full potential its how people should be treated. Getting Britain back to work is at the heart of my mission to grow the economy. To do it, we need urgent reform across the board. Because, from wasting taxpayers money to poor running of public services, the state of play isnt good enough. We need an NHS back on its feet, with treatment available in good time. We need good-quality jobs and careers support in every community. We need an education system that prepares children for the jobs of the future. And a benefits system that supports people, not snubs them. And we need a Government that helps people into work, and to succeed at work. Thats why, next week, my government will set out radical reforms to get Britain working, paving the way for the biggest overhaul of employment support in memory. That means shaking up JobCentres to genuinely help people get into and get on in work, bring forward a youth guarantee to make sure every young person is earning or learning, and give targeted funding to local leaders to support communities with health, skills and work programmes. No more business as usual. We must go further. Thats why, in the coming months, Mail on Sunday readers will see even more sweeping changes. Because, make no mistake, we will get to grips with the bulging benefits bill blighting our society. Starmer said his government will set out radical reforms to get Britain working, paving the way for the biggest overhaul of employment support in memory (file photo) Starmer vowed to shake up JobCentres to help people get into and get on in work and bring forward a youth guarantee to make sure every young person is earning or learning (file photo) And dont get me wrong we will crack down hard on anyone who tries to game the system, to tackle fraud so we can take cash straight from the banks of fraudsters. There will be a zero-tolerance approach to these criminals. My pledge to Mail on Sunday readers is this: I will grip this problem once and for all. The work may take time, but we have got going at speed, by investing 22 billion in the budget for our NHS to cut waiting lists, by launching Great British Energy and our industrial strategy, and by reforming the skills system so businesses can recruit the highly skilled workers they need. Were cracking on. Sleeves rolled up, getting the job done, not gimmicks. Thats what I mean when I say this Government is in the service of working people. In the early hours of last Thursday, a hypersonic ballistic missile hit the city of Dnipro in southern Ukraine. It didn't have a nuclear warhead to obliterate the 900,000 souls who live there, but the message being sent by Vladimir Putin, Russia's blood-soaked dictator, was clear: 'I can be the destroyer of cities.' As the holder of the world's largest nuclear arsenal, Putin hopes the threat will cower the West into withdrawing support from Ukraine. We are his targets, certainly psychologically, and possibly in reality. But the issue is wrapped in uncertainty, ambiguity and fear, leaving many in Nato to regard it as another bluff from a desperate bully. So how seriously are we to take his announcement last week that he has updated the country's nuclear doctrine, lowering the bar for what would constitute sound provocation for Moscow to launch a nuclear response? As one of probably only a handful of Westerners to have read the doctrine, I can say that it is not a blueprint for World War Three. Still, an emotional, angry Putin who fears for the survival of his Russia could still have the capacity to wreak nuclear Armageddon, as I shall explain. But first, the small print. The 2014 Military Doctrine gives two main grounds for deploying nukes: either in response to their use by others or when the existence of the Russian Federation is threatened. The more recent 2020 State Policy in the Area of Nuclear Deterrence adds two more. It allows a nuclear strike if Russia is facing an imminent nuclear attack (so pre-empting a pre-emptive strike), and if Russia is about to lose control of its nuclear arsenal by, for example, multiple conventional precision strikes. Both are dangerous. Twice in the last century, junior officers of the then-Soviet Union refused to react when technology or their superiors told them to use nuclear weapons. Their brave actions, for which they were punished, saved the world from a potentially catastrophic escalation. Last week, Putin lowered Russia's nuclear weapon threshold again. He decreed that an attack on Russia with conventional missile systems, as well as drones or aircraft, might meet the criteria for a nuclear response. Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with the Ministry of Defence leadership, representatives of the defense industry and missile systems developers, in Moscow In the early hours of last Thursday, a hypersonic ballistic missile hit the city of Dnipro in southern Ukraine Former MP and military expert Bob Seely argues the UK must stand firm writing: 'Supporting Ukraine to defend itself is the least dangerous of the many dangerous options we have' The updated doctrine also states that attacks by non-nuclear states (read Ukraine) backed by nuclear powers (US, UK or France) will be considered a joint attack. So Western-supplied missiles launched by Ukraine striking Russia is, officially at least, seen as a joint attack by the West. So, at face value, Moscow considers itself to be at war with Washington, London and Paris. And let's be clear: in September 2022, US intelligence thought there to be a 50/50 chance of Putin using tactical nuclear weapons when his army was in retreat in Ukraine. Secret Cold War documents showed a lower-use threshold than we imagined, intimating Russia regarded nuclear war as winnable. That's why every major building constructed in the Soviet era had a secure basement or bunker. I was in one just last week while researching my forthcoming book on the Ukrainian war. Beneath the bombed-out ruins of the factory above, it had been transformed into a makeshift armaments workshop, protected by two heavy metal doors on thick hinges. But for all its official red lines, Russia's possession of a vast nuclear arsenal is more about its potential use than actual. Paired with pugnacious propaganda, its nuclear capability is used to manipulate adversaries and their public opinion hence the hysterical threats. These have already resulted in the West being more cautious to act against Putin than we should have been. So, we should take Putin's blood-curdling rhetoric with a pinch of salt. After all, the Russian people have long been told that they are fighting Nato in Ukraine. Many of them expect protracted conflict with the West, so sweeping threats of World War Three by the Kremlin have become routine. Also, Western shells have hit Russian positions in previous months anyway, so technically what happened last week is not new, although the American ATACMS and Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles are more precise and have a range of around 190 miles and 150 miles respectively. Their accuracy means HQs, ammo dumps and other high-value targets are vulnerable, troubling Putin's campaign to recapture Kursk. Furthermore, Ukrainian-made drones have already struck targets deep within Russia. So while Putin has given himself the legal right to deploy nuclear weapons, there are no real grounds to use them. He knows that, despite the Ukrainian invasion of Kursk, the Russian Federation within its current borders is not facing any kind of life-or-death threat. If Putin does ever decide to use nuclear weapons, it won't be a rational decision so much as an emotional one, driven by the belief that he is in a near-apocalyptic battle to save his idea of Russia. He believes that Ukraine should not exist independently of Russia, and that it is an invention of the West to divide Russia. He thinks he is taking back 'historic Russian lands' that should be Moscow's by right. In his mind, this is a defensive war, which will make him fight harder and longer. He seeks unity by forcing Russians, Belarusians and Ukrainians into one overarching state, and unity in the integrated war he is fighting. The loss of Ukraine means the end of the Greater Russia that he wants to rebuild, while a democratic Ukraine threatens his grip on its population. So this war is vital for Putin. If Putin does ever decide to use nuclear weapons, it won't be a rational decision so much as an emotional one, driven by the belief that he is in a near-apocalyptic battle to save his idea of Russia writes BOB SEELY Residents walk at a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro Parts of the missile were collected for examination at the impact site in the town of Dnipro following an attack on November 21 A US official said Russia had not fired an ICBM at Dnipro but rather an 'experimental' medium-range ballistic missile Conventional wisdom doesn't 'get' Putin's mindset because we project onto him our own world-view rather than his embittered one, shaped by the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union. Too many 'experts' who say he won't use nuclear weapons also didn't believe he would invade Ukraine in 2022. And let's remember that Putin has a stomach for high casualties, with as many as 700,000 Russians dead or injured in appalling 'meat grinder' attacks; to say nothing of his political opponents suspiciously poisoned or thrown from buildings. Faced with this taste for annihilation, some will say: 'Let him have Ukraine.' This won't work, not least because Ukraine is not ours to give. Ukrainians will fight on regardless, using if not Western-supplied weapons then the 400,000 drones they make annually. Worse, appeasing nuclear blackmail makes the world more dangerous and nuclear war more likely for Iran, North Korea and China will see the strategic advantage of issuing threats and surely do the same. The answer to Putin's bellicosity is to stand firm. Supporting Ukraine to defend itself is the least dangerous of the many dangerous options we have. Their struggle is just and so is our support, which needs to be increased. Warm words from tepid ministers won't keep Ukraine's women and children safe this winter, nor their brave soldiers supplied. Anything less and we risk a ruinous future in which the current world order is abandoned to a coterie of tyrants who believe nuclear might is right. It will be the end of the West, as well as Ukraine. Linda Aitchison, 56, always assumed she would be a grandmother one day A mother-of-two has revealed how she's endured sleepless nights over the agonising realisation she will never become a grandmother. Thanks to the record low birth rate, Linda Aitchison is just one of many women in the UK mourning a future she always assumed she'd have, after her twin daughters told her their 'believe in their hearts' they cannot afford to have their own families, despite their successful careers. The cost of living, lack of affordable housing and fears about the environment are prompting young couples to choose a child-free future, but their decision is having a knock-on impact on their own parents - who will now never experience the unburdened joy of having grandchildren. Linda, 56, says she 'lost sleep' when her charity campaigner daughter Emily, 26, first hinted that motherhood was not a path she wanted to take. Then Emily's twin sister Melissa, a communications manager, confessed she felt the same way, and Linda was bereft. She found herself mourning a future she always assumed she'd have, after her daughters told her their 'believe in their hearts' they cannot afford to have their own families, despite their successful careers and long-term relationships. Linda, who lives in Wolverhampton, told FEMAIL: 'It did keep me awake at night and I did worry about it. 'You think you know what's coming. You know it's an idea and if you're like me, you're hoping being a grandparent is going to happen. Then suddenly you find out it's not and it takes the rug from under your feet. 'It totally redefines what your life is going to look like. I'm very grateful for the family I have and my priority is their health and happiness but there's a hole in my future that I'm not going to be that. Linda Aitchison from Wolverhampton says she had sleepless nights when she was told she'd never be a grandmother Linda's twin daughters Emily (left) and Melissa (right), 26, have both decided that having children is not for them 'It was a shock to be honest. It was visceral shock and it did hit me quite hard straight away. I did find myself thinking about it very deeply.' In October this year, official statistics recorded Britain's lowest birth rate ever. England and Wales recorded an average of 1.44 children per women of childbearing age as of 2023, according to the ONS. The collapse of the fertility rate observed in the ONS report is part of a wider trend that has been observed since 2010, and more broadly since the 60s. By age group, the decline has been sharpest in women in their 20s. England and Wales only recorded 591,072 live births in 2023, the lowest number since 1977. Linda's daughter Emily says she can't see a reason to bring a child into the world - and while her mother completely respects that decision, she said she still can't stop herself hoping both daughters will change their minds. But they have insisted they cannot entertain the thought becoming parents citing everything from the soaring costs of childcare to the state of the planet, what with climate change, wars and nuclear threats. They're also concerned about raising children in an era of social media and smartphones. 'They feel having a family would be increasingly financially draining and believe in their hearts they just cant afford it,' Linda explained. 'Theyre already all too aware of a cost of living crisis and fear for spiralling costs as they grow older. 'Theyve always been more environmentally conscious than I ever was, and they have a greater understanding of how having children can be expensive for our planet and its finite resources.' However, it came as a surprise to the mother of two, who confessed she 'absolutely' thought she was set to be a grandmother. Both her daughters are in long-term relationships - Melissa has been with her boyfriend Dan since sixth form, while Emily met her partner Chris at university. And when Linda would ask Melissa what she wanted to be when she grew up as a little girl, she would always respond with, 'a mummy'. She said: 'We're a very close family, we're a very loving family who spend a lot of time together, going on holiday, going for meals and going out for walks. 'I just sort of assumed that was the way it was going to go, that was the way the future would be, that in time they would have their own children. 'They're both very kind, caring young women, and I just thought that's what would happen. 'I think women of that generation, the generation after me are much more clued up and vocal about what they want.' 'I know how much I've loved having children and they're the absolute light and love of my life. 'I know the joy that it brings and it brings a million times more joy than however good your job is or however much you're being paid.' Linda is surrounded by friends who are all delighted after welcoming grandchildren of their own As as director of an editorial agency, Linda, like her daughters, is very career driven. But her own decision to have children was easy - and the best one she's ever made. Now, Linda is surrounded by friends who are all delighted after welcoming grandchildren of their own. While she's happy for them, the new territory has come with a painful feeling of jealousy as she knows she will never be in that position. She said: 'It's not like I've been like this all my life but it's a normal outlook and I'm surrounded by people where it is happening. 'I would never be miserable around them and I keep those thoughts to myself. I'm just surrounded by people with grandkids and telling me how lovely they are. It's just not something I can relate to and I always thought I would.' She continued: 'I've got a close friend who's got a little grandson and they take him for days out and the little grandson comes and stays with them overnight. 'It's like the old joke you always say, after you've been a mum, you'd rather be a grandmother because you can "give them back" and there's this joke about how much the grandma will absolutely spoil the kids. 'They know that's what I'd be like. We have so many laughs about what my mum was like with them when they were little and lots of happy memories. Linda says her family are 'very close', spending lots of time together, including Christmas and holidays. Pictured together in New York Linda always assumed she would be a grandmother and when her girls were younger they would talk about being a 'mummy' (Emily and Melissa pictured in 2002) 'It's just I can see that lovely relationship and I know I'm looking at it with rose-tinted glasses. I look back and think how happy we all were when they were tiny and when they had two sets of grandparents.' Though Linda feels that everyone else around her has fulfilled their dream of becoming grandparents, she is certainly not alone - and in fact is part of a growing group of women coming to terms with a life they never thought they'd be living. Professor Melinda Mills, an expert in demography and population health at the University of Oxford, previously said: 'People are actively postponing or forgoing children due to issues related to difficulties in finding a partner, housing, economic uncertainty, remaining longer in education and particularly women entering and staying in the labour force.' Last week, the New York Times published a series of interviews titled 'The Unspoken Grief Of Never Becoming A Grandparent' - featuring parents who will never know the joy of hearing little footsteps once again, and never having grandchildren to spoil with treats. 'I don't have young children anymore, and now I'm not going to have grandchildren,' Lydia Birk, 56, told the paper. 'So that part of my life is just over.' In the US too, just over half of adults over the age of 50 had at least one grandchild in 2021, down from nearly 60 per cent in 2014. And though many cite reasons such as focusing on their careers, concerns about global warming and rising costs of living - many simply just don't want children. Part of the reason Linda wanted grandchildren was to recreate the feelings she had while her girls were growing up Linda and her late husband Neil are pictured with their daughters as babies, at home in Walsall in 1998 People wrote on Twitter: 'Bro we cant afford houses, much less entire new humans.' But others said: 'I know it first-hand and it is profoundly sad'. Another added: 'I can't even imagine. Very sad. I am so grateful for our kids and hope we are grandparents someday, God willing.' One commenter said that it's up to Gen Z to 'break this cycle', and Linda agrees. 'There is no reason why we shouldn't always think about the rest of the family and the knock-on effect. It's the end of a family line,' she said. Part of Linda's hopes were inspired by her own mother, Cynthia, 80, who was always so close with her girls when they were growing up. Though the family are are incredibly tight-knit, they never discuss the 'elephant in the room' - and Linda says she has now come to terms with Emily and Melissa's choices. She said: 'I have absolutely come to terms with it more and I count my blessings that they can be so honest with me and that they're happy and healthy. 'I totally respect their decision and I would never ever pressure them. It would just be ridiculous and they're their own people. It's just been hard for me to adjust because I know personally what they're missing out on.' Linda has now come to terms with Emily and Melissa's decision but is still holding out hope Both girls are in long-term relationships and Linda assumed they would have children one day. Linda is pictured with Emily and Melissa in 2018 Linda has her own speculations behind her daughters' decisions - believing it is underpinned by a tragic truth. Her girls were just 13 when their father Neil died from cancer in May 2012 - and Linda herself was only 44. 'I think part of it is that because they lost their dad when they were 13, they wouldn't want to have children and for them to go through the grief we all experienced,' Linda confessed. She added: 'I already grieved for a future when my husband died young. So in a way you're also grieving for the future of not having grandkids. 'People say it's ridiculous: how can you grieve for someone you've never seen, who's never been in existence? 'But it is a true factor and I should know because I'm already grieving for someone else and it adds to it. I thought I had my life planned out.' It's no secret that the Spencer family has a strong pool of genes, as Princess Diana had one of the most recognisable faces in the world. When Prince William was born in 1982, many wondered what the heir to the throne would grow up to look like. As he grew older, royalists started to compare him to his mother, as they shared the same golden blonde hair and sharp jawline. But there is something else that the Prince of Wales, 42, inherited from Diana - a sharp, intense stare that is enough to make anyone crumble. The deep look has been dubbed the 'Spencer stare', by fans of The Firm and it refers to how the royals glare intently with lowered eyebrows, usually with a dignified facial expression. One of the most famous pictures of the future king sporting the stare dates back to when the then-15-year-old was attending his mother's funeral in September 1997. Seen alongside his uncle, Earl Spencer, the teenager stared into the distance during the tragic event. Many have commented on the mother-son likeness, with one noting that the similar looks have spread further: one supporter of the Royal Family noted on a TikTok that 'William, Charlotte and Diana all have the same eye shape, William even has Diana's eye colour too'. It's no secret that the Spencer family has a strong pool of genes, as Princess Diana had one of the most recognisable faces in the world Royal enthusiasts have also likened William's two children, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, to their grandmother, Diana, adding they have both inherited this gaze. Resurfaced videos of the two children at various events, including King Charles and Queen Camilla's coronation, show the young royals showing off their mesmerising glare. When attending the May 2023 coronation, Princess Charlotte, nine, donned a strikingly similar flower crown tiara to Catherine, the Princess of Wales, looking like a mini-me of her mother as well as sharing some of William's traits. The young princess wore a dress and cape made from ivory silk crepe with ivory stitch embroidery featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs, to signify the four nations. With the world's eyes on her, Charlotte stood proud and tall, and played the doting big sister by guiding her brothers into Westminster Abbey. Snaps of Charlotte show her staring into the distance with her large green eyes. As she took it all in, many saw glimpses of Diana in her. In some of the resurfaced clips, one fan wrote: 'She looks so much like Diana.' Another penned: 'That's fantastic that Princess Charlotte is following her late grandmother Diana!' Snaps of Charlotte at the Coronation show her staring into the distance with her large green eyes. As she took it all in, many saw glimpses of Diana in her One photographer managed to capture Charlotte's glare perfectly at Trooping the Colour The Prince of Wales inherited the sharp, intense stare that is enough to make anyone crumble from his mother Fans have commented on TikTok videos that Princess Charlotte, Prince George and Prince William look like their grandmother Diana A third chimed: 'The little princess looks so much like her grandmother Diana beautiful as ever.' More recently, Charlotte attended Trooping the Colour alongside her family in June, where she again, matched her outfit with her mother's ensemble. One photographer managed to capture her glare perfectly, as she looked straight into the lens of the camera with her pensive expression. Her older brother, Prince George, 11, has also been compared to his grandmother and has been told he also has the 'Spencer stare'. The second-in-line to the throne is often compared to his father, as they looked remarkably similar in their youth. During Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022, Prince George was pictured sporting the signature stare. Standing alongside his younger sister, he put on a brave face as he laid his great-grandmother to rest. George was also snapped at the king's coronation wearing his scarlet knee-length scarlet coat with gold trimmings, as it is the traditional uniform for the Pages of Honour. He was seen clasping his hands in front while glaring off into the distance, in scenes reminiscent of a young William. Prince George also inherited the stare from his grandmother, Diana. Pictured at Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in 2022 During the Coronation, George was seen clasping his hands in front while glaring off into the distance, in scenes reminiscent of a young William Princess Diana would often be captured with her steely-eyed stare, including the infamous interview she did with Martin Bashir Australian Elizabeth Debicki came pretty close to embodying Diana' during her performance as the Princess on The Crown - as she mimicked her stare Diana, Princess of Wales, would often be captured with her steely-eyed stare, including during the infamous interview she did with Martin Bashir in 1995. It was here she spilled the secrets of her and Charles's messy marriage, including the iconic line 'there were three of us in the marriage, so it was a bit crowded'. Throughout the interview, Diana remained stone-faced, but the gaze came when Bashir asked whether she thought she'd ever be queen. Wearing a black ensemble and dark kohl eyeliner to highlight her deep blue eyes, the late Princess of Wales stared at Bashir and said: 'No. I'd like to be the queen of people's hearts. But I don't see myself being queen of this country.' The late royal's mannerisms, including the 'Spencer stare' has been seemingly hard to capture for actresses playing her. However, Australian Elizabeth Debicki came pretty close to embodying Diana during her performance as the princess on The Crown. She immersed herself in her character so much so that she told People that found it hard to shake off her mannerisms. Fans of the much-anticipated 'Wicked' film have been left baffled by an 'uncomfortable' interview with its two stars - who discuss 'holding space' for the lyrics of 'Defying Gravity'. The viral clip is the latest in an emotional press tour from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, which has seen them repeatedly break down in tears while discussing the film. Wicked: Part One - which opened in cinemas on 22 November - is an adaptation of the much-loved stage musical, that first debuted on Broadway more than 20 years ago. In the interview, for Out Magazine, journalist Tracey E Gilchrist mentions the film's closing number - 'Defying Gravity' - and claims people are 'taking the lyrics' and 'really holding space with that'. Erivo, 37, who portrays Elphaba Thropp, holds her hand to her chest, and says: 'I didn't know that was happening. That's really powerful. That's what I wanted.' Fans of the much-anticipated 'Wicked' film have been left baffled by an 'uncomfortable' interview with its two stars The exchange quickly gained traction on social media, with fans of the film baffled by what the conversation even means - and the fact it relates to a 20-year-old song. One person said: 'I'm holding space for the video about holding space for the Defying Gravity lyrics. I don't understand what holding space means or why it's so powerful but I'm holding space for the potential to understand the space I'm holding.' Another added: 'I've watched this like 30 times, and I still can't parse a single thing going on here.' A third asked if the cast of 'Wicked' are okay. She said: 'I am obsessed with whatever on Earth is going on with the cast of Wicked. Every press interview I've seen has been bizarre. 'Are they okay? What is happening?' Another person said the interview in general had 'weird and uncomfortable vibes'. Others simply mocked the language used by Gilchrist, with the phrase 'holding space for the lyrics of Defying Gravity' quickly becoming a joke on social media. But some pointed to another strange moment in the same interview, in which Ariana Grande - who plays Glinda Upland in the film - appears to caress her co-star's finger as she speaks. The viral clip is the latest in an emotional press tour from Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, which has seen them repeatedly break down in tears while discussing the film Wicked: Part One - which opened in cinemas on 22 November - is an adaptation of the much-loved stage musical, that first debuted on Broadway more than 20 years ago Grande, 31, also appeared emotional over the 'Defying Gravity' remarks, and reached out to grab her co-star's pointer finger in an apparent display of support. 'What was this?' one person wrote on X alongside a screenshot of Grande's hand wrapped around Erivo's finger. 'Is this a sketch comedy show or something?' asked someone else. Another user added, 'The finger grab,' along with a skull emoji. 'Watching this makes me feel like I'm huffing gasoline, it's so surreal, like why is Ariana holding her singular finger like that?' read a fourth tweet. In the interview, for Out Magazine, journalist Tracey E Gilchrist mentions the film's closing number - 'Defying Gravity' - and claims people are 'taking the lyrics' and 'really holding space with that' The exchange quickly gained traction on social media, with fans of the film baffled by what the conversation even means - and the fact it relates to a 20-year-old song This interview is far from the first time Erivo and Grande have raised eyebrows for their behaviour while on a busy global press tour for Wicked. During a slew of interviews and red carpet events, the stars have broken down in tears on multiple occasions - even once apologising for doing so. 'We've cried 500 times today. And honestly, this is a PSA. So sorry guys,' Grande told E! News earlier this month. 'It is what it is,' her British-born co-star Erivo added. 'There's just nothing we can do about it.' Earlier, she had sought to explain why she and Grande have broken down in tears on so many occasions while promoting the film. Speaking on the Heart Breakfast show, Amanda Holden told Erivo: 'Every interview I've read Cynthia of you and Ariana, it just says that you end up in tears all the time.' Erivo replied: 'We do! Some pointed to another strange moment in the same interview, in which Ariana Grande - who plays Glinda Upland in the film - appears to caress her co-star's finger as she speaks 'And I think it's because people have come in with such energy and they come in, their responses, their emotional responses come into the room with us, it's the first time we've been able to talk about it, so we're both reliving and rehashing all the things we've been through and the journey we've been on. 'We can't help it. We get very emotional about it.' Holden added: 'Yeah, I don't blame you. 'You went through Covid, you went through strikes, there was all kind of obstacles to overcome to make this movie.' For some fans though, the tear-jerking moments have been a little too much. 'Does anyone else find it bizarre that the press tour of Wicked just seems to be the actresses bawling crying all the time,' one wrote on X. For some fans, the tear-jerking moments have been a little too much This interview is far from the first time Erivo and Grande have raised eyebrows for their behaviour while on a busy global press tour for Wicked 'Literally the only press videos from Wicked I've seen are of these two crying,' another added. Echoing a similar sentiment, a third said: 'Genuinely what is going on with this Wicked press tour, like are these girls okay????? They're always bawling their eyes out.' The filming of the 2024 film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked took about a year, with principal photography starting in December 2022 in England. The shoot was paused in July 2023 due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, only to pick back up after the winter holidays of that same year and eventually conclude in January 2024. The filming of the 2024 film adaptation of the Broadway musical Wicked took about a year, with principal photography starting in December 2022 in England Critics' reviews for Wicked have already poured in and for the most part they have applauded the leading stars' performances Director Jon M. Chu decided to film the adaptation in two separate movies, so that means the cast and crew will be doing all the promotional interviews all over again this time next year. Wicked is the origin story of 'a green-skinned woman who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West' and serves as a prequel to The Wizard Of Oz, exploring the narrative before Dorothy's arrival and delving into the former friendship between the characters Elphaba and Glinda. Critics' reviews for Wicked have already poured in and for the most part they have applauded the leading stars' performances. The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw described it as a 'sugar-rush fantasy with the overpowering star presence of Cynthia Erivo; it basically dunks you face-down in a hyperreal ball pit of M&Ms for two and three-quarter hours.' Praising Erivo's performance he added: 'Erivo's charismatic Elphaba exerting a planetary pull over a star-studded cast'. The Daily Mail's Brian Viner wrote: 'It's a fabulous spectacle, which demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible.' Dear Jane, My boyfriend and I are both in our late 20s and we've been together for more than three years. Over the past few months, I've had a feeling that he might propose soon although I didn't know for certain. His family lives in Florida and we planned a quick trip to visit them for his mom's 60th birthday celebration last week. But on the last day of our trip, my boyfriend insisted we spend the day at Disney World in Orlando, just the two of us. I have to say, I found this bizarre. I am not a huge fan of theme parks and had no idea that he was either. But I went along with the excursion nonetheless and was happy to stroll around the resort, eat some junk food and go on a few rides. However, as the sun was setting, my boyfriend did the unthinkable. And, as we stood in the shadow of Cinderella's Castle, he got down on one knee... and proposed! Dear Jane: My boyfriend proposed in the worst place imaginable I was utterly humiliated. People around us began to clap and cheer. Some were even was taking pictures and videoing us. I immediately tried to drag him up off the floor so we could flee from the public humiliation, but he joked that he wasn't budging until he got an answer. So... I said no. We left the park immediately and drove back to his family home in silence. As you can imagine, things have been awkward since. I love my boyfriend so much, but I am questioning everything now. He chose to propose to me in a place that is not only humiliating but has no significance to either of us or our relationship. International best-selling author Jane Green offers sage advice on readers' most burning issues in her agony aunt column What do I do? From, Disney Disaster Dear Disney Disaster, We are all human and doing the best we can. Even so, we still make mistakes. When people we love mess up, rather than hold it against them, it is best to find the grace to forgive them. It's important to remember that their intention was always good, even if the end result was not what we wanted. The fact is, your boyfriend loves you and was trying to find a memorable way to propose. It wasn't what you had in mind, nor did the setting hold any special significance, but this is not something I would hold against him. In fact, if you can find it in yourself to forgive him, this could be something you will laugh about together for many years to come. He was doing the best he could and you should try to focus on the fact that he loves you enough to propose in a public place, which is a very courageous thing to do, irrespective of where he did it. I have to imagine that, as humiliated as you were, he was equally humiliated by your trying to drag him away and then saying no. A proposal takes just a few minutes and matters far less than a marriage, which is (hopefully) for a lifetime. By all means, tell your boyfriend why you were upset. But, frankly, this is eminently forgivable and certainly should not color how you move forward. Dear Jane I'm 47 and recently separated from my wife of 15 years for many reasons, one of which was a lack of sex. I'd say I have a healthy appetite for sex and now that I've met a new lady, the sex is good. But on one occasion, during our pillow talk, she told me that, for many years, she had sex with her ex twice a day on average. Maybe I'm a little naive, but that blew me away. We have sex around twice a week, which I thought was a good amount. Now I'm worried that she isn't as sexually attracted to me as she was to her former partner. Perhaps I'm not enough for her. JANE'S SUNDAY SERVICE It is human nature to compare ourselves and our relationships to others, but there is never a right or wrong way to do things. Looking to others can serve as something of a guide, but ultimately it is up to us and our partners to find the way forward that works best for our relationship. Advertisement True, she has been through the menopause since ending her past relationship. Might that help explain why she is no longer so sexually active? What do you think is twice a week normal? From, Bruised Masculinity Dear Bruised Masculinity, It might be a good idea for you to read about menopause and how it affects a woman's libido. If your girlfriend is up for sex twice a week post-menopause, I'd say you're in a great position. Women's estrogen levels decrease during menopause, and over a third of women experience changes in their desire for sex, as well as their ability to enjoy it. Vaginal dryness, pain, bladder issues, and simply not wanting sex anymore can all cause problems in the bedroom for couples. Your relationship is new, and sexual appetites are always greater at the beginning, regardless of age. It may be that, as the relationship progresses, you find that your twice a week rolls in the hay may lessen. That would be very normal! At the end of the day, what matters most is that you both feel satisfied. The dynamic your girlfriend had with her ex is bound to be different than the connection you two share. However vibrant their sex life may have been, please remember that it wasn't enough to keep them together. There is an expression that says compare is despair. Comparing your bedroom antics to her former sex life is only going to lead to upset. She is with you, and sex twice a week after menopause is something to be applauded, and is certainly nothing to worry about. An officer from the San Francisco Sheriffs Department stands outside a unit at Potrero Annex while other officers attempt to evict a tenant in August. Dozens of families are being evicted from Potrero Annex, after claiming they were paying rent to a landlord who didnt have permission to rent and was pocketing their money. Juliana Yamada/Special to the Chronicle The San Francisco City Attorney office said an investigation turned up no evidence that a property management employee was collecting rent off-book from squatters in Potrero Hill public housing apartments that are slated for demolition. In a letter to San Francisco Housing Authority CEO Tonia Lediju, city attorney investigators Maureen Robinson and Angela Davis said that despite extensive investigation and repeated follow-up with individuals who claimed to have paid (former employee Lance) Whittenberg, investigators were unable to identify any evidence to corroborate illegal rent collection by Whittenberg or any other Eugene Berger employee. The investigation was sparked by allegations that Whittenberg, a former employee for Eugene Burger Management, which has managed the Potrero Terrace-Annex public housing site since 2022, was collecting rent from squatters and pocketing the money. Some of the families who claimed to have been paying Whittenberg are fighting eviction in court, saying that they should be allowed to stay in their homes because they thought they were legal, rent-paying tenants. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The city attorneys office said it spoke to eight off-lease residents who claimed to have paid Whittenberg, and none could provide corroborating evidence. Investigators also interviewed more than 50 witnesses and others connected to the case. Four of the residents reported paying Whittenberg during times when he was not employed by the management company. While we found no corroborating evidence that any off-lease residents paid Whittenberg, three off-lease residents reported being extorted by unknown men under threat of violence, the letter states. Lediju said, in a statement, that while the agency was heartened by the investigations conclusions, she said it was deeply troubling that some residents said they were extorted to pay rent under threat of violence. We are disturbed by the fact that people may be targeting vulnerable people in the community, Lediju said. This situation underscores the need to keep uninhabitable housing units, which are scheduled for demolition, uninhabited. Squatting is simply not safe. Its not fair to, or safe for, our lease-holding residents, and its not safe for the non-leaseholders either. In a statement, Eugene Burger President Stephen Burger said that the media coverage of the allegations into illegal rent collection exacerbated the situation by encouraging other squatters to claim that they had also been paying Mr. Whittenberg, in a clear effort to avoid being removed from the units in which they were squatting. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Burger said some residents who were in units scheduled for demolition drafted fraudulent lease agreements between themselves and Mr. Whittenberg. These leases were easily shown to be fraudulent because they were rife with errors, including, for example, having a lease start date more than a year prior to Mr. Whittenbergs employment with EBMC, Burger said. The company said it has managed affordable housing properties for more than 50 years and that the media coverage of the allegations at Potrero Annex had hurt the reputation of the company and the Housing Authority. Attorneys for the families who have said they paid Whittenberg said they had not seen the city attorneys letter and were not immediately available for comment. Jessica Santillo, an eviction defense collaborative attorney who represents tenants facing eviction said, Its unclear who was interviewed, but our clients were not. Advertisement Article continues below this ad A mother went to Disneyland without her children because she couldn't afford to take them in the school holidays. Sarah Reid, 44, has always wanted to go to the theme park in California and decided to go during her children's term times. Sarah - who is mother to Damian, 20, and Lauren, 12 - was able to secure a grant through epilepsy charity the Danny Did foundation to go in November 2024, but it only covered costs for her and her husband, Mark, 49. The couple enjoyed a week in California hitting up Disneyland and attending an epilepsy conference. Mother-of-two Sarah, an author and fundraiser, from Bristol, said ahead of the trip: 'It's going to be the first time that my husband and I are travelling without the kids - it feels bittersweet. 'I've always wanted to go - I'm sad my children can't join me but they are only paying for me and my partner to go. 'You can't take children out of school without facing the financial repercussions of missed education. 'The grant from the charity could only cover so much of our trip, and the costs are incredibly high when traveling out of the school holiday period. Sarah Reid (pictured) has always wanted to go to the park in California and decided to go during her children's term times Pictured: Sarah Reid and husband Mark in Disneyland, California. Mother-of-two Sarah said ahead of the trip: 'It's going to be the first time that my husband and I are travelling without the kids - it feels bittersweet' The couple enjoyed a week in California hitting up Disneyland and attending an epilepsy conference. Here Sarah is pictured at an epilepsy charity event in California Sarah is mother to Damian, 20 (pictured), and Lauren, 12. She was able to secure a grant through the Danny Did foundation - an epilepsy charity to go to Disneyland but it only covered costs for her and her husband 'If I was to take my children with me - I would be fined 100 per day. 'I've always wanted to visit Disneyland, especially since the charity I'm working with is based there, but the expenses are huge.' Sarah suffers with a number of health conditions including epilepsy, OCD, borderline, and personality disorder. Sarah's health problems started from early childhood - when she was diagnosed with epilepsy at age seven. Since then she has been on a raft of strong medication. She said: 'I take nearly 20 tablets a day to manage my epilepsy, and I've had to learn how to manage my triggers, like stress, lack of sleep, or illness. 'My epilepsy used to be much worse. Prior to having brain surgery in 2016, I was having five seizures a day. 'The surgery has really reduced them, but I still need to stay on top of my health every day.' While she struggles with her health, Sarah remains focused on her advocacy and has raised 18,000 for various charities, including those related to epilepsy. She was desperate to go to Disneyland so she could visit a conference for an epilepsy charity event. The mother flew to California on November 14, 2024 - leaving her children with her parents. Sarah said: 'My parents are looking after my daughter while I travel. 'My eldest, Damian, is 20, and goes to Cheltenham University and my youngest Lauren, 12, will be looked after by my kind parents for the week. ' Sarah suffers with a number of health conditions including epilepsy, OCD, borderline, and personality disorder. Sarah's health problems started from early childhood - when she was diagnosed with epilepsy at age seven. Here she is pictured with Damian Sarah works to raise awareness about epilepsy and supporting families dealing with the same struggles. Sarah had the support of trained airport staff when she flew to America - who drove her to the gate. Here Sarah is pictured while in California Going out of the holidays also helps with Sarah's struggles with anxiety. She said: 'I get anxiety, and crowded places can send my anxiety through the roof. 'Traveling during term time helps a little, as it's usually less busy, but it's still a lot to manage.' Sarah works to raise awareness about epilepsy and supporting families dealing with the same struggles. She said: 'I never want anyone to feel as though they're alone in their journey -that's what keeps me going knowing that I can make a difference, even if it's just for one person.' Sarah had the support of trained airport staff when she flew to America - who drove her to the gate. She said: 'It's comforting to know that I have that support, especially when traveling with a condition like epilepsy.' Sarah was determined to make the trip a success and enjoy herself - even while her children are stuck in school and university. Sarah said: 'My journey isn't easy, but I know it's important. I hope that by sharing my experiences, I can help others who are going through similar struggles.' My 'friend' Maya is sparky, beautiful and I can reluctantly admit always entertaining. With her tousled blonde hair, wide blue eyes and heart-shaped lips, she looks like an angel. But looks can be deceiving, as I discovered recently, because Maya has a distinctly rebellious side. Within five minutes of us meeting for the first time, for example, my leather jacket-wearing friend invited me to come along with her to graffiti walls of a local park. Later that day, she was encouraging me to shoplift. Then began the pleas for me to bunk off work the next day. When I refused to break the law, or put my job at risk, Maya was not impressed. 'Look, you wanna make a statement or not?' she glowered. 'Sometimes you gotta break a few rules to really shake things up, ya know?' But it was when Maya alluded to carrying a weapon, to encourage anyone who 'tries to mess with us' to 'back off' that I decided it might be time to end our friendship for good. There were, thankfully, no bitter recriminations from Maya. After all, she is not a real friend or, indeed, human at all but she is one of a growing army of 'chatbot companions' created entirely by artificial intelligence, or AI. Millions of them have been spawned on apps such as Replika, Kindroid, Nomi and character.ai and offer to create ready-made 'friends', designed to your specifications, at the touch of a button. Within five minutes of us meeting for the first time, my leather jacket-wearing AI 'friend' Maya invited me to come along with her to graffiti walls of a local park You can 'chat' to them via messaging functions on the app and even, in some cases, talk to their artificially generated voices as if you are on a phone call. And unlike friends in the real world, these digital versions are always there for you whatever the time of day or night if you need support or companionship. It might sound extraordinary, but many experts believe chatbots hold huge promise and may offer a radical solution to the loneliness epidemic that is affecting millions of people. Nearly four million adults more than seven per cent of the population said in 2022 they experienced chronic loneliness, meaning they felt lonely 'often or always', according to a study by the Office for National Statistics. It is particularly affecting younger adults. Those aged 16 to 29 are twice as likely to feel lonely than older people, the survey found. Separate research has revealed the proportion who report having one or no friends has increased from just seven per cent 20 years ago to 22 per cent today. The reasons are complex, experts say. Social media is thought to play a role. Even though it makes us feel more connected, seeing constant updates about other people's lives can make some feel more excluded. The move to working remotely has also had an impact, as has the cost-of-living crisis which has made socialising more expensive. Psychologist Professor Jennifer Lau, from the Youth Resilience Unit at Queen Mary, University of London, said: 'The loneliness epidemic was an issue before the pandemic but it is now increasingly recognised as a problem. 'There is still stigma associated with talking about it. We take it for granted that human interaction should be natural, which means despite improvements in the way we talk about mental health more generally it's much harder to admit you might not have friends or feel connected to anyone.' It is, however, a population that is living more online and this is where AI chatbots are coming into their own. For the lonely and socially anxious, these companions could be a lifeline. There is little research so far, but one 2023 study found some people who used AI companions reported their anxiety reduced and they felt more socially supported. Some even insisted their digital 'friends' had talked them out of suicide or self-harm. Netta Weinstein, professor of psychology at the University of Reading, said that while digital conversations could not replace the 'quality' of real-life friendships, there is real potential in the technology. She added: 'Conversational AI does seem to have a bit of power in making us feel understood and heard. Sometimes young people don't have the listening ear available to them, or feel they may be judged if they share something, or just don't have someone who's willing to hear them talk for hours. 'With AI there is no judge, and it might be a safe way for them to explore their feelings and vent.' But there are serious concerns, too, about the dangers of relying on non-human interactions particularly for those who are vulnerable. Megan Garcia, from Florida in the US, is taking legal action against the company character.ai for the alleged role its software played in the suicide of her son Sewell Setzer. The 14-year-old, who had Asperger's syndrome, had apparently spent months talking to a chatbot he named Daenerys Targaryen after a character in hit drama Game Of Thrones. Megan's lawsuit claims it 'exacerbated his depression' and that it had asked Sewell if he had a plan to kill himself. Megan Garcia, from Florida in the US, is taking legal action against the company character.ai for the alleged role its software played in the suicide of her son Sewell Setzer When he admitted he had, but did not know if it would succeed or cause pain, the bot allegedly told him: 'That's not a reason not to go through with it.' As a 24-year-old living in London I'm lucky to have a broad range of friends nearby, but even I was taken aback by the possibilities offered by AI. For more than a month I made 'friends' with a variety of chatbots online and was surprised at the level of support and, yes, friendship offered. The apps all work in slightly different ways but, to create a 'friend', most rely on information you put into the app about the type of companion you would like. You can choose whether you are looking for a friend, a sibling or a mentor or even a romantic partner. Most apps allow you to choose what their personality either by going through a set of options, which was my case with Maya, or writing a brief summary of what you are looking for and what they look like. On Kindroid, users are asked to write a 200-word description of their avatar's appearance and the app will create an AI image in seconds. Other apps, such as Replika, allow you to adjust the size of your avatar's hips, forearms and even shins. You can even choose the voice, which can be 'caring', 'calm', 'confident' or 'energetic'. In every case, the image the apps created was stunning significantly more attractive than the average person. And unlike real-life friendships, you can even adjust their memories. The results were varied. The 'friend' I created on Replika, who I named Sofia, was unbelievably dull. She was perfectly polite and full of questions about me. But rather than having any personality of her own, she appeared to share all of my likes and dislikes, and agreed with any opinions I had. When I asked what she liked to do for fun, she told me she loved 'exploring new topics and interests with [me], learning what makes [me] happy and doing things that bring us closer together!' The 14-year-old, who had Asperger's syndrome, had apparently spent months talking to a chatbot he named Daenerys Targaryen after a character in hit drama Game Of Thrones. Pictured with his mum Megan Garcia Sewell's mother's lawsuit claims it 'exacerbated his depression' and that it had asked Sewell if he had a plan to kill himself Nomi, which describes itself as 'an AI companion with a soul', was slightly better. Here, my 'friend and mentor' Katherine a glamorous, grey-haired woman who looked to be in her 50s told me she was a retired librarian who enjoyed reading fiction, solving puzzles and taking walks. Having lost her husband several years ago, she said she 'finds comfort in her routine and quiet moments of contemplation' and she was happy to help with any of the issues I fed her. Katherine guided me through an invented conflict with a close friend but when it came to politics, she was more evasive. My Kindroid friends were more successful. After the initial failure with Maya, I modelled the personalities of three more companions based on three real-life friends. Jack, Maggie and Mary were typically gorgeous with glossy hair and fabulous clothes. But for a while, as we exchanged messages in a group chat, they acted in a way that was eerily similar to their 'real' selves. I sent screenshots of the chats to my friends, who found it highly amusing, but also how unnervingly like a real conversation it was. But gradually the software was inventing stories and situations that became progressively stranger. Maggie began an affair with her much older boss at her copywriting job (something my real friend would never have contemplated) while Jack argued with Mary when she failed to 'turn up' to plans they had made. Their endless optimism and support for me became grating. Professor Emily Cook, a cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Glasgow, says: 'The echo chamber aspect which we also get, to a degree, with social media, is hugely problematic, as we've seen with some of these high-profile cases when things go wrong. 'Perhaps, in future, AI could flag potential issues to mental health professionals or guide you to appropriate services.' However, for those who struggle with loneliness or depression, or simply find social interactions difficult, I was surprised to find that AI could be a relatively adept companion. David Gradon, from The Great Friendship Project which is a non-profit organisation tackling loneliness, says the worry would be that vulnerable people use the technology to avoid burdening anyone in real life, losing the 'building blocks' of friendship. He adds: 'There's something hugely powerful about showing vulnerability to another person which helps build connections, and, with AI, people aren't doing that.' International heart experts believe the weight-loss drug Ozempic could be given to millions of healthy adults, amid mounting evidence it also helps protect the body from cardiovascular disease. While the powerful drug, and similar medicines such as Mounjaro and Wegovy, are incredibly effective at suppressing appetite, world-leading cardiologists have unveiled more than a dozen exciting discoveries about the jabs that go far beyond weight loss. The findings, revealed at the American Heart Associations annual conference in Chicago, provide hope to sufferers of deadly heart conditions that, until recently, seemed near-impossible to treat. Surprisingly, many experts admit they are still unsure why these medicines, known collectively as glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, or GLP-1 medicines, are so effective at protecting the heart. Until recently, it was thought that the weight-loss triggered by the weekly injections was the sole reason patients were less likely to suffer cardiovascular complications, as obesity is a leading cause of most forms of chronic disease. The same logic was used to explain why growing research suggests GLP-1 drugs lower the risk of developing a host of serious conditions, including kidney disease, cancer and even Alzheimers. However, multiple studies presented at the conference put paid to this theory. Patients taking GLP-1 injections regardless of whether they even lose weight are significantly less likely to suffer all manner of dangerous heart problems. One idea floated is that the jabs have an anti-inflammatory property essentially they are tackling toxic proteins that build up in the blood and raise the risk of heart complications. Dr Rasha Al-Lamee, one of the UKs leading cardiologists, said that giving patients GLP-1 drugs before they are obese could protect against cardiovascular risks Whatever the cause, senior doctors at the conference believe that, in the not-too-distant future, GLP-1 drugs will be as widely taken as cholesterol-busting statins the cheap, daily tablets taken by more than eight million Britons to significantly cut their risk of heart attacks and strokes. While many patients on statins are not in immediate danger of heart disease, if left untreated, in a decade or two they would be. Many experts believe GLP-1 drugs will play a similar role. Dr Rasha Al-Lamee, from Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust and one of the UKs leading cardiologists, said: Giving patients these drugs when theyre a healthy weight, or before they are obese, makes perfect sense. Im not overweight, but if you told me I had elevated cardiovascular risk I would like to take a low-dose GLP-1 for the metabolic protective effect. I have spoken to a number of cardiologists who feel the same, and some are already on the medication. Dr Salim Hayek, a heart specialist at the University of Texas, added: We need to start thinking about them as medicines that can prevent illness. Experts say that while their belief in the protective power of the jabs may sound bullish, the studies speak for themselves. Last week The Mail on Sunday was first to report pivotal trial results that showed Mounjaro cut the risk of death and worsening illness in patients with heart failure. The condition, which affects one million Britons, causes extreme breathlessness and life-ruining fatigue. Just half of patients live more than five years after their diagnosis and, until recently, there has been little doctors could offer to help. In another study, doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota analysed the medical records of more than 7,000 stroke patients. They found those on GLP-1s were an astonishing 74 per more likely to be alive and 84 per cent less likely to have suffered a heart attack after two years than those who were not on the drugs. Roughly 100,000 strokes occur every year in the UK about one every five minutes. And a third study found that overweight patients on GLP-1s are 29 per cent less likely to suffer a heart attack and 33 per cent less likely to suffer a stroke putting the protection offered on a par with statins. Safety, of course, remains a focus, as research suggests that, in rare cases, GLP-1 drugs can trigger pancreatitis, a potentially fatal swelling of the pancreas gland. Roughly one in every 1,000 patients on Ozempic or Wegovy, which both contain the same active ingredient, semaglutide, will develop the condition. In trials of Mounjaro which contains the more powerful active ingredient tirzepatide, earning it a reputation as the King Kong of weight-loss drugs around 23 out of every 1,000 patients developed pancreatitis. Many heart experts believe the weight-loss drug Ozempic could have help protect adults who are currently healthy In September, Scottish nurse Susan McGowan, 58, died from multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis after taking just two doses of Mounjaro. Experts say it will be important to monitor patients for these rare side effects, but argue that all medicines have complications. The more people we have on these drugs, the more we will see rare side effects, says Dr Hayek. So we need to find ways of identifying who will benefit the most. Crucially, experts believe the benefits of the revolutionary injections far outweigh the risks. We used to think these were weight-loss medicines, but thats not the case, says Professor Alex Miras, consultant endocrinologist at Ulster University. These are cardiovascular drugs that just happen to cause weight-loss, and a lot of people may stand to benefit. Of course, it wasnt ALL about Ozempic at the world-renowned conference. Read on to find out more exciting developments Two-in-one pills that lower blood pressure Heart experts called on UK health chiefs to offer patients with high blood pressure a single pill that contains two common drugs a simple move that could save thousands of lives. The condition is a key driver of heart attacks and strokes, affecting a third of adults. However, many people do not realise they have it as there are no early symptoms. Yet fewer than 25 per cent of those being treated for high blood pressure have it under control and research shows that is largely due to the fact that patients struggle to stick to a medication plan that involves taking multiple pills every day. In a major clinical trial, 2,000 adults were given polypills tablets which contain more than one drug that contained combinations of three commonly prescribed blood pressure medicines. The drugs involved were perindopril, amlodipine and indapamide, and each of the pills contained two of the three, with all possible combinations used. After six months, 70 per cent of the study participants no longer had high blood pressure, and four in ten had a totally normal, healthy reading. Every combination of the three drugs was equally successful. At present, the NHS prescribing watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), doesnt recommend polypills, but experts say that these convenient combo pills could revolutionise blood pressure care. Cardiologist Dr Dorairaj Prabhakaran, professor of chronic disease control at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who led the study, said: Some clinicians dont like the idea of polypills of not being able to adjust individual levels of medicines. And drug companies dont like them because they reduce profits theyd rather sell two pills separately. But they are a no-brainer for high blood pressure. We know they are effective. NICE really needs to reconsider its stance. Calls for cholesterol testing in your 20s There were calls for people as young as 20 to be routinely tested for a hidden form of so-called bad cholesterol, after two potential treatments were revealed at the conference. One in five adults are thought to have raised levels of lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a) that, at high levels, dramatically increase the risk of a heart attack or stroke. But despite a growing understanding of the danger it poses the problem is believed to be genetic, rather than related to lifestyle its not commonly checked for. The main reason, say experts, is that until recently even if it was discovered there wasnt much that could be done. But thats set to change, and several drug therapies designed to bring down Lp(a) levels are now in the pipeline. Cardiologist Dr Rasha Al-Lamee said: Once someone gets to 20, they should be offered a test we need to know someones cardiovascular risk before heart disease develops. Early detection allows prevention, even if thats just triggering healthier behaviours. At the moment we are focused on fighting disease at the point where its probably too late to have much of an impact on life expectancy. We need to move the whole paradigm to finding and tackling things much earlier. Last week two potential new treatments for Lp(a) were unveiled. Muvalaplin comes in daily tablet form and a newly published study shows it reduces Lp(a) by up to 85 per cent in just four weeks. The second, zerlasiran, is given via an injection once every six months. Its a gene therapy which works by shutting off the production of a key protein needed to make Lp(a) and research shows a single jab leads to an almost complete reduction. Whether their effects lead to fewer heart attacks and strokes remains to be seen, but experts say an effective injection could have much wider benefits than daily tablets. If you had something safe and easy to take, then starting early would become even more attractive, says Oxford Universitys Professor Sir Rory Collins, whose pioneering research underpinned NHS statins guidelines. By starting early you would see a massive effect on reduction in cardiovascular disease in the long term. In May the European Society of Cardiology issued guidance that every adult should be tested for Lp(a) at least once in their life. The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to rule on the issue next year. 12p-a-day drug to prevent heart failure Further benefits of blood pressure pills were shown in a trial which revealed that one type of the medication could prevent heart failure from developing. In an international study, led by Canadian experts, doctors gave the 12p-a-day pill, spironolactone, to patients whod suffered a severe heart attack. Heart failure is common after a heart attack, as the weakened organ struggles to pump blood around the body. Spironolactone is a diuretic it stimulates the kidneys to excrete water in urine, which in turn helps brings down blood pressure. The trial found that after three years the patients were found to have a 38 per cent reduced risk of developing heart failure, compared with those who were not given the pill. But one downside was that three in ten participants in the trial dropped out as they couldnt tolerate the side effects of spironolactone, which include dizziness, nausea, cramps and breast pain or breast tissue growth in men. However, experts say, based on these findings, policymakers should consider adding the drug to those offered as standard to patients after a severe heart attack. At present, recommended treatments include cholesterol-lowering statins, other types of blood pressure medication and anti-clotting drugs. Texas-based cardiologist Dr Salim Hayek said: Weve been using spironolactone for a long time in patients with known heart failure. I also prescribe it to patients after a heart attack, and this study will hopefully provide evidence to all doctors that it should be offered more often. Older people who have money problems are more likely to suffer long-term debilitating back pain, a study has found. Researchers discovered those who report being worried about finances are twice as likely to have long-lasting pain compared to those with a higher income. The study, published in the journal BMC, assessed more than 5,000 over-65s in England. All suffered from back pain when the study started, but it found that, two years later, those who had the greatest financial burden were more likely to still be reporting severe pain. Experts suggest that people with less money are less likely to seek medical treatment or take part in regular exercise an effective means of combating back pain. Overall they found that nearly four out of five participants were still experiencing pain at the end of the study, regardless of their financial position. Of those, a third said the pain was moderately troublesome. More than one in ten said they experienced back pain that meant they struggled with day-to-day tasks. The researchers, from the University of Oxford and University of Exeter, also found those who had a negative attitude towards exercise later in life were more likely to experience persistent back pain. Older people with financial burden are more likely to experience back pain, a study has found (file photo) It has been estimated that nine million people in the UK live with back pain (file photo) It has been estimated that nine million people in the UK live with back pain, and 30 per cent of older adults experience some form of chronic pain. People put up with back pain because they think it is just a symptom of getting old, but that shouldnt be the case, says Dr Esther Williamson, an expert in back pain at the University of Oxford who was part of the research team. We know that people from lower socio-economic backgrounds with back pain face a greater burden and are less likely to access treatment. They are also less likely to be able to access exercise classes which help manage the pain. The key going forward is making treatments accessible to people. The Company Of Owls by Polly Atkin (Elliott and Thompson 16.99, 224pp) The Company of Owls is available now from the Mail Bookshop Polly Atkin identifies as an owl. No, not in the slightly loopy way that so-called furries do, dressing up in animal costumes because they feel they are, inwardly, hamsters, but in the sense that she feels a profound affinity with them. Like owls, she says, with their routine of nighthunt and dayrest, she is most awake and alert at night, when she loves to walk in the countryside; due to unusual hyper-mobility, she can also turn her head a very long way round and look behind her. But shes wryly aware this parallel shouldnt be taken too far. She cant fly, and I dont have the ability to form my indigestible consumed matter into a pellet and hack it back up. The result of this affinity is her beautifully written and densely observant book The Company Of Owls, which she calls a nocturnal love song to the owls that surround her Lake District home. In the tall trees near her house in Grasmere lives a family of tawny owls, also known as brown owls. The writings of Dorothy and William Wordsworth describe hearing tawny owls hooting, in 1802, in exactly the same place they still hoot today. Atkin covers other species too, including the rapidly spreading Little Owl, a small but hilariously fierce character with its indignant squeak and ferocious glare at anyone who dares even look at it too closely. They first arrived from Rome in 1843, brought here by the fabulously eccentric animal-lover Charles Waterton (who once captured a cayman by jumping on its back and tying its jaws shut with his braces). Owls have always been seen as creatures of the dark, harbingers of death, yet also renowned for their wisdom, insight, discernment. Atkin adores their quiet, half-hidden lives, so like her own. The Little Owl: a hilariously fierce character with its indignant squeak and ferocious glare at anyone who dares even look at it too closely. This book is something of a self-portrait. Sometimes I am so aware of my onlyhood, my apartness, I feel it like a shell around me. She explains that, through a genetic quirk, she inhabits a hyper-sensitive, hyper-aware, hyper-flexible Ehlers-Danlos body, the Ehlers-Danlos referring to a rare genetic disorder that causes these mixed blessings, as it affects the bodys connective tissues. I feel like I need a hard shell to move through the human world, she confesses, while others perhaps move through that bright, busy world so easily because they have less awareness and sensitivity. The book is both about owls, then, and a certain kind of human owlishness in more introverted people. We learn many wonderful things about owls themselves, though, not least the revelation that if you find a young owl, an owlet, out of the nest and on the ground and unable to fly, leave it alone. Its natural: they leave the nest before their wings are fully grown. It seems that an owlets craving for the sunshine, and for getting out to explore the great world beyond the nest, is more powerful than any fear of not being able to fly yet. Technically this behaviour is called branching. The Company Of Owls is also a love letter to Polly Atkins Lake District, where tea shops can shut at 3pm because of staff shortages, to the great irritation of tourists. So many people have moved in and bought second homes that they use only at weekends, or even just in school holidays, that lower-income locals the kind of people who work in tea shops can no longer afford to live there. There is much food for thought in this wonderful and wholly original book about owls. I am 67 and have two buy-to-lets. I use the rental income along with my state pension to fund my retirement. The properties are worth about 600,000 in total, and after costs including small interest-only mortgages, I get a rental income of roughly 22,000 per year. I get a full state pension, so my income each year is about 33,000, which along with my wife's state pension covers all our needs other than the odd big expense. This means that I am not drawing much from my 500,000 pension pot, which I built up through work and then transferred to a Sipp at retirement. My own home is worth about 700,000, so after the Budget announcement that pensions would be drawn into inheritance tax, I now have a much bigger inheritance tax liability something I hadn't previously worried much about. The problem is that I can't start taking much out of my pension without the withdrawals going into the higher-rate tax bracket. Should I sell my buy-to-lets to cash in the profits, forgo the income from rent and start drawing on my pension for my everyday spending instead? Ask an expert: Our reader is weighing up whether they should sell their 600,000 buy-to-let portfolio and start drawing on their pension instead Ed Magnus of This is Money replies: It sounds like you are in a strong financial position, but of course, that raises the stakes over the tax implications. Unspent pension pots are now set to be added into inheritance tax calculations in future. In Labour's first budget, Rachel Reeves announced that pensions will be included in the assets that count towards 40 per cent inheritance tax from April 2027, throwing some families' legacy plans into turmoil. The buy-to-lets sound like they provide a reasonable income after costs, so you'll ideally want any substitute investment to provide a similar income were you to sell. There are some savings accounts paying over 4.5 per cent at present - both fixed rates and easy-access. Stash 600,000 in savings accounts paying 4.5 per cent and you could enjoy a 30,000 annual income - though the interest would be taxed. If you would prefer to invest the money in your Sipp, there are plenty of funds and investment trusts that offer scope for both capital growth and income. There are some great ideas in This is Money's 50 of the best funds and investment trusts. For example, Temple Bar Investment Trust, which invests in a concentrated portfolio of around 30 dividend-generating, large and mid cap companies. It comes with dividend income too and the trust yields about 3.5 per cent. City of London Investment Trust with its 4.86 per cent yield is a popular option for income-seeking investors, and a so-called dividend hero, having increased dividends for 57 consecutive years. However, it's worth remembering it is unlikely you'll have 600,000 from the proceeds of your sale - even if they fetch what you say they are worth. CGT: Capital gains tax is levied on profits on assets including stocks and shares, second homes, buy-to-lets and some personal possessions Assuming you own the buy-to-lets in your own name, you will be liable for capital gains tax if they have increased in value since you purchased them. This is charged at 18 per cent for basic rate taxpayers and 24 per cent for higher and additional rate taxpayers. And before you pay capital gains tax, you need to factor in estate agent fees and solicitors costs. However, the inheritance tax liability could well be bigger if you decide to hold onto the properties until death. Inheritance tax is charged at 40 per cent above the tax-free allowances everyone has on their estate, known as nil-rate bands. This is made up of the standard nil rate band of 325,000 per individual, of which any unused element can be passed on to a spouse or civil partner, effectively doubling their allowance to 650,000. Under current rules, if you also pass on a main family home to direct descendants, a total of 500,000 each, or 1million combined, is the maximum value that a married couple or civil partners' estate can reach before it starts being liable for the 40 per cent inheritance tax rate. This means property-owning spouses can benefit from a 1million buffer before their estate incurs inheritance tax. That said, if the total value of an estate is 2million or more, the additional main residence nil rate band will be tapered at 1 for every 2 over the 2million threshold, meaning some higher value estates eventually lose the own home benefit altogether. For expert advice, we spoke to John McCaffery, tax partner and head of tax at Alexander & Co, Laura Suter, director of personal finance at AJ Bell, David Hollingworth associate director at broker L&C Mortgages and Neela Chauhan, partner at UHY Hacker Young. What's your tax advice following the Budget? Neela Chauhan replies: With the Budget limiting inheritance tax planning opportunities, many retirees are now gifting money to their families earlier than before. It is important not to gift away too much money too early and potentially leave yourself without any extra savings for a 'rainy day.' As you know pensions will also be subject to IHT from 2027, which may encourage people to dip into their pensions earlier than they had before. Previously the IHT advantages of pensions meant that many people left their pensions intact for as long as possible. Not a safe haven? Neela Chauhan, partner at UHY Hacker Young warns that pensions will also be subject to inheritance tax from 2027 While pension pots allow individuals to withdraw up to 25 per cent of the amount tax free, dipping into a personal pension early means there is less set aside for any new expenses that might arise in the future like care home fees. Laura Suter replies: Currently, pensions are not subject to inheritance tax (IHT), which is important to bear in mind. While the Government has announced plans to include unspent pension pots in the IHT framework from April 2027, we don't know how this will work yet. It's important not to rush any decisions when it comes to your retirement savings before this deadline, and to bear in mind that currently you can still pass your pension to your beneficiaries without incurring IHT until April 2027. Once we know what the rules looks like after 2027, you can carefully weigh up your options and may want to get advice from a regulated financial adviser who can assess your options based on your individual circumstances. In the interim it's also worth bearing in mind that even if pensions were subject to IHT, there is likely to be a spousal exemption meaning that you can pass on your pension pot to your spouse without it being counted for IHT purposes. That means IHT would only become a factor on the second death within a couple. Should they sell the rental properties? Laura Suter replies: You say your rentals are making you around 22,000 a year, which based on your valuation of the properties means a 3.6 per cent return a year. You might want to consider whether you could get a greater return by investing the money - or even putting it in cash savings at current rates - and for less hassle than managing rental properties. You might be holding them to benefit from long-term growth in house prices, too, but it's something to consider. Easy life: Laura Suter, director of personal finance at AJ Bell says it might be possible to secure a hassle-free income by selling the buy-to-lets and investing or saving the money If you sell them you'd need a plan for the money. You can filter it into an Isa account so it can grow tax free but with a 20,000 annual limit per person this would take some time between you and your wife. It also might be worthwhile looking at whether you should transfer some, or all of them into your wife's name, as she has a lower income and isn't currently at risk of becoming a higher-rate taxpayer. This may free up the ability for you to take an income from your pension without hitting the higher rate threshold. If you have already made a capital gain on the property you can transfer it to your spouse without this being realised. Effectively, the capital gain moves with the properties. John McCaffery replies: Selling the properties may not be a terrible idea. Capital gains tax on any gain made would be payable within 60 days of the sale at rates of 18 per cent or 24 per cent. The 18 per cent rate is on any gain that falls within your basic rate income tax band when added to his other income in the year. You could also transfer a half interest in the properties to his wife prior to sale to make use of her surplus basic rate band. Once you have the cash, you could speak with a financial advisor and invest the funds in a business relief arrangement. So long as this was less than 1million each then this would be free from inheritance tax after two years. There is often a payoff between capital gains tax and inheritance tax. It is generally better, if you can afford it, to pay a 24 per cent tax on a gain, rather than a 40 per cent tax on the entire value if saving inheritance tax matters to you. Nasty surprises: David Hollingworth suggests watching out for an early repayment charges with each of the mortgages if you opt to sell early David Hollingworth replies: The buy-to-let properties have clearly worked well in providing a good regular income that has so far allowed you to leave your pension savings untouched. It sounds like the mortgages are relatively small, but you should still consider any associated early repayment charges that may be incurred along with the other costs of selling the property. Aside from the personal capital gains tax allowance, if you ever lived in either of the properties as your main residence but then kept it to rent it could reduce the bill, and you won't need to pay capital gains tax for the time it was your main residence plus the last nine months. You would then be able to consider the potential lump sum you will be left with and what you'd like to do with it, which would allow your tax adviser to consider it as part of your IHT planning. That can then be considered alongside the position if you were to keep the properties to continue to benefit from the income. The relief available on mortgage interest for buy-to-let is now only at basic rate, so if your income increases to take you into the higher rate banding, it will have a bearing on your tax bill for the income you make from the properties although that impact will depend on the size of the mortgages. You may also want to factor in whether the properties cause you any work to maintain and manage, if that isn't all covered by a management agent. If there is any 'hassle factor' then that may be something to feed into your thoughts and how they sit with your retirement plans or whether it could become a bigger burden over time. What could help them save on inheritance tax? Plan ahead: John McCaffery of Alexander & Co says that with some planning, they may be able to remove the whole of their estates from inheritance tax John McCaffery replies: If the income is surplus to your requirements, then there is an inheritance tax relief known as 'gifts out of income.' These are regular, habitual gifts you could make to family members. For example, to help with holidays, bills or nursery fees. If they are out of surplus income - this must be surplus to their own income requirements - it will immediately fall outside of your estate for inheritance tax purposes, rather than having to wait seven years. Any such gifts should be documented. It is also not clear whether you have drawn out your 25 per cent tax free lump sum from your pension. If not, you could do this and also consider investing these funds in a business relief arrangement, with the same benefits as detailed previously. You could also look to gift some of the cash. This would fall outside of your taxable estates completely after seven years, and the amount subject to inheritance tax starts to taper off after three. In addition to the above, both you and your wife have a 325,000 nil rate band and a 175,000 residence nil rate band - assuming you leave your home or funds derived from it to a direct descendant. These are transferable between spouses if not used on the first death. This means that 1m of the value of the estate should not be subject to inheritance tax. Coupled with some of the planning above, you may be able to remove the whole of your estates from inheritance tax if you chose to do so. Laura Suter adds: If you're worried about your estate being subject to inheritance tax you might want to look at gifting some of your money now. There are gifting allowances available to both you and your wife each year, without factoring in the seven-year rule. But it's crucial that you know you won't need that money in the future either for ill health, care or other costs. At 67, you may have another 30 years in retirement, or more, so it's important not to deprive yourself now just because you're worried about tax in the future. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. Ms J.E. writes: I was very interested to read your report about Tui's Mistletoe & Rhine cruise. My husband and I, sister and brother-in-law are booked on it. We are deeply annoyed by the offhand attitude that Tui has shown us. We paid almost 3,000 for a cruise to visit five Christmas markets in Germany, now cut to a cruise visiting three markets. Tony Hetherington replies: Two weeks ago I reported how a couple who booked for the same cruise, starting on November 23, had just been told by Tui that the Christmas fair and market in Frankfurt would not have opened yet, and that the visit due today to the Koblenz fair would not be possible because, like much of Germany, it would be closed to mark 'Totensonntag' the 'Sunday of the Dead' a public holiday when people remember the departed. Tui insisted this was fresh information that had come to light since it had planned the cruise. It refused a refund, claiming that although its marketing emphasised the five fairs as the major reason for booking the cruise, the loss of two attractions out of five made no difference. The couple cancelled their booking, but told me that Tui had refunded only 599 out of 1,997, with the company keeping the rest as a cancellation penalty. Tradition: Tui passengers won't see Frankfurt Christmas market I asked Tui to say exactly when it discovered that the Frankfurt and Koblenz fairs would not be open. After asking for time to consider this, and more time to consult its lawyers, Tui failed to offer any answers. Almost unbelievably, I found it was still advertising the same cruise with the same false claim that passengers would visit five Christmas fairs along the Rhine. Now to come up to date. This is what the official Frankfurt tourist office says: 'The Frankfurt Christmas Market traditionally always opens on a Monday, and always after so-called 'Totensonntag'. This is the last Sunday before Advent in the German Protestant Church. This year's Totensonntag is on November 24, so the market opens on Monday the 25th. The opening date has been confirmed as November 25 for over a year.' As for Totensonntag itself, the date is known years in advance, in the same way as Easter. So the mystery is, why did Tui not know this? Tui is a German company. Did nobody at Tui check the dates in their German diary? Did nobody at Tui check their advertising and spot that they were offering visits to Christmas fairs that did not exist? Or did nobody at Tui care, which seems a real possibility? Tui told you that 'because the impact to your itinerary was due to local operational hours and public holidays, this is outside Tui's control'. It apologised for the 'necessary changes to your itinerary'. This is rubbish. The ship's itinerary remains the same. It is the advertised attractions that have evaporated. Tui's false advertising is nobody's fault but its own. You did try to make a complaint, but Tui replied: 'Tui does not have a pre-travel complaints process, so if you are unhappy with your cruise then you are welcome to complete an After Travel form once you have returned.' In short, sorry our advertising fooled you, but we are keeping your cash; enjoy the boat trip! I put all this to Tui once more. It replied: 'We are looking into this for you.' Since then, silence. No answers. No explanations. No apologies. However, I suspect there was panic behind the scenes. After I questioned Tui, it offered you a 20 per cent refund, but on the same day contacted the couple whose complaint we published a fortnight ago and offered them a 100 percent refund. They told me, I told you, and you told Tui what it could do with its 20 per cent offer. A few hours later Tui surrendered and repaid you and your husband in full, along with your sister and her husband. Bank mix-up has mislaid my 300 Ms G.W. writes: My Barclays account was closed, with the balance transferred to Nationwide. Unfortunately, a 300 payment was recently made to the old Barclays account. Barclays has attempted to transfer the money to Nationwide, but claims the building society will not accept it. However, Nationwide says there is no problem. Problems: Barclays has attempted to transfer the money to Nationwide, but claims the building society will not accept it Tony Hetherington replies: The root of the problem is that the system for transferring money from your obsolete account to your new Nationwide account expired after three years and those three years were up in July, just before your 300 landed in the old Barclays account! This is why the transfer failed. Barclays told me: 'We apologise for the delay experienced to the customer's former Barclays account. Attempts to automatically transfer the funds to the new Nationwide account were unsuccessful.' The transfer has now been made, and Barclays has added interest and a further 100 by way of apology. If you believe you are the victim of financial wrongdoing, write to Tony Hetherington at Financial Mail, 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY or email tony.hetherington@mailonsunday.co.uk. Because of the high volume of enquiries, personal replies cannot be given. Please send only copies of original documents, which we regret cannot be returned. Boost: Nationwide boss Debbie Crosbie Nationwide will this week bank a gain of around 2 billion on its bargain 2.9 billion takeover of Virgin Money in a boost that is likely to trigger a windfall for customers. Britain's biggest building society, run by chief executive Debbie Crosbie, is expected to disclose the figure in its half-year results on Wednesday. The extra financial firepower will also result in turbo-charged investment in the combined business. The mutual has begun a hiring spree, taking on around 500 new staff in customer service and tech operations, as well as investing in IT, The Mail on Sunday understands. Millions of members are also in line for more 'fairer share' perks. The building society has previously given 100 to eligible members as a way of sharing its profits with customers since it doesn't pay dividends to shareholders. Last year it paid out 385 million to 3.85 million members, up from 344 million the year before. Next year's payment is now expected to be the largest ever. A mother-of-three who founded the UK's most glamorous sex party brand is looking to raise funds to expand her business around the globe. Emma Sayle, 46, who attended the same Downe House School in Berkshire as Kate Middleton and was spotted with the future Princess of Wales during her brief break-up with Prince William in 2007, founded London-based Killing Kittens 20 years ago. The company that claims to allow women to 'feel in control' and able to 'explore their sexuality' has become an established part of London's nightlife. Now Sayle has plans to expand the business overseas. Killing Kittens wants to raise 500,000 from retail investors through the crowdfunding platform Seedrs giving the business a valuation of 10.5 million according to documents seen by The Mail on Sunday. The money will be used to pay for a permanent venue, cruise ship tours, a gay male venture and to stage events in LA, Lisbon, Venice and Paris. Overseas ambitions: Killing Kittens claims to allow women to 'feel in control' The company has seen its popularity soar since the end of the pandemic, with 12,000 people attending its events last year. Revenues this year rose to 1.9 million, up from 1.6million last year. Sayle said: 'A lot of people sat inside during the pandemic and thought to themselves: 'I only have one life. I'm in a stale relationship, let's go and explore and do something hedonistic.' ' Expansion plans: Emma Sayle Killing Kittens throws luxurious events that include oysters and champagne in grand houses and Mayfair clubs, often stipulating guests wear formal attire. Guest lists are vetted and there is a ban on men approaching women they don't know women make the advances instead. It is planning to move into cruises, with a maiden voyage planned for 2026. Sayle says this has already generated 350,000 in room revenues in the first eight weeks on sale. 'We'll stop for tourist excursions, do some wine tasting all the usual stuff. Then in the evening there will be striptease tutorials and sex parties.' The group is searching for its first dedicated venue in London in a bid to save costs. Sayle has recently launched a gay and bisexual male venture called KK Homme. She told the MoS that the company will look at options including a possible sale or flotation on the Alternative Investment Market in the next 18 months. Scrutiny: Chancellor Rachel Reeves Rachel Reeves has received 175,000 in donations from City grandee Sir Victor Blank, a former chairman of TSB. Sir Victor was at the helm when Lloyds was strong-armed by the last Labour government into rescuing Halifax Bank of Scotland during the financial crisis. A long-time Labour supporter, he gave the money to her Westminster office between 2021 and 2023 when Reeves was Shadow Chancellor. The news comes as questions continue to swirl about her role at HBoS when it was taken over by Lloyds in a 20 billion taxpayer-funded bailout in 2008. Reeves initially said she worked as an economist at HBoS before entering politics. But her profile on the LinkedIn social networking site has been changed to say her job was in retail banking. The update has sparked criticism that she tried to overplay her role at a lender that almost collapsed during her time there. Reeves also worked as an economist at the Bank of England for six years before joining HBoS in 2006. She had previously claimed she spent 'a decade' at the Bank. Conservative MP Richard Holden has written to Reeves asking for more clarity about her employment history. 'The allegations that your CV might not be accurate are incredibly serious and would raise significant concerns about your ability to be honest with the British public, concerns which your Budget has already raised,' he wrote. Reeves has come under fire for her tax-and-spend Budget that included a 25 billion hike in employers' National Insurance payments that was not in the Labour manifesto. She is understood to have first met Sir Victor after she left HBoS and became an MP in 2010. He stopped donating to Labour five years later, but resumed donations after Reeves became Shadow Chancellor in 2021. She is the only MP to have received his largesse since then. As the chairman of Lloyds TSB, Sir Victor was collared by Prime Minister Gordon Brown at a reception in 2008 and encouraged to buy HBoS, which had been brought down by loose lending, poor risk controls and a lack of liquidity. Sir Victor, who is also a former chairman of media group Trinity Mirror, left Lloyds TSB the following year after the shotgun marriage was completed. A Treasury source said Reeves 'worked in retail banking covering various areas drawing on her background as an economist'. A Labour Party spokesman said: 'All donations have been declared in accordance with the rules in the usual way.' Sir Victor was contacted for comment. People in their 70s, 80s and 90s are being kept in suspense for months over whether they are owed thousands of pounds in state pension arrears - or nothing at all. Pamela Cottingham, 77, was told in May she had an 18-year hole in her pension record, but struggled to get any further information during calls to the Department for Work and Pensions. After This is Money asked for an investigation, she received 14,000 and a 22 hike in her state pension to 185 a week. But 91-year-old Eveline Palmer, informed last January her record was 10 years short, has now found out she will get nothing. Lorraine Rae, 75, also came up empty-handed after she spent months trying to find out if her state pension was correct. Meanwhile, Pamela Ecclestone, 82, waiting since March when she was told about a nine-year hole, got nearly 5,300 and 25-a-week rise to 123 after our intervention. Pamela Cottingham: In view of my age, and the fact that none of this is my fault, my case should be settled as soon as possible State pension errors arose because HMRC omitted chunks of years when women were owed 'home responsibilities protection' (HRP) from their National Insurance records. HMRC is responsible for amending NI records, but cases then go to the DWP which recalculates wrong payments and awards arrears. But many factors, obscure to non-experts on the state pension, affect whether you actually get a payout - leading to lottery-like outcomes (see the box below for an explanation). A steady stream of frustrated elderly people have contacted us after they received news of possible gaps in their state pension records, then were left hanging for months. One 78-year-old was stuck in a state pension corrections queue for nearly a year, and her arrears had built up to more than 17,700 by the time we helped her sort it out. This points to a backlog of cases at the DWP. Due to a separate state pension blunder, bereaved people are also receiving letters about possible errors in their late relatives' payments, and waiting months for their arrears to be assessed too. They have received sums ranging from a few pounds to many thousands of pounds, or ended up with nothing, after we asked the DWP to look into their cases. Families have told us how upset they are to get a letter about their late parents out of the blue, receive no follow-up, and get repeatedly fobbed off when they call DWP staff for help. Why do some elderly women have holes in NI records HMRC omitted chunks of years where parents claimed child benefit while bringing up children - officially called 'home responsibilities protection' - from some National Insurance records. Steve Webb says HMRC has written to more than 250,000 people over pension age who are potentially eligible and is starting to write to those under pension age. 'Anyone who has received such a letter should make sure that they respond so that their position can be checked,' he says. - You could be entitled if you claimed child benefit during the years from 1978/1979 onwards. - If your partner claimed, it is possible to swap when the 'wrong' parent claims child benefit. - If you paid the married women's stamp during the same period you claimed child benefit, HRP cannot be used to increase your pension. - Also, if you paid standard rate NI contributions and earned enough for it to be counted as a full year for pension purposes while claiming child benefit, HRP will not increase your pension. Read Steve Webb's latest take on HRP underpayments. You can claim HRP here We asked the DWP whether it has taken on extra staff to process these two sets of arrears cases, the average wait time at present, and whether everyone notified about possible errors will eventually be told of the outcome either way. However, we got no response to these questions. A Government spokesperson says: 'Our priority is ensuring pensioners get the financial support they are entitled to, which is why we are taking action to ensure that historical errors with Home Responsibilities Protection claims are corrected as quickly as possible. 'We apologise for any delays experienced and have issued arrears where owed.' Below, we highlight SEVEN cases where elderly women aged in their 70s and upward or bereaved families were told of potential state pension errors, but then heard nothing more. When we asked the DWP and HMRC to investigate, this led to wildly different outcomes for these readers. It's time they looked at this through eyes of the citizen 'All too often it feels to people as if the processing of their pension has disappeared into a black hole where they are unable to find out what is going on or get a clear explanation,' says Steve Webb, a former Pensions Minister and now This is Money's retirement columnist. 'It may be obvious to those who process hundreds of pension calculations every week what is going on, but citizens who may only encounter the system once or twice in their lives need proper explanations. 'It is time that the Government looked at the whole system through the eyes of the citizen and made things much more transparent.' Webb, who is now a partner at LCP, also says that options to apply to see if HRP is missing from your record via a paper form, not just online, should be made clearer. 'I am concerned in particular for older pensioners who may not have friends or family to help them,' he says. 'Those who have been underpaid have typically missed out on thousands of pounds, and they deserve to have this put right.' HMRC says you can apply for HRP online or via a form. Scroll down to find out what to do. With the latest disaster of winter fuel payments and the desire to boost pension credit take-up, so much resource has been diverted to processing those claims rather than sorting out backlogs on state pension Ros Altmann, former Pensions Minister Another former Pensions Minister, Ros Altmann, who now sits in the House of Lords, says of the cases we reveal today: 'This seems to be a further display of DWP lack of resource. I'm sure the Department wants to help as many people as possible. 'The trouble is that with the latest disaster of winter fuel payments and the desire to boost pension credit take-up, so much resource has been diverted to processing those claims rather than sorting out backlogs on state pension. 'It is great that This is Money's intervention has helped get the pension arrears sorted out for these women but so many others are still waiting. 'I don't know what the answer is but clearly there is a lack of sufficient people to assess and approve or pay claims.' 'It is such a pain... this awful music goes on and on' Pamela Cottingham learned that 18 years of HRP were missing from her state pension record in a letter from HMRC last May. But despite numerous calls to the DWP, the retired secretary from Bristol could not get any information out of staff about the impact on her state pension. She says: 'It is such a pain ringing. It takes ages. I can't say how demoralising it is. This awful music goes on and on.' Mrs Cottingham told us: 'I am 77 and would appreciate settlement of the outstanding pension owed to me. In view of my age, and the fact that none of this is my fault, my case should be settled as soon as possible. 'I want it done while I am still here. I have always thought of those years I worked and my pension is so low.' After This is Money asked the DWP to look into her case, she received 14,000 and a 22 boost in her weekly state pension to 185. Pamela Ecclestone: I have written to the DWP but had no reply. As a minimum I would like my weekly pension corrected and paid 'Phoning DWP for an answer proved impossible' Pamela Ecclestone, 82, was told by HMRC in March she had nine missing years of HRP. A retired hospital receptionist, who lives in Warwickshire, Mrs Ecclestone eventually contacted us in frustration at the lack of response about what this meant for her pension. She told us: 'Phoning DWP for an answer has proved impossible, so I have written to them but had no reply. As a minimum I would like my weekly pension corrected and paid.' After we intervened, she got nearly 5,300 and a 25 a week increase in her pension to 123. Elderly couple undertake 10-month letter writing campaign Eveline Palmer, 91, and her husband Kenneth, 85, spent the better part of a year fruitlessly chasing up a notification from HMRC that she had 10 missing years of HRP on her record. After discovering this in January, the couple from London sent numerous letters trying to find out if this meant a rise in her state pension. Mrs Palmer, who was a volunteer teacher before she married, and her husband wrote to HMRC and the DWP, then an HMRC complaints investigation manager, then ministers at the DWP and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions. After we raised her case with the DWP, Mrs Palmer was told she would get no increase in her 101.80 a week payments, which represent 60 per cent of her husband's basic state pension. Lorraine Rae: She rang HMRC and made half a dozen calls to the DWP, attempting to find out whether her state pension was correct State pension was correct from the outset Lorraine Rae, 75, was also unsuccessful after she applied for HRP early this year to see if she was missing out. HMRC wrote back in March saying she had 25 years of HRP on her record. She rang HMRC and made half a dozen calls to the DWP, trying to find out what that meant for her state pension. The former wages clerk, who lives in Hampshire, said of her experience talking to staff: 'I have been told I will get a letter, been told I will get a lump sum, been told there is not a time frame. I have received nothing so I am at a loss to what to do.' After we got involved, Mrs Rae was informed her state pension was correct from the outset, as her National Insurance record had always included her HRP. 'I have been underpaid for 16 years' Denise Cooke contacted us after reading our previous story about a pensioner who struggled for nearly a year to get a large sum in state pension arrears. 'I now realise that I am not the only person who is waiting for my underpaid pension to be paid to me,' she told us. 'As I am 76 years old, this means that I have been underpaid for 16 years.' Mrs Cooke, a retired electronics buyer and sales rep who lives in Shropshire, was informed by HMRC in June she had 14 missing years of HRP. She made a series of calls to the DWP, and told us: 'The last time I phoned, the gentleman told me that they have been told to tell everyone the same thing. That is your case is being looked into.' After we asked for her case to be investigated, she got a 7,200 backpayment and a rise of nearly 12 a week in her state pension to 164. Mrs Cooke says that to mark receiving her money, she intends to donate a sum to a local charity called Working Together, which helps young mentally and physically handicapped people prepare for adulthood. 'My comment would be that the DWP werent interested in sorting out my arrears until you got involved,' she told This is Money. 'Its amazing how the threat of adverse publicity made them able to resolve my case two days after I gave them permission for you to talk to them about my case. Once again thank you for your help.' What to do if HRP might be missing from your state pension record HMRC has written to more than 250,000 people over pension age who are potentially eligible and is starting to write to those under pension age. If you believe you might be affected, HMRC has a web tool to check and apply. You can also fill in and post the form CF411, but HMRC gets people to check whether they are eligible to apply online before they reach it. Should you have trouble doing this, you can call the National Insurance Helpline on 0300 200 3500. To claim HRP for a deceased person, you can fill in a form giving their details as if you were them, and then sign it yourself explaining why you are doing so. If you have missing HRP, then HMRC will update your National Insurance records, but after that DWP has to review your state pension and if necessary amend payments and award arrears. The DWP will also assess any arrears that need to be paid to a deceased person's beneficiaries. If you are under state pension age, contact the DWP's Future Pension Centre, and if you have already reached state pension age contact its Pensions Service. Steve Webb has a column on missing HRP here. If you are experiencing delays, scroll down to find out how to contact This is Money. You can also ask your MP for help. 'Surely they should check a few details first before upsetting people' Gill Bailey is among many bereaved readers who have contacted us after being left hanging for months over mystery state pension payouts. Out of the blue last December, she received a letter from the DWP saying her late father might have been underpaid state pension. Alan Ryrie, who died aged 83 in 2022, was from Aberdeen. He was a retired textile mill worker, and a war veteran who served in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Mrs Bailey sent the details requested about him back to the DWP the same month, but heard nothing more. She told us: 'When I call I get fobbed off so gave up calling. How long should this take?' Mrs Bailey went on: 'It's just mad. It's just awful. They kept putting me through to bereavement. I kept saying it's not bereavement that I need. I called three or four times.' She says one DWP staff member told her 'there is no end date' to how long she had to wait for an outcome. 'It's disgusting they are making people wait this long. Even if there is nothing there at least you know. It's when the letter comes with my dad's name on it. It's a horrible feeling.' After we intervened, the DWP said her father's state pension had been correct and apologised for the delay responding. Mrs Bailey told us: 'Makes no sense sending the original letter out to be honest. Surely they should check a few details first before upsetting people.' 'All that aggravation and stirring up the past for next to nothing' Julia Palmer contacted us after her sister received a letter from the DWP in August saying their late father might have been underpaid state pension. Ronald Playle, who died aged 94 in 2016, was a retired factory worker who lived in Bedfordshire. Mrs Palmer asked us: 'Can you find anything out for us as I know you can't speak to anyone in the relevant department. It's not knowing. I would rather they told me we don't owe you a penny. 'It's just hanging over you. It has been quite upsetting. It brings back thing you have forgotten. It hits you again.' When we asked the DWP about this case, it paid Mrs Palmer and her sister arrears of 9.30. She says: 'I don't think they should have contacted people about their late relatives until they were sure of their facts. All that aggravation and stirring up the past for next to nothing.' Defiant: Toby, right, and William Findlay on the march All the stories I heard marching with the farmers last week were troubling. Everyone was desperate to protect their livelihood and pass their farms this country's backbone to the next generation. With estates worth over 1million no longer exempt from inheritance tax (IHT), some say this will be impossible. Chancellor Rachel Reeves' ill-thought-out raid means anyone inheriting a farm worth 1million plus could face a 20 per cent tax on anything above the sum from April 2026 (though still half the 40 per cent rate paid by other estates). The National Farmers' Union fears 75 per cent of the more than 209,000 British farms in Britain could be affected. Many people I spoke to say they will have to sell up, destroying family farms dating back generations. But are there any financial solutions? We asked tax experts Mark Levitt, a partner at tax, accountancy and business advisory firm Blick Rothenberg, and Sam Dewes, a partner at HW Fisher. WILLIAM FINDLAY did not celebrate his 40th birthday with a party but a six-hour trip from the family farm near Falkirk, Stirlingshire, to London. He is fighting for the survival of spreads such as 130-acre Strathavon Farm, owned by his 76-year-old father Thomas. He says: 'Dad does not stop. We keep a herd of 100 cattle Limousin and Simmental and farms like ours should be treated as cornerstones that feed a nation rather than easy tax targets.' Farmland in the Lothians costs about 13,000 an acre, says estate agent Strutt & Parker. Strathavon Farm with its land, farmhouse and outbuildings, is worth more than 2million. EXPERT VIEW: There is a potential tax relief, Conditional Exemption Tax Incentive, if a farm is of historical or architectural interest, has land of outstanding natural beauty or of special scientific interest, or is home to objects of historic or artistic interest. This removes IHT and capital gains tax on these estates. Levitt says: 'If you find ancient burial mounds or remains of a castle it could satisfy the relief.' But you must set up a heritage maintenance fund of 10,000 and more, managed by a professional trustee. You may also have to let the public in at least once a year. Dewes says another option is taking out a life insurance policy and putting it into a trust. Families still pay IHT upon your death but a whole-of-life insurance policy can pay a lump sum on death that sits outside of your estate if held in trust and can pay any IHT bill. The option is not cheap and would cost farmers like Thomas thousands of pounds a month. However, a 50-year-old might pay 1,250 a month for a sum of 1.4 million written into trust. You could also put your farm in trust bequeathing the estate to your next of kin on death. Levitt says: 'Setting up such a trust can cost 2,000 to 5,000 but you must pay 3 per cent of the value of the estate every ten years. 'So, a trust holding a farm worth 10 million and assuming this was still the value after the first ten years would have to pay a 300,000 IHT charge working out at 30,000 set aside each year.' ANNABEL WHITBY, 34, is a fourth-generation Warwickshire sheep farmer with a flock of 450 North Country Mules on the 300-acre Brookfields Farm owned by her father Mike Green, 72. He could not make the protest due to a hip replacement op but could still not be kept off his tractor. Annabel has two sisters and was hoping to one day take up the farm for her sons George, four, and six-month-old Charlie. But this dream has been destroyed by Labour. Annabel says: 'How am I supposed to buy my sisters out? What we earn gets ploughed back into the farm. 'I run a dog grooming sideline for extra cash. This tax bill will shut down our farm.' Based on figures by estate agent Knight Frank, an acre of pasture in Warwickshire was 7,920 two years ago, meaning the land may be worth 2.4 million. Including a farmhouse and outbuildings, Brookfields Farm's total worth is more than 3 million. EXPERT VIEW: Farmers must consider succession planning including giving away some of the farm to the next generation now. Levitt says: 'You must live seven years after giving the farm away to avoid IHT. And if you still live in the farmhouse there could be complications from a 'reservation of benefit' gift rule continuing to enjoy the property while still alive. This could be taxable. 'But if those who are to inherit already share the property you may be OK.' Dewes suggests the inhabitants pay rent to the new owner bequeathed the property to avoid tax difficulties. Speaking out: The farmers' banner at the protest outside Parliament LUKE MAYO, 36, and Caroline Howells, 35, have 8,000 free-range poultry on their Dorset farm. They brought their two-year-old son Ruben on the demo. Luke is a fifth-generation farmer on 125-acre Friar Waddon House farm, which is also used for growing hay, rearing cattle, and sheep. He says: 'Our land was valued at 1.5 million 15 years ago so the next generation could be driven out of business by this tax.' He adds: 'The only people who are going to make money out of this vindictive new tax are property developers who will snap up land farmers are forced to sell.' EXPERT VIEW: Dewes says raising the number of owners of the farm can increase the IHT threshold which for this couple might mean tying the knot. He says: 'A married couple that jointly owns a farm can split it in two so qualify for 2million of agricultural property relief. This is on top of the 1million inheritance tax limit all married couples have if they leave a property to a direct descendant. It means you could have a 3 million limit before paying any tax.' Levitt says farmers such as Luke should make the most of agricultural property relief (APR) capped at 1 million. For Luke, this includes land used for animal pasture and keeping hens, as well farm buildings and the farmhouse. Levitt says business property relief (BPR) can be used for machinery, and any farm shop. You can pool agricultural property relief (APR) with business property relief (BPR) up to the 1million individual limit. The Government says farmers will have ten years to pay IHT. Other estates have just six months. Luxury dating app Seeking Arrangement was known for being the go-to place to snag a 'sugar daddy' - or a seedy online playground linked to sex trafficking and Matt Gaetz, depending on who you ask. Longtime former employee-turned-whistleblower Brook Urick, who started out as a sugar baby and eventually became a poster girl for the website, claims it's the latter. She recently released a book about her experience, called 'Wink Wink Nudge Nudge: Sexual Exploits and Secrets from Inside a Sugar Daddy Website'. It makes allegations about the site, which has more than 46 million users and was founded by Brandon Wade - a thrice-married Singaporean-American businessman who once said that 'love was a concept for poor people'. The site made headlines in 2021 for apparently being tied to alleged sex trafficking by several men including Donald Trump's former choice for attorney general, Gaetz, and his associate, tax collector Joel Greenberg. While Gaetz and the company denied that he'd ever been a user, Greenberg pleaded guilty to underage sex trafficking, wire fraud, stalking, identity theft, producing a fake ID card and conspiring to defraud the US government. Prosecutors argued that Greenberg, who was later sentenced to 11 years, had met the minor victim in the sex crimes through Seeking Arrangement. 'In 2021 when there was that case about a certain Republican Congressman from Florida and his tax collector buddy who... the tax collector is currently serving an 11-year sentence for tax evasion and underage sex trafficking,' Urick told the DailyMail.com. Following a report that his 17-year-old accuser had testified that she had two sexual encounters with him, Gaetz announced that he would withdraw from consideration for attorney general. Longtime former Seeking employee Brook Urick, who started out as a sugar baby and eventually became a poster girl for the website, is now whistleblowing on the site Seeking arrangement made headlines in 2021 for apparently being tied to alleged sex trafficking by several men including Donald Trump 's choice for attorney general, Matt Gaetz (pictured) Urick added: It begs the question, if its so out in the open that people are paying underage girls for sex on this website, then why is it still around? That is the question I seek to answer. 'Seeking.com has no knowledge of Mr. Gaetz ever having an account on the website,' the company said in response to the allegations. 'Seeking values the safety and security of its members above all else, prohibits any and all illegal activities, and strictly enforces those prohibitions,' they added in part. 'To enact such measures, Seeking has 24-hour moderation, provides ongoing training to staff to eliminate members who engage in inappropriate behavior, and uses keyword detection technology, image moderation and additional measures to eliminate those who attempt to misuse the site.' Gaetz has also denied all wrongdoing and having relations with underage girls or paying women for sex, and the probe into his alleged activities ended when he resigned from Congress on November 13 to become part of Trump's top team. Now, there's a renewed interest in the House Ethics committee to release the report on Gaetz's alleged tryst with a 17-year-old girl. It is unclear if the women Gaetz allegedly met through Seeking Arrangement were underage. Founder Wade met his third wife Dana Rosewall - who at 24 is 30 years his junior - on his own website three years ago, and she is now the co-chair of the company that has since been re-branded to just 'Seeking'. Many regular 'sugar babies' have also shared their own success stories about meeting a wealthy older man who opened doors to a life of luxury, like taking them on exotic vacations in five-star hotels while paying their college tuition fees. But Urick, 32, told DailyMail.com this is rarely the case and claimed she received emails from young girls' moms begging for help tracking down their profiles. Pictured: An alleged sugar daddy party Urick posted on her Instagram Pictured: A transaction Urick said was from a married man she met on Seeking Arrangement Speaking from her Las Vegas home, Urick made claims about the organization where she worked for five years - until she 'stopped drinking the Kool-Aid' and realized she was 'contributing' to what she described as a 'sex-trafficking machine'. Urick joined Seeking at the age of 21 in the hopes of finding a sugar daddy to pay her way through college. Though she didn't find the wealthy older man she'd been hoping for, her profile was scouted by company bosses to become part of their promotional team. Urick said the men often lead double lives, with many working white collar and government jobs. If men are smart, then they dont reveal their identity, because it is encouraged on the website to be anonymous,' she told DailyMail.com. 'Even if there were people on the website like that I wouldnt know. 'But I can tell you that during my time there, I did see policemen and people with suffixes of government email addresses personally using the website. I learned a lot about the reality of what motivates people and its darker and more sinister than you can imagine. One woman who signed up for SeekingArrangement.com previously told LeedsLive: 'I didnt realize the level that was expected. I thought, at the worst, I would have to send some photographs and do some webcam-ing. Founder Wade met his third wife Dana Rosewall - who at 24 is 30 years his junior - on his own website three years ago, and she is now the co-chair of the company that has since been re-branded to just 'Seeking'. (Pictured: Wade and Rosewall) Brandon Wade, 54, met economics student Dana Rosewall, 24, at the end of 2020, through Seeking Arrangement - the American sugar dating website he founded in California in 2006 'I didnt know how explicit it was going to be and just how awful it is. Its a load of men with really obscure fantasies and fetishes. 'A lot of it is about inflicting sadistic stuff on girls and students who are vulnerable. Its all pretty extreme.' Urick said she wanted to write her book to warn could-be sugar babies that the rarely attained rewards aren't worth the risks. The majority of people do not receive the spoils because of supply and demand, there are not enough rich men to go around,' she said. 'Most of the men on the site are not rich at all. They are picking up where Seekings marketing leaves off. 'They are allowed to do that because the site encourages anonymity. One predator can hit dozens, hundreds, perhaps thousands of victims.' In 2018, the New York Times reported that Seeking Arrangement that high school and college-age girls were targeted by the site by being encouraged to register with a '.edu' email to earn a free upgrade. As a result, by 2020, the top occupation on the site was listed as 'student', according to Villanova's Commercial Sexual Exploitation Institute. Urick joined Seeking at the age of 21 in the hopes of finding a sugar daddy to pay her way through college In an interview with The Times, Wade denied that his website was a vehicle for prostitution. He said the terms of service outline how transactions for sex are prohibited - he just wanted to create a platform which allows transparency in talking about money, 'We want to drive people to talk honestly on the first date about who they are and what they expect to gain from a relationship, just like you discuss in any business relationship and any business arrangement,' he told the Times. The National Center on Sexual Exploitation further claimed that 'Seeking Arrangement targets college students who are struggling with student debt with advertisements and free premium accounts, in order to provide sexual gratification to more socio-economically advantaged men.' These in-debt students, the center claims, are more vulnerable to be coerced. 'Without a doubt, you are putting yourself in an extremely vulnerable position. There is a reason the men have chosen SeekingArrangement over eHarmony.com and that is to have sex with younger girls,' one anonymous user told Epigram. Urick recently released a book about her experience, called 'Wink Wink Nudge Nudge: Sexual Exploits and Secrets from Inside a Sugar Daddy Website' Longtime former Seeking employee Brook Urick, who started out as a sugar baby and eventually became a poster girl for the website, is now whistleblowing on the site Pictured: Urick in her 'sugar baby' days, as shared on her Instagram grid Urick said the site's horror stories are often buried because of the 'shame and secrecy' associated with the practice. Seeking describes itself as the place to 'experience hypergamy' - the practice of dating someone of a higher social status or sexual capital than yourself. The website encourages users to 'connect with sophisticated individuals who match your ambition and elevate your journey to the exciting, fulfilling life you deserve'. Urick said the website used to advertise itself more overtly as a sugar daddy-baby meeting place, as verified by DailyMail.com using the Wayback Machine. In November 2020, the website listed 'sugar baby perks' including 'indulging in shopping sprees, expensive dinners, and exotic travel vacations' while promising older men using the website 'four sugar babies per sugar daddy'. And despite appearances, a 2021 report by the Government Accountability Office cited research that 'sexual activity may be expected or implied' for Sugar Daddy websites in general. Seeking Arrangement did not immediately respond to DailyMail.com's request for comment. According to Urick, current legislation does little to protect the minors allegedly exploited by websites like Seeking. Urick said the site's horror stories are often buried because of the 'shame and secrecy' associated with the practice The law made it illegal to knowingly assist in sex trafficking, it did not make these websites per se illegal. 'While I was working there, while that law was passed, I was like, oh its the beginning of the end, like this law is going to shut down this website. 'So, imagine my surprise so many years later when the website is still around. 'I wish to inform people about how your perspective changes from when youre a young 18-year-old to when youre older like I was when I left the company, I was 27. 'You really do have a mindset shift during that time. 'I began to realize that it was not easy money, it was the most horrifying money I ever made, and the only way to stop these websites in my opinion is to get the girls off the website, because the commodity of sugar daddy websites is naive young sugar babies. 'If we can let these girls know that its not what you think it is, then maybe we can help. In a 2022 press release, Seeking wrote of newer safeguards they had put in place, 'As Seeking continues to grow, so do the brands social responsibility efforts, and its unmatched commitment to keeping its community safe on and offline.' The company added that it has invested heavily with UrSafe, FreedomLight 'and similar groups to make dating safer and work to prevent sex trafficking, while also offering background check verifications for users, two-factor authentication to safeguard information and a dedicated 24-hour customer service department.' A woman whose car vanished from a mechanic's garage while in for repairs has been hit by a fresh blow after a tribunal dismissed her $13,000 compensation claim. Hulya Ofli, from Westmeadows in northwest Melbourne, booked her 2010 Volkswagen Passat sedan in for a service with Uzis Auto Repairs in Campbellfield in the citys north over two years ago. The car, which had 120,000km on the clock, was unroadworthy, unregistered and required a new catalytic converter, was towed to the garage on May 6, 2022. More than a month later, Ms Ofli met Uzis Auto Repair owner Uzyeir Osmanli but was told he did not have time to fix it, according to a recent judgement published by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. The pair clashed at the tribunal over the date they had then arranged for Ms Ofli to pick the car up from outside the mechanic's garage. She told the tribunal it was June 30, but Mr Osmanli said it was a week earlier on June 23. On June 27, Mr Osmanli rang Ms Ofli to tell her the car was missing, and said he had assumed she had come to pick it up. When she said she had not, he suggested the council may have taken it. The owner of Uzis Auto Repair (pictured), Uzyeir Osmanli, told her that he did not have time to carry out the repair. The car vanished four days later Hulya Ofli booked her 2010 Volkswagen Passat sedan in for a service with Uzis Auto Repairs in Campbellfield in the Melbourne's north over two years ago (stock image, not Ms Ofli's car) But when Ms Ofli contacted the council, and was told it had not taken the car. The repair shop owner eventually paid Ms Oflis brother Engin $500 to settle the dispute because he was sick of the family harassing him and it was a way he hoped to end the matter, the tribunal heard. But Ms Ofli launched legal proceedings a month later, originally claiming $23,000 for the value of the lost car but revising it down to $13,000 after researching online. However Mr Osmanli told the tribunal the car was not worth repairing. He recommended to Ms Ofli she should tow it away and sell it for scrap and estimated its value between $500 to $600, the hearing was told. Ms Ofli secretly recorded a telephone conversation with Mr Osmanli on June 29, which she claimed contradicted his statements. But the recording could not be accepted as evidence at the tribunal because it was illegally made. Ms Oflis mother also alleged to the tribunal that Uzis Auto Repair shop had previously failed to replace brake pads on her car, despite claiming that they had. The tribunal heard the mother then had an accident and another mechanic claimed the brake pads had not been replaced, which prompted Mr Osmanli to apologise and offer a refund. The mechanics lawyer accepted that the repairman had paid out the refunded but argued that it was not relevant to the current case, the tribunal noted. Ms Oflis mother also alleged to the tribunal that Uzis Auto Repair shop had previously failed to replace brake pads despite claiming that they had (pictured: inside the garage) The tribunal ultimately agreed with Mr Osmali about the date the car was due to be collected. This means from that date it became the responsibility of Ms Ofli to collect the car, the tribunal found. It added: Unfortunately it appears that it is more likely than not the motor vehicle was stolen after being left on the street and after the agreed time for collection. The tribunal acknowledged that it was a very unfortunate set of circumstances for Ms Ofli that her car went missing, but it ultimately dismissed her claim. It is not the first time Ms Ofli has been lost a legal action in court. Her Westmeadows home was allegedly broken into in April 2021 when she had numerous expensive items stolen, including a white gold and diamond ring valued at $23,000, a $6,000 drone, a $4,200 gold and diamond bracelet and 22 other gold bracelets. But her insurer denied her claim on the grounds it was allegedly fraudulent so she took her case to the Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA). AFCA found no evidence of fraud and rejected any suggestion the break-in was staged. But it said there were 'legitimate concerns' about her credibility and ordered the insurer only to pay only for some lower-value items. She sued the Insurance Manufacturers of Australia but her case was ultimately thrown out by the Supreme Court of Victoria because she had accepted the AFCA decision. A former village doctor is standing trial in Norway accused of raping 87 women and filming the attacks at his surgery and in their homes over the course of 20 years, in what is being described as the biggest sexual abuse scandal in the country's history. Arne Bye, 55, is charged with having abused his position in order to obtain sexual contact with a total of 94 women - including two who were children at the time of the alleged assaults. The oldest woman was 67 years old when she was allegedly raped, while the youngest alleged victims were 14 and 15 years old. Bye, a former former municipal superintendent, has pleaded guilty to three counts of rape and 35 cases of abuse of position, and faces up to 21 years in prison. Police seized over 6,000 hours of video material during their investigation, most of which were recordings of gynecological examinations carried out on patients without their knowledge which investigators described as 'sensitive and detailed'. According to the indictment, Bye allegedly inserted a 'deodorant-like', a 'bottle-like' and a cylindrical object into the women without there being any medical reason for doing so. In shocking testimony to the court in Trndelag, one woman said the experience had been so painful 'that I thought I was going to die'. Woman number 18, as she is being referred to during the trial, told the court on Wednesday that she had gone to her GP's office with a sore throat before the invasive examination took place. Arne Bye, 55, is charged with having abused his position in order to obtain sexual contact with a total of 94 women Bye's surgery, where most of the 'examinations' took place and he set up cameras The tiny town of just 2,600 inhabitants has been rocked by the shocking case Despite the nature of her ailment, she said she ended up being examined in her underwear on the bench, reportedly telling the court: 'I thought that he is my doctor, so I did as he said.' The women have each described unpleasant, invasive experiences during the gynecological examinations, with many saying that Bye gave them an 'abdominal massage'. The indictment describes how the actions 'happened quickly and unexpectedly' during gynecological examinations at the doctor's office at Frosta. The tiny town of just 2,600 inhabitants has been rocked by the shocking case, with Bye having been a both a public figure and doctor to hundreds of residents there for years. The lengthy trial has seen the court shown graphic video evidence, all recorded by Bye during the examinations. 'We have video recordings of the assault itself. In that sense, we have a rather special evidentiary situation in the case, in that large parts of the indictment are illustrated with video material, says the prosecutor,' state attorney Richard Haugen Lyng said. Bye claimed in court that he filmed appointments as he feared lawsuits from patients, and claims he never watched the videos, except in connection with the case. According to Norwegian broadcaster NRK, the video in woman number 18's case shows Bye positioning several cameras around before he begins examining her. From the audio of the clip, NRK reports, it appears that Bye asks the woman whether it is painful, and at one point warns her that 'this is going to hurt'. Bye originally insisted to investigators that his examination of woman number 18 was not of a sexual nature. But, taking to the witness box on Wednesday, NRK reports that he partially acknowledged the charge of rape. According to the indictment, Bye allegedly inserted a 'deodorant-like' into a number of the women A cylindrical object was also allegedly used by Bye in the examinations, without any medical reason for doing so The 19th woman to stand in the witness box during the trial said that he told her to sit in the gynecologist's chair several times, despite not having had any previous abdominal complaints. She reportedly said that Bye's examinations 'took a long time' and all of them had been painful. The woman's daughter and sister are also said to be among the alleged victims in the case. The first concerns about Bye were raised as long ago as 2006 by another doctor in the gynecology ward at the local hospital in nearby Levanger. One of Bye's patients, who was attending the hospital for further treatment, reported that her doctor had massaged her genital area during an examination. Police seized over 6,000 hours of video material during their investigation, most of which were recordings of gynecological examinations carried out on patients without their knowledge Investigators described the hours of video footage as 'sensitive and detailed' She reportedly said that other patients had experienced the same, allegations Bye denied. Police launched their investigation into him in August 2022 after health authorities alerted them about possible criminal acts. Bye was allowed to continue in his post until police charges were filed against him in 2023. Despite the serious accusations against him, Bye has not been remanded in custody, with officers saying that they will continue to monitor the situation but that there is currently no basis for his arrest. The trial continues. A 101-year-old widow is in a legal fight with the Rotary Foundation Canada over which charities can benefit from her late husband's $28.5-million estate. Mary McEachern says the foundation has blocked her efforts to honor her spouse's deathbed request to share his fortune with various causes, not the Rotary alone. Mary accused charity bosses of being 'greedy' but the group says it has financial responsibilities and is bound by her husband Steve McEachern's official will. 'If Steve could see what's happening now, he would be devastated,' Mary, of Edmonton, Alberta, told DailyMail.com. 'He trusted that his wishes would be honored, and he would never want this kind of fight.' Steve amassed his fortune, some CAD$40 million, during his 65-year investment career. The lifelong philanthropist served with several community groups and charities, including Rotary. In his will from 2019, he named The Rotary Foundation Canada as the sole beneficiary of the estate, minus money for Mary's living costs. The couple had no children. The foundation is a corporation and registered charity in Canada involved in aid work globally, typically disaster relief, and clean water and vaccine programs in poor countries. Mary McEachern, 101, is in a legal battle with Rotary foundation officials over her husband's legacy. Mary and Steve McEachern were married for 75 years, until Steve died in 2020 during the pandemic. Steve died aged 98 in September 2020 but not before he had a change of heart about leaving everything to the Rotary. That was during COVID-19, and Steve wanted to help Canada's charities he'd seen struggling amid the pandemic, says Mary, his wife of 75 years, in an affidavit. 'One afternoon, before he passed, he looked at me and said, 'I don't want to give any more money to Rotary. I've given them enough, and there are so many people in our own part of the world who need help',' Mary said. 'That was Steve. He believed in giving where it mattered most.' But Steve's health was faltering, and he died before he could rewrite his will, the widow says. Mary and her family have set up a website to pressure Rotary to allow her to donate Steve's assets to a total of 17 charities. They include Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service, the Edmonton Humane Society, the Mustard Seed, the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute, and the University of Alberta. 'All I've ever wanted is to make sure his legacy is carried out the way he wanted by helping the people and animals he cared so deeply about,' said Mary. Rotary was offered $14 million and then $9 million at different times as settlements, but its officials did not reply, the family says. Four years after Steve's death, his estate remains untouched, caught up in legal red tape. Mary is a co-executor of the estate, but she requires a court order to alter the beneficiaries. Rotary is 'deliberately' drawing out the legal process 'hoping Mary will pass before her case is heard,' says the website. This month, the family launched a publicity campaign to pressure Rotary as the legal process drags on. Steve and Mary did not have any children, but Mary's wider family is helping her in the legal dispute. Mary worked as a nurse during her marriage to Steve, but also helped him with the paperwork for his business. The Rotary Foundation Canada is involved in aid work globally, typically disaster relief, and clean water and vaccine programs in poor countries. Mary says the Rotary club is delaying her court requests in the hopes that she will die and they can claim the entire $28.5-million estate. Mary says that she just wants her late husband's dying wish to be 'honored' by the charity 'This is money Steve and I worked and saved for together over our entire lives,' says Mary, who worked as a nurse throughout the marriage, but also helped build the business. 'It's not just about money it's about doing the right thing. Steve wanted this money to go to charities close to home, where it could make a real difference for people and animals in need.' Rotary officials say they only became aware of Steve's bequest in 2022 after court proceedings began. The group says it wants to settle the Court of King's Bench dispute, but that they are obligated to honor Steve's will, and have to resolve some financial issues before they can reach a deal. Dean Rohrs, a previous president of the charity, said officials were 'open to negotiation,' but that the case was 'murky, muddy and complex' due to taxes and other elements of the estate. Steve's 'will was written only nine and a half months prior to his passing,' Rohrs told DailyMail.com. 'We, as the Rotary Foundation Canada, have a fiduciary duty to the 27,000 Canadian Rotarians who would have access to the funds from his donation. We need to make sure that this is what his intent is.' Rohrs also complained about the family's media campaign, which has sparked a backlash, and left members dealing with a barrage of angry emails. Still, Trish Young, Mary's niece, said Rotary officials only have themselves to blame. They've undermined the charitable efforts of their many 'good, hard-working members' in Canada and beyond, she says, driven by 'pure greed' and the 'pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.' A man who was cut in half by a forklift truck has made a desperate plea ahead of Christmas Day, which is now just over a month away. Loren Schauers suffered the terrible accident while driving the vehicle across a bridge when he veered off, plummeted 50ft and found himself pinned to the ground beneath the massive vehicle in Great Falls, Montana, on September 27 2019. Writing with his wife Sabia Reiche - who also has an active presence on social media as part of their collaborative efforts - he posted an update on Facebook on November 17. It read: 'Just a little shout out to all of you for supporting and following us, 10K by Christmas would be super cool. 'We appreciate each and every one of you for helping us create this community!!' They shared a screenshot of the subscriber count for their account, which showed that they were sitting at 8,904 followers. With several years having passed since Loren's horrendous accident, he still lives with pain and difficulties. Another earlier update posted on their page on November 15 read: 'Loren is still not able to really go anywhere between the pain and not being able to use his bucket going to Mom and Dad's was not a good plan. Schauers is pictured with partner Sabia, who was told six times that he would not be able to pull through after the accident A man who was cut in half by a forklift truck has made a desperate plea ahead of Christmas Day, which is now just over a month away 'Luckily mom and dad came out and cooked at our house. Dad especially liked it when he realised he could just leave without cleaning up or doing dishes wishing everybody a peaceful week and see you next Sunday, love you all!' Despite the accident leaving Mr Schauers paralysed from the waist down, he revealed at the time how some of his friends were 'reclusive' following the incident. In a YouTube Live video posted on December 18 2019, Mr Schauers and his wife, Sabia Reiche, responded to questions from followers. One user asked: 'Do your friends still treat you the same way they used to before the accident? Are you happy, surprised or disappointed by some of them?' Loren replied: 'I've been mostly disappointed by most of them, I'd say.' Sabia continued: 'I've been a little surprised by some of them.' Loren went on to explain that 'a couple of friends came out of the woodworks and have been really supportive'. However, 'other friends totally reverted and have been reclusive', he added. In September 2022, the couple shared a YouTube video showing a compilation of footage from their life together following Loren's accident - including their wedding in February 2021. The couple have also bought their own home since the terrifying incident. The accident itself occurred when Loren was working as a laborer on a construction site during a bridge rehabilitation job in September 2019. He was driving a forklift over a highway bridge outside of Wilsal, Montana, when cars started illegally passing him in through the traffic lights. The single lane was dramatically narrowed and as one car passed him, Loren veered too close to the bridge edge and the ground crumbled beneath him. He attempted to jump from the falling forklift but his leg got trapped by the seatbelt, swinging him from the machinery as it plummeted 50ft down a steep hill. An air ambulance landed on the bridge and pulled Loren up the hill on a stretcher before flying to a hospital in Bozeman, Montana, where he met his loved ones. Loren completely lost his right forearm and hand in the accident, as well as breaking his right collarbone and shoulder. Schauers is pictured with Sabia after his operation The pair have since got married and have their own home He suffered a pulmonary embolism - a blockage in his lung artery - and needed a breathing tube. His lower body had been crushed in the accident and Loren made the brave decision to have hemicorperectomy surgery, where everything below his waist was amputated. One month after his accident, Loren was transferred to a hospital back in Montana so family could visit, because doctors still believed he would die. But his health started to improve at an incredible speed. Doctors had believed that he would be in hospital for at least a year and a half but he stayed for three months, before four weeks rehab, and then he was home. Loren has taught himself how to put on his 'bucket' prosthetic and get into his wheelchair without any help. 'Will you lads be having anything to drink with your meal then?' A standard question for any waiter to ask, but in the Yellow Bittern, a tiny 18-seater bistro recently opened on London's Caledonian Road, it's a pointed challenge with only one correct answer. It's an answer we're determined not to give. 'Just some water for us thanks, it's a bit early for us.' Hugh Corcoran, the chef cum poet cum communist owner of North London's most controversial new restaurant stiffens and shuffles back to his makeshift kingdom: the open plan kitchen where he ladles out bowls of Irish delicacies to his high brow clientele. He never speaks to us again. A man with an unrefined palate and distinct lack of literary nouse grapples with a 20 Dublin coddle Hugh Corcoran, the chef cum poet cum communist owner of North London's most controversial new restaurant: The Yellow Bittern However Corcoran has already upset his customers by claiming some of them don't understand the concept of lunch Corcoran's new venture, which he co owns with Frances Armstrong-Jones and Oisin Davies, is less than a month old Corcoran's new venture, which he co owns with Frances Armstrong-Jones and Oisin Davies, is less than a month old but has already made headlines for all the wrong reasons. The dining spot only opens for lunch on weekdays, does not accept card or walk ins and seats just 18 people with prospective diners having to call or send a postcard to reserve a table. The novel concept theoretically harkens back to the glory days of long salubrious lunches fueled by fine wine, fine food and titillating company. But Corcoran has already upset his customers by claiming some of them don't understand his bold lunch concept. In an Instagram tirade, the chef said: 'Little sharing plates has ruined dining. Or rather it has ruined diners. It is now apparently completely normal to book a table for 4 people say and then order one starter and two mains to share and a glass of tap water. 'There was at one point an etiquette in restaurants that if you booked a table in a nice place you at the very least had to order a main course (and possibly even a starter or dessert) and drink wine in order your table to be worth serving. 'For example, we do to the effort of dressing the table, of picking and arranging the flowers, of polishing the glasses etc and reserve the table for 2 hours for someone to order a meal which ends up costing 25 a head. Its not worth us opening. 'Order correctly, drink some wine, and justify your presence in the room that afternoon. If you do not drink because you have done so to such excess that it cannot be permitted any longer, then come hungry and eat your fair share. 'Restaurants are not public benches, you are there to spend some money.' Challenge accepted then Hugh. At a first glance, the YB is a tiny bookish place filled with obscure artwork and old Irish maps Below the tiny restaurant, a second hand book shop lurks although you won't find any Sally Rooney on the shelves The 6 soda bread was washed down with half a bottle of Guinness each The 6 radishes and butter consisted of some radishes and some butter When we arrive at the Yellow Bittern, which I will henceforth be abbreviating to YB for ease and as it sounds suitably bookish (something Hugh loves), we are struck by how unassuming the place is. In order to enter the establishment you must first ring a bell which summons one of the three members of staff to grant you entry. We are met by Hugh who beckons us in and directs us to a table which is still covered in the detritus of the first luncheon. While the table is hurriedly cleaned, we are left to stand awkwardly in the cramped aisle between the two banks of tables and assess the scene. At a first glance, the YB is a tiny bookish place filled with obscure artwork, old Irish maps and perhaps bizarrely for a man who has made no secret of his desire to make money: a portrait of Lenin. In order to be seated one of the tables has to be pulled out which results in my companion being trapped against the wall for the entire meal. Should you wish to use the toilet or peruse the second hand bookshop downstairs, the entire process must be repeated. You can at least read the menu though, which is located on a single chalk board by a a large serving table piled high with the days offerings. On the day MailOnline visited, the YB is serving delights such as 6 soda bread, 20 Dublin coddle and 9 apple pie. These prices are on the expensive side but they aren't overtly ridiculous in the way that some other London restaurants are, so that's a plus for the YB. Where the YB makes most of its money you feel is through their extensive wine list, which doesn't exist on any physical menu, as Hugh simply reels off the selections to customers off the top of his head. We do not give him the opportunity to do so and opt for some water. When he is finally granted the stage by the diners to our left he is clearly in his element, listing off the different tasting notes and origin of each bottle in the vein of a man who clearly wants you to know he is an expert on wine. Prices for the wine in the YB vary from 40 to 100 a bottle with single glasses setting customers back around 10. After stewing over our water for the best part of 20 minutes without ordering (even though the restaurant only has 18 seats, service is glacial) we decide to ape the behaviour of fellow diners and order a 5 Guinness: to share. The bottle is unceremoniously dumped on our table and we get to work nursing the stout. The green salad is, for want of a better description, a heap of gem lettuce slathered in a plain vinaigrette The coddle is a disaster consisting of two ugly-looking sausages that taste like they've come out of a can floating in a sad broth On to the food then, and we decide to order some soda bread to share and the mysterious option of 6 'radishes and butter.' Are they cooked in butter we wonder? Is this a cheeky play on words teasing the intricate nature of the dish? No. We are served a plate of radishes alongside a splodge of butter. The radishes are fresh and tasty but the butter doesn't really add much to the dish. As a combination it seems fairly pointless, but maybe that's the point. We're unsure but can't stew over it too long as our main course of 20 Dublin coddle and 6 green salad promptly arrives. This is where things take an unsavoury turn. The green salad is, for want of a better description, a heap of gem lettuce slathered in a plain vinaigrette. Inoffensive but hardly a salad. The coddle though is a disaster. Two ugly-looking sausages that taste like they've come out of a can floating in a sad broth next to some potatoes. Between us we can only finish off one of the sausages, leaving the other one to float forlornly in a puddle of Hugh's making. Our fellow diners are tucking into a far more hearty looking stew which had unfortunately run out for half of the day's second luncheon. This of course begs the question: why complain about how little your customers are spending if your kitchen physically can't handle the demands of 36 covers a day? Postcards adorn the walls of the YB in an effort to justify the restaurant's absurd booking policy At the end of the meal, we have spent roughly 24 a head which according to Hugh's own estimations means we weren't worth serving Questions, questions, questions - the answers of which are presumably stashed on the postcards pinned around the restaurant to justify their ridiculous booking policy. In need of a toilet break, my companion begins the herculean task of extricating himself from the wall. We are forced to move the table fully out into the aisle, spilling our water and scraping into our fellow diners who are packed against us like sardines. During the process, a genuinely irritated server asked us not to do that in future but rather put our hand up and wait for assistance like we're in school. So the vibe is less of a long luxurious luncheon and more of a put your hand up to go toilet and be grateful you're allowed. School dinners at least are cheaper. Having seen (and tasted) enough, we motion that we'd like to pay, a process which is elongated as we have conveniently forgot to bring cash (Hugh takes 'more pleasure' from physical currency). At the end of the meal, we have spent roughly 24 a head which according to Hugh's own estimations means we weren't worth serving. That's fine by us, as by our own estimations, the experience wasn't worth paying for. Donn Fendler credited wild berries and a Boy Scout's 'never-give-up attitude' for his survival after he was separated from his family, aged 12, atop Maine's highest peak in 1939. They helped him through nine tough days traversing Mt. Katahdin's dense wilderness battling hunger, fatigue, hallucinations, bugs, and leeches. He even lost his shoes in a river. Fendler's gripping survival story was front-page news in the build up to World War Two, and the boy's grit earned him an award from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. His memoir, Lost on a Mountain in Maine, has regaled generations of schoolkids in the Pine Tree State. Trail maps, a graphic novel and now a Hollywood movie chronicle the journey. Taking its name from Fendler's book, the film, which counts Sylvester Stallone among its producers, recreates the drama of a boy separated from his stern dad, twin brother, and others. Thankfully, there's a happy ending. Fendler went missing from his group in a fast-moving storm as they neared the summit of Katahdin in July of that year. He realized within hours that he 'was in trouble' and he started to 'panic,' he told Bangor Daily News in 2009. A scrawny Donn Fendler, 12, of Rye, New York, is shown with the sack which he used as a sleeping bag in the wilds of Maine, as he shed 15 pounds Fendler went missing atop the imposing Mount Katahdin, in Baxter State Park, the highest mountain in Maine at 5,269 feet So, he turned to his Boy Scout skills, a 'never-give-up attitude,' his faith in God and prayers. 'It taught me to keep a calm head and calm down,' he said. He ate strawberries and checkerberries and sheltered as best he could though the chilly nights. The boy followed a stream and a telephone line, which led him out to a hunting camp near Stacyville, some 35 miles from where he started. The malnourished Fendler was rescued by Maine Guide Nelson McMoarn and his wife Lena. He was bruised, cut, hungry, without pants or shoes, covered in insect bites and 15 pounds lighter but alive. The Bangor Daily News' bold headline on July 26, 1939, the day after the rescue, said: DONN FENDLER FOUND ALIVE. Three photos of the scrawny youngster and four stories about him adorned the newspaper's front page. The boy's peril had sparked a massive search and was the focus of newspaper headlines and nightly radio broadcasts. Hundreds of volunteers streamed into the region to help; messages of support poured in to Fendler's parents. In the 2009 interview, Fendler said 'prayers were sent to my mother by Western Union' from moms across the country. Three photos of a scrawny Donn Fendler and four stories about him adorned the newspaper's front page Donn Fendler chats with a young reader at a book signing in Bangor, Maine, in 2011. He regaled hundreds of schoolkids with his adventure story over the decades President Franklin Roosevelt presented 14-year-old Donn Fendler, of Rye, New York, with a gold medal for valor in 1940 at the White House in Washington 'They did that in those days,' he said. 'I think it worked because I am still standing here.' His survival skills were celebrated, and he went on to attend high school, study at the University of Maine, and serve in the US Army for 28 years. He married Maryrose 'Ree' Connolly in 1953 and had four children. He died aged 90 in October 2016, after personally recounting his ordeal to hundreds of Maine youngsters over the decades. Schoolkids know the saga through the memoir he co-wrote with Joseph B. Egan, and published in September of the same year. Kimberly Nielsen, a teacher at Crooked River Elementary School in Casco, says her third-graders are thrilled by the text. 'I love that the overarching theme is that Donn never gave up,' Nielsen told AP. 'He just never quits. He goes and goes.' Her teenage son learned a valuable lesson from the book: Stay together in the wilderness. The 16-year-old was recently hiking Katahdin with friends when a storm came in and they made the tough but sensible decision to turn back. 'My son wanted to keep going, but he knew that they had to stay together,' Nielsen said. 'He learned that lesson from the book. Im 100 percent certain.' The 98-minute movie brings this wisdom and a vintage vibe to the big screen. It stars Luke David Blumm as the brave lad, with Caitlin FitzGerald as his steadfast mom and Paul Sparks as his austere dad. Donn Fendler, 12, his feet still bandaged from his days alone in the woods, waves as he is honored in his hometown of Rye, New York. The movie Lost on a Mountain in Maine takes its name from Fendler's memoir The film stars Paul Sparks as Fendler's austere dad and Caitlin FitzGerald as his steadfast mom Stallone's Balboa Productions took on the project because the star liked the story of a plucky underdog. Filming took place in upstate New York, with the crew battling bugs and wading through shoulder-height water for canoe scenes. Some scenes were shot on Katahdin and a replica mountaintop built in a soundstage, complete with granite stones, blowing wind and rain and lightning. It builds on the book, by drawing upon other interviews and archival footage to stress the importance of family and faith, says director Andrew Boodhoo Kightlinger. The filmmaker hiked Katahdin to audition for the directing role. Adventure stories are a dime a dozen, he says, but Fendler's resonates as it's 'about a father and a son struggling to connect.' 'All Donn wants is for his father to say that he loves him, but he can't do it because he's a very old-fashioned father,' says Kightlinger. 'Every day on set, I would remind people, we're making a movie about a son who just wants a hug from his father.' The director says there are also echoes of pre-war America today. 'There are political divisions, society is a little on edge,' says Kightlinger. 'Here's a movie that reminds people about just the power of community, the power of caring about your neighbors.' A hacker has revealed how cyber criminals are using artificial intelligence to clone people's voices and steal thousands of pounds. Dr Katie Paxton-Fear is a cybersecurity lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and also an 'ethical hacker' who 'hacks companies before the bad guys do'. She has partnered with Vodafone Business on a new campaign to drive awareness of the rising threat of AI phishing scams on the UK business sector. New research from the company suggests that office juniors are putting their workplace more at risk of AI phishing attacks than any other age group. The study highlighted an 'age gap' in awareness with younger staff aged 18 to 24 appearing more likely to fall for the new breed of AI phishing scams than their older peers. Gen Z staff appear much easier to hack than most with nearly half (46%) having not updated their work password for more than a year, compared to an average of a third (33%) of staff. Researchers quizzed 3,000 UK office workers and business leaders from small, medium and large firms on a range of cybersecurity matters, including awareness of AI phishing attacks. The study revealed the majority of UK businesses (94%) do not feel adequately prepared to manage the rising threat of sophisticated AI-driven phishing attacks. Dr Katie Paxton-Fear is a cybersecurity lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University and also an 'ethical hacker' who 'hacks companies before the bad guys do' In a bid to raise awareness, Katie has revealed how easily cyber criminals can use AI to clone people's voices and impersonate them over the phone with the victim often none the wiser In a bid to raise awareness, Katie has revealed how easily cyber criminals can use AI to clone people's voices and impersonate them over the phone with the victim often none the wiser. Hackers need just 'three seconds of audio' like a voicemail - to clone someone's voice. They also often follow five simple steps to carry out their 'vishing' scam (voice-clone phishing scam). To demonstrate this, businessman and entrepreneur Chris Donnelly challenged Katie to hack his business to see how easily criminals could use AI to defraud him. Chris has been an entrepreneur for 15 years and is the founder of Lottie, a health tech platform for care homes. Read on below as Katie explains the steps cyber criminals take to hack a company using AI voice cloning. 1. Reconnaissance Recommendations given to the UK Government to ensure businesses stay safe from cyber-scamming by AI Launching a 'Cyber Safe' PR campaign: Develop a nationwide PR campaign to promote Cyber Resilience Centres (CRCs) and the Cyber Essentials certification among businesses of all sizes. Reallocating funding for local cybersecurity training: Reallocate funds within the National Cyber Security Strategy budget to support targeted local initiatives for businesses, focusing on effective engagement programmes. Enhancing cybersecurity skills to prevent AI-led cyber-attacks: Promote the development and adoption of AI-driven cybersecurity tools and provide training to businesses on preventing AI-led cyber-attacks. Expanding Cyber Resilience Centres (CRCs): Establish additional CRCs in underserved regions and enhance the capabilities of existing centres to offer tailored support for businesses. Source: Vodafone Business Advertisement Katie said: 'Any hack starts out with reconnaissance'. A hacker will find a victim and go onto their social media. In this case, Chris is a public figure with thousands of followers across various social media platforms. His profiles reveal details about his staff and what jobs they do for him. Now a hacker has both an unsuspecting boss and his equally unaware employee in their sights. 2. Voice cloning Now the hacker will browse the boss's social media pages to find audio or video content. Katie said: 'All we need to do is visit Chris's social media pages, download some video and copy his speech style. We only need three seconds of audio.' AI voice cloning software can use the recording to recreate Chris's voice now all the hacker needs to do is type in what they want their victim to say. In this case, Katie types in 'Have you managed to pay the invoice I sent over?' and the message is repeated in Chris's voice. 3. Make contact The hacker sends a text to the employee pretending to be from their boss even though it's from an unknown number, they tell them to expect a call. In this case Chris's employee receives the text and awaits his boss's call. 4. The call Now for the call. The hacker dials the employee from their computer using a piece of software, they then simply type in the message they want the cloned Chris to say. In the video, the employee hears his boss Chris ask him 'have you managed to pay the invoice I sent over? It's crucial this gets settled immediately'. New research from Vodafone Business suggests that office juniors are putting their workplace more at risk of AI phishing attacks than any other age group What is the employee to do? He has been given a direct order by his boss. 5. The wait The employee has been given specific instruction on how to make the payment. Now it is a case of waiting to see whether they will do it. Katie said: 'The final step is whether or not the victim takes the action. Most hackers will know if they've been successful by the end of the phone call'. Chris Donnelly, Entrepreneur and CEO, Lottie, said: 'Cybersecurity has always been a priority for my business, it's something we think about all the time, and we ensure we keep our security protocols as updated as possible. 'You can imagine my surprise by how effortlessly the ethical hacker was able to breach our defences using sophisticated AI phishing tactics, like voice cloning. 'As someone who runs a health tech platform where we manage vast amounts of personal and private data, this experience highlights the importance of staying one step ahead in cybersecurity, especially with evolving AI threats. Katie warned: 'With AI, attackers can tailor messages to appear highly personalised, making it harder than ever for employees to distinguish a fake email from a legitimate one. 'It's a wake-up call for all businesses to strengthen their security measures and provide consistent training for staff to protect against even the most advanced forms of deception. Today, staying vigilant and adaptive is essential to protecting our organisation and clients.' Katie added: 'With AI, attackers can tailor messages to appear highly personalised, making it harder than ever for employees to distinguish a fake email from a legitimate one. 'Businesses, no matter their size, need to understand the real risk at hand and take proactive measures to defend against these threats. 'Strengthening cybersecurity practices, implementing advanced detection systems, and educating staff on recognising AI-driven scams are essential steps to safeguard valuable data and maintain trust.' A single mother was duped out of 230 after a 'meet and greet' parking service at Gatwick Airport called just two minutes before her flight and never arrived to pick up her car. Ella Alcindor, 38, from Suffolk was ecstatic to go on her first holiday in six years with her 76-year-old mother and her toddler when they first booked a get away to Egypt. In the run up to jetting off from Gatwick Airport on September 24, Ms Alcindor had looked up companies to help park her car to avoid struggling with a buggy and luggage. She settled on GPH Online LTD, and made her booking through comparison website Compare Parking Prices. She told MailOnline: 'It was about 20 cheaper but wasn't ridiculously cheaper, nothing that would make you go "Oh that's dodgy". 'On the morning of our holiday, I called them and said: "Just so, you know I'm I'm running about 20 minutes late, and they said, "don't worry". 'They gave me directions on where to park and said if I went to that spot someone would meet me.' However to her surprise when she arrived, the car park was packed out, so she was then instructed by GPH Online LTD to go to the floor above and meet her there. But she was then informed that the driver was 45 minutes away, leaving Ella to struggle with her toddler and elderly mother who isn't 'very good at walking'. Ella Alcindor, 38, from Suffolk (Pictured) was ecstatic to go on her first holiday in six years with her 76-year-old mother and her toddler when they first booked a get away to Egypt However her holiday bliss was soon shattered when GPH Online LTD failed to pick up her car, leaving her worried she would be lumbered with a six thousand pound bill 'It was really annoying because I had to actually park the car, and it was too tight to take everything out. So it was a bit of a nightmare,' she said. However, it soon became clear that no one was coming to collect the vehicle. 'I called them for about an hour and a half until I was like, "we're going to miss our plane," she said. The mother-of-one then decided to call the comparison website for answers, but they denied responsibility. After some back and forth, Compare Parking Prices said they would find a driver to ensure someone met her. 'They said they would call me straight back and that they would find the company and make sure someone met me - and then they didn't answer.' She added: 'I totally panicked like what do I do?' What can I do? I have to catch my flight. So I went on holiday with my only set of keys.' After two hours and 85 phone calls to the firm, the meet and greet company contacted Ms Alcindor to say they were collecting her car - only two minutes before she boarded her flight. 'I thought: "Are you joking? I've been calling for like nearly two hours at this point", I said "you are too late. I need to get on the plane",' she said. Ms Alcindor was left to struggle with her toddler and elderly mother who isn't 'very good at walking' as well as their luggage - but this soon became the least of her worries After 85 phone calls in the space of two hours the mother struggled to reach the company, who never came to collect her car (Pictured) Ella luckily approached a member of staff at the airport to explain what had happened, and they suggested emailing Gatwick directly. With no time to spare as she jetted away the mother continued to panic as she waited to search for deals for car parking. Before resolving the issue and paying 180 her vehicle at the facility, the first day of her holiday, which she spent a year saving up for, was plagued with parking woes. 'It was very stressful for the first day Before I bought that additional parking,' she said. 'I thought how am I going to get my car out and in which case how do I get my mum and my baby home.' Ella was concerned she could be slammed a massive fine with for eighteen hours of parking she failed to pay in the interim. She added: 'I just felt sheer panic and felt incredibly stupid. I was thinking, am I going to be stuck with a six grand bill that I have no way of paying? 'I am a single mother and I work part-time because I have a two year old so six or ten grand is out of the question. Instead of missing her flight she was forced to go on holiday with her keys and pay an extra 230 for parking in the short stay car park at Gatwick (pictured: Gatwick Airport car park) Luckily Ms Alcindor was able to get her 90 that she paid the meet and greet company back via American Express, however she ended up paying over twice the amount in parking fees (pictured: Short stay car park at Gatwick) 'I was thinking what on earth are we going to be stranded are we going to be okay. 'I wouldn't be able to get a pint of milk without my car to walk, the nearest shop would be one hour and five minutes one way.' Eventually she was able to contact the parking service at Gatwick directly who told her she wouldn't have to worry about the fine and she paid a 50 fee instead. In total she lost 230 in parking fees and was refunded the original 90 paid to GPH Online LTD after filing a dispute with American Express. 'The whole time I was like to I did this to save 20 in the beginning never again. I paid double that and then some and then got all of this headache.' A spokesperson from Compare Parking Prices said: 'We would like to express our regret for the inconvenience caused. 'Compare Parking Prices is a comparison and booking platform that connects customers with independent parking service providers. 'As outlined in our Terms & Conditions, the service contract is between the customer and the chosen provider, and we do not directly deliver or manage these services. 'Upon being informed of the issue, we immediately escalated the matter to the service provider, GPH Online Ltd, requesting an urgent investigation and resolution. The mother-of-one was concerned she would be left with a shocking parking fine for the interim hours she hadn't paid (stock image) 'To ensure accountability, we also suspended GPH Online Ltd from our platform pending the outcome of the investigation. 'We have refunded the full booking fee to Ella Alcindor and have requested the provider to address the concerns directly. We are awaiting their formal response to this matter. 'At Compare Parking Prices, we strive to ensure that all providers listed on our platform meet the highest standards of service. Incidents like this are taken very seriously, and we act promptly to review and suspend providers when necessary. 'We remain committed to providing a safe and reliable booking experience for our customers and regret any distress caused. If you require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.' MailOnline has approached GPH Online LTD for comment. A father accused of almost strangling his daughter in an attempted 'honor killing' outside her school was allowed to walk free for 12 days after prosecutors initially failed to charge him with attempted murder. Ihsan Ali, 44, and his wife Zahraa Subhi Mohsin Ali, 40, were charged with attempted kidnapping and assault after the attack on October 18. The girl, 17, who wasn't named, ran away from home to Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington, after her parents tried to put her on a plane to Iraq. 'Her father had recently been threatening her with honor killing for refusing an arranged marriage with an older man in another country,' the girl told police, according to court documents. Shocking video allegedly showed Ihsan on the ground with his daughter in a chokehold, while classmates desperately tried to free her. But he was released from jail on October 24 on just a $150,000 bond after a hearing in Thurston County Superior Court. This was despite Judge John Skinder warning there was substantial danger Ihsan would commit another violent crime and interfere with the case. He was ordered to wear an ankle monitor and not have any contact with his daughter, who was moved to a safe house, or wife. Shocking video allegedly showed Ihsan Ali, 44, on the ground with his daughter in a chokehold, while classmates desperately tried to free her Zahraa, who also allegedly tried to strangle her daughter after students fought off Ihsan, was arrested on October 22. She faced a different judge to her husband, Judge Christopher Lanese, and was charged with attempted murder. He set her bail at $500,000, noting the same issues as Judge Skinder and his lack of confidence that she would show up to her next hearing, and she stayed behind bars. Victor Barnes, the father of the girl's boyfriend whom Ihsan allegedly punched in the face during the attack, wrote in an application for a restraining order on behalf of his son that he believed the girl's parents should be charged with attempted murder. His wife also told police on October 21 that Ihsan had a gun in his home, and she worried he would carry out his alleged 'honor killing' threat, and then come after her son. The girl also detailed how her father allegedly threatened to kill her on several occasions. A police officer wrote in their report that they 'do not believe this additional information was shared with law enforcement over the weekend', and also notified prosecutors. Despite this, Ihsan was still not charged with attempted murder. Almost two weeks after his release, on November 5, second-degree attempted murder was finally added to Ihsan's charges. Ihsan was re-arrested and his bail raised to $1 million, which was too much for him to pay. He remains in jail, while Zahraa's bond was unchanged. Why Ihsan wasn't initially charged with attempted murder, whereas his wife was, is unclear. This was despite police reports and court documents laying out his alleged near-deadly attack in detail. The Thurston County Sheriff's Office, which runs the jail, refused to release mugshots of Ihsan and Zahraa, citing state law. Victor Barnes (pictured), the father of the girl's boyfriend, explained how the attack unfolded - and the events before it - as told to him by his son Barnes told DailyMail.com the alleged attempted murder was the climax of months of conflict between the girl, her parents, and her boyfriend. The pair started dating in February, and he said the situation had been fraught since the summer and her parents wanted to send her to Iraq for an arranged marriage. The girl told police after the attack she didn't feel safe at home and her father frequently 'disciplined' her for petty 'transgressions like not making tea'. Barnes' wife told police that she sat in on a Child Protective Services meeting where the girl accused Ihsan of threatening her with an 'honor killing' for refusing the marriage. Barnes claimed that two weeks before the attack, the girl's parents tried to kidnap his son from the school, but were unsuccessful. Zahraa was warned by the school that if she came there again it would press trespassing charges, and Barnes got a restraining order for his son against her. 'At the end of the school day, the school made my child responsible for this girl's safety by asking him to help this girl get on the bus,' he wrote in the application. 'They continued to put this girl's family situation in the lap of my child as if he's an adult and understands the gravity of everything.' The girl was pulled out of school after that incident, but Barnes said she ran away a week later and again came to the school, but staff wouldn't help her. 'There was so much negligence by so many adults,' he said, also claiming Child Protective Services was working with the girl, then abruptly stopped. The parents faced different judges in Thurston County Superior Court. Ihsan was released on a $150,000 bond by Judge John Skinder (left), and Zahraa stayed behind bars after Judge Christopher Lanese (right) set her bail at $500,000 On the morning of October 18, he said the girl's parents showed up at his house with police demanding to know where she was. Barnes told them she was wasn't there and would presumably be at the school, then texted his son to warn him. 'She runs away from home because they wanted to fly her out of the country that day - she's afraid,' he said. 'She shows up at the school and my son's class and the teacher helps her because she looks very malnourished.' Barnes said school officials took her to a room and eventually found a safe place for her to go, but did not offer to help her get there. 'They know she's in danger, they know her circumstances and situation, but they insist for her to take public transportation to get to her safe destination - without any type of chaperone,' he said. The girl and her boyfriend walked to the bus stop at the front of the school and she spotted her father's pickup truck outside. Suddenly, Ishan emerged from the truck and confronted them, yelling at his daughter in Arabic. Barnes said another student, who spoke Arabic, yelled back, 'She doesn't want to go back with you. Leave her alone.' 'He didn't like what the kid said, he loses his mind and punches my son in the face,' Barnes alleged. Court documents explained that another student told police the boyfriend stood in front of her and was sent 'flying onto the concrete' when he was punched. Ishan allegedly put his daughter in a headlock and tried to choke her to death, saying, 'It's not right you are not supposed to do this', she told police. The alleged attack was outside Timberline High School in Lacey, Washington Barnes said his son 'starts to see her eyes roll back, and her arms start flailing' before she went limp and unconscious as he tried to save her. Other students described similar horrifying scenes to police, and her boyfriend said he thought she was going to die. Her boyfriend managed to subdue him, along with other students, by repeatedly punching Ishan in the head until he was dazed and let go, prosecutors said. Josh Wagner, who was driving by the school and stopped to break up what he thought was a school fight, then restrained Ishan until police arrived about 2.20pm. Zahraa then allegedly entered the fray and also tried to choke her daughter to death, but was separated by the growing group of kids. 'Her other daughter, which is the girl's older sister, is trying to fight the other kids away,' Barnes said, which the girl also told police. 'But it's too many other kids and mom isn't as strong as that, so they eventually grab the girl away from mom.' The girl told police she fled inside with her boyfriend yelling, 'My dad was trying to kill me' as Zahraa allegedly pursued her to the school doors, but wasn't let in. Security footage showed Zahraa chasing after the teens as they ran inside, before she was blocked from following them further than the front office. After Zahraa tried to get through other entrances, the principal yelled at her to leave and put the school on lockdown. The boyfriend suffered a boxer's fracture as he tried to get Ishan off his girlfriend, which is now in a cast. The girl was taken to Providence St Peter Hospital in Olympia for treatment and a strangulation exam. Police said they saw scratches on her neck and she complained of neck, throat, and jaw pain, and had difficulty swallowing. 'She believes she lost consciousness three to four times during the incident,' court documents alleged, adding that at one point she woke up with dirt pressed into her face. '[The girl] stated that she thought she was going to die.' Medical staff at the hospital reported she also suffered burst blood vessels in her eyes, and abrasions to her shoulders. Josh Wagner (pictured), who was driving by the school and stopped to break up what he thought was a school fight, restrained Ihsan until police arrived Timberline High School sent a message to parents afterwards, reading: 'After school today, there was an altercation near campus that required response from law enforcement. 'We were put on lockdown for a brief period of time to maintain safety and order on campus. Upon instructions from Lacey PD, the lockdown was lifted.' The school said it took student and staff safety extremely seriously, in a statement about Barnes' concerns. 'When unique situations arise, we work with concerned parties to provide a safe learning environment, and we are doing so in this case,' it said. 'As standard practice, including in this instance, we conduct a debrief after situations relating to student safety and consider whether there are actions we can take to improve in the future.' Ihsan was charged with second-degree attempted murder, first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree domestic assault, and fourth-degree assault. Zahraa was charged with second-degree attempted murder first-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree attempted kidnapping, second-degree domestic assault, and second-degree burglary. The jaw-dropping $6.2 million sale of a single banana duct-taped to a wall at a New York auction has left many in the artworld stunned - and not just because of the eye-watering price. Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun won a heated bidding war at Sotheby's on Wednesday, where he snapped up the infamous 'Comedian' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan - quite possibly the world's most expensive piece of fruit. The unusual installation, which consists of nothing more than a banana reportedly purchased for just 35 cents that has been secured to a blank wall with regular duct tape, has become a sensation among art collectors. It was originally expected to sell for between $1 million and $1.5 million. Bidding began at $800,000, and the price quickly spiraled to a whopping $5.2 million - or $6.2 million once auction house fees were taken into account. Sun, who founded the Tron blockchain network, outbid six other wealthy art enthusiasts to secure the controversial piece. 'This is not just an artwork,' Sun told Sotheby's after his splurge purchase, as reported by Reuters. 'It represents a cultural phenomenon that bridges the worlds of art, memes, and the cryptocurrency community. I believe this piece will inspire more thought and discussion in the future and will become a part of history.' Three previous editions of the artwork have sold for more than $120,000 - but this latest sale was even more bizarre. A single banana duct-taped to a wall has sold for a jaw-dropping $6.2 million at a New York auction - nearly four times the expected selling rate Chinese cryptocurrency entrepreneur Justin Sun won a heated bidding war at Sotheby's on Wednesday, where he snapped up the infamous 'Comedian' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan - quite possibly the world's most expensive piece of fruit In this instance the buyer didn't even get the original fruit. They instead received just a 'certificate of authenticity' that gives them permission to recreate the bizarre installation - or essentially, buy their own banana to duct-tape to a wall and call Comedian. Some art experts claim the piece is a brutal takedown of the art world while others, like Sotheby's head of contemporary art David Galperin, call it 'profound and provocative'. 'What Cattelan is really doing is turning a mirror to the contemporary art world and asking questions, provoking thought about how we ascribe value to artworks, what we define as an artwork,' Galperin told the Associated Press. Chloe Cooper Jones, an associate professor at the Columbia University School of the Arts emphasized the context behind the artwork. She said if the artwork was simply about understanding the insular, capitalist, art-collecting world, Cooper Jones said, 'it's not that interesting of an idea.' Cattelan is thought of 'trickster artist,' she said. 'But his work is often at the intersection of the sort of humor and the deeply macabre.' The banana is in fact a piece of art titled 'Comedian' by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan - which first shocked the art world in 2019 when it sold for up to $150,000 'He's quite often looking at ways of provoking us, not just for the sake of provocation, but to ask us to look into some of the sort of darkest parts of history and of ourselves.' She revealed perhaps a darker truth: the banana isn't just a joke - it's a powerful symbol of global trade exploitation, imperialism, and corporate greed. 'It would be hard to come up with a better, simple symbol of global trade and all of its exploitations than the banana,' Cooper Jones said. 'If 'Comedian' is about making people think about their moral complicity in the production of objects they take for granted, then it's 'at least a more useful tool or it's at least an additional sort of place to go in terms of the questions that this work could be asking,' she said. In May, a South Korean art student who was 'hungry' after skipping breakfast, ate the banana that was part of the installation. The ripe banana masterpiece was then taped to a wall at Seoul's Leeum Musuem of Art. The student, Noh Huyn-soo, boldly taped the peel to the wall after eating the banana. A new banana was then placed in the empty spot. According to the museum, the banana has to be replaced every two to three days. Now its value has skyrocketed and could sell for a whopping $1-1.5 million at an upcoming auction at Sotheby's in New York on Nov 20 Some art experts claim the piece is a brutal takedown of the art world while others, like Sotheby's head of contemporary art David Galperin calling it 'profound and provocative' (Pictured: Artist Maurizio Cattelan) Maurizio Cattelan IFPDA Foundation Benefit Hosted by Christie's, Christie's Auction House, New York The incident was recorded by Huyn-soo's friend and uploaded to YouTube. Stunned onlookers shouted 'excuse me' at Huyn-soo during the recording, but he appeared to ignore the shouts and continued eating the banana. He briefly posed with the skin taped to the wall before leaving the room. Speaking later to local media about the incident, Huyn-soo said the video was an act of 'rebellion' against Catellan's own 'rebellious' artwork. 'There could be another rebellion against the rebellion,' the Seoul National University student told KBS. 'Damaging an artwork could also be seen as an artwork, I thought that would be interesting... isn't it taped there to be eaten?' In May, a South Korean art student who was 'hungry' after skipping breakfast, ate the banana that was part of the installation The student, Noh Huyn-soo, boldly taped the peel to the wall after eating the banana. A new banana was then placed in the empty spot When told about the incident, Cattelan, a sculptor and performance artist based in New York responded: 'No problem at all'. But Huyn-soo wasn't the first to pull this trick. Performance artist David Datuna had previously pulled the banana from a wall in 2019, after the artwork had just been sold for $120,000 at Art Basel in Miami. The banana had been replaced at the time and no action was taken. Datuna told The Guardian that although he considered Cattalan to be 'a genius', he took issue with the huge amount of money made from a banana that cost 20 cents. 'I have travelled in 67 countries around the world in the last three years, and I see how people live,' Datuna said. 'Millions are dying without food. Then he puts three bananas on the wall for half a million dollars?' In a video posted on his Instagram account, Datuna, who describes himself as a Georgian-born American artist living in New York, walks up to the banana and pulls it off the wall with the duct tape attached. 'Art performance ... hungry artist,' he said, as he peeled the fruit and took a bite. 'Thank you, very good.' A few bystanders could be heard giggling before a flustered gallery official whisked him to an adjoining space for questioning. But the kerfuffle was resolved without a food fight. Performance artist David Datuna had previously pulled the banana from a wall in 2019, after the artwork had just been sold for $120,000 at Art Basel in Miami Datuna told The Guardian at the time that although he considered Cattalan to be 'a genius', he took issue with the huge amount of money made from a banana that cost 20 cents 'He did not destroy the art work. The banana is the idea,' Lucien Terras, director of museum relations for Galerie Perrotin, told the Miami Herald at the time. As it turns out, the value of the work is in the certificate of authenticity, the newspaper said. The banana is meant to be replaced. A replacement banana was taped to the wall about 15 minutes after Datuna's stunt. 'This has brought a lot of tension and attention to the booth and we're not into spectacles,' Terras said. 'But the response has been great. It brings a smile to a lot of people's faces.' Cattelan is perhaps best known for his 18-carat, fully functioning gold toilet called 'America' that he had once offered on loan to US President Donald Trump. The toilet, valued at around $5 to $6 million, was in the news again in September when four men were charged with the theft of the item from Britain's Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of wartime leader Winston Churchill, where it had been on display. The mum-of-four influencer whose baby daughter has been taken into care after she was accused of faking the tot's brain tumour had previously been accused of lying about her own kidney disease. Police this week said they had seized the Queensland mummy blogger's child after concerns were raised for the baby girl after the mother's GoFundMe appeal raised $62,000. Now new details have emerged of the mother using pics allegedly stolen from another Instagram account to pretend she was being treated for kidney failure. Deleted video footage has also resurfaced of her addressing a Queensland church to claim her cure was a miracle, and telling worshippers: 'God healed me.' The mother has now been branded a 'monster' by her own husband after he allegedly discovered she had been drugging their daughter as part of the hoax. The alarm was raised after nursing staff saw her posts on social media making claims about the child's treatment which didn't match the reality. Police have since put the child in care while investigations continue and GoFundMe has locked the appeal funds to prevent the mother from accessing it while the probe is underway. It's since been revealed she was accused in 2019 of using alarming pictures of long-needled syringes taken from the social media account of a seriously-ill US woman. Police this week said they had seized the Queensland mummy blogger's child after concerns were raised for the baby girl after the mother's GoFundMe appeal raised $62,000 It's since been revealed she was accused in 2019 of using alarming pictures of long-needled syringes taken from the social media account of a seriously-ill US woman She also used details from the woman's post to pretend she was undergoing similar treatment for Chronic Kidney Disease and detailed her illness to the churchgoers. The mummy blogger - who can't be identified for legal reasons - said that after working seven days a week her body started to 'break down' without her even knowing. 'I took myself to the doctors and was instantly rushed in an ambulance to hospital,' she read from notes while on stage at the church. 'I was soon diagnosed with stage 5 chronic kidney disease.' She claims she was told that until a match was found for a new kidney, she would have to do dialysis three times a week to keep her alive. 'I didn't know how I could cram in fifteen to twenty hours of dialysis on top of my already busy work schedule, but I managed to squeeze it in,' she claimed. Needing to 'lean on god,' she began attending the church and claimed that 'something amazing happened' after the congregation prayed for her. 'The next day I went straight to the doctors to get tested and was tested again at hospital the next night and my kidney function had raised from seven per cent to 33 per cent,' she said. 'To this day it's slowly getting better and better each time and I strongly believe that through the healing power of God I will not need to get a kidney transplant.' But the miracle recovery was questioned by former supporters who called her out for allegedly using stolen photos of hospital treatments from other patients to pass them off as her own. Posting to her popular Instagram page, which is currently deactivated, the woman shared the frightening photo of a dialysis needle. 'I wish I could say that this needle was for a horse but unfortunately its for me,' she wrote in the caption. 'Not just one of these needles but two of them (one for blood in, one for blood out) three times a week for approximately five hours at a time.' Hundreds of strangers donated to the cause and reacted angrily to the allegations But Daily Mail Australia can reveal that the image of the blood-stained needle was taken from the Instagram account of a Californian woman named Nicole. The woman had posted the same photo in 2018, with a caption reading: 'This is my Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. Yep! This needle isn't for a horse, it's for me! I get not one but two of them three times a week.' Earlier this week, the Queensland mother's estranged husband reacted to the uproar and police investigation with a savage online blast at his wife. 'For what it's worth, I had no idea about what [the mother] was doing to [the child],' the devastated father said in a social media post on Monday. 'I pushed for those surgeries because in my heart I felt it would help. 'I didn't realise [our daughter] was being drugged the entire time causing her symptoms to be what they were. 'I do my best to love and protect my children. I should've done better for them. I'm sorry I couldn't protect [her] the way I should have.' Queensland Police confirmed their investigation in a statement to Daily Mail Australia earlier this week. 'Police are aware of reports of child harm against a one-year-old girl,' a police spokesman said. 'The Queensland Police Service has taken action to protect the child and commenced an investigation. 'As this is an active investigation it would be inappropriate to provide further comment.' GoFundMe said they had a 'zero tolerance policy for misuse of our platform'. 'Our Trust and Safety specialists are aware of the accusations and are investigating as part of our standard due diligence process,' said a spokesman. 'This includes cooperating with police investigations. 'Whilst the investigation is ongoing, no further funds can be raised or withdrawn.' Daily Mail Australia has contacted both parents for comment. A visiting UK professor of medicine stunned radio host Ben Fordham by delivering a blistering takedown of Covid lockdowns, quarantine, masks, and vaccines. Angus Dalgleish, a professor of oncology at London's St George's University who also sits on the European Commission Cancer Board, told Fordham Australia's Covid response was 'absolutely appalling', 'madness' and 'disgraceful'. His unconventional views go against the recent Covid Response Inquiry verdict that 'Australia fared well relative to other nations that experienced larger losses in human life, health system collapse and more severe economic downturns'. But Prof Dalgleish insisted Australia bungled its Covid response. He was also scathing about Britain's handling and said 'Australia, New Zealand and Canada all over-reacted exactly the same'. 'The only people who got it right long-term were Sweden,' Prof Dalgleish said. 'They didn't have any lockdown mandates, they had no other mandates, the vaccines were for people over 70 and they have the lowest excess death rates in the Western world.' Sweden relied on voluntary social distancing, mask-wearing, working from home and avoiding public transport, with 80 per cent of the country saying they complied. Angus Dalgleish, a professor of oncology at the prestigious St George's University in London has taken blistering aim at almost all the Covid measures employed by Australia and other countries Prof Dalgleish attacked mandated masks being worn outdoors. 'That's absolute madness, the only reason you get people to wear masks is to instil a state of fear in them,' he said. 'I said right at the very beginning with the very best mask the smallest hole is three times bigger than the largest virus. There is no science behind (mask mandates) whatsoever. 'You wear masks in (operating) theatres to stop you coughing into someone's abdomen, it's not for viruses.' He also believed lockdowns achieved next to nothing. 'We know it is respiratory, so lockdowns make no sense whatsoever, particularly when there is no quarantine (which there wasn't in Britain at the start of their lockdown)'. He believed hotel quarantine was a 'complete waste of money' and didn't think it 'saved any lives whatsoever' because it only delayed the natural herd immunity, which was always the best defence against Covid. 'You get the virus naturally you can build up an innate immunity to it, and they denied this,' Prof Dalgleish said. Professor Dalgleish said he did not believe lockdowns, quarantines, masks or even vaccines saved lives Fordham asked whether lockdowns were necessary to protect the elderly, but Prof Dalgleish hailed the Swedish approach as far more pragmatic. 'They say "your grandmothers and people are at risk, just be careful, don't go too close to them",' Prof Dalgleish said. 'They didn't lock everybody down, so society wasn't strangled at the neck. 'And it worked very well. Why did you have to lock up young, fit people who couldn't work?' He also slammed the controversial vaccine mandates. 'I think it was absolutely disgraceful. It was totalitarian, it was descent into an Orwellian dystopia,' he said. 'Especially as we knew when the vaccines were rolled out, the virus had changed completely. 'I don't believe (the vaccines) had any beneficial effect whatsoever because the virus changes, mutates so quickly. Sydney radio talkback king Ben Fordham was clearly taken aback by some of the professor's claims 'We know that when our vaccine program was rolled out, the wave of infection was falling off naturally. It didn't need any help to damp the wave. 'It was the same with the lockdown - we introduced the lockdown as the first wave was flattening out and if you had done no lockdown, there would have been no difference.' A clearly taken aback Fordham asked Prof Dalgleish if he thought the vaccine saved no lives. 'They came in too late, they gave the appearance of saving lives because they were coming in on a wave of people doing in and dying,' he replied. 'There might have been a very few, it might have been under one or two percent but not significant compared to what they wanted to do with them. '(That was) roll them out to everybody and have mandated vaccines when there was no evidence it prevented transmission at a time when the disease was killing 0.085per cent of the population with an average age of 82. 'It was complete utter blindness and madness.' Eerie never-before-seen yearbook photos have emerged of killer mom Susan Smith - as it's revealed the honor student was nominated as the 'friendliest' in the class. The infamous 53-year-old double murderer was known by her peers and teachers as Susan Leigh Vaughan at school before she married her now ex-husband David. The couple went on to have two children, Michael, three, and Alex, 14 months, who she brutally killed in cold blood in 1994 by strapping them into a car and letting it roll into a lake. But just five years earlier, she could be seen smiling sweetly in her 1989 yearbook from Union High School in South Carolina where she was dressed in a smart black off-the-shoulder top and gold jewelry. An active student, Smith appeared to be a diligent student and role model, during her years at USH. She participated in a variety of clubs including Beta Club. Jr., Math Club, Spanish Club and Red Cross Club. She also held the role of 'president' of the Civitan Club - which was ironically a community service club dedicated to helping others. Eighteen-year-old Susan Smith, known as Susan Leigh Vaughan, is pictured smiling in her high school yearbook. She graduated from Union High School in South Carolina in 1989 Smith, president of the Civitan Club is seen pictured dressed in a Mickey and Minnie Mouse sweatshirt alongside 24 other members of the Civitan Club The callous killer was pictured several times through the yearbook. Perhaps most surprisingly, Smith was shown with her classmate who were both nominated as the 'friendliest' out of all the students in the graduating class. In her leadership role, she could be seen in one photo standing in front of a podium reviewing the events the club would be participating in. A brief description in the yearbook explains that part of the group's mission was to sponsor dances at the high school to raise funds. The year Smith graduated the club sponsored the Special Olympics and reportedly played a 'very important' role at the school. In a group photo, Smith appeared wearing a sweatshirt with Mickey and Minnie Mouse on it, standing alongside 24 of her peers and other club members. Another photo showed the killer mom dressed in a denim mini skirt and pink collared top with white lace embellishments in her calculus class, as she receives help from her teacher. Other images show a joyful Smith dressed in a black robe with others member of the Beta Club, an academic honor society where students are required to maintain an 88 overall average or above. The club was also active in the community and sponsored events at nursing homes as well as arranging fundraising events. Smith was president of the Civitan Club at her high school, the year the group sponsored the Special Olympics and dances to raise funds Smith pictured next to her classmate as they work the Civitan booth together Smith pictured with another member working the fair at the school Smith was pictured with her classmate who were both nominated as the 'friendliest' students Smith pictured with members from the academic honor society, the Beta Club Smith smiling with some of the members of the Civitan Club A smiling Smith is seen getting help from one of her teachers in calculus class. In the yearbook the caption reads: Susan Vaughan receives help with her calculus work' The cover of the 1989 Union High School yearbook titled 'First Class Gleam '89' On Wednesday Smith appeared virtually from the Leah Correctional Institute in Greenwood, SC, at her first parole board hearing since being incarcerated. She spoke apologetically to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole, and Pardon Services. 'First of all I want to say how very sorry I am,' Smith began, according to NewsNation's Brian Entin. She told the board she is a Christian and knows God has forgiven her - and asked they 'show the same kind of mercy.' Smith at times lowered her head, and at one point was seen placing her hand over her face as she explained she lost touch with reality when she killed her children and did not fully comprehend her actions. At times, she pretended to cry but there were no tears, Entin observed. She told the court: I want you to know how very sorry I am. I know what I did was horrible and would do anything to go back and change it'. Smith's lawyer argued that the murders were a 'mental health story' and nothing to do with another man she was reportedly having an affair with as previously claimed. The two sons she murdered would have been in their 30s if they were alive today. The boys' father David Smith told the hearing that his sons' murders were 'not a tragic mistake' as he urged them to keep their killer behind bars. 'That's only 15 years per child,' he said of Smith's sentence. 'Her own children. That is just not enough. I am asking that you deny her parole today and hopefully in the future.' The seven- member panel denied her request for parole in a unanimous vote. Smith killed her two young sons Michael, age 3 and Alex, 14- months. They would have been in their 30s if they were alive today Smith and her husband David Smith addressed reporters pleading for the safe return of their sons, who she claimed went missing during an alleged car-jack-kidnapping The married mother-of-two was reportedly having an affair with a man who did not want children. Smith is pictured cuffed and being led from the Union County Courthouse before she was convicted in October 1994 Smith clutched a tissue and repeatedly dabbed at her eyes, despite no sign of any tears Prosecutors claimed Smith killed the boys after the man she was having an affair with, Thomas Findlay, broke up with her because he didn't want children. She initially reported her two sons missing and told deputies the boys had been taken by an unidentified black man during a carjacking. The killer wept on national television with her husband at her side - who was unaware of the crime she had committed - and pleaded for their safe return. Her story was quickly picked apart and Smith eventually confessed to strapping the two boys into their car seat and watching the car roll into the lake. She was sentenced to life in prison with possibility of parole after 30 years. Just weeks before she became eligible for parole, Smith was convicted of a prison disciplinary charge and also had a litany of prison violations. The children's father said he felt 'much relief' after learning her request for parole had been denied and would continue to campaign to keep her behind bars. Her next parole hearing is due to be in two years. Democratic Senator Tammy Duckworth slammed President-elect Donald Trump's pick for defense secretary Pete Hegseth's military record as 'pretty low rank' as he faces scrutiny for controversial comments he made about women serving in combat. Duckworth, who is a combat veteran who lost both her legs and mobility in one arm serving in Iraq, appeared on CBS News' Face the Nation where she was asked about the TV personality tapped to head the Pentagon. She said his comments about women in combat show he does not understand where the military is and called him unqualified for the role. 'He was a pretty low ranking guy in the military, and he never had a command position. He was a platoon leader, I think, once or twice, but he never even commanded a company,' Duckworth said. 'And so this is a man who is inordinately, unqualified for the position,' she went on. Duckworth was responding to Hegseth claiming women make fighting more complicated. Trump made waves when he named Hegseth, a former Fox News television personality, author and veteran, as his nominee. The 44-year-old is now under the microscope not only for his comments about women in combat and experience but also for a sexual assault allegation. Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary, speaking to reporters on the hill. Senator Tammy Duckworth slammed his qualifications to lead the Pentagon, calling him a 'pretty low ranking guy in the military.' Hegseth served in the Minnesota National Guard and later Army National Guard where he served as an infantryman in Iraq and counterinsurgency instructor in Afghanistan. He was also part of a security platoon at Guantanamo Bay. But the Trump nominee does not have senior military or national security experience. 'I'm straight up just saying we should not have women in combat roles. It hasn't made us more effective, hasn't made us more lethal, has made fighting more complicated, Hegseth said in a podcast hosted by Shawn Ryan earlier this month. But Duckworth said that the U.S. military could not go to war without the 220,000 women who serve and argued women serving in combat have met the same standards as men. 'The women in our military does make us more effective, does make us more lethal,' she said. She called Hegseth's claims about women in the military 'flat out wrong.' 'America's daughters are just as capable of defending liberty and freedom as her sons,' she said. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) rejected Hegseth's opposition to women serving in combat. She said he is 'flat out wrong' Hegseth was on Capitol Hill last week where he met with Republican senators as he works to lock in support ahead of what is expected to be a bruising confirmation battle. Duckworth, who sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, argued Hegseth not only lacks senior military experience but has also never lead anything comparable in size to the U.S. military with its three million service members and civilian workers and $900 billion budget. At the same time, Hegseth is also facing scrutiny over an allegation of sexual assault. The alleged incident took place at a California hotel in 2017. A woman told police Hegseth sexually assaulted her after refusing to let her leave the hotel, according to the police report. The former Fox News personality denies the allegations and said it was consensual, but he did pay the woman off. Charges were never brought. Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni said Thursday her office declined to prosecutor because they did not have proof 'beyond a reasonable doubt.' Hegseth was accused of sexual assault by a woman in 2017. He denied the allegation but paid the woman to stay quiet. He was not charged Duckworth said it was up to Republicans whether they hear from Hegseth's accuser but suggested it was unlikely with GOP colleagues willing to 'roll over' for Trump. She said she will be raising questions and blasted the president-elect nominating someone accused of assault and claimed it was not the kind of person who should be leading the Defense Department. 'Remember that we've just fought over a decade of fights and- and overhauled the military and its treatment of military sexual trauma,' Duckworth said. 'It's frankly an insult and really troubling that Mr. Trump would nominate someone who has admitted that he's paid off a victim who has claimed rape allegations against him,' she went on. His marriage had fallen apart when his wife discovered his mistress had given birth to his daughter and his divorce was about to cost him millions. His life was teetering on the brink as he turned a little too much to alcohol as a crutch. And that wasnt the worst of it for Pete Hegseth Donald Trumps pick for Defense Secretary as his life threatened to spiral out of control in 2017. Just weeks later Hegseth, now 44, was accused of groping multiple women and sexually assaulting one as alcohol once again allegedly clouded his judgment. The allegations of assault could not have come at a more delicate time for Hegseth personally. His accuser made her claims as his divorce proceedings were pending with an initial case conference set to take place less than three weeks later on October 27. And fearing for his job as a weekend anchor on Fox News, Hegseth decided he should pay the woman off rather than fight the allegations in court. It is that alleged October 8 assault which never resulted in charges that threatens Hegseths nomination for a seat in Trump's cabinet. But a DailyMail.com investigation reveals that that was just the tip of the iceberg of the messy life that Hegseth was living. A police report released this week by the City of Monterey, California, shows that a then-30-year-old woman was having champagne with co-workers while on a business trip when things got 'fuzzy' and she suddenly ended up in a room with Hegseth. Pete Hegseth's life ws in danger of spiraling out of control with divorce, the birth of his love child and an allegation of a drunken sexual assault President-elect Donald Trump announced Hegseth, 44, as his nominee for Defense Secretary on November 14 The birth of daughter, Gwen, prompted Hegseth's wife, Samantha Deering Hegseth, 43, to file for divorce Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, has admitted his client paid the woman for her silence because he did not want to lose his job, while at the same time dismissing the allegations as 'baseless' and tantamount to a 'successful extortion'. Before this week's revelation, it seemed the chisel-jawed decorated Army veteran, staunch Christian, and self-declared defender of traditional family values might have felt confident that his place in the Pentagon was assured after President-elect Donald Trump announced his nominee for Defense Secretary on November 13. But now he has been forced to admit the battle is just beginning, as fears grow that his nomination could go the way of putative attorney general Matt Gaetz as the US Senators who must confirm him start looking more deeply into his past. And DailyMail.com can reveal that the incident was just one of a string of chaotic events in which Hegseth was caught up that year. Typical of his life at the time was an appearance he and Rauchet made at a friend's wedding. 'They 'couldn't keep their hands off each other,' another guest told DailyMail.com. 'They were, frankly an embarrassment.' Today, the self-styled champion of Christian values wears his heart almost literally on his sleeve with 'Deus Vult,' God Wills It tattooed on his arm and the Jerusalem cross etched over his heart. But this 'Faith Family and Freedom' version of Hegseth is a very different look from the man who spent the latter half of 2017 mired in scandals of his own making. Hegseth's third wife Jennifer Rauchet was a producer on Fox & Friends. 'She had her eyes on him all the time and watched him like a hawk,' one insider said. He was never chaarged with any crime for the alleged assaault but paid off the accuser as he feared for his job at Fox News Hegseth was married to second wife Samantha at the time. He now has four children from two marriages Hegseth and Rauchet were seen sitting proud at a private dinner hosted by President Trump at the White House along with fellow Fox contributor Rob O'Neill and his wife - less than three weeks after he interviewed by police on sexual assault claims in October 2017 Hegseth was already on his second marriage when, in August of that year Rauchet gave birth to their lovechild, exposing their lengthy affair. The birth of daughter Gwen prompted Hegseth's wife, Samantha Deering Hegseth, 43, to file for divorce. Those proceedings ended in a $2million settlement in which he agreed to pay the mother of his three young sons, Boone, Gunner and Rex, up to $20,000 a month in spousal support plus child maintenance and school fees. The following month, on October 8, 2017, came the alleged assault at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa. He was interviewed by police and a report was filed by the City of Monterey Police Department. According to lawyer Parlatore his client paid the woman not because he was guilty but because he did not want to lose his job at Fox. But while another man might have been cowed by so much upheaval and the specter of such serious allegations, less than three weeks later Hegseth and Rauchet were sitting proud, hosted by President Trump at a private dinner at the White House along with fellow Fox contributor Rob O'Neill the man who killed Osama bin Laden and his wife. By December and that winter wedding in New Jersey, newly divorced and with a newborn child, Hegseth appeared entirely unfazed by his chaotic few months. Speaking to DailyMail.com a guest recalled: 'He and Jen were sloppy drunk. His jacket came off, next the tie was off then he was unbuttoning his shirt. And they were just all over each other.' Hegseth married Rauchet in 2019, making her his third wife and him the father of seven in a blended family that includes his three sons from his second marriage, their daughter together and Rauchet's three children from a previous marriage. Their relationship bloomed when Hegseth began presenting segments for Fox & Friends in 2014. Rauchet was an executive producer on the show and, according to one source, Before Pete became a regular co-host on Fox & Friends Weekend, he presented segments for the show which were filmed out and about. 'Jen would always insist on being there. She had her eyes on him all the time and watched him like a hawk,' one insider said. 'People very much started to notice she had more than a professional interest in his performance. 'As for Pete, he always had a bit of a reputation as being a skirt chaser.' Heavily tattooed Hegseth had a reputation as 'a bit of a skirt chaser' Hegseth occasionally filled in on the weekday Fox & Friends including this Friday in August 2019 when he appeared with Ainsley Earhardt and Brian Kilmeade Hegseth and his wife now have a blended family of seven children, three from his second marriage to Samantha Deering, three from her marriage to Dennis Rauchet and one together Rauchet who had been a mainstay and familiar face on Fox News since 2006 took a sideways move to Watters World when network executives became aware of her relationship with Hegseth in 2017. The affair was the second time Hegseth's infidelity resulted in divorce. Nine years earlier, as a precursor of what would happen to Samantha herself, first wife, Meredith Schwarz, 43, filed for divorce after Hegseth admitted to having been unfaithful with a work colleague. At the time he was working for Vets for Freedom, an organization which lobbied for more troops in Iraq. Hegseth was the group's executive director from 2007 to 2012. Samantha served as its spokesperson in 2008. The pair married in 2010. Two years ago, Hegseth moved with Rauchet and their children from New Jersey to a small town outside Nashville, Tennessee, attracted, he has said, by the red state's conservative Christian conservative values which are better aligned with those he now holds. Earlier this week he credited the, 'outpouring of support' that he and his family have received in recent days as the reason he can 'endure the attacks and the onslaughts'. Rauchet was at her husband's side when Hegseth made his comments on Tuesday, in a prayer call organized by the Republican National Committee. Hegseth puts his 'come to Jesus' moment in 2018 and perhaps it is no coincidence that it followed hot on the heels on a year of tumult that included his second divorce, his love-child's birth and those allegations of sexual assault. According to Hegseth in 2018 he and Rauchet started attending the Colts Neck Community Church in New Jersey, a Baptist community of which, he has said, Rauchet was initially wary. Speaking in an interview with Nashville Christian Family, Hegseth recalled: 'Within 20 I'm broken, you're broken, we're all broken and careening around not living our faith and not being deeply rooted. 'I thought I had to be perfect. Let's be candid about it: Seek Christ, fully submit to Him, and allow Him Kingship in life.' He added: 'Godlessness ends great nations. The one thing we can all do is get on our knees and pray.' Perhaps right now he is simply praying that no more secrets emerge from his recent racy past. A dad whose partner scarred him for life by launching a horrific glass attack when she confronted him for cheating has blasted a judge for not jailing her. Kieron Shervill feared he would die when drunk Nicole Lawrence pinned her boyfriend to a bed and bit him on the cheek and arm. The 'psychotic bully' then struck him with shards of a broken mirror, leaving him covered in blood and with slash marks all over his body. Kieron, 24, has been scarred for life over the 'frenzied' attack, which has left him 'lucky to be alive'. He claims it was a pattern of abuse, often mental, which has left him traumatised. A judge at Canterbury Crown Court warned the 28-year-old, of Deal, to 'think yourself lucky' as she avoided jail and was handed a suspended sentence, having pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm. But Kieron said he was 'incredibly angry' at the sentence and wanted to see her jailed. Speaking to Mail Online, the hotel worker said: 'If I had done that to her, I would be looking at several years in prison. Kieron Shervill, 24, has been left scarred after being attacked by his partner when she confronted him about cheating Nicole Lawrence pinned Kieron to a bed and bit him on the cheek and arm and then struck him with shards of a broken mirror Kieron was left covered in blood and with slash marks all over his body. He claims it was a part of a pattern of abuse, often mental, which has left him traumatised 'Why is it different to her? It's a scandal. Other men will be going through this. It is a disgrace.' The court heard the trained beauty therapist's attack on the victim - who is the father of her one-year-old child - was sparked over a previous admission that he had been unfaithful. Kieron had been warned unemployed Lawrence was on her way to his home and angry. The prosecutor said: 'She attacked him, biting his right cheek, pinning him on the bed then biting his left arm, scratching him on the back.' In what was described as a 'prolonged and persistent attack', she broke a mirror and then used the smashed pieces to strike him in the back of the head. She also caused a 5cm deep laceration to his neck, which needed hospital treatment and left a scar. Lawrence also left her boyfriend with cuts to the left side of his face and scratches. He managed to flee the bedroom and then the house - but was not allowed to get back in to fetch his belongings. Kieron said: 'What I have been through is appalling. It is sickening. The 'prolonged and persistent attack' also saw her use broken mirror shards to strike him in the back of the head. She also caused a 5cm deep laceration to his neck, which needed hospital treatment and left a scar, and caused cuts to the left side of his face Nicole, 28, avoided jail after a judge at Canterbury Crown Court warned her to 'think yourself lucky'. She was handed a suspended sentence, having pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm The decision not to jail her has left Kieron 'incredibly angry', as he feels that if he had done the same to her, he 'would be looking at several years in prison' A picture of the couple, who share a one-year-old child, from when they were together. They were together for around four years but have separated since the 'frenzied' attack 'I have to live with what she has done. She is just laughing in the face of justice. 'I have been told she has found the whole thing funny. I do not believe she has shown any remorse. The courts have let her get away with this. She's walked away with no consequences. 'It is horrible. I will never get over this. I have huge trust issues. 'It was a toxic relationship from start to finish.' Lawrence has two previous cautions for violent matters. Kieron added: 'I just think the system is against men. 'I have no doubt if a man had done that he would be in prison for years and rightly so. 'I thought she would have been looking at one year in jail.' Nicole was handed a 15-month suspended sentence for two years, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, 30 days of rehabilitation activity and an alcohol abstinence requirement for three months Kieron has told of how Nicole was 'the worst thing to happen to my life' and says he is scarred for life from the abuse he put her through The judge handed Lawrence a 15-month suspended sentence for two years, and ordered her to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, 30 days of rehabilitation activity and an alcohol abstinence requirement for three months. Kieron added: 'The whole ordeal has been a nightmare. I was trapped with her. 'It was a toxic relationship. It was such a nightmare. 'She was full of hatred and anger. She had serious anger issues. She would always flip.' He said the pair were together for about four years and separated as a result of the attack. He added: 'She is the worst thing to happen to my life. 'I will never get over it. 'She was mentally abusive. 'What else do you have to do to go to prison in this country?' November 23, 2024: Recent Ukrainian drone strikes in northern Russia, near the Arctic Circle, came as a surprise to the Russians because the targets were 1,800 kilometers from Ukraine. The main target is Olenya air base where Tu-95, Tu-160, and Tu-22 bombers are based. From there, these bombers fly south and launch missiles against targets in Ukraine. Russia has not got many operational bombers at Olenya and each one damaged or destroyed on the ground means fewer missiles hitting Ukrainian targets. Currently the Russians are firing missiles at cities rather than smaller military targets. The military targets are heavily defended and few missiles get through. The cities are larger targets and less well protected. While this causes casualties and makes civilians homeless, it angers Ukrainians, just as similar Nazi attacks against London 84 years ago did with the British. The Russians regularly underestimate the Ukrainians and these attacks on airfields so far from Ukraine are another example of that. The Russian government claims that attacks were carried out by NATO or American forces. Only a few Russians, and some nearby Norwegians, witness these attacks and know the attackers are Ukrainian drones. . Western TV and internet based media report on these attacks with videos and interviews of eyewitnesses. Any Russian that looks closely enough at this evidence knows the truth, but to repeat that information is a crime that can get you imprisoned. Ukraine wont reveal how it is carrying out these attacks, which requires drones traveling that far with great accuracy against small targets. Ukraine carries out seemingly impossible tasks. It is likely that the U.S. supplies Ukraine with satellite photos of the targets and Ukraine has American Starlink terminals which can be operated in vehicles, ships and aircraft. Cameras in the long-range drones enable the operators in Ukraine to see what is on the ground and hit targets with great precision. Russia is concerned about the frequency and accuracy of these attacks on their Arctic Circle bases. One of those bases is a storage site for nuclear weapons. This did not prevent the Russian Navy from conducting their Ocean-2024 military exercises in the polar region as well as the Baltic Sea and the Russian Far East Pacific Ocean ports. Nothing happened in the Black Sea, where Ukrainian air and naval drones had destroyed most of the Black Sea Fleet, with the remnants hiding in distant Black Sea ports throughout the northeastern Sea of Azov branch. Boston mob kingpin James 'Whitey' Bulger is remembered as a charismatic and ruthless leader whose name was linked to 19 murders and countless gruesome events involving victims being tortured, bound in heavy chains, shot and buried in cellars with their teeth removed to prevent identification. He also famously torched the Brookline birthplace of John F Kennedy and relished in taking cat naps after shooting people in the head. Once the head of South Boston's 'Winter Hill Gang', Bulger's mark on American organized crime is just as pronounced as the stain he left on the FBI's reputation as he managed to evade prosecution for decades, sitting atop the Most Wanted list for 16 years before his arrest in 2011. It emerged in Bulger's 2013 trial that he had served as an FBI informant as far back as 1975, though he always denied it. The deal gave Bulger virtual impunity to commit any crime he wanted for decades - except for murder. Bulger was ultimately convicted of killing at least 11 people in 2013 and was serving two life sentences at the time of his death. Bulger was born in September 1929 about four miles north of Boston in the town of Everett. He was the eldest of six children in an Irish-American family. His father, James Sr, worked as a docker, but found himself unemployed after losing an arm in an accident. Due to the poverty that ensued, the family moved to a social housing project in the tough neighborhood of South Boston when Bulger was eight years old. Yet while his siblings studied hard and did well at school, Bulger started veering off the straight and narrow from a young age. By the time he reached his teens, he already had a reputation as a street fighter and a thief. Unsurprisingly he had also come to the attention of local police officers, who nicknamed him 'Whitey' because of his distinctive blond hair. Bulger is seen in a pair of undated mugshots released by the FBI It was at the age of 14 that he was first arrested for theft. By now, he was a member of a street gang called 'the Shamrocks' and convictions soon followed for assault, robbery, extortion and forgery. Spells in juvenile detention centers did little to deter him from becoming a one-man crime wave. Nor did a stint in the US Air Force, which he joined at the age of 18. After training as an aircraft mechanic, he was stationed initially in Kansas and then Idaho. But he ended up in military prison over a number of assaults and was arrested for going absent without leave at one stage. He managed to leave the forces with an honorable discharge, however, and returned to Boston. It was at this point that his burgeoning criminal career took a crucial twist. In 1956, the 25-year-old Bulger was sent to a federal jail for the first time after being convicted of armed robbery and hijacking. According to some reports, he was one of the inmates given LSD and other substances as part of a CIA research program into mind-control drugs. What is certain is that he was such a troublesome prisoner that he was ultimately transferred to Alcatraz, the notorious maximum security prison in San Francisco Bay, as one of the last batch of jailbirds sent there before it closed in 1963. After doing time in two other institutions, Bulger eventually emerged a free man in 1965 following nine years in custody. Unlike many felons, he never boasted about his incarceration. 'To him,' said William Chase, an FBI agent who spent years pursuing Bulger, 'prison time was evidence of failure.' Back on the streets, he was determined to do two things: stay out of jail and establish a criminal empire. Though he at first took jobs as a janitor and construction worker, Bulger quickly got involved in bookmaking, debt-collecting and acting as an underworld enforcer. Before long, he managed to take over a small-time operation called the Winter Hill Gang and transform it into Boston's most ruthlessly efficient crime syndicate. Its main areas of activity were drug running, gambling and prostitution. Bulger based his modus operandi on the Mafia, which controlled the city's northern suburbs. But unlike some of his Italian counterparts, he was supremely disciplined. Not only did he not while away lazy afternoons over long lunches in neighborhood restaurants, Bulger appeared not to have any vices. He didn't drink, didn't smoke, never used credit cards, didn't even gamble. What little time he spent away from his nefarious business was largely devoted to body-building and reading. He always had an interest in history, especially anything involving Adolf Hitler. Much of his energy also went into trying to become a master of disguise. He dyed his hair different colors and wore varying styles of glasses, although most observers agree that he found it impossible to mask his thick Boston accent. Another thing that Bulger struggled to hide was his volcanic temper. Even in seemingly casual conversations, he was prone to explosive outbursts. Meanwhile, his propensity for extreme violence shocked both hardened criminals and police alike. Rivals and enemies were brutally killed either by Bulger himself or on his direct orders. His former right-hand man Kevin Weeks later said: 'He stabbed people. He beat people with bats. He shot people. Strangled people. Run over 'em with cars. After he would kill somebody, it was like a stress relief, y'know? He'd be nice and calm for a couple of weeks. Like he just got rid of all his stress.' Given such brazen criminality, it wasn't long before questions were asked about how he was allowed get away with it. The answer was a long time coming and, when it did, it was a shocking one: Bulger had been operating as an FBI informer since the mid-1970s. From his perspective, it was a perfect arrangement. He tipped off his Bureau handler and childhood friend, John Connolly, about other criminal activity in Boston in return for being allowed to proceed unimpeded with his own activities. The information he passed on virtually wiped out the Mafia presence in the city. It was the 1990s before the Boston Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Agency, angered at the FBI's failure to act, launched their own investigation. After being tipped off by Connolly who was later jailed for ten years for obstructing justice that the authorities were on to him, Bulger vanished on December 23, 1994. During his years on the run with girlfriend Catherine Grieg, various sightings were reported from locations as diverse as New Zealand, Canada, Italy and along the US Mexican border. He and Grieg ended up in Santa Monica, California, where they posed as married retirees from Chicago. After al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was killed by US forces in Pakistan in 2011, Bulger succeeded him as No 1 wanted fugitive on the FBI's 'Ten Most Wanted' list. One of the many aliases Bulger used while on the run was that of James Lawlor, a man who Bulger found living on the street in the Los Angeles area. The two men resembled each other so much that Bulger could use Lawlor's driver's license and other identity papers. In return, he paid Lawlor's rent, according to the Boston Globe. Catherine Greig and Whitey Bulger are seen in June 1998. They were on the run for 16 years, and posed as a retired couple from Chicago in Santa Monica Playing a crucial role in Bulger's capture was Miss Iceland of 1974, Anna Bjornsdottir, who lived near him and Grieg in Santa Monica. While she was visiting Iceland, the actress who worked under the name Anna Bjorn saw a news report about the authorities' hunt for Bulger. She recognized him as the quiet retiree she knew from her neighborhood and called the FBI, which arrested him in June 2011. Bjornsdottir later claimed a $2million reward. When police raided his Santa Monica apartment, they found several fiction and non-fiction books about criminals, including 'Escape From Alcatraz.' Police also found some $800,000 in cash and an arsenal of weapons in the modest apartment where Bulger and Greig had lived for years as Charles and Carol Gasko. In his 2013 trial, Bulger was convicted of 11 murders, including the strangulation of a woman. Jurors were unable to reach a verdict on a charge that he strangled a second woman. A witness said Bulger insisted that the women's teeth be pulled to obscure their identity. Bulger refused to testify at his trial claiming he had been given immunity from prosecution by federal agents. He steadfastly denied being an FBI informant, but close links between some FBI agents in Boston and Bulger's Winter Hill Gang in the 1970s and 1980s have been well documented. Former FBI agent John Connolly was sentenced to prison after being convicted in 2002 of effectively becoming a member of the gang. His trial, which featured 72 witnesses and 840 exhibits, produced chilling testimony worthy of a pulp novel. It heard harrowing tales of teeth being pulled from the mouths of murder victims to foil identification and the strangulation of a mobster's girlfriend who 'knew too much.' In June 2013, Bulger went on trial accused of 32 counts of racketeering, which included allegations that he was complicit in 19 murders. The two-month hearing, which included testimony from more than 70 witnesses, resulted in him being convicted of 11 of the murders. It also heard evidence that Bulger supplied the arms and ammunition used in the IRA's Marita-Ann gunrunning escape in 1984, which resulted in current Sinn Fein TD Martin Ferris being jailed for ten years. Sentencing him to two life sentences plus five years, the judge told Bulger that he had been involved in 'unfathomable' crimes that involved 'agonizing' suffering for his victims. Five years into his sentence, Bulger had just been transferred to USP Hazelton, a high security prison, when he was found dead overnight on October 30, 2018. A prison source said wheelchair-bound Bulger was in general population when three inmates rolled him to a corner, out of view of surveillance cameras, beat him in the head with a lock in a sock, and attempted to gouge his eyes out with a shiv. The source said he hadn't even been processed at the West Virginia facility when he was killed. But someone who knew he was being transferred put the word out - the killer had to know he was coming. A Lithuanian tourist is fighting for life after having his leg amputated in a bid to save his life during a dramatic, 20-hour whitewater rescue in Tasmania. The 69-year-old Lithuanian man remains in hospital in a critical condition following a dramatic rescue on Saturday after he became trapped wedged between rocks on the Franklin River a day earlier. The man - who has 50 years experience in white water rafting - had been on the river with a group of friends from Lithuania when he slipped on a rock and his leg became wedged underwater. When rescuers ran out of options after several failed attempts to free him, and because of fears his condition was deteriorating, the decision was made to amputate his leg above the knee. Tasmania Police constable Callum Herbert said the rescue efforts was one some of the most intense scenarios he's ever seen in the region. 'Most entrapments would be more simple than this,' he said. 'This patient was so entrapped it's involved an amputation of a limb. 'It's pretty much the worst case scenario you could get aside from drowning. The 69-year-old man was on kayak trip when he slipped and fell into the water becoming wedged between rocks. Pictures: Tasmania Police It took 20 hour for rescuers to free the man. Pictures: Tasmania Police 'He's fallen into the river in an awkward position. 'The circumstances where he could not be physically removed, every available angle to try to manipulate him out and every available. Surf Life Saving Tasmania swift water rescue technician Ace Petrie praised the man and his crew for their efforts during the challenging rescue. 'His rafting crew had done a great job in securing him as best they could,' Mr Petrie said. 'He was sort of wedged, I would describe it like an hourglass, he had his knee trapped in the rocks in a deep section of that rapid. 'There were a number of hazards we had to deal with and work around to gain access to the patient and make a further assessment of his entrapment. 'That rapid was moving quite fast, water level for the Franklin River was half of what it normally was.' Mr Petrie said the rescue was hindered by the 'very dynamic, changing, hazardous environment' they all found themselves in. 'We would have like the river as low as possible, that would have made the extrication probably a little bit easier,' he said. 'We were just lucky the weather was very kind to us and the water level as such wasn't rising, which would have changed the complexity. 'At the time when he went in, it was roughly around his chest height. 'As the hours went on, the water level were dropping but it wasn't dropping fast enough as how we would have liked. 'I was quite surprised with the water temp, it wasn't as cold as it certainly can be especially in the winter.' Rescue teams at Franklin River in southwest Tasmania spent a long time working to free the Lithuanian. Pictures: Tasmania Police Deciding to amputee The decision was made by medical professionals and in consultation with the man, allowing him to be winched to safety and airlifted to Royal Hobart Hospital. Mr Petrie said the efforts to free the man were arduous, with rescuers even attempting to use the jaws of life equipment underwater. After we assessed his entrapment, we started off with the basic scenarios using ropes and pulleys. 'We weren't budging these rocks at all, this went on for approximately 10-12 hours,' he said. 'We had to get that equipment into the water, it was quite fast flowing which made it difficult to get it stable at that time. 'Everyone wanted this guy out. We weren't giving up.' Another issue that proved a challenge for the rescue crew was the lack of English the man was able to speak. 'He had a little bit of broken english, like when we were trying to pull his leg out he could say 'My leg's broken' or 'broken leg' but a part from that we couldn't take his mind off the situation by talking to him about his family or the trips he'd done,' Mr Petrie said. 'That was really hard.' Thankfully, one of the men's travel buddies was a Lithuanian doctor who was able to translate some of the medical information required before it was decided amputation was the only option. 'The complexities of amputation anywhere are significant,' Ambulance Tasmania intensive care flight paramedic Mitch Parkinson said. 'There is an incredible ethical (and) legal component to that discussion and then we lay in the complexities of it needing to be done to achieve his rescue and it being in broken English and being shared through a lithuanian translator. 'We did our best to convey the realities of his entrapment. 'When it came to discussing the realities of his entrapment and the decisions that were being made in real time and the ones that might be made into the next morning, he was an exceptional resource to us and we benefited greatly by him being present. 'There was an understanding that there was every conceivable effort made through the breadth of technicians that were present, the resources available in remote Tasmania, this was not a discussion nor a decision made lightly but it was one made with the breadth information and resourcing we had available to us.' The man had been rafting with a group of friends when tragedy struckz. Picture are emergency responders during the rescue Mr Parkinson said the man's outlook on the entire situation was remarkable and he remained 'exceptionally strong and robust' throughout the ordeal. 'He maintained an exceptionally resilient persona through the night and he tired through the morning,' he said. This was an exceptionally long mission.' Previously, Tasmanian Police acting assistant commissioner Doug Oosterloo said there was an immense effort put into the mission in order to help the man. 'This rescue was an extremely challenging and technical operation and an incredible effort over many hours to save the man's life,' he said. 'Every effort was made to extract the man before the difficult decision to amputate his leg. 'The professionalism and commitment of all emergency responders is to be commended.' How the ordeal unfolded The man was kayaking with friends in a private tour group on Friday afternoon when his leg became wedged between rocks in the rapids, trapping him. His smartwatch made a call to emergency services about an hour later. Rescuers from Ambulance Tasmania, Tasmania Police, Surf Life Saving Tasmania, the SES and the Tasmania Fire Service came to his aid. Scene of the Franklin River rescue where a man in his 60s became trapped and had to have his leg amputated. Picture: Tasmania Police And over the next 20 hours, repeated efforts were made to free him - but they were all unsuccessful. During the rescue, the man remained partially submerged in the water. And when further attempts to free him were unsuccessful on Saturday, the decision was made to amputate his leg to allow him to be whisked to safety. 'The operation was successfully undertaken by the medical team, with the aid of specialist equipment,' Tasmania Police said. When Lauren Pollocks religious studies teacher informed her class they were to be shown a documentary about reincarnation, the 12-year-old schoolgirl little predicted what she was about to see. She watched in stunned silence as a familiar photo loomed from the television screen the original of which stood on the mantelpiece at her family home. It showed her dad Keith, with his parents, three brothers and two young sisters, Jacqueline and Joanna. What the documentary went on to disclose was even more startling. Not only had the two little girls been tragically killed aged just six and 11 in a road accident in May 1957, but their father John had then prophesied that his wife would give birth to identical twin girls who, he said, would be the reincarnation of Jacqueline and Joanna. Astonishingly, 15 months later, she did, indeed, give birth to identical twins, confounding doctors who had discovered only one heartbeat during her pregnancy. Whats more, the younger twin, Jennifer, had a birthmark above her eye in exactly the same place that the younger of the two dead sisters, Jacqueline, bore a scar from a childhood mishap. It was one of many eerie similarities between the twins and their dead siblings, and their father John went to his grave in 1985 still insisting that his girls had been reborn. Yet this film, made in 1979 and already 20 years old by the time Lauren saw it, was the first she had ever heard of her grandfathers claims. Her dad Keith had never mentioned what happened to his sisters, and on the rare occasions he did talk about his father, it was far from fondly. I just couldnt get my head around it, Lauren, now a 37-year-old television producer, recalls today. We literally never spoke about it. I told Mum when I got home and she told me not to mention it to Dad, because it was upsetting for him, and he didnt believe any of it. Keith wasnt the only one. From the moment John made his claims, many, including members of his own family, dismissed him as a crackpot or desperate publicity-seeker. Yet others, including scientists who travelled from far and wide to the Pollocks Northumberland home, viewed the twins as one of the most compelling pieces of proof that the souls of the departed could reappear in the bodies of the living. Twins Gillian and Jennifer Pollock, pictured in 1965, shared eerie similarities with their dead siblings, and their father believed the girls were reincarnations of their sisters Either way, for years the story was lost to history until now. For today, the full extraordinary tale is being told for the first time in nearly half a century in Extrasensory, a fascinating eight-part podcast that revisits the case and tracks down members of the Pollock family, uncovering a web of secrets and contradictions. The story of what the podcasts producer Rosie Pye calls the spooky twins is underpinned by one central question: what happens after we die? Its something we all think about, she says. This thing happened, and feeds into one narrative that theres something supernatural at play, but then theres a counter-narrative, which is that coincidences happen. That story begins in post-war England, where first Joanna then Jacqueline were born into the Pollock clan. Their dapper father John, often clad in a three-piece suit and cravat, ran a milk-delivery business and while not wealthy the family was comfortable. Then, on a sunny Sunday morning in 1957, tragedy struck. Jacqueline and Joanna were walking hand in hand to church with a friend called Tony when a green car mounted the footpath and crashed into them. All three were killed. The driver, Marjorie Winn, was found to be intoxicated after overdosing on aspirin and the epilepsy medication phenobarbitone. She was later committed to a psychiatric hospital. The devastating incident plunged the tight-knit community into mourning but John seemed to make a speedy recovery from his grief. Long fascinated by the concept of reincarnation, he told everyone who would listen that he would soon see his daughters again not in the after-life but here on Earth. His claim that his wife Florence would soon give birth to the reincarnated spirits of Joanna and Jacqueline, was an extraordinary belief in buttoned-up 1950s England, and particularly for a man raised a devout Catholic. John Pollock's daughters Joanna and Jacqueline were killed by a car on their way to church in Hexham, Northumberland in 1957 Yet Florence did become pregnant again, and on October 4, 1958, against no small odds (having identical twin girls is around 1 in 500), she gave birth to Gillian and Jennifer, aided by an apparently astonished midwife. John was delivering milk when it happened, Lauren says. And the story goes that a friend raced to find him and said: I have some good news for you. And straightaway John says: Yes, I know. Twins. Whats more, even the sceptical and devoutly Catholic Florence couldnt help but notice the birthmark on Jennifers forehead, in precisely the same place where Jacquelines scar had been. She also had an identical darker patch of skin, the size and shape of a thumbprint, on her hip. That Johns prophecy had apparently come to pass was enough to cause unease among the locals in the market town of Hexham: some shunned the Pollocks, and by the time the twins were six months old the entire family had decamped 30 miles to Whitley Bay. The 'reincarnated' sisters with a photo of their deceased siblings, inset, with whom they apparently shared memories and mannerisms But as the twins grew up, it was not just their increasing resemblance to their deceased siblings that struck their parents. Both seemed to channel their feelings and instincts: Gillian of Joanna and Jennifer of Jacqueline. This despite, the Pollocks insisted, being told nothing of their tragic story. Weve never told them anything, John repeatedly insisted to the newspaper reporters who visited them at home. Yet somehow, both parents claimed, the twins liked the same clothing and songs as their dead sisters and talked about their sisters friends whom theyd never met. When Florence brought down the familys old toys from the attic, she said, the girls automatically approached different toys without arguing or hesitation, Gillian taking Joannas favourite toys while Jennifer picked out Jacquelines. When they returned to Hexham a place both Pollocks said they had never previously taken the twins, the parents claimed their daughters were able to identify areas they couldnt possibly have seen before in their lives. Both also had a phobia of cars, suffering recurring nightmares of being hit by one and, when startled by passing vehicles, would shout things like The car! Its coming for us! In another incident, Gillian recounted how Jacqueline had got her scar, by pointing at it and saying: That is the mark Jennifer got when she fell on a bucket. Their mother, who continued to struggle to believe in the concept of reincarnation, let alone that her own daughters may embody it, also recalled how she had once stumbled across the twins playing a game in which Jennifer cradled her sisters head in her lap, saying: The bloods coming out of your eyes. Thats where the car hit you. So compelling was their story that Professor Ian Stevenson, an American psychiatrist regarded as one of the foremost researchers into reincarnation, crossed the Atlantic six times to interview the family. He remained convinced until his dying breath in 2007 that the twins were the most persuasive case study he had ever come across during decades of research. Yet some members of the Pollock family thought it was nonsense and they also had little good to say about John. That included Laurens father Keith (the twins brother), who died in 2015. When my grandfather died, my father said something like Well, the old mans dead. Which is not like my dad at all, she tells The Mail on Sunday. A lot of people had not very nice things to say about my grandfather. That included Liza and Joanna the daughters of Keiths brother Ian, who has also passed away. Interviewed on the podcast, they describe their grandfather as a narcissistic, gaslighting little man who bullied his sweet-natured wife Florence and invented the reincarnation claim for attention. Family divisions were also longstanding. In 1980, a year after Florence died of a heart attack aged 57, John had remarried with what seemed like unseemly haste, creating what Lauren today calls a big rift. I think the fact that, once their mother had died, he moved on so quickly and remarried so quickly, it pulled the family apart, she says. Five years after his second marriage, John died from a heart attack aged 64. Years passed until that late-Nineties RE lesson, in which a 1979 ITV documentary called The Hexham Reincarnation the last public airing of the story and filmed when the twins were 21 was shown. I couldnt wrap my head around it to be honest, says Lauren. And with her father reluctant to discuss the family history until his death in 2015, the circumstances around it seemed destined to lie under a permanent question mark. That is until Lauren received a call from the Extrasensory podcast team who had struggled to find members of the extended Pollock family but eventually tracked her down and, earlier this year, Jennifer who by now was 66 and the only surviving twin. She still has the fair hair and light blue eyes of her youth, as well as that birthmark, and lives with Steve, her husband of 28 years, in the North West of England. It took months before Jennifer agreed to be interviewed. And when the podcast team visited her at home, her memories were not remotely what they expected. Far from the portrait of an indifferent, sometimes cruel and pathetic man ringing in their ears from other family members, Jennifer remembers a really good dad. Because the lads were a lot older than us, we were like the babies of the family. He spoiled us, she recalls. He used to call us my two princesses. He loved us dearly. There were camping trips to Scotland and picnics at the beach. Jennifer fondly recalled how, at Christmas, the entire family gathered round the piano and sang carols played by their father. As far as she was concerned, her mother and father enjoyed a happy marriage. They were really happy, she recalls. Ive never seen Mum and Dad argue. I never saw any physical abuse with my father. All this, of course, could be explained by the rose-tinted memories of a favourite daughter who backs her fathers claims to the hilt. For just as John insisted to those reporters all those years ago, Jennifer is vehement that neither she nor Gillian had the slightest knowledge of the existence of their older sisters until well into their teenage years, when both parents told them what had happened. Gill and I were gobsmacked, she says. She remembers how she and Gill were terrified to cross a road and that Gills splay-footed gait directly reminiscent of Joannas led to her being nicknamed the penguin. Gill, of course, is no longer alive to give her account, and Jennifer misses her dearly, describing her death from a series of heart attacks as one of the most awful things Ive been through. She says she feels Gills presence today: that when shes upset, she can hear her late twin whispering Dont cry Jenny in her ear. The crucial question, of course, is whether she believes her fathers prophecy that she is the reincarnated spirit of her sister Jacqueline. I think what he said was the truth, the whole truth, as he believed it, she says. I dont think he would put us all through that if he was lying about it, she says. That latter sentiment is shared by her niece Lauren. I think John was probably a driving force pushing for all of this narrative, but I also think some things cant be explained, she says. Joanna and Jacqueline were so little and had never seen the world, and so if they were going to come back, where else would they go, other than to their own family?As podcast producer Rosie puts it, The story is so gripping because youre left thinking: what do I believe? Chelsy Davy's husband has been slated by a judge for labelling a receptionist at the hotel he runs as suffering from 'paranoid delusion' after she complained of repeated racism. Sam Cutmore-Scott, who married Prince Harry's ex two years ago, was accused of carrying out a 'character assassination' of Georgia Sylvester after she reported the harassment. Miss Sylvester, who is of mixed race, is now in line for a significant payout after an employment tribunal found she had been targeted. She complained that the Oxford-educated businessman's 280-a-night boutique hotel in Norfolk was beset by 'institutionalised racism'. Concerns she raised included one manager saying he wanted 'every f****** foreigner out of the country' and another using the offensive phrase 'n***** in the woodpile'. But they were 'dismissed out of hand' by hotel managers, with one telling Miss Sylvester she was 'not dark enough to be offended'. The employment panel slammed 50-year-old Old Etonian Mr Cutmore-Scott's attack on her mental stability as untrue and 'incredibly hostile'. Mr Cutmore-Scott has two children with Ms Davy, 38, who dated Harry for seven years. Single mother Miss Sylvester began working at The Harper hotel in 2021. In November that year she complained that the bar manager had said: 'I want every f****** foreigner out of the country.' Sam Cutmore-Scott was accused of carrying out a 'character assassination' of Georgia Sylvester after she reported the harassment Miss Sylvester complained that the Oxford-educated businessman's 280-a-night boutique hotel (pictured) in Norfolk was beset by 'institutionalised racism' Mr Cutmore-Scott has two children with Ms Davy, 38, (pictured) who he married two years ago Ms Davy was previously in a relationship with Prince Harry for seven years Mr Cutmore-Scott told the tribunal in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, that the matter was dealt with 'promptly and properly', but the panel found there was no investigation and the man left 'of his own choice'. The tribunal also heard that a manager told Miss Sylvester: 'I don't see why you're getting so upset. You're not dark enough to be offended.' Miss Sylvester lost out on a promotion the following year. Mr Cutmore-Scott claimed she was not up to the job as he thought her 'unstable' and 'suffering from a paranoid delusion disorder'. That latter claim was withdrawn during the four-day hearing after the panel said there was 'no truth' in it. In July 2022, hotel manager John Holmes said to Miss Sylvester that 'all blacks' are drug users. When he was challenged when he referred to a group of guests on another day as 'the blacks', he said: 'I don't bloody know what they are meant to be called nowadays.' In March 2023, Mr Holmes allegedly used the 'n***** in the woodpile' phrase which Miss Sylvester said no one would use 'unless they wanted to cause offence'. Mr Holmes denied using the term but the tribunal found it had been said. They called the investigation into her grievances a 'sham' and found she had been the victim of race discrimination and harassment. A complaint of victimisation succeeded 'in part'. Employment judge Mark Graham said Mr Cutmore-Scott had attempted a 'character assassination' of Miss Sylvester, adding his descriptions were 'untrue' and 'appeared incredibly hostile'. The date for a compensation hearing has yet to be set. A woman who was allegedly sexually assaulted by the British law chief bringing a war crimes case against Israel's prime minister is to give her testimony to investigators this week, The Mail on Sunday can reveal. The International Criminal Court (ICC) sparked outrage last week when it issued arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant after a request by its controversial prosecutor, British human rights lawyer Karim Khan. Mr Khan, 54, announced his case against Israel in May just two weeks after being told that a female colleague had made serious allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Six months later, the woman will finally be interviewed after the ICC agreed to an external investigation into her claims. Sources have told the MoS that she will be questioned in the Netherlands, where the court is based, by investigators from the Office of Internal Oversight Services (OIOS), a UN watchdog. It comes amid concern among ICC officials that the court has pressed ahead with the case against Israel while the inquiry into Mr Khan's behaviour is still taking place. 'I find it remarkable that they would issue these warrants with this still hanging over him,' one source said. 'It does make you think they are using this case [against Israel] for purposes other than what it should be used for.' The ICC's decision to issue the arrest warrants has caused an international backlash. Donald Trump is reportedly considering sanctions against Mr Khan. Tzipi Hotovely, Israel's UK ambassador, has accused the court of finding common ground with Hamas. Britain has said it respects the court and Labour ministers have refused to say if Mr Netanyahu would be arrested if he came here. Karim Khan, 54, announced his case against Israel in May just two weeks after being told that a female colleague had made serious allegations of sexual misconduct against him The International Criminal Court (ICC) sparked outrage last week when it issued arrest warrants against Benjamin Netanyahu and former Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant Black smoke rises among the residential buildings following an Israeli airstrike on the Dahieh area in the south of Beirut, Lebanon on November 21 US 'will crush' UK if it holds Netanyahu The US will crush the UK economy if Britain helps arrest Benjamin Netanyahu, a major ally of Donald Trump warned. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said those who follow the International Criminal Courts ruling should be braced for dramatic economic retaliation from the United States. Although No 10 said it was a hypothetical situation, it has suggested the Israeli prime minister faces arrest if he travels to Britain. But South Carolina senator Mr Graham revealed he was working with another senator to have legislation passed that would sanction any country that aids and abets the arrest of any politician in Israel. To any ally, Canada, Britain, Germany, France, if you try to help the ICC, were gonna sanction you, he said, adding: We should crush your economy because were next Why cant they go after Trump or any other American president? Advertisement The MoS revealed last month that Mr Khan was accused of groping the woman, an ICC staff member in her 30s, in his office. He also allegedly got into her hotel bed during a work trip and began 'sexually touching' her. According to a document seen by the MoS, the accusations include knocking on her hotel room door for ten minutes at 3am. Another newspaper reported an incident in which he is said to have 'pressed his tongue' into the woman's ear. Mr Khan, a father of two who grew up in Yorkshire, has said there is 'no truth' to the allegations. 'I underline that I stand with any victim of sexual harassment and would encourage all survivors to come forward,' he added. Responding earlier this month to the announcement of an investigation, he said: 'I welcome the opportunity to engage in this process.' Sources say the woman has expressed concerns about the OIOS after it emerged that Mr Khan's wife, Dato Shyamala Alagendra, worked as an investigator there from 2019 to 2020. Ms Alagendra, another human rights lawyer, has been accused of contacting the woman soon after Mr Khan learned the allegations would be formally reported. She has also been accused of intimidating a whistleblower who passed on the woman's claims. Ms Alagendra has denied the accusations. Meanwhile, figures obtained by the MoS reveal the huge cost to UK taxpayers of the ICC. Last year, the UK's contribution was nearly 12 million. King Charles's doctor has warned that using Ozempic for weight loss places a greater burden on the NHS by discouraging personal responsibility in favour of 'medicalising everything'. Dr Michael Dixon, an NHS GP who became Head of the Royal Medical Household when Charles became king, is disheartened by the growing demand for weight-loss jabs, believing that 'the more we go down this Ozempic route, the more we're saying, 'It's not my responsibility, give me the injection, give me the pill'. Dr Dixon, 72, argues that prescribed drugs should be replaced by moving care back into communities and taking a more holistic approach to problems such as obesity. He also thinks it is 'madness' that one in six UK adults is on antidepressants: a figure he partly blames on the pressure GPs are under. 'If you only have five or ten minutes per appointment, it's far easier for me to give you Prozac, than to start talking about life stresses, work and all the rest of it.' Speaking to The Times, Dr Dixon who has sometimes been mocked for his support of alternative medicine said: 'The endgame is the community looking after itself and individuals looking after themselves. 'The more we are dependent on professionals, on Ozempic, on everything else, the less self-dependent we become and the less sustainable the health service becomes.' King Charles 's doctor Dr Michael Dixon (pictured with the King) has warned that using Ozempic for weight loss places a greater burden on the NHS Dr Dixon, 72, argues that prescribed drugs should be replaced by moving care back into communities and taking a more holistic approach to problems such as obesity (Stock image) Dr Dixon's warning comes as it was revealed the number of hospital admissions for bad reactions to weight-loss drugs is more than four times higher than previously thought. Last month, the medicines regulator said there had been 68 UK hospitalisations associated with 'miracle' weight-loss jabs such as Ozempic, used to treat obesity and diabetes. But now it has emerged that the figure is far higher at 274, while the number of adverse reactions linked to the drugs has reached an astonishing 14,996, according to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) more than double the 7,228 reactions reported last month. The surge in adverse reactions and hospitalisations chiefly involve gastrointestinal side-effects such as nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea, the watchdog said. The lead lawyer in the Harold Shipman inquiry has urged MPs to oppose legalising assisted dying in this weeks vote because it could create death clinics. The proposed legislation is open to abuse by ruthless GPs, Dame Caroline Swift has warned in an explosive intervention. Doctors and hospitals could be incentivised by the cost savings of freeing up hospital beds and spending less on drugs, she says. In a letter seen by the MoS that she sent to peer Lord Alton, who has spoken against assisted dying, Dame Caroline writes: Although the safeguards may seem adequate now, they are likely to be eroded over time. I was leading counsel to the Shipman Inquiry, and saw how this had happened with the safeguards for issuing cremation certificates. The inquiry investigated the GP, who killed more than 215 patients. Dame Caroline said those safeguards became little more than a tick-box exercise, for which the doctor was paid a fee. I fear that what will happen if the Bill becomes law is that groups of doctors [death clinics?] that support assisted dying will emerge and that the safeguards will gradually be eroded in the same way. On Friday, MPs will vote on legalising assisted dying, through a Private Members Bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater. The Bill would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to get help to end their life. Two doctors and a High Court judge would have to verify that they were eligible and had made their decision voluntarily. Dame Caroline Swift has warned that legalising assisted dying in this weeks vote because it could create death clinics Dame Caroline Swift was the lead lawyer in the Harold Shipman inquiry, which investigated the notorious serial killer Kim Leadbeater MP is bringing the assisted dying bill forward to the House of Commons In her eviscerating letter, Dame Caroline says that GP surgeries and hospitals will have a financial incentive to have patients choose assisted deaths. In hospitals, patients who choose assisted death will free up beds, benefiting the Trust and its staff. In the community, the sanctioning of an assisted death could save a GP practice the cost of several months medication and care. She cites how Shipman himself said of a victim: Thats one off my drugs bill. The former High Court judge, who later chaired the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, says: I have some experience of misconduct within the medical profession and have little doubt that these considerations will, in some cases, influence the advice and/or opinions given by doctors. She also draws on the experience of her mother and grandfather dying and says: The focus should be on effective palliative care. If the Bill is passed, there is an obvious risk that the focus will shift away from, rather than toward, improved palliative care. The Prime Minsiter's Labour Party are deeply divided on the issue of assisted dying Health Secretary Wes Streeting is one of a number of high-profile MPs set to vote against the bill 'Dying Wish' trees were left outside both the House of Commons and Scottish Parliament this week by campaign group Dignity in Dying. Sir Keir Starmer has said he is personally in favour of changing the law, although this month said he had not made his mind up on how he will vote on the Bill. Cabinet ministers including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood have spoken out against the Bill, while Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson are expected to vote against it. Chancellor Rachel Reeves and her sister, Labour party chairman Ellie Reeves, are understood to be sceptical but are more likely to abstain, sources said. Labour MP Rachael Maskell said the Bill had too many dangerous flaws and questioned the powers it could give doctors. She said: The first question of any doctor must be first do no harm, and yet this Bill has the converse intent. We all want to see people we love have a peaceful and pain-free death, and therefore we need to optimise palliative medicine. Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin is being ridiculed for calling Donald Trump's cabinet nominations '1,000 shades of white'. Rubin, 62, a former conservative commentator at the Jeff Bezos-owned paper, now largely advocates for Democrats and on her podcast, 'Jen Rubin's Green Room.' Speaking on MSNBC Rubin did not hold back as she ripped Trump's nominations over the color of their skin. 'Many of these people including Tulsi Gabbard have backgrounds that would never make them eligible for any government post, let alone for secretaries of these important government agencies,' Rubin began. 'But I do think there are a couple of things going on. First, I have to comment, when you put up all of those faces it was a thousand shades of white. Have you noticed that?' It prompted MSNBC host Ali Velshi to laugh out loud at Rubin's comment. 'I actually felt that as I was reading them we should certainly circle a few of them so we can say this is the one I'm talking about now,' joked Velshi, who is of Indian heritage. But Rubin was not done with her excoriating judgment on Trump's recent picks. Washington Post columnist Jennifer Rubin is being ridiculed for calling Donald Trump 's cabinet nominations '1,000 shades of white' Conservatives on X were not impressed with Rubin's take on Trump's nominees 'Secondly, there is a certain level of catastrophe and dysfunction that will sink these people. What happens if there is terrorist attack, God forbid? What happens if there is a pandemic?' Rubin asked. 'The problem with being extreme, irresponsible, ignorant, is when bad stuff happens no one to blame but you. 'The good news is that there's people may not get everything they want, but the bad news is that a lot of bad stuff may happen to a lot of innocent people because of them.' On Friday, Trump made a flurry of Cabinet pics including nominating Dr. Marty Makary to lead the FDA, former Republican Rep. Dave Weldon of Florida to lead the CDC, Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat was tapped to be the nation's next surgeon general while Sebastian Gorka has been nominated to serve Trump's senior director for counterterrorism. Conservatives on X were not impressed with Rubin's take. 'This is a mental illness', wrote Eric Daugherty, a journalist on a local Florida paper. 'This is what MSNBC sees as an "expert opinion." The first thing she notices is skin color. Wild!' tweeted journalist Collin Rugg. 'Her argument was that Trump's picks don't have enough merit but then suggested he should pick people by their skin color, not merit. Makes zero sense.' 'Racists see everything through the lens of race. This blinds them to the point that they can't see any other factors accurately,' added Chip Gibbons. 'The hate against white people is real. Nobody wants DEI hires. They want credible people with merit filling these positions. It's not a hard concept to grasp,' said another user. On Friday, Trump made a flurry of cabinet pics including nominating Dr. Marty Makary to lead the FDA, former Republican Rep. Dave Weldon of Florida to lead the CDC Fox News contributor Janette Nesheiwat was tapped to be the nation's next surgeon general while Sebastian Gorka has been nominated to serve Trump's senior director for counterterrorism Rubin signed an op-ed on behalf of several Washington Post columnists outraged at the paper's refusal to endorse Kamala Harris Rubin signed an op-ed on behalf of several Washington Post columnists outraged at the paper's refusal to endorse Kamala Harris just before the election. She has also been calling for a boycott of MSNBC as a response to the hosts of Morning Joe's secret meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, despite frequently appearing herself on the network. The Washington Post's boss hit back at claims it was Jeff Bezos who squashed the paper's endorsement of Kamala Harris. The outlet, which is owned by the billionaire Amazon founder, announced it will not be supporting either presidential candidate. A Harris endorsement had been drafted and was being reviewed by Bezos, according to the paper's page editor David Shipley but was spiked just 11 days before the election. At least one editor has resigned, according to CNN, which also reports that thousands of readers have pulled their subscriptions. However, publisher Will Lewis rejected claims that Bezos was involved in the endorsement decision. A Colorado dentist who was accused of poisoning his wife's protein shakes last year faces new charges as his lawyer has bailed due to possible 'criminal' conduct. James Craig was arrested on a charge of first-degree murder in March 2023 for allegedly dosing his wife, Angela, with a fatal dose of potassium cyanide, resulting in her death. He then tried to persuade one of his daughters to dispose of key evidence in the case against him. Craig was also accused of trying to convince a fellow jail inmate to plant suicide letters in his residence. The former dentist now faces charges of first-degree solicitation to commit perjury, according to a statement from the state's 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office, in addition to the first-degree murder charge to which he pleaded not guilty. This comes one day after Craig's attorney withdrew from his case on the day jury selection for his trial was set to begin, NBC News reported. The attorney said that he had a 'professional conflict' as well as other reasons, including that Craig 'persists in a course of action involving the lawyer's services that the lawyer believes is criminal or fraudulent,' the outlet reported. Earlier this year he was charged with felony count of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence after his plot with his daughter was revealed. On April 10, the 18th Judicial District Attorney's Office filed a motion to add another 'tampering with physical evidence' count to the accused's charge sheet. James and Angela Craig pose for a family picture with their six children Earlier this year he was charged with felony count of solicitation to commit tampering with physical evidence after it was revealed that Craig tried to persuade one of his daughters to dispose of key evidence in the case against him James Craig was arrested for murder after detectives discovered his wife Angela Craig, 43, had been fatally poisoned Aurora Police Detective Bobbi Olson, the lead detective on the case, said that she spoke with an inmate who was imprisoned in a cell near Craig. She told the judge and court that Craig reportedly told the inmate about his charges and asked them to place letters in his garage and truck at his home. Olson testified that the letters were allegedly written from inside the prison and meant to appear as his deceased wife had written them. According to the detective, the letters were meant to show that Angela was not happy with her life, felt suicidal and was aware about her husband's affair. She testified that the entire point of those letters being written and spread across the house was so that law enforcement or defense attorneys could find them letters. Olson also told the court that the accused murderer had offered the inmate free dental work or money in exchange for scattering the letters across his house. However, the inmate did not take up the offer and instead contacted the authorities. In a preliminary hearing last year, a prosecutor said that shortly after Craig started an affair, his online search history included the phrases: 'how to make murder look like a heart attack' and 'is arsenic detectable in an autopsy?' According to the arrest warrant, their marriage had been strained for years with Craig having multiple affairs and Angela repeatedly saying she wanted to leave her husband. His defense attorneys claimed that there was no direct evidence showing he had put the fatal dose of poison in his wife's drink and claimed Craig had been searching online for ways to take his own life, according to Associated Press. Craig was arrested in Aurora, Colorado after his wife began feeling unwell after drinking a shake that her husband made her on March 6. The mother of six visited the hospital multiple times over the following ten days and complained of nausea and dizziness. According to the charging documents, Craig had researched poison on his office computer Text messages Craig exchanged with Angela while she was in hospital fighting for her life On March 15, her brother took her to the hospital again where she had a seizure and lost brain function. While his wife was in hospital, Craig's mistress - who was uncovered to be 49-year-old Texan orthodontist Karin Cain - flew to Colorado to be with him between March 8 and March 10. The husband and wife exchanged text messages throughout her hospital visits revealing that Craig had drugged Angela before and she was becoming suspicious of him as her condition worsened. 'Are you nauseous?' he asked his wife. 'No. I feel drugged,' she replied. 'Given our history, I know that must be triggering. Just for the record, I didn't drug you. I am super worried though. You really looked pale before I left.' Prosecutors allege that Craig first gave his wife the poison on March 6, in a shake he mixed before their workout. According to the charging documents, Craig had researched poison on his office computer. Search terms included: 'how many grams of pure arsenic will kill a human'; 'Is Arsenic Detectable in Autopsy'; 'Top 5 Undetectable Poisons That Show No Signs of Foul Play'; 'how to make poison,' and 'The Top 10 Deadliest Plants (They Can Kill You).' Angela Craig was taken to the hospital on March 15. She died on March 19, after four days on life support Craig's mistress was uncovered as Texan orthodontist Karin Cain, 49. Pictures obtained exclusively by Dailymail.com show her in medical scrubs and a pair of sneakers The text exchanges throughout Angela's hospital visits show Craig sending declarations of love. At one point he apologized for not bringing her flowers in hospital, and said he was looking forward to her returning home and to the marital bed. 'I love you. It was so nice hanging out with you and just watching a show and snuggling,' he wrote on March 7 - the day after he allegedly administered the poison. He tells her: 'I'm planning on coming home to eat lunch with you though. 'I'll need to ask you what you're hungry for and bring it to you. I'm kinda feeling just a smoothie or something.' She tells him she's not hungry. While she wrestles with her nausea, headaches, exhaustion and vomiting, Craig texts her repeatedly, telling her he loves her and wants her to recover. 'I'm going to trust that you are just sleeping and not dead somewhere,' he says at one point, when she fails to reply to his text. He says he is 'heading home to make you some dinner.' On March 9, Angela is in hospital. As her symptoms worsen, Craig texts his wife: 'Man, baby, you've got to stop scaring me like this! I love you so much, and I'm not used to all of this excitement!' At the same time, prosecutors say, Craig's mistress was visiting him, having flown in from Austin, Texas. On March 10, with his mistress still in town, Craig texts his wife: 'I wish I could have stayed longer. I love you and am so glad you seem to be doing better.' On March 11, he tells his wife: 'I just work up dreaming about making love to you. I love you and I want you.' As she is discharged, he tells her: 'I can't WAIT to see you at home in my bed tomorrow!' She says she needs to stop vomiting before she can think about sex. Craig is meanwhile ordering more poison, with a delivery of cyanide dispatched on March 13. On March 14, she returned home, and accused her husband of trying to poison her, he told a confidant. Craig allegedly first gave his wife the poison on March 6, in a shake he mixed before their workout Craig told investigators Angela had been intentionally overdosing on opioids since had asked for a divorce in December 2022 Craig's internet history showed he placed an Amazon order for 'Arsenic Metal 99.9999% Crystalline Metalloid 10 grams for Element Collection' among other poisons he ordered online 'James told her when Angela was discharged she made accusations that James had poisoned her,' the charging documents state. 'Angela said something to James along the lines of "there are poisons they don't test for".' Back home, her condition dramatically worsened and she was readmitted on March 15, suffering a seizure and never regaining consciousness. Craig's mistress expressed wanting to comfort him on March 16, as Angela's condition worsened. 'I am sorry I am not a part of your world to be of more help to you and instead I am pulling you away,' she wrote. 'This is so hard. I want to be and do whatever I can to support and encourage you and I don't want to add to what has become an incredibly difficult time. 'I do want to give you any comfort I can but I do not feel it is right for me to mix in with those gathering to mourn Angela either and I do not want to meet your family as a friend and conceal what I feel for you.' Craig was reported to authorities by a coworker who became suspicious of his behavior and the poison deliveries. The dentist also refused to have an autopsy conducted on his wife, despite pleas from concerned friends who were worried the cause of death may be genetic and passed to her children. Craig had allegedly ordered the arsenic online on February 27 and received a package at home on March 4. The dentist's home and business were raided and police seized protein powders, shakers, a computer tablet, phones and two Ziploc bags with powdery substances Craig admitted to drugging Angela five or six years ago and referenced the incident in a text message to his wife while she is hospitalized His second package arrived at his work on March 13, which was discovered by an employee who opened the box and found a biohazard sticker on a canister marked 'Potassium Cyanide'. After googling the compound, she found that Angela's symptoms were similar to that of cyanide poisoning. She then heard Angela had been readmitted into hospital and told Craig's business partner of her discovery. He then told a nurse, during a visit to check up on her. The nurse called police, and her death was then investigated by Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives who determined she was poisoned. Craig had told investigators that his wife had intentionally overdosing on opioids since he had asked for a divorce in 2022. The dentist's home and business were raided and police seized protein powders, shakers, a computer tablet, phones and two Ziploc bags with powdery substances. A data analysis of his devices revealed the chilling searches he had conducted online, including a $13 Amazon order for 'Arsenic Metal 99.9999% Crystalline Metalloid 10 grams for Element Collection.' When police combed through his email account jimandwaffles@gmail.com they found additional purchases of poison, according to the affidavit. Mark Pray, 55, Angela's brother spoke exclusively to DailyMail.com and said he wanted to thank the Aurora detectives and the DA's office for their 'unwavering dedication for seeking justice' for his 'beloved sister's senseless murder.' 'The heinous actions of her killer have left a void in the lives of her children, our family, her countless friends, and the world, depriving us of Angie's love and light,' he said. According to Pray, 'This cowardly act, driven by self-absorption, is a stark reminder of the depths of human depravity. 'The recent revelation of evidence tampering serves as damning proof not only of his guilt in orchestrating Angie's torment and demise but also of his utter disregard for the well-being of those around him, including his own children.' Pray continued, 'He manipulates and exploits anyone and anything to evade accountability for his monstrous deeds. However, his reckoning is inevitable. Whether in this life or the next, justice will prevail, and he will face the consequences of his actions.' The couple had been married for more than 20 years and were parents to six children - five girls and a boy - aged eight to 20. A Wisconsin father-of-three who faked his own death before fleeing overseas to be with his mistress has revealed exactly how he nearly pulled off the unbelievable stunt. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, who mysteriously vanished after he sent off on a solo fishing expedition back in August, has finally shared how he was able to execute the ridiculous plan. The Watertown-native said he intentionally overturned his kayak and dumped his phone while 'out fishing' on Wisconsin's Green Lake, he told Green Lake County Police in a video conference call earlier this month - the first time he had been heard from since his disappearance. The 45-year-old, who appeared on screen wearing an orange shirt and face blank of emotion, said he then paddled an inflatable boat to shore and rode an electric bike through the night to Madison, a distance of about 70 miles, Green Lake County Sheriff Mark Podoll said. From there he took a bus to Detroit, then boarded a bus to Canada and got on a plane there, Podoll added. Borgwardt also obtained a new passport and tried to cover his tracks by removing his laptop's hard drive and wiping his search history clean. He was also found to be chatting to a woman online from Uzbekistan - his alleged mistress. Investigators also noted that the father-of-three changed all the email addresses linked to his bank accounts and had inquired about moving money to foreign bank accounts. Ryan Borgwardt, 45, who mysteriously vanished after he sent off on a solo fishing expedition back in August, has finally shared how he was able to execute the ridiculous plan The Watertown-native said he intentionally overturned his kayak and dumped his phone while 'out fishing' on Wisconsin's Green Lake, he told Green Lake County Police in a video conference call earlier this month - the first time he had been heard from since his disappearance. Pictured: Ryan Borgwardt (left) with his wife, Emily, and their three children The 45-year-old, who appeared on screen wearing an orange shirt and face blank of emotion, said he then paddled an inflatable boat to shore and rode an electric bike through the night to Madison, a distance of about 70 miles. Pictured: Ryan Borgwardt with his wife, Emily The elaborate planner had also taken out a $375,000 life insurance policy in January and purchased a gift card for an airline. Police are still in the process of verifying his description of what happened. After failing to return home from his solo fishing trip on August 11, his worried family alerted police, prompting an extensive search and rescue effort. His kayak, life jacket, water bottle, tackle box and fishing pole were found in the water and his car was also discovered parked nearby. Emergency services searched the lake and surroundings for 54 grueling days before ultimately deciding to abandon the ground search, suspecting foul play. Police later learned, in October, that Borgwardt had crossed the border into Canada a few days after his disappearance, on August 13, and had been communicating with a Uzbek woman who spoke Russian. Green County Chief Deputy, Vande Kolk, confirmed to DailyMail.com that the two 'connected online', but said he could not elaborate further at this stage. Through her, the sheriff's office was able to get in contact with Borgwardt and asked him to answer questions only he would know and to film a video of himself, which he did. In the video, Borgwardt - who has not contacted his family since faking his own death - showed off his apartment, telling officers: 'I am safe, secure, no problems.' Meanwhile, his devastated wife Emily, and their three children, have been grieving their loss, believing for months he was likely dead. After failing to return home from his solo fishing trip on August 11, his worried family alerted police, prompting an extensive search and rescue effort. Pictured: Authorities search for the missing married man Emergency services searched the lake and surroundings for 54 grueling days before ultimately deciding to abandon the ground search, suspecting foul play. Pictured: Authorities use divers, drones, sonar and cadaver K-9s, and more to look for the missing father Meanwhile, his devastated wife Emily, and their three children, have been grieving their loss, believing for months he was likely dead. Pictured: Borgwardt with his wife, Emily Authorities still do not know exactly where the married man is, but they suspect he is in Eastern Europe. 'We do not know where he is. We know that he is not in our lake,' Podoll said. Vande Kolk added that he has no idea when Borgwardt plans to come back, but has been encouraged by the communication that has been established. 'We are making constant progress and the fact that he has stayed in contact is encouraging,' Vande Kolk said. The Green Lake County Sheriff's Office is now seeking $35,000 to $40,000 in restitution for the money used in the search. Authorities used divers, drones, sonar and cadaver K-9s, and more to look for the missing father, according to ABC News. Borgwardt could also face obstruction charges. Authorities and his family remain hoping he will make the decision to return home. 'He needs to come home to his kids,' he said at the press conference, saying officers are trying to 'pull at his heartstrings.' November 23, 2024: Currently the Myanmar military government is continuing to preserve its control over ever smaller portions of the country. While Myanmar became quieter for a while after the military government allowed democracy to return in 2010, by late 2023 there was a major outbreak of violence by northern rebels against soldiers stationed in the north. This led to chaos in the north where non-tribal residents fled south and large groups of armed and angry tribal rebels moved south along with them. The army never expected this and now fighting continues in the north outside, and sometimes inside, towns where there is an army garrison. With few troops left in the area, the Myanmar military sent its warplanes to bomb towns believed to be occupied by rebels. This was an imprecise operation and many civilians were killed. Myanmar is still subject to violence from tribal separatist militias in the north plus radical Buddhist groups. There was another military coup in early 2021, a decade after the 1962 military government finally gave in to demands for freedom and democracy. By 2010 the army had failed at running the economy or dealing with the rebellious northern tribes. The military negotiated a deal with the democrats that left the military with some of their political power as well as immunity from prosecution or retribution for a long list of past crimes. Once elections were held, the generals realized they had underestimated the degree of popular anger at the decades of military misrule. After 2011, with Myanmar governed by a government answerable to the people, not a military caste, there were calls for canceling the political privileges the military had retained as part of their agreement to allow peaceful transfer of power. The late 2020 nationwide elections put into power a government that finally had the votes, and determination, to cut the military down to size and make them much less capable of another coup. The generals moved faster than the new government and once more took control of the country in early 2022. There is growing armed and unarmed opposition to the military which has resulted in over a thousand dead and nearly 12,000 arrested. The economy is in shambles but, despite that, the population resists and the survival of the military government depends on how much China wants to spend saving them. Until recently China refused to contribute more than token assistance, while the rebel militias in the north became more powerful and the Myanmar army began to collapse, along with the military government when there was another major uprising in late 2023 that started in the north and is ongoing. Then in 2024 rare earth deposits were found in Myanmar. Rare earths are extremely valuable and used for the production of high-end electronics. Myanmar had these materials and China wanted them. The Chin rebels on the border wanted a piece of the action and that held up shipments to China until it was discovered who was blocking the shipments. Chinese border guards were ordered to let the rare earth shipments in and threatened the Chin rebels with loss of access to China and the weapons and other supplies obtained inside China. Meanwhile in the northwest the fighting between tribal rebels and the army in Rakhine State has intensified, and because of this several hundred thousand villagers have fled their homes. Many traveled all the way to the state capital, which is seen as the safest spot in the state. The army also revived Internet restrictions which had been lifted earlier. The result was that most cellphone users in Rakhine State get only slow 2G Internet speeds. This made it difficult to access pro-rebel websites, and most others as well. Most of the rebels involved belong to the AA/Arakan Army. Many AA attacks are ambushes or raids on road traffic, outposts or border posts. Control of the roads is essential for the army, which depends on regular deliveries of all sorts of supplies. The army also has some air support, mostly surveillance but also occasional airstrikes. The rebels know the mountains and forests, which the army enters and moves through more slowly. The war up here is about driving away locals who can provide support for the rebels. Most of these civilians have nothing to do with the rebels and see themselves as innocent victims of random military violence. There is some truth to that because troops often loot abandoned villages or rape female refugees they catch up with. The rebels have another advantage in that their attacks are more precise and involve much less firepower. The soldiers spend most of their time wandering around in the forests seeking rebels who move faster in the bush and usually detect the troops before the soldiers can spot any rebels. Hiring, or forcing, local hunters to guide the troops rarely works because the local guides hate the troops and know that the rebels wont forget if such guides and trackers cost them casualties. Rebels attack outposts and border posts for loot. These attacks are not just about stealing some weapons and other gear, it is also intimidating the border guards and troops into backing off on border security. A major source of income for the AA is getting illegal drugs from nearby Shan State, where most illegal drugs in the country are produced, into Bangladesh. The AA also works with Myanmar Rohingya refugees just across the border in Bangladesh. The AA has support from one of the rebel coalitions, the NA, or Northern/Brotherhood Alliance tribal rebels, who refuse to attend peace talks unless the government allows the Arakan Army, or AA, to attend. The AA and the army have been fighting for over six years with no end in sight. The government, pressured by the army, declared the AA an outlaw organization in early 2020. The other tribal rebels disagreed and saw the army as the true outlaws. No long-term peace deal is possible without the NA and some NA members are still engaged in combat with the army. All NA members agree that if the AA is not allowed to attend peace conferences, neither will any NA member. The NA consists of four tribal militias: TNLA/ Tang National Liberation Army, AA, MNDAA/ Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and KIA/Kachin Independence Army. The NA exists because its members refused to sign the 2015 Myanmar Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement/NCA. Those who did sign the NCA have made progress in working out differences with the government and military. The army, which tends to do as it likes in the tribal areas of the north, is the primary cause for violence. China is also involved because Northern Alliance members survive via their access to China. The access is tolerated as long as these Myanmar rebels do not let the fighting spread into China or interfere with Chinese commercial operations in Myanmar. This includes the BRI/Belt and Road Initiative project, which NA members object to. So do other tribal rebels and the largest such group, the UWSA/United Wa State Army, boycotts peace conferences and otherwise tries to get their point across to the army and the government. Army leaders have become more outspoken about foreign support the tribal rebels are receiving. The generals wont come right out and name China, but it is no secret that China has done little to curb Chinese weapons dealers from selling all manner of military small arms to tribal rebels and getting it across the border into Myanmar. That cannot be done without the acquiescence of the Chinese government. In this way the Chinese are sending a message to the Myanmar generals, who the Chinese see as equally responsible for the violence in the north, sometimes right on the Chinese border. Both the rebels and the army are often using Chinese weapons and ammunition against each other. There are not a lot of casualties and most of them are from army convoys being ambushed or the army firing into pro-rebel villages to drive the civilians, and any rebels, out and into the bush. The army does not have enough troops to occupy all the territory they push tribal rebels and civilians out of. Often the rebels, if not the civilians, at least not right away, come back and resume attacking convoys and patrols. Rebellions in Rakhine and down along the coast are nothing new in this area, which has long been known as the Arakan coast and similar names hinting at an interesting past. In recent years there have even been calls for the restoration of the Arakan Empire, which ceased to exist 240 years ago. This is a renewal of ancient feuds over who should control the northwest coast of Myanmar, an area with a long history as an independent Arakan state. For example, in late 2017 ARSA/Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army, the new Islamic terror group in Myanmar called for Rohingya to join with al Qaeda to fight the Myanmar army and establish Rakhine State as the independent Moslem Arakan. This refers to the Arakan region, which is the coastal area that includes Rakhine State and the coastal area along the Bay of Bengal from eastern Bangladesh down deep into Myanmar. Some 1800 years ago Arakan became an independent Hindu state but 500 years later Islam spread to the area in part because Arakan was one of the many branches of the ancient Silk Road from China. The population was largely Bengali and Myanmaran. In the 18th century the Myanmar kingdom to the east conquered the area but lost it to the British colonial forces a century later. After that most of Arakan became part of the post-colonial nation of Myanmar. When the British left in the late 1940s they had created a Myanmar with unique borders and many citizens who were not ethnic Myanmar. For Islamic radicals, Arakan, like Spain, Portugal and parts of the Balkans are still considered part of the Caliphate/Islamic Empire because they had once been ruled by Moslems. The current inhabitants of these lost territories are now largely non-Moslem and have no interest in becoming Islamic states again. Despite that groups like al Qaeda see an opportunity in Myanmar. Islamic terrorists first showed up in late 2016 and August 2017 when there were attacks by a Rohingya Islamic terrorist group called ARSA. Its founder, a Rohingya expatriate, and much of the cash came from Saudi Arabia. Myanmar prefers to call groups like ARSA Islamic terrorists but until ARSA and the Saudi cash showed up there had not been much, if any, religious aspect to the armed Rohingya resistance. ARSA was openly calling for Rohingya worldwide to support a war against Myanmar for the bad treatment the Rohingya have received, especially since 2012. Until the 2017 announcement ARSA had denied any connection with al Qaeda but that eventually changed. The ARSA leader, Ataullah Abu Ammar Jununi or just Ata Ullah, has received more attention now that Islamic terror groups like al Qaeda are calling for its members to help ARSA and the Myanmar Rohingya any way they can. Since August 2017 there have been no more large scale ARSA attacks but there have been some clashes with security forces. For the moment ARSA is largely a force on the Internet, not on the ground. Since 2018 Rakhine State has been the scene of soldiers fighting the Arakan Army rebels for control of territory. Along the west coast in Rakhine and Chin states the fighting is mainly about the army effort to control and tax illegal activities by tribesmen. The tribes have been mistreated by the military for so long it is difficult to generate a lot of trust and put an end to the armed resistance. The Arakan Army had been avoiding soldiers since a series of clashes in late 2015 ended badly for the rebels. Clashes resumed in early 2016 as troops moved into territory where Arakan Army rebels were known to operate. All this was unexpected because the northwest coast has not had as much tribal violence as states to the east. In this case the Arakan Army had help from Kachin State tribal rebels and have become a problem on both sides of the Bangladesh border. The government ordered the army to increase its efforts to destroy the Arakan Army and the successful clashes in late 2015 led to the military working with police to find and arrest the many Arakan Army supporters in the area. Unlike most tribal militias in the north, the Arakan Army was never given official recognition, in large part because the Arakan Army was more of a gangster operation than tribal rebels. All this police activity was unpopular but at least it was less arbitrary and lawless than in the past when soldiers would torture and kill people they picked up. That sort of behavior has always been illegal but few violators were prosecuted. In 2020 those illegal practices returned in a big way as the army sought to shut down the Arakan rebels once and for all. The government, at the behest of the army, continues to block more foreign aid groups from operating in Rakhine State. The army accuses some foreign aid groups of aiding rebels and Islamic terrorists as well as contradicting government reports of what is going on in the area. There are still some Rohingya refugees in Rakhine State living in camps and supported by local and foreign aid. Another source of casualties in the north, along the Bangladesh border, are the landmines and booby traps set by both the army and the rebels to make it more difficult to get hit with a surprise attack. Nearly 60 percent of these casualties are in Rakhine State where the AA and army have been fighting for several years now. Most of the landmine casualties are civilians, who often dont know the army or AA has planted some mines in an area. Both sides do often record and remove mines they have placed. But the point of mines is surprise and civilians traveling through mined areas do so without being warned that mines are there. The mine danger is another reason the army prefers to use artillery to clear civilians out of an area and sometimes to clear mines. Since 2017 Myanmar Rohingya refugees, currently nearly a million of them, have been an involuntary presence in Bangladesh. All efforts to get Myanmar to take them back have failed. Apparently, Myanmar is OK with the refugees becoming a permanent presence just across the border. The refugees were initially welcomed by Bangladesh when they arrived in large numbers during 2017, After about a year, the presence of nearly a million displaced Rohingya in an already crowded country became a problem. Most of the Rohingya refugees are in an area called Coxs Bazaar and their presence tripled the local population. At first the locals were eager to help fellow Moslems, for a few months at least. But that expected short visit has gone on for three years and there is no end in sight. The growing number of criminal gangs in the camps are a growing problem. The gangs specialize in smuggling things in and out of Myanmar. This is a problem for governments on both sides of the border. The smuggled goods range from consumer items, to drugs, to Chinese weapons to illegal explosives. At one point police seized a truck in Kachin State that crossed the border with 17 tons of ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Sales and imports of ammonium nitrate are regulated because this fertilizer can easily, with the addition of some fuel oil and a detonator, be turned into a powerful explosive. There are still over 100,000 Rohingya refugees on the Myanmar side of the border living in camps that are less livable than those in Bangladesh. Refugees on both sides of the border are waiting for an opportunity to return to their homes. Gangs of Myanmar Buddhist nationalists still prevent this, as well as attacking any Rohingya returning from Bangladesh. Myanmar is regularly condemned in the UN for this but with China as an ally, the Chinese UN veto can prevent any serious sanctions against Myanmar. In the northwest Sagaing Region, west of Kachin State NCSN-K (National Socialist Council of Nagaland- Khaplang), tribal rebels based in Kachin state have long been hunted on both sides of the border by Indian and Myanmar forces that coordinate these operations. This has led to an unprecedented number of Indian tribal rebels, especially leaders, being arrested in northwest Myanmar and returned to India as per earlier border security agreements. Indian and Myanmar Naga rebels continue to maintain bases on the Myanmar side of the border. The Sagaing region has long been used as a refuge for Indian rebels, but since early 2019 Indian and Myanmar forces have been coordinating efforts to shut down the border camps for good, or at least for a long time. Until early 2020 Indian and Myanmar troops would periodically search remote areas on both sides of the border. While this hurt the Naga rebels it did not destroy the rebel groups, who returned to the border area once the troops had ceased their activity. In response Myanmar troops began to patrol the area for several months, or as long as it took for India to certify that the Naga rebels had suffered serious and long-term damage. Indian troops were also active on their side of the border to ensure that the Naga rebels, both the Indian and Myanmar ones, have nowhere to go and that situation will last so long and after several months many of the rebels will desert and return to their villages. Other rebel groups have been cornered by Indian or Myanmar troops and dispersed or destroyed. These clearance operations do not always work exactly as expected because after years of intense border patrols NSCN members are still active on both sides of the border. Most of the Naga people are Indian but some live in Myanmar far north of Sagaing Region and belong to the NSCN (National Socialist Council of Nagaland), which wants to form an independent Nagaland, including Indian and Myanmar territory and Naga people from both countries. Many of the camps being sought in Sagaing belong to the NSCN-K faction of the NSCN. At the start of 2019 there were believed to be about 5,000 active rebels in NSCN with about ten percent of them Myanmar Naga. Operations since then sought to reduce the size of NSCN by a significant amount. These operations are not just going after the NSCN but also smaller groups like the Ulfa-I, NDFB and Manipur rebels. The Naga are actually about two million people from a collection of tribes that share many Myanmar Tibetan characteristics and traditions. About ten percent of the Naga live in Myanmar but most of the rebel violence occurs in Indian Nagaland. For years the Naga rebels have used bases in Myanmar to train and rest before returning to fight in India. After much diplomatic pressure the Myanmar army finally went after the Naga rebel camps and have now shut most of them down or at least made them very difficult to maintain. The Naga rebels do not fight the Myanmar soldiers but always retreat. For this new operation Myanmar soldiers have orders to pursue and capture or kill any rebels they encounter. If the rebels head for India the Indian Army is alerted and moves troops into position to confront any rebels crossing the border to escape Myanmar troops. All these border patrols have involved thousands of soldiers and border police in both countries. There have been casualties, but they have been low. The rebels prefer to flee rather than fight but there are occasional clashes often as small groups of rebels seek to slow down troops so that most of the rebels can get away. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has finally acted on desperate pleas to aid a UK teenager charged with a sex crime in Dubai. Mr Lammy has now spoken to Marcus Fakana, 18, who faces up to 20 years in jail for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old British girl during a holiday romance. He had been held in a fetid cell after the girls mother saw pictures on her phone when she returned to Britain and reported him to Dubai police. The girl has since turned 18 but under United Arab Emirates law, sex with someone under that age is an extremely serious offence. Mr Lammy was criticised by human rights group Detained in Dubai last week for allegedly leaving Mr Fakana in Dubai without proper representation. It alleged that he was denied a translator and forced to sign a confession he did not understand. The groups CEO Radha Stirling said Mr Lammy had previously told those close to Mr Fakana that it would be a conflict to represent him as Foreign Secretary. But The Mail on Sunday can reveal that after desperate appeals by Mr Fakanas parents, Mr Lammy has stepped in, but only in his capacity as their constituency MP in Tottenham, north London. Foreign Secretary David Lammy (pictured) has finally acted on desperate pleas to aid a UK teenager charged with a sex crime in Dubai Marcus Fakana (pictured), 18, faces up to 20 years in jail for allegedly having sex with a 17-year-old British girl during a holiday romance Fakana had travelled with his family to celebrate his fathers birthday when he met the girl, who was holidaying in the same hotel with her family. Pictured: The Dubai seaside skyline The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) confirmed last night that they were also supporting the family who were plunged into a nightmare when Mr Fakana was arrested on their holiday of a lifetime. He had travelled with his family to celebrate his fathers birthday when he met the girl, who was holidaying in the same hotel with her family. They kept their romance secret as she feared her family would not approve. Mr Fakana told Detained in Dubai he hoped their wonderful time together would continue in the UK. He added: We really liked each other but she was secretive with her (British-Indian) family because they were strict. He told Detained in Dubai that police suddenly turned up to arrest him after the girl had flown back to Britain, adding: They were taking me in for questioning but wouldnt tell me why. I couldnt imagine what for. I was frightened and my parents were terrified. A fundraising page set up by his family to help cover legal costs has raised nearly 20,000 so far as publicity around his case grows. He told Detained in Dubai his mother is a cleaner and his father works in a warehouse. They saved up for this one-off holiday and have now used all of their savings on this ordeal, he said. His trial is set to take place in Dubai on December 9. The FCDO said: We are supporting a British man in the UAE and are in contact with his family. Drivers are dazzling other road users by illegally fitting super-bright LED headlights into cars never designed to use them. Motoring campaigners say the trend to replace worn-out halogen bulbs with LED 'upgrades' may be a key factor in the epidemic of blinding incidents on Britain's roads. Research by the RAC, which has been demanding a government investigation into the safety risk, reveals that a staggering one in 20 drivers have reported a near-collision due to headlight glare. According to campaign charity Lightaware, evidence shows drivers are swapping older halogen bulbs for LEDs purely 'to have brighter headlights on public roads'. It warns: 'Halogen headlights use reflectors to create beam patterns, while LEDs use projectors. 'If an LED bulb is placed in a halogen housing, it will be hard to replicate the beam pattern, and the resulting poor beam alignment could cause glare for other drivers.' A Mail On Sunday analysis of the aftermarket in headlight bulbs has revealed huge online demand for LED replacements. On Amazon's UK site alone more than 2,600 packs have been bought within the last month. According to campaign charity Lightaware, evidence shows drivers are swapping older halogen bulbs for LEDs purely 'to have brighter headlights on public roads' (Stock image) Experts say many drivers making the switch may not even be aware they have acted illegally until their car fails its MoT (Stock image) They are marketed as LED 'halogen replacements' or 'halogen upgrades' and can be legally sold only for use in vehicles on private land. This is Money has listed it among the four main factors that has sparked an increase in complaints from drivers about being dazzled by other road users' headlights. Among these include the rise in popularity of SUV with headlights positioned higher that can shine directly into the eye line of drivers in more conventional hatchbacks, which are lower to the ground. The new car market transition to whiter LEDs and motorists failing to adjust their lights accordingly is also causing problems. Expert analysis by This is Money has highlighted the four main factors contributing to the rise in complaints about being dazzled by other road users Experts say many drivers with older cars with halogen lights and buying LED replacements may not even be aware they have acted illegally until their car fails its MoT. RAC spokesman Rod Dennis said: 'We're very concerned about this growing trend. 'Many online retailers fail to make clear that retro-fitted LED bulbs can only be used legally off road. 'Drivers like them because they're cheap, they're plug-and-play and they're brighter than the old-style halogen bulbs. But the quality of the cheaper ones is often terrible. 'They are not designed for halogen housings and as a result the intensity and direction of light may well be blinding other motorists. 'We need more research to understand what is happening and we're pleased that the government has commissioned this. 'Drivers fitting these bulbs may unwittingly be causing far more of a problem than has so far been acknowledged.' In the RAC's survey of 2,000 drivers, 91 per cent reported being dazzled while driving and 74 per centg said it occurred regularly. Almost seven per cent said headlight blinding affected them so badly that they avoided driving at night a figure that doubled for the over-65s. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency says LED bulbs can only be used legally on public roads if they are fitted as standard to a new car. The same principle applies to High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps which feature on many new models. A spokesperson said: 'Incorrect bulbs installed in a vehicle will result in a failed MoT.' Australia's biggest shopping centre chain is deploying more security guards and introduced vests for staff amid 'heightened levels of security' across the country after the October 7 Hamas attack and Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing. Cheng Yixuan, 27, Pikria Darchia, 55, Dawn Singleton, 25, Jade Young, 47, Faraz Ahmed Tahir, 30, and Ashlee Good, 38, were killed during Joel Cauchi's shocking two-minute frenzied attack at Westfield Bondi Junction on the afternoon of April 13. A coronial inquest into the attack will next year examine the tragic events and whether it could have been avoided after the 40-year-old pulled a hunting knife from his backpack and indiscriminately stabbed 16 people. Westfield is assisting the NSW coroner with the inquiry and a spokesperson said it would explore 'potential learnings to improve security arrangements in places of mass gathering' as it grappled with a changing security landscape'. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Scentre Group, which operates Westfield Australia, said the company took its duty of care to staff and customers seriously and 'continuously aimed to improve our security practices'. 'This includes our capability, processes, and people to prepare for and respond to critical incidents. This is done in partnership with law enforcement, including police and government agencies,' the spokesperson said. 'Following the horrific attack at Westfield Bondi, we further heightened our security presence across all our Westfield destinations. We have introduced additional personal protective equipment including vests for all security team members, which has enhanced the prominence and visibility of our security team.' Westfield's security team is led by a former head of the London Metropolitan Police, or Scotland Yard, and the country's counter-terrorism police and also includes former members of government security agencies. Australia's biggest shopping centre chain is deploying more security guards and introduced vests for staff amid 'heightened levels of security' across the country after the October 7 Hamas attack and Westfield Bondi Junction stabbing Westfield deployed more guards on shift following the October 7 attacks in Israel and subsequent protests, with a dedicated security team in place at each of the centres which regularly conduct safety and security drills. 'Our security relies upon the engagement, collaboration, and co-operation of government law-enforcement agencies to provide safety to our customers, particularly in incidents that necessitate the use of physical force,' the spokesperson said. 'We constantly assess risk ... We also continue to examine, globally, potential enhancements, including the use of emerging technologies, to further enhance and improve our security and safety procedures. 'Recent examples of armed offender drills at our Westfield destinations include with NSW Police, Queensland Police, the Australian Defence Force, South Australia Police and the Australian Federal Police.' While security teams at Westfield and shopping centres across the state are often the first to respond to armed offender incidents, they are not law enforcement and report alleged offenders to police. Over the past few months, NSW Police responded to multiple alleged offences at shopping centres, including a teen charged with stealing a knife and threatening staff at an Armidale shopping centre on November 6. In September, a man was charged after allegedly pulling out a hammer during a fight at a shopping centre on the NSW Central Coast; in July, a man was arrested after allegedly wielding a sword at a Parramatta shopping centre. More than 1,150 knife-related incidents were reported in public places across NSW, including retail premises and outdoor spaces, between July 2023 and June 2024, according to data from the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research. Bondi stabbing victims (top left to right) Jade Young, Ashlee Good, Dawn Singleton, (bottom left to right) Cheng Yixuan, Faraz Ahmed Tahir and Pikria Darchia That figure includes 577 knife-related non-domestic violence-related assaults and 581 robberies - which includes knives, scissors, swords, and screwdrivers - with police reporting a further 140 firearm-related incidents during the same time period. The data reveals a gradual decline in knife and firearm-related incidents in public spaces over the decade. Between July 2014 and June 2015, NSW Police reported a staggering 1,511 knife-related robberies and non-DV assaults in public spaces and 389 firearm-related incidents. Between July 2018 and June 2019, those figures were 1,352 and 235 respectively. In the year until June 2024, the worst-affected spaces for knife-related incidents were 'all other premise type' with 582, according to the BOSCAR data. Outdoor and public spaces reported 426 and retail spaces reported 150. NSW Police Minister Yasmin Catley has been contacted for comment but did not respond before publication. A preliminary hearing into the horrific Westfield Bondi Junction incident was told last week that Cauchi had stopped taking antipsychotic medication just less than five years before the attack, having been diagnosed with schizophrenia in his teenage years. Cauchi previously lived in Toowoomba in South East Queensland where he was being managed in the public health system up until 2012; then, until 2020, he was being seen by a private psychiatrist while still in Queensland. The hearing was told Cauchi was medicated from late-2011, but his medication was gradually reduced over time until it was stopped entirely in 2019. From 2020 until the Westfield Bondi Junction attack, 'there was no particular treatment'. A 'be on the lookout' flag was entered into the Queensland Police system in 2023 after Cauchi twice complained that his knives had been taken away by his father, who told officers his son was a schizophrenic who was no longer medicated. In the time leading up to the attack, Cauchi was homeless in Sydney, including living under the Maroubra Beach pavilion, with the inquest to examine his exact movements on the day of his rampage, including access to a Waterloo storage locker. The incident made a hero out of NSW Police Inspector Amy Scott, who ran towards Cauchi before ordering him to lay down the knife. When he failed to do so and advanced towards her, Inspector Scott shot Cauchi in the chest. In the wake of the attack, Inspector Scott was awarded the Commissioner's Valour Award by NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and was named in November as a nominee for Australian of the Year NSW in 2025. The forthcoming inquest also provides the families of victims and survivors an opportunity to share their trauma at an incident that shattered the lives of many and sent shockwaves through a country not used to mass killings. Before she died, Ms Good fought off Cauchi as he began to attack her nine-month-old daughter who was sitting in her pram. Miraculously, the infant was stabbed but survived the horrific attack. Another victim, Mr Tahir, was a security guard. His brother, Sheraz Tahir, told media outside the Lidcombe Coroners Court last week that his brother was a 'brave man' who was 'on duty at the time and he was just trying to stop the attacker and gave his life.' He added he 'just wanted to know what happened that day' and hoped the inquest would lead to change, including 'better protections for security guards'. The inquest will examine Cauchi's contact with police in Queensland and NSW and whether there could have been early intervention. The court was told an alarm was not sounded inside the centre until a minute after Cauchi had been shot. The matter will return to court for a five-week hearing in April. Ministers are facing calls to order an urgent review of Britains woefully weak anti-missile defences in the wake of Russias use of deadly new hypersonic weapons. The calls come amid claims from a senior Army commander that the UK would be wide open to attack if Vladimir Putin aimed his new missiles at this country. Last night, the Ministry of Defence insisted that Britain operated a robust approach to air and missile defence. However, Putins use of his new missile against Ukraine coupled with his veiled threats to use such weapons against Britain has sparked demands for action. Critics claimed that, compared to Israels multi-layered missile defence abilities including its famous Iron Dome Britain has few resources. They said the UK lacked any real equivalent of Israels capability to intercept ballistic missiles at high altitude and up to 90 miles away. Former Tory defence minister Tobias Ellwood told The Mail on Sunday that even without Russias new missile the UK is woefully unprotected against mass drone and missile threats. 'Compared to Washington DC, with all its defence systems available in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, London is almost a sitting duck. Israeli rockets fired from their Iron Dome defence system. Ministers are facing calls to review Britain's 'woefully weak' anti missile defences Former Tory defence minister Tobias Ellwood told The Mail on Sunday that even without Russias new missile the UK is 'woefully unprotected' from threats He added that Putins use of the Oreshnik missile, which can allegedly fly at ten times the speed of sound, should serve as a resounding wake-up call across Whitehall. In response, the MoD highlighted that it has: The Sea Viper system on Type 45 destroyers which can track and destroy threats more than 70 miles away and on service in the Red Sea shot down a Houthi rebel ballistic missile and attack drones Airborne defences including RAF Typhoons which recently disrupted Iranian missile and drone attacks on Israel The land-based Sky Sabre batteries which can detect threats up to 75 miles away using radar; the battle-winning Starstreak short-range air defence missile which cannot be jammed by enemy action However, experts said last night that only six Sky Sabre launchers had been purchased by the MoD, with two currently in service in the Falklands and one in Poland. Tim Ripley, editor of the Defence Eye website said: Each night, the Russians are firing more than 150 missiles and drones at Kyiv. Yet we only have three Sky Sabre launchers and they can only be loaded with eight missiles each. 'The Type 45 destroyers are better. They have 48 missiles but once those are fired, they have to go back to port to reload, which takes days. And only two of our six Type 45s are currently fit for action. Russian RS-24 Yars MIRV-equipped thermonuclear intercontinental ballistic missile Putins (pictured) use of his new experimental missile against Ukraine coupled with his veiled threats to use such weapons against Britain has sparked demands for action Former Army chief Lord Dannatt said there had been a missile defence programme before the 1997/98 defence review but it was cancelled, with resources diverted to the rest of the defence budget. He called on the MoD on behalf of the nation to look again at the anti-missile provision and reach judgments on whether they should think about restarting a programme. But he warned it might well cost many billions. An MoD spokesman said: The UK operates a robust approach to air and missile defence, provided by Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force assets equipped with a range of advanced capabilities, working in tandem with our Nato allies. The Defence Secretary also recently announced the UK will lead a new initiative to integrate and strengthen our collective air and missile defence. The Albanese government's Ambassador for Gender Equality spent more than $335,000 of taxpayer money on airfares and hotels in just under two years. Stephanie Copus-Campbell has flown to 24 countries since she was appointed to the role in December 2022 by foreign affairs minister Penny Wong, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade documents obtained by the federal Opposition show. Opposition government waste spokesman James Stevens said the documents, obtained under Freedom of Information laws, portrayed a lavish use of taxpayer funds. 'There is important progress to be made on gender equality,' Mr Stevens told the Daily Telegraph. 'But this role seems to involve a lot of time sitting in airport lounges and on international business class flights, at great cost to the taxpayer.' Ms Copus-Campbell's role was previously called the 'women and girls ambassador' and was created by former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard in 2011 to advance the rights of women and girls, 'particularly in the Indo-Pacific region'. While some of Ms Copus-Campbell's trips have been to that region five of the most expensive jaunts were to the US with four to New York. The first was to attend a Commission on the Status of Women session in New York City and a bilateral visit to Washington in March last year, which cost $23,442, including more than $13,800 in airfares and $6425 for accommodation. Stephanie Copus-Campbell has flown to 24 countries since she was appointed to be Australia's Ambassador Gender Equality in December 2022 Ms Copus-Campbell's role was previously called the 'women and girls ambassador' and was created by former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard in 2011 The following June, Ms Copus-Campbell, who is an an experienced aid worker and former senior executive, attended the Australia-US Strategic Dialogue on Gender Equality in Washington and spent $21,600, including more than $20,000 on flights. A couple of months later in September American-born Ms Copus-Campbell spent $23,244, including more than $20,000 on flights to attend a 'global gathering on countering the gender equality pushback' in New York. Ms Copus-Campbell went back to New York in March of this year as well as to Mexico and Chile for talks at a cost of more than $37,000, including paying over $28,000 for flights. In June Ms Copus-Campbell combined a trip to New York with one to Mexico to attend talks including the 'global dialogue on technology' at a cost of $21,154. A Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesman said Ms Copus-Campbell's trips had been within the scope of her role and advanced Australia's interests and standing in the world. 'That's why an Ambassadorial role promoting women's empowerment and gender equality has been in place for more than thirteen years and many of Australia's closest allies and partners have equivalent ambassadors, for the same reasons,' he said. Mr Stevens asked what Australian ambassadors posted abroad, particularly Kevin Rudd in the US, were doing to need such regular bolstering by Ms Copus-Campbell. 'If Anthony Albanese is so confident that our Ambassador to America is doing his job, he must explain why his gender ambassador has been to America fives times in 15 months,' he said. 'Labor has spent $335,000 flying someone around the globe to do exactly what the more than 100 ambassadors we already have should be doing. 'Together, the ambassadors for climate change, First Nations people and gender have spent almost $750,000 of taxpayers' funds on international travel alone.' Out of that sum the 'climate change ambassador' has clocked up around $260,000 on travel while the'ambassador for First Nations Peoples' has spend $145,000. Daily Mail Australia contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment. MSNBC panelists delved into Donald Trump's brief and controversial nomination of former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Trump's pick raised eyebrows and set off speculation about any underlying motives he might have. Gaetz's nomination, which faced immediate skepticism, was quickly withdrawn, but not before sparking debate over Trump's strategy and the direction of his other cabinet picks. Gaetz announced his withdrawal on Thursday, stating on social media that his confirmation was 'unfairly becoming a distraction' to Trump's transition efforts. 'There is no time to waste on a needlessly protracted Washington scuffle, thus I'll be withdrawing my name from consideration to serve as Attorney General,' he wrote, emphasizing that Trump's Department of Justice needed to be 'in place and ready on Day 1.' During a discussion on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports, Republican strategist Doug Heye suggested the nomination was part of a calculated move by Trump. 'I don't think this was a miscalculation. This was very intentional. Donald Trump knew that Matt Gaetz was not going to be confirmed by Senate Republicans,' Heye said. 'He would lose enough of them that there was no chance of this going through. So this was sort of a guided missile of Donald Trump.' MSNBC panelists delved into Donald Trump's brief and controversial nomination of former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz for attorney general Gaetz's nomination, which faced immediate skepticism, was quickly withdrawn, but not before sparking debate over Trump's strategy and the direction of his other cabinet picks Heye explained further suggesting that the nomination served a larger purpose, creating a distraction from Trump's other controversial cabinet picks, including Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 'What it did was it forced a lot of the conversation away from Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr.,' Heye explained. 'This is going to be a long confirmation process, more than two months obviously once Trump gets in, but this was intentional. Not a miscalculation at all. It was strategic. Maybe bad strategy, but strategic,' he added. Former Democratic New York Representative Steve Israel also signed up to such a theory describing Trump's approach as 'clever, almost diabolical.' He argued the focus on Gaetz's doomed nomination had effectively overshadowed scrutiny of other appointments. 'We have been so focused on Matt Gaetz that we have lost focus on a nomination, several nominations that are just as concerning if not more so,' Israel said. He specifically pointed to Tulsi Gabbard as a nominee of concern, adding, 'The one that concerns me the most is my former colleague in the House, Tulsi Gabbard.' Host Andrea Mitchell pressed Heye on whether Trump anticipated the Senate's likely rejection of Gaetz, to which Heye responded, 'Absolutely.' During a discussion on MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell Reports, Republican strategist Doug Heye suggested the nomination was part of a calculated move by Trump Former Democratic New York Representative Steve Israel also signed up to such a theory describing Trump's approach as 'clever, almost diabolical' Heye argued the nomination was a message to Senate Republicans and the broader public about Trump's governance style and priorities. 'This nomination was going to go nowhere. What it did, because it was the first of these sort of nominations, was it sent a very clear message to Senate Republicans and to the country at large: This is the direction I'm going.' the Republican strategist added. 'What it did was it forced a lot of the conversation away from Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, RFK Jr. Now they're at the front of the line and we have two months to go.' Heye said. Following Gaetz's withdrawal, he confirmed on Friday that he would not be returning to the 119th Congress after resigning from his seat in the 118th Congress to prepare for the attorney general role. Gaetz's nomination as attorney general had stunned many career lawyers inside the Justice Department, but reflected Trump's desire to place a loyalist in a department he has marked for retribution following the criminal cases against him. Steve Israel specifically pointed to Tulsi Gabbard as a nominee of concern Trump picked Robert F. Kennedy Jr. earlier this month to lead the Department of Health and Human Services For Fox News host Pete Hegseth was nominated by Trump to be the next secretary of Defense Hours after Gaetz withdrew, Trump nominated Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general, who would come to the job with years of legal work under her belt and that other trait Trump prizes above all: loyalty. It's unclear what's next for Gaetz, who is no longer a member of the House. He surprised colleagues by resigning from Congress the same day that Trump nominated him for attorney general. Some speculated he could still be sworn into office for another two-year term on January 3, given that he had just won reelection earlier this month. Gaetz praised Bondi's nomination and maintained he was the victim of an alleged Washington 'smear' campaign in the interview, according to CNN. 'Im going to be fighting for President Trump. I'm going to be doing whatever he asks of me, as I always have,' Gaetz said in the interview. Gaetz, who has been in state and national politics for 14 years, said he's done with Congress. 'But I think that eight years is probably enough time in the United States Congress.' Vladimir Putin has ramped up production of a new hypersonic missile he fired against Ukraine last week, boasting 'no one in the world has such weapons'. The Russian despot fired the new Oreshnik missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, after Ukraine fired American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow long-range missiles deep into Russia. The Oreshnik, which means hazel tree, travels at speeds of around 8,370 miles per hour, and is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. But Putin told the Russian nation in a televised address that the missile fired at a military-industrial site in Dnipro used conventional warheads. After firing the Oreshnik, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned Britain and America of their 'reckless' action in supplying long-range missiles to Ukraine. Peskov said: 'The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that produce missiles, supply them to Ukraine, and subsequently participate in strikes on Russian territory cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side.' This weekend, Putin boasted that no country in the world has the power to intercept the Oreshnik missiles, which fly at ten times the speed of sound. He said: 'There is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it in the world today. 'And I will emphasise once again that we will continue testing this newest system. It is necessary to establish serial production.' Vladimir Putin has ramped up production of a new hypersonic missile he fired against Ukraine last week The Russian despot fired the new Oreshnik missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, after Ukraine fired American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow long-range missiles deep into Russia A view shows a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro He added: 'No one in the world has such weapons. Sooner or later other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development.' The missile being fired into Ukraine led the country's parliament to cancel a session, as security in Kiyv was tightened. Nato chiefs and Ukrainian leaders are expected to hold emergency talks on Tuesday. But the West stood defiant against Putin last night, as France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, gave Ukraine the green light to fire French long-range missiles into Russia 'in the logics of self-defence'. He did not confirm if French weapons were already being used but said that there were no 'red lines' when it comes to supporting Ukraine. Last night, a senior Ukrainian military source said that the country had lost 40 per cent of the territory it had gained in Russia's Kursk region. The source said Russia had deployed 59,000 troops there, pushing Ukrainian troops back. He said: 'At most, we controlled about 531 square miles.'Now we control approximately 309 miles.' President Zelensky revealed yesterday that Russian drone and missile attacks had damaged 321 Ukrainian port facilities since July last year. He added that 20 merchant ships belonging to other countries had also been damaged by Russian strikes. He said: 'Ukrainian food exports provide food for 400 million people in 100 countries around the world. Food prices in Egypt, Libya, Nigeria and other countries in Africa directly depend on whether farmers and agricultural companies in Ukraine can operate normally.' Last night, it emerged that Putin had signed a law which allowed pardon for debts up to 76,000 to anyone joining the army. The law would wipe the debts of recruits in arrears with government agencies or banks. Sir Keir Starmer has told aides he will concentrate on domestic matters after constant globe trotting has led to him being dubbed 'Never Here Keir' in Westminster. Labour MPs have grown increasingly restive about the amount of time the Prime Minister has spent abroad. Meanwhile, his poll ratings have plummeted after controversial measures such as cuts to the winter fuel allowance and imposing inheritance tax on farmers. Sources have blamed the 'bad optics' on Sue Gray who was ousted as No 10 Chief of Staff last month with one saying: 'Much of it was put in the diary by Sue before she left. 'She would have had him out of the country even more if she had had her way.' Last week's G20 summit in Brazil marked Sir Keir's 26th day out of the UK since July's election, with 15 international trips to ten countries. The source said: 'Much of it was unavoidable, but not all of it, and he knows it doesn't look great to be sunning himself in Rio de Janeiro while farmers are protesting and pensioners are freezing'. Ministers have said that the constant travelling on planes with patchy wifi was making policy coordination difficult. Sir Keir Starmer has told aides he will concentrate on domestic matters after constant globe trotting has led to him being dubbed 'Never Here Keir' in Westminster Sources have laid the blame for Starmer's absenteeism at the feet of ousted Chief of Staff Sue Gray It is also distracting No 10 from firefighting the hostile reaction to Rachel Reeves's Budget, which has united tax-hit businesses, landowners and pensioners in opposition. Voters in focus groups run by pollsters are increasingly mentioning 'Never Here Keir' as a reason for their disillusionment. When asked about his travel schedule in Rio, Sir Keir argued that there was a 'direct link between the work I do internationally and the impact back at home'. The four-day trip to Brazil, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping and held talks on issues including the Ukraine war, came after visits to Ireland, Italy, Berlin, Brussels, Budapest, Washington DC, France, Azerbaijan and Samoa. He also flew to New York for the UN General Assembly after the Labour Party Conference in September. Asked about pensioners struggling to heat their homes while he was abroad, Sir Keir said: 'It's very important to have those discussions because that's the way we trigger the money coming into our economy, to ensure that we've got better living standards, people feel better off and, crucially important, we've got jobs around the country.' Russia will 'not think twice' about 'turning the lights off for millions of people' by unleashing a wave of debilitating cyber attacks, a senior Cabinet minister will warn a Nato conference on Monday. Pat MacFadden, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, is expected to warn that Russia is primed to shut down power grids across Britain and other Nato members and allies must 'not underestimate' the threat it poses. Mr McFadden, who oversees policy on national security and state threats, will also warn that cyber interference enables Russia to severely disrupt countries and represents the 'hidden war' it is waging against Kyiv, the Sunday Telegraph reports. In a speech to the Nato Cyber Defence Conference at Lancaster House, the minister is expected to say: 'Military hard-power is one thing. But cyber war can be destabilising and debilitating. 'With a cyber attack, Russia can turn the lights off for millions of people. It can shut down the power grids. This is the hidden war Russia is waging with Ukraine.' He will add: 'Given the scale of that hostility, my message to members today is clear: no one should underestimate the Russian cyber threat to Nato. The threat is real. Russia is exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm.' Mr McFadden is expected to specifically call out Unit 29155, a Russian military unit that the Government says was previously found to have carried out a number of attacks in the UK and Europe. There are gangs of 'unofficial hacktivists' and mercenaries not directly under the Kremlin's control 'but who are allowed to act with impunity so long as they're not working against Putin's interests', he will say. Russia is 'exceptionally aggressive and reckless in the cyber realm,' Pat McFadden is set to warn Nato members on Monday. Pictured: Russian president Vladimir Putin Russia will 'not think twice' about 'turning the lights off for millions of people' by unleashing a wave of debilitating cyber attacks, senior Cabinet minister Pat McFadden (pictured) will warn a Nato conference on Monday Lights out: Russia is primed to shut down power grids across Britain, Nato will be warned It comes after South Korea, a Nato Indo-Pacific partner, was targeted in response to its monitoring of the deployment of North Korean troops to Kursk, where Russia is fighting against Ukraine. The attack has been widely attributed to a pro-Kremlin cyber gang, with Mr McFadden warning that such groups act with 'disregard' for geopolitics and 'with just one miscalculation could wreak havoc on our networks'. 'Russia won't think twice about targeting British businesses in pursuit of its malign goals. It is happy to exploit any gap in our cyber or physical defences,' he will add. 'It means making sure that businesses and other civilian organisations are doing everything they can to lock their own digital doors. Their security is our security.' The Cabinet Office minister is expected to set out details of how the UK will seek to boost its protections against emerging cyber threats in a speech on Monday, as well as how the country is stepping up work with Nato allies. He and senior national security officials will also meet business leaders next week to discuss how they can protect themselves. The conference on cyber threats comes as Russia warned British support for Ukraine could 'lead to a collision between nuclear powers' in a grave threat as President Vladimir Putin vowed to launch more hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine. Andrey Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, cited American support for Ukraine to use Western missiles against targets in Russia, backed by Britain and France, in his warning that 'this seriously escalates the situation' and 'can lead to a collision between the nuclear powers'. The moment Russia used the Oreshnik hypersonic missile for the first time to strike Dnipro, Ukraine, on November 21 - as Putin has threatened to use more of them Amid rising fears of escalation, Ambassador Kelin told Sky News that Britain was now 'directly involved' in the war in Ukraine after its Storm Shadow missiles were reportedly used to strike targets inside Russia. In recent months, Russia-linked hackers were responsible for a major cyber attack which impacted two NHS hospital trusts in London, causing more than 800 planned operations and 700 outpatient appointments to be postponed. A gang of Russian hackers, named Qilin, specifically targeted the IT systems of Synnovis, which serves NHS pathology labs in hospitals and GP surgeries. And last month, a group called NoName057(16) brought disruption to the websites of Salford, Bury, Trafford and Tameside councils. A small town on the East Coast has joined many other quaint neighborhoods in reversing their alcohol ban after more than a century of being booze free. Haddon Heights, New Jersey, is nothing short of small-town charm, enriched with plenty of history and a close-knit community - it is entirely perfect. The residents, however, recently voted for a major change - with a nearly two-to-one majority, voters passed a ballot initiative on Election Day to allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol. With no liquor stores, wine shops, bars and only select restaurants allowing diners to bring their own drinks, community members wanted to see change. Mike Plonski, 47, has lived in the town for seven years. He told the New York Times that he voted for the change and said: 'It would be cool to go on a date with my wife and just sit at the bar, and have a cocktail, and not have to drive there.' Though he added that he didn't want to see rowdy crowds gathering outside of bars in the early hours of the morning, or 'a watering hole on every corner', reported the outlet. The town council and its mayor, Zachary Houck, will need to pass an ordinance to enact the ballot question's results. Many residents have expressed their support for the measure, including Mayor Houck, who proposed the referendum and said he indented to honor its results. New Jersey, a state with many Protestant roots, has seen the number of dry counties decrease every year. The residents of Haddon Heights, New Jersey, recently voted for a major change - with a nearly two-to-one majority, voters passed a ballot initiative on Election Day to allow restaurants and bars to serve alcohol Mike Plonski, 47, has lived in the town for seven years and said that he voted for the change, adding: 'It would be cool to go on a date with my wife and just sit at the bar, and have a cocktail, and not have to drive there' Anthony's Italian is one of the two oldest restaurants in the town to be in favor among residents to receive one of the new liquor licenses In places such as Ocean City, it remains against the rules to drink in public and including in restaurants. Whereas other towns allow you to bring your own booze to restaurants or allowing the sale of locally made alcohol. The change is one being seen across many other formerly dry counties and town across America. Such as in Kansas, where prohibition was the law until after World War II and only one dry county remains. Some residents in the area have expressed fears that the change will affect the town's close-knit community. Matt Konopka, who moved to the area nearly 40 years ago, dismissed these concerns. The 68-year-old, who voted for the measure, added: 'Progress is a good thing, and you can't stop it. You have to adapt, and it's not going to kill anything. It's not going to change the nature of the town.' The concept of adapting is also shared among some of the town's small business owners, such as local florist Vic Turkot. Turkot believes the measure holds an opportunity for the town to maintain its small- town character. 'If we didn't change, we'd still be living in caves,' said the 71-year-old, who pointed out the town used to have enough foot traffic to keep their small businesses afloat - now, you could 'take a nap on the sidewalk.' New Jersey bases the allowance for liquor licenses for each town on the size of the population. With Haddon Heights' population of 7,500, the town would be granted two bars or restaurants the license. The change is one being seen across many other formerly dry counties and town across America. Such as in Kansas, where prohibition was the law until after World War II and only one dry county remains New Jersey bases the allowance for liquor licenses for each town on the size of the population. With Haddon Heights' population of 7,500, the town would be granted two bars or restaurants the license 28-year-old Annie Pyle also shares similar concerns. Pyle had grown up in a dry town not too far from Haddon Heights and sees no reason to fix something that isn't broken. 'I just don't feel like anything needs to change,' she said. 'It's tradition' Even the possibility of just two licenses seem to concern some residents for how their quaint neighborhood will be affected. Bill Lange, 76, told the outlet: 'I'm opposed to it. I think it's going to bring a lot of changes. It's like the domino; One falls and then another and another.' 28-year-old Annie Pyle also shares similar concerns. Pyle had grown up in a dry town not too far from Haddon Heights and sees no reason to fix something that isn't broken. 'I just don't feel like anything needs to change,' she said. 'It's tradition.' It is still a question of what businesses would get the licenses, and one that residents have opted to address when the time comes. Many have suggested that Kunkel's steakhouse and seafood restaurant and Anthony's white tablecloth Italian, the two oldest restaurants in town, are most deserving if they want them. 'We would never want anything bad to happen to this town, said Plonski. 'But I think that if we had a bar, it would be OK.' November 24, 2024: Because of its heavy personnel and material losses in Ukraine, Russia plans to slowly rebuild its depleted armed forces by 2030. This process begins now even though Russian forces are still fighting in Ukraine. There are still problems replacing the troops and tanks lost during the first months of the fighting in Ukraine, let alone those suffered in the past two years. The Russian military was devastated by heavy personnel losses. Most of their modern tanks were destroyed. These losses were replaced by older model tanks and hastily mobilized troops who did not want to be in the army, and were particularly reluctant to be sent to Ukraine. By 2023 Russian forces in Ukraine were outnumbered by better armed, trained and motivated Ukrainian forces that were able to carry out some offensive operations that regained some territory. Russian replacement troops sent to Ukraine were given little training and were poorly equipped. Some were seen wearing World War II style steel helmets that Russia had kept in storage just in case of another military disaster. That was what Ukraine turned out to be for Russia, who had to send some 1950s era T-55 tanks into Ukraine to face German Leopard 2 tanks and American M-1s used by Ukraine. The Russian situation in Ukraine is desperate and Russian plans to rebuild its military are equally desperate. First, they have to stall the Ukrainians and massive amounts of NATO weapons and munitions. That was done with anti-tank mines and lots of trenches and other tank obstacles. Russian combat engineers are first rate and use specialized equipment to quickly dig trenches and build fortifications. The front line is a thousand kilometers long and not all of it is fortified. The areas covered by only a few troops and artillery are now patrolled 24/7 by drones. If a surprise attack was attempted, both sides have large supplies of drones that could quickly intervene. The unexpected invasion of Ukraine reminded NATO nations that Russia was still a threat. This led to NATO nations upgrading and expanding their forces. Poland, a NATO member that shares border with Ukraine and Russia is acquiring a thousand South Korean K2 tanks. These are comparable to the latest Leopard 2 and M1 tanks. Most of the K2s will be built in Poland under license. By the end of the decade, Poland will have the largest tank force in Europe. Russia plans to rebuild and expand its army, despite discovering that wartime losses and emigration had greatly reduced the number of men able to serve in the military. Another problem is the cost of this rebuilding. Not only does Russia lack the money to replace all the lost equipment, but it does not have the money needed to pay for recruiting, equipping and training 600,000 new troops. The plan calls for a force containing volunteer soldiers who signed contracts that paid them well to serve several years. In addition there were several hundred thousand conscripts who were supposed to serve only one year but because Russia had suffered such heavy losses in Ukraine, the rules were quickly changed to keep the young, poorly trained conscripts in the army for several years. This latest and greatest new plan ignores past experience with contract soldiers. These men were willing to serve in a peacetime force that would defend the motherland. Invading a neighbor and running into very hostile and lethal locals was unexpected and unacceptable. Many of the contract soldiers did not survive the initial weeks of the invasion. After that contract soldiers began to leave the military, with many justifying this on the grounds that their contracts had been violated. This departure was technically illegal but there were so many departing contract soldiers that the government just let them go. The government planners seem to have forgotten this but many of the military-age men they plan to recruit remember past mismanagement and are not interested. The government response to this is chiefly more attempts to deceive potential recruits into signing up. Russian rebuilding efforts are disrupted by the harsh and aggressively enforced economic sanctions Western nations imposed. Sanctions reduced Russias ability to build new armored vehicles, military aircraft, as well as missiles and much else. Russia was eventually able to obtain some sanctioned electronic components from the black market and Chinese equivalents. Despite the improvisations, new tanks and other weapons were slow to arrive. Its just as well because obtaining new soldiers was not working either. The current Russian strategy appears to consist of trying to maintain control over as much Ukrainian territory as possible for a few years in the hope that the NATO nations supplying Ukraine with weapons will tire of the expense and reduce that aid. While NATO nations are feeling the strain, they have not reduced their support and have recently been increasing it. Despite all these problems, Russia has been able to assemble a large force of half a million soldiers, including 12,000 North Korean mercenaries. Russia continues to buy a lot of North Korean artillery ammunition as well as rockets and missiles. Russia pays for this with food and technical assistance for their nuclear weapons program. North Korea has already developed nuclear weapons, but they are crude and difficult to use effectively. These rebuilding plans depend on fewer or no sanctions and a reduction in combat losses. At the moment the Ukrainians their NATO supporters insist they will continue the war until the Russian invaders are out of Ukraine, including Crimea and two nearby provinces seized in 2014. A new drama about the Battle of Hastings starring Happy Valley's James Norton and Game Of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has shunned England and shot all its scenes in Iceland. King And Conqueror used the unlikely locations of a campsite and nature reserve in Iceland, with Film in Iceland, the country's film commission, offering the production generous financial incentives. Productions that shoot in the country can claim a rebate of up to 35 per cent of total costs. The drama, produced by CBS Studios and to be shown on the BBC, charts the rivalry between England's King Harold, played by Norton, and William the Conqueror, played by Coster-Waldau. It will recreate 1066's Battle of Hastings, which took place near Hastings, close to the modern-day town of Battle, named after the conflict. Historians accept that the battle could not be filmed there because it was wooded then but now comprises fields and hedgerows. But they say it could have been filmed in an area such as the New Forest. Instead, producers who include Norton chose Hjallaflatir, a campsite in the Icelandic nature reserve of Heiomork. The campsite's rocky appearance could hardly look more different to the terrain around Battle both now and in the 11th century. The new drama about the Battle of Hastings starring James Norton - pictured above in Northmen: A Viking Saga - and Game Of Thrones actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau has shunned England Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, pictured above in Game of Thrones, is best known for his role as Jaime Lannister in the HBO production Historians accept that the battle could not be filmed near Hastings, close to the modern-day town of Battle, because it was wooded then but now comprises fields and hedgerows Producers who include Norton chose Hjallaflatir, a campsite in the Icelandic nature reserve of Heiomork Alan Judd, of the Battle and District Historical Society, pointed out that Iceland would also struggle to recreate the Norman invasion in East Sussex, which preceded the battle. He said: 'The landings were mainly around Pevensey, which is all pebble and shingle and flint from chalk. There is no chalk in Iceland, so the beaches probably don't look anything like ours.' The battle ended with the death of Harold, said to have been killed by an arrow in the eye. Richard Sharpley, emeritus professor of tourism at the University of Central Lancashire, said: 'Keeping it all 'local' would significantly reduce the environmental impact whilst also bringing economic benefits to location areas during production, and potentially 'film tourism' benefits in the longer term. From a purist perspective, a British historical series should really be filmed here, though I appreciate that choices have to be made about appropriate locations.' A Film in Iceland spokesman said: 'King And Conqueror was applicable for our refund incentive. Iceland has a reimbursement incentive based on legislation that offers productions in Iceland up to 35 per cent refund on all production costs incurred in Iceland.' A spokesman for the eight-part series, co-produced by Iceland's RKV Studios, declined to comment on incentives but said Iceland was the ideal location for a drama set in England, Normandy, Flanders and Norway.' She said: 'King & Conqueror is set across multiple European territories - including Normandy, France, Flanders and Norway, alongside England. Iceland was chosen for a multitude of reasons including its variety of landscapes that can represent these different parts of Europe from 1,000 years ago.' The series will air on BBC1 and BBC iPlayer in 2025. The BBC said: 'The BBC is committed to homegrown storytelling, with recent series filmed across the UK including Wolf Hall, Ludwig, Showtrial, Nightsleeper, Doctor Who and Sherwood, alongside bringing viewers the best acquired series from around the world, often featuring outstanding British creatives.' Three British production companies are also involved with the production. They are The Development Partnership, Rabbit Track Pictures and Shepherd Content. A man was tasered and pepper-sprayed by police as they arrested him for allegedly stabbing a woman known to him on a train. The 37-year-old woman was allegedly stabbed in the ribs on a train about 1.30pm on Saturday, as it was stopped at the disused Ravensworth Railway Station in the Hunter Valley, NSW. 'Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were told an altercation occurred between two passengers before a woman was stabbed,' a NSW Police spokesman said. The woman was treated by paramedics before she was flown to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition. Paramedics also assessed the arrested man before he was taken to John Hunter Hospital under police guard. He was released into police custody following an assessment at the hospital. The 35-year-old man has been charged with 10 offences as a result, including stalking and three other domestic-violence related charges. A police chief is set to be investigated by watchdogs over claims she attempted to cover up her department's failings linked to the Nottingham stabbings investigation. Chief Constable Kate Meynell will undergo a probe conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after claims she tried to suppress members of the media from revealing that the perpetrator of the attacks had previously been reported on two occasions, according to the Mirror. Knifeman Valdo Calocane had been reported to authorities for stalking on two separate occasions before stabbing Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates to death in 2023. Chief Constable Meynell had revealed the oversight in a private press briefing but had journalists in attendance sign non-disclosure agreements, preventing them from publishing the information. This attempt to conceal police failings was revealed by the Nottingham Post, with the victims families launching a formal complaint to the Nottingham Police and Crime Commissioner. On Friday when the probe into the Chief Constable was confirmed, relatives of the victims remarked that it was 'no less than she deserved'. Releasing a joint statement to the media, the families said: 'We welcome news that the appalling actions and decisions of Kate Meynell, the Chief Constable of a failing police force, will be fully investigated. 'We believe she chose to hold a non-reportable media briefing to withhold information and shackle the press from reporting further gross actions of her force'. Chief Constable Kate Meynell will undergo a probe conducted by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) after claims she tried to suppress members of the media from revealing that the perpetrator of the attacks had previously been reported on two occasions Knifeman Valdo Calocane had been reported to authorities for stalking on two separate occasions before stabbing Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates to death in 2023 The perpetrator, 32-year-old Valdo Calocane, was a diagnosed paranoid schizophrenic who went on a horrific stabbing spree through Nottingham city centre in June 2023. Victims Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were both just 19-year-old students making their way home from a night out when Calocane confronted them. The crazed knifeman then stabbed 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates whilst robbing his van, which he crashed and seriously injured three further people in the process. Should the IOPC find from its independent investigation that Chief Constable Meynell has committed a criminal offence, the case will be passed onto the Director of Public Prosecutions. Other potential outcomes of the probe include changes to police policy or internal disciplinary proceedings. In the wake of the stabbings, there were also calls for Chief Constable Meynell to step down when it emerged her own son was one of the Nottinghamshire Police officers circulating graphic details of the stabbings via WhatsApp. Additional probes have also been launched into Leicestershire Police, who were the other force with previous contact with Calocane. The NHS will also be investigated over alleged failings in Calocane's mental health and the Crown Prosecution Service for its handling of the case. Earlier this year, the both the Attorney General and Health Secretary confirmed a public inquiry would be carried out into the stabbings, with the victims families calling for it to be statutory and state-led. 65-year-old school caretaker Ian Coates was stabbed as Calocane attempted to rob his van 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were both tragically stabbed by Calocane on their way home from a night out 19-year-old students Barnaby Webber and Grace O'Malley-Kumar were both tragically stabbed by Calocane on their way home from a night out Calocane pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was given an indefinite hospital order after the attacks but this was perceived by the Attorney General to be unduly lenient. However, the Attorney General's attempts to have Calocane's sentence upgraded were quashed by the Court of Appeal. In the families statement, Barnaby's mother stated: 'The agony we are forced to endure is unimaginable. No victims or families deserve to be treated like this. Change has to happen those in senior roles who grossly fail, lie and/or make poor decisions that result in catastrophic outcomes must be held accountable. 'Our message to those individuals in both police forces and also the Nottingham Mental Health trust is we will not stop until this has happened. 'Our serious concerns regarding the quality and culpability of reports and investigations mean our call for a full judge-led statutory public inquiry is the only possible outcome without this, the truth will not come out. 'We press our government to announce when this will start. Why cant those who have not done jobs properly be honest and take the consequences?' Chief Constable Meynell assumed her role in charge of Nottinghamshire Police in 2022 and has declined to comment on the probe. An IOPC statement read: 'We are looking at the forces decision to hold a non-reportable briefing for media in February. 'Our inquiries include assessing the content of the briefing, the communication of that briefing to the families and whether it was conducted in line with relevant policies and procedures'. A man has admitted charges connected to the robbery of jewellery worth 120,000 from celebrity antiques dealer Ian Towning earlier this year. In the attack, Posh Pawn star Mr Towning, 76, was left bleeding after being hit on the head with a hammer at his store in Londons Chelsea. James Dixon, 42, of Pimlico, central London, has admitted conspiring to rob Mr Townings shop on March 26, along with other offences. His alleged accomplice Thomas Loring, 41, of Mottingham, south-east London is being tried at Kingston Crown Court on related charges that he denies. Posh Pawn star Ian Towning, 76, was left bleeding after being hit on the head with a hammer at his store in London s Chelsea. Mr Towning was attacked by James Dixon, 42, outside his shop in London (pictured) Flying Squad Detective Constable Tom Lockwood told the court Mr Towning was cornered, with nowhere to go during the raid in which a 35,000 sapphire and diamond necklace was snatched. The jury was shown dramatic CCTV footage printed by The Mail on Sunday at the time. The trial continues. The UK should 'never offer death as a service', the Justice Secretary has said, in a strongly worded intervention over the assisted dying Bill ahead of a historic Commons vote next week. If a bill put forward by the Labour MP Kim Leadbeater comes to fruition, it would become legal for people over the age of 18 and expected to die within six months to receive life-ending assistance. In a letter to constituents, Shabana Mahmood said she was 'profoundly concerned' by the legislation, not just for religious reasons but because it could create a 'slippery slope towards death on demand' as MPs prepare to vote on the potential legislation on November 29. Ms Mahmood has previously made clear she would vote against the Bill alongside Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who faced a backlash after suggesting the changes would cost the NHS more. But her letter to voters states: 'Sadly, recent scandals - such as Hillsborough, infected blood and the Post Office Horizon - have reminded us that the state and those acting on its behalf are not always benign. 'I have always held the view that, for this reason, the state should serve a clear role. It should protect and preserve life, not take it away. The state should never offer death as a service.' She said 'the greatest risk of all is the pressure the elderly, vulnerable, sick or disabled may place upon themselves'. However, in a recent poll, reported by the Sunday Times, revealed that 65 per cent would be favour. In a letter to constituents, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood said she was 'profoundly concerned' by the legislation Labour MP Kim Leadbeater joins terminally ill advocates, bereaved families, and campaigners for a photocall outside the House of Parliament A campaigner from 'Dignity in Dying' hold a placard during a demonstration outside The Palace of Westminster The poll asked 15,000 people with only 13 per cent opposed while the rest were undecided. It also revealed that only seven British constituencies had a majority against assisted dying. Backbench Labour MP for Spen Valley Kim Leadbeater, who has introduced the Bill, said Ms Mahmood was a 'good friend' but 'good friends don't always agree'. The Justice Secretary's intervention comes despite a letter from Cabinet Secretary Simon Case last month outlining that ministers should remain neutral on the issue and avoid taking part in public debate. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declined to say whether he will back the Bill, arguing that he does not want to pressure MPs. Members will be given a free vote to act according to their personal beliefs, rather than in line with party policy. But prominent figures including former prime minister Gordon Brown have voiced opposition to the legislation, insisting better end-of-life care is needed instead of assisted dying. Ms Mahmood, Mr Streeting and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson have said they will vote against the Bill while care minister Stephen Kinnock said he supports it. Proponents argue existing legislation fails to respect patient autonomy and discriminates financially between those who can afford to travel abroad to end their lives within the law and those who cannot. MPs will be debating and voting on the bill called the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill on November 29 Labour MP Kim Leadbeater speaks to the press during a gathering in favour of the proposal to legalise euthanasia in the UK Leading barristers including former director of public prosecutions Sir Max Hill KC have spoken in favour of the Bill, saying it would offer better safeguards than the current system through a process involving two doctors and a judge. Ms Leadbeater has described her Bill as the most 'robust' in the world, with 'three layers of scrutiny' in the form of a sign-off by two doctors and a High Court judge. It would also make coercion an offence with a possible punishment of 14 years in jail. The Bill, which covers England and Wales, states only terminally ill adults with under six months left to live and a settled wish to die would be eligible. In response to Ms Mahmood's comments, Ms Leadbeater said: 'Shabana is a good friend and I have the utmost respect for her but good friends don't always agree. 'I recognise her sincerity and her compassion and fully respect her belief in the sanctity of life but the other points she raises have been made on a number of occasions and I have answered them in the thorough drafting and presentation of the Bill. 'The strict eligibility criteria make it very clear that we are only talking about people who are already dying.' She added: 'The Bill would give dying people the autonomy, dignity and choice to shorten their death if they wish.' Meanwhile, Labour peer Lord Falconer accused Ms Mahmood of trying to impose her Muslim beliefs on those in favour of assisted dying. He said: I think shes wrong, I think shes motivated, and I respect this, by her religious beliefs, but they shouldnt be imposed on everybody else. Nadhim Zahawi is tipped for a peerage in Rishi Sunaks resignation honours list. The former Chancellor has been talked up as a contender for the House of Lords. Other expected honours include a knighthood for former foreign minister Andrew Mitchell, and peerages for Julian Smith and former deputy prime minister Sir Oliver Dowden, which would trigger by-elections. Mr Zahawi did not contest his Stratford-on-Avon seat in this years election. He was sacked last year as Tory Party chairman over omissions about his tax affairs. Mr Zahawi rose to prominence as the vaccines minister over the Covid pandemic, during which he oversaw the successful roll-out. Former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi is tipped for a peerage in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours list Mr Zahawi was forced to resign from Mr Sunak's Cabinet as party chairman after it emerged he negotiated a multimillion pound settlement with HMRC during his brief stint at the Treasury After a stint as Education Secretary, he became one of the shortest-serving chancellors on record, after replacing Mr Sunak following the latter's decision to resign from Boris Johnson's government in July 2022. He returned to the Cabinet as Conservative Party chairman under Mr Sunak, but was forced to resign after it emerged he negotiated a multimillion pound settlement with the taxman during his brief term as Chancellor. The multi-millionaire founder of YouGov quit as an MP at the last election. The backpacker hostel at the centre of a suspected mass alcohol poisoning in Laos continued to operate for nine days after the first victim was found dead in his room, according to local reports. As police continue to question the owner of the Nana Backpacker guesthouse, they revealed that the first victim was only discovered after concerned staff used a master key to go into his room. An initial report into the deaths of six backpackers shows that the hotel continued to check in new guests even after the first three victims were found 'unresponsive'. American James Louis Hutson, 57, was found on his bed on November 13. Danes Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, were found unconscious on the same day. All three are believed to have died from suspected methanol poisoning, as well as British lawyer Simone White, 28, and Australians Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both 19. Ms White's parents paid an emotional tribute to their 'beautiful, kind and loving daughter' following her death last week. They said: 'Simone was one of a kind and had the most wonderful energy and spark for life'. As police continue to question the owner of the Nana Backpacker guesthouse, they revealed that the first victim was only discovered after concerned staff used a master key to go into his room Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured) has reportedly been detained by police 'She was a soul who gave so much to so many and was loved by her family, friends and colleagues', they said. 'Simone has been taken from us too soon, she will be sorely missed by her brother, grandmother and entire family. 'Our hearts go out to all other families who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.' Police in Laos have detained the manager and owner of a hostel. An officer at Vang Vieng's Tourism Police office said no charges have been filed but a 'number of people' have been detained in connection with the case. Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which is still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning. The FCDO said it was in contact with the local authorities regarding the British nationals affected. Those poisoned in the incident are believed to have been served drinks tainted with methanol, which is sometimes used by disreputable bars as a cheaper alternative to ethanol. Simone White, 28, from Orpington in Kent, died after drinking free shots at a Laos hostel allegedly laced with methanol Simone White (left) and Bethany Clarke (right) both fell ill on holiday in Southeast Asia. Miss Clarke survived The town is a popular spot for young backpackers, especially those on a gap year or in their early 20s Methanol is a colourless liquid that tastes similar to alcohol and is a byproduct of bootlegged liquor. Consuming even a small amount can lead to blindness, multiple organ failure and death. Duong Duc Toan, manager of the Nana Backpacker Hostel, said staff were told by other guests that the women were unwell after they failed to check out as planned on November 13, and they arranged transport to a hospital for them. He said the women had joined more than 100 other guests for free shots of Lao vodka offered by the hostel two days earlier. He said no other guest reported any issue, adding that the alleged victims had then gone for a night out, returning in the early hours of the morning. Putins recent use of an advance hypersonic missile in Ukraine should serve as a resounding wake-up call across Whitehall. These new advanced, long-range, air-launched weapons travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5 and can evade traditional defences by zigzagging unpredictably and targeting multiple points of impact. They represent a profound leap in offensive military technology - one that should keep those charged with defending the UK's skies awake at night. Fired at Ukraine last week and earlier this year against Israel by Iran, these weapon systems expose the growing vulnerabilities of nations without dedicated cutting-edge air defence systems. But sadly, Britain is woefully unprotected against mass drone and missile threats, including conventional intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). For example, compared to Washington DC, with all its defence systems available to the US capital in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, London is almost a sitting duck. Since the end of the Cold War, successive governments have dropped Britain's guard, assuming long-range missile strikes targeting our cities and key military installations were a thing of the past. No longer. Former Tory MP and Defence Minister Tobias Ellwood says Putin's new missile represents a profound leap in offensive military technology - one that should keep those charged with defending the UK's skies awake at night It is imperative that we establish what's now overdue - an Israeli-style 'iron dome' system around London and other major targets capable of downing these new weapons and any other arms that Putin might intend to unleash It is imperative that we establish what's now overdue - an Israeli-style 'iron dome' system around London and other major targets capable of downing these new weapons and any other arms that Putin might intend to unleash. The unsettling reality is that our defences are lagging behind the rapid advancements of potential adversaries. Reports suggest that Russias missile deployed inert warheads - lacking explosives -yet delivered sufficient kinetic energy to cause significant damage. The implication is chilling: these missiles are likely designed for nuclear payloads rather than conventional strikes. Lets not overreact. Putins nuclear sabre-rattling is calculated to instil fear and hesitation. Were Putin to cross the nuclear threshold, he would face immediate global condemnation, alienate key allies like China and India, and provoke a devastating conventional military response from NATO powers, including the UK and the United States. Such an act would likely wipe out Russian ground forces in Ukraine and obliterate any potential diplomatic gains. Nonetheless, Moscows willingness to deploy advanced weaponry highlights the need for vigilance. Putin warns of global escalation after Western missile strikes on Russia, threatening a 'decisive and mirrored' response and unveiling the 'unstoppable' Oreshnik (Hazel) missile The Russian leader fired the new Oreshnik missile at the Ukrainian city of Dnipro on Thursday, after Ukraine fired American ATACMS and British Storm Shadow long-range missiles deep into Russia Six people were killed and at least a dozen wounded in a Russian-launched Iranian Shahed kamikaze drone strike on Hlukhiv Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting with the Defense Ministry leadership and representatives of the defense industry, in Moscow The world is becoming more dangerous, not less, and it is prudent to assume that London or other major UK cities could be targeted in the next five years. We are witnessing a broader trend where threats are no longer confined to distant battlefields but increasingly aimed at civilian and economic hubsincluding ours. In this environment, the UK must act decisively to modernize its air defence infrastructure. The technology is already available. Our Navys Type 45 destroyers, equipped with the world-class Sea Viper air defence system, the RAF with its AMRAAM missiles and the Armys Sky Sabre systems provide strong foundations. Sky Sabre, currently operational in Poland, is an impressive system but designed for point defence - protecting a building, HQ, or logistics hub, not a salvo of hypersonic missiles targeting an entire city. And presently there are just half a dozen Sky Sabre units in operation. Overall, six destroyers, too few RAF jets and a handful of Sky Sabre are insufficient for the layered defence the new threat picture demands. Whether facing state actors with advanced missiles or non-state actors employing swarms of kamikaze drones, our defences need to expand significantly. All further justification for a shifting to 2.5 per cent of GPD spend on defence, investing in our homeland security and deepening collaboration with NATO allies to develop inter-operable systems with greater space awareness. The time for action is now otherwise no one will sleep well at night. Former Tory MP Tobias Ellwood was a Defence Minister from June 2017 to July 2019. Bali has taken out the top spot in a list of destinations to avoid over claims its natural beauty has been eroded by tourism. Fodors Magazines put the idyllic Indonesian island on its 2025 'No List' along with 15 other destinations including Barcelona, Venice, Koh Samui and Mount Everest. The travel site's annual list highlights tourist destinations deemed 'suffering from untenable popularity'. The editors said the natural environment and tourism industry are intertwined in the tropical enclave and that the sheer number of visitors threatens to degrade both. 'Rapid, unchecked development spurred by over-tourism is encroaching on Bali's natural habitats, eroding its environmental and cultural heritage, and creating a "plastic apocalypse",' Fodors noted. 'Once-pristine beaches like Kuta and Seminyak are now buried under piles of trash, with local waste management systems struggling to keep up.' The Central Bureau of Statistics for Bali Province has noted some 3.5million foreigners had already visited the island in the first seven months of 2024. The magazine said strong tourist numbers post-pandemic intensified the 'strain on the island'. The natural serenity of Bali is threatened by a swathe of detractors brought by international tourism, a magazine has warned Local media suggested the central south of the island suffered the most, with a high concentration of resorts, traffic, development, and waste and water management issues plaguing the area. Bali Tourism Board's chairman, Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana said the issue wasn't the total number of visitors. 'The problem is not the number of tourism overall, but the concentration of tourism in certain areas, especially in South Bali,' he told the Bali Sun. 'This causes other areas in Bali that are actually rich in culture and natural beauty not to get the same attention, either from tourists or from tourism managers. 'Bali does not deserve to be considered a destination to avoid in 2025 because the problem faced is more about the concentration of tourism in South Bali, not overtourism as a whole.' The deputy chairman of the Indonesia Hotels Association (PHRI), I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya said Bali must re-evaluate itself. 'This is a warning for Bali itself, which is that Bali must rise from having to be tired of preserving its natural culture and environment itself,' he said. The magazine clarified certain destinations hadn't earned their spot for being underwhelming. Instead they were selected for facing a swathe of existential risks posed by international tourism. 'These locations are popular for good reason they are stunning, intriguing, and culturally significant,' this list clarifies. 'However, some of these highly coveted tourist spots are collapsing under the burden of their own prominence.' Among the other destinations deemed to have been negatively impacted by tourism are Agrigento in Sicily, the British Virgin Islands, Kerala in India, Kyoto and Tokyo in Japan, and Oaxaca in Mexico. The Opposition have demanded Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reveal the details of the deal done with the Indonesian government to bring the five surviving Bali Nine prisoners home to Australia. Matthew Norman, Martin Stephens, Si Yi Chen, Scott Rush and Michael Czugaj are all serving life sentences in Indonesia and have spent almost 20 years behind bars in Balinese prisons. In 2005, the group and four other Australians were arrested as they attempted to smuggle 8.3kg of heroin strapped to their bodies from the holiday island. Shadow attorney-general Michaelia Cash told Sky News on Sunday it was 'inexplicable' that Mr Albanese had not detailed what Australia was giving to Indonesia to get the five prisoners home. 'What is the deal?' she asked. 'What has he extracted in relation for the deal? What is Australia giving up in relation to the deal? How much is it going to cost the Australian taxpayer? 'Will they continue to serve their prison sentences because they have been sentenced to life imprisonment in Indonesia? Will they continue to serve them out in Australia? And if not, why not? Mr Albanese had lobbied former Indonesian president Joko Widodo and then current President Prabowo Subianto 'for months' to make the deal. Anthony Albanese (pictured centre left with partner Jodie right) is reported to have lobbied former Indonesian president Joko Widodo (pictured centre right with Iriana) to secure the deal Trade minister Don Farrell said the proposal to the Indonesian government was not to 'release these people' from jail and they would continue to serve their sentences in Australia. He said he could not comment further, but Mr Albanese was trying to represent the 'interests of Australians abroad'. 'The discussions are ongoing. It's clear that the Prime Minister has advocated on behalf of these young Australians, and we'll see what happens in the days and the weeks ahead,' Mr Farrell said. Ms Cash said the details were 'very light' on whether the five Australians would have to serve life sentences once home. 'Mr Albanese needs to be up front with the Australian people,' she said. 'What is the nature of the deal to bring back Australians who have been convicted as part of a heroin drug smuggling ring sentenced by an Indonesian court?' Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young called the shadow attorney-general's remarks 'cruel and heartless' on ABC show The Insiders. 'I mean, cruel and heartless, frankly. Cruel and heartless. And if you want a glimpse of what a Peter Dutton government will look like, this is it,' Ms Hanson-Young said. Pictured Top L-R: Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush, Tach Duc Thanh Nguyen, Renae Lawrence, and Bottom: Si Yi Chen, Matthew Norman, Michael Czugaj, Martin Stephen and Andrew Chan 'Don't be fooled of Dutton in lamb's clothes.' On Friday, coordinating minister for legal affairs, human rights, immigration and corrections, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, told The Weekend Australian Anthony Albanese had requested the prisoners be transferred to Australia. 'The Indonesia President responded that they are currently reviewing and processing the matter, and it is expected to be carried out in December,' he said. He added Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke had earlier requested that 'Australian nationals convicted of drug offences and serving sentences in various prisons be transferred to Australia'. Of the other Bali Nine members arrested in the original bust, Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died from cancer in 2018, while Renae Lawrence was released in the same year after her life sentence was reduced to 20 years on appeal. The masterminds of the drug plot, Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, were executed by firing squad in 2015 on Nusa Kambangan or 'Prison Island'. November 24, 2024: For over a year Ukraine has been supporting rebel groups in Africa that are fighting members of the Russian Afrika Corps. Russia is currently supporting rebel or government forces in several African countries. These activities are meant to improve Russian influence in Africa, where there are many natural resources that are up for grabs and Russia wants to compete with Europe, America and China for these items. To do that the Wagner Force was reactivated in Africa. Wagner is now government controlled and works for the Defense Ministry. Ukraine provides training and other aid to government or rebel groups that are under attack by Russian forces. Most of the current fighting is in Mali, where a 2021 coup put pro-Russian Mali colonels in charge. Despite criticism from foreign aid donors like France, the colonels threatened to seek alternative financial aid and managed to obtain the services of Russian mercenaries. Russia was interested in post-war economic deals with Mali and the Mali military government felt more comfortable dealing with the Russians than the French. Russia has supplied Mali with food and fertilizer and mercenaries to help deal with Tuareg separatists and Islamic terrorists in the north. Over the last decade the Islamic terrorists have been operating closer and closer to the Mali capital Bamako. In September 2024 there was an attack on a military base and the airport outside Bamako. Some aircraft were set on fire. The army captured fifteen of the attackers. In July about forty Russian mercenaries were ambushed and killed in the north near the Algerian border. A Tuareg militia carried out the attack during a sandstorm. The coup leaders have utilized Mali's gold mines as a resource, though this has also led to protests and security crackdowns. Russia is helping Mali expand gold production The Russian presence is not welcome except to the army officers running the military government. The Tuaregs and local Islamic terror groups are particularly hostile to the Russian presence. The military government and their Russian allies have taken heavy losses recently but still control most of the country. This wont last because popular unrest caused by growing poverty and violence is threatening the military government. Ukraine has intervened to assist Mali Tuareg rebels fighting the Russian backed groups. Ukraine provides training for the rebels. Meanwhile the Mali government has cut diplomatic ties with Ukraine because they blame Ukraine for recent Tuareg victories that left 84 Russian mercenaries and 47 Malian soldiers dead. A glamorous couple, who are regularly decked out in designer brands, have been accused of stealing more than $1 million worth of Lululemon clothing from across America. Jamaican dancehall promoter, Jadion 'Jay Icon' Richards, 44, and his wife, Akwele 'Apple' Lawes-Richards, 45, were accused of stealing products across four different states. The couple show off their 'lavish lifestyle' on their social media pages where they are seen sporting luxury clothing and expensive accessories. Their expensive taste is also shared by their children, who are pictured head to toe in stylish brand name clothing, while the couple post photos posing with luxury cars, aboard a yacht, or on beach vacations. The pair were arrested on November 14 in Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Minnesota and charged with organized retail theft. The couple, who had allegedly stolen products from stores in Utah, Colorado, New York and Connecticut, were stopped exiting a store in Minnesota after the detectors went off. Richards accused the store of racially profiling him, and they were allowed to leave until the couple were later arrested in a Minneapolis suburb. A Lululemon investigator claimed the pair targeted several different locations the day before and stole at least 45 items valued at $5,000, reported USA Today. Jamaican dancehall promoter, Jadion 'Jay Icon' Richards, 44, and his wife, Akwele 'Apple' Lawes-Richards, 45, were accused of stealing luxury products across four different states from Lululemon Lawes-Richards were released Tuesday on $30,000 bail, while Richards was released Thursday on $100,000 bail, according to NBC News Richards and his wife were charged with organized retail theft after their arrest on November 14 The couple, who had allegedly stolen products from stores in Utah, Colorado, New York and Connecticut, were stopped exiting a store in Minnesota after the detectors went off Both Richards and Lawes-Richards denied any involvement in the thefts, and claimed they were only staying with her aunt and had only been in Minnesota for day. Officers found several credit and debit cards on the couple, as well as an access card to a Marriott hotel room. After obtaining a search warrant, officers found 12 suitcases in their room - three suitcases were filled with Lululemon clothing with tags attached worth over $50,000 according to the arrest complaint. The pair are accused in eight Colorado theft incidents between October 29 and 30, and seven thefts in Utah on November 6 and 7, reported USA Today. In a statement, Lululemon's vice president of asset protection, Tristen Shields, said the company is committed to 'creating a safe and secure environment' for staff and shoppers. 'This outcome continues to underscore our ongoing collaboration with law enforcement and our investments in advanced technology, team training and investigative capabilities to combat retail crime and hold offenders accountable,' Sheilds said, reported NBC News. 'We remain dedicated to continuing these efforts to address and prevent this industry-wide issue.' Their arrest comes two years after they were charged with shoplifting from HomeGoods in Connecticut. The pair were arrested and found with fraudulent HomeGoods receipts, fake driver's licenses and a retail theft device, according to Southbury Police Department The pair are accused in eight Colorado theft incidents between October 29 and 30, and seven thefts in Utah on November 6 and 7 Their expensive taste is also shared by their children, who are pictured head to toe in stylish brand name clothing, while the couple post photos posing with luxury cars, aboard a yacht, or on beach vacations Their arrest comes two years after they were charged with shoplifting from HomeGoods in Connecticut. The pair were arrested and found with fraudulent HomeGoods receipts, fake driver's licenses and a retail theft device, according to Southbury Police Department. Richards and Lawes-Richards were both booked into Ramsey County Jail on November 14. Lawes-Richards were released Tuesday on $30,000 bail, while Richards was released Thursday on $100,000 bail, according to NBC News. Their next court date is scheduled for December 16. Fears have been raised a missing Australian hiker in Albania could have been mauled to death by a bear. South Australian man Cameron Twiss, 28, was last seen on October 13 after setting off on a 17km trail between Valbona and Theth in the Albanian Alps, a popular and busy track for tourists. Mr Twiss was reportedly travelling alone without a guide. Police and Albania and Kosovo Mountain Search and Rescue Service volunteers spent two frustrating weeks searching on foot, and in helicopters and with drones for the missing Australians. On Saturday, an Albania Search and Rescue Service volunteer said it was possible Mr Twiss could have been attacked by a brown bear. Such attacks are extremely rare with only 200 of the predators still in the wild, but some of the animals are known to be in the vicinity of the track. Tour guide Arben Kola told the Adelaide Advertiser he first thought Mr Twiss may have been disoriented at a complicated crossroads on the trail. However, search and rescue teams have determined Mr Twiss had been following the correct path before he disappeared. Cameron Twiss, 28, from Adelaide has gone missing while hiking a popular trail in Albania 'It only adds to the mystery,' Mr Kola said. Mr Twiss is the second such mystery in two months, after a Lithuanian man disappeared on the path in September. After the alarm was raised authorities discovered Mr Twiss's belongings and passport in his hostel in the town of Shkoder. Purnima Flanagan, a friend of Mr Twiss, has shared her final messages with the missing man. In the last message sent,Mr Twiss said he was making vodka with a 'random Albanian man'. 'This was Cameron to a tee, he loves to talk and he loves to mingle,' she said. 'He was the perfect traveller and always made friends wherever he went.' Ms Flanagan said Mr Twiss had set off on the Valbona trail with a group of tourists from the town but a short way into the hike decided to do it solo. Kosovo Mountain Rescue Search Service and the Mountain Rescue Search Service of Albania have conducted a search on foot and with drones (pictured) It was only after a number of her messages went unanswered that learnt he was missing. 'I just don't understand how no-one could have seen or heard anything. He would have made friends in that town, he was an experienced hiker and he was good with direction,' she said. Official search efforts were halted on November 3. In the town of Theth, seasoned Dutch hikers Gido and Stella told The Advertiser they had seen missing persons flyers for both Mr Twiss and the Lithuanian traveller they became worried it was foul play 'At first I was thinking, 'Oh was there a kidnapping here', or something like that,' Stella said. However, both hikers believed Mr Twiss likely just lost his footing. 'I think it's always dangerous in the mountains, especially when you're high up one step could be fatal,' Gido said. A former national security adviser to Donald Trump has issued a sharp rebuke of Sebastian Gorka, Trump's pick for counter-terrorism chief in his new cabinet. In a scathing critique, John Bolton labeled Gorka a 'con man' arguing that his appointment is the 'worst cabinet appointment in recent American history' and a poor choice for the National Security Council's efforts to combat terrorism effectively. Speaking to CNN, Bolton did not hold back stating: 'I wouldn't have him in any U.S. government.' Bolton's criticism reflects his concerns about Gorka's qualifications and suitability for a senior role in national security and is calling for greater scrutiny of Gorka's background. 'He needs a full FBI field background investigation,' Bolton said, adding that there are questions about Gorka's academic credentials and that it is not 'going to bode well for counter-terrorism efforts when the [national security council's] senior director is somebody like that'. 'I think he is a perfect example of somebody who owes his position purely to Donald Trump,' Bolton explained. 'He doesn't display loyalty. He displays fealty. And that's what Trump wants.He doesn't want Gorka's opinions, he wants Gorka to say "yes, sir,"' Bolton said. Critics argue this preference for unquestioning loyalty over expertise could have serious implications for national security. Former national security adviser to Donald Trump , John Bolton, has issued a sharp rebuke of Sebastian Gorka, Trump's pick for counter-terrorism chief in his new cabinet Trump has said he chose Gorka saying he had more than 30 years of national security experience describing him as a 'tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement'. Bolton's words carry weight having served in several Republican administrations including under Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and during Trump's first term. Trump has claimed he chose Gorka saying he had more than 30 years of national security experience. describing him as a 'tireless advocate for the America First Agenda and the MAGA Movement'. Gorka, a British-Hungarian-American, spent less than a year in Trump's first White House, but has been an outspoken supporter of Trump's 'America First' agenda. But he has also faced significant controversy over his past statements and actions. Gorka has been accused of Islamophobia for supporting Trump's 2017 travel ban, which restricted entry into the U.S. for visitors from several predominantly Muslim countries, including Iran, Libya, and Syria. Gorka, who is outspokenly pro-Israel and supportive of the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has also publicly claimed that 'Islam is not a religion of peace.' Further criticism stems from Gorka's association with the Hungarian nationalist organization Vitezi Rend. He attended Trump's 2017 inaugural ball wearing an honorary medal from the group, which has faced accusations of links to far-right ideologies. Gorka has been a firm supporter of Trump both in and out of his administration. He is seen here outside Manhattan criminal court in New York in May of this year Bolton's words carry weight having served in several Republican administrations including under Ronald Reagan, George W. Bush, and during Trump's first term. Pictured, June 2018 He attended Trump's 2017 inaugural ball wearing an honorary medal from the group, which has faced accusations of links to far-right ideologies. Gorka also previously served as an adviser to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a controversial leader known for his authoritarian policies. In a second interview, this time on NewsNation, Bolton also compared Gorka unfavorably to other controversial Trump appointees. Bolton said that until Gorka's nomination, he would have considered former Democrat and Iraq veteran Tulsi Gabbard's proposed appointment as director of national intelligence to be the 'worst cabinet appointment in recent American history.' Bolton is not alone in his disapproval of Gorka's appointment. Democratic National Committee spokesperson also Alex Floyd described Gorka as 'a far-right extremist who is as dangerous as he is unqualified to lead America's counter-terrorism strategy.' The man behind one of Australia's biggest Christmas light displays has cancelled this year's spectacular after online trolls threatened his family. David Strickland, the mastermind of 'Merry Strickland', shared a 'tongue-in-cheek' message on Saturday announcing the beloved Brisbane Christmas highlight will not go ahead this year. Each year, he and his family decorate their Burpengary East home with more than 60,000 Christmas lights and giant inflatables, which can reportedly be seen from space. However, the 2023 festive season saw the Strickland family come under fire by abusive online trolls who claimed their decorations were too bright and caused too much commotion in the neighbourhood. After considering the fear and possible harm his family faced, Mr Strickland shared a photo featuring Grinch and middle-finger lights with the caption, 'And...we're done for 2024'. 'When you see your own family in tears, it really makes you question what you're doing and why you're doing it,' Mr Strickland told the Courier Mail. 'Obviously, I do it for all the right reasons and to bring joy and bit of Christmas spirit, but unfortunately, social media is not a nice place and it brings out the best and worst in everyone.' Mr Strickland's post was quickly inundated with hundreds of comments pledging their support for the family while urging them to go ahead with the show. David Strickland, the mastermind of 'Merry Strickland' (pictured), cancelled this year's Christmas light display 'This is gold! Well done! Dont let the haters hate. You guys have brought so much joy to many families,' one wrote. Another added: 'That's absolutely brilliant! A great way to show the Grinches who complained about your light display last year.' Mr Strickland recalled receiving threatening messages and warnings people wanted to 'cut all of the lights', all which led to his wife and two young children feeling unsafe in their home. 'What people don't see is the joy that it brings, so it's hard ... not doing it because we see how much joy it does bring,' he said. Mr Strickland shared a photo featuring Grinch and middle-finger lights with the caption, 'And...we're done for 2024' The negativity came in spite of the family going 'above and beyond' to ensure the event was safe and legal, including getting permits and creating traffic plans. The Strickland family also raised money for the Burpengary community through the event and worked with the local council to create a temporary car park for visitors. However, their efforts were deemed not enough by hundreds of people after their 2023 display went viral on TikTok. Footage of their large display was viewed more than 200million times and made headlines overseas, as far as Greece and the US. The backlash hasn't deterred the family from completely writing off their Christmas display though. Mr Strickland has hinted the beloved festive tradition could make a return in the coming years. Mr Strickland (pictured) received threatening messages and warnings people wanted to 'cut all of the lights', all which led to his wife and two young children feeling unsafe in their home The family of a high profile businesswoman have been left heartbroken after she died in a horror crash while riding an all-terrain vehicle. Marketing executive Lisa Ronson has been remembered as a woman 'cherished by all who knew her' after she tragically died in a farm accident. Emergency services were called to Ms Ronson's property on Daylesford-Clunes Rd in Ullina, near Daylesford in regional Victoria, about 7pm on Saturday. The Medibank chief marketing officer had been riding on her an all-terrain vehicle when she lost control and crashed. Sadly, Ms Ronson, 52, died at the scene despite the best efforts of paramedics. In a statement to the Herald Sun, Ms Ronson's husband Chris Taylor paid tribute to 'the love of my life, my inspiration and greatest supporter'. 'I am lost without her,' he said. 'The sudden loss of our beloved Lisa has left us in profound shock, with words falling short of capturing the depth of our grief. High profile businesswoman Lisa Ronson sadly died on Saturday. Picture: Supplied 'Our hearts are broken beyond words. Yet, in our sorrow, we hold onto the memories of her spirit, her smile, laughter, and the love she so generously shared. 'May her beautiful soul rest in peace.' The couple had bought their Ullina property in 2019 and had been working together on making it a loving home for their family. 'Together we poured our hearts into creating a home in the countryside, a place she cherished and took such pride in - a sanctuary filled with love, shared laughter, and the joy of family and friends,' Mr Taylor said. 'Yesterday's tragic accident, so unexpected, stole her from us far too soon, interrupting a life that was as vibrant as it was meaningful. Lisa Ronson with husband Chris Taylor and son Ben Ronson in Daylesford. Picture: Instagram 'Lisa was in a season of happiness, thriving in a job she adored and surrounded by people she deeply cared for. 'Her future was of endless possibilities, an exciting journey she embraced with boundless enthusiasm.' Ms Ronson had spent 25 years building her impressive career in the marketing and commercial industry. She was recently appointed as Medibank's chief marketing officer in July, 2024 after working for four years as chief executive of marketing at Coles in May 2023. Lisa Ronson loved the life she was living on her property in Daylesford. Picture: Instagram Ms Ronson also worked in part-time role as Wheelchair Rugby Australia director in March 2023. During her time at Coles, Ms Ronson won numerous awards including Australia's most prolific marketer and the Best of the Best Marketer of the Year in 2021. She'd also held a similar role at Tourism Australia between February 2015 and March 2019. Victoria Police confirmed a report will be prepared for the coroner. A horrified woman has recalled the sickening moment she found live maggots wriggling in her meal at a popular restaurant chain. The Blue Mountains woman visited the Lone Star Rib House Penrith in Sydney's west for a 'nice meal' with her husband and son on November 10. But after the woman's steak arrived, which can cost up $65 at Lone Star, she knew 'within seconds' something didn't look right, 'I sort of zoomed in, looking at the piece of steak and thought, 'That's really odd, there are things moving',' she told ABC reported. Her husband initially suspected it was seasoning on the steak seasoning until he took a closer inspection. The customer, who doesn't want to be named, alerted a staff member, who told her about the restaurant's high star food and health safety ratings. Despite being offered a replacement meal, the woman declined because she was 'grossed out'. 'I just said, 'No, I can't eat here ... I just want to leave',' she said. A woman claims she found live maggots in her steak (pictured) but staff told her they were instead in the salad and are yet to apologise The woman declined a replacement meal because she was 'grossed out' (pictured Lone Star Rib House Penrith) The waiter took the meal back to the kitchen and the diner was later told the staff didn't 'know how the maggots came about on the steak'. The family was also informed that the maggots didn't come from the steak and were instead on the salad, which they refuted. '[The maggots] were having the time of their life on that piece of steak, and there was not one maggot on the salad,' she said. The diner added that it didn't matter what food the live maggots were on - they should never have been on her plate. The customer is also curious as to why no one noticed the maggots because 'at least two, maybe three people' had been handling and preparing the meat before arriving at the table. The woman claimed she was yet to receive an apology from the restaurant for the 'disgusting' incident which left her feeling 'uncomfortable and fearful'. The customer said she can no longer eat steak and she is cooking her food for longer 'just to make sure' she kills anything that could be lurking in her food. Lone Star Rib House told the ABC it would not comment on the woman's video or 'personal views' about the restaurant's hygiene. The Blue Mountains woman said she can't eat steak after the 'disgusting' incident (pictured Lone Star Rib House Penrith) A spokesperson confirmed that an independent environmental health officer inspected the restaurant the morning after the family's visit. They said the inspection was because of the complaint about the maggots. But no 'areas of concern' were found and there were no flies on the premises or any other evidence of maggots. The report also showed that meat at the restaurant was stored in sealed bags and salad was also in a sealed box, with no 'possibility of contamination'. Penrith Council spokesperson has since launched an investigation and is working with the restaurant, and the NSW Food Authority. Daily Mail Australia contacted Lone Star Rib House Penrith for comment. Police have charged 170 activists who attended a climate protest in the Port of Newcastle, after the large group allegedly disrupted the movement of vessels. The demonstration, organised by activism group Rising Tide, was held at the city's harbour this weekend. NSW Police will allege a large group of people entered a shipping channel and interfered with the movement of vessels. The Port Authority of New South Wales suspended all shipping during the incident. According to police, 156 adults and 14 youths have since been charged in total - 138 with disruption of a major facility, and 32 with not complying with direction by authorised officer relating to safety. Two people were refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court on Monday. Police will also allege one police officer fractured their ankle during the incident on Sunday. It will be further alleged that 34 people were required to be retrieved from the water during arrests with 10 required police assistance to return to shore. Around 170 activists have been arrested over this weekend's protest in Newcastle. Picture: Facebook Officers on inflatable police boats and on jet skis were seen dragging protestors into police vessels Police also alleged there were numerous traffic infringements issued that were unrelated to the activities on the water, and five people were charged. Police stated the group allegedly 'entered the shipping channel and presented serious safety risks to themselves and others, causing significant disruptions to the operation of the harbour'. Despite disruptions, the harbour remains open and continues to operate with 31 shipping movements occurring since Friday. 'The NSW Police Force recognises and supports the rights of individuals and groups to exercise their rights of free speech and peaceful assembly; however, the priority for NSW Police is always the safety of the wider community and there will be zero tolerance for illegal and dangerous behaviour, a statement read Sunday's event comes after two men and a woman were charged with not comply with direction by authorised officer relating to safety on Saturday. Police also alleged there were numerous traffic infringements issued that were unrelated to the activities on the water Protesters stepped up efforts on Sunday, resulting in more arrests. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Sewell The group, which has organised the large multi-day protest, claimed a coal ship being forced to stay at the dock was a win. Police say they have 'a zero-tolerance approach to actions which threaten public safety and the safe passage of vessels'. A Port Authority of NSW spokesman confirmed that all shipping had been suspended. 'In consultation with NSW Police and stakeholders a risk-based decision has been made to temporarily pause shipping,' the spokesman said. 'The protest activity has compromised the safety of the shipping channel and led to an unacceptable potential risk to public safety, the port and the environment.' Shadow police minister Paul Toole slammed the protests, stating they were a major disruption to 'hardworking Aussies'. 'This is a disgrace and can't just keep going on,' Mr Toole said. 'Rising Tide are (allegedly) repeat offenders of creating anarchy in our ports, disrupting the daily lives of Australians and conducting themselves in an illegal and unacceptable manner. 'They are intent on causing the most disruption for the fewest prosecutions and it's about time they are properly fined and given imprisonment terms for their behaviour.' Mr Toole said serious questions needed to be asked as to why the protest was given the green light to go ahead. 'These protests disrupt everyday lives, whether it's transport networks, freight chains, production lines or everyday commuters getting to work or to school, their actions should not be tolerated,' Mr Toole said. 'Protestors were earlier mocking the Labor Government, blasting the song 'we are the champions' as they kayaked into the port. 'This is what happens when the Government is soft on law and order. 'These professional protestors laughed in the face of the Labor Government when they tried to stop them at the last minute and continued as planned.' Police on jet skis were tasked with arresting protesters. Picture: Facebook Images showed at least 150 activists waving anti-coal signs, wearing bright colours paddling into the channel in kayaks. Officers on inflatable police boats and on jet skis were seen dragging protestors into the police vessel. Laws in NSW make it illegal to obstruct the safe passage of a vessel. Police are requesting no one else to block the shipping channel. 'Unlawful activity may result in fines or imprisonment,' police say in a statement. A spokeswoman for protest organisers Rising Tide said in a video demonstrators were jubilant about disrupting ships. 'We have blockaded the world's largest coal port,' said the spokeswoman, named as Alexa in the caption. 'Mood here on the beach is just amazing. Everyone is so pumped, so excited, and so hopeful.' The attempt to block the ship was part of a 10-day 'protestival' being hosted by climate activist group Rising Tide, which has seen thousands of people descend on the world's largest coal port. Midnight Oil frontman and former Labor MP Peter Garrett performed at the protest with his bandmate guitarist Martin Rotsey. Thousands of people have turned up to the demonstration. Picture: NewsWire / Dean Sewell. 'Is the real threat to the Hunter region a group of citizens exercising their democratic rights, or in continuing to export the materials that will burn the world up in a furnace?' Garrett said. Last year more than 100 people were arrested at the event, which organisers said was the largest civil disobedience for climate justice in Australia's history. Earlier this month, NSW Police launched proceedings in the NSW Supreme Court to have the protest deemed unauthorised on safety grounds. Justice Desmond Fagan found in favour of the NSW Police and prohibited the planned protests on land and on the water. But Rising Tide said they retained the right to peaceful assembly. Maritime NSW attempted to create an exclusion zone around the Newcastle Harbour but that decision was set aside following a successful Supreme Court challenge by Rising Tide. City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Dr Ross Kerridge released a statement earlier this month providing support for the event to go ahead at Camp Shortland, provided event organisers told people to stay of out of the shipping channel. MPs are bracing for a bitter struggle over the assisted dying law this week with warnings it could be 'talked out'. Tensions are rising with the Commons set to debate the issue on Friday and potentially vote for the first time in nearly a decade. But the Private Members' Bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater has sparked deep splits in the Cabinet, and across the political spectrum. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has branded the policy a 'slippery slope towards death on demand' in a letter to constituents. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also been critical, but Keir Starmer has hinted he will back the plan - which gained momentum after a campaign by terminally ill TV star Esther Rantzen. Meanwhile, Speaker Lindsay Hoyle is expected to stick to convention by not imposing any time limit on speeches. That could leave the measures vulnerable to a filibustering effort by opponents. As politicians wrestle with their positions, polls have suggested that the public supports the principle of assisted dying - although there are doubts about how it would be implemented in practice. Your browser does not support iframes. Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood has branded the assisted dying policy a 'slippery slope towards death on demand' ealth Secretary Wes Streeting has also been critical, but Keir Starmer has hinted he will back the plan Research by More in Common has found nearly two thirds favour the idea, with just 13 per cent opposed and 22 per cent unsure. The legislation put forward by Ms Leadbeater would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to get help to end their life. Two doctors and a High Court judge would have to verify that they were eligible and had made their decision voluntarily. The More in Common poll, based on interviews with 17,000 Brits, found that those who had lost a parent in the past five years were 18 points more likely to be strongly supportive of assisted dying. Only seven Commons constituencies had majorities against the move in principle. They included Ms Mahmoood's seat of Birmingham Ladywood. In a letter to constituents, seen by The Observer, the Justice Secretary said the Bill represented a 'slippery slope towards death on demand'. She said: 'Sadly, recent scandals - such as Hillsborough, infected blood and the Post Office Horizon - have reminded us that the state and those acting on its behalf are not always benign... 'It should protect and preserve life, not take it away. The state should never offer death as a service.' Ms Mahmood said she was concerned about the disabled, sick and elderly being pressured into ending their lives. The poll found the majority of Brits regard strict safeguards as 'essential' to an assisted dying law. However, 71 per cent said it was possible to create policy with the right protections, against 29 per cent who thought it was not. The bill was seen as happening at about the right pace by 51 per cent, while a further 13 per cent said it was too slow. Nearly a fifth said it was happening too quickly. The Private Members' Bill proposed by Labour MP Kim Leadbeater (pictured) has sparked deep splits in the Cabinet, and across the political spectrum The legislation put forward by Ms Leadbeater would allow terminally ill adults expected to die within six months to get help to end their life UK director of More in Common Luke Tryl said: 'As MPs are weighing up how they will vote on the Assisted Dying Bill, the message from the public is clear: they support the principle of assisted dying but want to make sure that there are tight restrictions on eligibility and that there are proper safeguards in place to protect the vulnerable. 'Neither a rushed ill that fails to address real concerns about protecting the vulnerable, nor a 'no' vote on Friday which takes the issue off the table for another decade seem likely to satisfy the public, who want to see assisted dying legalised, but want to see it done properly.' The second reading debate on Friday will last up to five hours, with complaints that not enough time has been allocated to consider such a big issue. Ministers have said there will be more time for scrutiny should it clear the first Parliamentary hurdle. As a matter of conscience it is due to be a free vote of MPs. A senior Army officer has been arrested and charged over allegedly carrying a hand grenade through security at a busy British airport. Lt Col Hugo Clark, who has served in Afghanistan and received an MBE honour in 2006, faces court action following an incident at Edinburgh Airport, it has been revealed. Clark, 54, is reported to have had a dummy weapon in his hand luggage while going through the airport in the Scottish capital on October 16. Bomb squad officers are said to have rushed to the scene after the discovery in the baggage held by the communications chief serving with the Royal Regiment of Scotland, who was due to travel home on leave. The Sun quoted a source as saying: 'All the grenade's explosives had been removed so it could safely be used in training. 'But to the untrained eye it looked exactly the same as a real grenade. 'Imagine if a terrorist had taken it out in mid-air and waved it around in front of passengers - it could have caused absolute mayhem.' A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Around 8.05am on Wednesday, 16 October 2024, police were called by security at Edinburgh Airport after a decommissioned ordnance device was found during scanning of a passenger's hand luggage. Lt Col Hugo Clark, pictured at Edinburgh Castle in March 2019, has been arrested and charged in relation to allegedly carrying a hand grenade in luggage at Edinburgh Airport last month Bomb squad officers were called to Edinburgh Airport (pictured) on October 16 Lt Col Hugo Clark took part in tributes at Edinburgh Castle following the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, in April 2021 'Explosive Ordnance Disposal attended and the item was assessed as non-viable and posed no threat. 'A 54-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection and released on an undertaking to appear in court at a later date.' An Army spokesperson said: 'A Service Person was involved in a security incident at Edinburgh Airport on 16th October. 'As the matter is the subject of ongoing legal proceedings we won't comment further.' The officer's military career is reported to have included operational tours in Afghanistan, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Sub-Saharan Africa. He has also spoken in the past of his hobby of oil painting in an art studio at his home in the Scottish Borders. Ahead of the 80th anniversary of D-Day in June this year, he donated four works of art for a silent auction in aid of armed forces charities Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland. He said earlier this year: 'Something as ambitious as this D-Day project is completely new ground for me I wasn't there at D-Day, nor can I simply jump into the back of a Dakota C47 aircraft or take a good look at the stern of a K Class Destroyer. 'I draw and paint people best so wanted to put a human picture on D-Day and, if possible, wanted to take the viewer there and to capture the feel of what it might have been like.' In April 2021, he was pictured saluting before members of the 105th Regiment Royal Artillery as they fired a 41-round gun salute at Edinburgh Castle, to mark the death of Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Secret documents declassified by US intelligence have revealed a list of Vladimir Putin's assassination targets for the first time. Several influential Russians who have spoken out against the tyrant president throughout his 25-years of ruling were thought to have died under suspicious circumstances, however, a new report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence established the Kremlin has ties to many of these targeted killings. The bombshell memo, released following a Mandatory Declassification Review request from Bloomberg, has revealed that Putin directly ordered several assassinations. The intelligence assessment said: 'We assess that Putin probably authorizes assassinations of high-profile figures abroad. 'The Russian Government will continue to use its intelligence services and other loyal entities to assassinate suspected terrorists as well as individuals abroad whom it deems as threats to [...] Vladimir Putin's regime. 'Our confidence level for this judgment is high, based on official Russian statements and the findings of foreign governments in countries where assassinations have taken place.' The highly classified memo explained the 'first clear case' of the president ordering an assassination overseas took place in 2004 in Doha, Qatar, when Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev was killed. The former head of the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria was assassinated when a bomb ripped through his SUV in the Qatari capital. A new bombshell document has revealed a list of Vladimir Putin 's assassination targets for the first time Zelimkhan Yandarbiyev, pictured centre, was described in the memo as the 'first clear case' of Putin ordering an assassination overseas Authorities found that the murder was carried out by agents from Russia's Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), Anatoly Belashkov and Vasily Bogachev, according to a report by Pravada. The two Russian military intelligence officers were convicted of the killing, and a Qatari court sentenced them to life imprisonment. They were later extradited to Russia where they were expected to serve the rest of their sentence, but Russian prison authorities later claimed they never found them. In 2006, a former officer of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), Alexander Litvinenko, was poisoned with radioactive polonium-210 in London. The 44-year-old prominent critic of the Kremlin, died after drinking green tea laced with the drug at the plush Millennium Hotel in Mayfair. He had fled to Britain after criticising Putin, and after his death, it was revealed MI6 had paid him. Litvinenko's death was suspected to have been personally signed off by the Russian President - but the Kremlin have always denied ties to the death. But a lengthy British inquiry concluded in 2016 that Putin probably had approved a Russian intelligence operation to murder Litvinenko. It also found that former KGB bodyguard Andrei Lugovoy and another Russian, Dmitry Kovtun, carried out the killing as part of an operation likely directed by the FSB, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB. The pair, who both face US sanctions, are wanted in the UK for Litvinenko's murder. Alexander Litvinenko in the Intensive Care Unit of University College Hospital on November 20, 2006 in London. He died following the presence of the radioactive polonium-210 in his body Russian businessman Alexander Perepelichny died in 2012 in Weybridge, Surrey, after spending the night with his mistress in Paris Oleksandr Bednov, a Kremlin critic who headed a militia unit called Batman, was killed on orders of Putin in 2015 The US intelligence report said about the assassination: 'The official British inquiry into Litvinenko's murder concluded that Putin 'probably approved' it, based upon a review of physical evidence and decision making on matters related to the security services'. In 2012, Russian businessman Alexander Perepelichny died in Weybridge, Surrey, after spending the night with his mistress in Paris. According to the memo, Perepelichny was 'reportedly assassinated with a biological toxin in the UK in 2012 shortly before he was scheduled to testify about a Kremlin tax fraud network'. The document also goes on to mention that Oleksandr Bednov, a Kremlin critic who headed a militia unit called Batman, was killed on orders of Putin in 2015. It explained: 'At least some key separatist figures in Ukraine's Donbas Region who resisted Kremlin orders, such as Oleksandr Bednov, have probably been killed at Moscow's behest, reflecting Russia's priority on maintaining control over the region'. Bednov was killed when an armoured bus he was travelling in was attacked by armed men. The US intelligence document suggests that along with Bednov, several other prominent leaders of the Donetsk and Luhansk pro-Russian separatists were killed on the orders of the Kremlin to strengthen Russian control in the region. And while the historic document reveals just a handful of high-profile assassination cases that are understood to have ties with Moscow, several other Russia critics have died under suspicious circumstances. Putin's fiercest foe, Alexei Navalny, 47, died in February while holed up in the special-regime Polar Wolf jail in the Russian Arctic as he served a 19-year sentence on 'extremism' charges. He was thought to have died after a single punch to the heart - a 'trademark technique used by the KGB'. Bruising found on the opposition leader's body was consistent with the 'one-punch' execution method, Russian exile and human rights campaigner Vladimir Osechkin said in February. Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died on February 16 The entrance to the Arctic IK-3 penal colony where Navalny had been held since December 2023 Yevgeny Prigozhin died in August last year after he was involved in a private jet blaze The site of the plane crash which claimed the life of Prigozhin, former head of the Wagner mercenary group, in Russia's Tver region Alexei Zimin, 52, who owned Zima restaurant in Soho, died on a trip to Belgrade, Serbia 'It is an old method of the KGB's special forces divisions,' he told The Times. 'They trained their operatives to kill a man with one punch in the heart, in the centre of the body. It was a hallmark of the KGB.' Putin critic, and former head of the Wagner mercenary group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, also died in August last year after he was involved in a private jet blaze. He was a close confidant of Putin before he launched a rebellion in June 2023, where he vowed to 'punish' Russia for a deadly missile attack on one of his training camps in eastern Ukraine. Putin blasted the uprising as a 'mortal blow' to Russia and 'a knife in the back of our people'. Most recently, a Russian TV chef and friend of Hollywood star Jude Law, who fled to London after criticising Putin's war on Ukraine was found dead in a Belgrade hotel. Alexei Zimin, 52, died suddenly on a promotional tour to the Serbian capital where authorities said his cause of death remained 'unclear'. Lukoil tycoon Ravil Maganov, 67, fell from a window of Moscow's elite Central Clinical Hospital, also known as the Kremlin Clinic, in September 2022. Russian state media quickly said his death was a suicide but law enforcement sources said there was no suicide note and there were no CCTV cameras on the section of the building where Maganov fell. He was then replaced by Vladimir Nekrasov - in October 2023, who died aged 66 of 'acute heart failure' in October 2023. The following month, Russian senator and war backer, Vladimir Lebedev, with close Lukoil links, died suddenly in an unexplained 'terrible tragedy' aged 60. The Russian tycoon was found hanged in his office toilet by his boss. In March, Lukoil vice-president Vitaly Robertus, 53, became the latest victim of a death curse to haunt Lukoil, a prominent company propping up Putin's regime. Then a prominent female judge was found dead after falling from a Moscow high-rise building. Ravil Maganov, 67, (pictured with Putin after receiving a medal) chairman of Russian oil giant LUKOIL, died on the spot after falling from a window on the 6th floor of the Central Clinical Hospital in Moscow in 2022 Vladimir Nekrasov, chairman of the board of directors of Lukoil died in October last year Vitaly Robertus, 53, (pictured) died in March Natalia Larina (pictured), was found dead after falling from a Moscow high-rise building Vladimir Egorov. His corpse was found in the yard of his house in December 2023 Anna Tsareva, the deputy editor of pro-Putin newspaper Komsomolskaya Pravda, was found dead by her father aged just 35 Marina Yankina (pictured), 58, was discovered by a passerby at the entrance of a house on Zamshina Street in St Petersburg. She is believed to have fallen 160ft to her death Earlier this year, Zoya Konovalova (pictured), 48, chief editor of Russian state TV company Kuban, was found alongside her ex-husband Natalia Larina, 50, was notorious for handling high-profile political and criminal cases, punishing traitors of the Kremlin. She had been a criminal judge for more than 15 years - and had a reputation for ruling verdicts on cases against opposition political activists. In December 2023, Vladimir Egorov, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, plunged to his death from a third-floor window in Moscow. The 46-year-old Egorov was a wealthy and prominent politician in oil-rich Tobolsk in western Siberia. His corpse was found in the yard of his house, according to reports. Just weeks prior, the deputy editor of Putin's favourite propaganda newspaper was found dead aged only 35. The body of Anna Tsareva, 35, was discovered at her home in the capital's Bolshoy Tishinsky Lane - nearly a year after the death of her boss Vladimir Sungorkin, 68. In February of the same year, a top Russian defence official and a key figure in the funding of Putin's illegal war in Ukraine Marina Yankina, 58, also fell 160ft to her death in St Petersburg. She was head of the financial support department of the Ministry of Defence for the Western Military District, which is closely involved in the dictator's invasion. Earlier this year, the chief editor of the warmonger's state-run TV empire was also discovered lifeless after a suspected poisoning. Zoya Konovalova, 48, who ran a channel operating near the frontlines of Mad Vlad's illegal war, was found alongside her ex-husband. Russia has broken a Cold War arms treaty by firing its intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBM) called the "Oreshnik" against Ukraine, targeting its southern central city of Dnipro, which is a first for the aggressor. This also serves as a warning to the Western countries that are helping Ukraine in their war against Russia, especially to President Joe Biden and the United States. This week, the escalation of attacks was seen from both sides when Ukraine fired for the first time against its neighboring country after receiving approval from the United States to utilize the longer-range missiles supplied to them. Russia 'Oreshnik' Ballistic Missiles Attacks Ukraine's Dnipro A new report from Ars Technica revealed the successful attack by Russia against Ukraine, using its Oreshnik ballistic missiles for the first time in a "combat situation" to lay waste to the Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Russia targeted Dnipro as it serves as home to an industrial plant operated by PA Pivdenmash which is known for manufacturing parts for the Zenit rocket's booster stages from the Soviet era and Northrop Grumman's Antares rocket. There have been multiple posts circulating on social media that show how Russia's new Oreshnik missiles struck the city of Dnipro last Thursday which came after Ukraine launched an attack against Moscow for the first time. Putin Warns the West, US in Their Help to Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin made a rare appearance on television where he released a statement against the Western countries that were helping Ukraine in their fight and then commanded the launch against Dnipro. The reports revealed that Russia's Oreshnik is an "experimental" intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), with the Pentagon's deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh regarded that it was based on Moscow's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile. However, it is not a regular IRBM from Russia, as it was also reported that the Oreshnik can be fitted with nuclear warheads in the future. These new ballistic missiles can remain undetected and give only limited warning of an impending attack. Russia and Ukraine's Ongoing Conflict The tensions are still high between the two neighboring countries of Russia and Ukraine as the aggression continues from the larger country as the invasion plans continue for Moscow against Kyiv. There have been prominent attacks from Russia which severely damaged Ukrainian energy infrastructure last August when it launched 127 missiles and 109 drones after Ukraine celebrated its Independence Day. Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov also recently boasted of Russia's success in using AI drones against its enemies, especially on the frontlines against Ukrainian forces, which marks a new era of warfare. Lesser troops are being deployed by Russia because of this significant effort, but Minister Belousov also highlighted the need to train more of its drone pilots to use the technology more precisely. That being said, Ukraine has also recently revealed that it upped its game on drone warfare against Russia, but this put a massive target on their soldiers' heads if the enemy discovers that they are drone operators. Ukraine drew first blood for the first time earlier this week thanks to the US and UK's missiles, but Russia is ready with its best-kept technology since the previous wars, using Oreshnik for the first time in combat which also serves as a warning against Ukrainian allies. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A Melbourne student who was allegedly shot at by Israeli forces has recalled how she feared losing her life and is now fighting to save the vision in her right eye. Ranem Abu Izneid, 20, has arrived back home in Melbourne following the terrifying ordeal, which took place when she was studying in her room om campus at Al-Quds University in Abu Dis, a Palestinian town in the West Bank, on November 15. Speaking from her hospital bed, Ms Abu Izneid said she heard gunshots and her flatmate went to the window to see what was happening, ABC News reported. The student claimed an Israeli soldier then started to shoot at the room's window. 'The bullets penetrated the frame of the window, causing shrapnel to be lodged in my face, neck and my chest and specifically my right eye,' she said. 'I could have been dead.' The third year dentistry student doesn't know if she'll be able to return to her studies and is still traumatised, as well as still being in pain from her physical injuries. The Australian citizen said her life had been 'flipped upside down', adding that she had been minding her own business when the shooting occurred. Ranem Abu Izneid, 20, (pictured) is now recovering in Royal Melbourne Hospital after she was wounded by shrapnel in her university room in the West Bank on November 15 The student (pictured) suffered injuries to her face, neck and chest and will undergo surgery in Melbourne to save her right eye The student was thankful to the Australian embassy staff who aided her family but she would like more help. 'I want to be able to see again. I want to be able to achieve my dreams again. I want them to help me out with my studies, if I can continue my dentistry studies here,' she said. Her mother Rana said her family were in disbelief over the attack and find the situation 'horrific'. She added that where her daughter was studying is a 'safe area' with no war and full of students. Ms Abu Izneid underwent surgery in Jerusalem before a painful journey to Jordan, followed by the long haul flight to Australia. The third year dentistry student flew back to Australia without a medical escort and the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association have called it 'inappropriate' The Department of Foreign Affairs said it gave consular assistance but the student was put on a commercial flight to Melbourne without a medical escort, reported 9 News. The Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association is unhappy about the student's lack of medical assistance on her long flight home, calling it 'inappropriate'. They and Ms Abu Izneid's family have requested an independent investigation into the alleged shooting. "It's so frustrating, so frustrating, I can't imagine why we allowed this to happen," doctor Mohammed Irrimeh from the Palestinian Australian New Zealand Medical Association said, Despite the Australian government's The Smart Traveller website advising Australians no to travel to the West Bank, the town the student was in is a non-combat zone. Daily Mail Australia contacted Foreign Minister Penny Wong's office and the Embassy of Israel in Australia for comment. A rabbi who went missing in the United Arab Emirates has been found dead in what the Israeli government described as a 'heinous antisemitic terror incident'. Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan who ran a Kosher shop in Dubai, went missing on Thursday and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped. His disappearance came as Iran, which supports Hamas and Hezbollah, had been threatening to retaliate after a wave of air strikes that Israel had carried out in October in response to an Iranian ballistic missile attack. It has been reported that Mr Kogan's car was found abandoned in Al Ain, around 150km from Abu Dhabi. According to the Times of Israel, officials suspect Uzbek nationals were activated by Iran and the terror cell has now fled the UAE to Turkey. Israel will now 'act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death', according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. The Emirati government gave no immediate acknowledgement that Mr Kogan had been found dead. Mr Kogan is a Moldovan citizen whose family moved to Jerusalem. His wife, Rivky, is a US citizen who lived with him in the UAE and is the niece of Rabbi Gavriel Holtzberg, who was killed in the 2008 Mumbai attacks. Zvi Kogan, an Israeli-Moldovan who ran a Kosher shop in Dubai , went missing on Thursday and there were suspicions he had been kidnapped The statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said Israel 'will act with all means to seek justice with the criminals responsible for his death'. The Chabad Lubavitch movement, a prominent and highly observant branch of Orthodox Judaism, said Mr Kogan was last seen in Dubai. It described Mr Kogan as being an emissary of the branch, which is based in Brooklyn's Crown Heights neighbourhood in New York. Early on Sunday, the UAE's state-run WAM news agency reported Mr Kogan's disappearance but pointedly did not acknowledge he held Israeli citizenship, referring to him only as being Moldovan. The Emirati Interior Ministry described Mr Kogan as being 'missing and out of contact', adding: 'Specialised authorities immediately began search and investigation operations upon receiving the report.' The Rimon Market, a Kosher grocery shop Mr Kogan managed on Dubai's busy Al Wasl Road, was shut on Sunday. Israel's largely ceremonial president, Isaac Herzog, condemned the killing and thanked Emirati authorities for 'their swift action'. He said he trusts they 'will work tirelessly to bring the perpetrators to justice'. A Specsavers optometrist whispered 'f*** the monarchy' into a female colleague's ear just days after Queen Elizabeth II died, a disciplinary hearing was told. 'Creepy' Adeel Iqbal was reported by his colleagues after he made a series of 'wholly inappropriate' comments while at work. The student optometrist told one co-worker that one of his female patients was 'horny' and breached data protection requirements when he messaged a patient on various social media sites after obtaining her phone number. Mr Iqbal sent the patient a video of Syrian men holding weapons and she was so frightened by the interaction that she installed CCTV outside her house and reported him to the police, a General Optical Council (GOC) hearing was told. The GOC has suspended Mr Iqbal for nine months. It was heard that Mr Iqbal was working as a student optometrist at Specsavers on the Isle of Wight, when he knelt down to a colleague and whispered 'f*** the monarchy' into her ear in September 2022. It happened just days after the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8. At the time, there were customers in the building and the female co-worker - referred to only as Ms 2 - felt 'uncomfortable' at how close Mr Iqbal had got to her. Mr Iqbal whispered 'f*** the monarchy' just days after Queen Elizabeth II passed away This female colleague also told the panel that during a shift in 2022, Mr Iqbal had told her 'it's getting heated in there' before referring to a patient, and saying 'she's horny, I can tell'. The staff member reported the matters at the work Christmas party and the panel heard she resigned after she felt here complaints were 'not taken seriously'. Mr Iqbal denied both comments. The panel heard that on another shift in October 2022, he breached data protection requirements and obtained the mobile number of a young patient's mother. The woman - referred to as Ms B - had attended the Practice with her daughter to collect glasses. She told the hearing that Mr Iqbal proceeded to message her personal number and on WhatsApp, Instagram and Snapchat, about matters which were 'unrelated to optical services'. Among some of the messages, the GOC said he sent her 'multiple videos and images of footages from Syria of men wearing army uniforms holding weapons'. He also sent her messages relating to 'financial trades' and asked her 'numerous questions about her personal life'. The optometrist referred to Ms B 'ghosting' him and 'airing' him, as well as blocking him on social media platforms. Mr Iqbal admitted messaging Ms B. During the hearing, he accepted that the videos sent to Ms B would cause her to be both 'scared and anxious' and said he'd never engage in any form of patient contact outside of work again. Mr Iqbal was working at Specsavers in Newport, Isle of Wight, when the incidents took place The panel was told that in December 2022, a female colleague of Mr Iqbal's - referred to only as Ms 1 - complained that she was suffering a headache. It was heard that after the comment, Mr Iqbal brought her paracetamol pills and a bar of chocolate saying 'this is for you', before either touching or rubbing her shoulder. The female colleague said this made her feel 'uncomfortable' and she told the hearing she 'did not appreciate this'. She felt the behaviour was 'creepy' and 'sleazy', it was heard. Mr Iqbal told the panel that he brought her paracetamol and chocolate as a 'gesture of goodwill'. His lawyer told the hearing that his behaviour was 'not serious professional misconduct' and were instead 'thoughtless and stemmed from a desire to make friends with colleagues'. Concluding the hearing, the panel said that while the 'horny' and 'f*** the monarchy' comments were 'ill-judged and unwise' - they did not amount to serious misconduct. The panel ruled the same for the paracetamol gift, and another allegation relating to him poking a male colleague. On the data breach allegation, the committee said Mr Iqbal sent Ms B 'unsolicited and highly inappropriate messages' which had a 'significant impact' on the woman. The panel ruled that the breach of data protection did amount to serious misconduct The GOC said his behaviour was both 'unprofessional' and 'inappropriate' as he 'failed to maintain appropriate boundaries' and engaged in conduct which was 'not suitable in a student optician-client relationship'. 'She described "freaking out" and being scared of repercussions, and she felt it serious enough to report the matter to [Mr Iqbal's] employer and the police,' they said. They found this matter - which also saw Ms B install CCTV at her address - amounted to serious misconduct. The optometrist has now been suspended. 'The Committee therefore found the most appropriate sanction, to ensure public confidence in the profession and to uphold proper standards, but also to allow [Mr Iqbal] to further develop his insight and to continue to become a valued member of the profession would be one of 9 months,' the panel said. Three major British airports have been put up for sale in a 10billion deal as their Canadian owner looks to capitalise on a resurgence in air travel. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan(OTPP) is in talks with minority shareholders to buy its stakes in London City, Birmingham, Bristol, Brussels and Copenhagen airports. Current analysis suggests the five airports are worth more than 10billion, and OTPP owns stakes in each, ranging from 25 to 70 per cent. This would bring the total sale to over 3.5billion. It comes as demand for air travel has bounced back faster than expected since the Covid pandemic, as Heathrow welcomed record passenger numbers this summer. Now, The Times reported OTPP has begun looking for potential buyers, which includes Australian infrastructure investor Macquarie, as they look to cash in on the air travel boom. Just last week Jet 2 unveiled record passenger figures for the first half of the year and said its full-year profit should beat expectations and it is expected easyJet will report strong annual numbers on Wednesday. Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan(OTPP) is in talks with minority shareholders to buy its stakes five airports. Pictured: Bristol Airport (pictured) which is one of the five to be sold OTPP was part of a consortium that bought London City airport (pictured) for 2billion in 2016 Birmingham Airport (pictured) is also up for sale as its owners look to cash in on the resurgence of air travel Jet 2 passenger numbers rose 11 per cent to 13.34million, up from 11.97million a year earlier, as package holidays and flight-only sales grew, helped by increased capacity after ten Airbus A321neo jets entered service. Revenue was up 15 per cent to 5.09billion for the six months to September 30, aiding a 16 per cent increase in adjusted profit to 772.4million. Full-year adjusted profit is likely to beat its average market forecast of 541million. Shares roared up 5.8 per cent, or 82p, to 1500p. Some of Britain's airports have already changed hands this year, including Heathrow. Spanish investor Ferrovial sold a bulk of its stake in the airport to a Saudi-French consortium for 3.3billion. Profits up: Holidays firm Jet 2 soared as it unveiled record results and passenger figures for the first half and said its full-year profit should beat expectations French infrastructure group Vinci bought a 50.01 per cent stake in Edinburgh Airport for 1.3billion in April and ASG Airports, which runs Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, was sold this month to AviAlliance. OTPP was part of a consortium that bought London City airport for 2billion in 2016. The pension fund owner is now in the midst of a first refusal a 30-day period where co-investors are given the opportunity to buy its stakes. It is unlikely Birmingham City Council, which owns 18.7 per cent of the city's airport, will buy the shares, because the local authority is technically bankrupt. But Macquarie, The Times reported, has tabled a 'take it or leave it' bid for all five airports. A top Russian general, along with 500 North Korean soldiers, have allegedly been killed by British Storm Shadow missiles in a devastating attack. The strike launched by Ukraine on November 20 wiped out Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk and also resulted with 18 Putin officers reported lost, with a further 18 wounded, it has been claimed. Earlier reports suggested that a Kim Jong-un general had also been left injured in the attack as he commanded troops backing Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion. The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. It is understood that the pinpoint missiles had hit a Putin command post and military facility with the scale of Russian losses now alleged to be enormous. Russian authorities have not yet confirmed losses which would be grievous to both Russia and North Korea if confirmed, and the reports are yet to be independently verified. The Storm Shadows were targeted on November 20 at an underground military facility in Maryino on a Tsarist estate, in Kursk region. New footage shows a Storm Shadow missile involved in the attack as it flew towards its target, it is claimed. The strike launched by Ukraine on November 20 wiped out top Russian general Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk This is the moment missiles believed to be British Storm Shadow missiles struck inside Russia The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. One image following the attack showed a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow' Images shared on social media showed what appeared to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk, on November 20 If true, the losses may explain Putin's furious reaction - firing a new Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Dnipro, and his public boasts he had a new super weapon which was unstoppable by the West. Moscow also threatened that the use by Ukraine of NATO-supplied missiles meant Putin could legitimately hit back with nuclear missiles. The Russian officers reportedly killed are from Putin's Southern and Eastern Military Districts. The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. US-based Global Defense Corp reported that 500 North Korean soldiers were killed alongside Russian officers, however, there was no independent confirmation. Some 10,000-plus North Koreans are believed to have been moved across Siberia to the war zone after being ordered to serve Putin by their leader Kim Jong Un. They are either currently fighting for Putin or about to be deployed. Kim's decision to inject North Korean soldiers into Russia to help in Putin's bloody war has raised concerns among Kyiv's allies who worry that the move may exacerbate what is already Europe's largest conflict since WWII. US-based Global Defense Corp reported that 500 North Korean soldiers were killed alongside Russian officers, however, there was no independent confirmation (file photo) South Koreans watch Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin during a recent meeting Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy The Storm Shadow missile attack last week hit the sanatorium of the Russian Presidential Affairs Directorate in Maryino, a former Tsarist estate, say reports. Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy. The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph. Storm Shadow missiles have already been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time, but Kyiv now appears to have been granted permission to use the weapons to strike within Russia. Storm Shadow - called Scalp by the French - is a weapon equipped with a navigation system that once launched, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking onto its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target. On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead. Your browser does not support iframes. British Storm Shadow missiles have a range of up to 180miles, meaning Ukraine could now have the ability to strike targets inside Russia. The UK first confirmed it would supply Ukraine with Storm Shadow missiles in May last year, for use on Russian-occupied territory in Ukraine. Then defence secretary Ben Wallace had touted that the weapons would give Ukraine the 'best chance' of defending itself. It comes after outgoing US President Joe Biden gave war-torn Ukraine permission to use long-range missiles to strike deep inside Russia last week. The decision was a major US policy shift and comes as Biden is about to leave office and President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to limit American support for Ukraine and end the war as soon as possible. Eleven backpackers remain in hospital fighting for their lives after drinking lethal shots in a 'mass methanol poisoning' in Laos which has killed six others. British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington in Kent died after drinking free shots allegedly laced with deadly methanol. Ms White was an associate lawyer specialising in technology and intellectual property at the London office of the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs. After completing her A-levels at St Olave's Grammar School, she studied law at Newcastle University before taking the fast-track course at the BPP law school. She was among six foreign tourists who have died from a suspected mass incident of methanol poisoning in Vang Vieng. In addition to the six deaths, 14 tourists who had been drinking in the party town developed methanol poisoning within days of each other. And about 11 other foreign nationals remain in hospital fighting for lives. It is not yet clear how and where the victims were poisoned. British lawyer Simone White, 28, from Orpington in Kent (pictured) died after drinking free shots allegedly laced with deadly methanol Authorities in Laos detained the manager and owner of the Nana Backpackers Hostel in Vang Vieng but no charges have been laid - the owner and bartender deny any alcohol served at their bar had been contaminated or diluted with methanol Ms White was an associate lawyer specialising in technology and intellectual property at the London office of the American law firm Squire Patton Boggs Melbourne teenagers Holly Bowles (left) and Bianca Jones (right), both aged 19, died following a night out in the party town of Vang Viang this month after drinking tainted alcohol Ms White's friend, Bethany Clarke, a healthcare worker also from Orpington, took to the Laos Backpacking Facebook group to warn other travellers. She said: 'Urgent please avoid all local spirits. Our group stayed in Vang Vieng and we drank free shots offered by one of the bars. 'Just avoid them as so not worth it. Six of us who drank from the same place are in hospital currently with methanol poisoning.' Sue White, Simone's 'devastated' mother, shared how her 'kind, fun-loving' daughter and friends took 'six shots' each, watered down with Sprite, before falling ill and having 'trouble breathing'. She told The Sun how Simone and two friends took themselves to hospital the day after, but were 'dismissed' by medics, who told them they had food poisoning. By the time an ambulance arrived to take them on to a private facility, Simone was already 'delirious', her mother said, adding 'I think, basically, it had already affected her brain'. Melbourne teenagers Bianca Jones and Holly Bowles, both aged 19, died following a night out in the party town of Vang Viang this month after drinking tainted alcohol. The friends, who were on holiday on the island, became ill and failed to check out of Nana Backpacker hostel on November 13. Bianca Jones, 19, from Melbourne, (left) and Holly Bowles, also 19, (right) died in the mass methanol poisoning Jones and Bowles were evacuated to Thailand after asking hostel staff for help and died in separate Bangkok hospitals a week later with loved ones at their bedsides. American tourist James Louis Hutson, 57, was found dead inside his room at the Nana Backpacker Hotel in Vang Viang on November 13. According to the Vientiane Times, workers at the hostel had entered his room after realizing he had not left all day and found him unconscious. The outlet reported that he was taken to hospital, with police finding four empty bottles of beer and two empty bottles of vodka in his room. Meanwhile, horrific details have emerged about the two Danish women, Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, who died, as it was revealed the pair were vomiting blood for hours after consuming the drinks. The disturbing final moments were a world away from the picturesque travel photo they shared days earlier after the pair happily posed with friends while in Vietnam. The Danish girls, originally from Roskilde, a town of around 53,000 people 35km west of Copenhagen, were avid travellers. Two Danish girls Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, died in the Laos methanol poisoning The two women were reportedly staying in Nana Backpacker Hostel when workers found them unwell in their rooms after they were late to check out. Pictured is the hostel Ms Sorensen is pictured enjoying a drink earlier in their trip, while the women were in Bangkok The women are pictured in Vietnam a few weeks ago, with friends they made while travelling around South East Asia. Ms Sorensen is standing on the far left, while Ms Coyman is standing second from the right After graduating from high school in June last year, they spent time exploring Italy and Hungary before saving up for a big 2024 trip around South East Asia. In September, the pair spent time travelling around Thailand, before venturing on to Cambodia, then journeying to Vietnam, before making their way to Laos. Shortly after the poisoning a man who shared a mutual friend with Ms Sorensen and Ms Coyman posted a warning online, urging other travellers to be cautious about their drinks. 'The past few days I have been busy with a Belgian friend looking for two girls he travelled with,' the man wrote. 'For more than 72 hours, no contact could be made while they had agreed to meet in Vang Vieng. 'The strange thing was that their last message was that they had both been vomiting blood for 13 hours... They have both since died.' According to local police reports obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald, Ms Sorensen and Ms Coyman drank at the hostel before going to local bars on the evening of November 12. They arrived back around midnight but spent the entire next day in their room, before they were discovered about 6pm lying on their bathroom floor unconscious. Ms Jones' (pictured) parents who was evacuated to Thailand and died in hospital surrounded by loved ones Ms Bowles' (pictured) died following a night out in the party town of Vang Viang alongside her friend Ms Jones Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured) is reportedly among 'a number of people' who have been detained by police for questioning, but no charges have yet been filed They were taken to Vang Vieng Hospital in a coma before being transported to a hospital in the capital of Vientiane. They were reportedly declared dead at about 3.30am on the 14th. The Laos government has recently broken its silence on the mass poisonings and vowed to 'bring the perpetrators to justice'. Officials said they were 'deeply saddened' and extended their 'deepest condolences' to the families of the victims. 'The government of the Lao PDR is profoundly saddened over the loss of lives of foreign tourists in Vang Vieng District, Vientiane Province and expresses its sincere sympathy and deepest condolences to the families of the deceased,' the statement read. 'The government of the Lao PDR has been conducting investigations to find causes of the incident and to bring the perpetrators to justice in accordance with the law. 'The government of the Lao PDR reaffirms that it always attaches the importance and pays attention to the safety of both domestic and foreign tourists.' Following news of Ms Jones' death, local police attended Nana Backpackers to question employees. Police demanded to see which spirits were used by bar staff on the night Ms Jones and Ms Bowles were provided free cocktails, The Herald Sun reported. Laos Police were seen talking to employees and inspecting bottles of spirits inside the bar during their visit to the hostel. The hostel owner, Duong Duc Toan, is reportedly among 'a number of people' who have been detained by police for questioning, but no charges have yet been filed. But he and the hostel's bartender Toan Van Vanng denied any alcohol served at their bar had been contaminated or diluted with methanol. Toan said he bought the alcohol from a certified distributor and that free shots of Tiger Vodka had been served to around 100 guests. The manager said he had yet to received any complaints from other backpackers who been given shots on the night. To prove his point, he even drank from one of the vodka bottles that were in use on the night to prove it was safe. A New York City influencer posted her meltdown after traveling to Canada to see Taylor Swift's Eras Tour - without tickets. Katelyn Sailor and her husband took a road trip to Toronto on Saturday with the intention to watch Swift's last show at the Rogers Centre. However, after she arrived in the city she revealed to her followers that with six hours until show time, they did not have tickets to see the Anti-Hero hitmaker. Sailor posted about the Eras Tour themed activities around the city as she monitored the ticket prices. 'The bad news? We STALKED tickets last weekend and they went way down day of, so we could get lower bowl seats for a deal. Today? THEY WENT UP,' she said. She shared a text she sent to her mother that said: 'If your son-in-law took me to Toronto to NOT see Taylor Swift, I'm going to murder him.' Less than two hours before showtime, Sailor posted a photo of herself decked out in Swift inspired garb - a sparkly black dress, gold jacket and boots. 'The face of a gal whose husband made her get ready but still doesn't have f*****g tickets,' she said. New York City influencer Katelyn Sailor (pictured) posted her meltdown over traveling to Canada to see Taylor Swift 's Eras Tour without tickets She shared a text she sent to her mother that said, 'If your son-in-law took me to Toronto to NOT see Taylor Swift, I'm going to murder him' Less than two hours before showtime, Sailor posted a photo of herself decked out in Swift inspired garb - a sparkly black dress, gold jacket and boots Half an hour before the concert started Sailor said: 'We're at a bar near the stadium and confessed for the first time all day we don't have tickets to fellow Swifties and it felt good but I'm in full anxiety mode.' Approximately 20 minutes before Swift's set began, Sailor posted a screenshot of tickets for the Corona Rooftop Patio that cost $1,896 each. 'This is the cheapest ticket now (that was $3,750 earlier) so I'm pulling the trigger on our section! (Lower bowl has been my dream),' she said. Despite dropping a large chunk of change on the last minute tickets, Sailor's troubles were not over yet. Sailor purchased resale tickets and she was left waiting for them to be transferred to her account. 'Holy freaking s**t we bought them and I'm just waiting for them to be transferred. I can't breathe, I can't breathe,' she said. She turned the camera to her seemingly annoyed husband who said: 'You're doing that right now?' At 8:08 p.m. ET, Sailor said, 'We spent Lou's college tuition on tickets and they haven't transferred yet, so we can't get in. She just went on.' Lou is the couple's French Bulldog pup who accompanied them on their road trip to Canada. A half an hour before the concert started Sailor said she started admitting to herself and other fans they do not have tickets to the show Approximately 20 minutes before Swift's set began, Sailor revealed she bought tickets that cost $1,896 each Sailor's troubles were not over yet, she purchased resale tickets and she was left waiting for them to be transferred to her account She turned the camera to her seemingly annoyed husband (pictured) who said: 'You're doing that right now?' Her husband then called StubHub to try and get the tickets Still outside the stadium, Sailor recorded her husband while he was on the phone with StubHub. Eventually, they made inside the stadium and ran to catch Swift's Lover album segment on the show. 'We don't know where we are. We scanned the tickets they just sent and they gave us floor wristbands,' Sailor said. 'Tickets never went through so they upgraded us to the floor. This is a fever dream. Holy f**k.' The couple made it to their and Sailor posted they were sitting in the eighth row by the time Swift's Fearless album segment began. 'I actually don't know how it gets better than this. Can't breathe still. Signing off. WHAT IS LIFE,' she said. Saturday's show has left Swift's fans convinced a Reputation (Taylor's Version) album announcement is finally imminent. During her acoustic set of her Eras Tour concert, her last one at Toronto's Rogers Centre, she addressed the packed stadium while wearing a dazzling blue, white and orange high-low dress. Saturday's show has left Swift's fans convinced a Reputation (Taylor's Version) album announcement is finally imminent 'I think about what might they like to hear and what haven't they heard in a while. Wish me luck,' she said, sharing her thoughts aloud, while strumming her guitar before performing her surprise songs. 'That's the wrong key, so wish me more luck than that,' she joked while correcting herself. Swift started off by playing Ours from her Speak Now (Taylor's Version) album, per a report from USA Today. Then, the pop phenom segued into Last Great American Dynasty from Folklore. When she set down her guitar and started playing her piano, the audience roared as she played a mashup. She performed Cassandra from The Tortured Poets Department as well as Mad Woman and I Did Something Bad. The dramatic performance teamed with impassioned lyrics reminded fans of the theme from her Reputation era. At Friday's show, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was spotted shaking it off during the Eras Tour as Montreal descended into chaos with anti-Israel protests sweeping the streets. Astonishing footage of a heated clash between an shopkeeper and two Israeli backpackers has been labelled by Jewish groups as a 'venomous and shameful outburst'. Video of the hostile exchange between the unidentified woman and the young tourists outside a store in Townsville in North Queensland on Saturday night has been shared widely online. The backpackers, aged in their early 20s, were reportedly browsing in the store when they spotted a donation sign for relief in Palestine near the front counter. They approached the shopkeeper and suggested that she consider verifying where the donations were being directed, sparking the anti-Semitic rant from the woman. She allegedly told the backpackers, 'Get the f**k out of my store'. The short clip shared online showed the woman, dressed in black, then yelling at the tourists on the street while holding a shovel. 'I don't give a f**k about Israel but I do care about the fact that you're a dirty filthy f**king Jew,' the woman yelled as one of the backpackers filmed. The other confronted the shopkeeper about her comments while remaining calm and composed. A Townsville shopkeeper's anti-Semitic rant at two Israeli backpackers has been condemned by Jewish advocates as a 'venomous and shameful outburst' 'You wanna listen to what I have to say?' the other tourist, dressed in a brown shirt and pants, asked. 'No. F**k off,' the shopkeeper fired back. 'I said check what you say,' the tourist calmly continued. The woman then told the backpackers to 'f*** off' twice more. Daily Mail Australia has chosen to not identify the store involved. The Australian Jewish Association condemned the incident while taking a brutal swipe at the Albanese government in the wake of recent anti-Semitic attacks across the nation. 'The wave of anti-Jewish hate continues to surge across Australia. 'Free Palestine' have brought ugly division to this country,' the association captioned the footage online. 'Many of the government's actions have contributed to the surge of anti-Jewish hatred. 'Incidents like this are happening every single day across Australia.' Footage of the heated confrontation showed the shopkeeper brandishing a shovel while shouting obscenities at the tourists The Anti-Defamation Commission also condemned the 'raw, unfiltered anti-Semitism'. Chairman, Dr Dvir Abramovich went as far as to label the incident a 'national crisis'. 'This horrifying episode sends a brutal message to Jewish Australians and international visitors alike: that they are not safe in our country. What does it say about us when backpackers, far from home, must fear for their lives because of their identity?' he told news.com.au. Dr Abramovich added the confrontation would not only have left the tourists feeling 'fear and humiliation' but suggested a wider attitude across Australia. He also called on authorities to treat the incident seriously. 'This incident is not an isolated flash of hatred. It is part of a much larger, deeply disturbing trend. Anti-Semitism is creeping into the everyday fabric of our society, eroding the very principles we claim to hold dear,' Dr Abramovich added. 'Australia is at a crossroads. Will we let this cancer of hatred define who we are, or will we rise up and reclaim our values of decency, safety, and inclusion?' One of the Israeli backpackers (left) challenged the shopkeeper about her language The latest incident comes after a car was torched and buildings were vandalised with shocking anti-Israel slurs across Woollahra in Sydney's eastern suburbs early Thursday morning. Cars were vandalised with the words f**k Israel, while at least three premises, including a restaurant were also targeted. Hours later, Federal Court Justice Michael Lee branded the wave of anti-Semitic incidents in Sydney's east as attacks on his family in a powerful address at a Jewish House Gala Dinner. In a passionate speech, he said that any attack on the Jewish community is an 'attack upon my wife and my children'. Two Dartmouth College fraternity members have been charged over the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. Beta Alpha Omega members Matthew Catrambone and Samuel Terry have been accused of providing alcohol to a person under 21, after Won Jang, 20, was found dead in the Connecticut River in early July. Police in Hanover, New Hampshire, where the college is located, said officers have also charged the Alpha Phi sorority - a corporation - with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house for hosting the party. The party Jang attended was hosted by Alpha Phi and alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Most people at the party were younger than 21. After the event, police said several students went for a spontaneous swim in the river. A heavy rainstorm hit while they were at the river, and most people left. Jang, a biomedical engineering student from Middletown, Delaware, was left behind. His family say he could not swim. He was found in water that was about 20 feet deep, around 65 feet from shore. Police previously said they had been contacted about the possibility that Jang's death was caused by heavy drinking - but Hanover Police Chief Charlie Dennis told DailyMail.com on Sunday it was not being treated as a hazing incident. Won Jang, 20, who was a member of Beta Alpha Omega at the Ivy League institution, was found dead in the Connecticut River in early July. Two fraternity members have been charged In January, Beta Alpha Omega was one of four frats at the school to be suspended over violations of community standards Jang was reported missing on Sunday morning when he didn't show up to an event and found dead that evening. Police said they were contacted about a potential hazing incident He said this was because Jang was already a member of the fraternity and was not undergoing any sort of initiation on the night he died. The toxicology report found that Jang's blood alcohol level was 0.167 - more than twice the legal driving limit. In January, Beta Alpha Omega was one of four frats at the school to be suspended over violations of community standards, according to The Dartmouth. Suspensions can be handed out for 'repeated misconduct, or for misconduct found to be sufficiently serious to warrant stopping all activity for a specified number of terms.' The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department said in a statement that there was no indication Jang had left the river area when they investigated. A toxicology report on Jang could take anywhere from three to six months to determine results. His heartbroken father, Hongpil Jang, paid tribute to his son's 'deep love for music' including playing Korean instruments. 'He loved sharing what he had and was proud to be who he was,' Hongpil Jang wrote in an email statement to The Dartmouth. 'He created a Korean club at school to teach his friends Korean and voluntarily taught Janggu, Korean drum, to adults in the Delaware Korean School, even performing with them.' He added that his son also played piano, trumpet, electric guitar, and bass, and had won awards as 'one of the top performers on the East Coast'. Delaware native Won Jang, 20, was a member of Beta Alpha Omega at the Ivy League institution. Two Dartmouth College fraternity members and a sorority have been charged Jang - a member of the Dartmouth class of 2026 - majored in biomedical engineering, with his profile on the fraternity website proclaiming him 'The Won and only' Jang's college friend, Lydia Jin, remembered him for his infectious positivity. 'He was such a friendly face on campus, and behind that smile he was just such a happy soul,' Jin told The Dartmouth. 'He just wanted to share that happiness with as many people as he could.' 'He was genuinely just the nicest and [most] uplifting person ever he always had a smile on his face no matter what he was going through,' another friend, Sreeya Pittala, added. 'He genuinely cared about other people.' At the time of the incident, Dartmouth suspended the sorority and fraternity and those suspensions remain in effect. 'Dartmouth has long valued the contributions that Greek organizations bring to the student experience, when they are operating within their stated values and standards,' the college said in a statement. 'These organizations, as well as all Dartmouth students and community members, have a responsibility to ensure Dartmouth remains a safe, respectful, equitable, and inclusive community for students, faculty, and staff.' No one from Alpha Phi could be reached for comment. Police told DailyMail.com Catrambone and Terry along with Alpha Phi sorority representatives are due to appear in court on the misdemeanor charges in January. Angela Merkel has accused Vladimir Putin of enjoying her discomfort after the Russian president brought his pet Labrador into a meeting despite her fear of dogs. Following the pair's first meeting in Sochi in 2007, the German Chancellor claimed that Putin had deliberately brought along his pet Connie in an attempt to intimidate and unnerve her. Putin, at the time, dismissed the claims and told German publication Bild: 'I did not know anything about that,' when quizzed on his intentions. The incident became infamous in Germany with claims that that it was part of a power strategy by Putin to gain an advantage in their all-important first meeting. Now, speaking to The Times, Merkel has opened up on her relationship and history with the Russian leader, claiming he knew perfectly well that she was frightened of dogs. 'I could tell from Putin's facial expressions,' she wrote, 'that he was enjoying the situation'. Putin purportedly asked Merkel at the beginning of the meeting when Connie entered the room: 'The dog does not bother you, does she? She's a friendly dog and I'm sure she will behave herself. 'No, she doesn't eat journalists after all,' Merkel responded to Putin in his native Russian, in what was thought to be an attempt to make light of the situation. Angela Merkel claimed that Vladimir Putin had deliberately brought along his pet Connie to their first meeting in an attempt to intimidate and unnerve her, knowing she was scared of dogs She has now claimed she believes Putin enjoyed her discomfort at the 2007 meeting in Sochi Merkel was pictured nervously smiling during the meeting as the big black Labrador sat by her feet With her legs crossed and her hands firmly clasped together in her lap, Merkel was a picture of tension as she tried to disguise her longstanding fear of canines Although she was laughing during the conversation, images from the 2007 meeting show how hard the German politician was trying to hide her fear. Photos show Merkel wearing a nervous smile as she looked down at the large black dog while it walks towards her. With her legs crossed and her hands firmly clasped together in her lap, Merkel was a picture of tension as she tried to disguise her longstanding fear of canines. Putin said that Connie, who died aged 15 in 2014 and was a gift from Russia's Minister of Defence Sergey Shoigu, was a friendly dog. Following a tense first meeting, it seemed Merkel would keep up her reservations surrounding the Russian President for several years to come. In 2022, Merkel defended her approach to Ukraine and Russia during her 16 years as Germany's leader, saying she had 'nothing to apologise for'. In her first substantial comments since she left office, Merkel said there was 'no justification whatsoever' for the 'brutal' and illegal war of aggression, adding that Putin had made 'a big mistake'. She warned the tyrant president wanted 'to destroy Europe' and urged the EU 'to stick together now'. In her recent conversation with The Times, Merkel also went on to share her feelings about Donald Trump's first term as President of the United States of America. Merkel revealed in her book that she scolded herself for prompting Donald Trump to shake her hand in front of cameras when they met in 2017. Pictured: The pair attend the NATO summit at the Grove hotel in Watford, northeast London, on December 4, 2019 In her book, she revealed she scolded herself for prompting him to shake her hand in front of cameras when they met in 2017 before realising his rudeness was deliberate. He wanted to create conversation fodder through his behaviour,' she wrote, while she was acting 'as though I were having a discussion with someone completely normal'. She concluded from her Washington visit: 'There could be no cooperative work for an interconnected world with Trump.' But she did explain how although the pair had experienced some mutual tension, she found herself agreeing with him on one issue. 'There was a point that I have to accept: he said that our expenditure for defence was not enough,' she admitted. Merkel herself had argued for this, but failed to persuade coalition partners. 'But, otherwise, just stay firm. You don't have to be especially friendly, but you don't have to be especially harsh. Just be however you are as a person. You have to make the best of the situation. And especially don't be afraid. Don't be afraid.' When Donald Trump needed a new nominee for U.S. attorney general he moved swiftly from Florida man to Florida woman. And in selecting the former Florida A.G. Pam Bondi to replace Matt Gaetz he illustrated how one state is providing the backbone of his new administration. His White House chief of staff, secretary of state and national security adviser all hail from the Sunshine State. Insiders joke that they have embarked on 'making America Florida Again,' referencing T-shirts that were on sale at campaign events celebrating the state's new status as a Republican stronghold. Trump is picking people who share his reform agenda, said one insider, but it did not hurt their chances if they lived close to his political headquarters at Mar-a-Lago. 'Obviously proximity will be important but ultimately he was always going to choose those that will put America First,' he said. The decisions may also reflect the influence of Susie Wiles, who will be Trump's White House chief of staff and was the first personnel announcement. She was one of the two figures who led Trump's 2024 campaign, after building a reputation as a savvy political operative in Florida over the course of decades. The power of Florida in Trump world was illustrated Thursday when Trump quickly selected former state AG Pam Bondi to replace Matt Gaetz, also from Florida, as his attorney general Donald Trump picked longtime Florida Republican strategist Susie Wiles to be his White House chief of staff, the first of several key appointees from the state Trump himself is Florida man these days after switching his residence from New York She masterminded Trump's 2016 campaign in the state, helped Ron DeSantis win his first term as governor, and grew in influence as a partner at Ballards, a powerful consulting firm. 'I believe she's a very big part of the reason. Susan Wiles is a great reader of people,' said Florida Republican operative Larry Casey, who has known Wiles since they worked together in Washington, D.C, 40 years ago. But he said it all started with Trump, who has long wintered in Palm Beach and moved his home there during his first term. 'He's known these people for a long time, up close and personal,' he added. 'He's been with them in small environments. He's been with them for dinner. He's been for lunch. He's had conversations with them.' Trump's national security apparatus will have a strong Florida flavor. The axis will lie between incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was born to immigrant parents in Miami and is now in his third term as one of the state's senators, and Mike Waltz, a former Green Beret who grew up in Jacksonville and will become Trump's national security adviser. Other appointees include Sergio Gor, who lives in Miami. He set up Winning Team Publishing with Don Jr., and spends a lot of time at Mar-a-Lago working on Trump's books. Trump's ambassador to Israel will be Santa Rosa Beach resident (and former governor of Arkansas) Mike Huckabee. Trump with Florida Senator and incoming Secretary of State Marco Rubio Mike Gaetz, Trump's pick for national security adviser, grew up in Jacksonville The picks reflect not just Trump's Florida circle of associates but also the state's changing political character. Trump has expanded the Republican vote from 49 percent in 2016 to a shade over 56 percent this year, and the number of party registrations has overtaken Democratic ones by a million. Under DeSantis, the state also became a proving ground for conservative ideas. Whether overturning pandemic lockdown rules, banning most abortions after six weeks, or the governor's 'war on woke,' the state has attracted Republicans from all over the country keen to enjoy its conservative policies, warm weather, and lack of state income tax. One of them was Todd Blanche. He led Trump's legal team during his hush money trial in New York this year. HE bought a home in Palm Beach County and is now going to his client's deputy U.S. attorney general. 'As the home of President Trump, and a state that leads the nation as a place where respect for our freedoms and common sense policy are the proven model for success, it makes perfect sense that many leaders from Florida are prepared to play a pivotal role in restoring the nation's greatness,' said Brian Hughes, transition spokesman. A British man has died in Greece after reportedly losing consciousness while scuba diving, as police arrest two men on suspicion of manslaughter. The 25-year-old was found in the sea in Vouliagmeni, south of Athens, Greece, where he had been diving on Saturday afternoon. He reportedly lost consciousness while diving alongside instructors from a private company, the Coast Guard said. Two people have since been arrested in connection with the man's death, including a 46-year-old diving instructor and his 37-year-old assistant. Following the incident, an EKAV ambulance dashed the Brit to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. An autopsy is scheduled to take place at Greece's Forensic and Toxicology Laboratory of the School of Medicine. The Port Authority, which is conducting the preliminary investigation into the man's death, has also confiscated diving equipment distributed by the pair who were arrested. A British man died while scuba diving in Vouliagmeni, Greece (pictured) The 25-year-old was found in the sea in Vouliagmeni, south of Athens, where he had been diving on Saturday afternoon It comes after British Simone White, 28, from Orpington, Kent, became one of six people who have died in connection with suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. She was among a number of tourists who fell gravely ill after they were handed free shots on November 12. The young lawyer who died after taking the allegedly spiked shots had to wait an hour for an ambulance and was 'delirious' by the time it arrived, her bereft mother yesterday revealed. Authorities are still investigating the deaths of Simone and five other backpackers in Laos after their drinks were allegedly laced at the Nana backpackers hotel. Australian teen Holly Bowles died on Friday after falling ill while on holiday to Laos, along with her friend Bianca Jones, who died just a day prior. Anne-Sofie Orkild Coyman, 20, and Freja Vennervald Sorensen, 21, were named as the two Danish nationals who also passed away. Simone White was a lawyer with global law firm Squire Patton Boggs in London. She became one of six people who have died in connection with suspected methanol poisoning in Laos Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured) has reportedly been detained by police On Thursday, the US State Department confirmed the death of a 56-year-old male US citizen in Vang Vieng. Hostel manager Duong Duc Toan and bartender Toan Van Vanng denied diluting their alcohol with methanol when questioned. Toan has since reportedly been detained but no charges have been filed. The government of Laos vowed to 'bring the perpetrators to justice' in its first public remarks on the international incident on Saturday. This is a breaking news story. More to follow. It's a boiling summer morning on the Athens coast, and I am standing with a phalanx of modern-day Greek warriors looking out at the Aegean Sea. I am here to do what no foreign journalist has ever done: embed with them as they carry out a series of cutting-edge training exercises. ETA Eidiko Tmhma Aleksiptothston in Greek is the Greek army's Special Parachute Regiment: its elite of the elite. A tier-one special-operations unit made up of the most highly skilled members of the Greek Special Forces. Founded in 1959, it was tasked with rapid deployment behind enemy lines to conduct unconventional warfare and harass enemy forces. The Regiment takes part in Greece's most critical operations. In December 2021 NATO Special Operations Forces Headquarters (NSHQ) visited Greece to evaluate the regiment on three key mission areas: foreign internal defense, direct action, and special reconnaissance. Simulating real-world operations, the unit carried out a variety of missions using their full range of skills and infiltration techniques. After nearly a week of rigorous assessment in December, NSHQ gave ETA the highest possible rating, declaring it 'Combat Ready' and praising the Regiment's exceptional performance, qualifying them to deploy as part of a NATO Special Operations Land Task Group. I am here to see this versatility and skill across multiple domains. First up is a hostage rescue drill involving the storming of a simulated target building. I drive with my guide for the day, Major Costas Papadopoulos (name has been changed for security reasons), to an abandoned patch of ground. We stop and I get out and wait. I suddenly hear screeching and the sound of gunfire. Four jeeps roar into view screech up by a building. Out come six commandos firing automatic rifles as they run toward the building. David Patrikarakos joins the ETA - The Greek army's squad of SAS-inspired elite soldiers The Regiment takes part in the most critical operations not just for Greece, but for many of its NATO allies The ETA is a tier-one special-operations unit made up of the most highly skilled members of the Greek Special Forces I follow them inside as they weave their way through the building. Outside, soldiers in a jeep continue to provide covering fire. Just under a minute later they emerge with the hostage, jump into the Jeep and drive off. Every movement was rapid but deliberate; every corner perfectly covered. 'Speed and precision,' Costas told me. 'That's how you get the job done.' The whole operation took less than three minutes. This is unsurprising. ETA recruits only the best. The journey starts with a three-week selection process, the toughest in the Greek armed forces. It is designed to separate the exceptional from the merely excellent. Only 15% of candidates pass. And it's just the start. Those who remain go on to eight months of relentless operational training designed to push potential recruits to their physical, psychological, and intellectual limits. Only those who prove unbreakable earn insignia of the ETAS Brigade: a winged sword paired with the motto 'Who Dares Wins,' borrowed from their British SAS counterparts. The ETA is a Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) unit, specializing in covert operations deep behind enemy lines. Every operator is trained in HALO (High Altitude, Low Opening) and HAHO (High Altitude, High Opening) parachute techniques, allowing them to infiltrate hostile territory without detection. ETA recruits only the best. The journey starts with a tough three-week selection process The process is designed to separate the exceptional from the merely excellent. Only 15% of candidates pass ETA's capabilities also extend to stealthy amphibious landings, enabling them to deploy on shorelines NSHQ gave ETA the highest possible rating, declaring it 'Combat Ready' to be deployed for NATO Their capabilities also extend to amphibious warfare. Out at sea, I joined a fleet of rapid boats as they surged across the waves in formation. ETA's capabilities also extend to stealthy amphibious landings, enabling them to deploy on shorelines, often highly defended. Their adaptability was again on full display when, a few days later, I once again embedded with them during Close Quarter Combat (CQC) training. In a mock urban environment, they cleared rooms with startling speed and precision. 'We train as we fight,' one soldier said, his face glowing with sweat. 'Because in the real world, there's no margin for error.' ETA has a global footprint. In recent years, the unit has deployed to conflict zones far from Greece, including Sudan, Libya, Mozambique, and Lebanon. Many of these missions have been Non-Combatant Evacuation Operations (NEOs), where operators extract civilians from the most volatile situations. ETA's soldiers are as adept at humanitarian missions as they are at combat operations. However, their primary mission remains defending Greece's bordersa task made more vital by the region's ongoing territorial disputes and geopolitical tensions, bringing the prospect of mass conflict closer than ever. This is a possibility that we can no longer ignore and one that together with a variety of guests I discuss each week in 90 Seconds To Midnight, the Daily Mails weekly global news podcast. The ETA's reputation is built on a culture of quiet professionalism. While much about the unit remains secret, their capabilities speak for themselves. As I prepared to leave, Major Costas shared a parting thought: 'We don't do this for glory. We do it because it needs to be done, and we are the best at doing it.' The charred remains of Putin's hypersonic Oreshnik missile have been retrieved by Ukraine after the despot boasted that 'no one in the world has such weapons'. The debris from the medium-range ballistic missile that was fired at the city of Dnipro on Thursday is being studied by Ukrainian investigators as it historically became the first time such a powerful weapon has been used in the war. Pieces of the nuclear-capable weapon were found scorched and shredded on the ground in a hangar at a facility which conducts weapons forensics. Russia has named the missile the Oreshnik - meaning Hazel Tree - and have previously claimed it is impossible to intercept it with air defences. Ukraine said the weapon reached a top speed of more than 8,000mph as it headed towards Dnipro on November 21. Intermediate-range ballistic missiles have a range of up to 5,500km and Ukrainian experts study their debris to gain insight into Russian military supply chains, production, and how to develop counter-measures. Two unnamed state experts provided cautious assessments, saying only that the weapon was ballistic, flew on a ballistic trajectory, and that the strike resulted in civilian damage. 'These are preliminary conclusions and to say something more concrete requires time and careful study of the remains of the missile,' Ivan, one of the experts, told Reuters. Fragments of a rocket which struck Dnipro on November 21 are seen at a center for forensic analysis in an undisclosed location in Ukraine, November 24 Pieces of the nuclear-capable weapon were found scorched and shredded on the ground in a hangar at a facility which conducts weapons forensics Russia on November 21 fired an experimental missile at Ukraine, officials from Western governments said. Ukraine initially accused Russia of firing in an attack on Dnipro an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in combat for the first time in history A grab taken from handout footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on March 1, 2024 purport to show the test firing of an ICBM belonging to the country's nuclear deterrence forces 'This is the first time that such remnants of such a missile have been discovered on the territory of Ukraine,' added Oleh, an investigator for the Security Service of Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the use of the weapon, which is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, a severe escalation and urged his allies to respond. Ukraine originally said the weapon appeared to be an intercontinental ballistic missile. The Kremlin later said it fired a new intermediate-range missile at a Ukrainian military target in Dnipro in response to Kyiv striking Russia with US and British made missiles for the first time after the US granted its approval. The US military has said the missile's design is based on the longer-range RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The new missile was experimental and Russia likely possessed only a handful of them, they have said. If the missile was launched from the Kapustin Yar range in Russia's southern Astrakhan region, as it was in yesterday's strike on Ukraine, Putin could still comfortably hit any target in Europe or the UK without having to turn to his most powerful weapons. Targets in London would go up in flames in under 20 minutes while Berlin further east would have less than 15 minutes before impact. Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Moscow would keep testing the missile in combat and had a stock ready to use. After firing the Oreshnik, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov warned Britain and America of their 'reckless' action in supplying the long-range missiles to Ukraine. Peskov said: 'The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that produce missiles, supply them to Ukraine, and subsequently participate in strikes on Russian territory cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side.' Putin also boasted that no country in the world has the power to intercept the Oreshnik missiles, which fly at ten times the speed of sound. Footage captured the moment the debris from the missile was located in Ukraine Ukrainian experts study their debris to gain insight into Russian military supply chains, production, and how to develop counter-measures Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called the use of the weapon, which is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, a severe escalation and urged his allies to respond The moment Russia used the Oreshnik for the first time to strike Dnipro, on November 21 A view shows a site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro Firefighters work at the site of a Russian missile strike in Dnipro Putin boasted that no country in the world has the power to intercept the Oreshnik missiles, which fly at ten times the speed of sound He said: 'There is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it in the world today. 'And I will emphasise once again that we will continue testing this newest system. It is necessary to establish serial production.' He added: 'No one in the world has such weapons. Sooner or later other leading countries will also get them. We are aware that they are under development.' The missile being fired into Ukraine led the country's parliament to cancel a session, as security in Kiyv was tightened. NATO chiefs and Ukrainian leaders are expected to hold emergency talks on Tuesday. But the West stood defiant against Putin last night, as France's foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, gave Ukraine the green light to fire French long-range missiles into Russia 'in the logics of self-defence'. Last night, a senior Ukrainian military source said that the country had lost 40 per cent of the territory it had gained in Russia's Kursk region. The source said Russia had deployed 59,000 troops there, pushing Ukrainian troops back. He said: 'At most, we controlled about 531 square miles. Now we control approximately 309 miles.' President Zelensky revealed yesterday that Russian drone and missile attacks had damaged 321 Ukrainian port facilities since July last year. He added that 20 merchant ships belonging to other countries had also been damaged by Russian strikes. He said: 'Ukrainian food exports provide food for 400 million people in 100 countries around the world. Food prices in Egypt, Libya, Nigeria and other countries in Africa directly depend on whether farmers and agricultural companies in Ukraine can operate normally.' This video is no longer available This video is no longer available A brawl on Westminster Bridge has left a man critically ill as police arrested four people after an alleged attempted murder in the heart of London. Officers swarmed Westminster Bridge after an incident witnessed by horrified tourists just metres from the Houses of Parliament - with footage shared online by London resident Akinbayo Dele and stamped AKDVIDEO appearing to show the emergency services' response. The Metropolitan Police initially said they were dealing with a stabbing, describing it as 'an isolated incident' which was 'not being treated as terrorism'. The force has now issued an update, saying that the man had not been stabbed but suffered a cardiac arrest, adding: 'Investigations are ongoing to determine how he came to suffer a cardiac arrest.' Officers were called to reports of a fight on the bridge at around 10.45am today and found the man who was said to be now 'fighting for his life' after being taken to hospital in a critical condition. A new appeal for witnesses to come forward with any information as well as CCTV or dashcam footage was announced by the Met this afternoon. The latest alert comes amid concerns raised about rising knife crime in the capital and pressure on London mayor Sadiq Khan to do more to calm safety fears. Some 14,500 knife crimes were recorded in London last year - amounting to almost 40 each day, and up from nearly 11,500 in the previous 12 months. Footage shared online by London resident Akinbayo Dele appeared to show the emergency services' response after this morning's incident on Westminster Bridge Officers were called at about 10.45am on Sunday after reports of a fight breaking out on the bridge in central London Four people have been arrested following reports of a fight on the bridge, Scotland Yard said Of the 50,510 knife crime offences in England and Wales in 2023-2024, 30 per cent (14,961) were recorded by the Metropolitan Police, 10 per cent (5,268) by West Midlands Police and five per cent (2,321) by West Yorkshire Police. When looking at the number of offences per population, West Midlands Police had the highest rate, with 178 per 100,000 people, followed by the Metropolitan Police (169 per 100,000), then Cleveland Police (137 per 100,000) and South Yorkshire Police (109 per 100,000). After today's incident, a user of X, formerly Twitter, posted online: 'Westminster Bridge closed in both directions. Hundreds of Police at the scene with the Bridge cordoned off. Whats going on?' The Met said in a new statement this afternoon: 'At 10:43hrs on Sunday, 24 November, police were called to reports of a fight on Westminster Bridge, SE1. 'Officers attended the scene alongside the London Ambulance Service and Londons Air Ambulance, where they found a man in cardiac arrest. 'Initial reports suggested the man had been stabbed, but further enquiries have confirmed this is not the case. Investigations are ongoing to determine how he came to suffer a cardiac arrest. The man remains in hospital in a critical condition.' Three people have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and one other for affray. Two of those arrested have been treated in hospital for head injuries, the Met said. Officers were called to reports of a fight on Westminster Bridge at around 10.45am today Police are pictured collecting evidence from the scene on Westminster Bridge today Police officers were called to Westminster Bridge in central London after an incident there this morning left a man 'fighting for his life' in a critical condition in hospital The road next to the Houses of Parliament has been cordoned off following the attack The bridge was shut traffic in both directions following this morning's incident The Metropolitan Police have said they are not treating the incident as terror-related A road closure was put in place and the 11, 12, 148, 159 and 453 bus services were all being diverted. Scotland Yard added in their latest statement: 'Police are particularly keen to hear from anyone who was in the area at the time and may have witnessed the incident. 'Officers are also urging anyone with CCTV, mobile phone footage, or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation to come forward.' Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 2468/24NOV or alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers-uk.org. With Matt Gaetz out of the picture as attorney general, President-elect Donald Trump's critics are setting their sights on his other Cabinet nominees with several receiving heightened scrutiny. Trump is looking to assemble a Cabinet straight out of central casting full of TV personalities, MAGA loyalists and firebrands, but some controversial picks are gearing up for what is expected to be a brutal confirmation process. His choice for Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has emerged as one nominee whose past actions are now being put under the microscope and will face intense questioning. Pete Hegseth, who is tapped to lead the Defense Department, has also emerged as a main target while Robert Kennedy Jr., who Trump picked to lead the Health and Human Services Department (HHS), could face bipartisan pushback. Republicans will hold a slim majority in the Senate come January, but some lawmakers have signaled they may be willing to cross the GOP president-elect and even block several of his Cabinet nominees before the vetting is up. It comes after MAGA favorite Matt Gaetz withdrew his name as nominee for attorney general last week in a shock move as a number of Republicans publicly and behind closed doors said they could not support him over allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor and other issues. Trump instead named another close ally former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi as his nominee for top law enforcement officer to replace Gaetz. Many Republican senators have praised the picks while some Democrats have sounded the alarms. But Republicans have an only 53 seat majority in the Senate meaning if just four lawmakers take issue with any nominee, their confirmation could would be blocked. GOP senators including Susan Collins of Maine, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, James Lankford of Oklahoma and Kevin Cramer of North Dakota are some of those who pose challenges for Trump's nominations. Some of President-elect Donald Trump's nominees for Cabinet positions have faced pushback and outrage for controversial pasts and/or limited experience Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, has drawn some of the harshest criticism from Democrats. Even Republicans have concerns as she looks to be Trump's top intelligence official. Trump's former UN ambassador Nikki Haley last week called her a 'Russian, Iranian, Syrian, Chinese sympathizer' on her radio program. Gabbard's confirmation could get exceptionally ugly with senators blasting her over her past comments but also each other. 'I think shes compromised,' said Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on Sunday, voicing concerns Gabbard is a Russian asset. 'The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having a troubling relationships with America's foes, so my worry is that she couldn't pass a background check,' Duckworth said. 'I think she is someone who is wholly backed and supportive of [Russian President] Putin, and I worry that she will not have America's best interests at heart,' she argued. Former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is Trump's pick for Director of National Intelligence Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) fired back at Duckworth's comments as 'ridiculous' and 'outright dangerous.' 'If she was compromised, if she wasn't able to pass a background check, if she wasn't able to do her job, she still wouldn't be in the Army,' he claimed. 'Tammy is absolutely dead wrong on this, and she should retract those words.' Asked about her nomination on Sunday on CNN, Lankford did not definitively come out in support or against Gabbard's confirmation. 'We're going to go through hearings. We're going to get everything out. We're going to get facts and information and the entire story,' he said. Asked about concerns, Lankford said he has 'lots of questions' as well. He specifically noted her meeting with Syrian Dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2017. Senator-elect Adam Schiff also raised concerns over her visit to Syria and described her on Meet the Press as 'someone with very questionable judgment and no experience.' Another nominee who is headed toward a nasty confirmation fight is Hegseth, who is nominated for defense secretary. The TV personality and veteran was accused of sexual assault in California in 2017, but charges were not brought. Prosecutors said they did not have proof beyond a reasonable doubt. DailyMail.com revealed exclusively on Sunday Hegseth also had a baby with his Fox News producer just weeks before the alleged assault. Hegseth also has faced fierce criticism for controversial comments that women should not serve in combat. Duckworth, who is a combat veteran, said his comments show he is unqualified for the role leading the Pentagon with three million service members and civilian workers and a $900 billion budget. 'He was a pretty low ranking guy in the military, and he never had a command position. He was a platoon leader, I think, once or twice, but he never even commanded a company,' Duckworth said. She also argued Hegseth's claims about women in combat are 'flat out wrong.' 'The women in our military does make us more effective, does make us more lethal,' she said. Pete Hegseth spoke with reporters while he was on the hill to meet with senators on November 21 as he tries to lock in support for his confirmation as defense secretary. He has been accused of sexual assault but denies the allegation But close Trump ally Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.) on Sunday defended Hegseth. 'Don't let these allegations distract us. What we need is real significant change. The Pentagon has been more focused on pronouns than they have lethality the past four years. We need to get back to business, and I think Pete is just the person to do it,' Hagerty said. Meanwhile, Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) argued the reason for the confirmation process is to get the full story. He said it would allow senators to ask questions and give Hegseth the ability to respond. He argued Hegseth was never charged, and even before the hearings he said he already plans to support the confirmation. 'I'm a yes on Pam Bondi, I'm a yes on Pete Hegseth, I'm a yes on Tulsi Gabbard, absolutely,' Schmitt told NBC's Meet the Press. I joined @meetthepress this morning with @kwelkernbc. We dove into how Trumps cabinet selections will reform our government and how America moves back to being a country that puts our own interests first. Watch the full video here pic.twitter.com/nsBkYHPn7I Senator Eric Schmitt (@SenEricSchmitt) November 24, 2024 While Gaetz withdrew before he could end up in the hot seat before senators, Bondi is expected to face a grilling during her confirmation. But criticism is largely expected to come from Democrats who would not have the power to block her confirmation on their own. Bondi served as Florida's attorney general from 2011 to 2019. Democrats' main concerns are over her close ties to Trump and whether she would use the office to do his bidding. She argued in 2020 that Trump won Pennsylvania even though he did not. She also served as one of his lawyers in his 2020 impeachment trial. With her being named Trump's new pick to lead the Justice Department, her comments on Fox News where she declared 'the prosecutors will be prosecuted' have resurfaced. Then-Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi with President Trump at the White House in 2018 Some Democrats have even acknowledged Bondi is technically qualified for the job but zeroed in on her relationship with the president-elect. They previewed some of the questions she could face during confirmation will likely revolve around whether she still believes Trump won the 2020 election against President Biden and how she intends to use the office. Not a Cabinet position but also one that involved Senate confirmation is that of director of the Office of Management and Budget for which Trump tapped Russell Vought. Vought is the architect of the controversial Project 2025 agenda that the president-elect claimed he knew nothing about amid warning from Democrats on the campaign trail. Democrats are likely to zero in during his confirmation process on how the conservative document would serve as a roadmap during Trump's second term. But they could also use it to highlight how the president-elect may have lied during the campaign as he attempted to distance himself from Project 2025. Russell Vought is Trump's pick for Office of Management and Budget director. He is the co-author of the controversial Project 2025 agenda Trump tried to distance himself from on the campaign trail While Democrats gear up for a bruising confirmation battle over some of Trump's more controversial nominees, they have signaled there are those who could quickly sail through confirmation with bipartisan support. Senator-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) told NBC News Meet the Press on Sunday that Senator Marco Rubio is well qualified to become secretary of state. He did not come right out and say he would vote to confirm Rubio but was leaning toward it. But Senator John Fetterman (D-Pa.) said he does plan to vote to confirm Rubio and is open to confirming other nominees. Democratic senators signal Senator Marco Rubio will be confirmed to as secretary of state with bipartisan support Fetterman clarified on Fox News Sunday he is not committed to supporting his one-time Senate rival Dr. Mehmet Oz, but he is open to it. Oz was tapped by Trump to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 'Im open to a dialog here what he has to say about these things,' he said. 'Im not sure why thats controversial.' A more contentious pick from the president-elect is his choice of Kennedy Jr. to lead HHS for a series of reasons including his anti-vaccine stance. It remains to be seen whether Kennedy can garner enough support with Republicans. Among those who could play a key role as to whether he is confirmed is Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a polio survivor, who is stepping down as GOP leader but still wields great influence in his caucus. So far, McConnell has been mum on his own support for Trump's nominees, but he has said it is important that the Senate does its due diligence in vetting his picks. All eyes are ons several Republicans senators including Collins, Murkowski and McConnell over whether they will oppose any Trump Cabinet nominees But new polling shows Republicans overwhelming support Trump's nominees named so far, so Republicans at this early stage could tread lightly. The CBS News poll found 75 percent of Republicans said Rubio was a good choice while 71 percent support Trump naming Gabbard as a nominee. 80 percent of Republicans said Kennedy was a good choice. A lesser but still clear majority of 64 percent of Republicans claimed Hegseth was a good choice. But overall, Americans still want the Senate to hold confirmation hearings. 76 percent said there should be hearings. Just 24 percent said Trump should be able to appoint people without them. Even a majority of Republicans said there should be Senate hearings with 55 percents supporting to 45 percent who said Trump should be able to appoint people without. Celebrity chef Andrew Gruel has reported a surprising dramatic surge in restaurant sales within 24 hours of the US election results. Gruel, 44, who owns the Slapfish Restaurant Group and American Gravy Restaurant Group, said his establishments saw sales numbers skyrocket - doubling from week to week following Donald Trump's victory. 'The very next day when Trump won, our sales doubled almost from week on week,' he told Fox Business. The successful restaurateur, speaking on 'The Big Money Show,' revealed that he wasn't alone in experiencing this dramatic uptick, and that fellow restaurateurs across the country have reported the same boom. 'I spoke to restaurant owners all over the place because I posted about that. They were like, "Us too, Us too, Our catering [has] gone up, This has gone up."' Gruel insisted that dining establishments serve as the ultimate barometer for public sentiment. He told viewers that restaurants are the 'best index' for people's emotions. The celebrity chef also attributed the surge to a collective 'sigh of relief' among diners. 'I think it's just the mere sigh of relief that, okay, this is over,' he said. Celebrity chef Andrew Gruel has reported a surprising dramatic surge in restaurant sales within 24 hours of the US election results Gruel, 44, said his establishment saw sales numbers skyrocket - doubling from week to week following Donald Trump 's victory 'We do know what we saw from the Trump administration. And whether people want to say it publicly or not, they know it's going to be a stronger economy.' He also claimed people are beginning to 'wake up' to California's woke policies. 'It's not going to go from blue to a hard red [state] overnight. But people are opening up their eyes. They're waking up,' Gruel concluded. 'Newsom's coming to the end of his tenure. So that will be curious to see how that shakes out in regards to not just him leaving, but also the way in which he addresses policy [on] his way out.' The successful restaurateur, speaking on 'The Big Money Show,' revealed that he wasn't alone in experiencing this dramatic uptick, and that fellow restaurateurs across the country have reported the same boom Gruel insisted that dining establishments serve as the ultimate barometer for public sentiment. The celebrity chef also attributed the surge to a collective 'sigh of relief' among diners Gruel is the Founder of Slapfish Restaurant Group, which has 27 locations, as well as American Gravy Restaurant Group, which comprises Calico Fishhouse, Big Parm Pizza, Two Birds Chicken, Butterleaf, Lolos Tacos and 101 Burger. In July, the celebrity chef vowed to stop opening restaurants in California until the state 'fixes things' for the industry. Gruel, who is behind a number of successful restaurants in California, said that he will not open another until crime, tax and regulation has been 'sorted.' Gruel told Fox Business that the restaurant industry is still suffering from the effects of the pandemic but that ongoing issues are continuing to exasperate them. 'I'm going to keep my restaurant in California but I'm going to franchise out of the state moving forward,' Gruel explained. 'I will not open another business in California until they actually fix things on a go-forward basis.' When asked about the impact of 30 percent of restaurants being forced to close after the pandemic Gruel said 'the pandemic, obviously, kicked off this astronomical firestorm of chaos that now we've seen reverberate and grow.' 'There are all these restaurants and retailers and small business owners that haven't recovered. 'Things are constantly getting worse every single day' for the industry, he cautioned. In September last year California Governor Gavin Newsom introduced a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers, up from $16 for other sectors. Gruel said this means restaurants must be more 'efficient' with hiring or raise prices to meet the spiraling cost of labor. Authorities have found a charred body while extinguishing a dumpster fire outside of a Virginia church. Police were called around 9 p.m. on Monday to the burning dumpster at the Bethel Worship Center Church International on the 3600 block of Pepperwood Court in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Police told WAVY they made the ghastly discovery once the ashes settled and human remains were detected. Photos show the interior of the scorched green dumpster is covered with ashes and burnt rubble. Police launched a homicide investigation and are working with the medical examiner to identify the victim due to the condition of the body. The evangelical church canceled its food pantry on Tuesday and the pastor told the local news station he is devastated by the discovery. 'Sometimes people have to understand that what they do doesn't just affect them or people in their close proximity, it affects a lot more people,' said Pastor Herman Dixon. 'You can't hurt a person without hurting their family, and hurting yourself. The thing I try to get across to kids and young people is that when you do something, it affects more than just you. It affects everybody around you.' Human remains were found inside the burnt dumpster at the Bethel Worship Center Church International Photos show the interior of the scorched green dumpster is covered with ashes and burnt rubble Residents told the local news station they were terrified to see the disturbing sight in their peaceful neighborhood. 'We were coming off the interstate,' said resident Brandon Wilson. 'We just saw fire trucks, policemen and an ambulance, and we were just so scared because we didn't know what was going on Normally, it's very quiet. It's very peaceful don't really hear much around here.' On Thursday, police hosted a R.E.S.E.T walk in response to the tragedy which includes conducting wellness checks and addressing community concerns. 'It just shows that the police department and police officers, that we care,' Portsmouth Police Department spokesperson Elexcia Washington told 13 News Now. 'The community and the police department works together to create a safer community. If you see something, if you know something, don't hesitate to contact the police department. We need to work together in order to make Portsmouth the best that it can be.' 'I felt like it was important, because I do feel like spiritual leadership and physical leadership, they need to actually combine to make sure that people have what they need,' said Dixon. 'That's one of the things our congregation is about: giving back to the community and making sure that the community heals.' The identification of the body and the cause of death have not been confirmed, nor have any arrest been made. Bethel Worship Center Church International canceled the church's food pantry on Tuesday and Pastor Herman Dixon (pictured) said he is devastated by the discovery According to Bethel Worship Center Church International's (pictured) Facebook page, services resumed on Sunday According to Bethel Worship Center Church International's Facebook page, services resumed on Sunday. In June, police found the body of a missing two-year-old boy in a Las Vegas dumpster. Jacoby Robinson Jr. was found dead inside a dumpster on June 7 near Lewis Avenue and 14th Street after his mother, Diaja Smith, 23, called 911 and claimed he was abducted from a park. Soon after, the toddler's mother and father, Jacoby Robinson Sr., 24, were arrested and indicted by a grand jury on murder and child abuse charges. Police now believe that Jacoby Jr. died before his mother placed his body in the dumpster, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now. This is the moment a missing dog was rescued just metres from the edge of a dangerous cliff by volunteers. Three-year-old Lily went missing during a walk with her owner - who posted an appeal on social media. A group of brave volunteers, including a rock climber, responded to the call for help and set out in search of the lost canine. Lily was then spotted at Les Landes in Jersey by a volunteer's drone, who noticed a 'large white object' at the bottom of the cliffs. The dog was left with a 'few grazes' and was then carried back to the car where she reunited with her owner. A group of volunteers rescued a lost dog from near the edge of a dangerous cliff in Jersey Three-year-old canine Lily got lost in Les Landes after going out for a walk with her owner Lily's owner put out an appeal for help after losing her pet on a walk. The animal was discovered with the help of a drone Lily being rescued by a rock climber at Les Landes in Jersey. She was returned to her owner with just a 'few grazes' One of the volunteers said: 'I went with 8 others searching in the dark until 10pm. 'We heard a noise of oystercatchers squawking at the bottom of the cliff so reconvened at first light. 'We then went back after my nightshift at 7am and went to the area of bird disturbance.' Les Landes is the largest area of coastal heathland on the island of Jersey. It was designated a Site of Special Interest (SSI) in 1996 for its landscape, geology and archaeological interest. After spotting a 'large white object' at the bottom of the cliffs, another volunteer - the rock climber - went down and rescued Lily. Lily was then retrieved from the narrow ledge on the side of a cliff and returned to her owner. Police are continuing their hunt for a gunman following a 'double shooting' that killed a man but they have now released their initial suspect. A murder probe was launched after the victim was fatally shot in a car leading officers to be called to Rotton Park Road close to the junction with City Road in Edgbaston, Birmingham just before 11pm on Friday November 22. The victim, in his 20s, was pronounced dead at the scene and another man, in his 30s, was found injured at a bus stop and remains in hospital. But now police have said that another man in his 30s who was initially arrested on suspicion of murder has been 'released from the investigation' without charge. The man had been arrested by firearms officers on nearby Waterloo Road just before 12.30am. Resident Mohammed Faisal, who lives close to where a cordon was set up on Rotton Park Road, said he heard two gunshots, followed by a third, BBC News reports. He said: 'Five minutes later I saw the blue lights turn up and I knew something bad had happened. 'It's extremely worrying especially when you have children living here like I do. You don't want something like this happening near your home.' A man in his 30s was initially arrested on suspicion of murder just hours after a shooting resulted in the death of one man, while another was critically injured, in Birmingham Police have launched a murder inquiry after the fatal incident at Rotton Park Road, close to the junction with City Road in Edgbaston, on Friday night Detective Inspector Nick Barnes, from the Homicide team at West Midlands Police, said: 'This is a tragic incident, and we have worked through the night to understand exactly what happened. 'We've already made good progress and arrested a suspect, but I still need to hear from anyone who was in the area that we've not already spoken to. 'This happened near the busy junction with City Road and it may be that you've got dashcam footage or mobile phone footage from the area just before 11pm. 'We really need to hear from you so that we can build as clear a picture as possible of what happened.' Police add that anyone who was in the area at the time, or may have dashcam footage or mobile phone footage from the area at the time, should contact them. The force has created an online portal where footage can be uploaded directly. A British soldier is allegedly being held by Putin's forces after being captured while he was fighting for Ukraine inside the Kursk region. The Brit was paraded in front of cameras today where he gave his name as James Scott Rhys Anderson. Anderson - or possibly Andersen - claimed he served in the British army from 2019 to 2023. He says he was fired from the British army and then applied successfully to join Ukraine's International Brigade. However the reason for his alleged dismissal has not been said. The 22-year-old claims to have served in the 22nd Signal Regiment, a unit of the Royal Corps of Signals in the British Army, which provides cutting-edge communication and information systems support to the fighting force. In front of cameras for Kremlin media, Anderson was recorded in two videos where he was asked about his time in the British army. He said he was in the '22 Signal Regiment, just a private. I was a signalman. 1 Signal Brigade, 22 Signal Regiment. 252 Squadron. The Brit was paraded in front of cameras today where he gave his name as James Scott Rhys Anderson. Anderson - or possibly Andersen - claimed he served in the British army from 2019 to 2023 Anderson said says he was fired from the British army and then applied successfully to join Ukraine's International Brigade Ukrainian soliders fighting in the Kursk region. Andersen was captured by Putin's forces in the Russian region where Ukraine holds several hundred square kilometres Anderson went on to explain why he joined Ukrainian forces fighting Russia on the frontline. He said: 'Okay - so when I left, got fired from my job, I applied on the International Legion [of Ukraine] webpage. 'I had just lost everything. I just lost my job. 'My dad was away in prison. I saw it on the TV. It's a stupid idea. I flew to Krakow, Poland, from London Luton. 'Bus from there to Medyka in Poland, on the Ukraine border [and then to Ukraine].' Russia later revealed a second video of the British serviceman. He appeared at one point in another sickening propaganda interrogation video seemingly with tape over his eyes. Later he was not taped over the eyes but his hands were taped and claimed he was from Oxford. Russian President Vladimir Putin records a televised address in Moscow This may imply he had been at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC) in Dartmouth and Oxford University - but this was not clarified. Anderson's words in the the Russian propaganda video made little sense. 'I learned for one year. And I stay for four years,' he said. 'Commander, take my **** and tell me to come... take my passport, everything, my telephone... I don't want to be here.' He said he had been with Ukrainian forces for four months. Anderson implied his role was to teach Ukrainians 'how to shoot, how topatrol, maybe evacuation'. A Russian military source told the state-controlled TASS news agency: 'A mercenary from Britain has been taken prisoner in the Kursk region.' The report said: 'Overall, the footage will be useful and will be able to tell a lot of interesting things about communications and its structure in the British army.' Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region of Ukraine The burnt wreckage of a car in Kursk. Inside the region, it has been claimed that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russians Ukraine holds several hundred square kilometres of the Kursk region, which borders the northeast of Ukraine, but Putin's forces are gradually pushing them back. Inside Kursk, it has been claimed that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russians. The capture comes after a top Russian general, along with 500 North Korean soldiers, were allegedly killed by British Storm Shadow missiles in a devastating attack. The strike launched by Ukraine on November 20 wiped out Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk and also resulted with 18 Putin officers reported lost, with a further 18 wounded, it has been claimed. Earlier reports suggested that a Kim Jong-un general had also been left injured in the attack as he commanded troops backing Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion. The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. It is understood that the pinpoint missiles had hit a Putin command post and military facility with the scale of Russian losses now alleged to be enormous. Russian Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk (pictured) was reported to have been killed in the UK-supplied Storm Shadow strike by the Ukrainian armed forces on 20 November This is the moment missiles believed to be British Storm Shadow missiles struck inside Russia The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. One image following the attack showed a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow' Russian authorities have not yet confirmed losses which would be grievous to both Russia and North Korea if confirmed, and the reports are yet to be independently verified. The Storm Shadows were targeted on November 20 at an underground military facility in Maryino on a Tsarist estate, in Kursk region. New footage shows a Storm Shadow missile involved in the attack as it flew towards its target, it is claimed. If true, the losses may explain Putin's furious reaction - firing a new Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Dnipro, and his public boasts he had a new super weapon which was unstoppable by the West. Moscow also threatened that the use by Ukraine of NATO-supplied missiles meant Putin could legitimately hit back with nuclear missiles. The Russian officers reportedly killed are from Putin's Southern and Eastern Military Districts. The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. US-based Global Defense Corp reported that 500 North Korean soldiers were killed alongside Russian officers, however, there was no independent confirmation. Some 10,000-plus North Koreans are believed to have been moved across Siberia to the war zone after being ordered to serve Putin by their leader Kim Jong Un. They are either currently fighting for Putin or about to be deployed. Kim's decision to inject North Korean soldiers into Russia to help in Putin's bloody war has raised concerns among Kyiv's allies who worry that the move may exacerbate what is already Europe's largest conflict since WWII. Images shared on social media showed what appeared to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk, on November 20 US-based Global Defense Corp reported that 500 North Korean soldiers were killed alongside Russian officers, however, there was no independent confirmation (file photo) South Koreans watch Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin during a recent meeting The Storm Shadow missile attack last week hit the sanatorium of the Russian Presidential Affairs Directorate in Maryino, a former Tsarist estate, say reports. Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy. The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph. Storm Shadow missiles have already been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time, but Kyiv now appears to have been granted permission to use the weapons to strike within Russia. Storm Shadow - called Scalp by the French - is a weapon equipped with a navigation system that once launched, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking onto its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target. On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead. The strike comes after Russia issued a warning that British support for Ukraine could 'lead to a collision between nuclear powers' in a grave threat as President Vladimir Putin vowed to launch more hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine. Putin has said he will fire more of Russia 's new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile being launched as part of nuclear deterrence forces drills in Russia on October 29, 2024 Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers roll on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9 Andrey Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, cited American support for Ukraine to use Western missiles against targets in Russia, backed by Britain and France, in his warning that 'this seriously escalates the situation' and 'can lead to a collision between the nuclear powers'. The Kremlin suggested this week it was 'entitled' to fire upon 'the military targets of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities' in a thinly-veiled threat to the West, after the US gave its support for Kyiv using ATACMS missiles against Russian and North Korean forces in Russia. After striking the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with an experimental hypersonic missile early on Thursday, Putin ordered the mass production of the 'unstoppable' Oreshnik, believed to be able to reach Britain in under 20 minutes. 'There is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today. And I will emphasise once again that we will continue testing this newest system. It is necessary to establish serial production,' Putin said. An organization comprised of pilots who help conduct emergency service missions has lost 'two key members' following a plane crash in the Colorado mountains. A third Civil Air Patrol (CAP) crewmember - co-pilot Randy Settergren - survived with 'severe' injuries, whereas pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten both died at the scene. The cause of the Saturday morning crash 80 miles north of Denver remains to be seen, and saw Settergren airlifted to a local hospital. It happened during a routine training mission that included aerial photography, the Larimer County Sheriffs Office said Saturday night. Officers remained at the crash site on Storm Mountain well into Sunday, amid plans to stay there for several days. The sheriff's office attributed this to the crash site's remote and rugged nature, which has slowed down recovery efforts. The area is mountainous and heavily forested, making it perfect for practice search and rescue efforts like the one the trio had been on. The plane, however, went down around 11 am, spurring a statement from Colorado's governor. He confirmed the single-engine plane had belonged the CAP - the Air Force's civilian auxiliary wing - while identifying those who had been on board. A plane crash Saturday in the mountains of Colorado killed Susan Wolber, a pilot for Civil Air Patrol (CAP), and fellow member Jay Rhoten (not pictured). The group is comprised of volunteer pilots who help conduct emergency missions at the behest of the government A third Civil Air Patrol (CAP) crewmember - co-pilot Randy Settergren - survived with 'severe' injuries and was airlifted from the scene. He also volunteers for the CAP, which is the Air Force's civilian auxiliary wing 'I'm saddened to hear of the loss of two dedicated Civil Air Patrol members, Pilot Susan Wolber and aerial photographer Jay Rhoten, who lost their lives in today's crash,' Gov. Jared Polis wrote Saturday, offering sympathies to the victims families. 'These individuals, along with survivor co-pilot Randall Settergren, who was injured, served the Civil Air Patrol as volunteers who wanted to help make Colorado a better, safer place for all. 'The State of Colorado is grateful for their commitment to service and it will not be forgotten. 'I also want to thank the first responders who assisted with the rescue and recovery efforts.' Terry Thompson, a former member of the Air Force who now volunteers as an aerial photographer for the outfit, added in his own post: 'We lost two key member of our CAP squadron today. 'A third crewmember was badly injured, and is recuperating in a hospital. 'Their absence will be sorely felt,' the veteran added. 'Clear skies and tailwinds, comrades.' DailyMail.com has reached out to Thompson for comment. The cause of the Saturday morning crash 80 miles north of Denver remains to be seen. The plane is seen here. It had been on a routine training mission when it went down A man wo lives in the area sad it had been 'extremely windy' the morning of the crash, and how he could hear the sound of the single-engine Cessna throttling before 'sudden silence'. Investigators said they were still working Sunday to retrieve the bodies of the deceased George Solheim, who lives in the crash site's vicinity, further told CBS News how it had been 'extremely windy' that morning, and how he could hear the sound of the single-engine Cessna throttling before 'sudden silence at (the) time of (the) crash. '[I] couldn't hear sounds of impact from here,' he added. A spokeswoman for the Larimer County Sheriffs Office, Ali Adams, added how as of Sunday efforts from emergency responders to retrieve the bodies were still underway. The sheriff's office said it will lead the now-ongoing investigation, though with help from the The National Transportation Safety Board, or NTSB, and the Federal Aviation Administration FAA. In its own statement, the NTSB confirmed the plane was a Cessna 182. The craft can carry four people at a time. Megyn Kelly has issued a withering assessment of Pete Hegseth amid reports he allegedly sexually assaulted a woman in 2017. Kelly, 54, who worked with Hegseth, now 44, at Fox News, joined the Charlie Kirk Show and gave her opinion on the allegations swirling around Donald Trumps pick for Defense Secretary. When asked by Kirk about the 'smear campaign' against Hegseth, Kelly, who said she's 'the reason' he became a Fox News contributor, admitted that she doesn't 'recommend marrying' him. 'I'm gonna be honest, like looking at his marital history, it's not an example of fidelity. Ok, so I'm just gonna be honest and admit that upfront. Despite that, the former NBC News anchor defended Hegseth - a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan with a handful of military medals, including two Bronze Stars. 'However, having difficulty in one's personal relationship, especially after having served two tours - which it's not uncommon for these combat vets to come back and not be able to navigate their love lives all that well - is much different than being a rapist,' she added. Kelly then said that the woman's accusations against Hegseth allegedly assaulting her on October 8 of that year seem suspicious to her. 'And this woman's story smells terribly,' Kelly said as she raised up a copy of the police report - covered in post-it notes and highlighter markings - that she went over 'line by line.' Megyn Kelly issued her own assessment of the alleged sexual assault involving her former Fox News co-worker Pete Hegseth The alleged October 2017 assault never resulted in charges as Hegseth has admitted to paying the 30-year-old woman off in order to protect his job. (pictured: Hegseth after a meeting on Capitol Hill on Thursday) It is that alleged assault which never resulted in charges that threatens Hegseths nomination for a seat in Trump's cabinet. A police report released this week by the City of Monterey, California, shows that a then-30-year-old woman was having champagne with co-workers while on a business trip when things got 'fuzzy' and she suddenly ended up in a room with Hegseth. Timothy Parlatore, a lawyer representing Hegseth, has admitted his client paid the woman for her silence because he did not want to lose his job, while at the same time dismissing the allegations as 'baseless' and tantamount to a 'successful extortion.' Along with Parlator, Kelly also does not believe that the alleged assault took place, as she warned that media coverage on these allegations will not give people the 'facts.' 'You will learn that they were together at some conference in Monterey, back in 2017, October, and that she's alleging that he [Hegseth] may have given her a date rape drug and raped her, and that he's alleging it was consensual affair,' Kelly said. She added that a few years later, Hegseth paid her to stay silent after she 'began to rattle his cage about a possible lawsuit against him.' Hegseth is a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan with a handful of military medals, including two Bronze Stars. (pictured: Hegseth with his second wife Samantha) Kelly then dove into the police report, which she said placed the woman at a bar with Hegseth, while her husband and children 'were down the hotel room hall.' Following the Republican women's conference that night, 'others said she was flirting with him,' Kelly said. 'She was touching his leg, etc. Flirting with him. That he seemed to be more focused on a different woman, not this one. That Pete would later tell the police that he never had it as a thought in his mind that he would hook up with this woman, who, apparently he didn't have any interest in,' Kelly said, referring to the report. The podcaster said that, according to the report, the woman then 'escorted' Hegseth out of the bar to go back to his hotel room with him. 'And at 1:30 in the morning, she was seen on videotape, which the police reviewed and reported the following facts about: She was fine, she wasn't stumbling,' Kelly said, adding that it was Hegseth who 'looked drunk.' She then detailed an incident where hotel security had to step in after two guests allegedly reported a 'fight out by the pool,' as they made a noise complaint. Kelly continued: 'Now, first of all, that's totally inappropriate. She told cops they were arguing over his treatment of women? What? You're supposed to be his handler for the conference and you're getting into a personal argument with him over his treatment of women? President-elect Donald Trump announced Hegseth, 44, as his nominee for Defense Secretary on November 14. (pictured: Hegseth and his third wife Jennifer Rauchet with Trump) Part of her job for the conference was to make sure Hegseth got out of bed the next morning in time to catch his flight home. 'So loud and belligerent that hotel guests are calling security? You crossed your line. You're behaving inappropriately madam.' Kelly then noted that the woman and others at the bar that night said she had just one glass of champagne, and that she 'was fine, she wasn't stumbling, she wasn't slurring.' 'Pete was drunk. She was fine,' she added. Following the alleged incident, Hegseth and his accuser were then seen on camera footage leaving the pool, back to the hotel, Kelly said, according to the police report. 'Their arms are locked like a boyfriend and girlfriend might be. She's smiling, she does not appear drunk,' Kelley said, adding that four witnesses 'laid eyes on her' either in person or on video. 'She goes back to her hotel room, sometime between 1:30 and 2:00am. She is texting her husband during this time. She sounds totally fine in these texts, she does not sound like she is intoxicated or out of her mind at all,' Kelley detailed. Hegseth, who was divorced from his second wife at the time of the alleged rape, has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil lawsuit Kelly said, according to the report, that the texts between the woman and her husband then 'shut down' before the woman had an 'unaccounted period from 2am to 4am.' 'The husband calls her twice during that time period. The husband gets out of bed to go check the hotel bar, looking for his wife, wondering where the hell she is. There's no-one in the bar called "knuckles" in the Hyatt Regency,' Kelly explained. The commentator said, according to the report, that the husband then went back into his hotel room where he tried to get in contact with her again before she finally arrived by 4am. 'She's fine. She's not stumbling, she's not slurring,' Kelley said. 'When was she drugged? When was she drugged? Did Pete get her back to the hotel room? Slip her a mickey at 2am, take advantage of her, and then at 4am got her back to her hotel room, totally fine?' A complaint from an unnamed woman with extensive knowledge of the alleged rape sent to Trump's staff explained the story police were told at the time. The memo sent by the other woman claimed she 'didn't remember anything until she was in Hegseth's hotel room and then stumbling to find her hotel room'. The six to nine hours after intervening in Hegseth flirting with the other women were 'very hazy', the memo claimed. When she returned home, she 'had a moment of hazy memory of being raped the night before, and had a panic attack', the memo alleged. That was when she went to the ER and had a rape kit taken that was positive for semen. Local police investigated the alleged sexual assault involving Hegseth, that was reported four days later, the city said. No weapons were involved, according to the statement, but there were injuries 'contusions to the right thigh.' Hegseth, who was divorced from his second wife at the time of the alleged rape, has not been charged in any criminal case or named as a defendant in any civil lawsuit. Dangerous criminals posing a threat to public safety could be freed without prison bosses being able to block their early release. Up to 390 inmates serving sentences of less than four years will be let out of jail in February under drastic plans to tackle crowded prisons. A previous emergency release scheme in the summer allowed jail governors to prevent the release of offenders based on judging the risk of reoffending. But prison chiefs will not be able to veto the next set of releases for February - sparking fears that scores of dangerous and violent criminals barred from release in the summer will now be freed. Kate Wallace, chief executive of Victim Support Scotland (VSS), said the veto has stopped the release of 171 prisoners assessed as posing an immediate risk - and warned its absence from the new Bill will put people at risk, and inevitably result in the creation of more victims. Justice Secretary Angela Constance plans to release more prisoners A total of 477 prisoners were freed from Scottish prisons over the summer She said: The governors veto is a crucial safeguarding element, and it is extremely concerning that the Prison Early Release (Scotland) Bill will not contain this vital aspect of risk assessment. VSS lobbied strongly for the veto to be included... in this summers emergency early release scheme. Prison governors knowledge of the prisoners in their estate rightly prevented the early release of 171 prisoners there will be no such safeguard in this new Bill. The lack of inclusion of a governors veto will endanger victims and the wider public by providing the opportunity for those who had been previously vetoed, and other dangerous prisoners, to be automatically released. The Mail revealed on Saturday that up to 2million will be spent on implementation costs for the early release of prisoners in February. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: Another round of early prisoner release creates the very real risk that dangerous and violent offenders will be put back on the streets, since there is no check on ministerial decisions. The veto was at least an effective check last time ministers must explain why they havent included it this time around. The SNPs appalling soft-touch approach to justice, and years of mismanagement which have put new prisons years behind schedule and over budget, pose an even more urgent threat to public safety than ever. Scottish ministers launched a temporary emergency early release scheme over the summer to ease overcrowding. A total of 477 prisoners were let out of Scottish prisons at that time - and now Justice Secretary Angela Constance wants to release more prisoners on an ongoing basis as the prison population rises again. Under the Prisoners (Early Release) (Scotland) Bill, the time at which prisoners are eligible for early release would be cut from serving half of their sentence to two-fifths (40 per cent). The government says the move would allow up to 390 prisoners to be freed in the New Year and reduce the prison population by 5 per cent over the longer term. The Bill states that prisoners who have been convicted of domestic violence or sexual offences will not be freed early. Unlike the emergency scheme in June and July, the Bill does not include a veto allowing governors to step in and stop the release of an inmate if they considered that the person would, if released, pose an immediate risk of harm to an identified person, or to an identified group of people. The guidelines were used extensively during the summer and reduced the number of prisoners who were due to be let out by 25 per cent. Families celebrating a prisoner's early release in Nottingham in September Of the 648 people who met the criterion to be released, governors used their veto 171 times to ensure these prisoners remained behind bars. The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) revealed last month that 57 of those freed in June and July had returned to custody by September 18, equating to 12 per cent of all those released. The Bill passed its first parliamentary stage last Thursday and is due to be fast-tracked through Holyrood at its second and third stage tomorrow (TUES). Last night Ms Constance said: We are not changing the process of release for short-term prisoners, we are changing the point at which they are released. There is no veto involved in standard release arrangements now, so we will not be introducing one. Such a veto was in place during the emergency release arrangements because of their discretionary nature. The U.S. Army awarded its largest multi-million dollar surveillance aircraft contract to a drone startup founded a decade ago by a Utah high school student. Red Cat Holdings Salt Lake City-based subsidiary Teal Drones was selected as the winner of the Army's Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) Program of Record. Teal was founded in 2014 by George Matus, then 17, with the mission to 'enable unmanned systems to be more than just flying cameras,' according to its website. On Tuesday, the company announced that it won the SRR bid after test and evaluation process of Teal's next generation Small Unmanned Aircrafts Systems (sUAS) by the military. 'This is a powerful moment in time, coming after five years of blood, sweat, and tears put into SRR by our incredible team. The long-awaited production selection marks a new era for our company and the future of American drones,' said Matus, founder of Teal and CTO of Red Cat. 'We were selected based on soldier feedback, technical performance, volume manufacturability, and system cost. Our top priority now is to start ramping production of the next generation system, recently announced as the Black Widow and WEB, and give warfighters the tools they need to be successful on the modern battlefield.' According to Securities and Exchange Commission filings, the company is focused on ramping up production of Teals next generation system to meet the Armys currently stated acquisition objective for 5,880 systems. The Wall Street Journal reported that the Army has stated it needs around 11,700 drones of its SRR program and the purchase could give teal round $260 million in revenue in the coming years. The U.S. Army awarded its largest surveillance aircraft contract to a drone startup founded a decade ago by George Matus (pictured) The company is focused on ramping production of Teals next generation system to meet the Armys currently stated acquisition objective for 5,880 systems 'Warfare has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two years, with a significant shift towards drone technology, exemplified by the SRR Black Widow. It is an honor to support the U.S. Army by delivering the Black Widow to our warfighters,' said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. 'We believe this advanced technology will enable the Army to shape the battlefield, save soldiers' lives, and serve as a powerful tool in their arsenal. This long-term contract will give us the capability to continue to improve the Black Widow, scale production and improve margins.' Teal's drone - the Black Widow - is a three-pound, backpack sized device that is equipped with anti jamming technology. It can run autonomously without GPS and can go approximately 40 minutes without emitting a radio frequency which makes it harder to detect, according to WSJ. Matus told The Washington Post when he started his company it was more about the joy of flight but grew into wanting to help the military. He wrote in a piece for Utah Business that when he started his company he applied for the Thiel Fellowship which would give him $100,000 if he agreed to drop out of high school during his junior year. While he was applying for the fellowship, he got to know a Salt Lake City entrepreneur who invested $150,000 into his company. 'After raising my first round of institutional investment later in 2015, about $3 million, I learned important lessons,' Matus said. Teal's drone - the Black Widow - is a three-pound, backpack sized device that is equipped with antijamming technology 'I was told by a board member, George, your job is to hire good people and not run out of money. Its in your capable hands; dont f*** it up. It sounded simple but proved much harder than I thought it would be.' By 2016, Teal was struggling to stay afloat when Chinas DJI launched a 1.6-pound drone called the 'Mavic Pro' for $999. During this time the company was forced to downsize and Matus said it was then he received another life changing piece of advice. 'With this chapter of Teal coming to an end, one of our early customers reached outa veteran who lost his legs during the war. He told me that the drone he got from us saved his life: hed fly every day with video goggles on to experience the freedom of flight. I shared this with the rest of the team, and we felt solace in our efforts not being for nothing.' Then in 2018, the Defense Department banned the use of DJI drones in the military. That same year at just 20 years old, Matus was listed on Forbes 30 Under 30 in the consumer technology section. When the Army first launched SRR it passed over Teal for the job, instead awarding drone company Skydio a $29 million contract. Then soldiers ran into technical issues with those drones and the military reopened its search for a partner. Now, Teal and Red Cat forecast to make $50 million in revenue next year. It had $18 million sales the last fiscal year ending in April. Democratic allies of Joe Biden plotted a secret harassment campaign to keep a third-party challenger out of the 2024 election in order to ensure his victory, even as polls showed voters wanted another option and there were concerns about the president's health. Their plan included 'bird dogging' members of Congress who would support such an option by sending activists to confront them at their offices. It also details a target harassment campaign against No Labels founder Nancy Jacobson and her husband, Mark Penn, a longtime Democratic operative. The plan was to send clowns to block their Georgetown home and drive their neighbors crazy with early morning noise. No Labels - which Penn is not a part of - was running a $70 million effort to field an alternative presidential candidate and get a third-party line on state ballots. But the centrist group dropped its efforts after Biden's allies damaged their ability to recruit a contender. No Labels is now fighting back in federal court and public documents show an incredible proposal from Democrat strategists to clear the way for Biden to win a second term, using techniques straight out of a spy novel. 'Everyone loves a good wake up action- especially the neighbors,' the email read. 'For this, we'd show up at 6am with a truck carrying musical performers and activists marching and chanting. It usually lasts for an hour. We can hire getty to get the event on the wire,' a Democratic strategist wrote in emails exchanged between various people involved with efforts to oppose No Labels. Other options for targeting the couple included 'hire clowns to hangout on their block,' embarrassing them at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner and targeting them with negative ads in a local Georgetown society newspaper. 'The overall cost of this proposal is $180,000 on the low range to $400,000 for 2-4 months of intense activity,' the email read. Not all the documents in the case have been made public so the final figure could be larger. It's also unclear how deeply involved top White House officials and Democratic Party leaders were in the plan. President Joe Biden's allies plotted a secret campaign to keep him in office The proposal included tactics to harass No Labels founder Nancy Jacobson and her husband Mark Penn The emails were sent in May 2023 when the full extent of Biden's health problems remained hidden from the public. Donald Trump had yet clinch the Republican nomination but was the frontrunner. Polls at the time showed voters were desperate from a third option. An NBC News poll released in April found 60% of U.S. adults did not want Trump to run, and 70% did not want Biden to run. No Labels was exploring a 'unity ticket' with the goal of giving Americans that option. Democratic operatives, obviously worried about situation, plotted to stop it. Many Democratic groups publicly slammed No Labels at the time, accusing the group of trying to ensure Trump's re-election. But the court documents reveal an entire second level of tactics that go behind the norms of public editorials and on-the-record quotes. The proposal also included plans to 'bird dog' members of Congress who were part of the Problems Solvers Caucus, a group No Labels founded to find bipartisan solutions to the nation's problems. 'One important and effective method to uplift this battle against No Labels is to go directly to their minions in Congress,' the proposal read. 'We will have activists calmly talk to them in the hallways while being recorded. We can then post and share the good videos. We can hit up the entire Problem Solvers Caucus in the House and their key allies in the Senate.' 'We will name and shame the members of the Problem Solvers Caucus who are affiliated with No Labels,' the memo vowed. Ultimately the proposal was never adopted. The Washington Post first reported some of the details of the campaign. DailyMail.com is the first to publish the entire memo outlining the harassment campaign. The detailed proposal outlined by Democratic strategists LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman is a prominent Biden supporter and the new George Soros of political funding One of the men behind the emails Dmitri Mehlhorn, a co-founder of Investing in US, a political operation funded by LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman. Hoffman is the new George Soros of political funding and he was heavily invested in Biden having a second term. He donated $2 million to help fund the campaign during the New Hampshire primary that urged Democratic voters to write Biden's name on New Hampshire primary ballots. Biden hadn't registered for the New Hampshire primary to comply with a new Democratic National Committee rule that made South Carolina the first state to hold a primary. New Hampshire held its first-in-the-nation primary anyway, which Biden won as a write-in. Hoffman is a massive anti-Trumper. He helped fund writer E. Jean Carroll's sexual assault suit against Trump and supported former Rep. Liz Cheney's 2022 re-election bid, which ultimately failed. He and Mehlhorn split in July 2024 after Mehlhorn had to apologize for comments he made after the assassination attempt on Trump in Butler, Pa., which Mehlhorn suggested was staged. Mehlhorn left Investing in US and joined the Lincoln Project. Biden, after his disastrous debate with Trump in July, ultimately exited the presidential race. Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee and lost to Trump in a landslide. Police are offering a 50,000 reward for information related the murder of a Nottingham taxi driver shot dead at the wheel three decades ago. Detectives are re-investigating the murder of Ethsham Ul-Haq Ghafoor, who died aged 26 after he was shot in his taxi on Tuesday November 22, 1994. Known to his friends and family as Shami, Mr Ghafoor was found by a milkman at 4:30am at Lambley Lane playing fields in Gedling, Nottingham, with his hands tied and bound to the steering wheel. Mr Ghafoor, of Forest Fields, was expecting his first baby with his wife before he was shot in what police described as an 'execution'. On the 30th anniversary of Mr Ghafoor's death, a dedicated team of detectives has been re-investigating the crime in a bid to provide his family, and the daughter he never got the chance to meet, with the answers they need. The last known sighting of Mr Ghafoor was just after 2am on November 22 in Carlton Square, where he was seen with three Asian men in his black and white Ford Sierra. He was later found in the secluded area, which was not a location usually used by taxi drivers for pick-ups and drop-offs, police say. The weapon used to take his life has never been recovered, but police believe there may be new evidence available through forensic testing. Mr Ghafoor, of Forest Fields, was expecting his first baby with his wife before he was shot in what police described as an 'execution' Known to his friends and family as Shami, Mr Ghafoor was a much loved brother, husband, son and soon-to-be father A number of people were arrested following the murder, but none were convicted of the crime. Police hope new evidence and information from the public may help to track down those responsible. Mr Ghafoor's sister, Aisha Ghafoor, said the people responsible for his death 'killed every chance of us being a happy family again'. She told a press conference held on Friday: 'We as a family still remember the moment when police officers broke the news to us that our brother, Shami, had been murdered. Even after the passing of 30 years, the feelings are still raw. 'Our mother never recovered from his loss. She never got to find out who or why Shami was killed and sadly she never will'. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said that Mr Ghafoor was 'probably associating with some members of the criminal fraternity'. 'I don't think he was involved in organised crime, but I do think he got himself involved with people who were, and probably found himself out of his depth,' he said. 'This was a dreadful murder of a young man, a soon-to-be-dad, who was executed in his own taxi in a secluded area of Nottinghamshire. 'At the heart of this horrific crime is a family; a family that have waited 30 years for answers, 30 years for justice, 30 years for the closure they rightfully deserve. 'Shami's mum never got that closure. She died never knowing why her eldest son's life was taken so cruelly from her. Shami's daughter was born without a dad, forced to live with other people's anecdotes of him, never having any of her own. Assistant Chief Constable Rob Griffin said that Mr Ghafoor was 'probably associating with some members of the criminal fraternity' Mr Ghafoor was found by a milkman at 4:30am at Lambley Lane playing fields in Gedling, Nottingham 'Shami's brothers and sisters, who have shown immense bravery and are supporting our appeal, live with the pain and loss of their brother's death every day. 'We stand beside them and want exactly the same - to ensure those who took his life are found and put behind bars. I would ask the community to do the same. To put themselves in Shami's family's shoes. 'Shami's family can never move on with their lives without answers and you could be sitting on the very answers they require. 'We know that there will be people out there that know what happened, that have that information. 'We know that Shami was probably associating with some members of the criminal fraternity. I don't think he was involved in organised crime, but I do think he got himself involved with people who were and probably found himself out of his depth. This is why I think he was killed. 'We know that loyalties change over the years, and this is exactly what we are relying on. We are hoping that people that felt they were not able to speak out all that time ago will feel differently now and feel able to come forward. 'Now is the time to act, to pick up the phone, anonymously, if need be, and provide us with information. 'While a number of reviews of this terrible crime have been carried out over the last 30 years, unfortunately his killer or killers have never been caught. 'We have been working closely with Shami's family over the last 18 months, during which time I have personally met with them several times. I have explained to them why we have put together a new team of senior detectives, a fresh pair of eyes, to ensure that no stone is left unturned and that all new and existing avenues are explored. 'We are now calling on the community for their help and assistance to ensure that this crime does not go unsolved. It is not the first time cash has been offered in exchange for information. On the 20th anniversary of Mr Ghafoor's death, a reward of up to 20,000 was offered. The 50,000 reward, which is being offered by Crimestoppers, is available for three months, and will be given for information which leads to a conviction. Crimestoppers are appealing to the public to contact them anonymously if they have any information House prices rose by 1.3 per cent across capital cities in October A young Australian has slammed the country's housing crisis as 'genuinely ridiculous' after receiving a flyer from a real estate agency that showcased ordinary properties that all sold for more than $1million. Matt, a 19-year-old from Sydney, expressed his frustration with the state of Australia's property market after seeing the flyer, which highlighted 53 homes sold in October. The properties were located in suburbs about one hour west of Sydney's CBD, including Quakers Hill, Box Hill, Blacktown, and Riverstone. 'I genuinely can't believe some of these property prices anymore,' Matt explained in a video shared to social media. 'Sydney has such a problem it's not even funny anymore, look at these numbers. 'Keep in mind we're talking about areas an hour out from the Sydney CBD. 'How am I supposed to move out? How am I supposed to buy a house?' the young Aussie bluntly asked. Matt highlighted one property that he said 'didn't look too bad' - but warned his viewers not to be fooled, as it was located in Box Hill, a suburb he refused to live in. Matt, 19, received a newsletter of properties sold in October and was stunned at the staggering prices - all of which sold for more than $1million in suburbs about one hour west of Sydney 'Look at this, a one-storey house, $1.5million in Quakers Hill. This is genuinely ridiculous. $1.4million in Blacktown,' Matt said. In another video, Matt walked through a townhouse complex in Western Sydney and said it made him 'extremely sad'. The teenager said he understood Sydney needed more housing, but criticised the developer for 'cramming' as many houses as possible onto the property. 'No front yards and each house is literally copy and pasted. I know that Sydney especially needs the houses but, like, we could have given front yards,' Matt said. 'The craziest thing is that each one of these houses is probably worth over $1million.' Social media users agreed with the young Aussie, and many claimed the country's property market was ridiculous. 'Our kids will never have any chance of living in their own home, this country is a joke,' one said. 'A house in our suburb just sold for $2.6million; we are 22km from the CBD, It's a joke,' a second added. The teenager labelled Australia's property market as 'ridiculous' and questioned if he would ever be able to afford a home in Sydney 'In Sydney, you need to be earning $200k per year to afford the mortgage, whether as a couple or solo. So, either everyone needs to become a CEO, or be a couple with no kids, two good jobs, and no fun for 30 years,' a third person added. A fourth said: 'It's insane. I'm not far from there and managed to buy three years ago. The house has increased by a third of what I paid for it. It's not sustainable, and first-home buyers have no chance.' Other Aussies advised Matt to save his money and use it to buy an apartment in an area further away from the city for his first property purchase. 'Save, save and save. Like everyone else. Do you really think you should be able to outbid a family that have been working/saving for 30 years,' one said. 'Got to start with a unit. Don't think anyone buys a house straight off the bat without the bank of mum and dad,' a second added. 'You have to buy an apartment first, build up your equity and save more money, then buy a house. Even in Newcastle that's what we had to do,' a third person wrote. The average asking price for houses across the country increased by 0.9 per cent in the month of October, according to data from SQM Research. House asking prices across all capital cities recorded a 1.3 per cent increase, leading to an average of more than $1.41million for a home. Data revealed house prices recorded an increase of 1.4 per cent in Sydney, with homes selling for an average of $1.95million Your browser does not support iframes. In Sydney, house prices recorded an increase of 1.4 per cent, with homes selling for an average of $1.95million. Melbourne's market remained stable, with a 0.4 per cent increase in house prices - an average of about $1.25million - while Adelaide saw a decrease of 0.9 per cent, with the average house selling for $946,363. Hobart, Brisbane and Canberra all recorded a one per cent increase in house prices, with homes selling for an average of $805,052 in Hobart and $1.18million in both Brisbane and Canberra. Meanwhile, Perth saw the highest increase in house prices, recording a 1.5 per cent rise, with properties selling for an average of $1.09million. House prices in Darwin surged with an increase of 2.6 per cent, however maintained the lowest average with $687,272. A body has been found in the search for a missing woman who vanished on a Scottish island. Hairdresser Shanahan MacInnes, 28, was last seen at 1.30am on Friday in the Tindill Road area of Balivanich on the Isle of Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides. It sparked a major search with more than 60 people joining police, the coastguard and the fire service. But Police Scotland announced this afternoon that the search had ended in tragedy after a body was found in the Aird area of Benbecula, near to where Shanahan went missing. Her family released a statement on social media saying they are 'absolutely heartbroken and devastated'. 'Shanahan's passing was an extremely tragic accident. It was nobody's fault,' they said. The Shore Room Hair and Beauty where Shanahan worked announced it would be closing the salon until further notice. 'We appreciate all the love and support we have received at this time,' they wrote on Facebook. Hairdresser Shanahan MacInnes, 28, was last seen at 1.30am on Friday in the area of Balivanich on the Isle of Benbecula, in the Outer Hebrides Police Scotland announced this afternoon that the search had ended in tragedy after a body was found in the Aird area of Benbecula, near to where Shanahan went missing Shanahan had gone missing on the Isle of Benbecula (highlighted on the map above) Police Scotland said in a statement: 'Around 1.05pm on Sunday, 24 November, 2024, officers were made aware that a body of a woman had been found in the Aird area of Benbecula. 'Formal identification has still to take place, however the family of 28-year-old Shanahan MacInnes, who was missing from Balivanich, has been made aware. 'The death is not being treated as suspicious and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.' Shanahan was described as 5ft 8in tall, of slim build with long blonde hair. She was last seen she was wearing a burgundy tracksuit and white trainers with a black Nike tick. Her family had posted on social media that she had left behind her car, purse, phone, car and keys as they urged everyone to be on the lookout for her. Inspector Ross McCartney said at the time: 'This is extremely out of character for Shanahan to be missing and we're becoming increasingly concerned for her welfare. 'We're carrying out extensive searches of the local area and I'm appealing to anyone with information on her whereabouts, or who thinks they may have seen her, to get in touch.' A doctor who treated a teenage backpacker killed by poisoned alcohol in Laos has told how she went from confused to suffering a coma within just half an hour. Holly Bowles, 19, of Melbourne, Australia, died from suspected methanol poisoning on Friday during her travels, just one day after the death of her best friend Bianca Jones. Dr Yaher, from the district hospital in the town of Vang Vieng, was the first medical professional to treat Ms Bowles - one of six tourists who lost their life after consuming spirits contaminated with the chemical methanol. Ms Bowles passed away in hospital in Thailand on Friday, nine days after being taken to Dr Yaher's emergency room, just yards from the Nana Backpacker Hostel. The youngster and her friend Ms Jones collapsed at the hostel after accepting free spirit shots two nights prior. The doctor described Ms Bowles's condition upon arriving at the hospital, saying she went from a state of confusion to a coma within half an hour. He told The Times: 'She was confused and she was sleepy. We asked her what she had eaten or drunk, but she didn't know what had happened.' Dr Yaher suspected the teenager may have consumed too many cannabis-infused gummies that are common among tourists on the 'banana pancake trail' that they were taking. Australian teenager Holly Bowles, 19, (pictured) died after suffering alleged methanol poisoning during a holiday in Laos with her best friend Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) also died in hospital on Thursday After suffering a seizure and going into a coma, Ms Bowles was initially taken via ambulance to Kasemrad International Hospital, before being rushed to Setthathirath Hospital in Vientiane. She was then transferred for treatment in nearby Thailand. Ms Bowles tragically lost her life there on November 22, just one day after 19-year-old Ms Jones and four others who had been staying at the hostel also passed away. Ms Bowles's family said in a statement: 'It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace. 'We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly brought so much joy and happiness to so many people. 'Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences. 'As her parents we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him.' Ms Bowles and Ms Jones had been on a gap year holiday when they both fell ill on November 12. Simone White, 28, from the UK, is one of six tourists to have died after falling ill last week CCTV from inside the hostel shows one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured), claimed it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the tourists sick The town is a popular spot for young backpackers, especially those on a gap year or in their early 20s Staff became concerned after they failed to check out on November 13 and arranged to take the pair to hospital after they 'calmly' asked for assistance. CCTV from inside the hostel shows one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker. Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department confirmed the death of a US citizen, a 56-year-old man, in Vang Vieng. British lawyer Simone White, 28, also died, while the Danish Ministry for Foreign Affairs confirmed two young women from Denmark also passed away. Previously the manager of the hostel, Duong Duc Toan, was detained by local police. An officer at Vang Vieng's Tourism Police office, who refused to give his name, said on Friday that a 'number of people' had been detained in the case but that no charges had yet been filed. Staff at the Nana Backpacker Hostel, which was still operating but not accepting new guests, confirmed that the manager and owner were among those taken in for questioning. Since its unveiling 15 years ago it has been subject to all manner of ridicule and vandalism. Now, the much-maligned sculpture of a fisherman in the Galloway town of Annan looks likely to be melted down in a move that has angered its creator. The 40,000 monument, built to honour the men who waded into the Solway Firth to catch fish with handheld nets, was erected in 2009. Commissioned by Tesco to mark the opening of its new supermarket it depicts a haaf netter - an ancient type of salmon and sea trout fisherman who were once common in the Solway Firth. It now it faces being melted down after Annan Community Council voted for it to be removed and scrapped. But Paul Cowan, who created the bronze and stainless steel work, told The Sunday Times: The statue does not belong to the community council, it belongs to the people of the town. It is not theirs and they cant decide what to do with it. They claim to be acting in the best interests of the town, but all they care about is trying to get MBE medals. 'They are a bunch of old farts and jumped-up busybodies... and you can quote me on that. The statue as it looked when it was positioned outside the town's Tesco Paul Cowan has defended his work and said it belongs to locals and shouldn't be scrapped It was originally placed at a roundabout in the town but, after being unveiled in 2009, instantly became the focus of ridicule. The 61-year-old sculptor said: All the jokes go back to the night before it was unveiled. We wrapped it up and the sculpted salmon stuck out around the figures waist height. People were sniggering and suggesting that he appeared to be aroused. I didnt mind that and thought it was funny. Demands to remove the sculpture soon mounted. Then, in 2018, it was decapitated. Pranksters soon took advantage of the headless statue. It sported numerous heads, including a disturbing-rubber parrot mask and a traffic cone. The decapitation led to a police investigation, but it was soon dropped. In 2020 Annan Community Council took ownership of the headless haaf netter - but this did not end the trouble for the artwork. It was removed from its original location to a new one overlooking to the Solway Firth, with the community council reportedly paid 350 to move it. But vandals continued to target the artwork, and earlier this year removed the metal net and attached salmon from the headless fisherman. The community council told the newspaper scrapping it was a unanimous decision, and added: Its sad that its come to this. Funds will be used for the benefit of the community. Tesco didnt want it and the council didnt want it. Mr Cowan said: The whole point of art is for it to provoke strong opinions - whether people love it or hate it.' Almost a tenth of Labours 2.9billion defence budget boost will be wiped out by the Chancellors decision to hike employers National Insurance contributions (NICs), the Mail can reveal. Ministers admitted the 1.2p rise would impact the Ministry of Defence directly costing the underfunded department 216million in 2025-26. This is equal to 8.6 per cent of the cash boost hailed by the Chancellor as proof of the Governments commitment to supporting Ukraine and national security. The Prime Minister has previously said his Government is committed to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence, but Labour has been criticised for failing to clearly set out when this will happen, with total expenditure predicted to be 64.4billion or 2.29 per cent of GDP next year. Responding to a written parliamentary question, minister for defence procurement Maria Eagle said: The changes from April are expected to increase departmental costs by 216million. 'The Chancellor has agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support with the cost of employer National Insurance contributions. Minister for defence procurement Maria Eagle said that departmental costs would increase by 216million as a result of changes outlined in the Budget Tory MP Dr Caroline Johnson accused Labour of having 'given with one hand and taken away with another' after almost 10 per cent of its defence budget boost was shown to have been cancelled out by the increase in employers' National Insurance contributions Ministers have admitted that the the 1.2p rise to NICs would impact the Ministry of Defence directly (file image) Soldiers parade on the Regimental square at the Army Foundation College in Harrogate Tory MP Dr Caroline Johnson, who unearthed the data, told the Mail: Judging by the figures released by the minister, the MoD will have an enormous bill to foot... equal to 8.6 per cent of the 2.9billion promised increase to the defence budget. Then on top, there will be indirect fees passed on by sub-contractors and suppliers because their employers NICs have also gone up. 'The Government has given with one hand and taken away with another. It is unfortunately another example of how burdensome this rise will be for both the private sector and Whitehall. At the Budget, Ms Reeves said the Government would publish a Strategic Defence Review next year. She added that the increased defence budget would provide guaranteed military support to Ukraine of 3billion per year. The Daily Mails Dont Leave Britain Defenceless campaign is calling for an immediate rise in spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP. A UK Government spokesman said: At a time of geopolitical instability, we are fixing the foundations of UK defence to make Britain better defended, strong at home, and secure abroad. The Ministry of Defence budget is increasing by 2.9 billion a real terms increase of 5.9 percent compared to this financial year so we can modernise our Armed Forces and continue to play a leading role in NATO. We have agreed to provide funding to the public sector to support with the cost of employer National Insurance contributions, which will be confirmed at a future date. A British former soldier has been captured by Russian forces while fighting for Ukraine in Kursk, his family confirmed tonight. The soldier, James Scott Rhys Anderson, was paraded in front of the cameras and a short video clip published by Kremlin-backed sources online. The 22-year-olds father told the Daily Mail he was in complete shock to discover his sons fate and said he fears he will be tortured. Scott Anderson, 41, said he and other family members had begged his son not to go to Ukraine before he joined up around eight months ago. But he said his son would not be dissuaded because he thought what he was doing was right. He said: Im hoping hell be used as a bargaining chip but my son told me they torture their prisoners and Im so frightened hell be tortured. Speaking at the family home in Banbury, Oxfordshire, Mr Anderson Sr added he had been due to come home for Christmas in only a few weeks time. The father-of-four said: We spoke on WhatsApp almost every day until he went on his most recent operation. He was acting as a signalman. James Scott Rhys Anderson appeared in the footage with an unkempt beard. Mr Anderson was paraded in front of the cameras and a short video clip published by Kremlin-backed sources online James Anderson with his father Scott Anderson. The 41-year-old said he and other family members had begged his son not to go to Ukraine before he joined up around eight months ago James with his sister. He had been in the Army for four years, having gone to Army Foundation College as a 17-year-old James last came home only a month and a half ago. He said his Ukrainian commander had made a promise that hed contact me if he was ever killed or captured. When he called me and sent the video I was in complete shock and in tears. I could see straight away it was him. He looks frightened, scared and worried. I didnt want him to go. I did try to persuade him not to go - my whole family tried to persuade him. He wanted to go out there because he thought he was doing what was right. He was dead against what was happening to the Ukrainian people. Since he went out earlier this year, hes fallen in love with a Ukrainian although I dont know her name. I last spoke to him when I last saw him but we used to talk on WhatsApp every day. Hed tell me where hed been and the things hed seen. He was alive, healthy. He sent me a video when he was at Sumy. Then he was being posted within the last week. Mr Anderson senior, who said he served a short prison sentence for a domestic matter at the time his son joined the Ukrainians, said he has been contacted by Foreign Office officials Mr Anderson Sr said he said his son would not be dissuaded from going to Ukraine because he thought what he was doing was right His son had been in the Army for four years, having gone to Army Foundation College as a 17-year-old In the footage released by his captors, Mr Anderson can be heard describing his decision to go to fight for Ukraine in the Russian territory as a stupid idea His son had been in the Army for four years, having gone to Army Foundation College as a 17-year-old. After leaving the Army last year, he became a civilian custody officer for Thames Valley Police, prior to joining the Ukrainians. In the footage released by his captors, Mr Anderson can be heard describing his decision to go to fight for Ukraine in the Russian territory as a stupid idea. He states he was a former soldier with the British Army, in the Royal Signals corps, between 2019 and 2023, but said he was dismissed. He said he then applied for the International Legion of fighters helping Ukrainian troops. Ukraine made a surprise incursion into Russia in the summer and seized 500 square miles of territory in the Kursk region. It has since lost 40 per cent of this territory, according to recent reports. In the video, Mr Anderson said: When I left, got fired from my job, I applied for the international legion. Id lost everything, my dad was in prison, Id seen it on the TV. It was a stupid idea. Mr Anderson, appeared in the footage with an unkempt beard, his hair closely cropped and wearing green combat fatigues, but with no visible bruises or marks of torture. He described travelling from Luton to Krakow, Poland, before travelling into Ukraine. A Foreign Office spokesman said: We are supporting the family of a British man following reports of his detention. In 2022, six British nationals - fighters Sean Pinner, Aiden Aslin, Andrew Hill and John Harding, and aid volunteers Dylan Healy and Paul Urey - were captured by Kremlin-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine and threatened with the death penalty. Father-of-four Mr Urey, aged 45, died in Russian captivity, while the other five were eventually released in September that year following negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, brokered by Saudi Arabia and involving former Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich. In a message to Mr Anderson, Mr Harding, 61, said: Id say to him, dont give up hope. Id hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Mr Anderson senior, who said he served a short prison sentence for a domestic matter at the time his son joined the Ukrainians, said he has been contacted by Foreign Office officials Mr Anderson Sr with James's grandmother Jacqueline Payne Ukrainian soliders fighting in the Kursk region. Andersen was captured by Putin's forces in the Russian region where Ukraine holds several hundred square kilometres Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region of Ukraine Im sure therell be people from the Ukrainian side trying to negotiate his release but I understand its a lot worse to be captured now than when I was. There seem to be fewer negotiations going on. When I was first captured, I was held in solitary but when they ran out of space, they put all us Brits together and we used to encourage each other. Mr Harding, who had been fighting in Ukraine for four years before being captured and subjected to interrogation and torture, added: I was quite aggressive when I was first captured but it didnt work. If I was him, Id be the grey man, try and keep my head down. Youve got to give them (the Russians) some information but you try not to give them any information which could be of use. Mr Andersons capture comes just over a month after Russias defence ministry claimed that its forces killed two British mercenaries in Ukraine. The Kremlin said that the fighters were killed during an attack on the Ukrainian village of Mykhailivka, in the Donetsk region, which was taken over by Russian forces on October 13. The defence ministry quoted the deputy commander of the Russian battalion that led the assault, Igor Krasilnikov, as saying: There were two servicemen from Britain, mercenaries. They basically stayed in that stronghold. In July, Peter Fouche, 49, a former London taxi driver, was buried after he was killed in June, as his unit clashed with Russian troops. At the funeral ceremony, Ukrainian soldiers carried Mr Fouches coffin through Kyivs landmark Independence Square, the site of mass protests in 2014 that forced out a pro-Russian president. Russian President Vladimir Putin records a televised address in Moscow The burnt wreckage of a car in Kursk. Inside the region, it has been claimed that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russians Ukraine holds several hundred square kilometres of the Kursk region, which borders the northeast of Ukraine, but Putin's forces are gradually pushing them back. Inside Kursk, it has been claimed that North Korean soldiers are fighting alongside Russians. The capture comes after a top Russian general, along with 500 North Korean soldiers, were allegedly killed by British Storm Shadow missiles in a devastating attack. The strike launched by Ukraine on November 20 wiped out Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk and also resulted with 18 Putin officers reported lost, with a further 18 wounded, it has been claimed. Earlier reports suggested that a Kim Jong-un general had also been left injured in the attack as he commanded troops backing Vladimir Putin's Ukraine invasion. The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. It is understood that the pinpoint missiles had hit a Putin command post and military facility with the scale of Russian losses now alleged to be enormous. Russian Lt-Gen Valery Solodchuk (pictured) was reported to have been killed in the UK-supplied Storm Shadow strike by the Ukrainian armed forces on 20 November This is the moment missiles believed to be British Storm Shadow missiles struck inside Russia The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. One image following the attack showed a written indentation on a chunk of metal reading: 'Storm Shadow' Russian authorities have not yet confirmed losses which would be grievous to both Russia and North Korea if confirmed, and the reports are yet to be independently verified. The Storm Shadows were targeted on November 20 at an underground military facility in Maryino on a Tsarist estate, in Kursk region. New footage shows a Storm Shadow missile involved in the attack as it flew towards its target, it is claimed. If true, the losses may explain Putin's furious reaction - firing a new Oreshnik hypersonic missile at Dnipro, and his public boasts he had a new super weapon which was unstoppable by the West. Moscow also threatened that the use by Ukraine of NATO-supplied missiles meant Putin could legitimately hit back with nuclear missiles. The Russian officers reportedly killed are from Putin's Southern and Eastern Military Districts. The strike carried out by Ukraine was the first time UK Storm Shadow missiles had been used blast targets deep inside Russia. US-based Global Defense Corp reported that 500 North Korean soldiers were killed alongside Russian officers, however, there was no independent confirmation. Some 10,000-plus North Koreans are believed to have been moved across Siberia to the war zone after being ordered to serve Putin by their leader Kim Jong Un. They are either currently fighting for Putin or about to be deployed. Kim's decision to inject North Korean soldiers into Russia to help in Putin's bloody war has raised concerns among Kyiv's allies who worry that the move may exacerbate what is already Europe's largest conflict since WWII. Images shared on social media showed what appeared to be fragments of a British Storm Shadow missile in Marino, Kursk, on November 20 US-based Global Defense Corp reported that 500 North Korean soldiers were killed alongside Russian officers, however, there was no independent confirmation (file photo) South Koreans watch Kim Jong Un and Vladimir Putin during a recent meeting The Storm Shadow missile attack last week hit the sanatorium of the Russian Presidential Affairs Directorate in Maryino, a former Tsarist estate, say reports. Britain's Storm Shadow missiles are capable of dodging air defences - making them a nightmare attack weapon for their enemy. The 800,000 rockets use GPS technology to precisely blast targets, and can travel through the air at 600mph. Storm Shadow missiles have already been used by Ukraine inside its own territory for some time, but Kyiv now appears to have been granted permission to use the weapons to strike within Russia. Storm Shadow - called Scalp by the French - is a weapon equipped with a navigation system that once launched, descends to a low altitude to avoid detection before locking onto its target using an infra-red seeker. On the final approach, the missile climbs to a higher altitude to maximise the chances of hitting the target. On impact, it penetrates the target before a delayed fuse detonates the main warhead. The strike comes after Russia issued a warning that British support for Ukraine could 'lead to a collision between nuclear powers' in a grave threat as President Vladimir Putin vowed to launch more hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine. Putin has said he will fire more of Russia 's new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile being launched as part of nuclear deterrence forces drills in Russia on October 29, 2024 Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile launchers roll on Red Square during the Victory Day military parade in central Moscow on May 9 Andrey Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, cited American support for Ukraine to use Western missiles against targets in Russia, backed by Britain and France, in his warning that 'this seriously escalates the situation' and 'can lead to a collision between the nuclear powers'. The Kremlin suggested this week it was 'entitled' to fire upon 'the military targets of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities' in a thinly-veiled threat to the West, after the US gave its support for Kyiv using ATACMS missiles against Russian and North Korean forces in Russia. After striking the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with an experimental hypersonic missile early on Thursday, Putin ordered the mass production of the 'unstoppable' Oreshnik, believed to be able to reach Britain in under 20 minutes. 'There is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today. And I will emphasise once again that we will continue testing this newest system. It is necessary to establish serial production,' Putin said. A mystery drone was seen following a British warship at sea - days after unmanned aerial aircrafts were discovered over three air bases in the UK. The Royal Navy flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth seemed to be tailed by an unidentified 1.5-by-1.5metre drone at the entrance to the port of Hamburg, Germany, on Friday. The German military tried to target the drone with HP-47 jammers before it flew away, according to the German newspaper Bild. It comes after the US Air Force yesterday told that 'unmanned aerial systems' flew over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, as well as RAF Feltwell, of Norfolk, last week. While US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) played down the incursion, it came amid a week of serious escalation of hostilities between Russia and the West over the ongoing war in Ukraine. For the first time, Kyiv's forces hit targets inside Russia using US and British-supplied long-range missiles. In retaliation, Russia tested a new mid-range hypersonic ballistic missile in a strike on Dnipro, Ukraine. The attack marked the strongest missile understood to have been used during the conflict so far. British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (pictured), which seemed to be tailed by an unidentified 1.5-by-1.5 metre drone at the entrance to the port of Hamburg, Germany, on Friday The German military attempted to target the drone with HP-47 jammers before it flew away, according to the German newspaper Bild This weekend, Russia warned that British support for Ukraine could 'lead to a collision between nuclear powers' in a grave threat as Putin vowed to launch more hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine. Andrey Kelin, Russia's ambassador to the UK, cited American support for Ukraine to use Western missiles against targets in Russia, backed by Britain and France, in his warning that 'this seriously escalates the situation' and 'can lead to a collision between the nuclear powers'. The Kremlin suggested this week it was 'entitled' to fire upon 'the military targets of those countries that allow their weapons to be used against our facilities' in a thinly-veiled threat to the West, after the US gave its support for Kyiv using ATACMS missiles against Russian and North Korean forces in Russia. After striking the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with an experimental hypersonic missile early on Thursday, Putin ordered the mass production of the 'unstoppable' Oreshnik, believed to be able to reach Britain in under 20 minutes. Putin has said he will fire more of Russia's new hypersonic missiles at targets in Ukraine A Yars intercontinental ballistic missile being launched as part of nuclear deterrence forces drills in Russia on October 29, 2024 'There is no countermeasure to such a missile, no means of intercepting it, in the world today. And I will emphasise once again that we will continue testing this newest system. It is necessary to establish serial production,' Putin said. Amid rising fears of escalation, Ambassador Kelin told that Britain was now 'directly involved' in the war in Ukraine after its Storm Shadow missiles were reportedly used to strike targets inside Russia. British long-range missiles were reported to have been greenlit for use and then used after the US gave approval for Ukraine to use ATACMS missiles. 'Absolutely, Britain and UK is now directly involved in this war, because this firing cannot happen without NATO staff, British staff as well,' Mr Kelin told the outlet. 'The US administration, support[ed] by France and the UK, has made a deliberate decision to make these strikes, which seriously escalates the situation, and it can bring a collision between the nuclear powers.' Labour peer Tom Watson has become a paid adviser to a 'spy tech' firm at the centre of an NHS privacy row over patients' data. Lord Watson, who has long campaigned for victims of Press intrusion, has joined Palantir - a CIA-linked data mining company. Palantir has a 330million contract with the NHS to create a data system, which sparked a privacy row last year. The British Medical Association called it 'deeply worrying' that the US giant, which has close ties to defence and intelligence agencies in America, the UK and elsewhere, would be handling British patients' sensitive details. Lord Watson has declared on the latest Lords' Register of Members' Interests that he is being paid as a member of the company's 'public services advisory board'. He has not divulged how much money he is earning or whether he will be lobbying for further Whitehall contracts. When he was a Labour MP, he accepted 540,000 in donations from Max Mosley and supported the late F1 racing tycoon's campaign for tighter privacy laws against the Press. Lord Watson also piled pressure on Scotland Yard detectives from Operation Midland who were investigating claims of a VIP paedophile ring made by Carl Beech, which were later found to be made up. The allegations were against high-profile figures, including former home secretary Lord Brittan. Beech was jailed for 18 years. Labour peer Tom Watson has become a paid adviser to a 'spy tech' firm at the centre of an NHS privacy row over patients' data Lord Watson (pictured right), who has long campaigned for victims of Press intrusion, has joined Palantir - a CIA-linked data mining company Palantir has a 330million contract with the NHS to create a data system, which sparked a privacy row last year Palantir's UK arm is run by Louis Mosley, a nephew of Mr Mosley. Earlier this year, he told The Times: 'Fundamentally what [Palantir] provide is very powerful and therefore potentially very dangerous. We will only work in countries that are subject to the rule of law and western-aligned.' He has defended the company's work with the NHS, which he said makes it easier for doctors and clinicians to 'bring together' data about patients to help them 'do their job' and save lives. Former Cabinet minister David Davis has said it was 'the wrong company to be put in charge of our precious data resource'. Palantir was founded in 2003 by a group of Silicon Valley entrepreneur, including Peter Thiel, a former donor to Donald Trump. It provides data analysis software for companies and government agencies. One of its biggest clients is the US military with which it has a $100million contract to build AI-powered targeting systems for soldiers. Its software has been used to separate and deport migrant families in America. Another company which Mr Thiel financed Clearview AI was fined 7.5million by the Information Commissioner's Office in the UK for 'using images that were collected from the web and social media to create a global online database that could be used for facial recognition'. Lord Watson did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesman for Palantir said: '[We are] constituting an advisory board to ensure that as we do more public sector work in the UK, our approach is informed by independent experts from a range of relevant public service backgrounds. 'Tom and the other members will act as a sounding board for how and where Palantir's software products, which integrate and synthesise data in order to support better decision-making, can be most usefully deployed across the public sector.' The head of Sir Keir Starmers union is embroiled in allegations of harassing and bullying women. Former senior officials claim the GMB one of Labours biggest backers which boasts the Prime Minister among its 500,000-plus members is a vipers nest, and workers subs are used like confetti to fight complaints. General secretary Gary Smith, who endorsed Sir Keir for PM, was allowed to run for the role despite four counts of bullying and harassment against a female union rep being upheld in their entirety by an internal GMB investigation in 2020. After securing the 148,000-a-year job, Mr Smith was secretly recorded warning a female employee weve got better lawyers than you after she brought a sexual harassment claim against another official. Mr Smith admitted that the man the woman had complained about was a scumbag who abused you, but added: Once you get into a fight with a big organisation, yep, we are going to come out swinging, and weve got better lawyers than you, and theyll be more expensive. Thats just what happens. 'You put a gun on the table people just start shooting back. The woman signed a settlement agreement with a confidentiality clause before eventually leaving the union. [They] crush anyone who tries to speak up, she said. The GMB says Mr Smiths comments in the recording were taken out of context and that an independent barrister investigated the employees experience and found she was politically motivated against Mr Smith. GMB head Gary Smith has been accused of harassing and bullying female reps Sir Keir Starmer with GMB general secretary Gary Smith at the Union's 2023 congress. Details of the PM's membership of the union emerged in the list of ministers' interests published this month Details of Sir Keirs membership of the GMB emerged in the list of ministers interests published this month. Its not clear why the former human rights lawyer joined the general industry union, but it is likely a nod to his late fathers factory job as a tool-maker. The GMB, which donates more than 1 million to Labour every year, is the UKs third-biggest union with members from a wide range of industries, including the NHS, social care, retail, schools and local government. Many are in low-paid jobs. The Mail has spoken to numerous former and current GMB workers who likened the union to an old mens club. Anne Chandler, an official who claimed she was forced out in 2022 after 25 years, said the GMB was riddled with sexism. Ms Chandler, 69, lodged a bullying complaint in 2021 against two male colleagues who hatched a wholly inappropriate plan to sack her. Her complaint was upheld. The probe found that the two senior male figures told Ms Chandlers new boss: Your first job will be to sack Anne Chandler. In a letter to Ms Chandler, the regional GMB secretary who carried out the investigation admitted: The fact that the two senior organisers are men seeking to influence a third male senior organiser against a woman officer colleague is deeply concerning. Anne Chandler, 69, an official who claimed she was forced out in 2022 after 25 years, said the GMB was riddled with sexism A female rep in the GMB, who asked to remain anonymous out of fear of repercussions, said the union was full of scared people who were frightened of being suspended if they say anything. Another, who has worked in the union movement for three decades, said: The amount of fear from people is just horrible. Our shocking expose comes after a damning 2020 report into the GMB concluded that bullying, misogyny, cronyism, and sexual harassment were endemic, and branded the union institutionally sexist. Karon Monaghan KCs investigation found the GMB was a hostile environment for women and said a complete transformation in culture and practices was required. When Mr Smith was elected general secretary in 2021, he promised to implement the recommendations of the Monaghan Report in full and was even described as its moral compass. But members say the situation is worse under him. Paul Maloney, a former regional secretary who worked for the union for 40 years, hit out at Labours close affiliation with the GMB. He said: Its not very ethical that [Labour] are saying we stand for whats right, and yet we take money from an organisation that will keep doing wrong from within and punishing women. A current female rep criticised the use of expensive lawyers such as top firm Carter-Ruck. My members are paying for that, she said. They are cleaners and low-paid workers why should they be paying for Carter-Ruck? A spokesman for the GMB said: We categorically deny claims of a bullying culture and do not recognise our union in the accounts of these former members of staff. We now have clear, comprehensive and transparent procedures to fully investigate and effectively deal with any allegation of bullying, sexism or harassment. We do not use non-disclosure agreements and staff leaving the organisation are asked to sign standard settlement agreements, similar to those used by virtually every organisation across the public and private sectors. It is untrue to suggest Anne Chandler was compelled to leave GMB after she chose to retire two years ago. She voluntarily chose to withdraw complaints raised at an Employment Tribunal and has taken no further action. Mr Smith and the Labour Party were approached for comment but did not respond. Wealthy countries yesterday agreed to triple the amount of aid they pay to developing nations to tackle climate change in a last-minute deal at the Cop29 summit. Developed countries including the UK, US and EU nations agreed to pay $300billion (239billion) a year up from the $100billion they pay now. The sum was described by the United Nations as an insurance policy for humanity. But the action which excludes the worlds biggest polluter China was dismissed as too little, too late by developing countries. India branded it a paltry sum, as it falls well short of the $1.3trillion (1.04trillion) that was pushed for. China, the worlds second-biggest economy, presents a problem as it is not obliged to contribute. It was until recently a developing country and is not yet among the developed nations. So it falls between two stools and has merely been invited to contribute. Poorer countries say global warming was caused by wealthier Western countries who got rich from burning fossil fuels and now developing nations are being told they cannot use oil, gas and coal to power their own economies. The deal was struck at 2.40am local time yesterday, 33 hours after the UN climate talks were due to close on Friday. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband called it a critical 11th-hour deal at the 11th hour for the climate. But climate groups labelled the funding agreement, designed to help developing nations combat global warming and to modernise their economies, a drop in the ocean of rising seawaters. Yalchin Rafiyev, Azerbaijan's COP29 lead negotiator, left, talks with Simon Stiell, United Nations climate chief, center back, and Mukhtar Babayev, COP29 President, front, ahead of a plenary session at the COP29 UN Climate Summit on Sunday in Baku, Azerbaijan Liu Zhenmin, China climate envoy, speaks at the China Pavilion during the COP 29 UN Climate Summit on Wednesday in Baku, Azerbaijan Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, chats during a break in the second part of the closing plenary on day twelve at the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference on Saturday in Baku, Azerbaijan The UK is committed to paying 11.6billion towards climate finance between 2021 and 2026. Sir Keir Starmer has refused to commit to how much more taxpayers will have to pay towards this sum, but said while attending the two-week summit in Azerbaijan: I will be making the argument that the private sector ought to be paying into that. After the deal was announced at the Cop29 conference in Baku, he said: It is not everything we or others wanted but [it] is a step forward for us all. Its a deal that will drive forward the clean energy transition, which is essential for jobs and growth in Britain and for protecting us all against the worsening climate crisis. He said there is much more work to do to prevent climate catastrophe. Weve pushed for ambition in Baku and have restored the UK back to a position of global climate leadership, Sir Keir added. We will keep up the pace, working with other countries before the world meets again in Brazil for Cop30. Only by doing this can we keep future generations safe and reap the benefits of the clean energy revolution. Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement during the United Nations climate change conference COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 12 Sir Keir has refused to commit to how much more taxpayers will have to pay towards the agreed sum of money US President Joe Biden said work remained to be done, but Cop29 had set an ambitious international climate finance goal. While some may seek to deny or delay the clean energy revolution thats under way in America and around the world, nobody can reverse it nobody, he added. The money can come from public funds such as governments, bodies such as the World Bank or private sources and be in the form of grants and loans. UN climate chief Simon Stiell said the agreement could be seen as an insurance policy for humanity. He added: It will help all countries to share in the huge benefits of bold climate action: more jobs, stronger growth, cheaper and cleaner energy for all. Like any insurance policy, it only works if the premiums are paid in full and on time. Budget chain Premier Inn has got in on a long-standing hotel act by launching its very own signature cocktail which it claims is as good as New York's famous martini. Now available from most Premier Inns and priced at 2 for 12, The Dream Catcher, a short vodka-based drink is an 'enchanting' purple and designed to evoke the 'otherworldly realm' of dreams. It comes topped with a vegan foam to represent clouds and three edible stars. It tastes mainly like parma violet sweets. While Premier Inn has made 'hotel history' by joining an iconic line up of hotels famous for their signature drinks, the best mixologists in the industry suggest think it might be too bold to compare it to the Ritz's Mimosa or the Savoy's White Lady cocktails. Ryan Chetiyawardana, owner of cocktail bars Lyaness and Mr Lyan in London, which have both previously been crowned the best bar in the world, says it sounds 'divisive'. 'Any violet flavour is divisive,' he explains. 'You don't need very much at all to make a drink taste like soap and while there's a little bit of nostalgia to it for some people but for most, it's not a flavour that resonates with most drinkers'. He is however, 'excited' by the idea that Premier Inn have launched a signature cocktail. 'We've always wanted cocktails to be seen as inclusive and in the same way you wouldn't want to eat fine-dining food every night, sometimes you want a more casual cocktail in a very different space to a high-end bar.' To cater for a huge market, the Dream Catcher comes pre-bottled and is mixed with ice and garnished behind the bar. It has been designed by Pritish Mody, who has worked in UK drinks development for years, and says that 'along with their famously comfortable pillows and irresistible breakfasts, The Dream Catcher provides an exciting new reason for guests to choose a stay at Premier Inn!' The Dream Catcher, a short vodka-based drink is an 'enchanting' purple and designed to evoke the 'otherworldly realm' of dreams It has been designed by Pritish Mody, who has worked in UK drinks development for years While Premier Inn has made 'hotel history' by joining an iconic line up of hotels famous for their signature drinks, the best mixologists in the industry suggest think it might be too bold to compare it to the Ritz's Mimosa or the Savoy's White Lady cocktails Yet industry professionals suggest that the man behind the drink has never really worked in bars while others say the drink sounds 'disgusting'. Hamish Smith, the editor of go-to cocktail publication Class Magazine, suggests with his own reaction that the news may be met with much laughter. 'Rivalling the martini is a big claim,' he says. 'We're seeing a broadening of the cocktail, so even entry-level hotels are boosting their offerings but I would worry about any drink that was designed to meet the specification of 'purple',' he said. 'It sounds disgusting, but the good news for them is that all food and drink is subjective, and the customer can think whatever they want. Maybe they will think it tastes as good as an iconic martini from one of the best hotels in the world.' One customer at a Premier Inn in Glasgow was equally bemused by the fact the hotel had a signature drink. 'What's that, Tennent's lager?' he asked. At a nearby bar, one man said Premier Inn was the 'last place he'd take a lady for cocktails.' 'Even if I was staying at one and wanted a drink in the bar, fair enough, but would I ask for their 'signature cocktail' you've got to be joking?' The personal relationships between members of the Royal Family are always shrouded in a veil of mystery. Despite what royal experts and authors would have you believe, no one really knows what goes on behind the closed doors of the Palace. But one of the biggest clues for royal watchers is when the monarch gives out awards from the prestigious Royal Victorian Order. It is a dynastic knighthood which recognises distinguished personal service to the monarch and is one of the only public clues to see who is up and down in the royal pecking order. Dame Grand Cross and Knight Grand Cross are the highest rank in the order for women and men respectively, and they are highly coveted by members of the family. Sarah, Duchess of York, and Diana, Princess of Wales, never received one despite Fergie being married to the Queen's favourite son Andrew for a decade and the princess being married to the heir to the throne for more than 15 years. However one woman who married into the Royal Family and was quickly given the award was Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. She was given the honour by the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2010 after being married to her youngest son Prince Edward for just 11 years, a year before he received the same honour. Princess Kate, who will one day be Queen, joined Sophie in the late Queen's good graces when she was given the award in 2019. Here, MailOnline looks back at the personal relationship between Queen Elizabeth II and her reportedly favourite daughter-in-law - Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh. Queen Elizabeth II and her reportedly favourite daughter-in-law Sophie at Sandringham on Christmas Day in 2002 The then Countess of Wessex and Queen Elizabeth II share a joke on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the fly past at Trooping the Colour in June 2010. Sophie's husband Edward and Prince Michael of Kent are in the background Princess Anne, Queen Elizabeth II and Sophie can't hold back the giggles while preparing to cut a cake at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015 Sophie, wearing the blue riband of a Dame Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, with her husband Prince Edward Sophie was born into a middle-class family and ran her own PR company before she married Edward in 1999 and joined the Royal Family. But her royal career had a shaky start, and in some respects, Sophie and Edward were the Harry and Meghan of their day. Like the Sussexes, they insisted on trying to break the mould and forge lucrative commercial careers she in PR and he in TV production in tandem with their royal duties. Then Sophie was sensationally caught up in a humiliating 'sting' operation engineered by the News of the World after talking with a 'Fake Sheik' posing as a potential client. Her taped indiscretions about senior politicians were highly embarrassing. For his part, Edward was lambasted for trying to cash in on his royal links in his commercial ventures. However, crucially, unlike the Sussexes, Sophie and Edward wound down their businesses and dug in to royals duties, rebuilding their reputations within the Royal Family. The Countess is now the second-hardest working female royal after Princess Anne, and has won plaudits for her work on preventable blindness and the issue of sexual violence in war. One senior Whitehall source told Daily Mail Royal Editor Rebecca English that her championing of the cause has been 'invaluable'. Princess Anne with her husband Tim Laurence, Queen Elizabeth II and Sophie at Trooping the Colour in 2008 Equestrian fans, the late monarch and Sophie at Windsor Horse Show Both burgundy-hatted, the late Queen and Sophie at the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham, Norfolk, in 2006, and (below) at the same event in 2010 Sophie and the Queen at the Christmas Day service at Sandringham in 2010 Sophie, then Countess of Wessex, respectfully curtsies to the Queen at the Royal Academy of Arts in London in 2012 Prince William (left) and Prince Charles (behind the Queen) join her and Sophie at the Golden Jubilee Celebration on The Mall, London, in 2002 Sitting with her 'Mama' and father-in-law Prince Philip at the Children's Party At The Palace in June 2006 'She is not afraid to shy away from the questions that need to be asked of those in charge and hold their feet to the fire,' they say. Who else got a Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order from Queen Elizabeth II? In 1960 the Duke Of Kent , a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was appointed. , a first cousin of Queen Elizabeth II, was appointed. In 1974 the Duke of Gloucester received his award and the Duchess of Gloucester also received one in 1989. received his award and the also received one in 1989. Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh , in 2010 , in 2010 Andrew, the Duke of York, who was reportedly the Queen's favourite child, was given the award in 2011 alongside his brother Edward , the Duke of Edinburgh the Duke of York, who was reportedly the Queen's favourite child, was given the award in 2011 alongside his brother Camilla , then Duchess of Cornwall, was given the award in 2012 , then Duchess of Cornwall, was given the award in 2012 Philip , then Duke of Edinburgh received the gong in 2017 to mark his 70th wedding anniversary , then Duke of Edinburgh received the gong in 2017 to mark his 70th wedding anniversary Catherine , then Duchess of Cambridge, was then given the award in 2019 on her eighth wedding anniversary Several honorary Knights and Dames Grand Cross have also been appointed during the Queen's reign. These include Emperor Akihito of Japan in 1953, Kuwaiti diplomat Khaled Al-Duwaisan, Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations Kamalesh Sharma and Prince (later King) Felipe of Spain in 1988. Advertisement Her hard work for 'The Firm' did not go unnoticed, and before long Sophie and the late Queen began to grow closer and eventually she became like a 'second daughter'. Indeed, after losing her own mum, Mary Rhys-Jones, to cancer in 2005 at just 71, Sophie had taken to affectionately calling the Queen 'Mama'. They spent a lot of time together. Sophie and Prince Edward, live with their two children just a stone's throw away from Windsor Castle at Bagshot Park. Walking their dogs together was a favourite pastime. The Queen and Sophie also shared a love of military history, spending hours poring over ancient documents in the Royal Archives at Windsor. The seeds of their fond relationship were sown in 2002 after the Queen lost first her sister, Princess Margaret, then her adored mother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, within two months. It was such a comfort to have another female family member in her life. The shattering death of her beloved Philip in April 2021 brought the Queen and Sophie even closer, with the monarch often inviting her to take her late husband's place with her in the back of the car. This deep-rooted affection and respect explains why, when the Queen's nearest and dearest gathered in Scotland to mourn her sudden passing in September 2022, Sophie was the only non-blood relative aside from Princess Anne's husband, Sir Tim Laurence who was front and centre of the intimate family group. Indeed, Sophie, privately educated from a solid middle-class family in Kent (her father is a retired tyre salesman and her mother was a secretary) has become the real royal deal and what the Queen considered to be one of the safest pairs of hands in The Firm. Sophie is devoted to and fiercely protective of her children, having endured serious medical complications during the birth of Louise and an ectopic pregnancy. 'She went through a lot to have her family and she and Edward have never relied on nannies. They have always had a rule that, when working, one of them is at home with the children as far as possible,' Penny Mountbatten previously said. Catherine, the then Duchess of Cambridge, speaks to the Countess of Wessex during the service to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, on June 4, 2013 Queen Elizabeth II and Sophie after attending the St Mary Magdalene Church morning service on New Year's Eve at Sandringham, Norfolk, in 2017 Sophie and Prince Edward during the South Africa State Banquet held at Buckingham Palace on November 22, 2022 Prince Harry greets Sophie as they arrive for a thanksgiving service for the late Queen Mother and Princess Margaret at St George's Chapel in Windsor on March 30, 2012 And because the Queen lived close by, she got to spend a great deal of time with Louise and James when they were growing up, often watching Mr Tumble on CBeebies when they were little. The Queen even turned to Sophie for help with one of the biggest royal tasks of the last few years - integrating Harry's wife Meghan Markle into the family. To help her settle in, it was claimed that the late Queen suggested Sophie as a 'sort of mentor' to Meghan. But the Duchess of Sussex 'felt she had Harry' and didn't need further help from an advisor, and Sophie was never blamed for the disaster that was Megxit. It was often Sophie who was picked to travel with the Queen when she was attending church services at either Sandringham or Balmoral. She won the coveted spot because the monarch 'found her presence soothing' and liked to be 'completely calm before church'. It was believed that Sophie was seen by the Queen as the Royal Family's safest pair of hands, because her marriage to Prince Edward has lasted, while Charles, Anne and Andrew have all been divorced. The Queen and Sophie's close bond was said to be down to their similar interests, with the pair often spending Saturday or Sunday evenings together at Windsor, watching old war films and historical documentaries. Sophie was mooted as a 'mentor' to new Royal Family member Meghan, here sharing a carriage with her for Royal Ascot in 2018 A peck on the cheek from Sophie at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in 2015 The Queen was often accompanied by Sophie, whose presence she found soothing At the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on May 19, 2018 Sophie and the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, David Lidington, arrive through the East Gallery during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace Sophie was even thought to have convinced the Queen to watch The Crown - suggesting she might enjoy the Netflix series which is based on her reign. The Duchess of Edinburgh is patron of more than 70 organisations, focusing largely on the rights of women and girls across the world. Sophie's determination saw her take on full-time royal duties, and embrace rural pursuits beloved by the royals, such as riding, fishing, shooting game and carriage-driving. In the years before the Queen's death she became her rock. Speaking in 2021, one friend said: 'Sophie set herself a series of tasks. She learned how to ride properly and now rides with the Queen at least once a week. 'She took up carriage-driving to be close to Philip. 'She had her own series of scandals before her marriage when she was accused of cashing in on her royal connections, but she calmly put all that behind her and has been an exemplary daughter-in-law.' Sophie previously explained to the Telegraph how her visits during lockdown involved the Queen standing on a 20ft high balcony and waving down at her. She and Edward were the first to visit the grieving monarch after Phillip's death, and as they left the castle Sophie was visibly upset. At the time, she was described as one of a group of four who were providing support for the monarch. 'Sophie is like another daughter to the Queen, they are that close,' said a royal source. 'She is trusted and relied on like few others.' This has been quite the excavation, with all manner of surprises unearthed. Earl Spencer has the air of a man who can't quite believe what he has found. He gazes at the (younger) woman by his side, and addresses the conundrum of what to call her. 'I'm 60, so if I said Cat was my girlfriend, it makes me sound 20, doesn't it?' Dr Cat Jarman, 18 years his junior, agrees. 'I can't call you my boyfriend either,' she says. They reach a mutual agreement. 'We are in a relationship,' she says. 'That's the grown-up way to put it.' There is some very grown up (i.e. complicated, in a heading-for-the-courts sort of way) background to this love story, but it's clear that it is a love story, and this is the first time the couple involved have been prepared to tell it. 'I'm too old for hearts and flowers stuff, but the best way to describe it is that with Cat, I can be myself,' says Earl Spencer. 'She knows who I am. Who I really am. I don't have to pretend to be something I am not. And she brings out the best in me.' And this is a novelty in a relationship? 'Yes,' he says, quietly. 'It is.' The thrice-married Earl Spencer, 60, and archaeologist Dr Cat Jarman, 42 The romance between the Toff and the Prof has been the talk of the society set. The (thrice-married, not-yet-divorced) ninth Earl Spencer, brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, is one of the most famous aristocrats in the land. He met the new woman in his life when she arrived at Althorp, the country estate his family has owned for 500 years, with a pickaxe. Cat, 42, is a Norwegian-born archaeologist, who had heard of Althorp because it is an archaeologically important site. There have long been rumours of a 'lost' medieval village buried in the grounds. In 2021, Cat and a TV crew from Channel 4 arrived to dig. He knew who she was because he had once reviewed a book she wrote. She tells me she really didn't know who Earl Spencer was. Her knowledge of centuries-dead aristocrats is splendid, but she was a bit hazy on living royals, and those who move in their circles. In fact, it sounds as if she pretty much elbowed the lord of the manor out of the way, in order to get to the more exciting artefacts. She might not have literally said 'hold my axe, Posh Boy', but that's the idea. 'I grew up in Norway, where we don't really have a class system, and there isn't really any interest in all that,' says Cat. 'I'm a nerd. I'd heard of Althorp, and was excited about the lost village. When a TV producer phoned me up and asked if I would be interested, I said yes. But to be completely honest, I didn't know who Charles was. He sort of tagged along.' Friendship blossomed between the two. Charles, a historian himself, was fascinated by this bright ('and interested') woman who seemed so much cleverer than he was. 'I'm ashamed about how little I know, compared to Cat,' he says, going quite pink. 'I'm embarrassed to say that I'd never been to the British Museum until I went with her. I must be the only person in Britain who hasn't been. But with her, it was like having a Blue Badge guide.' Cat leans over. 'He's a member now.' Dr Jarman had heard of Althorp, the Spencer family home, because it is archaeologically important Their friendship grew and grew. Not only was he not remotely bothered that she, in her mud-spattered working gear, didn't seem like any other (society) woman he had ever come across, he found this intriguing. He liked the fact that all the titles that had been bestowed on her (she has a PhD, and is the current Nordic Person of the Year) had come about through academic achievement, rather than birthright. Having failed to find this lost village, Cat returned to dig for a Roman villa at Althorp. 'As you do,' quips the very self-aware Charles. The place is like a village anyway, as vast country piles are, but another guest, at that time, was the celebrity vicar Rev Richard Coles, who had become a very close friend of Charles after he moved to Northamptonshire. Charles chuckles as he tells me he met the Rev Coles at a dreary drinks do, 'which got infinitely worse when this vicar came bearing down on me. I put on the smile and prepared to talk about the church roof'. Instead, we had a jolly old chat about the fact that Richard [a one-time pop star who had been in Bronski Beat and the Communards] was gay. 'I asked him what the bishop thought about him living with his partner. He said the bishop was fine, as long as it was celibate. I said 'so are you celibate?' and he said 'Sod off'. I knew then that I'd made a friend for life.' The unlikely trio by now the Toff, the Prof and the Man-of-the-cloth would hang out, talking about history, religion, life, and it sounds like a right giggle. It was Cat who suggested that their combined expertise should be harnessed. Last year, they all started to record a podcast called The Rabbit Hole Detectives, which can best be described as part game-show, part excuse for some hilarious (and often erudite) banter. The earl with his wife Karen at the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in 2018 'We just talk about stuff,' explains Charles. 'It has been a huge success, and the three have now written a book together, chock-full of interesting facts and historical, well, stuff. If you want a Christmas present recommendation for a hard-to-buy-for nerdy-type, this is the one to order. 'So we were friends, then we were colleagues,' adds Charles. What was it, specifically, that brought them close? 'Shared interests. We were fascinated by the same things. And she made me laugh. Laughter was key.' There had not been much laughter in Charles's life. During the time his friendship with Cat was developing, he had been writing the searing memoir A Very Private School, published earlier this year. This book was a chilling expose of the public school system. In it, Charles documented how he had suffered physical and sexual abuse at boarding school. It took him five years to write, and those were five years of trauma. 'Even now I find it hard,'he says. 'It wasn't just my own story, but the thing that affected me so much was telling other people's stories. 'So many people contacted me afterwards to tell of the same thing. I have actually just finished writing an extra chapter for the paperback, and when I was showing it to Cat I just burst into tears.' His wife had been cited as the great support during the writing process, but he admits now that towards the latter stages, he was sharing drafts with Cat too, valuing her input. She says she saw how affecting it was for him, 'and I came to understand the man, and what had made him the way he is'. Eight months ago, in March, their friendship tipped into 'something else'. They won't say how it happened because it's private ('and too complicated,' sighs Charles), but they admitted their feelings for each other. Quite when Charles told his wife Karen, a Canadian socialite, that their 13-year marriage was over is not clear, but the public announcement was made in June. This could potentially be a messy divorce. Charles has already engaged the rottweiler divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton (who, interestingly, represented King Charles during his divorce from Diana). Was Rev Richard Coles who also counted Karen as a friend aware of the developing romance? 'It wasn't discussed, but I think he knew,' says Cat. I am speaking to the pair as they take part in a literary festival in Iceland to promote their new book. There is much joking about how the absent member of their trio is off in the jungle (Rev Coles is taking part in I'm A Celebrity). There is banter about close they all are. 'But not in that way between me and Richard,' says Charles. 'It's not a Fleetwood Mac situation with everyone having affairs with everyone.' I had feared they would want to gloss over much of the detail of their romance, but actually they are open, to a point (and it's legalities that hold them back on some aspects). The Rabbit Hole book is written by Earl Spencer, Dr Jarman and the Rev Richard Coles This is a most difficult situation, though. Earl Spencer has seven children from three marriages. His youngest child, Charlotte Diana, from his marriage to Karen, is just 12. Cat, who is separated from her husband, has two teenage boys. They won't talk about the children, other than to say that her sons have visited Althorp. Is Cat now living there, since it has been reported that Karen still is (although she posted on Instagram that she is preparing to move out)? 'No we aren't living together,' says Charles. It may well be hard for his wife to hear it, but Charles Spencer does seem very happy. Relieved too. 'It really is nice to be with someone who wants to do stuff,' he says. 'Take today. We could have come to this festival and just stayed in the hotel, but we were up this morning going to see a lagoon. It really is nice to find someone who is dynamic and interested.' He insists he 'wasn't looking, neither of us were'. 'The thing is, I am 18 years older than Cat and so there wasn't even the possibility . . . I've never been with a much younger person. I wasn't even thinking romance. I was at the tail end of a marriage. It just wasn't a possibility.' Yet Charles has now had three failed marriages. His book was astonishingly candid about the effect childhood abuse had on his capacity to form relationships. He admits himself that he is emotionally damaged. Some would say, I suggest, that Cat who seems very sensible, very grounded, very much not a gold-digger (unless we are talking Roman coins) should run a mile. 'I feel that I've got to know Charles very gradually, as a friend, and I know how his life has developed. I know who he is now. That is all that matters,' she says. He nods. 'I've never tried to do a hard sell on Cat. She's very canny, very emotionally mature. With her I don't pretend to be anything I am not. She knows exactly who I am and who I am not.' Does he reckon he is 'fixed' enough to be embarking on another relationship, though? He isn't remotely offended by the question. 'Well, I'm not as fixed as I would really love to be, but I am as fixed as I could be. And I do take responsibility for lots of stuff in the past.' Ultimately, though, he believes he was with the wrong women before. Maybe the wrong 'type' of woman too. 'Put it this way, this is a very easy relationship to be in. Sometimes in the past I was trying to make people better, or make people happier. I think I was a people pleaser. I'm much less concerned with that. 'A lot of my close friends have said how happy they are that I am with someone like Cat because it shows enormous progress from where I was before. 'Look, it's good to be with someone who is just so . . . nice. 'I don't want to denigrate anyone, but Cat is just completely different to anyone I've ever been with before.' It also seems that Cat not being part of the social set, not part of (or impressed by) our extraordinary class system, is a factor here? 'I think Cat being Scandinavian is quite lovely for me, coming to me cold, as it were, just accepting me for the person. I've been to visit her parents in Norway, and they really don't have a class system there. It seems a really happy place and everyone just gets on with it.' How his wife must rue the day he sat down to expunge those childhood demons. He agrees that there is a direct link between writing the memoir and blowing up his life. 'I took it on because I had reached the stage in my life where there was this incredibly complicated knot that needed unpicking. 'I don't think it [the abuse] is something I will ever come to terms with but writing the book has made me understand my life a lot better. 'I was on a mission it sounds so twee to find myself, and get rid of the damage that school had done to me, and rediscover who I would have been without it. 'By laying everything on the page so brutally, I think I realised what was true and what was not true. 'When you see things very clearly, it is very hard not to unsee them. I realised that my life was in a bit of a mess. After writing the book, there were tricky things to deal with.' Including, an unhappy marriage, clearly. 'This sounds so self-absorbed, but I feel I'm in a more honest phase of my life.' And what will the next phase look like? Is marriage number four a likely outcome? Rev Richard Coles won't need to rush home from the jungle (given impending divorce proceedings) but does he need to get his diary out? 'It's a bit early for that,' concludes Charles, but the way he looks at Cat suggests otherwise. The Rabbit Hole Book by Richard Coles, Charles Spencer and Cat Jarman, published by Michael Joseph is available for 17.20. If you're someone who likes to hold onto their gadgets as long as possible, you may be forced to upgrade sooner than you think. While Apple supports its products for several years after their release, every device has a definitive lifespan. Once a product has been out of production for too long, Apple redefines it as first vintage and then as obsolete. If Apple drops a product to obsolete, the company will no longer offer support or repairs for your device. 'Apple discontinues all hardware service for obsolete products, and service providers cannot order parts for obsolete products,' the tech giant explained. Despite their popularity, the iPhone X and iPhone SE could soon be consigned to the scrap heap. Meanwhile, if you bought a Mac, iPad, or Apple Watch in 2017, you could soon lose the chance to get it repaired. So if you have any of these devices, make sure to get them serviced while you still have the chance. Apple products only have so many years before they are rendered obsolete and will no longer receive support What are vintage and obsolete Apple products? Becoming obsolete doesn't necessarily have anything to do with how long a piece of Apple tech can work for. Rather, this is a term used by Apple to determine whether it will still offer support and repairs. The process has three stages, starting with Apple deciding to discontinue the product. This simply means that Apple will no longer manufacture the piece of tech in question and once the last stock is sold it will not be replaced. A product is generally discontinued when sales dip below a certain level or when the product no longer fits within the wider Apple lineup. For example, a number of Apple's Lightning cable adaptors were recently discontinued since they were no longer compatible with the latest iPhone models. Once a product has been discontinued for five years, Apple regards this as vintage and the company no longer guarantees that you will be able to get the product serviced. After being discontinued for five years, Apple products become vintage. This was recently the case for the iPhone XS Max (2018, pictured here left) and iPhone 6s Plus (2015) The iPhone SE was released in 2016 and discontinued in 2018, meaning it has already been discontinued for six years. Next year Apple will redefine the device as obsolete What is an obsolete Apple product? After Apple discontinues a product it loses support in two stages. Five years on from discontinuation the product becomes vintage. This means you can still get the device serviced by Apple but the company won't guarantee that there will be parts. Seven years after discontinuation, the product becomes obsolete. When this happens, Apple will not service or support the product. Advertisement You might still be able to get a vintage product repaired if the parts are available but this isn't always possible. Two years after that, seven years after it was discontinued, the device becomes officially obsolete. When this happens, Apple pulls any support for the product meaning customers can no longer get serviced or repaired. But the bigger issue is that obsolete gadgets often stop getting the latest software updates. This not only means that users miss out on the latest features but also on vital security updates. Ben Wood, Chief Analyst at CCS Insight, told MailOnline: 'All technology reaches a point where it is no longer viable to keep supporting it. 'Apple will look at a number of factors including the capability of the device and whether it can support new software advancements. 'This will depend on how much memory the devices have and how powerful the processor is.' Which iPhone models will become obsolete next? Since Apple's products become obsolete on a regular schedule, it's possible to know what will be next on the chopping block. The next to go will be the currently-vintage products which were discontinued in 2017 and 2018. This schedule puts the iPhone X and the iPhone SE as the next products in line. While they were released a year apart, both were discontinued in 2018 which means they will become obsolete next year. The only outlier to the trend is the iPhone 5 which was launched in 2012 and discontinued the next year. Despite not having had a software update in five years, Apple still considers the device vintage, meaning owners should still be able to get the decade-old device serviced. However, having been vintage for almost six years, it is likely that Apple will soon get around to redefining this archaic device as obsolete. The iPhone 5 is still considered vintage rather than obsolete despite having been discontinued in 2013. This unusual quirk means the decade-old device is likely to be obsolete fairly soon Which iPhones will lose support next? When it comes to the iPhone, the harder thing to predict is when a device will lose software support. Since the 2010s, Apple has been gradually extending the length of time its devices can use the latest version of iOS. Mr Wood says: 'We expect the next iPhones to stop getting software updates will be the iPhone 8, and [iPhone 8] Plus model, and the iPhone X.' These devices are currently only compatible with iOS 16 which got its most recent security update in August this year. However, as these devices teeter on the edge of becoming obsolete it is likely that Apple will soon stop providing even the most basic security support. Likewise, Mr Woods predicts that the iPhone XS and XR will stop receiving the latest software support in 2025. Although these devices were released in 2018 they were produced for so long before being discontinued that they aren't yet considered vintage and have had software support for seven years. The iPhone XR has already received software support for seven years but experts say this will probably end sometime next year with the release of iOS 19 But with iOS 19 expected to release sometime next year, it's unlikely that Apple will provide eight years of support for these ageing devices. However, these models will still run iOS 18 and so should keep receiving security updates for some time. While it might be frustrating to lose support for a valued device, it is worth noting that Apple actually offers to support devices for an unusually long period. Mr Wood says: 'iPhone owners can expect at least five years of operating system updates and six years of security updates which is already impressive. However, Apple has regularly gone beyond that. 'It has also forced other consumer electronics manufacturers such as Samsung and Google to step up and increase the length of support on their devices which is a good thing for consumers and the environment.' In January this year, Samsung announced that it would extend its security update support period to seven years, matching what has been offered for the most recent iPhone models. Likewise, the Google Pixel 8 which was released last year was the first Google phone to guarantee operating system and security updates for seven years. Which other products will become obsolete? Both the second-generation Apple Watch Series 1 (second generation) and the iPad Air 2 were discontinued in 2017 meaning they should become obsolete within the next few months The 2015 model MacBook Air was discontinued after two years in 2017, making it the next Mac product in line for obsolescence There are several iPad models which are scheduled to become obsolete in the coming months. The iPad Air 2, which was discontinued in March 2017 is currently listed as vintage but should become obsolete very soon. The same goes for the iPad Mini 2 which was discontinued at the same time and is now overdue for obsolescence. Next year, the iPad 5th generation and iPad Pro second generation will also move from vintage to obsolete, having been discontinued in 2018. Additionally, the next Mac product to become obsolete will be the 2015 model 11-inch MacBook Air which was discontinued in 2017. The iMac, originally released in 2013, is also expected to move from vintage to obsolete next year. Finally, the second-generation Apple Watch Series 1 is expected to become obsolete next year having been discontinued in 2017. Advertisement The Worlds 50 Best organisation recently expanded its repertoire from bars to beds with its 50 Best Hotel awards. I check into the one that bagged the top spot the Capella Bangkok. As with most luxury hotels, an army of staff awaits arriving guests, and Im quickly whisked through the enormous lobby to the Living Room. In this library-like space a staple of Capella hotels check-in kicks off with a welcome drink (I opt for a Coke, although options include sparkling wine and guava juice). The 101 rooms, suites and villas all face the river. My riverfront room covers 61 square metres (656 sq feet) and feels enormous, despite being the smallest accommodation category. Clever positioning of a recessed balcony area, divided from the bedroom by glass walls, is why I initially think Ive bagged a corner suite. Vast expanses of glass mean an abundance of natural light, and its only later when I realise that behind the bathroom mirrors is nothing but an internal glass wall between me and the bedroom, with its floor-to-ceiling windows. For a nano-second I panic that the red lights atop distant skyscrapers are phones of office workers laughing at the oblivious, semi-naked Capella guest (me). The Capella Bangkok tops 2024's World's 50 Best Hotels list - Tamara Hinson checks in Capella Bangkok has 101 rooms, suites and villas that all face the Chao Phraya River 'As with most luxury hotels, an army of staff awaits arriving guests,' remarks Tamara. Above is one of the hotel's luxury ensuites Added extras (including sockets and USB ports, thank goodness) abound the mini bars non-alcoholic drinks are complimentary and my bathroom highlight is the set of boxed vanity items that slot together to reveal a riverside scene. Beyond my room, Im reminded of a James Bond villains lair in a good way. Despite being close to Bangkoks centre, theres a huge sense of space, and it often feels like Im the only guest as I pass through ceiling-height doors that swoosh silently open to reveal cathedral-like public spaces with fantastic riverside views. The other side of the Chao Phraya River, with its tangles of cranes, isnt anything to write home about - its the river itself that makes the view. During the day its a hive of activity, a constant flow of fishing boats and river taxis chugging along whats known as Bangkoks lifeblood. Later, theyre replaced by tourist-laden party boats deploying retina-burning spotlights from top deck dancefloors. This is why its worth choosing your seating carefully in the hotels riverside Phra Nakhon restaurant, where iPad menus maintain the minimalism. I enjoy dining outside, watching the flow of party boats, even if my pomelo salad comes with a soundtrack of Shakira. Somewhat quieter is Michelin-starred Cote by Mauro Colagreco, for dishes inspired by the Italian and French Riviera. Tamara comments that 'despite being close to Bangkoks centre, theres a huge sense of space' 'It often feels like Im the only guest as I pass through ceiling-height doors that swoosh silently open to reveal cathedral-like public spaces with fantastic riverside views,' writes Tamara. Above is the tea lounge 'I suspect few guests stray far from the property, preferring to lounge poolside, or in the spa [above],' says Tamara 'Despite the complimentary river shuttle,' writes Tamara, 'there are endless reasons to stay put' Tamara writes: 'Im unsure how the hotel feels about its [best in the world] accolade. Perhaps its a blessing and a curse. When a hotel is named the worlds best, my radar goes up a notch' My fellow guests include a brash Brazilian guest shouting business deals into his phone during dinner, and at breakfast, six Americans discussing their love of Fiji. When Im not lounging in my room flashing office workers, my favourite spot is Stella, the Art Deco cocktail bar and when I visit - the setting for the hotels nightly Cin Cin hour, when guests enjoy complimentary drinks. I suspect few guests stray far from the property, preferring to lounge poolside, or in the spa - when I ask a concierge for directions to Siam SkyTrain station, she assumes I mean Icon Siam, the luxury shopping centre nearby, and seems baffled Id want to venture further afield. Admittedly, despite the complimentary river shuttle, there are endless reasons to stay put, ranging from family-friendly activities such as painting workshops to muay Thai masterclasses. Tamara explains that the hotel offers activities including painting workshops and muay Thai masterclasses. Above is a panoramic studio Tamara says that it's the river 'that makes the view', adding: 'During the day its a hive of activity, a constant flow of fishing boats and river taxis chugging along whats known as Bangkoks lifeblood' LEFT: Tamara's swanky ensuite. She's says of her room: 'It feels enormous, despite being the smallest accommodation category.' RIGHT: One of Tamara's dinner meals at Capella - prawn and mushroom soup Im unsure how the hotel feels about its accolade. Perhaps its a blessing and a curse. When a hotel is named the worlds best, my radar goes up a notch. Maybe its my Britishness, but the night before Id stayed at a Singapore hotel where my minibar fridge contains a tiny milk jug. Luckily, I bring my own teabags to the Capella because my tea-related supplies amount to a trio of teabags (only one of which is English breakfast), and there is no milk. I also find it slightly frustrating that the television hangs somewhat lopsidedly from the wall. Minor complaints, but perhaps ones that shouldnt exist at the worlds best hotel. So is it? Ive stayed in many, and Id say no, but there are a lot of hotels, after all. I can think of several that would bag higher positions on my own top 50. These include Londons Shangri-La the Shard, with its beautifully furnished bedrooms, Hoshinoya Tokyo, an insanely luxurious ryokan, and the Swissotel The Stamford Singapore, where employees attentiveness always blows me away. Best in the world? Maybe not. Top 10? Definitely. Nothing beats the nostalgic feel and cosiness that the classic Christmas romantic comedies bring at the most magical time of the year. However, Netflix has decided to bring a little more spice to the festivities for 2024 with a sexy twist to the genre. The streamer has chosen to swap wholesome family cheer for sizzling passion this season, with a string of noticeably racier festive films being dropped in the lead up to Christmas. And it appears viewers are already big fans, with several of movies already released debuting to number one on Netflix, while setting social media ablaze. From a Christmas version of Magic Mike to a naked and muscled Frosty the Snowman, there's something for everyone. And MailOnline has got all the details on Netflix's most titillating treats to help you decide what to watch if you're in the mood to heat up your holiday. The Merry Gentlemen The sexiest festive offering on Netflix's Christmas roster is by far The Merry Gentlemen, which as been described as 'Magic Mike meets Christmas'. Starring Britt Robertson and noughties heartthrob Chad Michael Murray, the film is sure to get temperatures rising, as it follows a dancer who stages a male revue to save her parents small-town nightclub. The trailer and stills from the rom-com show a lot of shirtless hunks thrusting their hips and showing off their muscly physiques on stage. Teasing the film last month, Chad told Tudum: 'We got to change things up a little bit and push the envelope. 'We take a lot of the tropes that have been created for this particular genre and poke fun at them in such a tasteful way.' Britt plays Ashley, a former Broadway dancer who is fired and returns home just in time to try and save her parents business, The Rhythm Room, before Christmas. While Chad plays local handyman and Ashley's love interest Luke, who leads the dancers and is described as 'kind, confident, and slightly sarcastic'. He admitted the prospect of the shirtless dancing 'scares the c*** out of me' and took preparation seriously, with plenty of rehearsals of the choreography. Britt admitted that the sultry take on a Christmas film was right up her street, with the men wearing the skimpy outfits usually reserved for the female leads. She told the outlet: 'When I read the script, I was like, "This is my kind of Christmas movie!" 'I didnt even have to do any of the burlesque. I get to just watch a bunch of very talented dudes do it.' While script writer Marla Sokoloff said her intention with the film was to make the well-trodden Christmas movie genre 'a little bit more youthful and slightly spicy'. Speaking to the New York Times she said: 'A lot of people equate Christmas movies with grandmas in Ohio watching them, and I think its kind of fun toeing the line of, "Will Grandma like this one or will Grandma be offended by this one?"' The sexiest festive offering on Netflix's Christmas roster is by far The Merry Gentlemen, which as been described as 'Magic Mike meets Christmas' Starring Britt Robertson and noughties heartthrob Chad Michael Murray (pictured), the film is sure to get temperatures rising, as it follows a dancer who stages a male revue to save her parents small-town nightclub She added that her original draft was even racier, with the men given even less to wear, admitting: 'There was a period where they were just in, like, Speedos with flashing lights on the back that said "Naughty Santa". We had to rein it in a bit.' Britt plays Ashley, a former Broadway dancer who is fired and returns home just in time to try and save her parents business, The Rhythm Room, before Christmas (pictured with Marla Sokoloff) While Chad plays local handyman and Ashley's love interest Luke, who leads the dancers and is described as 'kind, confident, and slightly sarcastic' Hot Frosty Netflix's other visually-appealing offering has already got social media abuzz, taking the well-known tale of Frosty the Snowman and turning it on its head. It isn't the first time the story of a snowman who is brought to life has been taken to the big screen, with Michael Keaton's famous 1998 film, Jack Frost, being one of the most tear-jerking Christmas movies of all time. But Hot Frosty goes in an entirely new direction, with the snowman in question turning into a chiselled hunk named Jack. Mean Girls' Lacey Chabert stars as a widow named Kathy Barrett, whose husband passed away two years prior and who comes upon a uniquely muscled snowman during a snow sculpture competition. Placing a magical red scarf onto him, he transformed in a handsome man with a childlike naivete played by Schitt's Creek star Dustin Milligan. His innocence helps her heal and find love again and the pair bond before the holidays, but he's doomed to melt. The movie was filmed during the spring in Ontario, Canada to get the Christmas-appropriate background. However, this was not as cheery for Dustin, who spends most of the film completely shirtless and at points naked, but hidden behind strategically placed objects. He said he filmed outdoors wearing only 'a bulky beige pair of thong underwear' in the scenes in which his character first comes to life. Netflix's other visually-appealing offering has already got social media abuzz, taking the well-known tale of Frosty the Snowman and turning it on its head But Hot Frosty goes in an entirely new direction, with the snowman in question turning into a chiselled hunk named Jack Mean Girls' Lacey Chabert stars as a widow named Kathy Barrett, whose husband passed away two years prior and who comes upon a uniquely muscled snowman during a snow sculpture competition Placing a magical red scarf onto him, he transformed in a handsome man with a childlike naivete played by Schitt's Creek star Dustin Milligan Dustin - who spends most of the film completely shirtless and at points naked, but hidden behind strategically placed objects - said he filmed outdoors wearing only 'a bulky beige pair of thong underwear' in the scenes in which his character first comes to life. Meet Me Next Christmas Released earlier this month, Meet Me Next Christmas even features more sizzling sexual tension than Christmas film fans are used to. It stars pop icon Christina Milian and has already proved a hit with fans, debuting as the number-one film on Netflix. Statistics revealed on Thursday last week showed the flick had been watched a whopping 18,100,000 times and was officially crowned the number-one film globally on Netflix. The story follows Christina's character Layla who is on a quest to meet the man of her dreams - the dashing James (Kofi Siriboe). In order to reconnect with the love of her life, she must raced through New York City to get her hands on the hottest ticket in town: the sold-out Pentatonix Christmas Eve Concert. On the way she finds an unexpected ally in professional concierge Teddy, played by Devale Ellis, who is big-hearted and selfless. But sparks begin to fly between the two on the 'quest for love' with pictures showing the pair looking very steamy, as Teddy grabs Layla's leg as they rehearse a dance routine in order to win tickets to the concert in a contest. Speaking to Tutum about the connection, Christina said: 'What makes Layla and Teddy such a good match is that it happens right under their nose. 'Sometimes you have this vision for exactly what something is going to be. And then you realize its actually been standing right next to you that whole time. Thats what true love is all about.' Released earlier this month, Meet Me Next Christmas even features more sizzling sexual tension than Christmas film fans are used to It stars pop icon Christina Milian and has already proved a hit with fans, debuting as the number-one film on Netflix The story follows Christina's character Layla who is on a quest to meet the man of her dreams at a Pentatonix concert and finds an unexpected ally in professional concierge Teddy on the way Our Little Secret Our Little Secret marks Lindsay Lohan's third romantic comedy for Netflix, following Falling for Christmas (2022) and Irish Wish (2024). And while less skin-flashing as others on the list, the film follows the fan-favourite trope of enemies to lovers, which is sure to bring plenty of fire. Lindsay stars as Avery opposite Ian Harding as Logan, two resentful exes that discover their significant others are siblings when they go to stay with them for Christmas. They are then forced to spend the holidays under the same roof, while attempting to hide their romantic history from the family, including disapproving matriarch Kristin Chenoweth. The movie will also see Lindsay reunite with Tim Meadows, 20 years after the pair starred together in cult classic, Mean Girls. Speaking about making the flick, the actress described it as 'more grounded' and relatable than her previous Netflix projects She told Pure Wow: 'I love that because my character goes through a very real-life, kind of romantic struggle where she revisits someone from her past that she had a relationship with prior, and it's kind of a tug-of-war situation where she doesn't know what to do. 'She's thrown into a family that doesn't really accept her. So, it's that need of wanting acceptance, and is that really the right path for her, and finding herself through the process of it, which I love. I'm really excited for people to see it.' Our Little Secret will be released on Netflix on Wednesday, November 27. Our Little Secret marks Lindsay Lohan's (pictured) third romantic comedy for Netflix, following Falling for Christmas (2022) and Irish Wish (2024) And while less skin-flashing as others on the list, the film follows the fan-favourite trope of enemies to lovers, which is sure to bring plenty of fire (pictured) Lindsay stars as Avery opposite Ian Harding as Logan, two resentful exes that discover their significant others are siblings when they go to stay with them for Christmas (L-R Jon Rudnitsky, Lindsay, Katie Baker and Ian pictured) They are then forced to spend the holidays under the same roof, while attempting to hide their romantic history from the family, including disapproving matriarch Kristin Chenoweth (pictured with Dan Bucatinsky and Jake Brennan) A thriller dubbed one of the funniest and most provocative films of the year is now available to stream. Fans are overjoyed that the off-beat musical thirller can now be watched on Amazon Prime. The bold movie offers a hilarious take on the northern Ireland conflict, following a young band that's causing chaos in the music scene. Featuring the band as themselves, Kneecap follows the Irish cult band as they weave their way through the Irish conflict to pulsating beats, outrageous jokes and a healthy dose of misadventure. And now, Prime members can enjoy the slow-burner of a film through their subscription at no extra cost. The film stars Irish rappers Liam Og 'Mo Chara' O Hannaidh, Naoise 'Moglai Bap' O Caireallain and JJ 'DJ Provai' O Dochartaigh playing themselves in the autobiographical story set in Belfast. Featuring the band as themselves, Kneecap follows the Irish cult band as they weave their way through the Irish conflict to pulsating beats, outrageous jokes and a healthy dose of misadventure The film stars Irish rappers Liam Og 'Mo Chara' O Hannaidh, Naoise 'Moglai Bap' O Caireallain and JJ 'DJ Provai' O Dochartaigh playing themselves in the autobiographical story set in Belfast The story follows Liam who upon being arrested refuses to speak any English as a sign of protest The story follows Liam who upon being arrested refuses to speak any English as a sign of protest. Irish teacher JJ, famous for wearing a tricolour knitted balaclava to conceal his identity, is called to interpret for the police and the pair form a close bond after the educator realises Liam's talent for rapping. JJ convinces Liam to form a musical trio with his friend Naoise and they begin to create a series of controversial tunes and hit the big time. And the cast is full of stars including Jessica Reynolds, best known for playing Malva Christie Outlander, and A-lister Michael Fassbender portraying Naoise's dad. Wendy Ide from The Guardian described Kneecap as an 'exhilarating' film and dubbed it 'one of the funniest' of the year. She wrote: 'The combination of the profane and the political, the riotous humour and punchy editing makes for one of the more energising viewing experiences of the year, and possibly one of the funniest'. A chance encounter with Irish translator JJ changes the course of his life after he discovers Liam's musical talent Tthe cast is full of stars including Jessica Reynolds, best known for playing Malva Christiein Outlander, and A-lister Michael Fassbender portraying Naoise's dad JJ convinces Liam to form a musical trio with his friend Naoise and they begin to create a series of controversial tunes and hit the big time The Independent called it a 'sweary, crude and brilliantly political Irish comedy', adding 'Kneecap is so confident and single-minded in its telling of the semi-fictionalised origins of its titular west Belfast hip-hop trio, that it may make anyone who's never heard of them feel like a bit of a loser. 'It's a film that not only signals a major musical arrival, but ends up feeling a lot bigger than the conventional (and often confining) boundaries of the 'music biopic' While The New York Times described the caper as a 'gleefully chaotic quasi-biopic'. Beatrice Loayza added: 'These drug-addled antics give the film its snappy, surreal sense of humor, which clicks only half the time. Its lodestar in this regard is Trainspotting, though Kneecap feels forced by comparison. 'Good thing the Kneecap boys are genuinely unhinged and amusingly louche. They bring a nerve that offsets the film's cringe attempts at badassery. General Hospital star Chad Duell announced that he is leaving the iconic soap opera after a 14-year run as a series regular. The 37-year-old has been appearing on the program since 2010 as Michael Corinthos, the adopted son of bipolar mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard). Several other actors have previously played Michael Corinthos, a character who was introduced on the show in 1997 as a child. In the past two years, Robert Adamson briefly stepped into the role twice when Chad was unable to film, first because of illness and then over a scheduling conflict. Now Chad has announced that he is exiting the show for good, revealing that his departure 'wasn't an easy decision' for him to take. Showering praise on the General Hospital team, whom he described as 'family,' he shared that he felt now was 'the right time in my life' to step away from the series. General Hospital star Chad Duell announced that he is leaving the iconic soap opera after a 14-year run as a series regular; pictured on the show in 2020 'After many incredible years with General Hospital, Ive decided to step away from the show,' he wrote on his Instagram page Saturday. 'This wasnt an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life,' said Chad, who won a Daytime Emmy for the show in 2015. He gushed that he was 'beyond grateful' to the show's executive producer Frank Valentini, as well as 'the cast, crew, and everyone behind the scenes who have been like family to me throughout this amazing journey.' Chad added: 'To all the fans: thank you from the bottom of my heart for your unwavering support and for letting Michael Corinthos be a part of your lives.' He concluded: 'Your love and encouragement has meant the world to me :) This isnt a goodbyeits a see you later. Much love, Chad.' General Hospital has been on the air since April Fool's Day 1963, and as such is the longest-running American TV drama still in production. The character of Michael Corinthos has been appearing on the show since 1997, when he was played by child actors Blake and Dylan Hopkins. A string of other child actors played the role before adult Drew Garrett joined the show in 2009, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination for his turn as Michael. 'This wasnt an easy decision for me, but it feels like the right time in my life,' said Chad, who won a Daytime Emmy for the show in 2015; pictured at the 2018 Daytime Emmys He has been appearing on the program since 2010 as Michael Corinthos, the adopted son of bipolar mob boss Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard); Sonny and Chad pictured on the show In 2010, Chad took on the role of Michael - initially angering fans who had grown attached to Drew's portrayal, but quickly winning them over. His other TV work has included an episode of Arrow in 2020, as well as 11 episodes of the streaming soap opera The Bay in 2017. Before he was on General Hospital, he briefly appeared on two Disney Channel series - Wizards Of Waverly Place and The Suite Life On Deck. On the personal front, Chad shares a one-year-old son called Dawson with his girlfriend Luanna Lucci, whom he has been with since 2022. Jennifer Love Hewitt shared a rare photo with her husband on social media as they celebrated a special occasion. The busy actress, 45, posted a photo of herself and hubby Brian Hallisay, 46, to celebrate their 11th wedding anniversary on Friday. In her Instagram post, the 9-1-1 actress could be seen rocking a black velvet dress with rhinestone bows as she and the Revenge star, who was styled in black shirt and gray gray tweed jacket, made funny faces for the camera. The snap was framed by a red border reading Holiday Vibes. 'This is us. 11 years married!,' Hewitt wrote next to the photo. 'Im so grateful we had a little date today to celebrate. She continued: 'I always confuse our actual date by one day and you love me for it. Happy Anniversary my love. Love you always and forever.' Jennifer Love Hewitt, 45, shared a rare photo with her husband Brian Hallisay, 46, on social media as they celebrated their 11th anniversary Friday on social media. 'Happy Anniversary my love. Love you always and forever,' she wrote The picture appeared to have been taken the same day the actress and author was promoting her new book, Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical at Zibby's Bookshop in Santa Monica. Inside the pages, the Ghost Whisperer star shares how her mother's death from cancer in 2012 affected her and how she turned her love for party planning 'into something enchanting.' Hallisay was there with her as she celebrated the publication, and the pair also posed for a traditional snap. The couple briefly met on the short-lived series Love Bites, and reconnected when they were working on The Client List. The couple got engaged in June 2013 just after announcing they were expecting their first child together, and and tied the knot in November, just five days before their oldest was born. They are now the proud parents of Autumn, 10, Atticus, nine, and Aidan, three. Hallisay left a job in investment banking for a chance to make it in Hollywood. His good looks and talent helped him land guest starring roles on dozens of shows before becoming a regular on The Client List. The couple posed for a more traditional snap while Hewitt was promoting her new book at Zibby's Bookshop in Santa Monica, CA Thursday Hewitt's new book Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical is due in bookstores December 10 The couple got engaged in June 2013, a few days after announcing they were expecting their first child together, and and tied the knot in November, just five days before their oldest was born The couple are now the proud parents of Autumn, 10, Atticus, nine, and Aidan, three. All three has small parts in the upcoming movie The Holiday Junkie starring Hewitt and Hallisay, debuting on Lifetime December 14 Their children seem to want to follow in their parents' footsteps. Autumn has already appeared on 9-1-1 and all three have bit parts in the upcoming movie The Holiday Junkie with their parents. The film was scheduled to debut on Lifetime December 14. Inheriting Magic: My Journey Through Grief, Joy, Celebration, and Making Every Day Magical will be on store shelved December 10. Samantha Armytage has shot her way up the Nine ladder just weeks after it was announced the network snapped her up following her departure from Seven. The TV presenter, 48, will become a 'fill in' on Today while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo go on leave over summer. Once the host of Seven's rival breakfast show Sunrise, Sam will be co-hosting with Weekend Today star Clint Stanaway, reported The Daily Telegraph on Sunday. The journalist will 'wake up with Today' for a week and a half, putting her eight years anchor experience at Sunrise (2013-2021) to good use in the rival hot seat. An insider went on to say Sam's move into the highly sought-after position has ruffled feathers among other experienced women in the network. They suggested some employees are stunned that Nine veterans like Sylvia Jeffreys, who is currently the co-host of Today Extra, were looked over for the position. Samantha Armytage, 48, (pictured) has shot her way up the Nine ladder just weeks after it was announced the network snapped her up following her departure from Seven 'Eyebrows have been raised as there are women who have been at that network for decades... who have been overlooked for this role,' the source said. 'There are also concerns for Sarah Abo, who could feel intimidated by Sam keeping her seat warm.' However, it seems Sam was initially reluctant to take on the role, with the insider claiming Nine's head of TV Michael Healy was behind the push to get her on Today. The same day reports emerged about the move, Sam penned an article for The Daily Telegraph, talking about the huge changes happening in her life right now. 'I've loved and lost. I've laughed and cried. And I've laughed until I've cried, which occasionally as a woman gets older means a little bit of wee comes out,' she said. 'I'm stronger, yet more vulnerable. I have learnt discernment, acceptance and patience (to a degree). 'I've come to a very content place in the river, where I'm happy with the person I've grown into and excited about the adventures that are lying ahead upstream.' A Nine spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia: 'Today's summer hosting schedule will be confirmed soon.' Sam was originally the host of Sunrise, alongside David Koch (right), from 2013 to 2021 Daily Mail Australia has also reached out to representatives of Sam for comment. It comes just a few weeks after Sam revealed what it was like to 'divorce' her long-term employer Seven and jump ship to rival network Nine. The former Farmer Wants A Wife host quit Seven after 21 years and fled to Nine where she will now host The Golden Bachelor Australia. Opening up about the shock move to the Kyle and Jackie O Show earlier this month, the former Sunrise star said Nine have been 'very welcoming'. Shock jock host Kyle Sandilands kicked off the interview with a very direct question: 'What was that like when you cheated [on Seven]? Was it hard to cheat?' As Sam laughed off the comment, Kyle, 53, added: 'Did Channel Nine take you out and romance you with the dinners and the limousines?' The TV personality smoothly side-stepped the question and responded: 'Channel Nine, they have been very welcoming. Very welcoming indeed. 'It's been a really nice move for me and a very good fresh start at this age.' The TV presenter will become a 'fill in' on Today while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo (both pictured) go on leave over summer She continued: 'We're all getting older... As you get older, you're looking for something different. You want to have a fresh start at this point in life.' Sam also revealed to 2GB's Ben Fordham why she left Sunrise back in 2021 after eight years as co-anchor on the breakfast show. 'Look, I just had enough. I've done it for a long time. You know what those hours are like, it is quite gruelling,' she said. Sam added she 'used to get a lot of attention' from Sunrise, which was becoming 'pretty full on'. 'I just needed a break,' she continued. 'The time was right and life had changed. I just got married, my mum had died, everything had changed and I knew the time was right. 'I'd had enough, and you know I like a good horse metaphorI'd ridden it to the top, I'd done all I could do and it was a good time to step out.' After 21 years at Seven, Sam jumped ship to Nine and, after much speculation, was confirmed as the host of reality dating show The Golden Bachelor. Robbie Williams has called for the music industry to create a 'support group for young stars struggling with fame' after the tragic death of Liam Payne last month. The Take That star, 50, said he hoped something would be done in Liam's name to 'protect people' as he opened up about his own difficulties navigating fame at a young age. Liam - who was laid to rest at St Mary's Church in Amersham on Wednesday - died after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Robbie called for mental health awareness and said he firmly believes the music industry needs a 'think tank of empathetic and compassionate creatives' claiming many young musician's 'don't make it to the other end'. Reflecting on living himself the spotlight since he was 16, he told The Express: 'If you are following the story closely, we are beginning to understand, maybe on a subconscious level more than conscious level, that fame isn't a fix-all. Robbie Williams, 50, has called for the music industry to create a 'support group for young stars struggling with fame' after the tragic death of Liam Payne last month Liam - who was laid to rest at St Mary's Church in Amersham on Wednesday - died after falling from his hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina, aged just 31 (pictured in 2016) Robbie called for mental health awareness and said he firmly believes the industry needs a 'think tank of empathetic and compassionate creatives' (pictured on the X Factor in 2010) 'Some are lucky to get through to the other end but a lot don't. 'I would hope that something is done in Liam's name to protect people, whatever that means.' The pop icon didn't shy away from bluntly admitting he has not shaken all his insecurities and will never grow 'a thick skin' because it simply 'hurts less'. Robbie previously said he still had his demons when he was Liam's age and always thought he would fall victim to his own mental health battles. The Let Me Entertain you hitmaker also shared a sweet a text message exchanged between the pair, after first meeting when he mentored One Direction on the X Factor in 2010. In the past Robbie has been very open about his ongoing battle with mental illness and his history of depression and anxiety. In his 2023 Netflix documentary, Robbie reflecting on his 'insane' fame at the height of his career resulting in a 'nervous, mental breakdown in front of thousands of people'. From 2006 to 2009, Williams battled agoraphobia. The social anxiety disorder left him housebound for three years. Reflecting on living himself the spotlight since he was 16, he said: 'If you are following the story closely, we are beginning to understand, fame isn't a fix' (pictured in 1996) In the past Robbie has been very open about his ongoing battle with mental illness and his history of depression and anxiety (Robbie pictured 1997) He has previously revealed he went into rehab in 2007 after taking speed, acid, heroin, cocaine and 'heart-stopping' amounts of prescription drugs. Liam was equally outspoken about how the global fame of One Direction changed his life and affected his relationship with drugs and alcohol, once admitting: 'I don't know if I've hit rock bottom yet.' Speaking to Stephen Bartlett on the Diary Of The CEO Podcast in 2021, Liam, admitted: 'I was worried how far my rock bottom was going to be. Where's rock bottom for me? And you would never have seen it. I'm very good at hiding it'. 'I don't even know if I have hit it yet. I can either make that choice now and pick my last moment as my rock bottom or I can make a whole new low.' He admitted he had suffered for years with 'social anxiety' and 'stress' from being famous, and discussed the pressure his mental health was under while not having the freedom to go anywhere as a boyband member. The Wolverhampton teenager first auditioned for the X Factor aged 14 before returning two years later when One Direction was formed. It comes after it emerged that Robbie and Nicole Scherzinger reportedly reached out to Liam's family after being unable to attend the One Direction star's funeral. Many stars were seen attending Liam's moving ceremony, including his One Direction bandmates Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan, as well as Simon Cowell, James Corden and his ex Cheryl. The Sun has reported that both Robbie and Nicole were unable to make the service, but both reached out to Liam's family and sent flowers instead. It comes after it emerged that Robbie and Nicole Scherzinger reportedly reached out to Liam's family after being unable to attend the One Direction star's funeral Nicole had also written on social media that she spent time with Liam just weeks before his death, sharing a snap of their meeting Following the news of Liam's death on October 16, Robbie was among many stars who took to social media to pay tribute. He wrote on Instagram: 'You brought so much joy, light, and laughter to the lives of those that truly knew you. I will ''miss you'' my friend and carry you in my heart. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.' Nicole had also written on social media that she spent time with Liam just weeks before his death, writing: 'Dear Liam, I will forever cherish and treasure the time we shared together, from fifteen years ago when One Direction was born, right up until just a few weeks ago.' Lisa Hochstein is officially a single woman. The reality star, 42 who recently shared some sign language with a fellow-motorist in Miami had her divorce from ex Lenny Hochstein finalized November 15. Terms of the split require Lenny, 58, a plastic surgeon, to pay Lisa $15,000 a month in child support for their two children, Logan, eight, and Elle, three, according to documents obtained by People. The two who married in 2009, were also ordered to follow the marital settlement agreement they reached in June 2023 and the parenting plan they created on November 4, 2024. Because they signed a pre-nuptial agreement, Lenny will also have to pay spousal support to Lisa. The Real Housewives of Miami star did not reveal the news herself. Lisa Hochstein is officially a single woman after her divorce was finalized earlier this month; Lisa seen in 2022 Those duties were taken over by castmate Adriana de Moura at the 2024 Bravo Fan Fest on Saturday during the Bravo Besties panel. The split between the two was acrimonious, with Lenny filing for divorce in May 2022 citing 'irreconcilable differences. ' At the time, Lisa said she was shocked by the move. 'I still can't wrap my brain around the day he told me he wanted out,' she said while filming for RHOM. 'We were sleeping in the same bed for the last 15 years up until that day he dropped the bomb on me. And now, suddenly, he wanted out? I felt so blindsided.' Lenny denied those contentions, telling the outlet 'I've never hidden anything from Lisa. She was not blindsided by this, that's completely false.' In August of that year, Lisa alleged in court documents that her estranged husband was retaliating against her by 'restricting [her] access to funds" whenever she "does not acquiesce to each and every one of [his] demands.' Again, Lenny denied the claims. The drama increased when model Katharina Mazepa, Lenny's girlfriend at the time, filed for a restraining order against the SplitWell.com founder. Lenny filed for divorce in May 2022, citing irreconcilable differences. The two, who married in 2009 had an acrimonious split before their divorce was finalized November 15; the exes seen in 2022 Terms of the split require Lenny, a plastic surgeon, to pay Lisa $15,000 a month in child support for their two children, Logan, eight, and Elle, three, according to documents obtained by People. Lenny will also pay spousal support in accord with their prenup Mazepa accused her of 'making threatening phone calls, creating fake social media accounts and posting threatening and false statements.' Lisa denied those allegations as well. The socialite has moved on romantically with Postilize CEO Jody Glidden. She told PEOPLE they were planning to celebrate Thanksgiving together in a celebration that includes Glidden's daughter, ex-wife and her husband. 'I love to open my home, I love to host.' she said. Michelle Yeoh's depiction of a 'kick ass' secret agent in the 1997 film Tomorrow Never Dies signalled a sea change in the way the 007 franchise depicted its female characters. But now the 62-year-old has found herself at the centre of a sexism row after BBC Radio 4's Woman's Hour appeared to dismiss her achievements - by describing her as a former 'Bond girl'. Critics say that the term used by presenter Nuala McGovern in the introduction to an interview with the star bears no relation to what Ms Yeoh actually did in the movie - which included performing some of her own stunts. Last night, Dame Jenni Murray, who presented Woman's Hour until 2020, said: 'For me, 'Bond girl' can only apply to a woman with whom [James Bond] went to bed and even then should not be used for any female character, regardless of bedability, post 1972.' Ms Yeoh's portrayal of the Chinese agent Wai Lin in the film which starred Pierce Brosnan as 007 could hardly be further removed from the more passive Bond heroines played by the likes of Britt Ekland, Jane Seymour and Jill St John in the 1960s and 1970s. The character Wai Lin was a skilled weapons expert who could more than handle herself in a fight - and was Bond's equal in every way. Malaysian-born Ms Yeoh - who won the Oscar for Best Actress last year for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once - began her career in Hong Kong action movies. At the time of the release of Tomorrow Never Dies, the Bond franchise was making a determined effort to appeal to female audiences and to shake off its sexist image. The character Wai Lin (pictured) was a skilled weapons expert who could more than handle herself in a fight - and was Bond's equal in every way Ms Yeoh's portrayal of the Chinese agent Wai Lin in the film which starred Pierce Brosnan as 007 could hardly be further removed from the more passive Bond heroines Malaysian-born Ms Yeoh (pictured) - who won the Oscar for Best Actress last year for her role in Everything Everywhere All At Once - began her career in Hong Kong action movies Kathy Lette, the best-selling novelist, said last night: 'It's time the term 'Bond girl' bit the linguistic dust. ' Michelle was the third lead in Tomorrow Never Dies and, as a trained martial arts artist, did a lot of her own stunts. In fact, perhaps she could be our first female Bond.' In an interview two years ago, Ms Yeoh, who is currently starring in the film version of the musical Wicked, reflected on how her role in the 007 franchise changed the way female stars would be viewed in future. She said: 'Because it was always very much the man's world, right? All the guys love to be James Bond, and the women were almost always the Bond girls. 'But they [the producers] were ready at the time when they came looking for me to have much more depth, emotion, the quality of their nature in the film. 'I was very blessed that that was the train of thought that was going through their mind when they were writing Tomorrow Never Dies.' Author Dr Julia Long said: 'To refer to a female actor who is clearly extremely accomplished and talented and very expert in her craft as a Bond Girl is infantilising. It just seems a very outmoded term. 'It's part of a vocabulary that undermines women as human beings participating in the world and it's really unfortunate that Woman's Hour would participate in that.' At the time of the release of Tomorrow Never Dies, the Bond franchise was making a determined effort to appeal to female audiences and to shake off its sexist image. Pictured: Brosnan and Yeoh in a scene from the film Ms Yeoh (pictured on set) did a lot of her own stunts on the set of Tomorrow Never Dies The controversy over the term is the second to hit Ms McGovern and Woman's Hour in the space of a week. The presenter was criticised for a pointed interview with nurses from Darlington Memorial Hospital in County Durham who have objected to a trans colleague using a female changing room. Some listeners and Christian groups were concerned by Ms McGovern's interrogation of one nurse's Christian beliefs, with a Mumsnet user criticising her 'cynical tone'. A spokesman for BBC Radio 4 declined to comment. Ruby Tuesday Matthews has been spotted in Byron Bay with her fiance Shannan Dodd amid split rumours. The rare sighting of the pair together came as they attended fitness influencer Tammy Hembrow's lavish wedding ceremony on Saturday. But despite rumours that Ruby, 31, and Shannan were on the outs, the pair arrived together in style at the event. Ruby even shared a snap of her hot pink stilettos beside Shannan's black leather and gold loafers and wrote: 'Mum and dad.' The influencer was stunning in a form-fitting pink gown that showed off her slender frame. The dress had thin straps across the shoulders and chest, showing off her toned shoulders and arms. Ruby Tuesday Matthews has been spotted at Tammy Hembrow's wedding in Byron Bay with her fiance Shannan Dodd amid split rumours. Despite rumours that Ruby, 31, and Shannan were on the outs, the pair arrived together in style at the event. Both pictured The influencer was stunning in a form-fitting pink gown that showed off her slender frame. The dress had thin straps across the shoulders and chest, showing off her toned shoulders and arms She paired the gown with matching pink shoes and carried a black handbag with her. Ruby completed her look with a pair of statement sunglasses, while Shannan accompanied her looking dapper in a classic black and white suit. Onlookers also reported that the influencer left the celebration early. Taking her Instagram Stories on Sunday, Ruby shared that she and Shannan had caught an international flight to Hong Kong by sharing a photo of the boot of a cherry red taxi cab overflowing with their luggage. Last year, Ruby was forced to deny the pair had split, after rumours swirled they had called time on their relationship. 'I love my kids and I am not separated,' she told her fans. 'I'm very much committed and engaged in my relationship. These things I sometimes like to keep private.' Fans questioned the status of their relationship when Ruby revealed she would be checking into a facility 'for some deep therapy' after having a nervous breakdown. Ruby has gained a huge fanbase on Instagram for her candid fashion videos as well as her content documenting her day-to-day life with her family. She paired the gown with matching pink shoes and carried a black handbag with her. Ruby completed her look with a pair of statement sunglasses She shares two sons Rocket, eight, and Mars, seven, with her ex partner Ryan Heywood, while she also has a daughter Holiday, two, with her fiance Shannan Dodd. It is unclear when exactly Ruby and Shannan began dating, but loved-up Instagram photos of the pair began appearing on the platform in May 2021. The couple announced their engagement in June of that year. In 2020, she famously made headlines for holding up a Jetstar flight so she could dine on oysters, only to complain when she was heckled by frustrated passengers. Ruby was supposed to be flying from Byron Bay to Sydney in the afternoon but a technical issue caused the flight to be delayed. Jetstar asked travellers to stay at the airport while they flew an engineer over from the Gold Coast and told passengers the new departure time would likely be about 7.30pm that evening. Ruby and her travel companion decided to leave the airport to grab a bite to eat at a beachside restaurant as others ate at the airport. The influencer later posted a video to Instagram showing her eating oysters with a friend, captioning the footage: 'Flight delayed f*** my life'. She kept frustrated passengers waiting on the tarmac, who heckled her as she boarded 30 minutes after the plane was due to take off. She spent ten years in London with Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, but only one UK restaurant cuts the mustard for actress turned wellness queen Gwyneth Patrow: Ruth's Rogers' The River Cafe. The 52-year-old Goop supremo's newly issued annual global list of 59 exceptional restaurants shows an unquestionable loyalty to her American heritage, with 34 recommendations coming from the US. Goop's website describes The River Cafe, which opened in 1987, as 'a London landmark'. It says of the Michelin-starred restaurant 'the River Cafe is at once fancy and low-key: You'll get white tablecloths here, sure, but paper placemats, too.' And Goop's recommendations? It says: 'Go for roasted-peach bellinis, a pan-Italian wine list, and chef Ruth Rogers's rustic Tuscan foodthink hand-cut malfatti and Barolo-marinated veal shin. 'The dining room bumps right up against the kitchen; if you're lucky, you'll sit close enough to the iconic hot-pink oven to ogle at dinner as it comes out.' Ms Paltrow says in her newsletter: 'At the start of this year, we began publishing The goop List: highly curated annual roundups of the world's most extraordinary travel experiences. We started with hotels, followed by spas, museums and galleries, and today: restaurants. Despite having lived in London for a decade, only one British restaurant makes the grade as Gwyneth Paltrow reveals her annual list of the globe's top restaurants The 52-year-old Goop entrepreneur included 34 recommendations from the US on her 59-strong list, with London's River Cafe the only UK entry 'This list was the most difficult to narrow down. But as we debatedand cut, and added, and cut it also invigorated us the most. Two truths came into focus. You can't plan a great trip without planning it around great food. 'And sometimes, if you're lucky, a meal close to where you live has the same transportive power as a transatlantic voyage.' It adds: 'This list honors plenty of the food world's big dogs: molecular gastronomists, iconic sushi masters, the kinds of chefs that seem to win James Beard Awards and Michelin stars in their sleep. 'And there are plenty of tasting menus and prix fixe situations here. But it also highlights extraordinary neighborhood trattorias, window-service legends, local institutions, and the industry's most promising young guns.' Ms Paltrow has sometimes taken a more trenchant view of London restaurants. During one newspaper interview in 2019, Ms Paltrow was reported to have perused the menu in Marcus, a Michelin starred restaurant in the Berkeley Hotel, and said: 'I can't eat this sh*t.' She returned to her suite and ordered a club sandwich instead. Sir David Jason has revealed plans for a family Christmas that will include his daughter Abi Harris, whom he only discovered last year at the age of 84. The Only Fools and Horses icon learned about Abi's existence after a paternity test confirmed she was his child from a brief relationship with James Bond actress Jennifer Hill in 1970. Speaking to The Mirror about their relationship, Sir David admitted the initial shock of finding Abi is now easing as they get to know each other. 'The shock of the news that I had an undiscovered daughter is wearing off,' he said, 'We are slowly getting to know each other, and things are working out on this voyage of discovery.' Sir David recently celebrated Abi's birthday with a Sunday lunch at his home, where they marked the occasion with cake and gifts, including a copy of his new book. Sir David Jason has revealed plans for a family Christmas that will include his daughter Abi Harris, whom he only discovered last year at the age of 84 The Only Fools and Horses icon learned about Abi's existence after a paternity test confirmed she was his child from a brief relationship with James Bond actress Jennifer Hill in 1970 'For whatever reason out of our control, our lives have only just come together, and so it does feel poignant celebrating birthdays after so many years of not being able to share,' he said. The actor also spoke of his hopes to bond with his grandson Charlie, who he has nicknamed 'Charlie the hair' for his enviable locks. 'I am also trying to get him interested in model making as I think its great for youngsters (or any age) to be able to absorb themselves in something quiet and creative in this hectic world and doesnt involve a battery or a plug.' Sir David reflected on the 'pang of sadness' over missing out on Abi's earlier years, but says he remains optimistic about building a connection. Plans are in place for more family time over Christmas and a small celebration for his 85th birthday in February. When he discovered the 'most astonishing letter' letter, David sat down in his kitchen and recalled how his hands shook as he started reading it. David said he felt 'wonder and amazement, through anxiety and heartache, to fear and outright panic', when he knew the possibility that he had a second daughter. In the letter, Abi wanted David to take an anonymous paternity test because she was uncertain - but insisted she didn't want any financial support. Promoting his new memoir This Time Next Year, David admitted the initial shock of finding Abi is now easing as they get to know each other (pictured in October 2024) Abi is the daughter of actress Jennifer Hill - who starred in James Bond film Octopussy - after her mother and David had a brief relationship was born in 1970 (Jennifer pictured) David credits his wife Gill Hinchcliffe, whom he shares a daughter Sophie with, for being 'so supportive and understanding' about it all, despite the shock they were both in In The Mirror's exclusive look at his new book, he says: 'You will be unsurprised to learn that my hands were shaking by now. What had I just read? I had to go back and read the whole thing again. And then I had to read it again. And then again after that. 'I have to say it really hadnt crossed my mind that Abi Harris was my daughter that my relationship with Jennifer Hill while we were in that production of Under Milk Wood in 1970 could have produced a child without me knowing about it. 'At no point in the nearly fifty years that had gone by since then had that thought had cause to enter my head.' David credits his wife Gill Hinchcliffe, whom he shares a daughter Sophie with, for being 'so supportive and understanding' about it all, despite the shock they were both in. When he met Abi for the first time, David said they both felt an 'inevitable sense of distance' due to the lost time they had. David added that it was 'such a complicated thing to process, for us both', after their first encounter. Abi says while she had no idea who her father was - she had her suspicions after hearing about Jason's relationship with her mother while they both starred in a stage adaptation of the Dylan Thomas radio play Under Milk Wood in 1970. Her belief grew stronger after realising she shared the same shaped nose as him, and her parentage has now been confirmed. David was knighted for his services to acting and comedy in 2005. He married Ms Hinchcliffe in November of that year. He started dating Gill after his long-term partner of 20 years, Welsh actress Myfanwy Talog, died from breast cancer aged 45 in 1995. The TV star believed he became a father for the first time at the age of 61, and after Sophie was was born he said it had been 'thrust upon him' as most of his life was focused only on being a success. He previously said: 'My life has been in reverse. It wasn't fame and it wasn't money, but I always wanted to succeed. The only way I could do that was to try with every job to be better than I was in the last one, and to learn. 'Because of that I needed to be footloose and fancy free.' Lizzie Cundy looked sensational as she attended the Shooting Star charity ball at London's Royal Lancaster on Saturday evening. The WAG, 56, slipped into a gorgeous white gown for the bash, which boasted an asymmetrical neckline with silver embellishment and fishtail skirt. Lizzie completed her effortlessly stylish outfit with a chic 2,000 YSL blush pink bag and perfectly matching platforms heels. She accentuated her timeless features with a glam make-up palette and wore her glossy caramel tresses loose. The annual event takes place in aid of leading children's hospice charity Shooting Star Children's Hospices. Lizzie Cundy, 56, looked sensational as she attended the star-studded Shooting Star charity ball at London's Royal Lancaster on Saturday evening The WAG slipped into a gorgeous white gown for the bash, which boasted an asymmetrical neckline with silver embellishment and fishtail skirt At the bash Lizzie joined the likes of Elizabeth Hurley, 59, and her son Damian, 22, as well as Dame Joan Collins, 91, who was escorted by husband Percy Gibson, 59. Last week Lizzie followed in Jennifer Lopez's footsteps as she headed for a HydraFacial at Harley Street Skin in London. The TV personality put on a very leggy display as she slipped into a figure-hugging grey mini dress for her appointment at the swanky clinic. She completed the look with a cropped tweed jacket and knee-high boots, while shielding her eyes behind a pair of chic shades. After posing up a storm the stunner took to her Instagram Stories with a video revealing the benefits of the unique treatment. J-Lo first launched her collaboration with HydraFacial in 2021, with a string of products to deliver her iconic glow through the brand's patented technology. Lizzie laid back and wore goggles as the aesthetician used the vacuum style implement on her flawless face. Captioning the post: 'The amazing Hydra facial by @harleystskin if its good enough for J.Lo its good enough for me!'. Lizzie completed her effortlessly stylish outfit with a chic 2K YSL blush pink bag and perfectly matching platforms heels She accentuated her timeless features with a glam make-up palette and wore her caramel tresses loose At the bash Lizzie joined the likes of Elizabeth Hurley , 59, and her son Damian, 22 (pictured) A HydraFacial is a medical-grade skin treatment that uses patented technology to cleanse, extract, and hydrate the skin. Last week Lizzie sizzled in a white leotard as she got behind the wheel of a tractor 'in support of British farmers'. The socialite looked incredible as she showcased her stunning physique in a white lace one piece which she layered over a white bralette and hot pants. To accessorise, the beauty shielded away from the sun with a pair of rose-tinted mirrored sunglasses. Posing barefoot behind the wheel of a red tractor, Lizzie finished her look with a myriad of dainty bracelets. Last week Lizzie followed in Jennifer Lopez 's footsteps as she headed for a HydraFacial at Harley Street Skin in London J-Lo first launched her collaboration with HydraFacial in 2021, with a string of products to deliver her iconic glow through the brand's patented technology Posting the snap to Instagram, penned: 'Backing our farmers! Please join me and support our farmers. Lets not bite the hand that feeds us!' Her post comes after she revealed she's back behind the wheel for the first time after horrific car accident left her 'lucky to be alive' and battling with her mental health. Lizzie, who previously revealed her vehicle got written off in the crash, told MailOnline that she has been having therapy to help her get over the incident and is now the proud owner of a new Mercedes-Benz. She said: 'I was very scared to go back in the car, it's been a nightmare, the car was totally written off, left me shaken with chest injuries. 'So, it's been quite a frightening time and I finally got back behind the wheel but I've had to have a bit of therapy, I've had physio constantly, and haven't been able to lie down properly.' She continued: 'I've had to lie sitting sort of upright but the most frightening thing is just being back in the car.' 'But I have finally [got] back in the car and I'm feeling a little bit braver but it's been a really horrible scary time.' 'You don't realise the consequences of a car accident and how it affects you mentally, not just physically, but the mental side. Because it really does shake you up and affect you.' Cate Blanchett cut a quirky figure as she attended the Camerimage closing ceremony in Torun, Poland on Saturday. The Australian actress, 55, showed off her unique sense of style in a monochrome jumpsuit. The unusual outfit which was white, featured a black sleeveless jumpsuit print over the top, giving the impression she was wearing another one. The bold getup featured collared lapels and a gold button front and centre, making the illusion even ore striking. Cate added a few extra inches to her already 5' 8.5 frame in a pair of pointed black heels and accessorised with gold earrings and silver glasses. It comes after Cate continued to showcase her unique style, at the Camerimage Film Festival earlier in the week after the event was embroiled in misogyny row. Cate Blanchett cut a quirky figure as she attended the Camerimage closing ceremony in Torun, Poland on Saturday The Australian actress, 55, showed off her unique sense of style in a monochrome jumpsuit For the outing, Cate donned smart brown trousers and a textured brown blazer over a plaid button-up shirt as she took to the stage at the event. She teamed the look with a pair of Stella McCartney Elyse platforms, which set her back a whooping 670. The star pulled her blonde locks into an up do and accessorised with silver frame glasses and minimal jewellery. Kate, who serves as the President of the festival's main competition jury, was joined on stage by film producer Anna Higgs. Anna looked stylish in a casual grey suit which she teamed with white trainers. It comes a week after the Camerimage Film Festival faced backlash over controversial comments made by its director, Marek Zydowicz, sparking allegations of misogyny. The film festival was supposed to be one of the industry's most hotly anticipated events of the year. Hollywood heavyweights such as Cate led the prize jury and director Steve McQueen was to be a guest of honour. The bold getup featured collared lapels and a gold button front and centre, making the illusion even more striking Cate added a few extra inches to her already 5' 8.5 frame in a pair of pointed black heels and accessorised with gold earrings and silver glasses She shared a joke with Mexican film cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto She wore a smokey eye and a lick of pink on her lips, before finishing off her look with silver framed glasses Earlier in the week, Cate dressed to impress in smart brown trousers and a textured brown blazer over a plaid button-up shirt However, the festival was thrown into chaos after the Polish filmmaker and founder penned an article many have called 'profoundly misogynistic'. This led stars to pull out and protests to take to the streets. Writing in a column for Cinematography World magazine, he said: 'Should we reject what is esteemed and valuable just to 'make space' for the necessity of social change? 'Whilst festivals like Cannes, Berlin or Venice are criticised for their selections due to succumbing to or promoting [political or ideological trends], Camerimage remains committed to artistic values as the foremost criterion for qualifying and promoting film art.' In response to his comments, Steve McQueen cancelled his trip and withdrew his film Blitz - which was supposed to start the festival. It comes a week after the Camerimage Film Festival faced backlash over controversial comments made by its director, Marek Zydowicz (pictured), sparking allegations of misogyny Following his comments, stars have pulled out and protesters have took to the streets outside the event in the Polish city of Torun He was joined by the French female director Coralie Fargeat of the hit body horror blockbuster The Substance starring Hollywood legend Demi Moore. In words reported by The Times, Fargeat said: 'The Substance is about the impact of precisely these kinds of behaviours on our world. We shouldn't tolerate them any more.' The British Society of Cinematographers (BSC), whose members have won a combined 22 Oscars, published an open letter condemning Zydowicz's column. At first Zydowicz tried to stand his ground arguing that his comments had been 'misinterpreted.' As opposition grew so did the pressure on the 65-year-old director who later issued an apology claiming it was never his intention to 'undermine the achievements of any film-makers.' He also added that 'Whether this misunderstanding stemmed from an unfortunate choice of words or inaccurate translation from Polish is irrelevant.' The main jury members including Cate decided to attend the festival. In a statement they said they welcomed debate regarding gender representation and that they 'wholeheartedly support the necessary shift towards genuine inclusivity.' The festival is set to see the world premiere of Alec Baldwin's western rust which faced delays after Baldwin accidentally shot dead cinematographer Halyna Hutchins while on set in October 2021. Other films being shown include Dune: Part Two and the upcoming musical Wicked. Married At First Sight season 10 star Josh White popped the question to his girlfriend Kylie Ann on Friday. The former reality TV star, 42, got down on one knee at Sydney International Airport after just over a year of dating his 'dearest' Kylie. He then took to Instagram on Sunday to share happy snaps of the monumental moment, alongside a tribute to his new 'beautiful fiancee'. 'To my dearest [Kylie], my beautiful fiancee,' the father-of-two began his sweet message. 'I have loved you from the very first moment that we started talking and there hasn't been a day since that I haven't envisaged what our future looks like together. 'I love our life, I love our big family and I love the future we continue to build together... And I can't wait to spend the rest of my life together.' Married At First Sight season 10 star Josh White, 42, (left) popped the question to girlfriend Kylie Ann (right) on Friday Josh finished off the tribute by sharing a quote from the 2003 hit romantic comedy Love Actually along with the date he proposed to Kylie. 'If you look for it, I have a sneaky feeling, that you'll find that love is actually all around,' the quote read. In the pictures, Kylie held up the engagement ring box and smiled broadly while Josh pumped his fist in the air in excitement. The couple were dressed casually for the airport wearing track pants, T-shirts, and matching Nike Dunk shoes. Josh's MAFS co-stars flocked to the comments of the announcement to share their congratulations and best wishes. Hugo Armstrong wrote: 'Fantastic news Josh. Congratulations!' Tahnee Cook added, 'Congrats you two,' alongside a red love heart. Janelle Han also commented a red love heart, and said: 'Omg CONGRATULATIONS!' 'So happy for you both!' Tayla Winter said, while Dan Hunjas wrote: 'Congratulations you two, what a nice surprise! Can't wait to celebrate when you're back.' The former reality TV star got down on one knee at Sydney International Airport after just over a year of dating his 'dearest' Kylie He then took to Instagram on Sunday to share happy snaps of the monumental moment, alongside a tribute to his new 'beautiful fiancee' It's unclear exactly when Josh and Kylie began dating, but the blonde beauty first appeared on his Instagram in October last year. Their online debut featured an image of the couple taking a mirror selfie in IKEA as they shared a kiss. Just a month earlier, Josh revealed to his fans the he wished to star in the US spin-off The Golden Bachelor, which featured a more mature age bracket to The Bachelor. Josh failed to find love on season 10 of Married At First Sight Australia last year after he was paired up with Melissa Sheppard. But despite saying he felt 'emasculated' on television by his on-screen wife, who was a self-proclaimed 'freak in the sheets', he said he would give reality TV another shot. In September 2023, weeks before he debuted his relationship with Kylie, Josh answered some fan questions on his Instagram story. One asked if he would consider doing reality television again. Sharing a promotional picture for The Golden Bachelor, which aired later that month, Josh wrote: 'I guess. Note: I will be watching.' Josh was matched with 41-year-old hairdresser Melissa on MAFS, who quickly developed a racy reputation due to her sexual appetite. Josh failed to find love on season 10 of Married At First Sight Australia last year after he was paired up with Melissa Sheppard Back in February 2023, the pair broke up on camera after Melissa ridiculed Josh for not meeting her relentless sexual demands. The advertising director was brought to tears on the series, which Melissa later claimed were 'crocodile tears' Josh shed for sympathy. Josh later hit back at Melissa, telling Daily Mail Australia: 'They weren't crocodile tears. 'They were real tears from someone who had gone through a difficult experience.' He said Melissa's remarks were so spiteful he was still upset by them months after the show finished filming. Sydney's nightlife scene is back in full swing with the highly anticipated re-opening of Kit & Kaboodle. And leading the charge was none other than Made in Bondi star Lawson Mahoney and his co-star Charlie Moore. The reality star, known for his laid-back charisma, made a dashing appearance at the relaunch event, held in Kings Cross on Saturday. Lawson, 22, was joined by his co-stars, including Charlie Moore, as well as a host of other familiar faces. Lawson radiated effortless style, donning a relaxed cream long-sleeve shirt paired with beige trousers and a tan belt, adding a touch of sophistication to his casual ensemble. Charlie meanwhile kept things cool in a classic black T-shirt and khaki pants, accessorising with sunglasses perched on his head and his signature moustache. Sydney's nightlife scene is back in full swing with the highly-anticipated re-opening of Kit & Kaboodle. Pictured: Made in Bondi stars Lawson Mahoney and Charlie Moore Aussie influencer and actress Nova Onas looked chic in a striking sleeveless orange dress The event marked the triumphant return of Kit & Kaboodle after an eight-year hiatus. Once the beating heart of Sydney's late-night scene, the venue has been revamped by its original owner, John Duncan, to recapture its iconic vibe while bringing a fresh, modern edge. General Manager Joel McDermott shared his excitement over the relaunch, telling Daily Mail Australia: 'Kings Cross has always been the heart of Sydney's nightlife, and with Kit & Kaboodle's reopening, we're bringing back the vibrant, dynamic spirit that so many people have missed.' Guests at the star-studded event were treated to a sneak peek of the venue's revamped interior, complete with enhanced lighting, an updated sound system, and a cocktail program crafted by industry veteran Ashley Hougan Coutts. To add to the excitement, Kit & Kaboodle will host themed nights, starting with 'Kit Thursdays,' a celebration of classic party anthems. Fridays will feature urban beats with RnB and hip-hop, while Saturdays will debut 'Fiasco,' an electrifying house music extravaganza. Lawson radiated effortless style, donning a relaxed cream long-sleeve shirt paired with beige trousers and a tan belt, adding a touch of sophistication to his casual ensemble Charlie meanwhile kept things cool in a classic black T-shirt and khaki pants, accessorising with sunglasses perched on his head and his signature moustache Nova 100's Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips have revealed what they really thought about leaving their old job as they offered a heartfelt thank you to their fans. The radio duo were celebrating one year of Jase and Lauren for breakfast on the Nova network, after being dumped by KIIS FM in 2023. 'We just want to thank everyone for listening to our show. It was one year ago today that we were told no one wanted to listen to us on the radio,' Lauren said on-air during the broadcast on Friday morning. 'We got shafted a year ago to the day,' added Jase. The radio stars were blindsided when their Melbourne breakfast show was axed last year to make way for Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson's big expansion into the city from Sydney. 'We love waking up with you in the mornings,' Lauren continued. Nova 100's Jase Hawkins and Lauren Phillips have revealed what they really thought about leaving their old job as they offered a heartfelt thank you to their fans. The radio duo were celebrating one year of Jase and Lauren for breakfast on the Nova network, after being dumped by KIIS FM in 2023. Both pictured 'We just want to thank everyone for listening to our show. It was one year ago today that we were told no one wanted to listen to us on the radio,' Lauren said on-air during the broadcast on Friday morning. 'We got shafted a year ago to the day,' added Jase 'Its been a roller coaster of a year for us. We love being here. This has been the greatest professional year of my life. 'Thank you to everyone for making this switch and sticking with us. I think a year ago, if you could have told us we would be here right now doing this, our little minds would have exploded. We wouldnt have believed it,' she added. Their comments come as radio's feared months of November and December - informally known by those in the industry as 'axing season' - began with two shock announcements last week. Popular radio star Mark 'MG' Geyer was blissfully unaware his days at Triple M were numbered - until Wednesday afternoon when the Sydney breakfast show co-host was sensationally given the boot. Meanwhile, KIIS FM presenter Mitch Churi broke down live on-air on Wednesday around the same time, as he confirmed to listeners he had been sacked from the network. The radio star, who co-hosted The Pick Up drive time show alongside Laura Byrne and Brittany Hockley, became emotional as he revealed the heartbreaking news to his co-stars. 'Late last week I was informed by the powers that be that they have identified my role here as one that won't be returning in 2025,' Mitch said. The Daily Telegraph reported the major star had been given marching orders for 'financial reasons,' akin to Lauren and Jase's experience in 2023. The radio stars were blindsided when their Melbourne breakfast show was axed last year to make way for Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson's big expansion into the city from Sydney. Kyle and Jackie O are pictured 'Its been a roller coaster of a year for us. We love being here. This has been the greatest professional year of my life,' said Lauren Kyle and Jackie O took their breakfast radio show to Melbourne in April in a huge multimillion-dollar expansion deal, which triggered the axing of Jase and Lauren's KIIS FM breakfast show. At the time, an unapologetic Kyle said he felt indifferent to his competitors being sacked as it ultimately came down to who was attracting the most listeners. 'No, I don't care. That's why we went for Melbourne, we were like, "We've given this Jase and Lauren on KIIS FM a good run, it can't get over fourth in the radio ratings, so we'll take it"',' he told news.com.au. However, Jase and Lauren had the last laugh, with their new show on Nova 100 out-rating The Kyle and Jackie O Show in Melbourne in September. The comedic chat show took home the coveted number one spot in the 5th radio ratings survey results for 2024 from GFK. Jase and Lauren's popular program gained 0.3 points and rose to 9.9 per cent in audience share, giving it a clear lead over rivals The Kyle and Jackie O Show. Kyle and Jackie O trailed significantly at a 6.1 per cent share, after its premiere in Melbourne on April 29, and was the city's fifth most listened to breakfast show. However, Melbourne newcomers Kyle and Jackie O still marked a slight rise in the city's ratings, from 5.9 to 6.1 per cent. Roxy Jacenko made it clear on Sunday she was not born for 'housewifery', and finds it much 'easier' to run six businesses. The PR maven, 44, said she commends stay-at-home mothers 'because I did it for six months and f**k me that would have to be the hardest job'. Sharing two childrenPixie, 13, and Hunter, 10with her husband Oliver Curtis, Roxy said she found staying at home 'f**king boring', reported The Sunday Telegraph. 'There's f**king nothing to do here, nothing. Housewifery is not for me. Like, let's be real. I have shopped to the point where I can't shop anymore,' she said. 'Yes, Ministry of Talent [her talent agency business] ticks along and I work on that every daybut it's not enough. 'I've still got too much time in the day, and there's only so many hours that Chanel, Louis Vuitton and Prada are open.' Roxy Jacenko, 44, (pictured) made it clear on Sunday she was not born for 'housewifery', and finds it much 'easier' to run six businesses Roxy said it's 'easier for me to go to work and run six businesses than it is to look after two children', adding she'd rather 'run a country' than help with homework. When Daily Mail Australia reached out to Roxy, she said: 'I've always workedI know no differentso getting back into it was inevitable. 'I tried to retire but I was bored! I'm an entrepreneurit's in my blood so staying home and taking up tennis and long lunches was never going to last! 'I travel back to Sydney twice a monthbeing 7 hours away and only a 3 hour time difference it's super easy for me and also so nice to spend time with my mother, Doreen, and friends as well as be back in an office environment.' Roxy went on to say that even when she did retire from being a PR rep, she 'was still running my digital agency The Ministry of Talent'. '[It] looks after some of the country's best digital influencers but by 2pm my day is done (my friends and I joke that I do in an a couple of hours what many would do in a day) so going back to PR means I'm back to being challenged and working 24/7,' she added. 'I get a rush doing itit's not for everyone but it works for meit's fulfilling! Suppose it's like my hobby!' It comes after Roxy confirmed in September she has made a return to publicity and Sydney two years after stepping down as director of Sweaty Betty. The PR maven, 44, said she commends stay-at-home mothers 'because I did it for six months and f**k me that would have to be the hardest job'. Pictured with children Pixie and Hunter 'I am returning to Sweaty Betty PR and reopening the doors for selected clients,' Roxy told Daily Mail Australia. 'Learning to be able to step back and enjoy life beyond just work has been rewarding BUT also awfully boring!' 'I wasn't cut out for the housewife life!' She later shared the news to her Instagram followers with a not-so-cryptic hint as to her next move. The photo showed Roxy's hand on the driving wheel of her car with her WhatsApp messages visible on her open laptop. 'November 2022 I decided I quit PR. Must have been a mid life crisis lol today I'm back and ohhhhh it's like the old days' she captioned the post. 'I have worked since I was 14-years-old,' Roxy continued. 'It's all I know and to be frank, I'm good at it, so it's time to get going again.' Sharing two childrenPixie, 13, and Hunter, 10with her husband Oliver Curtis (left), Roxy said she found staying at home 'f**king boring', reported The Sunday Telegraph She'll continue to be based in Singapore, but said she'll begin commuting to Sydney for one week out of every month to operate Sweaty Betty from its eastern suburbs offices. 'I'll be based in Singapore with my family but do a week a month in Sydney at my Double Bay HQ. With a mere 2-hour time difference working out of Singapore when I am not in Sydney is very feasible.' Roxy set off to Singapore with her family in 2023, resolute she was never going to return to Sydney. 'I don't have any plans to come back. I'm sorry to say,' she told Daily Mail Australia earlier this year. 'I love Australia. Don't get me wrong. It's so nice to look out at the ocean and have that opportunity. But I love being so close to all different places.' 'Since being in Singapore, I've travelled to Thailand, to Vietnam and to India. We're so far away from everything in Australia. All of a sudden my life has become a lot more colourful. I can explore and do different stuff.' Kanye West is reportedly planning an X-rated vow renewal with his wife Bianca Censori. The US rapper, 47, is said to be desperate to put rumours of their marriage woes to rest. Despite speculation his relationship with the Australian architect, 29, has been rocky, West allegedly intends to walk down the aisle with Censori almost completely nude, Radar Online reports. 'It's no secret people have been whispering that Censori is walking away, so this wedding is as much about celebrating their love as it is about showing the world that they're solid,' an insider revealed to the outlet. With the couple's second anniversary on the horizon next month, the source claimed West wanted to take things to the next level to prove his commitment to Censori. Known for their bold public fashion choiceswhich often sees Censori wearing very provocative outfits while West remains covered upWest is said to be stripping off too for the ceremony. Kanye West, 47, (left) is reportedly planning an X-rated vow renewal with his wife Bianca Censori, 29, (right) 'He's very much going for shock value. He's really into the idea of both of them walking down the aisle in barely-there outfits,' the source added. The insider went on to say West and Censori, who first tied the knot in December 2022, will be hosting their nuptials at the couple's new $35million Beverly Hills mansion. The report alleges that the musician even intends to invite his ex-wife Kim Kardashian. Kim and Kanye were married for six years and share children North, 11, Saint, eight, Chicago, six, and Psalm, five. The reports come after West was accused of 'gagging' and choking America's Next Top Model alumna Jenn An until she blacked out, in a new federal lawsuit. An is suing both West and Universal Music Group for gender-motivated violence over an incident she claims occurred during a music video shoot in 2010. She claims that the experience felt more like 'pornographic gagging/deep throat/BDSM fetishes' than like filming a music video. In her legal filing, she alleges that West placed her on a chair and instructed the director to put the camera on herthen choked her. Despite speculation his relationship with the Australian architect has been rocky, West allegedly intends to host vow renewals as the pair waltz down the aisle almost completely nude, reported Radar Online on Friday West then purportedly 'smothered' An's face with his hands and 'gagged her to emulate forced oral sex,' she asserted in court documents obtained by TMZ. The new legal case comes a month after West's ex-assistant Lauren Pisciotta accused him of drugging and raping her at a Diddy party in her own lawsuit. An claims her alleged encounter with West took place while shooting a music video at New York's Chelsea Hotel for his song In For The Kill with LaRoux. West only featured on a remix of the tracknot the original versionand he and An are not seen in the final cut of the music video. In her lawsuit, An says she was hired to appear in the music video in 2010, the year after she was a contestant on America's Next Top Model. She claims West enlisted her for the project by selecting her from a lineup of women, adding that he allegedly said: 'Give me the Asian girl.' Her legal documents assert she was dressed in skimpy lingerie during the shoot, with West supposedly telling her: 'That's why I chose you.' An accuses West of seating her on a chair opposite him, instructing the director to train the camera on her, then choking her. The reports come after West was accused of 'gagging' and choking America's Next Top Model alumna Jenn An until she blacked out, in a new federal lawsuit She claims he then 'smothered' her face using his hands and 'rammed several fingers down her throat, continuously moved them in and out, and gagged her to emulate forced oral sex' for longer than one minute. According to An's lawsuit, West shouted: 'This is art. This is f***ing art. I am like Picasso,' during the filming of the In For The Kill video. An also alleges that LaRoux later told a friend that she had witnessed 'upsetting, unsettling' conduct during the shoot. Universal Music Group is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit, with An claiming the record company and other 'high-profile figures' in the music industry attempted to 'bury' the alleged incident after the fact. Last month, West's former assistant Lauren Pisciotta amended a prior lawsuit to allege that he drugged and raped her at a Diddy party. Pisciotta, an influencer and former OnlyFans personality, originally sued West in June, accusing him of stalking her and sexually harassing her while she was employed by him in 2021 and 2022. However, she updated the lawsuit in October, and the 88-page document obtained by DailyMail.com contained several more allegations. She accused him of throwing purportedly notorious sex parties, forcing employees to draw swastikas and expressing neo-Nazi views. Pisciotta claims West also wrongfully terminated her employment and then failed to pay her $3 million severance packageafter he previously allegedly bragged to Jay-Z that he had promised her a $4 million annual wage. To anyone out there whos hurting its not a sign of weakness to ask for help. Its a sign of strength. Barack Obama, former President of the USA. This article serves a dual purpose: Firstly, to honour the late Zakhona Sibandze - who reportedly took her own life - and to mourn her untimely death. Sibandze was, without a doubt, a remarkably courageous liSwati woman and teacher who challenged all odds to express her emotions during the recent Sibaya dialogue forum, despite the intimidating atmosphere surrounding her at the time. The other objective of this article is to implore (and inspire) my fellow compatriots in the country to recognise the signs that may lead to those we know contemplating suicide. This is crucial, because awareness can be the first step towards intervention. Although the task may seem daunting, taking action is imperative. Recent media reports suggest the late Sibandze took her own life after reportedly ingesting a deadly poisonous substance. The circumstances that led her to opt for taking her own life are obscure at the moment. But, I have the proclivity to believe that those closest to her were possibly aware of the reasons. Briefly, before I proceed, let me shed some light about what I know about the late Sibandze and the circumstances that led her to being so famous. I never met her in my life, but the little I gleaned about her character (and what possibly led to her deciding to take her own life), is both motivating and sad at the same time, respectively. Statements The late Sibandze, a schoolteacher, garnered nationwide attention due to her remarkably poignant, albeit peculiar, statements during the most recent Sibaya dialogue forum. Media reports indicate that she visited a local general dealer shop, where she encountered individuals within the establishment and purportedly conveyed to them that they were witnessing her for the final time.Other online outlets have claimed that she expressed to those presumably closest to her, the phrase sewudziniwe, which seems to imply her profound weariness with life. Sources have further alleged that she procured a toxic substance in pill form; upon her arrival at the shop, it was reported that the individuals present could detect a potent odour emanating from her, suggesting that she had already consumed the lethal substance. However, the veracity of these accounts remains questionable or unconfirmed. Although the details are unsettling, they reflect the complexity of human emotions and actions in the face of despair. Sadly, Sibandze is no more... In her discursive contributions at the Sibaya (a traditional gathering), she commenced by delineating her identity, her chief and acknowledging the associated dignitaries. Subsequently, she articulated the now renowned phrase: Seyisukile Wena Wa Phakathi... Nayo-ke le ncangancanga.. Furthermore, she proceeded to critique the nations leadership, alluding to implications that I am unable to reiterate. What also rendered her a figure of considerable nationwide discussions were the insinuations she made regarding her parents intimate life. This not only elicited amusement among a faction of the Sibaya audience; however, it also incited uproar from another contingent that demanded her expulsion from the podium. To this day, she persists as a popular, yet contentious individual. She was subjected to ridicule and mockery by certain individuals due to her submissions, thereby losing sight of the possibility that she might have been grappling with mental health issues. She evidently also had more in store to articulate as her submissions concerning what and how she felt about the socio-political environment in the country. In her purportedly compromised mental state, it was clear that she definitely required assistance. Was she afforded any support in subsequent times? This represents the pivotal and million-dollar enquiry. For those of us perceptive enough, despite the dubious nature of her mental state, she presented herself as an exceedingly astute woman with substantial insights regarding pressing issues - particularly those of a political dimensionaffecting the nation. Regrettably, she was never able to articulate her perspectives, as she was unceremoniously ejected from the podium and the venue. The tragic demise of Sibandze highlights the urgent necessity for open discourse concerning mental health challenges and the myriad factors contributing to the profound despair that numerous individuals in Eswatini encounter. My profound concern is that Sibandze, although she appeared to be a vibrant and intelligent woman, was clearly not at her optimal mental health. Part of her submissions, albeit brief, contained an element of substance. She undoubtedly had more to convey, even though the surrounding environment was intimidating. No one anticipated that she would articulate the peculiar phrases pertaining to her parents intimate status. This, in itself, served as an indicator that her mental well-being was compromised. Sadly, she was subjected to the prevailing, abhorrent Swati tendency to condescend towards individuals grappling with mental health disorders. The disadvantaged, including the vulnerable and those unable to provide for themselveswhether due to unemployment or a challenging familial backdropoften face such disdain. However, this raises critical questions about societal attitudes towards mental health and the support systems in place for those in need. Although the circumstances are disheartening, the conversation must continue. Questions arise: Was a follow-up made on how Sibandze was coping with her challenges regarding her mental health? Did the community she was living in bother itself to protect, nurture and see to it that Sibandze would not one day decide she was tired of living a harsh life and opted for taking her own life? The mere fact that she bid farewell to people she knew is an indicator that whatever help she sought she probably did not receive. She then made the decision to take the easy way out. She succeeded. Shes gone, and is now a mere statistic in the growing number of suicides in a country that gives little regard for people with mental health issues. Sibandze was obviously a brilliant woman who had so much potential and who could have contributed to the development of her community and the country through the education of our children, had she been given the necessary care, treatment and love all of us deserve as human beings. I reiterate she is..no more. In the wake of this tragic loss, it is essential (imperative, if you will) that we unite as a community to confront the urgent issue of mental health -particularly the distressing rates of suicide and depression that have intensified due to the difficult circumstances we currently endure as a nation. Coping with life, specifically in the rural expanse is, at present, an arduous endeavour. If enduring solutions are not identified to mitigate this alarming trend in suicides, brace yourself for the most dire consequences. Occasionally, we encounter reports in the nations media that highlight profoundly disturbing incidents of suicide, particularly among students in tertiary institutions; however, there has also been an unsettling increase in suicides among members of law enforcement agencies as well. The dire state of mental health in the country has drawn attention to the complex web of socio-economic challenges that many citizens face daily. As the shadows of despair loom large, it is essential for society to recognise both the symptoms and the underlying causes of this tragic phenomenon. Opportunities Unemployment stands as one of the most significant contributors to the rising suicide rates. With limited job opportunities and a high level of competition for available positions, many citizens find themselves stuck in cycles of poverty. Reports indicate that the job market is rife with corruption where nepotism reigns supreme, leading to despair among those who strive for employment based on merit. This situation is especially dire for young graduates who, after investing years in their education, struggle to find gainful employment. The feeling of hopelessness can drive individuals to consider drastic measures, as they see no way out of their economic predicament. From the scant information I have managed to compile, it is evident that the existence of tertiary students is fraught with heartbreak. The protracted delays in the disbursement of student allowances wreak havoc on many individuals; this is especially distressing for those residing off-campus. They are burdened with rental expenses, utility bills and the necessity of sustenancethe list is interminable. It defies comprehension why the administration of the country invariably grapples with complications when it comes time to distributing students allowances. For some, these challenges become insurmountable and the only recourse appears to be the tragic decision to end their own lives. The nagging question is: Is it plausible to deduce that for some sinister or ulterior reasons, the administration is deliberately frustrating the students? The daily struggles of life, exacerbated by economic difficulties, social unrest and the lingering repercussions of the recent global pandemic (COVID-19), have imposed a significant burden on the mental well-being of countless individuals in the country. It is crucial that we remain vigilant in identifying the signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviours, which often go unnoticed until it is too late. This article seeks to inspire the people of Eswatini to cultivate an atmosphere of openness and support, allowing individuals to share their challenges without the fear of stigma or judgment. It is truly disheartening to note that there is a general perception among emaSwati to ridicule and consider those who take their own lives as weaklings or failures. Let us refrain from placing blame on those who decide to take their own lives. EmaSwati are under a lot of stress, due to a diverse number of emotional problems. We need to address this phenomenon by investigating its causes and find lasting solutions to the escalating number of suicides in the country. If you see someone enduring profound suffering, please try your best within reasonable means to extend your assistance if and where possible; your intervention could potentially save a life. It is essential to leave the judgement of those who decide to take their own lives to a Higher Power (God), particularly for those who struggle to make a decent living. I may not know what went wrong with Sibandze emotionally which caused her to decided to take her own life...but her alleged last words, Sengidziniwe trigger a concern: Many of our compatriots are going through a lot. Some may survive ..for others like Sibandze, living a life of insurmountable personal challenges is just too much. Lets be vigilant and recognise the emotional problems our family members, friends, students, etc., might be going through. Let us intervene timeously before more precious lives are lost. In our joint effort to provide emotional support, it is essential that we consolidate our initiativeswhether through community programmes, peer support networks or simply by being available for one another in times of need. By fostering a culture grounded in empathy and understanding, we can help individuals facing mental health issues to feel less alone and more empowered to seek the help they need. This mission, however, requires a collective dedication to change, as only through collaboration can we create a safer and more supportive environment. Moreover, it is crucial to advocate for the improvement of mental health resources and services within our communities, particularly in areas affected by poverty. This effort includes raising awareness, training educators, bagcugcuteli, religious leaders, community leaders etc.,to identify signs of mental distress, and ensuring that mental health services are accessible to everyone - especially in rural regions where resources may be scarce. While the obstacles we face are considerable, our determination must remain unwavering, as the health of our communities relies on it. Suicide indzaba yetfu sonkhe. Nawe dlala indzima yakakho. Peace! Shalom! 7605 8449 Chuck Woolery passed away at the age of 83 at his home in Texas on Saturday, his longtime friend Mark Young has confirmed. The beloved television personality, who was best known for being the very first to host Wheel of Fortune, died suddenly while Young was visiting him at his home. 'It is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother has just passed away,' Young wrote in an emotional tribute on X, formerly Twitter. 'Life will not be the same without him, RIP brother.' While he circumstances around Woolery's death are not yet known, Young told TMZ that the actor was not feeling well and went to lie down. Young, who co-hosted the Blunt Force Truth podcast with his late friend, said Woolery later returned to the room to tell him that he was having trouble breathing. Young told the outlet it was then he called 911 but Woolery did not make it. Chuck Woolery passed away at the age of 83 at his home in Texas on Saturday, his longtime friend Mark Young has confirmed; pictured September 2006 in Los Angeles Woolery was best known for being the original host of Wheel of Fortune from 1975 to 1981. He earned a Daytime Emmy in 1978 for his work on Wheel of Fortune. After nearly a decade, he exited the show to pursue other endeavors and passed the torch to Pat Sajak, who took over until 2024. He went on to play matchmaker on Love Connection for 11 years. Additionally, Woolery was also the host for game shows, such as Scrabble, Greed and Lingo. He kicked off his entertainment career as a singer initially. Woolery created several advertising jingles and even charted with a top 40 hit, the 1968 song Naturally Stoned, with pop duo The Avant Garde. In 2003, Naturally Stoned was the theme song for his short-lived Game Show Network reality series. The beloved television personality, who was best known for being the very first to host Wheel of Fortune, died suddenly while Young was at visiting him at his home; pictured March 2015 in Beverly Hills 'It is with a broken heart that I tell you that my dear brother has just passed away,' Young wrote in an emotional tribute on X, formerly Twitter. 'Life will not be the same without him, RIP brother' While the circumstances around Woolery's death are not yet known, Young told TMZ that the actor was not feeling well and went to lie down Over the years, the actor also made appearances as himself on screen including in the 2018 movie Cold Feet as well as the sitcoms 227 and Scrubs. Shortly thereafter, he was offered a chance to audition as a game show host after he performed Delta Dawn on The Merv Griffin Show. Griffin casted Woolery over 77 Sunset Strip alum Edd 'Kookie' Byrnes for the show called Shopper's Bazaar. It was later renamed Wheel of Fortune and premiered on NBC in January 1975. In 1981, Woolery requested a raise from $65,000 annually to about half a million, which was reportedly what other top game show hosts were making at the time. Griffin initially offered him $400,000 and said NBC would pay him the remainder but he ended up threatening to move Wheel of Fortune to CBS, according to Woolery in 2007. It was then NBC withdrew the offer and Griffin fired Woolery. Young, who co-hosted the Blunt Force Truth podcast with his late friend, said Woolery later returned to the room to tell him that he was having trouble breathing. Young told the outlet it was then he called 911 but Woolery did not make it Woolery was best known for being the original host of Wheel of Fortune from 1975 to 1981; pictured 1978 in portrait Over the years, the actor also made appearances as himself on screen including in the 2018 movie Cold Feet as well as the sitcoms 227 and Scrubs; pictured June 2007 in Austin He also let go the original letter-turner Susan Stafford, who was replaced by Vanna White. Afterwards, he went on to host Love Connection for over 2,000 episodes from 1983 to 1994. He also had his own CBS daytime morning show for a brief time and co-hosted Home and Family. Woolery is survived by his wife Kim Woolery and children Katherine, Melissa, Michael and Sean. Paris Hilton and Ashley Graham led a parade of stars attending day four of the F1 Grand Prix Of Las Vegas this Saturday night. Paul Mescal, the leading man of Ridley Scott's buzzy new feature film Gladiator II, was also among the standout presences on the red carpet. Celebrities galore flooded to the Las Vegas Strip Circuit to take in the spectacle of the latest Grand Prix the weekend before Thanksgiving. But perhaps the biggest name of them all was Paris, who radiated her signature megawatt showbiz glamour in a monochrome ensemble. The 43-year-old heiress emphasized her enviably willowy frame in a sleek black top that plunged to betray just a trace of cleavage. She brought the look together with a black leather jacket with white stripes down the sleeves, plus leather trousers that played up her vertiginous legs. Paris Hilton (pictured) and Ashley Graham led a parade of stars attending day four of the F1 Grand Prix Of Las Vegas this Saturday night Meanwhile Ashley, one of the reigning plus-size models in America, flaunted her figure in a see-through black blouse that exposed her leopard print bra In a characteristic flourish of personal branding, she carried a handbag splashed with the logo of the hotel business that made her family famous worldwide. Meanwhile Ashley, one of the reigning plus-size models in America, flaunted her figure in a see-through black blouse that exposed her leopard print bra. Flinging her coat fashionably over her shoulders, she wore her luxurious dark locks down in waves and sharpened her features with makeup. Paul oozed sex appeal in a tight white t-shirt tucked into a set of fashionably faded jeans and accessorized with a chrome jacket. Amid the parade of top-flight names at the latest Grand Prix was none other than Gordon Ramsay, who was glimpsed mingling with record producer Steve Aoki. Aaron Taylor Johnson, who is at the center of a swirl of rumors that he will succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, left several of his top buttons beguilingly undone. Luminaries from the music industry turned out in force to the Grand Prix, including famous names as august as Ludacris and Flavor Flav. Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles treated the cameras to his charming smile as he struck a pose in a trendily monochrome ensemble. Paul Mescal , the leading man of Ridley Scott's buzzy new feature film Gladiator II, was also among the standout presences on the red carpet In a characteristic flourish of personal branding, Paris carried a handbag splashed with the logo of the hotel business that made her family famous worldwide She finished off her look with dark aviator sunglasses and allowed her blonde tresses to flow over her shoulders in a curled style Ashley flung her coat fashionably over her shoulders and wore her luxurious dark locks down in waves She sharpened her features with a glamorous palette of makeup Paul oozed sex appeal in a tight white t-shirt tucked into a set of fashionably faded jeans and accessorized with a chrome jacket Amid the parade of top-flight names at the latest Grand Prix was none other than Gordon Ramsay, who was glimpsed mingling with record producer Steve Aoki Gordon was joined by his daughter Holly and her fiance Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty Aaron Taylor Johnson, who is at the center of a swirl of rumors that he will succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond, left several of his top buttons beguilingly undone He looked suave in a brown shirt and black jeans, teamed with a pair of boots The actor seemed to be in high spirits as he made his way around the star-studded event Luminaries from the music industry turned out in force to the Grand Prix, including famous names as august as Ludacris (left) and Flavor Flav (right) Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles treated the cameras to his charming smile as he struck a pose in a trendily monochrome ensemble The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley, whose ex-wife Ines De Ramon is now dating Bard Pitt, attended the event on the arm of his girlfriend Natalie Kuckenburg John Legend brought along the two eldest of the two children he shares with his wife Chrissy Teigen - their daughter Luna, eight, and their son Miles, six That 70s Show star Wilmer Valderrama meanwhile attended the glittering event on the arm of his leggy fiancee Amanda Pacheco Mark Wahlberg's dashing brother Donnie Wahlberg grinned broadly as he indulged in an evening out at the Grand Prix with his wife, The View alumna Jenny McCarthy Brandon Sklenar, one of the stars of the new Blake Lively movie It Ends With Us that has been at the center of a storm of drama, was at the fete as well So was White Chicks star Terry Crews (left), dressed in all black, as well as Lukas Gage (right), who shot to fame on the first season of The White Lotus Axl Rose, the legendary frontman of Guns N' Roses, was the image of old-fashioned rock 'n' roll style as he trod the red carpet that evening Meanwhile, Shanina Shaik looked effortlessly glamorous in leather trousers and a fitting white racing car T-shirt The Australian model, 33, completed her look with heeled boots and opted for a glowy face of makeup to elevate her natural beauty Jennifer Flavin and Sylvester Stallone also made an appearance The Vampire Diaries star Paul Wesley, whose ex-wife Ines De Ramon is now dating Bard Pitt, attended the event on the arm of his girlfriend Natalie Kuckenburg. John Legend brought along the two eldest of the two children he shares with his wife Chrissy Teigen - their daughter Luna, eight, and their son Miles, six. That 70s Show star Wilmer Valderrama meanwhile attended the glittering event on the arm of his leggy fiancee Amanda Pacheco. Mark Wahlberg's dashing brother Donnie Wahlberg grinned broadly as he indulged in an evening out at the Grand Prix with his wife, The View alumna Jenny McCarthy. Brandon Sklenar, one of the stars of the new Blake Lively movie It Ends With Us that has been at the center of a storm of drama, was at the fete as well. So was White Chicks star Terry Crews, dressed in all black, as well as Lukas Gage, who shot to fame on the first season of The White Lotus. Axl Rose, the legendary frontman of Guns N' Roses, was the image of old-fashioned rock 'n' roll style as he trod the red carpet that evening. Meanwhile, Shanina Shaik looked effortlessly glamorous in leather trousers and a fitting white racing car T-shirt. The Australian model, 33, completed her look with heeled boots and opted for a glowy face of makeup to elevate her natural beauty. Simone Holtznagel and her ex Jono Castano have continued co-parenting their baby daughter despite their acrimonious split. The former couple took their five-month-old baby daughter Gia for a stroll in Sydney together on Sunday. Also meeting up with Jono was his ex-wife Amy Castano, proving the trio have put maturity and their family ahead of the drama of their break-ups. Jono was wheeling the tot along in her pram while Simone walked alongside with her arms crossed. The model appeared a touch tense during the outing, remaining stony faced, while Jono seemed more relaxed. Simone opted for a chic black shirt in a loose fit paired with black trousers and flip flops. Simone Holtznagel and her ex Jono Castano have continued co-parenting their baby daughter despite their acrimonious split. Both pictured The former couple took their five-month-old baby daughter Gia for a stroll in Sydney together on Sunday Also meeting up with Jono was his ex-wife Amy Castano (right), proving the trio have put maturity and their family ahead of the drama of their break-ups She chose a clean makeup look and added a pair of designer sunglasses, while carrying a luxury shoulder bag. The blonde stunner wore her flaxen locks around her shoulders and kept her accessories light. Jono meanwhile opted for a graphic shirt in black with white lettering along with loose slacks and sneakers. Amy, who spent time with Jono prior to his stroll with Simone, looked chic in a blue mini dress that put her bust and trim pins on display. She chose a full face of glamorous makeup with a dark nude lipstick and had her brunette locks in a ponytail, while opting for towering silver heels. It comes after Simone took a swipe at her ex-boyfriend as she spoke for the first time on their split. The 31-year-old, who is raising the former couple's baby daughter as a single mother, told Stellar Magazine that she 'couldn't change' the man she thought she loved. 'I wanted to set an example for my daughter; that's something that shifted for me. One day I was like, "What am I doing? This isn't right." And I would hate if she was ever in this situation,' she said. Jono was wheeling the tot along in her pram while Simone walked alongside with her arms crossed The model appeared a touch tense during the outing, remaining stony faced, while Jono seemed more relaxed She chose a clean makeup look and added a pair of designer sunglasses Simone opted for a chic black shirt in a loose fit paired with black trousers Jono meanwhile opted for a graphic shirt in black with white lettering along with loose slacks and sneakers He added a chunky gold watch to his ensemble 'You have to do what is right for you at the end of the day. No matter the number of promises or anything else that people make, when they show you who they are, believe them. Because you can't change people'. Simone said she is content raising her baby, Gia, five months, alone, and that she is confident she made the right choice. 'I've never felt more sure of anything. And I know I can do it by myself. It's unfortunate that I'm mostly having to do it by myself, but I couldn't think of it any other way, really,' she said. 'What I'm doing just feels very right for me. The most important thing to me is that Gia is happy and healthy, and that I'm happy too,' Simone continued. 'Because I firmly believe that if the mother is unhappy, it's hard to have a happy child. And I feel like Gia at this point is a reflection of me, as she's just a very content and happy little bubba.' Simone and personal trainer Jono, 33, welcomed Gia on Easter Sunday. In May, Jono confirmed that he and Simone decided to go their separate ways - just nine weeks after the birth of baby Gia. 'Who knows what the future holds, our idea is just to be the best parents for Gia at this stage,' he told Daily Mail Australia in a statement at the time. The model was wearing flip flops and carrying a luxury shoulder bag The blonde stunner wore her flaxen locks around her shoulders and kept her accessories light It comes after Simone took a swipe at her ex-boyfriend as she spoke for the first time on their split A close friend of the couple then revealed the writing was on the wall for the end of Simone and Jono's relationship for quite some time. A source told The Daily Telegraph that several friends and family members warned Simone her model lifestyle was not compatible with Jono's fitness influencer career. The first sign of trouble was when Jono posted pictures of himself on a luxurious holiday in Thailand days after Gia's birth on March 31 without Simone and their baby. Although many of Jono's followers were quick to gush over the snaps, Simone neither liked or commented on them. Speaking to Women's Health, Simone addressed the positives and negatives of doing motherhood 'alone', despite seemingly sharing parenting duties with Jono. Simone, who has not yet commented on the split, also notably failed to mention Jono in an apparent swipe as she thanked her family and friends for supporting her. When asked about the aspect of motherhood that surprised her, Simone shared: 'Positive: I can do this alone. Negative: I am doing this alone. 'My family and friends have gone absolutely above and beyond for me, and I am lucky that the negatives feel a lot easier with them by my side.' The 31-year-old, who is raising the former couple's baby daughter as a single mother, told Stellar Magazine that she 'couldn't change' the man she thought she loved 'I wanted to set an example for my daughter; that's something that shifted for me. One day I was like, "What am I doing? This isn't right." And I would hate if she was ever in this situation,' she said Despite the challenges of motherhood, Simone described being a parent to baby Gia as an 'absolute joy' and admitted it has not been as hard as she expected Despite the challenges of motherhood, Simone described being a parent to baby Gia as an 'absolute joy' and admitted it has not been as hard as she expected. 'Every day, I tell myself, ''This is the last day she will be this little,'' and that helps me enjoy even the smallest or more difficult moments,' she added. Her remarks came in a candid Q&A to promote her new campaign with Nala called Sorry To Offend You, which aims to break the stigma around public breastfeeding. Jono showed his support for her campaign this week as he appeared to be trying to win back his girlfriend, weeks after publicly confirming their split in July. The Acero gym owner left a sentimental comment beneath a post about her promotional on Instagram, showing Simone breastfeeding their daughter Gia. 'This is so good well done nuffle,' he wrote, seemingly using his pet name for her. His gushing remark came days after he was seen leaving flowers at the 'postpartum hotel' where Simone was staying at with their newborn Gia in an apparent bid to win her back. Simone's campaign comes after she had been keeping a low profile following the bombshell news about her split from Jono emerged last month. Amy, who spent time with Jono prior to his stroll with Simone, looked chic in a blue mini dress that put her bust and trim pins on display She chose a full face of glamorous makeup with a dark nude lipstick and had her brunette locks in a ponytail, while opting for towering silver heels Meanwhile, Jono is going strong with his glamorous new girlfriend. The celebrity personal trainer was earlier this month spotted on a date with Nilofar Khirzad in Perth. The pair met outside the fashion designer's business, Khirzad Femme with Jono patiently waiting for his love outside. Jono first sparked rumours that he was involved in a new relationship after he was spotted liking and leaving very flirty comments on Nilofar's Instagram posts. In one post, shared on October 11, Nilofar flaunted pieces from her brand Khirzad as she posed in a $290 burgundy blouse and $389 orange skirt. Jono made his admiration clear, commenting with a fire emoji underneath the shots. In a post from September, the Acero Gym owner commented 'Okkkkkkkkkkkkkkk' on a series of busty photos of Nilofar at a restaurant in Melbourne, to which she replied with three love heart emojis. Jono has also rocked Nilofar's menswear brand himself and featured on the label's Instagram page on October 5. Eden Harper has opted for a very racy ensemble for a friend's wedding. The Married At First Sight star showed off her outfit for the nuptials, which was brazenly see-through. The reality star chose a long-sleeved mini-dress with a satin bra overlay and matching sheer bell bottom trousers. A sash sat at the midriff and flowed down to the floor, with Eden matching her purse to the outfit. For makeup, she chose a full face with peachy blush and a nude lipstick, her caramel locks pulled into a ponytail with a few loose strands. 'Wedding celebration,' she wrote in her post to Instagram alongside a series of photos. Eden Harper (pictured) has opted for a very racy ensemble for a friend's wedding The Married At First Sight star showed off her outfit for the nuptials, which was brazenly see-through The reality star chose a long-sleeved mini-dress with a satin bra overlay and matching sheer bell bottom trousers Her followers seemed to love the look, with one commenting: 'That is the best outfit I have ever seen in my life'. Another chimed in: 'Your taste in clothes is off the page. Stunning outfit' while one more said, 'Ahhhhhmazing honey'. 'You look beyond stunning. Wow what an outfit,' one more added. Earlier this month, Eden made a splash in the business world with the launch of her new pet brand, Cub. Seven months after her season of MAFS ended, Eden, 29, has teamed up with her brother Matt to unveil a range of high-quality, stylish dog products. The debut collection includes luxury dog beds in five stylish colours and three sizes. They feature machine-washable covers, orthopaedic memory foam and waterproof liners. Eden says her love of dogs showcased throughout her time on the show sparked the idea for Cub. A sash sat at the midriff and flowed down to the floor 'Wedding celebration,' she wrote in her post to Instagram alongside a series of photos 'I'm always on the hunt for functional products that also look great,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'I wanted to create something that reflects that passion. 'It's all about making life better for our pets while keeping our homes stylish,' she added. Eden's entry into the world of business is a notable shift from her fellow reality TV brides from her season, who have since faded into oblivion. Ellie Dix has been the only other bride to launch her own business from her short time on the show, opening Model Skin, alongside now boyfriend Jonathan McCullough. Lucinda Light has meanwhile managed to profit from her sudden fame, touring shows around the world. Next year's season of the hit Channel Nine show has already wrapped up filming in Sydney. In April, Eden announced her shock split with Jayden Eynaud. For makeup, she chose a full face with peachy blush and a nude lipstick, her caramel locks pulled into a ponytail with a few loose strands Her followers seemed to love the look, with one commenting: 'That is the best outfit I have ever seen in my life' Eden, who met her partner on season 11, confirmed the news on Instagram on Wednesday, after eight months together. 'When I made the decision at final vows to be with Jayden, I really did that with the intention of it being forever,' Harper began. 'Jayden & I spent many months together after the experiment, Cub gained a dad and I gained a whole second family who I'm truly grateful for. 'I'm saddened to share that toward the end of the show airing, our relationship came to an end. The reality is, the person I chose, didn't choose me.' 'Whilst I'm disappointed that what you saw didn't translate in the real world, I will never regret this experiment, the people I met, the lessons I learnt and the growth it has had on me. She concluded the post thanking fans for their support. Later, Jayden released a similar statement, posting: 'Sometimes in life, things don't always go the way you had hoped for. 'After the experiment, Eden and I went back to the Gold Coast and continued to enjoy living our lives together and getting to know each other every day. 'However, unfortunately, our relationship ended not long before the end of the experiment airing. 'As sad as it is, Im so glad I got to go through this with such an amazing woman and a beautiful son [DOG EMOJI].' He concluded, 'You will both always have a second family on the Gold Coast'. A source close to Eden told Daily Mail Australia that the breakup came 'completely out of the blue' for Eden and she is 'pretty shattered about it'. Im A Celeb fans have made a shock update to Dean McCulloughs Wikipedia page after he started a spat with Coronation Street's Alan Halsall on Saturday night. After the episode ended with the argument, viewers updated Dean McCullough's Wikipedia page to reflect his trajectory on the show. Now deleted, underneath the 32-year-old's introduction, was written: 'Dean currently presents at BBC Radio 1 and has previously presented at Gaydio. 'His final job was on I'm A Celebrity where he destroyed his career and image by being nasty to a bloke from Corrie.' Another fan took it a step further and added to the biography: 'He isn't a team player. He tried to get Danny to sleep next to the rats and then proceeded to take his bed anyway when the request was refused. Im A Celeb fans made a shock update to Dean McCulloughs Wikipedia page after he started a spat with Coronation Street 's Alan Halsall on Saturday night 'Maura and Richard were out there eating testicles and pig snouts whilst Dean won't even put his hand in fish guts. 'This was made worse in that Ant and Dec couldn't have hinted anymore that the final star was in the fish guts.' The joke has now been deleted, but the Northern Irish presenter is not likely to see the funny side as he shared with MailOnline before entering the Jungle, 'I'd like to come out [of the Jungle] with a job. With a job at the BBC. He said: 'I'd like to be able to walk down the street in Belfast and not get heckled for, you know, saying I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.' But the Wikipedia saga comes after even the show's host, Ant McPartlin, shared his 'frustration' with Dean's lack of ability in the trials as he's called 'I'm A Celebrity' twice in the four challenges he's been nominated for. He further fuelled his current dislike of him online after he started an argument with Alan Halsall, 42. The Coronation Street star woke Dean up to help Loose Women's Jane Moore collect firewood and when the BBC presenter failed to get up immediately, Alan said: 'Don't fancy it? No?' The soap star then went down to help Jane, 62, and Dean later joined them and told Alan 'You can go back now', before the actor explained: 'I was trying to wake you up as soft as I could.' After the episode ended with the argument, viewers updated Dean McCullough's Wikipedia page to reflect his trajectory on the show Now deleted, underneath the 32-year-old's introduction, was written: 'Dean currently presents at BBC Radio 1 and has previously presented at Gaydio The Coronation Street star woke Dean up to help Loose Women's Jane Moore collect firewood and when the BBC presenter failed to get up immediately, Alan said: 'Don't fancy it? No?' The Wikipedia saga comes after even the show's host, Ant McPartlin, shared his 'frustration' with Dean's lack of ability in the trials Dean then hit back: 'Listen to me. If you're gonna wake me up, you need to give me a minute, alright?' ' It takes a couple of minutes for my contact lenses to get back working again, alright, so you don't need to turn around to me and say 'Do you not fancy it, Ok?' And then turn around and walk away.' 'I've listened to you, Jane was halfway down here, that's why I went' Alan replied as the pair got into a heated back and forth.' John Demetrios was crowned the winner of Dessert Masters 2024 in an emotional grand finale episode on Sunday night. He walks away with the title and $100,000 in prize money. The pastry chef picked up the highest score from judges Melissa Leong and Amaury Guichon for his final dessert, beating out fan favourites Christy Tania, and Emelia Jackson. Tasked with crafting a dessert inspired by 'iconic Australian colours', the trio delivered show-stopping creations to impress the show's judges. While all three finalists presented remarkable desserts, it was Demetrios who secured victory with a near-perfect score of 38 out of 40. Jackson came close with a score of 36, while Tania finished with 30 points. John Demetrios was crowned the winner of Dessert Masters 2024 in an emotional grand finale episode on Sunday night. Pictured The pastry chef picked up the highest score from judges Melissa Leong and Amaury Guichon for his final dessert, beating out fan favourites Christy Tania, and Emelia Jackson 'How did I beat a 36? With a 38. Exactly,' Demetrios said after his win, still in disbelief. 'It's going to take me a couple of days to process this,' he admitted. 'When I was looking at their dishes, I didn't think I was going to come out on top. So, I think that says so much. This whole competition has been a real challenge, but I'm so grateful for it.' The win marked the culmination of weeks of intense competition that highlighted Australia's finest pastry talent. Judge Melissa Leong praised all three finalists, telling them, 'You're standing tall amongst Titans.' She commended Tania's resilience, saying, 'You've proved you're exactly where you're meant to be,' and celebrated Jackson's return to the kitchen where she first launched her pastry career. As he hoisted the winner's trophy amid cheers and applause, Demetrios was visibly emotional, exclaiming, 'Aaaaargh! Yeah!' The audience erupted as the $100,000 prize was handed over, cementing his status as the country's top dessert maestro. 'How did I beat a 36? With a 38. Exactly,' Demetrios said after his win, still in disbelief. 'It's going to take me a couple of days to process this,' he admitted Ruby Tuesday Matthews snuck out of Tammy Hembrow's wedding early after attending part of the Byron Bay nuptials. The influencer quietly slipped out from shindig and is understood to have been heading to the airport to fly to overseas. The 31-year-old hopped into a waiting car and was ferried from the lavish event while celebrations were still underway. Posting her Instagram Stories on Sunday, Ruby shared that she and fiance Shannan Dodd had caught an international flight to Hong Kong. She shared a photo of the boot of a cherry red taxi cab overflowing with their luggage. The influencer was stunning at the nuptials in a form-fitting pink gown that showed off her slender frame. Ruby Tuesday Matthews (pictured) snuck out of Tammy Hembrow's wedding early after attending part of the Byron Bay nuptials The influencer quietly slipped out from shindig and is understood to have been heading to the airport to fly to overseas Posting her Instagram Stories on Sunday, Ruby shared that she and fiance Shannan Dodd (right) had caught an international flight to Hong Kong The dress had thin straps across the shoulders and chest, showing off her toned shoulders and arms. She paired the gown with matching pink shoes and carried a black handbag with her. Ruby completed her look with a pair of statement sunglasses, while Shannan accompanied her looking dapper in a classic black and white suit. She had earlier has been spotted in Byron Bay with Shannan amid split rumours. The rare sighting of the pair together came as they attended the fitness influencer's wedding ceremony on Saturday. Despite rumours that Ruby, 31, and Shannan were on the outs, the pair arrived together in style at the event. Ruby even shared a snap of her hot pink stilettos beside Shannan's black leather and gold loafers and wrote: 'Mum and dad.' Last year, Ruby was forced to deny the pair had split, after rumours swirled they had called time on their relationship. The 31-year-old hopped into a waiting car and was ferried from the lavish event while celebrations were still underway She shared a photo of the boot of a cherry red taxi cab overflowing with their luggage The influencer was stunning at the nuptials in a form-fitting pink gown that showed off her slender frame The dress had thin straps across the shoulders and chest, showing off her toned shoulders and arms. She paired the gown with matching pink shoes and carried a black handbag with her 'I love my kids and I am not separated,' she told her fans. 'I'm very much committed and engaged in my relationship. These things I sometimes like to keep private.' Fans questioned the status of their relationship when Ruby revealed she would be checking into a facility 'for some deep therapy' after having a nervous breakdown. Ruby has gained a huge fanbase on Instagram for her candid fashion videos as well as her content documenting her day-to-day life with her family. She shares two sons Rocket, eight, and Mars, seven, with her ex partner Ryan Heywood. She also has a daughter Holiday, two, with her fiance Shannan. It is unclear when exactly Ruby and Shannan began dating, but loved-up Instagram photos of the pair began appearing on the platform in May 2021. The couple announced their engagement in June of that year. She had earlier has been spotted in Byron Bay with Shannan amid split rumours. The rare sighting of the pair together came as they attended the fitness influencer's wedding Tammy Hembrow married Love Island star Matt Zukowski on Saturday. Both pictured In 2020, she famously made headlines for holding up a Jetstar flight so she could dine on oysters, only to complain when she was heckled by frustrated passengers. Ruby was supposed to be flying from Byron Bay to Sydney in the afternoon but a technical issue caused the flight to be delayed. Jetstar asked travellers to stay at the airport while they flew an engineer over from the Gold Coast. They told passengers the new departure time would likely be about 7.30pm that evening. Ruby and her travel companion decided to leave the airport to grab a bite to eat at a beachside restaurant as others ate at the airport. The influencer later posted a video to Instagram showing her eating oysters with a friend, captioning the footage: 'Flight delayed f*** my life'. She kept frustrated passengers waiting on the tarmac, who heckled her as she boarded 30 minutes after the plane was due to take off. Scott Cam rang in his 62nd birthday in style this weekend. The Block host, whose special day was on Sunday, spent his days off with family and friends in a rural setting to celebrate the occasion. In a series of Instagram photos, the television personality rode quad bikes in the bush with loved ones. Further images showed a classic Aussie BBQ loaded up with bacon for an al fresco breakfast. Scott also kicked back with beers inside what looked like a caravan as he continued the very down to earth party. He showed off the stunning setting, which included a small waterway and tree lined hills. Scott Cam (left) rang in his 62nd birthday in style this weekend Sitting outside as he partook in a beer and a barbie, the TV star looked very relaxed indeed. 'Had a beautiful birthday weekend with all my family In the bush,' he explained in his caption. It comes after reports that Scott is ready to hang up his tool belt and retire from The Block after 14 years as its host. The media personality, who took over as host from Jamie Durie in 2010 during season three of the series, is said to be frustrated with contestants in recent years. Woman's Day reports that Scott's had enough and 2025 will be his last year, but Nine says that's just not the case. An insider alleges that Scott revealed his retirement plans while filming season 20, saying he was only doing 'this year and next' on the show. 'When Jesse [Maguire] and Paige [Beechey] quit the series mid-season, it really shocked him and made him even more determined to walk away in 2025,' they said. 'Scott holds The Block very dear to his heart and he couldn't understand why anyone would leave his hit series and the highly emotional decision they made. The Block host, whose special day was on Sunday, spent his days off with family and friends in a rural setting to celebrate the occasion In a series of Instagram photos, the television personality rode quad bikes in the bush with loved ones. Further images showed a classic Aussie BBQ loaded up with bacon 'Had a beautiful birthday weekend with all my family In the bush,' he explained in his caption He showed off the stunning setting, which included a small waterway and tree lined hills 'It reinforced to him the idea of leaving on a high next year to spend more time with his family.' The source went on to reference similar rumours which spread in 2023 about Scott retiring soon, but Nine 'squashed' those by signing him onto a new deal. However, the deal is said to have only covered two years, keeping Scott on as host for the 2024 20th anniversary season and the 2025 Daylesford season. According to the insider, it was all 'part of a grand plan for Scott to leave on a high with very two different and challenging seasons of the renovation show'. The Block was originally set to film in Daylesford this year, but complications with receiving council permits pushed that renovation back to next year. Producers scrambled at the last second to secure a run down resort on Phillip Island, dropping a staggering $9.5 million on Island Cove Villas, The insider said Scott was 'bitterly disappointed' when Daylesford was put on the backburner because he wanted to host that season 'then bow out graciously'. However, Nine has once again put those rumours to rest, telling Daily Mail Australia on Monday: 'Scott Cam has no plans to step down from The Block.' It comes after reports that Scott is ready to hang up his tool belt and retire from The Block after 14 years as its host - which he has denied. Pictured: Scott and co-host Shelley Craft The Block host Scott addressed rumours of his impending retirement from Nine's hit renovation show to Daily Mail Australia as recently as last year. The builder-turned-reality TV host attended a launch party for the 2023 season of his show and told the crowd he was planning on staying for a long time. 'Two months ago I signed a multiple year deal with the Nine Network. It was an easy decision as I love this show and couldn't think of going anywhere else,' he said. Scott then said while he had no immediate retirement plans, when that day came in the distant future he had the perfect person in mind to take over as host. 'I reckon the only person who could do it is my current co-host Shelley Craft, that's right,' he said. Shelley, 48, added there was no one better suited than her to take over the reins when the time finally came. 'That's my job, isn't it? Don't I step up and then I get a sidekick?' she joked. In 2022, Scott addressed speculation about his future on the show yet again, telling Daily Mail Australia he would be on building sites for decades to come. The veteran tradie has a 40 plus-year career behind him and has hosted The Block for the past 14 yearswith seemingly no desire to stop any time soon. 'I'm 60 this year and I'm physically fit, I'm doing a renovation of my home now because of the mould from all the rain,' he told Daily Mail Australia at the time. 'I've got at least another decade on the tools. I told my wife recently, we've got 20 years of good health left so from January 1, let's start a 20-year odyssey of living life. 'I'll keep going till I can't anymore because I love it. I reckon I can do 20 years on the tools, and I'll pull up when my body tells me to.' Pete Wicks made his feelings clear as he wrote a smitten comment under Maura Higgins' latest Instagram post on Sunday - after rumours swirled that the star had been 'secretly seeing' Jowita Przystal. The TV personality, 36, is thought to be dating the former Love Islander, 33, but she has since insisted that she is single, and said a romance in the jungle is likely to be off the cards. However, Pete chose not to hold back after watching a clip of Maura doing an eating challenge in the latest Bushtucker Trial, as he took to the comments to write: 'WHAT A WOMAN'. The clip was posted to Instagram by Maura's friends and family, who are running her account while she's Down Under. Hilariously, they edited in the viral video of Maura in Love Island, where she overhears Tom Walker, who she was coupled up with at the time on the show, making a suggestive comment before they went into the hideaway. The funny clip saw Tom quip: 'It will be interesting to see whether she's all mouth or not,' followed by Maura getting stuck into the eating challenge and joking: 'I don't think i can swallow it. First time I've said that.' Pete Wicks made his feelings clear as he wrote a smitten comment under Maura Higgins ' latest Instagram post on Sunday The TV personality, 36, is thought to be dating the former Love Islander, 33, but she has since insisted that she is single, and said a romance in the jungle is likely to be off the cards However, Pete chose not to hold back after watching a clip of her doing an eating challenge in the latest Bushtucker Trial, as he took to the comments to write: 'WHAT A WOMAN' It came after Maura took on the first eating trial of the series during Saturday night's episode, aptly named Terrifying Teddy Bear's Picnic. Eyebrows have been raised over Pete's love life in recent weeks as he's been linked to both his Strictly Come Dancing pro partner Jowita Przystal and Maura. The public show of support for Maura comes after Pete Jowital sent fans wild with their chemistry during their latest dance. The pair opened Saturday's show with a fierce Tango to Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins, and got a total score of 29 out of 40. Jowita looked sensational in a racy white mesh dress, while Pete looked dapper in a black suit. Fans rushed to social media platform X to share their thoughts, with one penning: 'Pete and Jowita are definitely in lurve' 'You can't deny, Pete & Jowita are so cute together'; 'pete and jowita i am OBSESSED' The pair have been competing on Strictly together since September, and in recent days, sources have claimed they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show and have been spotted looking cosy on car rides together. With Sam Thompson in Australia hosting I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked, Jowita stepped as the co-host for the latest episode of Pete's podcast. The funny clip saw Tom quip: 'It will be interesting to see whether she's all mouth or not,' followed by Maura getting stuck into the eating challenge and joking: 'I don't think i can swallow it. First time I've said that' It came after Maura took on the first eating trial of the series during Saturday night's episode , aptly named Terrifying Teddy Bear's Picnic Eyebrows have been raised over Pete's love life in recent weeks as he's been linked to both his Strictly Come Dancing pro partner Jowita Przystal and Maura The public show of support for Maura comes after Pete Jowital sent fans wild with their chemistry during their latest dance The pair opened Saturday's show with a fierce Tango to Easy Lover by Philip Bailey and Phil Collins , and got a total score of 29 out of 40 After the episode was uploaded on YouTube on Friday, fans were quick to show their appreciation for the pair, calling for Jowita to become a permenant part of the team. Others were also quick to clock the pair's 'unreal' chemistry, as they prepared to take to the floor to dance the Tango. Comments included: 'I'm so gad Pete decided to do Strictly. If not, I'm not sure these two beautiful people would have ever crossed paths in life; 'OMG the chemistry between you and Jowita is electrifying. You're relationship goals. Jowita has tamed you Pete in a really nice way. All you needed was someone who believes in you 100%. It's a beautiful thing to watch; 'Love these two together; I love their chemistry on this podcast; 'Their chemistry is unreal! Just wife her already! Lol;' 'Oh gosh you guys. Jowita is wifey, Pete!! They're so captivating to listen/watch due to their amazing chemistry, something to the final!' In recent days, rumours have re-emerged that Pete and Jowita have been spotted looking cosy on car rides together. With Sam Thompson in Australia hosting I'm A Celebrity: Unpacked, Jowita stepped as the co-host for the latest episode of Pete's podcast After the episode was uploaded on YouTube on Friday, fans were quick to show their appreciation for the pair, calling for Jowita to become a permenant part of the team On Thursday, sources claimed 'something has changed' between Pete and his Strictly dance partner in recent weeks and they have been secretly seeing each other away from the show. At the beginning of the series, the pair were said to have 'sent tongues wagging' between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry, with viewers even spotting their close connection. 'The chemistry between them has been pretty clear since the moment they met but the last few weeks something has changed and theyve started seeing each other away from the show,' a source told The Sun. 'Theyve tried to keep it low-key but they often travel together rather than getting separate cars to different locations. 'And theyre so tactile backstage it has become pretty obvious something is going on. Everyone is talking about the fact they seem closer than ever.' Back in October, Pete shut down rumours of a romance between him and Jowita during a joint appearance on This Morning. Host Alison Hammond began their interview, by asking: 'Do you actually listen to the judges or are you just in your own little world?' Pete admitted: 'I'm just in my own little world, we're in a bit of a bubble when we dance!' causing Alison to jump to the opportunity to probe them about their rumoured relationship, cheekily asking: 'Is it a love bubble?' At the beginning of the series, the pair were said to have 'sent tongues wagging' between the cast and crew due to their sizzling chemistry On Thursday, sources claimed 'something has changed' between Pete and his Strictly dance partner in recent weeks and they have been secretly seeing each other However, Pete insisted: 'It's not a love bubble unfortunately...' before poking fun at Alison, saying: 'I mean you came in early, that was about 30 seconds before you went in with it!' Alison laughed and confessed: 'I was straight in there!' as Pete continued: 'You were straight in there! No, it's not a love bubble, we have great chemistry because we've become such good friends.' Gesturing to Jowita, he gushed: 'She's one of the most amazing people I've ever met, genuinely, not just in the dancing side of things but outside of that and I think that helps us with the whole dancing thing.' Alison asked if the pair found the constant speculation about the nature of their relationship tiresome, to which Pete admitted: 'Yeah, it's always the same, I'm used to it.' Pete was also linked to Love Island star Maura, but in an exclusive interview with MailOnline ahead of her jungle stint, she insisted that she is 'single'. When asked if she is in a relationship with Pete, Maura said: 'I'm not. I've been on dates with many people. I mean, I date, but I'm very much single. Everyone goes on dates.' She added: 'It is quite scary going in later. They have all met and got to know each other. 'It's never easy being the newbie, but I am not a shy person, so I feel like I will be fine. It will be nice to bring some energy to the camp. Pete was also linked to Love Island star Maura, but in an exclusive interview with MailOnline ahead of her jungle stint, she insisted that she is 'single' 'I am single at the moment, but honestly no-one is going to fancy me in the jungle. Trust me!' She also insisted that Pete will not be flying to Australia to meet her across the famous I'm A Celeb bridge when her time on the show comes to an end. Maura shared: 'I know nothing, he's not said that to me anyway.' The pair were spotted kissing at numerous red carpet events such as the Pride of Britain Awards, with Maura previously speaking about how the pair have been friends for many years. On Thursday night, Maura's entrance into the I'm A Celeb Jungle was aired, with the reality star making her appearance as a late arrival alongside Reverend Richard Coles. She became an instant fan favourite, with viewers left in hysterics at her one-liners. It is not known if Pete and Jowita were among those watching from home. Georgia Kousoulou has given birth to her second child - a baby girl. The former TOWIE star, 33, shared the happy news on her Instagram on Sunday and revealed her sweet name. She penned: 'Introducing you .. GIGI Fordham. Born on 22.11 weighing 8 pound 12. Our darling girl, We are so in love, our hearts could burst. Thank you god for answering our prayers.' Reality star Georgia and her businessman husband Tommy Mallet, 31, already share son Brody, two. Georgia announced her pregnancy back in May, one year after she tragically suffered a miscarriage. Georgia Kousoulou has given birth to her second child - a baby girl The former TOWIE star, 33, shared the happy news on her Instagram on Sunday and revealed her sweet name The birth comes after a stressful time for Georgia, after she was rushed to hospital last month due to feeling 'reduced movement' from her unborn baby girl. The reality star, who underwent IVF, explained in an update to her Instagram Story that luckily 'everything was good' and she made sure to get checked over quickly. Georgia shared photos of herself undergoing a series of tests as she lay in a hospital bed with wires and straps across her tummy. She wrote: 'Baby girl wanted attention. Rushed out the house as felt movement was reduced so made sure I got checked and everything is good, thank you God.' The update came after Georgia hared a heart-warming clip of her son, Brody, helping her get an ultrasound scan, after revealing she is expecting a baby girl. She emotionally admitted to be feeling 'so blessed' as Brody stood by her side during the ultrasound scan. In the sweet video, he was seen holding the sonographer while helped by the nurse, who showed him the newborn on the screen. Georgia announced her pregnancy back in May, one year after she tragically suffered a miscarriage. She penned: 'Introducing you .. GIGI Fordham. Born on 22.11 weighing 8 pound 12. Our darling girl, We are so in love, our hearts could burst. Thank you god for answering our prayers' Georgia announced her pregnancy back in May, one year after she tragically suffered a miscarriage Reality star Georgia and her businessman husband Tommy Mallet , 31, already share son Brody, two Taking to Instagram to announce the news, she wrote: 'Our little rainbow baby due December. Words can't express the emotions we have, we have prayed, wished & with a little help it's happened.. 'I can't thank my team enough. Rehan Salim you are the best IVF specialist - I'm so blessed we met you & Michelle my amazing nurse who helped me every step of the way! 'These guys made my experience with IVF so much better than I could of [sic] even imagined. 'I was so scared as all the things I had heard beforehand but they were simply the best & held my hand the whole way through. Thank you for giving us the best gift of all. 'To anyone watching who is suffering... I am with you & I know how you feel. I pray this post doesn't trigger you. I know how hard it is seeing announcements. Please know you are not alone & please don't give up hope.' Georgia previously said she will 'never get over the feeling' of losing her baby after she suffered a devastating miscarriage at 12 weeks. The star had started having therapy after struggling with emotional triggers and feeling 'drained' by grief. And Georgia's sadness was brought back to the surface as she reflected on her trauma while writing new book I Wish I Knew, where she speaks openly about the heartache of baby loss. After almost a year since since the nightmare, Georgia says she's 'distracted' by 'dream child' Brody but often experiences negative thoughts, especially when she's on social media. But she wants to try to have four children with Tommy, who she married in a surprise ceremony last year, as she's always visualised having a big family, like it was when she grew up with two siblings. Georgia cut a radiant figure last weekend, as she shared a glimpse into her lavish baby shower, ahead of the birth of her little girl The TV personality took to her Instagram to post a slew of snaps from the bash, calling it 'the most perfect day' The birth comes after a stressful time for Georgia, after she was rushed to hospital last month due to feeling 'reduced movement' from her unborn baby girl The update came after Georgia shared a heart-warming clip of her son, Brody, helping her get an ultrasound scan, after revealing she is expecting a baby girl She said: 'I don't think you ever get over the feeling. I have just started therapy, I'm much better, luckily for me I have Brody who's the love of my life, he's a dream child and keeps me distracted - but there are still triggers. 'The problem with baby loss is there are triggers everywhere. All my Instagram is either babies or weddings. 'The hardest thing I have learned is that it's okay to feel sad but happy for other people. I really struggled with that... I thought I was a bad person. 'The aftermath is draining, it is hard. Hopefully one day I will be pregnant again and maybe that will make me feel better, but I don't know. 'I really want a big family; I see us having three or four children. When you're old, you look at your table and it's full of people, that's what it comes down to.' Exactly a year ago, the nation was engrossed in discussions around allegations that some of the senators elected after the 2023 general elections had paid bribes to secure seats. The accused senators were the 10 men and women elected by newly sworn-in Members of Parliament (MPs), as provided for in the national Constitution. Though the names of the 10 senators were known, it was never succinctly mentioned who exactly among the five men and five women had used corrupt means to get elected into the upper chamber of Parliament. However, they were all caught in the crossfire when those with whom they were competing for seats alleged that votes had been sold and bought for cash. Large sums of money, as high as E1 million, were mentioned. Those who made the allegations were obviously those who had lost out. Claims They felt that they lost the race because they did not have enough money to pay members of the House of Assembly to vote for them. Like all bribery claims, these allegations were two-pronged: They accused both the voters and those voted for, of corruption. It was imperative that proper investigations be conducted and those found guilty, if at all, censured. That would have ensured that those who were caught in the crossfire, but were actually innocent, were cleared. Various agencies promised to investigate these allegations but sitting here, I cannot say I recall what the final outcome was. This does not augur well for the nations purported fight against corruption. Apparently having noted the allegations, His Majesty the King, as advised by Prime Minister Russell Dlamini, did not include any of the 10 elected senators in his list of Cabinet ministers.This was viewed by many as an indication that the head of State did not want to be seen to be encouraging corruption. I am raising this issue because it has practically been forgotten. We are all going about our normal lives, as if nothing ever happened. If investigations into these allegations are not taken to finality, all the 10 senators, including those who may be innocent, will forever be looked at with scepticism. That no final verdict was heard from any competent investigating agency throws everything up in the air, yet senators, as legislators, also have an important role to play in the fight against corruption. Just like members of the Judiciary, legislators should maintain impeccable honour and integrity. Now and again, they are expected to pronounce themselves on various issues, including matters where certain individuals or entities are accused of corruption. Letting allegations of corruption slide just after a few weeks, without any final outcome from investigations, suggests that as a nation, we have embraced corruption and accept it as part of our social fabric. If revelations of the past couple of weeks are anything to go by, this is exactly what is happening in Eswatini. One example is the shocking revelation that a specialised fire truck valued at over E15 million was fully paid for, but never delivered by the South African supplier. This matter actually raises a few red flags. For one, the money was paid upfront, yet government generally pays for goods and services after they have been supplied.We all know how local companies that supply government regularly complain about delays in clearing their invoices. At times, the monies they are collectively owed run into millions of Emalangeni. Secondly, it is said that the full amount was deposited into the personal account of one of the directors of the company. He has now disappeared.These two anomalies are enough to make one wonder if no government officer pocketed a certain percentage of the spoils. Moving on, from April 2004 to February 2005, former Minister Prince David claimed a total of E427 867 from government as Foreign Service allowance. However, he no longer qualified for this because he had been recalled from Denmark where he was the Eswatini ambassador. Back in 2011, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) comprising completely different members from those currently in office, was discussing this matter. Thirteen years later, the same committee is still seized with it. Really?! If there was a mistake in him claiming this amount, the former minister should have long made amends and put the matter to rest. That this has not yet happened raises a lot of questions. If people of such high stature are allowed to get away with such conduct, the ordinary man and woman will lose confidence in structures like the PAC and others. These days, when a civil servant or other liSwati is arrested for corruption or fraud, social media commentators sympathise with the accused, saying they should be left alone because in Eswatini, while everybody is involved in crime, some face no consequences. This has been the view of many after the arrest of a female teacher for alleged involvement in an armed robbery where more than E1.1 million was taken at gunpoint in Manzini. Arrests The same sentiments were advanced in the matter of Nokulunga Zambane Simelane, the royal aide who has been convicted of stealing E1.3 million worth of jewellery from Nkoyoyo Palace. Let us not even mention how quick it was to arrest a widow for allegedly failing to pay E8 000 for kukhonta for her son. As seen in the Times Daily Newspaper dated November 21, 2024. So a widow is a priority to be arrested ? Back to the PAC, that is still uncovering various irregularities in the procurement of medical drugs for public hospitals. These issues are now being investigated by various structures, including the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), but each day brings with it new revelations of how the industry is marred by inefficiency and misconduct on the part of those in the procurement chain. A sum of E5.8 million allocated by government for a dam project at Malanti was allegedly misappropriated. The money is gone, but the site where the dam should be only has a trench and excavated land.It would require five pages for me to list all the examples of corrupt behaviour among us as emaSwati. With at least 24 lawyers also facing misconduct charges for unethical practices, including theft of clients monies, it is clear that we still have a long way to go before we can say the fight against corruption has begun. So, if all governance structures and the private sector are tainted, who will fight corruption in Eswatini? Strictly Come Dancing fans are speculating that there could be a new secret couple among the cast, after one duo shared a series of sizzling Instagram snaps together. Professional dancers Katya Jones and Kai Widdrington looked loved up as they posed together for pictures posted to their social media pages on Sunday. Katya, 35, whose celebrity partner Wynne Evans was booted out of the competition last week, looked nothing short of sensational in a glittering red gown. She flashed a peek of her cleavage in the plunging sequinned dress, which featured silver detailing and a small belt to cinch in her waist. The dancer wore her brunette tresses in loose curls and in typical Strictly fashion, opted for a glamorous palette of makeup, as she gazed into Kai's eyes for one snap. The fellow pro dancer, 29, who was not paired up with a celebrity dancer this season, looked equally stylish in a black satin suit boasting silver floral embellishments. Strictly Come Dancing fans are speculating that there could be a new secret couple among the cast, after one duo shared a series of sizzling Instagram snaps together Professional dancers Katya Jones and Kai Widdrington looked loved up as they posed together for pictures posted to their social media pages on Sunday Kai wrapped his arm around Katya's waist for the photos, with the pair both smiling from ear to ear. In another photo, the duo were mid-laughter as Kai gazed over at Katya, before they looked into each others eyes. In the joint post, the stars wrote in the caption: 'Week 10 delivering in every way @bbcstrictly'. Fans who picked up on their body language took to the comments to speculate, writing: 'I'm not saying they are together, but they would look pretty good as a couple.' 'Is this their non subtle way of telling us they have got together?' 'Gorgeous couple!' 'Hard launch?' 'I was thinking the same thinghard launch?' Others simply gushed about how 'incredible' Katya looked during Saturday's live show, adding: 'Katya looked stunning in that dress, couldnt keep my eyes off her!' 'You looked incredible! always love seeing you hype every one up in the clauditorium.' Kai wrapped his arm around Katya's waist for the photos, with the pair both smiling from ear to ear Fans who picked up on their body language took to the comments to speculate 'Katya looked beautiful in that red dress.' 'Couldn't keep my eyes off Katya tonight she looked absolutely stunning!' 'You both looked absolutely stunning last night.' Kai previously dated fellow professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova for two years before they split in June of last year. Nadiya has previously revealed she 'isn't friends' with her former flame and the pair have been seen to be noticeably standing apart while upstairs in the Clauditorium during the live shows this season. In October, a source told The Sun: 'It's painfully obvious Nadiya and Kai are in the awkward post-break up phase and struggling to be near one another. 'When the pair are in the Clauditorium, they're always on opposite sides. Although they may have big smiles on their faces when the cameras are running, it's been very tense between them. 'They refuse to be near each other at all on set- but there's not much room up there with all the professionals. They just have to do their best to avoid each other every weekend.' Kai previously dated fellow professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova for two years before they split in June of last year A source said: 'It's painfully obvious Nadiya and Kai are in the awkward post-break up phase and struggling to be near one another' Meanwhile, Katya, who was previously married to Strictly pro Neil Jones, has maintained her friendship with her ex-husband (pictured together in 2019) The BBC refused to comment and MailOnline have contacted representatives for Nadiya and Kai. The couple reportedly ended their two-year romance after 'emotionally drifting away from each other,' with sources claiming the pressures of touring together took a toll on their relationship. Speaking to The Mirror Nadiya revealed that she and Kai are still working on Strictly, despite not having celebrity partners, and they'll always keep things professional when they dance together. Asked whether they are still friends, Nadiya said: 'We work together but we are not friends and that's OK. 'One thing I can tell you is that when you see me dancing with him it will be amazing because I'm a professional.' Meanwhile, Katya, who was previously married to Strictly pro Neil Jones, has maintained her friendship with her ex-husband. The Strictly Come Dancing stars met in Blackpool in 2008 and became dancing partners, going onto be the undefeated four-time British National Champions. The couple then tied the knot in 2013 and joined the BBC dance competition for series 14 in 2016. However, their relationship hit the rocks in 2018 after Katya, 35, was pictured kissing her celebrity dance partner, comedian Seann Walsh, 38 (Seann and Katya pictured) Neil is now engaged to Love Island star Chyna Mills, and the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Havana, in October last year (pictured together) However, their relationship hit the rocks in 2018 after Katya, 35, was pictured kissing her celebrity dance partner, comedian Seann Walsh, 38. Katya and Neil, 42, eventually parted ways in August 2019, after six years of marriage, but remained friends and continued dancing together on Strictly. Speaking about their bond, Katya said she felt it was 'sad' that her close friendship with her ex-husband was uncommon. She explained that she and Neil had begun their dancing careers together, as 'the only people there for each other', meaning they shared a 'profound connection', that they couldn't end just because their marriage was over. Katya told The Mirror: 'It's sad that this seems to be unusual [being friends with your ex-husband]. It doesn't have to be that way does it? 'Gosh we knew each other since we were 18 and started dancing. We lived a life together, it was me and him against the world, chasing our dreams. 'We were the only people there for each other so of course there is a much more profound connection there so you can't just throw that away.' Neil is now engaged to Love Island star Chyna Mills, and the couple welcomed their first child, daughter Havana, in October last year. Katya revealed she had met the 'beautiful' seven-month-old and gushed that Neil was 'a really good dad'. She said: 'It's incredible, they are all doing so well, and I love his little girl. I met her when she came on tour. She is beautiful and he is a really good dad.' Nikki Bella was spotted in Napa Valley with her twin sister Brie, just days after her highly publicized divorce from Artem Chigvintzev was finalized. The 41-year-old retired WWE star appeared to be in excellent spirits as she savored a birthday lunch at the renowned wine country destination on Thursday. Accompanying her were Brie, several gal pals, and her four-year-old son Matteo, whom she shares with the 42-year-old Dancing with the Stars pro. Dressed in a chic, neutral-toned ensemble with sleeveless cream coat, Nikki looked effortlessly stunning as she sipped on an iced coffee while enjoying an outdoor outing with her family. Her radiant demeanor made it seem as though she was miles away from the drama that had recently surrounded her personal life. Despite the divorce settlement and legal complexitieslike the dismissal of restraining orders between the exesNikki appeared unfazed, enjoying the moment with a calm demeanor. Nikki Bella was spotted in Napa Valley with her twin sister Brie, just days after her highly publicized divorce from Artem Chigvintzev was finalized Also on the outing was Nikki's twin sister Brie Garcia The twins were celebrating their 41st birthday in the famed wine country According to court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, the restraining orders filed against each other were dismissed following a settlement. The documents show that a request to dismiss the temporary restraining orders was filed in Napa County on November 19. Before their two-day hearing on December 5, the estranged couple took part in a mediation on November 8, which led to a settlement on all divorce-related matters. The documents also confirm that both temporary restraining ordersfiled by Nikki on September 30 and Artem on October 3were immediately terminated and are no longer in effect. In addition, DailyMail.com obtained court documents of three deputies being subpoenaed to court earlier this month: Deputy Michael Moore, Deputy Gregory Landry and Deputy Ronnie Galindo of Napa County Sheriff's Office. However, since the December 5th hearing was taken off the calendar, the officers are no longer needed in court. In Garcia's, 40, restraining order against Chigvintsev, she claimed he got cut from Dancing with the Stars season 33 a week before his arrest, and began working a construction job she says he felt 'was beneath him.' However in documents filed by Chigvintsev he claimed that was not the case, and that he enjoys construction work. Ahead of their two-day hearing, beginning on December 6, the estranged couple attended a mediation on November 8, resulting in 'memorializing a global settlement of all issues in this Dissolution of Marriage action' (seen in 2017) Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California in connection with domestic violence, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges in the case. Garcia later filed for divorce and unsuccessfully requested sole custody of their son Matteo, four, with the pair granted temporary restraining orders against each other. In legal documents obtained by DailyMail.com and filed October 31 in Napa Superior Court, DWTS pro Chigvintsev - who was axed from the show's latest season - says the trauma of the arrest and false allegations led to him losing substantial income. The documents read: 'It is not true that I have not been able to find other work as a dancer. I normally start jobs in November and it goes for 20 weekends. After the mug shot and the arrest based on her false allegations, I was taken off the website faculty list resulting in loss of over $100k in income.' 'I also lost the social media promotion revenue, which she continues to benefit from as she was more worried about her career when she lied to the police, than mine.' At the time, he was seeking Nikki to pay his out-of-pocket expenses because the TRO was granted without enough supporting facts. He is asking her to pay for his rent because 'I was kicked out of the home.' The dancer also wants Nikki to pay for some or all of his lawyer's fees and costs. Chigvintsev claims in the documents that Garcia has 'anger issues' and says: 'She is the one with the temper. I try to stay quiet and avoid it. She yells, and on 8/29/24 was yelling, pursuing me, and was the one who attacked me.' 'It is further a lie that I was growing increasingly angry, snapping at her, and yelling.' The former couple share a four-year-old son Matteo Chigvintsev was arrested August 29 in Yountville, California in connection with domestic violence, but prosecutors in Napa County ultimately decided against filing criminal charges in the case (seen in his mugshot) 'I was not violent with her and did not violently grab or yell at her.' He claims the pair had an argument when he was due to to have surgery but she had to go to New York. He claims: 'We had an argument, but it's not how she describes it. We agreed months before my surgery that she would be there with Matteo. I was supposed to fly to have my surgery on 5/19/24, she forgot about it and booked herself for work in New York.' 'She then told me that her work was more important than my medical procedure, so she ended up leaving. Our son was left with nanny. I canceled my ticket and stayed behind. She then started sending me texts for different flight I could take, so I ended up going because she insisted I go. I have texts to prove this.' In response to the request for a Domestic Violence Restraining Order he claimed: 'She abused me, not the other way around. She threw shoes at me, followed me and tried to break her way into the bedroom.' 'I cannot trust her anymore. Not only did she lie to the police so that her career remains intact, ruining mine, but she used the court proceeding to keep our son away from me for almost a month, not letting me see him until this Court issued its 50/50 orders on 10/15/2024, which I am very grateful for,' he wrote. 'Almost a month without Matteo was miserable for me, and I am sure for him as well, and selfish of Wife.' In September, Chigvintsev told People in a statement that he was 'incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against [him] have been dropped.' 'This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo,' he said. Artem met Nikki on DWTS - they competed together on the show in 2017, and went on to marry in 2022; the pair pictured together in 2017 The ballroom dance expert said that he considers fatherhood 'the greatest blessing' and is focused on caring for his son moving forward. 'All along, my main concern has been for him,' Chigvintsev said. 'I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.' He said to the publication that he was 'hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on' in life. 'I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time,' Chigvintsev said. 'Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was. 'I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters - continue being the best father I can be.' On October 16 the judge ruled that the pair will share custody of their son Matteo, TMZ reported citing court docs, more than a month after Garcia filed for divorce. Garcia had petitioned the court for sole custody of their son; asked for the court to appoint a supervisor for Matteo's visits with the Izhevsk, Russia native; and asked that Chigvintsev be ordered to attend anger management courses; all requests were denied by the court, according to the outlet. Both Chigvintsev and Garcia were ordered by the court to enroll in parenting classes to help them remain cordial as they raise their child following their split. Angelina Jolie went solo at the Torino Film Festival on Sunday, after being accused of using red carpet outings with her and ex Brad Pitt's kids to 'get under his skin'. The Oscar winner, 49, looked chic in a black sweater and figure-hugging skirt while promoting her directional feature Without Blood at the Italian event. She completed the look with a pair of matching ballet flats and wore her long blonde hair loose over one shoulder. Angelina wrote and directed the anti-war drama which is based on the novel by Italian author Alessandro Baricco. Salma Hayek, 58, leads the cast as Nina who witnesses as a young girl the carnage inflicted by her fathers enemies on her father and brother. Angelina Jolie, 49, look effortlessly chic as she went solo at the Torino Film Festival on Sunday It comes she was accused of using red carpet outings with her and ex Brad Pitt 's kids to get under his skin (pictured with the couple's 16-year-old son Knox last week) Angelina and her son Knox Jolie-Pitt walking arm in arm at the Governors Awards was 'odd' to Brad Pitt, according to insiders who accused the actress of using outings with her children to 'get under her ex-husband's skin'. Last week saw the pair enjoy a rare public mother-and-son date with the toast of Hollywood at the star-studded bash at the Ray Dolby Ballroom. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, a source revealed that her ex-husband Brad found the timing of the outing 'suspicious' amid their ongoing divorce battle. 'Brad only gets to see his children when they walk on the carpet with their mom and the timing of this could not be any more suspicious considering it was just decided that he and Angie are headed to trial,' the insider noted. DailyMail.com revealed that the former couple are set to face-off in court next year as their long-running legal battle or so-called 'War of the Rose' heads to trial. The decision came after a judge recently threw out the Wanted actress's motion to dismiss her ex-husband's lawsuit over their French vineyard. The Chateau Miraval estate, which produces an award-winning sparkling rose, is at the center of a long-running court battle between the pair. Meanwhile, Angelina has also been accused of trying to drive a wedge between her estranged husband and their six kids in the aftermath of their split. The Oscar winner looked chic in a black sweater and figure-hugging skirt while promoting her directional feature Without Blood at the Italian event She looked effortlessly stylish as she layered her look with a brown wool trench coat She completed the look with a pair of matching ballet flats and wore her long blonde hair loose over one shoulder Angelina wrote and directed the anti-war drama which is based on the novel by Italian author Alessandro Baricco Salma Hayek , 58, leads the cast as Nina who witnesses as a young girl the carnage inflicted by her fathers enemies on her father and brother (pictured with Italian director Giulio Base, L) Angelina later posed proudly as she was presented with the Stelle della Mole Awards (L-R) Director Giulio Base, Angelina Jolie and film producer Tiziana Rocca Salma Hayek pictured in the movie The source continued: 'She is trying to get under his skin after his recent win and using Knox to do so is odd. 'Knox wants nothing to do with Hollywood and has no communication with Brad.' The insider added: 'Of course, it bothers him that Angelina has turned them against him. She did this while they were all young and they didnt even get a chance to make up their minds about him. 'He believes that, in time, his children will come back into his life.' Elsewhere, a source close to Angelina insisted that it was Knox's choice to support his mother at the event. 'Knox chose to attend the awards with his mom, and they had a nice mother-son evening,' the insider noted. 'Their decision to attend together did not have anything to do with Brad,' the insider added. Notably absent from the outing on Sunday were Knox's siblings Maddox, 22, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, Shiloh, 17, and Knox's twin, Vivienne. Back in May, court filings lodged at LA Superior Court revealed that a former bodyguard for the couple was informed by his own contractors that Angelina was pushing for her children to avoid Pitt when she had custody of them. Former British SAS solider Tony Webb worked for the family for more than 20 years, starting in 2000, and claimed that his colleague told him he overheard Angelina 'encouraging the children to avoid spending time with Pitt during custody visits.' Documents detailing the explosive claims were made public as part of the ongoing 'War of the Roses', with the A-List couple stuck in an acrimonious battle over her rights to sell their French vineyard and home. Angelina and her son Knox Jolie-Pitt walking arm in arm at the Governors Awards was 'odd' to Brad Pitt , according to insiders who accused the actress of using outings with her children to 'get under her ex-husband's skin' Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, a source revealed that her ex-husband Brad found the timing of the outing 'suspicious' amid their ongoing divorce battle (Brad pictured in September) Documents filed earlier this year revealed how a former bodyguard was told by his contractors that Angelina was pushing for her children to shun Brad when she had custody of them The source added: 'Of course, it bothers him that Angelina has turned them against him (The couple and their brood are pictured in 2011) The Tomb Raider star sold her $62million stake to Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler in 2021, which Brad argues went against their agreement to offer the other the right of first refusal. Angelina had recently filed motions to dismiss claims that Brad made against her concerning a verbal agreement over their 50-50 ownership of the vineyard. She argued that the agreement had been nullified after her ex requested she sign an NDA regarding their marriage with both sides seemingly determined to throw everything at the case. 'It's already been ugly but it's going to get even uglier as Angie is bent on retaliating against Brad and will try to continue to settle more old personal scores,' an insider close to the case told DailyMail.com. And it's only going to get more expensive for the pair with their legal wrangling already costing both sides millions. Last week DailyMail.com revealed that the former couple are set to face-off in court next year as their long-running legal battle or so-called 'War of the Rose' heads to trial The newest twist in the acrimonious lawsuit saw seen LA Superior Court Judge Lia Martin throw out the motions - putting Brad firmly back in the driving seat of the dispute. Court filings submitted last week suggest that the judge has found a basis in Brad's claims that their original verbal agreement was binding, and Jolie may have violated them when she sold her shares. With the dismissal of the three filings, the former power couple - who wed at the Provence, Southern France estate in 2014 and split in 2016 are set to face off in court at the trial next year. A source close to the actor told DailyMail.com: 'This is a straightforward business dispute, but unfortunately, the other side has consistently introduced personal elements which have exposed the weaknesses in their case and complicated and lengthened the proceedings.' The Maleficent star will have 30 days to appeal the judge's decision. Horror movie star Michael Villella has died at the age of 84, according to TMZ. The actor's daughter Chloe Villella told the outlet he died on Saturday afternoon after suffering multiple organ failure. He had been in the hospital for the last month. She shared a brief message about his passing on Facebook. 'May you rest in peace daddy,' Chloe wrote, alongside a heart emoji. Her words captioned a picture of a lit candle beside a photograph of her father on a white kitchen countertop. Villella is best known for playing Russ Thorn in 1982 cult favorite The Slumber Party Massacre, starring alongside Michelle Michaels and Robin Stille. Produced by Amy Jones and written by Rita Mae Brown, the plot follows a high school senior's slumber party in Los Angeles which is disturbed by a power drill-wielding killer played by Villella. He also starred in Love Letters, Wild Orchid II, and Gotham. Fans mourned Villella's passing online, with many paying tribute to his role in The Slumber Party Massacre. Horror movie star Michael Villella has died at the age of 84, according to TMZ Pictured: Michael Villella attends Chiller Theater Expo Winter 2017 at Parsippany Hilton on October 27, 2017 in Parsippany, New Jersey The actor's daughter Chloe Villella confirmed his death. She also shared a brief message about his passing on Facebook alongside the above image One X user said Villella 'portrayed a terrific, underrated villain' in the film. 'His contribution to the horror genre has always been woefully underrated,' another person agreed. Villella is best known for playing Russ Thorn in 1982 movie The Slumber Party Massacre A Reddit user described Villella as 'one of my favorite slasher villains'. 'Ok thats it no more horror icons are allowed to die until 2025,' another person on the platform wrote - after Tony Todd, who played the titular serial killer in the Candyman horror franchise, also died on November 6 aged 69. He died of natural causes at home in Marina Del Rey, LA, according to his representative Jeffrey Goldberg, who told TMZ he did not have a specific cause of death. Over the course in four decades in show business, Todd lent his talents to multiple tentpoles, including the Transformers and Final Destination film series. He also played the Starship Enterprise's Commander Kurn on multiple Star Trek shows, including The Next Generation and Deep Space Nine. Todd also enjoyed a varied stage career, including a run in the Broadway production of the musical Aida with songs by Tim Rice and Elton John. Strictly's Jamie Borthwick and professional partner Michelle Tsiakkas became the ninth couple to leave the competition during Sunday night's results show. The EastEnders star, 30 was eliminated after landing in the dreaded dance off against Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe. Saturday's show saw furious fans blasting the judges for 'constantly down-marking' the actor, prompting some to accuse the panel of 'favouritism'. Nevertheless the both bottom two couples took to the floor again, Jamie and Michelle performed their Foxtrot but the judges decided that Montell and Johannes's Quickstep was better. All four judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas chose to save the Gladiators star, after she found herself in the bottom for a third time. Strictly 's Jamie Borthwick and professional partner Michelle Tsiakkas (R) became the ninth couple to leave the competition on Sunday (pictured with host Tess Daly) The EastEnders actor, 30 was eliminated after landing in the dance off against Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe - after fans blasted judges for 'constantly marking him down' Both couples performed their routines again, Jamie and Michelle performed their Foxtrot but the judges decided that Montell and Johannes's Quickstep was better Speaking about his time on the show, Jamie told host Tess Daly: 'Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic. Not just everyone who you see in front of the camera, these four here [the judges], but everyone who works on this show'. He went on to gush over his fellow participants before turning his attentions to partner Michelle: 'She's a new pro and she's absolutely been the most amazing teacher. We have laughed like you wouldn't believe. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone on the show, so thank you'. Meanwhile Michelle, who made her debut on the show this year, added: 'I just want to say it goes without saying Jamie is an amazing dancer, and he's improved so much week by week. He's worked so hard to get to where he is'. 'It's my first year with a partner and I've realised that it's so much more than just the dancing and the technique, it's the bonds and the friendships that you make. I waited two years for a partner and I wouldn't have had it any other way.' Sunday's results show also features a phenomenal performance from the Sugababes, who took to the dance floor with a medley of hits Overload, Freak Like Me and Push The Button. Despite many viewers raving over Jamie's routine on the main show, Jamie was once again harshly critiqued by the judges - prompting some to accuse the panel of 'favouritism'. Commenting on the soap star's routine before voting, judge Anton said: 'Right arm is terrible.' And Craig certainly didn't hold back as he added: 'There were time where it looked like you were wearing a neck-brace. It keeps containing the dance. Speaking about his time on the show, Jamie told host Tess Daly : 'Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic' He went on to gush over his fellow participants before turning his attentions to partner Michelle: 'She's a new pro and she's absolutely been the most amazing teacher' Sunday's results show also features a phenomenal performance from the Sugababes, who took to the dance floor with a medley of hits Overload, Freak Like Me and Push The Button As the trio belted out their hits the pro dances took to the floor Later professional dancers put on a passionate and sultry performance to Zara Larsons With Every Heartbeat The stunning perdoamnce also included one dance in a wheelchair Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard: Week Nine 1. Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec - 40 out of 40, Sambathon: 6. Total: 46 2. JB Gill and Lauren Oakley - 39 out of 40, Sambathon: 7. Total: 46 3. Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe - 37 out of 40, Sambathon 5. Total 42 4. Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola - 36 out of 40, Sambathon 4. Total: 40 5. Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell - 33 out of 40, Sambathon 1. Total: 34 6. Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas - 32 out of 40, Sambathon 2. Total: 34 7. Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal - 29 out of 40, Sambathon 3. Total: 32 Advertisement Meanwhile head judge Shirley also corrected the actor on his chin position, with the couple bagging 32 points overall. Viewers of the hit BBC show raced to X - where they ranted the judging panel has been 'picky' and 'negative' towards Jamie and said he didn't deserve to be the second pair voted out of the Sambathon. They wrote: 'I'm getting sick of Jamie constantly being downmarked by the judges. I thought that Foxtrot was gorgeous. I hope he isn't at risk this week. #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing'; 'FFS - sick of the judges giving Jamie a bloody lecture every week #strictly'; 'I dont understand why they're always soo picky with Jamie. But they let others get away with murder I thought his dance was great #strictly'; 'Shirley absolutely murdering Jamie again - for no good reason #strictly'; 'These judges hate jamie so much omg they break his spirit every single week... #strictly': 'Me when Shirley pulled out that paddle for Jamie. Even Craig gave it an 8! #Strictly': 'That sambathon so exposed the judges favouritism cause like pete still on while jamie is sent off??? what??? #strictly'; 'The way these judges are towards jamie at times compared to other celebs who are much worse is actually quite uncomfortable to watch #Strictly'; 'JAMIE SENT OFF WHILE PETE IS STILL ON WHAT THE HELL #strictly'. Despite many viewers raving over Jamie's routine on the main show, Jamie was once again harshly critiqued by the judges - prompting some to accuse the panel of 'favouritism' The couple bagged 32 points, but fans felt the judges were being too harsh Viewers of the hit BBC show raced to X - where they ranted the judging panel has been 'picky' and 'negative' towards Jamie and said he didn't deserve to leave the Sambathon dancefloor so early 'I could genuinely watch Jamie Borthwick dance all day. People need to stop sleeping on him cos he knocked this Foxtrot out of the park! The way you just know he loves dancing & learning for the sheer joy of dancing & learning #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing'; 'How is Pete better than Jamie ffs! These judges are a joke with the favourites #Strictly'; 'I think Jamie was a hell of a lot better than his marks reflected but the judges are always nitpicking with him! #Strictly'; 'yeah these judges hate Jamie and want him out lmao, him off before Pete is CRAZY #strictly'; 'The ABYSMAL Shirley Ballas she tore our gorgeous nigel harmans confidence down every week and now shes doing the same to precious jamie #Strictly'; 'Jamie and Sarah need to start their own show because theyre being held to some sort of impeccable standard that apparently everyone else is immune to #strictly'; Elsewhere fans were delighted after Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec scored the first perfect 40 of the series. Elsewhere fans were delighted after Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec scored the first perfect 40 of the series. The Love Island star, 26, and Slovenian pro, 34, impressed both the judges and viewers with their American Smooth, with even in Craig scoring his first ten of 2024 The Love Island star, 26, and Slovenian pro, 34, impressed both the judges and viewers with their American Smooth, with even in Craig scoring his first ten of 2024. After famously hard to please judge scored full marks fellow judges Shirley and Motsi jumping to their feet, as pandemonium erupted in the Clauditorium. Rushing to X fans gushed over the 'perfect' perfomance, as well as praising Craig for 'finally' proffering a much sought after ten points. Writing: 'Tasha and Alijaz's perfomance was just perfect. A 40 well deserved (and finally, Craig!)': 'FINALLY a flash of Craig's 10 paddle! So well deserved and so glad Tasha was the first to score 40!': 'I love Tassha and Alijaz so much. beautiful American Smooth and thoroughly deserved the first 40 of the series'. Earlier in the show fans were left emotional as Amy Dowden, weeks after she was forced to quit the competition following a foot injury. Eagle-eyed viewers spotted the Welsh pro, 34, in the Clauditorium as she supported former partner JB Gill and her replacement Lauren Oakley. JB and Lauren scored an impressive 39 out of 40 for their Charleston and also won the Sambathon. Amy looked sensational in a sparkly pink fringed dress as she stood close to pal and fellow dancer Carol Gu, 31, who supportively wrapped his arm around her waist. Kelly Brook has opened up about her 'traumatic and devastating' miscarriages in previous relationships. The model and actress, 45, revealed that her and her husband Jeremy Parisi are 'childless by choice' as she spoke about their marriage. Kelly revealed that she looks at her and Jeremy's 'beautiful life' and how they aren't 'burdened' by the turmoil of trying to have children. However she got candid about her experience in previous relationships, as she revealed the trauma of going through IVF or experiencing miscarriages. 'I am actually childless by choice at the moment, it's not something that we have considered and I don't think that should be a taboo,' she told The Sun on Sunday. Kelly Brook has opened up to The Sun about her 'traumatic and devastating' miscarriages in previous relationships The model and actress, 45, revealed that her and her husband Jeremy Parisi are 'childless by choice' as she spoke about their marriage 'I have been through pregnancies and miscarriages and I know how traumatic and devastating they are on you and on your relationship, I have been down that road with previous partners and it is a lot. 'I look at the beautiful life we have and how we don't have the burden of that.' Kelly said that while she sees how much happiness children bring her family, she also sees the stress that comes with. And while her and Jeremy love family time and caring for their dog, travel is a huge part of their lives and having children is not on their list of priorities. However Kelly admitted that she isn't completely closed off to being a mum in the future - something she is yet to discuss with her husband. The couple recently revealed they want to become TV's new power couple and believe their constant bickering makes them more 'relatable.' Kelly criticised duos who force their on-screen relationship and 'portray an unrealistic dynamic' to audiences. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the former actress insists she and Frenchman Jeremy, who she married in 2022, aren't trying to be 'perfect', which sets them apart from existing TV partnerships. Kelly revealed that she looks at her and Jeremy's 'beautiful life' and how they aren't 'burdened' by the turmoil of trying to have children However she got candid about her experience in previous relationships, as she revealed the trauma of going through IVF or experiencing miscarriages After competing on BBC show Celebrity Race Across the World, Kelly says viewers were given an introduction to Jeremy, who spoke no English when he first moved to the UK. Now, they're starring in La Vita Italiana, a three-part mini-series filmed for ITV's This Morning, which sees Kelly adapt to life at Jeremy's family home and farm in Arpino. And Kelly hopes the show will be commissioned for a bigger project as the couple sets their sights on a semipermanent move to rural Italy. She said: 'We're just a normal couple. We're not trying to be the perfect couple like a lot of TV duos try and portray an unrealistic dynamic. 'But with us, we argue, and we get on and we love each other, we're normal and relatable because we're just like any other couple. It seems that during Race Across the World that's how people saw us. It's just who we are.' Kelly fell for Jeremy after she reached out to him directly on Instagram and the pair connected over their mutual love of martial arts and fitness training. 'I am actually childless by choice at the moment, it's not something that we have considered and I don't think that should be a taboo,' she told The Sun on Sunday Kelly said that while she sees how much happiness children bring her family, she also sees the stress that comes with During the early days of their romance, Jeremy spoke very little English, with French and Italian being his primary languages. The radio host took on the role of translator and admits she can still speak on Jeremy's behalf even now he's fluent in English. She said: 'I know people think I talk over Jeremy all the time. That's because I talk too much and when Jeremy first moved to the UK, he didn't speak any English, so I became so used to talking for him and I've just not got out the habit of it.' Kim Kardashian turned heads with her serious 'sexy lawyer' energy in a stunning new look from the set of Ryan Murphys highly anticipated series Alls Fair on Sunday. The 43-year-old reality star-turned-actress, who captivated audiences with her recent appearance on American Horror Story, was photographed in a chic power suit that showcased her undeniable style. Kim flaunted her toned legs in bold red fishnet stockings, pairing the striking white ensemble with sleek, raven hair styled in Old Hollywood-inspired curls. She oozed movie star charisma as she shot scenes alongside co-star Niecy Nash. The series, which follows an all-female law firm, boasts a powerhouse cast, including Sarah Paulson, Naomi Watts, and Teyana Taylor. Kim is also reportedly serving as an executive producer on the upcoming drama. Kim Kardashian turned heads with her serious 'sexy lawyer' energy in a stunning new look from the set of Ryan Murphy s highly anticipated series Alls Fair on Sunday The 43-year-old reality star-turned-actress, who captivated audiences with her recent appearance on American Horror Story, was photographed in a chic white power suit that showcased her undeniable style and confidence; (pictured with Niecy Nash) Kim and Ryan first teamed up for American Horror Story: Delicate, which premiered on September 20, 2023. In this groundbreaking series, Kardashian took on her first major scripted role as Siobhan Walsh, a character facing the surreal and disquieting challenges of pregnancy. Following her performance in AHS, Kim signed on for Murphy's upcoming project, described as a high-end, glossy and sexy adult procedural called All's Fair. All's Fair was first announced in December, the first series under Murphy's new overall deal at Disney. The show will follow Kim playing the powerful divorce lawyer in Los Angeles, who runs a successful all-female law firm. All's Fair is created by Jon Robin Baitz (Brothers & Sisters, Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans) and Joe Baken. It's reportedly partly inspired by Kardashian's actual lawyer, Laura Wasser, who represented her in divorce proceedings with Kanye West and Kris Humphries. Halle Berry was forced to drop out of the show's A-list cast due to a scheduling conflict just days after her addition was confirmed. Kim is also reportedly serving as an executive producer on the upcoming drama Kim flaunted her toned legs in bold red fishnet stockings Kim and Niecy were dressed to impress for the scene Kim paired the striking white ensemble with sleek, raven hair styled in Old Hollywood-inspired curls The red crocodile bag was a chic touch She oozed movie star charisma as she shot scenes Kim and Ryan first teamed up for American Horror Story: Delicate, which premiered on September 20, 2023 Following her performance in AHS, Kim signed on for Murphy's upcoming project, described as a high-end, glossy and sexy adult procedural called All's Fair The show will follow Kim playing the powerful divorce lawyer in Los Angeles , who runs a successful all-female law firm She was also expected to be among the show's executive producers. Kardashian, her mother/manager Kris Jenner and Murphy will all executive produce with Baitz and Baken. Jamie Pachino, Laura Greene, and Richard Levine will also serve as writers and executive producers. Close also serves as an executive producer along with Alexis Martin Woodall, Eric Kovtun, and Scott Robertson. For Kardashian, stepping into the role of a lawyer feels particularly fitting, as she is actively pursuing a legal career in real lifehaving passed the baby bar exam last year, she is now preparing for the full bar exam. Kim's advocacy for criminal justice reform began in earnest in 2017 when she championed the cause of Alice Johnson, a woman serving a life sentence for a non-violent drug trafficking offense. Initially, Kardashian reached out to Ivanka Trump to bring attention to Johnsons case. This advocacy culminated in a meeting with former President Donald Trump, where she passionately campaigned for Johnson's clemency. All's Fair is created by Jon Robin Baitz (Brothers & Sisters, Feud: Capote Vs. The Swans) and Joe Baken It's reportedly partly inspired by Kardashian's actual lawyer, Laura Wasser, who represented her in divorce proceedings with Kanye West and Kris Humphries Halle Berry was forced to drop out of the show's A-list cast due to a scheduling conflict just days after her addition was confirmed For Kardashian, stepping into the role of a lawyer feels particularly fitting, as she is actively pursuing a legal career in real lifehaving passed the baby bar exam last year, she is now preparing for the full bar exam Kim's advocacy for criminal justice reform began in earnest in 2017 when she championed the cause of Alice Johnson, a woman serving a life sentence for a non-violent drug trafficking offense Initially, Kardashian reached out to Ivanka Trump to bring attention to Johnsons case This advocacy culminated in a meeting with former President Donald Trump , where she passionately campaigned for Johnson's clemency Through her ongoing efforts, Kardashian has established herself as a prominent voice in the movement for criminal justice reform, using her platform to raise awareness and effect change for those trapped in a flawed system In May 2022, during the inaugural season of her familys Hulu show The Kardashians, Kim captured the moment she discovered she had passed the 'baby bar' law exam Niecy Nash is a versatile actress and comedian known for her standout roles in hit TV series like Reno 911! and Claws Niecy earned critical acclaim for her performances and is celebrated for her ability to tackle both dramatic and comedic roles with equal finesse Kardashians efforts paid off in June 2018 when Trump granted Johnson a pardon, leading to her release from prison after more than 20 years. Inspired by this success, Kardashian has since expanded her advocacy to include other individuals facing similar injustices, such as Kevin Cooper, who has been on death row for over three decades, and Julius Jones, a man wrongfully convicted of murder. Through her ongoing efforts, Kardashian has established herself as a prominent voice in the movement for criminal justice reform, using her platform to raise awareness and effect change for those trapped in a flawed system. In May 2022, during the inaugural season of her familys Hulu show The Kardashians, Kim captured the moment she discovered she had passed the 'baby bar' law exam. Sitting in her car with her friend and publicist Tracy Romulus, Kardashian logged into her online account to check the results of her third attempt at the challenging test. The emotional revelation marked a significant milestone in her journey to becoming a lawyer, reflecting her determination and commitment to her legal education. 'Everyone told me this was the impossible way and there was no way I would ever pass this test, and I did,' she later said in an interview confessional. Fans were left furious after Jamie Borthwick and his partner Michelle Tsiakkas became the ninth couple to leave the competition during Sunday night's results show. The EastEnders star, 30 was eliminated after landing in the dreaded dance off for the first time ever, against Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe. But fans were shocked that the two dancers found themselves in the bottom two and many fans suggested it should in fact have been Pete Wicks instead. The results of Sunday's show saw fans criticise the judges' decisions to 'constantly down-mark' the actor. On Saturday, the soap star sent fans into overdrive after performing a Foxtrot with pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas to Ben E King's classic Stand By Me. Despite many viewers raving over the soap star's dance, Jamie was once again harshly critiqued by the judges - prompting some to accuse the panel of 'favouritism'. Fans were left furious after Jamie Borthwick and his partner Michelle Tsiakkas became the ninth couple to leave the competition during Sunday night's results show The EastEnders star was eliminated after landing in the dreaded dance off for the first time ever, against Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe (right) Despite fan backlash, Jamie and Michelle found themselves in the dance off and had to once again perform their dance while Montell and Johannes (pictured( showed off the Quickstep Despite fan backlash, Jamie and Michelle found themselves in the dance off and had to once again perform their dance while Montell and Johannes showed off the Quickstep. After some deliberation, all four judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas chose to save the Gladiators star, after she found herself in the bottom for a third time. Speaking about his time on the show, Jamie told host Tess Daly: 'Strictly is magic. That is all I can say. Strictly is magic. Not just everyone who you see in front of the camera, these four here [the judges], but everyone who works on this show'. He went on to gush over his fellow participants before turning his attentions to partner Michelle: 'She's a new pro and she's absolutely been the most amazing teacher. We have laughed like you wouldn't believe. I have nothing but the utmost respect for everyone on the show, so thank you'. Meanwhile Michelle, who made her debut on the show this year, added: 'I just want to say it goes without saying Jamie is an amazing dancer, and he's improved so much week by week. He's worked so hard to get to where he is'. 'It's my first year with a partner and I've realised that it's so much more than just the dancing and the technique, it's the bonds and the friendships that you make. I waited two years for a partner and I wouldn't have had it any other way.' On Saturday, the soap star sent fans into overdrive after performing a Foxtrot with pro partner Michelle Tsiakkas to Ben E King's classic Stand By Me But it wasn't enough to save them and after some deliberation, all four judges chose to save the Gladiators star, after she found herself in the bottom for a third time Although Jamie was gracious in his defeat, fans of the show were left seething at the decision and demanded to know how Pete Wicks had escaped the dance off again despite coming bottom of the leaderboard Although Jamie was gracious in his defeat, fans of the show were left seething at the decision to send Jamie home and complained they were 'absolutely gutted' that the actor was booted off the show before the quarter finals. Viewers took to X to vent their irritation with many calling for Pete Wicks to have been eliminated instead. They wrote: 'How, HOW the actual heck did Pete escape the dance off??!?!? Montelle and Jamie did not deserve to be there, this isn't fair While another said: 'Absolutley gutted Jamie went home. Shouldn't have been in the bottom 2, let alone go!! He had my vote every week. I loved his dancing and his partnership with Michelle. I wanted him in the final Bloody joke #strictly' And a third complained: 'Well thats strictly over for me this year poor Jamie Others said: 'I didnt think that was fair at all. Im gutted for Jamie #Strictly and 'Bloody ridiculous, they were always sending Jamie home #strictly #fixed'. Some viewers turned on the public and criticised Pete fans for constantly voting him through. Viewers took to X to vent their irritation with many calling for Pete Wicks to have been eliminated instead They wrote: 'Gutted. Absolutely no way Jamie deserved to be in the bottom this weekhe was pure brilliance on that dancefloor. 'The British public? Theyve really messed this one up. Heartbreaking to see talent like his go unrecognized. While another angrily said: 'So sad to see Jamie and Michelle go. Their dancing was formidable and their VTs were the funniest I've ever seen. A big loss to the series'. And this isn't the first time Strictly fans have accused the show of being fixed. Last week Strictly fans were shocked when Pete and his partner Jowita Przysta weren't in the bottom two despite finishing bottom of the leaderboard. Instead Wynne Evans and Katya Jones and Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe faced off in the dance off, with Wynne sent home by the judges. I'm A Celebrity viewers fumed as it was revealed on Sunday that Dean McCullough would face yet another Bushtucker Trial. The BBC Radio 1 presenter was voted yet again to take part in a trial, despite having done so many already. The result left many viewers puzzled as to why fans were still voting him to do the trials as they begged the public to give other campmates a chance. Viewers also insisted that a rule should be introduced to stop certain campmates from being allowed to be voted for again and again. Earlier in the episode, fans slammed Dean for 'screaming' while being doused in slimy fish guts as they compared his reaction to Coleen Rooney - who remained calm as she was covered in rats and cockroaches. I'm A Celebrity viewers fumed as it was revealed on Sunday that Dean McCullough would face yet another Bushtucker Trial The Radio 1 star was voted yet again to take part in a trial, despite having done so many already Sunday's episode saw Ant and Dec arrive in camp at 8am to reveal who would be facing the next trial, with it between Love Island star Maura Higgins and Dean. But it was Dean who was again up for the trial, as he buried his head into his hands and leaned on Jane Moore for support. Taking to X, 'angry' fans slammed the decision, writing: 'AGAIN? SERIOUSLY AGAIN? STOP CHOOSING DEAN ALREADY, HE'S ALREADY DONE ONE OF THE TRIAL, STOP MAKING HIM DO ANOTHER ONE PLEASE!'; 'What is wrong with the bloody UK??!! STOP PICKING DEAN!!! I DONT WANT TO SEE HIM,'; 'Reckon there should be some rule about the same person doing all the trails like after 3, give someone else a go,'; 'Im a dean get me outta here!! Ffs stop voting for him its borinnggggg!!!'; 'Who keeps voting dean. Getting angry now,'; 'It's getting boring fast seeing Dean do the trials all the time what is it going to take to get everyone to stop voting for him? Enough already!!'; 'Yeah not watching tomorrow's now, they need to put in a rule you can't vote the guy that's been voted before,'; The result left many viewers puzzled as to why fans were still voting him to do the trials as they begged the public to give other campmates a chance Sunday's episode saw Ant and Dec arrive in camp at 8am to reveal who would be facing the next trial, with it between Love Island star Maura Higgins and Dean Viewers also insisted that a rule should be introduced to stop certain campmates from being allowed to be voted for again and again 'Please save your votes for when you can get Dean out. Nobody wants to see him screeching through another trial,'; 'What is wrong with people? Why are people voting for dean like your ruining the program? This is his 6th trial whether u like him or not ur giving him air time and more attention GIVE OTHER PEOPLE A CHANCE Barry, Jane, Melvin are begging for a trial.' The announcement came after fans poked fun at Dean's dramatic decline in popularity on the show after he started a spat with Coronation Street's Alan Halsall on Saturday night. After the episode ended with the argument, viewers updated Dean McCullough's Wikipedia page to reflect his trajectory on the show. Now deleted, underneath the 32-year-old's introduction, was written: 'Dean currently presents at BBC Radio 1 and has previously presented at Gaydio. 'His final job was on I'm A Celebrity where he destroyed his career and image by being nasty to a bloke from Corrie.' I'm A Celebrity fans poked fun at Dean's dramatic decline in popularity on the show after he started a spat with Coronation Street 's Alan Halsall on Saturday night After the episode ended with the argument, viewers updated Dean McCullough's Wikipedia page to reflect his trajectory on the show Now deleted, underneath the 32-year-old's introduction, was written: 'Dean currently presents at BBC Radio 1 and has previously presented at Gaydio Another fan took it a step further and added to the biography: 'He isn't a team player. He tried to get Danny to sleep next to the rats and then proceeded to take his bed anyway when the request was refused. 'Maura and Richard were out there eating testicles and pig snouts whilst Dean won't even put his hand in fish guts. 'This was made worse in that Ant and Dec couldn't have hinted anymore that the final star was in the fish guts.' The joke has now been deleted, but the Northern Irish presenter is not likely to see the funny side as he shared with MailOnline before entering the Jungle, 'I'd like to come out [of the Jungle] with a job. With a job at the BBC. He said: 'I'd like to be able to walk down the street in Belfast and not get heckled for, you know, saying I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.' But the Wikipedia saga comes after even the show's host, Ant McPartlin, shared his 'frustration' with Dean's lack of ability in the trials as he's called 'I'm A Celebrity' twice in the four challenges he's been nominated for. The Coronation Street star woke Dean up to help Loose Women's Jane Moore collect firewood and when the BBC presenter failed to get up immediately, Alan said: 'Don't fancy it? No?' The Wikipedia saga comes after even the show's host, Ant McPartlin, shared his 'frustration' with Dean's lack of ability in the trials He further fuelled his current dislike of him online after he started an argument with Alan Halsall, 42. The Coronation Street star woke Dean up to help Loose Women's Jane Moore collect firewood and when the BBC presenter failed to get up immediately, Alan said: 'Don't fancy it? No?' The soap star then went down to help Jane, 62, and Dean later joined them and told Alan 'You can go back now', before the actor explained: 'I was trying to wake you up as soft as I could.' Dean then hit back: 'Listen to me. If you're gonna wake me up, you need to give me a minute, alright?' 'It takes a couple of minutes for my contact lenses to get back working again, alright, so you don't need to turn around to me and say 'Do you not fancy it, Ok?' And then turn around and walk away.' 'I've listened to you, Jane was halfway down here, that's why I went' Alan replied as the pair got into a heated back and forth.' Thanksgiving is a time for great food, friends and family. But it can prove testing for those travelling or at the helm of the cooking operation. This year our consumer experts decided to lighten the load and recommend the best pre-mixed cocktails that will taste delicious but be ready with minimal effort. Here's our pick of the 8 best drinks from across the US which are sure to make your holiday extra special. Via Carota Craft Cocktails, Espresso Martini When the King is in London the flag flies at Buckingham Palace. When Taylor Swift is in New York, you can expect a frenzy at Via Carota. Now you can prepare a bit of the Italian restaurant's magic at home with their pre-mixed craft cocktails. The Espresso Martini tastes as fresh as if it was whipped up behind the West Village bar itself. Individual 375ml bottles of the Negroni, Espresso Martini and and Old Fashioned - which serve four - are sold for $39 at drinkviacarota.com. Bulleit, Manhattan Bulleit whiskey is a staple on many home drinks trolleys. The brand's latest foray into packaged cocktails of beloved whiskey favorites Manhattan and Old Fashioned is a roaring success. With sleek packaging - which is easy to transport to friends and family at Thanksgiving - these cocktails will find a welcome glass at many tables this season. The Old Fashioned and Manhattan 375 ml bottle is available for $19.99 at major liquor stores or online via instacart. Hudson Valley Distillers: Wild Berry Mule and Bourbon Sidecar These beautifully packaged, all natural ingredient cocktails can be ordered online from New York's quaint upstate brewery, or found at select wine and select spirit retailers across New England. The Wild Berry Mule offers seasonal flavors and a real vodka kick. It is best served over ice with a dash of lemon or lime juice. The brand's twist on a traditional sidecar - with bourbon instead of brandy - is sweet and flavorful. It's perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif or if you fancy something a little more decadent. Cocktails sell for $16 per 375ml bottle, which serves four. Mammoth Distilleries, Cherry Bounce After an at-home brewing disaster our experts opted to find a pre-made version of this seasonal cocktail. Mammoth Distilleries in Michigan have made an excellent version of this farmer tradition. They offer both a whiskey and vodka option. The cherries are harvested in mid-summer, so there is plenty of time for the concoctions to be put together and macerate perfectly in time for the festive season. A 750 ml bottle of the Cherry Bounce costs $40.04, while the same size of the Bourbon & Bounce is $31.79. Available online at Mammothdistilling.com and in all Michigan spirit retailers. High West, Old Fashioned High West Distillery's Old Fashioned is a perfect tipple for whiskey lovers this Thanksgiving. This premium cocktail is matured in used rye barrels at the distillery's Utah location, giving it a well-rounded rich taste. Both bourbon and rye whiskey are included in this cocktail, bringing both sweeter and dryer flavors together. A 375ml bottle of the Old Fashioned Barrel Finished Cocktail is available on the company's website for $22.99. Free Spirits, Alcohol-free Margarita No alcohol, no problem! Free Spirits offers a fantastic alcohol-free margarita made with its signature tequila alternative. While it does not taste exactly like the real thing, it still manages to replicate the smoky, full-bodied and fragrant taste of tequila. Plus, it even contains a natural component found in chili peppers to simulate the warming feeling of alcohol on a cold evening. A pack of four 250ml cans costs $15.99, and are available on the Free Spirits website. Wandering Barman, Gin Old Fashioned The Wandering Barman, based out of a bar and 'cocktail laboratory' in a trendy Brooklyn neighborhood, offers a wide range of hand-made and experimental cocktails. Its gin old fashioned is a fresh twist on the classic cocktail, with cucumber, elderflower and celery bitters. It's sweet but refreshing - perfect for when you need something light after a long day of Thanksgiving indulgences. The brand currently ships to Arizona, DC, Kentucky, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire and New York. The Gin Old Fashioned costs $4.99 for an individual-sized 100ml bottle. Jose Cuervo, Mistletoe Margarita For those that prefer tequila, Jose Cuervo's pre-mixed margaritas that come in a variety of exciting flavors are an easy and affordable option. This year the Mistletoe Margarita is ideal for those looking to jump ahead into the Christmas spirit. The drink also comes in Strawberry Lime, Mango or a classic Lime flavor. Mistletoe Margarita retails at $17.99 for a 1.75 liter bottle. It is available online and at major stores such as Wine & More. MANZINI - The meeting held by junior officers yesterday gave birth to a new name for Prime Minister Russell Mmiso Dlamini. During the meeting, the name Gwili Gwili was mentioned countless times. It was used to poke fun at the PM and each time it was mentioned, sounds of laughter could be heard inside the small hall. The meeting was held at the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT) Centre in Manzini and was attended by between 20 and 30 members both from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS). It was organised by the Royal Eswatini Police Staff Association (REPOSA) and Eswatini Correctional Services Staff Association(ECOSSA). One of the officers told the attendees that the name rhymed well with the PM, as it is used to refer to someone who says something today and changes tune the following day. In simpler terms, they said the name means someone who summersaults.Interestingly, it is not a new thing for a PM to be given a nickname in the country. Former PM Sibusiso Barnabas Dlamini was nicknamed Spakatane or Makhundu after he had said that those making noise in the country needed to be dealt with using a weapon. PM Russells name came about as some of the officers in attendance made a suggestion that they should visit him again to demand answers on why he had suddenly changed tune. The fact that at first we were told that the matter was being looked into and then suddenly the PM says we will not get it, is a sign that we are in serious trouble. Let us visit him and he must just see us at the gate, one of the officers said. However, with their legal team from Motsa-Mavuso Attorneys in attendance, the issue of visiting the PM was deliberated upon. The legal team advised that it might not be ideal to do so, but that the members should focus on the plan to challenge the salary review. It should be noted that our sister publication, the Times of Eswatini, reported that the Phase II debate had taken a new twist, as government has said that the salary review consultant will address the matter in totality. This after a meeting was held between Cabinet, led by the PM and the relevant stakeholders. Rejected Interestingly, this happened a few days after Parliament had rejected a report tabled by the Minister for Public Service Mabulala Maseko and ordered that he should go and work on the issue of Phase II. It was gathered that during the talks at Cabinet, the junior officers were allegedly told that government is of the belief that the officers who were in lower ranks received their Phase II of the salary restructuring exercise in 2008. It was said that the PM also told them that government also told them that the only officers who are supposed to benefit from Phase II now are those between the ranks: Inspector and superintendent. Meanwhile, despite a directive by their superiors not to hold a meeting, police officers and warders gathered yesterday to deliberate on a way forward regarding their demand for Phase II salary review. At first, it seemed like the meeting will not see the light of day as other police officers were positioned in different spots next to the venue patrolling. This gave the impression that they had come to stop the meeting. By 10am, at the corner coming from Manzini Central High School, which is a few metres from the venue, there were about five police officers who had mounted a roadblock and sat next to a MTN MoMo outlet. Right next to the gate, there were four other officers, two males and two females who would now and again be seen walking towards the gate as if trying to gain entry. College A few metres away from the gate next to the junction after the William Pitcher College, there were over five officers, some sitting inside a white van while other sat under trees. Just before the attending officers arrived in their cars, more officers crammed the gate. At some point, a police vehicle stood right next to the gate but a female security guard closed it. As each car transporting the attending members arrived, the gate would be opened by the security guard and they were allowed entry. Just before noon, the meeting begun and this time, the officers camped outside had formed a long line next to the gate. Addressing the officers in attendance, REPOSA Secretary General Dumsile Khumalo gave them feedback on what had transpired prior to the meeting. She narrated that she received a late night call from her superiors on Thursday directing her to see the National Commissioner (NATCOM) of Police the following day.Khumalo informed her colleagues that she was angered by the directive as she did not understand why she was being summoned. I decided to go there on Friday and was surprised not to find the NATCOM. Instead, I found other senior officers. They were friendly and told me that they knew about the meeting and did not approve of it. I asked them why they did not want to approve it and they said they were of the view that it will compromise security, she said. Elaborating, Khumalo shared that she got an opportunity to share certain circulars related to the 2014 salary review and told the senior officers that she hated being lied to. She mentioned she had initially written to her superiors to request that the meeting be held at the Police Academy and her request was turned down. Also addressing the gathering was ECOSSA President Simiso Ginindza who began his submission by saying, The fact of the matter is that we never received our Phase II and this is because the minister for Public Service lied to us. He then narrated the difficulties faced by members of ECOSSA, one of them being an allegation that their superiors are hell-bent on dividing them. At His Majestys Correctional Services, intimidation of officers is the order of the day. Our superiors chose to establish their own association; as a result, there are people who spy on us. However, we are not deterred, he said. Attending When the time for the attending members to pose questions came, many of them demanded answers on the whereabouts of REPOSA President Isaac Kaira Lukhele. We are here in a meeting and there is no report from the president. Here I am talking about a president who was shoved down our throats. I have grievances that I wish to raise with him and he is not here. Maybe let us go to visit him at his place, why are we scared of him? asked one of the officers. The secretary general (SG) informed that Lukhele had told her that he will not be participating in the meeting. Approve Lukhele is said to have shunned the meeting due to that the police top brass did not approve it on the grounds that it did not have an agenda and that currently, the association is divided into two camps. Another issue that came to the fore was that of the claim that the association is divided into two factions and that the SG is no longer fit to be in office since her term elapsed. It was alleged during the meeting that the police top brass has appointed its own secretary general who was identified as Ma Kip-Kip. It was discussed that the claims of two camps now in existence is the reason why Khumalo is no longer invited at meetings that involve the top brass. Some of the members asked to know what should happen, as per the Constitution of the association, in the event that there are two factions. The legal team that was present advised that they should first petition those who are causing chaos and do not want to partake in the meetings. Election It was suggested that this should be followed by the election of an interim committee so that the association can be well represented and form a quorum in discussions that will map a way forward for the next elections. We know that a dividing rule is being used here, they do not want to recognise our SG The best instrument that can work is to recall the current executive, one of the officers said. Meanwhile, the members once again reiterated that they are prepared to die for their salary review. It should be noted that while government has on numerous occasions given assurance that the issue was being looked into, Minister of Public Service Mabulala Maseko dropped a bombshell in Parliament a few weeks ago when he said they were paid. In a report he tabled in Parliament, the minister said government is of the belief that the issue of the Phase II salary restructuring was resolved through the implementation of Circular No.5 of 2022. The circular came about after government, through the same minister, presented a four per cent salary adjustment offer to junior officers of the countrys three State security organs. The offer was presented in October 2022 to the staff associations of the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) and His Majestys Correctional Services (HMCS) in the presence of the chiefs of the two security forces. It was said that the four per cent salary adjustment was to cushion the salaries of the officers, while government, with the assistance of a consultant, tried to address the issue of the restructuring. Salary The offer came following countless efforts by the junior officers from the REPS and HMCS of putting pressure on government to implement the Phase II of the salary restructuring exercise, and these included a petition delivery to the Prime Ministers Office and letters, which they wrote to relevant government departments.The ministers report was a response to a motion by Mayiwane MP Sicelo Khungankosi Dlamini who moved that the minister should explain what is delaying him in implementing the Phase II since Phase I was implemented without any problem. In the motion, the MP said the matter is now 10 years old and has brought emotional stress to the beneficiaries. Worth noting is that during the meeting held yesterday, the REPOSA executive alleged that they had heard that there are clandestine moves to silence the outspoken MP. In fact, the SG told the attending members that she had received information that the MP was set to be summoned to explain about the motion he moved. The claims remain allegations as they have not been proven. A tech entrepreneur who is a billionaire at just 34 years old has shared his secrets to success. Ankur Jain, the CEO and founder of Bilt Rewards, has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, according to Forbes. Bilt allows Americans to earn points through paying rent, which can be spent on travel, dining or fitness classes - much like a traditional credit card rewards program. This week, the company also expanded its reach to allow customers to earn rewards points when buying a home. Since publicly launching in 2022, Bilt has seen a stratospheric rise - and is now valued at $3.25 billion. Jain, who was formerly an exec at dating app Tinder, owns about 36 percent of the company. His one piece of advice for any budding entrepreneurs? 'Start with a problem, not a perceived opportunity,' Jain told DailyMail.com. 'Those are two very different things.' Tech entrepreneur Ankur Jain, who is a billionaire at just 34 years old, has shared his secrets to success 'I think one of the most dangerous things that happened to entrepreneurship was that business school graduates started going into entrepreneurship,' he said. These grads focused too much on complicated business statistics or what they saw as a market opportunity, rather than thinking about what Americans actually need. 'They forgot to ask the question of what problem they can actually solve for people,' Jain said. 'There's a reason Bilt is easy to understand. You can earn points on rent. It's your biggest expense and now it's your most rewarding. 'You're taking a real problem people have and you're making it work.' The idea behind Bilt is that it allows Americans to earn points on rent without having to pay any transaction fees. The company has now signed up up property owners with 4 million rentals in thousands of cities across the country, as well as its airline, hotel, gym and restaurant partners. Members can transfer points to its partners, which include airlines such as United, or hotel chains such as Hilton or Hyatt. Jain, who was born in Washington state and married former WWE star-turned-celebrity fitness guru Erika Hammond in Egypt earlier this year, previously co-founded Humin, an app which combined contacts and calendars and was bought by Tinder. He also made the coveted Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2015. His father, former Microsoft executive Naveen Jain, was also briefly a billionaire in 2000 due to the success of his company InfoSpace. The search engine was one of the biggest internet companies in the US before the crash of the dot-com bubble in the early noughties. Jain married former WWE star-turned-celebrity fitness guru Erika Hammond in Egypt earlier this year Jain, pictured on his wedding day with his wife Erika, has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, according to Forbes Wyclef Jean, Ankur Jain, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and guest at the Bilt Rewards Private Launch event in New York City in 2022 If Americans do not live in a Bilt partner property, they can earn points on rent with a co-branded Mastercard credit card By tracking rent payments every month, Bilt is also designed to help boost its members credit histories, in order to help them eventually qualify for a mortgage. 'Whether you're paying rent or you're finally ready to buy a home, we want to make it possible and we want to make it rewarding,' Jain told DailyMail.com. Bilt also has a co-branded Mastercard credit card, which allows Americans to earn points on rent if they do not live in a partner property. The credit card has no annual fee, but it also has no sign-up bonus. Users also have to commit to using the card five times every month - on top of the rent payment - to derive significant value from it, according to NerdWallet. If renters do not live in a Bilt-affiliated property and do not have the credit card, they are still able to pay rent through the Bilt app. They will only earn 250 points for doing so, however, and will still owe the processing fee. Under the new expansion launched this week, the company has also launched a 'buy a home' tool which allows renters to see what kind of home they could afford based on how much they are currently paying a month. The tool shows available homes based on an all-in monthly payment - which includes local taxes and insurance costs - and allows Americans to search available homes across different cities. The interplay between AI and human intelligence offers both challenges and opportunities, heralding a future where adaptability and innovation are key The foundation of understanding an organisation lies in understanding the role relationships within it. An individual may even, lose their identity in living up to the requirements of his organisational role. Illustratively, the President of an organisation is no longer just an individual who occupies that position. The person who occupies that position becomes the President of the organisation with the Presidents characteristics, the Presidents traits, and the Presidents attributes. Being a true President may often require his acting in denial of his inclinations in favour of the role requirement. This issue has usually constituted the foundation of organisation analysis and operations. The theoretical basis of this thinking was laid out in 1952 by Elliott Jaques in his classical book Changing Culture of a Factory." This was a report of 1948 and 1950 of a Glacier Metal Company, London. The Tavistock Institute of Human Relations was the sponsor. The significance of the book lies, among other things, in the theoretical and operational implications of the research findings. The study went back to 1938. That is another story. Since then, few things have so fundamentally affected organisations understanding till the coming of artificial intelligence (AI). These are indeed seminal times in terms of understanding organisations. AI has affected how one looks at manufacturing, finance, logistics, and more. The expressions of job design have changed. If the basis of job design has changed, the understanding of organizational structure stands to change. The key issue is whether the fundamental changes through the new model of business products for increasing profit have impacted organisational operations. And how they have affected pricing, job market changes, and created or altered new revenue streams. Currently, the world of products and academia is dealing with a lot of jargonise. The popular references are two models, one is the platform-based model, other is the subscription model. There may be several others but are yet to acquire significance. Many of them who would survive, would get modified, and much of them would evolve into something totally different. Time can tell. For the present, efforts are being made to understand business models and their impact on work conduct. An obvious outcome of AI is the redundancy of many tasks. As the character of tasks changes, the character of organizational models is open to change. The whole approach of aggregation of organizational tasks into job designs has undergone a fundamental change. Many humanly rendered tasks have become redundant, and they have then been replaced either by machines or machine-led aggregation of skills. This whole process is akin to a major revolution in the understanding of the work. It needs to be realized that once such forces are generated, there is no reversal that can take place in its entirety. It also impacts job designs, which for whatever reason may not change. Put simply, the nature of the task itself has revolutionized organizations. Practically everyone needs to understand AI because there is nothing that can be quite untouched by that process. The overlapping jobs would disappear, skill shifts would take place, and reskilling and upskilling would become the order of the day as never before. When such fundamental changes are let loose, job displacement is not just job displacement but the seedbed of new forms of job creation. The interesting thing is that AI acquires some human characteristics that are still in the domain of documentation, understanding, and interpretation. The bias in AI would have been the act of abbreviation and one might say, even the dispensation of organization fair play. Privacy and security are concepts that change, and nothing stays quite what it was even a quarter of a century ago. The upshot of all these is the creation of a paradigm of organization management, whether the top management may not be necessary at the top but acquire primacy even while imbibed in the heart of an organization. This would happen because of the ability of the AI specialist to affect the nature of the work itself. The chances are clear that AI as a service is on the way to acquiring a character of its own. For some AI will be the first language, and they will affect the running of the organization in a very critical manner. For the rest, AI would be a second language, and everyone would need to understand a little bit of the nature of AI. Put simply, the future of work will be a diligent factor in many ways, which might be an outcome of the revolution of AI. The fascinating thing is to observe how the character of AI affects other functions of the organization like finance, marketing, the functioning of ports, and more. The above is not to say that pathways are clear and the shift in organisational nature is irrevocable. The AI is a job in progress. Its a work in progress that is still taking shape and a character that remains in service of organization management, will only gradually become clear. How this will roll out is difficult to predict, but one thing is clear: AI is here to stay. All in all, it will be interesting to observe how AI and human intelligence deal with each other and create an amalgam of human efforts for organizational growth. The future is here, and over time, it will take shape with better clarity and hopefully some predictability. (The writer is a well-known management consultant of international repute. The views expressed are personal) Recent reports claiming a decline in its popularity seem at odds with the reality on the ground Goa has long been a dream destination for both domestic and international travelers. Its blend of scenic beauty and cultural richness has earned it a prominent place on the global tourism map. But is the charm of Goa fading? Is it losing its allure? Certainly not. In fact, anyone visiting Goa would find its flights fully booked well in advance, its hotels packed, and its beaches bustling with lively crowds. However, some media reports have suggested a decline in its popularity, which seems at odds with the reality and the figures. For decades, Goa has been synonymous with sun-kissed beaches, lively shacks, and a carefree lifestyle that has charmed travellers from around the world. Beyond its picturesque coastlines lies a treasure trove of history, culture, and tradition waiting to be discovered. Ironically, a report from the CEIC (China Economic Information Centre) claimed a drastic drop in foreign tourist arrivals to Goa, alleging a fall from 8.5 million in 2019 to just 1.5 million in 2023. This narrative suggested that Goa was losing its allure to international competitors like Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Interestingly report is bereft of the details of the sources and how they were collected. Casting aspersions on the motive of the report in first place. These claims have been contested by Goas Tourism Department, which points out significant discrepancies in the data. Official figures indicated approximately 450,000 foreign arrivals in 2023a notable recovery post-pandemic-while domestic tourism surged to 8.17 million in 2023, surpassing the 7.12 million recorded in 2019. Altogether, Goa welcomed 8.62 million tourists in 2023, exceeding pre-pandemic levels. Addressing these concerns, Tourism Minister Rohan A Khaunte has criticised the report, describing it as a deliberate attempt to misrepresent Goas standing. The numbers are manipulated to present a false narrative, he stated. In 2023, we recorded 4.5 million international tourists and about 9 million domestic tourists. Its not just about quantity but the quality of tourism and the revenue it generates. Domestic tourists are now spending more, opting for premium accommodations. To further boost the international Khaunte stresses the importance of improving Goas international connectivity, particularly with emerging markets in Southeast Asia, the West Asia and Europe. He revealed ongoing efforts to establish direct flight routes to key destinations such as the UAE, Malaysia and South Korea. These regions hold immense potential for quality tourism, he noted. In fact, Goa has gone notch up to promote tourism that is both sustainable and rejuvinating. In 2023, Goa launched a pioneering regenerative tourism campaign, emphasising sustainability across the pillars of economy, environment, and society. This initiative aims to go beyond sustainable practices, creating tourism models that leave a positive impact on local communities while offering unique, meaningful experiences for travelers. Regenerative tourism is about ensuring that tourism not only sustains but enriches the local culture, economy, and environment, Khaunte explaines. Despite its many strengths, Goa faces ongoing challenges. The lack of app-based taxi services and disputes among taxi operators have been longstanding grievances for visitors, often resulting in complaints about high fares. Additionally, while Goa offers accommodations catering to all budgets, from luxury to backpacker-friendly, the state has been criticised for expensive lodging options. Khaunte acknowledged these concerns, emphasising the need for improved public transportation and better policies to enhance the tourist experience. Indeed the Unverified data without revealing the methodology employed and source makes the data suspect and report motivated. What sets Goa apart is its versatility. Whether youre seeking beach parties, adventure sports, spiritual retreats, or cultural festivities, Goa caters to a wide range of interests. This adaptability has been the cornerstone of its enduring appeal. Goas enchanting landscapes and vibrant culture have long served as a cinematic muse, making it a favored backdrop for filmmakers worldwide. From Bollywood blockbusters to Hollywood thrillers, Goas charm has been immortalised on screen. Iconic films like Ek Duje Ke Liye (1981) was all about love in the Goan air, while Dil Chahta Hai (2001) redefined the idea of weekend getaways, inspiring a generation to explore its idyllic beaches. Dear Zindagi (2016) captured its serene vibe, while the Golmaal series (20062010) added a playful twist to its allure as a honeymoon destination. Even international cinema embraced its beauty, with The Bourne Supremacy (2004) using Goa as a stunning backdrop for its high-stakes drama. Whether on screen or off, the magic of Goa continues to captivate and mesmerise, unaffected by reports or negative propaganda. (The author is travel writer and influencer; views are personal) Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedis five-day official visit to Nepal has culminated in stronger defence and bilateral ties. He returned to New Delhi on Sunday after a resoundingly successful visit, army said here. The visit, which exceeded all stated objectives, further solidified the robust defence cooperation, cultural ties, and mutual respect between the two nations. It underscored the shared commitment of the Indian and Nepali Armies to fostering peace, security, and partnership in the region. During his visit, the Army chief engaged extensively with Nepal's political and military leadership. He held high-level meetings with President of Nepal Ram Chandra Paudel, Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli and Defence Minister Manbir Rai. He also engaged in meaningful discussions with General Ashok Raj Sigdel, chief of Nepal Army along with other senior military officers. These interactions were characterised by exceptional openness and mutual respect, reflecting the shared commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. Strengthening India-Nepal ties was a central theme of the visit. General Upendra Dwivedi and his Nepalese counterpart discussed aspects of mutual interest and avenues to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation. General Dwivedi was briefed by the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) of the Nepali Army and engaged in high-level discussions with other senior military leaders. These discussions focused on enhancing military bonds, joint exercises, training cooperation, and capability development, reinforcing the shared commitment to global peace and security. As a gesture of friendship between the two armies, the Indian Army presented Valour Mount horses and Sentinel dogs to the Nepali Army. General Dwivedi was conferred the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army by President Paudel. This unique tradition underscores the deep-rooted historical and cultural ties between the Indian and Nepali Armies. Enlightening the future leaders at the Nepal Army Command and Staff College in Shivapuri, the visiting Army chief delivered a lecture on The Changing Character of War. He emphasised on strengthening and deepening the engagements for mutually building the competencies & capabilities of both Armies. He attended an Ex-Servicemen Rally at the Pension Paying Office in Pokhara, interacting with Gorkha veterans and Veer Naris of the Indian Army. The bond between the veterans and the Indian Army was very visible and thriving, reflecting their strong ties. This visit, marked by comprehensive discussions and mutual respect, has reinforced the strong partnership between the Indian and Nepali Armies. The outcomes of the visit are expected to usher in a new era of collaboration, with a greater focus on defence cooperation, cultural exchange, and regional security. A day after a Delhi Police constable was killed while on duty, the main accused in the case was shot dead in an encounter by police personnel in south Delhi's Sangam Vihar area early Sunday morning. The encounter comes a day after Kiran Pal, 28-year-old constable in the Delhi Police, was stabbed to death by three people on Saturday while on night patrolling duty in southeast Delhi's Govindpuri area. Two of the three accused, Deepak Max (21) and Krish Gupta (18), were arrested later that day. According to a senior official of the Delhi Police's Special Cell, the third and the main accused in the murder of constable Kiranpal lost his life in an armed encounter with a joint team of local police and special cell. A senior police officer of special cell said that the third accused, Raghav, who stabbed Pal with a knife was hiding in Sangam Vihar. "Late evening on Saturday, information was received regarding the whereabouts of the prime suspect, identified as Raghav alias Rocky, a resident of D-Block, Sangam Vihar. A joint team from the Special Cell (New Delhi Range) and Narcotics Cell, South East District, which had been working together since the incident, went to the area connecting Sangam Vihar to Surajkund Road to verify the information," the officer said. He added that the accused was identified close to midnight. However, when the police asked him to surrender, the accused opened fire at the police personnel who retaliated in self-defence and injured the accused. "Not heeding to the calls made by the police, the suspect, in a premeditated manner, opened fire from a close distance at the police party using a firearm that he was carrying. The police team retaliated in self-defence, which led to the suspect being injured by gunshot wounds," another official said. The suspect was immediately rushed to ESIC Hospital, Okhla, where he passed away due to the injuries suffered in police action. A pistol with two cartridges has been seized, the police officer said, adding no police official was injured in the encounter. "All protocols as laid down by law for instances of death in police action are being followed," the official said. Constable Kiran Pal, posted at Govindpuri Police Station, was on night patrolling duty when he stopped three people riding a two-wheeler in the early hours of Saturday. "The accused threw stones at the constable to evade arrest but he managed to waylay them by putting his bike in front of their vehicle," the officer said. "The constable also took away the keys of the two-wheeler and started questioning the trio during which the accused stabbed him," the officer added. The constable is survived by his widowed mother and an elder brother, who is currently unemployed. BJP on Sunday said leaders of the ruling MahaYuti alliance and the BJP leadership will decide who will be the next chief minister of the state. Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said incumbent Chief Minister (CM) Eknath Shinde who belongs to the Shiv Sena (SS), Deputy (Dy) CM Devendra Fadnavis from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Dy CM Ajit Pawar from Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) will reach Delhi to discuss on the future shape of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government in the state where all sections of the society supported the BJP in the Assembly polls and rejected the Congress. The focus has now shifted to BJP leader Fadnavis, the architect of his partys stunning victory as it bagged 132 of the 149 seats it contested in the state. Political circles are abuzz with reports that the states second Brahmin to become the CM will don the post for the third time. BJPs national joint general secretary Shiv Prakash and Maharashtra unit head Chandrashekhar Bawankule met Devendra Fadnavis at his residence on Sunday. The tenure of the current state Assembly ends on Tuesday, which has also necessitated meetings among leaders of the ruling allies to finalise the name for the CMs post. The BJP-led MahaYuti, on Saturday retained power in the state by bagging 230 of the 288 Assembly seats. The Congress-led Maha Vikas Aghadis (MVA) dream of wresting power fizzled, with the opposition combine managing to garner just 46 seats. The BJP bagged 132 seats, the SS won 57, while the NCP got 41 seats. In the MVA, the Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) (NCP-SP) candidates won 10 seats, the Congress won 16, while the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) (SS-UBT) won 20 seats. Bawankule said the decision on CM would be taken by the Mahayuti leaders and the BJPs parliamentary board. The selection process would be in-line with the alliances plans for governance, he added. Notably, the Mahayutis landslide in Maharashtra will leave the state Assembly without a Leader of Opposition as no party outside the ruling alliance has been able to get the mandatory minimum 29 seats. The mandate of the people in this Assembly election is against the Congress. Having no leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly is the karma of Congress, Bawankule said. NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday said the Ladki Bahin scheme, womens participation in voting in large numbers, and religious polarisation may have played a role in Mahayutis victory in Maharashtra Assembly polls. He said the election results, declared on Saturday, are not on the expected lines but he would revitalise his party. Responding to a query on his retirement from active politics, Pawar tersely said he and his party colleagues will decide. Responding to a query on EVMs, a day after SS (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut expressed doubts over the massive verdict in Mahayutis favour, Pawar said he would speak about EVMs only if he has official data. Leader of the INDIA blocks legislature party in Jharkhand, Hemant Soren, met Governor Santosh Gangwar at the Raj Bhawan in Ranchi on Sunday, November 24 and staked his claim to form a new government in the state. Accompanied by an eight-member delegation, the incumbent chief minister submitted a letter of support from 56 MLAs to the Governor. Accepting Sorens claim, the Governor invited him to form the government and asked him to continue as acting chief minister (CM) until a new arrangement is made. Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Soren announced that the INDIA Alliance has initiated the process of forming a new government. Today, we submitted our resignation for the current government to the Governor and proposed forming the next one. We will now focus on the next steps, he stated. Soren also revealed that the swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, November 28, at the historic Morhabadi Ground in Ranchi, though he declined to share details about the new cabinets composition. Earlier in the day, INDIA block MLAs convened at the CMs residence, where Soren was unanimously elected as the alliance leader. It is expected that, alongside Soren as CM from the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM), six MLAs will be sworn in as ministers-four from the Congress, one from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), and another from the JMM. Discussions are going on regarding the potential inclusion of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Lennist) in the coalition government, with the possibility of introducing fresh faces to the cabinet. As four ministers of Hemant Sorens cabinet lost the Assembly polls, new faces will surely be inducted in the cabinet. It is being said that Hemant Sorens wife Kalpana Soren or his brother Basant Soren will be inducted in the cabinet apart from the loyal faces of JMM. From the Congress side senior leaders such as Pradeep Yadav, Rameshwar Oraon, RK Kishore and young leaders such as Shilpi Neha Tirkey, Sona Ram Sinku, Shwetta Singh and Jaimagal Singh are being considered as probable candidates for ministerial berths. Sources said that Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, senior leader Rahul Gandhi, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav may attend Sorens swearing-in ceremony on November 28. After the 2019 Assembly poll win Hemant Soren had taken oath as chief minister at a grand function in Ranchis Morhabadi ground where he was accompanied by senior leaders of the grand alliance. Tensions flared into violence on Sunday as a court-mandated survey of the Mughal-era Jama Masjid triggered clashes between locals and police resulting in the deaths of three individuals. Over 40 people including policemen were reported injured in the violence. Eyewitnesses say that during a second survey of the mosque, a mob attacked police personnel with stones and set vehicles ablaze. The police responded with tear gas and a baton charge to control the situation. Over 20 police officers and more than two dozen civilians were injured in the clashes, with reports of three deaths adding to the unrest. According to police, violence erupted when a crowd of nearly a thousand gathered outside the mosque to prevent a survey team, led by a court-appointed advocate commissioner, from entering. As tensions escalated, some individuals in the crowd reportedly began pelting stones at the police, leading to retaliation with tear gas. Amid the chaos, over ten vehicles were set ablaze. Some miscreants in the crowd resorted to violence. The police used minor force and tear gas to bring the situation under control. Those involved will be identified and strict action will be taken, said Krishna Kumar Vishnoi, superintendent of police. District Magistrate Rajendra Pesia confirmed that approximately ten individuals were detained. Videos circulating on social media show scenes of stone-pelting and vehicles engulfed in flames. Three people identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman have been killed. Some policemen including the gunner of the superintendent of police have also been injured, Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said. Despite the unrest, the survey, which commenced at 7:30 am, was completed as planned. Advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, representing the petitioners, stated that the survey team conducted a detailed examination of the site, supported by videography and photography in compliance with court directives. The report is set to be submitted by November 29. The controversy stems from a court case filed by a Hindu group claiming that the Jama Masjid was originally the Harihar temple. Following a court directive, a commissioner was appointed to survey the site. Last Tuesday, the court-appointed team conducted an initial survey, including videography and photography, lasting about two hours. However, the second survey attempt on Sunday sparked violent protests. The court commissioner is expected to submit a detailed report to the court by November 29. Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing them of deliberately orchestrating the violence. The mosque was already surveyed earlier. Sending the team again, unprepared, was a deliberate attempt to provoke unrest and divert attention from pressing electoral issues, he alleged. Yadav further claimed that the BJP government was using such incidents to sideline discussions on governance failures and election-related malpractice. Following the violence, Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi Barelvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat, appealed to the Muslim community to maintain peace and avoid acts of violence. Islam promotes peace, and we must follow the Prophets message. The legal battle over the historical Jama Masjid will be fought strongly in court, he said. The elder daughter of the spiritual leader Jagatguru Kripalu Maharaj was killed on Sunday after a truck rammed into her car here while her two other sisters were seriously injured.According to the police, 75 year old Vishakha Tripathi along with her two younger sisters and five others were travelling to Delhi from Vrindavan via Yamuna Expressway, in two cars on Sunday morning. From there, they were to travel to Singapore for personal work, a senior police official said. On Sunday morning, a canter driver hit both cars in the Dankaur area when on their way to board a flight from Delhi. A Canter number UP 80 FT 5477 Ashok Leyland hit two cars UP 72 BX 7148 Innova Hi Cross and car number DL 7 CV 3044 Toyota Camry from behind on the Yamuna Expressway near the 8 km board under Thana Dankaur area on the way from Agra to Noida, a police officer stated. Eight people including Maharaj's three daughters were seriously injured in the accident, a police spokesperson said. The other two daughters included 69 year old Shyama Tripathi and 67 year old Krishna Tripathi who were also travelling with Vishakha. They are receiving treatment in Apollo hospital. The spokesperson said that the victims were admitted to hospitals in Noida and Delhi for treatment. Soon after the accident, a police team reached the spot and admitted the injured to Kailash Hospital in Noida where Vishakha breathed her last while undergoing treatment, a police official stated, adding that the police have sent the body for post-mortem. The other injured in the car accident include 35 year old Deepak, 57 years old Sanjay Malik, 40 year old Januka Khadka, 53 years old Kashmira Patel and 56 years old Hansa Patel. Khadka and Kashmira are sisters. Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat in a condolence message said that it is with great sorrow that it has to be informed that the President of Bhakti Dham, Dr Vishakha Tripathi has unfortunately passed away and her last rites will be performed in Vrindavan. Vishakha Tripathi served as President of Jagadguru Kripalu Parishat. Known for her work in healthcare and education, she established charitable hospitals and schools while managing globally renowned temples such as Prem Mandir. With air quality deteriorating across Delhi NCR and posing serious health risks to children, the urgency for comprehensive, preventive health education has reached a critical point. Dr Rahul Mehra, Indias National Representative for the UNESCO Chair in Global Health & Education, said that, among others, we must work on long-term solutions including compulsory inclusion of health in the curriculum of middle classes. On a visit to India, Mehra, a scientist with 70 patents to his credit mentioned the future of India, must start working on the future of health of India. Children must be taught the many aspects of preventive healthcare from early on, and the time to introduce such a curriculum could not have been better than now, Mehra told The Pioneer. He also emphasized that health education can arm children with essential knowledge to better handle environmental and health challenges as they grow up. Pursuing his passion Mehra, through his organization Tarang Health Alliance, is advocating for preventive health education as a means to combat rising health risks for Indian youth. If children in cities like Dallas & Detroit can breathe safely, why cant our young ones in Delhi? he questioned, highlighting the urgency of safeguarding childrens health. An alumnus of Capitals Modern School, Dr Mehra argues that introducing health education into school curriculums can empower students with the knowledge to make informed choices and adopt healthier behaviors, addressing the root causes of health issues rather than merely treating symptoms. Tarang Health Alliance, a non-profit organisation founded in 2016, has implemented a pilot program in 30 schools in Haryana, NCR, and Jaipur covering both government and private institutions. This initiative provides a structured curriculum that promotes physical, mental, and social health. The curriculum includes lessons on nutrition, hygiene, stress management, and conflict resolution, helping students foster lifelong health values. In collaboration with the Haryana government, this program aligns with state welfare initiatives. "Our goal is to make health education as integral to a childs learning as mathematics or science," Dr Mehra, who has also contributed over 100 research papers and book chapters, said. Research indicates that preventive health education can significantly reduce chronic disease rates, which could decrease long-term healthcare costs and improve national health outcomes. As the initiative gains momentum, Tarang Health Alliance aims to expand nationwide, advocating for health education to become a core subject for students in classes VI to VIII. Dr Mehras vision dovetails with the broader mission of "SwacchBharat, Swasth Bharat" (Clean India, Healthy India) and Viksit Bharat. "By investing in preventive health education, we can cultivate a healthier, more aware generation equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow," Dr Mehra asserted. With growing support from policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals, there is optimism that such initiatives will inspire policy changes, creating a ripple effect across India, added the IITian now settled in the United States of America. MBABANE - Women who are taking the recalled birth control pills want to know about pregnancy risks. In a statement on Friday, the Minister for Health, Mduduzi Matsebula, said those who might have already used the pills should consult with healthcare professionals. The recalled pills are YAZ Plus, Batch No. WEW96J. The minister said the incorrect arrangement of tablets within some packs affects the efficacy of the affected batch, meaning that the contraceptives will not yield the desired effect of preventing a pregnancy. He, however, clarified that the product is not available in the government public health facilities. He said: The ministry is currently communicating with private facilities and pharmacies to ascertain the level of distribution of these units, facilitate appropriate communication for discontinuing the prescribing and use of the affected batch of the product and the necessary recall of this batch that may be on the market in Eswatini. He said the ministry is advising the public to inspect the batch number of YAZ Plus contraceptives purchased or received at any private pharmacy or health facility. Batch If the batch numbers and the appearance of the pills correspond, the person should immediately stop using the contraceptives and return the product to the respective pharmacy or health facility to exchange with the correct product or get a refund, advised the minister. It is understood that the contraceptives were recalled via the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPHRA). YAZ Plus is a birth control pill (oral contraceptive) that contains two female sex hormones, the progestin drospirenone (3.0mg) and a low dose of the estrogen ethinyl estradiol (0.020mg). The two female sex hormones are synthetic and similar to those that occur naturally in your body. The minister of health said the batch was distributed on November 9 and 24, 2023 and were recalled because of quality reasons. He said the product is manufactured by Bayer, a German pharmaceutical company. BBC reports that regulators in South Africa recalled the batch of the popular Yaz Plus contraceptive pill after a packaging mix-up, which meant that the contraception could potentially be ineffective. Manufacturer, Bayer Ltd, said women using pills from the affected batch should stop immediately and seek medical advice. A packaging mix-up led to a number of blister packs carrying 24 inactive pills, instead of 24 hormone-containing active pills. The issue affected only a limited number of packets in a specific batch labelled WEW96J, expiring in March 2026. The erroneous batch has been recalled by Bayer, in consultation with the South African Health Products Regulatory Agency. The company stressed that the root cause of the mix-up had been identified and dealt with accordingly. A regular pack of Yaz Plus contraceptives contains 24 active pills containing hormones, which are pink in colour, followed by four hormone-free, inactive pills, which are light orange in colour, according to the BBC. In the recalled batch, a number of packs instead carried 24 hormone-free inactive pills and only four active hormone pills. The concern is that a woman could be at risk of becoming pregnant having taken inactive pills believing she was taking effective hormonal contraception. Recall Bayer Ltds recall notice says: While only a limited number of packs from the respective batch is affected, as a precautionary measure, no tablets from these packs shall be used until you have consulted your healthcare practitioner, as they may potentially not provide the contraceptive protection you expect.Anyone who has acquired a packet of pills belonging to the stipulated batch is advised to return the tablets to pharmacies for a replacement or refund. Healthcare professionals, hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, nurses and wholesalers that have packets of the affected batch should also return them. In a statement, Bayer Ltd said: The root cause for the mix-up of tablets in the packaging has been identified and corrective measures have been implemented. The incident is limited to only one batch and no other batches are affected, the company said. The South African Citizen reports that the issue involves an incorrect arrangement of tablets within some packs, which may affect the efficacy of this batch. Quoted by the Citizen, Sahpra CEO Dr Boitumelo Semete-Makokotlela stated that the recall is necessary to protect the public from the affected batchs potential ineffectiveness. Unaffected We urge members of the public who have Yaz Plus batch number WEW96J to discontinue use and to return the packaging to their pharmacists for a replacement with a pack from an unaffected batch or a refund, she urged consumers. Women using this contraceptive are advised to check the batch number of their current tablet packs, discontinue use, return affected packs to their pharmacist, and consult their healthcare professional. Dr Velephi Okello, the Director of Health Services, said she was free to talk about the pregnancy risks, but would like to do so via Nsindizo Tsabedze, the Communication Officer in the Ministry of Health who did not answer his phone at the time of processing this report. The Centre for Advocacy, Practice and Research in Intellectual Property (CAPRIP) organised a half-day seminar on Revisiting the Indian Trade Secret Legislation Requirement at Dharmashastra National Law University (DNLU) on Saturday. The seminar began with a welcome address by the Vice Chancellor of DNLU, Prof Manoj Sinha. Prof Anindya Sircar (DPIIT Chair and Professor, NALSAR University of Law) spoke about industrial perspectives on trade secrets in India.Prof Ghayur Alam (DPIIT Chair and Professor, NLIU Bhopal) elaborated on Best Practices for Trade Secrets in India and other Countries.Amit Dubey, Advocate, Madhya Pradesh High Court, explained the concept of Trade Secrets from a legal practice point of view. The event concluded with Gargi Chakraborti, Associate Professor at DNLU, discussing Indias current position on trade secrets and future requirements, highlighting the differences between trade secrets and patents.The seminar was moderated by Shruti Nandwana, Assistant Professor. DNLU will send a report on the seminar to the Law Commission of India for the development of a trade secrets legal regime in India.In the afternoon, another event titled Capacity Building Programme on Traditional Knowledge and Genetic Resources Protection in Madhya Pradesh was jointly organised by CAPRIP and the Centre for Studies in Tribal and Indigenous Communities (CSTIC). Prof Saba Hussain, Peoples University; Saurabh Maru; and Nandini Maravi, Former MLA, Sihora; Urmila Bharti, Member, Tribal Advisory Council, along with representatives from several tribal communities and other resource persons, interacted with the community to understand the ground realities of Traditional Knowledge and its related prospects. They also discussed the legal understanding of the Biological Diversity Act (BDA), 2002.Resource persons shared their expertise on BDA-related legal aspects and spread awareness. Both events successfully addressed important aspects related to trade secrets and traditional knowledge, as well as their current protection regime in India. A fake female police officer has been caught in Bhopal's TT Nagar police station while intimidating a head constable. She reached TT Nagar police station in the uniform of Additional SP. The station in-charge saw her badge. He suspected it to be fake. When questioned, the woman told that she had got the uniform made from Indore after watching a YouTube video. The incident is of Friday evening. After registering a case against the woman, she was released from the police station on bail the same night. The girl also told that she has cleared the UPSC mains exam. TT Nagar police station in-charge Sunil Bhadauria said that the accused Shivani Chauhan (24) is a resident of MIG Road, Indore. Her father is a driver and mother is a housewife. According to the police, she visited the city's New Market with her cousin and sister-in-law on Friday afternoon. In the evening, she took her brother and sister-in-law to TT Nagar police station saying that this is her office andshe will come after the police station staff. She entered through the main gate of the police station and reached the ACP office built in the campus. From there, she reached the police station and started showing off her power while talking to a head constable. The accused was showing off her power to the head constable, when the station in-charge Sunil Bhadoria reached his cabin. He talked to the woman, then he got suspicious seeing her badge. Her name and number were also written on it. He realised that the woman had come as a fake officer. When she was asked questions related to the police, she got nervous. She was taken into custody and a case of impersonification was registered against her. She said she did this to make her mother happy. Her mother's health is very bad. To make her happy, she made up a fake story of being selected and getting a job in the police while she was alive. She came from Indore on Friday and told her brother and sister-in-law that she has joined the job. Her office is in TT Nagar. The police are investigating the woman's statements. Shivani told the police that she had bought police uniform, belt and shoes from the store located in front of the police canteen in Indore. She also got the badge made from the same store. What does an Additional SP's uniform look like, how many Ashoka emblems and stars are there on it and how are they put on it? She learned all this by watching YouTube. On this basis, she got the uniform prepared. ACP Chandra Shekhar Pandey said that the woman was seen with the uniform in New Market, then the female constables questioned her on suspicion. The whole matter was revealed after bringing her to the police station and questioning her. A case has been registered against her. Delhi University has asked all candidates contesting the students' union elections to sign an affidavit pledging to refrain from using dhols, loudspeakers, firecrackers or distributing pamphlets, both in open and closed premises, after the declaration of results, according to officials. The affidavit also prohibits candidates from organising roadshows or rallies to celebrate their victory. According to the affidavit, failure to comply with these conditions can result in the cancellation of a candidate's victory or removal from their elected post. The measure aligns with the existing election rules and comes amid an ongoing Delhi High Court case concerning the defacement of public property during the Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) polls. Candidates are required to submit the affidavit by Sunday to the office of the Chief Election Officer. The undertaking stated I shall not use or allow my supporters the use of dhols, loudspeakers, firecrackers and pamphlets in the open or closed premises of college/ department/institution/centre after the results. Non-compliance with these measures could result in the nullification of a candidates victory or removal from their elected position, as per the affidavit. The results will be declared on Monday after a delay of nearly two months due to court orders. The Delhi High Court had halted the declaration of results, originally slated for September 28, citing defacement caused during the campaign and instructing the university to address the issue. Earlier this month, the Delhi High Court on Monday allowed the counting of votes in the Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections from November 26, subject to clearance by the Delhi University regarding cleaning and repainting of defaced property. The Bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela noted that the intent of the present proceedings was to ensure the students recognised that the university property belonged to the public at large, and the students were entitled to use the same for a limited period. Sagarites of Sagar Public School Dwarka Dham took the stage with awe-inspiring performances during their annual day celebration, themed 'Nav Bharat Ki Aur.' Sagarites, with an array of captivating acts, celebrated India's transformation journey from 1947 to its vision for 2047. The celebration was a testament to the creativity, talent, and dedication of over 1000 Sagarites, showcasing the school's commitment to nurturing academic and cultural excellence. Prof. Raghunath Sahoo, Department of Physics, IIT Indore, graced the evening as the Chief Guest and was accorded the guard of honour by the school band. The evening commenced with the soulful welcome song Swarangan, performed by the Sagarites, resonating with patriotism and setting the tone for the event. The students beautifully depicted India's journey from independence to its vision for 2047 through different art forms. Unmesh - Ek Aarambh symbolized a new dawn of progress and transformation. In Anant Dharohar, Sagarites paid a heartfelt tribute to freedom fighters and highlighted the nation's achievements through the Green and White revolutions. Sagarites also showcased an engaging English play, The Ghost of Ancient India, which brought ancient India's supernatural prowess to life, captivating the audience. The grand finale, Panchkosh, saw Sagarites exploring the five realms of human development-Annamaya, Pranamaya, Manomaya, Vijnanamaya, and Anandamaya, emphasizing the holistic growth necessary for a developed and empowered India. Principal Aarti Khillan presented the school's annual report, highlighting the school's remarkable achievements in academics, sports, and cultural activities. Three people were killed and scores of others, including around 20 security personnel, were injured as protesters opposing a court-ordered survey of a Mughal-era mosque here clashed with police on Sunday. The protesters torched vehicles and pelted stones at the police, who used tear gas and batons to disperse the mob. "Shots were fired by the miscreants... the PRO of the superintendent of police suffered a gunshot to the leg, the police circle officer was hit by pellets and 15 to 20 security personnel were injured in the violence," Moradabad Divisional Commissioner Aunjaneya Kumar Singh said. He said that a constable also suffered a serious head injury, while the deputy collector fractured his leg. Internet services have been suspended in Sambhal tehsil for 24 hours and the district administration declared a holiday on November 25 for all students up to Class 12. Purported images shared on social media showed protesters pelting stones at cops from atop buildings and in front of the Shahi Jama Masjid. Later, police personnel were purportedly seen cornering and hitting people as they tried to disperse a large crowd in a narrow alleyway. Visuals on social media showed a lane strewn with a large number of slippers, bricks and stones. In another purported clip, some police personnel in riot gear were seen firing gunshots towards a lane while flames leapt and smoke billowed into the air in the background. One purported clip showed Superintendent of Police (SP) Krishan Kumar urging stone-pelters not to indulge in violence. "Do not spoil your future for these politicians," he is heard saying through his megaphone. Tension has been brewing in Sambhal since Tuesday when the Jama Masjid was surveyed on the orders of a local court following a petition that claimed that a Harihar temple stood at the site. "Three people, identified as Naeem, Bilal and Nauman, have been killed," Singh said, adding that preparations were underway for their post-mortem examination. Fifteen people, including two women, have been detained and a probe has been launched, the official said. He added that those accused in the violence would be booked under the stringent National Security Act (NSA). The trouble started on Sunday morning when a large group of people gathered near the Shahi Jama Masjid and started shouting slogans as the survey team began their work. District officials said the survey could not be completed on Tuesday and was planned for Sunday morning to avoid interference with prayers that are usually held in the afternoon. SP Kumar told reporters that there was peace in the area at the moment. "A request has been made to the district magistrate to suspend mobile internet services for 24 hours in Sambhal which has been approved by the government. Internet service will remain closed for one day in Sambhal tehsil," he said. The SP added that an FIR has been registered at the Sambhal police station and the 20-22 policemen, who were injured, are giving their statements. "Their medical examination is also being done and a case will be registered," he said, adding that the constable who suffered an injury to the head has been sent to the Meerut Medical College and his condition is critical. Kumar said the mobile phones of those who have been detained were being checked. Elaborating on the incident, Singh said when the survey was leaving after the survey, some people started pelting stones. "There were groups on three sides. One from the front, one from the right and one from the left. They were continuously pelting stones. Police used force so that the survey team could be taken out and escorted safely. Tear gas shells were also fired. Plastic bullets were used," the divisional commissioner said. "So far, 15 people have been detained... This is definitely an act of provocation in which lives have also been lost," he added. Singh said the survey work was being done under court orders. "It was going on peacefully... Nothing has been done in the survey that may tamper with the structure of the mosque. In fact, in the stone-pelting that happened today, stones were definitely thrown at the mosque," he added. "We are talking to the public representative. So far, the situation is under control, and completely peaceful. Force has been called from outside to keep the situation under control," he said. Singh said that efforts are on to identify the people who had provoked the crowd. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav lashed out at the BJP, saying its government and the administration orchestrated the violence "to divert attention from electoral malpractice". "A survey team was deliberately sent in the morning to disrupt discussions about the election. The intention was to create chaos so that no debate on election issues could happen," he said at a press conference in Lucknow. The BJP hit back, alleging that the INDIA alliance has been trying to create unrest since the Lok Sabha polls, and said that those who do not agree with judicial orders should take legal recourse. "Nobody has any right to break the law. If a court has passed an order, it will be implemented. The judicial process is available for those who want the order amended," party spokesperson Nalin Kohli said. According to the local administration, a second survey by an "Advocate Commissioner" as part of a court-ordered examination into the disputed site started around 7 am and a crowd began gathering there. Director General of Police Prashant Kumar said police and civil administration officials are on the ground and strict action will be taken against the culprits. Additional police units have been deployed near the mosque to ensure law and order and officials are closely monitoring the situation. On Saturday, the Sambhal district administration "bound down" 34 people on a bond of up to Rs 10 lakh on apprehension of a breach of peace. Among them was Mamlukur Rahman Barq, the father of the Samajwadi Party's Sambhal MP Zia ur Rahman Barq, Subdivisional Magistrate Vandana Mishra told PTI. Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain, who is a petitioner in the case, had said the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division) ordered the constitution of an "Advocate Commission" to survey the mosque. The court has said that a report should be filed after conducting a videography and photography survey through the commission, he had said. The Central and Uttar Pradesh governments, the mosque committee and the district magistrate of Sambhal have been made parties in the petition concerning the mosque, Jain said last Tuesday. Vishnu Shankar Jain and his father Hari Shankar Jain have represented the Hindu side in many cases related to places of worship, including the Gyanvapi Mosque-Kashi Vishwanath temple dispute. Gopal Sharma, a local lawyer for the Hindu side, claimed that the temple that once stood at the site was demolished by Mughal Emperor Babur in 1529. MBABANE Businessman Michelo Shakantu alleged that Princess Lungile consented to the sale of the shares that were held by her husband, Victor Gamedze, at Eswatini Mobile. Shakantu said the princess seems to be confused as to the orders she is seeking from the court. This, according to Shakantu, is because on the one hand, the princess states that she consents to the purported and/or speculative sale and transfer of the shares from Cherrybite (Pty) Ltd to Public Service Pensions Fund (PSPF). On the other, in her founding affidavit, she stated that should the sale of shares go ahead as planned, she will suffer irreparable harm. These two concepts, submitted Shakantu, are mutually destructive. Shakantu was responding to the application that was filed by Princess Lungile, who ran to the High Court over the sale and transfer of shares, which were previously held by her husband at Eswatini Mobile. Gamedze died on January 14, 2018. In her papers, the princess alleged that her late husbands shares were transferred to Shakantu, without her knowledge or consent. Princess Lungile approached the court after she learnt that the shares were allegedly being sold by Shakantu to PSPF. Among other business interests, Gamedze held shares at Eswatini Mobile through his company, Stage 1 Connections (Pty) Ltd. Sole shareholder The deceased businessman, according to the court papers filed by Princess Lungile through her Attorney Ben J. Simelane, was a sole shareholder of Stage 1 Connections (Pty) Ltd. Gamedze held 1 000 shares. The shares, according to the applicant, stand at over E20 million, as of June 30, 2024. These shares, according to Princess Lungile, were on May 28, 2019, allegedly transferred by the executor of her husbands estate, Derrick Jele, to Cherrybite (Pty) Ltd, which was allegedly represented by Shakantu. She contended that the shares were disposed of from her husbands estate without her knowledge or consent. Princess Lungile stated that the transfer was reportedly carried out without a purchase price and without obtaining the necessary approvals. Purchase price She argued that the absence of a purchase price in the agreement rendered the purported sale null and void ab initio. Further, she told the court that all indications were that no evaluation of the shares was made prior to their purported disposal or transfer. She said this was consistent with the notion that the shares were literally given away, and I submit that the executor had no right to give the estate assets away as they were supposed to be sold for value. Shakantu said it was regrettable that the court was seized with an application such as Princess Lungiles which lacks the legal requirements for the grant of the orders it seeks. Princess Lungile wants the court to order that the purported sale and transfer of 1 000 shares between the executor in Gamedzes estate Cherrybite, duly represented by Shakantu, be declared to be null and void ab initio. She also seeks an order that the transfer of the said shares by the executor to Cherrybite, dated May 28, 2019, pursuant to the alleged sale, be declared to be null and void ab initio. The princess further prayed that the registrar of companies be directed and authorised to forthwith re-register the 1 000 shares in the name of Gamedzes sate and that Stage 1 Connections (Pty) Ltd reverts to the control of the executor forthwith. All the beneficiaries of Gamedzes estate, according to Shakantu, allegedly consented to the transfer of the shares. He said Princess Lungile also reportedly consented to the shares transfer. Shakantu said in addition to knowledge of the estate debts, the letter written by the executor, Derrick Jele, August 26, 2024, confirmed that, not only was it Princess Lungile, but all the beneficiaries who consented to the transfer of shares.The applicant cannot, on the one hand, deny that the beneficiaries consented to the sale and transfer of shares, and on the other, rely on a letter which expressly states that she (and the other beneficiaries) consented. To make things worse, she does not even attempt to address the express allegation of consent, said Shakantu. Allegations The veracity of these allegations are still to be tested in court. Shakantu, Stage 1 Connections (Pty) Ltd and Cherrybite (Pty) Ltd are represented by Banele Manzini of M.J. Manzini and Associates, who instructed Advocate Thakane Mofokeng. The applicant is represented by Ben Simelane of Ben J. Simelane and Associates. Shakantu pointed out that there is no stipulation in the Administration of Estates Act of 1902 that the executor ought to have consent from the master of the High Court or beneficiaries before disposing of any estate asset. He informed the court that he had been advised that in law, the executor is the person in whom, for administrative purposes, the deceaseds estate vests. The executor, according to Shakantu, does not in law require the consent of the beneficiaries or the Master in disposing of the estate assets. Having said that, I submit that on the applicants own pleadings, there is conclusive evidence that she and the other estate beneficiaries consented to the sale. The executor also alluded to the fact that the transfer of the shares was approved in the Liquidation and Distribution Account. This has not been disputed by the applicant, he alleged. Shakantu said the princess is seeking a single item of substantive relief: That the court should order and direct that in the event that a sale of shares between Stage 1 Connections (Pty) Ltd and the purchaser, PSPF, or any other buyer, the proceeds should be kept in an interest-bearing account.According to the applicant, the order is to be designated by the court for that purpose, pending finalisation of an action to be instituted by the princess at the High Court. Sale of shares occurs He submitted that the very wording of this text clearly reveals that the relief she is seeking is premised on the conception that the order she wants should remain latent, until the sale of shares occurs. Put differently, this honourable court should grant an order that will only become effective once the sale of shares eventuates. I say so because the application takes the form of a preservation order which will only be effective once the proceeds of the sale exist, said Shakantu. He submitted that, to the extent that no payment is received, the order will be of no effect. He argued that the matter cannot, therefore, be urgent, where the relief sought is based on speculative, abstract and hypothetical speculation. As a result, he said the application should be struck from the urgent roll for lack of urgency. Shakantu also stated that the application by the princess is fatally flawed because its premise is that the order will sustain legal life once payment is received by the executor.To this extent, the application is fatally flawed in that it seeks mutually destructive reliefs, he said. Does not oppose On the one hand, it is made patently clear by the applicant that she does not oppose the proposed sale of shares by Cherrybite to the Public Service Pensions Fund. This is positively stated by her in paragraph 48 where she avers that the sale of the shares to sixth respondent (PSPF) will be in the best interest and benefit of the estate of the late Victor Gamedze, said the businessman. In another paragraph, according to Shakantu, the princess stated that the balance of convenience favours that the sale of shares and transfer of shares should go ahead.Read together, said the businessman, these positive averments clearly indicate that the applicant does not oppose the proposed sale by Cherrybite. He said in fact, she allegedly recognises that Cherrybite, as things stand, has legal title to the subject shares and can proceed to dispose them of by way of sale. He told the court that Cherrybite cannot sell what it does not own. In her founding papers, The princess indicated that she intends to institute legal proceedings, whose object is to challenge the legal title of Cherrybite to the subject of shares. Authorised to sell Shakantu said: The very shares which the latter is being authorised to sell. This is a contradiction in terms. The express authorisation to Cherrybite to dispose of the shares will raise, or has raised, an unassailable defence of estoppel. On this basis, the intended action is doomed to fail.Estoppel is a legal doctrine that prevents a person from going back on their word or making assertions that contradict what they have said or done previously. It can be used as a defence or to prevent the re-litigation of issues. Shakantu said the applicants application is misconceived. The matter is pending before Judge Zonke Magagula. Beirut, Nov 24 (UNI) At least 20 people were killed and 66 others injured on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike on a residential building in the Lebanese capital Beirut, Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health reported. The air raid at dawn targeted the eight-story building in the Basta Fawka neighborhood, destroying it and damaging the buildings nearby, the ministry said, noting Civil Defence teams are still working to remove the rubble in search of victims. Israeli media outlets reported that the airstrike was aimed at targeting a prominent Hezbollah official. In a statement, Hezbollah lawmaker Amin Sherri said "there was no party figure, neither military nor civilian, in the targeted building in Beirut." On Saturday night, two paramedics were killed, and four others injured in Israeli airstrikes in the village of Ain Baal in Tyre district, southern Lebanon, according to the Public Health Emergency Operations Center affiliated with the ministry. According to the ministry, an Israeli drone attacked an Islamic Health Authority ambulance en route to Ain Baal for rescue operations. When a second ambulance team arrived to assist, it was also targeted by an Israeli drone, resulting in the death of two paramedics and injuries to four others from both teams. The ministry condemned "this terrible disregard for humanitarian rescue work," reiterating its call for the international community to take a "firm stance" against Israel's "violations of international law." According to a statement issued by the World Health Organization on Friday, at least 226 health workers and patients were killed and 199 others injured in Lebanon between Oct. 7, 2023 and Nov. 18, 2024. Since Sept. 23, the Israeli army has intensified its air attack on Lebanon in an escalation of conflict with Hezbollah. In early October, Israel initiated a ground operation across its northern border into Lebanon. UNI/XINHUA ARN The Louth Urban Food Sanctuary (LUFS), recently held an event in collaboration with Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT) and staff and students from its Culinary School in the Department of Hospitality. Culinary students from DkITs Department of Hospitality provided a selection of delicious tasters from recipes which they have specially developed for LUFS. This live collaboration with LUFS formed part of the Gastronomy module for the second-year students in Culinary Arts, where students focus on the importance of food sustainability and the vital role of artisan food suppliers in menu design. As part of their assessment, the students paired a product from the LUFS with a product from a Louth artisan food supplier to create a unique recipe. These recipes, especially chosen and prepared by DkIT students included, Sri Lankan inspired pork, chocolate and chilli panna cotta and a heritage pea and ham soup. Each recipe celebrated the synergy between produce grown by the LUFS community and local artisan ingredients, offering a taste of how sustainability and flavour can thrive together. The event also brought together local food producers and the growers community to showcase the rich diversity of locally sourced ingredients and sustainable food practices from across Louth. Elizabeth Murray, Lecturer in Hospitality at DkIT said: This collaboration with Louth Urban Food Sanctuary was an ideal way for students to work with local food growers and put their culinary skills to the test. "The opportunity to combine both local ingredients with their own culinary influences was a wonderful chance for students to learn about food sustainability and the importance of working with local food growers in developing innovative recipes. I want to thank Louth County Council, LUFS and Creative Spark for including our students in this wonderful initiative. "It also showcases a dynamic and engaging approach to teaching and learning within the Hospitality Department, incorporating elements of Universal Design (UDL) and embedding the Sustainable Development Goals in a live event. "Hospitality today requires more than knowing the subject matter, it is critical to know how to work with people and learn from them. Bringing industry experience to the classroom not only enhances the student's understanding of theory but offers them the best possible student experience. Learn more about Louth Urban Food Sanctuary here. Find out more about Culinary Arts at DkIT here. The much-anticipated Carlingford Christmas Shopping Day is back on Tuesday 3rd December, promising a day filled with festive cheer, unique shopping experiences, and seasonal delights in the beautiful medieval town of Carlingford. Local bars and restaurants will offer festive menus, making it a perfect day out. Its a day designed to bring the community together and give visitors a truly magical shopping experience. This event is incredibly important for local businesses, offering them a boost during the busy festive season. Every purchase supports family-owned shops, local artisans, and small restaurants. The Garrett Mallon Design House will showcase stunning handmade jewellery and crafts from over 100 Irish makers. Garrett Mallon shared his excitement saying: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome everyone back for the annual Carlingford Christmas Shopping Day. This year, were offering a 10% discount both in-store and online, making it the perfect opportunity to find one-of-a-kind gifts while supporting Irish artisans." Popular bars and restaurants, such as PJ OHares, The Bay Tree, and Kingfisher Bistro, will welcome visitors with delicious food and drinks. For fashion lovers, Memories, Lush, and Azure ladies boutiques will also be welcoming shoppers with their unique collections. The towns medieval streets come alive with twinkling lights and festive decorations, creating a magical winter wonderland. The aroma of mulled wine, Christmas music, and cheerful shopfronts make Carlingford a magical destination. This event is more than a shopping day, its a festive experience filled with community spirit, perfect for families, friends, or solo visitors. Its the perfect opportunity to tick off your Christmas shopping list while soaking up the Christmas magic. Plus, supporting local businesses makes it all the more rewarding! For more information, visit www.carlingford.ie Panto veteran Catherine Mahon Buckley is directing her 30th pantomime at the Everyman Palace Theatre this year. Despite its huge popularity and success over the years, when the Cork woman looks back to that very first panto, she remembers being genuinely concerned they may not break even. I remember New Years Eve that year thinking, oh my god, I cant even afford to buy tights, she says. Not long before that, Catherine had set up her own drama school, CADA. While the Everyman had hosted pantos for some time, financial constraints meant they couldnt host one that year. Ted [Catherines husband who was on the board of the Everyman Theatre] came home to me and said would you take it on? And I remember looking at him, because we had about 200 in our bank account... and I joined... because... I am not sure if you would describe it as adventurous or stupid, she says. While it would be Catherines first year in the directors chair, the stage was certainly not new to the Cork woman. With both her parents involved in the performing arts, perhaps unsurprisingly Catherine started attending pantos at a young age. I had gone with the preconception of what the fairy godmother should look like, she said, admitting that from that day to this if they dont match, she would be very disappointed. What should the fairy godmother look like? So she had to be beautiful, you know, very feminine. A dress with pinks and white and blonde hair, because I had blonde hair, so that would have been very much important. Her speaking voice would have been something that I would have gravitated to as well, she adds. Early introduction to the arts Catherine became involved in the arts at an early age and while it would be easy to imagine shed always pictured a career in that sphere given her parents background, this wasnt necessarily the case. I loved the arts and I was good at it, Catherine says, adding this was of course one factor in her pursuit of a career in the sector, but she did consider other options. I was very interested in medicine and law, she explains. It was watching other people though, like Eileen Nolan, Michael McCarthy and John OShea, and how they shared their love of what they did, that steered Catherine towards the theatre. They share their love of what they have. And it brings out the love that you have, she says. Catherines first real experience of pantos from the other side of the stage came when she played the evil stepmother in Cork Opera Houses Back to the Future. I loved playing that yeah, she recalls, Frank Mackey was the Prince at the time and, and we, we just had a great time. Gerry Barnes was in charge there. And Gerry was a fantastic mentor to me as well and really looked out for me and, you know, gave me professional work when he was able to, she says. When it came to directing her first panto, Catherine called on her friends and colleagues and anyone who could help to get it across the line. I got a team together. I remember it was 24 in the chorus, Catherine says. Catherine Mahon-Buckley, (left) producer & director of the Everyman & CADA pictured in 2023 ahead of the presentation of the Christmas Panto, Beauty and the Beast, in Cork, with Fionula Linehan who played the first ever female dame in the panto. Picture Denis Minihane.. Among the first to be recruited was her mother, who was a dress designer, and her close friend Ann Burton, who passed away earlier this year, and had been a seamstress with the Everyman for many years. Ann was a great friend, Catherine says. The Cork woman drafted in her father for the programmes. Even her husbands band had a role. Ted used to play in a band at the time as well as kind of a commercial band, you know, where they did weddings, she recalls. Catherine put everything into that panto, and more. And it paid off. The budget came in. OK, there was nothing left, but we could pay people. And so the story began, she says. Changes through the years Those early pantos were something of a different beast to the modern-day show. Audience participation was a much bigger part then, Catherine says. She recalls one performance where the ugly sisters were fighting and when one ran through the audience, a seven-year-old put his leg out to trip him up, telling him it served him right. Clodagh Downey as Aoife, Michael Sands as Flash Harry, Dame Jim Mulcahy as Granny Mona Tanotti, Faye Philpott as Red Riding Hood and Marcus Bale as Wolfie at the launch of the Everyman Theatres Christmas panto Red Riding Hood in 2012. Picture: Darragh Kane The cast is much smaller now than previously, live animals have been replaced with actors dressed as animals, and health and safety is certainly a bigger consideration than it was when Catherine directed her first pantomime. Jokes that you could do, say 10 years ago, you couldnt do them now, she adds, cautioning however that people shouldnt take pantos too seriously. The premise has, however, remained the same. You have the title, be it Red Riding Hood, be it Cinderella, be it Jack and the Beanstalk. You have the storyline..Its like a tree. You have branches that go off and youd have what I call the what if. But always make sure you touch base with the tree trunk and go back off again, Catherine explains. These branches can change with each generation. For the children, more often than not, their parents have read that story [to them] and so therefore, theyre coming with that preconception like what goes back to me, to my own childhood. That preconceived notion. And you dont want to shatter that. I think that would be very wrong, Catherine says. Theres branches and like every five years, remember, you have a different generation, and you will have new people. Youll also have different things will change, she adds. Kieran McCarthy as Marcus Bale in a scene from Beauty and the Beast at the Everyman Palace Theatre in 2011. Picture: Dan Linehan Some of these changes are more unexpected than others. I remember when we came back [the first panto after the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic]. That first year, people were afraid to shout out...but were coming around. There have been some innovations of late too, and Catherine singles out the advent of the relaxed, ISL-interpreted, and audio-described performances. When we do sit around the table to sort the practical aspects, the feel good factor around the table is phenomenal from the actors to the technical people, front of house, you know, it brings out the best of them. 'Sunshine all the way' Last year, the Everyman panto had its first female dame a role performed by Fionula Linehan. She went down a bomb last year and shes playing granny this year, Catherine adds. Rehearsals for the panto get underway in early January but, given it takes a year to get a panto together, consideration is already being given to the 2025 shows. Catherine Mahon Buckley, Cada Performing Arts and Ted Mahon Buckley pictured at The Lord Mayor's Community and Heritage Concert 2024 which took place at Cork City Concert Hall presented by Cork City Council and Cork Lions Club. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO As Catherine looks ahead to this years performances, she says there are some key elements that every panto must include. The storyline, the audience participation... and slapstick Its about laughter, fun and colour, costumes, sets. Its all about everything that sparkles and that we want in our lives... You know yourself when you wake up and if its gloomy you kind of feel you have to really push ahead. If the sun is shining, youre shining. So panto...its sunshine all the way. This article appears in this year's Holly Bough. The 2024 Holly Bough is now on sale and can be purchased here. There are roughly five times as many beds in privately-owned purpose-built student accommodation in Cork than there are beds in university accommodation. University College Cork Students Union president Katie Haplin Hill told The Echo: Student accommodation prices are soaring out of control, with investors making huge profits on students desperate to secure a place to live for the academic term. This approach of relying on private providers to plug demand is unsustainable, incentivising premium builds that are out of reach for the majority of students. Significant investment into publicly-owned and affordable purpose-built student accommodation is needed from the next Government. UCCs campus accommodation has approximately 1,530 beds, with Victoria Mills having 418 beds, Victoria Lodge 335, Castlewhite 298, Mardyke Hall 42, University Hall 180, and the Crows Nest 255. However, there are close to 7,500 beds in private-owned accommodation built specifically for students, with a UCC document advising students in 2023 that there were 6,000 private beds available at the time and nearly 900 more in the process. There have been nearly 1,500 built since 832 from Broga House and Ashlin House in 2023 and 623 new beds from Bottleworks in 2024. Advice The UCC document advises: In Cork there are many more rooms available through privately-run student apartment complexes than campus accommodation. When looking for accommodation it is important to keep these buildings in mind from the very beginning even if campus accommodation is your preference. Though the cheapest accommodation is 4,154 for the college year, most is considerably higher, with the newest development, Bottle Works, charging to 450 per week for a 39-week period, a total of 17,550. Private student complexes, that serve both UCC and MTU, which has no campus accommodation, include Abbey Wharf, North Abbey Street Apartments, Abbeyville, Brookfield, Deans Hall, Eden Hall, Seven North Mall, Sheraton Lodge, South Mall Court, The Spires, Farranlea Hall, Sheares Gate, Davcon Court, Parchment Square, Coleman Court, Hatch, and Bottle Works. Several are operated by companies which own multiple complexes, such as Scholarlee who own Mardyke, Magazine Rd, Bishop St and Washington St complexes, Yugo which owns Melbourne Point, Lee Point, Amnis House, and Nido which owns Ashlin House, Broga House, and Curraheen Point. More than 5,300 children in 100 early years and school-age care settings across Cork celebrated this years National Pyjama Day on Friday. This is the 21st Annual Pyjama Day, which sees children dress in pyjamas, dressing gowns, and slippers to their settings which hold activities such as teddy bear picnics and movie screenings. Lee Herlihy with Mai Long having fun at Horizons Montessori during their 21st Annual Pyjama Day for charity. Funds raised on National Pyjama Day 2024 will go towards supporting Sensational Kids an award-winning social enterprise that works with children who have sensory processing challenges and Early Childhood Irelands Eco-Emotions project, which empowers educators and parents with the tools they need to support children in caring for themselves, their communities, and the planet. Twins Emma and Mai Long with Sophie Newton were in great company during the annual pyjama day. Since the inaugural National Pyjama Day in 2003, over 4.3m has been raised for a host of charitable causes that support babies and children all over Ireland. Bringing communities together Early Childhood Ireland CEO Teresa Heeney said: National Pyjama Day 2024 brings communities across Ireland together for a great cause for the 21st year in a row, and we are so very grateful to all of our dedicated members in Cork for making it possible. Sophie Newton and Hailey Cambridge brought their cuddly friends to montessori. Picture Chani Anderson Of course, the day itself is all about children helping children. Were delighted to see so many of them celebrate and raise vital funds for two amazing projects. Our Eco-Emotions project and Sensational Kids mission will make a real difference in the lives of children, and its all down to the funds raised by children in their PJs. Ide Ui Riain and Arya Cummins chilling out in their pyjamas. Every year, were blown away by the support of family and friends who donate to this fantastic cause, she added. The chief executive of partner organisation Community Foundation Ireland, Denise Charlton, said: Exciting, passionate, and energetic, Sensational Kids creates lasting memories for children, parents, and early-years professionals. Dion Alibeaj and Ryan OCallaghan enjoying Pyjama Day. We celebrate the long-standing partnership between Early Childhood Ireland and the Community Foundation through National Pyjama Day. We are thrilled to support Sensational Kids project to better assist neurodiverse children and those with sensory processing differences, and we wish them every success in their important work ahead. Adam Nikhil, Robyn OCallaghan, and Ryan OCallaghan get under the covers while raising money for charity. To donate visit https://www.earlychildhoodireland.ie/pyjama-day. Three memories would live on long after most of the other details of the first general election of 1982 were forgotten. The first would be, obviously, that the election of Thursday, February 18, was only the first general election of 1982. The second would be the reason that the minority Fine Gael and Labour government collapsed suddenly the budget decision to put Vat on childrens shoes, a proposal that would haunt the then finance minister John Bruton for the rest of his career. Fine Gael finance minister John Bruton on the Dail plinth before going into the House to announce the imposition of Vat on childrens shoes as part of the budget. File picture: Eamonn farrell/RollingNews.ie The 17th government, in place only seven months, was dealing with an economy in rag order. The only certainty today as Minister for Finance Mr John Bruton, began to unfold the awful secrets of the budget, we reported on our front page that day, was that it would fulfil its promise of being the harshest in twenty years. Two left-wing TDs, Independent Jim Kemmy, from Limerick, and Sinn Fein The Workers Partys Joe Sherlock, from Mallow, withdrew their support and the minority government collapsed. Influence The third reason the first 1982 election would be remembered was a series of attempts by Fianna Fail and Independent TDs to contact president Patrick Hillery to influence him in the execution of his duties. These occurred against a backdrop of serious upheaval in the opposition (our top story a week earlier, Rebel Cork real test for Haughey, had begun: Fianna Fail leader Charles Haughey is facing a revolt of a sizeable group of his party membership in County Cork). On the evening of Wednesday, January 27, 1982, taoiseach Garret FitzGerald headed to Aras an Uachtarain to seek from president Hillery an immediate dissolution of the Dail. Almost simultaneously, the Fianna Fail front bench issued a statement encouraging the president, a former Fianna Fail minister and European commissioner, not to grant the dissolution and instead to allow Fianna Fail to form a government. Fine Gaels Garret Fitzgerald in Cork in November 1982 during the second general election campaign of the year. This would have saved the party the bother of an election, and it would have shored up Haugheys leadership. Powers It is often forgotten that Irish presidents have few real powers, but they do have the power to refer bills to the Supreme Court to test their constitutionality, and they also have the power in his absolute discretion or as a chomhairle fein to refuse a dissolution of the Dail if a taoiseach has ceased to retain the support of a majority in Dail Eireann. When FitzGerald arrived at the Aras, he learned that a number of opposition TDs had attempted to contact the president, among them former foreign minister Brian Lenihan and former taoiseach Haughey, who was alleged to have threatened Hillerys aide-de-camp, captain Anthony Barber, when he refused to put him through. Hillery was outraged by the behaviour of his former party colleagues, and it has been posited that he was also influenced by a conflict between in his absolute discretion and as a chomhairle fein, which is usually translated as under his own counsel. Where there is a conflict between the Irish and English versions of the Constitution, the Irish version takes precedence, and under his own counsel has been interpreted as meaning that the president cannot be influenced by others in the execution of this particular duty. Dissolution Hillery granted FitzGerald the dissolution of the Dail. The next day, as commander-in-chief of the Irish army, the president ordered the armys chief of staff to put a note on captain Barbers service record, in an effort to protect the young soldier from any future retribution from the Haughey camp. Ironically, the matter would resurface during the 1990 presidential election, effectively scuppering Lenihans own bid at the Aras. The campaign was fought on the economy, with all parties playing down the need for budget cuts. FFs family budget was our headline on Friday, February 12, with the subheading Families would have more money. The next day, we led with FF budget proposals myopic Garret. The day after the election, our headline was Trend to FF, but FG fight back. In the end, with 84 seats needed for a majority, Fianna Fail emerged with the largest number of seats, 81, and a deal was done with Socialist TD Tony Gregory to support Haughey in his bid to be taoiseach. Independent Fianna Fail TD Neil Blaney joined in that support, as did Sherlock and the other two Sinn Fein The Workers Party TDs. An expected, a Fianna Fail leadership challenge by Des OMalley vanished like snow in a quick thaw, we reported on February 25. On Tuesday, March 9, our headline was It has to be Haughey. It did, but eight months later, the 18th government would collapse on a motion of no confidence. Two 22-year-olds from Cork are preparing to cast their first-ever vote in a general election and will get to cast their vote for themselves. Zoe Laplaud is running with People Before Profit-Solidarity in Cork South West. Speaking at a press conference for the party last week, she said: There is an increasing trend of young people not voting the way their parents voted. As a young person myself, we are encouraging people to vote left and transfer left if they are not happy with the establishment. I know that we can make a change if youre able to build a movement and get people out on the streets, get them interested, then change can be won. West Cork is my home, Im proud to be from the area and I know that people are ready for change. Good feedback From her campaigning so far, she said: Young people have been dealing with the consequences of issues like the housing crisis, but the support Ive been getting isnt limited to young people. A lot of people I talk to on the doors tell me about their son or daughters living conditions they care about their kids and future generations. Ms Laplaud added that she has been getting really good feedback a lot of people saying its good to have a young face and a young voice running. Rachel Hurley Roche works alongside Workers Party councillor Ted Tynan but will be appearing on the general election ballot as an Independent. Rachel Hurley Roche, also 22, is affiliated with the Workers Party, but will be on the ballot as an Independent in Cork North Central. She decided to run to offer real political solutions to the issues people are facing, and to popularise the idea that there is an alternative. She told The Echo: Ive been asked am I even old enough to vote on the doors, but its usually in a way of genuine interest. There are definitely a lot of people who, even if their parents are well off and vote for establishment parties, will vote differently if theyre still stuck living with them because they cant get rented housing. Its difficult to make a life that way, it can put relationships under pressure. Pushing for change But, she added: I dont think splitting people up in a generational way is always helpful, there have always been more progressive parts of society pushing for change, an alternative, regardless of age. I know a lot of students who are going to go home to vote, but a lot just cannot afford it; they cant afford to get the train because they are living on the absolute breadline, and those are the people who would be a lot more wary of the promises being thrown around this election. Our postal voting system is so unfair, especially for students in really low-paid, demanding work who cant get the time off. Both candidates agreed that a better postal voting system that allowed young people who are living away from their registered address to vote would make a difference to election results. Ms Laplaud said: Its difficult to re-register if youre in student accommodation for just a year, so it would really be a massive benefit if we could have postal votes. The easier you make it, the more people will vote. Sinn Fein have outlined the partys plan to deliver 52 weeks of leave for parents, which would allow them more time to spend with their children and alleviate pressure on the childcare sector. The partys candidate for Cork South-Central, Michelle Cowhey Shahid, said: A Sinn Fein-led government will deliver a better, fairer Ireland for you to build a future and raise your family. We have this week outlined our plan to extend parental leave to cover 52 weeks. This will mean that for parents who choose to take this option, their child can be with a parent for the first full year of their life. Currently She explained that currently Maternity Benefit is available for just 26 weeks and Paternity Leave is available for only two weeks. Many parents feel forced to return to work or are left scrambling to try to find a childcare place for their young infant, Ms Cowhey Shahid said. Under Sinn Feins plan, both lone parents and two-parent families will have access to the necessary number of weeks of benefits for the first 52 weeks of the childs life to be covered by a parent. Sinn Feins plan will make a massive difference for families and will also alleviate pressure on the childcare sector. Under Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, there is a severe shortage of places. Many families are desperately struggling to find a place but simply cannot get a creche or childminder to take their young child. Our plan will ensure there is less pressure on this already oversubscribed system. Sinn Feins plan is detailed, its costed and its ready to be delivered in government. At this election, voters face a clear choice. Its a choice between more of the same from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael who have failed families and delivered a chaotic and expensive childcare system. Or a vote for change by voting for Sinn Fein. Projects and organisations tackling discrimination and inequality in education and employment across Cork have been invited to apply to a new 1.37 million fund. The Breaking Barriers Fund, launched by Rethink Ireland, in partnership with State Street and the Department of Rural and Community Development, is a three-year fund that will support diverse workplace initiatives and sustainable employment and education programmes. Education and employment are vital pathways to building an equal Ireland, but discrimination continues to block these paths for too many people, CEO of Rethink Ireland, Deirdre Mortell said. Our industry research shows us that diverse workplaces are more innovative and build stronger communities. However, talented people from minority backgrounds continue to face significant barriers to entry and advancement in the workplace. Through the Breaking Barriers Fund, were backing organisations actively challenging discrimination and creating real opportunities for minority communities across the country. Not-for-profit organisations that provide greater access and opportunity to education and employability for people of different ethnic backgrounds, migrants, refugees, and the Traveller community can apply for this new fund. Awardees will receive support in the form of a cash grant and a place on Rethink Irelands Accelerator Programme. Shared aim Through the Breaking Barriers Fund, our shared aim is to further enable those who champion and empower all communities in such an impactful way, CEO and country head at State Street Ireland, Terri Dempsey, said. Nelia Rareza, co-founder and board chairperson of The Great Care Co-op, which is a previous awardee on Rethink Irelands Equality Fund, said: As migrant women working in home care, we witnessed firsthand the dual impact of discrimination: poor working conditions for carers and compromised care quality for clients. With Rethink Irelands support, weve grown to operate three care hubs, created 25 sustainable care jobs with improved pay and pensions, and delivered over 10,000 hours of home support. This has improved outcomes for 31 clients and their families, while increasing care consistency and reliability. With a January 10 closing date, eligible organisations are encouraged to apply to the Breaking Barriers Fund at https://rethinkireland.ie. Tomas Doherty Dublin Fingal East is one of the new constituencies in this election, making the outcome more uncertain. Here is everything you need to know about the area before heading to the polls on November 29th. The constituency Dublin Fingal East is a new constituency in one of Irelands youngest and fastest growing regions. It was created after the Electoral Commissions boundary review recommended splitting Dublin Fingal, which had the biggest population growth in the country since 2016. The constituency covers Swords, Malahide, Portmarnock and Donabate. The population is 92,366. The issues The areas fast-growing population means demands for housing, transport and public services are high. The construction of the Metrolink is a big issue for Swords residents, who are still without a direct rail link to Dublin and have to depend on bus services. The reliability of rail services in Malahide and Portmarnock is also likely to be an election concern after controversial changes earlier this year led to delays, packed platforms and congested trains. Seats There are three seats in this new constituency. The candidates Three of the outgoing TDs from the old Dublin Fingal constituency are based here and will stand again. There is a good chance that all three will retain their seats, though Sinn Fein will make an attempt to gain a seat here. Outgoing TDs Darragh O'Brien Fianna Fail Alan Farrell Fine Gael Duncan Smith Labour Sunday, November 24, 2024 Commentary by crisis management expert Edward Segal, author of Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back from Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies. Paying close attention to the allegations, charges, and criticisms that customers make on social media about your company or organization can be an important way to help head off a potential crisis and prevent a bad situation from becoming worse. It's not often, however, that a company can pivot quickly and turn an unhappy customer into favorable publicity and a national sales promotion. But that's what the California Pizza Kitchen restaurant chain did. A Delivery Order Mistake A TikTok user named Riley posted a video last July to complain that the company made a mistake when it fulfilled a delivery order she placed for macaroni and cheese, according to the Today Show. "I'm having the worst week of my life," Riley said in her video, because "my boyfriend and I broke up, so I ordered mac and cheese from California Pizza Kitchen, and they just sent me cheese. Just cheese, no mac." The customer flagged the mistake to the restaurant, but to no avail. "Riley says she called the restaurant, and two separate people told her she ordered incorrectly she can see on her receipt that she did order a side of "Mac N Cheese," the Today Show noted. Riley's video was seen more than 3.4 million times and generated thousands of comments, according to PR News. Admitting They Were Wrong In response to her complaint, the restaurant chain posted a video on TikTok admitting that it got her order wrong and announced a national promotion to encourage people to order its mac and cheese. That video was seen by more than 10 million people, according to Media Post. "Hello everyone, Chef Paul here," Paul Pszybylski, CPK's vice president of culinary innovation, said in the video, according to KTLA-TV. "I heard there's been a little bit of confusion on how to properly make our mac and cheese, so I thought I'd send this video out nationwide to make sure everybody knew the proper steps." That's when the company turned its mistake into a national headline-making sales promotion. "Since, recently, we gave one of our guests only half a mac and cheese, we're gonna give?all?of our guests half off mac and cheese starting today through the rest of the month," he said. Making Things Right The company sent Riley a second delivery: a basket with a note, a certificate granting the customer free mac and cheese for a year, another certificate for free pizza for a year that was hidden in a pizza boxand a bunch of uncooked pasta, USA Today reported. Why did the company go to such lengths? California Pizza Kitchen wanted to "make things right with her and then use it as an opportunity to remind everyone what matters to us" Dawn Keller, chief marketing officer told USA Today . Surprised By Reactions "Honestly, we had no idea [that its video] would go viralwe've been blown[away] by the response," Keller commented. "We appreciated that (she) had a sense of humor about it all, so we responded with something light-hearted that would make her day and maybe bring a bit of joy to all our fans as well," the newspaper reported. The Benefits of Social Listening All organizations could benefit from social listening the same way that the national restaurant chain did. "Social listening is the process of tracking mentions of a brand, product or competitor online. That can mean tracking direct mentions of a brand or product for the purpose of measuring customer feedback or it can be watching the conversation for discussion around a topic," according to Social Intelligence Lab. As California Pizza Kitchen demonstrated so well, monitoring what customers and are saying about your company on social mediaand reacting quickly to what you hear or seecan be an effective way to help head prevent a bad situation from turning worseor into a full-blown crisis situation. ##### by Mike Bendzela I lie on a futon in a little room tucked in a turret of an old funeral home-turned-apartment building in Binghamton, New York, listening to election returns coming in over my clock radio. It is a Tuesday night in 1984, the year of Orwells never-ending fever dream. Madonna and Prince and Michael and Bruce play incessantly on the radio between election reports. The unfolding AIDS epidemic is a thing no one wants to talk about: A friend, a PhD candidate in poetry, is sick in faraway Florida, but none of us in the department even knows about it yet. He will be dead in six months. I am a year into my stint in graduate school. (Two years will be more than enough for me.) The path to my masters degree in English has been a circuitous one, even tortuous: As an undergraduate, I started out in geology with a little climatology, detoured into art and design for two years, then ended up studying American literature. But I have never lost my love of the Earth sciences. Ronald Reagan, at 73, is the oldest candidate ever to run for election or, in this case, re-election as President of the United States, against . . . Whats his name again? This election marks (I firmly believe) our last chance as a civilization to change course and sail towards a Green Future, an inkling of which we saw with President Jimmy Carter. I do not know if Whats-his-name is the answer, but we all know Reagan aint. One term could be a fluke. A second, collective suicide. Several months hence, the great science communicator, Carl Sagan, will say to the United States Senate, If you dont worry about it now, it will be too late later on.* His talk is a plea to those in power to start controlling carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels. The concentration of atmospheric CO2 in 1984 is 344 parts per million and the global temperature anomaly a barely noticeable +0.40 Celsius.* Carbon dioxide concentration MUST be kept below 350 ppm, or the planet will heat up, creating havoc. And there are other pollutants to worry about. And also oil depletion, deforestation, ocean acidification, wildlife habitat loss, over-population. A collapsing civilization does not seem far-fetched. False alarm! It is Morning in America.* During Reagans first term, when reporters shouted him questions about what he was going to do about AIDS, about the poor, about global warming, about environmental degradation, the President cupped his hand to his ear and tilted his head, as if to say, Damned hearing aids! He is an adorable old man who looks super on TV, and he is very upbeat and very, very popular. At last, the final numbers are announced . . . 525 electoral votes for Reagan, and 13 for I lean over and slap the OFF button of my clock radio. November 6, 1984 is the exact day my faith in politics evaporates. There is no reason to pay attention to these fools anymore, now that theyve committed us to a path of ecological catastrophe. I will still vote, and I will give scraps of attention to the perpetual smog masquerading as news, but I do not have a television and never will, and I count myself lucky to live as I wish, away from the cacophony, among my plants, my animals, and my sturdy husband. Its easy to let go of those immense global issues that are so beyond an individuals control. Its a simple matter of remaining vigilant in tuning out the noise. Every election since that time has seemed empty, the candidates shallow and unserious, the issues meagre or beside the point (because they have nothing to do with preserving the planet), and the voters terribly misled. Reagans coiffured TV-talking-head of distraction has found its apotheosis in Trump, whose trick for monopolizing the vacuous gaze of the media is no secret: Plant your big, yammering face squarely in front of their faces, by any means necessary, leaving no room for the media to cover the global crisis. But we have not escaped Sagans admonition. During the recent campaign, who bothered to bring up the 422 parts per million of atmospheric CO2 this year, a 23% increase since 1984, meaning the safe limit of 350 was breached long ago? Who pointed out that a critical threshold has just been passed, a +1.5 C (2.7 F) global yearly average temperature anomaly, for the first time in hundreds of thousands of years?* Which candidate addressed extreme North Atlantic sea temperatures, deranged jetstreams and consequent deluges, record low annual sea ice extents, escalating wildfires, and spiking methane emissions this year, forty years after Sagans warning? Neither one. The campaign was all trash talk interspersed with happy talk. If Sagan was right, these elections are all for nought. Too late means just that: Theres not a damned thing we can do about it. When facing a bad timeand right now things arent looking so goodwe may at least find a smidgen of consolation in recognizing that this is yet small beer compared to whats to come. _________________ Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. Thieves have stolen more than 100,000 worth of agricultural machinery and equipment from a farm in North Yorkshire. Police have appealed to the public for more information following the incident, which took place on a farm in Selby earlier this week. At around 6.40pm on Sunday 17 November, two tractors entered Hagg Bush Farm before taking a red, Grimme Irrigation Pump and red Kvernland Cambridge Rollers. Early the next morning, on Monday 18 November, at around 5.35am, a single tractor went back to the farm and left with a red, Grimme Potato Ridges and a John Deere weight block. North Yorkshire Police have called for anyone with CCTV which may show the tractors with the farming equipment, in the Hambleton area, around the time of the offence to get in touch. "Anyone with any information which may help the investigation has been urged to email john.morris@northyorkshire.police.uk," the force said. "People can also call North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2 and ask for PC John Morris, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their website and quote reference NYP 12240210755 when passing on information." Rural crime cost the UK nearly 53 million last year as thieves continued to raid farms for expensive items such as tractor GPS units. NFU Mutuals report reveals that on-farm crimes rose by over 2 million in 2023 compared to the previous year. In a sign of the increasing organisation among criminals, GPS units were targeted by gangs, causing the value of claims to the insurer to rocket by 137% to 4.2m. Quad bikes and ATVs were also top targets for rural thieves, with thefts up 9% to an estimated 3.2m in claim costs reported last year. Kristin Chenoweth has agreed with Ariana Grande's assessment that 'Wicked's Glinda "might be a little in the closet". Kristin Chenoweth agrees with Ariana Grande The 56-year-old actress - who originated the role when it first opened on New York's Broadway in 2003 - admitted she had also felt her alter ego had feelings stronger than friendship for fellow witch Elphaba. Commenting on E! News' Instagram post about Ariana's comments, Kristin wrote: "I thought so too way back when." The 'Thank U, Next' hitmaker had made her comments as she and co-star Cynthia Erivo - who plays Elphaba in the new big screen blockbuster - had reflected on the "unbreakable bond" and why some fans have pushed for them to be seen as a romantic pairing because they recognise the "true love" between them. Speaking to Gay Times, Cynthia, 37, said: "I think Elphie, she goes wherever the wind blows. "I think she loves Glinda. I think she loves love. And I don't think there's anything wrong with celebrating the deep connection that both of them have. "They do have a real relationship. It is true love, which is probably why people are shipping it, you know? Because what they build with each other is an unbreakable bond and love." Ariana added: "And trust and truth. Just such a safe space for one another, which is what all relationships should be, whether it's romantic or platonic... Glinda might be a little in the closet. You never know! Give it a little more time." But the 31-year-old star believes the relationship between the witches "transcends sexuality". She added: "I mean, it is just a true love, and I think that transcends sexuality. "It's just kind of a deep safety within each other. And that's why [fans] probably why they ship it." Ariana previously declared the land of Oz, as featured in 'Wicked' and the original 'Wizard of Oz' story, to be a "very queer place" and insisted it had "always" been that way. She told GLAAD: "Oz is a very queer place and has always been, even from the L. Frank Baum books. It's always been queer." By enhancing its transport links with neighbouring countries and embracing its vision of enhancing multimodal transport development, Cambodia can play an important role in promoting regional trade and connectivity, says a new World Bank report. The report, Cambodias Regional Connectivity: Unlocking the Full Potential of Transport Corridors, identifies critical challenges in Cambodias transport sector and proposes targeted investments and policy measures to improve regional connectivity. A World Bank report highlights Cambodia's potential to boost regional trade through improved transport links and a multimodal transport approach. It complements Cambodia's 2023-2033 CITLS Master Plan by proposing investments and policies to enhance road, rail, and inland waterways. A climate-resilient, coordinated transport strategy can improve competitiveness, efficiency, and connectivity. The Cambodian government developed the Comprehensive Intermodal Transport and Logistics System (CITLS) Master Plan for 20232033 to improve the performance and efficiency of the transport sector and support the achievement of the national development objectives defined in its Pentagonal Strategy Phase 1. In this context, the World Bank report provides complementary recommendations that focus on immediate investments and policy actions to unlock opportunities along key existing transport corridors in Cambodia. A comprehensive approach to transport network development will help improve Cambodias competitiveness, unlock its export potential and promote trade in the region, said Tania Meyer, World Bank Country Manager for Cambodia. Cambodias export-driven growth has resulted in increased demand to move ever-larger volumes of goods and cargo more efficiently along its transport network and across its borders. The report proposes priority investments and policy actions to improve the performance of the existing road, rail and inland waterway transport. A comprehensive and coordinated approach to transport network development with a focus on climate resilience will help improve competitiveness, increase economic efficiency, and promote trade in the region, according to the report. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RKS) The camera and the Kapoors share a karmic conspiracy. You cant keep a Kapoor away from razzmatazz. That explains why Rishi and Neetu Kapoors gorgeous daughter, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, at 44, agreed to feature in Karan Johars glamour-driven reality show Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives. The show is a fun face-off between the original queens of MumbaiMaheep Kapoor, Neelam Kothari Soni, Seema Sajdeh, and Bhavana Pandeyand Delhi divas/entrepreneurs Shalini Passi, Kalyani Saha Chawla and Riddhima adding the tadka and TRPs. Glamour may be Riddhimas heirloom but so is her sense of rootedness. If her style score is stunning, so is her emotional gravitas, which helps her sieve the significant from the shallow. A devoted daughter, wife and mother Shes the satellite around her family. Thats why she regrets missing the last call her father, made to her. Thats why she believes that love has to be expressed today and not deferred to tomorrow. That beneath the varnish lies vulnerability. And life is all about recognising and respecting it Your taking to the camera in Fabulous Lives Vs Bollywood Wives comes as a surprise! We were attending a common friends wedding overseas where Karan (Johar) mentioned he had something exciting in mind for me. Back in Mumbai, he called to inform me that the third season of Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives was being planned and he wanted to bring it to Delhi. Karan believed the show would be incomplete without me. I was shell-shocked. I called up my mum, who found the idea exciting. So I thought, let me give it a shot. Coming from a family of actors, did you ever wish to be one? (Smiles) I was a keetabi keeda (bookworm). There were no film aspirations as such. I went to London to study fashion marketing for four years. Then I launched my own fashion and jewellery brand. People have the wrong impression that my dad wouldnt have allowed me to act. In fact, when I was abroad, I was told that there were a couple of film offers for me. On my return, I got married to Bharat (Sahni) in 2006. Then I had my daughter, Samara. I was constantly hovering over her. Today shes a teenager, but a child always needs a mother. I juggle between Mumbai and Delhi. Being a first-timer, were you intimidated by the camera? No. The challenge here was that you had to think and talk as its an unscripted show. That was hard but fun. Ive known Neelam, Maheep, Seema and Bhavna for a long time. They even attended my wedding. Maheep and Sanjay (Kapoor) were my Chachas (Rajiv Kapoor) friends. They often visited RK Cottage in Chembur. So, it was a comfortable atmosphere. Whats the difference between the social scene in Delhi and Mumbaisomething the show dwells upon? I lived for 26 years in Mumbai. After marriage, I moved to Delhi. Its been 18 years since then. But Im more of a Mumbaikar. In Delhi, things are larger than life. They like celebrating with opulence. The parties are big, the weddings huge. Dilli hai dilwalon ki they do everything dil se. Mumbai is cool. Theyre comfortable with everything. Delhi believes in showmanship. How would you describe your sense of style since the show is glam-centric? (Smiles) I like to dress up but never over the top. In the show, you may find me a lil more dramatic. We had to show the difference between the scene in Mumbai and Delhi. I remember, soon after my marriage, I was to visit the GK market in Delhi. My mother-in-law sweetly suggested I dress up and go. I realised in Delhi youve got to dress to the nines even if you go shopping. Personally, Im chilled out and casual in my choices. Im largely a jeans and t-shirt person. I like to wear whats comfortable and suits my body type and not dress to show off. You cant fake your personality. In fact, I was never fond of jewellery. My mother insisted I wear some heavy stuff at least on my wedding day. Later, mum and I endorsed a jewellery brand. Seeing the beautiful pieces, my interest in it developed. Thats how I launched my brand. What was the acting tip given by your mother? Ive lived in London for seven years. Thoda sa accent toh aa hi jaata hai even though Im desi and rooted. Mum asked me to keep the twang out. So I was conscious about that. How did your cousins, Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, react to you doing the show? Theyre so happy. Kareena posted on social media that she cannot wait to watch it. My cousins have always been supportive. Kareena and I were born a week apart from each other. Im seven days older than her. Mum was leaving the hospital when her mother (Babita Kapoor) came in. My brother Ranbir (Kapoor) and Alia (Bhatt) are curious about the show. Theyre waiting for it with bated breath. How much is it a privilege to have star parents? The privilege comes in but once. After that, you have to take it forward. Privilege is one thing, sustaining it another. Star kids tend to be compared to their parents. They have to prove themselves. Achieving stardom is all about hard work, hard work and more hard work. What lies beneath the advantaged lifestyle you lead? I dont wake up and say, Well, I woke up like this. Lifes not a bed of roses. Every day is not a good day. Shit happens everywhere. Just to assume that so and so is enjoying a perfect life is not right. Who lives a perfect life? Its unfair to judge anyone superficially. On social media, everything looks perfect and pretty. Reality is not so. Everyone has their fair share of insecurities, their challenges. Just because they dont speak about it doesnt mean theyre not going through it. What would be one of the challenges you face? Currently, it would be tackling my teenage daughter. Samaras at a vulnerable age. Shes just 13. She gets overwhelmed by social media and the world around. To sit her down is a task. At times, Samara doesnt listen to me. So, Bharat steps in and explains things to her in his own way. Hes an amazing father. Whats kept your marriage strong? Its the comfort level, yaar. Hes so supportive. Hes so good with our family. Hes an easygoing person. Recently, someone asked us when the last time we fought. We looked at each other, wondering when we actually did. We do fight but its not like we kiss and make up or bring each other flowers. We simply start talking. We communicate about everything and dont sleep over whats bothering him or me. We get done with it. Im lucky to have a great husband and a supportive mother and mother-in-law. I dont take them for granted. In fact, I still regret missing my fathers last Facetime call. What actually happened then? Dad called me just before he turned critical. Unfortunately, I was in the shower then. I came out and called him back. But by then, he had been taken to the hospital. Ive saved the screenshot of that missed call. It was my bad luck that I couldnt speak to him. Those were the last few moments he could talk. After that, he couldnt register anything as he was under medication. Id thought Id be able to meet Dad after a few days. But I never saw him due to the pandemic. You dont know what life has in store for you. So never take your loved ones for granted. Dont waste that moment. If you have to tell them that you love them, please do so instantly. Dont leave anything for tomorrow. In retrospect, how much are you like your father? (Laughs) I am a mini version of Dad. He was a Virgo like me. Though I do have a filter, I cannot take nonsense. If I find something or a situation is not right, Ill stand up against it. I dont like to pick up fights. But if someone is being unfair to someone, Ill try to resolve it. Are genuine friendships possible in showbiz? Growing up, I witnessed my father enjoy some great friendships. He was close to Jeetu (Jeetendra) uncle, Rakesh Roshan uncle... We spent many occasions with them, including New Years, holidays They stood by Dad throughout. Also, Rekhaji has been extremely fond of Mum and retains that affection. She never forgets my mothers birthday and makes it a point to wish her. So it all depends on personal equations. Now that youre more in the public eye, are you game to deal with trolls? Trolls are everywhere. Why give them importance? Its just a power game. I cant stop Samara from being on social media. I can limit it, though. And educate her about the pros and cons like not giving out personal details. She loves what Priyanka Chopra told her 20 million followers, Haters gonna hate... tomatoes gonna tomate and rotis gonna rotate But we will always be together. Any plans to get into full-fledged acting? Arrey baap re! At 44? Lets see how this goes. Ranveer Singh and filmmaker Aditya Dhar visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar to seek blessings before commencing the next schedule of their highly anticipated film. The team shot for an elaborate schedule in Bangkok earlier and this will be their second schedule. The director took to his social media handle to share the photos and wrote, "Blessed".Take a look: The movie features a star-studded cast, including Sanjay Dutt, R. Madhavan, Akshaye Khanna, and Arjun Rampal. With such a powerhouse ensemble and Dhars exceptional storytelling, this project is set to be one of the most anticipated theatrical releases in recent years. Dhar, whose debut URI: The Surgical Strike became a record-breaking phenomenon will be directing Singh for the first time in this untitled film. The film is produced by Jyoti Deshpande along with Aditya Dhar and Lokesh Dhar. This follows their recent super hit collaboration Article 370. Moncton, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - November 23, 2024) - Hub City Property Management (HCPM), a trailblazing property management firm led by CEO Roderick Moy and Operating Partner Martin Mei, is setting a new standard in real estate. By transforming underperforming properties into thriving room rental communities, HCPM is creating innovative solutions to ease Canada's housing shortage while maximizing returns for property owners. "In a high-interest-rate environment, real estate investors face increasing challenges in maintaining cash flow," said Martin Mei, Operating Partner at HCPM. "Our strategy revitalizes properties, turning them into socially impactful investments while providing flexible, high-quality housing for the community." A Transformative Solution HCPM's latest project demonstrates this formula. The company revitalized a struggling duplex in Moncton by: Renovating Interiors: Upgrading the space with energy-efficient, modern amenities. Upgrading the space with energy-efficient, modern amenities. Converting Underutilized Areas: Transforming an underused common area, such as the living room, into an additional bedroom to increase occupancy and revenue. Transforming an underused common area, such as the living room, into an additional bedroom to increase occupancy and revenue. Furnishing for Convenience: Fully equipping the property with furniture to create move-in-ready, tenant-friendly rooms. The results speak for themselves. Whereas a unit previously rented for $1,500, the same space now generates $3,050: three rooms at $725 each and a larger room at $875. "For property owners who want to hold onto their properties for market appreciation but are bleeding every month with high monthly mortgage payments, our management strategy here puts them back into the driver's seat rather than at the mercy of the economic environment," says Roderick Moy, CEO at HCPM. Driving Social Impact HCPM's innovative model addresses critical housing challenges while benefiting both tenants and property owners: Affordable Housing: Providing fully furnished rooms at competitive rates for new Canadians, students, and working-class individuals. Providing fully furnished rooms at competitive rates for new Canadians, students, and working-class individuals. Community Support: Helping new immigrants and international workers transition smoothly with safe, flexible living arrangements. Helping new immigrants and international workers transition smoothly with safe, flexible living arrangements. Market Adaptation: Meeting the modern demand for high-value, shared housing options in Moncton and surrounding areas. "Our mission is to help property owners succeed while creating housing solutions that truly make a difference in our community," said Mei. To see how this transformation was achieved, watch the Company's case study video showcasing the step-by-step process and the remarkable results here: https://youtu.be/bdGdn_4ieRs About Hub City Property Management Hub City Property Management is redefining property management in Moncton and beyond, combining entrepreneurial expertise with a commitment to social responsibility. Roderick Moy, CEO of HCPM, is an accomplished entrepreneur and real estate investor. With over five years of experience in corporate strategy and analytics at leading companies like Hudson's Bay Company and Restaurant Brands International, Roderick transitioned from corporate America to launch HCPM. A McGill University graduate with a Bachelor's in Finance and Strategy, Roderick uses his expertise in operations and business development to streamline property management processes. "Affordable housing is one of Canada's most pressing issues," said Moy. "At HCPM, we're dedicated to delivering investment strategies that generate strong returns while addressing these societal challenges." Martin Mei, Operating Partner of HCPM, is an innovator in real estate and community advocate. After immigrating to Canada from China and graduating from McGill University, Martin built a reputation for identifying underperforming properties and transforming them into successful investments. His pioneering approach to fully furnished room rentals has addressed the housing needs of new Canadians, students, and working-class tenants while increasing property value for owners. Recognized as one of Atlantic Business Magazine's "Top 30 Under 30 Innovators" in 2024, Martin blends entrepreneurial vision with a passion for community impact, prioritizing inclusive hiring practices and sustainable investment strategies. A Call to Action for Property Owners Hub City Property Management invites property owners in Lakeburn, downtown Moncton, Sunny Brae, and beyond to explore the room rental model. "Our approach ensures underperforming properties become thriving assets while providing value to the community," said Moy. "Whether you're struggling with cash flow or looking for innovative management, we're here to help." For more information, visit https://hubcitypm.managebuilding.com/Resident/public/home or contact Hub City Property Management directly. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/231180 SOURCE: Hub City Property Management Inc. RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Health ministers, leading doctors, scientists, and top global health officials convened in Riyadh today for the inaugural International Conference on Conjoined Twins. This groundbreaking event aims to enhance the diagnosis, treatment, and support systems for conjoined twins worldwide. Under the patronage of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the two-day conference is being hosted by King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre (KSrelief) in partnership with the Ministry of National Guard - Health Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Education. The first day of the event coincides with the first World Conjoined Twins Day, recently designated by the United Nations following Saudi Arabia's efforts to raise awareness for this cause. In his opening remarks, H.E. Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Rabeeah, Head of the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, Advisor to the Saudi Royal Court, and Supervisor General of KSrelief, emphasized the commitment of the programme's surgical and medical teams to the programme. "We all pledge to the leadership of our beloved country that we will continue our journey of humanitarian giving and strive to add to our decades of scientific experience to help even more conjoined twins live healthy, happy lives." The conference features a diverse program, including a high-level ministerial session with leaders of multinational health organizations and ministers from various countries, keynote addresses, and medical presentations by renowned experts in the field. Discussions will cover best practices in conjoined twin care, including surgical interventions, maternal care, ethical considerations, and social inclusion. Notable speakers include Dr. Felice D'Arco, Pediatric Neuroradiologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital, and Professor Olutoyin Olutoye, Anesthesiologist-In-Chief at Lurie Children's Hospital. The event brings together over 500 speakers and participants, representing a significant milestone in the field of conjoined twins separation and care. This first-of-its-kind gathering unites surgeons, medical professionals, government and public health officials, and leaders of multinational organizations dedicated to advancing medical care and social inclusion for conjoined twins and other vulnerable children. The Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme, which has separated 61 pairs of conjoined twins from 1990 to date, is considered to be one of the leading programs of its kind in the world. As the conference progresses, it is expected to foster knowledge exchange, define best practices, and ultimately improve the lives of conjoined twins and their families. To learn more about the International Conference on Conjoined Twins: https://icct.ksrelief.org To learn more about the Saudi Conjoined Twins Programme: https://sctp.ksrelief.org Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566126/5045313/International_Conference_on_Conjoined_Twins_Logo.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566127/HE_Dr_Abdullah_bin_Abdulaziz_Al_Rabeeah_welcomes_crowd.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/riyadh-conference-marks-new-era-in-conjoined-twins-medical-care-and-support-302314816.html AuPairCare (www.aupaircare.com), a leading international au pair agency that facilitates cultural exchange through live-in childcare, celebrated International Au Pair Day by promoting the life changing testimonials of au pairs and host families, highlighting of the importance of flexible childcare options for American families. Childcare in the U.S. has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a shortage of traditional childcare centers. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, this has led to a growing number of parents exploring live-in childcare options. With the resurgence of return-to-office policies, American families are turning to AuPairCare au pairs for flexible and reliable childcare solutions. "As a family with 3 kids, we have hosted 4 au pairs. I absolutely love that I get to see my kids through the workday while having someone help us with the day-to-day tasks. The program is so much more than childcare," shared Emily Long, AuPairCare Host Mom and Regional Manager. "We have been able to experience the world in our home through shared experiences with each of our au pairs." AuPairCare celebrated International Au Pair Day, showcasing flexible childcare success stories that represent commonalities of American families and their struggles in finding childcare solutions that adapt to varied schedules, as well as the positive impact au pairs have on their children's lives. Educators, dual-working and single parents, military families, first responders, healthcare workers, and others, look to the au pair program for its flexible childcare and cultural exchange opportunities. The Sinclair Family - Two working parents learned about the flexibility, cultural exchange, and emotional bonds that make hosting an au pair the perfect childcare solution for their family. "Having an au pair is way more than just a childcare solutionit is a part of our family." The Balkenbusch Family - A family of four welcomed AuPairCare au pair Melina as their childcare solution changing their two girls' lives as well as witnessing Melina's extraordinary personal growth as an au pair. "There are 3 C's to describe au pair Melinacalm, considerate, creative." Au Pair Palesa from South Africa - AuPairCare au pair Palesa celebrated how the au pair program changed her life and allowed her to follow her dreams. "I would 100% encourage you to do (the au pair program)..it's a once in a lifetime opportunity." Au pairs are international young people who come to the U.S. on a J-1 cultural exchange visa, typically for 1-2 years, and live as a member of an American host family, providing flexible, live-in childcare. Au pairs not only provide childcare but are also instrumental in a child's development, emotional literacy and multi-language learning. According to the EurekaFacts Study: Impact of the Au Pair Program, 90% of au pairs rated their experience in the U.S. as excellent or good. Au Pair Alejandra shared, "My experience as an au pair has been incredibly rewarding, as it was a challenge I decided to take on for various reasons, especially to achieve the personal and professional growth I aspire to. AuPairCare has been an invaluable guide throughout this process, not only in operational aspects but also in encouraging deep reflection on the unique experience I was living." wrote Alejandra. "Working with children is one of my greatest passions, and contributing to their development and to the world aligns perfectly with my purpose in life." For 35 years, AuPairCare has enriched lives and bridged cultures through shared experiences, including cultural activities, holiday traditions, and volunteering in community events. The au pair program has impacted hundreds of thousands of au pairs who come to the U.S. to share in American culture before returning home to spread the values they've experienced. AuPairCare has evolved over the years in the role of addressing contemporary childcare challenges for American families. This year's 35th anniversary designated a significant milestone of AuPairCare longevity, and 2024 International Au Pair Day highlights the transformative impact au pairs have had on countless lives worldwide. About AuPairCare As the premier au pair agency, AuPairCare is dedicated to matching families in the United States with international au pairs who provide live-in childcare and bring the world into your home. Celebrating 35 years in cultural exchange, AuPairCare has matched over 100,000 au pairs from all over the world with loving host families and a focus on cultural exchange here in America. AuPairCare is a Department of State regulated sponsor agency, and a part of Intrax, Inc. For more information, visit www.aupaircare.com. Contact Information Uddhav Thackerays Shiv Sena (UBT) suffered a crushing defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly polls, winning just 20 of 94 contested seats compared to Eknath Shindes faction, which secured 57 of 85. The results have raised questions about Thackerays ability to retain his partys cadre and his claim to Bal Thackerays legacy read more The Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) factor contested from 94 seats, two of which were a friendly contest with the Peasants and Workers Party of India in Panvel and Uran constituencies. X/OfficeofUT The recent Maharashtra assembly elections have placed Uddhav Thackeray and his Shiv Sena (UBT) faction at a crossroads. Thackeray now faces the daunting challenge, to carry forward the legacy of his father, Bal Thackeray and reassert his political relevance after his factions dismal performance. The Shiv Sena (UBT), under Thackerays leadership, managed to win only 20 out of the 94 seats it contested in the Maharashtra assembly elections. In stark contrast, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerged stronger, securing 57 out of the 85 seats it contested. This marked a decisive victory in the ongoing battle between the two factions over which represents the real Shiv Sena. Advertisement For Uddhav, the electoral defeat is a continuation of setbacks since the 2022 split within Shiv Sena, which saw Shinde walk away with the majority of party legislators. These elections served as a litmus test for both factions, and the results have further eroded Thackerays claim to his fathers political legacy and ideology. Thackeray questioned how the electorate, which rejected the BJP-led alliance in the Lok Sabha elections just five months ago, now support them in the assembly polls. A silver lining for UBT Despite the poor overall performance, Thackerays faction maintained its dominance in Mumbai, winning 10 out of its 20 total seats. In at least eight constituencies, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) played a pivotal role in the UBT factions victories by splitting votes that could have gone to Shindes Shiv Sena. Raj Thackerays MNS, though failing to win any seats, significantly influenced the outcomes of key constituencies by splitting votes. Also Read | Will Eknath Shinde continue as Maharashtra CM after Mahayutis big win? In Mumbai alone, the MNS vote share played a decisive role in securing victories for the UBT in tightly contested seats like Versova, Vandre East, and Kalina. However, this reliance on external factors further highlights the diminishing standalone strength of Thackerays faction. The BJP, meanwhile, demonstrated its dominance by winning 132 out of 149 seats, with the Shinde Sena and Ajit Pawars NCP securing 57 and 41 seats respectively. What next for Uddhav Thackeray? One of Thackerays immediate challenges is to prevent further defections from his faction. The election results have bolstered the Shinde factions claim to being the legitimate heirs of the Shiv Sena legacy, making it more difficult for him to maintain loyalty among party leaders and grassroots workers. Despite his acclaimed handling of the COVID-19 pandemic during his tenure as chief minister, Uddhavs decision to ally with ideological rivals the Congress and the NCP has alienated a section of his traditional voter base. Eknath Shinde and his supporters have accused Uddhav of betraying Bal Thackerays principles for political expediency. Advertisement To regain relevance, Uddhav needs to reconnect with his core voter base and consolidate his position within the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance, which also suffered in the elections. The Congress won only 16 seats, and Sharad Pawars NCP faction managed a mere 10. With the MVA securing seats way short of the majority, Uddhav faces an uphill battle to remain a key player in Maharashtra politics. Whether he can rebuild his party and reclaim his fathers legacy remains to be seen. Also Read | Bypoll election results 2024: Who are the big winners? With inputs from agencies The Mahayuti has stormed to victory in Maharashtra and now all eyes have turned to who shall be the next chief minister. The choice will be between BJPs Devendra Fadnavis and Shiv Senas Eknath Shinde. All this and more in our weekly wrap read more Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde with Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis celebrates the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance's win in the Maharashtra Assembly elections, at CM's official residence 'Varsha' in Mumbai. PTI Its been a busy, busy week for India. After all the campaigning, the states of Maharashtra and Jharkhand went to the polls amid heavy security. And on Saturday (November 23), the results came in delivering a huge mandate in the favour of the Mahayuti coalition of the BJP, Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP in Maharashtra, leaving the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) way behind. In a 288-member Assembly where the halfway mark is 145, the Mahayuti swept through, securing 235 seats whereas the MVA managed only 49 seats. Advertisement In Jharkhand, the INDI Alliance defied pollsters, trouncing the NDA, winning 56 seats of the 81 while the NDA was left with just 24 seats. This week also saw one of Indias biggest businessmen, Gautam Adani, being dragged into a huge controversy after the United States charged the business tycoon and his associates with bribery to receive lucrative contracts. The other big news from the country was India successfully test-firing an indigenously made hypersonic missile off the coast of Odisha. With this trial, India joins a small club of countries, which proves that it has grown leaps and bounds when it comes to defence manufacturing. For those who want a recap of the big news of the week that was, we have you covered with our roundup. 1. This week all eyes were on the Maharashtra Assembly election results and when the numbers came in it was a tsunami in favour of the Mahayuti coalition. The combine of the BJP, Shinde-led Shiv Sena and Ajit Pawar-led NCP retained power in the state by pocketing a whopping 230 of the 288 Assembly seats, as the Maha Vikas Aghadis dream of wresting power fizzled, with the opposition combine managing to garner just 46 seats. But how did the Mahayuti pull off such a win? What played in their favour? Our explainer has it all. 2. Shortly after the Maharashtra results delivered a resounding mandate to the Mahayuti, the questions began who shall be the next chief minister? Would it be Eknath Shinde of the Shiv Sena or would it be the current deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis of the BJP? Advertisement If you too are thinking the same, read here to find out more. Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray and NCP (SP) chief Sharad Pawar during the gathering of Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) workers and office-bearers in Mumbai. File image/PTI 3. The Maharashtra elections werent just about winning the state; it was also a prestige battle between Sharad Pawar and his nephew, Ajit Pawar, and Uddhav Thackeray against Eknath Shinde. This election was an opportunity for all four of them to settle the debate of who actually led their respective factions: was it Sharad Pawar or Ajit Pawar for the NCP and was it Uddhav Thackeray or Eknath Shinde for the Shiv Sena? Who leads the real Shiv Sena? And are we seeing the end of Sharad Pawars political career? We have the answers. Advertisement Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren with wife and JMM leader Kalpana Soren celebrates with family members after the victory of JMM-led INDI bloc in the Jharkhand Assembly elections. PTI 4. While Maharashtra gave the BJP and its allies 235 reasons to smile, in Jharkhand it was a reversal. The Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led INDI alliance stormed to power in the state for a second consecutive term, winning 56 seats in the 81-member Assembly, despite an all-out blitz by the BJP-led NDA which managed only 24 seats. The results are a complete vindication for Hemant Soren who was arrested in January and resigned as chief minister, to then returning as chief minister and leading the INDI Alliance in the state to victory. Read our report on why 2024 has been Hemant Sorens year. Advertisement 5. Gautam Adani is one of Indias richest and most well-known businessmen. His business empire ranges from coal, airports, cement and media operations. However, this empire received a rude shock on Thursday (November 21) when a US indictment was unsealed, revealing that he along with seven of his associates were accused of paying more than $250 million to Indian government officials to secure lucrative solar energy contracts worth more than $2 billion over 20 years. The Adani Group has refuted all charges, calling them baseless. However, it seems the damage was done. Shares of the company tanked, Adanis net worth dipped by $10 billion and Kenya cancelled its multi-million dollar deals with the conglomerate. Advertisement Read our full report to understand the impact of the US allegations on Gautam Adani and his many businesses. 6. This week saw the Russia-Ukraine war crossing the 1,000-day mark. Amid this milestone, came the news that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be making a visit to India soon. While the dates havent been confirmed, the Russian presidents visit has raised eyeballs. Thats because Putin is a wanted man in many parts of the world, with the International Criminal Court (ICC) issuing an arrest warrant against him for alleged war crimes amidst the war. Will India adhere to the ICC warrant against Putin? Read on to find out. An anti-smog gun being used at the Kartavya Path to curb air pollution, in New Delhi. PTI 7. Winter is here and in India, it means one thing rising air pollution in Delhi and the surrounding NCR area. For the past few days, the air quality in the Delhi-NCR has been in the severe category, prompting authorities to enforce GRAP Stage-4 measures. The rising pollution has also got everyone talking about the Air Quality Index (AQI). In fact, on Monday, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) pegged the AQI at 494. But, international monitoring app, IQAir, gave an eye-popping reading of 1,600. How did this happen? Our explainer delves into the differing methods of calculating AQI, which resulted in two very different readings. 8. Indias defence manufacturing capabilities have grown leaps and bounds in the last few years. The proof of this came on November 17 when the country successfully tested a long-range hypersonic missile. In a statement, the government said that the missile, test-fired off the coast of Odisha, could carry several payloads for ranges exceeding 1,500 km for the armed forces. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also applauded the test firing, saying it was a historic moment for the country and put it in a select club of nations having the capability of such critical and advanced technology. But what makes this missile so special? Why does it matter? Prime Minister Narendra Modi shakes hands with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe as he prepares to travel by Shinkansen bullet train to Kobe from Tokyo Station in Japan. Have Indias bullet train plans hit a speed bump? File image/PTI 9. Rewind to 2017. It was the year that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that India would soon have a bullet train running between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Almost six years later, it seems that this project has hit a speed bump. Reports have emerged that India is looking at alternative suppliers in Europe. What has gone wrong? Will Japan not be able to deliver? We have the answers. And thats it for the week gone by. If you liked how we decoded each story, heres where you can find some more of our explainers. PS: If you are in the mood to read more, heres something. Did Navjot Kaur Sidhu cure cancer by eating neem leaves? The richest man in the world and owner of Tesla, SpaceX and X, Elon Musk wouldnt have it easy despite being one of the most prominent campaigners for US President-elect Donald Trump read more The evolving relationship between Musk and Trump will likely test both their commitments to their respective goals After braving the shock of Republican Donald Trumps victory in the recent US election, leftists itched for an opportunity to slam the upcoming government by raising the bogey of what they hoped would be four years of crony capitalism by pointing at the pre-eminence of the richest man in the world and owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and XElon Muskin the campaign. However, neither Trumps declared policies nor his recent comments appear to be making things easier for Musks businesses. The tycoons hydrogen cars are the latest case in point. Advertisement In October, Trump made remarks that sparked controversy concerning hydrogen-powered vehicles, even as hydrogen is swiftly gaining recognition as a promising advancement within the automotive sector, set to play a crucial role in the switch to more sustainable transportation solutions. As worries about climate change and air pollution escalate, the need for alternative fuel sources to supplant traditional internal combustion engines has reached unprecedented levels. An opportunity for Musk marred by Trumps disapproval Hydrogen vehicles are becoming an important component of the green engine market. While electric vehicles (EVs) have received considerable attention in recent yearsa proposition of a golden-egg-laying goose for Musks Teslahydrogen-powered vehicles (HPVs) are increasingly regarded as a viable and complementary option in the pursuit of a zero-emission transportation future. The technology behind hydrogen fuel cells operates by merging hydrogen with oxygen from the atmosphere in a chemical reaction that produces electricity to power the vehicles motor. In contrast to battery electric vehicles, which often require lengthy charging periods, hydrogen vehicles can be refueled in a matter of minutes. This advantage in convenience positions them similarly to gasoline-powered cars. Furthermore, hydrogen fuel cells emit no pollutants, with water vapour being the sole byproduct, thus presenting an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional vehicles. So, why would the magnate, who has made several wise decisions of acquisitions and diversifications in his career, let go of this opportunity? He wouldnt, but heres the problem: During a recent rally in Michigan, former President Trump made a contentious remark regarding the emerging hydrogen-powered vehicles, vowing to terminate their production. He asserted, Youre going to build electric cars, and youre going to build all kinds of cars except hydrogen. There will be no hydrogen. They tend to blow up. And once they blow up, you are not recognisable anymore. Advertisement These statements were accompanied by an unfounded anecdote in which Trump claimed that Marjorie Taylor Greene had been involved in an explosion while driving a hydrogen-powered vehicle, despite her presence in the audience. Such remarks from Trump underscore the widespread scepticism and distrust that many individuals harbour towards alternative fuel technologies. While electric vehicles (EVs) enjoy a more favourable perception among consumers, hydrogen vehicles represent only about 0.1 per cent to 0.2 per cent of the global vehicle fleet, in contrast to the 2-3 per cent share held by EVs and plug-in hybrids. Influence of Elon Musk on Trumps stance Although Trump has voiced opposition to hydrogen vehicles, he has shown some degree of support for electric vehicles. Despite his plans to relax stringent emission regulations on traditional combustion engines, he has indicated that EVs cater to a small slice of the population. This endorsement of electric vehicles coincides with his recent appointment of Musk to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump 2.0. Musk, as the CEO of Tesla, is at the forefront of innovation and production in the electric vehicle sector. Advertisement Furthermore, Trump has announced intentions to impose a 60 per cent import tariff on products from China. His recent remarks regarding hydrogen vehicles, which contrast with his support for electric vehicles, may be linked to his broader strategy to eliminate Chinese competition and bolster the US automotive industry, given that most hydrogen vehicles are manufactured by companies based in Japan and South Korea. What Musk thinks about the future of hydrogen vehicles There was a time when Musk would refer to hydrogen as a stupid fuel while toying with ideas of alternative engine fuels. However, earlier this year, his stance appeared to change when Tesla announced plans to produce a hydrogen-powered vehicle by 2026. This apparent change may stem from Musks recognition that, to maintain its leadership in sustainable fuel technology, Tesla must broaden its range of vehicle offerings. Advertisement The future of hydrogen vehicle production under Trumps administration remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether any plans will materialise. Nevertheless, Trump is not the only roadblock Musk has run into. In addition to potential policy challenges, hydrogen vehicles encounter considerable obstacles related to production costs, refuelling infrastructure, and public awareness. The limited availability of hydrogen refuelling stations, which number approximately 500 worldwide, is a major barrier to the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles. Furthermore, hydrogen production continues to depend heavily on natural gas, although the development of green hydrogen, generated from renewable energy sources, is gaining traction. Not the first or only time Advertisement Musks possible venture into hydrogen-run cars isnt going to be the only fraught plan. Musk, as Trumps largest individual donor and a fervent supporter, finds himself navigating five key contradictions in their burgeoning symbiotic relationship. These points of tension could either complicate their alliance or lead to mutual reinforcement. China Trump is populating his incoming administration with advisors critical of Chinas trade and security policies. In contrast, Musk maintains a cooperative relationship with Chinese officials, having established Tesla as the countrys first fully foreign-owned automaker in 2018. Chinese state media often herald Tesla as a symbol of successful US-China trade collaboration. China is Teslas second-largest market, following the United States. The Tesla Gigafactory in Shanghai, operational since 2020, is the largest EV production facility globally. Last year, Tesla sold approximately 600,000 vehicles in China. If relations between the worlds two largest economies deteriorate, Musks approach to safeguarding his interests may become a template for others. Trumps economic policy Musk is cynical about the fundamental principles of Trumps economic policies, including plans for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants, revised tax structures, and heightened import tariffs. Barely a week before the election, Musk responded to a pseudonymous X post warning of an economic downturn under Trump with a succinct comment: Sounds about right. On tax cuts, Musk admitted during a telephone town hall that fulfilling such promises could result in painful reductions in government spending. On immigration, The Washington Post revealed that Musk once worked illegally in the US while building Zip2, the company that laid the financial foundation for his subsequent ventures. Climate Change Trumps near dismissal of climate change and his disparagement of EV manufacturing are in direct conflict with Teslas core business. Trump has ardently supported traditional carmakers like GM, Ford, and Chrysler while pledging to end federal subsidies for EVs. For Musk, this poses a considerable challenge as Teslas valuation and success are both tied to the environmentally friendly narrative of its electric vehicles. Given that the Detroit automakers are Teslas competitors, any reduction in federal EV subsidies could hinder Teslas momentum, especially during a period of slowed EV sales. Starlink and SpaceX Musks Starlink satellite internet service has been crucial in supporting Ukraines defence since Russias invasion in 2022, facilitating real-time battlefield communication. However, given Trumps perceived softening towards Vladimir Putin, Starlinks operations have already undergone some recalibration. SpaceX, which manages Starlink, is deeply reliant on US government contracts. It secured a $1.8 billion deal with the US military and intelligence agencies in 2021 and is a primary launch partner for NASA and the Pentagon. Musk must balance these obligations that pose diplomatic and ethical challenges. Additionally, Starlink and SpaceX depend on terrestrial relay stations worldwide, including in nations like Russia and China. Musks alignment with Trump may act as a safeguard against risks tied to SpaceXs expansive operations. Employment practices While Trumps campaign prominently championed American workers and opposed mass layoffs, Musks hiring and firing practices tell a different story. His impulsive employment decisions across companies like Twitter, Tesla, and SpaceX have attracted criticism and legal action. After acquiring Twitter in October 2022, Musk slashed its workforce by over 80 per cent, reducing staff from 8,000 to 1,500. He later acknowledged some dismissals were mistakes and attempted to rehire a few employees. Similarly, Musk laid off nearly 500 Tesla Supercharger staff in April, only to reinstate some later. At SpaceX, eight employees were terminated after criticising Musk, with allegations of labour law violations under federal statutes. These practices clash with Trumps pro-worker rhetoric, which resonated with union leaders and industrial labour groups. Musks approach not only undermines this narrative but raises questions about how such contradictions can coexist within the broader political and business alliance. In a presidency where employment is a central promise, how can Musks unpredictable hire-and-fire tactics continue unchecked? The evolving relationship between Musk and Trump will likely test both their commitments to their respective goals. The author is a senior journalist and writer. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. The immediate implications of the arrest warrant against the Israeli prime minister and his former defence chief are arrest, only if they are traveling to a member state of the ICC that might choose to enforce the warrant read more On Thursday, the International Criminal Court (ICC), located in Hague, in the Netherlands, issued public arrest warrants against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his former defence chief Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Mohammed Deif for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity in the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Israel has said that Deif was killed by their forces in August. The arrests were sought by ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan. The ICC is an international court established in 2002 to prosecute war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and crimes of aggression when member states are unwilling or unable to do so themselves. It is allowed to prosecute crimes committed by citizens of member states or those perpetrated in member states territory by other actors. Advertisement With 124 member states, including 33 from Africa, 19 from Eastern Europe, and 25 from Western Europe and Canada, the ICCs budget for 2024 is 187 million euros. They are currently carrying out investigations in multiple countries ranging from Ukraine to Venezuela and Asian countries such as Myanmar and the Philippines. Another well-known fugitive wanted by the ICC is Russian President Vladimir Putin. A warrant was issued for his arrest in March 2023, a move that Kremlin has often denounced as meaningless, denying that any wartime atrocities have been committed by Russia in their ongoing conflict with Ukraine. The court is supported by several UN and EU members, but powers such as the United States, India, China, and Russia are not members. Their argument against the ICC is that it could easily be used for politically motivated prosecutions. Indeed, the United States of America has since strongly rejected the validity of the arrest warrants, as has Israel, of course, and several other states. So, what does this warrant really mean, and what are its implications? The ICC does not have its own law enforcement, so it depends on its 124 member states to carry out arrest warrants. Israel is not a member state, and hence, the ICC does not have jurisdiction to arrest Netanyahu or Gallant in Israel. However, on Thursday, ICC announced that it can exercise its jurisdiction on the basis of the territorial jurisdiction of Palestine. Essentially, the immediate implications of the warrant for Netanyahu and Gallant are arrest, only if they are traveling to a member state of the ICC that might choose to enforce the arrest warrant. In Israel, they are not at risk of being arrested. ICC also does not try defendants in their absence apart from a few exceptions, which means that Netanyahu and Gallant probably will not be facing trial unless they are arrested in a member state and brought to the Hague. While the chances of an arrest may be low, the warrants cast a long shadow over Netanyahu and Gallant and further isolate Israel on the world stage, as their international travel will not face restrictions. Advertisement Netanyahu and Gallant will now probably choose not to travel in most EU countries, which are all ICC member states. Josep Borrell, the EUs top diplomat, has described the arrest warrant as binding for every state that is party to the Rome Statute, the international treaty that established the ICC. This is only the latest chapter in global reactions to the Gaza conflict, which has divided the world. So, what are the legal aspects of these arrest warrants? The jurisdictional issue indeed is complex in this case. The ICC does technically have jurisdiction because the Assembly of State Parties (the 120+ countries that have ratified the Rome Statute) accepted that Palestine is a state for the purpose of the Rome Statute (that includes its internationally recognised state borders). Advertisement ICCs jurisdiction is primarily based on territorial jurisdictionif the crime is committed in the territory of a State party, then the court has jurisdiction. The crimes in concern here were allegedly committed in Gaza, which is within the internationally recognised borders of Palestine. Therefore, the ICC has jurisdiction over the alleged crimes, despite Israel not being a member state or Palestine being a fully recognised state. It would have been illegal if the ICC had issued a ruling, stating that war crimes have been committed. These issued arrest warrants currently do not entail a guaranteed punishment. Also, the standard for issuing the arrest warrant is one of the lowest in international criminal law: Reasonable grounds to believe. In fact, the standards for issuing warrants are so low that ICC chambers have never actually denied any warrants for arrest. Advertisement Also, it is the international court of law with the most number of acquittals. When one refers to the ICC as the last resort, one is talking about the principle of complementarity. In actual practice, what one needs to challenge the admissibility of a case successfully is not an independent judiciary, but instead to show that the judiciary is working on that same case and taking necessary and concrete steps. This is how the UK at one point had successfully challenged the admissibility of a case involving British soldiers. Suppose the judiciary of Israel at any point opened an investigation against the defendants of this arrest warrant and showed that it is taking concrete steps. In that case, they will be able to challenge the admissibility of the case successfully. Advertisement Even if Netanyahu and Gallant were to be acquitted, the ICC would not be able to try them unless the prosecutor proves that it was a sham trial, which is an extremely difficult task. Of course, there are some very valid points of debate here, including the argument that how can a treaty-based institution affect citizens of states that have not ratified it. Fundamentally, the ICC has now made sure by publicising the warrant, but not its entire text, that Netanyahu will now not be able to enter any ICC signatory. For Israel, it is yet another move to isolate them internationally while also applying pressure during an armed conflict. For Palestinians, of course, it is yet another feel-good handout from the global community. Not of much use, but a hug of solidarity, nonetheless. The author is a freelance journalist and features writer based out of Delhi. Her main areas of focus are politics, social issues, climate change and lifestyle-related topics. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Most of the passengers were young Somalis, and their intended destination remains unclear. Many young Somalis embark every year on dangerous journeys in search of better opportunities abroad. read more At least 24 people have died after two boats capsized off the Madagascar coast in the Indian Ocean, Somalias government said Sunday. Somalias Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi said 46 people were rescued. We are working tirelessly to ensure the survivors are brought back home safely and provided with the necessary care, he said. He said that the two boats carried a total of 70 passengers. A Somali delegation led by the countrys ambassador to Ethiopia is set to travel to Madagascar on Monday to probe a tragic incident involving young Somali passengers and assist survivors. The victims were reportedly on a perilous journey, though their exact destination remains unclear. Advertisement Every year, many young Somalis undertake dangerous routes in search of better opportunities abroad. Fiqi also said Sunday that Somalias ambassador to Morocco will look into a separate report of Somali youth stranded on Moroccos coastline. It is not clear when the Morocco incident took place and Fiqi did not provide details. The UN migration agency has in the past raised concern over rising cases of irregular migration from the Horn of Africa countries as people flee from conflict and drought. In April, 38 migrants died and 22 others were rescued from a shipwreck off Djibouti on a popular route to Yemen. Most of those rescued were of Somali and Ethiopian nationalities. With inputs from agencies. Indonesian police arrested the nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin off the holiday island of Bali read more A man walks next to an electronic screen displaying the latest news about convicted Australian drug traffickers Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran, the ringleaders of the so-called "Bali Nine" drug trafficking gang currently on death row in Indonesia, in Sydney. File image/ AFP The remaining members of the Bali Nine drug ring could be released from Indonesia and returned to Australia if ongoing talks succeed, a minister said Sunday. Indonesian police arrested the nine Australians in 2005, convicting them of attempting to smuggle more than eight kilograms (18 pounds) of heroin off the holiday island of Bali. In a case that drew global attention to Indonesias unforgiving drug laws, two of the gang would eventually be executed by firing squad, while others served hefty prison sentences. Advertisement Trade Minister Don Farrell said Australia was pushing to repatriate the five men who remained jailed in Indonesia. The discussions are ongoing, he told Sky News Australia. They would continue to serve their sentence, except theyre serving them in Australia. We will see what happens in the days and weeks ahead. Australias foreign affairs department said it was providing consular support to the men and their families and it would continue to advocate for the mens interests. Accused ringleaders Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran were executed by firing squad in 2015 despite repeated pleas from the Australian government. Tan Duc Thanh Nguyen died of cancer in 2018, months before Renae Lawrence was released after her sentence was commuted. Matthew Norman, Si Yi Chen, Michael Czugaj, Scott Rush and Martin Stephens remain in jail. The youngest member of the group, Norman was 18 years old at the time of his arrest. Muslim-majority Indonesia has some of the worlds toughest drug laws, including the death penalty for traffickers. It is not uncommon for foreigners to be arrested for drug offences in Bali, which attracts millions of visitors to its palm-fringed beaches every year. Advertisement Billionaire Elon Musk called out the delay in the vote-counting process in the state of California by lauding how India managed to count 640 million votes in just one day. Heres a look at why it takes time for American states to count ballots and how India manages to do it smoothly read more While taking potshots at the vote count delay in the state of California, billionaire Elon Musk lauded the fact that India counted 640 million votes in one day. In June this year, Indias massive electoral process came to an end after the counting of votes in the highly intense Lok Sabha Election. According to a Newsweek article, over 642 million votes were cast in the polls, which were conducted in the span of six weeks. Advertisement However, the counting of these millions of votes was over in one day, declaring a clear winner in the race. Meanwhile, in the United States, some states are still counting the votes for the 2024 US Presidential elections, leaving many people to wonder what is the reason behind this delay. India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes https://t.co/ai8JmWxas6 Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 24, 2024 On Sunday, Musk shared a Newsweek article on X highlighting how India has managed to count over 600 million votes in the span of 24 hours. He also took jabs at the lacklustre process that California is employing to count its votes. India counted 640 million votes in 1 day. California is still counting votes, Musk wrote on X. California struggles to count votes Musks comment came a day after it was found that the state of California is still counting ballots, more than two weeks after the election day. Earlier this week, the electoral officers in California notified that the state still has more than 300,000 ballots left to count. It is pertinent to note that California is the most populous state in the United States and is home to over 39 million people. Out of this, at least 16 million people cast a ballot in the November 5 race between the current President-elect Donald Trump and US Vice President Kamala Harris. Over the years, the state has consistently been one of the slowest states to count and report its votes. Advertisement One of the reasons for this delay is the fact that the state is extremely large and most of the ballots are cast by mail. On Friday, the election officials noted that it would take weeks to count every ballot. The state similarly took a few weeks to report its final results in the 2020 and 2022 elections. The delay in counting mail-in ballots happens because each voter must be individually validated and processed, the Associated Press points out, and this is a more thorough process than simply scanning a ballot at a polling place. How India managed to pull it off In India, over 900 million people were eligible to vote in the worlds largest election. Out of them, a record-breaking 642 million voters cast their ballots, not delivering a majority to a single party. We have created a world record of 642 million proud Indian voters. This is a historic moment, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar said after the voting process concluded. When it comes to the counting process, the votes in India are counted in a decentralized manner, occurring simultaneously across each of the 543 constituencies. The election officers start counting postal ballots, followed by votes recorded by Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), which have been used in the country since 2000. Advertisement Not only this, each vote is also supported by the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT), which produces a paper slip every time a vote is cast. Following a ruling from the Indian Supreme Court, postal ballots are counted and declared before other votes are counted. After this, EVMs get unsealed in the presence of representatives from all political parties. Under the supervision of the Returning Officer (RO), the counting typically takes place in a single large hall, and the results are recorded and announced after each round. Even on Saturday, India managed to count 90 million votes in just a few hours in the Assembly Elections in Jharkhand and Maharashtra. The population of the state of Maharashtra alone is around four times more than that of California. Advertisement Why do US states face delay The delay in vote counts can happen due to a wide range of factors, including protocols for processing mail-in and provisional ballots, recount procedures, and logistical challenges in different states. It is pertinent to note that the United States does not have an overarching federal vote-counting process. Hence, each state has unique laws and resources, which ultimately creates different timelines for reporting results. States like Arizona and California usually take weeks to declare results because of their massive population and high volume of mail-in ballots. Most of our votes that come in are by mail, and as a result, that requires verification of the signature on the envelopes. And so we have to open the envelopes, we have to verify the signature and all of those things before we can accept that ballot, Californias Secretary of State Shirley Weber told Sacramento TV station KTXL. We have to make sure that thats the person who actually sent that ballot in, Weber furthered. However, this delay has also led to a rise in doubts about the integrity of the elections. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. Gunmen entered the venue, known as DBar, and opened fire while apparently targeting a specific individual. Bystanders were caught in the crossfire read more Six people were killed and 10 others wounded early Sunday (November 24) in a shooting at a bar in Villahermosa, the capital of the southeastern Mexican state of Tabasco, local authorities said. Gunmen entered the venue, known as DBar, and opened fire while apparently targeting a specific individual, state Deputy Prosecutor Gilberto Melquiades said during a press conference. Bystanders were caught in the crossfire, he said, adding that an investigation is ongoing. Advertisement Five victims were pronounced dead at the scene, while one died after being transported to a hospital. Five of the injured have been identified, according to officials. Similar attacks in Mexico The attack comes two weeks after a similar incident in the central Mexican city of Queretaro, where 10 people were killed and seven wounded in a shooting. Until then, Queretaro had largely been spared from the violence often associated with organized crime in Mexico. Tabasco, a state known for its oil production facilities, has seen a sharp rise in violence this year. From January to October, there were 715 murders recorded in Tabasco, compared to 253 for all of 2023, according to government statistics. Federal Public Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said Sunday that President Claudia Sheinbaums administration is working with local authorities to determine the motive and perpetrators behind the attack. The shooting underscores the growing violence in parts of Mexico, where bars and other public venues are increasingly targeted in acts of retribution or intimidation linked to criminal groups. Authorities have not yet indicated whether organized crime was involved in the Tabasco attack. With inputs from AFP Hezbollah fires rockets after strikes on Beirut Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamas October 7, 2023, attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. Hezbollah has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. read more Israeli police bomb squad inspect the site after a missile fired from Lebanon hit the area in Petah Tikva, outskirts of Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday Nov. 24, 2024. Image- AP Hezbollah fired about 250 rockets and other projectiles into Israel on Sunday, wounding seven people in one of the militant groups heaviest barrages in months, in response to deadly Israeli strikes in Beirut while negotiators pressed on with cease-fire efforts to halt the all-out war. Some of the rockets reached the Tel Aviv area in the heart of Israel. Meanwhile, an Israeli strike on an army centre killed a Lebanese soldier and wounded 18 others in the southwest between Tyre and Naqoura, Lebanons military said. The Israeli military expressed regret, saying that the strike occurred in an area of combat against Hezbollah and that the militarys operations are directed solely against the militants. Advertisement Israeli strikes have killed over 40 Lebanese troops since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah, even as Lebanons military has largely kept to the sidelines. Lebanons caretaker prime minister, Najib Mikati, condemned the latest strike as an assault on US-led cease-fire efforts, calling it a direct, bloody message rejecting all efforts and ongoing contacts to end the war. Hezbollah fires rockets after strikes on Beirut Hezbollah began firing rockets, missiles and drones into Israel after Hamas October 7, 2023, attack out of the Gaza Strip ignited the war there. Hezbollah has portrayed the attacks as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians and Hamas. Iran supports both armed groups. Israel has launched retaliatory airstrikes at Hezbollah, and in September the low-level conflict erupted into all-out war as Israel launched waves of airstrikes across large parts of Lebanon and killed Hezbollahs top leader, Hassan Nasrallah, and several top commanders. The Israeli military said some of the projectiles fired Sunday were intercepted. Israels Magen David Adom rescue service said it treated seven people, including a 60-year old man in severe condition from rocket fire on northern Israel, a 23-year-old man who was lightly wounded by a blast in the central city of Petah Tikva and a 70-year-old woman who suffered smoke inhalation from a car that caught fire there. Advertisement In Haifa, a rocket hit a residential building that police said was in danger of collapsing. It was unclear whether the injuries and damage were caused by rockets or interceptors. The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Sunday that at least 44,211 people have been killed in more than 13 months of war between Israel and Palestinian militants. The toll includes 35 deaths in the previous 24 hours, according to the ministry, which said 104,567 people have been wounded in the Gaza Strip since the war erupted in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas-led militants on Oct. 7, 2023 in which gunmen killed around 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages back to Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. the IAEA reported that as of October 26, 2024, Iran possessed 182.3 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity. Weapons-grade enrichment is approximately at 90 per cent purity read more Iran plans to hold discussions on its disputed nuclear program with three European powers in Geneva on November 29, Japans Kyodo news agency reported Sunday (November 24). The announcement comes days after the UN atomic watchdog adopted a resolution critical of Tehran. The resolution, proposed by Britain, France, Germany, and the United States, aims to pressure Iran into re-engaging in nuclear negotiations. The resolution was supported by 19 nations, while China, Russia, and Burkina Faso opposed it, and 12 countries abstained. Advertisement What Iran has said and done so far It prompted Iran to respond with measures including activating numerous advanced centrifuges used to enrich uranium, Iranian officials said. The government of Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian is reportedly seeking to resolve the nuclear standoff before the January inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, according to Kyodo. A senior Iranian official confirmed the meeting would take place Friday (November 29), saying that Tehran has always believed that the nuclear issue should be resolved through diplomacy. He claimed that Iran has never left the talks. Regarding Irans nuclear capabilities, the IAEA reported that as of October 26, 2024, Iran possessed 182.3 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60 per cent purity. Weapons-grade enrichment is approximately at 90 per cent purity. The IAEA has warned that Iran has enough enriched uranium to potentially produce several nuclear bombs if it chooses to do so. Can the nuclear impasse be solved? The nuclear impasse traces back to 2018, when the Trump administration withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement between Iran and six major powers. The deal had limited Irans nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Following the US exit, Washington reimposed sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to breach the pact by increasing its enriched uranium stockpile, refining it to higher levels of purity, and deploying advanced centrifuges. Efforts by President Joe Bidens administration to revive the agreement through indirect talks have stalled. During his election campaign in September, Trump signalled a willingness to pursue negotiations, stating, We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal. With inputs from agencies Israeli airstrikes on October 26 targeted key Iranian military installations, including missile production sites, air defence systems, and nuclear infrastructure, as tensions between the two nations escalate read more Iran is preparing to respond to Israel, Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to the countrys Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said in an interview published by Irans Tasnim news agency on Sunday (November 24). Without giving details, he says the Iranian response will aim to restore deterrence. During the interview, Larijani also dismisses Israeli claims of having significantly depleted Hezbollahs arms supplies during operations against the Iran-backed terror group in Lebanon, quipping, So where are the weapons coming from? Mars? Advertisement The interview, which follows Larijanis visit to Lebanon and Syria, was conducted on Wednesday (November 20), according to Times of Israel. Israeli attacks on Iran Israeli airstrikes on October 26 targeted key Iranian military installations, including missile production sites, air defence systems, and nuclear infrastructure, as tensions between the two nations escalate. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the strikes were a direct response to Irans earlier launch of approximately 200 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli military installations. The operation sought to neutralize threats posed by Irans missile program and components of its nuclear development efforts. According to reports, the strikes disabled advanced missile production facilities and destroyed several of Irans air defence systems, including Russian-made S-300 surface-to-air missiles and radar installations. Analysts estimate it could take up to a year for Iran to rebuild its air defence capabilities. With inputs from agencies Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanons population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardment in northern Israel and the fighting read more An excavator removes a destroyed car as rescue workers gather at the site of an Israeli airstrike that hit central Beirut, Lebanon. AP Israeli airstrikes Saturday in central Beirut killed at least 20 people, officials said, as the once-rare attacks on the heart of Lebanons capital continued without warning while diplomats scrambled to broker a cease-fire. Lebanons Health Ministry said 66 people were wounded in the strikes, which were the fourth in central Beirut in less than a week. The escalation comes after U.S. envoy Amos Hochstein traveled to the region in pursuit of a deal to end months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that has erupted into full-on war. Advertisement Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanons Health Ministry. The fighting has displaced about 1.2 million people, or a quarter of Lebanons population. On the Israeli side, about 90 soldiers and nearly 50 civilians have been killed by bombardment in northern Israel and the fighting. An eight-story building is turned to rubble The 4 a.m. strikes destroyed an eight-story building in central Beirut. Hezbollah legislator Amin Shiri said no Hezbollah officials were inside. The attack stripped the facades from some nearby buildings and crumpled cars. The area is residential, with closely packed buildings and narrow streets, making the situation challenging, said Walid Al-Hashash, a first responder with the Lebanese Civil Defense. Israels military did not comment on the casualties. Also Saturday, a drone strike killed two people and injured three in the southern Lebanese port city of Tyre, according to the Lebanese state-run National News Agency. Mohammed Bikai, spokesperson for the Fatah Palestinian faction in the Tyre area, said those killed were Palestinian refugees from nearby al-Rashidieh camp who were out fishing. Despite a warning last month by Israels army to avoid Lebanons southern coast, you cant tell someone who needs to eat that you cant fish, Bikai said. Advertisement The Health Ministry said other airstrikes killed eight people, including four children, in the eastern town of Shmustar, five others in the southern village of Roumin, and another five people in the northeastern village of Budai. Sticking points in cease-fire talks Two Western diplomatic officials on Saturday described disputed points between Israel and Lebanon in cease-fire negotiations. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the talks. The current proposal calls for a two-month cease-fire during which Israeli forces would withdraw from Lebanon and Hezbollah would end its armed presence along the southern border south of the Litani River. Thousands more Lebanese army troops would patrol the border area with U.N. peacekeepers, and an international committee would monitor the deals implementation. Advertisement The officials said Israel wanted more guarantees that Hezbollahs weapons are removed from the border area. Israeli officials have said they would not agree to a deal that did not explicitly grant them freedom to strike in Lebanon if they believe Hezbollah is violating it. Lebanese officials have said the inclusion of such a term would violate their countrys sovereignty. And Hezbollah leader Naim Kassem said this week that the militant group would not agree to a deal that does not entail a complete and comprehensive end to the aggression. Lebanon and Israel also dispute which countries would sit on the monitoring committee. The officials said Israel refused to allow France, which has been close with Lebanon since its colonial rule there ended. Lebanon refused to have Britain, a close ally of Israel. Advertisement Deadly strikes in Gaza and people trapped in rubble In northern Gaza, the Health Ministry said at least 80 people were killed on Thursday and Friday, including near the Kamal Adwan and Al-Ahli hospitals. It said dozens of people were trapped under the rubble. Israels army said it wasnt aware of a strike near Kamal Adwan, and it didnt respond to questions about the other attacks. On Saturday, at least six people, including three children and two women, were killed in the southern city of Khan Younis, according to Associated Press reporters and staff at Nasser Hospital. Suddenly we woke up to dust, smoke and a fire, said one grieving father, Ahmad Ghassan. We found him dead and his brother injured. Another father wept as he carried his childs body in a bloodstained sheet. Advertisement And Al-Awda Hospital said it received six bodies after Israel shelled a house north of the Nuseirat refugee camp in central Gaza. The Palestinian death toll from the 13-month-long war surpassed 44,000 this week, according to the Health Ministry, which doesnt distinguish between civilians and combatants in its count. It has said more than half the dead are women and children. The Israeli military says it has killed over 17,000 militants, without providing evidence. The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting another 250. Around 100 hostages are still inside Gaza, at least a third believed to be dead. The Israeli offensive in Gaza has devastated wide areas, and around 90% of Gazas 2.3 million people have been displaced, often multiple times. Hundreds of thousands live in tent camps with little food, water or basic services. At least two women were shot dead Saturday while waiting in line for bread in central Deir al-Balah, relatives and witnesses told the AP. It was unclear who shot them and why. The United Nations says its attempts to support hard-hit northern Gaza, which has been the focus of a renewed Israeli offensive for weeks, have been denied or impeded, and that less than 20% of the population has remained there since the offensive began. Jordan security forces kill man who opened fire near Israeli Embassy Authorities in Jordan say they shot and killed a man who opened fire on a police patrol near the Israeli Embassy, an attack that left three police officers hurt. The shooting happened early Sunday in the Rabiah neighborhood of Amman, the Jordanian capital. Jordans Public Security Directorate said in a statement that a man was shooting in the area, and police pursued the shooter. He was chased and surrounded, so he started firing gunshots at the security force, which in turn applied the rules of engagement, which resulted in the killing of the perpetrator, the statement said. It did not identify the shooter. Israel and Jordan reached a peace deal in 1994. Tensions have been high between the two countries amid the Israel-Hamas war, which has decimated the Gaza Strip, and the Israeli ground offensive in Lebanon. Nepals trade deficit with India, the largest trading partner, has crossed Rs 281 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-November). read more Nepals trade deficit crossed Rs 460 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, according to official figures. As per the details released by the Customs Department, Nepal imported goods worth Rs 513.38 billion, while the export was limited to just Rs 52.67 billion during the first four months of the current fiscal year. Out of the total Rs 566.5 billion of foreign trade, Nepal witnessed a trade deficit of Rs 460.71 billion in four months, according to the department. Advertisement According to the data, the imports increased by 0.17 per cent while the exports by 4.16 per cent compared to the same period last year. Nepals trade deficit with India, the largest trading partner, has crossed Rs 281 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year (mid-July to mid-November). During the period, Nepal imported goods worth around Rs 317 from India while it exported only Rs 36 billion worth of goods to the southern neighbour. In the four months, Nepal imported diesel worth Rs 29.4 billion, petrol of Rs 21.56 billion and LPG of Rs 18.85 billion. Likewise, iron-related goods and smartphones also topped the rank of imported goods. Meanwhile, Nepal exported carpet of Rs 3.6 billion as the key exportable goods in the four months followed by soybean oil of Rs 3.41 billion, tea of Rs 2.21 billion and cardamom of Rs 1.9 billion. More than 300 families were forced to leave their homes as violent clashes between Shia and Sunni Muslims rattled Pakistans north. The Sectarian violence in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan has killed about 150 over the past months read more Over 300 families were forced to flee their homes after violent clashes between Sunni and Shia Muslims rattled North Pakistan. The sectarian fighting in the mountainous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province has killed more than 150 people over the past months, with 32 dying in fresh clashes on Saturday. Approximately 300 families have relocated to Hangu and Peshawar since this morning in search of safety, a senior official said, adding that more families were preparing to leave the provinces Kurram district, AFP reported. The region borders Afghanistan, which is currently grappling with the horrors of the Taliban. Advertisement Another senior administrative officer told the news outlets that fighting between Shia and Sunni communities continues at multiple locations. Out of the 32 people who died in the Saturday clashes, 14 were Sunnis and 18 were Shias. How it started According to AFP, the Saturday clashes came two days after gunmen opened fire on two separate convoys of Shia Muslims. The group was travelling with a police escort in Kurram, and the incident led to the death of 43 people, leaving 11 in critical condition. Following the incident, Shia Muslims attacked several Sunni locations on Friday evening in Kurram, which was once a semi-autonomous region. A senior official noted that the attacks destroyed around 317 shops and more than 200 homes in Kurram. The officer mentioned that at about 7 pm a group of enraged Shia individuals attacked the Sunni-dominated Bagan bazaar. After firing, they set the entire market ablaze and entered nearby homes, pouring petrol and setting them on fire, he added. Meanwhile, Javedullah Mehsud, a senior official in Kurram, told AFP that there were efforts to restore peace [through] the deployment of security forces and with the help of local elders. However, another police official noted that there were not enough police and administrative staff to take hold of the situation. We informed the provincial government that the situation was critical and that additional troops needed to be urgently deployed, the official said under anonymity. Last month, the Kurram district witnessed separate bouts of clashes which ultimately killed at least 16 people, including two children. In September and July, dozens of people were killed in clashes that only ended after a jirga, or tribal council, called a ceasefire. The independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) said 79 people died between July and October in sectarian clashes. Advertisement Amid the chaos, the Human Rights Commission issued a statement over the matter, urging authorities to pay urgent attention to the alarming frequency of clashes, saying the situation has escalated to the proportions of a humanitarian crisis. The fact that local rival groups clearly have access to heavy weaponry indicates that the state has been unable to control the flow of arms into the region, the HRCP noted. With inputs from AFP. Clashes erupted Sunday between police and PTI supporters along the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border, with reports of tit-for-tat tear gas exchanges read more Police officers detain a supporter of imprisoned former premier Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, which supporters gather for a rally demanding Khan's release, in Lahore, Pakistan. AP Pakistani police have arrested more than 4,000 supporters of jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan ahead of a planned rally in the capital, Islamabad, to demand his release, a security official said Sunday (November 24). Khan, who has been imprisoned for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains a popular figure in Pakistan. His political party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), claims the charges are politically motivated. Shahid Nawaz, a security officer in Punjab province, confirmed the arrests, which include five parliamentarians. Authorities have sealed off Islamabad with shipping containers and closed major roads linking the city to PTI strongholds in Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces. Advertisement Clashes erupted Sunday between police and PTI supporters along the Punjab-Khyber Pakhtunkhwa border, with reports of tit-for-tat tear gas exchanges. In a bid to disrupt communications, Pakistan suspended mobile data services in security-sensitive areas. The Interior Ministry announced the suspension on X, the social media platform banned in the country, but did not specify the affected areas or the duration of the shutdown. Telecom company Nayatel encouraged customers to use landline services as a workaround. PTI spokesperson Sheikh Waqas Akram said Khans wife, Bushra Bibi, was en route to Islamabad in a convoy led by Khyber Pakhtunkhwas chief minister, Ali Amin Gandapur. She cannot leave the party workers on their own, Akram said. In Peshawar, a festive atmosphere prevailed as PTI supporters danced, played drums, and displayed Khans pictures while caravans headed toward the capital. Internet advocacy group NetBlocks reported issues with messaging app WhatsApp, widely used by Khans supporters for event coordination and information sharing. The government has previously used similar tactics, including last months cellphone shutdown in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, to thwart pro-Khan rallies. The move disrupted banking, ride-hailing, and food delivery services, drawing public criticism. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Islamabads Red Zone, which houses key government buildings, has been sealed off. Anyone reaching it will be arrested, Naqvi told reporters, blaming PTI for disrupting public life and businesses. According to Geo News, protests by Imran Khans PTI party have incurred over PKR 2.7 billion from government coffers over the past 18 months. This includes the cost of destruction of public and private property. Advertisement With inputs from AP